All Characters belong to Stephanie Meyer, the author of the Twilight Saga.

EPOV

Getting Isabella into the bath proved to be difficult. Assisting her into a standing position made her whimper. As tears streamed down her ivory skin, I made the decision to give her another morphine injection.

Walking at tortoise pace to the ensuite, I sat Isabella down on the seat for the vanity, "I'm going to give you another morphine injection, you seem to be in a lot of pain Isabella."

"Wouldn't Advil suffice?" She looked at me through thick lashes.

"It would barely make a dent in your pain. Felix is coming tomorrow to reevaluate you, so I believe morphine will be okay now."

A few tears slipped out from her eyes, "Cosa c'è che non va, bella?" Reaching out to touch her cheek. ("What's wrong, beautiful?")

Her teary brown eyes looked at me, "It really hurts, Edward."

Grabbing the morphine injection off of the counter, I grabbed the alcohol wipe and quickly wiped it against Isabella's right arm.

"Isabella, I'm giving you the injection now." She nodded in anticipation, and I swiftly

removed the cap from the needle and pushed it into Isabella's arm. I safely discarded the needle and syringe, then turned back to Isabella who began to smile.

"Ti senti meglio?" ("Do you feel better?")

"Yes," She starts giggling, "Can you help me?" as she begins trying to pull her shirt over

her head.

This was not the way I imagined seeing Isabella undressing for the first time, "Are you

sure you don't want me to get Alice?"

Unrestrained laughter poured from her lips, "I know you know what boobs look like,

Adonis!" I think the morphine hit.

"Adonis?"

"Oh! Shit. No! That was my secret name for you!" A delightful blush spurred through her skin.

"Why Adonis…?" I ask, kneeling before her to assist with her silk camisole.

"He's the God of beauty and desire in Greek Mythology."

I carefully remove the camisole, and begin to pull it over Isabella's head while her hands are raised above her head, "Beauty and desire… I think you have me pegged wrong, Isabella."

She chuckles lightly, and the camisole is completely removed now. Her skin is bright, pure, and alluring besides the black and blue. I'm attempting to divert my eyes from her chest, but it's difficult because I'm assessing her bruises.

Now she's staring down at me, "So who are you, then?"

I chuckle at her persistence, "Does it have to be a God?"

"Yes."

"Fine. I'd say I'm closer to Hades." She rolls her eyes. That turned me on.

"What are you rolling your eyes about?"

Isabella stares at me for a moment, and for a moment I feel as if she looks through me, "You aren't in the underworld, not to me. You've saved my life, so you will stay Adonis, Okay?"

She begins to attempt to stand, I can see how off balance she is, and I'm standing now making sure she won't fall over- "Fair point, I concede."

Isabella Grabs onto my shoulders to stay standing, "Let's get you into the bath. Help me with your pants."

I reach down and grab the front of the pajamas she has on, and tug a bit to get them to fall off of her hips. "Keep your hands on my shoulders."

Now on my knees, I pull the pants down completely and have Isabella take her legs out one at a time. I begin to stand, "My underwear!" She shouts as if she's just remembered.

"I think it's best to keep those on for now." There's no argument, I scoop Isabella into my arms, and step over to the bath, and slowly place her down. I go grab soap from under the sink, and a washcloth.

"Here's the soap, and a washcloth. I'll just be in the room-"

"Please stay." She whispers, "I don't think I can face my thoughts alone right now."

A few stray tears began falling down her face. Pulling up the seat she previously occupied next to the tub, I sat, silently, waiting.

My phone began to vibrate in my pocket, dammit. "Isabella, I need to take this phone call." She nods while staring in front of her, her knees hugged to her chest. I stand up and walk a couple of feet away.

"Cullen."

"We have information on Renee Dwyer and Phil Dwyer, Mr. Cullen."

Jenks, "Anything of importance?"

"They both left the Country after I contacted them with the news of the accident."

"They're fleeing?" Son of a bitch.

"It seems likely, Sir."

"Keep me updated."

"Yes, Mr. Cullen."

Taking my seat back alongside the bathtub, Isabella stays facing forward, "Was that about Renee?"

How did she know that? "Yes."

"They're leaving." It wasn't a question, Isabella knew they would do this to her. My temper spiked, but looking at Isabella sitting there, I knew I couldn't react in the heat of the moment. Isabella turned her head to look at me, reaching her wet arm over the rim of the tub to take my hand into hers.

"Hey... It's fine, Edward. Renee's been this way for a long time."

Squeezing her hand a bit tighter, "Then why, why did you do this for them?"

She sighs, "She's my Mom. I'd do anything to protect her, and I believe you can understand that feeling."

"But she's just left, Isabella."

She tamped down her irritation, "Yes, and that hurts, more than the abuse did. At least now I know she was never truly my family."

Unsure of what to say, I offer her a wet washcloth to begin washing up. Tentatively, she takes it and begins to wash off the grime from the past two days. Although for her, it's been a lot longer than the past two days, although I'm not eager to admit that to myself.

As she finishes washing, I text Alice to put a new set of clothes on the bed for her. Isabella takes my hand so I can assist her to a standing position, and I wrap her in a large towel. Picking her up in my arms, I carry her back into the bedroom, sure enough, there are new clothes on the bed.

Placing her down gently, she encases herself further into the towel. Isabella looks tiny in comparison to the towel, and I even have to admit how precious it is.

"Alice brought these clothes in for you."

She exhales, "Is everything she owns silk?"

I snicker, "Alice is known for liking expensive things."

Her eyes look to me, "A tee shirt would have sufficed, but thank you."

Helping Isabella into the silk slip, she reached her arms up and I let it fall over her head. The color was a midnight blue, and it made her skin look remarkable. Quickly, I walk to the ensuite and grab a comb. Making my way back into the room, Isabella is gazing at me.

"Do you need help brushing your hair?"

"I think I can handle it, but I appreciate it."

Sitting next to her on the bed, "We should talk about the next steps.."

She turns to look at me while running the comb through her hair, "Um… what next steps?"

I let out the breath I'd been holding in, "You can't go back to your apartment, it's not safe there anymore."

"I can't go back, or you won't let me go back?" Shit.

"I own the apartment below this one, and it's available for you to move in now-"

"So you're making me, then?" Her eyes held fury.

"It's a huge change, I understand that. Voglio tenerti al sicuro, Isabella. If you didn't want to be alone, you could even stay here." ("I want to keep you safe.")

"It's monumental, Edward." Standing up, I run my hands through the mop on my head and pace.

Isabella chuckles at me, "Now you're making me anxious."

Stopping my pacing I look at the marvelous woman on the bed, "You make me feel… you make me feel," I say fiercely, "And I don't like it. I'm not supposed to feel things, and I want it to stop. I know it won't though. I like you, Isabella."

She gasps quietly, "You don't know me."

Falling to my knees in front of her, "I want to, though."

At once, Isabella reaches out to me, putting her hands on each side of my face. She lightly moves one hand down to my jawline, leans forward, and places her lips against mine. It's all-consuming, the lavender and honey, invading me like a stab wound. Her lips are supple, and all too soon, she backs her head away from mine- resting her forehead on mine.

Our breathing is in sync, as I open my eyes to look at her, she meets my gaze. It's not without difficulty that I back away.

"Why are you moving away from me?" Rejection laced into her voice.

"Because I won't be able to stop. Isabella, you deserve time to heal before being with someone new." I stand up, trying to get my control under wraps.

"Please, don't go, not now." Her face was somber.

Joining her on the bed, I lay back against the headboard. Isabella pushes herself back to join me. We begin to talk about her life, her upbringing- what her goals and dreams are. As she speaks, I realize I could listen to her mumble about her family for hours. So I did, and soon enough, Isabella drifted to sleep with her head on my shoulder. Tenderly, I move her head onto a pillow as I move off the bed. Giving her a light kiss on her forehead, I make my way out of my guest room and into my office. It seems I have work to do.