Disclaimer: I do not own anyone or anything from Twilight!

Leah was unsure how long Edward had been holding her. She was pretty sure a couple of hours had passed, maybe even more, but it could have only been a few minutes. Time wasn't really an issue right now. Her mind was still consumed with thoughts of everything that had gone down. Leah still couldn't believe that Emily would betray her in such a way, but she'd seen it when her memories had come rushing back and she was pretty sure they weren't false. In a way. she wished that they were because it would hurt less than knowing they were the truth.

"What could I have possibly done to deserve that?" she whispered curling up tighter against Edward's chest from their position on the bed. "She was like my sister when we were kids. Why didn't she come to my aid? How could she let her husband rape me? Did she really not care at all? It's because of Emily that I won't ever have the first time that I wanted. It will always be ruined and there's nothing I can do to change it. How could she betray me like that?"

Edward continued stroking her hair because he had no other way to make her feel better. "I wish I could tell you why she chose to do what she did, but I can't because Idon't understand how anyone could do such a thing, either."

Leah bit her bottom lip before angling her head so she could have a better look at his face. She knew what she wanted to ask him was a lot to ask, but he was the only person that she trusted right now. "I hate knowing that I never once had control of the situation. I hate knowing that I may never have love in my life. I hate it that I'm permanently scarred because of what was done to me. I wish I could just make it better you know? You told me that if I needed something just to ask you…did you mean it?"

"Of course I did," the doctor told her as his expression changed to concern. "Just tell me what you need, and it's yours. You'll have whatever you want as long as it's in my power to give it to you."

Leah's face was flushed, and her voice was nervous, but she still managed to speak. "I want to wipe out the feeling of Sam on my skin. I want to erase the horrible things he did to me from my mind. I want to be able to have the first time every girl should have, but I need to be with someone that I trust, and the only person I trust without question is you." Too afraid to look up and see his face, she stared at her hand on his shoulder. Her words quickened now, wanting to get every bit of her request out before she lost her nerve."I know it's a lot to ask and if it makes you uncomfortable we can forget that I ever brought it up, I promise."

Edward was stunned at her revelation. "You want me to make love to you?"

When she didn't respond, still staring at his shoulder, he had his answer.

"Leah…are you sure this is what you really want? You've been through an ordeal today and the last thing I want is for you to make such a big decision about something you're not ready for. I refuse to become another name on your list of regrets." But even as he said that, he found himself imagining himself with Leah, him on top of her, their sweaty, naked bodies entwined, her screaming his name and begging him for more as he stared deep into her brown eyes…

"You could never be a mistake or a regret, Edward," Leah told him truthfully. "If I thought that could happen for even a fraction of a second, I would never have asked. I need this Edward. I feel like I'm trapped with Sam and I just want to be free." She looked into his eyes then, and that's when he saw the plea in her orbs, the unbearable need.

He hesitated, not sure on what his next move should be. On one hand, he was thrilled that she trusted him enough to ask this of him; on the other hand, he was afraid that, if he gave in to her request, it would make things worse. Having only just recently coming to the conclusion that he was head over heels in love with her was causing his internal struggle. Edward did want her – oh God, did he want her – more than he had ever wanted anyone. Still, he was her doctor and their friendship was already complicated enough; adding sex on top of that could only make matters worse. Yet, if he did not take the chance, how could he ever live with himself knowing he had the chance to have her, even for only a moment, but hadn't taken it?

"If this is what you need Leah, I'm willing to give it to you. It may even end up doing me some good as well." His lips came down on hers as she wound her fingers in his hair.

Sparks of passion flew between them as they each took what they needed from the other. Leah needed to forget and Edward needed to feel. In a way, the pair was healing the other person the best that they could. As the kiss intensified Leah could actually feel some of her self-loathing fleeing from her body, and Edward was surprised to realize that he could feel at all. Passion had not been something he'd experienced recently. He decided to let his passion consume him for the time being. He had been hurt when Bella left after the accident with Mason, and that pain had always been with him no matter the circumstances. Now, with Leah assaulting his senses, that pain wasn't anywhere to be found. Neither was Leah's pain. The pair healed each others wounds so well, it was like they'd never been harmed in the first place.

"Make me forget, Edward," she panted, her voice dripping with need, as they pulled away for precious air. "Make me forget, and I'll do the same for you."

The bronze haired male ran his fingers down her cheek. "You've already done that for me, Leah. Right now, I want to focus on you and what you need. Please, don't worry about me. Today's all about you, and only you. Let me be what you need, and I swear I'll give you everything you deserve. I'll give you back what was so cruelly stolen from you."

TBC…

AN: Thanks again to my great beta!

Please R&R like always!