Hey Guys, sorry it took so long. I am in college now, and the work load is huge. anyways, I work on my stories during the train rides back and forth to school and home when I take them. Hope you guys enjoy. Please Read and Review!!!

Not mine, dont own anything!

-bellaswancullen

"Ok." I whispered.

That had been nearly three weeks ago. My training with Edward has not started yet, but it is supposed to start today.

To say that I was scared was an understatement! Was I out of my mind? I wasn't sure if I was in a right state of mind. I must have been insane to trust a guy that I really don't even know! I mean really!

"Bella. You're going to be late if you don't leave soon. Common, I'll drop you off." Alice said coming into the bathroom where I was contemplating what to do about my appearance.

"I don't want to go anymore Alice." I said, still looking at myself in the mirror.

"Don't try to hide them Bella. Nothing will work. Make-up will just wash off. However, I do want to warn you that Edward is going to be pissed beyond belief." She said looking me straight in the eye through the mirror. My face must have turned completely white because she tried to reassure me. "Don't worry Bella. It's not your fault. Edward won't be mad at you. He will be mad at your father.

"I remember when I had an abusive boyfriend and Edward found out, he almost went mad. My brother went crazy on the guy. And I probably shouldn't be telling you this because he will be so mad!" Alice said, helping me with my hair.

"I… umm, thanks Alice." I said blushing. I had never said thank you to anyone before. There had never been a reason to.

"Don't worry about it Bella. Common, let's get you to the pool before your late. We don't want to make Edward wait, now do we?

EPOV

She's not going to show. She's not going to show. I kept repeating to myself as I waited for Bella outside the training pool. I had reserved the pool for a couple of hours so that we could start getting Bella's endurance and strength back up. Carlisle said that her ribs should have healed by now, but that her breathing would still be a little tough.

"Edward." I heard the little pixie of a voice that I called my sister. "Sorry we're late. That was my fault." Quite honestly, I wouldn't have been surprised if it was my sisters fault, but the look on Bella's face shone with guilt, so I wasn't sure if I believed Alice right now.

"That's alright Alice. I've only been here for a few minutes myself. I was a little late and was concerned that I was going to be keeping you waiting" I said trying to make Bella feel a little better. I could see Bella relax a little more as the thought of me arriving just before them sink in.

"Ok… well I have to get going. I have an appointment with Jasper in about 15 minutes so I will see you later tonight Bella?" Alice asked as she looked between the two of us.

"Yeah Alice. I'll see you later tonight." Bella said. I could tell that she was starting to get a little anxious. She was rubbing her hands together now, and she was bouncing from one foot to the other.

As Alice drove off, Bella stared at the ground, trying to avoid eye contact as much as possible. "Ready Bella?" I asked, trying to calm her nerves.

"I guess." We walked inside together and made our way to the pool room. The pool was not your typical swimming pool. It was about the size of a baby pool, only deeper so that you could do some sort of physical therapy in it. I went over to a bench and pulled off my shirt laying it and my shoes and towel down.

BPOV

He just pulled off his shirt. Shit! I know he wasn't going to do anything, but still. Although, I did have to admit that he had a pretty fine upper torso, not to mention the little bronze hairs that were leading down below his shorts… Hmm. I wonder… No, do not go there. He doesn't feel that way about you, and you do not need that right now.

I started blushing then playing with the hem of my shirt.

"Bella?" he asked quietly. My head snapped up then, looking him directly in the eyes. "Are you going to get in so that we can get you training started?"

"I… ummm. I… I'm sorry Edward, I just… I'm just nervous. You can understand where I am coming from cant you?" I said looking away again.

"Of course Bella, but I'm not going to do anything. You can trust me. I'm not going to hurt you. I never will. Just ask Alice. When we found out that she had an abusive boyfriend I flipped, but not at her. She had let the relationship go on for more than a year. This was junior year of high school. I took her a while to trust again, even me, but we got through it. I am here for you Bella. Please trust me!" he said holding his hand out to me.

I hesitated then slipped my hand into his. "Please don't hurt me Edward." I whispered.

EPOV

I saw Bella hesitate then felt her hand slip into my hand. Then I heard her whisper, "please don't hurt me Edward." I looked up into Bella's eyes as I pulled her closer to me. As soon as she was within arms distance, I slowly lowered my hands to the hem of her shirt.

"Never!" I whisper as her eyes widen in fear. "I'm not going to hurt you Bella. Let me help you! Let me get to know you. I will never do anything to you that you do not want." I continue as I slowly and gently lift her shirt over her head.

My God! She is a goddess! Who would ever do such a thing to such a sweet and innocent person!? I think as a growl escapes from between my lips. Bella cringes away, the look of a wild and tortured animal caged within her eyes.

"Im sorry. I didn't mean to make you mad. Please don't hurt me. I wont do whatever it is again!" Bella pleads and my eyes go wide in horror.

"Bella, love, its not you!" I say taking a slow and cautious step towards this wild and wounded beast. "Bella," I continue holding out my hand pleadingly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle and scare you like that. I'm not mad at you love. I am furious with the person who has done this to you. How could someone hurt another who is so sweet, kind and innocent?"

The look in her eyes settles a little, and she inches her hand back into mine. I gently place my hand on her hip and slide around her stomach as my eyes follow it, and my heart bleeds for this amazing woman. There are scars all over her stomach and upper torso. The bruises that cover her are all different colors: black, blue, purple, and a scary color of yellow. I don't think I have ever seen so many bruises in my life at once, and that is coming from someone who has played hockey since they could walk.

I take both her hands in mine, and then look into her eyes. "Come on. Let's get started so that you can start competing sooner!" I say.

BPOV

We spent the next two hours working in the pool. It was tiring work as a worked to get my stamina back up. I had a doctor's appointment after this long a tiring day with Edwards's dad, and Edward was giving me a ride up. As we pulled into the hospital parking lot, I thought Edward would just drop me off at the entrance, but instead he pulled into a parking spot that said staff on it. I looked over at him with a raised eyebrow and in answer to my question, he pulled out a parking pass from the center consul.

"I volunteer here, and one of the many perks of volunteering as well as having a father who is a doctor here, I get to have a parking pass and can park in the staff lots." He said as he put the permit on the dash board and climbed out of the car.

I slowly eased my body out of his car as he walked around and stretched out his hand. I looked at is and then looked up into his eyes before allowing myself to take his hand. I knew he could see that I trusted him, but that it was hard for me and that I had to go slowly. He was only going as fast as I wanted to, and for that I was thankful.

He helped me out of the car, locked it, and then walked me into his father's office. Dr. Cullen was sitting behind his desk with a manila folder in his hands. He was going over it and when he heard Edward and I walk in, he set the folder down.

"Oh good. How are you feeling Bella?" he asked looking between me and Edward shortly before focusing on me.

"I am doing pretty good, under the circumstances. I am a little sore from the work out earlier." I said looking over at Edward, then refocused on his father.

"Good. Good. Well, if you don't mind, I would like to take another look at some of your scars and bruises, and would also like to talk to you." He said in all seriousness.

"I… Ummm…" I said hesitantly looking down at my hands. Slowly I lifted my head to look at Dr. Cullen who had a reassuring smile on his face. "Ummm… Ok."