Hello everyone! Thank you again for being so patient; real life got in the way once more.

And now my public service announcement: I promise you that I WILL finish this story. I would never post anything I didn't intend to finish; I'm a fic reader, too, and I know how heartbreaking it is to invest all that time and emotion in a story, only to be left hanging. I promise I won't do that to you!

Special thanks go to Camilla, who reads my chapters and saves me from embarrassing errors. Please check out "The Parachutist," her fic which is posted here and on Twilighted. You'll fall in love with Soldierward. Additional thanks are due to shouvley and Feisty Y. Beden, who weighed in with their experience to help me write some crucial scenes for this chapter.

Very-extra-special thanks to my husband, who also reads my chapters and puts up with my long absences when I get absorbed. I endeavor to make it up to him every day.

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Bella, Chapter 12

We'd been over this a number of times, and here we were right back where we started.
"Edward," I said through gritted teeth, "I'll be fine. You'll be there, and isn't your whole family coming? What could happen with all of you around?"
He had that hard set to his lips that told me I was in for more arguing. "It's just not safe. I don't want to tempt fate. You have no appreciation for how dangerous a rogue vampire can be."
I flopped on my couch, disgusted. Edward was, at the moment, dead-set against my participation in the benefit bike ride. He'd been opposed to it, then relented; told me he'd changed his mind and didn't want me to go and then let me change his mind, and now was telling me one more time not to do it.
"All these people pledged money to support me. I can't just walk away," I said, frowning. Actually, I hadn't raised all that much cash - I was too inhibited about asking people to donate - but I planned on throwing in some of my own.
And then Mr. Moneybags pulled out his trump card. "You can return it and I'll triple whatever they pledged," he said.

"No! That's not right!" I protested.

"Why not? I'll make it worth your while to drop out. The hospital foundation will come out even better."

"That's embarrassing." My voice was dangerously close to a whine. Once he heard me whining, he'd know I was desperate and he'd really dig in his heels. "They gave me money because they expect me to finish the ride. I've been training for it."

He sat down next to me and pulled me into his side. "I'd rather have you safe and embarrassed than hurt in any way."

It had been more than two weeks since we returned from New Jersey, and there was no sign of the three vampires we'd met outside of Morristown. Alice kept searching but hadn't seen anything. Edward had secured his family's promise to "accompany" me on the ride - they would spread out and follow me through the forest. It seemed foolproof even in the unlikely event those three creeps showed up.
"I'll be okay," I said firmly. Taking a different tack, I snuggled up to him and tucked my head under his chin. "I really appreciate how worried you are. I know you only care about my safety," I said, thanking my lucky stars again that he couldn't read my mind and know I was being very calculating. "But I'm really looking forward to this. You know I've been working so hard for it." I let that hang there.
Edward sighed, the first sign that maybe he was softening back in the right direction. "Bella, I don't like it one bit."
"Everything worries you. You'll be there, right? You'll be right beside me? I know you wouldn't let anything happen." I was laying it on pretty thick.

His cool index finger tipped my chin up so he could look at my face. "I don't know what I'd do if you were hurt," he said quietly.
"But I won't be. Really, I'm sure it'll be fine," I said insistently.
I didn't need his permission to ride, of course, but everything would be a lot easier if he agreed to it. I stared in his eyes, feeling only a little guilty for manipulating him like this. I knew he had my best interests at heart, but he was so anxious about it. If it were up to him, I'd probably never go anywhere even if he wasn't obsessing over three vampires on my tail.
He watched me intently, and I did my best not to blink. I kept my expression slightly pleading and slightly mournful.
"I'm not happy about this," he finally said.
I kissed him and said, "Your concern is touching but misplaced. I know you'll protect me even though I don't need it."
"You have to let me buy you a new helmet," he said.
"I have a perfectly good helmet," I replied.
"How old is it?"
"Um, I think about five years," I said, hedging.
"If you can't remember, then it's time for a new one."
"How did we go from worrying about bad vampires to getting a new helmet? I don't see the connection there," I asked pointedly.
"Well, I want you to be safe no matter what. That includes the proper equipment," Edward said.
"You've been reading up on this."
"Of course."
I shrugged. "Okay."

Edward jerked in surprise. "Okay?"

"Yeah. Why not?"

"You never agree this easily."

"I don't want to upset you any further." Which was true, but I also knew when I had to give in. A new helmet was a small price to pay to help him forget about keeping me out of the bike ride.
As it turned out, the helmet was just the start. Edward insisted on taking my bike to a very good bike shop in Seattle (he researched the best one) for a tuneup. He created a list of what needed to be checked (after looking that up, too) and discussed it at length with one of the employees at the shop (whom he determined knew enough to work on my bike). I was embarrassed, but that was because Edward was right and the bike needed routine maintenance before a five-mile ride. Also, he'd learned more about cycles in the few months we'd been together than I'd learned in my entire life.
He was very insistent that I keep to my training schedule. It rained fairly heavily my first day out, but Edward showed up at my apartment with new bike gear, including some pretty impressive UnderArmor.
"I don't even want to know how you got my size right," I grumbled, embarrassed about that too. Edward seemed unaware that I was essentially tricking him into accepting my participation. He thought I'd had another epiphany about taking gifts from him.
The loop for the ride was through Bogachiel State Park, so Edward placed my bike in the back of the Subaru and we drove to the park that morning. There were signs all around the entrance, and a huge balloon arch by the starting line. We arrived to find most of Edward's family there waiting.
Esme hugged me when I got out of the car. "This is so exciting! We'll be cheering you on the whole time."

I hugged her back, laughing. "Thanks, Esme, but it's not a race. I'm just going to take my time and finish. And thanks for agreeing to help. Edward's a little tightly wound right now, and it would be a lot worse if you all weren't here."
"Of course, dear. We wouldn't miss it anyway."
Edward glared at me, then took out my bike to check the brakes and gears. I was irrationally annoyed that he was doing a better job than I would. He stood up and wiped some grease off his hands with a rag and then paused, his eyes widening.

"What's up, sweetie?" I knew that look.

"Alice is coming. I don't like what she's thinking. Stay right here - don't go anywhere." He walked over to Carlisle, who had also noticed the change in Edward's demeanor and watched us, concerned.

In a few minutes, Jasper's car arrived, going as fast as possible on the narrow access road. He pulled in next to my Forester and Alice jumped out, wordlessly exchanging looks with Edward.

"What's going on?" I demanded. They wouldn't answer.

"Oh, come on. What is it?" I said, starting to get angry.
"Welcome to my world," said Emmett, lounging against my car door with his arms crossed.

Edward came over to me, an extremely dark frown marring his features. "Alice thinks James, at least, is in Forks. Laurent has left and gone off for parts unknown. Victoria also split off, although she and James have probably not broken up - she's helping him by keeping them less visible because they're not together." I don't think I'd ever seen him so upset.
"I can't see straight," Alice moaned. "The visions are incomplete, or blurry or something."
Edward turned to me. "We have to get you to our house. Now," he said firmly.

Carlisle said, "Esme and Rose can take Bella. If James is alone and follows them, they'll still outnumber him. The rest of us will search the area to see if we can find him."

Edward nodded, and then - in a weird bit of vampire choreography - the entire Cullen family turned to look off to my right. Alice and Rosalie crinkled their noses in disgust.

"The wolves," Edward said, growling.

I spun around to face where they were staring, and I saw Jacob, Paul and another man walking toward us through the other cars. The third Quileute, whom I didn't recognize, nodded at Carlisle in brief acknowledgement. Jacob and Paul glared at Edward and his family with barely restrained hatred.
Without any other greeting, the Quileute said, "We've detected another vampire in the area. We're certain it's a male, and we believe he's already killed a couple of people in the Port Angeles area." I inhaled sharply, my knees feeling weak.
"We want to know if you will help us," the man continued. "This immortal doesn't follow the same code that you do, but he is still your kind, so we are hoping you can help us find him before he kills again."

"Have you seen him?" Edward demanded.

"Our scouts detected him very close to La Push. He traveled north, possibly toward Forks. We came here today partly to search for him and partly to find you," he explained.
"Sam," Carlisle said, addressing this man who seemed to be the pack's leader, "we have good reason to think he's after Bella."

Sam's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Why?

"We met up with his coven accidentally while we were in New Jersey a few weeks ago. He was intrigued that she was with us, and became angry when she left with Edward."

"He's a tracker," Edward interrupted. "I've been worried that he would follow us home." He appeared sick, as if he was physically ill. The news that James was in town was the only thing that could make him look that way. Shaking his head, he said, "We have to get Bella to our house."

"We can take her to the reservation," Sam suggested. "She'll be well protected there. The moment he crosses the treaty line, we'll be all over him. And that will allow your entire family to go after him if he's somewhere else around here."
Edward recoiled at the idea. "Let her go with a bunch of dogs? I'd rather-"
Carlisle cut him off. "Edward, stop. They can help us."
Sam's face darkened. "If you want to fight this bloodsucker on your own, go ahead. I would have thought you'd be willing to protect your girlfriend any way you can."
Hissing, Edward took a step toward Sam. "I can protect her fine on my own."
Carlisle stepped between them. "Edward, I said that's enough. We should consider what Sam is offering."
"Hey," I called out. "Don't I get any say in this? I mean, seeing as it's my neck you're all talking about."
Everyone turned in my direction. Emmett stifled a laugh. I walked over to where Edward stood frozen on the grass.

"Hi, Sam. I'm Bella, the cause of all the trouble here today." I stuck my hand out.

Sam took it begrudgingly. "Bella, good to meet you."

"Same here, although it would be better under different circumstances. Why do you think I should go to La Push? Shouldn't I stay with the Cullens?"

"There are a lot more of us there who can kill a vampire, if he tries to go on the rez," he said firmly. "A few of our wolves are already combing the woods. They will know where you're headed, and they'll watch out along the way. The three of us can help Dr. Cullen and the rest" - he gestured almost dismissively in Edward's direction - "find him."
Edward was shaking his head. "It makes sense," Carlisle told him quietly.
"I'm not going to let her out of my sight," he said, seething.
"James will hunt your scent because he's sure you'll have Bella with you. You may be putting her in worse danger that way," Carlisle said urgently.
The last thing I wanted to do was leave Edward, but I had to acknowledge that Carlisle had a point. Edward looked like he was just about to reconsider when Jacob said, "I can bring her to the rez."
Edward whirled and glared at Jacob. "Stay away from her, dog," he snarled.
I grabbed Edward's arm and pulled him toward me. "Wait," I said quietly. "Think about this. If James sets one toe over the treaty boundary line, the wolves can go right for him."
He looked at me, his eyes hooded. "Don't glare at me like I'm a traitor," I said softly. "We have to go with what the defense gives us here. They may be right. If Jacob drives me, all of the rest of you can look for James." I held Edward's gaze. "I don't want to leave you, love, truly I don't. But you need to do what you do best, in order to stop him. I know you want to fix this."
I could see his resolve soften. "You're right." He pulled me into a hug and gave me a kiss on the top of my head. "I hate making this choice. What if something happens? Can I trust Jacob?" he muttered.

"We both can trust him," I replied. "I admit I'm not exactly experienced at vampire warfare, but this makes the most sense to me."

Emmett loaded my bike in my car while Carlisle spoke with Sam. There were a lot of other people milling around; it was almost 10 a.m., when the ride was scheduled to begin. The cyclers were all moving to the starting line. Alice darted off to tell one of the organizers that I wasn't feeling well and wouldn't be riding.
Edward was still standing with his arms around me, and my stomach tightened at the thought of being separated from him. I hoped they found James and made short work of him. All I wanted was to be together again.
"Bella, we'd better get going," Jacob said, eyeing Edward malevolently. "The ride's going to start soon, and we won't be able to get out of the park with all the bikers on the road."
I buried my face in Edward's chest. "Please be careful," I begged him. Before I could stop it, a sob escaped.
He held my face in his hands. "You don't need to worry about me," he said steadily. "I'll be fine. We all will. I hate leaving you, but I will see you later." He hugged me as hard as he dared.
"Call me and let me know what's happening," I said. I tried hard not to cry; I didn't want him to worry more about me.
"I will. Be safe. Stay with Jacob," he instructed, his eyes shifting over to where Jake stood waiting. "I think you're right - this is the best plan."
As if on cue, Jacob walked over to us and said, "Ready, Bella?"
I handed him my keys and said, "Here. You drive."
Edward walked me around to the passenger door and grabbed me for one long, passionate kiss, then pulled away. "I love you. Be safe," he whispered again.
"I love you too. So much," I murmured, touching his cheek. And then I couldn't bear to look at him.
Jacob started the car as I snapped the seat belt buckle. I put my palm against the window and Edward did the same, mirroring my own on the other side. We pulled away and I cried softly.
This was my fault. I should have stayed out of the ride...but wouldn't James have tried to find me anyway? Even if Edward was with me, he could have surprised us. I suppose I built up a false sense of security by thinking he'd abandoned his quest for revenge.
At the park entrance, Jacob turned right and then right again, heading south on Route 101 toward La Push. We drove in silence for about twenty minutes before he glanced at me and asked, "You okay?"
"Just a little shaken up."
"Well, you hang with vamps, you're gonna run into some bad company."
"Don't start," I snapped, waving my hand in a slicing motion. "I really don't want to hear it. Besides, this all happened because we went to New Jersey, which was my idea."
"Bella, you're dating a vampire," Jacob said with a snort. "That's why it happened."
"Can we not argue about my choice of boyfriends?" I said, starting to cry again. "I really don't need this."
He set his mouth in a very "I told you so" expression but said nothing else.
I sighed. "I know you mean well, Jake, but he can't help what he is. He's a good man."
Jacob made a gagging noise. "Any idea how many times he's come close to killing you? Because you can't tell me he hasn't more than thought about it."
"He's got that well under control." I glanced out the window, watching the trees.
He snorted again. "Really."

"Am I not sitting here next to you?"

And then I wasn't.

I was being pulled out of my seat so fast that Jake and I had no time to react. I turned to him as we were talking so I didn't see anything; I just heard glass shattering and felt the fragments rain down around me. It didn't even register that my seat belt snapped and tore around my shoulder until I felt a fiery pain along my collarbone.

Something or someone was tugging me up by my arms, banging me up against the rough bark of an evergreen, and I distantly thought, "Hey, that hurts." I couldn't even turn my head, couldn't move at all. Finally, this crazy ascension stopped on a branch about thirty feet above the ground, and I was roughly turned around.

"Hello, Bella." It was James, sneering, his ruby eyes glittering in victory. "Nice to see you again." He slung my left arm over his shoulder and took off, flying from one tree to the next, sometimes climbing higher, sometimes staying level, but never dropping closer to the ground.

The quick motions rattled me enough to find my voice. I started screaming.

"Won't do you any good," James advised me calmly. "Your dog is already too far behind us, and your boyfriend has no idea where you are."

"Wh-wh-where are you taking me?" Our movement, jumping from one branch to another - sometimes with as much as fifteen feet between them - made my teeth chatter.
"Just a little out of the way place. It's nice and cozy. Very charming. I think you'll like it," he said, his voice still smooth. He wasn't nearly out of breath or winded.
"Ed-Edward will find you," I gasped.
"Oh, sweetheart, I'm counting on that," he replied.
James was moving along a jagged course, not exactly traveling in a straight line. I tried to figure out our direction, but it was fruitless. I made the mistake of looking down.

My fear of heights went straight to my stomach. I started to retch, but James ignored me.
"I'm going to be sick," I moaned. He continued onward at the same speed.
"I said, I'm going to be sick." I knew he could hear me. He was ignoring me, and he was about to find out how much that was a bad idea.

"Hey-" I said, and then I vomited.

We'd just landed on another branch and finally, James looked at me again. I kept gagging and retching while it registered with him that I was human and therefore not immune to height and motion sickness. He swore a blue streak and looked at his foot, which now had a layer of what those of us in the health care profession call "emesis." Kicking vigorously, he shook off the liquid and then wiped his foot on my own leg.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he yelled, all traces of control gone.

"Your flying-trapeze act is making me sick," I informed him.

He pushed his face into mine, his eyes glowing with fury. "Try that again and I'll kill you right here," he snarled.

"I can't exactly help it," I snapped. It occurred to me that I was sassing a murderous vampire. If he was going to kill me, though, what did it matter? At least I could get my licks in.

James glared at me wordlessly, his jaw muscles working. He could bite me right now and God only knows when anyone would find me; I had no idea where Jake or Edward or anyone else was. He could drop me from this tree and I'd be dead as soon as I hit the ground. The gravity of my situation hit me and my stomach roiled again, but I held his gaze - and, thankfully, my nausea.

Finally, he shifted me so I was again hanging off his back, and then turned to launch us into another tree. We'd been traveling like this for at least fifteen minutes, I guessed, but since I had no idea of our final destination, I knew this could go on for a long time and there was a good chance I'd become sick again.

Edward, I thought. Edward, I'm so sorry. I'd pushed him until he stopped fighting me about this bike ride, and here I was, stuck in a tree with a bloodthirsty vampire. Jacob had doubtlessly alerted everyone, so Edward must be going out of his mind. At least he was probably safe.

I remembered some advice about motion sickness that involved keeping your eyes on the horizon, but I couldn't find it through the trees. So I used a technique from the first and last time I'd been on a roller coaster: I clenched my eyes shut and ground my teeth. Almost immediately James stopped moving, and I opened my eyes cautiously.

We were right outside some type of maintenance facility. There was a chain link fence all around it, with dump trucks and what looked like paving equipment parked on asphalt. Toward the fence's front gate, there was one of those enormous, cone-shaped buildings used to store road salt and gravel. This must be one of the state's regional transportation yards.

James jumped to a tree closer to the fence and a split second later, he gave one vigorous push and we were on the roof of the building, crashing through it. Shingles, nails, all kinds of debris followed us down as we fell through the hole James had made. I felt fragments of wood and roofing material tear at my clothes and hair, and I turned my face into his back to avoid getting anything in my eyes.

We were falling fast, and James let me go about halfway down. I fell straight to the concrete floor, hitting it with such force that I knew he must have dropped me about ten or twelve feet. By the time I was aware that I was falling, it was too late for me to turn, and I landed on my right shoulder and arm, screaming when I hit.

There was a slight cracking sound, and then a sharp pain along my collar and down my arm. I rolled over on my back to get the pressure off my shoulder, though that didn't give much relief. I felt the throbbing midway between my shoulder and neck, and I knew it had to be a break.

James walked over and kicked me in the side, eliciting another howl of pain. "Shut up, little girl," he snarled. He began fishing through my pockets, and at first I thought he was molesting me. I could tolerate being dropped and kicked, but I could not stand having his filthy hands on my body. Even through my overwhelming pain and horror, I noticed the difference between Edward's loving, cool touch and James foul grasp.

He found my cell phone in the pouch located at the back of my biking jersey; this must have been what he was looking for, because he quickly stood up and flipped it open. Handing it to me, he instructed, "Call him."

I played dumb. "Call who?"
"Your boyfriend. Call him and tell him to come and get you."

I shook my head, the pain making it nearly impossible to talk.

He held up his foot as if to kick me again. "Do it."

"I can't hold the phone! You broke my damn shoulder," I screamed.

James scrolled through the numbers until he found Edward. He hit the autodial and stooped down, placing it next to my ear.

It rang once and Edward immediately answered. "Bella! Where are you? Are you-"

"Edward," I whispered. I felt close to passing out. "Don't-" I wanted to tell him to be careful, that I had no idea what else James had planned or whether this was all a trap. My entire right side, where James had kicked me, was throbbing in symphony with my shoulder. I turned my head toward Edward's voice; he was calling to his family and then he urged me, "Bella, stay with me! Where are you? We'll find you-"

James pulled the phone away and crooned, "Oh, loverboy, I'm so sorry. Your girlfriend seems to be falling asleep here. Maybe you bore her."

My head lolled on the concrete; I fought to stay conscious so I could follow what was going on. I saw James' feet, about a yard away from me, and I swear I could hear Edward's growling. I didn't tell him I love him, I thought faintly. I want to tell him I love him.

"If you come, make sure you're alone. If you take too long, I'll probably kill her. She's bleeding, and it would be a shame to waste that," James said casually. "She's not doing too well right now, just so you know."

He snapped the phone shut and threw it on the floor. "Well, you'll be glad to know your boyfriend is interested in finding you. I can't wait to see him again."

I tried to turn my head away now. It made me sick to look at him, but there was pain when I moved my neck, so I lay there and closed my eyes. James walked around the building, every so often circling back to me.

At one point, I heard him ask, "How are you doing, darling?" with a smirk in his voice. He scooted down and dragged an index finger along my cheek. "Hope Prince Valiant arrives soon, so you can at least see him before you die. Don't count on lasting too much longer, especially if he takes his time." I jerked my face away from his vile touch.

Something exploded off to my left. I involuntarily turned in that direction and instantly regretted it, though the pain abated after a moment. There was a large bay door opposite where we'd dropped through the roof, and it was now laying on the floor. I heard growls -- incredibly vicious growls, growing louder until they spiraled into barks and howls. Four wolves were walking purposefully toward James with their teeth flashing and snapping. One of them was Jacob. I recognized him from the cemetery.

I squinted my eyes and saw three wolves surround James while one trotted over to guard me. This wolf was all black, and much shorter and stockier than the others. His blunt front legs stood squarely on the concrete; his fur was short and coarse. It was Wendell.

I said his name hoarsely, wanting to touch him but not really able to move. He turned and gave me a serious stare, then moved even closer.

James had climbed up some rafters in an effort to get away from the wolves, who were jumping and snapping at his feet. And then I heard the voice I longed for more than any other, the one I feared I'd never hear again.

"Bella! Bella, oh my God," Edward sobbed. He and Carlisle sped through the now-open doorway. I heard more footsteps running toward where the wolves were trying to corner James, and much shouting.

Edward's hands were around my face; thankfully, I could see him fairly clearly as I fought unconsciousness. "You found me," I breathed.

"Of course, my love. Oh God, Bella, oh God," he said, choking, "I'm so sorry."

Carlisle was gently inspecting my limbs. "Bella, can you tell me where you're hurt?" he said urgently.

"My right shoulder," I whispered. "Pretty sure it's broken. Right side ribs hurt too."

Edward moved his hands to take mine, and that's when I saw the blood on them. My blood. I gasped, and Edward's eyes flashed wider. "What is it? Does something else hurt? Did-"

"Blood. Do you - should you leave?" I asked. The last thing I wanted was to let him out of my sight, but I didn't want to torture him.

Edward cried out again, in a strangled voice I'd never heard before. "As if I would leave you over that? Bella, Bella," he crooned, cradling my face.

Carlisle was gently examing my shoulder. "It is broken," he murmured. His cool fingers traced the ribs on my right side. "I don't feel a break here, but they could be fractured. We have to get her to the hospital." He tapped my abdomen. "I can't tell for sure whether she's bleeding internally." I heard Edward growl.

"Bella, Carlisle will stay with you. I need to help my family and the wolves...attend to James," he snarled.

"Edward," Carlisle warned.

"Don't lecture me, Carlisle. He's a vicious monster who nearly killed her. He killed others. He's not going to live!"

I was felt myself drifting off. "Don't get hurt," I mumbled.

Edward kissed me on the lips and eyes. "I won't, love."

"Bella, try not to fall asleep. I don't know whether you have a concussion. I need you to do your best to stay conscious," Carlisle encouraged me. "Esme," he called. "Please come here and help me."

I felt another pair of cool hands on my face, gently smoothing back my hair. "Esme?" I asked. My lids felt so heavy.

"Yes, dear, it's me. Try to stay awake," she said in a low, calm voice.

I opened my eyes and heard Carlisle murmur, "Do you detect anything that could be water in here?" Esme left my side and returned in a few seconds.

"There's a water cooler in the back," she said.

"Excellent. Can you get some water and wipe her head around her hairline?"

"I can do that," I protested.

Esme chuckled. "I don't think so, dear."

"Watch out for glass fragments - they may be embedded in her scalp," Carlisle warned.

"Ew. Gross," I mumbled. He laughed quietly.

"Trying to stay awake," I whispered.

"Good girl," he responded, gently stroking my cheek. His touch was almost as welcome as Edward's.

I could detect a brightness in the back of the building, off to my right, but Esme was blocking my vision. "What's going on?" I asked, then hissed with pain when I tried to look.

"Don't move your neck, Bella. As it is, we're going to have to carry you to the car and get you to the hospital. I want you to stay as still as possible now," Carlisle instructed.

"But what's happening?"

"We have to set fire to the building, dear," Esme said, as if she was explaining how often she gave plant food to her flowers.

"Oh." I was silent for a few seconds. "Why?"

"We'll need to cover up everything that happened here, and it's the most effective way. Now, don't worry about that. We're going to get you to the hospital in a few minutes," she said.

"Is Edward okay?" I asked.

"Oh, yes, he's fine," Esme said firmly.

I heard Carlisle call to Edward. "Peel some boards off those palettes before you burn them. I'm going to use them to try and stabilize her arm and shoulder." There was a tearing sound and Edward was right near me again.

Carlisle kept my shoulder as steady as possible while Edward quickly slid the board under my arm, parallel with it. The pain was awful; although Edward positioned the board as swiftly as possible, the motion felt like bonfires lit under my skin, from my neck to my arm. He kissed me passionately and pressed his forehead to mine.

"I'm so sorry, baby," he murmured.

" 'S okay," I whispered. "I know you had to."

Carlisle had torn his jacket into strips, which he was now using to secure my arm to the board. Edward slid longer planks from another palette underneath my body to serve as a makeshift stretcher. I heard hooting and yelling - it sounded like Emmett and Jasper -- while Edward and Carlisle slowly lifted me up and out of the storage building.

"Esme, open the rear door of the car," Carlisle instructed. Edward climbed in and guided me so I was lying down on the seat. The pain seared along my entire right side, but I knew there wasn't anything that could be done - they had to get me out of here. Still, I couldn't help but whimper and cry a little. This was nothing like anything I'd felt before.

Gently, Carlisle bent my knees and angled them so they were leaning against the back of the seat, to fit me in. Edward stayed on the floor by my head, steadying my body with his sure, strong hands. He tried to keep me as still as possible while stroking my hair.
I was already in excruciating pain, so I thought, what further damage could I do? Gritting my teeth, I turned my head as much as I could so I could see Edward. The muscles along my neck and shoulder contracted in protest.
"Bella, hold still," he gently chided me.
"I was afraid I'd never see you again. Don't tell me not to look at you," I mumbled. The profound sadness in his eyes frightened me.

I wanted to distract him somehow so I tried what I do best: make him laugh.

"I threw up," I said solemnly.

"When? After you fell?" he asked frantically, worried now because nausea is a symptom of a concussion.

"No, after James grabbed me," I explained.

"What do you mean?" he asked, slight amusement softening his expression

"He was going too fast through the trees. I was on his back."

"Bella, you can tell me about this later." He tried to interrupt, but I pushed on.

"No, listen," I said, sighing. The pain in my ribs thundered through my chest, but I smiled. "I tried to warn him but he wouldn't listen. I threw up on his foot."

Edward's eyes widened. "You did?"
"Yes. I couldn't stop him, but I did gross him out."

He chuckled - my reward. "You are something else." He kissed me, but then his face fell with heavy worry.

"Stop," I whispered.

Edward immediately ceased stroking my hair and forehead.

"Not that. Stop what you're thinking," I instructed.
"Now you're the mindreader? What are you talking about?" he murmured.
"I know you feel guilty," I said. It hurt to breathe and talk now, but I had to say this. I knew how Edward thought.

"Bella-" he started to protest.

"No. Stop. Don't use this as an excuse to leave me," I said. The pain - in my shoulder, my side, and now in my heart - was growing unbearable.

Edward looked at me in shock, but he didn't say anything for a few minutes. That told me I was on the right track.

"You've been worried for a long time about something like this happening," I said, gasping. "Meeting James made it worse. You can't think that way."

Carlisle interrupted. Of course, he could hear what I was saying, despite the low tone of my voice. "Bella, please don't talk. It's better for your ribs if you just focus on breathing. Speak only if you need to tell Edward you have pain somewhere you didn't before.

"Okay," I said, not wanting to go against Carlisle's directive, especially after all he'd done. I looked at Edward, and for the first time I noticed there was something like tears in his eyes.

"Don't go," I sighed. "Don't break my heart."

He was silent for a moment, his face showing agony, and then he promised, "I won't."

If you remember from a few chapters back, Bella got a little queasy on the flight from Seattle to New Jersey. Now you know how susceptible she is to motion sickness. (James does, too. Or rather, he did.)

I hope you enjoyed it. I think there will be about 2-3 more chapters before my story is completed.