DISCLAIMER: I don't own Twilight. Duh.

Leash Laws

Chapter 5

BPOV

I took a tentative step into the room; Emmett wrapped a massive-overly muscled arm around my petite frame.

"Rose, this is Bella Swan" Emmett clarified, gesturing towards me with his other arm. Rose narrowed her eyes at me—clearly unhappy with the interaction between the two of them. I shrugged his arm off politely and cleared my throat.

"I thought you were a man." She spat at me. Her intense glare flickered between Emmett and I. He paled slightly with the realization of what Rose was thinking.

"Rosie," he pleaded quietly.

I chose a different avenue. I shrugged slightly while gesturing towards my chest, "Common mistake."

Rosalie snorted lightly but cracked a smirk. She appreciated my not being intimidated by the situation and acknowledged that I wasn't a threat in any manner. It was surprising to me how quickly the tension dissipated from the room. Rose locked eyes with Emmett and I all but disappeared. I silently gave them their moment and took the opportunity to perform what I hoped was an undetected injury assessment on Rosalie before Carlisle came in to perform a full medical examination.

I mentally made a checklist of everything that looked to be out of place.

Dress is torn, undergarments (eerily similar to those I was currently wearing) visible, but, thankfully, still intact (Emmett would disagree with that particular sentiment). Deep tissue bruising and several open cuts along exposed fore-arms. Clear signs of strangulation, visible evidence of beating—most likely with some sort of blunt object, perhaps a fist, across upper-chest and arms. One of her wrists is clearly out of place, either dislocated or broken…

I did my best to remain critical in the rest of my observations, but it hit too close to home. I struggled to keep a smooth and emotionless façade as my eyes continued to scan her perfect figure. I slowly raised my gaze to her face and was surprised to see her staring at me intently.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer." She said softly, but her eyes were hard and immediately lowered to the table in front of her and she watched her fingers trace patterns on the smooth stainless steel surface.

She was embarrassed.

I turned towards the door and whispered for Quil to retrieve a blanket for her. She didn't say anything but looked a bit more at ease. I could only assume that Emmett had said something to her to help her relax.

I said the first thing that came to mind.

"I didn't mean to stare." I blushed furiously, Emmett snickered. She shot him a look then returned here eyes to me. They were amused.

"Yes, you did. But it's ok. I look like hell. I'd be staring at me, too." She was looking at her reflection in the double-sided mirror as she spoke—frowning at her appearance. Emmett leaned down to whisper something in her ear and she smiled brightly. My self-esteem lowered by more than a few points. Even bruised, bloodied, and broken Rosalie looked like a super-model. It was borderline annoying.

"We are going to take pictures." I said quietly.

She looked down at the table. "I know."

I hurriedly crossed the room and took a seat opposite her at the table. I reached out and grabbed her good hand and squeezed slightly. I knew exactly what she was going through. I felt a strange sense of camaraderie with Rose—a bond that I shared with her that no one else would understand. I hoped she felt it, too.

"Rose, this is all happening really, really fast… and so soon afterwards…" Her eyes misted up a bit, "are you sure you're ok?" Her gaze hardened, and she narrowed her eyes at me.

Obviously, not the right thing to say.

"Just tell me what I fucking need to do."

Then again…

I couldn't help but smile at her determination. Emmett was beaming at her courage as he placed a meaty hand on her shoulder—she visibly relaxed into his grip—only to squeak and jump in response to a knock at the door. I squeezed her hand gently again before rising from my place.

"It's ok, it's Carlisle."

I crossed the room quickly and opened the door. I smiled softly at my old friend as he entered with medical bag in tow. He was looking at me with concern, but I shook my head. I didn't need his help today, Rosalie did. I heard Carlisle introduce himself to her and explain what it was that he needed to do. She nodded silently.

Emmett exchanged a look with me. He didn't want to leave her, but he knew he couldn't stay for this. I looked over at Rose, who was actively wringing her hands and looking at the floor—seemingly smaller than she was not more than five minutes ago.

She looks terrified.

I immediately whipped out my phone and texted Alice, the only person who could provide for me the comfort that Rose so desperately needed right now.

"Duke. NOW."

I put my phone back in my pocket and looked over at Emmett. He was now sitting with Rosalie on his lap, running his hand in small circles on her lower back. She was crying. My phone buzzed in my pocket.

"ETA 3 min" was Alice's reply. I breathed a sigh of relief. Simply knowing that Duke was nearby made me relax. He was my best friend, my confidant, my everything. I looked back at the crying Rose. If anyone could help Rosalie through this nightmare, I knew it was him. While reliving all of this again was undeniably painful, she needed him more.

"I don't know where to go from here, Emmett," Rose whispered, "I'm… I'm scared." She sounded ashamed of her fear, even though it was justified. Emmett's arms wrapped around her completely, enveloping her in what little comfort he could provide her from her own memories. She sank into his embrace.

"I'll take care of you, Rose."

I looked away from their private moment and ambled over to where Carlisle was preparing his medical instruments for his examination. Rosalie had denied wanting to be admitted to a hospital, and Carlisle had agreed to complete the examination here. He was filling out pre-exam paperwork. He stopped working when he heard me approach.

"Bella," I heard him sigh.

I put my hand up, knowing what he was concerned about. "Your main concern right now is Rose. Not me. I need you to do this."

His mouth was set into a thin line out of frustration, but he nodded.

There was another knock at the door, this time, fast-paced; almost inhumanly so.

Alice.

I opened the door and immediately dropped to my knees, wrapping my arms around Duke. He whined softly. Tears sprang to my eyes. I forced them back.

"Not now," I whispered, "She needs you." I pointed towards Rosalie, who was looking at me with a bewildered expression on her face. Duke whined again and placed a 'kiss' on my forehead before ambling over to Emmett, looking back at me all the way. I shook my head and pointed at Rose again. She looked even more confused than before, if it was possible.

Emmett's voice filled the space, "Duke, meet Rosalie. Rosalie, meet Duke!" Duke's tail wagged happily and I smiled. Emmett placed his hand on the black and white scruff of his neck. Duke took a hestitant step towards Rosalie, she froze, Duke stopped. Her eyes flickered from me, to Duke, to Emmett multiple times. Carlisle chuckled.

"He's my dog," I explained.

"That," she gestured towards my massive best friend, "is not a Dog. It's a bear."

Duke barked lightly in protest of the pseudo-insult, making Rosalie jump a good two feet in the air.

Emmett burst into hysterical fits of laughter at the expression on her face, earning him a nasty glare. Duke, while Rosalie was preoccupied with being angry with Emmett, walked right up to her and placed a 'kiss' on her arm. She jumped again, this time a little less violently, but when she saw the look on Duke's face, I knew she was sold. Those big blue eyes couldn't be resisted by anyone.

Well, anyone but Alice.

"It's silly, but I thought you could use a friend, since neither Emmett nor I could be with you during your exam," She was looking at me in surprise, with one hand planted firmly on Duke's head. I looked down at the floor, slightly embarrassed, "He's my best friend. I just knew he could help." I added quietly. Emmett's hands were still around her shoulders, and there were tears in her eyes. Without warning, Rose shot forward and wrapped her arms around me. I paused, stunned momentarily, before wrapping my arms around her waist.

"Thank you," she whispered, releasing me. I merely nodded in response. She walked back over to where Emmett was standing, equally as shocked as I felt, and Duke rushed towards me. He looked nervous.

"I'm fine, you big blockhead," I said. He quipped his head to the side in concern. I wondered why. I lowered myself to my knees again and grabbed a hold of both sides of his head in my hands. "Seriously." He licked my face; I giggled and ran my hand over my cheek.

Oh, I was crying.

I hastily wiped away the traitor tears and stood up, kissed his head, and pointed at Rose. "You know what to do." I said to Duke. He whined at me, again out of concern, but followed orders. He wagged his tail when he reached her, and she smiled and petted his large head.

"Take care of her," Emmett whispered warningly at him. Rose smirked, and Duke nodded, his humanity surprising me yet again. I turned and walked out of the room, leaving Carlisle to his examination. Emmett followed suit shortly there-after, looking glum.

I placed my hand on his shoulder. "She'll be fine, Em."

His eyes met mine. "I know, Bella. But will you?"

I wasn't sure.

Damn, he knew me too well. I decided to change the subject. "I think she needs a change of clothes. Do you have anything in your locker she could take? We'll need what she's currently wearing as evidence."

Emmett's face brightened at the prospect of helping Rose.

Subject successfully avoided. I smiled at my victory.

"Thanks, Bella!" He took off down the hallway.

I sighed heavily and leaned my head against the interrogation room door. I had about an hour to kill until Rose would be ready for questioning, and I needed something to do. Something to distract myself.

Damnit, why had I finished that paperwork?

I began pacing in front of the interrogation room.

"You do that a lot, don't you?" a smooth voice asked.

"Oh!" I whirled around to face whoever it was that was speaking to me. He was seated in a chair just down the hall from the interrogation room. I briefly wondered how he got there, and where Quil was.

"Quil asked me to take watch. He had to head home—family emergency." Well, that answers that question.

I took a step forward to get a better look at this guy. I was suspicious, to say the least. He leaned forward slightly and my breath caught in my throat. I didn't think it was possible for a man to be beautiful, but this guy was. He had disheveled bronze hair that looked like it was fresh from a romp in the sheets.

Sex hair, nice.

Wait, what?

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and continued to assess him. He had smooth, pale skin and vibrant green eyes. They were light, but deep, very pensive. I'd never seen anything like them before. They merely enhanced his attractiveness.

Was that possible?

His chin was somewhat squared, and strong, and his brow was furrowed in thought. I continued to gaze at him curiously. I wondered if he was doing the same. His form was long, but lean. He was tall, though I couldn't say how tall because he was seated. He was toned, wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans that hugged his broad chest and shoulders.

Must work out. I wonder if he runs? He's got runner's legs…

His voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"You can relax you know, I'm not going to hurt you." His voice was nothing less than sincere. It made my legs feel like jelly.

What the hell?

"Seriously, calm down." He said again. "I saw you attack that man earlier, and as much as I'd appreciate a repeat performance, I'd rather not be your test dummy." He chuckled musically, and I had to remind myself to breathe.

Who the hell was this guy?

I hadn't realized I was tense. I let out a breath and unclenched my fists. I took a step backwards and resumed my pacing. Hopefully it would help me clear my head. I went over a mental checklist in my head of the things I needed to get done one I had Rosalie's testimony.

Create file, fill out necessary paperwork, notify the team—get two of the interns to put together a case report—and assign positions. Review Carlisle's injury assessment, make sure he's filled out the required paperwork, and get hold of the new guy… what's his name? Edmund? Get him up to speed and on the case, he's supposed to be good… came highly recommended…

"You didn't answer my question." The stranger's thoughts brought me out of my revere. I couldn't help but be slightly annoyed. I ignored him. I had things to accomplish.

He cleared his throat loudly. I rolled my eyes and sighed heavily.

"What do you want?" I asked, only half paying attention as I was still mulling over everything that needed to be done that afternoon. Emmett's bar-b-que would have to wait.

"I want you to answer my question," He replied. I could hear the amusement in his tone.

"Fine," I huffed, still pacing, "what's your damn question?"

"Do you always do that?" He inquired. I turned to look at him as I paced. His question confused me.

"Do what? Pace? Yeah. Helps me clear my thoughts." Now he was the one to look confused.

"No, not the pacing, the self-sacrificing. Is that a habit of yours?" He asked. I froze. How had he caught that one?

What should I say, yes?

I decided on denial.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I resumed my pacing, hoping to block him out.

"You don't like to show weakness." It wasn't a question. I glared, and then continued in studiously ignoring him. Not that it was possible. I was inexplicably drawn to him. I tugged uncomfortably with the hem of my dress, suddenly wishing it was longer. I fought my baser instincts to throw myself at him and kept pacing.

"Interesting." He mused aloud. My frustration was building. I gave myself another three minutes before I lost my temper. It was a problem of mine, and now that I was a black-belt, I felt much more comfortable in asserting myself—especially when it came to the opposite sex.

"Hmph" was my brilliant response. I heard him laugh.

"Do you cry a lot, or just here?" He asked arrogantly. There was no curiosity in his tone, and given that he'd seen the exchange earlier, I knew that he was trying to push my buttons. I had to double my efforts in ignoring him.

He saw me earlier; did this guy have a death wish?

"And a dress? Really?"

Think of happy places, Bella. Happy places will calm you down. Tahiti, Turks and Caicos…

"What's with the dog?" My efforts quadrupled.

…Bermuda, I really loved the beaches there… great for reading…

"He's not a person, you know. He's an animal." My nostrils flared. I paused. I shut my eyes and continued pacing.

… Disney land… the happiest fucking place on earth…

"He's just a dumb mutt."

Oh, fuck it.

I wheeled around and slapped him clear across the face. An audible "WHACK" echoed in the hallway. He smirked, and I was enraged. I raised my left arm to hit him, but he caught my hand, his eyes glittering with excitement. He looked… turned on. I hesitated a moment, unable to decide what I wanted to do with this newfound information and quickly found myself pressed flush against the concrete wall. His every line was taught against mine. His eyes were still even with my own. I was shocked and flustered, he looked smug. I was pissed. I pushed my foot up the inside of his leg and hit the back of his knee-cap with my heel, sending us both flying to the floor with a loud thud. I heard Duke growl from inside the interrogation room. I whistled to shut him up. This was my problem to deal with, not his. I heard him growl again.

This mystery man and I were now lying on the floor, him on top of me. For some reason, I knew I wasn't in danger, but that didn't mean that I had to like that I wasn't in control. I was vulnerable in this position. He knew that. He smirked at me again.

That mother fu—he was still pushing my buttons!

I decided to play along. If he wanted to make this a game, I would most certainly be a participating member. It would be a game I would win. Unfortunately, my legs were between his, giving him the advantage. I had to change this factor, and fast.

Think Bella, damnit, think! How can I… oh. OH.

I winked at him, and his eyes widened in response. I was madder than hell, but he didn't need to know that. I wiggled my hips against his and he visibly blanched. He took his weight off of me. It wasn't much, but it was definitely enough. His hands were still holding mine in place, so I wiggled my hips again and got one leg up over his. He gulped. I smiled. His stance shifted, giving me the space I needed to get my other leg around his. I was now straddling him. Perfect.

In more ways than one…

Holy crap! What was happening to me? I was not that kind of girl. The fact that this guy, whoever it was, made me feel like that made me even angrier.

I leaned forward, giving him a good view of my chest (though that wasn't my intent, but it certainly worked to my advantage) and whispered as huskily as possible into his ear: "I don't appreciate being you little science project." He pulled away and looked at me, confused. I smiled as innocently as possible. He furrowed his brows at me, and I watched smugly as realization dawned on him just a moment too late.

I wrenched one of my legs up and placed my foot square against his hip, using it as leverage to raise myself to my feet in a low squat. He still held my hands and it was clear from the look on his face that he thought it would be a contributing factor in this dance we were having. It wasn't. I switched my weight to my opposite leg and placed my knee directly to his nose. I was satisfied when I heard a crunch. His hands released my wrists immediately.

"Oh, Christ!" The man yelled. He rolled around on the floor in pain.

Emmett's booming laughter filled the hallway from behind me. I turned to find him doubled over after having watched our exchange. Tears of mirth were pouring down his face. Simultaneously, the door to the interrogation room opened to my right, where a very worried Carlisle let a very anxious Duke into the hallway. Duke immediately went to me, to check me for injuries, and then sauntered over to the irritating stranger I'd incapacitated. He sat down beside him and just looked at him. It was almost as if he was saying "I told you so." This was new.

Emmett was still doubled over in hysterics. Carlisle walked over to him and grabbed the sweats from his free hand, as the other one was repeatedly hitting the industrially carpeted floor in an attempt to channel his amusement else-where. Carlisle went back into the interrogation room and shut the door, but not before shooting me a pointed look.

I shrugged and crossed my arms across my chest, mouthing "what?" innocently. He merely shook his head and closed the door. He returned a few moments later with some gauze, antiseptic, and what looked like pain-killers.

"What did you do to him?" His tone was patronizing.

"I kneed him in the nose."

If it was possible, Emmett's laughter intensified. Rosalie opened the door to the interrogation room to see what was going on. Her apparent confusion only made Emmett laugh even harder. He was still on his knees hitting the floor.

"I don't even want to know why." Carlisle said before kneeling next the source of my irritation and helping him clean up.

"I'll—I'll tell y-you wh-why" Emmett managed to spit out in between gasps of air, "He t-th-thought he c-could ch-charm the pants off-ff h-h-her!" It was all he managed to get out before bursting into uncontrollable laughter again.

Rosalie frowned, but I sent her a reassuring smile. I gestured to the man Carlisle was helping to bandage. "He obviously didn't get very far."

This made Rosalie smile. "I can see that," but frowned slightly afterwards. I turned my attention to Carlisle.

After finishing up with my mystery man, he had re-entered the interrogation room to gather the rest of his medical supplies. He notified me that He would leave the completed report on Emmett's desk. I thanked him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before turning back to Emmet, Rosalie, and the man I'd assaulted.

I turned my attention back to Rosalie, who was frowning again. She looked sad. "Do you… do you think you could teach me... you know, how to do that?" She asked timidly.

I beamed at her and grabbed her good hand. "I would love to." Rosalie smiled and walked over to Emmett, who had sobered up significantly when he heard Rose's inquiry. A few giggles still escaped him despite his efforts. He turned towards his now cleaned up, albeit bruised, friend.

"Well, Edward," he snickered again, "That certainly didn't go as planned."

That got my attention.

"You planned that?" I asked incredulously.

He scoffed as he sat up from lying down on the floor. "Hardly."

"Then what the hell was that?" I accused.

"I was trying to figure you out. Clearly, I failed." He sighed and gestured towards his nose.

"It's not like you didn't deserve it." I huffed.

"I never said I didn't."

Well, that was unexpected. "Hm." It was all I could think of in response. I was still a bit perturbed, I mean, who the hell did he think he was, toying with me like that? It was beyond reprehensible. I was a person, not a play-thing. Duke walked towards me and huffed lightly. His eyes went from me to him.

"UNBELEIVEABLE! You willingly piss me off and then you brainwash my 'dumb mutt!'" I shrieked. Duke huffed at the insult. "He said it!" I cried, pointing at the man who was climbing to his feet who was smiling sheepishly.

"I've met him before."

"Oh, and so now you're buddies?!" I couldn't believe it! Duped by my own dog!

"We reached an… agreement… of sorts."

My mouth dropped open. It took me a minute or two to gather my composure at the obvious betrayal. I turned towards my ex-best friend.

"Traitor!" Duke's ears flattened against his head. He didn't like it when I was angry with him, and it didn't happen very often. His eyes pleaded with mine. "You're taking his side!" Duke rolled his eyes at me. I huffed indignantly and turned my back on him. He whined.

"I'm Edward, by the way."

"Right now, I really don't care." I was being immature and I knew it. But I was mad.

"I really am sorry for being an ass." He was pleading with me.

After you broke his nose?

I pushed that thought out of my mind. No need feeling guilty. He deserved it, and that was that.

"Please tell me you forgive me."

I really didn't want to.

"I can't leave her until you do, and I'm fairly positive you have testimony you need to acquire." He smiled smugly.

Damn! He was right. I rolled my eyes.

"You're impossible."

"Actually, I'm Edward." He smiled brightly, and I couldn't help but smile with him. He was so beautiful (bruises and all) it almost hurt.

"Bella." I replied. If it was possible, his smile widened. He leaned down and kissed my hand. I blushed furiously.

"Fino al prossimo tempo, Bella." And with that, he walked away, petting Duke on the head as he went.

I didn't know what he said, but I didn't miss the double meaning. He had called me "beautiful." I could have died.

Duke pressed a 'kiss' into my arm. His eyes went from Edward's retreating form back to me. He looked… excited.

"Whatever you're thinking, no." He whined.

I could have sworn I heard Edward's musical laughter as I opened the door to the interrogation room.

I closed the door behind me, sat in front of Rosalie, and took a deep breath. "You asked for me to tell you what to do?" Rose nodded.

"You can tell me everything."

Ok Guys, sorry about the false alarm earlier! My computer won't allow me to save any of my documents on Microsoft Word and I couldn't figure out how to upload this stupid chapter. It was so unbelievably frustrating! I'm sorry to have teased you earlier, but it was all I could do not to throw my computer across the room.

I've got most of the next chapter already written. When my writer's block broke... it broke big time! Please, please, PLEASE Let me know what you think! I love hearing your feedback!

As always, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!

Enjoy!

xo auteurinconnu