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RPOV

Unbelievable!

Why wouldn't they listen to me? Why couldn't they see what I saw? She was acting. Faking it! How could she know and understand what Alice and I had dealt with? The pain and horror? She was sweet and innocent. Hell, she was a newborn when she went into the system! There's no way she'd have been left to rot in foster care like we were. It's only the older ones that are made to suffer… Moms loved that "brand new baby smell" and would have clamored to have her as their daughter.

Sighing, I sat down on my bed, tears slowly streaming down my cheeks, fingers clutching at my hair. Why? Who did she think she was? What spell had she weaved over them? I'm family and they wouldn't even listen to me! I had to prove that I was right. The only problem was figuring out how I could do that. But do it I would, damn it! They had to know. They had to see.

My mind kept churning over the different scenarios that could play out if she wasn't stopped…she'd give a bad name to those of us who truly have suffered! Alice didn't know what she was talking about. There was no way I was wrong. For all we knew, she was a drug seeker and Carlisle had played right into her hands with his heroic morphine administration…. None of us had seen exactly what had happened in the alleyway before this all started, plus she didn't know that I had lived what she was acting. Ha! She couldn't even fake it correctly. Overdramatizing was a dead giveaway that she didn't know real angst from a hole in the ground.

I would prove to all of them that she was a liar. I would…or my name isn't Rosalie Hale Cullen.

BPOV

I woke with a horrible feeling of déjà vu, the only difference being this time I knew exactly where I was. Blinking, I sat up in the bed, moving back to rest against the headboard. I couldn't believe how exhausted I was, even after my unintentional nap or two. I noticed the brightness of the room as the sun streamed in through the elegant, cream-colored sheers that covered the enormous window. I pushed the extravagant bed covers back, planning on getting up and finding a place to relieve my strained bladder. I hadn't intended to, but the cool air on my skin forced me to take a good look at my legs. My jeans had been sliced up the sides to allow for access my injuries.

Crap! Now I have to find the money for a second pair of…oh.

Gasping, I blinked back hot tears of shame. The pants were suddenly a non-issue as I realized…someone had seen my scars! They knew. Oh god! Were they going to say anything? Would they use me like the ones before? I would have a huge target on my forehead now that they'd seen I was already broken in. I put a hand over my mouth as the tears started falling, trying to choke back the sobs that desperately wanted out.

Oh gods. Oh gods! This is what I get for my stupidity! I land myself in the hands of even more males! I didn't move, wondering what they'd do to me if I tried to run again, not that it mattered. With my legs in pain, it was obvious that I wouldn't be running from them anytime soon. There were four males! I was in way over my head, and, considering all of their sizes, would I even survive the ordeal?

I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't fight. I'd been doing it for so long that I honestly didn't think I had anything left. None prior had ever been as large as these ones were.

The women seemed happy, but that could be because they didn't know about the males'…other past times. They'd probably had no clue what would be done to me. What I would be condemned to when they had invited me out for lunch…was it only yesterday? How long had I been asleep?

Determined to be free, to give voice, the sobs I was trying so hard to prevent burst forth. I fell to the side, curling myself into a fetal position, ignoring the pain that shot through me at the weight put on my injured legs. I couldn't convince myself to move to a more comfortable position. Why should I care about that pain if more was on the way and would most likely hurt ten times as much, if not more? I'd survived worse, too. One would think I would be use to it by now.

I had buried my head in a pillow, trying to muffle my pathetic cries. I didn't hear the bedroom door opening or the voices coming to an abrupt halt at the sight of my trembling form. I was suddenly acutely aware of the arms that curled around me, pulling me against a very solid and male chest.

"No! Please, just let me go! I won't say anything…I promise!" I sobbed, giving a halfhearted struggle.

"Shh…Bella, it's alright. We're not going to do anything to you. Please, shh…" Edward's velvet voice wrapped around me like a security blanket, scaring me and motivating me to increase my attempt to get free of his grasp. It barely registered in my mind that he was rocking, back and forth…back and forth.

"Bella, please, let me help you…let us all help you. Please, stop crying." He whispered against my ear, tucking my head against his neck. This was it. He was getting me into position. I went limp. It was going to start. My head lolled to the side and I caught a glimpse of the others. Witnesses. I knew how it was going to be. Soothe me before inflicting the pain. I was too emotionally exhausted to put up much of a fight. Besides, if I didn't fight, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

"Is she alright?" I heard Emmett ask.

Edward didn't answer immediately, instead, lowering his face and murmuring something softly into my hair. I wished I could understand what he was saying, but, before I could worry about it further, he raised his head and responded.

"I don't know, Em. I really don't know." Edward replied, pain evident in his voice.

Someone else spoke. "Bella? It's Carlisle."

The doctor.

"Bella, I'm wondering how you're doing? Is your leg pain manageable?"

His concern was bewildering. I gave a curt nod in reply while trying to avoid his scrutinizing gaze.

"Good, but if that changes, you need to let me know. Okay?" He shifted a little, trying to catch my eye. I refused to cooperate and looked towards the incredible window, wishing I could be out in the sun, basking in its warmth. Carlisle cleared his throat and continued. "We'd like to talk to you, actually. Would you like to come out into the living room with us? Have some lunch, perhaps?"

My stomach growled in answer to his question. I heard him chuckling quietly, the laugh making me nervous. It sounded innocent enough, but until I could read his mind, I'd have to go by instinct and my instincts were going berserk with all the mixed signals.

I nodded my head in reply to his earlier question and shifted away from Edward's body as inconspicuously as I could. I didn't want him to know how afraid I really was. The movement brought back the, now urgent, pressure building in my bladder. Shit! I'm going to wet the bed in the arms of my newest 'owner'. I tried shifting to relieve the sensation, but Edward was two steps ahead of me. Before I knew it, he was moving off the bed with me still in his arms.

He carried me to a door just off to the right of the entry to the room. Setting me on my feet, he kept his hands on my upper arms, helping me balance. "This is your bathroom. There are towels in there for you to shower. You'll also find a toothbrush, paste, hairbrush...anything you should need to freshen up. Alice also laid out some clothes for you to change into. They should fit…Alice is pretty good about things like that. Take your time. Lunch is just cold cuts, fruit and such. It'll keep while you do whatever you need to do."

Gasping, I turned to look up at him. Sincerity radiated from his eyes. He wasn't joking. I could take as long as I wanted in there. What a luxury. Even at home, I couldn't linger. The hot water just never lasted very long., not surprising considering what I ended up paying at the end of the each month. But, here!…All I could do was gape, opening and closing my mouth like a fish before finally managing to get out just one word, "Bath?"

"Yes. You can even take a bath. If you want some help, I'll ask Esme, Alice, or Rosalie to come give you a hand." He gestured to the women, who had, at some point, joined us during our curious exchange.

Biting my bottom lip I shook my head no. Someone had already seen the scars and I didn't need anyone else seeing them. I certainly had no desire to explain where they'd come from. That was for sure. Esme chose that moment to act and headed into the bathroom. I took a moment to listen to the water rushing forth from the faucet somewhere behind me. Slowly, terrified it would be snatched from me; I took a step towards the bathroom door.

I didn't feel the pull until it was too late to stop the motion. I could feel the tear of the stitches and the ache of the bruised muscle. Neither leg could do anything more than support my weight and my first attempt at motion without the benefit of adrenaline to motivate me had disrupted my tentative balance. I closed my eyes and put my arms out to brace myself for an impact that never came. I kept my eyes shut tight, whimpering and praying silently that what I feared most was not going to happen.

Please don't be Edward, please… oh, please don't be Edward. He couldn't possibly think I'm any more pathetic, could he? Why do I make it so easy for men to want to do this to me?

"Bella?"

What? Esme?

"Well," Esme said, looking startled by her sudden catch, then smiling sweetly. "What fortuitous timing. Alice, could you come give me a hand please?" Esme shifted gently so she was supporting me more comfortably. I opened my eyes to see Alice immediately at my other side.

"Alright, Mom, where do we put her?" I could hear the teasing in her voice and relaxed just a bit.

"I think that, if I am guessing correctly, Bella has some pressing matters to take care of. Gentlemen…" Esme craned her neck to look around at the men surrounding us. "Your services are no longer required. You can leave now." I thought I saw her give a playful wink, but the desperation I was now feeling definitely overrode any suspicion I should have felt at that little gesture.

The two women together were pretty strong. I was surprised at how much support they could offer, especially with Alice and her diminutive stature. It couldn't have been a minute before I was standing in front of the toilet and my two 'assistants' were excusing themselves to give me a moment of privacy.

I froze as I listened for the telltale click of the lock. The door closed, then…nothing? I only paused for an instant. Realizing I was safe enough, for now, I quickly relieved my bladder and managed to pull myself back together.

The tub was still running, so it wasn't long before Esme knocked timidly on the door. I was, for all intents and purposes, stuck on the commode and couldn't do anything but call out that it was safe to come in.

She peeked in first, making sure I was decent, before stepping in to check on the progress of the bathwater. I followed her with my eyes, noticing for the first time that the tub was filling up with bubbles… Bubbles?!

She noticed the look of disbelief on my face as I stared to the froth behind her.

"You look like you've never seen a bubble bath before?" Esme spoke, looking nervous.

I didn't have words to answer. How ridiculous was it that I really hadn't?

The silence was awkward, to say the least, so Esme finally cleared her throat, clapping her hands together and continuing on. "Well, let's get you out of those clothes. You've been in them for far too long and I'm sure you'd like to have a chance to clean up." She straightened up after stopping the water and turned to move towards me.

Realization struck. I couldn't do this alone! No.

"Umm…" I threw my hands up to shield myself from her advances. "Please don't. I'm sure I can do this alone. I'll just…umm…I'll crawl. I'm p-p-p-painfully shy and-and…" I was stuttering I was so anxious. I didn't want to offend her at all. She had been so gentle, thus far.

She smiled at me, comprehension dawning in her eyes. Could she know, too?

"Bella, I understand your desire for modesty, I really do. The problem is that you are in no condition to do this alone. You can't get the stitches wet, the muscle in your other leg is still too tender to support your weight, and even if you could manage to get into the tub alone…" Her eyes were kind as she spoke. "You've just been in a traumatic fall and have been unconscious for an extended period of time. And, you've been medicated with some heavy duty drugs…Bella…I couldn't, in good conscience, leave you alone in the water."

I couldn't argue with her logic. Damn it! I'm stuck.

"I have an idea." Esme offered.

I looked at her with anticipation.

"Let me go get something. I'll be right back." Without another word, she was out of the room.

I couldn't help fidgeting with the hem of my wrinkled shirt as I took in my surroundings. I was pretty sure this bathroom was bigger than my entire apartment. The luxurious creams and burgundies that made up the décor of the room were almost overwhelming when contrasted with the hodge-podge of mismatched linens I was able to afford in my little hovel of a home.

My contemplation was interrupted by Esme coming back in with something white and long draped over her arm. I cocked an eyebrow, looking at her

"A robe." She answered simply, walking towards me and extending her arm. "Here. Get undressed; then put this on. You can even wear it into the tub if it makes you more comfortable. I don't mind at all."

Voila. Problem solved. I sighed in relief.

"I'll just step out while you undress. Let me know when I can come back in." She exited again.

For the second time today, my jaw dropped as I stared at the now closed door. I was dumbfounded. Nothing was playing out the way I had expected it to, and I was struggling to wrap my head around it. Hmmm… I was so confused. I had forced myself to embrace and then let go of all my positive thoughts of Alice and the hope that maybe one day I could… I don't know. Anything?! I could have friends, a real job… love… "Arrrgh!" I couldn't help crying out in frustration.

"Bella, are you alright?" Esme was tapping quietly at the door.

I snapped back from my thoughts and hurried to strip and re-cover myself. "Sorry." I called out. "I'm almost done." I fumbled with the sash to tie the robe closed and then in a matter of moments I was ready to be moved.

"Am I allowed to come in?" She asked.

"Yea. I'm as ready as I'll ever be." I was barely whispering but somehow she knew that I needed her and came in.

"Well then, let's get this show on the road." Esme grinned.

I smiled at her tentatively as she stepped towards me. I raised my arms out to her, like a child asking silent permission for mother to lift her into her loving embrace. She was immediate in her action. As my face came towards her shoulder and her silken caramel colored hair, I was engulfed in the scent of orange blossom and vanilla. I was almost suffocated with the intensity of it. Then I felt it, and it was so different from any other touch I had ever experienced. I was absolutely overwhelmed as I savored the sensation of Esme's tender embrace.

"Sweetheart?"

Huh? I tried to turn to see who she was talking to.

"Bella, how are you doing?"

She was talking to me?!

"Okay, honey, we're almost here. I'm guessing that I'm doing a good enough job as you aren't weeping in pain." She laughed lightly at her own joke.

I blinked my eyes. In my distraction, I had missed the journey. Esme had managed to almost drag me a good ten feet to the edge of the tub without breaking a sweat. I hadn't felt so much as a jostle.

Now the tricky part.

I was perched on the edge of the bathtub. If I swung myself around carefully enough, I could get myself in without worrying about submerging my right leg. The idea sounded simple enough until it came down to the execution. I managed to get myself straddling the side of the tub, but it was deeper than I suspected. The water was the perfect warmth and I could imagine the feel of it on my tired body. I felt the tears welling up. I was so close to a luxury, yet so far…

"Maybe I can help?" In my frustration I had almost forgotten that Esme was there.

I nodded eagerly and quickly wiped my tears away with the back of my hand before meeting her eyes. "Please?"

She moved to the vanity and opened the door underneath the counter. With a swift motion, she pulled out a handful of white garbage bags before moving to the medicine cabinet where she produced a little spool of dental floss.

Satisfied with the spoils of her hunt, she approached me with items in hand. I must have been gawking again, as she just looked at me, shrugging. "Even rich kids break their limbs, you know."

I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the ridiculousness of the statement. Holy crap! Was that me? The sound was too foreign to be me…

Esme smirked and chuckled low as she worked her 'mom magic' on my leg. Within minutes she had covered my bandaged leg with enough plastic bags that only a monsoon would get my stitches wet… or an act of Bella.

With a little help from Esme, I managed to sink myself into the bath, moaning as the water caressed my battered body. My stitched leg was stationary, my foot pressed flat to the tub floor to keep water from leaking through the top of the bag. I felt a little stupid sitting there in the robe and knew I wasn't nearly as comfortable as I could be, but my options were limited. I would not acquiesce. No more witnesses.

"Bella, the bubbles are frothy enough that you could take the robe off and still be covered. You know that, right?" Esme was sitting on the tiled floor next to the tub, looking at nothing in particular as she spoke. "As long as you don't sit too long, you should be fine."

I couldn't believe I was thinking about it. I'd honestly never had one of these before and the thought of doing it the right way was so tempting. I bit my lip as I considered it; my mind starting to rationalize. The longer I took to decide, the less time I'd have to soak if I ultimately decided to do it. And, if I was thinking of how much time I'd lose when my decision was made, it seemed that my subconscious had already made the decision to do it. So, without thinking, my hands struggled to untie the loose, wet knot. It took some work, but I was soon slapping a wet robe onto the back of the tub… but not over the edge. I didn't want to get water on the floor and have Esme upset with me.

I tried sinking lower into the water so I could wash my hair. I could feel my scalp itching with the filth that sleep and sweat bring and it was making me crazy. I could get down just far enough that I could feel the water dancing on my shoulders, before my tenuous balance would falter and I'd slip—risking soaking my bandages.

Ever observant, Esme turned toward me. "May I?"

I felt so weak as I nodded again. Pathetic Bella, can't even remove her own stink without help. But they wanted me to bathe. This had to be preferable to leaving myself in filth and squalor.

"Scoot up a bit and lean your head back." Esme directed me. She had grabbed a decorative pitcher from the vanity and was dipping it into the water. I did as I was told and was rewarded with the gentle fall of water. She did this over and over, until my thick dark hair was thoroughly wet. Reaching behind me, she grabbed a bottle of shampoo and was soon lathering the strawberry scented suds through my hair.

"Lean forward." She whispered.

I closed my eyes, enjoying the relaxing feeling of her fingers massaging my scalp. She was taking her time, being thorough and, loving,at the same time. I couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if…

"Bella," Esme whispered again.

"Hmm?"

"Why are you crying? Are you in pain? I can go get Carlisle."

Crying? I raised my hands to my face, wetting the rest of my cheeks. It wasn't until I blinked that I felt the trail of warmth go down my face. "Oh. No."

"Hold on, let me finish this." Esme took the pitcher and rinsed my hair. Her fingers running through this time, brushing out my tresses as she went.

I was sad that the time was coming to an end. My inability to keep it together had once again put an end to something wonderful. Great. I kept my eyes closed and waited for whatever it was that Esme had in store for me, and then I felt her touch.

"Bella, what happened to you?" Her words were slow and quiet. Her finger was tracing a scar—long forgotten but only barely faded just before the hairline on my forehead. I'd been seventeen when I'd gotten that one…

Oh no.

"Please. It's not the only scar I've seen in my lifetime… and not the only one I've seen on you." Her fingers moved from my face slowly to my back, where I felt her draw her finger along one of the long white lines along my shoulder blade. I was ten when those had happened.

I was paralyzed. I thought I could keep my secret safe… I thought I could pretend that I was fine… I thought… I thought… God? What was I thinking?

Esme leaned over and pulled the drain from the tub, sitting back down on the floor and waiting for me to do something. I wouldn't… no, couldn't move from my spot on the still warm marble. I was exposed. I remained there and waited for her. I waited for her to judge me for all of my deformities and weaknesses… because I was nothing but ugliness embodied—both physically and spiritually. I was numb.

I started shivering in my nakedness. Esme stood, leaving the room and returning with a blanket. She wrapped it gingerly around my shoulders, ensuring that my entire body was covered. She looked at me for a few minutes before finally speaking. "Bella. I don't know what has happened to you in the past. You're body tells a story I couldn't imagine for anybody. I do know that whatever it was…it was not something that you deserved, no matter what anyone said or did. I know that you need to tell to someone and I know that you're terrified of what that means. I know that you are something special… Alice saw it the first time she saw you…so did…well…she wasn't the only one to see the beautiful essence that you possess and I know that she wants to help you. We all do. Lastly, I want you to know that when you DO decide to speak up, that I can be your sounding board if you want me to be. I can keep a secret safe. I can keep you safe. I promise that you are safe within these walls… and with all of us."

I couldn't find the words to respond. Who was this woman… no. Who was this angel among men that knew exactly what I needed to hear? I couldn't contain it any longer and let out a sob that shook within my chest. I wept as I thought of what Esme had said to me… no one in the whole of my entire life had ever used the words 'beautiful' and 'Bella' in connection with the other.

Esme must have sensed my emotional exhaustion. She didn't press me for a reply.

I looked down at my covered body and sighed.

Esme offered a crooked grin. "I know one more thing, for a fact."

I looked at her, confused.

"I know you're still hungry and we need to get to those cold cuts before the boys scarf every last bit… if you leave them to their own devices, they'll leave nothing but radishes and honeydew for us slowpokes." Her face was full of something other than the pity I expected to see. It was…compassion? She winked at me and…I wasn't afraid.

"Well then, I guess I'd better get my butt in gear and get out of here." My voice breaking with the last remnants of my emotional outburst.

"Well said, Sweetheart."

I raised my arms up again, embraced my Angel and felt that tingling again… of hope?

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