A/N: It's bittersweet to see the end and know its coming. Won't be long now ;)

Chapter 28 – Truths and Tanya

"I'm sorry I wasn't here yesterday, Landie," I apologized.

She looked much better since our last session. Her appearance was bright and kempt. Even her hair was combed modestly into a short ponytail. "Are you ok, Dr. Swan?" She fumbled with her hands as we took our seat.

"Yes, I'm fine." I could tell by the look on her face that she wanted to say something, but she was hesitating. "Is there something you wanted to ask me?"

Landie squirmed. "I was, just, worried about you."

"Oh, I see. What were you worried about? Will you share it with me?" Our alliance had definitely grown over the past weeks, and her attachment was endearing. I wanted her to verbalize her fears. It was my hope that it would aid her progress in therapy.

"I thought you might be hurt by him, the man you confronted. I thought you might not come back." She kept her eyes downcast and her lips began to tremble.

"He didn't hurt me. And I did come back," I answered calmly.

Landie nodded, but didn't say a word.

I continued, "You know, sometimes our fears can give us hints about our core thoughts or beliefs. I wonder if you're fears could help us, could help you, to improve?"

"I don't know." She seemed confused and reluctant.

I needed to bring her out of her shell. "Why don't we take a walk around the grounds? It's not too cold today, and it's not raining."

Landie grinned at the suggestion. Without further prompting, I led our way from the room. We stepped outside and walked among one of the side gardens. The various plants and shrubs were meticulously designed. A smile crossed my face as I thought of Esme, who likely planned the garden. She and Carlisle had been so appreciative of me joining the Retreat staff. They were even more supportive of me dating Edward.

I wondered what Blue Eyes was doing at that moment.

Focus Bella.

"It's beautiful," Landie spoke.

"Yes, it is." I struggled to clear my mind of nothing but her.

We walked further along in silence before she spoke again. "I did as you asked, Dr. Swan. I wrote down what happened to me, with John."

I nodded in encouragement and she kept talking. "I've been on edge ever since. It's like putting it on paper gave it more power. I don't want to be hurt again. And you weren't here. I felt so alone."

"I'm sorry I wasn't here. I don't want you to be hurt again, either. Maybe that's why you were worried that I would be hurt? Or why you were so afraid I wouldn't be back? Because of how you've been feeling…" I watched as she nodded in agreement.

A secluded bench sat across the vast lawn, far away from the garden. There was a small wading pool with several ducks swimming. We made our way there to finish the session. Landie agreed to show me her diary, where she had written the details of her date with John. As she turned the pages, her hands started to shake. I didn't want to push her too far, so I offered to read the entry myself. She was grateful for me not asking her to do so. As the words began to fall from my lips, the tears began to stream down her face. Even before I finished reading, I knew in my heart what had happened.

She was raped.

Apparently John had courted her for weeks, asking her out repeatedly. His intentions were not obvious to Landie, but to me they were premeditated. Her words described the dinner as 'wonderful' and 'exciting'. It was immediately following the dinner that she wrote of passing out. She had ordered a small glass of wine with her meal, which was not a probable cause of her black-out. When she woke, she was confused and disoriented. Her panties were torn around her ankles, and John was kneeling over her. When she tried to speak, he placed his hand over her mouth.

Landie had written his words in quotes. 'Don't even try to scream, you teasing bitch. I'm already done with you. I thought you'd have been more exciting, given the way you came on to me all night.'

His words, written by her hand, made me sick to my stomach. She had continued to lay there for an hour or more, her body torn and swollen. Once she managed to stand up and leave his dorm room, she was still disoriented. As she left the building, several other hall residents snickered behind her back. She described one as saying, 'Looks like someone had fun tonight.'

When she finally made it back to her room, she showered for hours. She told no one.

I sat there fuming while the words sank in. Landie remained quiet beside me.

"He drugged you."

"What?" she asked.

"He drugged you at dinner, Landie. That's why you don't remember leaving the restaurant, or going to his dorm."

"Oh." She didn't respond further, but looked despondent.

I tried to engage her again. "Haven't you ever heard of this happening? It's very common on college campuses, the use of the date-rape drugs." She sat there, not answering. "Landie, are you alright?"

"It's just…" she started.

"What?"

Please don't shut me out now.

"I believed him." She began to cry again.

"How do you mean?"

"That I led him on. That I drank too much. That I ended up in the situation because of my actions."

I looked at her in disbelief.

She continued, "That I deserved it."

"Landie."

She wouldn't look at me.

"Landie," I called louder.

"Yes?"

"Did I deserve that man harassing me, or vandalizing my car?"

Anger flashed across her face. "No!"

"Then why would you deserve being manipulated, drugged, and raped?"

She absorbed my words while the sound of birds echoed around us. Slowly, she started to talk again, revealing the thoughts she had kept hidden for months. Landie described her childhood and the conservative background she left behind for college. She verbalized extreme guilt for not staying home. She had guilt for not continuing to play music in the church, and for not helping her Dad. Pursuing her career, and college, was the first time she had been selfish. Her Dad's response to her choice left Landie feeling rebellious and disobedient. She hadn't talked to her father much before the incident, or after. He had been calling the Retreat, but she always refused his calls.

The relationship with her Dad was the possible framework for her religious delusions. She wasn't a failed messenger of God who had fallen victim to Satan's temptations. She was a frightened daughter who was raped, ashamed, and guilt-ridden for leaving her family to go to school. It was too early to interpret these things, but we were getting there.

I let her talk about her childhood the remainder of the session, only giving support when needed. We strolled back to the main building together, her posture upright. It was as if an imaginary weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

When I reached the cottage there was a large note on my door. It read: 'Rio and Rare Meat… Next Door'. Beneath the writing was signed a large 'E', and a paw print. I turned and walked to Edward's door, finding it open.

"Hello?"

"We're in here," Blue Eyes called from the kitchen.

Rio trotted forward wearing a new blue collar with a silver dog tag. It was inscribed with 'Rio' on the front. Turning it over, I read 'Top Dog' on the back. "Looks like someone got a treat today, huh?" I teased him as he wagged his tail one hundred miles an hour.

Hope I get one.

Edward was bent over, rummaging through the refrigerator. I walked up slowly behind him and admired the view. He lifted out a tray of marinated steaks and I could smell the charcoal grill outside.

"Hey baby!" He beamed.

"Nice collar."

"You like it? I noticed you hadn't replaced his old one." Edward's grin was mesmerizing.

"I do like it, but you're spoiling him."

"Hmm. I suppose, but I'm spoiling you, too." He grabbed me by the arms and twirled me around. A small chaste kiss followed. "I missed you today."

"I missed you, too." I leaned in for another kiss but he side stepped me.

"So we should be able to eat in ten minutes. It doesn't take long to warm the beef!" He continued to pull out the remaining necessities, which were salad and beer.

"No way! I'm not eating rare steak, Edward."

He chuckled and planted another kiss on my forehead. He carried the food out onto the patio without another word.

"I mean it!" I yelled from behind him.

When I walked outside, several torch lights illuminated the lawn. A vase of white Calla lilies was the center piece on the table. Edward had made a fresh salad and was placing corn on the grill, along with the steaks.

"Wow, Blue Eyes. Did we have a fight I forgot about?" I teased.

"Can't I just treat you to dinner?" Edward pouted.

"Of course. I'm just, not used to it."

"Well, that's a shame. You deserve to be surprised, in a nice way, on occasion." His words resonated with me. So often I found myself balancing crises or responding to emergencies. My life was full of unexpected events, most of which were unpleasant. Since the move back to Forks, these surprises had been constant. Edward was giving me spontaneity, pleasure and love. It was an unbelievable feeling.

"I may get spoiled." I smirked and surrendered. I sat down at the table and watched him work.

"Spoiled and sarcastic? My dream woman." He took his steak off the grill, leaving mine to cook.

"Wow." It was my turn to pout.

"What? Don't you want the truth?" Edward leaned down to rest his forehead on mine. "You know you're sarcastic. And you are perfect for me, Bella. I want to spoil you."

"I always want the truth. And I'm glad my imperfections suit you." We gazed into each other's eyes and began a slow, deep kiss. I heard Edward groan before pulling away.

"Let's eat. I'm hungry."

"Me too," I complained, raking over his body with lust.

"We'll eat food, first." He chuckled.

"My steak is not done."

"C'mon. If I leave it on much longer it will ruin the taste! Look at mine." Edward sliced a piece of steak and held it up. I could see the pink center and the blood pooling on the plate.

"If you don't stop poking that in my face, I'm going to ruin something – the table, the ambiance, and our night, colorfully."

"But it's so good!" He bit into the steak, grinning. "Don't you want to lick my chin?"

"Ugh!" I hid my eyes. "No!"

"Just one little taste, Bella. I know you'd like it."

I crossed my arms and refused, my lips sealed.

"I will get you to try rare steak one day, Ms. 'Stubborn', 'Spoiled', and 'Sarcastic'."

"Does gaining more adjectives win me a prize?"

We both laughed as he begrudgingly removed my well done rib eye from the grill. As we ate, we settled in to a relaxing conversation about work. I filled him in on Landie's progress and we discussed the prognosis for her future. It would likely take years of therapy for her to achieve and maintain her former functioning, but she was definitely on the right track.

"You've done an amazing job with her, in such a short time," Edward praised.

"I only guided her along the right path. And, you helped me find it." He shrugged it off. "You could help so many patients, Edward, with your innate abilities. Especially if you were able to provide individual therapy, and medication management," I prodded.

Blue Eyes leaned back with his arms crossed behind his back. "I think I'll add 'Sneaky' to the list now."

"What?" I giggled.

"I know what you're doing. And I'm not ready to think about that."

"Fine. Well, what are you ready for?"

The faint glow of the torch lights twinkled in his eyes. "Well, I did wipe my chin," he spoke softly.

"Hmm. So you did. But shouldn't we have dessert, first?"

"My dear Bella. I am the dessert."

Groan.

Edward walked over and pulled my chair out from the table. I stood up and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. Looking into his eyes, I knew my soul mate was embracing me. Our bodies fit perfectly. Edward was silent in the moonlight, watching me with stoic intent.

"What?" I asked, paranoid.

Edward tilted his head to the side in contemplation before upending me. He cradled my body in his arms while he walked us into the cottage. Carrying me straight into his bedroom, he tossed me across the bed.

Caveman.

I shimmied out of my clothes, one piece at a time. His eyes were determined and focused on my every move. Pulling his shirt off, I saw the muscles ripple across his abdomen. My fingers reached out and trailed along his body, unable to stop. In mere seconds we were both naked. Edward lifted one of my calves and nestled his body between my legs. He caressed slowly up my flesh, resulting in a wave of chills up my spine. Methodically he massaged my skin, finally reaching my hip. He lifted me up against his erection and moaned into my neck.

"Did I mention I missed you today?" His words caused another shiver to course through me.

My only desire was to suddenly be consumed by him. "I missed you more." I pulled his face to mine, tasting his lips, his skin, and his tongue. My hands pulled through his hair, his scent surrounding me. "I can only breathe when I'm with you."

Edward raised himself up, kneeling between my legs as he stared into my eyes. "I love you, Bella." He entered me slowly, biting his lip in restraint. My body tightened around him while I lifted my hips to hasten the process. We both moaned as he succeeded. Feeling him inside me was overwhelming. My body responded to his thrusts, building the intensity with each movement. Our hands explored and intertwined above my head. His teeth nipped a trail between my breasts. It was as if we were racing against time, one not being able to get enough of the other. I gasped as he lifted me up to sit on his legs. The movement heightened my arousal and I clawed his back as I started to climax. I tried to stop, but couldn't control my release.

"Edward," I cried out against him before I collapsed on his shoulder. While I quivered around him, I felt him peak in return. "I love you, too."

##***##

We held each other in the dark, playing make-shift Pictionary on each other's body.

"What are we going to do about this cottage problem?" Edward interrupted the game.

"Are you trying to distract me from winning?"

"You aren't winning. You're cheating." He was right.

"Whatever. What problem is that, Blue Eyes?"

"We have two cottages, and two beds. But I find that it is impossible to sleep without you, Dr. Swan."

"Oh."

"Oh?" he repeated.

"I'm just surprised, again. But I find it difficult to be away from you, too."

"Copy cat." He chuckled.

"What would you suggest?" I tentatively asked.

"I suggest you spend the night tonight, and we figure it out in the morning. It's late." Edward rolled over and spooned against me, nuzzling into my hair.

"What? You can't just throw something out there like that and then expect me to sleep! Edward. Edward?" I turned around to see his eyes closed. He was fast asleep.

Knock. Knock.

Blue Eyes wants to live together.

Knock. Knock.

He wants to be with me.

Knock! Knock!

Bark. Bark. Bark!

I woke up to find Edward hopping into his jeans on one foot. Rio was running around the bed behind him in a panic.

"What's going on?" I was just oriented enough to see that the clock read six-thirty.

"I don't know, baby. Someone's at the door." I heard Edward go through the kitchen before returning back to the bedroom quickly. He whispered, "It's your Dad, Bella. Get up!"

"Why are you whispering?" I teased.

"Get up!" He growled, not in the mood. Cop Charlie was still intimidating I supposed.

I reached the door and opened it in full blush. Why I was ashamed to be caught in Edward's apartment was beyond me. I was a grown woman and a psychiatrist. I made a living off of analyzing sex, and life. But when Charlie raised his eyebrow at my rumpled appearance, I was suddenly seventeen, busted and scared.

"Morning, Dad."

"Bella. I tried your door but didn't get an answer. Then I heard Rio barking, over here." Charlie seemed just as uncomfortable.

Running my fingers through my hair, I yawned. "Yeah."

That was smooth.

Edward stood behind me, but was able to find more words. He coughed loudly. "Come in, Charlie. I have coffee brewing."

Dad walked into the room and sat on one of the barstools in the kitchen. He started fumbling with his keys, which meant he was worried. I knew it must be serious, since finding his daughter post coital bliss was overlooked. "What's happened?" I asked.

"I got the information back from Edward's phone. It was waiting on the fax this morning when I went in." Charlie was always an early bird.

"And?" Edward prompted.

"It looks like whoever had your phone was originally in Vancouver. And the day it was cancelled, which was about forty eight hours later, the phone was in Seattle. The satellite tower pings seemed to indicate that the person travelled straight there, but it took them almost a full day to reach the city." Charlie looked at Edward in silence.

"What does that mean?" I was confused, and frustrated. It still didn't tell us much.

"Either they stopped often, or perhaps they were taking a bus," Charlie suggested.

"Or hitchhiking," Edward added. "Where was the last place the signal was identified, in Seattle?"

"Greenlake neighborhood." The mention of this area made Edward freeze.

"I need to go," Edward spoke adamantly.

"What? What are you talking about?" I blurted.

"I used to stay there, with Tanya, when she was in school. I bet she went back to the house. I need to go look around, to see if anyone has seen her."

"No, you don't, Edward. That was days ago. Let Dad send someone."

"I'll go with you," Charlie stated.

"Oh this is just great." I then felt like a petulant five year old. Regression was never my favorite defense mechanism.

"It won't take long. I still know some of the neighbors there. I want to talk with them." Edward tried to explain, but all I heard was one thing.

He's going to look for her.

"We should be back before the afternoon, Bella." Charlie attempted to help the situation.

"Yeah." I was stunned. It was more than creepy that Tanya could have stolen his phone, and made it back to Seattle. Apparently she hid insane very well. But now Edward was leaving again. He was being sucked back into the swirling vortex she had created in his life for years.

"Bella." Edward grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"Yes?"

"I will be back."

A/N: Dum da dum dum. Will he? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Talk to me peeps!