The title might change. I am unsure. I am aware I have another story in the works, but I needed to get this written down. I am unsure how much more there will be, or when it will be done. I will do my best to let you know.

title is from "Can You Hold Me", by NF and Britt Nicole. It's incredibly fitting.

This is also posted on AO3, you can check there for more specific tagging, as it's not a system here. This is not for Edward fans. This is a fic focused on DV and Bella's recovery from it. This also touches on her being touch-starved. This story is also focused on her relationship with the Pack and each of the members, along with her Dad. You will see her finally form bonds with each of the shifters, and let herself be her again. It's important to me that you be aware of all of this going forward. Do not leave reviews complaining about the focus of this story if you are not interested.

I would appreciate reviews so I know if I am on the right track.

It had been months since someone had last touched her on purpose, other than Edward. Even Alice had stopped her casual touches on the face or her excited hugs. Bella was effectively cut off from everyone around her. She missed warmth, something she could not get from Edward, or any of his, (their family, he always called it, but they weren't really hers. They wouldn't have left if they were), family. They were cold as marble in winter. The closest thing she got to human contact was the rare rays of sun peeking through the dense trees around the Cullen family property, and her incredibly long showers.

Something new in her routine was her showers. She took one every single day, (and on the bad days, more than once- if not for the warmth, than to wash off Edward's touch), and they were always well over twenty minutes. There were days when she didn't talk to anyone at all. She hardly ate, less than when Edward had left her at the drop of a hat. She didn't shake like she had then, but something told her the fact that she didn't was worse. She was constantly cold too.

The thought of being cold brought Jacob to the forefront of her mind. (She was always cold, that's why he was always on her mind. There was surely no other reason). It was because she often thought of Jacob and everything that made him him, that she was utterly thankful for her shielded mind.

It was her shield that made her think of the Volturi. She was terrified of them—the royals of the vampire world. Aro, one of the three leaders, had a wide-eyed stare that had set off Bella's nerves. He had been touchy, (Edward had given her very little explanation of his Gift beforehand, but explained in-depth when they finally made it onto a plane). He could see everything and anything in the minds of those he touched. Anything they thought, anything they saw, how they felt- everything. (It was a far more terrifying thing to Bella, the more she thought about it).

Aro had regarded her like some wondrous prize. Bella couldn't understand why until he had his little creep of a guard, Jane, lock her eyes on Bella. (Jane had caused Edward to seize up just before, like he was in incredible pain, just by looking at him). Bella felt nothing, despite Jane's eyes scrunching up and her face twisting into an expression of confusion and anger. This, however, had only made Aro giggle and clap his hands together with glee. (He acted like some ancient child over the whole ordeal, and it added to his uncanny demeanor).

"Ah! That's just wonderful!" He had said. Caius and Marcus had let their glowers ease just a bit at his exclamation. If Bella hadn't yet felt like a meal to these monsters wearing human guises, she did after that. Her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and she couldn't keep up with anything. She vaguely heard Alice boldly claim that Bella would soon join their family. It had briefly brought her from her stupor, but she succumbed to it again soon after.

It all came down to her shield. The reason Edward couldn't see into her head, the reason for his fascination, the reason she was alive. It all came down to some stupid shield she had no control over and no explanation for. And now the Volturi had a face to her name, and a scent, and a promise. One that she had never agreed to. Bella was sure at this point that Alice had lied right to his face. (Bella would lie to herself sometimes- she would try to rationalize it. "There's no way he would have let us go. He touched her. He must have seen the vision, too. Which means she isn't lying." That meant nothing to Bella, however. She was sure that she wouldn't be a vampire now). Bella wanted to scream.

Edward was different now. "No, not different," she thought to herself. "He's the same. But it's all more intense now." There had been a few instances in the last few months where she felt that he had crossed the line, and had claimed he was just being protective now that he was back. Those instances were short-lived, and it became clear it was so much more than minor possessiveness and attempting to protect her. Not when he was the problem. Not when he was keeping her from Jacob- from the pack.

The first time she saw the problem as it really was had been three weeks after his return. She had given Jacob some space, calling regularly to let him know she still wanted to see him. She wanted to tell him everything about the situation, and how much she still cared. Jacob hadn't picked up, but Billy had taken the messages for her. (Unlike when Jacob first phased, he promised to pass them along and bothered to talk to her. He was one of the few she had talked to in the beginning). Finally, after three weeks of him ignoring her, and Bella having to dance around Edward as to what she was doing, she had had enough. She had gathered up some food she had made, (another thing she had been hyperfocused on once Edward got back. He couldn't eat, so she took to her hobby like oxygen. She wanted time away from him, doing something he couldn't. Sometimes he would sit and watch her anyway, but the rest of the time she was blissfully alone), and she had hopped in her truck. (She loved that truck. It was a big, red monster, but it was hers). The truck had refused to start.

The truck had made a whirring noise that would stop when she let the key turn back, but it wouldn't start. She tried over and over, eventually giving up in a flurry of tears. It was then that she had finally noticed Edward. He was standing calmly, statuesque, by the driver's side door. There was something unnamable in his eyes. For the first time since she had seen the glittering of his skin in the sunlight, she was afraid of him.

"Edward?" She had asked, her voice soft in her terror. She could barely look at him but dared not move her eyes off of him.

Edward, in all of his inhuman glory, only cocked his head at her. His expression was calm and accusatory. He had known what she was doing. He had known what she was doing when she had said nothing to him. Alice!

That was the first time that Bella had feared him, but he was a creature meant to be feared, so it was expected at some point or other. No, what surprised Bella, was how angry she got. She had never been so angry in her life; not when her parents fought over her, and not when her father lost, not when Jacob had abandoned her after just finding and picking up all her pieces. She had never been as angry as she was at Edward at that moment.

"How dare you," she started. Animosity was bleeding into her voice, but it remained quiet. "How dare you mess with my truck?"

"You're not to go visit that dog, Bella. You know he's dangerous, and that we can't go down there to help you if something happens." The casualness in his demeanor as he called her best friend an animal only made it worse. In a sudden rush, one that she would not get again for a long while, she burst out of the truck- pushed open the door, and jumped out, jabbing a finger out at his chest.

"DON'T CALL HIM THAT!" Her voice was incredibly loud, and she didn't even care. "He isn't an animal! He's a person, they all are! They're good people! They were there for me, and each other! Stop calling him names!" Bella slammed the door to her beloved truck shut and glared at him with her arm still outstretched.

His stance changed, then. He was no longer the picture definition of calm, and instead let his feelings show. "He's dangerous, Bella, or have you forgotten that? I'm telling you now, you aren't to go down there. Not now, not ever. Don't try again. We'll know if you do." His face was lowered down to hers, strawberry blonde hair in his face, barely hiding his eyes.

"You don't get to tell me what to do, Edward. He's my best friend, and I'm going to see him. Fix whatever you did to my truck."

He leaned back as his glare hardened. His once amber eyes were nearly black now. Bella's heart began to race, but she wouldn't stand down now. (Not after insulting her best friend like that. It was always strange to her how dismissive of the pack he was, but she got the idea it had a lot more to it than she had originally thought). She knew he could hear it pounding though, and even without her thoughts, he could probably read her like an open book.

"Your truck won't run. I might have it looked at later, but for now, it won't work. I cut the ignition coils, and while you attempted to start it, you flooded the engine. I'm sorry, Bella." But he wasn't sorry, it was clear from the smug expression on his face.

Bella turned around, going red in the face. She was so done with him. This was too far. (Had they even gotten back together? Was saving him from his stupidity even getting back into a relationship with him? She wasn't sure). She puffed out the air in her lungs in rage-filled bursts as she got the food back out of her car. She was going to put it all back in the fridge and freezer, and then she was going to call her dad, maybe even Billy. Someone would pick up and help her.

It wouldn't matter in the end, whether or not her plan would have brought someone. After she had gotten in the house, she realized he had followed her.

That was the first time he had hurt her on purpose. It would not be the last time.

And there she was. Lying on the floor, in agony, again.

Bella could remember vividly the pain she felt when James had torn into her arm, and the feeling of his venom rushing through her veins. (She thought that it was adequately named. There were few things she could think of that would suit it better. Venom. Such a nasty thing). The pain she felt in the ballet studio, was nothing compared to the agony she felt crumpled on the floor of Edward's bedroom. (Theirs, he always called it. It was never hers. Not with how exceedingly uncomfortable she was in it).

She was surprised she was even conscious again. She was fairly sure she had passed out at the moment of impact. (White-hot pain, so much pain that it overwhelmed her, and she passed out. It was likely half the reason she was on the floor). It was astonishing how much her nerves could handle and still remain functioning. She was certain something was broken in her face. She could tell it was swelling already, and she couldn't see out of her left eye. Her arms ached, and she was dizzy, even from her place on the floor.

She was surprised she was conscious despite it all.

Bella needed to get out of the house and to a hospital. How would she do anything? She could barely move. She was bound to throw up the moment she moved to sit up straight. There was no way she wouldn't. (She had hit her head once before, and it had played out all the same. The impact then was nothing compared to this.). If she was going to leave, however, now was the time. He had just left, likely to hunt. He'd be gone just long enough for her to leave. She needed to get help and get to the hospital. She needed someone to be there with her at all hours of the day, just to prevent him from bothering her or twisting the story. (She needed a hug. She needed someone to tell her that it would be ok).

Bella pushed herself up so she was sitting, and a wave of nausea rushed over her. (She had been right). She threw up what little was in her stomach, along with plenty of bile that only made it hurt more, as her vision doubled. (She cried the entire time, barely noticing the tears flow down her face. If she had known, the fact would have bewildered her, as she was incredibly dehydrated). After a couple of minutes of heaving, she attempted to stand, cautiously. Her efforts went wasted as her vision caused her to stumble and crumble back to her knees. Tears bubbled down her face along with snot as she heaved and sobbed. (She was so tired. What was the point of it anymore? She was dead either way). Bella kept trying to find a way to stand up, however.

Then there were cold arms wrapping around her. They were strong, and they lifted her with a gentleness she hadn't experienced in months. She cried out, fearing Edward had come back already, ready to trick her mind into being supple for him. It wasn't him, however. It was Rosalie.

"Oh, Bella," She whispered. Her beautiful voice was filled with an agony that Bella couldn't explain. Rosalie had never liked her, why would she care? "I should have realized. I'm so sorry."

Bella was now being held in Rosalie's arms. She was curled up in her cold embrace, but it was touch. Her heart was pounding from the pain and everything else she was feeling. She continued to cry as she turned her head into Rosalie's soft chest.

"I'm going to get you to the hospital. I need to be careful, I don't want to hurt you more, so I'm going to take it slower than I might in any other case." Bella could feel Rosalie's hand cradle the back of her head as the vampire took her down the stairs and, hopefully, out of the home. "When we get there I'm gonna have someone call your dad and anyone else you need. I have your phone, dear."

Bella was barely listening. She just wanted to close her eyes and rest. She was exhausted.

"You need to keep your eyes open, Bella. I need you awake." Rosalie was strapping her into the front seat of a car. Bella couldn't tell which one as the blonde's hair was covering her view of the interior. "Can you answer some questions for me? I need to be able to tell the doctors when we get there."

Bella grunted, squinting her eyes as the light from outside hurt her eyes. It was later in the day, and cloudy, so it shouldn't have felt as bright as it did. Her head hurt.

"Did you pass out, Bella?" Rosalie wasn't looking at her as she started up the car and backed out of the garage. (Bella thought that she was probably keeping an eye out for her family).

"Th'nk so," Bella slurred out. Her jaw hurt too. She frowned as she realized she had a hard time getting the words out. Her head swam when she tried to turn her head. She felt heavy.

Rosalie frowned, and all Bella could think was that it didn't suit her face. She was so pretty.

"I'm going to kill him. There's no way this was an accident," the vampire muttered. Her expression was growing more agitated by the second. "I can't believe no one saw this."

Bella wasn't paying a lot of attention to her, though. She was getting dizzier, and growing weaker. A groan left her mouth, and it made Rosalie frown deeper. Time was slipping by like wet sand, and it made Bella feel sick.

And then they were there. Bella was back in Rosalie's arms as the blonde began to start making a commotion at the entrance to the emergency room. Bella could think of nothing but the gentle grip on her. The pain was nothing compared to the brief moments when she felt alive again. Her brain latched onto a single thought, "I'm worth saving. I'm worth holding." It raged in her mind despite the commotion of the world around her. The noise became indiscernible buzzing, and the world became a blurry mess of color and light.

And then she shut her eyes.