Wow, I updated in a week again! Holidays were great for my productivity. I'm back at work now...boo.
Many thanks for all the love I received for this chapter! I love the support.
This chapter has only a little EPOV and the rest is Bella. One more chapter after this, I think. And an epilogue. I can't believe I'm almost finished! WAAAH!
My beta, katmom, is all kinds of amazing. She set me straight on a lot of weirdness I had in this chapter...and still puts up with multiple daily emails from me.
Don't forget to vote for me at the Mystic Awards: http://themysticawards(dot)webs(dot)com/vote(dot) htm Elevators is under Sexiest Story!
Elevators, Strangers and Surprises - Chapter 14
EDWARD
Hold on, Bella, he thought, I'm coming.
With the slip of paper clutched tight in his hand, Edward stood up, ready to bolt from the apartment. Common sense stilled him. Emmett wouldn't take kindly to him taking off without so much as a word.
"Emmett!" he called. "You need to see this." Emmett's head popped out from the bathroom.
"What is it?"
"This…" Edward showed him the paper in his hand. "He's taken Bella to the Langham."
"The fancy hotel? Well, I'll be damned. Who'd think the fucker would be so upscale?" Emmett took out his radio. "Chief Swan, this is McCarty. Come in, over."
"Charlie here, what have you got Emmett? Over." Charlie's voice came through crackling on the radio.
"We've got a lead, Chief. There's good reason to believe McAlister's taken Bella to a hotel. The Langham. Over."
"In Pasadena? I'm coming down now. Get more units out there to cover. Swan out."
Edward was impatient for the short conversation to end so they could leave. His tapping foot gave way his edginess.
"Let's go," Emmett said and the two men took off at a run. On the way down to the ground floor, Emmett radioed for back up.
Once at the car, Emmett set the siren wailing. "We'll find her." His tense expression mirrored Edward's.
The tires squealed as the car pulled away from the curb.
*******
Day was turning into dusk as Emmett's car approached a huge palatial building. The Langham loomed large before them.
Edward's hand was on the door handle as the car slowed down. Before it had stopped, he had jumped out of the car, unable to wait any longer. Emmett was right behind him.
Bursting into the lobby, Edward pushed his way to the front of the check-in desk, ignoring the dismayed exclamations of the people in line.
The clerk's disapproving glare, turned to concern when Emmett flashed his badge.
"LAPD, we need you to cooperate with us. We have reason to believe you have a guest who's kidnapped a woman."
"Is there a James McAlister staying here?" Edward demanded.
The clerk quickly turned to the computer, typing in the query. He shook his head, "No."
"Dammit, he's under an alias," Emmett swore. Pulling out two pictures, Emmett slammed them down on the counter, making the clerk jump. "Have you seen this man, or woman? You two there!" he called to the other two clerks manning the desk. "Get over here."
Obediently, they came over to peer at the photographs. One, a young girl with a tag that read "Leah", put her finger on James' photo.
"Yes, I remember him, he checked in yesterday."
"Do you remember his name?" Edward asked urgently.
"I do, he was very rude, kept snapping at me to hurry up. Said he had important business to tend to. He checked in using the name Hunter."
"What room?" Emmett asked.
Leah looked up the information, turning back to grab a key card without being asked. She swiped it through the machine, handing it over to Edward. "Room 1020. The fastest way is to take the elevator by the West stairs." She pointed them in the right direction. "I hope you find her."
Edward, key in hand, and Emmett sprinted towards the elevator.
"Edward," Emmett said, once they were in the lift, "Don't lose your head up there. Let me check to see it's safe before you go running in."
Edward barely heard a word. His head was full of only one thing: Finding Bella.
On the tenth floor the elevator doors slid open. The sign on the wall indicated the room was to the left.
At the door, Edward jammed the key into the slot, using the weight of his body to push it open.
He would've rushed in, but was held back, forcibly, by Emmett. "Edward, don't be stupid," he warned. "The last thing we need is you getting shot and killed. Let me do my job. If Bella is here, we'll find her."
Keeping a firm hold on Edward's arm, Emmett surveyed the room. It appeared to be empty.
A weak thump sounded from behind the wall. Edward's head shot in the direction of the sound.
Even Emmett couldn't hold him then and he took off towards the bedroom, calling out Bella's name.
*******
BELLA
James had left Bella alone, once more citing more modifications were needed on the cabin. In addition to tightening the gag around her mouth, he tied her wrists and ankles to the legs of the bed frame, ensuring she wouldn't be able to make any noise.
Having fallen into an exhausted sleep, Bella jolted awake when the door slammed open.
She heard voices, muted by the wall, talking in the other room. Knowing it couldn't be James, he had never needed to slam the door prior to this, Bella used what strength she had left to slam her body against the floor, trying to signal that she was in the room.
Then she heard the sweetest sound to ever meet her ears.
"Bella! Bella!" Edward's voice, laced with frantic urgency carried into the bedroom. The knob of the door rattled. "Bella! Can you hear me? Fuck, she has to be in there."
She tried to make as much noise as she could so that he would hear her and know she was inside.
The handle shook a few more times. A muffled curse followed then the door smashed open, cracking under the force with which it had hit the adjoining wall.
Edward rushed into the room, his eyes wild with worry, his hair flying every which way at once.
Bella felt relief flow through her when his eyes finally found her, on the floor at the foot of the bed. She saw his expression change to horror when he saw her gagged and bound.
Falling to his knees beside her, Edward hurriedly undid the gag from her mouth. It felt odd to have her lips suddenly free to move. Her mouth seemed stiff when she tried to speak.
"You found me," Bella whispered. "Thank God."
"God, Bella, what's he done to you? Where are you hurt?" Edward asked as he bent to untie her wrists and ankles.
"I'm okay. Just sore," Bella croaked out. The ropes loosened then dropped from her wrists, followed by her legs. She wanted to fling her arms around him but was unable to move her arms, having been in one position for too long. "Oh, Edward…I'm so happy to see you."
Edward drew her into his arms, nearly crushing her as he brought one hand to the back of her head, cradling her against him.
Bella closed her eyes, relishing the feel of being in his arms again. With Edward, she knew she was safe.
She felt tears of overwhelming relief burn behind her eyes. Not bothering to hold them back, she let them flow freely down her cheeks. The terror of the last day and a half suddenly engulfed her and the tears turned to deep, racking sobs.
Edward lowered his head into her hair, continuing to hold her close, as if he was trying to absorb the pain and suffering she must have endured into his own body. He rocked them in an unconscious movement as Bella shook in his embrace.
"He was going to take me away from here…to a cabin where no one could find us. I was afraid I'd never see you again…" she sobbed out.
"I've got you," Edward soothed her. "No one can hurt you anymore."
"I'm sorry I went with Lauren…it was a stupid thing to do. I should've known better." Bella continued; her voice was hoarse from crying.
"Shh. It doesn't matter. You're safe now." He spoke softly to her, until her cries quieted.
When Bella's breathing returned to normal, Edward pulled back slightly to look down into her face. Seeing the bruised lump on the side of her head, his eyes narrowed.
"What did he do to you?" he asked, carefully touching her temple, pulling his hand back when Bella winced.
"He grabbed me around the arms and hair a little hard, but otherwise he left me gagged and tied up."
"Did he…rape you?"
"No," Bella shook her head. "But only because he had a strange idea about it."
Edward gave her a questioning look, but didn't press. Instead, he started rubbing her arms and legs, realizing she was too stiff to move them herself. When he reached her hands, he lifted them to his lips.
A ghost of a smile appeared on Bella's tired face.
"How did you find me?"
"Emmett and I went to James' apartment. I found a scrap of paper with this hotel's name written on it. We came straight here."
"Emmett's here?"
"Yeah, he's just outside. Manning the door, I think. Can you stand up? We should go down and get you some medical attention."
"I think so."
Edward helped her up, holding her steady when she wobbled slightly. He kept an arm around her waist, walking her to the bedroom door.
At the doorway, he stopped short. Bella felt his grip on her waist tighten.
Then she saw the reason he had stopped. In front of them, Emmett was standing, his posture tense. His gun was drawn and aimed at a blond man who had his back to them.
James also had his gun out and directed at Emmett.
"I've come too far to have you, or Cullen, ruin my fun," James was saying.
"It's already been done, you sad sack of shit," Emmett replied. If he noticed Edward and Bella, he didn't let on.
"Stay here," Edward whispered to Bella. He let go of her waist.
"No, Edward," Bella whispered back, grabbing his arm.
"It'll be fine," he assured her. "Trust me." He gently removed her hand from his arm. "Please, Emmett needs help."
Bella bit her lip and grabbed onto the door frame to balance herself. She watched, warily, as the man she loved made his way towards the two men.
Edward quietly walked up behind James, who, being focused on Emmett, didn't notice him. He nodded to the big man.
Emmett grinned, visibly infuriating his opponent. "Say, McAlister, what's that behind you?"
"Christ, you don't think I'd fall for that?" James sneered.
"No, but I do think you'd fall for this," Edward said.
Clearly startled, James started to turn towards Edward. Bella swallowed back a scream as Emmett took advantage of his distraction and kicked the gun out of James' hand.
At the same time Edward drew his fist back and connected with James' face, hitting him square in the jaw.
From her vantage point, Bella saw James spin slightly from the force of the blow, before dropping to the ground where he lay, unmoving. Edward was staring down at him with loathing, his arm tensed, ready to strike again if James showed any signs of moving.
Emmett walked over to Edward to peer down at James himself. He used his foot to turn the unconscious man over.
"Yep, I'd say he's down for the count. Great punch, by the way," Emmett said, admiringly, to Edward.
"Thanks." Edward rubbed his knuckles. "I can't remember the last time I punched someone."
"It's like riding a bike."
By this time Bella had made her way towards them, clutching the back of the sofa for support. She stared, wide-eyed at James, sprawled on the floor.
"Is it over?" she asked, in a low voice.
"It's over. He's out of our lives," Edward said, wrapping an arm around her and holding her close.
The sound of many feet pounding down the hallway met their ears. It grew louder until it reached the door. A group of officers, led by Charlie, entered the room, all with their guns drawn and at the ready.
"Bella!" Charlie cried when he saw her. Edward let go of her so Charlie could hug his only child.
Tears sprang to Bella's eyes once again when she felt her father shaking next to her. Having cried out her initial shock, she was able to stay relatively calm.
"I'm okay, Dad," she said. "Really, I'm okay."
"You don't know the things that were going through my head. I kept imagining the worst. I was so afraid he'd take you away or really hurt you before we could find you."
It was rare for Charlie to admit his feelings. Bella hugged him tightly.
"You found me, Dad. I'm all right now."
Charlie pulled away to look at his daughter. "You're all I've got in the world, Bella. I may not say it or show it enough, but I love you."
Bella smiled through her tears. "I know. I love you too, Dad."
The Chief finally noticed that James was lying on the ground. "What happened here?"
"He pulled a gun on me and we were in a standoff until Edward came and punched him out," Emmett supplied.
Charlie glanced at Edward, a hint of a smile on his face. "This is your handiwork?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well done. Take him down, boys," he ordered, pushing at James' prone body with his foot. "I don't want him anywhere where I can see him." He took a pair of handcuffs from his belt and quickly cuffed James' hands behind his back.
James stirred, groaning as his eyes opened. He blinked a few times and focused on Charlie who was still on his knees next to him. He tried to get up but, along with the handcuffs, Charlie had a firm hold on him, keeping him down.
"Chief Swan," he said flatly. "Where's Bella?"
"That's none of your concern," Charlie replied, his voice like ice.
"You're wrong there, Chief. I like to make everything about your daughter my concern."
"Trust me when I say, you'll never lay eyes on her again, not with what's going to happen to you." Charlie signaled to his officers to take James.
They were none too gentle as they grabbed the blond man and half-dragged him down to where a car was waiting for him.
"Now," Charlie said, going up to Bella, who was sandwiched between Edward and Emmett, "Let's get you to a hospital."
***********
Bella was admitted to the hospital and treated for rope burns to her ankles and wrists as well as dehydration and general exhaustion.
Edward stayed by her side, even as she slept, holding her hand and watching to make sure she was sleeping peacefully. He didn't realize he'd fallen asleep until he felt a hand shaking his arm.
"Edward." He jerked awake and saw Alice beside him. "You need some rest."
"I'm not leaving her."
"You haven't left her side since you found her. She's going to be fine. Go home and at least shower and change. Then you can come back. Bella probably won't wake up until you get back anyway." At Edward's mutinous look Alice pursed her lips, her eyes twinkling. "I think she'd appreciate it if you were clean when she saw you again."
Looking down at himself, Edward couldn't help the reluctant chuckle that escaped him. Alice was right, he was a mess. "Okay, but I'm coming right back."
"I'd be surprised if you didn't." Alice smiled. "Go, I'm here and Rosalie is on her way. We'll take care of her while you're gone."
Edward stood up, pressing a kiss to Bella's hand before laying it back on the bed. "Thanks, Alice."
"See you in a few."
Edward ran into Rosalie on his way out of the hospital. After a quick hello, Edward told her he would be back in an hour.
Rosalie found Alice just outside Bella's room.
"How is she?"
"Mostly shaken and tired. Her actual physical injuries are minor."
"I hear they've got James in custody."
"Yes. He's down at the precinct now. Apparently Edward knocked him out."
"Yeah, Emmett told me, said it was pretty impressive." Rosalie grinned. "I ran into him at the entrance."
"I sent him home. He hasn't left her side since she was admitted."
"That's devotion for you. He loves her, doesn't he?"
"She's the world to him. Come on, let's go see her."
********
There was a murmur of voices in the room around her. At first the sounds all blended into one another. Then the sounds turned into distinct words.
"How is she, Dad?" Edward's voice sounded almost melodic.
"Edward, if you ask me that one more time, I'm throwing you out of this room. She's fine, she just needs rest."
"Sorry," Edward sounded contrite. "I've just been worried."
"I know, son. Physically, Bella should be up and around in no time."
"I think she's waking up." There was some movement then Bella felt Edward take her hand in his.
Bella opened her eyes to see Edward smiling down at her.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey yourself. How do you feel?"
"Groggy…but better too."
"That's from the sedatives we gave you, the feeling should wear off soon," Carlisle told her, checking her pulse. "Are you feeling any pain?"
"No."
"Good. We've wrapped your wrists and ankles, but there wasn't any major damage done. The bump on your head is going down, no concussion, but we'll keep an eye on it. You should be discharged tomorrow. I'm going to let your father know you're awake." Carlisle smiled reassuringly, gave Edward's shoulder a squeeze, and left the room.
"Thank you for staying, Edward. I'm glad you're here."
"There isn't anywhere else I'd rather be. I love you, Bella."
"I love you too." She closed her eyes as Edward brushed his lips gently against hers.
"I don't know what I would've done if I'd lost you," he said, huskily. "I can't imagine my life without you."
"You don't have to. I'm here, safe because of you…What happened to your hand?" Bella asked, sidetracked by the bandage wrapped around his left hand.
"Oh, it's nothing. I punched James a bit harder than I thought. It started swelling a little, so my father bandaged it for me."
"It really was a good hit." Bella smiled.
The door opened and Charlie entered, followed by Alice, Rosalie and Carlisle.
"Hey kid," Charlie said, bending down to kiss her cheek. "Good to see you up. How are you feeling?"
"A little tired, but all right."
"I brought you a change of clothes, if you want them." Alice held up a bag.
Bella spent some time chatting and reassuring everyone that she was fine. She felt her eyes growing heavy, prompting Carlisle shooed them all out.
"Bella needs her rest." When everyone had filed out, he addressed Bella, "Once you're up again, we'll get the papers ready for your discharge."
"Can Edward stay with me?"
"I don't think I could stop him, so yes, he can. Don't keep her up, son. Sleep is the best way for her to recover right now."
"I'll be good," Edward promised as Carlisle exited the room, closing the door behind him. "Go to sleep, Bella. I'll be here when you wake up."
She closed her eyes, falling asleep while holding Edward's hand.
********
Bella spent the rest of her time in the hospital slipping in and out of slumber. True to his word, Edward didn't stir from her side, taking naps in the chair beside her bed.
By the time Bella woke the following morning, she was feeling much more herself. She ate the breakfast that Edward bought for her from a local cafe, insisting it would whet her appetite more than the typical hospital fare.
As promised, Carlisle discharged her in the afternoon, under strict instructions to call if she started to feel pain or became dizzy.
She had spent the first few days at her father's house. Wanting things to go back to normal as quickly as possible, Bella moved back into her apartment with Alice as soon as she could get Charlie to agree.
Bella had also been seeing a therapist following the incident. Although she didn't feel she needed the help, she had gone at the recommendation of Charlie and Carlisle. Surprisingly, she had found the sessions restorative.
James had been taken into custody. Following his arrest, the police had done a thorough search of both his apartment and cabin; uncovering some disturbing evidence at the latter. They found a photograph of a girl who had gone missing three years earlier. A search of the grounds around the cabin revealed the remains of the girl's body.
"He'll be put away for life," Charlie had said, with some satisfaction. "You'll need to testify when he comes to trial, Bella."
Bella had, naturally, agreed, though she was relieved that she wouldn't have to testify for quite some time. She had felt somewhat sorry for Lauren when she learned the former secretary would also be going to trial for being an accessory to the kidnapping.
Her father had told her it wasn't worth thinking about. "She made bad choices, Bells. Now she has to pay for them."
Slowly, life went back to normal. Bella returned to work where she was welcomed back with enthusiasm. At first, it was comforting to fall back into a regular routine and Bella worked, contentedly in her usual role.
However, after the settling in period, Bella started to feel restless. Before, she'd been busy learning how to do her job and also distracted by the would-be relationship between Edward and herself.
With those issues resolved, she was starting to see there wasn't anywhere she could really go with her job. Moreover, she wasn't sure the corporate lifestyle completely agreed with her. She was beginning to find it restrictive to be chained to a desk. It worked well for other people, but not her.
As a result of this new self-awareness, Bella thought long and hard about her options and came to a decision. She only hoped Edward would understand.
*********
A few weeks after her rescue, Bella and Edward were spending a Friday night relaxing in his apartment.
He had wanted to cook a meal for her, showing that he knew his way around a kitchen. His chosen dish was beef stroganoff accompanied with a light salad.
After a lot of stirring, seasoning and taste-testing, Edward placed a plate in front of her, first spreading a napkin on her lap.
"This looks wonderful, Edward!" she exclaimed. She picked up her fork to take a bite. "Delicious!" she announced.
Edward smiled at her enthusiasm. "You're adorable." He picked up his own fork and began eating.
"Where did you learn to cook like this?"
"I always had an interest in food. Food preparation was a logical progression."
"Mmm, something we have in common."
They lapsed into a momentary silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Bella, there's something I wanted to talk about," Edward said, sounding tentative.
"What is it?"
"Well, do – do you like my apartment?" he asked, awkwardly.
Taken aback, Bella glanced around. "Yes, it's pretty nice."
"Do you like being here, in this apartment…with me?"
"You know I do. Are you moving or something?"
"No, unless you…" Edward stopped, annoyed with himself. "I wanted to know if you'd be interested in moving in here." He continued when Bella only stared at him. "Or…we could look for a new place…or stay status quo."
"Are you asking me to live with you?"
"Yes…but if it's too early then it's okay. We don't have to…"
"I want to live with you," Bella cut him off, unable to keep a smile from spreading across her face.
"Really?" Edward's face lit up in kind.
"Of course! I'm surprised you'd doubt it." They smiled goofily at each other.
Abandoning the meal, Edward stood up and pulled Bella to her feet. He kissed her slowly, his mouth moving teasingly over hers. Bella's body grew warm as she responded to his kiss.
"I can't wait to wake up next to you every morning," Edward said, nipping at her ear.
"You practically do as it is." Bella was starting to melt in his arms.
"Yes, but now we won't have to worry about having a change of clothes ready. Do you think you'll be able to living and working with me? That's a lot of togetherness."
The last sentence made Bella pull back from him. She looked into his eyes, and saw love for her reflected in them.
Figuring there was no time like the present; Bella took a deep breath, preparing herself for a potentially upsetting conversation.
"Actually…about that…Edward, I have something I want to discuss too…"
A/N: What does Bella want to say? What will Edward say? That and more in chapter 15!