Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns this bed, she just lets me sleep in it. In other words, I'm borrowing these characters...

Thanks Kakabel for finding the mistakes I can never seem to find!

Just a warning: There is some language in this chapter. Nothing too bad though.

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today."

-James Dean-

Chapter 16

"The Boys"

Looking over my shoulder frantically, I saw the blood before the body. There he lay, unmoving, still bleeding. Mike, my first love, father to my child, was dying in front of my eyes. Sure, he made my life hell, but never did that mean I wanted him dead. Of course I loved Edward more than I ever loved Mike, but this was too much.

I crawled over to him, applying pressure to his chest, ignoring the blood as best as I could.

"Bella," Mike whispered. I looked into his blue eyes, seeing the old Mike. I felt the tears running down my face. "I'm sorry that I'm a horrible person, but I really love you and Hannah."

"Mike, stop," I cried out putting more pressure on the wound. My hand was burning from the effort, and I knew it was broken from when I hit the trunk, but I pushed harder regardless.

"How sweet is this?" James sneered from across the room. His smile was menacing. "Does this mean Eddie boy was just the rebound?"

"Hell no," I roared back.

"You really are feisty. I like that. I'm glad Mike decided to spill his soap opera to me," James said laughing. He slowly made his way closer. Each step seemed thought out, like he was planning what was next. "Well, things certainly have taken a turn in the opposite direction."

James finally made it over to us. Kneeling beside me he pressed the gun to my neck, turning it in circles, just messing with my mind. "It would be so easy, Bella. Just one pull of the trigger, and bam, no more Isabella Swan."

He stopped the gun's movement. He yanked my hair to stand up, pressing my back to his front. He removed the gun, only to replace it with the knife. Lightly, he traced along my neck with the knife.

"But, why would I make it so easy for you?" He mocked. He quickly started walking further into the building, stopping when he heard the door being banged open. I repressed a sigh as Emmett, Edward, and Jasper ran through the door. Emmett pushed Edward behind him, as Jasper pointed a gun toward us. I tried not to whimper.

I was really starting to feel light headed. My wounds were still bleeding. I felt my eyes rolling to the back of my head. I just kept praying I wouldn't pass out.

"Why, hello boys. I'm so glad you could make it. It seems, Bella here, doesn't have much time left," he said slowly. He pressed the tip of the knife into my neck, slightly breaking through the skin. I felt the trickle of blood flow and meet the line still present from my collarbone down.

"Damn it!" Edward screamed looking absolutely murderous. All three of the boys took slow steps forward.

"Now, now, now, if you all love Bella's life as much as I think you do, then no one moves another inch. And pretty boy there," James pointed to Jasper, "will drop his gun."

Jasper looked over at Emmett who just nodded his head glumly. Slowly, Jasper bent down, and put the gun to the floor. "Very good."

James shoved me to the ground, before grabbing some rope that was tied to a pole and tying my hands together.

"Let's see who would win in a fight. Who wants to go first?" James asked the boys. They looked at each other hesitantly, clearly not wanting to fight someone with a knife. "No volunteers, then? Well, Bella, your boys aren't as noble as I thought."

"Fight fair, then," I said through gritted teeth. James just laughed and dropped the knife. "Drop everything," I continued. How could I forget his gun? James just smiled, pulling the gun out of the back of his jeans, throwing it to the ground.

"Well, personally, I'm hoping Edward wants the fight. I'm sure Laurent can take Jasper, but that leaves Emmett," James said pausing, pretending to think. "I was going to let you have Mike, but seeing that he's a little out of it, I'll just settle with you figuring out how to help Bella," James laughed.

Then I saw someone fly out of nowhere, landing right on Jasper. Edward wasted no time in running straight to James. Emmett looked conflicted, wanting to help in the fight, but wanting to get me free. Emmett made his decision after he looked at the blood still running down my chest. I had forgotten how exposed I was until that moment.

Emmett started pulling on the rope, but it was a slip knot. Every time he pulled, the knot would just get tighter.

"Shit," he mumbled. Then, slim fingers pushed the much larger ones out of the way. I looked as Carlisle's warm eyes met mine, and I felt like crying. Everyone was risking their lives for me.

"What the fuck Carlisle? We told you to stay in the car!" Emmett yelled as Carlisle began cutting the ropes, freeing me.

"Go help someone, Emmett," Carlisle snapped at him. Emmett looked startled for a moment before running off. I followed him as he made it to Jasper first, throwing a punch that sent Laurent to ground, out cold. I looked over at Edward the same time Jasper and Emmett did. The other fight was much closer.

James was fighting dirty. Sucker punch after sucker punch. It was horrible to watch. Edward was just trying to deflect the shots now.

But then I saw it. James crouched down, and grabbed something from his ankle. Now, this shit happened in slow motion.

The shiny object raised and pointed itself at Edward. Edward was bent over from the last kick in the ribs James sent him. He had no clue what was about to happen.

"EDWARD, LOOK OUT!" I screamed from my spot. Carlisle instinctively wrapped his arms around me, to stop me from running over there.

I was too late. I heard the shot echo from the empty walls of the warehouse. I was frozen with shock, as was everyone else. My love, gone. This could not be happening.

But then, something happened stunned me more than anything in my entire life. Edward never fell over. James did.

James gasped clutching his chest. I watched with fascination as the blood poured from James' chest. Each breath he took became more forced.

I looked over at the entrance, and standing there holding Jasper's gun was Mike, breathing heavy. He backed into the wall, and slowing slid down the wall, leaving a smear of blood.

"Go help Mike," I whispered to Carlisle, who just nodded. Edward's head snapped to mine in the next instant. His green eyes burning into mine, and I felt at home. He sprinted over to me, dropping to his knees in front of me. Grabbing my face between his hands, he stroked my cheeks with his thumbs.

I lightly brushed my fingertips to his swollen lip, dragging it along to where his eye was already turning colors. He just shook his head. He grabbed my right hand, causing me to wince.

"What happened?" He asked softly.

"I was punching the trunk to get anyone's attention. But that made James mad so he cut me," I recalled looking down at my chest. Edward kept his emotions in check. The only thing alerting me that he was pissed as hell was the snapping of his jaw.

I heard the police sirens from outside. I raised an eyebrow at Edward, silently asking him what was going on.

"We've been in touch with the police since your first call. They know everything and have been helping us along the way. They didn't like the idea of us going in after you, but they agreed it would be best," he paused giving me a smirk before continuing. "You know, it helps everything when you know a cop."

"Where is Charlie?" I asked.

"He's been in charge of lots of things having to deal with you, so I would assume somewhere outside," Edward said kissing my forehead.

"Bella, let's get the bleeding stopped," Carlisle said softly as he kneeled in front of me. Edward moved behind me so I could lie against him. He grabbed my left hand, giving it a squeeze.

Carlisle lightly started doing whatever it is doctors do. I groaned loudly.

"What's wrong, love?" Edward asked in a panic.

"Nothing, it's just," I paused looking behind me so I could stare into his green eyes. "How come all the men in my life have seen my tits?"

Edward laughed and I smiled at the sound. Oh, I missed that.

"Don't worry, Bella. This is strictly business," Carlisle joked.

"Good, because if it wasn't, you would have some explaining to do," I teased back.

"Yes, I would. Now, Bella that should do it for now, but we need to get you to the hospital to check on that hand. I'm positive it's broken, so let's get it X-rayed, and put it in a cast," Carlisle explained. I nodded my head as Edward lifted me up bridal style.

"Carlisle, how's Mike doing?" I asked timidly.

I heard him take a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but there was nothing I could do."

I nodded into Edward's chest, burying myself further into his chest. He hugged me tighter.

"I love you," I whispered to Edward, kissing just above his heart.

"I love you, too, beautiful," he said kissing the top of my head.

Edward refused to let go of me the whole way to the hospital, for which I was grateful for. I missed the feeling of being in his arms. I needed it like I needed to breathe or food. Edward was my air.

I fell asleep shortly after that, feeling totally safe.

The next time I opened my eyes, I was in a very white room, with an annoying beeping noise. I looked over at the machine, glaring at it for waking me up. I was having a very nice dream. Then I noticed the IV bag next to it. Slowly and cautiously, I looked down and almost groaned at the IV in my hand.

I looked around the room, but stopped when I saw Edward holding Hannah in the chair next to my bed. Both were passed out against each other. If only I had a camera.

I carefully got out of the bed, bringing the IV bag with me and adjusted Hannah so I could join her in Edward's lap. I climbed in, pulling Hannah closer to me. She stirred but cuddled closer to me. I rested my head in the crook of Edward's neck. He tightened his arms around me.

"You know, you should be in the bed over there," Edward whispered kissing the top of my head, letting his lips linger there.

"I know, but this is way more comfortable," I mumbled, kissing his neck.

"I agree."

This story is NOT over yet. Just want to clear that up. I'm thinking there will be about 3 more chapters than an Epilogue. But I have plans to do a sequel...I had a dream about this one part that I just have to write.

Thanks to everyone that reviewed!!

Um, I don't know when I'll have time to update again, but no more than a week.

I think that's everything,

~Scarlet :)

p.s. Please leave your thoughts!