Rosalie took a seat on the couch under the window as Bella settled on the bed. She immediately drew her knees to her chest and slowly looked towards Rosalie.

"I want to tell you my story, Bella." Rosalie swallowed unnecessarily. She was nervous, wondering how Bella would react to the story. She was hopeful it would help her feel less alone, even if the story was modified for a human.

"I don't know how much you know, but Esme is my aunt. She adopted Jasper and I after our parents died." Rosalie started. "I was born in New York. My mum was a housewife, and dad worked at a bank. I was constantly praised about my looks and my parents took pride in me for it. Dad always bought me beautiful clothes, and girlfriends always envied me. I had admiration from every man I passed. My parents always wanted more out of life, but I was just happy in the knowledge of being beautiful."

Bella was intently watching Rosalie now, and Rosalie gave a small smile before continuing. "One day, my mum had me dress up and take dad's forgotten lunch to work. She hoped the son of the bank owner would take interest in me, and he did. He began sending me flowers. Our relationship was based solely on physical attraction, and he was often too busy at the bank for me to get to know him properly. I didn't realize this until I saw the relationship my friend had with her boyfriend, and the way he kissed her."

Rosalie paused for just a second to see if she could continue the story. Bella was still hugging her chest but seemed interested in what Rosalie had to say.

"I was walking home from her house, shaken up by the thought of my loveless relationship." Rosalie sighed deeply. "I stumbled across my drunken boyfriend, and his equally drunk friends. He bragged about my beauty, and eventually they gang-raped and beat me until I collapsed to the floor. I was ready to die, but due to a good Samaritan, I survived. My parents passed not long after, and I moved in with Carlisle and Esme. They have really helped me, even saved me."

Bella's heart rate had risen slightly, and a few silent tears were falling down her face, but she remained still on the bed.

Rosalie stood slowly, moving towards her carefully. She didn't want to make Bella uncomfortable by getting too close, but she really hoped she would let her in.

Rosalie managed to sit down on the bed next to Bella after a few moments. "Bella?"

Bella moved her eyes to look at Rosalie. They had been emotionless but now held a hint of concern and sadness. "You're so brave." She murmured. "How can you be so strong? I don't know how to get through this."

Rosalie didn't know how to respond at first. She had had decades to go over what Royce had done to her, and even then, she still had times where the flashbacks were too painful. "You will get through this. You just need to let people in and let them help. You are not alone, ever."

Bella started to shake, and Rosalie thought she would try her luck at trying to comfort her. She gently reached out to take one of Bella's hands and was thankful when she didn't pull away. "I'm so sorry." Bella sobbed.

"It's okay." Rosalie gave Bella's hand a soft squeeze, and Bella moved to press herself into Rosalie's chest. Rosalie carefully wrapped her arms around Bella and held her so she could get all her emotions out.

Rosalie let Bella enjoy the silence of the room and the comfort of her arms for nearly 10 minutes. Bella's heart rate had slowly returned to normal, and she seemed more relaxed. "Bella, can I do your feed?" Rosalie was very aware that Bella hadn't had a proper tube feeding for over 24 hours, especially with her reluctance to let people near her. "Carlisle walked me through how to do it. I thought you may be more comfortable with me doing it at the moment, but I can get Carlisle if you like?"

"I'd like you to do it." Bella's voice was quiet, but Rosalie heard her fine of course.

Rosalie was grateful to see that Bella wasn't going to refuse a feed. It was imperative that she started gaining weight so that she could physically heal. Rosalie was worried that after the suicide attempt, Bella would refuse feeds in a way to self-sabotage, but that didn't seem to be the case.

Rosalie worked slowly to flush water through Bella's tube and then she gravity fed the high calorie milk. She had only done tube feedings a few times at medical school, and although her memory was perfect, it was different doing it with someone she truly cared about. She was thankful Carlisle had given her a refresher. "Well done, Rose." He praised her lowly from downstairs.

"All done," Rosalie told Bella as she began to put the supplies away. She wondered if Bella had noticed the new addition of locks on the dresser drawers.

Bella moved to wrap the blanket from her bed around her as she smiled at Rosalie. "Thank you."

Rosalie nodded. "How do you feel about Alice coming up and we can have a little bit of a girly evening? Watch a film and do some nails and hair?"

"That would be really nice." Bella smiled softly.

Rosalie called down to Alice from the landing, even though Alice had been listening to their entire conversation. Alice was moving to the stairs before she could even finish her sentence.

"Would you like me to do your hair, Bella?" Alice was bouncing slightly on her feet, but Rosalie knew she was trying to reign in some of her excitement. Alice could not resist the opportunity to pamper someone.

Bella nodded carefully but tightened the blanket around her. Rosalie noticed Bella subtly tense as Alice moved closer, but Alice was careful to keep contact to a minimum.

Rosalie worked gently on removing Bella's old nail polish before applying a new light pink color that Bella had chosen.

Bella seemed quite distant throughout and seemed to be staring off into space a lot. She did look at Rosalie occasionally or hum a response to a question when she was directly asked.

Rosalie was so worried about the small human in front of her. She hadn't known Bella long, and hadn't known Bella before the abuse, but Rosalie noticed the changes that had occurred even just over the last few weeks. She worried they wouldn't be able to help Bella heal.

"What was his name?" Bella said suddenly, as Alice finished up with her hair.

Rosalie froze, looking at Bella questionably.

"The one who hurt you." Bella added, noticing Rosalie's confusion.

"Royce." Rosalie murmured softly. It didn't get any easier saying his name.

"Royce." Bella tested the name on her lips. "Royce, Charlie. They're all the same."

Rosalie nodded. Bella was coming to the conclusion that she and Rosalie shared some connection, some shared experience, and Rosalie hoped that would help her.

It was an experience that Rosalie didn't wish on her worst enemy, but one she hoped could help towards healing Bella.