AN: Bella had quite the day it seems... Let's see how Edward reacts to the news of Bella's harrowing drive.

Thanks to everyone reading and reviewing :)

Chapter 28

EPOV

I was sitting on the bench in front of the lockers when Emmett came into the locker room. His eyes were slightly wild and he was flushed, as if he had run here.
I frowned when his eyes met mine and widened slightly.

'Men.' He barked out, getting everyone's attention. Something was definitely wrong. I focussed on him and the room quieted down. This was bad, we all felt it. 'News from up high. It seems our owner was involved in an attack.'

My blood ran cold.

'Paparrazi targeted her car and tried to run her off the road. They've snapped pictures of her speeding, driving across lane lines and in a visibly agitated state. Her PR people are going to try to stop the pictures with litigation. If that doesn't work you might be questioned about it. The only acceptable answer to those questions is no comment. There's been an emergency media training scheduled for tomorrow at eight o clock. I expect everyone to be here then. It is not optional.'

Murmers swept through the locker room. This was low even for paprazzi. Trying to run her off the road? My blood boiled at the thought of her alone in her car trying to fend off those vultures. I shuddered to think what might have happened. It could have ended much worse... but then I realized that Emmett hadn't actually said how she was.

Did that mean she'd actually gotten into an accident?

I tried to catch his eye, but he was avoiding looking at me.

'is she alright?' I asked, I needed to know. I couldn't stop myself. Everyone quieted down again and turned to look at me. Then they all looked at Emmett.

Emmett nodded once. But his lips were thin and pressed into a hard line.

She wasn't fine.

Fuck. How bad was it? probably pretty bad if Emmett didn't want to disclose it in here... or perhaps he wasn't allowed to? Or perhaps he didn't know how she was... usually only family is allowed to know when someone's in hospital... but she had no family left!

'Get showered and dressed and stay out of trouble tonight.' Emmett's voice cut through my self enduced panic attack. 'I'll see you tomorrow at eight.'

He left the room and I quickly sprung into action. I needed to know how she was. I stuffed my feet into my shoes without putting on shocks, buckled my belt and grabbed the first shirt my hands touched, then I was out the door.

'Edward!' I heard from behind me, but I was already at the elevators. I pressed the button for the elevator non stop, growling when it didn't come fast enough. I turned for the stairs and quickly ran to the fifth floor, breathing hard by the time I pushed the door open.

I didn't stop or think about anything else than finding out where BElla was and how she was doing. And after that I had to see her. My best bet was Harry and I knew he was usually in Bella's office during this time.

I burst into her office without knocking. I'd apologize for disturbing someone later. I just needed to know.

But the scene before me brought me to a halt. Relief coursed through me as I spotted Bella, laying on the couch. She was here, she had to be sort of fine if she was here, right? But my relief turned to panic quite quickly, when I noticed she was not okay at all.

There was a blanket draped over her shoulders and she was hunched over on the couch. My father was next to her, his hand on her wrist, checking her pulse. Harry, Kate and Leah were standing around her, identical expressions of worry on their faces.

'Bella' I cried out, striding across the room in a few paces and sinking down to my knees in front of her.

Her gaze snapped to mine, big brown eyes that seemed to hold the world of pain and grief and frusttration and anger and hopelessness in them. Her eyes watered as they locked with mine and her lip quivered.

I didn't hesitate. I pulled her into my arms and held her tightly, not caring what anyone would think. I needed to be there for her, and I needed to reassure myself that she was indeed fine, unhurt.

Sobs rocked her small form as she buried her face in my chest, her small hands fisted in my shirt.

I rocked us both, holding her tightly against me, wishing I could hunt down the bastards that put her through this.

'Shh it's alright Bella.' I whispered in her ear.

I met my father's gaze over her head and he nodded to me. Although his face was set in a frown, he wasn't worried about any potentially life threathening injuries. I sighed in relief. She was alright.

I kept rocking her until her sobs calmed down to small whimpers and her fingers stopped clutching my shirt in a deathlike grip.

When she was calm enough, I pulled away slightly and wiped the hair from her face, brushing a few tears away as well.

'Are you okay?' I asked softly. Her gaze locked with mine again and she nodded.

'for a moment she looked like she was going into shock.' My dad said, 'but she's fine now. She just needs to rest and take it easy for the rest of the day.'

I nodded to him. Then looked at Bella again. 'Thank you.' she whispered.

I smiled crookedy at her.

The door opened again and everyone turned towards the sound.

Emmett stood in the doorway. 'Man, you run like a bat out of hell.' he groused as his gaze locked on me, but the annoyance vanished as he saw Bella in my embrace, with red rimmed eyes. 'I'm sorry, he just broke through the ranks.' Emmett apologized to Harry.

I rolled my eyes. I wasn't going to apologize for this. Bella had needed me, some part of me must have known that. And I wasn't going to apologize for that.

'It's fine Emmett.' Harry said, waving his apologies away. 'Let's give Bella some space, alright everyone?' he said, looking around the room.

Carlisle seconded the idea, stating that some quiet would be good for her.

I didn't release my hold on Bella though, and her fingers tightened on my shirt again, clutching me tightly again, almost as if she was afraid that I'd disappear. But I wasn't going anywhere.

Harry started ushering the rest from the room, leaving Carlisle, Emmett and myself alone with Bella.

Carlisle looked at us for a moment. 'Bella, I want you to promise me you won't be alone tonight. And to take it easy. Nothing strenuous and lots of rest and warmth.'

Bella nodded. 'I promise.'

Carlisle nodded then left after squeezing my shoulder for a moment.

Emmett looked at me for a moment, I nodded to him mouthing that I had her.

He nodded back. 'I'll go call Rose and make sure Bella won't be alone tonight.'

'please don't.' Bella whispered quietly.

I glanced down at her. 'Bella, you can't be alone tonight.'

'But I can't ask that of her.'

'Alright, how about this. We'll all go to your place. I'll call Alice and Jasper too. We'll get take out and watch movies.' Emmett suggested.

Bella still looked uncertain. 'Alice and Rose can stay over and the rest of us will just be a phone call away.'

'I can't impose like that.' She muttered.

'We're offering Bella.' I reminded her gently.

She seemed to mull it over, seemingly battling herself internally, untill finally she nodded once.

Emmett smiled and quickly grabbed his phone, and headed for the door. He wasn't going to give her the chance to change her mind. 'Good. I'll be outside until you're ready.'

'Thank you.' Bella muttered again when we were alone.

'You never have to thank me Bella.' I reminded her gently. I loosened my arms around her a bit, so they fell to her waist. My knees were starting to protest sitting in this awkward position on the floor, but I didn't care.

She bit her lip as she pulled back from my embrace even further. I let her go. 'Thank you for being here.' She muttered.

I was about to protest her thanking me again, but she continued. Her eyes firmly on her lap as she squirmed.

'I would never have asked you, because I wouldn't want to impose on anyone like that. But… I… I felt safe for the first time in your arms again, so thank you. Thank you for being somehow able to calm me down. This is the second time you've managed to do that… three times if you count the phone call.' She muttered.

My heart swelled at her confession. I felt proud to be able to do that for her, to do what no one else had seemed to be able to offer her. 'Anytime Bella.'

'It was exactly what I needed.' She admitted as she glanced at me from under her lashes.

'I'm just glad I could help you. I'm glad my dad was here too.' I said, stroking her cheek adsentmindedly.

She leaned into my touch slightly. Until we both realized what we were doing and leaned away. That definitely wasn't a friendly touch I scolded myself in my mind.

'Are you sure they won't mind?' she asked in a small voice. It took me a moment to realize she meant Alice and Rose staying over.

I shook my head. 'Honestly? If you tried to keep them away you wouldn't succeed. They'll be breaking down the door any moment.'

She let out a small giggle, but then her eyes turned thoughtful. 'but why?'

'Because we care about you, Bella. All of us. We may not have known you long, but we care about you. You're our friend.' I muttered, willing her to believe my words. She's been alone for so long, it wasn't a wonder that she had trouble believing we wanted to be there for her. it was probably an alien concept to her to rely on people.

'Are you ready to go?' I asked gently, not wanting to push her, but I imagined she would want to be comfortable at home.

She nodded and I helped her from the couch.

'I'll bring the car to the door so no one will be able to snap any pictures.' I assured her.

'Are there any out there?' Her voice was just a whisper and a shudder ripped through her body. Fury simmered in my veins that those bastards made her this fearful. I wanted to rip them all apart with my bare hands.

'I'll check with security before we head outside.' I muttered, my voice tight with fury. I quickly grabbed her bags and her keys. 'did you need anything else?'

She gazed up at me, with a slight frown clearly confused.

'like a laptop or some paperwork?' I explained.

'Oh, uh yes I can grab it.' She said, moving to walk over to her desk.

I stopped her, though. 'Tell me what you need.' I quickly headed over there and grabbed her laptop and put it in the protective case.

'Uhm just anything in the in box.' She muttered.

I quickly grabbed the stack of papers and put them in the laptop case as well. Then I scooped up her bag and with my free hand guided her from the room, making sure her blanket was still wrapped around her shoulders tightly. We made slow progress towards the elevator and when we got to the ground floor I quickly stopped us at the security desk.

'Are there any press?' I asked gruflly. The security guard looked up at me and shook his head. His face was hard and his lips in thin line. He seemed as unhappy about the whole thing as I did.

'No, we've chased them off. They're gone for now.'

'Good. I'm just going to get the car around.' I told both Bella and the security guard. They both nodded.

I quickly hurried outside and grabbed my own car keys. Bella's car would be safe here, and it was too recognizable. Also I didn't want her back in that car so soon after what had happened. Emmett was outside already, waiting for me.

'Are you following us to Bella's place?' I asked him.

He shook his head. 'I'm picking everyone up and getting take out.'

I nodded. 'Alright. I'll text you her adres.'

'Let me know if she wants something specific, or a movie or something. anything.'

'Will do.' I assured him. He got into his own car and headed out of the parking lot, and I quickly went and got my car. I drove it up to the entrace and left it running as I hurried inside to get Bella.

I guided her outside with my hand on the small of her back. It wasn't strictly necessary, but I needed the contact to assure myself that she was fine. And she didn't pull away from me, so I figured she didn't mind. As we reached the car, I opened her door for her. She smiled at me, a small smile, but a smile none the less and my heart leaped at the sight of it.

I quickly got in myself and we set off to her place. During the drive, I made sure to keep my speed just below the limit and my movements obvious, to not scare her.

I glanced at her from the corner of my eye every now and then and saw her suck in a shaky breath with her eyes squeezed shut more often than I would have liked. after the second time, I reached over and took her hand tightly in mine, giving it a supportive squeeze. Her eyes snapped open and she gazed first at her hands, then at me.

'Thank you.' she muttered, laying her free hand on top of mine.

I only nodded in response, and we settled into companiable silence.

We made slow progress through the busy streets, but I didn't mind. Bella's hand was firmly in mine and the radio played soothing music.

'Do you normally listen to this?' Bella's voice broke through the comfortable silence after a while.

I shrugged. 'I do when I need to concentrate or calm down.'

'I listen to it too for those reasons.' She said with a small smile. I smiled back.

God, this woman was perfect. And she didn't even know it. I quickly pushed that thought away though. That was not how friends thought about each other.

'what are some of your favourites?' I asked.

'Chopin is a favourite, but lately Einaudi has been at the top of the list too.'

'Well, you can never go wrong with the classics.' I smiled at her. 'Which Einaudi number is your favourite?'

'It's a close one… They're all amazing, but I think Experience is the best one. Followed closely by una mattina or nuvole bianche.'

'Those are pretty good.' I nodded in agreement. And I quickly pressed a few buttons on the touch screen on the car, swtitiching over to Einaudi's latest album. 'I like his newest album. This one is particularly good.'

She smiled at me and we settled back into comfortable silence until I pulled into her parking lot.

'Is Jake home?' I asked her.

she nodded. 'I left him home because I had lunch with Rose and Alice before I went to the club.'

'I'm glad he wasn't in the car with you' I said.

'Me too.'

'I'm more glad you aren't hurt.' I added softly, finally voicing my relief.

'So am I.' she sighed. We headed out of the car and up to her apartment. The moment she opened the door Jake almost bowled her over. She knocked back into me and I quickly steadied her with my hands on her hips.

'Careful, Jake.' I said quickly. Jake gave a short back but it was a friendly one, thankfully.

He backed up enough for us to come inside and close the door. Then Bella sank down to her knees and clutched Jake to her like he was a life line.

He wormed his way onto her lap, which was conical to say the least, as he really was massive. But it was also an endearing sight. Jake knew she needed her right now. So he sat there, letting her hold on tightly to his fur as her shoulders started shaking again. I sat down behind her, keeping an eye on Jake, but he seemed happy enough for me to comfort his owner.

I scooted close to her back, my legs on either side of her as I wrapped her up in my arms again. Her sobs broke out again and my heart broke for this woman in my arms. She had already had to endure so much in her short life time and now yet again she was facing impossible hardships. I was blown away by her strength to bear it all so well.

So I just held her tightly as she cried, hoping that I could bring her the smallest amount of comfort, to help ease her burdens in any way I could.