A/N: I'm finally updating! I can't apologize enough, thank you for sticking with me. I get a week off soon so hopefully I'll have more time to write. Enjoy! ^^

Bella took Rosalie's car back to the Cullens' while Rose hunted. They'd spent the lazy morning in bed and Rosalie made her French toast for breakfast. Bella barely paid attention while she ate though, still feeling those soft, passionate lips against hers, their amazing taste. She wanted her more every day, for each day brought a new perspective. Every time she looked, Rosalie was bathed in a warm, sunny glow, or pure and ethereal against the slate gray rain. Her hair had a mind of its own (a brilliant one at that), always framing her face elegantly or rippling on a cool, moonlit shoulder. Her autumn eyes said everything a lover wanted to hear, smile cooing secrets that glided over her tender lips like gold. Poetry in human-well, vampire-form.

A few minutes away, she noticed a parked car on the side of the road. Loud music bashed through the windows like fists. The engine was still on and before Bella had moved along, it had too. It left behind a lone figure; a girl with shoulder length red hair with a black jacket and jeans on. Able to briefly catch a glimpse of the girl's face, she realized it was none other than Natalie, Alice's crush. She considered pulling over and meeting up with her, but something held her back. Alice would be home. Maybe they could go together. But before she could turn into the drive of the house, Bella noticed the car that had dropped off Natalie had its hazard lights on. She wondered if she could help in some way and followed at a safe distance until it stopped in front of a gas station. The hood of the convertible was already down and she was about to call out to them when one of them got out.

"I'll be right back," the figure said, staggering from the driver's seat, slamming his body against the door to close it. For a minute Bella thought he was hurt and made a move to get out and help, but then heard his booming laughter. He was wasted. She rolled her eyes and was about to back out of the parking lot when the face became visible. Every atom in her froze. Images of savage faces, pain streaking through her bones, and stunning terror flashed through her as if they were back. Real. She felt ill but couldn't move, couldn't think. It wasn't until the smell hit her that she realized she'd thrown up. Her hands shook as they lowered from the steering wheel. Her wide eyes were still locked on the door of the convenience store he'd walked into.

Lucas.

She found that she was panting, sweating, felt like all the oxygen had been sucked out from the atmosphere. And maybe it had. All the sense and fairness had at least. After an agonizing couple of minutes, Bella began to get a grip on herself. She slowed her breathing, dabbed at her forehead, only to find her hand was wet with vomit. She cringed, stomach churning. This time she leaned over the side, avoiding the sleek ruby paint. Were they all in there? Had they done something to Natalie? Oh god, she thought but didn't get much further. She realized her foot was on the gas and she was slowly sliding forward. She yelped, slamming on the breaks just before she hit the car. Icy sweat beaded all over her body. She saw someone through the tinted windows turn to see what had happened, what that shrill noise had been. She couldn't really see who it was, but she had a few guesses, and none of them good. Without allowing herself time to think, she backed up and sped out into the road the way she'd came.

She didn't get very far due to her clouding vision, shuddering limbs. Though she could still see the car, she had to pull over, parking Rosalie's car among a cluster of tall gangly weeds. She yanked the key from the ignition for fear of her sliding off again. She threw the keys into the back seat, sat there staring ahead for a moment, then broke down completely. Thick, salty tears razored down her face, soaking it as she choked on the little oxygen she could get. Her knees lifted to fit under her chin, arms lank and convulsing along with the rest of her body. Her mouth was stale and she knew she reeked. Her front of her hair was strewn with vomit though she hardly noticed at the time. She stayed like this for perhaps ten minutes before attempting to get ahold of herself.

"Come on, Bella. Do something. Think!" Shaking violently, her fingers went to her red face, swiping away tears. She coughed hard when she tried to take a deep breath, then suddenly felt rage grinding through her veins. What? Did you think they just disappeared? You're the one who told everyone not to say anything to Charlie, the police. Memories swarmed through the car like vial birds, pecking at her any way they could. Suppressing a scream, she flung herself from the car and slammed the door. She liked how that felt so she did it again. Again. Once more. The crimson handle was like a pool of blood in her hand as she slammed the door over and over. She slammed it until her hand pulsed with irritation, until she grew dizzy with exertion. She slid down the side of the door, hands pulling back her thick hair. New, hopeless, tears dribbled silently down her cheeks as she whimpered uselessly. Her legs snapped together the moment she remembered how Lucas had thrust his fingers inside her, almost done the same with his penis. How she was beaten without care, little more than a dog in their eyes. She clutched her stomach, hand brushing something in her pocket. With a hesitant thrill she realized it was her cell phone and quickly flipped it open. The phone rang once before she heard Rosalie's phone in the car behind her. She must have forgotten it in her excitement to show Bella their new apartment. Bella cursed and whipped the phone shut, fighting sobs of panic. Who could she call? Charlie? No, he'd ask too many questions. She needed someone who already knew her situation... Her finger pushed send before she even realized she'd dialed.

Alice gave a short laugh, trying to relax.

"Sure, vampires like bowling. But Natalie... I'm not sure you understand what I'm-"

Her pocked vibrated and she hesitated before taking out her phone.

"Go ahead," Natalie told her, smiling. She gave Alice some space, analyzing the fallen tree for the first time. "Super strength huh?" she asked. Alice nodded skeptically at her as she took out her phone. She wanted to ask Natalie so much. For instance, how was she so comfortable learning that she was in the midst of a vampire? Surely she thought Alice was joking. She glanced at her silver phone, a little frustrated. What could Bella want that was more important than this? Rolling her eyes she flipped open her phone.

"Yes?" she asked abruptly.

"Alice? I-I need your help." Bella's words sounded like they'd been tossed into a shredder before reaching her ears, voice rattling unsteadily. At once Alice was to her feet, stiff with worry.

"Bella, where are you? Are you okay?"

Natalie had turned back to her, picking up on her anxious tone.

"I'm by the gas station, the one closest to the house. I'm-I'm on the side of the road. Alice, please hurry!" Her tone was so panicked, so desperate and afraid that Alice nearly shot off toward the station that instant. It gave her butterflies just hearing it. But Natalie was with her. She couldn't just leave her.

"I'll be there as soon as I can. Hang in there, Bella." There was no time for explanations. Alice rammed the phone back into her pocket and went to Natalie.

"Listen, my friend is in trouble. Can you help me?"

"Of course," her voice said sternly. "Is she okay?"

"I don't know but we need to get to her right away." She hesitated for a minute. "Do you really believe that I'm a vampire, Natalie?"

"Yes-"

"Then I need you to get on my back."

"What? Why-?"

"Because I'm going to run."

Though Alice was pretty sure Bella had borrowed Rose's car like the other day, she had to take into account the conspicuity of two teenage girls being carried by a smaller and seemingly weaker girl. She flew through the trees back to the Cullens with Natalie clinging to her back. If she was shocked or frightened Alice didn't notice it, not that she had the time to look. They quickly jumped into her small car and shot from the drive into the street, going seventy then ninety. The car was capable of much more, and alone Alice would have risked going much faster, but she had human cargo to think about. They sped past entangled trees, black against the fading lavender morning. Irritated drivers honked as she wove the car between them, coming close but never brushing them. They nearly passed her she was hidden so well. Alice had to make a quick U-turn in the gas station parking lot. Natalie's head perked up when she caught sight of a car leaving the lot, though Alice was only focussed on one thing. The tires howled with strain as she did all but lift the car and carry it herself. She barely hit the breaks before she hoisted herself from the car.

Bella was lying face down in the weeds and dirt. The steering wheal and most of the driver's section was slick with vomit, the stench clawing at Alice's extra sensitive nose. She hardly thought about it though, quickly, as gently as possible, turning Bella over on her back. Her arms clutched around her stomach and her eyes were squeezed shut, but she was breathing and conscience. Barely.

"Bella?" Alice called, shaking her by the shoulder as she scanned for injury. There was bile on her clothes, but no sight or smell of blood. "Bella! Come on, honey." She crouched and sat, pulling Bella into her lap. "What happened? Talk to me." She moved a few clumps of hair from her face, grateful when she saw saw her eyes flutter then open, trying to focus.

Natalie came over but didn't say anything. When Alice asked she opened the back door so Bella could lay down as they drove. Natalie sat rigid in her seat, eyes flicking from Alice to Bella nervously.

"You okay?" Alice asked her. Her own body was drumming with adrenaline, a headache forming from strain.

"Mhm. Fine." Alice knew she wasn't.

"I'm sorry about this. Not exactly a fair trade for a date."

"No, it's fine really..." She opened her mouth to speak a couple times but ended up silent for the rest of the short ride. Alice hated to leave Natalie so abruptly, but she was no doctor and Bella wasn't in a state where she could tell her what was wrong. She lifted her from the car and sped into the house, taking the stairs in two bounds. She placed Bella's limp, quivering frame on her bed, moving as if she was made of thin crystal and could shatter at the slightest wrong move. She stuck her head out the window to call Natalie in, but couldn't spot her. She was gone. On the bed Bella groaned and was rolling on her side, dangerously close to the edge. Alice was quick to catch her in time, though the sudden movement generated a violent tremor through her. Once back on the bed, Bella curled tightly into herself, knees and arms wrapped up under her chin. She began to sob.

"Oh, honey," Alice sat next to her, stroking her hair as she flipped out her phone. What could have possibly happened? Surely her and Rosalie were doing alright. She'd never seen them so happy. Anyway, Bella wouldn't have such a reaction to a mere fight. She wished she could do more, tormented seeing her friend, her near lover, going through something so severe. Carlisle was always quick to pick up when it was family.

"Hello, Alice," came the cool, gentle voice.

"Can you come home? Something's wrong with Bella."

There was a slight pause as papers shuffled on the other line and Carlisle spoke briefly with another doctor. "I'm on my way. What happened?" She heard his dress shoes tapping against the hospital's linoleum halls.

"She called me from the side of the road near the gas station. When I got there she couldn't even speak let alone stand."

"What's going on?" Came Jasper's voice from the stairs. Another pair of shoes accompanied him. Edward by the smell of it.

Alice shook her head at them when they entered, and they instantly knew not to say another word. Jasper's face clouded over with worry, staring in anguish at the figure on the bed. He moved over and sat next to Alice, putting his hand near but not touching Bella. His eyes closed as he began to concentrate.

The sound of Carlisle's car roaring to life came through the phone for all vampires to hear.

"Is she conscience now?" he asked.

Jasper shook his head and Alice repeated the message.

"Does she have any visible injuries, particularly to the head?"

"No, but she got sick pretty bad."

It was only a few more minutes until they heard his car come to a halt outside. He joined them seconds later, white lab coat and stethoscope on.

"Move," he told all of them, not unkindly. They dashed away and already Alice felt a little relieved. The cure always came with Carlisle. He sat carefully next to Bella, said her name a few times. When she didn't respond he turned her so she was on her back, body rigid. He placed a cold hand against her burning face, then listened to her heart. The stethoscope was just a prop for work. He heard one hundred times better than it. For a moment nothing seemed to happen. Alice brought in a damp washcloth to wipe off some of the bile.

"Rose..." she finally murmured.

"Bella, it's Carlisle. Alice, Jasper and Edward are here too. Say something else."

"Rosalie." Her head swayed to the side as her eyelids fluttered and tried to adjust as they did before.

"She's fine," he told them. "Looks like she just got sick and fainted."

"When she called me she was really scared," Alice said a little defensively. Something was terribly wrong and she knew at least Jasper felt it too. She nudged him for support.

"She's right," he affirmed. "I've rarely felt a human quite this terrified before."

This only managed to upset Alice more. She wanted to scream 'well, do something! Make her better!' but restrained herself. Edward moved closer, placing his arm reassuringly around her shoulders.

"She's going to be alright."

"What is she thinking?" Alice demanded, worry stricken. A moment passed over Edward's face and Alice knew she wasn't going to get the whole truth.

"She's thinking of Rose." He didn't look at her.

Alice was about to demand more, but then considered Rosalie for the first time. She had no idea what had happened. Alice ripped out her phone and tapped out the familiar number, bobbing from foot to foot frantically. Rosalie's voice came as a chuckle as she answered.

"I got here just in time to here it ring," she said, clearly in a good mood. Alice heard an echo and knew that Rosalie was standing by her convertible just outside. "I must have left my phone in the car again. Ew, did Bella get sick? I guess my cooking needs some work-"

"Get up here!" Alice hollered and every vampire in the room cringed. There was a second's pause before the phone clicked and frantic footsteps came up the stairs.

"What's going on?" But Rosalie only needed to see Carlisle sitting over her girlfriend's shaking body and her face fell, eyes flashing with fear and rage. She ran to her and Carlisle gave her a moment of space as Alice caught her up. Rosalie gasped several times, scooping her precious human into her arms. As Bella became more aware, she wrapped her arms around Rose's shoulders, leaning into her. Edward moved a step closer then back. He hoped no one saw but everyone did of course. Carlisle gave him a firm nod.

"You need to tell us," he said.

Edward looked around the room but could not meet Rosalie's eyes, not even when she shouted at him.

"She's... She saw one of them."

"One of who?" Jasper asked. Carlisle waited too.

But Rosalie and Alice exchanged a dismayed glance. They knew exactly whom he meant.

A/N: And it had started out as such a nice day too. Shame.

Well, what do you think?

Sorry if there are any mistakes, I didn't have a lot of time to look it over. Hope you liked it! Please review. ^^