"Bella?" Enclosed in shadowy darkness I fumble trying to find my way to him. There is not a single flicker of light to follow so I call out to him wanting him to call back so I can follow the sound of his voice. There is nothing, just dark silence.

"Edward?" I call out again then I see the dark grow even darker as I run into something hard as the pain seizes my stomach again. To my knees I tumble as I hear him call out my name again. I reach out for him calling back but this time there is nothing. I panic and call out again but I cannot make a sound. I cannot feel his presence now either, I am all alone. What is happening? Why can't I speak? Then another thought hits me that leaves me cold, am I dying?

A sudden chill runs down my body as if I am placed on something cold and I feel like my body is flat. I cannot move my arms, my legs or my mouth. Just as I start to panic a calm washes over me as a song starts to play in my mind. The melody is familiar, it's a song that Edward knows I love and in this moment it relaxes me. It lets me know that he is nearby watching over me. It triggers the images of him and me together to flow through my mind again. Each image gets a bit clearer to me this time...it just makes me want to wake up and run to him. All the things I see I want, to be in his arms...to kiss him and to have him hold me close.

"Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. You will be alright, no one can hurt you now. Come morning light you and I'll be safe and sound...hold on to this lullaby even when the music's gone." I let myself get lost in the comforting lull of the music falling back into a quiet place. As I listen to the lyrics my whole body relaxes and I sense someone near me. I know who it is and it is what calms me. His presence and his power over me. In my mind I see the shadows lighten and the darkness fade into the light once again. Then I hear his voice in my mind, he knows I am scared. He calms me with just the knowledge he is near. Edward, how can someone I just met mean so much to me?

Then the song and image in my head fade as the pain tears through me again. "Bella, breathe. Relax." I choke out a few mumbled words but Edward shushes me with a finger on my lips. "Bella, I need you to come back to me baby." With that I feel something warm and wet against my lips. "Drink." He commands and I obey without a thought. As I swallow I struggle again wanting to open my eyes, I want to know where I am and what this horrible pain is but Edward pulls away the warm liquid and then the song starts to play again. It lulls me to such a calm that I drift off but this time the shadows do not come to overtake me. I see myself warm and safe in his arms.

I have no idea how long it is before I drift back towards consciousness but I am still not able to move or speak. Instead of panicking I focus on my surrounding, trying to feel for Edward's presence. I know he is near but then I hear movement next to me. The calm fades quickly, it's replaced by one that makes the skin on my arms bristle as I feel a hand grasp my left wrist tightly. Then I hear my name and realize that it's Christian. His touch makes me want to pull away but I can't.

I forget this as I hear Christian start to talk with someone else in the room. "When will she wake up?"

"Shortly, the medication will wearing off. We will keep her on pain relief for a day or so."

"Here?"

"That depends on her and how she feels. Also if she can keep food and liquids down when she wakes up."

"So what caused this?"

"Appendix ruptures just happen Mr. Grey."

"So no injury caused this?"

My mind swims at that, is he afraid that he did this? Wait, my appendix ruptured and I had surgery? That's why I cannot wake up. Not afraid now I let the darkness take me away again and try to think thoughts of Edward as I wait for my body to come out of this fog. Finally hours later I open my eyes and groan at once, the light is so bright. My arms are still feeling heavy but at least I can see now. At first my room appears empty as I look around but I know Edward is close. I can feel that calm that he brings with him. I whisper out his name, "Edward?"

A figure emerges from the darkness as my eyes struggle to focus but my senses tell me first that it is not Edward. "He is in the waiting room Bella." Christian answer stepping forward out of the shadows where I can make him out clearly. "I thought you might want to see me first but I see I was wrong." He moves closer so he is next to my bed. His eyes are stern and match the look on his face. He is not pleased with me at all. I stiffen and say nothing.

"I do want to see you."

"You called for him not me, why?"

I shrugged biting my lip not sure what to say, "Christian I barely remember calling anyone. I was in a lot of pain."

"So I heard." His tone is still icy but then he sighs. "One day you will have to explain to me why you called for him and not me when you needed help." He didn't wait to see if I answered back before leaning down to kiss my forehead then whispering as he left, "Let me get him for you."

I fall back on the pillows as my head spins, the way Christian acts confuses me so much. Does he care about me or am I still just his sub? I brush that aside as I see Edward step into the room. My breathe catches and I whisper out his name. He comes to me fast and before I can speak again I am safe in his arms. Nothing else matters as I lean against him. I close my eyes as he leans down to me, "You scared the hell out of me. Are you alright?"

"I am, thanks to you."

"You called, you knew I would come."

"I did."

"Why call me?"

I leaned back to gaze up at him, "I think we both know why I called you. Edward…"

He silences me with a finger over my lips then nods at me. "You don't need to say it. Not here, not now." He motions towards the door. I notice it open just a bit and then I see a foot holding it that way. I open my mouth to speak but he stops me with a shake of his head then continues talking as if nothing was seen. "I would never not run to you when you need me."

Leaning closer to him with my eyes fixed on the open door I whisper, "Christian?" As I motion towards the figure in the doorway. Edward shakes his head at me. Then who is it? I sigh and lean back against Edward's chest before I reply in my normal voice, "Thank you, I was so scared till you came."

"You scared me, do you remember anything that happened?"

"Very little but wait there is one thing." I look at him and run my finger over my lips, "you gave me something warm to drink, what was that?"

His face turned dark and he whispered to me, "We will discuss that later." Then in his normal voice, "I didn't do a thing but call 911 once I arrived."

The look on his face makes me stop and just stare, why can't we discuss that but I decide not to push the issue. "I don't remember anything else but a song."

"What song?"

I start to hum Safe and Sound bringing a smile to Edward's face. "I always loved that song."

"I do too and it helped me relax but now I just want out of this room."

At that I hear the door creak open wider and see the doctor walking in, he looks at Edward and extends his hand. "Hello there, Dr. Stone here. You are the one who accompanied her here?" Edward nodded, "Are you her?" He stops looking uncomfortable as he looks between Edward and me in our embrace.

Stiffly we pull back from each other and I swallow nervously, "he is my friend, my very good friend."

"I see, perhaps he can wait outside then. I have some things to discuss with you." Reluctantly I give up leaning on him watching till he disappears closing the door behind him. Then I turn my attention back to the doctor. "So I wanted to tell you what happened and you were unconscious when you arrived so I want to ask you a few questions. Do you remember anything about how you got here?"

"I talked Edward." I motion towards the door that Edward left through. "After that I woke up here today."

"Your appendix had ruptured so you were probably in a great deal of pain but BellaDee there were other things that we noticed while examining you." Just the use of my full name and her tone make me swallow nervously. "Are you safe where you live?"

"What?" I choke out shocked at her question. Dear lord, what did they find?

"We found signs of trauma." Her voice trailed off while I turned bright red. Shit, this must be from Christian and his last damn attack on me before I left that morning. "You were torn and bleeding. I just want to let you know that if you need anyone to help you there are always ones available."

"Stop please." Shaking my head I sigh and lean back heavily against the pillow. "I know what you are saying but I am fine."

"As you wish, I am planning to release you later today. Is there anyone else you wish us to call for you?"

I am shaking my head as I hear a knock on the door and a blond head pops in. Sighing in relief that it is not Christian I see it's my half-sister. "Abby." I call out to her then look over at the doctor. She just nods to me then quietly leaves the room.

I hadn't seen Abby in a quite a while but seeing her now was a comfort. Her green eyes smiled at me while she pushed her blond hair back off her face as she walked across the room. Abby sat on the side of my bed and whispered to me, "So serious, is everything ok?"

"I guess, I just want to go home already. I have no idea how long I have been here."

"A few days sis, you were out cold when they brought you in. And oh here." She hands me my cell phone.

"Why do you have this?"

"Edward used it to contact me after you were brought in."

"Oh." Is all I can think of to say as my mind races? Not only did Edward run to me and make sure I got the medical attention I needed, he thought to contact my family. My thoughts of him take me to another place as I hear my sister cough loudly then peek over to see her staring at me. "Yes?"

"Earth to you, are you here?"

"Shut up." I growl then laugh. "I am." I reluctantly return from my thoughts of him to look at her.

"So who is the other guy out there?"

"Christian is still out there?"

"If that is the copper haired taller man then yes he is still here."

"He is, well it's hard to describe."

"Then explain it to me." Abby leaned closer and whispered to me, "The Edward guy has it bad for you."

"What? You think so?" I feel my cheeks burning red and am dying to ask more questions but a knock on the door stops me. I see Christian poke his head in to look. "Yes?"

He steps into the room and looks curiously at Abby. "Bella, the doctor is planning to let you out tonight. We need to talk about who is going to be taking care of you."

"There is nothing to talk about." Abby speaks up, "She will be coming home with me. I'm Abby, her sister."

"I never knew she had a sister." I see a frown on his face that makes me cringe. I know he did a background check before I signed the contract. I never disclosed my sister because she is a half-sister and not by blood. "Pleasure to meet you I am Christian Grey."

"And you are?" Abby looks between Christian and me, I cringe again. I know what she is driving at. She wants to know if he is my boyfriend or what our relationship is. I shake my head at her and then motion to her to leave.

"I will let her clear that up for you but can I talk to Bella alone for a moment please?" Christian glances at Abby then back at me before Abby nods leaving the room as soon as the door shuts Christian turns to me with cold eyes. "You never said you had a sister?"

"I know, she is just a half-sister and we barely see each other."

"Then why is she here?"

"Edward called her using my cell. She is my emergency contact. She is the only family I have."

"I am aware of that, none showed up when …." He stops and in the moment I know that he did do a background check on me. I just shrug at him not pleased thinking of all the things he probably knows about me that I never told him. "So you trust her to take care of you?"

"Christian stop, I want to go home and relax. I don't need you and your maid looking after me I will be fine."

"Watch your tone."

I hear a warning in his voice but for the first time I don't give a damn and I challenge him back. "You don't own me, I will decide where I go and with whom."

His eyes darken, "is that so? Are you leaving me?"

"Leaving you? I am not with you."

"I thought you understood."

"Understood what that you think some piece of paper gives you the right to control me and my life? I am with you when we are together and then I play by your rules but Christian you are suffocating me! I want and I need to make my own choices. You cannot know what is best for me, you are not me!" My voice cracks as the emotions pour out of me and it stops Christian from commenting while he stares at me.

Finally he sighs and sits down on my bed next to me, "This is hard for me, and I like control. I need it."

"Then you can't possibly want me, I don't want to live my life by your rules."

"You are not yourself, I will give you some time to think on this." He stands up and looks down at me, "I was going to postpone some out of the country business to look after you but you seem to be taken care of. I will leave you to your sister's care but if you need anything at all just call me day or night and when I come back after this trip I will contact you." I nod to him then before I can reply he leans down to kiss my lips softly. "Just don't be too independent, you need to rest. I will give you time to do that."

With that he stands up again and slowly walks out the door, as the door closes I know that I should feel sad like we had a fight and I might lose him but instead I feel a sense of relief as if I have escaped. Abby walks back in with the nurse who has some papers regarding me getting discharged. That takes over my thoughts completely but I know that Edward is still here, I can still feel his calming presence nearby.

Hours later I am finally dressed in clothes again and ready to leave. I don't have to look to see that Edward is waiting on the other side of the door for me I can just feel it. I look up into his green eyes as I walk slowly out and smile knowing I can finally just relax without fear of Christian watching every move I make. "So where are we headed ladies?" I hear Ed inquire as Abby comes up behind me.

"My place?" Abby asks, "Then you can just relax, no bills or people bothering you."

I think of her place, she lives in an old large house on the edge of town that is secluded and it makes me smile. A quiet place to just relax. I nod to her quickly, "I love that idea, I haven't visited you there in years."

"Nope you haven't." Abby gives me a happy grin and then we slowly walk out of the hospital.

At Abby's place I lie in her extra bedroom gazing out the window into a field of flowers completely relaxed, my cell phone off and across the room. My mind is free to drift and just as I think of him Edward peeks his head into the room as I laugh, "Mind reader! How do you do that?"

He winks at me the comes to sit down next to me on the bed, I pat the space next to me and hold out my arms thinking how I want him to hold me. In an instant I am nestled in his arms and resting my cheek against his chest while I inhaled deeply to take in the scent of him. "Bella." He says my name softly then, "so why don't you go by Dee?"

Shrugging I laugh, "I don't know, everyone has just always called me Bella but I like Dee. That can be my secret identity name."

"Good then you can be my Dee."

"You will be the only one to call me that."

"I like that, makes you a bit just mine but Dee, we need to talk."

"I don't like the sounds of that."

"I want you to know the truth about me before someone else tries to tell you."

I turn my head to gaze up at him confused, "what truth?" In my mind I am thinking he is about to tell me his true feelings for me so my mouth gaps open as he starts to speak.

"I am a monster Dee, I want you to know the full truth so you can decide if you want to be close to me or if you want me to leave you be."

"A monster? Are you finally going to explain the whole imprinting thing?"

"Yes, I am not human like you. I am not alive as you are, I am so much older than you know and I have done things I am not proud of. I am known as Wicked by some for things in my past. The people I hurt, the lives I took….I am not proud of but it is part of the monster I am."
I cannot speak as he pulls me close speaking softer. "Close your eyes and let me show you. Trust me."

"I do trust you." I whisper then close my eyes tight and watch in wonder as he floods my mind with images. I see him looking so different, he is younger but still pale and his eyes have that glow. It takes me a moment to realize what he is showing me. He is showing me how he was born and grew into whatever monster he says he is. In the image some time passes then he opens his eyes and I gasp, they are blood red and bright as he hisses and I spot what looks like fangs. "Vampire." I whisper as I stare at the image.

"Yes vampire but there is more to me Dee, keep watching."

I see him as a vampire killing people and then leaving them to die at his feet. So many deaths and then I see him growl. It makes me shake in his arms and instantly he tightens his hold on me but I don't notice as I am fascinated. He….he seems to be changing before my eyes. He turns as if looking at me in the image his green eyes widen and slowly his face changes. "Oh my god." I blink my eyes in disbelief then open them to look up at his face, "You are a wolf?"

"Yes I am, that part of me is how I imprinted on you."

"Your wolf imprinted on me? So what exactly does that mean, I tried to read on that but all I found was one thing about shape shifters. Is that what you are?"

"I can only shift into a wolf or my vampire form but what imprinting means that you are my mate. You are the one that I love and desire, you bring back life to my dead heart."

"Edward." I feel the tears and don't bother to stop them as I stare at him. "You are no monster and if I could imprint I would on you. You have already made me feel things that I haven't ever. You bring me back to wanting more."

"Wanting more?"

"You know, love and all that."

"You gave up on love too?"

"Yeah a long time ago."

"Christian?"

"Long stupid story."

"We have nothing but time." I laugh as he winks at me. "I want to know all about you."

"First thing, you do love me don't you?"

His laughter fills the room and makes me join in. "Silly girl, you have to ask? Yes I love you."

"I love you too. And I am not silly!" I laugh again and poke him in the side. Then I am your silly and you can be my Wicked."

"You are silly and fine I am your Wicked." His green eyes are full of laughter and love as he pulls me back to hold me, "Christian, spill silly."

I sigh then nod, "Christian came into my life at a time when I was done. I had given up on relationships and I got drunk. So drunk that I didn't realize where I was still I was back at his place and in that damn room." I scowl as I think back and that playroom, I hate it. "I knew he was trouble when he walked into my life but I was alone, I wanted attention and love. He gave me attention and I thought love but now I see it for what it is."

"Which is?"

I look into Ed's eyes and sigh again, "It was just sex."

I close my eyes and memories of Christian flood me. In his playroom on my knees or strapped to that stupid cross while he does what he wishes. All the slaps of his crop and all the things I put up with just wanting to feel loved. I hear Ed take a deep breath in. "Dee stop. Please stop or I will kill him now."

I open my eyes and look over, "Are you mind reading again?"

"Yes and I can see all the things you are thinking right now. I would love to kill that bastard for ever touching you like that."

"It's not up to you to save me."

"No you have to do that yourself but I don't have to like what he has done to you either."

"True." I sigh, "You have heard that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?"

"I have but Dee please be careful, it might not have killed you yet."

"Yet? Do you know something that I don't?" I sit up quickly and cringe in pain.

"Whoa silly, slow movements before you pull a stitch out. I don't know anything but what I feel which is this, if you stay with him it will slowly kill you." He pulled me back to lie down. "You have something in you, your spirit and that part of you is wild and beautiful. You cannot be tamed and you should not be tamed. You are not meant to be controlled, you need to find someone who will embrace that part of you and instead of trying to tame you run wild with you but Christian, and he wants to kill that part of you. He wants to control you."

Frowning I nod, Christian does want to control me in any way that he can and while I didn't give a damn before now it bothers me. I want him to know that I will do what I want and he can take his damn punishments and shove them. In my mind his days of that are over. I glance over and see a small smirk on Ed's face. "Damn you, you have to listen to all my thoughts?"

"Guilty as charged but that last thought I loved it."

"You did?"

"Yes you need to be free from him, did you sign his contract?"

"You know about him how?"

"Well not proud of it but we are friends and have been for years. You are the first one of his girls I have ever talked to. Usually he keeps them on a tighter rein but you managed to break free for a bit." He grins at me. "I wanted to kiss you that first night we met but I didn't dare in case he walked outside."

"I wanted you to kiss me then and now." I pouted at him playfully until he kissed me softly but just as I went to kiss him back he leaned back. "What?"

"If I start I won't stop."

"Then don't stop."

"No, it's too soon for that. I want to know you first."

"You need to know me to kiss me?"

"Dee." His voice was warm and inviting as he ran his fingers over my back making me shiver against his chest. "Close your eyes." At his words I close my eyes and instantly see us kissing but it is not a soft chaste kiss like he just gave me. He has me up against a wall and his hands are on my hips as my legs are wrapped around him. My hands are tangled in his hair and the noises coming from us grow louder as I watch. Our bodies seem to be glistening with sweat and just watching is making me squirm against him. The image, that kiss…I want that right now. I run my hands over his chest gripping his shirt till I feel his hands over mine. "Stop, I would hurt you now. Do you see why I can't just kiss you? I want you so much, just a kiss will never be enough. I want to possess you fully."

At his words I see the image change to us in another setting but this time the kiss seems even more intense as clothing is being torn off then it goes black. I had been grinding myself against his leg unknowingly and I feel his hand on my hip as I realize it. I open my eyes trying to ignore the flaming heat of my cheeks which I know must be bright red now. Damn him, I want him so much right now. "Are you listening to me again?"

"Yup."

"So you know that I want you just as much as you want me?"

"I do but Dee I could hurt you or kill you. I would never be able to live with myself if that happened. You need to heal and we can take it slow, let me try to see if I can control it."

"Okay." I whisper to him thinking that to love me enough to hold back like that is more than I have ever been loved in my life. He answers my thoughts with a light kiss on my forehead.

Hours later I drift off to sleep after spending the day with Edward. I cherish each moment we are together while I don't have to deal with Christian. I have to find an easy way to cleanly end that but right now I just want to be happy and relaxed with Ed. I love the way I feel when he is near, he comforts me just being close.

Abby teases me the whole time I spend at her place that I spend more time with Ed than with her but new love is intoxicating and I will not fight it. I want to be with him every waking moment and I love knowing he never goes too far so if I cry out in the night he is right there. Abby was nice enough to let him stay with us too. I know she is dying to see what happens with us, part of me wants to push him to commit to me but I know that we both have loose ends to tie up before that can happen and I am content in the way things are progressing.

The weeks pass too quickly while I rest and start to feel better. Ed is there every day and as I get stronger we start walks, short at first but longer and longer till we end up out in the middle of the field of flowers that I can see from my view. Lying there next to each other we share secrets and talk of the future what we want. I love to let thoughts flood my mind and then watch his face as he listens along. All my thoughts and plans include him, I cannot imagine what my life would be like without him now.

He is part of me but there is a part of me that I still have to deal with. Christian. He has texted here and there, sent flowers and an occasional phone call but for the most part I think he finally understood my need for space. The thought of telling him I am done with him is something I dread, the way he reacted to my surgery and that bizarre day before it. I don't think he loves me but maybe he loves the thought of controlling me. How can I break it off without it getting ugly? I save these thoughts for when Ed is gone or showering, I can't bear how upset he gets when thoughts of Christian flood my mind.

Then comes the day of my post-surgery checkup, I head to the appointment with Edward without a second thought. We have been together as much as possible the last 6 weeks but as soon as we enter the building I recognize Christian's security man Taylor and freeze at once. Ed turns to me and after hearing my thought pulls me to the side. "Christian is here?"

"I am." A voice comes out of the corner loudly and he steps into view. His eyes sweep over Ed's hand in mine and I pale at once. The only thing that saves me from explaining myself at that moment is my doctor's assistant waving at me. I quickly head to her. Edward stands where I was staring at Christian while I head into the exam room.