ok now i'm wondering if Bella's "state" is somehow induced - even before she showed up in the asylum... it certainly seems to be intensified now that she's there.

There might be more time between episodes, but they're more extreme when they happen?

Well I was sitting reading through as the new Doc (presumably Carlisle, but it feels open enough it could be Edward, even) checked Bella over... and I really wanted her to respond, to the extend I'm reading and "willing" it to happen now. I'm expecting to see it at some point in the story, just wasn't sure if it'd be "now" or a few days in story time.

When Bella managed to at least twitch, I celebrated.

When Dr Cullen realised how drugged Bella was, and made his comment, I heaved a sigh of happy relief, because even though there's a long road ahead, his words give hope of the light at the end of the tunnel.

Bella's been left in such a dark place she's stopped hoping for a tunnel, let alone any light.

Looking forward to the journey :)

woohoo!! Bella's away from the hospital and with the Cullens finally (for now)

I can imagine this is one time that Carilise would've been debating giving in to his more "natural" instincts... it appears that he didn't though :)

Bella's reactions to the rest of the family should be interesting, Rose looks to be more "caring" than canon for now, which would help I think, Edward's going to be raging against the universe perhaps for the pain Bella's been through... Alice might have to dial herself down a bit, and Emmett will have a hard time not being "scary big and strong" to Bella ... at least that's my guesses so far. Oh, and Jasper will hopefully end up being the counsellor-type of brother for her :)

We'll see what happens next!

nooo! I'm really hating that doctor! And frustrated as hell at both Carlisle and Esme for not doing more. I can understand they have a front to maintain, but still, Bella's had some serious harm done to her in that moment, and all they did was a little growling! :P

Anxiously awaiting the time Carlisle has full responsibility for Bella. That Smith is more than a little dodgy :S

ohhh geez... so Edward is definitely freezing... but where's Bella????

haha finally!!

hehe loved Bella's different "take control" moments... 'the look' at Rosalie, in particular, since Rose has been trying to protect her from Edward all this time, in her way :)

wow. I'm kind of waiting for Edward to reclaim his life and shock everyone... I'm guessing that's still a ways into the future, even though it would be really useful (too easily so?) now.

Looks like they're in for a bumpy ride with the social workers showing up in the morning :S

Nice long chapter there - and LOTS of info about our main couple. I'm  finding that I really like the way Edward is being so open and honest, and really trying to give Bella choices as much as possible.

Looks like it's "homecoming" next? :)

Happy to see Alice (re-)entering the story, I'm hoping she's rescued before anything more dramatic happens to her in Bella's absence. Both for Alice's own safety, and for Bella's sanity/self-worth because she'd probably overload on guilt about it.

Loved Edward and Jacob's moment on the swing... I think Bella did too, once she calmed herself from the fright of waking up alone and with no baby-monitor; I'd guess she had just a moment (at least) of panicking that Edward had taken Jacob, or that James had somehow found them :S

FINALLY!!!! Woot for B&E finally clearing the way for them to get their feelings out in the open! :)

Oh, and LOVED Alice and Jasper's meeting! I'm thinking Alice's words helped give Bella the push she needed to be open about her feelings for Edward??

ahh so close... well at least Bella got part of what was needed, though I get the feeling that she'd feel more "satisfied" if she'd been able to finish Edward off? hehe

I did have quite the chuckle at Bella's "I AM a teenager" response to Emmett - that shut him down pretty quick :)

well well, Jasper and Edward seem to be on the same page at least! I'm hoping that Bella and Alice have a nice phone call with their mom, but I'm not really expecting it to unfold like that :P