Black Out

Still don't own anything related to Twilight.

EPOV

Ian had turned at the same time and saw me as Bella had, confusion registered on his face as he heard Bella whisper my name. When he felt her go limp in his arms he immediately recovered from his shock and placed her on the ground kneeling beside her and calling out her name to revive her. As I watched the scene unfolding from my vantage point, I noticed that Derrick had begun to recover and was beginning to scramble to his feet. This was the motivation I needed to recover from my immobility.

I ran the few yards to where the three of them were gathered to ensure he wouldn't get very far. Being in no mood to have to chase this boy down, I quickly picked him up by his shirt and held him tightly while he struggled and whimpered. I could easily snap his neck and be done with the likes of him. Looking back at Ian and Bella I asked in a controlled voice, "Is she alright, he didn't hurt her did he?" Depending on the answer I received I may still snap his neck.

Just as he looked up to reply, Alice and Jasper came running around the bend. Jasper remained a few feet away, while Alice quickly went to Bella's side. Ian looked at Alice and said with concern, "She doesn't seem to be coming to. I don't think he hurt her but I'm not sure."

"She's fine," Alice replied in a monotone voice. "Edward, bring that boy to Jasper, you need to help me with Bella," she commanded. I was still rooted to the spot, staring at my beautiful angel cradled in another man's arms. This wasn't supposed to happen, Bella needed to okay – this was supposed to be our moment.

Jasper approached and lightly touched my shoulder silently conveying he had Derrick and I should attend to Bella. Stepping lightly towards my sister, I knelt beside her and gazed at Bella. She looked like a sleeping angel; her scent and beauty overcoming my emotions caused me to moan. Reaching my hand to touch her face, I noticed it was trembling; there was only one other time when fear of this magnitude seeped within me – I pushed the memory back. The sound of feet running towards us caused Ian to turn in the direction from which we had come and I heard an audible rush of air – he must have been holding his breath in either fear or shock at the site of my family members and me.

I heard Roxanne's thoughts before I saw her. 'Oh my God, he was right…Derrick did take her. Is she hurt, what's wrong with her?' Her thoughts raced wildly before she screamed and came running to our sides. "Bella, Bella…is she okay?" she asked looking at Alice and I.

"She's fine," Alice responded. "I believe this evening's events were just a little too much for her to handle and her mind has shut down to protect her. I'm not sure though, we need to have her looked at. Edward, help me lift her and get her medical attention. Jasper where is Carlisle meeting us?"

"NO," Ian exclaimed. "Who are you people? Roxanne, what's going on here?" he said pulling Bella closer to his body.

"Ian, it's okay. These are…friends…well yeah, friends of Bella's from her hometown. They're here to help, their father is a doctor." Roxanne explained trying to calm him.

As I looked into Ian's face I saw his expressions alternating between several emotions – anger, confusion, hurt. At that moment, I held no ill will towards the boy he had rescued my angel; succeeded where I would surely have failed based on Alice's vision. His motives were of no consequence at this time. "May I?" I whispered to him gesturing with my hands that I would be lifting Bella.

He looked at Bella and nodded ever so slightly. Knowing the emotions he must have been experiencing I quickly slipped Bella from his arms before he changed his mind and cradling her to my chest as I rose. Jasper spoke quietly, "Carlisle will meet us at her house." 'We didn't know if we would arrive in time…until the very last moment,' he finished in his mind.

Standing with Bella in my arms was like being in heaven. Her scent and warmth wrapped around me and filled me with serenity that only her proximity could deliver. There was no cause for concern, I heard her heartbeat at a regular pace and felt the air gently blowing on my neck as she exhaled. My angel was safe. Sighing deeply I pulled her closer and inhaled her sweet fragrance.

Turning to the path from where we arrived I noticed Bella's other friends had arrived at some point. Roxanne and Alice flanked my sides as I began walking with Bella who was still not responding. Jasper was following close behind with Derrick in tow as he whimpered incoherent phrases. No one even acknowledged his presence. I had tuned everyone's thoughts out as my relief for Bella's safety overpowered all other emotions.

Drake stepped past us quickly and went to Ian's side. I heard him asking Ian as we walked away, "Hey are you okay? What happened here? Come on, get up."

Anne and Sam were standing on the path confused; their eyes were flitting from our little cluster as we walked towards them, to Drake and Ian further back on the grass. Roxanne paused briefly and told Anne we were bringing Bella back to the house. Anne's eyes glanced at my face, briefly looked at Bella and nodded her head.

As I walked with Bella in my arms, I held her closer to my chest and kissed her head. Had I been able to cry I'm sure tears would have been flowing freely down my face and I did not care who witnessed the scene. My love had escaped death one more time. If Ian had not been in the vicinity or even mere moments later there is no telling what everyone would have come upon in the aftermath of that remote area in the park.

When we arrived at Bella's house, Carlisle and Esme were standing by his car waiting for our arrival. He quickly came to my side and began checking her vitals. 'Edward carry her into the house, she appears safe but I'd like to give her a better examination before confirming.' Stepping around him I carried her up to the door as Roxanne held it open.

The entryway was filled with people and Roxanne took control, "Move out of the way…Edward bring her to our room, it's the third door on the left. Come on people, MOVE," she said loudly while pushing people aside.

Moving quickly into her room, I settled Bella gently on the bed and stepped back so Carlisle could examine her properly. Watching him intently I tried to gain control of my emotions, my hands were still trembling from the scene playing in my head. A calm spread through me as Jasper and Alice entered the room, glancing over my shoulder I smiled weakly at him acknowledging the appreciation for his efforts.

Carlisle swiftly and efficiently checked Bella for any sign of harm. "She appears to be free of any physical damage, her emotional state seems to have taken most of the damage. I don't like the fact she's been out this long. Her recent trauma combined with her already fragile frame of mind has caused her to withdraw within herself. I'm honestly not sure when she'll come around, I'm sorry." He turned to look at me with an expression of deep concern. 'Edward you may be the only one to break through the barriers she has imposed. We'll give you some privacy while we calm everyone down.' He walked to the door guiding Alice and Jasper downstairs.

As I sat gazing at Bella, I heard Roxanne coming up the steps as my family was exiting the room. "Can I see her?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes, but please make it quick. She hasn't come around yet and I've asked Edward to stay with her. If anyone can break through to her, I believe it will be him. We'll wait here, our family will need your assistance in calming down your co-eds." Carlisle informed her.

"Sure, no problem." She responded quickly as she entered the room.

Her steps were light as she approached Bella; stroking her face lightly, she looked over at me and sighed. Sitting beside me on her bed she said while still looking at Bella, "Well Romeo, this didn't exactly turn out like we planned." She sighed again and patted my hand.

"It's time for you to prove yourself to our girl now, help her to come back to us Edward. She can't stay locked away in her mind, we need her – both of us, so put on the charm and get her to snap out of it. Stop wallowing in this…emotional abyss and bring her back. Once she realizes you are really here, she'll return." She looked at me with such force and confidence in my ability it shook me to my core.

I stood and walked to Bella's side, Roxanne's speech frightened me. What if I wasn't able to reach her…what if my recent activities had pushed her too far and she was beyond even my ability to get through to her. Turning back to Roxanne anxiously I asked quietly, "What if I'm unable to connect with her?"

She rose and came to stand beside me, nudging me gently in the ribs, "Who are you kidding Romeo, our girl has it bad for you. She's Penelope…she's been fighting off suitors for a year now waiting for your return. No she wouldn't miss this moment for anything in the world." She smiled up at me. Her words were strong with confidence, but her thoughts were unsure. 'What if it's not enough though? What if all the stress she's had is just too much? She has to come back, he has to help her…she can't stay locked away, he's the answer to all her dreams.'

"Roxanne?" Alice whispered from the door, "Everyone is getting restless downstairs, we need to explain what happened."

"Okay, I'll be right there." She looked back at me and took my hands. "You can do this, you have to. I don't know you very well, but Bella does and her faith in you remains resolute. Sit with her, talk to her…she'll respond." She looked at Bella again before walking to the door closing it behind her.

Looking down upon my angel, I brushed a stray hair from her face. Roxanne was right Bella only needed to hear my voice and she would return. Lifting her gently in my arms, I sat on her bed leaning back against the headboard with my legs extended on the mattress crossed at the ankles. Positioning her body slightly on its side, I placed her head so that her right ear was pressed to my chest. Wrapping my right arm over her I placed her broken arm on my abdomen while my left arm held her head tightly in position.

Sighing deeply, I began talking knowing in this position she would be able to hear my voice as it left my mouth but also hear it from deep within my chest. At first it was desperate coos pleading with her to return to me. I alternated between the requests for her to return to humming her lullaby. When she remained in the unresponsive state I decided to tell her everything that had taken place since that fateful day in the woods. I told the story in reverse order beginning with where we currently were and winding down to the moment I turned my back on her in the woods. My thoughts were lost in the visions that played in my head, I'm not sure how much time had passed but when I had completed the dialogue I heard a gentle knock on the door.

There was no way I would move from my position to discover who was knocking I let it pass. Another gentle knock came again and then the door opened slowly, I turned my head to see who was entering. Ian poked his head in the door, for a brief moment his face registered deep hurt as he took in the scene before him. "Do you mind if I come in?" he asked quietly.

"No, please join me." I owed him at least this and since Bella had yet to respond to me perhaps he would have an influence on her. His thoughts were reminiscent of my own not too long ago, 'this is harder than I imagined. Bella in his arms…it's ripping me to pieces. But this is what is meant to be – after hearing everything he just told her…I know that my presence in her life would only hurt her more.'

I didn't let the surprise register on my face; he had eavesdropped on everything I just voiced to Bella. My discourse with Bella had diverted my awareness of anything else, I never heard him outside the door. Briefly I felt a flash of anger but then realized he had every right to come to her side in her time of need. He didn't know me; I was an interloper in the future he was hoping to build with Bella.

Sitting on Roxanne's bed I analyzed his face and thoughts, he would be true to his word. If Bella awoke and informed him that she had no interest he would step aside. His face was a mask struggling to contain his pain. "So…Roxanne tells me you and Bella have a past," he said not revealing that he had just heard for himself.

"Yes, you could say that," I chuckled dryly. Glancing down at Bella briefly I stroked her hair continuing, "She's my world. I made the biggest mistake of my entire existence a year ago and plan on rectifying that as soon as she opens her eyes." I looked up at him raising my eyebrow slightly to convey how serious I was in my quest.

"I see," he sighed. Looking directly into my eyes he said, "and what if she doesn't want you back? What will you do then?"

"Most likely my actions will be similar to yours, if she chooses me over you." I stated firmly. "Ian I understand you do not know me and your interest in Bella has been growing since the day you met, but I have no intention of ripping Bella apart in order to appease my own selfish needs. If upon her waking she decides her future does not include me, I will walk away. I only request you hold true to your feelings for her and do the same." Glancing back down at Bella quickly I looked up at him again to gauge his expression and thoughts.

Nodding he held my gaze, "You seem pretty confident. Are you so sure that after walking away from her a year ago, she will allow you back in her life?" 'He's so comfortable with her, the way he holds her and speaks…his confidence is solid. It's as if he has an inside track to her thoughts…'

If only his thoughts were true. Shrugging my shoulders I said calmly, "I don't really know how Bella will react. That is a major concern of mine, I'm just requesting we honor her decision and not cause any additional strife for her. As you can see by tonight's drama her emotional state should be our primary concern. If we love her as we both claim, then our own emotions should be secondary to her well being."

'Wow, this guy has it all…no wonder Bella couldn't let go. He has the looks, the way he speaks is so…formal…is that the right word? How could I possibly compete with this Joe!' Glancing back at Bella he spoke, "Fine, Bella's choice it is. Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions?" he asked diverting his eyes to his hands in his lap.

"It's a free world? I won't commit to answering if I feel they are too invasive."

"Why did you leave – how could you leave her?" He asked quietly. I knew by his thoughts he wasn't just asking for the knowledge he was trying to prepare himself for the inevitable when Bella awoke.

"Bella and my relationship was…is complicated. We are like waves in the ocean against sea stones." I smiled at my analogy. "I'm the stone, cold and hard…difficult at best to penetrate. With waves that crash against the surface the stones will slowly reform…softening the sharp edges. Bella was the wave that softened my rough edges. She entered my world and splashed against my existence forever changing me. I no longer belong on the shore's edges waiting for her to gently lap against me – my place is deep within her ocean depths softly contoured to her desire. I've been changed forever." I sighed looking down at my love again.

"I apologize, I have yet to answer your question. A year ago Bella's world and mine didn't make sense to me…I resisted everything she delivered. My world didn't deserve someone as beautiful as her, I couldn't fathom how someone as fragile and exquisite as her could fit into the existence I had developed. It's simple really; I pushed her away. I told her I didn't love her" I shrugged again and looked at him, "I lied." I felt Bella stir in my arms ever so slightly, had I been human I wouldn't have detected it. Perhaps I was getting through to her, I didn't want Ian to know so I just tightened my hold on her.

"But why? If she meant so much to you, why would you do that; how could you do that?"

"Again, simple…her life meant much more to me than my own. If she could return to the life she was leading before I entered it, then she would be safe. My own shortcomings would not interfere with her future. Believe it or not I was for once in my existence being unselfish…giving her what I believed she needed at the time." Bella's heart rate quickened at my words, I knew it she was coming around…it was just a matter of time.

I leaned my head back on the headboard and continued perhaps if I told my story she would understand and come back to me. "I had every intention of remaining committed to this course, but then Alice found out our travels had intersected and we were once again within miles of one another. Believe me when I tell you I resisted the temptation to run to her and claim her as my own. The inner struggle was interminable, still right now holding her in my arms I question whether or not this is right for her. But I'm weak, weak and selfish…I need her just as a person needs air to breath. Her riptide is too strong to keep me upon the shore. Who am I to question destiny?" Bella's sigh was barely audible to even my ears and I smirked at the knowledge.

He remained motionless, silent as his thoughts absorbed all I had told him. 'I've lost her, its obvious the only thing missing is the fat lady. How could I possibly compete with this bond?' Placing his hands on his knees preparing to stand he sighed, before he could leave there was one question I needed an answer to.

Looking over at him I said, "Ian I've answered your questions truthfully, I was wondering if you could reciprocate?" pausing I waited for his answer. He remained seated and looked at me curiously inviting my question. "How did you know Derrick had taken Bella to the park?"

In my arms Bella began to shift the slightest bit again. I wasn't sure if in the recesses of her mind the question I had just posed had made her uncomfortable, so I wrapped my arms around her tighter in an attempt to help her feel safe.

Ian was nervous, I could hear it in his thoughts as well as tell by his actions. He was staring at his hands as they nervously twitched in his lap. "Well, that's an uncomfortable question to answer especially since it came from you. Since you were so honest with me, I feel compelled to give you the same respect."

He looked at me now and grimaced. "This afternoon I came home and challenged Bella, I had no idea you were around or even what your relationship had meant. I asked Bella to grant me one kiss and allow me the opportunity to help her forget about you. Afterwards, I felt the need to leave for a bit to give her some space…this house can get pretty small at times. Everyone seems to be involved in one another's business, so I decided to take a walk. I didn't know Derrick had taken Bella, I knew he was a nuisance but never in my wildest imagination did I believe he was capable of what he pulled this evening." He paused shaking his head; he was struggling with this concept feeling somewhat responsible.

"Ian, no one holds you accountable for Derrick's actions. Do not blame yourself for his behavior." I stated letting him know I would not use this as an advantage in gaining Bella's affections.

"Thanks. Anyway I was walking in the park when I heard someone pleading with someone else, I headed in the direction of the voices and saw Derrick grabbing at Bella and pushing her to the ground. My reaction was one I never imagined myself capable, I rushed him and started beating him senseless until I heard Bella yelling for me to stop. You pretty much know the rest I guess because it was moments later she whispered your name…" he sat with his hands folded in his lap looking down at them while he twisted his fingers.

I felt bad for the boy, this afternoon was probably one of the best of his short time in knowing Bella and this evening's events had changed it so significantly. He knew it was over for him, she would never be his…but still his hope had held strong until he heard my words. Bella had a way of making everyone in her life feel special and her effect on this boy was one he would remember and hopefully look back on with fondness for the rest of his life.

"Well unless you have more questions, I'm going to head downstairs. If Drake is still in the mood I think we'll be heading back to New York State." He said standing and moving towards the door. He turned with his hand on the handle, "When she comes to could you have Roxanne let Drake know, I really am fond of her and want to make sure she's okay."

I nodded my head and said, "Ian thank you for watching out for her. I'll never forget how good you've been to her."

"That was the easy part," he said as he left the room.

Holding Bella closer I evaluated everything we had been through in two very short years of knowing one another. I wanted her to wake up, this seemed like it was taking too long and my nerves were starting to wear thin. Patience was never a strong suit of mine and this was testing the limits. I had pleaded, provided her with information about the past year…the only thing I hadn't spoken of was the future. So I began telling her of all the places we would visit and moments we had yet to enjoy. As I told her of my desires I could feel the life returning to her slowly. Stroking her face occasionally and kissing her head I continued providing her with all the reasons she should return to me.

"Edward" I heard her whisper. Shifting from my position so I could witness her eyes opening when she finally came around, I responded,"Yes love?" I chuckled as her forehead creased with confusion. She groaned slightly and I lightened my hold on her slightly, as if by instinct her fingers in her left hand gripped my shirt, but still she kept her eyes closed.

Deciding to help her reach the decision to wake, I blew softly in her face and then kissed her on the nose gently. Pulling my head back I watched intently as she inhaled deeply and then smiled softly. My Bella was returning…I grinned with excitement – this was the moment I had waited for. Anxious for her to open her eyes so I could look deep into the depths of the brown pools, I traced my finger on her cheek. She reached up and touched the spot on her face I had just touched and smiled again.

She was resisting my charms so I decided to take action…"Bella, love…wake up." I whispered softly in her ear. That did the trick…she opened one eye slowly just barely peeking at me. She smiled and then frowned opening the other eye. Confusion was written across her face as she became more alert, she pulled her face away and stared at me. I smiled broadly at her and said, "Welcome back beautiful."

She struggled against me to sit up and then winced in pain as she wrenched her arm quickly. I reached out and helped her to sit up, all the while grinning like a fool. "What…what are you doing here?" she stammered. My grin slipped from my face, she wasn't happy to see me.

"I…I…Bella, what's wrong?" I decided to change the course of this questioning. I wasn't prepared to address everything so quickly. "Let me get Carlisle, perhaps you should be looked at again." I said as I swiftly moved towards the door.

"Wait just one minute. Don't move another muscle. I asked you a question, I expect an answer before you go running for cover." She said firmly. Her tone of voice stopped me in mid-stride. This wasn't the reunion I was expecting.

Turning back to her slowly I asked lightly teasing, "What was the question again?"

"You know exactly what I asked Edward…what are you doing here?" she crossed her arms across her chest and glared at me. "I thought you promised no more interference in my life. Why do I have to keep my promises and you blatantly disregard yours?"

Rushing back to her side, I took her hand, "Bella don't you want me here? Am I no longer welcome in your life?" I was stricken…how could I have been so wrong, how could everyone have been so wrong.

She looked up at me and said less severely, "We weren't discussing my wishes Edward, I asked about yours. I'd like to understand why you've returned. My love for you has never wavered, you on the other hand left me. I'd like an explanation as to why you've returned."

The tears began to flow down her cheeks and I sat by her side wiping them away with kisses. If she required an explanation, then she would have one, even if it took all night.