AN: and here's the next chapter, cause I can't leave you hanging too long again :)

Chapter 50

BPOV

'No! Edward.' I yelled as he fell to the floor. Glass cut into his skin as he went down, creating rivulets of blood falling from his hands, arms and face.

His eyes closed and he didn't respond.

'Edwrad!' I tried desperately to get to him, but the police officer wouldn't let me go.

'Ma'am, clam down. Medics are on the way, they'll help him.'

'No please! I have to help him.' Jake was barking, trying to get to me but was being leashed by another officer. Rage filled me as they tried to forcefully manhandle my dog. Why couldn't they see that we were the good guys? Why weren't they helping us instead of bothering us?

I turned to the officer with the leash. 'let him go!' I screamed at the top of my lungs, noticing there was a slight hysterical edge to my voice.

'calm down, ma'am.' The officer said again.

'Bella!' Strong arms wrapped around me. For a moment I struggled violently, but then I recognized Emmett's bulk. 'It's okay. We're here. Help is here.' Emmett soothed.

'Jake' I sobbed out desperately.

'can you let her dog go?' he asked, turning to the officer next to us. 'He won't hurt anyone, he's just trying to get to her.'

'This is hers?' one of the policemen asked incredulously.

I nodded, sucking in a shuddering breath as I started to calm down slightly. He let go of the leash and stepped back. Jake immediately came over to my side, pressing against me tightly. Emmett released me and pulled me over to the couch, Jake followed, gluing himself ot my side. I put my tembling hands in his fur. trying to let him soothe me, but as soon as my eyes landed on Edward's prone form I lost it again. I tried to launch myself from teh couch and over to him, but Emmett caught me around the middle and forced me back on the couch.

'Look, Bella. the medics are here, they'll help him.' he told me, forcing me to look to the doorway.

I glanced over, not really believing him but i sucked in a relieved breath as I saw two men running in with heavy looking bags and a stretcher between them.

Everything happened fast then. They immeidately checked his pulse and turned him over, then they placed a balloon over his mouth and nose and started pumping air into him. I nearly borke down in hysterics again. he was dying... i was sure of it. This was bad. this was really bad. Emmett had to restrain me again.

they loaded him up on the stretcher and this time Emmett couldn't stop me. I rushed over and grasped Edward's hand tightly. 'Is he breathing?' I demanded shakily.

'He's breathing ma'am, but we need to get him to the hospital as soon as possibly.' the medic told me. Emmett thanked the man and then pried my hand off Edward's. The medics quickly left the room, taking Edward with them on the stretcher.

He was breathing though, that was good. That meant he was still alive. I clung to that hope as another medic came in and checked James over, who was still a little dazed and sitting in the corner, handcuffed, with blood running down his face. When he was deemed fine, the police led him away after reading him his rights. It was clear to everyone here that he was definitely under arrest this time. There was enough evidence in this room alone to lock him up, the contract detailing his extortion and the pictures were proof of his stalking us, and then there was the fact that he'd tried to kill Edward. I was going to make sure that asshole never saw the light of day again.

Laurent was still cowering in the corner where I'd left him, and they finally pulled him up too and put him in handcuffs as well.

When both men had been carted off and emmett had once again put me on the couch and wrapped a blanket around me, a policeman came to talk to me.

'Can you tell me what happened here, Ms Swan?'

I gazed up at him. 'I… I was working late and everyone was gone…' my voice shook and I swallowed hard as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. 'They came in and he showed me pictures… he's been stalking me for months. He wanted money and control of the club in exchange for not publishing the pictures. he threatened Edward's reputation and his family's as well. Then when I wouldn't sign the contract he threatened me.'

Emmett's arm tightened around my shoulder. 'He won't be able to hurt you anymore, Bella.' He assured me in a soft voice.

'Did you know Mr Hunter?' the policeman asked.

'He's a reporter. He used to have a press pass for the club. He's tried cornering me before. But nothing like this.'

'And the stalking, that happened here?'

'Everywhere.' I whispered. A shuddered rippled through me as that fact sunk in. I felt so violated. He'd been following me for months, capturing private moments, vulnerable moments. to know now that they weren't private after all... that hurt and scared me.

The policeman jotted something down. 'We'll be taking the pictures and the contract as evidence. It's clear he was trying to blackmail you, so we'll be able to use that.'

'I want a restraining order. He threatened my life if I didn't do what he wanted.'

The man nodded, jotting something else down. 'he'll be held in custody over night. if you come down to the station tomorrow, we can put a protective order in place.'

Arnold came over then, holding out a flashdrive to the officer. 'I think you'll find you'll be keeping him in custody longer. you can add three counts of attempted murder to his rap sheet.'

The police officers frowned and took the flashdrive. 'three counts? Attempted murder?'

'The footage is from the security office and from Ms Swan's office. James first attacked one guard, hiting him with a blunt object from behind on the back of his head. the second guard was attacked in the lower levels, knocked out and then tied by his neck to some exposed pipes with a length of rope just long enough for him to be able to stand on his tip toes. We found both just in time.'

I gasped, horrified at what James had done all to get to me. I couldn't believe he would actually do something like that. that man was a dangerous creep and needed to be put away for a long time.

'Jesus, that dude needs to be locked away!' Emmett yelled. the police officer seemed to have paled at Arnold's story as well.

'I'll make sure we'll get this into evidence and ammend the arrest order. this is very serious indeed. we'd like you to come down to the office as well and give your statement. And we'd like the contact information for the injured security guards.'

Harry, Leah and Kate came rushing in then, glancing around the room with shocked and horrified faces.

'Bella!' Kate cried out. 'are you okay?'

I didn't answer, just huddled further into Emmett. I was completely and utterly spent by now. The reality of everything that had happened sinking into my bones and chilling me to my core. If James had really gone that far with the guards, who know what would have happened if Edward hadn't showed up when he did?

'what happened?' Harry demanded.

I couldn't repeat it again, so I looked at Ememtt, hoping he'd understand my silent plea and be able to help. Thankfully he got it. He went over the story again, adding what happened to the security guards.

When he was done Leah stood up and walked to the desk, Kate following behind her to look at the pictures and the contract.

'I'm so sorry this happened, Bella.' Harry said, sitting down on my other side, and stroking my back soothingly. 'If I hadn't left... I should have stayed to make sure you'd get home safe. I'm so sorry.'

I started crying again, and Harry put his arm around me as well, as Emmett gently rocked me.

'You couldn't have known, Harry.' Emmett said, but his tone was hard.

'We'll take them both down. They'll never get close to you again.' Harry vowed.

I cried harder. I doubted I would ever feel safe again. I hadn't been safe at the dogpark, not at home, not even at Edward's parents home…. he'd followed me everywhere. Nowhere was safe anymore.

'I'm starting the proces to get you a restraining order.' Kate said, her face was pale as she came over and grasped my hand in hers. 'and I'm calling a colleague who is in criminal law and let her file on behalf of Edward and the security guards for attempted murder. and on your behalf for extortion, blackmail and stalking.'

'Don't worry about Edward's reputation or his family's, Bella. Any story James might have tried to spin will be useless. I put out the statement of your relationship a few hours ago. You're both safe and free to love each other without anyone questioning it.'

'Thank you.' I whimpered, feeling relief flood through me that that at least was one thing I didn't need to worry about. 'I need to get to the hospital.'

Emmett nodded, glancing at the police officer. 'Are we done here?'

He nodded. 'yes. We have everything.'

'I'll take care of everything here.' Arnold said nodding to the police officer.

'Thank you.' I whispered.

'There's press outside.' Kate warned Emmett. 'news stations too. I think the best idea would be that Harry and I go down to face them. We'll give them a short statement and that will distract them letting you slip out the back unseen.'

I nodded numbly. Emmett pulled me to my feet. I trembled and shook and leant unto him heavily, afraid I was going to fall over. Thankfully, he didn't mind. His strong arm wrapped around my middle and he supported me easily.

'We'll tell the news what happened here, Bella. No one will be able to twist this story.' Harry assured me.

I nodded then looked at Kate. 'Make sure Laurent is fired.'

She grinned and nodded.

Emmett started leading me away then, Jake stuck to my side closely.

Kate and Harry hurried down to the elevators, they would go out the main entrance, and make a bit of a show of doing so, attracting all the attention of the press. Emmett and I would go out the employee entrance.

'Thank you.' I whispered to him when he'd put me into the passenger seat of my car. I wasn't even aware he'd grabbed my keys, or my coat, or my things, yet I found myself sitting in the passenger seat in my coat with my bag at my feet and Jake in the back.

Emmett just reached over and grasped my hands in his, squeezing softly. Then he set off to the hospital.

He rushed through traffic and as soon as Emmett put the car in park in front of the hospital I was out and running towards the reception desk. Emett yelled after me to wait, but I didn't stop.

'I'm looking for Edward Cullen.' I told the lady at the desk.

She looked slightly startled, but then started tapping away on her computer. 'he's been admitted to regular care. I can't disclose anything else unless you're family'

'I'm his girlfriend.'

'I'm sorry, visiting hours are tomorrow from ten to twelve.'

'but I need to see him.' I tried desperately.

'I'm sorry Ms. There's nothing I can do. hospital policy.'

'Is his family here?' I demanded.

'I cannot tell you.'

Emmett strolled inside then, with Jake at his side. 'Emmett, they won't tell me where he is!'

He frowned. 'but she's his girlfriend.'

'I'm sorry, I can't help you.'

'Can you page Dr Cullen for me then?' I asked instead.

She frowned at me. 'Excuse me?'

'Page Dr Cullen.' I snarled.

'I'm afraid that's not possible.' She spluttered. 'I can't page a doctor just like that.'

I turned to Emmett. 'do you have his number?'

Emmett nodded, fishing his phone out of his pocket. He tapped it a few times then handed me the phone. It was already ringing.

'Emmett?' Carlisle's voice filtered down the line.

'They won't tell me where he is, Carlisle.' I almost yelled down the line. 'I'm at the reception desk and they won't tell me where Edward is or how he's doing.'

'Bella?' he asked surprised.

There was some shuffling noise in the background.

'Bella' Edward's gravelly voice filtered down the line. I sagged to the floor in relief. Emmett let out a startled yelp, immediately croutching down as well, and wrapping his arms around me.

'Edward.' I cired, tears rolling down my cheeks again. Emmett breathed a sigh of relief next to me, though he didn't let me go.

'Room 408.'

There was more shuffling. 'I'll come get you from reception, Bella. Normally we don't allow visitors at this hour anymore to give the patients rest. But I think in this case we'll need to make an exception. Neither Edward nor you will get any rest if you don't both see the other is okay.'

'Thank you.' I whispered gratefully.

I gave the phone back to Emmett and sniffed. 'He's coming to get us.'

Emmett blew out a breath and nodded. 'Let's get you to your feet again.' he grasped my forearms and helped me up again.

The lady at the desk had been leaning over the counter, trying to see what was going on. I gave her a glare and she demurely sat back down again. Carlisle appeared a moment later, hurrying down the hallway towards us.

'Bella, Emmett.' he greeted us. He didn't pause or hesitate, he just pulled me straight into his arms.

'Is he okay?' I asked immediately.

Carlisle nodded. 'He's okay.'

I breathed a sigh of relief.

'But he said you got pretty shaken up as well, I want to look you over too, before I take you to him.'

'Dr Cullen, she can't go back there.' the lady protested.

'Shelly, she's a patient as of right now. I'll check her over myself and then admit her.'

That shut her up. I had the urge to stick my tongue out at her.

'But he can't go back there.' she then turned to Emmett and turned her nose up at Jake.

Carlisle glanced at Emmett. 'I'm sorry, but she's right, Emmett. And Jake definitely can't come.'

Emmett nodded. 'I just needed to know he's fine, and she'll be taken care of. Then I'm good.'

Carlisle nodded. 'She'll be fine. Come by tomorrow at ten. That's when visiting hours are. Edward is in room 408, second floor.'

'Thanks, doc.'

'Can you take Jake for me? I'm sorry to ask this of you, but I can't really take him with me.'

Emmett nodded. 'of course I'll take him. I'll swing by Edward's to get Mike as well. Don't worry about a thing.'

'Thank you.' I told him gratefully.

He nodded and with a final bone crushing hug, which betrayed more than anything how shaken up he was, he left with Jake in tow. Though Jake didn't really want to leave me. I had to assure him to go with Emmett and that I would see him soon a few times before he finally turned and went with Emmett.

Carlisle led me away then, we headed to a bustling area with a row of beds that could be curtained off.

'Do you really need to check me over?' I asked, slightly confused and anxious because I wanted to see Edward.

Carlisle nodded. 'I think it would be wise, Bella. You've had quite a shock tonight, and I know it will make Edward feel better if I can assure him you are indeed fine.'

I sighed and nodded.

Carlisle smiled and led me to an unoccupied bed. 'Now, I'm not an ER doc, so I'm going to get a colleague of mine to check you over, just to make sure we don't miss anything.'

I nodded again. Carlisle left and within a few minutes he was back with a friendly looking woman in a long white coat.

'Ms Swan. I am Dr Gerundy.' She greeted. I nodded back. 'I heard what happened. I'm here to make sure you're okay.'

Again I nodded.

'Let's get you checked then.' She turned to Carlisle and motioned for him to leave.

'I'll be right outside, Bella. If you need me just call out. After you're done I'll take you to Edward.' He assured me.

I thanked him.

Dr Gerundy pulled the curtain closed around the bed. 'Ms Swan, do you have any injuries that you're aware of?'

I shook my head.

'Did you fall, or hurt your head?'

Again I shook my head.

'alright, then I'm just going to check you over and let's go from there.'

She checked me over, telling me to follow her finger, shining a light in my eyes, looking at my ears, my throat and then she listened to my lungs and heart. She checked my bloodpressure. Finally she checked if there were any abbrasions or bruises and I discovered that my hands were actually scraped up quite badly, and that I had a few cuts on my legs.

'How did these happen?' she asked, indicating my legs.

'I smashed a glass vase and knelt in some glass.' I muttered.

She frowned and then examined the cuts more closely. 'Alright they seem to be superficial. I'm just going to clean them to make sure there's nothing hidden in there, and then you'll be all done.'

'thank you.' I muttered.

She grabbed some supplies and set to cleaning the small cuts. When she was done she pulled back the curtain and smiled at Carlisle. 'she's just fine.'

'No signs of shock?'

She shook her head. 'she's been shaken, but I don't see any indications for severe shock.'

Carlisle nodded. Then he turned to me. 'let's go then, Edward is waiting.'

I jumped down from the bed and we headed to the elevator. Carlisle pressed the button for the second floor. As the doors opened he gestured for me to get out and I did.

Then he led me to the left towards a hallway. We stopped in front of door number 408.

I took a deep breath and opened the door. Edward was lying in a hospital bed, closest to the window. His head turned to the door as I opened it and his eyes were immediately on me, trailing down my form.

'Edward.' I cried, the tears falling freely down my face again. he looked so vulnerable lying there.

There were red angry marks around his throat and he looked tired.

'Bella.' He croaked, his voice sounded strained and like it hurt to talk. I flitted to his bedside and grabbed his hand in mine.

'I'm so glad you're okay.' I kissed his face, being careful not to jostle him too much.

'me too.' He grumbled out.

Carlisle stepped up behind me, smiling down at us. 'She's fine. Just a few cuts from the glass. And he's alright. Though strangulation is no small matter, but you stopped it in time it seems. There's some swelling and bruising of his throat. He'll have difficulty talking, eating and perhaps breathing for the next 36 hours, so he'll stay here during that time.'

'difficulty breathing?' I looked at calrisle in alarm.

'It's a complication that can occur. He doesn't have that now, though it probably does hurt him to swallow and talk. But that's why we're keeping him here.'

I nodded. Edward didn't look too happy about it.

'he also shouldn't talk too much during these 36 hours to give his throat the chance to heal.'

'I'll make sure he doesn't'

'Stay?' Edward's croaky voice came from beside me.

Carlisle nodded. 'I'm admitting her for tonight, assigning her to your room as well. I'll make up a reason. And then for tomorrow we'll probably be able to let you stay over as a visitor.'

I sighed and nodded gratefully.

'I do expect you both to get rest though, in separate beds.' Carllisle said sternly. 'these beds really aren't big enough for two and will result in both of you not sleeping well and your bodies not getting genough rest to start healing.'

We both nodded dutifully, although Edward seemed slightly reluctant.

Carlisle smiled, leaning over to squeeze Edwards shoulder. 'I'll be going then. Esme will probably be here at ten tomorrow, I'll probably swing by earlier after rounds. Sleep well both of you.'

'Thank you.'

he gave me a quick hug and then left the room. Edward and I stared at each other for a moment, then his hand reached up and he cupped my face, his thumb stroking along my cheek.

'Glad you're not hurt.' He whispered.

'I'm sorry you are hurt.' I muttered back.

He shrugged. 'fine.'

'shh' I pressed my finger ot his lips. 'don't talk now. let's just be glad we're both still here and that asshole is in jail.'

He nodded, a dark look crossing his features. 'kiss me?' he asked.

'wont that hurt?'

He shook his head, as his lips pulled up into a crooked smile. I smiled back and then pressed my lips softly to his. His hand wrapped around the back of my neck, holding me to him longer.

'Let's get some rest.' I muttered when he finally let me go and I pulled back.

He nodded. 'you too.' He whispered.

I smiled and then glanced at the other bed in the room. It was quite far away, but it had wheels. I rolled the bed closer to Edward's. he smiled when he saw what I as doing. I pushed the beds side by side, until there was only a little space in between. I climbed in the bed, after removing my shoes, and laid down facing him.

He rolled over to face me, pulling a slight face as it clearly hurt him to move around. He reached out across the bed, and grasped my hand in his.

'Leah published the statement of our relationship. Anything James manages to get published now, will just look like incoherent ramblings coming from an unverified source.' I squeezed his hand. 'we won't have to worry about anyone seeing us together anymore.'

His answering smile was breathtaking. 'I love you.' he rasped.

'I love you too.' I squeezed his hand and we stared at each other until Edward's eyes began to droop shut. When he was asleep, I laid there for a moment just staring at him sleep, hearing his breath labouring. Silent tears rolled down my cheeks to see him hurt because of me, but at the same time I was so grateful he had been willing to do that for me, to be willing to stand between me and danger.

I was grateful for him coming when he did. If he hadn't I probably wouldn't be here right now.

I was just glad he was okay, and though he wasn't completley fine, he was in the best place to get help should anything happen. And I was by his side and I would make sure he would get better.