3. The Accident

Bella pulled gracefully into the parking lot and I glanced quickly at her tires, a smile spreading across my face. She hadn't lived here long enough to know the do's and don't's of winter driving, so I assumed Charlie had been smart enough to put the chains on them. Once she had parked the vehicle, she stepped out of the truck and she too noticed the chains. The unusual display of emotion that followed left me torn.

The images flooded my mind before I knew what was happening. Alice's vision of Bella being crushed by the truck was too much to bear. The moment I saw the events beginning to unravel in reality, I instinctively rushed to her side. I threw her aside and covered her body with mine. I fought back a cry as her head collided with the blacktop.

Before I could recover my wits, I realized that that van was again about to collide with her and I stuck out my hand to stop it. I swung her legs out of the van's path, only relaxing once the van had completely stopped. Slowly, I came back to myself and my first thought was of Bella. She was so still that I feared she was unconscious.

"Bella," I whispered urgently. "Are you all right?"

She shook in my arms like a leaf and my throat tightened. If I was capable, I was certain tears of relief would have been sliding down my cheeks when she replied, "I'm fine."

Still I clung to her tightly, afraid that something else might seek to harm the fragile creature in my arms. She still looked disoriented and I fought the urge to kiss her. I felt so selfish. It was quite possible that she had a concussion and all I could think of was my desire to be intimate with her. I felt her begin to struggle and concern replaced any thoughts of kisses. "Be careful. I think you hit your head pretty hard."

I watched her eyes widen. "Ow," came her surprised response.

It truly wasn't funny. Yet, it was so Bella that I fought back a chuckle. "That's what I thought."

"How in the..." she trailed off. I tensed, anticipating what she would ask and sure enough, she continued, "How did you get over here so fast?"

I slid my mask into place, my tone serious. "I was standing right next to you, Bella."

I released her and moved as far as I could from her. She couldn't feel how much I was trembling. She didn't look like she believed me. Stubborn Bella Swan would defend what she thought she saw right to the end and I knew that this didn't bode well. I would again need to distance myself from her.

The voices around me sounded as though they were miles away. At the moment, I could care less what the van driver's fate was. The important thing was that Bella was safe. I saw her try to stand and pushed her back to the ground.

"Just stay put for now," I whispered.

"But it's cold," she protested.

I chuckled, but I was less than amused. My concern for Bella continued to overrule my better judgment...damn her.

"You were over there," she said suddenly and I fell silent. "You were by your car."

Again, the mask was in place. "No, I wasn't." I felt the panic return.

"I saw you."

"Bella, I was standing with you and I pulled you out of the way." She wasn't buying it. I pleaded with my eyes for her to accept my version, fearing what would happen if anyone else made the connection. My family and I would be forced to leave Forks.

"No." She was determined, her jaw set.

The anger and frustration nearly consumed me. "Please, Bella," I begged.

"Why?" she demanded, her voice harsh.

"Trust me," I added, intentionally softening my voice.

Humans couldn't resist my wishes when I used that tone. I hated to use it on Bella, but I was desperate. I was vaguely aware of the sirens drawing closer.

"Will you promise to explain everything to me later?"

A gritted my teeth in frustration. "Fine," I barked. I wouldn't, of course. But damn her for making me want to.

"Fine," she snapped.

I fervently refused the stretchers they brought in, insisting that Bella's injuries were more serious—that she'd hit her head. At last, the EMTs gave up and turned their attention to Bella. Her cheeks reddened, her expression sour as they put the neck brace on. I climbed into the passenger side and took my seat, waiting patiently.

I heard Chief Swan call for Bella and the panic in his voice revived my own terror. If Alice had had that vision a moment later, Bella might be dead. Alice's thoughts invaded my mind and I pushed back my emotions, assuring her that Bella was fine—she'd just hit her head.

The moment we arrived at the hospital, I rushed to find Carlisle. He already knew what had transpired by the time I reached him, of course. His brows were knitted in a deep frown.

I'm glad she's safe—but, really, Edward, what were you thinking of? This is going to raise some very awkward questions.

I grimaced. Yes, I know. I just reacted. I didn't think. I'm sorry.

He shook his head. You did the right thing in either case.

I suppose we'll have to hope Bella tells my version of what happened instead of what I'm certain she saw. She won't ever truly buy into it, however.

Can we trust her to do that—tell your version, I mean?

I paused. I believe I got my point across.

Well, let's see to her, then. The sooner she's released from here, the sooner she can reconcile herself with what happened today.

We made our way to the room where they'd set her up in silence. Carlisle got stopped by one of Bella's nurses on the way.

Go check on her. I'll catch up, he insisted.

I nodded and hurried ahead.

I entered the room to find Bella lying on the bed, her eyes closed. "Is she sleeping?" I asked to no one in particular.

Her eyes flew open in an instant and a smirk spread across my lips and her attempt at a glare only served to amuse me more.

"Hey, Edward, I'm really sorry—" the boy, Tyler, interrupted.

I lifted my hand. The accident hadn't been his fault and it wouldn't do him any good to torment himself.

"No blood, no foul," I replied, grinning at the irony of my statement—a private joke that Bella and Tyler failed to catch. I sat at the edge of his bed and returned my attention to Bella. "So what's the verdict?"

"There's nothing wrong with me at all, but they won't let me go." Her whiny voice was almost comical. "How come you aren't strapped to a gurney like the rest of us?"

"It's all about who you know," I replied vaguely. "But don't worry, I came to spring you."

At that moment, Carlisle entered. "So, Miss Swan, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," she responded tersely. I imagined it was irritating her immensely to have to keep repeating it.

Carlisle then moved to examine the x-rays. Nothing looks broken or fractured. "Your X-rays look good. Does your head hurt? Edward said that you hit it pretty hard."

"It's fine," she repeated. I caught the scowl she threw my way and suppressed my amusement.

He then felt her skull for bruises and bumps. I felt a sharp pang in my stomach when she winced.

"Tender?" he asked.

"Not really."

I chuckled and received another angry stare from Bella.

"Well, your father is in the waiting room—you can go home with him now. But come back if you feel dizzy or have trouble with your eyesight at all."

I saw her face pale as the realization of what Carlisle was ordering sunk in. "Can't I go back to school?"

"Maybe you should take it easy."

She glanced at me. "Does he get to go to school?" she accused.

I couldn't help the smug grin that slid across my lips. "Someone has to spread the good news that we survived."

"Actually," Carlisle corrected, "most of the school seems to be in the waiting room."

Full blown laughter threatened at Bella's moaned, "Oh, no." She buried her face in her hands to hide the humiliation.

Carlisle arched his eyebrows. "Do you want to stay?"

"No, no!" she protested abruptly, jumping to quickly from her bed and she stumbled. I stepped forward to prevent her from falling, withdrawing when she regained her balance.

"I'm fine."

"Take some Tylenol for the pain."

"It doesn't hurt that bad," she insisted. Stubborn girl.

"It sounds like you're extremely lucky," Carlisle added.

"Lucky Edward happened to be standing next to me," she countered, staring at me with hard eyes.

"Oh, well, yes," Carlisle commented absently and I fought back a grimace as I saw the recognition in her eyes.

He then turned his attention to Tyler. "I'm afraid you'll have to stay with us just a little bit longer."

The moment Carlisle's attention was diverted, she hissed into my ear, "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

I clenched my jaw. "Your father is waiting for you," I replied through gritted teeth. But I knew she wouldn't let the subject drop that easily.

"I'd like to speak with you alone, if you don't mind," she insisted.

I glared, but strode away from Carlisle. She followed. "What do you want?" I demanded, annoyed that she was putting me in this position.

"You owe me an explanation."

I mustered my strength and replied, "I saved your life—I don't owe you anything."

My heart ached as she flinched, the pain clear in her features. God, how I hated hurting her.

"You promised."

She reminded me of a petulant child and her vulnerability made my resolve waver for just a moment. "Bella, you hit your head, you don't know what you're talking about."

I saw the fire in her eyes and they narrowed in anger. "There's nothing wrong with my head."

Damn her. "What do you want from me, Bella?"

"I want to know the truth," she insisted. "I want to know why I'm lying for you."

I sneered. "What do you think happened?"

"All I know is that you weren't anywhere near me—Tyler didn't see you, either, so don't tell me I hit my head too hard. The van was going to crush us both—and it didn't, and your hands left dents in the side of it—and you left a dent in the other care, and you're not hurt at all—and the van should have smashed my legs, but you were holding it up..."

I could see the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. I stared at her in shock, unsure of what to say or do to stop them. "You think I lifted the van off of you."

She nodded resolutely.

"Nobody will believe that, you know." I was desperate—grasping at straws. I knew that there was no way she would believe me, but I had to try—for my family's sake.

"I'm not going to tell anybody," she insisted.

I was slightly surprised by her admition, but I'd expected no less. "Then why does it matter?"

"It matters to me. I don't like to lie—so there'd better be a good reason why I'm doing it."

I gritted my teeth. She nearly persuaded me. "Can't you just thank me and get it over with?" I blurted.

"Thank you." Her gratitude was angry, but I could tell she was sincere. I saw the expectation in her eyes.

"You're not going to let it go, are you?"

"No."

I bit back a hiss of frustration. "In that case...I hope you enjoy disappointment."

She scowled at me and remained silent for several moments before replying, "Why did you even bother?"

Her words were literally painful. "I don't know," I whispered. The words slipped out before I could stop them and remorse hit me the instant they left my mouth. Damn her. She stormed away a few moments later and I ran in the opposite direction as fast as I could, desperate to get away from this place.