Disclaimer: Characters, (except the ones I create) belong to Stephenie Meyers. Lucky lady.

AN: So I've figured out a way to accommodate everyone's choice of James and still make it fit in the story. Thanks to everyone for the input and ideas, it really helped. I'm actually kind of excited for this. Woohoo. Also, please forgive the typos, this chapter is not beta'd either.

I've gotten a few reviews from readers have been in similar situations as Bella, I just want to thank you for your words. I'm glad I could give you this.


Enjoy

Trafficking

Chapter 20

BPOV

It worked. As soon as I screamed, everyone stopped moving. "I'm sorry." I sobbed. "I can't let him get me."

I lay curled up against the wall for what seemed like hours, and no one moved. My chest heaved with anxious breaths, my face still wet with tears. I was starting to feel, almost like I was floating. Curse James and his ability to still control me. I just wanted to close my eyes and make everything go away. But I couldn't close my eyes. I had to be vigilant; one wrong move by me and the Cullens could be in serious danger. They already were just by having me here. James was the most dangerous evil creatures I knew, and he would come through hell and high water to get me.

EPOV

No one dared move. Bella seemed to have finally calmed down…well at least she stopped screaming. The scream earlier was bone chilling, filled with pain and misery and fear. It was the worst sound I'd ever heard, and I know it would haunt me for the rest of my very long life. I had to remind myself that it wasn't us behind the emotions in that scream.

I was so angry with myself for allowing this to happen. I should have been there to catch the intruder; I had promised my Bella I would protect her and keep her safe, and here she was, being tormented by memories of her past. What I wouldn't give to be able to take those away from her.

Had it been a completely different situation, I would have found it hilarious that Bella thought we couldn't protect her, or ourselves for that matter. We were a coven of seven vampires, there was very little we couldn't protect her from.

I looked over to Bella who lay curled on the floor, struggling against terrors I couldn't even being to imagine, and I didn't need several medical degrees to tell me she wasn't doing well. She looked like a broken doll, her skin almost as pale as mine save for her flushed cheeks, her hair having dried into messy curls. I just wanted to take her in my arms and hold her until she knew she was safe. She was safe as long as she held my heart and I gave her that the day I met her, knowing I would never get it back. I didn't want it back, I would love no one else.

"Carlisle." My voice broke with emotion. I was begging him to do something. She needed us. We couldn't just let her lie there until she was able to run away.

Carlisle was still crouched in the middle of the room. "Bella, can I help you? Please. You know I won't hurt you?"

I could tell from the slight quiver in his voice that Carlisle would be right behind me in killing every single loathsome beast responsible.

"Help?" Bella's voice was weak and hoarse, her throat raw form screaming. Her breathing hitched, clearly becoming flustered again. "James…"

"Shh. You don't need to worry about him. He's not here. He can't hurt anyone here."

Bella released another sob. "I'm sorry…so scared." She quickly quieted down, obviously exhausted.

Carlisle slowly edged closer eliciting no response from Bella. He reached out and touched her arm. Again, no movement. That was quite a change. Carlisle gave me a quick look.

I'm going to pick her up and bring her to your room. I'll need my bag from my office.

I nodded, ending our silent conversation.

I watched with complete attention as Carlisle slid his arms under Bella's knees and shoulders. She didn't even flinch. The only motion came from her unsupported head falling back.

I looked away. I hated seeing Bella like this. Carlisle stood with Bella still in his arms and unhurriedly journeyed up to my room.

I hung my head in relief and shame. I had failed to keep her safe damn it. "It's not your fault dear. She's been through so much, this is expected. We'll get her through this." Esme wrapped a comforting arm around my shoulder and though I was bigger than her, I leaned in slightly to the contact.

"Come on, let's go get your father his bag. Rosalie, Emmett, you should try and find Alice and Jasper. Check around the house, see if you can find anything from our visitors."

The last of my two siblings left and I followed Esme into Carlisle's office and then up to my room. Carlisle was sitting next to my bed holding a towel to Bella's hand. "I've managed to examine the wound, it's quite deep. She's definitely going to need stitches. But I can't even attempt to begin suturing until her hands stop shaking."

I handed him his bag. "Has she said anything?"

"Not a sound." I felt like all the progress we had made in the past few days was being washed down the drain.

"What about a sedative Carlisle?" Anxiety strained Esme's voice. This was so hard for her, seeing her daughter afraid and in pain.

"I'm reluctant. She's already exhausted herself incredibly. It shouldn't be too long now."

I had to do something. I sat on the bed next to Bella, her back to me as she lay curled on her side. I took a preparatory breath and grabbed Bella's shoulder rolling her onto her back. Instantly she started struggling against me, weakly clawing at me her legs flailing. I needed help.

"Carlise, hold her!"

"Edward, what are you doing? You're causing her to become more agitated. Le-."

"I have an idea, and if you want to be able to suture her hand, you'll have to help me"

I could almost see Carlisle weighing his options in his head. He took hold of Bella as well who was still fighting against me. We weren't worried about her hurting us, rather we didn't want her to hurt herself. And we had to stay conscious of how much strength we used on her. If I hurt her, I don't think I would be able to ever face her again.

Bella continued to try and escape our grasp. "Don't touch me!" She had very little strength left, her kicks and pulls barely being felt against my rock hard skin.

"I'm going to make it okay Bella." She whimpered against her bonds.

"I was free." I needed to comfort her. I closed my eyes, my grip still secure and began to hum. It started out as just a random melody, but it quickly evolved into something so much more. Bella's lullaby. The familiar notes easily floated from my mouth.

Bella stopped crying.

I continued on, this was working. Slowly but surely the struggling became less and less until it stopped all together.

I looked up at Carlisle grinning, his face a reflection of pure astonishment. "I'm impressed."

"I thought it was worth a shot."

"A job well done. Make sure you keep a hold on Bella while I tend to her hand. Will you be okay?"

I nodded. I didn't want to be separated from Bella again. I could control myself against the sweet intoxicating scent of her blood.

Esme shifted uncomfortably at the foot of the bed. "I'm going to see if the others have found anything." She quickly left the room making sure the door was firmly shut behind her.

Carlisle made quick work of Bella's hand and bandaged it securely before checking her vitals. I couldn't tell if she was unconscious or had just fallen into a deep sleep, but either way I was grateful.

"We still need to figure out how the letter got in her room in the first place." I nodded in agreement. I still had yet to even develop a theory. I remember, I hadn't heard anything; then again I was concentrating on making Bella an omelet. I was still baffled.

Carlisle sat back in the chair and rubbed his face. "While everyone is out, I should probably clean up the blood downstairs." He stood to leave.

"No need. I heard Esme decide to do it before she joined the others outside."

I cocked my head to the side trying to make sense of the new stimuli I was hearing. "Someone's here."

"Edward." Alice's voice called to me from downstairs.

I darted out of my seat about to open the door when it opened for me. "Tanya." Let's just say her presence was very unwelcome at that moment.

"Hi Eddie. I was just passing through on my way down the coast. I miss you."

I couldn't say the same. "What do you want Tanya? Now isn't a good time." I tried to be as civil as possible. We kept peace with the Denali coven.

"Oh how sad. I thought I heard Alice mention something about the human an-."

"Her name is Bella."

"Yes, right. Well, do I have to have an excuse to say hi to you?" She pouted. I wasn't falling for it. Bored with the actual words coming out of her mouth, I delved into her mind.

Just be nice Tanya. California. Plans. Alaska. Better. Human.

Carlisle eye Tanya wearily. "I hear you have a mate now. My congratulations."

Tanya beamed. "Thank you. He's wonderful. I found him in Seattle alone, while I was passing through. He had been bitten and left to change on his own, so I took him. He's a stunning creature and doing quiet well with our diet. Sadly because he is a newborn, I couldn't bring him with me on my trip, even though his restraint is practically unheard of. He's got some fascinating memories from his human life. I'm sure you'll be meeting him soon.

At least she's found someone, hopefully she'll start leaving me alone.

"Well you've said hi and I'm busy at the moment, so maybe you should continue on your way." She pouted again, cocking her hip to the side in mock annoyance. Could she be any more obvious?

"Alright Eddie. If you insist. I hope your pet feels better." She glared at Bella with a smirk before allowing me to escort her out.

The rest of the day passed rather uneventfully. The only thing that was found regarding the letter was a shoeprint in the dirt below Bella's window. That really didn't help us. Needless to say, Bella wouldn't be staying in her room anytime soon nor would we be leaving her alone.

It was currently around midnight. Bella hadn't woken up once, and she still seemed to be in a deep sleep. I had shown Carlisle the letter. He had asked to see it and while I didn't think it was the best idea, I gave in.

Mad wasn't a strong enough word to describe Carlisle's reaction. In true Carlisle fashion, he became very silent, his fury radiating from his eyes, his pale jaw clenched in anger. At least fifteen minutes passed before he spoke.

"When we find him, and I promise you we will, I have every intention of making sure he suffers every bit as much as Bella has." Carlisle stared into the darkness of the room, a look of disgust spread on his face. Always so silent and stoic.

It was another thirty minutes before we spoke again. I felt I owed Carlisle an apology. "I'm sorry about Tanya." Carlisle looked up from the medical journal he was reading.

"There's no reason to apologize. Her actions and decisions are her own. I'm not very fond of her either but no harm was done."

I was about to respond when I was cut short by movement on the bed. Bella looked to be in the claws of a nightmare, fighting with an invisible opponent.

"Won't tell. Please. I promise. Don't touch. Hurting. No." Her cries got louder eventually turning into sobs.

"Bella! Wake up. You're safe." She couldn't hear me. Carlisle urged me to try again.

"Bella, open your beautiful eyes for me love." She was fighting against whatever was in her with everything she had. With one last shuddering sob her eyes finally snapped open.

"Daddy." Carlisle flew to the bed and cradled Bella in his arms. Even now it never ceased to amaze me how quickly Bella had connected with my family. "I've got you sweetheart. I'm right here." Carlisle's voice was soft and paternal, very comforting.

I was curious to find out what it was about Carlisle that reassured my Bella so much. But if she needed a father to bring her comfort rather than me, by all means she should have that. I knew in time Bella and I would be together. Alice had seen it. I just had to keep my impatience from getting in the way.

"I was so scared." Bella's gravelly voice was barely above a whisper.

"It's alright now."

"He sent me a letter. He found me. He's coming to get me." Carlisle pulled Bella closer to him as if he were trying to hug a feeling of safety back in to her spirit.

"I know. Edward showed me. But know this dear one. As long as I'm here, as long as your mother and siblings and Edward are here, no one will be able to even touch a hair on your head. You have my word."

Bella choked back a sob and nuzzled her head into Carlisle's shoulder. "I'm sorry. To both of you. I didn't mean to kick you."

I had to chuckle at that comment. So Bella-like. "No harm done, love."

"And I'm sorry Edward. For not trusting you. I know you, ore anyone in thiis family would never hurt me."

I moved and sat no the other side of the bed. "You were scared, and you had ever right to be. Don't worry about it." She seemed to accept my words.

"Carlisle?"

"Yes sweetheart."

"Will," She paused, looking apprehensive.

"Will I ever be normal again?" Her question tore at my dead heart. I didn't want her to feel like she was some messed up person because she lived through a traumatic experience and bore the scares to prove it.

"Of course my dear. You just need some time. We'll take it day by day." Seeing that Bella had calmed Carlisle moved to place Bella back down on the bed where she would probably be more comfortable.

"No!" She clung to him. "Please, if you don't mind. I don't want to be alone."

Carlisle sat back with Bella still firmly supported in his arms. "As long as you're comfortable, you're more than welcome in my arms."

She snuggled against Carlisle once again causing the corners of his mouth to turn up in a smile at the foreign but cherished motion.

"Edward?"

"Yes love."

"What were you singing before?"

Oh…that was the lullaby I wrote for you. Bella's lullaby."

"It was beautiful."

I grinned. "Just like you."

AN: Please review and I'll love you forever. I love love love your comments and input. So…review!!!

-lmbrtvll