Okay, guys...Chapter 12 is finally here. I do update as soon as I can, please try to keep that in mind and be patient with me. I wouldn't purposely leave you guys hanging for longer than necessary =).

Also, to all of those who reviewed the last chapter: you guys are amazing, thank you! I also wanted to take a minute to comment on something. I want to clarify that I do not hate Jacob [as in Stephenie Meyer's portrayal of him within the books]. I don't find him bad in any way. It's true, I am Team Edward, but that's because I feel Edward and Bella are more suited for one another, and the kind of love they have for one another...you wouldn't find that anywhere else. But with that said, despite me being Team Edward...I do NOT hate Jacob. This is not a hate story. This story was not written to offend anyone, including Jacob fans. In fact, I'm aware of a few people who are Team Jacob who also like this story. If you are Team Jacob and you are offended by this story, I apologize. I did not write it to be offensive, and it is not a hate fic. This is just fictional, guys. It's AU. I'm not meaning any harm.

P.S. For those of you who stuck up for me and this story, and also those who have been nothing but encouraging: thank you so much, it really means a lot to me. More than you know =).

Italics are Charlie's thoughts.

This story is beta'd by my fabulous beta, Feenrai.

Chapter 12

EPOV

After a panic attack, and my attempts to sooth and convince her it was for the best, Bella finally managed to go inside her home to face Charlie.

I had her tiny hand encased within my own, in an attempt to give her as much comfort as I could, without being able to really touch her. But she seemed transfixed, staring at the front door as the panic returned.

"Breathe, Bella," I whispered, unintentionally startling her and causing her to jump. I mentally cursed myself for scaring her as I led her into the house.

"Is that you, Bells?" I heard Charlie call from his seat in front of the television. His voice was slightly distracted as his thoughts were focused on the game.

After Bella confirmed Charlie's question, giving him a shaky "yeah," I greeted him as well. For a moment, his thoughts drifted from the game, only to focus on me. He wasn't pleased I was there--that much was obvious as he grumbled my name in greeting.

I could see Bella's hesitancy, along with her fear. I knew she would not be able to force the words out on her own, so I attempted to help: "If Bella and I could have a word with you in the kitchen, please," I requested.

He began to mutter unintelligibly, but never the less, turned the television off and made his way into the kitchen, with Bella and I trailing behind him.

After we were all seated, with Bella's hand still tightly clasped in mine, Charlie's negative thoughts ran through my mind: Charlie had had enough of being patient.

"Now what's this all about?" Charlie questioned, his thoughts beginning to wander.

She seems upset. Is he leaving again? Did he hurt her? He -- oh God, he better not have gotten her pregnant!

His thoughts soon mirrored his words as he grew impatient and spoke to fill the silence. "Bells, what's going on? Did Edward hurt you? You're not pregnan--" but Bella efficiently cut him off.

"No! Edward didn't hurt me! And I'm -- I'm not pregnant," she explained, her voice seeming defeated and weak. So unlike my beautiful Bella who was usually so full of strength and determination. That was merely another reason I wished to kill Jacob. For causing Bella to become scared and timid. For robbing her of certain aspects of her personality.

But my thoughts were soon ceased, as I could see Charlie glaring in my direction, obviously not wanting to fully believe Bella's previous words.

"Edward didn't hurt me," Bella gasped, and I could hear the increase of her breathing as it became more shallow and labored with each breath. "Jacob did," she whispered as her body began to tremble infinitesimally.

"What?" Charlie asked as his eyebrows rose in question and disbelief, not yet believing the truth to Bella's words.

What has that boy done now? He doesn't usually mean any harm, he just gets over excited sometimes. It was probably just a misunderstanding and things will blow over and get back to normal between them soon.

"Jake's a good kid. I'm sure whatever it was, he didn't mean any harm," he voiced, thinking this was merely some small argument between Bella and Jacob.

I couldn't help but stiffen reflexively, his thoughts and words instantly putting me at unease. If it were merely an argument between them, I would be pleased that that was all. But instead, as Bella attempts to tell Charlie that her former best friend raped her, he seems to not be understanding the severity of the case. His judgment is clouded by his liking of the mongrel.

Sadly, I knew if it was I who she said had hurt her, Charlie would believe it in an instant, and begin to concoct the worst case scenarios in his mind.

I was pulled from my thoughts by the trembling hand that I had enclosed in my own. Bella was now completely gasping, beginning to have a full on panic attack due to the fear of telling Charlie, and also the fact that he seemed hesitant to believe her.

I could smell the slightly salty tears beginning to form in her eyes, and more than anything, I wished I could wrap my arms around her and console her. To make this precious creature beside me feel safe, even if only for a moment.

So I did the only thing I could. I brought her intertwined hands into my lap, and encased her hand between mine as I attempted to rub it soothingly. I wanted nothing more than to calm her, to help her. However, my attempts at comfort seemed to have little effect as I felt her body continue to tremble profusely.

She seemed to be steeling herself for a moment, as her eyes became determined, despite the fear and panic within them. And then without warming, she stood, never releasing my hand as she fought to prove Charlie wrong.

"No, Dad!"

"Now Bella, calm down," Charlie began in a warning tone, his thoughts proving that he wasn't pleased with Bella's behavior at the moment, thinking she was overreacting. "That's enough. I'm sure whatever happened was a misunderstanding," he dismissed the issue, but he began to realize that maybe something was not right. That there was more to it.

She really does seem upset, though. Maybe it was more than just a fight…

"Jacob raped me!" Bella's fearful but strong voice broke through the silence as she finally admitted the words that have caused her so much pain already.

She stood frozen in shock and fear, her eyes wide. Her free hand was fiercely clamped over her own mouth, as though shocked the words had come from her in the first place, as she continued to gasp for air.

As the room went silent aside from my Bella's ragged breathing and crying, my focus landed on Charlie's thoughts.

He...he what? No, that can't be. But Bella wouldn't lie about something like that. She knows better.

The reality that Bella was in fact telling the truth caused Charlie to suddenly sit, the weight of the situation hitting him like a ton of bricks as the color drained from his face.

She is upset. Really upset. She's scared, jumpy. This isn't the normal Bells. Something was wrong…I always thought Jake was a good kid. Did Jake really do that? Could he have raped her?

He continued to question himself and the situation in his mind, as the truth set in, but he was still filled with disbelief and shock. He had trusted Jacob. He never thought something such as this would happen.

As the room remained silent, I began to pull on Bella's hand in an attempt to get her to sit back down before she collapsed, as she seemed almost as pale as myself, and was still trembling and gasping for air. Thankfully, she easily sat back into her chair, the fight in her diminishing some as she realized the hardest words were already spoken.

I began to try and remove Bella's hand from her mouth, as her breathing was still so shallow and sporadic. I feared that she would faint.

I could see Bella avoiding Charlie's gaze, her free hand picking nervously at the hem of her shirt.

To see her so fragile and scared only fueled my anger, as I thought of all the things that mongrel had done to her, both physically and emotionally. The poor thing even feared her father's reaction, along with mine! He took her trust, her confidence, her innocence. And in Bella's eyes, he also damaged her self-worth. He even took away the simple comfort of being touched, of human contact.

I could feel a growl building in my chest as the anger of those realizations tore through me. If I had not promised Bella not to kill that mongrel, that monster, I would have already killed him. Nothing could have stopped me. The only thing that stopped me was having given Bella my word, who sat beside me crying and still fighting for sufficient oxygen.

"Wha--" Charlie stopped, clearing his throat as his thoughts remained a jumbled mess as he fought to sort through the facts that were already known. "What did you just say?" he questioned in a hoarse voice.

As I glanced at Bella in my peripheral vision, I saw her lower lip trembling, and her eyes were glassy. I knew she would not repeat the words. So I did the only thing I could in the situation to help her, despite the anger that those words sent coursing through every fiber of my very being.

"He raped her," I managed to force out, my eyes now locked on Charlie's as my body went still as stone, to avoid an outburst due to the unsurpassed anger in me.

I need to hear it from Bella. To hear it straight from her. I need to know if that boy did that to my little girl.

So after a quick glance in my direction, he turned to Bella, needing her to say those words over again.

She remained silent, harrowing tears still streaming down her face. I held her hand a little tighter, hoping to bring her comfort and the courage she needed.

While shakily wiping the tears from her pale cheeks, she spoke. "He -- he...raped me," she barely whispered, almost inaudibly before broken sobs erupted from her.

In a futile attempt to calm her, I began to brush my thumb across her delicate hand. All the while, Charlie's thoughts continued to run rampant through my mind:

Jake did it?

Jake did it? Billy's boy, who is like a son to me? Jacob. Raped. My. Bella.

"I -- he -- he what?!" Charlie spluttered as a vibrant red flush covered his face, as he grew both angry and frustrated at his own incoherent and fragmented thoughts. But as his thoughts began to focus more on the situation, and less on the shock, he finally realized that that mongrel did rape Bella. That thought caused him to bring his hand smashing down onto the table, effectively making Bella recoil back into her chair as she shook in fear. "I'm going to kill him! That little..."

He suddenly turned to Bella, his thoughts now becoming more professional, more business-like. He was now in cop mode, dealing with the situation in the only way he knew how.

"When?"

As Bella continued to shake, and more tears cascaded down her face, she managed to gasp out a response. "Two days ago."

Two days ago?

Two days ago? And she's only telling me now? She knows better than that. She knows these things need to be taken care of right away, to be dealt with.

As his thoughts ran rampant, he seemed to forget the rational and more emotional aspect involved in Bella telling him. Charlie was not one for emotions, and by no means was he used to thinking of the emotions involved in a stressful situation with a teenage daughter. So he focused his thoughts in a more professional way, questioning why she would not tell the police chief immediately, instead of a daughter telling her father.

"Two days ago? And you're only telling me this now? Why didn't you come to me sooner, Bella?" he demanded, causing Bella to shrink back into her chair even more.

Bella's head hung low as she whimpered, her tears still flowing as she responded. "I -- I couldn't..." her voice shook, along with her body. "I didn't want anyone to know."

Charlie's gaze immediately fell to me, his thoughts becoming bitter and his voice becoming accusatory as he questioned why Bella had no problem telling me what happened.

"I found out purely by accident," I cut in on Bella's behalf, not wanting her to have to deal with the brunt of Charlie's misplaced anger. "Bella did not willingly tell me. I just found out last night."

As the room fell silent yet again, Charlie shut his eyes in an attempt to compose himself and reign in his anger. He wanted to be able to focus.

If I weren't the chief of police, I would go down to La Push right now and kill that little bastard. How dare he lay a hand on my daughter! I trusted him! Bells trusted him! And this is what he does, this he how he repays us: by raping my little girl! I am not going to let him get away with it. He'll pay for what he did, I'll make sure of it.

Bella needs me. I need to be there for her however I can be. I can't be mad at her. I'm

not mad at her.

"Bells," he began as he opened his eyes, locking gazes with Bella for a split second before she quickly turned away. "You should have come to me right away. I would have taken care of you - protected you. You should have been taken to the hospital to do a rape kit and to make sure you're okay," Charlie began to prattle on, then abruptly stopped as he sharply inhaled a breath. "Are you okay?" he asked his daughter.

Bella seemed to instinctively stiffen at the question, as she blinked multiple times in thought. After a few silent moments, she finally spoke in a broken and reminiscing tone. "I -- umm -- I don't know. Carlisle examined me," she shivered as her eyes shut tightly through her tears.

"And?" Charlie pushed, hoping for a more definite answer. But seeing Bella in the shaken up and broken state that she was currently in, I knew she would rather not have to discuss this aloud right now.

"Physically," I spoke up, grabbing Charlie's attention, "she's okay, aside from some bruising. My father diagnosed her with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, along with haphephobia: a fear of being touched," I explained as calmly and thoroughly as possible, when really, the mere thought of her injuries made me want to snarl in anger at what Jacob had done to her.

Little son of a... How could he do that to her? How could --. At least Dr. Cullen was able to examine her. And now she's scared to be touched? And Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? Oh God. I need to know if it's true. I have no reason not to trust what the boy says right now, but I need to hear it from her. I need her to confirm it.

"Is this true, Bella?" he questioned her. But the only response he got in return was a small nod from the still slightly trembling girl sitting across from him. But then his focus was back on me, firing off more questions in a true cop fashion. "What about a rape kit?"

I spoke in a more professional tone as well, hoping if I became detached, I would manage to keep my anger under control. I quickly explained to him that Bella had already showered before Carlisle examined her, and that all evidence was gone. "He did thoroughly examine her, and although there might not be evidence to help prove that Jacob is guilty, there are other physical and emotional evidence," I continued to explain, not wanting him to lose hope. "Such as the bruising, and PTSD, among other things."

As I spoke the words, I could see Bella begin to rock herself back and forth ever so slightly, her tears still quickly falling.

"Can I please go upstairs?" she pleaded.

Both Charlie's eyes, along with my own, snapped to Bella, causing her to gasp and quickly look away as she awaited her answer.

"Of course, Bells," Charlie's features and voice, along with his thoughts became softer. Concern for his daughter took over his mounting anger, and he decided to be as gentle and loving as possible, in hopes of it making things easier on Bella.

She attempted a smile, which appeared to be more of a grimace, as she stood, her hand never ceasing its hold on mine. I stood with her, letting her take a few steps forward as I began to follow.

But her steps suddenly faltered as Charlie's voice floated through the room once again.

"But, tomorrow you're going to have to come down to the station, so we can file a report."

Her heart rate fell and then went into over drive, pounding nearly twice as quickly as normal. Her palms began to sweat, and her body began to tremble in fear yet again.

Within Charlie's thoughts, he also noted the difference in Bella caused by his words.

It has to be done. No matter how hard it is for her. No matter what it does to my friendship with Billy. This needs to be taken care of and dealt with. And if it's the last thing I do, I'm going to protect Bella, and that means handling this the right way - filing a report and taking the proper legal actions. Despite how much I'd love to go down to La Push and find that kid...

He shook his head to clear his thoughts, and to stop the onslaught of near murderous scenarios running through his mind.

I stepped forward, keeping hold of Bella's hand to bring her along with me as we ascended the stairs to her room. Thankfully, Charlie knew I would not try to do anything to Bella, so he didn't protest to me accompanying Bella to her room.

Never would I harm her. I had decided that it was infinitely better that I stay by Bella's side than to foolishly believe she would be safer without me. I needed to be sure Jacob would never be able to harm Bella again. I had thought myself a monster, but it appears as though Jacob is far worse a monster than I ever thought myself to be.

I would not consider making love to Bella now, nor would she want that. Our prior discussion the night we were finally able to be alone, she had made me promise to at least try to make love to her while she was human. But as of now, there is no possibility that I would ever agree to that. Not after what she has been through, even if by some miracle or twist of fate, she still wished to go through with that promise.

Bella's sniffling brought me out of my thoughts, her shoulders slightly trembling from her quiet sobs.

"Come on, sweetheart, why don't you get changed and climb into bed? I'll stay with you, even if I must leave for a few minutes for Charlie's benefit. I'll come back in through your window, as always," I urged her, already explaining I would stay, to avoid Bella becoming more upset in case she thought otherwise.

She simply nodded, unwillingly releasing my hand from hers as she grabbed fresh clothing and slowly made her way to the bathroom.

I sat frozen on her bed, unsure of where she would prefer me to remain. She may not wish to have me lay in bed with her, due to the close proximity. She may prefer me to remain sitting in her rocking chair throughout the night, as I've done other times in the past.

Moments later, she re-entered her bedroom, her red, puffy eyes still downcast. Her teeth were violently chewing her lower lip, as she appeared deep in thought.

"Bella?" I questioned quietly, not wanting to startle her, but to at least get her to release her bottom lip, as I feared it would begin to bleed soon.

Her head snapped up, her eyes meeting mine. "I can't," she said, her eyes filling with tears again.

"Can't what, love?" I asked, her mind still a mystery to me. I wished especially now that I would be able to have access to her mind, her hidden thoughts. It would be more helpful now than ever before, as a way to know what she was thinking, feeling, in order to help her more thoroughly.

"I...I don't know if I can tell it again, to tell the police -- to make the statement," she said so quietly it would have been hard for a human to hear. Her distraught face was heartbreaking, as she again took her tortured lip between her teeth.

I moved over, giving her more room so that there would be no physical contact, then patted the spot next to me, motioning for her to come sit. Once she was seated, I began to speak.

"You can do it, Bella. You are so incredibly strong and brave. In my one hundred and eight years, I have encountered few who are as brave as you. You are by far one of the bravest people I have ever met; and, over the years, I have met a lot of people and learned a lot about them, especially with my ability to read their thoughts. Not everyone has the strength that you possess. You are trying to get past this, to live your life. And for that, I am so proud of you, love. You can do this tomorrow, Bella. I know you can. I will be there to support you," I assured her. My hands twitched with the will to hold her, but I dared not move.

Her eyes finally raised to look up at me, and I saw more tears within her deep brown eyes. She finally released her lip from her teeth again, only for her to speak. "Thank you," she whispered. A single tear slid down her sallow cheek. If I knew my Bella, then these particular tears were thankfully not due to sadness, but due to my words.

"You should sleep," I whispered as well, matching her tone of voice in order to try and help put her at ease, knowing that with sleep came nightmares.

She visibly shuddered, but nonetheless began to shift on the bed, and pulled the covers over her legs. As she proceeded to do so, I stood, now centered between the bed and the rocking chair, unsure of where she would prefer me to be.

After she was seated comfortably, she turned to me, her eyes pleading. "Edward?"

I knew then where she wanted me. I nodded, slowly moving closer to her bed, before climbing in.

"Please stay," she pleaded, her eyes fearful.

"Always," I promised.

We lay so that we were not touching, both curled up on our sides to face one another. If that was how she was most comfortable, then I would certainly stay that way.

"I'm scared," her quivering voice broke through the silence moments later.

"Of what, love?" I questioned softly, as I searched her face for the answer.

"I don't feel...safe here. He could show up at any time, Edward," her lip trembled as she spoke the words, her fear evident. "When I was at your house, I knew your family was around. I knew he would never try to sneak in there. But here...here he wouldn't hesitate. I know Charlie wouldn't let him in, but -- but he's come in through my window once before, too," she told me, her eyes filling with fearful tears.

"Bella, you won't be left alone, not even for a moment. I will be with you at all times, and when I must hunt, or for some reason can't be with you -- someone else will be. Alice, Emmett, Esme, Rosalie... We won't let anything happen to you, Bella, I promise you."

After a few moments, her body seemed to relax slightly, and she snuggled farther into her pillow.

"Sleep, my Bella," I whispered. "I will keep you safe," I vowed.

Thankfully, her beautiful eyes fell closed and I waited for her breathing to becoming slow and even.

Eventually it did, and she fell into a fitful and restless sleep. I was sure she was having nightmares, but I was glad she was at least able to sleep. The dark circles protruding beneath her eyes proved that she needed it.

I lay watching her. The way her eyelids fluttered infinitesimally in her sleep. The way that she would purse her lips, before they would relax again. Or when she would frown in her sleep, her body tensing yet again. I wished to erase the fear and stress from her, to be able to give her some form of peace, even if only while in her dreams, where she should not have to be afraid.

She continued to mumble a few incoherent words, as I watched in both utter fascination and in sorrow. She still continued to fascinate me while she slept. I would never tire of watching her sleep. But unlike every other night, it now also filled me with sadness to watch her sleep, as she couldn't even seem to find any peace within her dreams.

I could hear Charlie approaching Bella's room, wondering what was going on due to the silence, and the fact that I was still here. He emerged through the door before softly knocking, his eyes going to Bella, and then to me, as I had positioned myself in the rocking chair upon hearing Charlie approach.

"Edward, you should head on home," Charlie informed me, his eyes on his daughter's sleeping form. "Are you coming down to the station with us tomorrow?" he asked, knowing that I would want to be with Bella.

"Yes, Sir," I informed him.

"Head on home. I'll have Bella call you to let you know when we're going," he told me, his thoughts proving he was speaking the truth, and intended to let me come along.

"Thank you," I stood, preparing to leave Bella's room, knowing that I would be back inside it within minutes. "Good night, Chief Swan."

"Night," he grunted, taking one last glimpse at Bella before closing her bedroom door and following me down the stairs to the front door. "And Edward," he said, causing me to pause just as I was about to exit, though I knew he was debating saying it. "Thanks for...helping Bella with this. She, uh, she seems to need you right now. So you better not take off again, otherwise I don't care what she says, I won't be letting you near her," he warned me.

I knew he was only trying to protect Bella, to keep her from being hurt even more. He was right to do so. I respected him for trying to protect her in any way he could. But he didn't have to worry about that happening again.

"That won't happen again, Sir. I'm not going to leave her ever again. I want nothing more than to be by her side, and to help her get through this," I tried to reassure him, my voice and expression nothing but sincere.

He gave me a brief nod, and with that, I left, getting in my Volvo and driving at top speed to get home, before quickly beginning to run back before Bella could wake. I knew Bella would be safe in the few minutes that took, as I knew Charlie was armed with a gun and would use it if necessary.

BPOV

I was vaguely aware of a body sliding into the bed behind me. I could feel them touching me. My hair. My arm. My thigh.

No!

I flinched back, then rolled around to look at them. What I saw made me freeze in terror.

Jacob. In my house. In my bed. Touching me.

His hand was still on my thigh, slowly inching higher. I started to hyperventilate, and tried to kick him away, but it wasn't working. He wasn't moving.

This can't be happening! Not again! I can't let this happen again. I can't. I won't be able to get through it. I won't.

So with that thought in mind, the fight in me kicked in. The instinct of self-preservation. I wouldn't let this happen again.

I swung my arm back at full force, before propelling it forward. My fist came into contact with the hard surface of his chest, causing me to cry out in pain as I heard a sickening snap coming from my hand.

That's it for now! I know, I'm horrible to leave it there. But if it makes you feel any better, I've already written some of the next chapter and am about to write some more after this is posted. I hope this chapter was worth the wait, at least. You got a look into Charlie's mind about all of this, along with a better look into Edward's mind. Who's POV of telling Charlie did you like better? Also, I know the stuff with Bella going down to the station was supposed to be in here, but there were a few extra scenes in this chapter, and it was getting long and I couldn't fit everything in. So it will be in the next chapter.

Coming up next...find out what will happen to Bella and if she will be okay, along with going to the station. And let me just say...there will be at least two surprises in the next chapter...both good and bad.

With all that said, let me know what you thought! Please review and give me your opinion, and to also let me know you're all still interested!