3rd

Bella's teeth may as well have been sewn together. Her body shook, her bruised, now fully exhausted arms swung limply in front of her.

The eyes of the coven were nothing to her, but they could not remove the scorch of the woman towering over Jasper's now headless form.

Edward spoke shakely as his nature allowed. "How did you…?"

She couldn't speak if she'd wanted to. His grip, however short, had been enough to secure that. Slowly, with sure, jerky movements, she lifted her head to meet the eyes of the vampires.

She couldn't say she was surprised at the range she saw in them: Bleakness, smugness, satisfaction, grief, and understanding.

In the last few seconds of her consciousness, she'd expected to see some semblance of hate.

Just like before.

Emmett

That was the first time I'd seen Bella's legs give beneath her. I raced over to her, her body fell against mine and it would be a lie to say I wasn't surprised.

Light as any human I'd ever held. How could that be? How could she be that strong? If she were awake, would she be okay with this? Would she mind being carried by a man she doesn't know?

I guess it doesn't really matter. Because whether she likes me or not. If she needed it, I'd move Heaven and Earth because she wouldn't hesitate to do the same for Alice.

I gathered her in my arms. I tried as I could not to aggravate her wounds, but she must have a talent for it. There were too many for my efforts to make much difference.

Too many for any normal human to survive. Then again, she's never claimed to be just 'some human'.

Human. I rolled the word around my head. A fragile, mortal human, willing to fight 'til her last breath for my sister.

I hadn't realized I'd smiled.

She really is an idiot.

Hours later

We put Bella back in her room.

I sat on the wooden stool at her bedside.

She was fast asleep. Whether that was from the I.V., or the exhaustion wasn't my expertise.

I could say it was the only time she'd looked peaceful in weeks.

We'd all seen, but we hadn't lived in it. Not in the way she had. Carlisle took the liberty of explaining the gash in her stomach.

I snickered as quietly as I could. "I'm not gonna lie. You had me fooled. That was quick thinking, weirdo,"

Her nose wrinkled as she attempted to roll on her side. The pain must have stopped her because she grumbled and stayed on her back.

She'd even hidden Alice. Edward tracked her scent to the line of the reservation, but couldn't go further. I'd wager she left Alice with Sue or Ephraim.

They are more than capable.

Carlisle was on the phone explaining the nitty gritty to them. From what I can hear, Alice is still unconscious, but she's not running a fever anymore.

That's good, at least. I ran my hands through my short hair. Jeez, they really are a handful.

The soft beeping of the heart monitor began to quicken as Bella's eyes fluttered open. Bella groaned, but a soft smile set her lips as she let her head flop to see me.

The smile fell from as our eyes met. She stared at me blankly before looking back at the ceiling. "Now, that's just rude, Belly,"

"You are not who I expected to see," She said plainly, her fists full of the thin, white sheets.

"I know. Alicat is usually here when this stuff happens," My face flexes as I frown. "but you know why she's not here."

She remains silent, but her face contorts. "She is with Epie,"

"We know. He says she's not running a fever anymore," She sighs like she's never breathed before.

I knew she'd at least be happy to hear that. She deserves that much.

"Listen, I know what I'm gonna say may mean nothing to you. I completely understand that, but after seeing that look on your face, I'm gonna say it anyway," She turns only her eyes to me.

"You did the right thing. In my opinion, at least. I have no idea what's going on in their heads, but I know one thing. Jasper treated her terribly. As her mate, knowing he would try and take her, only to treat her worse…" I paused.

"Well, none of them could think you were wrong. Any one of us would have done the same." Her eyes turn from me, but I know she's listening.

"I don't know what you've seen, or what you've been through. Frankly, I could understand how it's none of my business," You've got to know. "But I'm not a person who can see something and stand by."

"You looked at me like you expected to see me hate you," I gently ruffle my short hair. "But I don't. And, I can say confidently that none of my family does either."

"You don't deserve it, ya know? To be hated. Not one bit," When I pat my chest, it bellows like a drum. "You have a good heart."

Esme comes in with a platter of various foods for Bella. Soups, meats, and more vegetables than I knew we had. "Now, that's enough of that for now, Emmett. Let her rest,"

I rise from the squeaking chair with a grin. "Make sure you get back to normal. I wanna see how I stack up against you!" I give her a thumbs up.

She cocks her head with a knit brow.

"Emmett!" Esme scolds.

"Okay, okay I'm going," As I'm leaving, I pause. Just to make sure.

"Hey," Esme places the heaping tray in her lap. "I'm happier that you're okay than I would have been if he was."

It is a privilege.

Day after day, watching her snub my kind. Showing them exactly why she's much more than just a human.

Bella

"I am glad I gave you a chance," He did not respond. He simply waved over his shoulder.