AN: Sorry to have left it on a cliff hanger :)

But here's the next chapter.

Enjoy!

Chapter 44

BPOV

I was struggling heavily in Emmet's arms as first Edward and then Laurent were carted from the room in inescable holds by security.

'Let him go!' I screamed after them.

'let me go!' I then screaed at Emmett when they continued carting them away.

'Bella.' Emmett grunted, holding me tightly. 'Stop it, people are watching.'

That finally sank in.

I stopped struggling, breathing hard and glanced around. Almost all the players were gathered around us, Sam and Jared stood off to the side, seeming ready to intervene as well.

I shrugged off Emmett's hold, pushing my hair back from my face, and straightening my blouse and skirt. I cleared my throat.

'Gentlemen. I apologize for making a scene. You're all free to go home for today. There was an incident of which you'll be informered tomorrow morning. Take the day off.' I told them.

They all hesitated. It seemed they were very curious about what had happened here. A few glanced wearily at Emmett, and it got on my nerves.

'Go, now.' I snapped.

That finally got them moving. I turned to Sam and Jared. 'Tell Emily I'm sorry and that she'll be paid like normal but that she can go home too. The same goes for you two.

They both nodded and headed off as well.

I then turned around and quickly made my way to the security office, I didn't need to tell Emmett to follow me, he was immediately behind me.

'He's fine Bella.' Emmett said softly as he kept pace beside me.

I didn't respond I just kept walking.

I didn't knock on the door but burst right inside. Arnold got to his feet immediately. 'Ms Swan.'

'Where is he?' I demanded.

'I aopologize for the way this was handeled.' Arnold was at least apologetic. 'Mr Dupot has been contained until police arrive. Mr Cullen was sent to the first aid station.'

I didn't wait for him to continue explaining what was going on, or apologize some more, I quickly turned on my heel and ran to the first aid office. It was on the second floor next to the PT room. I didn't wait for the elevator but ran up the stairs instead, bursting through the stairwell door and quickly heading to the first aid.

The door was open so I swept inside panting slightly. 'Edward!' I called out, panicking slightly when I didn't see anyone. Then Carlisle appeared from behind the curtain and he smiled at me.

'Bella.' He said. 'he's over here.'

I ran over, nearly tripping over my own feet in my haste and Carlisle gave a small chuckle. Finally I saw Edward. He was sitting up on the bed, looking pretty chagrined and a lot worse for wear. He had blood all over his neck and shoulder, there was a mean looking bruise spreading across his cheekbone, there was a gash in his eyebrow and blood coated the side of his face. His shirt was ripped and he was holding his right arm stiffly.

'Bella.' He said in relief as he spotted me.

Tears filled my eyes. 'oh Edward! I'm so sorry.'

His eyes widened. 'what on earth are you sorry for?'

'you got hurt!' I exclaimed, sitting down next to him on the bed. I took hold of his left hand and and pressed a kiss to his knuckles. 'and they carted you off like a criminal.'

'yeah, I didn't really care for that.' He said with a scowl on his face. 'but it's not your fault Laurent got violent. That's on him. Don't apologize for something that you didn't do'

Carlisle came back in then with some medical supplies. He started cleaning the blood from Edward's face and neck.

'Take the shirt off, son. It's ruined anyway.' He said.

'Is he badly hurt?' I asked, as Edward winced as he took his shirt off.

Carlisle smiled over at me and shook his head. 'Nothing too serious. A few bruises. His elbow got banged up, so he needs to ice it and keep it still for a few days. but after that he should be good as new.'

'No concussion?' I checked just to make sure.

Carlisle frowned at me. 'why would he have that?'

I frowned over at Edward. 'didn't you tell him Laurent bashed your head against the concrete?' I demanded.

He groaned. 'it's no big deal, Bella. It didn't hurt that bad. I'm fine.'

Thankfully CArlisel disagreed. He'd abandoned his cleaning to come stand in front of Edward. He held up his finger and started shining a light into his eyes. 'why didn't you tell me?' he asked.

Edward shrugged. 'I don't feel dizzy or have a headache. Didn't seem important.'

Carlisle sighed. 'you are one stubborn boy.'

Edward just shrugged. 'I'm fine.'

Carlisle continued with his examination anyway and I was grateful for that. When he was done he nodded once. 'it seems you indeed don't have a concussion. But next time let me make that descion before you withhold some crucial information about your health again.'

Edward grinned sheepishly at him and nodded. He then cleaned the gash over his eybrow and taped it shut. He examined his elbow once more and then put it in a sling. 'No using that for at least the rest of today, make sure to ice it. twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off. Then we'll see how it is in the morning. I'll come here.'

'you don't have to do that for me.' Edward argued.

'Edward.' I cut in crossly. 'listen to him. I can't have one of my best players out before the season fully started.'

Edward sighed and nodded.

Emmett came in then. 'you should have stuck around, Bella.' He grumbled as he came around the curtain. 'you look like shit.' He told Edward.

Edward snorted. 'thanks.'

I turned to Emmett. 'what?'

'Arnold had some more things to say.'

'oh… I didn't realize…'

Suddenly I realized how I'd acted. I'd completely let my emotinos take over. I hadn't even stopped to think about how this all would look or what anyone else could think. I'd just acted on instinct. I'd seen Edward get hurt and I'd lost it. I'd completely lost it. Nothing had seemed important after that than getting to Edward and making sure he was alright. I'd not acted like a club owned at all.

A club owner would have seen Laurent escorted off the premises. A club owner would have stayed to talk to the police and make a report.

I groaned.

'It's fine.' Emmett said. 'Harry was called down and he handled everything.'

I knew Emmett meant to ease my feelings. but it just made me feel worse.

'Where is Harry now?'

'he's dealing with the police in your office.' Ememtt said.

I nodded. 'I need to go.' I said to Edward.

Edward nodded. 'of course.'

I bit my lip, feeling torn. I didn't want to leave him, but I had to. I turned to Carlisle. 'can you make sure he gets home and doesn't use that arm?'

Carlisle nodded.

'I'm fine. I can get myself home.' Edward interjected.

'You're not driving yourself.' I snapped. 'I need you playing fit. So you need to listen to Carlisle and do as he says.'

He heaved a sigh and gave a small nod.

I nodded once and then turned to leave. His hand shot out to stop me. 'will I see you tonight?' he demanded.

I flicked my gaze to Carlisle and Emmett, who both were pretending they were busy doing something else suddenly. I tried to convey to Edward that this was definitely not an appropriate question for right now. but he kept his hold on me and kept looking at me.

Finally I sighed. 'yes.'

He smiled and then released me.

With one last glance I headed out of the room, heading to my office immediately.

'Ah there she is now.' Harry said as I opened the door and stepped inside. He was seated on the couch with two police officers opposite him.

They stood up as I closed the door after me. 'gentlemen, thank you for coming.' I shook their hands briefly before joining Harry and Arnold on the couch opposite them.

'Thank you for joining us, Ms Swan.' The one on the right said. 'I'm officer O'malley. I understand from your manager and head of security that there was a fight between two players here today.'

I nodded. 'Yes, Mr Dupont attacked one of my other players Mr Cullen, resulting in bodily harm.'

He nodded and jotted something down. 'If possible we would like to speak to Mr Cullen and Mr Dupont today.'

'Mr Dupont is in our holding facilty, and Mr Cullen should still be here being treated for his injuries.' Arnold said.

'What preceeded the incident?' the other officer asked.

'I suspended Mr Dupont from the team for two weeks.' I answered.

'And this was upsetting to him?'

'Yes. He felt he was being treated unfairly. He wanted to attack me. Mr Cullen pushed me aside and then Laurent started beating him instead.'

'we have security tapes if you are interested in viewing them.' Arnold added.

The officers looked at each other then nodded and jotted a few things down again. 'Since the injured party is not here, we can't tell you the recourse of action yet. We'll have to discuss that with him.'

'can't the club press charges?' Harry asked.

The officer shrugged. 'you'd have to take that up with a lawyer.'

I nodded. 'Show the officers to Mr Cullen and Mr Dupont, Arnold. And then give them a copy of the security tapes.'

Arnold nodded and stood up.

'Thank you for your time gentlemen.' I told them as I stood up as well. They both nodded and Arnold led them out of my office. 'Bring Kate here.' I told Harry when the police had left.

He nodded and returned a moment later with Kate. I was already on the phone with Leah who agreed to be put on speakerphone so we could all discuss everything together.

'Thanks for being available this quickly.' I told everyone. 'There was an incident today at the club. Two players got into a fight. Mr Dupont and Mr Cullen. The police are here right now going over everything.'

'can we press charges.' Harry asked Kate immediately.

'where did it happen?' Kate asked.

Harry and I relayed the story again and Kate nodded. 'I think we have a few ways to go. As a player on your team, I can certainly advise and stand by Mr Cullen if he wants to press charges for assault. As for the club... seeing as it happened in a public setting we could go for a breach of the peace. Though that's only a misdemeanor and not really something that will stick. The best course of action is a breach of contract with the club. That way we can bar him from the club and it won't cost us a buyout.'

I nodded. 'alright, I'd like you to start looking into that. I don't know yet if Mr Cullen will decide to press charges.'

'Leah, what would be best timeline wise?' Kate asked.

'I think news will be quick to pick up police cars at the club. If they're going to perpwalk Mr Dupont even more so. Are there still a lot of press daily?'

'Yeah, it's still busy out there.' Harry grumbled.

'Then I think it's best if we put out an immediate statement what happened today.'

'we can't accuse Mr dupont though. Nothing has been proven.'

'I was there. I saw it.' I interjected.

Kate smiled. 'I know. But it hasn't been proven in a court of law. He hasn't officially been charged. We can't publish a statement that could later harm us.'

Leah agreed. 'We'll make it neutral that there was an incident regarding two players and that police are looking into it. As for the contract breach. I suggest you start that as soon as possible Kate. I'll contact Mr Cullen and see which way he wants to go. If he wants to press charges, we can bring out the fact that we're firing Mr Dupont at the same time as his arrest. If he's not pressing charges it will make it harder, because then we can't disclose the reason.'

kate nodded thoughtfully. 'let me know when you've spoken to him, or if you need me on the call, I'll be available.'

'good to know.' Leah responded. 'I'll get that statement out in an hour.'

'Very well.' Harry mumbled.

'Bella?' Leah asked. 'Can you take me off speaker and do you have a few moments?'

'yes of course. Just a second.' I grabbed the phone and took it off speaker, then turned to Kate and Harry. 'thank you both. Harry make sure the players are aware what happened here. Put together a briefing for tomorrow at eight.' He nodded. 'oh and make sure everyone has indeed left.'

'I'll get right on it. I'll see if I can minimize the perpwalk as well, the less the press knows the beter.'

I nodded. 'kate can you get started on his contract? I want to get rid of him as soon as possible.'

She nodded. 'I'll get started right away.'

They both left quickly and I put the phone to my ear. 'Sorry, go ahead Leah.'

'No problem. I just wanted to check in and see if there can be another aspect of this story that could come out.'

'I'm not sure.' I sighed, and sat down heavily. 'I think most of the players saw me go beserk when they carted Edward off. I trust my staff but I'm not sure about all of the players.'

'alright… was he badly hurt?'

'Just banged up and bruised, and a little bit bloody.'

'can your reaction be chalked up to just concern?'

'I don't know honestly. Perhaps you should ask Emmett MCcarty?' I suggested. 'he's the one that held me back.'

'Alright I'll call him in a bit. Is there anything else I should know?'

'I don't think so.'

'okay. I'll get on that statement and get it out in about an hour, then I'll find out if Edward wants to press charges. I'll be in touch.'

'can I…'

'yes?' she asked when I didn't continue.'

'can I see him today?' I asked in a small voice.

'Bella. The same rules still apply. You just have to be careful. Make sure you aren't seen getting into his car or his apartment and you'll be fine. I promise to have the statement drafted by the end of tomorrow and then we can publish it the day after if you both are okay with it.'

'okay thank you.'

'stay safe.' she said.

I thanked her and then we hung up. I headed down to check if the police had gone already, heading to the security office first.

I walked inside and saw Arnold sitting talking with one of his colleagues. 'did the police leave?' I asked him.

he nodded. 'yes Ma'am. They took the copy of our tapes. They talked to Mr dupont and Mr Cullen.'

'were you with them both times?' I asked.

He nodded. 'Mr Dupont tried to give a very inaccurate view on the events. He tried to say Mr Cullen and Mr Mccarthy had ganged up on him. I'm not sure if the police believed it. But they took the tapes and Mr Cullen told them he was pressing charges against him for assault.'

I sighed and nodded. 'that's good. I'll make sure our legal teams knows about it.'

'Mr McCarthy took Mr Cullen home about ten minutes ago. We made sure the press wasn't able to take puctures of them. And we also made sure the perp walk was done as minimally as possible. We can't guarantee there won't be some pictures of it though.'

'that's fine, PR was already brought in so we should be fine.' I sighed and rubbed my temples. 'thank you for the way you all handled things today. it wasn't one of my finer moments, so thank you for being so capable.'

'Not a problem Ma'am.' He nodded to me.

'You might be receiving a call from PR as well, I would appreciate your cooperation.'

'of course.' Arnold nodded.

'what of Mr hunter?' I asked.

Arnold scowled slightly. 'He put up quite a fuss when we escorted him out. he didn't want to go. But eventually he left the premises.'

'did he see the police arrive?'

'I don't think so. We've informed the entry guards and the reception desk that he is now blacklisted and we've asked HR to contact his paper.'

I nodded. 'good. Let me know if there's anything you need from me, or if he shows back up.'

he nodded and I quickly left the room again. I had hoped Edward would still be here, but I was glad Emmett had taken him home. I couldn't just up and leave everything just because he was hurt and I wanted to be with him. So I took a deep breath and headed back upstairs to do my job.