So, we have another chapter. This one is big, but the ending is even bigger. Please R&R!
SM owns everything. I just screw with her characters.

Chapter 18: Reason for Staying

BPOV

"Hey, guys, wake up. The rents are going to be up soon." I heard as I slowly opened my eyes. The book lay forgotten on my lap, and I was leaning against a still soundly sleeping Edward, his notebook on the other side of the couch beside him. Part of me couldn't believe this was real, but I couldn't help but bask in the feeling of comfort and safety that Edward always gave me.

"Shit, you guys sleep like the dead for fuckers who don't sleep." Jasper said as Edward slowly roused as well.

"What time is it?" Edward asked, stretching, taking his arm off of my shoulders.

"About five am." Jasper said, glancing in the direction of the stairs.

Five am… Five am?! I got up so quickly that the vertigo sent me straight back down, Edward catching me.

"Whoa, what's wrong?" Edward said, looking at me, his eyes wide.

` "I have to go make him breakfast." I said.

"Blow the fucker off." Edward said, sighing.

"I can't." I said, giving Edward a meaningful look.

"Shit. Yeah. Okay, let's go." He said.

"Wait, what did I miss?" Jasper asked.

"Not now dude." Edward says, running a hand through his hair.

"Okay…?" Jasper said, clearly confused.

"Bye Jasper." I said to him as Edward and I both headed towards the door. I was a little confused as to why he was leaving now also, until I started going down the driveway, and he grabbed my wrist gently.

"Where are you going? My car is over here."

"But.." I said in confusion.

"I'll give you a ride." He said, and I nodded, getting into the passenger seat of his car. I relished in the familiar comfortable seats, and buckled up.

We made it to my house a little later. I sighed, not wanting to go in, and not sure what was going to happen after.

"I'll be back to pick you up for school." He said, looking at me seriously.

"You don't have to." I said, looking down.

"I'll be back to pick you up for school." He said, never breaking his gaze. I nodded slowly before leaving the safety of his car.

I went into the house quietly, thankful that Charlie still had yet to wake up. I immediately set to work making his breakfast. It was done just barely on time for him to come down. He grunted as I put the plate in front of him mechanically.

"Where the hell were you last night?"

"Out. Whether I am in the house or not at night shouldn't matter to you. I am here when you want me here." I said, wondering when the nerve came back to talk back.

"If I wasn't fucking late for work, you would be sorry for talking back. You'll be sorry later." He said as he finished his breakfast and left, shooting me a glare on his way out.

I sighed, and went upstairs to shower and get dressed for the day. Once I was ready, I headed downstairs to find Edward already waiting in the living room for me.

"Hey. Sorry, I didn't know you were already here." I said, heading over to him.

"It's cool. I was early. I think we have enough time to go grab some breakfast."

I cringed internally, even the thought left me feeling nauseous.

"Sure." I said, willing to try.

"Alright. " He said as we both headed out. Things were awkward. I didn't know really where I stood with him, and I am sure the same went for him.

I got into his car, staring at the road as he drove. It was an uncomfortable silence as we pulled up in front of Forks Diner.

We both got out, and made our way to a table. Several of the students from the school were there as well, some staring at us.

Edward ordered breakfast for himself, then cocked his head at me when all I asked for was toast.

"Bella, you need to eat more than that." He said with a sigh.

"My stomach has been weird for the last month or so. I can't really keep anything down."

"Do you want my dad to look at you?"

I shook my head quickly. I knew very well there was no physical reason for this. Plus, I didn't want Carlisle looking in too closely. I am sure if he were to do a thorough examination, he would probably find out the only parts of the equations that Edward and his parents did not know, the part I refused for them to know. I didn't want anyone to know how disgusting I truly was.

Edward sighs, but drops it. As soon as the food arrives, Edward starts eating. I take a couple bites, eating it slowly in hopes of keeping it down. I hadn't even finished half a piece when I felt my stomach churn uncomfortable. I knew if I had more than I would regret it, so I put the rest of the slice down.

Edward watches me quietly, his eyebrows furrowed.

After he finishes eating, we head out, and head towards school. Exhaustion weighed heavily on me as usual, and I caught myself dozing off on the drive there. As soon as we got there, he woke me up, and we got out of the car. All eyes were suddenly on us, and I shrank back into myself a bit. Edward grimaced and walked over to me, grabbing my hand.

I felt a small smile pull at the corners of my mouth. He had reclaimed his possession of my hand. I suddenly didn't care much that the whole school was staring at me like I was center stage at a freak show.

By the time lunch came, it was clear that he had intended on returning to our old routine. He walked me to all of my classes, but with a new sense of calm that he didn't seem to have before. It was getting less awkward, and I was just happy he was back.

He brought me to his lunch table that I hadn't been at for almost a month, and we sat down. Alice grinned and waved. "Bella! You're back! I'm so glad! Does this mean we can be friends again?" she pouted. I smiled a little bit and nodded.

"What do you want for lunch?" Edward asks, reclaiming my attention.

I was going to decline until I saw the look in his gaze that clearly said 'nothing' wasn't an acceptable answer.

"An apple?" I said. He sighs a little, but nods, heading to the lunch line.

"You need to eat a lot more than that, darlin'. You're skin and bones."

"Stomach issues." I muttered, not comfortable with everyone scrutinizing my choices. I knew what I looked like. I knew I looked like death warmed up, and that it wasn't helping matters that I wasn't eating. It wasn't really by choice though.

Alice looked at me, and nodded. "Do you want to come over after school?"

"I really can't Alice. As much as I would like to." I said quietly.

She pouted a little, but nodded.

Edward came back, and put a tray in front of me with an apple and some chicken noodle soup, before sitting down with his own fairly loaded tray.

I picked up the spoon, and started trying to eat the soup. I could feel them watching me, so I ate the whole bowl, and the apple. I could feel the cold sweat break out on my forehead as my body rejected the food I needed badly. A moment later, I was up, and making a dash towards the women's room. I emptied the contents of my stomach and then some.

"Damnit. Fucking hell. Why can't one thing go right." I said to myself, as I curled up, tremors wracking my body from the aftermath of the violent reaction to the food.

I heard a knock on my stall, and I slowly lifted my head. "Bella, it's me." I heard Alice say. I slowly opened the door to the stall, my head spinning.

"Are you okay? What happened?" She asked.

"I said that I can't hold it down. I'm trying, but I can't." I said, not making a move to stand.

"I think you need to see Dad."

I sighed a little. "I don't think there is anything he can do." I said quietly.

The bell rang, and I slowly rose to my feet. I felt the world spin and sway around me as I followed Alice out of the bathroom. Edward was outside of the bathroom waiting for us. Alice went her own way after shooting me a worried look, and it was just Edward and I again.

"I think she's right. You need to see my dad." He said quietly, walking with me down the hallway. The spinning and swaying was getting worse, and spots popped in my eyes. I stopped walking, bracing myself on Edward's arm as static filled my ears. "Bella?" he asked, concern lacing his tone.

I sat down, putting my head between my knees, trying to stay conscious.

"Bella? Are you okay?" He sounded like he was under water.

A moment later, I felt myself get scooped off the ground, and then he cradled me against his chest as he moved through the halls.

A few minutes later, the cold hit, and I was instantly alert again, though my body felt so heavy I could barely move. "Where are we going?"

"My dad. You scared the shit out of me. You almost just passed out. And with how fucking bad you look, I am not taking any chances." He said.

I knew I didn't have a choice, so I just leaned my head against his chest until we made it to his car, and he put me in.

We drove to the hospital, and as soon as we were there, he got out, and helped me out as well. I was still feeling a little weak, but I could walk again.

We made it inside, and he brought me straight to his father's office.

"Bella, what a surprise." Carlisle said when we both entered his office. His father was looking between the two of us in confusion.

"She almost passed out in school. I think it's because she hasn't been able to keep down food lately." He said matter of factly, obviously not trusting me to say what was going on.

"It is clear you have lost a lot of weight, and you really couldn't afford to lose any before. Would you mind stepping on a scale?"

"Sure." I said, shrugging a little. I didn't want him to think this was self induced or something by fighting on it.

I went over slowly, and stood on the scale.

He sighed a little. "Any idea why you haven't been able to eat?"

"I am fairly certain that its only stress related." I said fairly honestly. More like repulsion.

"I know you are going through… too much. I haven't been able to find a way yet to get you out safely, but I have other sources I am looking to. It's a touchy situation, and I won't risk my family."

"Nor would I ask you to."

"To be frank, you already have, by involving my son."

I swallowed, and immediately felt Edward's hand grip mine tightly.

"I gave him an out. It's his choice at this point. Your son is my friend." I said quietly.

"I know he is. I don't necessarily approve, because I worry about his safety. I hope you understand."

I nod, swallowing the bile. It's because he knew the truth that I wasn't worth it.

"For the mean time though, I would ask, have you considered going into counseling? I think that your inability to eat is likely coming as a psychological reaction to everything you have been through. To be honest, your reactions of these terrible things shocks and worries me. You act like they don't happen, and I am fairly certain that is what's causing this. No one can bottle everything like this, and expect it to just sit. I have seen firsthand what it's been doing to your psyche. I would strongly recommend you talk to someone."

"I can't. Charlie would not allow it. The situation has changed a little since last time you saw me." I said quietly, he had a right to know. "I'm kind of on a shorter leash right now. He thinks I told. He doesn't know for sure.. but he.. he's made threats. And basically… If I don't abide by every one of his rules, he will make good on those threats. Trust me, I care a great deal for your family too, so I am doing what has to be done to keep you all safe." I said quietly.

Carlisle stares at me, horror registers in his face. Suddenly, he is not looking at me in a gentle, or even pleasant way, but in a look of terror and anger. "If he harms a hair on any of my family's head, I am sorry, but I will hold you responsible for involving them. I know it wasn't your choice, but it was your choice to involve my kids in your dangerous world."

"Dad, what the fuck?! We came to you for help. She can't do it alone."

"He's right." I say, feeling nauseous again, wrapping my arms around torso.

"No, he isn't. You're a fucking Doctor, Carlisle. Isn't saving lives your job? Here is a life that needs saving, and is probably a hell of a lot more deserving than some fucking dirt bag who just got into a car accident while drinking and driving."

"That drunk driver never risked my family."

"I have to go." I said so quietly that they couldn't hear me over their fighting. I pulled my hand out of Edward's and left the room, searching for the nearest bathroom. I made it to one just in time as I started dry heaving. A moment later, Edward was in there with me, stroking my back. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. I didn't know that he would react that way."

"He had every reason to." I said quietly, feeling drained.

"No, he didn't." Edward said firmly.

"Edward, he is the father that I wish I had. He is protecting his family. He loves his family, and won't let anyone hurt them. He is what every person should have for a father." I said truthfully.

"You are part of the family. Just ask Alice, Esme, or Emmett." He said.

"But not really. I am a threat. You should have stayed away, for your own sake." I said, my cheek still pressed tiredly against the side of the toilet.

"He did have one thing right though. You need help. You need to talk to someone. You can talk to me, or even Jasper. You can't keep everything in. It's not making you strong anymore. It's killing you."

"I'll try." I said quietly.

"That's all I ask." He said, sighing, and helping me to my feet.

We left the hospital, and he drove me home so I could clean and cook for Charlie, to make sure that he kept on his end of the bargain. Edward was reluctant to leave me there, like he always was. I told him that I would text him when it was safe to meet up.

By the time James and the other two men of the night left, it was already almost one am. I felt so weak I could barely move. I took a hot shower, hoping it would give me strength to be able to go out to see Edward. I knew I didn't have the strength though. Charlie had been rough with me today, and I could barely breathe from my ribs, and my left leg was cracked or possibly broken. I just knew I could barely put weight on it.

I sent Edward a text, curling up tightly.

B:I'm okay, but I can't go out.

A second later, I got a response from Edward.

E: Why not, what's wrong? Are you ACTUALLY okay?

B: Tired, sore.

E:OMY

B:Don't come here, its not safe!

E:Don't care. I'm on my way.

I sighed, knowing no matter what, he was going to come, and was suddenly glad I had just showered. I didn't want him touching me after the filth that had just happened.

To make it a little easier, I limped to the window, and opened it, tears nearly springing to my eyes from the pain in my leg.

I made it back to my bed, and curled up, sucking in a harsh breathe as I tried to breathe, my lungs burning. I wouldn't be going anywhere for awhile. I was sure that was what Charlie intended.

About ten minutes later, I heard the tree outside my window rustle, and then Edward carefully climbed through my window.

"Hey." He whispered, grinning a little, then his grin dropped the moment he really looked at me. "Fuck."

I sat up, wincing a bit from a sharp intake of air.

He came over, and started looking me over, his eyes filling with concern as he saw the extent of what he could see. "You're having trouble breathing. Can I take a look?" he asked quietly, motioning towards my ribs. I bit my lip, but nodded quietly. He gently patted my leg, right near where it was broken, and it elicited a whimper from my lips.

"Shit. I didn't mean to hurt you." He glances at where he just touched, but slowly continues to my torso, lifting my shirt up enough that I still kept my decency, but he could see the ribs.

He swallowed, and closed his eyes to the harsh view of the cracked and broken ribs beneath dark purple bruising covering everywhere. A moment later, he went and pulled up my pant leg gingerly, looking at my leg. He swore again under his breath, and sighed, pulling me gently into his arms.

"I knew it had to be bad when you admitted to being too 'sore' to go out. I don't know if Carlisle will help with this after today." He said quietly.

I just nodded my head, leaning it against his chest. "I'm okay. I've had worse. I just need to take it easy." I said, closing my eyes.

"When does the chief get up?" Edward asked, pulling me closer to him.

"About 5:30." I said.

"Alright." He said quietly before setting the alarm clock on the nightstand to 5:00. I looked at him, confused.

"I'm staying here with you. Besides, we could both use the sleep, and I am thinking those times weren't just a fluke." He said quietly.

I felt a smile tug at my lips as I thought of him intentionally spending the night with me. It would only be three hours, but that would be an amazing three hours. "Okay." I said, before resting my head back on his chest. He pulled the blankets up, and wrapped them around the both of us.

"Tomorrow night though… we talk." He said quietly, stroking my hair softly. I nodded at him, feeling dread at the idea, but knew he was not going to let it go.

"Thank you."

"For what?" He said.

"For this. For still being here despite everything." I said. He responded by gently pulling me closer to him.

The alarm came too soon. I swatted at it annoyed, and burrowed in to the warm next to me once it was quieted. Edward groaned beside me, shifting onto his back, and running his hands through his hair.

I sat up carefully, and looked over at Edward, admiring the half asleep Adonis. I sighed again before getting up, letting out a small whimper from my leg as I made my way to my closet.

"What are you doing? You shouldn't be trying to walk on that leg." He said sleepily.

"Getting stuff that will make it so I can." I said, as I pulled a metal rod I had used for such occasions from my closet, along with some rib tape, and ace bandages.

I sat down on the bed, and by now Edward was wide awake, and he grabbed the rib tape from me, and started helping me wrap my ribs while I rapped the metal rod to my leg tightly with the ace bandages. It hurt like hell, but it would give it a higher chance of healing alright.

"I think you should stay home." He said quietly.

"I've had w—"

"Worse, I know. But maybe you have just been fucking lucky. Those ribs alone could kill you. If one moves just slightly wrong, it could pierce your lung. Ever think of that?" he said, trying to keep his tone level.

"Alright, fine, I will stay home today. But I need someone to call it in so I don't get in trouble for it." I said.

"That's fine, because I am going to ask Mom to call me in anyway, so she can do the same for you."

"Why would she? Isn't she upset that I put your family at risk?"

"No, as matter of fact, she won't even talk to Carlisle right now. No one in the family will, except Emmett, because he doesn't have a clue what's going on."

"Alice does?"

"Not by my own doing. She is just observant, like Jasper. Granted, if someone actually pays attention to you, it's not hard to tell."

"Gee, and I thought my acting skills were top par." I mumbled.

"No, they are." He grimaced. "Too good for my liking. But it's hard not to notice when you are wasting away, and have had more serious injuries in months, than an army vet has had in his life."

"Shit!" I said quietly. "It's 5:30. You have to go. I have to make Charlie breakfast. Come back at the normal time, okay?" I said urgently. He nodded, grimacing before he climbed out my window, and safely climbed down the tree. He ran down the road to where I figure his car must be parked.

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding before making my way carefully downstairs to make Charlie's breakfast. I had half a mind to fucking pour some cyanide in it, if we had any, and if I could actually get away with it.

Charlie comes down a few minutes later, and eats his breakfast. "I have a good time for you tonight." He grins a little, and I shudder. We had very different meanings of good time.

"Can't fucking wait." I spat, leaving the room to sit in the living room.

Charlie grinned, before leaving the house.

I shuddered thinking about what he meant by that as I waited for Edward.

About ten minutes later, Edward walked in, and sat next to me on the couch. "What's wrong? You look upset."

I shook my head, not wanting to worry him unnecessarily.

"Bullshit. Tell me." He said, gently taking my chin so that I was forced to look at him.

"He's got something planned tonight. I don't know what. It may be nothing, but…" I said quietly.

Edward growls a little bit, then he nods. "Let's go. We are going to my house for the day. I cleared it with mom."

"Okay." I said, grateful to be leaving this house for the day.

He helped me to his car before we took off. As soon as he got there, he helped me to his room, but didn't join me on his bed.

"I have to run an errand, but I want you to stay here. Alright?" He said quietly.

I looked at him in confusion, but nodded. "Alright. Is everything okay?"

"I hope so." He said, something flickering in his eyes.

I nodded, and watched him walk out of the room. He had left Wuthering Heights on the nightstand for me, so I picked it up, and started reading.

EPOV

I had a crazy idea. It could work. Today, I was 90% sure that something big would go down. There was no way that fucker couldn't be fully locked up if he was caught in the act. There was no way. I just needed help to pull it off. We needed more than just the Forks cops for this, or Forks cop. There really was only one other, and I doubt he would be all that willing to want to get his boss arrested.

I drove straight to the hospital, and went straight towards Dad's office. The moment I got there, I went in, and sat down in front of him. He looked a little shocked, but said nothing.

"I have a plan."

R&R pleaaasee! I am already working on the next chapter, so that will also be up tonight!