Disclaimer:My license still says Misty so I guess you all know what that means.

A big thanks to my pre-reader Kim Rathbone. Go check out her story One Stormy Night. You get a sweet and hot human Jasper.

Link to the banner made by christag_banner on my profile.

An even bigger thanks to ceara1888 who has allowed me to adopt this story from her. I read it while she wrote it and hated to see her give it up. I only hope I don't disappoint with the way I go with it.

WARNING: Nothing this chapter guys.

-O-

Carlisle

'...Vitals stable. No swelling or tenderness around incision. Release tomorrow, but follow up in a week for stitch removal."

I signed my name and closed the chart, moving it onto the completed pile.

Just as I opened the next one my phone buzzed; my nurse/receptionist's voice coming through.

'Dr. Cullen...Chief Swan is here to see you.'

"Thank you Susie. Send him in."

'Yes sir.'

Moments later a knock sounded at my door and Charlie poked his head around the door.

"Charlie, come on in."

"Hey, Carlisle." He said, moving further in the room and sitting across from me.

I liked Charlie. He was actually the only human friend I'd ever made. He didn't say a lot, but when he did it was usually something you wanted to listen to. He was good at his job and was always doing what he could to help people in the town.

"So what brings you by my office today?" I asked after he didn't say anything for a few minutes.

"She wasn't walking today."

I didn't have to ask who he meant. Isabella was always in his thoughts. Having been in love with her mother he'd always held a soft spot for the girl. The fact that Isabella looked just like her only added to it. He wanted to keep her safe and seeing her walking every day wasn't his idea of safe. Of course, there wasn't much he could do about it except watch and make sure she got home safely.

"Maybe she was sick." I said trying to ease his fears.

"Maybe, but it seems like she's sick a lot. She's usually out once a week at least. Are you sure there isn't something in her file?"

I sighed. "You know I can't tell you that Charlie."

"I know. I just worry about her. Since Renee ran off I just can't help but think that things aren't good for Isabella."

"I know how you feel, but until there is something concrete we can't do anything. The few times I've seen her there has never been any sign of anything more than clumsiness. You do know I would report something if it was there."

"Yeah. I just can't help the way I feel. Chalk it up to a cop's instinct."

"I've found that's sometimes the best kind to have, Charlie."

"Unfortunately, the law doesn't acknowledge just instinct though. I mean, even the fact that that bastard father of hers isn't ever there doesn't allow me to do anything, not with her age. If she caused trouble yeah then I could intervene, but she's never set one foot out of line. Sometimes I wish she would just so I can go in that house."

"We'll just have to continue keeping an eye on her and the moment anything stands out we'll take care of it."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

Before I could say anything else my phone buzzed again. 'Dr. Cullen, Edward is here to see you.'

"Thank you, Susie. I'll see him in a minute." I said as Charlie stood.

'Yes Sir.'

"I'll get out of your way, Carlisle. Thanks for talking to me."

"You know you're always welcome here, Charlie." I said standing up as well.

He held out his hand and we shook. "See you later."

I nodded and he turned, leaving the room. Before the door shut behind him Edward walked in, taking a seat in the chair Charlie had just vacated.

"He's worried." He said right away.

"I know."

"Jasper's not any better."

"I'd be surprised if he wasn't. She is his mate after all." I said, scrubbing my hand over through my hair.

"I don't know how much longer he'll last before he loses it though and does something that scares her off."

"I'll talk to him."

Edward nodded and then said, "She wasn't at school today. Sick again, according to what I read in Mrs. Cope's thoughts."

"Charlie mentioned she wasn't walking today."

"What do we do, Carlisle?"

"Unfortunately, we have to wait, Edward. Like I told Charlie, until we have proof that something is seriously wrong we can't go storming in. Have you ever heard anything in her father's thoughts."

"No," He spat. "Every time I've been close enough he's either thinking about drinking or been too drunk to be coherent."

"That's not a surprise."

"I wish he'd be stupid enough to drink and drive."

"You and me both son. I'm sure Charlie waits for that too."

He nodded again and fell silent before standing up. "I guess I'll go. Alice wanted to go shopping."

I chuckled. "Tell Esme I'll be another hour or so."

"I will." He said before turning to go.

As he reached for the door I said, "Edward tell the others to start befriending Isabella. Everyone of you are in her classes, so start with offering to do homework together. We need to get to the bottom of whatever is going on and soon."

"I'll tell the others. Jasper will be happy." I smiled softly and watched as he left my office.

Turning in my chair I looked out my window, losing myself in my thoughts until Susie let me know it was time to go home.

I packed up my things and after turning the lights off I went home to my family. Esme was waiting like always, but all the others were out hunting.

"How was your day, Carlisle?"

"It's okay. Charlie stopped by."

"Worried about Isabella?" She asked even though she knew the answer. She was worried about her too just like the rest of us.

"Yes."

"We'll figure something out soon."

"I hope we do, Darling."

She gave me a small smile before wrapping her arms around me. I returned the hug and hoped that when we did figure out Isabella it wouldn't be too late to fix.

-O-

The next morning...

Bella

Gritting my teeth I rolled over onto my stomach, the pain shooting through me with just that little bit of movement. God, I hurt everywhere.

As I try to push myself up more pain flowed through me and I realized my arm was more than a little swollen. At least I can cover it with a sweatshirt.

I finally got to my feet and made my way slowly to the bathroom, stripping my clothes off. I didn't bother looking in the mirror, knowing that all I'd see was new bruises on top of the old ones.

I flipped the water on and let it heat up before stepping in. The heat helped some of the pain, but not all. However, it would be manageable since I wasn't allowed any kind of pain killer.

I quickly finished up washing and got out, drying off. Before I dressed I slipped an ace bandage around my arm tightly, doing what I could to keep it stable. I had no clue if it was broken or just sprained, but it wouldn't really matter either way. I couldn't go to the hospital for it.

I dressed in dark jeans, my chucks, and a sweatshirt before grabbing my backpack and hurrying downstairs. I didn't bother stopping by the kitchen for breakfast. I wasn't allowed to eat if dad wasn't home which was okay with me. I'd go hungry if it meant I didn't have to see him.

I grabbed my rain jacket off the hook before locking the door and making the long walk to school. Thankfully the rain held off until I was turning into the parking lot.

I kept my head down like always, not meeting any ones' eyes. I was sure if I did, they would know and I couldn't have that.

My first class of the day was English and I headed that way. As I turn the corner I slammed into what felt like a brick wall, causing me to fall backwards onto the floor. I couldn't stop the whimper from escaping as the jar sent pain through me, tears filling my eyes as I try to get back on my fee

Before I can move far, pale hands reached out to help me.

"I'm sorry." I said. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

"It was my fault." I glanced up at the deep voice and found Jasper Whitlock standing over me, a pained expression on his face. I don't like the look on him. It doesn't fit at all.

Before he can say anything else I noticed his family over his shoulder, coming around the far corner toward us. Perfect. I don't need more eyes on me.

Breaking my gaze, I made sure I had my things before stepping around him and going on to class, not looking up as I passed by them. I didn't turn around as I got to my room, but I know they are all still watching me, and soon Alice will join me in class. Hopefully, she won't try and ask me if I'm okay. Because I will never be okay.

-O-

Jasper

I hurt her. I hurt my mate. Fuck. I didn't mean to, but she came out of nowhere. I should have known she was there, but I'd been too preoccupied with seeing her this morning; thankful that she'd shown up today and was all right.

"Jasper, it's okay." Rose said, watching Isabella go into her classroom.

"It's not okay. I hurt her."

"It was an accident."

"But she'll be scared of me now."

"She won't be scared of you." Alice said, putting her hand on my shoulder. "Just apologize again when you see her next time."

"What if she runs or doesn't accept it?"

"Then you try again until she does."

"I don't know if it's going to be that simple."

Alice sighed, knowing that I would keep beating myself up because of this one incident. No matter if Isabella accepted my apology or not.

"I can try and talk to her in class if you want me to." She said. "Apologize for you."

"No, I need to be the one since I knocked her down. I just hate that I did it at all."

"We know you do, but you can't change it now." Emmett said, causing me to growl a little. "I'm not saying that to make you mad." He added quickly.

"I know. I just..." I trailed off not knowing what else to say. I hated knowing I couldn't do anything and it was only adding to my frustration with the whole situation.

Alice's tiny arms around me tightly in a hug. "We'll figure things out Jasper. Promise."

I nodded and returned her hug as the bell rang for class. As we all separated I could only hope Alice was right. If not I was sure I was going to drive myself crazy and that wouldn't be a good thing.

-O-

Yes, still short, but they will start getting longer. Next chapter the befriending tries to start.