Hey! So this is the biggest chapter I have done so far, but it is also a nice respite. There is some seriousness in it, but nothing major, a nice break from all of the majorness! We get to spend some time with other people, and hopefully get some laughs in too! I really hope you enjoy it!

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Also, thank you to everyone who has been reviewing, I can never thank you enough! I also am thankful to everyone who adds this story to their favorites, or chooses to follow it. You guys all really keep me motivated, and let me know that it's totally worth it!

Thank you!

Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight. I just mess with her characters.

Chapter 10: Changes

EPOV

She hadn't spoken to me for a full two weeks. Two whole weeks since she essentially told me to 'Fuck Off'. I knew from the get go that there was more to it than what she was saying. I had known something was going on. Someone was hurting her, I just didn't know who, and I knew it was possible that she was hurting herself as well. She was so fucking skinny, and she always looked like she was in pain.

Part of me didn't want to get involved, because honestly, I had enough fucking problems of my own. Part of my brain though wouldn't let me move on. Ever since the day I met her, she took up her own little corner of my head, never ceasing. Where was Bella? How is she doing? Is she okay? Is she missing me? Is that what it was? Did I miss her also? I barely knew her.

I had tried to get her out of my life in the beginning to try and keep her away from what my life was. Fucking drugs, and just… running. I was constantly running from everything I wanted to forget. Can't run fast enough, so try to make it disappear with Heroin. Then when I realized how much that one was fucking my life up, I went to coke. With Coke, I could be too busy to think. Sometimes I did Ecstasy, sometimes speed. Sometimes I did some Xanax. The only thing I did regularly was coke, but it was always a distraction. I didn't want to face myself, I didn't want to face the monster I was, and am.

It started off as a way, like her, to escape nightmares, and to just be fucking numb, then it turned into more.

It had turned into living for the fucking drug.

Then I met Bella, and slowly, she fucking wormed her way into my head. I cared more about making sure she was fucking safe, then about drugs. I beat the fuck out of my best drug dealer, because he gave her heroin. I had made it nearly impossible for me to get a hold of my shit, all for what, some girl I barely knew?

A girl I barely knew, but had fucking problems. She never said it, and generally fucking joked around, but I knew she had them. I knew they were bad when she said she was jumped. I didn't know if she was or not, but either way, she was far too nonchalant about the whole thing. It wasn't the first time. Most girls would have been fucking balling their eyes out and freaking. She just… took it.

It was serious when I saw her fucking sleeping, if you could call it that. She was thrashing that night, like a woman possessed, screaming and crying in her sleep. Crying like she never let herself do when she was awake. She was begging with whatever monster haunted her, and she lost, I just knew.

As soon as I brought it up to her though, all of the things I knew were fucking going on, but didn't have answers for, she flipped, and pushed me away. I had touched on a nerve. She knew I knew more than she wanted.

I had finally given up trying to talk to her a week ago. I wanted to just say 'Fuck it, and Fuck her too'. I couldn't. She had me wrapped around her tiny fucking fingers, whether she knew it or not.

That's why I didn't even hesitate when I got a call from my sister earlier today, begging me to go to Bella's house. Alice didn't know why, but she was scared. I knew it was bad if Bella was actually asking for help. That wasn't her. Her pride would never allow her to ask for help unless it was fucking serious.

I drove down there as soon as I hung up. Luckily the Chief wasn't home, then again, I doubt she would have called if he had been.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I got in there. I called out to her, and her voice sounded so fucking weak. I followed her voice, and the sight of her would probably be burned into my retinas for the rest of my life. She was fucking broken, leaning against the wall with the phone on the floor beside her. She had no color to her face, and her legs… oh fucking hell, her legs. The jeans were burned through in two large holes, one per leg. The flesh underneath was so badly burned that I could still smell the burning flesh. They were covered in burned blood. She had blood on the side of her neck that looked like it came from her scalp. She was just… broken.

The worst part though, was the agonized screams when I picked her up. Bella was fucking strong. She was walking around after getting beaten an inch from her life. She didn't fucking complain, she never showed weakness if she could help it. The sound was deafening, and made my stomach drop. I was causing that fucking pain, just from moving her. I had to move her though, it was the only way I could get her help.

Then she told me some of what had been going on. I knew now that it was Charlie, her father, who had been fucking hurting her, who did this to her. She begged me not to tell, and I damn well had every intention of fucking telling anyone who would fucking listen to get her help. That was until she explained about Riley, the boy in our class who had gone missing years ago, her friend from way back when. I knew then, that if I told, and anything fucking happened to me, or anyone else, she would blame herself, like she did with Riley. So I agreed for now.

I was determined though, we would find a way to get her out of this.

"Welcome to In and Out Burger, how may I help you?" I bored voice called through the intercom.

"Yeah, two bacon double cheeseburger meals with fries and chocolate shakes." I said into the intercom, watching the screen carefully to make sure she didn't screw up the super fucking easy order.

"That'll be sixteen dollars and thirty seven cents." She says in the same bored tone before I drive to the pickup window to grab our food.

After picking up the food, I immediately head back towards the hospital. I had to go to the next town over, since In and Out burger was the only place open this time of night without going all the way to Port Angelus or Seattle.

When I got back, I headed right back up to her room, knocking before entering.

She was laying there looking exhausted, which really wasn't that unusual, but the corners of her lips lifted in a slight smile.

"That smells amazing." She says as she forces herself into a sitting position. I set the stuff down and go to help her, but she is already up before I get there.

"I haven't had a burger from In and Out in so long. I love their stuff." She says as she grabs one of the bags. "Thanks Monsieur."

"Heh, no problem. Are you ever going to stop calling me that?" I asked, honestly just curious.

"Nope. Even if I were to fall madly in love with you, and think you farted stars out of your ass, and pissed pure sunshine, you will still be Monsieur Dirt Bag to me. It's an affectionate thing." She grins widely.

I couldn't help it, I fucking busted out laughing right there. This chick was fucking something else, what, I wasn't sure.

"So then, I take it you aren't madly in love with me, and think I fart stars and whatever?" I say after getting my laughter under control.

"Nope. You are pretty hot without a shirt, but I am pretty sure your farts still stink."

"How do you know stars don't stink? They are just gas after all."

"Burning pretty gas." She amends, giggling a little.

I shake my head, still laughing. I hadn't laughed like that in a long fucking time. "so, hungry then after all that talk of bodily functions?"

"Starved." She grinned, and demonstrated by taking a big bite out of her burger. She nearly moaned from the taste, and I grimaced a little, feeling my pants tighten at the sound. Seriously Cullen, she is in a fucking hospital bed after getting fucking torched, wrong fucking reaction.

"Good then?" I asked to hide my sudden slight discomfort.

"Amazing." She said before grabbing her drink and taking a pull. Her eyes widen in surprise and a grin formed. "Chocolate shake, my favorite. How did you know?"

"Everyone likes chocolate shakes." I shrugged. I also figured more calories. She clearly wasn't anorexic, so maybe Charlie just didn't feed her? I could fix that at least. I may not be able to get her out of Charlie's today, or even this week, but I could make sure she was fucking eating.

"What are you thinking about? You just got all serious." She asked as she plucked a fry out of the bag and popped it into her mouth.

"I was thinking of a plan." I said honestly.

"A plan? We already decided that you wouldn't tell anyone."

"You decided, and I understand your reasons. That is the only reason I am not fucking telling anyone. But we need to try to find a way to keep you safe."

"I can handle myself. I won't put you in danger." She said.

"Sure you can. Is that why you are currently in the hospital with third degree burns on your legs?" I ask sarcastically.

"Yes actually, because I survived this long." She said stubbornly.

"Well, That isn't good enough for me. Here is what I was thinking." I start

"That's the burning smell? I thought that was me." She jokes.

"Ha Ha." I roll my eyes. "You can stay at my house for the most part. Now my parents will get suspicious if you never go home, and so will your dad, right?" I ask.

"Yeah. " she nods.

"Okay, so when you have to go home, go home at your normal time, and I will come check up on you at night, once I am sure your dad is asleep."

"And how do you plan to do that without getting caught?" she asks, quirking her eyebrow.

I thought about a minute, then remembered the tree outside of her house. Maybe that was in front of her window? "What room upstairs is that tree in front of?"

"Charlie's room." She says seriously.

"Really?" I sighed.

"No. My room." She grinned a little bit.

"This isn't really a fucking joking matter." I said

"Nope, you sneaking into my room in the cheesiest, most cliché ever in the middle of the night isn't a joking matter at all." She says, trying to look serious, but a smile pulling up the corners of her mouth.

I try to get mad, but I can't help but chuckle at her. "You aren't making this any easier."

"That's because it won't be easy." She said in all seriousness.

"I know that. Trust me, I fucking know that."

"Why do you care so much?" She asked, tilting her head to the side a bit.

"Honestly? I don't fucking know. You have… been in my head ever since I met you. Usually I don't give too shits. Now though? You're my friend. I can't let my friend be hurt." I said honestly.

"Friend huh?" she said, looking somehow happy, yet also a little sad at the same time.

"Yeah, friend." I reinforced. "So that means when shit gets bad, you need to call me, so that I can get you out."

"Once it's safe for you." She amends.

I sigh, gritting my teeth, but I knew it's the only way she would agree. "Sure."

A moment later, there was a knock on the door, and Carlisle steps in.

"I hope I am not interrupting anything." He says.

"Nope." Bella responds.

"Edward, Bella needs her rest. You can come get her in the morning, alright?"

I look over at her, and she nods at me, motioning that its fine. Rest my ass, she is just going to be bored out of her ass for the next several hours.

"Alright. Enjoy the meal. I'll be back in a few hours." I say.

"Alright. Thanks for coming, and for the non hospital, super amazing delicious bacon burgers."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Night Bella."

"Night Monsieur. Don't go farting any stars tonight." She grins

Carlisle gives us a questioning look, and I just shake my head, holding back another laugh as I leave.

Now, all that's left for tonight, is to fucking flush the coke. I really hope I don't fucking regret this.

BPOV

After Edward and Doctor Carlisle leave, I lay back down on the bed, and stare out the window. It doesn't take long for my mind to wander back to the events of earlier. The smell of burning flesh. The feel of the flames burning through my skin.

I shudder as I try to expel that thought. I already missed Edward being here. He was fun, and kind of sweet when he wasn't being an asshole. Then again, we both have been assholes to each other.

I knew already that Edward's plan wouldn't work. As it was, I barely went home. About the only thing he could prevent would be the long term punishments, like the one during the Christmas holidays. It didn't take very long for him to do real damage.

I didn't want Edward getting involved, but I also knew he wasn't going to back off. I owed him some truth after he came and got me after everything, and had to see me like that. He didn't know everything though. I still hadn't told him about my mom, or about the other ways Charlie recently started abusing me. That was burden alone to carry.

I wasn't one of those twisted victims who thought I deserved it. I didn't think I was a whore because my dad assaulted me. I knew better. I didn't want it, and I didn't ask for it, it was just another form of abuse, just like the others.

It didn't mean it didn't fucking suck though, or hurt like hell. That's why I simply refused to think about it.

I looked around for something to do, and noticed the TV on the wall. I grabbed a remote off the night stand and turned it on, and switched it to comedy central. Tank girl was on, I could dig that, even if it was censored.

When Edward came back around nine in the morning, I was still watching Comedy central. I was fucking exhausted, but I wasn't going to sleep, especially here. Last thing I needed was to be found screaming and tossing in my sleep. That was a sure way to get more questions I didn't want to answer, or even worse, a psych evaluation.

Carlisle walked in behind Edward, and looked at the TV disapprovingly. He had popped in a few times to check on me, so he must have noticed that I never went to sleep.

"Hey, ready to go?" Edward asked.

"Hell to the yes." I said, sitting up, then wincing a little bit from my ribs.

"Hold on a moment." Carlisle interrupts us, and walks in between us.

"Bella, this is a prescription for a fairly strong pain medication. I want you to take it very sparingly, since your weight is so low. Also, I also let Esme, my wife know, that you were coming home with Esme. She set up the guest room for you. I will check on you when I get home later." He says as he walks over to me. He reaches over to put a hand on my shoulder, but I flinch back automatically, and Edward intercepts, grabbing Carlisle's arm before he could touch me. Carlisle gave him a questioning look, but Edward just shook his head.

I looked over at Edward with a thankful expression, and he simply nodded at me. He had barely been around me recently, but seemed to understand that I wouldn't let most guys touch me.

"I will see you later Bella." He says, before leaving the room, looking like he has more questions than he did before.

"Ready to go?" Edward asks.

"Beyond ready. I just need my clothes." I say, motioning towards the hospital gown.

"Oh right. Since your jeans are kind of… erm—Toast, I brought you a pair of sweats and a clean T-shirt."

"Oh, thanks." I said, smiling a little.

He nods, before setting them on the bed next to me and leaving the room so I can change.

I pull the gown off, and swing my legs with much difficulty to hang over the side of the bed. Getting the pants on is pure fucking hell. Luckily, it doesn't seem to hurt quite as much as yesterday, probably because of the meds, but it still fucking is some of the worst pain I have ever had. After I get those on, the shirt is easy as pie, because I have spent more time with broken ribs than without in the last several years.

"Your eyes shalt no longer burn if you enter." I call out, and he walks in with a grin as I slide myself off the bed. In a moment he is at my side catching me as my legs buckle immediately under my weight.

"Don't do that!" he chastised.

"Carlisle said I would be able to walk again almost immediately!" I said, wincing through the pain.

"Almost immediately still means not immediately. Give it a couple days." He says before picking me up bridal style.

"I think you just want to carry me over the threshold." I grin a little, leaning my head against his shoulder tiredly.

"Oh yeah, completely." He jokes, shaking his head.

"You know you want to. I mean seriously, I have enough baggage that you won't even need to buy furniture!" I grin.

"Keep it up, and I will drop you on the threshold." He says while trying to suppress another chuckle.

"Kinky."

He starts laughing so hard that his whole chest vibrates me with the action, and I can't help but laugh with him as he starts carrying us out of the hospital and to his car.

When we get to his car, he sets me down gently into the seat before going to the other side, and starting the car. "I think mom is making a big breakfast since she heard you are coming over. I hope you like pancakes." He said.

"I haven't had those… wow… since I was like six years old, and my mom made them." I said

"Where is your mom anyway?" He asks, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Um, well.. She's dead." I mutter, looking out the window, trying not to think of the images that one sentence invokes in my head.

"I'm sorry." He doesn't say anything else on the subject, seemingly being able to tell I don't want to go into it right now.

"So how are you doing with.. you know? I know it's only been a few hours… but…" I ask, turning to watch him.

"Don't know yet. It takes about twelve hours for me to start getting withdrawals. I flushed it though. You are damn fucking lucky I like you, because I wouldn't do that shit for anyone else." He said, trying to sound angry, but he really just sounded anxious.

"Thank you." I said simply.

He just nods .

We ride the rest of the way to his house in comfortable silence. When we get there, he gets out, and walks over. He was about to pick me up, but I shake my head. "I'll lean. I don't want Alice to think the worst." I explain, and he nods in understanding, grabbing my arm and helping me up. He supports pretty much all of my weight as I struggle to even move my legs forward. The pain is intense, but luckily the steps do get easier the more I force it, and it makes some of the skin become not as tight.

When we get inside, a woman with caramel colored hair, and hazel eyes runs over to me, wrapping both Edward and I in a giant hug. I blink a little, having never met this woman before, but am fairly sure she was Esme, Edward's mother.

"Oh dear, I was so worried when I heard!" She gushes, wiping a tear out of her eye. I look at her, feeling my face soften a little. She had never met me, and I worried her as much as if I was someone she knew all of her life. I was touched.

"I'm so sorry, where are my manners. You probably think I'm some crazy old bat. I am Esme, Carlisle's wife, and Edwards step mom." She says. I blink, not knowing that she wasn't Edward's actual mom. I doubted that mattered much though. She seemed to love enough to count as more than any blood mother, or father.

"It's very nice to meet you, Esme. Thank you for letting me stay here for a couple days." I smile politely.

"Oh no dear, make yourself right at home! I don't even want to think of you being all alone while your dad is at his friends house, and you're healing." She smiles, her eyes still sad. I knew in that moment that I loved Esme. She reminded me of what I wish I had, a parent that loved me. It was sad, but also a happy feeling, having a parental love, even if it wasn't my parent.

"Thank you so much." I say, smiling at her, hoping my voice conveyed all that I am thanking her for in that moment.

"Oh, well, Why don't you go on and have a seat. Breakfast is almost ready. I didn't know what you liked, so there is a little bit of everything. Eggs, Sausage, bacon, pancakes, fruits, toast, and hash browns."

I could feel my mouth drop at the idea of someone doing all of that, just because I was coming over.

"Don't worry squirt, She cooks like that all time, even if it is just for Sunday breakfast." Emmett grinned.

My eyes widened even larger. I couldn't even imagine what it was like to be treated like that.

Alice looked at me. "The look on your face is hilarious!" she giggled, snorting a little. "You look like someone just told you that it was raining benjamins!"

"No, I am just amazed. Your mother is amazing." I say, smiling, trying to keep the sadness from my eyes.

"Isn't your mom like that?" She inquires. Edward looks at Alice then, and shakes his head, deflecting the question. I smile at him appreciatively.

A few minutes later, the table is loaded up with breakfastpalooza. I grabbed a little bit of everything, loading up my plate. "Thank you so much, again, Esme." I smile, and she smiles back.

"Oh, it's no trouble at all." She smiles.

Emmett then grins. "Lets dig in!", and dig in he did. His plate was piled high with massive amounts of food that he just shoveled disgustingly.

"Ignore Emmett" Alice said as she munched on some fruit and pancakes. "He's a pig." She grins.

"Ahm m-notfh" Emmett said through a mouthful of pancake and egg.

"Emmett! Do not talk with your mouth full!" Esme admonished, and I found myself giggling at the cliché. I didn't think any family was really like this, it was amazing.

Edward was watching me with amusement as I took in the scene, and even started laughing when he saw my face when Emmett piled a third helping of everything on his plate. I still hadn't finished my one plate, and I hadn't made it dainty like Alice's!

Finally, after everyone was done, Edward helped me up, and I smiled at Esme. "Thank you for breakfast. Do you want help cleaning up?" I offered.

"Oh no, no dear! You just go relax upstairs. You need some rest. You just let anyone know if you need anything." She smiled warmly at me.

"Alright, Thank you." I smiled as Edward and I made our way carefully up the stairs. Instead of going to the guest room, we headed to his room.

"I figured you might get bored in there. When night comes, Esme will probably insist you go in there though, you being female and all." Edward explains.

"I have been in here before though." I said, confused.

"She, nor Carlisle knew you were here."

"Ohh. Do you bring girls in here often?" I raised my eyebrows suggestively, grinning a little.

"No. Never. I don't even let Jazz come up here often." He said in all seriousness.

"Really?" I asked surprised.

"Really. This is kind of… my sanctuary. I don't let people into this part of my life." He answers.

"But you have let me in multiple times." I conclude

He simply nods. I wondered why, but I knew better than to ask. I doubt he would have an answer.

There was a knock on the door a few minutes later.

"Who is it?" Edward calls.

"It's Alice. I want to kidnap Bella." She said in her tinkling voice.

He looks over at me, and I shrug. "Doesn't bother me. I miss her, I haven't seen her in a few days anyway. Plus, I am sure she was worried." I reasoned.

He nods. "Alright. We'll be right there, okay Alice?" He calls out to her.

He helps me up, and then brings me to Alice's room, where he carefully sits me down on her bed. "When you're ready to come back, just have Alice come get me." He says, before leaving me alone with Alice.

"So… What happened?" Alice asked after Edward left the room.

"I erm… I really don't want to talk about it." I answered, not wanting to lie to her. Plus, I honestly didn't remember entirely what story Edward had told his father.

"I understand. You know, I have never seen Edward act like that before…. At least not since he was a kid." She says thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" I inquire.

"Nice. Sweet. He's smiling, and laughing. He isn't being a jackass 100% of the time, only some of the time. I think he is even cleaning up his act a bit, less drugs." She said thoughtfully.

I blinked a little bit, remembering that Edward told me that Alice didn't know about the drugs.

She seemed to read the look on my face. "I know he doesn't know I know. We all know. That is why Rosie doesn't like you. She thinks you are a druggy that will just pull him under. I don't think so though. I think you will be the one to pull him out." She said smiling.

"I don't know about that. What if I end up pulling him into something he can't handle?" I ask sadly.

"You'd be surprised. All I know however, is that he is changing, for the better, and that started after he met you. I think you are good for him. Now we just have to wait for him to realize he is in love with you." She said with no hint of humor.

"Alice, your brother is not in love with me." I said, scoffing.

"He is, just like you love him too." She sounded sure.

"Are you sure you aren't the one on drugs?" I laughed, feeling a little uncomfortable. I did not love Edward. Like him as a friend? Definitely. Think he is hot as hell? Definitely, I had eyes. Trust him? Maybe. Crushing a little? Likely. Love? I don't think so. I don't even think I am capable of love.

"Ha Ha. You both will realize it eventually. I know it." She grins

"Whatever pixie." I shake my head with a slight grin.

"So, what shall I do today. You totally have bed head. " She taps a finger on her chin, looking in deep thought.

"Um… I'm not really going anywhere, so it doesn't matter, does it?" I ask.

Wrong question.

"Of course it matters! Your appearance always matters." She said before getting up, and pulling over the chair from her vanity which had wheels on the bottom. "Come on, we are going to wash your hair." She said.

I looked at her, and nodded a little, knowing I definitely wouldn't mind that one. I felt kind of gross with my hair dirty.

With surprising strength for someone so tiny, she helps me onto the chair, before rolling me into the adjacent bathroom. She then pumps the back of it so it lowers so my back is laying prone on the seat. She then starts the shower, and pulls off the shower head.

When she washes my hair, it's all sorts of heaven with the feel of the hot water massaging my scalp and her fingers doing the same. I had never been to a hair dresser before, so this is the first time I had ever felt so… pampered in this way.

After my hair was washed, she dried it, and started styling it. She left it down again, but this time, instead of curls, she straightened it. When she was done, it was super shiny again, and very sleek, with just the right about of bounce.

"Wow, Alice, you are amazing." I smile.

"I'm not done yet!" She grins, getting out some makeup.

"Oh geeze. Makeup?" I complain.

"Don't 'oh geeze' me! You had me worried sick! The least you could do is let me have fun, and let me bring out your beauty." She said with a pout.

When she put it like that, my hands were tied, especially with the pout. I was putty. "Sure Alice, have at it." I gave a martyred sigh.

"That's what I thought." She said, suddenly giving me a satisfied smile. Manipulative pixie.

She spent the next twenty minutes doing my makeup. She didn't do anything extreme, just some foundation that covered the bruising, and some green and silver eye shadow lightly applied with lip gloss and some mascara. "I am not going to give you blush, because you already have such a pretty blush." She says with a smile.

"And, you are all done! I am going to go get Edward now to get you! Oh, and just so you know, the whole gang is getting together tonight for movies, so I am going to send you with some clothes for that, so you don't have to go in Edward's sweats." She scowls as she says sweats, like it's a sin.

"Alright, thank you Alice." I said, knowing better than to fight it. That was just how Alice was.

Alice left, and came back a minute later with Edward behind her. He froze the moment he entered, looking at me, something I didn't recognize in his eyes, as he stood there staring at me. Alice stood beside him just looking smug.

Holy Crap! Edward Cullen is looking at me like… like a man looks at a beautiful woman. What the hell is going on?

Thank you again for reading! I hope you continue to enjoy! More chapters to come soon, possibly tonight! please R&R! I love you all!