Chapter Three

A/N: Surprise! I am loving this story so much that I can't wait to share it with you! I am not going to make a habit of early/additional posting unless you bribe me with reviews (*hint hint*)

Let's see how Bella reacts to finding out she not in Seattle anymore.

*Tissue Warning?

"So when you say Portland…you mean Oregon right?" Bella asked quietly as Edward knelt in front of her. She had finally managed to calm herself down after Esme introduced herself and made sure she knew she would be safe in their home. Carlisle had not been able to examine her, but just from observing her over the past few minutes he knew there was nothing life-threatening about her condition. Esme sat next to Bella on the couch while Emmett and Carlisle stood close to the doorway as not to overwhelm her.

"No Bella, I mean Portland Maine." Edward answered calmly. Bella turned swiftly and looked at Esme, hoping she would tell her it was just a joke and she was not on the other side of the country. Esme nodded her head and Bella felt herself starting to shake again.

"Do you remember what happened after you were taken in Seattle?" Emmett asked from his position across the room. Bella cautiously looked up at him, trying to remind herself that he was not one of the bad policemen, but someone who wanted to help her.

"I was walking home from class; I had just started at UDub, when someone pulled me off of the street and into an alley. I tried to fight against them and get to the pepper spray I had in my bag, but he had my arms behind my back before I could move. He tossed me into the trunk of a car and we drove for a while before he took me out and tied me up. I remember feeling a pinch in my arm but then everything went black. When I woke up again we were at the house and I was lying on a bare mattress with three other girls." Bella answered softly as she looked down at her ragged and broken fingernails. Mike told her once her training was over she would be given nicer clothes and allowed to use the shower more often, since he was sure she would be in demand. Bella shuddered remembering how excited he was with the amount of money she would bring in.

"Do you think you can remember how to get back to the house?" Emmett asked as he walked into the room and took a seat on the chair by the couch. Bella shrunk into Esme's side and Edward held tightly to her hands, trying to reassure her that Emmett was not a threat.

"Umm, I don't know. I would be willing to try anything though, to get those other girls some help." Bella said, finally able to garner the strength to meet Emmett's eyes. When she saw the large man smile encouragingly and nod, she relaxed and allowed herself to look around the rest of the room. The walls were painted dark gray and the large windows she saw from the outside allowed a beautiful glimpse of the trees beyond the glass. She was sitting on a dark brown leather couch while Emmett sat in a matching chair. Beautiful prints as well as family pictures covered the walls while dark burgundy drapes framed the windows. Bella suddenly realized how dirty she was and jumped up, turning around frantically trying to brush off the soft leather. Esme covered her mouth at the embarrassment and fear she saw in Bella's face and Edward gently wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Dirty, so dirty. I'm so sorry I'm getting your things dirty." Bella whispered over and over as she wiped at the invisible dirt. Edward pulled her up into his arms, thankful that Bella responded by wrapping her arms around his neck. He looked down at his mother and she understood, getting up to find something for Bella to change into. Edward climbed the stairs and took her into his old bedroom, thankful that he had an en suite bathroom. Bella protested when he tried to set her down on the counter and he realized he was going to have to help her get clean. He shifted her in his arms so he could reach into the shower and turned the water on, making sure it was nice and warm. He kicked off his shoes and somehow managed to get his jeans undone, allowing them to fall to the floor. He stepped out of the fabric and walked into the steamy shower stall. Bella moaned appreciatively when the warm water hit her, shivering as the chill started to leave her limbs.

Edward was finally able to set her on her feet and he turned her in his arms so her back was pressed against his front. Murmuring soft comforting words the whole time, he tilted her head under the water and watched as the water turned gray from the dirt that was caked in her hair. He reached for the shampoo his mother kept stocked in each bathroom and lathered the gel into her hair, carefully untangling each snare. It took two rinses to get her hair clean before he applied a hefty dose of conditioner. He left the thick cream in her hair while he reached for the body wash, suddenly nervous. Bella was humming softly and leaned into Edward's body as his hands started running up and down her arm, trailing the thick suds with them. He took each of her hands in his, making sure to get the grime from under her fingernails. When his hands moved to her abdomen, he hesitated, knowing it would be better for her to take off the sodden and filthy clothes. It would also give him a chance to make sure she was not hiding any serious injuries under the skimpy fabric.

Making up his mind, and continuing his quiet monologue, Edward grabbed hold of the hem and pulled it over Bella's head in one motion. Bella gasped quietly and her hands moved unconsciously to shield her breasts, but did not protest. Edward ignored her attempt at modesty and continued to rub the bubbles into her skin. He looked over her shoulder and saw the round burns that covered her abdomen and the evidence of bite marks across the top of her breasts. He wondered why they would mark their so called 'merchandise' in such a way if they expected her to be able to bring in the big bucks. When Edward slid his fingers under the band of her tiny panties, Bella released a shuttering breath as she prepared to be brutalized once again. Mike and Tyler were always careful to make sure they did not hurt her too badly but Benjamin always ended up taking things too far and twice the doctor had been called back in to make sure she was still 'technically' a virgin. Edward leaned down and whispered in her ear clearly as he pushed the fabric off of her hips.

"I will never hurt you. You're safe here Bella. I just want to help get you clean and make sure you don't need any medical attention, okay?" Bella nodded her head and took deep breaths as Edward massaged the gel into her skin, avoiding the open cuts and burns on her hips. Edward turned her in his arms and looked down at Bella, whose eyes were closed tightly. He ran his fingers gently over her temple and she blinked up at him. He could see the tears start to pool in her eyes at his gentle touch and he pulled her into his arms as she started to sob.

"I'm sorry." She whispered into his soaked shirt and he rubbed his hand up and down her back as he tried to calm her.

"There is nothing to be sorry for sweetheart. I'm here, I've got you. I'll take care of you now."