James POV

I just stepped out of a local bar and was waiting for my taxi in the cool air. Earlier that day I bought a plane ticket to Seattle Washington that was set to depart in about two months. I decided I would let her get comfy before I would take her back.

Suddenly a gorgeous red-head fumbled and dropped her wallet as she tried to put it away. It landed near my foot and I picked it up and slurred, "Whuts a purrty lady like you walkin by yourself in the dark?" I handed her the wallet and looked into her eyes. My mind suddenly became foggy as I peered into her ruby red eyes. I felt this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that something was off about

her, but my suspicion was forgotten when she smiled and purred, "Thank you, I'm just coming home from work. I don't suppose you would like to join me?"

I quickly agreed and offered my arm, she smiled and we started to walk down an ally to the side of the bar. "Soo whuts yorr name again?" I asked, still dizzy from the alcohol.

She turned her head and whispered in my ear, "Victoria." She then smiled at me in a way I could only describe as feral and the next thing I know I felt a brick wall pressing up against my back as she pinned me to the side of the building. I gasped as she increased the pressure on my arms and started to growl into my throat. I felt her stone cold teeth break through the skin of my neck. I instantly felt flames scorching it, traveling fast down my body. I let out a desperate scream only for her to clamp her hand forcefully over my mouth and start to drag me behind the garbage. My last coherent thought was of how beautiful her darkened eyes were as I was swallowed in fire and pain.

(A/N: Aha! Weren't expecting that now were you? Well, on with the show!)

Bella's POV

I quickly took a step back out of his grip and tried composed myself, "I'm s-sorry… umm…" I felt my face heat up from his gaze and looked down at my feet. Holy freakin crap who is this guy? And I thought Emmett was big…. "My name is Bella…" I was at a loss for words at his scrutiny. Great first impression Bella, now he thinks you're a clumsy idiot… well, you are, but that's not the point…

He interrupted my train of thought, "I know, I'm Jacob, do you remember me? We used to play together when we were little." He said softly, smiled. I slowly nodded, hazily remembering a muddy tan kid making me a mud pie about ten years ago when me and my Mom still lived with Charlie. Was this him? He moved closer and I froze, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. He noticed my stiff body filled with tension and looked worried, "Are you hurt? I think you may have bruised your rib there, you sounded like you were in a lot of pain."

If I wasn't blushing before, I sure was now. Why the hell do you care? Still very confused from his concern, I scrambled for an explanation to down play it. "Oh don't worry, its nothing, I'm just a big klutz. Obviously. Ah ha… But no really I'm fine… I just fell off my bike the other day and stuff… but now I'm fine!" What is wrong with me? I yelled at myself. What happened to my composed façade I had developed after all these years? I was normally very good at lying, but talking to this gargantuan kid just unraveled me. And that scared the crap out of me.

He frowned and I could tell he didn't buy it. Not that I blamed him. Thank heavens Jasper decided to just then interrupt us.

"Dinners ready guys!" He clapped Jacob on the back, "Hey I see you've meet Bella!" He must have seen something in my expression because his brow furrowed and then looked questioningly at Jacob.

Jacob ignored Jaspers look and his eyes looked excited at the mention of food, "Well then let's go eat!" I smiled reassuringly at Jasper, he hesitated, but retreated back into the kitchen. Jacob started after him, and then turned around, giving me a pointed look as if to say, "this conversation isn't over" then followed Jasper.

My embarrassment turned to anger, Who the hell does this kid think he is? I shook my head and strode in after him.

-Page Break-

The conversation over dinner wasn't as awkward as I thought it was going to be, mostly consisting of Sue's amazing fish-fry, fishing and sports. Even though I didn't have much to add to the conversation, my new brothers, Jacob and Dad always made me feel included. The conversation drifted as we got to dessert. I learned that Jacob was from a reservation the next town over called La Push and that all the sophomores and juniors were going to a beach party down there this weekend.

"Would you like to join us Bella?" Jasper asked politely.

"Yeah! Come on Belly, it will be super fun! Plus you can meet Alice and Rosie! Pleeeeeeaaaase!" Emmett pleaded.

Hesitating, I thought, I really should thank Alice and Rose and at least attempt to make some friends here… I conceded, "Alright…"

Emmett beamed at me, "AWESOME!" he yelled triumphantly with both fists in the air. I stiffened, forcing myself not to flinch from his exclamation and sudden movement. I glanced at Jacob and he was staring at me, noticing my discomfort.

Jacob then deadpans to Charlie, "I think Bella needs to go to the hospital first." A shocked silence fell and I felt my face heat up in panic and embarrassment.

Charlie broke the silence, "Bella, what's wrong?" I was confused, why didn't he sound angry? He sounded upset, and I was unsure why. I ducked my head so my hair covered my red face and opened my mouth to speak…

Jacob answered cutting in, "I think she bruised a few ribs, I caught her from falling down the stairs and I think she hurt her ribs recently."

Charlie looked back and forth from Jacob to me then stood. "Come on Bella, let's have a look."

"There's really n-" My argument got stuck in my throat when he gave me "the look" and I quickly followed behind him as he went up the stairs and into my bedroom.

When he stopped and turned around I tensed up, Please don't be angry, please don't kick me out… I prayed. I wringed my hands and looked at anything but him. He kneeled down in front of me and encouraged me to show him. I carefully lifted my shirt to just under my bra and he gasped. Now that my bruises had 24 hours to form, they looked terrible. Across my belly and chest you could see the hand prints and marks from his fist. One side of my rib cage was swollen red, probably from a broken rib. There was no denying it, the bruises screamed abuse. I heard Charlie gasp and he covered his mouth with his hand. I quickly pulled my shirt down and protectively covered it with my arms. He knows, he knows you deserved it and now you just ruined your chance… When I looked up, I saw his eyes were filled with unshed tears, and feeling something drip off my face, I realized I was crying too.

"How… I mean… Did Phil… Oh my…" He seemed be at a loss for words, then he slowly got up and gently wrapped his arms around me. His comforting embrace shocked me to the point where I couldn't stop my tears from falling. A feeling of relief washed over me as Charlie comforted me as he would a child. He picked me up and sat in the rocking chair and soothingly rubbed my back as he wiped away my tears as I sobbed. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my sleeve, and then remembered the makeup on my face. Most of it was now on my sleeve and Charlie gasped, "Bella! We are going to the hospital right now." His ton didn't leave any room for argument, and I was too numb with shock to put up a fight. He stood up, still carrying me and I buried my face in his shoulder breathing in his comforting sent. My sobs became quieter as we reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Is she alright?!" Emmett whisper yelled. I gripped Charlie's shirt tighter.

Jasper stayed silent, bless him, but Jacob gravely muttered, "That bad huh?"

Charlie ignored them and quietly asked Jasper to drive them to Forks hospital. We packed ourselves in the cruiser with me on Charlie's lap in the passenger seat.

The drive to the hospital was quick; Charlie continued comforting me and whispered that it was going to be okay and that he would fix this the entire way there. I stopped crying a few minutes before we arrived. I was quickly checked into the empty ER, not making eye contact with anybody. The nurse suggested that my brothers and Jacob stay in the waiting room. Emmett started to argue but Charlie cut him off telling them to stay put. Charlie was directed into the first ER room and he carefully placed me on the bed. After a few minutes with the nurse, a handsome blonde doctor entered my room. His light amber eyes moved from his clipboard to me and Charlie and he gave me a reassuring smile.

"Hello, I'm Doctor Cullen, what seems to be the problem Miss Swan?" He asked, taking the seat next to the bed. I hesitated and looked away. He added, "Would you like to speak with me alone?"

I looked up at Charlie and he squeezed my hand and said, "Whatever you want honey."

I looked back at Dr. Cullen and croaked, "I'd like to do this alone…" Charlie gave me a side hug and left to join everyone else in the waiting room.

Dr. Cullen waited patiently for my answer. I was at a loss for words. I was tired of lying to everybody. Charlie knew, to an extent, and he didn't hate me for what happened. I couldn't wrap my brain around his utter acceptance and kindness. It felt so good to be held and comforted. I hadn't had that since Mom died a year and forever ago. I finally said, "C-can I just show you?"

His eyes softened and he nodded, "Of course."

Still wearing my street clothes I lifted up my shirt, showing him my bruised body and swollen side. His eyes visibly darkened and he asked if he could touch it to see if it was broken or fractured. After a moment I nodded. He was gentle but his cold hands made me flinch. He apologized thinking he caused me pain, and told me I would need an x-ray done to see the extent of the damage. He then left me with a nurse to help me change out of my clothes and into a hospital gown.

Charlie's POV

I sat down in the waiting room after I left her with Dr. Cullen, and suddenly I was overcome with anger. Who the hell would do this to my little girl?! I could only guess Phil, My ex-wife's husband. I'm going to arrest that bastard the second I get back to the station. I promised myself. From the shapes of the bruises covering her stomach I could tell right away she was physically abused. Being a cop, I also know what physical abuse often leads to, but I couldn't even think about it without bile rising in my throat.

Emmett started bombarding me with questions and I explained what she had shown me and my suspicions about Phil to my sons and Jacob. Then Jasper asked, his voice full of emotion, "You don't think she was… raped… or anything, do you Dad?"

I looked away and my voice cracked as I replied, "I don't know, son."

We all sat in tense silence until Dr. Cullen came into the waiting room. I heard a low rumble on my right where Jacob was sitting. "Hello Chief, would you mind stepping into my office? The boys are welcome to come too, if you like."

I stood up and looked back at the boys, "Your choice." I stated. Jasper and Emmett shoot up immediately agreeing to come. I turned to see Jacob giving the Doctor a death glare and was vibrating but when I turned at him he suddenly stopped. Then shaking his head back and forth he mumbled, "I'll come."

As we sat in his office he opened a manila folder and started talking. "After looking at Miss Swan's injuries I took the liberty of ordering a full body x-ray scan to confirm my suspicions." He pulled out ten x-ray photos and put each one on a lighted stand on the wall. "Let's start with her ribs. Two of her lower left ribs are fractured. I have already wrapped and bandaged both fractures and both should heal fine. However," He hesitated, and then continued with his voice full of sorrow, "I assume at this point you have deduced that she has been physically abused previously?" I solemnly nodded. He spoke with regret, "I'm sorry to inform you that her x-rays confirm this wasn't her first attack. She has other scaring on her ribs, skull, both forearms, and both legs. All of which are from defensive wounds and range in age from about five years ago till a few days ago. From looking at her medical records and how the older breaks and cracks have healed I have come to the conclusion that she never received any medical treatment previously after any of her attacks. Fortunately, she healed up nicely on her own and nothing has to be rebroken and set. I know this is a lot to take in, but do any of you have any questions?"

I stuttered, "Was s-she…" I couldn't even say it. I glanced at my boys and their faces were pale; they were in shock. Can't say I was much better. Jacob's hand covered half his face and the other half had tears streaming down it.

He caught the jest and answered truthfully, "At this point I don't know. We would have to run some more tests and talk to Bella herself. In my professional opinion it is most likely a yes but I'd rather not go on suspicion alone. If you would like to talk to her I believe she is resting in her room. That is if you don't have any other questions."

I looked at the boys before shaking my head and thanking him for everything. I walked quickly to Bella's room and before entering I told the boys to wait outside awhile till she was ready to see them.

(A/N: Thanks to all that have reviewed so far! Any questions, comments, concerns, criticism and/or praise are more than welcome.)