Chapter 14: Shifting Sympathy

A/N: I own nothing. Characters are all Stephenie Meyers' creations. This is unbeta'd so apologies for any & all mistakes. Please take the time to leave some words if you really loved it or really hated it!

*****

Ever since Alice's announcement about the police coming I couldn't relax. I did everything I could to ensure I'd be as close by as possible. I knew there would be no reasonable explanation for me to be in the actual room with Bella so we agreed I would wait out in the parking lot, at least until they left. That way I could glean what information I could from them - because with officers of the law what they thought and what they said were often two different things, mainly because they didn't want to pervert the course of justice. But in this case I knew who did it and I wanted to make sure the police did too. I didn't tell Bella what I had found out about Cain or his step-father because I didn't want her to say anything in her witness statement that sounded out of place. And naming a man she'd only met the once would definitely be out of place.

I went to school in the morning to keep up appearances but I couldn't concentrate on anything but the upcoming police interview with Bella. It was even difficult to listen to the thoughts of those around me, despite the shifting attitudes. The true extent of Bella's injuries were filtering around the school now, thanks in big part to my siblings, and as word spread sympathy shifted. More and more people felt that regardless of Bella's guilt or innocence she didn't deserve the beating she'd been given, which in turn led many to view her as the innocent party and forget the initial allegations.

Mr Anders in particular spent much of the day as he had the last few, weighing up the 'evidence' against Bella, and he'd finally reached a decision. He hadn't seen anything in my behaviour to indicate that we were anything other than close friends. Of course, he couldn't read minds like I could – if he could he would have seen the scandalous thoughts about Bella that I had whenever I existed within my own thoughts.

I left school at lunch and drove straight for the hospital. I pulled into the parking lot and listened to find out who was with Bella. I was relieved when I found Carlisle's mind in her room. I just wished I had some way of letting him know I was here. He was talking to Bella, explaining how much he thought she had improved. And he was right. Each passing day her swelling reduced. Most of her bruises were starting to turn a yellow-brown colour. In short each day she became more and more her again.

The police arrived in the room just as Carlisle was finishing up. Jacob was in the cafeteria, having been shooed out by a nurse just before Carlisle's arrival. I heard Carlisle find him and explain the police were here and to stay out of Bella's room for the time being.

The police woman spoke first, "Miss Swan, I'm Detective Fray and this is Detective Jenson." She indicated her partner, a tall and stocky man who looked like he'd never cracked a smile in his life. Bella didn't look very comfortable with him close by. I wondered if his bulky size reminded her of Chris Markson. The policewoman, Detective Fray, seemed to understand the apprehension on Bella's face and took the seat beside the bed, motioning for her partner to take one of the other chairs, that Jacob and whoever I took with me usually occupied, along the far wall of the room.

Detective Fray ran the discussion.

"Miss Swan, I'd like for you to tell me in your own words what happened to cause you these injuries."

Bella nodded and I tried to tune out the thoughts of her face and voice as she described the fear she felt and the words Chris said. I knew that if I had to see her tears, or hear her talk about how afraid she'd been, I might lose my resolve to keep my promise to not harm the monster that did it to her. So instead I tried to listen to the thoughts of both detectives without tuning into specific words. Both of the police had the exact same thought. Between the description Bella gave and their local knowledge they knew the only person who could have done this was Chris. And both were elated because it meant they finally had a case which might lead to Chris' arrest. Apparently they had both been to his house multiple times in response to domestic violence calls from neighbours but charges were never laid because neither Cain nor his mother would agree to testify against Chris.

Finally, after running over her story a few times and committing it to paper the police had Bella sign her witness statement and then left. As they walked out of the door Detective Fray turned back towards Bella with a sympathetic smile and said, "We're investigating a number of leads with this, we'll let you know as soon as we know anything."

Bella nodded but looked utterly dejected. I wanted to race in and tell her who it was but instead I did the sensible thing and sought out Jacob first so that the two of us could go into Bella's room together so that it didn't look like I was trying to sneak in on my own. Once I arrived I wrapped my arms around Bella as gently as I could.

"They know more than they're letting on," I whispered into her ear.

"Who do?"

"The police – they know, or at least strongly suspect, who it is."

"Then who was it?"

"Chris Markson. Apparently he's well known to them."

"Why?"

"They are regular visitors to his house. He apparently treats his own family the same way he treated you."

"Oh," Bella said. I could see the compassion and pity in her eyes. She was lying here in hospital and yet she still had the ability to feel for his family.

I gently stroked her face, "The police will handle this Bella. With your testimony they'll get him off the streets."

She nodded and a tear slipped from her eyes. I knew how hard it had been for her to tell the police the story.

"You did a wonderful job, Bella. I am so proud of you." I pressed my lips to hers very gently.

"Carlisle was here before the police," Bella said. She obviously wanted to change the subject.

I smiled, "I know."

She chuckled, "I guess I shouldn't be surprised you were listening."

"I told you I would be."

"To the police, not to anything before then." She teased.

I just laughed. "I've got more news for you."

She narrowed her eyes, "What's that?"

"Mr Anders has all but decided to cancel your suspension. He seems to believe the version of events we have offered."

She nodded, not seeming as pleased as I thought she might be.

"What is it, Bella?"

She shrugged, "I just don't see the benefit in that if the rest of the town hates me and believes I'm guilty."

"We'll get out of town soon enough."

"How? I don't want to leave gossip and rumours behind us."

"I don't think we'll have to worry about that. Everyone is very sympathetic towards you now."

She looked at me incredulously, "Yeah right, Edward."

"I'm being serious, Bella. Why would I lie to you about this?"

She examined my face then a small smile broke onto her lips. "So we can leave soon?"

I nodded, "I think the best idea is for you to go back to school for a couple of weeks though, show that it is all behind you. Then you can reconcile with Jacob and leave."

She made a face and I laughed.

"Hey!" Jacob called from the other side of the room, he'd caught the look too.

"Sorry Jake, you know I still care about you but I just cannot even think about going back there now."

I leaned close to her ear and breathed, "Good, because you are mine and I don't share."

She shivered but I wasn't sure if it was from my words or my breath.

"So when do I get to move in with you?" She whispered back.

"I've been thinking about that, Bella, and I think it might be better if we wait until we can move on. Now that there is a bit of a timeframe forming, I think it is better if you stay in your house with Jacob so we can encourage the rumours about a reconciliation. Better those rumours than the ones that might start if you move into our house."

She seemed to consider it for a minute. "That makes sense," she admitted grudgingly.

"It will only be for a few weeks, a couple of months tops. And then..." I smiled at her and she smiled back. "Which reminds me – Jacob?"

"Mmmm?" Jacob said without looking up from his magazine.

"Come up to the house later and pick a car to get around in, at least until Bella's is fixed."

Bella shifted anxiously next to me I looked quizzically at her but she just shook her head. She wasn't ready to talk about it. I sighed, but decided that it was better not to push her now.

What car? Why? Jacob was thinking. I wished again that I could hear Bella's thoughts so I could know what was bothering her. I turned back to Jacob, "Any of the cars in our garage, you need to be able to get around town – especially while I'm at school."

"Any?" His eyes bugged for a second. He obviously knew our taste in cars from our time in Forks.

"Yeah any no one will begrudge your choice, everyone is so thankful that you are here for Bella."

He probably wants me to pick something safe and practical for chauffeuring Bella around in nothing fast or fun.

"Actually, you can pick any car because I know you wouldn't put Bella in danger. And if you did, I'd kill you."

He chuckled, "You'd try."

I caught his eye, "But it's a moot point anyway - isn't it."

He nodded, "Yeah, I'd never hurt Bells." He thought about their past, "At least not intentionally."

I nodded and returned my full attention to Bella. I was finally beginning to understand, and maybe even like, Jacob Black.

*****

The rest of the week passed in a similar fashion. I stayed in Bella's hospital room alone each night – ducking out of the room whenever a nurse or doctor came into the room. Then in the morning, as soon as Jacob arrived, I would fly from the window and run home to change and come back down for the morning visiting hours before going to school. Then I would have to endure hours of torture away from Bella's side listening to the thoughts of everyone in the school - although thankfully each day their thoughts were less and less about Bella which made it easier to deal. Then after school I would drive up to the hospital with whichever of my siblings would come down with me. Only Rosalie hadn't come down yet, but I knew it was because Bella's attack reminded her a little too much of her own so I didn't feel any anger towards her for it.

As I ran in the door on Saturday morning after spending the Carlisle thought that today was the day he would release Bella. She had made enough of an improvement that she would be able to manage at home, with assistance from Jacob. I was ecstatic, as was Alice who immediately decided a shopping trip was in order to make sure Bella had a fantastic 'going home' outfit. I knew Bella wouldn't care less about what outfit she was wearing so long as she going home but it gave me something to occupy my time until we were able to go up to the hospital because Carlisle wouldn't release her until the afternoon so he could run a final round of observations on her. We spent a bit of time orchestrating a plan for a series of arrivals and departures from Bella's house when she got home this afternoon – the plan was to leave anyone watching so confused they wouldn't know how many people came or went.

I walked as patiently as possible behind Alice as she dragged me from shop to shop. Finally she declared that she had found it. She held up a long scrap of material which just plain confused me. I knew about men's clothes, they were easy, but women's clothes just baffled me sometimes with all the knots and bow and ruffles and clasps. It was one of the things I loved about Bella - jeans and a button-up shirt were the staples of her wardrobe and were very easy to remove, not that I didn't appreciate it when she was dressed up as well. Alice laughed when she saw the expression on my face at the sight of the material she was holding up. She showed me how to do it up, and more importantly - how to undo it, on a mannequin in the store.

When we hit the hospital we went straight to Carlisle's office. I realised it was going to make me late but if we were springing Bella today I didn't mind and I knew she wouldn't either. Although I still tuned into Jacob's thoughts once we were finished in Carlisle's office. He was amused that Bella seemed to be anxious for me to arrive. This little confirmation of the way she felt about me made my smile even broader than it already was. Nothing could put a damper on my mood today.

I walked into the room and straight to Bella's side, kissed her gently on the forehead and then I gave Jacob a quick jab to the arm in greeting. Even though it wasn't a serious punch it probably would have broken a normal humans arm. He took a swipe at me in return and I grinned wider, looking back at Bella.

Bella looked between Alice and myself.

"So what's got you two looking like the cat who got the cream?" she asked.

Alice threw a bag onto the bed Bella's feet, "We've come to spring you."

"Seriously? I'm going home today?"

I laughed, "Well, Carlisle did say you could leave when you felt ready. Alice saw that you felt ready."

"Come on, Bella. Get up, get changed. Boys - out."

Jacob went to race for the door, last one out is a rotten egg. I grabbed him around the shoulders to push him behind me. I whispered, "You're so juvenile," in his ear. As soon as we burst into the hall he poked his tongue out at me. I shook my head, "You and Emmett need to get together – you'd get along so well."

Then I ignored him as I tried not to concentrate on Alice's thoughts. But it was hard, especially when I heard Bella start to ask how she was going to get out of it. I turned to Jacob.

"Jake?"

"Yeah?"

"You want to take my Aston out tonight? For a nice long drive?"

He laughed, "Quality time?"

I shrugged, "I just want to help her get settled back into her house."

"Sure thing."

"Take my credit card for fuel – go as far as you want."

I turned back into Alice's mind as I heard Bella ask whether Alice spies on us with her visions. I knew Alice didn't – in fact she went to great lengths to avoid them sometimes. I heard in Alice's mind that she was going to tease Bella a little about it though. I heard the bathroom door swing open and Alice say, "By the way, you two - hot!"

Bella sounded mortified, "Alice, sometimes I swear you're worse than Emmett."

"Thank you!" Alice said as she swept out into the corridor with Jacob and I. I know you want to help her out now, Edward, but I think it's better if Jacob does.

I nodded in response to Alice's thought. "Jacob," I indicated for him to go in the door.

As soon as Bella was in Jacob's sights I saw she was flushed that gorgeous red colour I loved so much against her cream skin.

"What's up, Bells?" Jacob asked when he saw the colour of her face.

"Nothing." Bella said through gritted teeth. "Can we go home now?"

I couldn't help it, between Alice's thoughts and Bella's face I burst out laughing. Bella fumed. I was so going to get it later – but it was worth it.

We walked though the hospital towards the parking lot. Jacob and I support Bella between the two of us and helped her into the MG which Jacob was currently borrowing – he'd been asking about the Aston Martin but despite what I told him about 'any car' I just hadn't gathered the courage to let him have it yet, so he was in for a treat tonight. And so was I – completely uninterrupted time with Bella.

As we drove home I rang everyone to give them the signal that our game of musical cars was about to start. Jacob and I settled Bella down onto the couch and then for the next hour my family came and went in a flurry of cars and bodies. Esme came down and dropped off groceries. Even Carlisle came up from the hospital.

Finally after everyone left I walked over to the couch beside Bella. I twisted my body back against the armrest so that I was facing towards Bella. Then I gently twisted her into my chest so that her legs were lying along the length of the couch. I brought my lips down to her smashed collarbone. I had run my fingers over this spot so many times over the last week, but I'd been longing to feel the warmth of her skin against my lips. Her blood coursed through her neck, so sweet-smelling, telling me that I was home. I ran my tongue from her neck to her shoulder. She shivered, but I didn't think it was because of the cold. I chuckled against her.

"So, how does it feel to be home?" I asked her.

"To be honest, it doesn't feel like home anymore."

I was confused by her answer. "And what would be home then?"

"Wherever you are."

If my heart was beating it would have just skipped a beat. "I'm here right now."

"Yeah, but it's always cloak and daggers stuff to get you in here. I'd like to be able to walk in the front door holding hands for once, you know."

"Two months and then we can be together forever."

"Mmm, sounds good." She leaned her head further back into me, opening up her neck and chest. I brushed her hair off her shoulder and neck, pushing it around to the other side. Then I nuzzled my face into the crook of her neck and kissed her a few times. Bella's heart rate sped. I knew I wasn't going to take it too far but I was also going to enjoy every minute of time we spent together. I twirled the knot Alice had made in the material that became a shirt. "So, Alice told me I had to help you out of this thing?"

"Mmm-hmm."

I pulled at the knot, skilfully twisting and pulling in all the places Alice had shown me until it was just sitting in a heap beside the couch. I pushed one hand around her waist and just held her to me. My thumb drew gently circles on her stomach. She yawned absently, so I tried to relax her further. She needed sleep. I ran my mouth and tongue over her neck and shoulders. She groaned. I started to hum her lullaby into her neck while I continued to kiss her.

Her breathing settled and evened out. She was asleep. I didn't want to move her so I just held her tightly and rocked her as she slept.

After a few hours I realised that Jacob would be home soon so I gently shifted Bella in my arms so I could pick her up. Bella startled awake a little, she lifted her head to look around.

"Why's it so dark?"

I laughed a little at the question – she obviously hadn't realised she was so close to sleep. "You fell asleep."

"I'm sorry."

I spoke to her as I carried her down the hallway, "Don't be. I wasn't going to take it any further anyway. I'm not going to risk that while you still have broken bones."

"Tease."

I laughed as I laid her into the bed and climbed in beside her. I ran my finger over her broken cheekbone gently. She shivered at my touch. I realised it was the first time I had touched that side of her face while she was awake. Then I cupped her chin and pressed my lips to hers briefly. But that brief taste made me want more. I looked into her eyes, "Tell me if I hurt you."

She nodded and I pressed my lips forward again. I felt her mouth popping open, her lips soft and supple against mine. I wanted to stay lost here all night but I knew she needed her sleep. I pulled away and laid down beside her.

"Tease." She murmured as I hummed her lullaby to help her off to sleep.

A/N- Any mistakes in this chapter can be blamed on the RPatz "Details" shoot because - well honestly who isn't a bit muddled at the moment after those photos!

I will keep my updates coming as fast as I can but I have to start my study again for this semester this week so I will have to concentrate on that a little too (unfortunately LOL)

Check out my favs list there are some fantastic stories in there, in various stages of completion. Special mentions this week Almost Doesn't Count, Expectations & other moving pieces and Smoking in the Boys Room. And if you haven't read Emancipation Proclamation I highly recommend that you do (it is epic & I am only 1/2 way through the story to date!) it's address on blogger is http://kharizzmatik-ep . /