A/n: I get the sense that more than a few of you are growing impatient with not being told what the hell is going on...well, I'm sorry, when I wrote this story I wrote as Edward told it to me...he's not very forthcoming with information, as you've all noticed.

I simply ask that you be patient...he's getting there...but, first...well, go read...(tissue warning/no abuse)

Ch17

I woke up the next morning to an empty house. Tanya never came home last night. I selfishly wondered if she got ran over by a Mack truck so that she could experience the type of pain that I currently felt.

I hurt all over but I had to get up and go to work. It was bad enough that I had already missed one day this week. I checked my phone to see that I had a text from Tanya at four thirteen am stating that she wouldn't be home and that I should go to work. She would call me when she got home later.

I wonder what unlucky bastard was saddled with her this morning. At least it wasn't me I thought as I made my way to the bathroom to pee and shower. I hoped that the warm water would help my stiff muscles. My head was still pounding and the light hurt my eyes.

Once the water was the right temperature, I moved to stand under it and just let it pour over my body. It did feel good and for some reason, I felt a little lighter this morning.

Bella's face, once again, flashed into my mind.

I had to talk to her today. But what do I even say? I was terrified that Tanya would find out, and, I certainly did not want to drag Bella into the hell that was my life.

But, if she could help me figure out how to get out of this, I had to try, right?

I finished my shower and grabbed a towel. Fuck, it hurt to move. I probably should go to a clinic, but tell them what? They'd insist I file a report or some shit. I can't do that.

Fuck! I hate my life. I felt the tears well up in my eyes. I was so weak and pathetic, just like Tanya told me I was. I was worthless. I had nothing to offer anyone.

'I can help you. You can trust me.' Bella's voice said in my head again as the tears fell while I struggled to put my dress pants on.

I swiped the tears off my face as my frustration grew as I struggled to tie my tie because it hurt to raise my arm and breathe at the same time.

I gripped my hair and pulled, which only accelerated the throbbing in my head.

I sat on the edge of the mattress and put my head in my hands as my elbows rested on my knees. What the fuck was I doing? Why was allowing fear to destroy me? I was killing my parents. My sister was a frantic mess. I haven't talked to Emmett or Jasper in over a year and I had known them my whole life.

What had this wretched woman done to me? How had I allowed this to happen to me?

It hurt to think.

It hurt to move.

It hurt to simply exist.

I had to figure out a way to talk to Bella, I resolved as I stood up and gathered my things to leave for work.

Twenty minutes later I stepped off the elevator to a dark office so I flipped on the lights and went to the break room to start some coffee to brew.

Just as I poured myself a hot cup a few minutes later I heard the ding of the elevator in the hall. I went ahead and got another mug down and poured Bella a cup of coffee.

She walked in, her eyes narrowed as they scanned my body. I stood still and just held out the cup of coffee for Bella.

"Good morning, Bella." I said and forced myself to make eye contact with her.

"Good morning, Edward," she said as she walked towards me and took the coffee mug from my outstretched hand.

She pointed to the sofa and went to sit down. I followed behind her but I couldn't hide the grimace of pain on my face as I tried to get comfortable.

Her eyes watched every movement I made. She sat there in silence for a minute before her voice filled the room, "How bad is it?"

I let out a breath I didn't realize I held, "Bad." I whispered, unable to look at her so I just closed my eyes.

"Will you please let me help you?" Bella said soft and gentle as she scooted closer to me.

A tear fell down my cheek as I hesitantly nodded my head.

"Thank God." She said under her breath, but I heard it.

"Will you let me document your injuries? I should probably call a friend of mine, he's a doctor, I could have him come to the office to look at you."

I silently screamed in my head that no, no, no I can't do this but I opened my eyes and looked at Bella's beautiful, caring brown eyes. They were so full of tears for me, care and concern for me, that I knew that I had no choice.

"Yes." I managed to croak out before the exhaustion of it all weighed me down.

A/n: OKAY ...Everyone LET OUT A DEEP BREATH OF RELIEF...

3 more to go for today but it probably won't be til later...I seriously HAVE to get some work done...and then Minime has dance tonight...so yeah RL gets in the way;(