A/N: Cherry beta'd for me! *HUGS*

Beyond The Veil by Lindsey Stirling

SM owns all things Twilight. Everything else is mine.

Chapter 4: Beyond the Veil

EPOV

From early morning until early afternoon, things were the same. Bella would fall asleep and I'd crawl back into my bed. Then she'd wake from a nightmare a couple hours later and I'd hold her until she went to sleep again. Now, it's a little after one and I'm starving, and I imagine she is too. She just went back to sleep an hour and a half ago, but I'm sure she'll start up again soon, so I might as well wake her before then. We have to try to get some energy into us or we'll have no chance if they catch up.

"Bella," I say gently. Her back is to me, and when I place my hand on her right shoulder, I get nothing. I sigh and try two more times. "Bella … Bella?" She finally wakes and this time it's peaceful. There's no jumping, hitting, or noises. "We gotta try and stay awake now. It's after one, and we need food too."

"I'm not hungry," she mumbles, rubbing her eyes.

"You have to try and eat something. You won't have any strength in you if you don't." She just groans and says, "fine." "Is there anything that you would like? We can't leave the hotel yet, but I'll go get whatever you want from the vending machines."

She's silent for a few moments, thought etched on her face. "Um, a Twix, M&Ms, a Coke, and a water please."

I smile. "Okay, I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere," I say in a light tone.

"'Okay," is all she says and I'm up, grabbing the room key. I let her know that I have it, so if someone knocks she knows it's not me.

I poke my head out and look up and down the hall. All is clear so I make my way to the vending area as quickly and as quietly as possible. It takes me about five minutes to locate it. I get what she wants times two, and then get myself some things, plus a few other items for more options. I get to the room and realize my arms are so full I have to drop several items to pull the key card out. Finally getting the door open, I stick my foot inside to keep it ajar and pick up my mess. I notice Bella's bed is empty and the bathroom door is closed when I get inside.

"I'm back," I say loud enough for her to hear. "Take your time, though. Food is here when you're ready," I continue as I place all the food and drink choices down on the little desk, minus some chips and a Dr. Pepper. I walk over to the night-stand that's in-between our beds putting down my drink and sitting on the edge of my bed. I look over at hers and notice the sheets are pushed down. There's a spot of red on the loosened part of the white fitted sheet. Confused and concerned, I get up to take a closer look. Upon inspection, I come to the conclusion that it's blood, but not much as the spot is no larger than the size of a quarter.

Why is she bleeding? Is it that time of the month or is it from an injury? Should I ask her about it? I don't want to embarrass her if it's the first, but if it's the later, it would be helpful for me to know what's wrong. As I'm thinking this over, knowing that whether I ask or not she'll most likely still be embarrassed, Bella walks out. I guess my time is up.

"Wow. Did you leave anything for other people?" she asks, noting the amount of food.

"Ha, ha. Yes, of course I did. But, I figured I should get extra." She nods and picks up her M&M's and a water. "You okay?" At her confused look, I elaborate. "I mean your injuries. How are they?"

"Oh. Yeah, they're good. I'm still sore of course, but I'm doing okay," she says with a tight smile. I honestly don't know how she's "okay," but I won't push. Maybe that blood really is nothing, but I can't read her well as she covers the spot with the sheets and comforter, then sits cross-legged on top and opens her snack. The only thing I can see is sadness with something like acceptance mixed in. What does she accept?

We're silent while we eat. It feels like an uncomfortable silence, so I try to fill it. "Do you want to watch some TV?"

"Sure."

I pick up the remote and start flipping through the channels, coming across a couple of movies. Even with the violence, we settle on The Fifth Element. Coincidentally, it happens to be a favorite for both of us. It's already several minutes in and at the part where Bruce Willis' character finds out that he just won the trip.

We sit quietly watching, the silence between us no longer uncomfortable. I've finished my chips and just opened my soda when Bella says, "The song she sings is one of my favorites. I have no idea what the words are, but it's still beautiful."

I nod. "It is, and her range is phenomenal." And that's the end of that. I get up a couple times for more snacks for the both of us, and water for her, but for the most part we continue to enjoy the movie on our own beds. I sneak peeks at her from time to time, like it's a new habit. Sometimes she's really into the movie, like she's never seen it before, and other times she's not watching it at all, like she's indifferent. The rest of the time, she looks like she's in her own thoughts.

When the movie is finished, she excuses herself to the bathroom. I can't help the feeling of worry that creeps up again. I know she drank her water real fast, but she has to be hiding something. I just can't figure out what. I want to know so I can try to help, but I don't want to push her. I want her to be able to trust me, and I thought we made progress when I told her my story. Add in all that's happened since last night and she should feel comfortable around me.

Thinking about the separate situations that led us to where we are now has me thinking about our "hunters," so to speak. I wonder where they are, what they're doing to find us, and pray to God they don't combine forces. That shit is probably my worst fear, next to breaking my promise to Bella. I think if they work together it'll make it much harder for us to escape and live.

*GOA*

BPOV

After the movie, I really needed to pee. I felt so dehydrated that after eating a handful of M&M's I chugged the majority of my water. Then I had more to drink once that was finished. It's also only been a little over one full day since my miscarriage, and I'm still having some cramping and bleeding. Of course, having gotten kicked several times in the stomach doesn't help at all.

I don't think Edward noticed the stain, but if he did I'm grateful he didn't mention it. I had hoped to get out of the bathroom and back on the bed before he returned with our snacks, but he was too quick. I'm not sure if I'm completely ready to tell him what happened. Rosalie's words play in my head. "Edward is a great guy and he will protect you. Tell him what you want and he won't push for information." I look at myself in the mirror again and blow out a short breath. Why did I let myself get to this point? All I know is that I lived by the "fake it until you make it" motto every time Sam hit me. The pain would last a couple of days at most, and then it would go away. It may take a bit longer this time, but the pain will go away—at least physically.

I'm more scared to sleep now.

Knowing I need to get out, I look at myself one more time. I take as deep a breath as I can before quickly letting it out, then I open the door and walk back into the room. Edward is still on his bed, leaning against the headboard with his legs stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. The remote in his hand is pointed at the TV as he searches for something else to watch. "Nothing of interest on?" I ask.

"No, not really. It also depends on what you're in the mood for, 'cause I'll pretty much watch anything."

"Anything? Really?" I ask, a bit surprised.

He nods, "Yep. You name the genre and I'll most likely watch it. Why do you sound so surprised?"

"Because, Sam wouldn't be caught dead watching a romantic comedy or drama or anything falling into a nice category," I admit.

"Like, ever? Even before…?" Edward asks, sounding both stunned and mad. I know his anger isn't aimed at me, but I can't help but talk quieter.

"He did, until shortly after the wedding." I sigh and sit on my bed. I play with my hands. "That's what I miss most: the good and happy times. The love I saw and felt and everything else I thought was there. I didn't know it until after we were already married, but I know it now and have known since the first hit. He doesn't love me, and maybe he never did." I look up and over to Edward. He's listening intently to every word I say, forgetting about the TV. It's a pleasant feeling to be heard for once. "God. I'm already starting to feel better by talking," I humorlessly laugh out. It hurts my ribs. I hate that it's necessary, but I like how it makes me feel.

"Talk as much as you want. Get as much out as you can," he says, and I just want to crumble in tears. I'm so thankful for him and I'm trusting him more than I should. Sam was a decent human being once upon a time and look how that turned out. I know not every man is like him and that I shouldn't compare, but it's hard not to. The only relationship I saw that wasn't like mine was my parents'. But, Edward is all I have right now.

I look away and hold my tears in as best as I can, trying to gather myself. I need to tell him everything, no matter how hard.

Without looking at him, I start with the biggest and hardest one. "I had a miscarriage yesterday morning, at around three. Fitting that my third one would be so timed that way, huh?" There. I finally got it out and it wasn't as hard as I thought.

In my peripheral, I see Edward sit up on the edge of his bed, feet now on the floor. "You've had three?" I nod and chance a peek at him, nervously chewing on my lip. "Shit," he hisses out, hanging his head and shaking it. "How?" he asks in a way that sounds like he needs to know but isn't sure he wants to.

"The first two were because of him. He didn't know this time." He doesn't need to hear specifics, as I'm sure he already knows.

"Christ!" He says, sliding a hand down his face roughly. "What happened this time?"

I shrug. "It just happened. Maybe it was stress or I'm just too broken. My doctor had said that I do have a little damage. So, if I want to conceive, it might be difficult and if I do, it's unknown if I'll go full term."

"Jesus," he breathes and pauses, probably trying to take in this new information. "Is that why Rose wanted to talk to you alone?"

"She saw that I was bleeding, but she didn't know until I told her."

"Why didn't you tell Emmett? I know you already saw your doctor, but you should have told him." He's concerned and I get it, but I don't like how it comes out. He sounds panicked, like he thinks I might bleed out and die.

"I told Rose that she could after we left, but I didn't tell him because there honestly wasn't anything he could do about it. He may have acted professional and yes, his wife was there, but I don't know them. Hell, I don't even know you, but I didn't say anything because I didn't think it would matter when they weren't going to be around long enough," I tell him, feeling defensive and ignoring more pain in my ribs.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry if I upset you," Edward apologizes, putting his hands up in a surrendering gesture. "I just feel like that was important information for a doctor that was checking you over. After all that happened, to know everything that's going on as it could have helped him help you. That's all."

I think over what he said, not saying a word. Perhaps he's right, but it's too late now. I don't know if Rose told her husband or not, even though I said she could. Part of me didn't want to give her permission, but I couldn't ask someone to keep a big secret from their husband. He was already bound to a sort of secrecy involving the same matter, whether it's on the record or off. Maybe I should have just said something myself, but, I know why I didn't.

"I was too scared of him," I whisper. "He's as big as Sam. How could I not be? Emmett was nice, but so was Sam once, and it didn't really matter if his wife was there helping," I say, finally admitting aloud another fear.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I can promise that Emmett is one of the gentlest people I know, despite his beast-like size. He's a kid at heart, too, sometimes to a ridiculous point," he says, trying to reassure me.

"I fear for my life right now—for our lives. If the people after you get you and you die, I will die too. I will have no one to help me because I fear that Sam and those men have teamed up to find us. I was no match for him before, and I'm certainly not now with my injuries." I'm afraid to lose a man I barely know, and that scares me in more ways than one. Even though it's nerve-wracking, it's equally relieving to tell him things.

A/N: She finally told Edward a little about what has happened and admitted fear.