All the usual Disclaimers… I don't own Twilight, no copyright infringement intended.

Beta'd by SunflowerFran Thank you! **Mistakes are always my own**

Maybe Keep a Tissue Handy … Just in Case.

Enjoy!

Chapter 14

EPOV

The Chief and I follow the trace on Bella's phone to an out of the way warehouse being renovated for an office building. We pull up, and I'm immediately on guard. There doesn't appear to be anyone around, but there are a lot of tire tracks and blood.

No bodies, just lots of blood.

I have a sinking feeling in my gut, my gun poised to fire.

I can't wait for reinforcements, and I have a feeling this is Charlie acting … not the Chief, because he is as quick as I am to storm the building.

We make our way hastily but silently inside.

No words have to be exchanged; we know the drill.

I'm trying to stay positive and shake the dread that creeps up my spine as I take in the destruction around me. Charlie and I exchange a glance at each other thinking the same thing. Something horrific, definitely happened here, and Bella was part of it, or at least her phone is somewhere in here.

We clear the front rooms and Charlie gestures for me to head up while he finishes the first floor. I'm about to object because while there is blood on the stairs the source of it is clearly on this level, but I've learned not to question his decisions. I nod and make my way upstairs, hugging the wall and keeping my guard up.

"Edward she's here!" Charlie yells before I make it up the steps.

I run back down, completely dropping my guard as I raced to them.

"I have to go out to make sure they have an ambulance en route, and I can't get a clear signal. I'll be right back. Don't move her!"

I wave him off and fall to the floor in front of her, taking inventory of the damage.

I think her eyes are slightly open.

"Bella, baby, can you hear me?"

She doesn't move; no response at all.

"Can you open your eyes? Can you see me? ... I'm here B ... I'm here. You're going to be okay." I fight the tears because I know it's the last thing she'd want to see.

My fears are coming to fruition and panic is setting in.

Then I see her lips move.

She's saying something.

I'm holding my breath and straining to listen, but all I hear is mumbling.

I can't make it out.

I don't understand, but then I hear it …

Clearly.

For the first time, falling from her battered, bloodied lips.

"... Love you."

She says before she closes her eyes.

She said it …

My heart clenches ...

She said the God damn words!

Ten fucking years I've waited for those words, and she's saying it now.

She's giving up ...

"Bella wake up!"

I'm cupping her cheek trying to rouse her.

"You don't get to say those words to me and then give up!

... It doesn't count Bella!

It doesn't fucking count." I whisper the last part to myself.

I'm so unbelievably angry with her, with myself, I can barely see straight.

There is no way she ended up like this unless she gave up.

I've seen her fight, and I saw the body count at the church. She's still at the top of her game. No one could have done this to her without her consent, and if she fought and still ended up like this then I don't even want to think ...

About what she must have endured …

About what I'm going to do to Aro ... when I get my hands on him.

"You do not get to give up on me ...

Not now.

You fight B ... like you've never fought before…

Damn it, please."

I tell her sternly while rubbing her cheek as hard as I dare … resisting the urge to slap her.

"Do you hear me? You fight!"

I check her pulse again.

It's too weak, but it's there.

"Damn it Bella. Don't you dare fucking leave me again. I'll never forgive you this time. Do you hear me! I'll never forgive you … not in this life and not in the next!" Hoping my empty threat would bring her back.

She's in a fetal position on the floor.

There's so much blood; I hope to hell this isn't all hers.

I pull off my shirt and start ripping it up, thankful to have some outlet for my anger.

For my frustration ...

For my fear ….

There's a gash on her leg that I need to tie off; it's the only one I can actually see. There's so much blood I just want to know where it's all coming from.

I want to carry her out of here, but I can't move her and risk further injury.

Damn it she's going bleed out...

I hear the sirens in the distance getting closer, and for the first time ever they bring me relief.

It's fucking music to my ears.

With nothing left to do but wait I crouch down, getting closer, as close as I can without moving her too much. I'm practically covering her body with mine wanting to help somehow.

I take her hand gently lacing our fingers and wrap my arm around her, like I've wanted to do every day since she reappeared.

All this time wasted.

Being angry for what?

It didn't help or change anything.

She's motionless and barely breathing; more fragile and broken than I've ever seen anyone before.

And I'm scared shitless of what that means.

I can't lose her to death again.

I won't survive it this time.

"Don't you go into any bright lights B ... Stay with me.

You are the strongest person I know.

You'll beat this too ...

You'll be fine.

I won't let you down again.

I love you.

I loved you the moment you snubbed me." The memory bringing me some comfort.

"I'll always love you…" I swallow hard and take a breath, struggling to keep calm.

There will never be anyone for me but her.

I've known that all along.

I'm feeling physically ill thinking about Tanya and our part in all of this.

"If you can hear me I just want you to know I'm sorry.

I didn't know …

I didn't know ..."

Saying what I had to say I kiss her bloodied knuckles, and pray for a miracle.

A/N

Whacha think… You still with me? Everyone okay?

So E went after her. How could he not… Will B make it?

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