DISCLAIMER: Same disclaimer. I don't own anything, just the way I choose to use the characters.

Chapter 36 – Exhausted and Wary

BPOV

By the time Charlie and I got back home all I wanted to do was crawl into my bed. While I emotionally felt lighter after telling my story about what happened, it was becoming increasingly obvious how much further I had to go to heal. Everything that has happened today has my head rivaling my ribs for which part of my body hurts worse. However, I didn't want to cause any worry after everything I had already laid on Charlie today so I tried to hide it.

I must not have been hiding my discomfort very well because not long after we walked into the house Charlie asked, "You feeling okay Bells?"

I could see the pain in his eyes so I decided to be honest. "I'm okay. My head is hurting so I think I might go lie down for a little while if that is okay."

"Sure thing. How about I grab you your medicine and bring it up to you while you get comfortable."

"Thanks dad." I told him before I pulled him into a hug. I had to fight the tears that wanted to escape at how loved he makes me feel.

Before Charlie got a chance to see how emotional I was becoming I turned and made my way upstairs. I threw on my favorite pair of sweats and an old t-shirt and crawled into bed. A few minutes later there was a knock on the door and Charlie brought in my pain medications.

"Do you need anything else?" he asked.

"No thanks. I think I'm good. I am just going to try and take a nap."

"Okay, but if you need anything let me know," he told me.

"I will." I told him honestly.

Charlie leaned over and gave me a kiss on the forehead before he turned and left the room. I lay there thinking about everything that had happened lately. While I still wondered what I had done to deserve what had happened to me, I felt a strange sense of peace for letting Charlie in. Before I knew it I was falling asleep.

CHPOV

I walked away from Bella's room and let out a sigh. How could all of this stuff have been happening to her and I didn't have a clue? Was I really that bad of a parent that I was blind to everything my little girl had been suffering?

I made my way back to the living room and took a seat in my recliner and went over everything that I had learned in the last two days.

I had been at work when the call came in telling me that Bella had been taken to the hospital. When I got there I had a feeling that something more might have happened than Bella slipping and falling, but it was obvious that she didn't feel comfortable telling me.

I was never so glad that she had started to see Riley than I was this morning. Carlisle had called to tell me that the was there this morning before I left so I waited a little longer to leave for the hospital. When I got there Carlisle caught me before I could go into her room.

"How is she doing this morning?" I asked.

"She is doing better. I plan on discharging her after she is done talking to Dr. Biers. She might suffer from more headaches for a while so don't be alarmed. Like I told you yesterday, while she has a significant amount of bruising I don't believe there is any permanent damage."

"I am so gratefully for everything you have done Carlisle. I just hate how much she has had to go through and I wish she would open up to me."

Carlisle walked over and clasped my shoulder. "Give her time. With everything she has been through it may take a little while. Just have faith."

Before we could talk much more the door to Bella's room opened and Riley walked out. He looked down the hall and when he saw us standing there he walked over to us.

"Good morning Chief Swan."

"Morning Riley. How is she?" I asked him.

"She is tough. Actually she has something she wants to tell you so I told her that I would come out and see if you were here."

I nodded and followed him back to Bella's room. When I walked in I could tell that she had a lot going through her mind. I immediately walked over to the side of her bed and grabbed her hand.

Riley immediately started to talk. "Bella, I want you to remember what we talked about right before I left the room. None of this is your fault. Don't let your insecurities take over and convince you otherwise."

Hearing Riley say this made my stomach turn. What could have possibly happened to my baby girl this time? I needed to know so I asked, "What's going on?"

"Charlie, Bella and I have been talking about what happened to land her in the hospital. She has decided that she wants you to know what actually happened at school," Riley told me.

"Okay."

I watched at Bella took several deep breaths and seemed to be preparing herself for whatever she had to tell me. My heart broke when I heard her tell me that she was sorry for everything.

I was confused about what she could possibly be sorry about. "Sweetie, you have nothing to be sorry about. Please tell me what is going on." I told her.

My fears seemed to be coming true with the next statement out of her mouth. "Umm, I didn't just fall in the bathroom." Bella said quietly as she looked down at her lap.

"Okay, what happened?" I asked.

While I knew that something had happened I wasn't ready for the story she told me. How was I never told that she was having problems with this Lauren and Jessica before now? I couldn't help it, I was angry.

Before I gave much thought to it, I let my anger take over. "Jesus Christ. Why didn't you tell me this has been going on?"

The instant the words left my mouth I was full of regret. I looked at Bella and she had tears pouring down her face. I moved to put my hand on her face and hated that she instantly flinched away.

I really started to hate myself even more at that moment. I was pulled out of my thoughts when Riley spoke. "Charlie, I think you need to take a few breaths and calm down."

Unfortunately, even though I regretted my actions, Riley's words only proved to increase my anger at what happened. "Calm down, how can you expect me to calm down after hearing what happened?" I asked.

"Charlie, I know you are shocked and upset about what happened to Bella but you are scaring her and not helping the situation. Maybe you should take a short walk to calm down so that we can discuss this matter more calmly."

I knew then that if I didn't find a way to get control of my anger that I would end up pushing Bella even further away than she currently was. I took some deep breaths and looked at Bella. I wanted to cry right along with her because she doesn't deserve anything that she has had to deal with.

My little girl was broken, and that only caused my heart to break a little more. "Bella, I'm so sorry. You should never have had to go through that. I'm sorry for losing my temper too, but please know that I'm not angry with you. I could never be angry with you about this. You did nothing wrong," I told her.

I could see that Bella was having a hard time believing me especially after my outburst. She had finally started to open up to me a little, and here I go and screw it up by not being able to control my anger.

Before I could say anything to try to reassure her, Riley spoke again. "Charlie, I have explained to Bella that what those girls did was illegal and that they need to be punished. Before you came in here she agreed with me. Can you tell her what she needs to do next?"

To say that I was a little surprised that Bella was willing to press charges is an understatement. I quickly covered my surprise to answer.

"Of course. Those girls need to pay for what they did. Now since I'm you father I can't officially take your statement. I will need you to tell one of the other officers what happened and we will file a complaint against those two. We will also see about getting a restraining order placed against them so that they can't continue to harass you. Bella, I will get you through this. You did nothing wrong. I'm glad that you tried to stand up for yourself and you are going even further by making sure that these people don't get away with what they have done," I assured her.

Bella was quiet and I couldn't believe how strong she was. Before I got a chance to say anything Riley spoke, "Bella, I just want you to know how proud I am that you are not going to let these girls get away with what they did. Know that if you need to talk you can call me anytime. Otherwise I will see you at your regular appointment on Monday."

After Bella thanked him I walked out of the room with him to get Bella's discharge paperwork started.

I stopped him right before we got to the nurses station where Carlisle was waiting. "Riley, I don't know how you convinced her to talk to me, but thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate everything you have done."

"Charlie, I'm not going to say that Bella is going to get better overnight. She has been through so much but she is making so much progress. Just be there for her. Remind her that you love her and you will both get through this."

I nodded because I knew he was right. I thanked him again and told him I would see him when I dropped Bella off at her appointment.

After he left Carlisle and I made our way back to Bella's room. I knew that telling us what happened was hard for her and I hoped she was ready to tell the story again.

I went to Mark's office when we got to the station. "Hey Chief, what are you doing here? How is Bella?" he asked.

"Bella is okay. She got out of the hospital a little bit ago and she is actually with me. Can we go into an interview room and I will explain everything."

"Sure thing. Let me just grab a notepad and I will be right there," Mark replied.

I led Bella to one of the interview rooms. When Mark joined us I explained why we were there. I could tell that he was just as surprised by the news as I had been. While Bella may not know him very well, I talk about her so much that Mark sees her like one of his nieces and as she told her story I could see him fighting the anger.

Sitting in my chair I still couldn't believe everything that Bella had gone through. After finding out what happened with her mom I had hoped that she was now safe because she didn't have to deal with her anymore. Little did I know that she was being terrorized here as well.

I sat there trying to figure out how to fix everything for my little girl. Unfortunately, while filing charges was the right thing to do, I was afraid that there might be backlash at the school. I will have to figure out a way to make sure that Bella is taken care of when I can't be there to protect her.

I don't know how long I sat there lost in my thoughts. It must have been at least a couple of hours because the next thing I knew I was being brought back to the present by a knock on the door. I looked at the clock and realized that school was out so I knew who it would be.

I got up and answered the door and smiled at Edward. He was a great person and I couldn't have asked for anybody better for my daughter.

"Hey Edward. How are you today?" I asked as I let him in the house.

"I'm good. How is Bella?" he asked.

I smiled because I knew his first question would be about how Bella was doing. The one thing that was blatantly obvious was how much he loved my daughter.

"She is okay. She is laying down but if you want to go up and see her you can."

"Are you sure? I don't want to interrupt her if she is resting."

"Edward, let's just say if I don't have you go up I don't want to deal with her." I told him with a chuckle.

With that Edward made his way upstairs to see Bella.

EPOV

After I left Bella last night I had a hard time sleeping. I could tell that there was obviously something that she wasn't telling me when I talked to her but I don't know how to get her to trust me enough to open up.

This morning I had really wanted to stop and see Bella before school but I knew it wasn't feasible. Thus I found myself fidgeting all day in anticipation of visiting Bella and making sure she truly was okay.

Once school got out I quickly made my way to Bella's house. The Chief's car was in the driveway so I assumed that they were home. I got out and knocked on the door.

Charlie answered the door and ushered me in as he asked how my day was. I was so anxious to see how Bella was I didn't elaborate too much on my answers to his questions. Charlie put me out of my misery before too long and told me that Bella was upstairs. I quietly made my way to her room in case she was sleeping.

I peeked my head in her door and smiled as I saw her lathing there. I could tell she was still sleeping so I started to back my way out of the room but before I got completely out she started to stir.

Her eyes fluttered open and she looked around before her eyes landed on me in the doorway.

"Hey," she said with a sleep filled voice.

"Hey yourself. Sorry to wake you. I just wanted to see how you were doing?" I said with a smile.

Bella pushed herself up and I quickly made my way over to her to make sure she didn't hurt herself.

When I got over to her, Bella patted the spot next to her on the bed. I sat down and gave her a quick kiss. "So how are you feeling?" I asked.

She shrugged. "I'm okay I guess. I had a headache earlier and had some rib pain but I think that was from everything that happened today," she said quietly.

I was wondering what she meant by everything that happened, but I didn't want to push her. Instead I asked, "Are you feeling better after your nap?"

She looked up at me and smiled. "Yeah I am."

I was so glad to hear that and I told her this. "So what time did you finally get sprung?"

"Well I met with Riley this morning and then your dad let me leave about ten I think it was."

I nodded. "At least you got a good nap in then."

Suddenly she looked nervous. "Not exactly. We didn't get home until a couple hours later because we had to stop at the station."

"Did something happen?" I asked, although a part of me knew that it might have had something to do with what happened at the school.

Bella refused to look me in the eye, but she started to speak. "Actually, we had to stop there so that I could press charges."

"On your mom? I thought that was already taken care of?"

"Um, no not on Renee. I was pressing charges on Lauren."

When that slut's name left Bella's mouth I had to fight the anger that suddenly rose within me but I knew that I couldn't let her see that I was angry. Instead I asked, "What happened Bella?"

I looked at Bella and although she wouldn't meet my eyes I could see that she had tears running down her face. "Well, I kind of got into an altercation with her and that is how I got hurt the other day."

I took a deep breath and asked her, "Can you tell me what happened? If you aren't comfortable talking about it I understand that as well."

I really wanted her to talk to me but I didn't want to push her either. She looked me in the eye and started to tell me the story.

I sat there quietly while Bella told me about what happened in the bathroom. I was so angry at Lauren and Jessica but I was more proud that Bella had stood up for herself and that she had the courage to file charges.

When she finished telling me what happened I took her face in my hands and wiped the tears from her eyes before placing gentle kisses over the tear tracks. "Bella, I am so proud of you for making sure that they pay for what they did. They are so wrong and you are such a good person. Please don't let anything they said make you doubt that."

She just nodded but I could tell that she was listening to what I was saying. Unfortunately before too long I had to leave her and head home for dinner. I kissed Bella and promised her that I would stop by to see her tomorrow.

Just before I left the room Bella stopped me. "Edward," she said and I turned.

"Yeah"

"Can you promise me something?"

"What is it baby?" I asked her.

"Can you promise me that you won't do anything to Lauren or Jessica."

As much as I wanted to go after those two for doing what they did to Bella, she was my first priority. I would promise her the moon if it would make her smile. "I promise." I told her.

She must have believed me because she nodded and I turned and gave her another kiss before I left.

When I got downstairs Charlie was waiting for me. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop son but I know Bella told you what happened."

I nodded to let him know that I did in fact know.

"Will you watch out for her? She has been through so much and I'm afraid that if anything else were to happen that she might not be able to take it." Charlie said sadly.

"I promise. Bella is stronger that any of us know. I just wish I could take all her pain away for her." I told him.

"Son, you have made her more happy than I have seen in her in a great while."

"Thanks. I promise to take the best care of her I can." I told him.

After that we said our goodbyes and I made my way home. I knew that I would have to tell the others what happened and ask them to watch out for Bella. The part that scared me was being able to convince them not to retaliate against Lauren and Jessica. Although those two deserved anything they receive, I refused to do anything to make things harder for Bella.