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Special thanks to Duskwatcher, Lisa89, and PTB for all of your help on this chapter!

As soon as we were decent, I opened the door to a very disgruntled-looking Emmett.

"What is it?" I snapped, my eyes threatening to burn a hole through his head for interrupting us.

He threw his hands up in surrender. "Dude, we've got problems."

"Yeah. Again, what?" I demanded.

"Your dad's here," he grumbled, ignoring my angered expression, "with Lauren."

Shit.

EPOV

I rushed past Emmett and went straight for the stairs. I could barely make out the sounds of people behind me, yelling something or other, but I tuned it out. Instead, I focused on one thing and one thing only: finding Carlisle.

I looked over the railing, scanning the crowd until I finally spotted his golden hair. It was true. There was Carlisle, drink in hand, bumping and grinding against Felix's promiscuous friend, Lauren Mallory. I felt a sudden ball of fury building up in my stomach as I watched them dance. I was so disgusted with him that I could barely think straight. This night was supposed to have been for Bella and me, but I knew if I didn't do something I would explode—possibly at the wrong person.

My mind made up, I wasted no time in getting downstairs and quickly pushing my way through the crowd. I came up right behind them and tapped my dad on the shoulder.

He turned his head slightly, not really looking at me, and said in an amused voice, "Sorry, but this one's taken."

You've got to be kidding me. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Still dancing, they turned to face me. Lauren seemed somewhat surprised by the outburst but totally misunderstood my intention.

"Oh, Eddie," she giggled, get over yourself. You already had your turn."

I stared at her incredulously as Carlisle turned around at the sound of my name. Our eyes met, and he grinned at me in recognition.

"I'm sorry, is she a friend of yours?" he said with a hint of sarcasm.

I glared at him, disgust overwhelming me.

"Do you two know each other?" Lauren asked, still oblivious to the situation.

"I guess you could say that," I replied through clenched teeth. "I'll ask you again. What are you doing here, Dad?"

Lauren turned to Carlisle, completely horrified as reality dawned on her. "Oh my God! Are you really his father?"

"Yes, but don't worry, my dear," Carlisle said with obvious amusement as he grabbed her ass. "At least you're keeping it in the family."

"Hey, that's not very nice," she whined, before her eyes came to rest on someone coming up behind me. "Aw, Eddie, is this your girlfriend?"

I turned around to find a very disheveled-looking Bella approaching my side. Before I could say anything, my dad's obnoxious laughter filled the air.

"Well, look what we have here," he said smugly as she came to a stop beside me. "It looks like someone's been having a good time."

I grabbed his arm that held the cup of beer, knocking it out of his hand and onto the floor. "You leave Bella out of this, you son of a bitch!"

"My, my," he teased, his eyes trailing up and down Bella's scantily clad body. "No need to bring your grandmother into this. I was simply admiring your graduation present."

I clenched my fists in fury. "I think you need to leave. Now!"

"What? And miss out on all the fun? I don't think so. The party's just getting started."

"You have no right to show up here like this."

Carlisle halted his movements and released Lauren. "Edward, I was invited here by this lovely young lady. I assure you, I had no idea you and I were going to run into each other. But since we're here, why don't you calm down and we can all get a drink? I seem to have misplaced mine."

I shook my head. "Not going to happen."

He looked over at Bella and winked. "You're probably right. It looks like Bella's already had plenty."

"I already told you to leave her out of this!" I growled. I could feel my face becoming red with anger.

"You're just mad because I was right. I told you all she needed was a little alcohol."

I could feel my blood start to boil as the anger seethed within me. Before my mind could register my actions, I reared back and punched him square in the jaw. "You really shouldn't have said that!"

He stumbled back into Lauren, and they both landed on the floor. Blood began to trickle from the side of his lip as he reached up his hand to assess the damage.

"I suggest you stay down," I snarled as he struggled to his feet.

"I'm about tired of your games," he retorted, coming to a stop in front of my face. Lauren huffed behind us as she too came to stand.

"Fine, but I warned you." I pulled my arm back and unceremoniously punched him in the gut this time. He doubled over, clutching his stomach, and before I could react, Lauren sprang into action.

"Fuck you, Edward, that happens to be my date!" Lauren yelled as she jumped onto my back and started clawing at my face with vengeance.

"Fuck you, bitch!" I yelled back as she savagely attacked my cheeks.

At the same time, Bella shouted, "Get the hell off my boyfriend!"

Several things happened at this point, but it all went by in a blur. I was attempting to pry psycho-bitch off my back when Carlisle retaliated and punched me in the eye. Bella, being the loyal girlfriend that she was, decided to help me by taking on Lauren, causing even more chaos. Other people soon joined in, but I couldn't really tell who exactly; I was focused solely on Carlisle.

I got in a few more good licks at Carlisle, and he landed a couple of his own. At one point, he managed to punch me right on my jaw, but only because I was distracted by two other guys who stumbled against us. By the time I recovered from the heavy blow, screams and shouts were erupting all around us, and people began to flee as the fight turned into somewhat of a riot.

All of a sudden, an incredible force pulled me away from Carlisle and pinned me to the floor.

"Hands behind your back," A voice shouted above me. "Now!"

I struggled to escape the unknown captor to no avail. Suddenly, I felt the cold, hard steel against my wrists, and I knew it was all over. Reality kicked in, and I realized what was happening.

Someone called the cops.

As two burly patrol officers pulled me out of the house, I scanned the room desperately, searching for Bella. To my relief, I didn't see her or Lauren anywhere.

She must have gotten away.

They escorted me down the walkway, coming to a stop beside a cruiser with flashing lights. As they pushed me into the car, I saw my dad in a similar predicament at the car in front of me. The sight of him being arrested brought me some sense of relief, and a grin crept over my bloody face. My happiness was short-lived, though, as I heard a familiar voice ring clear through all the commotion.

"Edward!"

"Bella?" I yelled back, but it was muffled by the door of the cruiser being slammed shut. I pressed my face against the glass, frantically looking for my love, when I saw a flash of auburn hair being carried away by a very intimidating-looking female officer. My heart sank as I let the sight of her appearance really sink in. She had a swollen eye, and her clothes were ripped to shreds. There was absolutely no hope of hiding this one from Charlie.

I leaned my head to rest against the back of the seat and closed my eyes. We were both royally screwed.

When we got to the police station, Bella, Emmett, and I were not booked into regular cells like the others. We were instead left sitting in chairs in some kind of office space that was occupied by a couple of desks while they booked Carlisle, Lauren, and two athletic-looking college guys whose names I didn't know.

Emmett spoke up first. "Okay, guys, they're going to try and interrogate us. Remember, you don't have to say anything, and I mean anything, without a lawyer. "

"Em, shut the hell up!" I said rudely. "We're not even being arrested. If they ask us anything, it'll just be for our parent's telephone number so that they can call them and have someone pick us up. What are you doing here, anyway?"

He shook his head. "Hey, man, don't take it out on me. I got sucked into your little fight when those other two assholes decided to join in the fun."

I nodded absently as I looked over at Bella, waiting for her to raise her head and look at me. "What happened?"

"Well, those two guys started trying to break shit, so of course Rosalie tried to stop them."

"Of course," I muttered, encouraging him to continue his story.

"Well, one of them shoved the other, and he fell into Rosalie, knocking her to the floor. A it was on!"

I knew exactly where he was coming from. I'd do anything to protect Bella, even if she wouldn't look at me right now. I'd give anything to reach out and take her in my arms, tell her everything was going to be okay, but the cuffs wouldn't allow it.

Before Emmett or I could say anything further, Bella started to sob. "My dad—I can't even imagine how…what…this just can't be happening."

"Shh. Bella, baby, look at me," I urged as her body began to tremble. She raised her head slightly, and I was able to see just how swollen her eye had become. "It's okay, love. Your father is going to forgive you."

"No, he won't," she cried, turning her head in an attempt to wipe her nose on her shoulder. "He's probably just freaking out!"

"Damn, girl!" Emmett chuckled, obviously not as shaken by our situation as Bella and me. "You're looking kind of rough!"

"You're not helping!" I spat at him, shutting him up very quickly.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, Bella."

"Hey, party animals!" an amused voice greeted us as the doors opened. I looked over to see Felix walking towards us, followed by a man in uniform.

"You know what to do, McCarthy," the officer addressed Emmett as he motioned for him to stand.

"Dude!" Emmett yelled, jumping to his feet with excitement. "How did you get here so fast?"

Felix laughed. "Fast? I was at the party, too! Remember? I would have been here sooner, but I had to arrange Lauren's bail for her."

"Should've let that bitch rot in her cell," I muttered under my breath.

"So, what did you guys get me with?" Emmett asked the officer cheerfully as the he removed his cuffs.

The officer shook his head. "Just go home," he said before shaking his head and exiting the room.

"Oh, that," Felix said nonchalantly. "Rosalie gave a statement that you were only stopping her attackers and defending her home, so they only got you down for underage drinking, bro!"

I rolled my eyes. "So, that's it? You're free to go? Just like that?"

Felix put his hand on my shoulder and smiled. "Sorry, man. Normally, a parent would have to come and get you. However, these guys know us well enough that they'll settle for a simple phone call from her."

I sighed in defeat as they exited the room. Bella was still sniffling, but at least it was just us now.

"Bella, I want you to—"

"Bella!" yelled a very angry, very red-faced Charlie as he burst through the doors as if the devil was on his heels. He looked at her, then at me, then back at her. "Oh my God! What is going on here?"

"Dad, I…" She was unable to finish her sentence as the sobs took control once again.

He looked at me with a face full of contempt. "You and I are going to have a little talk!"

"Mr. Swan, I take full responsibility for tonight's events."

"Darn right you do," he spat before turning his attention solely to his daughter. "What in the world happened to you, Bella?"

She shook her head, unable to speak as an officer came to stand beside her, motioning for her to stand so that she could remove her cuffs.

Bella complied and finally raised her head to meet her father's gaze.

He gasped as he took in her appearance. "Bella, what in God's name are you wearing? Is that your old school uniform? Or at least, what's left of it?"

"Yes, Dad," Bella whispered, dropping her head once again to the ground.

"Okay, Mr. Swan, your daughter is free to go," the officer said as he motioned to the door.

Charlie lingered in front of my chair, clenching his fists while he looked back and forth between Bella and me. I knew I should say something to him. However, I also knew that there was nothing I could say to ease the shock of seeing your only daughter drunk, beaten, and wearing a very provocative outfit. In the end, I said the only thing I could think of.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Swan."

He got right in my face and addressed me. "Edward, you had better be glad we are surrounded by police officers right now. Otherwise, I'd rip you to pieces."

Before I could respond, he stood and grabbed Bella's arm. "Come on, Bella. Let's go!"

I stood as he ushered her to the door, feeling frantic that I might not get to see her for a while.

"Bella!" I called out to her. She turned her head back to me, and the site of her tear-stained face ripped he apart."Bella, I love you!"

The doors closed behind them, and she was gone. There was nothing I could do but wait for my mother to come and pick me up.

So, that was what I did. I waited and waited until finally she came.

"Mom! What took you so long?" I asked as she strolled casually into the room, chatting up a storm with a female officer who escorted her in.

"Stand up, please," the woman said with a hint of pity in her voice.

"Honey, I'm sorry," my mother began as the lady officer took out her keys and stepped behind me. "I would have been here sooner, but there were some complications."

I tapped my foot in anticipation of the cuffs being removed from my aching wrists. "What kind of complications?"

She paused, taking a deep breath. "You see, your father—"

"What the hell, Mom!" I yelled, cutting her off. "Please don't tell me you bailed that piece of shit out."

"Edward, honey, it's not that simple."

"Oh yeah?" I threw my hands up in frustration as I followed her through the doors. "And what exactly would you say is so complicated about it?"

"He threatened to press charges," she replied softly as she stared at the floor.

"So what? Let him, if that's what he wants to do."

She shook her head. "Again, it's not that simple. He threatened to file charges against you and Bella."

"Oh," I said, stunned.

"Okay, Mr. Cullen," the officer interrupted. "You are free to go."

"Thank you so much for all of your help," Esme said as she escorted us through the doors.

"That's not a problem, Ma'am. However," she turned and looked at me sternly. "I hope you take a long, hard look at the trouble you caused here tonight. I understand that it was not solely your fault, but you really need to get your temper in check."

I nodded, stunned, as the lady shook her finger in my face. "Okay," I said politely.

"Your mother tells me that you just graduated high school?"

"Yes, that's correct," I muttered, still unable to do anything but agree.

"Well, you need to understand right now that this kind of behavior will lead to arrests, court, fines, and possibly serving time in the future."

"Thank you," I said, reaching my hand out. "I do understand."

She shook our hands and we exited the station. The nightmare was finally over. However, I knew in my heart that the real nightmare was only just beginning.

I followed my mother through the parking lot, trying to assess the damages and long-term effects this incident would bring. Not only did I have my own situation to worry about, but this time Bella and my friends had been sucked into my family drama. As much as I wanted to put all of the blame on Carlisle, a part of me realized that none of this would've happened to them if only I hadn't been a part of their lives.

As we reached the car and climbed into the seats, I began to calculate all of the ways I had corrupted Bella over the past few months. I was responsible for her smoking, having detention, sneaking around, drinking, defiling the auditorium, losing her virginity, and probably a dozen major sins stemming from the party alone. It was enough to make me sick to my stomach. I claimed to love her with all of my heart, and yet I had destroyed her.

Esme backed the car out onto the road and reached out to touch my arm. "Edward, what happened?"

I let out a frustrated sigh and recounted the night's events to my mother. There was nothing I wanted more than to omit the parts concerning Lauren, but I knew that my mother had a right to know about her husband's indiscretions. As much as I wanted to forget this nightmare had ever happened, I knew that it was simply not possible and, for the second time in the last hour, I watched the tears fall down the face of another woman that I love.

By the time I finished going over all of the details that led me to the police station, we were back at my home. I wanted nothing more than to go see Bella, but my car was still at Emmett's house. At this point, the sun was starting to rise, so it was most likely a bad idea anyway. Charlie seemed like a dam that was about to burst, and I knew my presence would only make things worse for them, not to mention the fact that I had never felt less worthy of her. I chose instead to climb into my bed and hope that everything would work itself out tomorrow.

A/N: Be sure to check out the story outtake I co-wrote with Duskwatcher, Tainted Love: Charlie's Story

www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/5333000/1/Tainted_Love_Charlies_Story

Thank you so much everyone who reads and reviews!