A/N: All right. Here we go ladies and gents. The world has changed, and while it is stressful, and my children are driving me nuts, I managed to finish the next chapter of this little gem. Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews. You guys rock! We are about a week away from them leaving, in the story, but this will be the last chaper in Bellingham. For a little bit. Off we go. Read, review, and enjoy.

The week leading up to their departure from Bellingham was spent trying to be as busy as possible. They weren't sure whether or not Felix still had someone sitting outside their apartment complex, so they had all planned to make it look as if Bella wasn't going with Emmett on moving day. Since all six of them were going to Seattle together, Alice, Rose, and Bella were going to pack her truck up with her belongings. Then Alice and Bella would drive together to Seattle, with Rose following to make sure no one else was following them. Emmett, Jasper, and Edward would load the U-Haul and do the same as the girls.

Rose would be staying in Seattle when she came up with Emmett and Bella. Edward was staying in Bellingham until the end of July, so he would be accompanying Jasper and Alice home. They would be staying a couple of days and flying back to Bellingham. With their plan hashed out and made, they were able to enjoy the last week they all had together. Currently, they were over at Alice's house playing board games and hanging out. Emmett grabbed the dice and rolled. He saw he had a six, that landed him on Boardwalk, which Bella owned, along with two hotels.

"Fuck! I'm gonna go bankrupt at this point. I swear you're cheating, Bella."

She gave him a saccharine smile and stuck out her tongue. "Come on hun. No one likes a sore loser."

"Oh my god, he has always been a sore loser. Ever since we were little. I always beat him at Sorry and he actually cried once."

"I didn't cry. I told you I had allergies."

Alice and Bella giggled. "Ok, sure Em … allergies." Alice chirped.

They continued their game, and once Edward, Jasper, Alice, and Rosalie had declared bankruptcy, it was down to just Bella and Emmett. The girls were giving Bella suggestions to win, and the boys were trying to help Emmett. After twenty minutes of spectacular trash-talking, pleading, betting, and bargaining, Bella pulled ahead of Emmett and put another hotel on each property, and Emmett went bankrupt in the next turn. Bella shot up and jumped around in victory. She did her own version of a 'touchdown dance,' and even though Emmett hated losing, he was over the moon to see Bella this happy. He picked her up by her waist and swung her around. She squealed and locked her arms around his neck. He put her down and gave her a chaste kiss. She smiled at him and then went into the kitchen where Alice was calling for her.

Bella rubbed her hands together because they were breaking out the wine. Alice also put some popcorn in the microwave, and they rejoined the boys. Alice passed out beers to them, and the boys decided to play poker while Alice and Rose got Bella engrossed in decorating ideas for the house. Earlier last week she and the girls had picked out their furniture, with input from Emmett and it would be delivered the day after they moved in. The apartment had come furnished, so they weren't taking any of it with them.

After an hour of going over the floorplan and the set-up of the house, Bella was ready to cry. Alice had a way of wanting to go over every little thing, in painstaking detail, that just made Bella's head hurt. Rose's eyes started getting that glassy, unfocused look, and Bella reined Alice in and called an end to the design meeting as gently as she could. They joined the boys and got into the poker game. After a couple more games, they all decided to call it a night.

Bella and Emmett headed back to their apartment, but Bella wasn't looking forward to it. Since Demetri had broken in, and Jacob had told her she was being watched, she always felt like she wasn't alone there; it felt like she was in someone else's house. All their stuff had been completely packed away. They had paper plates and plastic silverware, travel-size toiletries, and she and Emmett were living out of a suitcase they had packed to have clean clothes until they left.

The next day, Emmett left to go run some errands. He had called her a few minutes ago to let her know that he was on his way back home. Since she had been alone for a few hours, and the eerie and ghostly air of the apartment was starting to get to her, so she decided to go check the mail. By the time she was done, Emmett should be home. She grabbed her keys and made sure to bring her phone with her.

The mailboxes for were on the same floor, just down the hall, but better safe than sorry. Bella quickly unlocked the box and pulled out the contents. Bella heard footsteps and before she could turn around, she felt one hand cover her mouth and another grab her ponytail, wrenching her head to the side. She tried to call out, but it was muffled by her assailant's hand. She heard a dark chuckle, and then a tongue running down the side of her neck. She tried to pull away from it, but her ponytail was still gripped in his hand.

"Mmm, I can see why Felix wants you so bad. It really is too bad we were interrupted the night before."

Bella started to try and fight him with her hands. He pushed her against the wall, his chest still to her back. He let go of her ponytail, and grabbed both her wrists in his one free hand. She got one of hers free from his grip and tried to push off the wall. He wrenched the one hand he had up and against her back, causing her to fall back against the wall, trapping her free hand again.

"I don't know why you try to fight this, Bella. Don't make me hurt you." He hissed, pulling up on her arm further. She cried out against his hand. She heard something pop, and pain shot through her arm like lightning. She screamed, and felt tears well in her eyes. It awoke something primal in her that would do anything to survive. She pulled her foot up with as much momentum as she could and stomped on his right foot, hard. With her good arm free, she elbowed him right in the nose, then turned and kneed him right in the balls. She started running, pulling out her cell phone with her good arm and called Emmett.

"Demetri attacked me while I was checking the mail. I got away from him, but he will start chasing me soon."

"You fucking bitch!" She heard Demetri yell. She was pleased to notice that he sounded nasal. She hoped she had broken his nose.

"I'm pulling in the parking lot now."

"Ok, well I have no keys because they were left in the lock when asshat attacked."

"Christ, Bella. Why did you go outside?"

"I thought going to check the mail, on the same damn floor as us, would be okay."

Bella could see Emmett's Jeep coming around the corner, and she ran down the stairs towards it. Demetri was closing in on her, but when Emmett stepped out of the Jeep, he turned tail and ran in the other direction. Instead of running after Demetri, Emmett noticed Bella's injured arm and ran to her.

"Jesus, what happened?"

"I don't know." She cried out when he tried to touch her arm to look at it.

"We need to get you to the hospital."

"I'm calling Edward. I want his dad to see me."

Emmett nodded, and they both got back into his Jeep. "I'm gonna go get your keys. Lock the doors and don't unlock them for anything." He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss and headed upstairs. Bella waited in silent anticipation, texting Edward until Emmett returned.

"His dad is at the hospital, and so is Edward, so he will meet us at the ER entrance.

Once Carlisle led Bella back to an exam room, she explained to him a shortened version of what happened to her, while he felt her shoulder and arm. Bella had to keep from crying out a couple of times. "I think your shoulder is dislocated, and your wrist has a very decreased range of motion. We need to get an x-ray of the whole area to diagnose the shoulder, but I would be willing to bet there is also a broken bone somewhere in there." Carlisle explained. He gave her a kind smile, and she felt immediately calmed. Bella thought that Carlisle, just like his son, had an amazingly calming presence. That was why she wanted to see him. The fact that he was an experienced doctor, and pretty good looking, were just checks in the plus column.

Once the results came back from Radiology, Carlisle's theory was validated. Because of swelling and the pain, he gave Bella a mild pain reliever before popping her shoulder back in place. She then had to be put in a splint and wear a sling for her wrist. They had to wait for the swelling to go down in a couple of days before they could put on a cast. Carlisle wanted to see her on Friday, the day before they left. She thanked Carlisle for his help and fitting her in to see him.

Just as she assumed it would, the lecture started in the Jeep. Emmett, while still worried about her, was no longer in emergency mode and scolded her for leaving the apartment by herself. To Emmett's, and honestly her own surprise, Bella didn't fight back. To her credit, Bella was tired, sore, a little drugged out, and emotionally spent, and just couldn't find the energy to argue with Emmett. Going to check the mail was a miscalculation on her part, but she honestly assumed traveling less than seventy-five feet from her door wouldn't be an issue.

"I didn't think it would be an issue. I was wrong, and I get that. The apartment felt stifling while you were gone. I always feel like someone is there, even when I'm alone, and it freaks me out. It won't happen again, Emmett."

Emmett sighed. "I'm sorry. You're probably in pain, and you just got attacked. I shouldn't be lecturing you like a child. I just…I love you so damn much, and this is an enemy that I can't fight."

She grabbed his free hand with her unbroken hand and squeezed. "I love you too, and I get that you are protective, and honestly, super buff, but it is not your job to be my bodyguard. So, don't sit there with that look on your face like you failed me. Put the blame where it belongs, in those assholes' hands."

Emmett nodded and gave her a quick kiss. They spent most of the remaining drive in silence. Bella was a little confused when he pulled up and stopped in front of her dad's house.

"Em, what…?"

"Rose told me how you felt about the house, and I was planning on bringing it up tonight when I got back, but circumstances changed that plan. We're staying at your dad's until we leave for Renton. You get to spend some time with him before we leave, plus Paul, Felix, nor Demetri will mess with you with your dad in the same house."

Bella wanted to be mad at him for making this decision without her, but she knew that he was trying to help her be more comfortable and protect her at the same time. "Thanks, Emmett. This is actually perfect."

He got out of the car and came around to her side, opening her door for her. He put his hands on both sides of her face. "Okay, I'm gonna get you settled in and then I'm meeting Jazz and Edward at our apartment. Dr. and Mrs. Cullen agreed to let us store our boxes in their garage until we leave."

"You're kind of amazing, you know that?" She asked, smiling. She gave him a sweet and slow kiss.

Emmett gave her his huge dimpled grin and nodded his head. "I'm well aware, Ms. Swan." He picked her up bridal style before she could stop him, and she put her arm that wasn't in a sling around his neck, holding on. Emmett carried her inside and set her on her own feet. He called a hello out to Charlie. Bella wasn't surprised to see her dad come out of the living room.

"Hey, Emmett." He gave him a firm handshake, and one of those one-armed guy hugs. He turned to Bella and gathered her into a hug that only a dad could give. Bella was reminded of every time she was sick or injured when her dad hugged her like that. "Are you okay, baby girl?"

Bella wound her arm around his neck and buried her head in his chest. She nodded and took in as much comfort as she could from him. The events of the day and the close call finally caught up to her, and she felt the tears well up, and she finally let them go. Her dad hugged her tighter and started stroking her head. Emmett caught his bewildered look over Bella's shoulder. Emmett just smiled sadly and nodded. Bella let her dad hold her until her cries quieted and she composed herself.

They all went into the living room together. Charlie folded himself into his recliner, while Bella and Emmett settled onto the couch. Emmett talked with them for a while but soon excused himself to go meet Jazz and Edward. He gave Bella a reverent kiss to her forehead and she told him she loved him. He told her the same. Charlie walked to the door with him, handing him a house key.

Bella tried not to panic as she watched Emmett walk out her dad's front door. She had a feeling that this more about moving boxes from their apartment to the Cullens' garage. She could only hope that Emmett was letting his head lead, not his anger. She knew him well enough to be sure that he was still blaming himself for this recent turn of events. Even though she told him that the blame was not on him, he still was fiercely protective, and she saw his face when he said he loved her and how frustrated he was that he couldn't fight this enemy.

She picked up her phone and text Edward and Jazz to tell them, in no uncertain terms, to keep Emmett from doing something stupid. She got a ten-four from both of them. Bella relaxed a little. Her dad joined her in the living room with popcorn and drinks for them both. They talked conversationally and Bella started to feel more relaxed than she had in some time. She curled up on the sofa, her day catching up with her and she started to drift to sleep.

Bella woke up the next morning in bed, in PJs she didn't remember putting on, and a warm body curled around her. She turned over and saw Emmett looking at her with concern. "You really awake this time?"

She looked at him in confusion. "What?"

"We had a couple of conversations last night, and you got changed. But you weren't really awake. I could see it in your eyes."

"That is a little disconcerting. Maybe it was the painkillers. Did I walk up the stairs asleep too?"

"No, that was me. I carried you up." He looked like he was trying not to laugh.

"Oh, god, what?"

"You said when I carried you like that, you felt like a princess, and I was your prince." He chuckled and she joined in with him. It sounded like something she would say.

"So, how did last night go?"

Emmett sighed. "It went fine. Thanks for siccing Jazz and Edward on me, because I'll be honest, I had some stupid ideas in my head. They kept me in line, and we got everything moved."

Bella tsked. "I knew it. Damnit, Emmett."

"I didn't do anything."

"No, because I had the forethought to tell your friends to keep you from going all Neanderthal. You can't get mad at me for putting myself in danger, and then turn around and do the same thing."

"I think I can handle myself against them."

"All three of them? I broke that assholes nose and kneed him in the balls, but Demetri is smaller than Paul and Felix, by a lot."

"Whatever, Bells. Do you want me to apologize? I'm sorry, and it was a momentary lapse of rational thought."

Bella pulled him to her in a rough kiss full of desperation and need. "You feel that? I need you, Emmett McCarty. Not only that, but I want you, too. Do not put me in a position to possibly lose you, and I promise to do the same. You got it?"

Emmett nodded and kissed her back, and Bella allowed herself to lose herself in his body as if she could stop herself. Emmett's hands roamed across her back, her stomach, her breasts. It was when he accidentally jarred her arm, and she whimpered that the bubble was popped. "God, I don't want to hurt you."

She cupped his cheek. "I can't wait to get this in a cast. Never thought I would ever say anything like that."

"Brave new world. Come on, let's keep your dad under the impression that I am not corrupting his only daughter."

Bella barked out a loud laugh. "Oh, that ship has sailed, Em. It's probably docking in Tahiti now."

They left her room and headed downstairs. There was a note on the fridge. Bella read it and handed it to Emmett. Charlie had headed to work for a couple of hours. "I thought he was on vacation."

"He's the chief. If there's an emergency or crisis, he has to go in. You know that."

"I remember you complaining about it, but I wasn't here when you guys moved to Bellingham."

"Kinda weird that here we're living together and dating now?" She asked, winding her good arm around his waist from behind him. She rested her head on his shoulder. He kissed the side of her face. Then he turned, so they were facing each other. He kissed her harder and then they sat down, eating breakfast and discussing what to do with their day.

Saturday morning came barreling down on them before they realized it. Bella was currently pouting in the passenger seat of her truck. She had just gotten her cast the day before, and she had been told by more than one of her friends, plus Emmett, and Charlie that if she tried to help move stuff, she would have to sit in the car. Needless, to say they were serious because after she tried to lift a heavy box with one hand, she was ushered to her vehicle and told to sit.

She had been feeling restless since last night, and she had the hardest time sleeping well. She gave up at six a.m. and started getting ready for the day. Turns out, she needed the extra time because the cast was a hindrance. Bella was right-handed, but since she was such a clumsy child and teenager, she had learned to use both hands. As a less awkward adult, she was now out of practice.

Bella couldn't wait to get out of Bellingham, and to her hopefully, safer life in Renton, but she also hated leaving Alice, Jasper, and her dad. Even Edward's parents were pretty awesome. Carlisle had rolled up his sleeves and helped everyone load up the U-Haul and Bella's truck, while also joking around and laughing with everyone. Esme has made snacks for their trip, and also gave them several frozen casseroles for their first few days in their new home. Their plan was still in effect with some small adjustments. Alice and Bella were still riding together, but Alice was going to drive. Rose was still following. Then after twenty or so minutes, Emmett and Edward would still get in the U-Haul, and Jasper would follow in Emmet's Jeep.

Emmett told Bella to stop pouting and get out of the truck, but touch nothing. She was able to let go and joke around with everyone and stop thinking about things so much. Before she knew, it was time to tell Emmett and the boys goodbye. She was a little emotional telling Emmett goodbye, and Alice had to gently drag her to her vehicle. Alice, hell-bent on cheering Bella up, turned on 00's pop music and in no time, they were singing along and dancing.

About twenty minutes outside of Renton, Bella felt the clenching and heaviness in her chest that had been there for weeks, finally, dissipate. She knew this would be a new start, not only for her and Emmett but also for her friends and family.

A/N; So, what do we think? Did their ruse work? Is she finally safe? Guess you'll have to keep reading to see. Again, thank you to everyone who takes time out to read the crazy thoughts in my head and review. I appreciate everyone and it makes me so happy to hear your thoughts. Stay safe and healthy. Love you all!