I do not own Twilight.

Carlisle

I knew as soon as I saw her that something wasn't right. She was hunched over, shivering and I could see how disheveled she was. Surely she wasn't waiting for the bus, it's a well known issue that the busses stop passing the hospital much earlier than the run throughout the rest of town.

I approach her, deliberately making noise on my approach so as not to startle her. She doesn't react as I carefully lower myself onto the bench next to her.

"There isn't another bus tonight," I say gently. From behind I'd been unable to see her face. It worries me. She's pale but her cheeks are flushed red and radiating heat. Her eyes are glassy and unfocused.

I wonder if she heard me, she doesn't reply at any rate. I want to ask her why she is here, to know why she would need a hospital and be released in such a state, but it isn't the right time.

She finally registers my words. Her head turns slowly to look in my direction, but her eyes are unseeing.

"Would you like a ride?"

Again, it takes her a long time to respond, clearly thinking and processing challenging her. I wait patiently. Thankfully I was only coming in to sort out some paperwork, so I wasn't needed anywhere.

I watch as she processes my words. Finally, she gives me a stiff, slow nod.

She's completely worn out; I can see the way her body is starting to sag towards me. I offer her my arm and help her to stand on shaking legs. The movement causes her face to tinge green briefly, but she takes a deep breath, and it settles.

"Let's get you home."

The car isn't far away as I had pulled over in the hashed area when I saw her. At this point, I'm the only thing keeping her upright. She's swaying and moving with less coordination than she usually has.

Why is she alone? She shouldn't be out alone in this state, it isn't safe. I smile briefly as I remember the way Edward always said she is a magnet for trouble, then catch myself. Edward. Now is not the time to be thinking about my son.

I think back through the conversations I've had with the family, none of them had mentioned Bella being ill or that she was due at the hospital. Maybe they forgot to mention it, not thinking it to be a big deal, I'd have to ask them later.

That brought my thoughts to my eldest daughter, Rosalie. Never had I seen her take such an interest in medicine before. Sure, during her medical training we'd had plenty of discussions and debates over various aspects, it was interesting for both of us. She'd always been focused on the same area, the treatment of abuse.

We all knew why this interested her, though to mention the reasons would be foolish. Between her work in the shelters and past experiences, it's understandable that she would want to be knowledgeable on the subject.

This was different though. While I may act like I haven't noticed, the missing books in my collection is obvious. It is also obvious that all of the books missing relate to Bella's conditions. The entire family is welcome to borrow the books, but they usually ask, so I'd respected her privacy and kept the knowledge to myself.

I look over at Bella who is now starting to relax under the car's warm air. She and Rosalie could be good friends, if Rosalie would only stop pretending to hate her.

The journey is short and silent. I'd noticed her temperature steadily rising, but not yet to a level which causes alarm. From the sniffling and cough that has recently developed, it's clear she's only got a cold which has been exacerbated by tiredness.

As I pull up beside her house, I can hear the people inside.

"She's not answering!" a frantic voice is saying amidst dial tones. I realize that Bella's phone must have died.

"The battery must be flat, stop being so stressed, she'll be fine." This voice is older and shares some of the same characteristics as the younger person, they must be related.

"You just don't get it mom; she should be back by now – "

The older person cuts her off. "Oh, I don't do I not. I know you, the way you've always treated perfectly respectable people differently because of some crazed notion of supernatural and magic and hocus pocus. I thought you were past this by now. You are no longer a child Diana, get your head out of the clouds and back in the real world."

I'm speechless, what does this girl, Diana, know? Does she know what we are? I remember Bella's request to give the house space after her housemate's behavior started becoming unusual. We'd of course respected it, but none of us had thought much of it, humans are often wary of us. For her to suspect what we are though, regardless of if she's believed, could be dangerous.

"There's a car here sweetie," the older voice says as I see a withered face poke through the drapes. A smile radiates, "It's her."

A younger face looks through too, this one looking ferocious. "Stay here," she snarls, turning away from the window.

"How dare you speak to your mother that way."

Bella has finally realized where we are, and she is starting to move. I put a finger to my lip subtly. She stills.

Inside, I can hear movement. "Get our of the way mom."

"No. Does Bella know that man?"

"Yes," she's getting frustrated.

"Do you have reason to fear for her safety?"

Yes."

"A legitimate reason?" There is no reply from Diana. "Then I will not allow you to hound him. Do not drag that poor girl into your psychotic episodes. If this continues, I will be pulling you out of this school and bringing you home. Do you understand?"

"Yes," her voice has a dangerous undertone, it's clear she is unhappy about something. "Now, I want to ensure my friend is okay, if that is alright with you."

"There's been an argument," I quietly explain to Bella, "Please let me deal with it, just get yourself to bed and don't worry."

Her lack of argument confirms what I already know, she's feeling incredibly ill.

At that moment, her door is ripped open by a ferocious girl. Her voice is sinister, "What did you do to her?"

Before I have changes to reply, the mother pushes her daughter away from the car and gives her a sharp look. Returning to me, she says, "I apologize for my daughter's rudeness, I assure you that it is nothing you have done." She's warm and friendly, reminding me of Esme. "The poor dear looks under the weather. I've hardly seen her this visit, Diana has kept me so busy, I did not realize she was sick. Do you know where she has been? We have been incredibly worried about her this evening."

So, Diana was hiding Bella from her mother. Was that our fault? She's had a hard-enough time as it is, we shouldn't be making it more challenging.

"I found her at the hospital, that's all I know." I exit the car and walk around, ensuring I keep my distance from Diana. "Sorry, Diana wasn't it, would you mind taking Bella inside. She shouldn't be out in the cold any longer tonight."

Bella is slowly untangling herself from the seatbelt and trying to clamber out. As she pulls herself out of the chair, her feet slide from beneath her and she falls into me. Diana's eyes narrow in on my contact, so as soon as Bella has her footing, I release her. We all watch has she sways on her feet.

"My name is Francesca, but everyone calls me Franky," the lady introduces herself. "Diana was about to take a walk and I'd much appreciate it if you could help Bella inside, my body isn't what it used to be."

Diana held a staring match with her mother for a moment before turning sharply and walking down the street. "Do come in dear."

I practically carry Bella into the house and place her gently on the couch while the lady bustles around in the kitchen.

"I'm going to go; you call if you need anything. Understand?" It takes her another long while to process my words.

"Promise," she replies in a raspy voice.

"I'll see you soon." I wrap the blanket around her shoulders and place a hand on her cheek. "Make sure you take it easy."

Walking out of the room, I glance over at her briefly knowing full well she won't rest, it isn't in her nature. Sighing, I continue on to the kitchen and the bustling lady who appears to be cooking soup.

"I shall be taking my leave now," I say to her.

"Please, don't think you have to go, my daughter can learn to be civil."

I stop her with my hand. "Please, no need to explain. I need to be going anyway; I was on my way into work when I saw her." I lie, needing to leave before Diana comes home.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I do hope you aren't too late, Mr…"

"Doctor Cullen, but please, just call me Carlisle." I offer her a warm simile. "Thank you for taking care of Bella, Goodnight." I wish it were safe for me to stay, but it just isn't safe. Bella is perfectly safe here and will be looked after.

"Of course, are you okay to let yourself out? I don't want this to burn." She gestures to the pan of soup gently bubbling on the stove. I nod and make my way out of the house.

Reaching the car, I consider my options. I need to talk to the family about this new development, but I don't think I can face the possibility of having to leave Bella again. I briefly consider going back to the hospital and checking her medical records to find out why she had been in, but that is a clear invasion of her privacy, one that I will not be doing.

I pull away from the house, eager to avoid the girl until I have chance to speak to the family. Speaking to them, that's my only option. Resignedly, I make my way home.

"Family meeting," I call as I walk through the door.

Everyone rushes to congregate in the dining room, thankfully no one is out.

"What's up doc?" Emmett asks, his serious face contradictory of his joking tone.

I wait until everyone is seated around the large table. "We have a problem with Diana, she knows."

"What do you mean she knows?" Rosalie asks skeptically. "What were you doing at Bella's, you said you were going to work."

I launch into the explanations of the evening events telling them about finding Bella at the hospital, overhearing the conversations with Diana and her mother and the interesting conversation we had.

Everyone is silent, contemplating my words. We all know that the right thing to do would be to leave. We always leave before we can be exposed, it's part of our life. From the looks on their faces, I also know that no one plans to leave.

"We aren't going anywhere," surprisingly Jasper is the first to speak. "We can manage this girl," at my sharp look he adds, "I don't mean kill her, but we are more than capable of managing her. From what you've said, she already has a record of psychosis. If anything happens, we can exploit that."

The others are nodding their agreement.

"We aren't leaving, but we all need to be incredibly careful." I pause, unsure if now is a good time to discuss this. "We need to find Edward."

The room is filled with growls of protest. I share a glance with Esme, I know that she'll be the only one to support me in this.

"That arsehole can stay where he is. There is no option of him returning here, regardless of our situation. This conversation is over." Rosalie snarls leaving the table, closely followed by the others.

"I miss him, Carlisle," Esme says softly. I wrap my arms around her, hoping to offer some sort of reassurance.

"I need to speak to Rosalie," I tell her, pulling away. "We'll be back soon." She's waiting for me outside the door, clearly confused. "Let's run."

We're a good few miles from the house before I stop and sit on a boulder. I can tell from her expression that she is exacerbated at having to wait but out of respect isn't interrupting me.

"You're allowed to care for her."

She makes a distasteful face, brushing off my comment.

"You can continue to lie to yourself if it makes you feel better, but I don't think it is. I think you are desperate to have her as your sister. I think you are finding it incredibly difficult to watch her in pain. Most of all, I think you want to make a change."

I watch as she considers my words.

"You're wrong," she says without determination.

"I won't say anything to the others. This is something you need to decide for yourself. You need to decide if you want to continue living this life of dishonesty. You're allowed to let yourself feel." I stand and turn to leave. "Think about it."

Just as I break through the clearing, I hear her soft voice. "I promise I'll try."

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