I began to lift the stick, frantically thinking about how I could defend myself and keep Bella safe. Panic squeezed at my chest when I realized the significance of Carlisle's absence; had that bastard done something to him, too?

With another low snort, a face appeared above me. I gasped aloud, falling backward to land heavily on my backside. A large black bear peered down at me, snuffling and shaking his huge, shaggy head.

A muttered curse escaped me, but aside from that I remained utterly still. The bear eyed me warily for several very long seconds, then he gave another snort and disappeared from view. I heard his heavy paws and the squelch of mud as he shambled away.

"Edward!" Carlisle's voice called out.

I twisted my head to the source, seeing him about twenty yards away. He hurried toward me. My heart was still beating fast when he reached me, and I was sure I had paled. Pointing upward, I said, "There was a bear."

He nodded. "I saw it. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine."

He offered me his hand, which I took gratefully. He helped me to get up, watching my injured leg as I rose.

"Where the hell were you?" I asked, my tone sharper than I intended.

He blinked in surprise. "I was trying to get a signal. I walked to an area where the ravine isn't as steep, then I climbed up to the top."

"Oh… Any luck?"

He shook his head. "No."

Another curse escaped me. I ran a hand through my hair. "Sorry. We didn't know where you were, and when I heard something up there," I gestured toward the ledge, "I didn't know who it was…I thought…"

He nodded in understanding. "I didn't see any signs of anyone else being out here. I really doubt James is even in the state anymore."

"Of course; you're probably right." I shifted uncomfortably. My knee had begun to throb in earnest. "So what do we do now? How are we going to get Bella out of here?"

"The only way would be to carry her, preferably on a litter, but even that would be risky. Any jostling movements could cause lung damage, and treating a pneumothorax out here is not something we want to attempt."

"The biggest issue is getting her up," I said, lifting my gaze to the ledge again.

"Yes, that's a major concern. But even if we did… Edward, with your knee you can't carry a litter."

I didn't want to accept that as true. I shook my head. "I can take more Aleve, and you can make a brace for me. I'm sure I can manage."

"Even if you could, you shouldn't."

I opened my mouth to object, but he held up a hand to stop me.

"Aside from the severe damage you would likely do to your knee," he continued, "we can't guarantee you'd be steady on your feet. In point of fact, it's highly unlikely that you'd manage to get more than a short way before you'd falter. What would happen to Bella if you dropped your end of the litter?"

I hated that he was right but couldn't deny it. I shook my head. "Okay. So what are our other options? Can you carry her?"

"Not without knowing where I'm going. And at this moment, I don't know where the hell we are." Frustration colored his tone. "Following the stream will help, but we have no idea how far in we are. Bella is safer remaining here for the time being."

"So what are you thinking?"

"At some point, she'll be missed, as will we." A flicker of pain crossed his expression, and I knew he was thinking of Esme. "We don't know when Bella was expected back, but if her trip was intended to be fairly short, I'm sure her father will organize a search quickly when she doesn't return as planned."

"Okay, so waiting for help is one option, but we don't know how long that could take."

"Let's find out what the duration of Bella's trip was supposed to be."

"And if it was scheduled for more than a couple of days?"

"I'll go for help. If I follow the stream, it'll take me back to the Queets River eventually. Once I find it, I'll have my bearings, if not before then. But it could take me awhile… a day, possibly more."

That would leave me to take care of Bella. The thought frightened me on many levels. I was frustrated by the limitations my injury placed on my mobility. I was also worried about Bella's medical needs. She was in much more experienced hands with Carlisle here.

My expression must have shown my apprehension, because Carlisle placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, saying, "We need to know how long Bella's trip was supposed to be. We won't make any decisions until we have that information, okay?"

I gave a nod of acceptance, and he helped me back to the tent. We found Bella awake and clearly relieved at our return. Prior to questioning her, Carlisle had her do her breathing exercises, and he checked her leg. Once these necessary tasks were finished, he asked her about her trip.

"It was planned for five nights," she told us.

Carlisle and I exchanged a worried glance. She wasn't expected back for three more days.

"Which area did you leave from?" he inquired.

"Staircase Ranger Station," she said.

He nodded, obviously familiar with this landmark. "And about how far did you hike the first day?"

"Maybe five miles?"

I knew that Carlisle was doing some mental calculations, as was I. Bella had run from their camp during the night, but in the dark it was unlikely she had covered more than a few miles.

"Do you know about what time of day it was when you reached this area?" he asked.

"I'm not sure…" Her eyebrows drew together, and I could see her agitation building as she recalled the frightening events that had led her here.

I clasped her hand gently, saying, "It's okay, Bella. If you can't remember, that's fine."

She shook her head, and with quiet determination said, "No… I just need to think."

"Take your time," Carlisle told her calmly.

"When the sun came up," she began, her voice hushed, "I was deep in the woods. I had no idea where I was… "

I squeezed her hand softly, hoping I could convey my resolve to keep her safe.

She took a shaky breath then exhaled slowly. "I didn't have my phone or anything else—I should have grabbed my pack, I guess, but James' expression and his voice…they were deadly. I was so scared. "

"That's perfectly understandable," Carlisle assured her.

"Fight or flight is a natural human response," I added.

She nodded. "I suppose so. Once the sun rose, I could at least see, and that helped a little. But I still didn't know where I was or how to get back to the ranger station. I knew if I traveled east I'd eventually reach the edge of the park, so I started walking. I'd gone a mile or two, I guess, when I saw the stream. I knew I needed water, so I tried to climb down… but I fell." Her eyes moved from Carlisle's face to mine. "If you hadn't found me…"

"Well, we did," Carlisle said with a smile. "And we're going make sure you get back to your father safely." His gaze flicked to his backpack, and I knew that he had decided he would go for help as soon as possible.

It was the most rational decision, but it left me overwhelmed with apprehension. My biggest concern was for Bella, of course, and my ability to take care of her. But I was also worried for Carlisle. I knew he was an experienced hiker, but unexpected hazards could still present grave difficulties. Even with care, he could be injured, and there was a very real possibility that he could face a bear or other dangerous wildlife. He had nothing with which to protect himself; he abhorred guns and would never consider carrying one.

"When are you leaving?" I asked him.

Bella's eyes widened. "Carlisle?" she questioned.

He offered her another smile. "I'm going to find help."

"Oh—I'm sorry," Bella said. She looked stricken.

"There's nothing to be sorry for," he replied. "I'm just glad that Edward and I ended up here where we could help you."

"Yes," I murmured in agreement.

Bella and I remained quiet while Carlisle prepared his pack. I knew that all of our thoughts were focused on his journey. He took the time to get a good supply of water for us, to prepare an area for a fire, and to gather fuel. All the wood was still wet, but he and I were hopeful that it would be dry enough by nightfall to ignite. He felt it was important that we have a fire to help the rescue team find us as quickly as possible, particularly if he contacted the ranger after sunset.

Carlisle worked efficiently and was prepared to depart by 9:00. He checked Bella's breathing again, then he spent another minute ensuring that the medical supplies were organized. He had packed some food for himself but left the majority of it for Bella and me. He asked if there was anything else either of us might need. Neither Bella nor I could think of anything, aside from his safe return with a rescue team.

Carlisle knelt at Bella's side one more time, placing his hand against her cheek. "I want you to stay calm and relaxed, sweetheart," he told her. "Edward will take good care of you, and you'll be in a warm bed by tomorrow. You're going to be just fine."

She nodded, blinking at tears. "I don't even have the words… to express how grateful I am…"

He kissed her forehead. "No words are needed."

"Be safe," she rasped as he turned toward to entrance.

He gave her a nod and a smile, and then he tilted his head toward me. He wanted to speak with me alone.

"I'll be right back," I told Bella.

Carlisle helped me out of the tent. With the dose of ibuprofen I'd taken upon waking, my knee was feeling marginally better, but I was far from mobile. Once outside, he gave me a sturdy, slightly curved stick he'd found; it was better suited to work as a cane than the one I'd grabbed earlier.

"Let's talk over here," he said softly, looping my arm over his shoulders so that he could support me.

We walked about five yards from the tent, just far enough to be out of earshot for Bella.

I gave Carlisle a concerned, questioning look.

He glanced back at the tent before addressing me. "You need to continue with the ibuprofen every six hours—800 mg. And keep the knee elevated whenever you can."

I nodded; I already knew this.

"Be sure Bella does her breathing exercises every three to four hours. She can have acetaminophen as needed, too."

"Right. What else?"

He sighed. "I'm really hoping to reach the ranger station before nightfall, or get to an area where I can get cell reception. But honestly, I have no idea where we are. If I don't have a good sense of my location by sunset, I'll stop and make camp—I can't risk continuing on in the dark and losing my trail."

I understood that he had to keep track of where he'd come from so that he could direct the rescuers back here.

"There's a chance that I won't be able to get help to you until tomorrow or the next day. I'm going to move as quickly as I can—"

"But safely," I cautioned him.

"Of course. I'm not planning on taking any risks."

"Don't, Carlisle."

"I won't. But Edward, I need to warn you… When I listened to Bella's lungs a little while ago I thought I heard the beginning of rales."

"Pneumonia?" I questioned immediately.

"Possibly. You'll need to keep a close eye on her and listen to her lungs again in a few hours. She was lying in the stream when we found her. It's fairly likely that she aspirated some water."

"Damn it," I growled lowly. "That's the last thing she needs with fractured ribs."

"I know, and I intend to do everything I can to get her out of here before it becomes an issue." He placed a hand upon my shoulder, trying to mitigate my agitation. "You need to remain calm; that's the best thing you can do for her. Keep her comfortable and as relaxed as possible."

I took a deep breath and released it slowly; rationality was critical now. Feeling slightly less panicked, I said, "I'll do whatever I can for her."

"I know you will. I have absolute confidence in you, Edward. You've had good training and you have excellent skills. Don't forget that."

I nodded, appreciating his belief in me despite my own doubts. I pulled him into an embrace, murmuring, "Thank you."

A few moments later he lifted his pack. "I'll see you soon," he said, his tone steady and sure.

I repeated Bella's parting words because there was really nothing else to say: "Be safe."

"Definitely."

I watched as he walked away. He turned once to wave. I lifted my hand in farewell then let it drop to my side as he disappeared from view.

To be continued…