Challenging Humanity Chapter 13

A/N: thnx to my beta- agirlwithoutaname, and the preview from the last chapter is from Bella's POV, I kinda of tweaked it to Edward's POV, when u get to the part u will get it. enjoy!

Bella POV

Ugh, I groaned silently as I moved my head. My ears were still ringing. Stupid blood. It still surprised me how I always faint at the sight or smell of blood, but still manage to bleed more times than I can count. This is getting ridiculous. I moved my head to look around and instantly regret it; I saw Charlie screaming on the phone. I rolled my eyes up and down to get my eyes to focus the sight in front of me.

I moaned in horror when I saw that I was in a doctor's room with the paper bed underneath me that crunched louder from my movement. This was all Charlie's fault. He just had to take me to the hospital. I felt pain when I tried to make any expression. My left cheek felt like there was a rock on top of it and the inside my mouth felt like I busted my chin. I sighed and winced when I focused on Charlie's words again.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THE MEANING OF THIS RENEE? WHAT HAPPEN TO BELLA? WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER? WHY IS DOES BELLA HAVE A MEDICAL FILE THAT STATES SHE HAS BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL EVERY MONTH FOR SOMETHING? WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER? ANSWER ME DAMN IT! I WILL HAVE THE COPS ON YOU RENEE! HAVE YOU BEEN ABUSING HER?"

I gasped and took off from the bed when three things happened at once; first, I slipped of the bed, ripping the paper with my movements. Then, my bruised cheek came in contact with the floor and Charlie yelled while running up to me. The pain of my face was too much to handle and finally I felt darkness envelop around me.

Esme POV

Oh god, I ran next to Charlie to help steady Bella. I can't believe she would try to move in her condition.

I sighed when I saw that Carlisle was coming inside. In his hands was some kind of bottle. His eyes zeroed in on Bella and widened in surprise as Charlie dragged her back on the bed.

"What happen?" Carlisle immediately ran over to Bella to look at her face. I noticed how swollen it was. Her red cheeks were turning blue and black and her jaw was starting to look like it was out of place. Carlisle gently watered her cheeks and rubbed some ointment on them.

Charlie was looking like a maniac. His hands were shaking and his eyes were changing back and forth from anger to concern every second.

"How is she?" I heard Liz ask while she came up from behind me to take a better look.

"She is okay, her injuries are not as deep as they look. Don't worry, after a couple weeks she will be fine. Her cheeks will hurt if she moves them or her jaw. I would also suggest that she eats easy to chew food since she won't be able to bite anything without hurting herself. Think of it as she has braces, the same thing applies here. Keeping a straight face and not eating anything that will cause her to bite will help to reduce pain. The swelling may look bad, but just keep putting on the ointments that I will prescribe. I will also write down how many times should the ointment be used." Carlisle was only speaking to Charlie like a doctor speaks with a patient.

Charlie didn't say anything; he just nodded while looking at Bella.

"How is Leah?" Liz asked again. I just stood there and looked at Bella while Charlie cuddled her like a baby.

"She is fine, actually I am happy everything happened quickly. She isn't pregnant and the only thing that happened was her body parts are a little rubbed." I looked at Carlisle and waited for him to continue, he looked little uncomfortable. "It just means that her virginal walls are ripped. She was already on birth control pills because her periods are irregular. I am just glad she isn't pregnant. Apparently Charlie made it just in time."

"It was Bella who came in time." We turned around to see Sue standing there, her eyes were red and her hair was all over the place. This was the first time I have seen her this broken. "Leah just told me. She said that Bella came right in time and guy stopped. He yelled something to her, but Bella had already run away. He had a gun too, he almost shot Bella." She started sobbing hard.

Liz and I both reached her before she fell on her knees.

All of us were sobbing but then we froze when we saw Bella move again. Charlie was hugging her and we all went around her bed.

Carlisle was checking her injuries. "Why did you move? You should have waited." Charlie silently scolded her.

I saw Bella roll her eyes, "Whom were you talking to?" Bella signed. Charlie was too busy hugging her to notice her hands move around.

"Charlie..." I nudged him away. "Bella is trying to say something."

"Thanks Esme," she tried to smile but gave me a pained expression. "Whom were you talking to?" She signed again.

Charlie frowned, "To your mother. Why is your medical file saying you were in the hospital every month? Was Renee abusing you, tell me the truth."

Bella gasped silently, then shook her had in refusal. "I fell down a lot, I am clumsy remember. Every month I got into some problem and my friends took me to the hospital. Renee doesn't even know how many times I went. She thinks I purposely find some reason to go to the hospital. She thinks there is some guy I visit." She shook her head.

"Why didn't she tell me then? She knew you were in the hospital. Last visit you broke your leg, four ribs, cracked your skull, bruised almost every inch of your skin, and lost a ton of blood! You were in the hospital for a month Bella! A month!" he exclaimed.

Bella looked confuse, "You didn't know?" She signed.

"Of course I didn't know, I didn't know anything. Do you think I would've been here if I did? I would've been right next to you honey. Isn't it enough that I missed your birthdays? How could you not tell me? You and your mother both."

Bella blushed looking down. Her tears started to drop down her cheek. "I thought you were busy, that you did know but were too busy to come..." she signed too quickly for Charlie to understand.

"What, move your hands a little slower," he narrowed his eyes. Bella repeated her gesture slowly. His eyes widened.

"Is that what you thought, that I was too busy to see my daughter in the hospital? Why would you think that? You are the busy one, always being with your friends; you never had time for your old man. I wanted to visit. God, I had tickets booked every month only to cancel them because Renee would say that you were going to stay with you friends or going to camp." Charlie's voice turned small in the end.

Bella shook her head. She started to shake her head in refusal. She suddenly pushed herself off the bed again, and this time she ran out the door.

"Bella!" Charlie ran after her.

Liz and me followed behind Carlisle, we stopped in the hall when we saw Bella in Edward's arms.

Edward POV

Furious was one way to say how I felt. I never once physically hurt a girl; hurting a girl was a horrible thing, I didn't even dare raise my voice in front of them. I only dared to argue with Rose time and again. No matter what Alice or mom did I never once said a word. Hell I was more afraid of them. They would first get mad, scream at you, and then cry. After all that they would finally give me the silent treatment until I begged for forgiveness. However this woman, she was something else. She knew karate. She kicked so hard that I thought I had broken something in my body. I was trying to restrain her, but she was the one throwing the punches. Finally I just pushed her to the ground and twisted her arms. Officer Johnson was running toward me when the woman again started to fight. I was putting all my pressure on her, but then I just twisted her arm again. I could feel her arm bones cracking. My suspicion was confirmed when she started to scream and shout. Officer Johnson easily arrested her.

After I had let her go, I went to help Emmett fight with the two other guys. Before I could get a punch in, Paul started to fight with the guy who hit Bella alone by holding him by the collar.

After Paul, Sam came in and he charged the other guy. Everyone backed away; Sam was all over the place, pushing and shoving. The coaches and Officer Johnson were trying to break up the fight, but everyone made a circle. We all were giving Sam the chance he should have.

The fight however stopped when Officer Johnson yelled, informing us Bella and Leah were being taken to the hospital. We all took off for the hospital, but mom and Elizabeth stopped us. They both refused to let us to go, claiming that dad needed the space. We all tried to argue saying that we could wait in the waiting rooms, but there was too many of us to wait. As a result we all had to go back home. I helped Alice and Rosalie with the boxes. Emmett went with Jasper and Alice drove with Rosalie. I drove alone.

I didn't go exactly home as instructed. I just drove around to cool off some energy of mine. The scene today just kept on running through my mind. Leah and Bella covered in blood. Both not stable. Leah was just standing there, like all her energy had died. Leah was a fighter; she was always a tomboy from the beginning. No one saw her as a girl until she started to go out with Sam. I remember when she came to my house so Alice could get her ready for her first date with Sam. Emmett had his big mouth open, drooling at her until mom had curled his ears and embarrassed him in front of the others.

Then there was the picture of Bella imprinted in my brain, hiding her face while red liquid was dripping down her hands. It was a horrid sight. I was never scared of blood. Hell, I liked when I went to the hospitals. I was always around blood. I donated blood every chance I got. Dad had yelled at me from time to time because you have to be older than seventeen, but I didn't care. I used to sneak in, using the excuse of community hours and donated blood. It used to give me pleasure knowing I was helping someone else with my extra blood. However after today, I felt sick to my stomach when I saw Leah's and Bella's blood. It was just plain frightening.

I drove inside the drive through of McDonald's. I had a feeling that a headache was on its way.

"Welcome to McDonald's, how may I help you?" The speaker from the menu board questioned, it sounded familiar but I disregarded it.

"One black coffee." I answered curtly.

"Do you want something else with that?"

"No, that's it." I hit the gas a little too fast without waiting for the price. I will just pay at the counter.

The counter window opened. I smiled when I saw Angela standing by the window with my coffee. I had forgotten that she worked here.

"Hey Edward, is the fair over already? I thought it would be all day fair. It's never over this early." She looked at her watch quickly.

I sighed. She didn't hear, but she would soon. I glared at the steering wheel, and then I remembered how Angela had reacted for Bella. "Are you busy?" I asked. Sitting in the car by the drive through wasn't amusing.

"No, why don't you come inside. Believe it or not, you're the first customer that came today. I told my boss no one would come because of the fair. He wouldn't hear of it, and no one would work today either, even him. He decided to use his boss card on me and roped me in."

She shook her head but I smiled when I realized that she wasn't holding a grudge. She was just disappointed. I parked my car and went inside. One of the reasons I liked Angela was because she didn't expect anything in return. She was one of the girls that I was cool with. Alice and Rose would be like sisters but Angela was a nice girl coming close to being a good friend of mine like Jasper or Emmett. My siblings would torture or make fun of me but she was always understanding.

"It was better that you didn't come." I said once I closed the door behind me. I looked around, to see Angela wasn't exaggerating. The chairs were still on top of the tables and everything was looking clean. Angela grabbed me a chair and sat down across from me. She still had my coffee in her hands.

"Why, what happened?" She took of her hat that was part of her uniform.

"Let me ask you this, are you still mad about what happen with Rose and us." I wished that she wasn't. Having her mad at us was just making us feel more criminal.

She gave me some milk and sugar to make my coffee. She shook her head, "Not at you, maybe still at Rose. You guys are good, not at all snobbish or someone who is like Tanya. We started High school together. The first time I was friends with you guys I got self-conscious and was very intimidated by you guys." I grimaced in response. Is that how I looked to people, making them feel intimidated. Maybe Emmett could, but really me? "I am glad I did make friends with Alice and everyone. For once it felt like I fit in perfectly. Because it looked like you all are just as nice as any other shy person. I thought since I fit in maybe Bella could too. I always wanted to be friends with her. It wasn't just for pity. My parents always talked about her when they used to see Chief Swan. I thought that since she was moving here maybe she could be with us. She would fit right in, that she would feel just like she felt when leaving in Phoenix with her friends. But then the episode with Rose happened. The embarrassing part is that I invited her to sit with us that day. She was going to join us if Rose hadn't said those things and even Emmett."

I looked at her in shock.

"I was so embarrassed about it. I didn't even have it in me to apologize. I keep wondering what would have happened if I did bring her with me. It would have been more even disastrous. Instead I walked her out of the cafeteria and came back. After that Ben and I ditched. I didn't want to act like nothing happened. I kept thinking that maybe Bella thinks this is some kind of prank I pulled to make her look bad. I don't know but I felt very, very embarrassed." She looked at her hands that were folded on top of the table.

I took a deep breath and sighed. In one breath I told her everything that happened. From Cole, football, Tanya, and finally Leah. After that she placed a sign on the door that said closed and rushed to lock the doors.

"Come on, run outside." I rushed outside and she started the alarm and then came next to me. "Mind giving me a ride?" She smiled. I laughed and unlocked my car doors.

"Where to?" I asked. I had an idea where she wanted to go, but from my experience with the women I lived with I could never be sure.

She rolled her eyes, "To the hospital! Quick!" She put on the seat belt. I laughed and drove on.

While I was driving I thought about an excuse I would use to give to mom. I know she would be there. I also wanted to know what her reactions were about. She had cried and screamed like it was one of her own children that were put to danger instead of Bella. I was unwillingly getting suspicious. She was too worried. It was unnerving. The last time she had cried like that was when I had broken my leg last year while playing basketball with other guys. I ignored my negative voice. Mom was just caring that's it.

I parked farther away from the entrance. I didn't want anyone to recognize my car and tell Dad or Mom I had come, or else I wouldn't even get to enter the door before security came to throw me out, saying it was my Dad's orders. It wouldn't be the first time. My lips turned up remembering the time when he did that. It was on Halloween. Emmett and I decided to dress like ghosts and pretended to be dead people. The first place to trick or treated at was the hospital. Dad was not amused, in fact he was very furious. He claimed that we scared the nurse that night because a day before she had watched Six Sense and our prank sent her into panics. We were grounded for two weeks, no more trick or treating next year and the hospital security was told to kick us out that night by my own father. Needless to say, the whole community found out about the incident.

"I am going to check out Leah, then I will go see Bella, okay." Angela was rushing inside while talking to me. I nodded.

I stopped walking, "Wait let me get the room number first." I went over to Dad's receptionist.

Receptionist Beth looked at me in shock when I slammed my hand a little too hard on the table. I felt a little bad since she was the nice woman. She always tried to get me off the hook with Dad and sneaked me in for blood donation.

"Sorry, can you tell me the room number for Bella and Leah. I am in a hurry." I ran my hands through my hair. Please, please tell me.

To my frustration she shook her head. "I am sorry Edward, your dad gave me strict orders. Right now he will completely lose his head if I tell you. Please understand honey, he said no to any visitors. Sue and Charlie are the only exception. Even Sam came and threw a fit, but I have no choice." I nodded feeling guilty for putting her on this spot.

"Don't tell Dad you saw me, okay." I looked around to see if anyone noticed me. Everyone was busy with his or her own tasks.

Beth nodded, "Take a right," she told me quickly and turned away, pretending she was working on the computers. I smirked. I would have to remember to buy her some gift of gratitude.

I touched Angela's elbow and motioned her to follow me. I knew the taking a right would lead me to the private rooms, the only thing I had to do was find the right room. I looked at each door that I was passing, "Bella and Leah are in one of these rooms. We aren't supposed to be here…" My eyes read some of the paper work that was hanging from some of doors.

"Okay, I will start from the here, I will make an excuse of looking for the restroom. You start at the far end of the hall. Okay?" Angela was looking down the hall at the nurses and carts. I nodded walking to the far end. When I was half way down I stopped walking; when I saw a girl who looked like Bella running in my direction. I concentrated looking closely, my eyes widened when I realized she was Bella, except her face… it was looking like something stung it. Her left cheek was redder than right. And her left eye was more swollen then the right. It looked like she was crying. She didn't see me until she bumped right into my arms. "Bella" I whispered, moving my arms around her when she started to move away.

"Edward!" I looked up to see Charlie, Liz and Esme running. I gulped when I saw Dad coming right behind them. He was mad but in the next second his face turned expressionless. That's not good. I knew I would get it now. He always hid his expression when he was too furious to show anyone. I was going to get called in his office at home. The place of execution as Emmett called it. I would rather have him yell at me in my room. But since Rosalie and Jasper moved here, Dad made a point to call us in his office and yell at us in case there was any unexpected company.

"What are you doing here Edward?" Lizzie asked nicely, I didn't miss the glance she made toward my dad. Her eyes turned to sympathy and I winced; I knew it would be bad if even Liz was giving me that look. She knew how Dad was when he was mad at one of us.

Mom's cooing brought me back to the situation in my hands. Bella was refusing to look at anyone.

Elizabeth POV

That boy was brave; I will give him that. He kept his eyes away from Carlisle but even I could see he was in over his head. Did he want to die at such a young age? Carlisle and Charlie came next to him and slowly took Bella back into the room. She was having problems standing straight anyway. She started signing something to Esme. Esme nodded then turned to Edward.

"Edward could you bring your laptop from home, Bella wants to talk to her friends right now." Edward nodded and turned around walking fast, not saying a word. Good luck buddy I thought, but damage is done. He can run but can't hide.

Edward POV

I was dead. I knew it. I should write a will and give it to my lawyer. Except, I didn't have a lawyer. Maybe I could give it to Jasper and tell him to give it to his dad. I snorted. This was pathetic, a seventeen-year-old guy scared of his father. My thoughts turned sober when I remembered the last time Dad yelled at us. No, it wasn't pathetic to be scared when your dad was Carlisle and mad. I looked sadly at my car. Once I was alone I promised to give it a hug. It wouldn't be driven in a long time.

I took a long way toward my house, I saw Emmett's and Rosalie's car parked outside. I sighed and went in. I knew they would yell and interrogate me for not coming early. I hesitantly unlocked the door and opened it.

"EDWARD! WHERE WERE YOU?" I raised my hands to my ears. Alice ran and hugged me around the waist. Which side of the family did this girl get her vocals from? I bet mom yelled and screamed a lot when she was pregnant with Alice. But she was pregnant with me too. Was it a sister thing then?

Thank god for Jasper, he pried Alice off me, and smiled apologetically. "Hey what took you so long?" I saw Emmett sitting at the dining table and eating a sandwich.

I sighed; I hated this part. "I came to get my laptop. Bella wanted to talk to her friends." Everyone stopped doing what they were doing and looked at me in disbelief.

"You saw her? How was she? Did you see Leah?" Alice threw questions like a bullet.

"Why did they let you see her? They didn't let anyone from La Push see them." Rosalie stood in front of me crossing her arms.

"Didn't security throw you out?" Emmett asked.

"So what's going on?" Jasper asked.

I just stood there like a moron, "Would you guys give me a break and let me answer the questions one at a time?" They all nodded and then just waited standing.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I went to get some coffee at McDonald's and met Angela there and she didn't know about today because she was working—"

"Why would anyone be working on fair's day? Everything is closed." Alice interrupted causing me to groan.

"Please," I begged, "let me finish saying everything then I will answer to everything." I waited for everyone to nod in agreement. I started from where I left off. "Anyway, she was working there and didn't know what happen at the fair, I told her everything and then she closed the shop and said she wanted a ride to the hospital to check both Leah and Bella. I got there, but Beth the receptionist refuse to give out any info saying dad ordered her not to. Then I just took off, taking wild guess where they would be. Beth turned around promising me she wouldn't tell dad. Angela went to find Leah and I went to look for Bella. When I came to the last door down the private room halls, I saw Bella running and she ran right into me." I continued on when I saw Alice about to interrupt. "Right at the same time, I saw everyone come out, Liz, Mom, Charlie and the one person I was trying to hide from… Dad." I internally groaned remembering his expression right before he hid them. "He is really mad. I am going to be grounded for life." I moaned.

"You can complain later tell me about Bella." Alice demanded.

I glared at her, "She was looking bad," I frowned remembering her face. "One of her cheek was bigger and swelling. And she looked like she was crying." I looked at the clock on the wall and a curse slipped from my mouth. "I have to go, Mom said to bring Bella my laptop." I started to climb the stairs.

Everyone rushed after me, "Wait we will go with you." Emmett came behind me.

I shook my head, "Trust me, you don't want to mess with dad right now." I shuddered.

"I don't care, I rather be grounded then sit here. I am coming." I groaned at Alice's persistence.

"Guys, I will be in more trouble than I am now, don't you get it." I started to take wires out from my laptop.

"So what, you are going to be grounded anyway, might as well completely blow it." Emmett the idiot advised as if it was the most logical thing.

I turned around to see they were all guarding the door, I whimpered. If Dad didn't murder me today, I will promise not to broken any rules for the rest of my life.

After fifteen minutes, we made it to the hospital. Everyone decided to ride with me in the Volvo. It was more sensible. I knew Liz would be mad at Rose for driving her car around here. I hope Mom and Liz would protect me today. We all went inside.

"What are you doing here, I am sorry you all are not allowed here." We all stopped at the voice. I grimaced. Was the universe against me today? Karen, my dad's secretary, walked over to us like she was walking on some modeling rank. I wish Mom was here; she would give this woman piece of her mind. Why Dad accepted her is beyond me. Even his patients refuse to talk to her.

"We are here for blood donation." I looked at Jasper with wide eyes. I couldn't believe he said that with a straight face.

"Blood donation?" Karen asked as if that was the most unreasonable thing in the world.

"Yes, you know giving away the red liquid that is in our body." Emmett said slowly. Alice and Rose were hiding their face but their shoulders were shaking.

"You can't donate blood today, sorry." Karen said, not sorry at all.

I rolled my eyes, "Listen we all are here because my dad called us. I am here with the laptop." I pointed to the laptop I was holding.

He face suddenly turned in to a smile, "Oh, I can give it to him." She opened her arms silently waiting.

I held the laptop tighter. "No," I shook my head. "I am supposed to give it to him, so excuse me." I just turned and walked toward the private rooms.

"Wait." I heard Karen's heel's clicking on the floor.

I paid no attention to her and neither did the others; they just followed me. I made it to the door and opened it, but stopped when I saw Bella crying on my mother's arms. Charlie was looking out the window while Dad was rubbing some thing on Bella's cheek.

Dad looked up at us when Jasper closed the door behind him. His expression was again the same as I had last seen. I avoided eye contact. "What are you guys doing here. I specifically told everyone not to come here." Dad's voice was dangerously calm. I took a step back.

"Calm down Carlisle, I asked them." I sighed when I felt Liz's hand on my shoulder.

From Dad's expression I knew he didn't buy it. He knew Liz saved us time to time.

"I want all of you to leave, right now, we all will talk when I come home." I shivered at the meaning behind his words.

"They will, they all will, but first Edward needs to connect the laptop, Alice needs to make Bella's hair. I mean look at Bella. And Rosalie needs to see if make up can cover up the damage from the fair. Also Emmett needs to check on Leah and see Sue or Leah need anything. Jasper can get some food. I bet we all are hungry." I hid my smile at Liz's efforts. I love her more than Jasper and Rosalie. I wonder what she would say if I asked her to adopt me when I am grounded.

"That's fine Lizzie, you can tell me if they need anything since you checked up on them, and the I can tell Karen to get it. Esme can make Bella's hair and makeup. There is no need for them." Carlisle said without emotion, but everyone could tell his voice had an edge to it.

I lowered my eyes to look at the tiles. They looked outdated. I wonder how is would look if Mom had interior decorated this place. The thought made me feel better.

"Come on Carlisle they are already here." Lizzie tried again, this time she was not pushing as much.

"Edward!" I stood straight when dad spoke to me, "Set up the laptop, I want the rest of you to do as Lizzie said. After that everyone is leaving. No arguments. Tomorrow when visitors are allowed, you won't come. Since you already visited today." I sighed, unfair as it was. I knew it was the best deal I would get today. We all nodded.

I got to work with attaching the laptop. I didn't see what others were doing. We all turned when we heard Charlie's walkie-talkie go off.

"Chief Swan, this is officer Johnson, I repeat, is Chief Swan in?" Charlie turned and walked out the door, closing the door with more force then necessary. We saw Lizzie follow him.

Lizzie POV

I sighed in relief when Carlisle agreed to let them stay. I knew they wouldn't gossip or tell anyone. I want to let Sam see Leah too, but it wouldn't be right. Leah was too shaky to be around anyone. She would push Sue away if Sue tried to hug her. The only thing Leah let her do was run hands through her hair. Seth was worried too. The kid was yelling and screaming at home. Harry had called and requested for Seth to visit but Leah wasn't ready for visitors unlike Bella. I wish Charlie would take her home and figure this out. There were too many ears here. No one could be trusted in this town. Everyone made a point to be in everyone's business. I knew something was wrong when Charlie took his walkie-talkie outside to talk. I had a guess it was about those people who made a perfect day into a disaster. I followed Charlie outside. When he started to speak I put my finger on my lips and directed him to the nearest closed room. From the corner of my eye, I saw a nurse pretending to work while keeping her ears open.

Charlie followed me in as soon as I closed the door he started talking. "Chief Swan in, I repeat Chief Swan in," his voice guarded.

"Charlie, I found out who those three people are. I need Bella's and Leah's statement, these are dangerous people. The woman name is Victoria; she is a known killer. She robs local stores then kills any witnesses. She was last caught and escaped from Chicago. The other guy is Laurent. He isn't as big as a criminal, just a thief that mugs people for anything he can get. He is found under the influence of heroine. The last is James. He is the one that hit Bella and Leah. He is wanted in four different states for different reasons. One says he is a serial killer, others say things like, a gangster, drug addict, drug seller, abusive, and many more. Basically Victoria is his prostitute. Laurent is just in it for the hell of it. Right now he claims to not know them but his case history says something else. What do you want me to do? I want to transfer them to some other jail. Jails here are too easy for them to get away. It's danger to keep them here. If they get away, even one of them…" he didn't finish, he didn't need to.

"What did you say about the last guy, what was his name," Charlie went farther away from me.

"James, blue eyes, dirty hair. He killed another person on the way here too. Some guy in Seattle, at least that is what the other town's report says." Johnson sighed; I heard some shuffling of papers.

"Okay, I know someone who can guard all three of them for the day, why don't you come here to get Bella and Leah's statement." Charlie's voice sounded too calm.

"Who can guard him? Come on Charlie, every cop is refusing to waist their time on them. They all are pressuring me to send them somewhere else."

"Look, trust me, just come here, I have someone who can guard him, trust me okay." Charlie said reasonably.

"Okay I am coming, Officer Johnson out." The gadget turned off.

"Hey Lizzie can I borrow your cell?" Charlie held out his hand.

I narrowed my eyes, but suspiciously I gave him what he asked. He started to dial numbers then placed it to his ear.

"Hello Sam, I need you and your friends to take care of something. I have three criminals that need someone to look after them. They are in jail right now; I can have someone give you the keys. You mind looking after them?" I looked at Charlie in shock. I suddenly saw the rage he was hiding. It was the same rage he had in high school when he was getting ready to fight someone.

"Great, and Sam, you didn't hear this from me." Charlie shut the cell and handed to me without any words.

I took it and walked after him wordlessly. I started to picture Sam and his big friends beating the crap out of them. I was jealous I wasn't there.

Edward POV

I finally got the Internet connection going. Alice had finished making Bella's hair. It made me wince when I saw her bruise looked more standing out because her hair was no longer in the way.

Rosalie had made touches with the cheek that wasn't bruised. Dad had refused to let her touch the other cheek. The ointment needed time to heal and makeup might ruin the healing.

Esme was humming the song I wrote for her and dad. It made me smile. I felt guilty for not playing it anymore. I planned to play with her the next time I had my bonding time. Bella sighed quietly but to me it seemed she was forcing to relax. She wanted leave the room. I shrugged off her reactions. It was weird how stiff she was in my mom's arms. Didn't her mom ever hold her in her arms?

Charlie came in, his expression was looking better now. It suddenly seemed excited. "Hey Emmett, Sam called, he wants you to come to La Push right now." Charlie's voice made Lizzie smile. She nodded toward Emmett. I narrowed my eyes. Lizzie's face said it all. It looked like the way Rosalie looked when she played hard to get for Emmett. Not good.

Emmett being clueless as always, nodded and left.

"Hey Bella, honey, I am very sorry, look we will figure this out. I didn't know honey, I really didn't know I wish I did, I would have been there before. Can you tell me how you got these injuries? Just to get my worries settled." Charlie said quietly while wiping Bella's tears away. "The man who hit you was James. I don't know his last name but his first name is James. He is very dangerous. I need you to give your statement but you don't have to. I can handle it." He kissed her forehead.

Bella gestured toward the laptop. I took the laptop to her and placed it slowly on her lap. She moved away from Esme and Charlie. Suddenly a robotic voice came from the speakers. "Voice out loud Speech activated." Bella started to type fast. I was impressed. She typed faster than me. "Dad, honestly I don't know what to say about the injuries, besides they were just accidents. I kept getting myself hurt. Renee didn't do anything. What happen with James character, I am just glad I made it in time. Because if I didn't, he really would have killed Leah. I saw his gun on the ground, he started screaming at me to be quiet and not say a word. That's when I ran, he was going to get me, but Leah grabbed him and bought me enough time to get outside," the robotic voice said.

"Wait," I stopped her, "What happen Bella, really." I didn't know but from the way she was saying this, it looked like she was editing.

Bella sighed and looked at my mom. She started to sign something. My mom looked at us. Her eyes filled with horror. "The guy who was with Leah saw me…he told me to be quiet...or else he will come after me..." Bella signed as Esme translated for her.

I think that was all Charlie needed; he took off and Jasper and I followed. I started to imagine the ways I would hurt the guy. Disrespecting bastard. We both sat in Charlie's cruiser. Charlie didn't seem to care. He looked like he wished he could fly a rocket and just go already. I felt him. Even Jasper was fuming. If there was one thing he hated was hurting a woman. Jasper had once told me how worried his mom was for Rosalie, if anything dangerous happen to her. She wouldn't be able to live with herself. She made Jasper follow Rosalie around everywhere just to keep an eye on her. Even when he didn't like her he still cared about her. He didn't care he had to move to a small town because of her. He just wanted a good happy place to live. He used to be in a gang in Texas. I knew, he was thinking about killing James before Jame's gang might help him out, if there was one. If someone knew how gangs worked, it would be Jasper.

When we reached the police department. All three of us went inside. Jasper and me stood while Charlie passed us casually. In front of us the La Push gang and Emmett were beating James and other two up. I saw Seth and Sam hitting James the worse. While other guys just kicked him. Paul took the girl who I broke the arm of. I was surprised she could still fight. Laurent was getting beaten by Quil and Embry while Emmett was hitting anyone he could get a piece of. Jared looked up when we came and raised his eyebrows as to say, "What are you waiting for" I grinned while taking off my jacket. This will be a very fun evening…

Preview of the next chapter (Bella starts talking to her friends again, just like time, everyone over hears. Bella's friends reveal the truth of some of her injuries.)

A/N: so guys, I hope you like it. I wish I could have uploaded by my great beta put in her extra work to make it the best. Anyway. I was soo happy with the reviews I got for my last chapter. I was only two reviews away from beating my highest score for reviews. I am shocked how many people liked the last chapter. I thought no one would review because there was no bella or Edward together. But you guys surprised me once again. For this I am giving you guys an extra long chapter.

another important note, a reviewer cleared up one of my mistakes: kida mixed up drugs in the begining of the chapter you said "I may have to give her date rape pill." it's actually called the Day after pill. The date rape drug is a bad thing.

So thnx for clearing that up. Like I said, I am not a doctor. Carlisle is. I love everyone who reviewed. Review winners—

blood-velvet angel

CLIFF HANGER!

. . . we meet again.

I think im about to faint and melt into a delicious puddle of goo cuz of tthe awsemoness level in your story! Good job, eh? Update in a heartbeat and i'll review even better. As in, more detail.

24-7reader

I'm gonna kill them. I'm gonna join the La Push kids and make sure they wont be able to move. ANd if Renee ever, I mean EVER, hurt Bella intentionally, or allowed Bella to be hurt intentionally then she will be next on my hit list. What did Tanya do to Cole? I hope he gets his revenge or whatever it is he's planning. I bet it's amazing. :) Aww. Happy thoughts. Revenge. :P

Very gut wrenching chapter. Painful. I think you did a good job with Carlisle. I've tried his POV before and it isnt easy. Good job! :D

jm1708

Hi, I finally catch up. WOW, this story is like a Telemundo soap opera, so many characters, so many emotions, and stories. Flashbacks and everything. A lot is going on, in like what? and hour, I mean everything happened in a day, the fair, the game, the conversations, the awful thing that happened to Leah and Bella. WOW again.

Your story is really good, and entertained, I mean, you always left us wanting for more.

Keep going, I hope you can post often.

DustiJits

Okay, so I have spent the last 3 and a half hours reading this story (with a couple random breaks) and I have to say I LOVE it! I am loving mute Bella, she is such a little firecracker! It makes me giggle like a little school girl when she gets angry! These last two chapters about made me cry! I am so freaking stoked for the next chapter! Please please please update soon... I will give you a cookie!

D. Jits

A/N: ok the last reviewer one me over, and made me write this chapter longer. The best reviewer winner! Applause!

Chellie09

2010-01-27 . chapter 12

Alright, I'm reviewing! Now, update already! Lol!

Holy crap! I'm glad you said in your AN that Bella was not really being abused. But what in the world is happening, and why does it look like she's been dropped on her head a few times? Wow, I'm not sure if saying Go Carlisle for going off on Renee like that would be right, but from what Bella's thought, and what I've gathered from Renee, it doesn't sound that off - sadly.

It was good to hear from Cole. Although, I definitely wouldn't have minded if Bella was a little more curious and actually asked him why, like he was expecting her to. S, he can use his upper body, he's not fully paralyzed like everyone thinks? Wow. He must be a really good actor to be able to pull that off, even from his mother. Way to go Bella, getting him to open up a little bit, even if it is only to her.

And getting Lizzie's POV was really great. Knowing what she went through, both at school with everyone, and with her kids. It's amazing how many people don't realize how great small towns like this could be until they've experience big city living.

You're so mean leaving this chapter like that. Cliffhangers - not nice at all. But, getting more Edward and Bella, with a little more drama next is gonna be great! And that little teaser.. Lol! Poor Charlie. But figures, as soon as Bella says something like that, all three of them are out of there and on their way to the station to either beat them again or get answers, probably both - and I wouldn't be surprised if Charlie starts it this time. Lol!

PLEASE update again, like NOW! :D

Love every review, hope to break the record this time. Lov u all!