Two months. Two whole months of me second guessing myself. Did it happen at all or did I get so blindingly drunk at the club that my lack of human interaction lead me to conjure up images of a fragile looking brunette that I could try and save? Though, when thinking straight I knew it couldn't have been a figment of my imagination. For one, the shit I still got from the boys for bailing that night was still a running joke, that I was gay and couldn't handle the sight of so many boobs all in one place and second, I don't think my imagination is that good.

The bank statement with my bill to the Moore Hotel was also something of a memento that I kept to myself. I didn't tell Emmett or Jas about any of it, they would have thought I was losing what was left of my dwindling sanity. Besides, since the divorce if I so much as looked at anything female they heard wedding bells chiming in the distance.

That Friday evening was much the same as they always were. I got home from the Architectural Firm desk job I called my career, watched mind-numbing television for as long as I could stand it then wandered into the kitchen and out again. I went in to make some dinner but cooking for one is almost as depressing as eating alone. My routine now as constant as clockwork I grabbed the jacket I had haphazardly strewn across the back of one of the couches and left to walk to the deli two blocks away that I had been grabbing a sandwich from for the last two weeks.

It was late, and I cut through the parking lot of my neighbouring building so I wouldn't stay out in the freezing cold air any longer than I had to. I was just about to hop the wall to get onto the main street when I heard the sudden gasp of air from close by. I looked behind me - nothing. Left, right - nothing. I looked against the wall and the sight of those panicked brown eyes hit me like a wrecking ball. I quickly looked her over, wondering what she was doing sat on the floor the way she was. Then I saw her shabby backpack tucked protectively between her back and the wall and the threadbare khaki blanket that was draped over her legs. This wasn't where she sat, this was where she lived.

"Bella?"

She flinched and closed her eyes, and despite the sickly pallor that marred her features she seemed to get impossibly paler. I may not have had much human interaction recently, but I could read her face as plain as day. She was ashamed.

"Is this where you're living?" I asked, shocked. As soon as I'd said it I wanted to slap myself silly. Clearly it was where she was living and it was obvious she wasn't pleased about that fact either. "Sorry, I didn't mean to..." I started.

She looked up at me, confusion written all over her face. She didn't look well. Too thin. Dark circles under her eyes. Abrasions all over her palms and arms. I didn't even have to consider a plan of action.

"Come with me Bella. Now. Please."

"Where are we going?" She asked timidly, her voice breaking and husky with the quality of someone who had recently screamed their voice hoarse. I winced.

"We're going to get some food. And then we're going back to my place."

She opened her mouth to contest with my plan of action. I remembered her being argumentative last time we met so I simply shook my head and offered my hand in front of her face.

"Don't be afraid Bella, please. Come with me. Nothing happened last time, did it? You'll be safe now."

I could see the wheels turning in her mind, my proposed logic clearly at war with the survival instinct she seemed to need so often.

Finally, after either the defeat of someone who has given up and is accepting of any possible fate, or the fact that logic finally won out she took hold of my hand and I helped her clamber to her feet. I looked at her shabby jeans, too big. Dirty and torn. I sighed as she brushed herself off, attempting to maintain some semblance of dignity. I suppose it's the little things that finally push your heart over the edge into breaking.

I held out my hand to offer to carry her backpack, which was now containing the thin blanket she had equipped herself with. She shook her head minutely and held it against her stomach so tight I saw her knuckles go white with the effort. She must have been used to people taking things from her, so guarding herself against this violation was understandable.

I walked us over to the deli and asked her what she wanted.

She shrugged noncommittally. "Whatever you're having?"

"Philly Cheesesteak?"

"Thanks"

I sighed. She wasn't particularly verbose but then I suppose I shouldn't have expected her to be. At least she wasn't asking me if I wanted to have sex with her yet, so I thanked God for small graces.

When we got back to the apartment, she stood at the threshold, as if to ask whether I was sure. I nodded and invited her in, got her a soda from the refrigerator and sat at the opposite side of the couch to her. She ate her sandwich with her shoulders hunched protectively around her, but occasionally sighed the sigh of someone who was enjoying their first meal in some time.

When she had finished, I showed her the shower settings and the spare room. While she was in the bathroom I, somewhat presumptuously, placed a pair of my old college sweatpants and t-shirt on the bed for her. I sat on the couch and waited for her to resurface.

When she did finally come out, she whispered her first unprompted words all evening.

"Thank you Edward. Again."

"It's really no problem at all. Just like last time though, I have something you need to promise me." She looked curious. "Please promise me you won't leave tomorrow before I'm up. I have a terrible feeling that you're a runner and my nerves can't survive worrying about you a second time".

She tilted her head slightly, and something akin to wonder washed over her features. But I got what I wanted. She nodded slowly before she quickly turned and entered the spare room before emphatically shutting the door behind her. I couldn't help but feel that this was a preview of coming attractions. Being shut off abruptly from the chaos within. I hoped that soon that door would open for me.

AN. Thanks to everybody who is reading! If you can find it in your lovely hearts a review would be amazing :) x