A/n: Operation Rescue Edward is in full force...

Ch18

Bella patted my knee then flew into a frenzy of action, "Give me your phone." She demanded as she pulled her own phone out to call someone.

I was reluctant at first but she stood in front of me, her toe tapped and I knew without a doubt that there was no sense defying her now that I have agreed. I pulled it from my pocket and sat it in her outstretched palm.

My head fell against the back of the couch as I listened to her instructing her friend, the doctor, where to find us. Then she started to take my phone apart as she dialed another number.

"Jake, we're a go. Get it all ready, make the move tonight." I heard Bella say into the phone.

She continued to talk to Jake while the fear started to literally cause me to shake. I knew without a doubt that Tanya would find out. She would eventually try to kill me. She would eventually try to hurt Bella. The fact that I can't stop her was the cause of my sheer terror.

"Edward?" Bella spoke softly as she knelt in front of me. "Edward, look at me." She said as she gently cupped my face to force me to look at her. "She can't hurt you anymore. You will be kept safe, do you understand?"

"But...Bella..." I squeezed my eyes shut to hold in the fresh round of tears that threatened to fall. "There's …...there is sooo..." I couldn't breathe. I could feel the pressure as it built in my chest.

"Calm down, baby...take a few deep breaths." Bella's soothing voice spoke to me. I tried to just concentrate on the sound of her voice.

"That's it, deep breaths...its okay." Bella cooed in my ear.

I slowly nodded my head as I felt her warm hands rub up and down my arms, it was that soft touch that made me want to cry more.

"Bella." I said through a sob.

"Edward, I know that you have more to tell me, but let's wait 'til Jake gets here so you don't have to tell it more than once, okay?" She spoke very calm and collected to me.

"Nooo...can't..." I muttered.

"Why?" She questioned.

I gave her a look I knew it would show every ounce of my hurt. How do I explain my shame, my embarrassment?

"She's...she has..." I felt the panic start to build again.

We both heard the elevator ding and looked to the door where a tall man with heavy blue eyes waved to Bella.

"Edward, this is my friend, Ben Harper, he's a doctor and he's going to look at your wounds, okay?"

Fear gripped me and I grabbed onto Bella's arms.

"It's alright I'll stay with you, if you want." She spoke softly near my ear.

"Where would you like to go, Bella?" Ben said as she helped me stand.

"We actually have an examination room down the end of this hall." Bella replied as we slowly made our way down the corridor.

We walked into the room as she flicked on the lights and I sat on the exam table. My mind screamed at me to run, that this wasn't safe. My hands began to shake again and it caught Bella's eye. She put both of her hands around each of mine.

"You are safe. Keep chanting that over and over in your head. I promise you that she will not hurt you anymore." Her voice, once again calm and soothing as her hands held mine and squeezed gently.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on the sound of her voice.

"Edward, I am going to need you to remove all of your clothing except for your under garments." I heard Ben say and I slowly nodded that I understood. My eyes opened and I locked my gaze onto Bella's eyes.

"It's okay. I can stay or I can leave, I don't want you to be uncomfortable." She said with a soft gaze of care as she peered back at me.

"Just give me a minute, then you can come back," I whispered.

"Do you want us both to step out?" Ben asked.

I nodded and wiped a tear from my cheek.

"I'm going to go get the camera equipment, so I'll be right back." Bella told me as she squeezed my hands again. She leaned in closer as she stood between my legs her face was an inch from mine.

"You are so strong and brave, Edward. We will get through this, together, understand?" Her eyes searched mine for understanding. I faintly nodded my agreement.

But, my head was screamed 'you fool, Tanya will find out. She always finds out. She will destroy you. She will destroy your family'. I cringed and tried to shake my head but the pounding was back and made it almost impossible.

She dropped my hands and cupped my face, I could feel her body as it willed me to look at her. "Edward, I don't know what it is about you, but there is no way that I'm leaving you in her clutches again. Do you understand? I have to protect. I have to make you see that nothing is worth putting yourself through what she is doing to you." Bella's soft eyes held so much emotion that it caused a lump to form in my throat.

No one had shown me such care in so long that I melted into her touch when I felt her arms go around me, I tensed. Although I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her and never leave the comfort of her warmth and kindness, I was just too used to the turmoil and anger that I was used to living with. The concept of love and concern were totally foreign to me now.

"We'll be right outside the door when you're ready." She said before they both walked out and shut the door behind them.

I sat there for a minute as my mind flipped back and forth on what I should do.

I was scared. I was terrified, actually.

I knew that Bella was here.

I knew that I could trust her; I could see it in her eyes.

I hoped and prayed that I was right as I started to remove my clothes.