Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.

I own my original characters and original story.

**Parallels Chapter 20 of V&V. Enjoy!

********************************LRM************************

20. Setback To A Full Recovery

It was Super Bowl Sunday. The entire cast and crew had the day off of filming, and Alice had begged and pleaded with me until I agreed to go to a Superbowl party at her house.

She could care less about the game of course. It was really just a chance for Alice and Christopher to drink and ogle the football players.

I arrived at Alice and Jasper's about an hour before the game started. Christopher met me at the door. "Edward! Glad to see that the pixie got you to leave your cave." He said with a smirk.

"Hey Chris, how are you? And I've been out of my 'cave' a lot lately." I argued with a smile.

Chris raised an eyebrow. "Don't bullshit a bullshitter Edward, I know that you only leave your house to work. Maybe if the lovely Bella would move to L.A. you'd take more of an interest in actually living."

"Don't count on that Chris. They'd probably both go into hiding together." Alice grinned as she walked up and hugged me. "Which reminds me Edward. You'd better plan something nice to do with Bella during spring break, or I will steal her away and show her the sights myself."

I hadn't thought about that. For the past week, I'd been dwelling on the fact that I'd have to be separated from Bella for an unbearably long period of time. Now, with Alice's simple statement, I realized that I had something to look forward to.

My mind began to ponder all the things Bella and I could do that week. Knowing that she liked the ocean, I immediately thought about taking her to Laguna Beach for a couple of days.

Probably won't be warm enough to coax her into a bikini. Pity.

Alice's guests had started to arrive. I knew a few of them, but I wasn't feeling very sociable. I stayed pretty much to myself as we watched the game.

I honestly tried to pay attention to the screen, but my mind kept returning to Isabella. I'd spoken to her before she went to church this morning, and she'd told me of her intention to visit the lake we'd been to in Olympic National Park. Being a cop's daughter, I knew Bella would be careful, but I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled over me since we'd talked.

As I walked toward the kitchen to get a bottle of water, I contemplated calling Bella.

I really need to find a way to curb my stalker tendencies.

Just then, Alice came breezing into the room. She walked up and placed her small hand on my forearm, a worried expression on her face.

"Are you going to call Bella?" She asked.

"I was just thinking about doing that, yes." I answered.

Alice stared at something over my shoulder and seemed to zone out for a moment. Suddenly she shook her head slightly and focused on me. "Call her Edward, something isn't right. I can't quite figure out what's happened."

I hit Bella's number on speed dial. She picked up almost immediately.

"Hello." I was relieved that she answered, although she sounded a little off.

"Hello baby. Did you go to the park?" I asked.

"Yeah, um I left a while ago." She answered in a shaky voice.

I could tell that she had been crying. It took every ounce of my self-control not to overreact. "Bella you've been crying, what's wrong?" I said quickly.

"I went to the lake, oh Edward, I was stopped by a park ranger." She began to cry. "He grabbed me, it was awful. He's charging me with assault. He's lying Edward, he's lying about everything."

Bella's words came out in such a rush that it took a moment to decipher what she had said. And even then, the words didn't make sense.

"Bella, sweetheart, slow down. Please explain exactly what happened." I was in agony, listening to her sobs.

So she went on to tell me every detail of the ordeal she'd just lived through. When she told me of the vile things the ranger had said, I lost it. "Motherfucking bastard I want to rip his tongue out."

Thank heaven I was still in Alice's kitchen, out of earshot of the party guests.

Bella's story got worse.

She went on to describe when the ranger grabbed her. As she told me about that piece of shit putting her in handcuffs, she broke down in tears again.

My beautiful sweet girl.

"I will find that cocksucker and I will end his miserable existence. Son of a motherfucking whore." I was suddenly hit with the realization that this scumbag acted this way because Bella had been in the news.

And she was in the news was because she was my girlfriend.

"This is because of me. If not for me, he wouldn't have seen your photo on the news. He wouldn't have said those awful things to you." I spluttered out.

"Edward, stop blaming yourself. I get the feeling that this guy would have messed with me whether he knew who I was or not."

I doubted that, but I didn't want her any more upset, so I dropped the subject.

"I'm coming there." I blurted as I realized I had to see her. I needed to hold her and make sure she was okay.

"But won't you get in trouble leaving the movie."

"Don't worry about that Bella. I'll tell them I've got an emergency. Oh God Bella, being this far away when you need me is awful."

Hold it together Edward, for Bella's sake.

I said goodbye to Bella, and immediately went into action. After explaining to Alice in brief what had happened to Bella in the park, I muttered a quick goodbye, and headed home. On the way, I called my parents.

"Hello dear. I'm a little surprised to hear from you. Aren't you watching the game at Alice and Jasper's?" My mother asked as she answered.

"I'm on my way home Mom. Is Dad available? I need a favor." I said in a rush.

"Yes, of course Edward. Is everything alright?" Mother sounded concerned.

I sighed loudly as I thought about that question. "No Mom. It really isn't." I heard my voice crack with emotion.

"Oh honey. What is going on?" She asked in a desperate tone. "Is Bella okay?"

"No Mom. She had a traumatic experience earlier today, and I'm making arrangements to fly up there as soon as possible."

"Edward, what happened?"

I thought about how to tell them without betraying Bella's confidence. Realizing that in order for my father to fully help her, I'd have to tell him an abbreviated version of Bella's past, I sighed again. "Mom, just get Dad and then I'll tell you both." I said, resigned.

As soon as my father got on the extension, I launched into the story of Renee Swan's last day on earth. I didn't go into graphic detail, concentrating instead on Bella's ordeal and many injuries.

"That explains the injuries listed on her medical chart. I wondered if she'd been in a car accident when I saw that." My father said in a quiet voice, more to himself than to us.

I then went on to explain about the years of depression Bella faced after her mother's death, and her aversion to physical contact with anyone outside her small social circle.

As I spoke, I could heard my mother's soft sniffles as she tried to control her tears. My family had already grown to love Bella, and I knew this was hard for them to hear.

Finally, I told them what happened to Bella today in the park. Without my even asking, my father blurted. "Dear God Edward. The poor girl is probably in shock. Since she refused medical treatment, I need to go over there to make sure she's alright."

"Thank you Dad. I was hoping you'd go check on her. Her father's on his way, but it takes hours to get to Seattle from Forks. And, as luck would have it, Emmett and Rosalie are out of town."

I quickly gave them Bella's address and disconnected the call.

My next call was to the director. "Hello Hal, this is Edward Masen."

"Hello Edward, to what do I owe the honor of a phone call on your day off?" He said pleasantly.

"I'm sorry to say that I've just been informed of a family emergency in Seattle, and I must fly there tonight. I apologize, but it's something that can't be helped." I said in a rush as I packed.

Hal was quiet for a moment. "Sorry to hear that Edward. Look, don't worry about it. I can shift things around a little for Monday and Tuesday, shoot more of the scenes you're not in. Unfortunately, the shoot we have scheduled for early Wednesday would be a big pain in the ass to change, not to mention expensive. Do you think you'll be back by then?"

"I'll do my best Hal. If I can't I'll let you know tomorrow. Thanks very much for understanding."

"Look Edward, you're the star. I need you in a good frame of mind to do your best work. Take care of what you need to. I hope everything works out okay."

"Me too Hal. Thanks."

As soon as I hung up with him I called Alec. "Hello boss man." He answered sarcastically.

"Alec, I don't have time to explain but I'm flying to Seattle tonight. I'll phone the driver to come get me, but I need you to make the flight arrangements while I'm on my way to the airport. I'll need a return for Tuesday afternoon. Just text the flights to me."

"Sure Edward. Is something wrong?" He asked with genuine concern.

"It's Bella. She needs me." I said, barely above a whisper.

"Dude, is she hurt?" He asked, alarmed.

"Not physically, she just had a very bad experience today, and I need to go there. I've cleared everything with Hal."

I knew that Alec was dying of curiosity, but admirably he kept his questions to himself. "Alright man. Listen, I'm sorry. I hope she's okay."

"Thanks Alec."

-LRM-

The flight to Seattle seemed to take forever. Once I landed, I caught a cab to Bella's because Sidney was hundreds of miles away. He was due to arrive at my home in a couple of days with a U-Haul filled with his belongings.

Bella's dad answered the door. "Hey Edward." He said in a very subdued tone.

"How is she sir?" I asked quietly.

"She's asleep, but restless." He shook his head as he walked toward Bella's kitchen. "Do you want something to drink?" He asked. I somehow knew he didn't mean a soft drink.

"Do I need one?" I asked warily.

Chief Swan sighed and rubbed his forehead with his hand. "I'm not gonna lie, she's in a bad way Edward. Thankfully, your Dad gave her a mild sedative."

Charlie slumped down into a chair and laid his head back, looking weary.

"What can I do?" I asked, feeling desperate and useless.

"Just take care of my girl." He replied in a weak voice, then he cleared his throat and sat up straighter. "Your parents contacted their lawyer. He's sending over one of his 'brightest and best' attorneys around eleven tomorrow morning. From what he told them, she's a real spitfire." Charlie said quietly.

"When will Emmett and Rose get back?"

"They're already on their way. There weren't any flights that would get them back tonight, so they have a layover. They should arrive sometime tomorrow morning."

"Rose has got her hands full calming down my boy. He's ready to commit murder." Charlie half-smiled.

"I can understand that." I muttered.

"You know, it's funny. All these years of being a cop I'd always heard the stories of police brutality, or whatever you want to call it, but had never run into it personally." He said as he scrubbed his hands over his face. "This bastard ranger is something strange to me. I'll admit that I want to hurt him for what he did to my little girl. But I also realize something more needs to be done about him, something permanent. He's just the type of asshole that will keep hurting people until someone has the balls to stop him for good."

"I'm hoping this fancy lawyer has the answer Edward, because if she doesn't, I'm going to fuck up Mr. Ranger's world." Charlie said in a menacing voice.

Whoah. Is the Chief thinking of shooting that scumbag?

I'm actually good with that.

Realizing how late it was, I went to get a shower. Afterward, I put on my sleep pants and t-shirt before checking on Bella. She was asleep, but very restless. When I stepped back into the living room, the chief had set up the sleeper sofa and was sitting on it. He was looking down at his feet while rubbing his hands together. Without looking up at me, he spoke "I expect you to be a gentleman." Then he shut off the lamp and laid down.

I think in his weird way, the chief just gave me permission to sleep in Bella's bed.

I went to her bedroom and crawled in behind her, pulling her into my arms. She immediately relaxed into a restful sleep. I followed right after.

As soon as the grey dawn peeked through Bella's window, I was awake. I went out to the kitchen and had a cup of coffee with the chief. We talked for a while. As a means of distraction, I told him how work was going on the new film. Eventually we wandered to the living room. I left him sitting there watching a morning news program, and went back to Bella's room. She was still sound asleep. I crawled back into bed and just watched her for the next hour or so.

It was just after ten when I decided to wake her. I left a trail of soft kisses from her shoulder to her cheek. "Bella, wake up sweetheart."

She turned to face me. "Edward".

"I'm sorry to wake you Bella, but the lawyer will be here soon, and I thought you'd like to get a shower before that."

"Lawyer?" She questioned.

"Yes. My parents' lawyer is sending over one of their firm's 'brightest and best'. "

"Oh, okay. I'll get a quick shower." She said as she stood.

Just as I walked into the living room, Emmett and Rose arrived.

"Where's Bella?" Emmett asked his Dad. The poor guy looked beat to hell.

"She's in the shower." I answered for the chief.

After a few minutes of Rose trying to determine how Bella was, she emerged from the bathroom. Emmett and Rose immediately enveloped her in hugs.

I heard Emmett mutter "I want to kill him Bells."

He's not the only one.

"Emmett, that wouldn't be helpful. We can't lose you. I'm just scared about what will happen in court. I never want that man to get near me again." She sounded so small and afraid.

Charlie, feeling the need to keep busy, fixed tea for Bella and made her eat some toast. The chief came across as such a gruff, inarticulate man, but there was so much more to him than met the eye. It was obvious that he'd do anything for his children. And now Rose was included in that circle of protection.

As I watched this man of simple means dote upon his only daughter, it suddenly became very important to me to earn his respect.

-LRM-

To say we were all impressed with the attorney sent by my parent's firm would have been an understatement. Wendy Graham knew her job, and I was quite confident that Bella had nothing to worry about in court.

It didn't change the fact that I still wanted to kick the Ranger's ass.

After Wendy and her team left, Chief Swan decided to head for home. Soon after, Bella and I found ourselves alone.

"How long can you stay?" Bella asked.

"I have to fly back tomorrow afternoon, but only if you're okay."

"I'll be okay." She said. I was certain she was just trying to put on a brave face.

We spent the day holed up in Bella's apartment, ordering in food and just vegetating. Every now and then I noticed a pained expression pass over her face, and I knew she was thinking about the ordeal she'd have to face in court.

I fought the urge to go track down that piece of shit Ranger and rip him to shreds, putting what was left through a wood-chipper.

Yeah, a little overly dramatic.

But I knew getting myself in trouble would cause Bella even more distress.

Damn it. Just when everything in our lives seems to be calm and on the right track, something like this has to happen.

By evening, Bella's nerves had taken their toll on her well-being. I watched her warily as she fixed a pitcher of cocktails.

That's a lot of alcohol for just the two of us.

"Are we expecting company Bella?" I asked.

"No, but you're welcome to share." She answered me with a smirk.

Deciding on having one drink turned out to be a very good idea. I remained sober as I watched my girl slowly get hammered. I realized that she needed to get this out of her system, so I let her ramble and scream and curse about what she'd like to do to that asshat Ranger.

I would rather her fall to pieces in front of me than alone where I wouldn't be there to put her back together again.

The hysterical laughter followed by uncontrollable crying took me a bit by surprise, but again I tried to be supportive by just holding her as she ruined my shirt with her tears. When the exhaustion finally took hold, I put her to bed, crawling in beside her.

In the morning, I remedied her hangover as best I could and went to class with her. There was no way I was being parted from her side until I had to board that airplane later today.

The old Bella finally reemerged about halfway through the day, when she'd had more than enough of her classmates attempts at flirting with me. I laughed numerous times at the murderous glares she threw out, and lost count of how many times she gave the one-finger salute to those same flirting females.

She seemed to gain strength as the day wore on, so that by the time I had to board my plane, I was certain she'd be strong enough to handle what was to come.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to leave her. Screw the film.

The goodbye at the airport was agonizing, but made me more determined than ever to escape California for a couple days sometime soon, in order to spend time with my girl.

I needed her not only emotionally, but physically. She kept me grounded. She kept me centered. She kept me sane.

**************************************A/N**********************************

A/N This is a fairly short chapter….but that's because I cut out a lot of repetitious dialogue.

I'm anxious to get back to the next chap of V&V . It's done, I just need to edit. Watch for it in the next day or so. I like reviews.