When I woke up, someone was holding my hand.

"Alice?"

"Bella! Hey sweetie!" She had tears in her eyes.

"Please, don't cry."

"Bella, these are happy tears I promise. How are you feeling?"

"Umm," I had to think about it for a moment; I was still in shock that I was actually seeing Alice. "Fine, I think." I brought my hand to my face and felt my nose, that tube was gone, "Thank God."

People started to quietly laugh, I looked around. I hadn't realized how many people were in the room until now. Edward, Emmett, and Jasper were all sitting on the couch. I didn't understand why Jasper was still here and looking so comfortable with Edward and Emmett.

Carlisle was leaning against the wall but started to walk over towards me, "How are you feeling, Bella?"

"Okay I think, how long have I been sleeping?"

"A little of 5 hours, are you hungry?" He asked.

Was I? I didn't know, how do I know? I was just told when to eat and when not to eat. I was never given the choice.

"How bout we bring you a tray and you can try to eat something?"

I nodded. He left to retrieve the food, I assumed.

"So Bella, do you remember me?" asked Alice. She was so happy to see me, burn. No, its fine. Burn. Alice would never hurt me.

"Yes, very much so. I have missed you so much! I dreamt about you a lot, I even had this one dream that you told me you were pregnant and it was with Dr. Whitlock! But you said you weren't going to have the baby with out me!" I giggled. Giggled? I didn't even realize I remembered how to giggle. But it was cut short because Alice's face dropped.

"What?" Edward. His voice in shock.

"Congrats buddy!" Emmett slapped Jasper on the back.

But the look on Alice's face made me believe that I had done something bad, burn. "I'm sorry! Did I do something wrong?" Burn, oh baby burn.

Alice smiled and let out a sigh, "No Bella, you didn't do anything wrong. That wasn't a dream though I really am pregnant, we just hadn't told anyone yet."

"I'm sorry."

"Hey it's alright! You didn't do anything wrong, we were going to tell everyone once you were out of the hospital but now is better than later, right?"

"I guess. But I don't understand, you said you and Jasper were going to have a baby. But that is Dr. Whitlock?"

"Yea Bella he is a doctor but he is also my husband."

"Really? You are married?" I looked at him and he just smiled at me.

"Why didn't you tell me who you were?" I asked.

Jasper stood up and walked over to me, "Because at the time it wasn't relevant. We weren't even sure you remembered Alice. We didn't want to confuse you."

"But why have you been my doctor?"

"Because he is the best," answered Alice. "And we will only let the best treat you."

"Oh. What kind of doctor are you? You have never done any exams on me," I wondered.

"I am not that kind of doctor, Bella. I am a psychiatrist with a specialty in trauma and abuse cases along with drug and alcohol addiction."

"But why? I'm not a druggie," I said defensively.

"No you are not, but your body was dependent on drugs for unknown amount of time which could cause psychological problems. And you were abused for a very long time."

"Oh." Ruined, trash. Every part of my body was scarred, including my mind. Burn, oh baby burn.

Carlisle brought in two food trays, "Two?" I asked.

"Yea, one for you and one for me," Alice said. "I am having a dinner date with you. Everyone else is going to leave for a bit so we can spend some time with each other, is that okay with you?"

Of course! I missed my best friend so much. "Of course." I didn't want to sound too excited because once she realized how ruined I was she wouldn't want to be friends with me.

"Umm, Alice?" Edward asked.

"Yea?"

"Don't you think you should tell Dad something first?"

"Oh yea, Dad! You are going to be a grandpa!"

""Oh my, really?" He was smiling from ear to ear. "How far along are you?"

"About 14 weeks, we were going to wait for Bella to get out of the hospital but I had told her when she was unconscious and she remembered…"

Carlisle walked over to Alice, "Oh Alice! I am so happy for you two!" He gave her a huge hug, "Your mother is going to be upset that was is the last to know. But she will be so happy! I can see the shopping now!"

"Alright boys, out. I have some catching up to do with Bella!"

Jasper came and kissed Alice on the cheek before leaving.

Emmett did the same to me, "Take care Bella, I will be back tonight to check on you."

Edward came over and squeezed my hand and said good bye. He looked nervous.

Carlisle was the last to leave, "Bella, I'll be back in a bit. Alice, let me know if you need anything."

Alice brought my tray to me, it was a simple meal. Plain chicken, rice, and orange jello.

"I know it's not the best but Dad said your stomach isn't completely strong yet and we should start you on something easy. But don't worry I am eating the same! Morning sickness does not only happen in the morning and it certainly doesn't stop after the first trimester, no matter what the books say!" She smiled at me.

Alice talked, I listened. We both ate. I didn't feel hungry but I felt better once I was finished. My stomach handled the food surprisingly well. Alice told me a little bit of what she had been doing the last 10 years. She had gone to school for fashion design and now was in the process of releasing her first line called Isabella Summer, which apparently was a big hit. She had met Jasper at a medical convention that her Dad had dragged her to because her mom wasn't able to go. She said it was love at first sight, she just knew he was the one. They have been together now 5 years. He is 7 years older than him but it didn't matter, they loved each other. Burn, oh baby burn. I hoped it was the right way. Alice deserved the best. I knew I didn't. No one would even love me again the way Alice loved Jasper. No, burn baby burn. She didn't mention anything about anyone else, it was as if she was purposely avoiding it.

After a while my eyes started to droop, I was tired. I wanted sleep.

"I'm sorry Bella, I am talking your ear off. I'll let you rest. Do you need to use the bathroom before you go to sleep, I can get Rosalie for you?"

"No, just sleep." I felt Alice kiss me on the forehead and I fell into a deep sleep.

I dreamt of my Dad, I missed him. He told me that he loved me and that I would be safe from now on. He told me to listen to my brother and that I was a strong and beautiful woman.

When I woke up, my cheeks were wet. It was dark time. Emmett was sleeping on a chair and Edward was curled up on the couch, his feet hanging off the edge.

I wanted to go home; I didn't want to be here anymore.

I was no longer hooked up to any machines and there was no tubing connected to the IV in my arm. So I slowly crawled out of bed. I wish I could have said that I was a champ and I made it across the room with out difficulty but a few times I wasn't sure I was going to make it. I held onto the wall the whole way and I had to stop multiple times to catch my breath but I was determined.

I finally made it to my destination in what seemed to be hours later and out of breath. I reached down and tapped my brother on the shoulder, "Emmett." I whispered.

He didn't budge, I poked harder. "Emmett!" I spoke a little louder.

He woke with a jump, almost knocked me over, "Huh! What?"

He rubbed at his tired eyes, "Bella, what are you doing out of bed?"

"I want to…go…home." I was still out of breath.

"What?"

"I ww..want to…go home…I don't know where….that is right now…but I don't want to be here…anymore…" I told him.

"But Bella, you need to stay here for a little bit longer. You need to be stronger."

"No, please….Please Emmett…I…don't want to be here…anymore…." I pleaded.

"How bout we get you back to bed and we will talk to Carlisle in the morning, okay?"

"No! Please Emmett…now! I…want to leave…now!"

This woke Edward, "What's going on?"

At the same time my knees betrayed me and gave out. Emmett caught me before I knew what was happening. Edward rushed to my side too.

"See Bella, you are still very weak. Your body needs to build strength." Emmett scolded.

"No, Emmett. I don't want to be here, I want to feel the sunshine on my face," I cried.

Emmett was carrying me back to the bed, "Bella, please don't do this. It's just for a bit longer."

"I'll go get Carlisle," Edward informed us and slipped out the door.

Emmett laid me back down on the bed. Why wouldn't he let me leave? Was I being held captive here too? Burn. Oh Baby Burn. No. Please. I want to leave.

I rolled to my side, away from Emmett. I didn't want to talk to him anymore. I was mad, hurt. He was supposed to be there for me, to help me. He was my brother.

I heard Carlisle speak then, "Emmett can I talk to you for a moment in the hall way? Edward will stay here with her."

I heard feet shuffling and doors opening and closing. Then Edward pulled up a chair to facing me and grabbed my hands with his.

"He cares about you Bella. Please don't be mad with him. He only wants what's best you."

I wasn't going to say anything but then something popped into my head "What about what I want?" My voice was raised.

He just sighed and started making small comforting circles with his fingers. We were silent until Emmett came back with Rosalie.

"Bella?" Emmett asked.

I didn't say anything.

"Bella listen, I talked to Carlisle and he is going to release you." He didn't seem pleased.

I sat up. I struggled but Edward helped me, "Really?"

"Yes, but there are stipulations."

My face fell. Burn. I knew it. I would be punished.

"Burn, I'm sorry! Forget I asked!"

"No, Bella. Nothing like that, no one is going to hurt you. But if Carlisle releases you, you have to stay with me."

"Oh. Well…I guess that is okay. I didn't really think about where I would go…I just…where do you live?"

"Well that's the thing….I live in Carlisle's house with everyone else."

"Everyone? Who is everyone?"

"Well obviously Carlisle and Esme and then Jasper and Alice. They are staying in the guest house that's in the back until their house is finished. And then Edward. And then me and Rosalie…"

"Rosalie?"

"Yea, Bella. Rosalie is my wife."

"Your wife? But she is my nurse?" My only nurse now that I really thought about it.

"Bella, I am a personal care nurse. We didn't want you to have to interact with a ton of different nurses and we wanted you to be able to build on your trust of others."

"So all of you?" I pointed around the room, "Are all connected in some way and no one felt the need to inform me? Carlisle was my Dad's best friend and Alice's Dad, Jasper is married to Alice, Rosalie is married to my brother and Edward once loved me! And no one felt the need to tell me!" I had to catch my breath.

"Bella, we didn't want to confuse you. So we kept the people that interacted with you limited. We also had to trust the people that interacted with you. We didn't want anymore harm to come to you." Edward explained.

I took a moment to process this. It should have made sense, I knew that. But I couldn't make sense of it. This 'circle' of people that had been helping me were all linked together somehow. They have seen me bare, have touched me, have watched me go to the bathroom, watched me lose my mind….

"Fine. Whatever, I want to leave. When can I leave?"

"Soon. But there is one more thing we need to explain to you before we leave okay?" Emmett started.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"If you leave and come home with us, you will not be allowed to be left alone for long periods of time."

"Why?"

Emmett hesitated, he was uncomfortable.

Edward answered instead, "Because you have episodes of altered mental status."

"What?" I don't remember.

"You have episodes where you are almost catatonic. You aren't aware of your surroundings and you could hurt yourself. You have hurt yourself. Sometimes you sleep for days without waking up, sometimes you go through the motions of things like eating and going to the bathroom, but you don't know what is going on around you. And even though you have gotten much better, we don't know when one of these episodes will happen."

"I'm sorry, I don't remember." Did I really do that? No. I don't remember. Oh.

"It's okay Bella, it's not your fault. But you have to understand, when you come home we are still going to be taking care of you. Rosalie will help you as she has helped you here and Carlisle will monitor your medications and physical therapy and you will have sessions with Jasper. I trust these people with my life and more importantly with your life. We want what is best for you, we lo…sorry. We care so much about you." Emmett told me.

I shivered. "It's okay."

"Do you understand all of this?"

"I think so, I am not sure. But I will do anything to leave here. I do have one question though."

"Okay?"

"What happened to our house? Did you sell it?"

"No, we still own it. I just rent it out. When Dad's cancer got really bad he was in a wheelchair so we had a ramp built in. Do you remember Angela and Ben from school?"

No, I don't. "No, sorry…"

"It's okay Bella, don't be sorry. But anyways, they had a child like 5 years ago and she has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound. They had lived in an apartment but her wheelchair didn't fit into the elevator and they were looking for a place in the country….so I offered to rent it to them for cheap to save them some money. Now Angela can stay home with her instead of working…"

"Okay but why do you still live with Carlisle?"

"I travel a lot with my job and Rosalie sometimes is gone weeks at a time with her job so Carlisle offered and we haven't left yet. I don't know if we will ever be able to leave Esme's cooking though…"he smiled. "So after everything we discussed do you still want to leave?"

"Absolutely. Now, please."

"Okay Bells, Rosalie is going to help you bathe and get some clothes and shoes on okay? Carlisle is working on the paperwork. It will be like another hour but then we can go home okay? I'll be back in a bit." Emmett said.

I nodded. I was going to be stuck with Rosalie seeing me naked. There wasn't anyway around it. I think I liked Rosalie. She was gentle. She didn't burn. Yet.

First Rosalie took my IV out and then Edward and Rosalie helped me into a wheelchair. Rosalie helped me bathe. I was slightly disappointed it wasn't a real bath but she did wash my hair. The shampoo container looked fancy, I eyed it carefully.

"Alice." She answered for me.

Of course, Alice. She would never let her friend use hospital issued shampoo and soap. Of course not.

I looked at Rosalie and the most horrific thought crossed my mind. She has seen my brother naked…Eww..

But I liked Rosalie, she hadn't hurt me yet and I knew I wasn't strong enough to do everything on my own. So if I had to choose someone to help me, it would be her, I thought. She was nothing like Barbara.

When we came back into the room, only Carlisle was present. The sun was starting to rise.

He smiled, still always smiling. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, I feel like a prisoner here…" I whispered.

He knelt down to my level, "You were never a prisoner. I just want you to know it's going to be hard. You have been protected in this room, the real world can be overwhelming. And as Emmett already explained, you can't be left a lone for long periods of time."

"I'm not a child!"

"Dear, it's for your safety."

"I know but I feel like I keep being treated like a child….I understand I have episodes but I am not helpless…"

"Everyone knows that. You have a lot of people that care for you and want what is best for you. But you are going to have to follow some guidelines when it comes to eating and physical therapy and your medications. If you fall ill I will not hesitate to bring you back. I am not saying this as a threat Bella, I just can't say it enough about how much we care for you."

Did I have control or not? Was I allowed to make my own decisions, or not? I don't think so. But they were letting me leave. That's all I dare ask for, for now. Burn.

"Can I leave now?"

"Yes, Edward and Emmett are bringing the cars around now. Let's go."

He picked up 2 bags and the vase of flowers Alice had given me and Rosalie started to push me out the door. I hadn't seen outside of this room ever, at least not that I remembered. The last time I had been outside I almost died. But this was a new beginning. It had to be, God couldn't hate me that much, could he? Burn. Maybe. Here goes nothing.

A few people smiled at me, I tried to smile back but it made me nervous. I didn't know these people. They didn't know me. Would they hurt me? Burn. No. Burn, yes. Burn, love.

We took an elevator down and then went down a long hall way to a large entrance. Jasper, Emmett, and Edward were there talking.

"Hey Bells, ready to go?" He smiled at me but it was strained. I knew he wasn't happy that I was being discharged.

"Umm, yea…"

"Is it okay if Edward drives you home? I don't think you it will be very easy to get into my jeep," Emmett asked.

My cheeks flushed, "That's fine." I looked at the two vehicles in front of me. One was a massive jeep that I would probably need a step stool just to get into and the other was a very sleek, shiny, black car.

"Me and Rosalie will be right behind you."

"Oh, okay. That's fine." I was starting to become nervous. I so badly wanted to leave but now I wanted to go back.

"I can't do this." I whispered. Air in, air out. Air in, Air out. Black, burn. Spots, burn. The fog, damn you. No.

"Bella," It was Edward, my face between his hands. "Look at me."

I did, Air in Air out.

"Repeat after me. I am safe."

"I am safe."

"My name is Bella Swan."

"My name is Bella Swan." The fog was pulling harder, no. Please. They won't let me leave for sure if I freak out.

"I am leaving the hospital so I can go home."

"I am leaving the hospital so I can go home." Fog is lifting, I can do this.

"I am strong."

"I am strong." Clearer.

"I am safe."

"I am safe." Air in, air out. I am okay.

"You okay?" Edward asked.

"Yea thanks."

I looked at Emmett, he looked mad. "I'm sorry!"

He relaxed, "No Bella, you didn't do anything wrong. Let's get going so we can get you settled in. I bet Esme can't wait to see you." He smiled but I knew it was not a true smile. I let it go.

I was assisted into the car by Carlisle and Emmett.

Jasper and Edward were talking to each other, both of their faces strained.

Carlisle buckled me and Emmett kissed me on the cheek, "We will be right behind you."

I had realized then that Emmett had been kissing me on the cheek for awhile. I was proud of myself that it didn't scare me. It was like second nature, comforting. I could do this.

Edward got in and buckled up, "You ready?"

"You have no idea."

He chuckled.

Carlisle and Jasper waved good bye and we were off.

I was amazed at how nice this car was. It was so classy and sleek.

"You have a very nice car," I told Edward.

"Well I will tell Carlisle that, it's his."

"What? But how will he get home?" I worried.

"Jasper is going to bring him home, they both get off their shifts in a few hours."

"Oh." I fidgeted with my hands.

"Bella, relax. Everything is going to be fine."

I didn't say anything. I didn't want to talk about my worries, fears, my scarred body, my ruined mind.

"Do you have a car?" I asked him, to get the subject off of me.

"Yea, a Lexus."

"What kind is this?"

"A Mercedes."

"Do you have a job?"

"Yes." But he didn't offer any other information.

"What do you do?"

He hesitated, "I work for the F.B.I."

"The F.B.I? Really?" Then I remembered, Agent Cullen to Agent Swan. "Does Emmett work for them too?"

"Yes."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No, why would it be bad thing?"

"You are being pretty quiet about it."

"Because Emmett wanted to explain all of this to you."

"You found me though."

"Yes."

"How?"

"By accident, thank God."

"By accident? How?"

"Bella, please. Emmett will talk to you about this more, right now let's focus on you."

"Fine." I crossed my arms across my chest and pouted. Why wasn't I suppose to know how I was found? I don't understand.

After a long silence I asked, "Are you married?"

He chuckled, "No."

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"No." This made my heart flutter.

"Do you have any kids?"

"Not that I know of."

"Is that a joke?" I wondered.

"Yes Bella. Sorry, it was lame." He looked nervous and was watching intently at the road.

"No it was okay. I just sometimes don't pick up on sarcasm. So I couldn't tell if you were making a joke or not."

Another period of silence.

"A lot of loving time burned because I couldn't read people correctly." I whispered.

I watched as Edwards expression turned hard and then he relaxed. He looked like he was contemplating on saying something or not.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked carefully.

No one had asked me a direct question like that. I didn't know what I was supposed to say. Would he be mad? Burn. Would he hurt me?

"Umm…I…"

"You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to." He grabbed my hand and squeezed. "But if you do want to talk about it, I'm here to listen. No one will get mad at you for the things you say, I promise. And no one will hurt you."

"Umm…well this one day Joseph had a friend over. His name was James I think. Joseph was telling him how obedient I was and Joseph would tell me to do something and I would do it. I didn't want to be punished, burn baby burn. Well James thought it would be funny if he told me to lick his boot. But as I went down to do it, he kicked me in the face and told me he was just kidding. He was being sarcastic. He told me he had just spent hours shining his boots and if I messed them up, I would pay for it, burn. After he left, loving time burned. Joseph said it was because I made his friend mad. He said that I was stupid if I couldn't tell when someone was being sarcastic." A tear fell down my cheek.

Edward pulled the car to a stop, we were in front of the house. I didn't even remember turning onto the long driveway. I saw Emmett's headlights not too far behind us.

"Bella, look at me."

I did. Burn, oh baby burn.

"That will never happen again, I promise you. No one will ever touch you like that, no one will ever hurt you. You are safe, do you understand that?"

"I want to. And sometimes I think I do know that but then sometimes I forget."

"That's normal sweetie."

"Could you maybe remind me sometimes?"

"I will tell you that you are safe a million times a day if it helps."

"Thank you."

"Here comes Emmett, are you ready?"

"Yes, more than ever."

I knew that this road was going to be difficult but it wouldn't be as bad as the last 10 years of my life. And that is what would keep me going. I hoped.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! I am thinking the next chapter or the one after we will find out how Bella was found and more about Emmett's and Edward's jobs. Again, reviews are always appreciated!