A/N: Special thanks to my awesome beta MsWDarcy, who beta'd this one over the phone b/c she's currently computer-less. I'm planning to write a long and very verbose poem of your beauty and general awesomeness.

Thanks to my lil sis who's been reading this since the beginning. xoxo

Thanks to nowforruin my Twilighted beta! (Yes, I'm on Twilighted. Yay!)

Check out my blog at http : / / elspethgordie . xanga . com / weblog Just take away the spaces. I post a new blog each time I post a chapter.

Warning: adult content and violence. Violent Flashback in this chapter! You have been warned.

Disclaimer: all recognizable characters and Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer, the rest is copyrighted 2010 ElspethGordie

Chapter Ten: Close

"Friends?"

I smiled back. "Friends."

I laughed. Tonight had been quite the night so far. I may have passed inspection with Rosalie. I actually came to Alice's party. I talked to my nonverbal lab partner, and became friends. And I got to tell off some whorrific ho-bags.

Edward grinned back at me. Yea, tonight was successful in the Bella-tries-to-have-fun-campaign.

I watched as he glanced back out at the party. The way he was looking at the crowd was interesting. It reminded me of myself. Like he thought that he didn't quite fit in. But I couldn't understand why he would feel that way. Look at him. He's gorgeous, funny, built, obviously popular. He should be the light of the party, but instead he was here, sitting in a corner hiding with me.

"So why did Alice have to wrangle you to come tonight?" I hoped for some answers, plus part of me want to just know him better.

"Ehh," he groaned. "I had some run ins with some people last year, that didn't end well. I just don't really have the desire to spend time with hypocrites and back-biters."

Oh, interesting indeed.

"What happened?" I turned my body towards him. Part of me hoped that his story was as bad as mine, just so I would know that I wasn't alone in my misery. Then again, I would wish that on anyone, not even an enemy.

He looked surprised at my question, like he didn't expect me to ask any details.

I stuttered. "I mean, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to…" I blushed pink, my ears felt like they were burning.

Stupid Bella. Don't pry into other's lives. You don't want them prying into yours.

He sighed and glanced into my eyes. He was hurt, and he didn't know if he could trust me.

I tried to reassure him. Maintaining eye contact, "You can trust me."

He looked down suddenly, and shuffled his feet a bit. "I got a lot of attention last year. I used to be this big geek, but I guess puberty finally caught up to me before junior year." He chuckled despairingly. The sound hurt my heart.

"Well, I got a lot of attention, from everyone, and even from those at the top."

He stopped for a second, thinking to himself. Then looked back into my eyes. "I dated this girl, Vickie. I thought she was really into me, but it turned out she was just using me."

"I'm sorry." I really was.

He shrugged it off. "No big deal." But his shoulders were slumped. It was a big deal. He was still hurting. I knew what it was like to hurt.

I felt this overwhelming desire to tell him something, anything about me. To… I don't know, even the score?

I smiled sardonically, "I moved here because of my manipulative bastard of an ex-boyfriend." I leaned over and carefully patted his hand. "I know what it feels like to be used."

He clenched his fists. "Some kid hurt you? And you moved?" His eyes darkened, and the crease in his forehead deepened. He muttered a few non-intelligible things under his breath. I wished I had heard them, anything bad said about Jimmy I want to be a part of.

"Well, now that we've shared some of our darkest secrets." I didn't want to talk about Jimmy.

He rolled his eyes. I get that a lot.

Now that our segue was sufficiently awkward, he stood up. "Do you want to get out of here?"

"Sure." I looked around to find Alice, not so subltly flirting with an oblivious Jasper. "Alice won't miss me."

Edward followed my eyes, and smirked. "Yea, she seems pretty focused. Poor Jazz."

He lead the way out of our little corner. I followed close behind, keeping mind of all the males around me. Just what I needed was one to bump into me, or touch me. I shivered.

Unfortunately due to my hyperawareness of everything male, I tend to ignore the females. They weren't a threat to my mental stability, so I had no need to keep tabs on their positions. If one of them bumped into me or vise versa, we'd mumble our apologies and be on our way.

For some stupid reason I had dismissed Lauren and Jessica from my mind. I told them off, and they had left with their threats, at least Lauren had. I did not expect any retaliation for our little tiff to come so soon, maybe if they cornered me in the bathroom at school, but here? In front of so many witnesses, while I was standing directly next to Edward. That would just be stupid.

Lauren was certainly not known for her brains.

I was following Edward, closely, but not touching. And out of nowhere two sharply edged hands, darn acrylics, shoved me towards the pool.

The nails, cut into my side in the quick movement, and I knew that I would have little half moons etched into my ribs. And due to my exceeding lack of coordination, plus baby weight, the little shove sent me flying.

Now I couldn't just land in the pool, no that would be too easy, and my luck didn't allow for such simplicity. I was shoved towards the pool, and that was probably the intention. But on my way I banged against the rim of a small table, directly in my stomach. I continued to fall, bouncing off the table, hitting my head on the arm of an iron chair, and then twisted through someone's not so quick hands into the pool. And it hurt.

If it had been caught on video, I doubt that it could ever be replicated no matter how good the stuntmen were.

Part of my mind was stunned. I had just been shoved into a pool by a skinny fake slut. The nerve.

Then I realized what just happened. I had been pushed into a pool, but along the way I had landed on my stomach on the edge of a table. My baby! And hit my head on a chair.

Then everything went black.

OoOoOoOo

Commotion was everywhere around me. I could hear yelling, and shrieks. I could hear the sloshing of the water. I could hear the droning of the music, somehow far away.

Then I could feel this pumping on my chest. My lungs hurt, aching like they were going to explode. Then someone's mouth was on mine, forcing air into my burning lungs.

My eyes flew open, and I immediately began coughing. Water spurted out of my mouth, like I had swallowed the entire pool. I continued coughing, but set my head back down on the ground, it was throbbing. I could feel my pulse in my temples. Thump thump, thump thump.

Edward was leaning over me, sopping wet. His white button up was slick against his body, showing off all his muscles. I did not know an oxford shirt could do that. Yum.

Then I realized that I was sopping wet, too. And why. Crap.

"That stupid tramp!" I could feel my face flush in anger.

Edward's eyes searched my face. He pulled me towards him, cradling me in his arms. "Bella, are you okay?"

That's a stupid question.

Emmett was crouching to my left, and Alice was teetering back and forth at my feet. They both looked extremely nervous. Ali had one hand to her mouth, and guilt was blatantly displayed on her face. She'd promised everything would be okay.

A crowd had gathered, and Rose and Jasper were standing nearby just as concerned as their friends. My friends too.

"I'm fine." I tried to sit up, but my torso rejected the idea stabbing pain. My face contorted, reacting to the sudden pain lacing my insides. My eyes widened as panic set in; I had injured my stomach—that which is to be protected at all times.

My baby, my baby, what if my baby is hurt?

I grabbed Edward's arm, it was the closest, and the safest to grab. The other arm I wrapped around my middle, endeavoring to protect my child in what little ways I could. "Dr. Cullen. Get me Dr. Cullen." I said with such urgency, his eyes absorbed some of my panic.

Before Edward even had a chance to pull out what was most likely his worthless waterlogged cell phone. Alice had hers whipped out and dialed.

"Daddy? Bella got hurt. She was pushed into the pool. We need you to come over now." She flipped her phone shut, and announced. "He's coming right now."

I slightly relaxed into Edward's arms, resting my head against his chest. Dr. Cullen would help. He knew about the baby. He wouldn't tell.

Emmett, ever the big brother, looked at me in concern. His eyes darted between me and Edward, and me in Edward's arms. Yea, I was probably confusing the heck out of him.

Rosalie stepped closer to me, but turned her back. She placed her hands on her hips, and I watched as she faced the crowd of onlookers who were still gawking. Her stance resembled a mother lioness defending her cubs.

"Who pushed her?" Her voice was harsh and cold, but carried over the entire vicinity.

"Who did it? Who saw?" A lot of mumbling, nothing understandable. Most people said they didn't see anything until I landed in the pool.

Emmett stood up behind her, and added his size and intimidation to the threat in her voice.

Rosalie sneered at her party guests. I was so glad that I was not one of them. "If you don't know anything, get out." I didn't think she could get any scarier, but with her last two words, even I shivered.

I watched as the teens shuffled out. I assumed it was Lauren who pushed me, but I didn't see it. And since no one else spoke up, I couldn't accuse her without proof. I'm a child of the law, I know how it works. And even if you have proof sometimes it doesn't help matters. Exhibit A: Jimmy Crawford.

Before I even had a chance to wonder when Dr. Cullen would be here, he was hurrying through the back gate with his doctor's bag in tow.

Rosalie and Emmett pulled to one side; I couldn't help but notice that Emmett casually had his hand on her back.

Dr. Cullen pulled my attention to him, as he squatted down next to me.

Edward spoke before I had a chance. "Someone pushed her. She hit the table, then the chair, then she landed in the water. She must have hit her head because she blacked out."

He nodded his understanding, and smiled kindly at me. "How are you feeling Bella?"

He didn't reach to touch me, though I figured he'd have to eventually. "I hurt, everywhere."

"Where does it hurt most?"

"My head and," I paused unsure, how to clearly indicate what I was worried about without telling everyone else, "and my stomach." I gave him eye contact, hoping he would read my true meaning.

"Okay, where exactly does your stomach hurt?" He understood, and asked about that instead of my head first. Normally your head is more important.

I pointed to the area directly below my rib cage in the center of my torso.

I watched as he gave Edward, then Alice a silent message. Edward began to move out from under me. I grabbed his arm frantic.

"No! Don't go."

"Shh, I'm not going anywhere." He settled back down, and I rested my head against his chest again.

Dr. Cullen raised one eyebrow at his son, and I felt Edward shrug.

Alice gathered everyone else to her, and she began putting them to work cleaning up the party, and giving me a little bit of privacy.

"Bella." Dr. Cullen warned me with his voice. "I'm going to have to touch your stomach, to see if there are any injuries I need to take care of. Do you understand?"

I breathed slowly out through my mouth, and nodded. I then closed my eyes, hiding my face in Edward's chest.

Edward began to speak soothingly to me. Nonsensical little things in an effort to make me calm down. He made me feel safe, but no one else did.

Dr. Cullen lifted my top enough so that he could just see my stomach. Gently and deftly he prodded my middle.

"Baby, you know you want it baby." His hands wandered all over my body, squeezing my sides too hard, pinching me. His hands groped upward, gripping my breasts so hard that it made me cry out.

The wall cuts into my back and I try to struggle. A hand shot out and clipped my face, and then my side. I didn't hear any ribs crack, but it made me double over in pain. I could already feel my face swelling, and a lump growing on my stomach.

His hands held me against the wall, and one reached up to grip my face. He forced his lips against mine, his breath tasted like ass, and alcohol.

I tried to turn my face away.

He laughed darkly. "Come on baby. Don't be such a prude. You know you want it."

He pulled at my top, ripping the top few buttons entirely off. I pushed against his chest, trying to use all my body weight. I kicked at his shins, and pulled my knee up to hit him in the balls. I missed, and pissed him off even more. He banged my head against the wall, and slapped me again.

"You little bitch."

My head spun, from the drugs that were slipped into my drink, and from the damage to my head. I probably had a concussion.

The terror rose up in my throat, but I couldn't eek out a scream. Instead I began blubbering. The fight almost gone from me.

"Stop. Please. Stop. You're hurting me. Don't hurt me."

He yanked at my shirt again, tearing the rest of the buttons off so that I'm exposed, my little blue bra bare to his hungry eyes.

"Stop fighting baby. You know you want it."

"Bella! Bella!" Two hands were holding my face again, they were gentle and strong. "You're safe. I'm here. Nothing can hurt you." He pulled me tight into his arms, those strong arms, striving to keep any monsters at bay. Real or imaginary.

I began whimpering. I tried to keep the tears at bay, but a few escaped, streaking down my cheeks.

"Bella, I'm sorry." Dr. Cullen, several feet away, looked horrified that his simple examination had caused me so much turmoil.

I shook my head. It wasn't his fault. He was only trying to help me.

I remembered why I allowed him to touch me, to bring the memories. "Is my stomach okay?"

He sighed. "Yes, everything seems to be fine. You'll have a bruise just below your ribcage, but your fall missed anything important."

My body immediately relaxed in relief. Edward was still holding me. I was sitting between his legs and his head was on top of my own. His arms were wrapped around me. One hand was gently rubbing my arm.

"Now I need to check your head." Dr. Cullen pulled out a mini flashlight to look in my eyes. I braced myself for him to touch me again.

Instead he leaned close, but asked me to open my eyes wide. I did so, and he shone the light in my eyes peering closely but refraining from touching me again.

"Hmm. It looks like you have a slight concussion." Great. Like I haven't had enough of those.

Now that I felt out of the woods, my sarcasm returned. Just in time. Yay.

"I want someone to keep an eye on you. You need to be woken up every two hours."

Charlie was working late, and I didn't really want to worry him with everything. I was enough of a burden. I let Dr. Cullen know as much.

Alice piped up, she must have been listening in. "One sec." And she pulled out her cell phone, and pressed a number for speed dial.

"Charlie?" I looked at her frantic. Ali has my dad on speed dial?

"Hey, Bella fell and hit her head… yea, she's okay. My dad check her out… He wants to keep an eye on her. Would it be okay if she stays with us tonight…" She smiled big, and gave me the a-okay sign.

I nodded, exhausted. That would be easier.

Alice placed her hand over the phone. "Bells, Charlie wants to speak with you for a sec."

I held out my hand for the phone. "Hey dad."

"Bella, are you okay?" He sounded upset.

"I'm fine dad. I just hit my head, and kinda fell in the pool." Oops, I probably shouldn't have mentioned that part.

"Into the pool?" His voice raised a bit, I bet the vein in his forehead was pulsing.

"It's okay dad, I'm fine. Edward pulled me out and Dr. Cullen checked my head."

"Edward pulled you out? Are you okay?"

I sighed. "Its fine dad, don't worry."

"Okay, I'll come and get you tomorrow." I knew he had to work again. I shook my head, wincing.

"No, dad, Emmett or Alice will bring me home. I'm fine."

"If you say so, Bells." He sounded resigned.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Love you dad."

"You too." I handed the phone back to Alice.

"Everything okay?" I nodded, then bit my lip at the pain. I needed to stop that.

Without further ado, Edward placed one arm under my knees and the other behind my back, and lifted me up. I leaned my head back onto his shoulder, so sleepy.

"Edward?" I mumbled, most likely slurred, I was so tired.

"Mmhm."

"Don't leave me?" I hoped I didn't sound pathetic; I just didn't want to be alone.

"I won't leave. I promise." I nuzzled my head into his shoulder.

"Good." I feel asleep before we even arrived at his house.

Detailed answers for Bella's past to come soon! Reviews are better than falling asleep in Edward's arms!

Recs:

All My Strength by Rhi Aeffyll (on Twilighted(dot)net)
Vampire Edward who is really old, way older than Carlisle. He is the head of the Cullen clan. He has been waiting centuries for the one he loves, and finally finds Bella, his student in AP Bio at Forks High.
-Really Great. Amazing back story. Awesome research. I love this Edward. He is a bit smarter and wiser than SM's. It's still in progess, but I read right up to it's most recent post. Soooo good.

Question: Any good recs for me to read? I'm always looking for more!