***Disclaimer – Stephanie Meyer owns everything Twilight. I'm just letting the characters live in my mind for a while.***

Chapter 5

Alice came running to the door as Esme held it open for us. Carlisle was pacing the living room and stopped to give me a concerned smile as Edward set me down on the sofa. Alice looked so sad.

"Bella, I am so sorry. I didn't see. I wasn't watching you because I didn't want to see…" she hesitated as she glanced up at Carlisle, and then turned her focus back to me, "Bella…I'm so sorry."

"Alice, it's not your fault." She moved to give me a hug and backed off again when I winced.

"Bella, please, let me examine you to make sure there is no severe damage. Since your attacker is dead, there is no need for evidence to prosecute, but we still need to check for STD's and pregnancy." He was such a kind, caring man. At this moment I'm truly sorry that our plan didn't work out. Carlisle would have at least been gentle. He wouldn't have tied me down. He wouldn't have called me names. He wouldn't have left me feeling dirty, vile, used,…disgusting. I burst into tears. Esme ordered everyone out of the house, except Carlisle, until one of us gave the ok to return.

"No. I'm not leaving," Edward protested to her and turned to me, "that is, unless you want me to go."

"Edward, please stay…" I couldn't bear the thought of him leaving.

"Is there anything I can do?" Esme's eyes told me that she hoped there was something she could do to ease the pain.

Carlisle put his hand on her waist and spoke to her quietly. She nodded in agreement to whatever it was he said, and turned back to me, "I'll be back later, sweetie." She kissed the top of my head and motioned for the others to follow her out the door. Alice gave me a gentle hug and Rose nodded and gave me an understanding smile. Jasper threw a wave of calm at me and looked generally uncomfortable, as usual, but Emmett looked pissed. I'm sure this is bringing up the memories for both him and Rose for what she went through. They all filed out the door quietly and quickly. Then they were gone.

When it was just Edward, Carlisle, and me, the air in the room became thick with tension. Carlisle was concerned with organizing my exam; Edward sat next to me and tried to sooth me. I could only curl up and sob.

Carlisle had finished setting up his tools and fixed his eyes on mine. "We should get this done as soon as possible, Bella. Do you want Edward here during the exam?"

"Yes." My voice was so meek sounding. Edward squeezed my hand and kissed my temple. Carlisle pulled him aside. He spoke quietly, but I could still hear him. I wondered if he meant for me to hear him.

"Edward, you can stay as she wishes, but you must control your anger. Remember, Mike Newton is dead. You are better served here, helping Bella. It won't do her any justice if you can't remain calm. She is scared, hurt, and needs you…us. Do you understand me?" Edward nodded and returned to my side.

"Shall we do this in your room? You might be more comfortable in your own bed." Carlisle's thoughtfulness never ceased to amaze me. He was just too wonderful.

"Yes." Edward carried me up to our room and laid me down gently.

CPOV

Unfortunately, she's not the first victim of sexual assault I have encountered in my career. I will never understand what drives a man to do this to a woman. When she says no, that should be the end of it. I hate this part. I could tell she was scared and self-conscious. I gave her a blanket and Edward and I stepped out of the room so she could undress. Even though I was several yards away, from her, I caught a fresh wave of the scent of blood, sweat, and man mixed with her otherwise fresh feminine scent. It smelled strong. I had a feeling this was going to be hard to see.

"Ok. I'm ready," she whispered.

I braced myself and turned to go back into the room. Edward's hand shot out and caught my shoulder. I'll take care of her, Edward. I promised I would. This is just turning out differently than anyone of us anticipated. He nodded. It pained me to see my children go through this. I checked my watch: 6:53 pm. I should have been getting ready to help her in a different way right now. Poor Bella. A slight wave of disappointment washed over me and left just as quickly. She would have been mine for tonight, now I had to pick up the pieces of some idiot who though he was better than anyone else. Edward caught my eye. He was a little surprised at my thoughts.

"I'm sorry, Edward." I truly was.

"It's ok. Let's get this over with." After a quiet knock, I opened the door. She was sitting up against the headboard. She looked tired and was slightly withdrawn. Edward was by her side almost as soon as I opened the door.

I had to steel myself and block out the father in me. "Ok, Bella. First, I need to check your upper body to make sure there are no broken bones." I was in doctor mode now. I helped her sit up and moved the blanket. She left her shirt on.

"Bella, I need you to lift your shirt." She hesitated. I lowered my face to meet her eyes, "It's alright. You are safe. You know that, right?" She nodded and reached for the hem of her shirt and slowly moved it upwards.

I hadn't completely prepared myself for what I was seeing. Her back was scratched and scabs had already started to form. Edward took a sharp breath and held it. I shot him a 'calm down' look. It wasn't a request. He understood.

As I started to clean the wounds, I felt her ribs and asked if any of them hurt. She shook her head. I couldn't feel any that were broken. That was good. I moved to her front and she instinctively covered herself.

"Bella, trust me." I encouraged her as I lightly touched her arms checking the bruises. I haven't seen someone endure the pain she must be in with so much dignity. The poor girl was covered in deep purple and black. I could only imagine what I'll find lower on her body. There were deep red and purple marks where what looked like rope burns encircled her wrists. She flinched when I reached for her hands. I paused and tried again. This time she lowered her arms. Her chest was badly bruised, but again, I felt nothing broken. That was a relief. I took note of the bite marks on her breasts. Thank god Mike was only human. Sick bastard. When I was finished checking out her upper body, Edward helped her pull her shirt back down. She winced. I chided myself for not offering her any pain medicine. I needed to know if anything hurt, but I could have dulled the pain for her a little bit.

"Bella, I need to examine your lower body now. Would you like something for the pain?" She nodded.

"A shot will be faster, is that ok?" She hesitated but nodded again. Quickly, I prepared the correct dosage and she went pale.

"I'll be quick." I reassured her before quickly injecting the liquid into her arm. Within minutes she relaxed.

"Bella, I'll talk you through this, ok?" I waited for her to acknowledge me. She nodded. "Bella, I need you to lay down flat on your back and put your knees up." Edward laid down right next to her and held her hands. He looked over at me, worried. I knew what he was concerned about. Do you want me to describe it? I knew he'd know what I meant.

He replied quickly and too quiet for her to hear, "Yes, I want to be prepared when you tell her. I know it's bad, I can smell it." Bella was in full effect of the pain meds now. She was conscious and coherent, but relaxed.

"Bella, sweetie, I need you to open your legs so I can examine you." I tried to be kind as I instructed her and lifted the fabric draped over her to gain entrance. I hate this part. The poor girl lived through the most horrific ordeal a woman could suffer and now I, her doctor and her father-in-law, but still just another man was going to touch her at her most private core. I only hoped I could keep her trust and moved on with as much sympathy and kindness as I could muster.

I looked her right in the eye and hoped she could see that I was truly concerned. I've had patients that have gone through this suddenly start to panic when I touch them. Usually, I have a female in the room with me and the patient, but Bella seems more comfortable with Edward here. Hopefully, he'll be enough to keep her calm. It's very disheartening when the patient becomes hysterical. I showed her that I had put clean gloves on my hands. Sometimes, I've learned, it helps the victim to know that there is something between themselves and the person doing the exam; even if it is only a thin layer of latex. It seems to make them feel safer; less violated.

"Alright, Bella, I'm going to touch your leg and adjust your position a little so I can exam you easily and quickly. Ok?" She nodded and looked away. I lightly touched her inner thighs with my fingertips and she closed her eyes. I saw her hand squeeze Edwards so tight, her knuckles were turning white. Poor girl. I pushed her legs a little wider and, no matter how many times I've seen this type of horror, it never ceases to shock me when I actually see the damage that a man can do to a woman. The only positive I could think of in this situation is to thank god that the man this time was only human. Imagine if he'd been an immortal…my god…I now completely understand Edward's hesitation in bedding his wife. Quickly, I regained my wits and started to make a mental checklist of the damage.

Severe bruising on inner thighs looks like purple hand prints. Dried blood covering her vaginal opening and trailing down her inner thighs. I sighed. Her virginity. At that thought, I heard Edward draw in a breath. I looked up at him and silently asked him if he wanted me to continue. He met my gaze and nodded, closing his eyes. I noticed that Bella's tears were drifting down her cheeks. I continued with the exam.

"Bella, I'm going to touch you now. I have to open you a little so I can get a swab of any evidence still available. This will also allow me to see if you need any further care. Ok? Are you alright?" She just nodded again. Her tears flowed freely now and she buried her face into Edward's chest. He brushed her hair away from her face and kissed her forehead.

Lightly, I placed just the tips of my fingers at her womanly opening and she sucked in a breath and immediately clamped her legs together, trapping my arm. I maneuvered my arm to free it.

"Bella, look at me, dear." She shook her head. "Bella. Look at me." I was a little more stern now. I needed to survey the damage and fix her up as best I could. She slowly turned her head and opened her eyes to stare back into mine. Her eyes showed fear.

"Bella, Edward is right next to you. He's holding you safe in his arms. It's just me, Carlisle. Ok? I promise I'm going to do the best I can to be gentle. I need to examine you, dear. You need to let me look. Ok? Come on, sweetie…" She closed her eyes again and buried her face into Edward's chest. She relaxed her legs again and I quickly moved in to finish the exam before she shut down completely. I continued my mental notes for Edward.

Severe tearing on outer opening and one deep tear along the inside. Will require a few stitches. Quickly, I stitched her up. She didn't even notice. Her mind is shifting away from us. She is shutting down. I'll hurry. Edward squeezed her hand and spoke quietly to her. She mumbled something, but wouldn't look at him. I took a swab of the fluids and bagged the sample to send in to the lab. I covered her back up and removed my gloves. She didn't move. Edward shook his head at me slowly. She was gone. Now we just wait until she decides she is safe enough to come back to us.

I gathered my tools and stood up. Turning back, I saw my son holding his wife with so much love and devotion. If a vampire could cry, this would be the perfect moment for it. I sighed. I'm sorry, Edward. Whenever she's ready, she can shower and change. I have all I need. We'll give her the morning after pill tomorrow. Her physical wounds will heal in time. We all need to be here for her emotional ones. He nodded and I quietly exited the room to give them some privacy.

I wish all doctors were like Carlisle. *swoon*