Thank you for all the recs, reviews and the pimping that this story is getting! I'm so blown away by it! This was the first story to ease myself back into posting and I've received so much support... I seriously heart you all for that!
Cheers Mi, you have relentlessly slogged away at this pre reading malarkey.
This update has taken longer as I had to completely rewrite it, it just wasn't right, plus the kids are off for summer... Need I say anymore?! I'm sorry to make you all wait though, I'll be trying my best to keep the waiting to a minimum!
Anyway, this is the chapter...
I do not own Twilight or any of the characters.
My head feels like it's been stuffed with cotton wool and the whole of the right side of my face is throbbing, I gratefully lay my head down onto the cold floor. Edward's back seems to be shaking slightly as he faces James, who's finally standing straight with his hand clutching at his stomach and his face twisted in rage. Edward's broad shoulders are tensed and I can see the muscles in his arms bulge as he clenches his fists.
It's amazing how safe I feel now that Edward is here, I'm still in this hallway and James is still here, yet Edward's presence wraps around me like a warm blanket. The sharp pain in my right cheekbone keeps me from closing my eyes and I shift my body so I can see better. The smell of my own blood makes my stomach heave and I try not to breath through my nose as my head spins dangerously. I can hear them talking, but I can't hear what they are saying, so I just try to keep my eyes focused on Edward.
I jump in suprise as a hand holds onto my shoulder and squeezes lightly. I turn to see Angela's tear soaked face, she leans down to my ear and whispers in a hoarse voice.
"I'm so sorry Bella, I messaged Edward, I couldn't think of what else to do. I know that they used to be friends and I also know what James is capable of. Once he took you out of sight I tried to come back here but he had bodyguards block it off." She wraps her arms awkwardly around me and I sit up slightly to sink into her warm embrace.
"It's okay, thank you." My voice cracks, I can't even begin to think about what would've happened if she hadn't seen me.
"We need to get you out of here, I have a feeling that this is going to get really ugly."
I shake my head, there's no way I'm leaving Edward on his own to get hurt. I voice my fear.
"Ok, fine. But I'm staying here with you." She sits down beside me and holds my hand.
Edward's loud voice makes us both jump and our attention snaps back to the two men at the other end of the corridor, who are in the midst of a heated discussion. I can now hear what they are saying as their voices are raised.
"No, but I have to wonder, when did you become so vile, James? You fucking sicken me."
James laughs but it's not a joyous sound, the hairs on the back of my neck lift. He points at Edward, his hand is visibly shaking, I'm not sure if it's from fear or anger.
"You and I both know that we are one of the same, Edward."
"I'm nothing like you, I don't rape women." Edward spits each word out, you can hear the disgust that punctuates each syllable.
"I was just having a little bit of fun with her, I could see that you'd taken what you wanted and then, as usual, left her."
Just as he finishes, Edward launches himself at him. I can hear bones crunch as fists fly and I can't help the little sob that bursts out of me. I really don't want Edward to get hurt.
Two bodies rush passed us and I recognise them as Emmett and Jasper as they peel the two fighting men apart. I'm grateful to see that James is the one holding his face in pain, his nose is most probably broken. Edward seems okay, he's out of breath but no major injuries. Emmett has Edward in a vice grip, and his arms hit out as he tries to get back at James. Emmett attempts to calm him.
"Chill, man. I think you've done enough. Let's get the police to deal with the justice."
"Have you seen what he's done to Bella, what he was going to do?"
Edward's eyes are bulging out as he stares at me over Emmett's shoulder. The way he's looking at me sends a shiver down my spine, he looks desperate and scared.
"No, if I look then I'd probably help you to kill him, then we'd both be in the fucking lock up."
My eyes flicker over to Jasper who's holding James back, I watch as he bends his head down to whisper into James' ear, his face pales instantly and he visibly gulps. Jasper pats him roughly on the shoulder.
"James won't be pressing charges, will you?"
James looks at Jasper and then slowly shakes his head, his hands are still at his face, trying to stem the torrent of blood coming out of his nose. Jasper releases him and walks over to me, he bends down and inspects my face. His cool fingers gently run over my cheek bone, I wince slightly as the pain increases under his touch.
"We really should get you to the hospital but first we need to call the police, will you do that please Angela?" He glances over at her, she still looks a bit shocked from the scene infront of her.
Angela pulls away from me and nods to Jasper, she then moves out of the corridor to make the call. I look back over at Edward, he's deep in conversation with Emmett. His anger is still threatening to explode, I can see it in his eyes. I look passed them and frown, because I can't see him, James has gone. I hastily sit up, a feeling of dread and panic washes over me and I look back at Jasper. I literally feel my eyes widen as I stammer out my words.
"He's gone."
The hallway starts to spin and I briefly see four faces before I finally surrender to the blackness.
I'm vaguely aware of being warm and wrapped in strong arms, I feel engulfed by Edward, his smell and his presence is all around me. I drift off, feeling safe.
I oddly feel fine when I wake up, the bright fluorescent lights pound into my skull though. I feel a little bit faraway and I strangely want to giggle, I suspect that I'm on some kind of pain medication. I turn my head and see Edward in the chair by the bed, he's immersed in his cell, his dark tousled hair looks more unruly than usual. His eyes flicker up and the corners of his mouth lift.
"Hey, you. How are you feeling?" He stands up and stretches his hands up above his head, I watch as his body moves and his top rides up. He walks over to the bed and puts his cell into his back pocket.
"I'm okay, I feel better than I expected. What time is it?" I try to sit up but he places his hand against my shoulder and pins me down.
"Don't get up, you need to rest. It's eleven."
"Is that all?" I gingerly reach my hand up towards my face, which is numb. I can't feel the sharp pain anymore and just as I tenderly prod at my face, Edward grabs my hand gently.
"Carlisle's put a few stitches in that cut, it's probably best that you don't touch it." He doesn't let go of my hand immediately, he fiddles with my fingers and his eyes catch mine.
He clears his throat and gently places my hand back onto the bed and he takes a seat at the edge, I shift over slightly to give him more room.
"The police want to talk to you, they need to hear what you have to say. Don't do it if you're not ready though. They're already looking for him so it's not time sensitive, you can do it another time." He sounds nervous and unsure, it doesn't fit him and I watch in stunned silence.
"I'm okay to talk to them." I reach out and hold onto his warm hand, his eyes lower to look at where we're now joined together again.
"Edward, he didn't manage to do what he intended. I hated feeling the way he made me feel. But you were there, you saved me. It would be a completely different story if you'd been late, or not turned up. I wouldn't have blamed you either, I gave up on us."
I feel the tears trickle down my left cheek and although I can't feel them, I know they are sliding down my right cheek too. They are from the intense gratitude that I feel and pure relief.
"We're technically a wrong match, you're innocent and sweet, I'm not. I can understand why you chose to end what we had. I didn't exactly act like a gentleman, Bella. But there was no doubt in my mind when I got that message." He keeps his eyes on mine, unwavering.
"Why didn't you act like a gentleman?"
He exhales loudly through his nose but keeps his eyes on mine.
"Because I felt overwhelmed and I wasn't expecting it to be like that. It was so." He seems to search for the right word. "Intimate."
He lets go of my hand and his fingers run through his hair. "It was stupid and I acted like a jerk. I deserve everything and more. You've changed something, I feel different and it's unnerving."
"Edward, I miss you."
He freezes, his hand caught in his hair. He closes his eyes and then finally looks back at me.
"I miss you too. Like you wouldn't believe."
I study his handsome face, he looks tired and his eyes don't seem as bright as they usually are.
"But the situation remains the same, right?"
He looks pained as he nods his head.
"I can't promise you the future that you want."
"I don't think I care about promises or futures anymore. I just want you." I realise as soon as I say it, that it's true. No one goes into a relationship with a clear view of the future. We are both new at this and I want to experience it with him, no one else has ever made me feel like Edward does.
"I can only promise you that I will, no doubt, fuck up. Probably more than once." He shrugs his shoulders, a little smile plays on his lips and his eyes twinkle. I can't help but return the smile.
"We could figure it out as we go?"
Instead of verbally answering me, he puts his large hands on either side of my face and kisses my nose gently. I close my eyes at the feel of his touch, my heart speeds up as his lips capture mine. It's soft and sweet as he moves his mouth languidly against mine. A little moan escapes me at the exquisite feeling of being close to him again. He pulls away, his breathing is as laboured as mine.
"Carlisle will kill me if I damage your stitches."
"So does this mean that you're my boyfriend now?"
He rolls his eyes, but seems to think about it for a moment.
"What is it with you and sticking labels onto everything?"
He laughs and shakes his head.
"Wouldn't 'bodyguard' be a more appropriate label?" His eyes widen innocently as he fights a laugh back.
I slap at him playfully, he easily captures my hands and kisses them.
"We don't have to label it. I'm just pleased that you haven't run away yet."
"I don't want to stay away from you, especially not with James still out there."
I shudder at that realisation and pull the sheet up to my chin.
I spend an hour going over my story with the police, they keep asking about specific details and my head hurts by the end of it all. It makes me second guess myself several times and I really don't like it. They are apparently looking for him but it doesn't seem like a priority. They have someone take photos of my injuries and I just want to go home by the end of it all.
Edward took the opportunity to get some food and coffee when the police turned up and as soon as they leave, he enters the room again. I feel myself exhale deeply as soon as I see him, the thought of him not being here makes my blood run cold.
"I want to go home."
He turns to me and must see my adamance because he doesn't argue with me.
"I'll call Carlisle and tell him."
Half an hour later we are in my apartment, Rose still thinks that I'm staying at the hospital, they didn't come to see me because I didn't want them too. I just know that they will go crazy about it and they are probably feeling very guilty. I don't want to have to make them feel better about it, it's probably the first time that I've not wanted to see them, ever.
I stand and wrap my arms around myself as Edward searches the rooms at my request, even when I can't see him I feel my heartbeat speed up. Finally he stands infront of me.
"Please stay here with me." It blurts out of my mouth before I can even stop to think about it. He raises an eyebrow before answering.
"I was going to anyway."
I nod feeling the tears of relief, as they fall from my eyes. He grabs my hand and nods over his shoulder, in the direction of my bedroom.
"Come on, let's spoon." His face cracks into a huge boyish grin and it makes me laugh.
He wraps his arms around me and I fall into the embrace, his hard, strong body making me feel safe.
"Bella, I." He doesn't continue so I look up at his face, he sighs. "Why do I find it so difficult to say what I want to you?"
I look up at him and shrug, then I stick my tongue out in an attempt to lighten the mood. He snorts through his nose and the smile that I'm rewarded with makes me forget to breathe. He hugs me closer and kisses my head.
"Lets get you to bed."