Rosalie stayed awake all night, holding Bella against her chest. Bella slept deeply, shifting in Rosalie's arms a few times before she settled with her head tucked into the crook of Rosalie's neck, an arm thrown around her waist. Rosalie pressed her nose into Bella's hair, inhaling deeply. Bella's scent had changed. Or at least, it had finished the process of changing. Rosalie had been mentally cataloging each subtle shift for the better part of two weeks. It wasn't a major change, not enough to make the scent unrecognizable, but a change nevertheless. There was a more earthy quality to it now, a deepness that lingered as proud and strong as the tiger Bella had turned out to be.

Rosalie had known that there was something different about Bella from the moment they met. Or, rather, from the moment they made eye contact across the diner and Rosalie felt like someone was seeing her for the first time. Not the image she presented, not the cold-hearted girl that didn't let anyone close, but the real person she was. Rosalie had scoffed in annoyance when she realized that she shared every single class with this strange girl who she couldn't seem to forget or ignore, but she'd endured it. It hadn't been bad at the beginning, until her siblings took it upon themselves to scope Bella out for her.

Jasper had easily made friends with Bella and though he wasn't as annoying as Alice or Emmett about it, he enjoyed pestering Rosalie just as much as they did. She couldn't keep a handle on her emotions when Bella was around. Jasper felt her longing and her hope and the rage of jealousy in her veins whenever she saw Bella around that worthless human girl that fawned all over her. Rose didn't have proof but she was fairly certain that Jasper had tweaked the group assignments for their project in order to force Rosalie to finally talk to Bella. It was a move that was only made more annoying because it had worked.

After their first conversation, Rosalie had craved more. Bella was awkward and confident at the same time, sure of herself and who she was but so woefully unprepared to be the center of anyone's attention. She had no idea how much attention she commanded. Bella exuded a quiet strength, one born of confidence and steadiness. She captivated everyone around her, Rosalie included. Talking with Bella, teasing and even flirting, it all came so naturally. Rosalie didn't have to force anything and she was falling for Bella before she even realized it. The thought was terrifying. No matter how strong Bella seemed to be, Rosalie knew there was no way she could ever love a monster. And that's exactly what Rosalie was.

Then, Bella, her brave, noble, stupid girl, pushed herself into the way of an oncoming car just to save Rosalie. She'd broken her arm in the attempt to keep Rosalie safe and Rosalie had been horrified and wracked with guilt because Bella had deliberately put herself in harm's way to protect her. But then Bella's bones kept breaking. Rosalie had watched, helpless, as Bella's body broke and stretched and reformed. For all of her speed and strength and intelligence, there was nothing Rosalie could do but wait.

So, she did. She waited for Bella to finish Shifting. She waited for Bella to come back to the house after she ran off. She waited for Bella to shift back and then she waited while Carlise looked her over and made sure that her bones settled back into the right places, that nothing had been irrevocably damaged. She eased herself into her own bed, pressing her cool skin to Bella's in the hopes that she could finally do something to help the girl who was in so much pain, and waited for sleep to ease her worries. Now, Rose was waiting for her to wake up.

The trouble was: Rosalie wasn't exactly known for her patience.

She was bound and determined to make sure Bella slept as long as she needed too, but her family was just as restless as she was. Jasper and Emmett came by the door like clockwork, one of them every 15 minutes, but they didn't open the door or come in. Carlise came in once to check on Bella to make sure that she didn't actually need the IV she'd refused earlier, but he had honored Rosalie's request for silence and speed. Yet, as always, the silence never lasted long in a house full of vampires.

Unsurprisingly, it was Jasper who finally broke their unspoken stalemate. He crept into Rosalie's room, offering a far too self-satisfied smile as he took in the sight of Bella curled up against Rosalie's chest. Bella had shifted positions a few times but it had been a few hours since she had last moved. She lay with her head tucked beneath Rosalie's chin, an arm thrown over her waist and her foot tucked against the inside of Rosalie's calf.

"Don't say anything." Rosalie warned her brother. Jasper chuckled softly.

"Wasn't gonna." He said easily. He took a seat on the end of the bed. "She's peaceful."

Rosalie nodded but didn't say anything. Bella shifted in her arms, reacting to the new presence in the room. She pressed further into Rosalie's side and then stilled again.

"I think she'll be up soon." Jasper said. "I can stay if you need to go hunt. Or rest."

"I'm fine." Rosalie insisted. It was mostly true. She'd missed her usual Saturday morning hunt but it wasn't like she was starving. She could wait a few more hours for Bella to wake up and for them to at least start the long conversation they needed to have. And it wasn't like she needed a whole lot of sleep anyway. She could stay awake for another six days before it would start affecting her in any serious way. Jasper nodded and didn't press the issue.

"We'll give you a few minutes after she wakes up, but Carlisle wants to check her over again."

"I figured he would." Rosalie looked down at the girl in her arms again. "I'll bring her downstairs after she wakes up."

Jasper quietly left the room, closing the door behind him. Rosalie resumed her silent observation of Bella, waiting for the sleeping Shifter in her arms to wake up.

Bella was immediately aware of two things when she woke up. First: Rosalie's arms were still around her. Second: Bella's entire body ached, throbbing in time with her heartbeat. Despite the discomfort, Bella had never slept better in her life. She shifted, groaning softly as her muscles protested even the slightest movement. Rosalie made a soothing noise, her hands rubbing gently across Bella's back.

"How are your hands so cold?"

It wasn't what Bella had wanted to say when she woke up in Rosalie's arms, but it did raise a good point. It was one of several questions that Bella had after the events of the previous night. Rosalie was still silent as Bella gingerly pulled herself into a sitting position.

"Not that I'm complaining. You're like the best ice pack ever." Bella felt her cheeks grow warm as Rosalie quirked one eyebrow. "I'm going to stop talking now."

"Are you sure?"

"Ah, no." Bella shrugged and then winced. Rosalie's hand found her shoulders, simply resting on the skin left exposed from Bella's tank top, but the contact nearly made Bella moan out loud. "Are you going to answer my question?"

"Yes, darling. I promise." Rosalie confirmed. Her hands slid from Bella's shoulders, down her arms, until their hands met and curled together. "But I can tell that you're still hurting. Carlisle wants to look you over again, but we're not going to be doing any q and a sessions until you can move without wincing."

"I'm fine, Rose." Bella tried to be reassuring, but she was sure the exhaustion lacing her voice was working against her. "I need to keep Shifting. Once my body adjusts to the change happening, it won't hurt as much."

"And how many Shifts will that take?" Rosalie's question was met with a shrug that Bella was obviously pretending didn't hurt as much as it did. She wasn't very successful. "So it can wait until after you're not hurting so much."

"I can't stay in bed all day, babe." Bella protested. "I don't even mean going home, either. I'm gonna get bored and antsy as soon as the healing that I'm supposed to have now kicks in."

"Healing?" Rosalie asked, filing the idea that Bella got bored easily away for later.

"The journal says that after my first Shift, once my body has rested for long enough, I'll gain the ability to heal quickly, from the Shift and from any other injuries I may have too." Bella explained.

"But you have no idea how long it takes to get to that?"

"Nope." Bella shifted slightly, the motion a fraction less painful than it had been before. "But if Carlisle can give me another dose of those meds, I'll probably be okay for a while."

"We'll have to get downstairs for that." Rosalie's eyebrow rose, the challenge in her tone obvious. Bella sighed, but the tiger in her blood wouldn't let her back down. She was going to walk down those stairs under her own power, come hell or high water.

"Alright." Bella gritted her teeth, pushed the blankets off of her body, and dangled her legs over the side of the bed. She heard Rosalie climb from the bed and walk over to the dresser. A minute later, while Bella was gathering her strength to stand, Rosalie stepped in front of her with a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt in her hands. Bella looked up at her curiously.

"I didn't think you wanted my entire family to see you in these," Rosalie gestured to the spaghetti strap tank top and the incredibly short shorts that Bella was wearing. Her outfit was identical to Rosalie's, except for the coloring.

"Oh." Bella remained speechless as Rosalie dropped to her knees in front of her, unfolding the sweatpants. She paused before she made any contact with Bella's skin, looking up at Bella with soulful golden eyes.

"May I?"

Bella nodded.

"I need you to say it, Bella." Rosalie ordered gently. Her hands were immobile in the air above Bella's feet.

"You can help me get dressed, Rose." Bella spoke softly, her eyes never leaving Rosalie's face. Rosalie nodded and then, with motions so gentle that Bella wasn't entirely sure that Rosalie was even touching her until her leg lifted slightly under her hands, Rosalie eased the clothes onto Bella's body.

Rosalie's movements were slow and graceful. Bella was mesmerized by her. Rosalie was so focused on her task, her hands ghosting across Bellas skin. Despite the coolness of her palms and fingers, Bella felt a warm energy buzzing beneath her skin at the touch. Rosalie's hands curled around her hips and lifted slightly. Bella balanced against her shoulders as the pants were pulled into place and then Rosalie eased her back down again.

"Can you lift your arms for me, darling?"

Bella did so, a pain filled grimace contorting her features as she did so. Rosalie hummed softly and eased the shirt over Bella's head. Once the fabric was settled over her body, Rosalie kneeled again. Her hands rested on either side of Bella's legs.

"Are you sure about this?" Rosalie's eyes bore into Bella's. They were swimming with concern and affection, but it was the hint of doubt in her eyes that made Bella's resolve harden. Even if she didn't believe that Rosalie was doubting her, it still made her uncomfortable to see the emotion in the golden hue. Bella steeled herself and 's shoulders slumped and a sound that might have been a resigned sigh escaped her lips. She leaned forward slightly and then cool lips pressed against Bella's forehead. Bella's eyes fell closed and she gripped Rosalie's hands. "Okay."

Rosalie helps Bella stand and then, despite Bella knowing that she didn't want to, Rosalie stepped back and opened the door for Bella to walk out. Bella did so slowly, each step taking much more effort than she thought it would have. She was aware of Rosalie lingering behind her, but her pride wouldn't let her stop or ask for a shoulder to lean on. At least, not until she made it down the stairs by herself.

Each step seems to take half a minute longer than it should. Bella can hear the rest of the family in the house, talking quietly but not so quiet that Bella couldn't hear them.

"What's taking so long?" It was Emmett who caught Bella's attention first. "The door opened forever ago."

"It hasn't been that long." That was Jasper. "And they're comin' down. It'd be faster if they weren't both so stubborn."

"Oh leave them alone," Alice said, matter of factly. "They'll figure it out." How Alice was always so certain of everything she said was baffling to Bella.

"Ignore them." Rosalie said, her voice lingering in the space behind Bella. "You're doing fine."

Bella didn't say anything, but she did turn to look over her shoulder a bit. She smiled at Rosalie, a small, quick motion that was full of silent gratitude, and then focused back on her task. Seven and half minutes and one flight of stairs later, Bella's fit hit the bottom floor.

"Okay." Bella turned to Rosalie, one hand still lingering on the banister and the other stretched towards the other woman. "Now you can help me."

Rosalie muttered something about stubborn tigers but she didn't deny Bella's request. She slipped her arm around Bella's waist and let Bella lean against her. Bella sighed in relief at both the chance to relieve some of the pressure on her limbs and at the welcome sensation of being in Rosalie's arms again. Someone snickered, and then there was a sound like someone had slapped a statue, followed by quiet laughs. Rosalie ignored all of the commotion and guided Bella to the smallest of the three couches in the room. Bella sat down first, pulling Rosalie with her, and then curled up as much as she could to press herself into Rosalie's embrace. The walk down the stairs had taken more out of Bella than she cared to admit.

"Glad to see you awake, Bella." The woman who spoke was the only Cullen that Bella hadn't officially met yet, though she recognized her from the night before. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright." Bella said. "A little sore, but that should fade after a while."

Rosalie made a slight scoffing noise at Bella's description but she didn't say anything to contradict her. Bella, still curled in Rosalie's embrace, let one of her hands drift to cover Rosalie's clothed abdomen. Rosalie tensed slightly in surprise and then relaxed as Bella's thumb rubbed gently across her stomach.

"I'd like to do a quick exam, if you don't mind." Carlisle said as he moved towards the pair. "I assume you'd like another dose of the pain medication, but you'll need to eat before you can take some."

"Fine by me." Bella agreed easily.

"I'll make you some breakfast, Bella. What would you like?" Esme offered. Bella shrugged as much as she could.

"I'm not picky. Whatever you have is fine." Bella hesitated. "But you might need to make a lot of it. My appetite has increased since the Shift started and I'm sure it'll be even bigger now."

"Oh, that's no problem." Esme's eyes lit up at the idea and, faster than Bella could blink, she had disappeared through a doorway that Bella assumed led to the kitchen.

"I think you just made Esme's day, Bells." Emmett said cheerfully. Bella hummed in acknowledgement. She was suddenly aware that Emmett, Alice, Jasper, and Edward were all in the room and their attention was completely trained on Bella. A nervous bubble of anxiety built in her stomach.

"Let's give them some space so Carlise can do his exam." Jasper said, looking at Bella and then making meaningful eye contact with each of the others. Emmett pouted, but they all left the room without further protest. Rosalie eased Bella out of her arms and helped her get into a better position for Carlisle to examine her.

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." Rosalie told Bella, dropping a kiss on her forehead before she moved away from her. Bella was a little confused that Rosalie thought she needed to leave too but she'd have to wait until later to ask her about it.

"Alright, Bella. Tell me if anything hurts - or hurts any worse than it does right now." Carlisle instructed. Bella assured him that she would and he quickly examined her. His touch was light, his skin just as cold as Rosalie's and while it was soothing, it didn't feel nearly as comfortable against Bella's skin. A friendly touch, caring even, but there wasn't the sense of warmth of belonging that Bella had felt earlier when Rosalie had been helping her get dressed. The contrast was puzzling and Bella added that to the list of questions she had in her head.

"Everything seems to be in order." Carlisle told Bella. He gently helped her sit up again. "I'm sure you have just as many questions as we do, but we'll wait until you're ready before we begin talking."

"I have to go home at some point." Bella said. "My dad's going to expect me back soon."

Well, she thought he would. Bella had no idea what time it was or how long she had been asleep.

"I took the liberty of calling your father earlier this morning. I told him that you and my girls had decided to have a movie day and were hoping that you'd be able to stay the whole time. He gave his permission for you to stay with us another night."

"Good, thanks." That was one less thing for Bella to worry about. She relaxed against the couch and as she inhaled, the tantalizing scent of bacon filled her nostrils. Her stomach growled loudly and Bella's face heated in embarrassment. "I guess I'm hungry."

"I'm sure anyone would be after what you went through last night." Carlisle offered his hand to Bella. "Shall we join the others in the kitchen? I'd like to get you moving a bit every so often so hopefully you won't get too stiff."

"Sure, sure." Bella took the offered hand and let Carlisle pull her to her feet. She was walking a bit faster now, and Carlisle was a steady, supportive pressure at her side, but she was still nearly overcome with relief when she settled on one of the stools situated around the kitchen island.

"Everything alright?" Rosalie asked as she moved to stand beside Bella. Bella nodded as she leaned into her, sighing as the comfort of Rosalie's cool skin eased the aches in her strained muscles.

"All good. I smelled bacon." Bella's stomach gave another rumble, much quieter but no less embarrassing. Rosalie laughed softly and reached across the island to pull the platter of cooked bacon towards them. Bella wrapped one arm around Rosalie's waist and reached for a piece of bacon with the other.

The Cullens moved around each other in some kind of chaotic dance. Esme was busy cooking an omelet, but she wasn't so distracted that she missed her children trying to sneak bits of food from the little bowls she had out. Bella watched with amusement as Emmett complained that Bella was eating all the bacon and was immediately told that Bella could have all the bacon she wanted, but he wasn't getting a single piece until Esme said otherwise. Alice and Jasper were beside Bella and Rosalie. Bella was steadfastly ignoring the fact that the couple were in almost the same position as Rosalie and Bella were. Edward had been off to the side for a while but he eventually came up on the girl's other side and struck up a conversation with Bella about classic literature that eventually everyone had joined in.

The conversation flowed easily from there as Esme served the food. The feast she had prepared was probably enough to feed a small army but Bella put away more than three-fourths of it on her own, with the Cullens splitting the last quarter of it between them. Bella noticed that none of them ate very much, though compared to her portion size now they could have had a full meal and it still would have seemed small to Bella. Another question to add to the list.

Bella took the pain pills that Carlise had given her. Between the food, the constant presence of Rosalie at her side, and the medication, Bella was feeling almost back to normal. Her aches and pains had dulled slightly over the course of the last hour and while Bella was sure that it would be quite a while before she could move without hurting at all, it took much less effort to walk back to the living room than it had to walk to the kitchen before.

She settled on the smallest couch with Rosalie again and the rest of the Cullens filled in the other seats. For a long moment, no one said anything.

"So," Emmett said, grinning. "How long have you been able to turn into a huge fucking tiger?"