Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

The Things We Do For Love

Chapter Fourteen: Sorted

Bella's POV

"What the fuck is going on?!"Rose asked.

Alice and I looked at each other, my tears had dried up and I was holding Jake by the collar while Alice was trembling.

"Will one of you answer me why I just hit my boyfriend over the head with a bat?!"

"He…he was…he-" Alice started shaking her head and dropped onto the bed.

Jake escaped from my grasp and jumped onto the bed next to her. He dropped his head on her lap and tried his best to comfort Alice. She patted his head softly and inspected his noise for any signs of injury from James's punch.

"Bella?"

"He's been coming in to our rooms." Rose's eyes narrowed. "Well this was the second time that I know of. The first he just stood over the bed and watched then left. He was bound to come back. Alice had the same problem so we decided to stay in my room tonight. Just as we thought, he came in, crawled onto the bed and was going to…I don't know what he was going to do but I'm one hundred percent certain it wasn't going to be good."

"Sick freak." Rose threw the bat down at James, striking his head with it. "Why didn't you guys tell me?"

"We tried Rose. You were always with him!" Alice cried, freaking out Jake.

Rose's face fell and she looked us both over. We would have been a sight with red puffy eyes from crying and the dry sobs that were still going through Alice. Rose kept silent, not looking either of us in the eye and then left abruptly.

I sat down next to Jake and Alice, comforting the latter while the former comforted me. Rose was muttering in the other room but I wasn't paying attention to what she was up to. Alice needed me, she was still distraught and I'm pretty sure she would cry again if left alone with James, despite the fact he was unconscious.

There was suddenly a kafuffle in the next room and then three voices were heard. Emmett came into the room first, dragging James by the arm into the hall. Edward wrapped his arms round me and held me close. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jasper holding Alice. She had wrapped herself around his waist and neck and was sobbing into his shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked, kissing my cheeks softly.

"I think so."

"What is it darlin? Did he hurt you?" Jasper asked Alice.

"I don't think Rose is going to forgive us for this."Jasper smiled at her and shook his head.

"You've done nothing wrong so don't worry. She'll forgive you. Now did he hurt you?"

"No, he didn't even realise I was there. He went for Bella, kept her quiet and had her hands pinned above her head." Edward looked at me with worry.

"Nothing happened." I knew what he was thinking but it didn't get that far. "Jake stepped in." Edward looked relieved but there was still a sight of concern in his eyes. "What's happening with James?"

"Emmett's called a friend; he's a police officer and is going to arrest him. First though James will have to go to the hospital. Rose whacked him pretty hard and we've tried the usual methods to wake him but it's just not happening. He's needs to be checked over properly but don't worry, we won't let him hurt you, any of you."

I pulled Edward forward and kissed him softly, needing to feel his lips after having James's hand over my own. Edward kissed me back but it was more of a comfort kiss. His worries were stepping in on it. After what must have been a split second Edward pulled back and tucked my hair behind my ears.

"I want to take you home." I just nodded and leant against him, feeling exhausted.

"Guys, he's here." Emmett said, sticking his head round the door. Edward and Jasper left Alice and me for a minute before returning.

"We just took him down to the guy's car. Shall we go?"

"Can you give me a minute?" I asked, wanting to talk to Rose.

"Of course, I'll put Jake in my car and come back up for you. Okay?"

"Yeah, thank you." Edward left, Jake at his side. Alice and Jasper were still in the bedroom talking and Emmett was still down at the guy's car. So that left Rose and me alone. "Can we talk?"

"Yeah." Rose leant against the kitchen counter. "I want to apologise Bella. I'm sorry that I never gave you or Alice a chance to talk to me about your problems. Emmett explained it all fully. If I had known he was such a creep I would have thrown him out."

"Would you have Rose?"

"What do you mean by that? Of course I would." She said icily, not liking where I was going.

"I don't think so. You were angry at Alice and me for wanting to get back together with Edward and Jasper. You were so annoyed with what Emmett did to you that you didn't think of how we felt. Yes, we were angry but nowhere near how angry you were. They lied to us, so what? They did it to get our attention because they were scared of being turned down. I was honestly flattered that Edward bought a puppy just so he could talk to me. You shouldn't have tried to force your thoughts on us."

"I know. I'm sorry but I was pissed off. It felt like they were taking us for a ride and I would hate to see you two get hurt."

"What was James? Please don't tell me you actually liked him."

"James was a good distraction from Emmett. They are polar opposites and that's what I needed. I didn't mean for it to turn out like this."

"Well I know that. I didn't think you'd want Alice and me to get practically stalked by your boyfriend."

"Obviously. Can you forgive me?"

"Yeah."

"Will Alice?" I nodded and walked over to her, giving her a hug. "Thanks Bella and again, I'm sorry."

"Stop worrying about it. You didn't know he was a creep."Edward opened the door and Emmett came in, looking at Rose nervously.

"Ready?" I nodded to Edward and let go of Rose, assuring her one more time.

Edward and I walked down to his car. He was holding me close to him the entire time like he was scared that I was just going to fall apart in shock over what happened. I knew that wasn't going to happen but wasn't going to tell him that, I wanted his comfort right now.

We drove back to his place in silence. Once there Edward fetched Jake out the back and then led us upstairs. Jake darted straight off to his blanket while Edward took my hand and brought me back to his bedroom. I didn't know until I saw the big bed with sheets that looked so soft.

"You need to sleep, it's late." Edward said, holding me closely against him.

"I'm not tired." He chuckled but shook his head.

"Bella please don't argue with me."

"I don't want to sleep." Edward smiled but wasn't having it.

"No, you must."

"Then you have to join me."

"You want me to sleep with you?" Edward raised his eyebrows, smirking wickedly as I blushed three different shades.

"Yes." I squeaked out. Edward chuckled and kissed me passionately, moving me backwards.

"As much as I would love for us to do that now it wouldn't be right. You've had a traumatic night and now need to sleep. I love you but do wish you wouldn't be so stubborn." He pecked my cheek and went to his wardrobe for some clothes for me.

I had to do a rewind, several times, over what he just said.

I love you

Surely if he said it in conversation meant that he didn't actually mean it as I love you. I certainly wasn't going to ask. Edward didn't even seem to notice he said it so there was no way I was going to repeat it.

He handed me a pair of clean boxers and a t-shirt, kissed my cheek and gave me some privacy to get changed. I just stood there like an idiot for a minute before actually changing.

If he meant it then why would he say it so casually? It was probably just a mistake. But he had been calling me love as of lately and there are other names of endearment he could have called me other than that. So maybe he did mean it and it slipped out.

Ughh I was confused, and now tired. Stupid Edward.

I changed quickly and went to fetch him. If I was going to bed so was he. I took his hand and brought him back through. As I slipped under the soft sheets he stripped to his boxers, allowing me to stare at his glorious chest, and then hit the lights before joining me.

I felt the bed shift as he settled down and then felt his arm on my waist. He pulled me closer to him and kissed me as my hands searched his chest thoroughly. He was perfect.

"Goodnight love." He kissed me once more.

"Night Edward." I leant my head against his chest and could feel his warmth radiating off of him. This was a much better alternative than wrapping up when I went to bed if it was cold.

I didn't care if he didn't love me, I loved him. If he did he'd tell me eventually. Until then I was content just loving him.

Emmett's POV

When the phone rang and it was Rose's number my heart jumped straight out of my chest. She would only call me if something awful had happened and considering I knew what was going on tonight I was scared as hell.

"What happened?" I asked.

"How...can you come over? We have a problem." She sounded upset and nervous.

"Is anyone hurt?" Please tell me he didn't get to one of them.

"No, unless you count James. He's unconscious." That made me smile.

"I'll be right over with the guys."

Edward and Jasper were both at their homes, anxious waiting by the phone. I grabbed my cell and keys before going down the jeep, practically running there. I called Edward and Jasper and the two of them were going to meet me there.

We all pulled up at the same time and all darted up the stairs to their apartment. Without even knocking Jasper had the door open and was looking around anxiously. Rose was in the kitchen telling them to go to the bedroom and that's where James was.

I was going to take care of that sick bastard. Edward and Jasper both went to their girls, which made me feel slightly jealous that I couldn't do the same. I pulled James out of the bedroom and into the hall, giving him a swift kick while doing so.

After calling a friend to have James arrested and taken to hospital I went to the kitchen to see Rose. She looked sad, worried and angry. I could understand the first too but didn't get why she was angry, unless she was angry that I had to be here.

"A guys going to pick him up." I said, trying to start a conversation.

"Oh right, thanks." She pushed her hair away from her eyes and I clocked onto what she was wearing. It was almost criminal.

Rose was wearing her underwear, with a tiny thin piece of cloth that I'm sure was meant to be a robe but only reached the top of her thighs and was made of silk. The one thing missing was heels to complete the outfit. She was my perfect fantasy standing three feet in front of me but I couldn't touch her when I longed to.

We stood in an awkward silence until my cell rang. I got the guys to help and we took him down to the guy's truck. Jasper and Edward went back upstairs as I stood and told him what had happened. He agreed with my assessment that the girls could take out a restraining order and Bella could file for charges if she wished.

When I went back up stairs Edward and Bella were leaving but my eyes were on Rose. She would probably ask me to go but I wanted a chance to talk to her, even if it was only for a minute.

"Hi." God I sounded like a tool. What kind of opener was that?

"Hi. Do you want a drink?" Yay, she was asking me to stay. At least for a while anyway.

"Okay, water will be fine." She grabbed a glass from the cupboard and hit the tap. I took a few sips and waited for at least someone to speak.

"Em?" I looked at her and so wanted just to hold her to me.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry for being a total bitch."

"No, you weren't. You were a little mean but I understand why you didn't want to be lied to. That wasn't right of me."

"If you hadn't I probably would never have spoken to you."

"Oh...right."

"Do you think you can give me a chance? I don't want to lose contact with you."

"Absolutely."

"Friends first?" I bloody hated being friends.

"If we must."

"We must." She crossed her arms and my eyes were drawn to the swell of her breasts. Screw friends.

"So friend, would you like to go to dinner with me tomorrow night?"

"That sounds like a date?" Rose saw right through my cunning plan.

"It is."

"But we're friends." She was beginning to frown at me and I knew it wouldn't take long for it to be a glare.

"Yes we're friends now but when I take you on the date it's because I don't want to be friends any more. I want you to be my girlfriend."

"Emmett..." She warned.

"Rose." I don't care about stupid warnings.

"Fine."

"Really?" I was now over excited.

"Yes."Oh thank the Lord, she gave up fighting and was agreeing to go with me.

"I'll pick you up at seven." I grinned like a fool and kissed her cheek before skipping out the apartment. I felt so good right now.

I was finally getting my chance with her and this time I wouldn't mess it up.