A/N: Warning: The first chapter of this story is dark. I have removed the graphic parts due to fanfic's TOS. If the subject matter of rape might be a trigger for you, please don't read this.

If you are still with me...I'm not going to say anything further about this story because I feel it will ruin the impact.

**This story deals with controversial subject matter, but the story will eventually head in a more positive direction, so please don't judge the entire story by the feel of the first few chapters.

Thanks to my beta Ashley (Ms. Skittles) for her encouragement and awesome beta skills. I discussed this story idea with her before I wrote it because I was unsure about writing it at all. As usual, she cheered me on and here it is.

Chapter One

~Shattered~

~*Bella's POV*~

Alice and I returned to the cottage after an afternoon of shopping—the cottage that Edward and I would be sharing when we returned from our honeymoon a few weeks from now.

Despite my hatred of shopping, the day had been enjoyable, and I came home with some weapons that would, hopefully, thaw out my husband-to-be. Alice had dragged me from store to store, choosing lingerie, soft flowing skirts, dresses, blouses—all things that were so un-Bella-like. She assured me that Edward's eyes would roll back in ecstasy. I would believe that when I saw it, but I was willing to go along for the ride if there was even a possibility that Edward would ease up on his rules.

Leaving on a sea-foam green, flowing dress as a preview of things to come, I waited for my love while hanging up or folding away my new treasures. My fingers tingled as I touched the different textures—silky, gauzy, fluid, lacy...

"Oh, thank you, Alice!" I squealed, knowing she could hear me clear across the cottage.

Alice glided into the room silently with a smile. "Anything for my new sister. Enjoy them, and use them well."

"Oh, don't worry; I will."

The front door of the cottage creaked, causing us both to freeze.

"Damn! I have to get that door fixed before you guys come back from your honeymoon. Well, it seems Edward is back a little early. More time for..." Alice raised her eyebrows and pointed at my new dress.

Edward stepped into the room, looking as handsome as always in black pinstripe pants and a black vest over a crisp white shirt—he must have shed his jacket on the way in. His bronze hair was in its usual disarray, and I had the urge to run my hands through it.

"I'll leave you two alone...see you later!" Alice left through the French doors that led out to the garden with a conspiratorial grin.

"The benefit must have ended early?" I asked, turning towards Edward.

He nodded, looking me up and down appreciatively. Coming closer, he fingered the fabric of my dress.

"Alice," I offered in explanation. "We bought out the stores today. Lots of new clothes for our honeymoon."

I turned toward the dresser to put some things away. Edward came up behind me and moved my hair to the side, placing gentle kisses on my neck. I shivered involuntarily as he ran his hands down my back, sending chills up my spine. He hugged me to him gently, and I turned in his embrace so we were facing each other. Looking up into his eyes, I saw desire there, and it took my breath away. His lips met mine in little nipping, playful kisses. My heart pounded in answer.

Spying the pile of lingerie I was in the middle of putting away, his eyes grew wide. Walking us over to the bed, he hooked a red silky one with his index finger, and stepping away from me, dropped it in my hands.

"What? You want me to model it for you?" I asked playfully. Edward nodded, and I almost choked. What had gotten into him? "For real?" I questioned with surprise, and he nodded again and, with a wink, left the room.

What was I supposed to do now? Did he really want me to put on the teddy? I would feel like such a fool if I put it on and he was only kidding—then again, he looked pretty darn serious to me. Shrugging, I went into the bathroom to change.

I was a little surprised he chose the red one since he loved me so much in blue. The teddy was silky with lots of lace, falling just to the tops of my thighs. It came with a matching pair of panties—if you could call them that—I would call them a scrap of material. Twirling in front of the full length mirror on the back of the bathroom door, I had to admit, I looked pretty good. Maybe Edward was about to get more than he bargained for—maybe his control would slip some and we could finally share some intimate moments. My heart sped up at the thought, and my face turned pink.

Slipping back into the bedroom, I gasped as I realized that Edward was lounging on the bed waiting for me. His eyes widened as he took me in, eyebrows raised, his signature crooked grin spreading across his face. With much faster than human speed, he was up off the bed, stalking toward me slowly. I stopped breathing, my heart stuttering in my chest as he drew closer.

Stopping just before me, Edward reached out his hand and caressed my face, his other hand ghosting over my shoulder and down my back, pulling me in closer. A low growl rumbled in his chest, and his eyes smoldered.

"What's gotten into you, Edward?"

"Shh..." he put a finger up to my lips, pulling me tighter against his marble body. My breath caught, and even if I wanted to, I was incapable of speech.

His fingers ghosted down my neck and over the swell of my breast, my nipples immediately hardening under his cool touch. Running my hands up his lean, muscled arms, I just enjoyed what was being given, knowing that at any moment he might come to his senses and pull away.

With a louder growl, Edward crashed his lips to mine almost desperately. Sensations burst through me like sunlight through the clouds...like water to the thirsty. He was always so cautious with me that I was unsure what to do. My body knew though, and my lips mashed back against his, my breathing ragged and my heart racing as my arms wound up around his neck. Our lips continued moving together in their desperate dance, and soon I felt his tongue seeking entrance. Opening my mouth to him, I took his tongue in greedily. Edward grabbed me by the hips and ground his pelvis into mine—he was hard as a rock—and groaned. My panties were wet, and I rubbed my legs together to relieve some of the pressure building there.

Edward lifted the edge of the teddy, running his hands over my backside. Hooking his fingers into the sides of my panties, he pulled them down slowly as he knelt down before me, stroking the outsides of my thighs.

"Wh-what are you doing?" I stuttered, breathing heavily.

"Shh..." Edward whispered as he came back up my body, his hands sliding underneath the teddy and grasping my breasts.

"Oh!" I gasped.

His lips claimed mine again, stopping any further attempts I might have made at conversation. Our tongues tangled together languidly. Pulling away from my lips, he licked his way down my neck, swirling his tongue around, breathing heavily. I was so weak with desire that I found myself unable to stand on my own any longer. It was a good thing he was holding onto me, and I gripped his shoulders tightly, moaning as he licked at my neck.

Walking us back towards the bed, until my knees hit the side, we tumbled back with Edward on top of me. Rolling to the side, he quickly removed his vest and shirt. My hands strayed to his sculpted chest of their own accord. As I explored his naked torso, he brought his lips back to mine, kissing me aggressively. I heard the sound of a zipper and felt his hardness press against my thigh.

"E-Edward..." I said uncertainly.

Ignoring me, he rolled me on my back, trapping me beneath his body. Bringing his lips down on mine, he ground his hardness against me with a groan.

This just didn't feel right to me. We hadn't discussed it at all, and this was much farther than we had ever gone. Edward hadn't said two words to me since he'd come home, and it was unlike him to ignore me—he was very unselfish when it came to my needs. This wasn't my Edward—what had gotten into him?

Somehow during all this, he had managed to shed his pants, because I could feel his bare legs shoving mine apart.

"Mmmmm..." Pulling himself up slightly, he looked down at me, licking his lips, and he looked hungry. Reaching down, he ran his hands from my breasts all the way down my body and spread my thighs further, easing his body between them. He kissed me again, and I could feel his hardness lining up with my hot center.

"Edward...what are we doing?" I mumbled against his lips.

Ignoring me again, he began to slide himself into me, kissing me harder. I tried to break away, but being underneath him, it was impossible. I beat against him with my hands, trying to let him know I wanted him to stop.

Finally, he stilled; lifting his head and looking down upon me in irritation.

Irritation?

"Edward! You haven't said two words to me since you got home. You bust in here, want me to try on this teddy, and then proceed to break all of your rules about intimacy. What's going on here? Who are you, and what have you done with my Edward?"

A loud sigh issued from Edward, and then...his face...changed. His face morphed into someone else's. The face above me—of the man poised to enter into my body—was russet skinned with eyes as black as olives. His hair was jet black and spiky, and there was a small scar beneath his right eye—although this did not detract from the handsomeness of his face— but added an element of toughness.

"Who a-are y-you?" I whispered, unable to get my voice to work properly.

He grabbed my hands quickly and raised them above my head, trapping them in one of his own. He placed his other one across my mouth to ensure that I didn't cry out.

"You couldn't just shut up and enjoy it could you? Why do you women always have to make things so difficult?" he growled. "I'm going to have you now; it will go much easier for you if you don't give me a hard time."

I could feel his hardness pressing into me, perfectly lined up to enter. NO! This couldn't be happening! Who the hell was he, and how did he manage to look like Edward? Is this why he never said anything? He could look like Edward but was unable to mimic his voice?

Shaking my head back and forth as hard as I could, I pleaded with my eyes for him to stop. I made mewling sounds behind his hand, hoping he would allow me to speak.

"Listen, bitch, I don't have the time or patience for this! I'm the one with the power here, in case you haven't noticed," he rasped in a threatening tone but let up slightly on the hand over my mouth.

"P-please...who are you? What do you want?" Tears coursed down my cheeks as I realized my predicament. He was going to rape me, but would he let me live afterward?

"I think it's pretty obvious what I want," he leered in my face. "What does it matter who I am? You aren't planning to call me for a second date are you?"

"H-how did you l-look like Edward?"

"I'm a shape-shifter...I can be whoever you want me to be, sweetcheeks." He laughed lewdly, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Please...let me go," I whispered.

"No can do, sweetcheeks. I was promised some hot young ass, and I'm going to have it."

"Promised by who?"

"If I tell you, then I have to kill you. Still want to know, Bella?" He winked down at me and then licked my neck.

"Please don't kill me."

"Then don't piss me off! Just shut up and enjoy the ride—no more talking!"

Shoving his hand back over my mouth and tightening his grip on my trapped hands, he used his legs to push my thighs further apart. I started struggling for all I was worth, but his large, hot body was too heavy and strong. Flailing my legs was ineffectua.

And then the unthinkable happened...

What I never expected for myself...

My worst nightmare...

He rammed into me hard and fast with a growl.

"Mm...so tight...yes, baby," he ground out.

The sensation nearly blinded me, a white hot pinpoint of pain blooming out from my center.

He then set a fast, hard, punishing pace, grunting each time he hit bottom—licking my neck and whispering things in my ear with his hot, moist breath.

"Yeah, baby, so good..."

"So worth the wait..."

"She promised you would be hot..."

Suddenly he slowed down, and I thought it was over, relief washing over my eyes. He saw this, and shaking his head, he laughed...he laughed. "Oh, no, baby. Just slowing down the pace so it doesn't end too soon. I want to give it to you like you've never had it before, sweetcheeks."

NO! No more! I shook my head and tried to get him to let me speak again. I tried to bite his hand, but I couldn't quite reach. I made mewling noises and pleaded with my eyes. He simply shook his head.

"No more talking, I said. I heard all about you, Bel-la."

Edward. God, what would Edward...I shut off the thought. I couldn't think about him right now or how he would feel about me after this. I just had to survive this somehow.

More determined than ever, I flung my head back and forth, hoping to take a bite out of his hand or scream. I tried to buck him off my body—and almost succeeded due to the element of surprise—but he quickly righted himself and pressed his hand that much harder over my face, gripping my hands tighter over my head.

"Bitch! Try something like that again, and I can't promise you'll walk away from this in one piece."

My struggle was obviously a turn on for him. It felt as though I was suffocating—his big bulk weighed heavily on my slight frame, his meaty hand over my mouth and his hot, ragged breathing in my ear. Pinned down, I was completely helpless.

Unable to take the punishment any further, and giving up on any chance of throwing him off, I retreated somewhere distant. I could still hear him, but it was as though a piece of me had broken off and was watching it happen to someone else. Floating just above him, I saw my own eyes looking glassy and dead, my body gone limp as he rammed into it. Every so often he would slow his pace so he would be able to go at me again and again, prolonging his good time.

"Ooh, baby, I'm going to...uh..God, yes!"

With a few final, violent thrusts, he collapsed on top of my body. He let go of my hands, knowing they would be ineffective against him. My hands were numb from lack of circulation. I still had the sensation of being somewhere else, watching from afar, and I felt nothing.

Pulling out of me, he sniffed the air and looked down in horror.

"What the—why is there blood? Were you a virgin?"

I heard him as if through a tunnel and watched as my body lay beneath him, staring endlessly.

"Bitch! I'm talking to you! Were you a virgin?"

Slapping my face helped bring me back into my body. I slammed back inside, and all the pain throbbed anew. I nodded my head, not wanting him to slap me again.

"That fucking bitch! Tanya said you were a whore! That you were into fire and ice—sleeping around with the Quileute boys and fucking the vampire, too! Shit!"

Tears streamed down my face. I didn't understand what he was talking about, and I didn't really care at this point—I just wanted him off me—just wanted him to leave so I could take a bath. Would I ever feel clean again? What would Edw—no, I would not think about that.

"I never would have agreed to deflower an innocent. I'm going to tear her apart when I get my hands on her!" he growled. Looking down at me, his hard face softened, and he looked almost...tender. "I'm sorry. I know some might ask what the difference is—but it makes a huge difference to me. I did this because I love her, because she told me it would mean the world to her, that you had done horrible things to my kind. She said you were a slut, that you opened your legs for anyone. If I had any idea of the truth...I never would have touched you."

Shaking his head in disgust, he moved his body off mine. He sat next to me on the bed, wiping himself off, and then put his clothes back on. I just lay quietly on the bed, trying to pretend that the burning, aching pain didn't mean that I was now used goods, that I would never again be pure, that the choice to share my body was no longer mine to make.

Suddenly, his head snapped up, and he looked out the French doors. They burst open, and there stood Alice, hissing.

"Who the hell are you?" Alice demanded.

He looked at Alice with barely concealed amusement. "What are you going to do, little one?"

"Kick your shape-shifting ass, that's what!"

Then it was a blur as Alice moved into action, slicing the air with her claws and gnashing her teeth as she jumped on the huge mammoth shape-shifter. He cried out in pain and then started to tremble mightily. Suddenly, he seemed to disappear...

Alice looked around as the air before her emptied. Whipping her head around, she spied a hawk on the floor, which promptly took off flying out the French doors and disappeared into the sky, rising fast. It screeched as though in pain as it disappeared into the horizon.

Hissing, Alice turned and saw me on the bed. Her eyes widened as she took in my condition and the blood on the sheets. "Oh, Bella! I'm so sorry. I got here as fast as I could when Edward called...I had no idea! I can't see the future around shape-shifters, and I didn't even try to look at your future because I thought you and Edward..."

Rushing over to the bed, she grabbed me in her arms and rocked me like a baby. The dam broke then—tears streaming down my face, broken sobs echoing through the bedroom.

"A-Alice, he hurt me. I feel so dirty. Please can you get me into the bath? Please?"

"Yes, of course. Honey, I'm so sorry I was too late. I came as soon as I realized."

"Wait—you said Edward called?"

"Yes, he called the house and said the benefit ran a bit longer than expected, and that's when I realized something was very wrong."

"Does...does Edward know something is wrong?" I asked with trepidation.

"He's on his way; he's very worried about you. He'll be here any time now."

"NO! I don't want him to s-see me like this! Please, Alice!"

"I'll try to put him off, Bella, but you know how Edward is. He loves you, sweetie. He won't blame you—you know that right?"

"Please...I need a bath! I just need to get him off me!" I raked my nails over my skin, causing raised red welts.

Alice carried me to the bathroom. She drew a steaming hot bath and placed me in gently.

"What can I do for you, Bella?" Alice asked softly.

"Nothing. Please, I just need to be alone."

"I'll be right in the living room if you need me. I'll try to head off Edward...but you know how worried he is..." Alice tried to prepare me.

Nothing could prepare me for facing my beautiful angel with this. How was I to tell him that I was no longer pure for him? That some shape-shifter with the wrong idea had defiled me, taken away what I could never get back—that I felt as though I had been shattered into a thousand pieces, and that those pieces had been hurriedly picked up and jammed back together in no particular order.

Looking down at my body, I became disgusted by it. I turned the tap back on, letting the hottest water in as my skin turned bright pink. I scrubbed and scrubbed, but I could still see the stain of his touch all over me. Oh, how would I ever be able to look at myself again? And if I couldn't...how would Edward be able to? Closing my eyes tightly against the thought of Edward, the tears slid down my face.

"Edward, no! Listen to me! She's safe now!" Alice's voice came loudly, urgently.

"Where is she? What are you hiding from me, Alice?" Edward's beautiful velvet voice was enraged.

"She's taking a bath, Edward. Do you intend to just barge in there? When she comes out, you can talk," Alice reasoned.

A deep sigh came from Edward. "Okay, Alice, I'll wait for her to come out. In the meantime, you will tell me what in the hell this is all about!"

"No, Edward, that's not my place. When Bella comes out of the bath, the two of you need to talk—alone."

"Alice, you're scaring me." Edward's voice was almost a whisper now, anger replaced by fear.

I sank deeper into the water. How would I ever be able to leave this bath and face my love, tell him the ugly truth?

~*Edward's POV*~

The hospital benefit for Carlisle ran much longer than we'd anticipated. Alice had taken Bella shopping, and they'd been expecting me, so I decided to call the house and let them know I was held up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Alice."

"Edward! I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon. I thought for sure you and Bella would be...otherwise engaged by now." Alice snickered.

"What are you talking about, Alice? Isn't Bella there with you?" Confusion filled my voice. Was this a joke?

"Come on, Edward! I was there when you got back to the cottage. I saw the look in your eye when you saw Bella in the green dress."

"Alice! Carlisle is standing right next to me, and I haven't been back to the cottage. Are you playing a joke on me? What is this?" The irritation was evident in my voice.

There was a slight pause and then..."Oh. My. God. Edward, something's wrong! I can't see Bella's future...that could only mean that the person we thought was you is a shape-shifter! I'm going to the cottage right now!"

"Shit! I'm on my way, Alice!"

Without giving Carlisle a full explanation, I was out the door, running full speed back to Forks.

I'd heard that the Quileutes could technically shape-shift into any other being, but as far as I knew, none of the pack was experienced enough to pull it off. What possible reason could one of them have to pretend to be me? The only thought that came to mind was Jacob Black. I wouldn't put it past him to use my form to try to get close to Bella. An involuntary growl rose up from my chest, and I ran that much faster.

When I got to the cottage, I found Alice at the front door waiting for me. Her face was solemn, and she was blocking me from her thoughts. Not good. I could hear Bella's heartbeat somewhere in the cottage. I moved to go past Alice, but she blocked me with a vehement shake of her head.

"Get out of my way," I whispered dangerously, trying to dodge her.

"Edward, no! Listen to me! She's safe now!" Alice pleaded.

"Where is she? What are you hiding from me, Alice?" The anger was apparent in my voice. How dare she hide something about Bella from me?

"She's taking a bath, Edward. Do you intend to just barge in there? When she comes out, you can talk," Alice reasoned.

I heaved a deep sigh. "Okay, Alice, I'll wait for her to come out. In the meantime, you will tell me what in the hell this is all about!"

"No, Edward, that's not my place. When Bella comes out of the bath, the two of you need to talk—alone."

Please Edward, she's going to need you to be strong. Alice's eyes were large and serious.

"Alice, you're scaring me," I gripped her hand in mine, and she squeezed back.

"I know," she whispered, "but there's nothing else I can tell you right now. Bella is safe now, and she's going to need you more than she ever has. Don't let her down."

Alice slipped out the front door.

What on earth had happened here? I trusted Alice, so I sat down on the couch and waited for Bella to be ready for me.

Vampires pass time much differently than humans. Minutes are like seconds, hours like minutes, years like months...but I swear that time stopped while I sat on that couch waiting for Bella—waiting to find out why Alice was so serious—why she claimed Bella was going to need me more than she ever had. It felt as though there was something stuck in my throat. I could endure anything; I was indestructible, immortal—but I couldn't bear anything hurting my Bella. If she was in pain...I was in pain. Many scenarios flitted through my mind while I sat there, but none prepared me for the truth. Nothing could have prepared me for the vile, disgusting act that had been committed under our very noses this day.

Eventually, I heard the bathroom door crack open, and Bella emerged slowly. I could hear her feet padding on the floor and noticed the hesitation in her tread. Taking Alice's advice—as hard as it was—I allowed her to come to me. She peeked around the doorway into the living room, and seeing me on the couch, flinched. Her skin was red all over—at least everywhere I could see—she was wrapped up in a long, white terry cloth robe. Her face was tear-stained, her beautiful brown eyes swollen.

"Bella..." I whispered, standing up but staying in place.

Bella sniffled and looked around the room like a caged animal hoping for an escape.

"Whatever it is...I'm here for you. Don't be afraid," I said soothingly.

Her eyes shot to mine and filled with tears, and she shook her head. "I don't think so, Edward. Not when you hear..."

Then the sobbing started—a low keening wail that grew louder until it was a primal scream, shaking her tiny frame as she fell to her knees. Unable to control myself any longer, I moved to her side and knelt next to her, putting my arms around her. I rocked her back and forth for a while, cooing to her. Eventually, I pulled her to my chest and kissed her hair and face. She went stiff in my arms and drew in a panicked breath, her heart rate elevating.

"Get off me! Don't touch me!" She struck out at me with her fists.

"Bella! It's me, Edward! It's okay, Love."

"NO! Don't touch me. Please get your hands off me," Bella begged.

I let her go, sitting back on my heels and staring at her in shock as she curled into a ball, turning away from me.

"Bella? Please talk to me. I-I don't know how to help you..." I sputtered.

"You. Can't. Help. Me."

"What? Love, whatever it is, we can get through it together. I'm here for you." Reaching out, I touched her arm, and she flinched away from me.

"Nobody can help me. I've been shattered into a thousand pieces and scattered to the four winds. I'll never be the same, and when you know the truth...you won't want me anymore."

A cold finger of fear climbed my spine and wrapped its hand around my dead heart.

"No. There is nothing you can say to me that will stop me from wanting you, from loving you. I swear to you, no matter what you tell me, I won't feel any different about you than I do right now."

"You can't make a promise like that." Bella laughed, and it was an ugly, raspy sound.

"Yes, I can. I promise you, Bella. I don't need to know what it is to promise you that I'll support you and do all I can to help you. You are my life."

Suddenly, Bella turned on me, staring me in the eye. Her eyes were dead looking, her face red and raw, and her posture slumped. "Really? What if I told you that the woman you're going to marry is no longer p-pure?"

"It would make no difference. Who among us is pure these days? I don't understand how this relates. Please...tell me what happened."

"No, Edward. You misunderstand. Let me put it this way—I am no longer pure—no longer a virgin. Is that clear enough for you?"

My mouth hung agape. No wonder she didn't want me to touch her. What the hell had happened here? It was obviously much worse than I suspected, but it still made no difference. No matter what happened, I would love Bella until the earth stood still and the stars fell from the sky.

"Bella, what are you saying? Were you—were you—"

"RAPED! I WAS RAPED! VIOLATED BY YOU!" she screamed in my face and broke down in tears.

"By me? I-I don't understand, Bella."

"Not the real you, of course. It was a sh-shape-shifter. Oh, my God, my God. I need to take another bath. Yes, that's what I need." Bella's voice quieted, but it was even scarier than her outburst a second ago.

"Bella, your skin is raw. You don't need another bath, Love. Please let me hold you," I whispered to her. Looking at me distrustfully, Bella deliberated what to do. Her eyes roamed the room, looking for a way out. "Please, Bella?"

"How do I know you're you? How will I ever know it again?" Her eyes grew wide with fear, and she stuffed her hand in her mouth to stifle a sob.

"Bella, the shape-shifter can't imitate my voice, can he? You know it's me because of my voice, and you can ask me anything you'd like and I'll know the answer."

"O-okay. Yes, you are Edward. I'll be able to tell the difference," she said, more to herself than to me. "Are you sure that you can still want me after..."

"Yes, Bella. I'll always want you. Come to me, Love."

Opening my arms, I waited for her. Ever so slowly, she crawled into my embrace, and there we sat on the floor, rocking back and forth. Bella sobbed into my chest, and I sobbed with her...for her...for us. I was careful to just hold her, not to let my hands roam and make her uncomfortable. Eventually, she fell asleep on my chest, and I picked her up in my arms and carried her over to the couch. I sat down with her cradled in my lap like a child. Here I would sit for as long as necessary. Later on, I would find out who did this and then my rage would begin. But for now, I had to be what Bella needed me to be.

Bella slept fitfully, mumbling in her sleep. Even in her slumber, she couldn't find peace, and it broke my heart. I wasn't sure how to get her to see that I loved her no matter what, that being raped was in no way her fault! It was ridiculous for her to blame herself. I did want to know who had done this. If it was Jacob Black, he was a dead man. As little as I thought of him though, I didn't think he would stoop to this level to get Bella. He did love her.

"Who are you?" Bella whispered fearfully.

"Please let me go..."

Bella's head whipped around, and she twisted her body in my arms. Her face scrunched up in pain, and I decided to wake her.

"Tanya..."

I stilled as I heard Tanya's name fall from Bella's lips. Why would she mention Tanya? She'd never met her, and we barely discussed her.

"Oh, no, please!"

"Bella," I shook her gently. She jolted out of her sleep, eyes opening wide.

"Oh! I was having a nightmare."

Hugging her to my chest, I cradled her until she calmed a bit. "How do you feel, Bella?"

"Sore, raw—empty. I'm so sorry, Edward." She looked up at me tearfully.

"What do you have to be sorry for, Love?"

"He fooled me, and I-I didn't s-stop him."

"Think about it—was there really any way you could have stopped him?" I asked softly, already knowing the answer.

"N-no, I guess not."

"Bella, you are the one who was hurt. You did nothing wrong."

"I know that intellectually, but I feel so dirty, Edward!" Bella cried, wrapping her arms around my neck, which I took as an encouraging sign.

"I know, Love. It's a common reaction to...something like this. We'll get you whatever help you need."

"No! No doctors. It wouldn't help me anyway. How can a doctor help me if I can't even tell them the truth? What am I going to say—I thought it was my vampire fiancé—but oops!—it turned out to be a shape-shifter!"

"I see your point. Our family will be there for you. Carlisle may be able to help, and—"

"Wait, no! I can't talk to anyone else about this! Just you, Edward, just you. Please."

"Whatever you need, I told you that. You don't have to do anything you don't want to."

Bella relaxed against me with a soft sigh. We sat there quietly for a while, and then ever so slowly, her little hand reached up and touched my face. I remained completely still; something that came naturally to me. Her hand warmed my cheek, and her trust warmed my long dead heart.

"Edward, I'm sorry I pushed you away before. I-I wasn't myself," she whispered.

"I know, Bella. You don't need to apologize to me." I swept the hair back off her forehead and placed a soft kiss there.

"I don't deserve you," she sighed, closing her eyes.

"No, it is I that doesn't deserve you. We could go back and forth about that all day—what matters is that we're together. I love you, Bella."

"I love you, Edward."

There was a knock at the front door, and Bella stiffened, her hold on me tightening. Alice called out to let us know it was her, asking if she could come in.

"It's up to you, Bella."

"Yes, Alice, come in."

Alice opened the door carefully and walked over to the couch. Getting on her knees, she put her head on Bella's stomach.

"Oh, Bella, I'm so sorry. This is my fault! I should have known he wasn't Edward!" Alice keened.

"No, Alice! There was no way you could have known. Please don't blame yourself," Bella stroked Alice's hair.

That was my amazing girl—offering comfort to others when it was her that had been hurt.

"Bella, can you tell us what happened?" I asked softly.

"Well, you came home—at least we thought it was you. But you never said a word. You...he started kissing my neck and then saw the lingerie on the bed...and gave me a piece to model. I thought it was odd, b-but I did it anyway. Things got out of hand quickly, and you...he was ignoring my concerns, pushing things further than we ever have. At first, it was okay, but when I said I wanted to slow down...he looked at me with irritation. That's when I knew something was really wrong. I knew you would never look at me that way, and that's when I called him on it, asked what he did with my Edward. W-when I did, h-his face changed, and I realized that I was underneath a s-stranger."

Bella paused, sobbing quietly. She gripped my shirt in her little hands, looking up into my eyes beseechingly. Stroking her hair, I placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Bella, you're doing fine. Take your time."

"I-I can't talk about it in detail right now."

"Just tell us what you can, sweetie," Alice encouraged.

"He held my hands above my head and put his hand over my mouth and...raped me. W-when he was d-done, he was angry to find out that I was a v-virgin. He said he was told that I was a s-slut and that I s-slept around with the Quileute boys and with you, Edward. He started yelling about how he was going to tear her apart for misleading him."

"Tear who apart?" I asked. Obviously someone else was behind this whole thing.

"Someone named Tanya."

Tanya.

Fucking Tanya.

Red filled my vision, and I let out a feral growl.

Bella sucked in a breath, looking at me in fear.

"Edward?"

"I'm sorry, Bella. I'm just so angry right now..." I closed my eyes tightly, gritting my teeth.

"W-why?" Bella whispered.

"Oh, my God," Alice spoke softly, the pieces falling together.

"Bella, I know who's behind this...atrocity. My God, that bitch!" I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Who?"

"Tanya. The one from Denali that I've told you about. She wanted me for her own, but I wasn't interested, so she decided to punish me by hurting you. Oh, Bella, this is all because of me!" I was horrified to discover the truth, and it weighed heavily upon me.

"No, Edward! If this is anyone's fault, it's the beast that raped me and the bitch that sent him. It is not your fault!"

Bella kissed my lips softly. I was surprised she was able to kiss me so soon after what happened. It encouraged me, and I knew that, eventually, we'd be okay.

"Alice, I need my phone."

Alice handed me the phone, and I dialed Alaska.

"Hello?"

"Tanya."

"Edward! To what do I owe the pleasure?" Tanya sounded pleased.

"Just giving you a head start."

"I'm sorry?" She sounded confused.

"Well, you always wanted all the men after you. Now, you have two."

"Ooh, sounds intriguing! Tell me more..." Tanya purred.

"Well, there's me. Then there's the shape-shifter that you sent to rape my Bella."

"What are you babbling about, Edward?" She tried to sound nonchalant, but I could hear the fear in her voice.

"Run, Tanya, run. I'm coming for you, and I'm going to rip you apart and burn the pieces..."

~0~

A/N: This story came about because of a dream I had. I know, sick dream.

Before anyone gets upset, the shape-shifter IS NOT Jacob Black. It is another shape-shifter that Tanya met. In anticipation of the inevitable questions...he can shape-shift into any being. Of course just having the scent of a vampire would not make him smell like Edward, however, if someone happened to give him something that belonged to Edward...you get the picture. Also, this is a story. Obviously, none of this could really happen! I write what comes to me, and I'm not opposed to bending SM's universe to fit my needs. :-)