Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters… but I do like to take them out and shake up their lives a bit. All hail to S. Meyer for her amazing stories and characters! (And for letting us all take them out to play).

A/N: After re-reading this chapter I found some inconsistencies. Hopefully I have those all corrected now. (That's what I get for writing at 2a.m.) Feel free to call me out on this at any time…

Chapter 14 (Revised)

"Come back to me Bella. I'm so sorry… Please wake up."

EPOV:

God, what have I done? I was the reason Bella way lying here unconscious. If I hadn't been such a selfish bastard she would never have taken off like that. Why wouldn't she wake up? She had to be okay- I would die if anything happened to her. My thoughts drifted to the last time I saw her unconscious. We were at the cabin and she had passed out.

SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!

Her leg… she wouldn't want anyone to know about that. They would probably admit her and would definitely check her over for more injuries. They would see her leg. I knew she didn't want anyone to know about it, but I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to protect her from this.

"Alice has Bella ever talked to you about James?"

"What? Why does that matter?"

"Just answer me. Please?"

"Yeah, she talked about him a little bit. But she didn't go into details. I know he had to have hurt her pretty bad, but she keeps it all locked up inside."

I was hoping that Bella might have talked to Alice about what James did to her- then I wouldn't be betraying her trust if I asked Alice what to do.

"She already hates me, so I guess it doesn't matter if I tell." I didn't realize I said it out loud until Alice asked what I meant. So I told her just enough so she would understand without going into detail.

"Edward, the best you can do is to tell Carlisle what you know. He will do his best to keep it quiet. It might actually help her more if someone else knows."

I didn't have any more time to think about it as we pulled up to the Emergency Room doors. Carlisle opened my door and reached for Bella. I held her tighter and carried her to the stretcher they had waiting. Her breathing was still shallow, and she looked so frail. I didn't want to let her go, but I knew that Carlisle would help her. He did a quick exam before directing his staff where to take her. He slid his arm around my shoulder and I felt like I was going to collapse. I drew in a deep breath and started telling him what I knew about what had happened to her. I also quickly explained enough about her scars that he understood and assured me that he would do what he could to respect her privacy. He quickly left and for the first time I noticed that the others had arrived as well.

"What have I done?" I said to no one in particular.

"Edward, you didn't do this. It was an accident. You know how accident prone Bella is. She trips over thin air! Don't you even remember how you met her?" Emmett said with a small smile.

I did remember how we met when she fell into my lap. I sank down into a nearby chair and started crying. I didn't care who saw me. The only thing that mattered was Bella. I needed her to be okay. I couldn't let myself even consider the possibility of losing her. None of this would have happened if I hadn't pushed her away.

"Did anyone call Charlie? We should let him know." I asked after I managed to get myself back under control.

"I called him Edward. He is on his way now." Rosalie said as she came over and placed a hand on my shoulder.

Charlie rushed into the waiting room at the same time that Carlisle came in.

"Is she okay? What happened?" His thoughts were frantic as he looked from us to Carlisle and back again. Anger, pain, love all rushed through his thoughts as he tried to maintain control and get answers.

"Charlie. Apparently Bella tripped and hit her head on a rock. She has a badly sprained ankle and a concussion. She hasn't regained consciousness yet so we are keeping a close eye on her. The CT scan showed some swelling of the brain. All we can do now is wait. She is being taken to a room in ICU now. I will have one of the nurses come down and take you up there in a few moments."

"Is she going to be okay, Carlisle? When will she wake up?"

"We don't know yet Charlie. She could wake up any minute now, or it could be days. She is a very strong, healthy girl, so I expect a full recovery. But with any brain trauma, you just never really know. I'm sorry I can't give you better news."

Charlie just shook his head as he took it all in. Fear and guilt were threatening to completely overwhelm me. I had to see her, but didn't know if Charlie or Carlisle would allow it.

"Can I see her?" My voice was weak and cracked. I knew that Charlie was not fully aware that Bella and I had been in a relationship. That realization was starting to hit him as he looked me over more closely. He didn't say anything and gave a slight nod in agreement. He was thinking that he would grill me later about my relationship with his daughter. He only agreed because he thought I looked like I would collapse if he said no. He was probably right.

Thankfully we didn't have to wait long for the nurse to show us to Bella's room. She looked like she was just sleeping. They had cleaned away all of the blood from her face and hair. Charlie went to her side and held one of her hands.

"C'mon Bells. Open your eyes for your old man." He sighed heavily and waited.

After a while Charlie got up and started pacing the room. I sat down in the chair next to Bella's bed and gently held her hand silently willing her to open her eyes. I talked to her, not knowing if she could hear me, but I wanted her to know that she wasn't alone. After a while, I started humming softly to her, and wished that I had a keyboard or piano so I could play for her. The music in my head was something that was purely Bella. When she got out of here, I would have to play it for her properly.

Charlie walked over and put his hand on my shoulder. His thoughts were a jumbled mixture of work, Renee, Bella, guilt, and frustration.

"Edward, you've been here all night. You should probably go home and get some rest."

"I don't want to leave her alone, sir."

"I know son, but you don't need to collapse from exhaustion and end up in here as well. She'd be mad at both of us if that happened. I am sure your father will let you know if there are any changes. Now, come on, I'll give you a ride home. I have to run home myself and get a change of clothes and make some phone calls. There isn't anything we can do for her right now."

I wanted to argue with him. I wanted to tell him that there was plenty we could still do. Just being here was something. I was afraid if I voiced my opinions, he would get angry and kick me out completely. I couldn't take that chance.

I gently brushed her hair back and whispered in her ear. "I'll be back soon, love. Sweet Dreams."

Charlie stopped briefly at the nurses' station to let them know he was going home for a little bit. Even though they assured him they would take good care of Bella, I was still worried about her being alone. I'd just run in take a quick shower, change and head back to the hospital.

******

BPOV:

Darkness. I could hear voices on the other side of the darkness, but I couldn't find my way to them. I heard Charlie asking me to open my eyes, but the darkness was to thick- I couldn't fight it.

Later I remember hearing Edward. He was begging me to come back to him. He kept telling me he was sorry. Then, I heard singing. I think it was Edward, but I couldn't be sure. Next, Edward telling me to have sweet dreams. Then there was silence.

I was scared. I wasn't sure what was happening. Silence and Darkness…

"Baby Bell"… that voice… it was James… It couldn't be real. Panic started to take over. I tried in vain to pull myself out of the darkness. It was so thick and unrelenting. I struggled to break free, to open my eyes.

"So beautiful… so vulnerable. You will always be mine." I could feel the pressure of his lips on my cheek.

I could hear monitors beeping furiously as I fought against the darkness that was holding me captive. I wanted to run but the darkness pulled me back in. Then it was silent.

******

Music? I tried to clear my clouded thoughts and fight my way back through the veil of darkness that had me trapped. I don't know how long it had been since I heard James voice. I knew I had to fight and break free of my prison. The music was someone humming. It sounded like a lullabye. It stopped.

"Please forgive me Bella. Please come back to me. I'll leave if you tell me you don't want me anymore, but please open your eyes love. I need you so bad." It was Edward. He was here. He sounded so broken and upset. I could feel a slight pressure on my hand. I focused on this and worked at pulling myself out of the darkness and back to Edward. I had to break free before James came back. I didn't know if he was really here, but I was too scared and didn't want to be alone if he came back.

I felt Edwards hand touch my cheek. I could feel his warm breath against my ear as he whispered to me. "I love you so much Bella. It scares the hell out of me. You are the only person who really knows me. I am so sorry for causing this to happen." His voice cracked and I could tell then, that he was crying. "I just don't know how to do this. I don't know how to love. You deserve someone who isn't so fucked up. How could you even really want me? Knowing what that Bastard did to me, knowing just some of what I have done? Why? How could you even want to be near me?"

He was sobbing even harder now. I could feel the wetness from his tears on my arm, and feel him shaking as he held onto my hand. I willed myself to open my eyes. I had to comfort him. I desperately wanted to run my fingers through his hair and let him know that none of the things in his past mattered to me. He was hurting and needed to know I could never stop loving him. I tried to open my eyes, but the light was blinding and hurt.

I must have moaned because I felt Edward's hand stiffen as he held mine.

"Bella? Can you hear me?"

"Edward…" I said but my voice was just a whisper. "I…. I…" I tried to let him know I loved him, but he cut me off before I could get the words out.

"Shhh, don't try to speak, love. You're safe. You're in the hospital." He leaned over me and kissed my forehead. "God, I'm so glad you're finally awake."

I was able to focus on him now. He was still absolutely gorgeous, but had dark circles under his bloodshot eyes. He looked much paler than I remembered, but his face was flushed from crying.

"I need to get Carlisle and let him know you're awake. I'll be right back."

I squeezed his hand as tight as I could I didn't want him to leave. "No! Please, don't leave me." I know it was silly but I didn't want to be alone, not even for a little bit. Not yet.

"Ok, Bella. I'm not going anywhere." He leaned over and kissed my forehead again. "I'll just use your call button instead."

I sighed in relief and started to close my eyes. I hadn't done anything, but felt extremely exhausted.

"No, Bella. Keep your eyes open for me. Stay with me Bella. I don't want to lose you again."

I just nodded and kept my eyes locked on his as he pushed the call button. It wasn't long after that my room filled up with people. First a nurse came in and checked my vitals. Then Carlisle came in and started asking a bunch of questions, shone a light in my eyes, and did a lot of reflex tests. I tried to keep my focus on Edward, but Carlisle finally made him leave the room.

"I know you aren't up for this yet, but when I come back tomorrow to check on you I think we need to talk about your scars."

I couldn't say anything, so I just nodded.

"I want you to know that whatever you say to me, stays with me. It is completely confidential. So you don't need to worry about anyone else finding out. Ok?"

Again, all I could do was nod.

"As for the rest of tonight, I'm afraid you aren't going to have an easy night. The nurses will be in to check on you every couple of hours, to make sure things are still going well."

He continued to explain about my head injury and that they were going to keep monitoring me closely until they were sure I was completely out of danger.

"How long was I out?"

"Eight days. You really had us all worried. Edward hasn't wanted to leave your side since he carried you in. Charlie forced him to leave once, but he just came right back. We finally gave in- with conditions."

"What conditions?" I was surprised that Edward had stayed with me. I was surprised that he was the one that brought me in. I was going to have a lot of questions I realized as I tried to take it all in.

"He stopped eating and sleeping. So we had to make sure he was taking care of himself. He had to leave you long enough to go to the cafeteria and eat. We also brought a recliner in so he could get some sleep. He absolutely refused to leave you for any longer than a rushed trip to the cafeteria. I think he wanted to do for you, what you did for him. It's completely different, of course, but he wanted to be the one to bring you back to us. I could see the determination on his face."

"I could hear him talking to me, and singing. I remember trying to find him, but it was so dark."

Carlisle just nodded and smiled at me. "Well, maybe now that you are awake you can convince him he needs to take better care of himself."

"I'll try. He's pretty stubborn though."

Carlisle started laughing at my comment. "You've got that right. Well, he is probably pacing a hole in the floor outside. Do you want me to send him back in?" I just nodded. "I still need to call your Dad and let him know you are awake. He was having a hard time dealing with this. I think it made him feel helpless." With that he walked out of the room.

Edward practically sprinted through the door and back to my side. "Hey beautiful."

I arched an eyebrow at him but didn't ask what I was dying to know. Instead I just said "Hey" back.

I really wanted to know why he was the one that brought me to the hospital. Why he had spent so much time here. Why he was with Tanya at the party. I had a million questions I wanted to ask. While I was trying to figure out where to start, I noticed that Edward's face changed from happy to withdrawn and sad.

"Bella, if you want me to leave, just tell me. I'll understand. I treated you horribly, and I know you can't possibly forgive me for what I have done, but I hope that you will let me stay. I'm just really happy you're okay."

"I don't want you to leave, but why did you stay?"