Hello,

So some unhappy readers. That's fine, I just hope ya'll are holding on in there. This chapter is shorter than my previous ones, but it packs a punch. I hope you like it and if you don't that's cool too. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer's does.

Chapter 14

Knowledge and Transitions

It had been a week and Rosalie had seen no sign of Bella. She'd called Lauren and informed her that she was taking a week off for personal reasons, any paperwork requiring her immediate attention was to be faxed to her home office. Emmett's daily presence in the shelter was the only way they knew she was still alive.

Angela and Jessica had stepped in to fill her shoes. Alternating the scheduled work days between them. They had no complains, having seen Bella's frail form the week prior, neither had hesitated to say yes to the additional days.

Lauren kept insisting that Rosalie call the Cullen's and demand to know exactly what had occurred and why Bella came back in shambles. It took three days. Three days of constantly arguing with Lauren to mind her own business. Three days trying to convince the older woman that Bella was an adult and if she wanted to keep her business private then they should respect her decisions.

"Dear, you and I both know that whatever happened between Edward and Bella was his fault. That girl is damn near close to a living didn't deserve it. Whatever happened we need to know and help her through it. How much longer are you willing to wait for the truth?"

It wasn't so much the words that had lit a fire in Rosalie, it had been in timber in her voice. Having known Lauren for a couple of years now, she had no doubt that the woman would fly all the way to New York and harass the Cullen's until they gave in.

And so she had done it.

Rosalie called Edward. She called and called and called. There was no response. So she emailed and then sent another. Still no response. In the end, she decided that Edward Cullen was an ass and he did not deserve the affection Bella felt for him. Lauren, whom Rosalie never heard utter a curse word, let out a few choice words. They were unsatisfied and no closer to understanding how to help Bella.

A week began to progress into two however, Rosalie could not wait any longer. On Wednesday morning she marched up to Bella's house and knocked and waited for her friend to appear. Rosalie's initial plan was convince Bella to tell her the truth and see if she could persuade her to leave her home for a cup of coffee. Fresh air would do her well.

As the door opened guilt surged through Rosalie.

In front of her was a shadow of a woman. Bella had always been small. Now she looked miniature. She'd lost at least ten pounds, maybe more, had bags under her eyes, and her face was gaunt. She was so small the wind in Forks would be strong enough to blow her away.

Bella stepped away from the door allowing Rosalie to enter. She remembered her first visit to Bella's home and how lived in and comfortable it had felt despite the somber conversation. It looked well kept, tidy. Now it was immaculate. Not a hair out of place.

This is what she's been doing? Rosalie thought to herself. Cleaning.

"Hello," Bella croaked. Her voice was rough and course.

"How have you been?" Rosalie asked concern etched across her face.

"Fine," she answered automatically.

"Don't say fine. You're not fine. Clearly you're not fine." Rosalie pitch rose, frustration getting the better of her. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell."

"What did he do to you Bella? What did he do?" Rosalie asked over and over as she kept Bella in a vice like grip. Her arms holding bringing both pain and comfort.

The past couple of days had been rough for Bella. She'd reworked a new routine. It had began two days after her isolation. After spending an entire afternoon in a comatose state she decided to clean. It started with a small chore that progressed into an entire project. For days she dedicated her energy into revamping her room.

Edward always in the back of her mind. Remaining a constant presence in her heart.

Having Rosalie here in her home was a deviation she had not expected. She couldn't say it was awful.

"What did he do?" Rosalie asked her again, breaking Bella out of her thoughts. The question startled her for a minute, but before she could second guess herself her mouth open and she responded.

"He left."

As the words left her something else gave way inside of her. Perhaps it was her desire to escape her loneliness. It was the metaphorical breaking of a dam.

Bella opened up to Rosalie. Her voice starting off soft and calm as she retold her first encounter with the Cullen clan. As she shared the details of the gala night her heart doubled in speed. She glossed over their night, letting Rosalie come to her own conclusion. The tears flowed freely as she recounted her last night with Edward, quoting him verbatim. His words etched on her skin like a tattoo.

Like Bella, Rosalie's was erratic and uncensored by the end of the story. Bella was reminded of the calm before a storm as she looked at her friend. Rosalie stood and began pacing the living room.

"THAT UNBELIEVABLE PRICK!" Bella covered her ears, she'd never heard Rosalie sound so angry. It was quite a sight.

"I'm going to castrate him! Better yet I'm going to let Emmett castrate him! How dare he!," Rosalie continued her rant until she noticed Bella's expression. "I'm sorry. Again, I'm so sorry. It's just...I can't...what an ass!" Bella nodded her head, not fully understanding what was happening.

"What do you need? What can I do for you? I came here to check up on you and ask when you were going to come back to the shelter. Now I feel like an ass for even coming up here..." Rosalie stopped pacing and sat down next to Bella again.

"It's okay. I'll be back tomorrow."

"Tomorrow! No! Jessica, Angela, and the guys are having no problem with the extra work."

"I've cleaned everything here," came Bella's weak reply.

"Sweetie, are you sure? Take the rest of the week. Take as long as you like."

"No, it's okay." Bella reassured Rosalie.

"Bella?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"I don't understand." Rosalie face showing her confusion.

"Understand?" Bella asked perplexed.

"Why would he react so irrationally and not wait for an explanation?"

Bella's mind turned searching for an answer that would satisfy her. Even if he had behaved despicably and thrown her out, Bella would never betray Edward's trust. In her silence however, she answered Rosalie's next question.

"You love him," she stated.

"Yes," Bella didn't hesitate to respond her voice sounded defeated .

"Oh sweetie," Rosalie lamented.

"Please don't," her voice was quivering. "I don't want anymore pity."

"It's not pity," Rosalie offered as an apology. "Okay."

Silence descended then. It was neither awkward nor uncomfortable. It was a reflective moment for both. Rosalie taking in everything Bella had shared and still livid over the situation. She'd never met anyone as strong as the woman sitting next to her. Having gone through a terrible break up and what was sure to have been a terrible past, the details of which Rosalie was not privy too, nor did she need to be, to support her. It was a wonder Bella had not hidden herself away somewhere.

Looking around, Bella noted her spotless kitchen, coffee table, television, television stand, and the rest of her home. It was time to go back to her regular schedule. A week ago Lauren had made her aware that she was not emotionally stable to perform her duties. The past days brought clarity with them. Her heart still hurt, it still felt like someone pummeled and stomped on it, but having gone through every chore in her home she recognized that she no longer had reasons to put off rejoining the real world.

Staying in her home and reminiscing about the past couple of months was unhealthy and draining. Bella was exhausted, her thoughts a constant whirl. Her mind racing. She briefly wondered if her appearance reflected her emotional state.

Rosalie hand pulled her out of her head. She gently held onto Bella's hand running the other one up and down her hair.

"I don't want to, but there's work that needs to be done."

"Yes," Bella answered.

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes," she repeated.

"I'll see you then," they stood up and after another firm hug Rosalie left.

That night in her marital bed, after an obnoxious Emmett nearly made her wet the bed from laughter, Rosalie relented and summarized the conversation she'd had with Bella. And like she suspected, her husband, much like she had, became enraged and nearly destroyed their pillows. In his anger, Emmett had clutched and twisted one of their throw pillows, bits of cotton were strewn across their bed.

The couple were so in sync and familiar with their mannerisms that Emmett mimicked Rosalie's habit and began to pace, a mechanism that aided their attempt to remain calm.

"I warned that bastard! I warned him!" he kept repeating.

"Honey, you have to calm down."

"Calm down! Calm down! That asshole came in here like a knight in fucking armor, seduced her, and then threw her out in the middle of the night in one of the most dangerous cities in the world and you want me to calm down!"

"I know! I feel the same way, but we have to be calm for her. You should have seen her Emmett. She's wasting away. I don't know how to help her. I feel useless," Rosalie let go the tears she'd been holding in at Bella's home.

"Oh baby," Emmett exhaled. "I'm sorry. You're right. Calm is best. Should we take her on vacation? You know a la Carrie Bradshaw," his humor served its purpose and his wife smiled slightly, hiccuping through her tears.

"I love you."

"I love you too," he answered.

"No, Bella would hate a vacation. Space though that's what she'd want. She's coming in to work tomorrow. I have to make sure no one bothers her."

"Call me if anything happens tomorrow."

"I will."

Like she promised Emmett, the following day Rosalie made sure Bella was left alone. During their regular morning banter Tyler and Jessica had taken one glance at her and didn't refute Rosalie's request to give Bella her space. Angela, who would be tending the kittens all morning, was the only one unaware of the situation. Lauren had fawned for a second, as most mother's tended to do, but one reprimanding stare settled the woman.

It was late in the morning when Rosalie invited everyone to an early lunch in town. The four left not twenty minutes later, promising Bella a meal with their return. She smiled and gave a small wave as a good-bye and watched them drive off.

Bella was appreciative of Rosalie's efforts. She'd heard her murmur to Tyler about giving her space and she hadn't missed the pointed look she'd given Lauren. And knowing Rosalie, Bella knew that Emmett was aware of what had transpired. They never kept secrets from each other. She wasn't upset, she was thankful.

The dogs began to get rowdy, pulling Bella out of her mind. She'd missed the fury animals. She'd missed the kittens and she'd missed the chickens. Emmett was thrilled to have her back in the shelter. Having come down by himself over the past couple of days was wearing down the dog.

She ran into the shed, missing the car that was pulling into the drive way, and gathered a couple of treats for the dogs. As she was placing them inside a zip-lock bag she heard a voice call out to her. A voice she'd never thought she'd hear again.

A shiver ran down Bella's spine, her heart began to beat rapidly and the fear that ran through her body immobilized her. For a second she almost screamed for Edward, but he wasn't here, she was alone with him again.

"Miss me," Aro's voice bounced off the shelter's walls.

"How...why..."

"Speechless. I tend to do that to women." His smile as sinister as she'd remembered.

He lunged for her and she had just enough time to let out a scream.