Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. No copyright intended.

This is a shorter chapter, fyi. I didn't want to leave anything too cliff hangy because I will not be able to update next week. I will be out of town, computerless and internetless. My sincerest apologies. I will try to update as soon as possible when I get back!

Thank you to my betas Maddux and Owlpostagain, ya'll rock!

Chapter 14: Wash Away Those Years

She came calling,
One early morning,
She showed her crown of thorns,
She whispered softly,
To tell a story,
About how she had been wronged,
As she lay lifeless,
He stole her innocence,
And this is how she carried on,
This is how she carried on...

Well I guess she closed her eyes,
And just imagined everything's alright,
But she could not hide her tears,
'Cause they were sent to wash away those years,
They were sent to wash away those years.

Wash Away Those Years – Creed

"W-who are y-you?" I backed up so that I was against the wall. At least they couldn't sneak up on me. I was shaking violently as my gaze shifted around the room. I couldn't see any outlines, it was as though whomever was here was completely invisible.

"You don't remember me? Bella, we met a few days ago." A few days ago? I tried to think back through the haze of stress and fear to this recent meeting, but nothing was coming to mind. I was too scared to recall properly. The room began to spin as my breathing grew heavier. I couldn't see right, and everything was so confusing.

"…can't see…you…" I managed to get out before I had to slide down the wall. I knew I was hyperventilating, but there wasn't much I could do to stop it. It was all too much. My vision began to go as the darkness closed in, but before I fell into unconsciousness, I could see Jasper step out of the shadows, a worried expression on his face. He was right, I had met him a few days ago.

I felt as though I were floating, the wind pushing against me, yet there was no sound. The world was silent as I moved through the blackness. Somehow I made no noise as I moved through the dark, but it wasn't important. There was a sense of urgency to my travels. I ran with a purpose because I was worried… frightened? Yet, I couldn't figure out what I was worried about.

I was moving so quickly that I couldn't keep up with what I was doing. I could see pin pricks of light stabbing at my eyes as the wind continued to rush past with no sound. It wasn't until the light grew to unbearable amounts that everything went black again. I relaxed once more in relief. The light had been painful and confusing. At least in the darkness I could float in peace.

"Bella, honey…" The voice that spoke was loud after spending so much time in the silence. I had been floating for a lifetime it seemed, maybe years, months, days, or hours. Time had no meaning in the silence. Nothing mattered here as I floated along. There was nothing before and there would be nothing afterward, if there was an afterward. So what was with the voice?

"Bella… wake… okay…" The voice shifted to something deeper and something tugged within me, telling me to fall from my floating perch and wake up. The tugging grew more forceful as the voice continued to speak in soft tones. I wanted to leave my place of nothing for this voice, but I didn't understand why. What did this voice mean to me?

There was a slight movement and then I was being moved into cold arms. Abruptly, I was no longer floating. It was like I had fallen without even realizing it.

My body burrowed itself closer to whomever was holding me, the feeling of warmth in their arms capturing my attention. I needed to open my eyes and remember once again.

It took a few minutes for me to actually open my eyes, but all I could see was the blue stripes of a button up shirt. That didn't really help me keep my eyes open.

"Bella? Sweetheart? You're safe now. Please look at me…" It was the voice again. How could I refuse such a voice? I lifted my head slightly, slowly lifting my eyes as well until I was met with the most beautiful sight, and then I felt it. All the memories slammed right back into me. There was a beginning and an end and not all of it was happy or simple.

"Edward…" He smiled, his eyes practically glowing as he just looked at me.

"Phil…?" His smiled immediately dropped off into an angry scowl, and I could feel him tense up beside me. He knew then, he had found out somehow. Why was I here? How had they found me at that moment?

"Emmett says he is still unconscious in your room. Charlie and Renee are still asleep. But, Bella, none of that matters now. You are safe here, he can't get you here." That didn't answer any of my confusing thoughts. I was still confused. Why was Emmett watching Phil?

"How- how did I get… here?" I looked around the room, a room I was actually rather familiar with. I was in Edward's room. I glanced back up at Edward and he looked… confused, which was nice since I was just as confused by it all. The last thing I could remember was the thud and the intruder. What happened?

"Don't you remember? Jasper brought you here. He said he believed you had hyperventilated and passed out but that you had no serious injuries. Carlisle, of course, confirmed that." As soon as he said it, I remembered seeing Jasper before everything blacked out. It had all been rather confusing on my end, especially since I couldn't breathe since I was in such a panic. I tilted my head down, breaking away from Edward's gaze to stare at his shirt while I thought it all out.

What would happen now? Edward told me I was safe, but Phil isn't dead, Emmett had said he was unconscious and I knew he would never leave me alone as long as he was alive. How can I escape someone that intent upon keeping me around?

"Alice wants to know if she can come see you now." I glanced up, his words breaking me out of the rush of thoughts going through my head. I nodded, but before he said a word, Alice was bounding into the room and jumping onto the bed to get closer to me. As soon as she was close enough, she hugged me and told me that I was safe now. Were they all going to tell me that at some point or another? I tugged away slightly, uncomfortable with the prolonged contact with someone besides Edward.

"I'm so sorry we couldn't get there sooner, it was like I saw it, just as it was about to happen. That dirty son of a-"

"Alice! Stop, please!" I interrupted her before she could say anything else about what she had seen. I didn't want to hear about it, I had been there. She froze, completely stopping all movement as she sat next to me. She looked almost as if she were daydreaming, but it didn't look like a very happy daydream.

I hadn't seen him come in, but all of a sudden ,Jasper was on the bed, his arms around Alice as she sat immobile. It didn't take long for her to come out of it and as soon as she did, she began to bounce around again in normal Alice fashion.

"Charlie is awake and he went to check on you. He found Phil and now he is going to wake Renee to find out what is going on. He is rather panicked since you're not in your room." I felt the customary surge of guilt that I was the one causing all the panic and confusion for Charlie, and soon for my mom. I had already caused enough trouble for the Cullens and now it would be the same for my own parents.

"I have to go back and make sure they know I'm okay," I whispered. Edward immediately tensed up, holding me to him so I couldn't really go anywhere. Alice was shaking her head 'no' before I even finished my sentence.

"Emmett will tell them that you are at our house before Phil wakes up. Actually, I believe he is going to do that right now. So there is no reason to go back just yet." Once I relaxed Edward loosened his hold on me.

"Why didn't you tell us, Bella? All we want is to keep you safe and you kept this from us… I don't understand…" The hurt look in her eyes only swelled the guilt from before as I considered why I hadn't told them. I hadn't wanted to cause any more trouble, and it seems I had done just that, again. Could I tell them the full story? Did they already know?

"I didn't want to cause any more trouble… you already protect me at school and outside of school. You spend so much time on me… what about your family? Don't they resent the fact that I am taking up so much of your time?" Rosalie, specifically popped into my head as I spoke. She seemed to hate me and I knew this without her even having to voice it. Just the way she looked at me said it all. How much time had I stolen from her with Emmett as he protected me?

"We wouldn't do it if we didn't want to. Bella, you are our friend. How many times do I have to tell you that before you believe it?" They would probably have to say it forever, and even then, I doubt I could ever truly believe it. They deserved someone better, someone who could be a trustworthy and caring friend, someone who wasn't broken. I kept my mouth shut, knowing I would only upset her if I spoke such thoughts aloud.

"Can I ask you a question?" She didn't call out my silence, for which I was grateful. This was becoming much too stressful. There were too many people slowly picking away at my secrets and it wasn't easy. I had been alone in this since it started, and now they all had a clearer view as to what has been going on in my life.

"I guess… but please don't be upset if I don't answer." She nodded in agreement which helped ease my fears, somewhat, though I was pretty sure I knew what was coming. This had to happen eventually.

"How long has he been…?" She didn't bother finishing her sentence. We all knew what she was talking about, and suddenly, I was hyper aware of all the people now sitting in the room. I glanced at both Edward and Jasper nervously before focusing back on Alice.

"I-I-" Alice's gaze shifted to Edward, who was behind me, and he stood up.

"I think I should go find Carlisle, what about you, Jazz?" Jasper nodded and then they were gone. I sighed in relief and Alice chuckled. I just couldn't speak directly to so many people, at once, about something so personal to me. I moved to lean back against the headboard so that I could at least be relaxed. Though, with Edward gone, that was easier said than done.

"When he married my mom, Renee. That's when." Somehow I managed to keep my voice steady and there were no tears. It was possible that my calm moment was from shock, especially since the Cullens had, quite literally, changed everything. I wasn't sure what was ahead of me now. I couldn't even guess at what would happen.

"How long ago was that?" Of course she would want to know the details. This was how Alice worked.

"Two years ago." I hoped she didn't ask for the date. I really didn't want to talk about this any more. I shut my eyes and rested my head against the headboard as well. What did Charlie and Renee think? Would they come here to get me or would they figure it all out for themselves?

"Bella, I know it's hard, but if you talk about it, you will feel better. Just talk to me, please?" I lifted my head and turned to look at her. She was sincere, I could see that much. She honestly wanted to help me get better. She wanted to keep me from all the awful things in the world. I think she could tell I was giving in to her wish, that I would talk to her and tell her what she wanted to know. I didn't want to fight one of the few people I actually trusted and cared about.

"Did he… try to…" I watched her warily, waiting for what I knew she was going to ask, if she could ever get it out. She sighed and laid back onto the pillows. Apparently this wasn't easy for her either.

"You should take him to trial, get him thrown in jail…" That was not a good thought. The fear surged up through me as I considered sitting in a courtroom, all those people listening and knowing what he did to me. I couldn't even tell Alice, how could I even attempt to tell complete strangers?

"Hello? Are you even listening, Bella?" I shook my head and slid off the bed towards the door. I couldn't even make it to the door before Alice was blocking my path. I scowled, crossing my arms and turning away from her. I knew it was childish, but I didn't want to talk about it anymore. There was too much to go through, all the pain and fear. She wanted it all at once, but I would break going through it all at once. The stress of it all would crush me. What made her think I could tell her?

"Alice, let her out, please." I smiled and turned back towards the door. At least Edward would keep me from a complete breakdown. He had witnessed too many of those, I didn't need to go through another one. The door opened and Edward stepped inside. I watched as Alice's shoulders sagged and she finally stepped aside. I accepted Edward's proffered hand and we slipped out of the room unhindered by Alice. I knew I had upset her by not telling her everything, but I just couldn't do it, not yet.

"Is it okay if we speak to Carlisle? He wants to make sure you're okay." I wasn't particularly pleased with seeing another person who was aware of my scars, but I knew it was smart to make sure I wasn't injured or anything. I didn't recall any severe pain or injury, but I also hadn't remembered how I had arrived at the Cullens' house, so I suppose my memory wouldn't be the best thing to trust at the moment.

Edward led me down the hall to the second floor, stopping in front of a dark wood door.

"Come in." Edward opened the door, revealing a tastefully done study with each wall covered in books. Now this would be my ideal room. A room where I was safe and surrounded by things to read. I could get lost in the books and never have to deal with the outside world, except for the basic necessities, of course. Carlisle motioned for us to sit down in the chairs in front of the large desk he sat at. The file on his desk suggested he was reading a patient's medical file. I had seen plenty of those in all my trips to the hospital.

"Well, Bella. Everything looks normal to me. I looked you over when Jasper brought you in, and I wanted to tell you myself that you were not injured in this incident, fortunately. Do you remember arriving here with Jasper?" He leaned back, closing the file on his desk, which may have been mine, and steepled his fingers together as he watched Edward and I.

"Edward explained, but I don't really remember very well." Carlisle nodded, looking thoughtful for a moment before focus back on us.

"I know Alice has already made an attempt to convince you to press charges, but I too wanted to convince you of that course of action. He needs to be locked away and this time we can't do it for you. We will help you as best we can, but, Bella, this has to come from you. You are the one who can lock him away for good. He would never come near you again." I tried not to listen, but what he said made sense. Yet, to put Phil in jail, I would have to be confident enough to tell an entire courtroom my story, and I just wasn't ready for that yet.

I jumped slightly at a knock on the door behind Edward and I. Before Carlisle could attempt to tell the knocker to come in, Emmett came bounding into the room with a grim expression, which was rather uncharacteristic of my bodyguard. He looked at me for a moment, nodding in greeting, and then turned to Carlisle.

"I told Charlie and Renee that Bella was at our house and that they should probably deal with Phil now. Before that I merely watched to make sure that he stayed unconscious on the floor until Charlie and Renee woke up to find him…"

"I'm sorry, Chief Swan, it's not my story to tell. My mom and dad will watch over her for the next few days, and once your guests leave, she will come back to stay with you." Emmett shifted once again to keep up the human facade. Chief Swan narrowed his eyes, contemplating the sincerity of Emmett's words, no doubt.

"Does this have to do with the fact that I found Phil, unconscious, in her room this morning? Do you know what happened?" Emmett shook his head before waving goodbye and driving away. He ditched his car not far from the house and ran back to see what Chief Swan would do.

"-don't understand. Why would he be in her room? Renee, did something happen in Phoenix?" The concern in Chief Swan's voice was unmistakeable. He had begun to think the worst.

"I am just as clueless as you on this, Charlie. There must be an explanation though. There has to be." Her voice tapered off into a whisper as they made their way up the stairs and into Bella's room. Phil still hadn't moved from the spot where he had dropped to when Jasper had hit him. Renee disappeared to get some water before returning to splash it on Phil and wake him up. It didn't take too long before Phil was groaning and rolling over onto his back.

"Where am I?" He sounded groggy and extremely disoriented as he glanced, bleary-eyed, around the room. Then he froze, tensing up as he slowly turned to look back at Chief Swan and Renee.

"Why am I in Bella's room?" Renee immediately threw her arms around him, trying to comfort him in his supposed confusion.

"Oh, honey, I think you were sleepwalking again. Did you hit your head?" The growing bruise was already visible and as Phil touched it he let out a little yelp of pain. Chief Swan watched Phil for a moment before standing up. He dragged Renee up with him.

"Why are you unconscious, knocked out, in my little girl's room?" His expression was dangerous, almost murderous, as he glared down at Phil. He knew something was off, he just couldn't place it.

"He already explained, Charlie, he-" Renee tried to butt in and explain for Phil, but Chief Swan cut her off.

"No… you explained what you thought happened. I want to hear what happened, from him." Phil squirmed slightly as he sat up. He looked extremely uncomfortable as he tried to look Chief Swan in the eye to respond. It didn't work very well.

"I- uh- well- yes, Renee was right. I must have been sleepwalking." His words were hasty, which seemed to only make Chief Swan more suspicious as to what had really happened. How long had he been sleepwalking right into Bella's room when she lived with them? He didn't say another word though, leaving the room in silence while Renee and Phil began to discuss what their plans for the day were.

"There wasn't much after that. Chief Swan seemed really on edge, though, all the way up until I left, and he hasn't come to see Bella yet. Maybe he is finally realizing that something is a bit off with Phil. Though, I could tell Renee never even batted an eyelash. She is either completely clueless or she has been ignoring what's right in front of her." Emmett glanced over at me, his expression apologetic at his evaluation of my mother. I wasn't angry though because he was actually right on track. Renee was just that way.

Emmett seemed to be done with his lookout report and quickly disappeared to another part of the house, possibly to find Rosalie. At least, since we didn't have school, he could spend more time with her, that is, when I wasn't getting into some kind of trouble.

My thoughts, suddenly, strayed back to my room and my scissors hidden under my bed. I felt a strong surge of need for them, to take care of this on my own and move on. It would be such a simple fix and then Phil would be gone on Saturday. Then, I would be free for a little while longer.

Why couldn't a little pain be the answer to all of this? Why did we have to talk about trials and past experiences? All that would do is cause a lot of suffering for my mom and dad, and even for me. I could avoid all of that if I could just get back home. I just had to come up with a way around Alice...

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peace & grace