Disclaimer: None of this is mine, nor will it ever be (sigh). I like to play with the characters that Stephenie Meyers created and make them do pervy things or become angels with a bad attitude.

Riley just couldn't leave well enough alone. And what did he do to Edward?

Chapter Seven

BPOV

"Do you have your car?"

"In the back," I said. "My keys are in my pocket." Edward nodded, putting his jacket around me. He reached into my pocket and led me to parking lot behind the building. He turned over the car and drove us to the hospital. He was rubbing his chest and angling his body away from me. "Are you okay? What did he do to you?"

"I'm okay. I'll be okay," he said. He looked over at me and his green eyes were dull. "Let me just worry about you."

"He said something to me, Edward. He said that you're not what you seem. What does he mean?" I asked, cradling my wrist against my body. He blew out a breath, glancing at me as he gripped the steering wheel. "Will you hurt me like Riley?"

"Never, Bella. He's truly evil," he answered. "Don't doubt me, please." His voice cracked and a tear fell down his cheek. He blinked over to me, his eyes still dull and his face drawn. "I won't hurt you." He turned into the hospital and parked the car. "Let me take care of you."

"But you're injured, too," I whispered.

"I'll be okay," he said. "Let me focus on you, pretty Bella." He leaned across and caressed my cheek. "You'll always be my first priority."

EPOV

I parked her car, trying to keep my wings hidden and not show the excruciating pain that Riley had caused me. Or, should I say Lucifer, acting as Riley. Riley was long dead. His soul was completely consumed by the evil. The man who had broken Bella was gone, but he was already evil to begin with. Now, he was an instrument for the devil, a disguise for Lucifer to wear to get to Bella.

But why?

"Edward, are you sure you're okay?" Bella asked, her voice faint and tinged with pain, but so sweet.

"Let's focus on you, pretty Bella," I replied, getting out of the car and helping her out as well. It took all my strength to stay upright and keep my wings tucked in my body. Checking into the emergency room, we were led into an examination room. A nurse took Bella's vitals. I stayed close by, but I needed to stretch my wings, eat a steak or twenty and sleep for days. Whatever Riley had done to me; it was bad.

"Isabella Swan?" asked a female doctor. Bella smiled tersely. "I'm Dr. Leah Clearwater. You broke your wrist?"

"I think so," she replied. "I was working when an ex-boyfriend came in, grabbing my wrist and grinding the bones together. Then, I fell back and I felt a snap."

"Let me get some x-rays," Dr. Clearwater said, jotting something on the chart. She turned me, her eyes narrowing. "Sir, are you okay? You look pale."

"I'll be fine. Bella, I need to step out. I'm feeling a little nauseous," I said, rubbing my belly. Bella frowned sympathetically. "I'm okay. I just don't want to …" I chuckled and imitating throwing up. She nodded and I darted out. I made my way to the exit, sprinting to the tree line. Once I was hidden, I unfurled my wings and took off. Using my mind, I shouted for Alice. She found me, guiding me to a remote mountain. I fell to my knees, panting heavily. "What was that?"

Kneeling, Alice pressed her hand to my chest. "Darkness. Pure evil," she said, her hand warming and healing me. "It was just a fraction of his power, Edward."

"So, it's Lucifer?" I asked. "You're certain?"

"Yes. He's assumed human form once again. We don't know exactly what he has in store," Alice sighed, finishing her healing and stumbling. "How did you stay upright, Edward?"

"I don't know, but I did. For her," I murmured, wanting to be next to her once again. Alice sat down, giving me a smirk. I shook my head. "What is Riley or Lucifer or whatever his name is, what does he want with Bella? Is this another wave of genocide?"

"She's powerful, but she's at a crossroads," Alice said. "If she focuses on her powers for good, Lucifer will lose power and be banished to Hell for a thousand years. If she goes to the dark side, the world will erupt into chaos and we will never recover. Ever."

"How is she so powerful?" I asked. "Surely, you're privy to that information."

"That we don't know," Alice said, her brow furrowing. "He is pretty mum about the whole situation, only saying that Bella is important. You better head back, though. Are you okay?"

"I don't feel so empty, but I still hurt," I said, rubbing my chest. "Alice, please, as soon as you find out more, let me know."

"I'll call you," Alice smirked. She took off, disappearing into the darkening sky.

I sighed and went in the opposite direction, flying to the hospital. I landed on the roof and raced down the steps, coming back to Bella's room as she returned from getting her arm x-rayed. Bella's arm was wrapped in ice and I could feel her pain, now that my own agony had been dampened. "You feeling better?" Bella asked. "I was worried when you didn't come back before they took me to the radiology suite."

"I'm better now, but it wasn't pretty," I chuckled. I sat down, pressing my hand on top of the ice pack. I couldn't heal her completely since I still felt empty. However, I did help ease her pain. She gave me a soft smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. Gulping, I asked, "Was Riley always like that?"

"He never abused me, physically. It was more of a mind-fuck with …" she trailed off. He took without permission. If I wasn't in the mood, it didn't matter. He still took. "But, something has changed with him. He seemed different, darker, angrier, sinister, more evil. You know?"

"I'd agree with that assessment, but seeing him hurt you gutted me," I said honestly.

"You're not the only one. When you fell to your knees, I wanted nothing more than to help you," she said, blushing warmly. We leaned closer together, and just as our lips were about to touch, Dr. Clearwater came in. Bella's blushed deepened and she took my hand, gripping it tightly. However, her proximity made the emptiness dissipate. "What's the diagnosis?"

"It is broken," Dr. Clearwater frowned. "I'm concerned that you might need surgery to repair the damage." She tossed up the x-rays, pointing to several troubling spots on her films. "We may need to put pins here and here. The bone density is weaker. Have you broken this wrist before?"

"Um, possibly. This wrist was injured several times when I was a kid, but my foster families didn't see the importance of taking me to the doctor," Bella said, her nose wrinkled. "What's the probability of having surgery? I'm a teacher and I have sick days, but I don't want to take off time unless I have to."

"We can cast it for now, but over the summer, you will need to have surgery or it will continue to deteriorate and it may hinder your mobility," Dr. Clearwater explained. "Here's a card of an orthopedic surgeon. He's my brother and great at what he does. You can hold off having that surgery, but it would be in your interest to get it done over this summer."

"I'll probably need documentation so I can go to work," Bella sighed.

"I'll draw up the appropriate paperwork. However, you'll need help," Dr. Clearwater smiled. "This is a serious fracture, Ms. Swan."

"I'm at your beckoned call," I smirked, squeezing Bella's good hand. "And I'm in the room right next door at school, pretty Bella."

"I don't want to be a burden, Edward," she frowned. "I can take care of myself."

"You are my first and only priority, Bella. I want to help you," I said, my finger tracing down her cheek.

"But …" Bella argued.

"No buts," I chuckled. "What do you need to do, Dr. Clearwater?"

"I need to set the break. I'm going to sedate you since the severity of it. Will you have someone staying with you tonight?" Dr. Clearwater asked.

"Yes," I answered. Bella scowled. "Remember, I want to help. Consider me your six-foot tall shadow."

"You're sick, too," Bella said. "I'll just sleep it off, Edward."

"I'm feeling better," I answered honestly. "We're covered, Dr. Clearwater. She'll stay with me."

"Okay, good," Dr. Clearwater said. "Let me get the supplies and you should be out of here in a few hours. I'll also give you documentation to go to work, but you cannot be by yourself while you're under the power of the sedative. You'll need to wrap your cast when you shower and I want you to see my brother in two weeks. He can check the progress of your healing and discuss your options for surgery."

"Thank you," Bella said, leaning back on the gurney. Dr. Clearwater left returning in a little bit with a nurse. Bella was given an IV and a sedative, along with a pain killer, was shot directly into her veins. She slumped, slurring her speech and smiling drunkenly. "You're pretty, Edward."

"I beg to differ," I said, brushing an errant curl from her face. "You're the pretty one. And you're pretty stoned."

"Yep," she giggled, tugging me closer and leaning her cheek against my bicep. I wanted to heal her. I was feeling stronger, but it would be too obvious. I could speed up her healing, but I had to wait until Dr. Clearwater was done and Bella was asleep. I also needed my own rest.

True to word, Bella's arm was set and casted in a purple cast within a few hours. Dr. Clearwater gave me Bella's medical release to go back to work, but encouraged her to take Monday off. She was a giggly, stoned mess and I said I'd speak to her the following day, when she was more coherent. Dr. Clearwater also gave Bella pain killers from the pharmacy. Rolling her out of the emergency room, I drove her back to her apartment, but I didn't want Bella there. I told Dr. Clearwater that she was staying with me. With Riley roaming around the city, I wanted her safe with me, in my home hidden in the Hoh Rainforest.

Better safe than sorry, but with Lucifer's resources, even my hidden fortress of solitude would not keep us completely safe.

Packing a bag, I left her car at the apartment and picked her up in my arms. I was still weak, but better. Bella was down for the count, curled into my chest, her arm in a sling. I rolled my shoulders, releasing my wings and taking off for home. Landing softly and keeping my wings out, I carried her inside and was greeted by a ball of wriggling fur. Felix barked, sniffing at Bella's foot, giving her a doggy smile. "You're more excited to see her, mutt," I snorted. "What am I chopped liver?"

Felix sat down, tipping his head, as if saying, Uh, yeah, dumb ass.

I snorted, rolling my eyes. Carrying her to my bedroom, I placed her on the bed, putting a pillow under broken arm. I brushed my fingers along her cheek. She stirred, looking at me and smiling. "My guardian angel," she said before succumbing back into a deep sleep.

"If you only knew, pretty Bella," I sighed. Leaving her in the room, I went to the kitchen and made two broiled steaks with a salad. I devoured them and wished I had more. However, with my stalking of Bella, my fridge was sadly empty. If I wasn't so tired, I would run and get food, but I needed to rest.

Edward … came the quiet mental voice of the sleeping girl in my bedroom. I focused on her thoughts, seeing how cruel Riley was to her and it made my stomach twist painfully. I went into the room, watching her from the doorway. Bella whimpered, reaching for me and I couldn't stop my body from slipping into the room. Laying down, I stared at her. Bella moved and snuggled against my body. I wrapped my arms around her, my wings around both of us.

xx OOTD xx

I woke with a start. I heard Felix whimpering. Unraveling my wings from Bella and me, I saw Felix giving me the puppy eyes. "Sorry, bud. Let's go," I said, covering Bella with a blanket. It pained me to leave her for just a moment. But, my dog was doing the potty dance. I let him out and he took off, taking care of his business. When he was done, he plopped down next to me. "You'll watch over her while I get us some food, right?"

Felix's tongue spilled out and his tail wagged. He got up and walked into the house, hopping back on the bed and snuggling up against Bella. Her nose wrinkled, but she sighed, her hand petting Felix's chocolate fur. I gave him a nuzzle before going out to the car and driving to a local grocery store. I got enough for meals for the day, along with some toiletries for Bella. I also picked up supplies to help wrap her cast, but I wanted to assist in her healing. Paying for the supplies, I drove back and started working the kitchen.

I had made a breakfast casserole and was working on some cinnamon rolls when Felix ran into the kitchen, his tail down. "What's wrong?" I asked. Felix whimpered lowly, tugging on my jeans. I rolled my shoulders, hiding my wings and went into the bedroom. Bella was in the throes of a brutal night terror. All the worst abuse was on repeat in her mind. She was flopping, her broken arm threatening to come into contact with the harsh edge of my nightstand. I caught her arm and held her in my arms. I wrapped her in my embrace, my hands cradling her wrist. My hands warmed, taking away the pain from her broken bone. "I'm here, Bella," I whispered against her hair.

"Edward," she cried, but still asleep. Tears tracked down her cheeks. Her mind was a jumble of torture, pain, brutality and despair. Moving my hand from her wrist, I cradled her head and tried to implant better memories, but it didn't work. Her brain did calm, but the memories were still dark. Once her nightmare ended and her mind was blank, I lay her back on the bed. She was sweaty and disheveled. I went into the bathroom, grabbing a washcloth, wiping down her face and her bare arms. She sighed and her dreams changed again. This time, I was the star and I blushed at how she saw me.

A guardian angel with tats and snarky comment at the ready, but who was fiercely protective and had a heart of gold.

That's rich, chuckled Alice. Quite the description, Edward. Have you sworn in front of the kiddos? I never would have pegged you as a teacher.

I sighed, leaving Bella in my bedroom. Felix took my spot, protecting her from her memories. I ducked outside and saw Alice sitting on my deck. "You seem better," she chirped.

"I ate like a horse and slept for a few hours," I explained. "There's still an emptiness inside me. I don't know how to fix that."

"Do you feel better around Bella?" Alice asked, her eyes twinkling with knowledge.

"Yeah, I do," I answered, blinking over to her. Her mind was translating To Kill a Mockingbird into ancient Sanskrit. She was hiding something. "You know something. What is it?"

"I can't tell you," she said. "You have to figure it out, but that doesn't mean I can't provide you clues."

"Alice! I don't have time for these guessing games!" I snapped. "I don't know if you were close by when she was having a night terror."

"I did see that," Alice grimaced. "She's been through hell." She hopped up and put her hand on my arm. She grimaced, feeling the residual effect of whatever Riley did to me. "Describe to me what you're feeling, Edward."

"Right now, I'm feeling annoyed," I deadpanned. Alice slugged me. "Damn it!"

"When you're with her," Alice said, jabbing her finger toward my bedroom. "Describe it!"

"An overwhelming need to protect her," I mumbled. "She's so fragile and small compared what's out there in the world. But, she's so inherently good, that I want to be with her. However, she has a huge amount of self-hatred, feeling that she's unworthy of me. It's quite the opposite. I'm unworthy of her. If she only knew my secret …"

"And when you touch?" Alice asked. "I know you've healed her, but other than that, what did you feel?"

"Whole," I answered without thinking. "I only want her." Alice stared into my eyes, her brow arched. "She's my mate."

"Says the blind man, who can now see," Alice laughed.

A/N: So, Bella is Edward's mate. What does that mean for her? What does that mean for Edward? Now, all will be revealed, eventually. Up next will be Bella and her dealing with a very awkward, surly guardian angel, but something will bring them together. Whatever will that be?

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