So I told you things were changing and this chapter and the next set the stage. I missed you over the weekend...I really did. I saw most of you during my freaky drabble 'Strangers on a Train' and my birthday one-shots 'Shocked to the Core' and 'You say it's your Birthday'. Do you have any idea how amazing it is for me to see your names in alerts and reviews for everything I do? It shocks and awes me. Truly.

Melanie is off the rest of the week and is under strict orders to rest...so I hope she is listening. The next few chapters of 'Awaken' are the best yet...well so far anyway.

Dalloway5906 broke my heart with her 'Reboot' update...seriously.

Now...lets go.

"How does that make you feel when he tells you that Bella?" The therapist asked as she tapped on her chin with the edge of her glasses. Bella tried not to roll her eyes at the inane question as she held tighter to Edward's hand. When he suggested therapy, she had been apprehensive, but he had so wanted them to go together to sort out not only her issues, but his as well. But now they were sitting her listening to the therapist 'hmmm' and 'ah' and she was ready to just shove those annoying glasses right up her ass.

"It makes me sad that I can't be everything he needs. I'm not strong enough." Bella answered, trying to be truthful because she knew if she lied then they would never stand a chance at getting better.

"Bella…" Edward protested, but the therapist stopped him.

"I think that takes a lot of courage to say Bella, so thank you. But I need you to see past your perceived faults and look at the big picture. When it gets too hard for you after a rescue and you retreat into the bathroom to let it out, don't you wish you could just do that with Edward and not all alone?"

"Of course I do but I'm afraid that if I let him see that part of me he'll go running." Bella said quietly and again Edward tried to speak but was interrupted.

"You are not giving him a chance. He wants to be there for you. Wouldn't you want to be there for him in his time of need?" Bella nodded, remembering how he had clung to her after the memorial ceremony for his friends. She had felt so strong and steady as she soothed him and she realized that maybe he needed to be that for her as well.

"You see now don't you?" The therapist asked softly and Bella nodded. "Then we are on the right track."

*()*()*

"So Edward, how long do you think your girl will be dragging you around by the collar? I mean when are you going to get back into the action?"

Edward had hesitated to answer his phone when his old buddy James Michael's number popped up on his screen, but he knew if he ignored him he would just keep calling.

"Drop it James. Did you see the spread they did of my coverage of the Vermont floods? I heard talk of another Pulitzer." Edward said casually, knowing how pissed James would be if Edward got another award.

"Yeah well I could do wonders with a subject like that too. It's when you have to dig for the picture that talent really shows." James replied and Edward couldn't help but smile at his petulant tone. He pulled the phone away when it beeped, signaling another call. When his sister's name came up he quickly said goodbye to James and answered.

"Rose?" He said, nervous before he even heard her voice. She had been different in the two weeks they had been back from Turkey. He worried that something was really wrong.

"Edward…is Bella with you?" She asked and he could tell from her tone that something was wrong.

"No, she's at the training center with Jake today working with some of the new recruits. Why, what's up?" He said, getting up from the couch, suddenly needing to move.

"Um…mom just called me. Bella's mother was in a car accident. Dad is taking care of her and he thought that maybe Bella would want to go see her. It's not looking good."

"Shit." He sighed and Rose gave a humorless laugh.

"Yeah, that about sums it up. I know Renee pretty much burned her bridges when Bella tried to talk to her, but I really think that Bella will regret it if she doesn't at least try to see her before she dies."

"Yeah, I couldn't agree more." Edward said as he walked into their bedroom to start packing.

*()*()*

Edward was waiting at the training center when Bella and Jake came out. He was leaning up against the Jeep with his hands in his pockets and Bella tried hard not to drool.

"Hey sexy, what are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at home to…" Bella said but stopped when she saw the luggage in the back seat. "Edward, what's going on?"

"Your mother was in an accident." He said and Bella tried hard not to let any of her emotions show. Inside she was feeling dread and anger and misery, but outside she was perfectly calm.

"So?" She said, her voice flat as she tried to reach around Edward and open the car door.

"So, we need to go out there. Our flight leaves in an hour, so let's go." He said as he moved to let her get in the car. But she stood there with her arms crossed over her chest and a scowl on her face.

"I'm not going Edward."

"Yes, you fucking are. WE are. Do not make me drag your ass into the car. You know you will live with this for the rest of your life if you don't go see her, so just get in the fucking car Isabella." He growled, his voice filled with just enough venom to motivate her. As she sat down in the passenger seat she huffed at him.

"Overbearing ass."

He smiled gently at her, knowing how big a front she was putting on for his benefit. And perhaps even her own. Quickly settling Jake in the back, he leaned in a kissed her forehead before stating the Jeep.

"You know it, love."

*()*()*

"I'm sorry Bella. I wish the news was better. She has not regained consciousness after we had to do the surgery to relieve the pressure in her skull. I don't think…she is not going to come out of this." Carlisle said as he sat next to Bella in the waiting room, holding her hand tightly. He and Esme had been to Kansas City several times since Edward and Bella moved in together and she had formed a tight bond with Edward's father. He wasn't trying to replace her own father, just maybe be there when she needed him. And right now as she was listening to him explain that her mother was pretty much gone, she needed him more than ever.

"Can she hear me?" She asked as they walked down the empty hallway. She and Edward had gotten in to SeaTac late and Esme had met them there and drove them to the hospital. Now Carlisle was breaking the rules to let her see her mother past visiting hours. He put his arm around her shoulder as he guided her into the room.

"You can talk to her. You need to." He said, not really answering her question. She gasped and tears sprung to her eyes as she looked down at her mother. She was on a ventilator and had tubes and wires all around her. For a moment she flashed to the memory of Edward lying in the same hospital after the earthquake and how devastated she had been when his monitors flat lined. And then she felt guilty because she realized that if that were to happen to her mother right now, all she would feel was relief.

"I'm going to go fill Edward in. You take all the time you need." Carlisle said as he pressed a kiss to her temple and left. Bella approached the bed cautiously, as if waiting for her mother to wake up and start spewing hate again. She stood at the side and watched the numbers flash on the monitors, trying to figure out what to say.

"Hi mom." She started, figuring it was easier to get the mundane things out of the way first. "Edward's dad is taking good care of you. He…ah…he has been great to me too. Loving Edward and getting close to his family is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I really wish you could have gotten to know him. He is so sweet and kind and he treats me like I am the best thing in the world. He looks at me and I can just tell that he is it for me. I want to be good for him, I really do, but I worry that I'm still not enough, that I'll never be enough. And that makes me sad. I want what you and Dad had before…well before.

Anyway, I wanted to come and say good bye to you before they shut off the machines. I'm not going to make that decision; I'm letting Carlisle handle that. I just…I wanted to tell you I love you, even after all the hateful things you said to me and the horrible way you treated me, I still love you. You're my mom."

Bella leaned down and pressed a kiss to her mother's forehead before she turned around and walked out. As the door closed behind her she heard the monitors beeping and the nurses and doctors headed into her mother's room, but she just kept walking. She had made her peace.

A/N: Poor Bella...next chapter we get some grief and some Rose...

See you next Wednesday!