Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters or the rights to "This Side" performed by Nickel Creek, and I will not be earning income from using these materials. I do, however, own the storyline and any original characters. Thank you.

A/N - For those who have already been reading, thank you so much for bearing with me during the changes to the chapters and the order of the stories. You have my heart. Also, because it can become REALLY confusing, for the first few chapters I'm going to list the main character's ages, okay? Okay. Good. :)

Bella: Part One - 6 years / Part Two – 11 years
Edward: Part One - 9 years / Part Two – 14 years
Emmett: Part One - 11 years / Part Two – 16 years

Just as another quick side note, the inspiration for each chapter individually relies very heavily on the song at the beginning of the chapter, so knowing them and/or listening to them will only add to your reading pleasure.

Chapter One:
This Side

One day you'll see her and you'll know what I mean
Take her or leave her she will still be the same
She'll not try to buy you with her time
But nothing's the same as you will see when she's gone

"This Side" - Nickel Creek

x0x0x0x0x0x

The bright and unusually sun-drenched day in Forks caused the lanky boy's view to blur as he was shoved from the shade into the sunlight, his wrists popping while his hands jerked forward and caught the brunt of his fall. Unfortunately for his forehead, it caught the rest.

"I said get up, carrot top!"

The ginger haired boy winced and pulled his head from the graveled dirt, a patch of stinging skin dancing right along his hairline. Glancing up, he caught sight of the size twelve shoe aimed directly at his side just in time to roll into the path of another shoe that caught him squarely in the hip. Rusted air spit from his lungs and sent a spray of dirt into the air.

"Where're my dues, Raggedy Andy?"

The boy rolled onto his back and stared into the blue sky, his eyes adjusting to the brilliant yellow orb. A large oblong shape with curly brown hair and a fist backed by a bicep no ten year old boy should ever have hovered, off center in his vision. Gigantor scowled and shoved the toe of his black boot deeper into the ginger haired boy's side.

Another rush of air burst from his lungs as a sudden cough. He licked his lips, traces of sand and a thin layer of blood coating the surface. He spit.

"I told you –" another cough as the boot shoved again "– I don't owe you anything." One side of his mouth crooked up in a sneer. "And I'm not gonna pay you like some scared kindergartner."

In an instant, the three other boys completing the small circle jerked the boy up roughly and dragged him across the rocky ground, shoving him against the bottom of a green plastic slide. Gigantor was in his face again.

"And I told you, three days was all the new little scraps like you get 'round here." He leaned down, scowling as his meaty fists grasped the sides of the ginger haired boy's shirt right by the collar bone. "And for someone as pathetic looking as you, I think I've been extra generous."

One side of the ginger haired boy's mouth lifted in a defiantly crooked grin as he sucked in a breath and spit – directly on Gigantor's chest.

Gigantor's reaction was faster than he'd expected. He watched and winced as the fist that possibly spelled out yet another broken nose reared back in fury.

"Ethan Sanders, you leave him alone!"

The inevitable blow dropped its trajectory as Gigantor's other fist suddenly released from the side of the boy's shirt, throwing his head back against the plastic slide.

The small, tinny voice that had apparently come to his rescue rang through the ginger haired boy's ears, sharp as the bells that rang through his head from the crack it had taken on the hard ramp.

"Swan? What are you doing over here? Go on back to the kindergarten sand box and don't interrupt my business deals."

The ginger haired boy slowly straightened and brought his hand to the back of his head, gently feeling the tender area that had been so recently abused.

"You call this business? You're about to knock him out!" Her small voice went up a full octave in indignation, a feat that the ginger haired boy found to be an absolute marvel. He opened his eyes slowly, a bright light filtering into his vision and spiking an awful pain through his head. He stifled a low groan. He couldn't see anything anyway. The row of boys that had dragged him across the playground now flanked their leader, blocking his savior from view. Gigantor snorted and the boy heard him move a step forward.

"My business is none of your business, brat. Unless you wanna start givin' me your lunch money too?"

A spark of protest shot through the ginger haired boy at the sneer and the threat in Gigantor's words. He moved to stand in defense of whomever it was that had stopped his face from being pummeled, but the pain from one breath stopped him in his tracks.

"Yeah right," the high voice scoffed. He could almost see the smug smile on her face. Her small feet took a few steps forward. "Don't you even know who my daddy is? He'd arrest you for even touching me." At her last few words, Gigantor stumbled backwards. Ginger hair realized in stunned silence that little bit had shoved the boy who was at least twice her size.

"Why you—"

"Emmett!" Her small voice was more piercing than ever, but it apparently brought the desired results. The ginger haired boy finally pulled himself up to sit on the slide, but whatever noise he made didn't matter anymore. The gazes of the posse of four had turned to the far right where a group of five boys were standing around playing hacky sack. The largest of the five turned, looking annoyed until he spotted Gigantor's pack.

A scowl pulled down at the side of his face as one of the other boys snatched the hacky sack from the air and all five began to move in formation towards the small brunette that stood with her hands on her hips, looking as smugly righteous as any grown up the ginger haired boy had ever seen. He almost laughed as Gigantor took a step back.

"McCarty … I-I"

"Save it, Sanders." The enormous mass of muscled fifth grader turned to the pip-squeak who barely came up to his waist. "What's up, Izzy bug?"

"Ethan threatened me. Again. And he was beating up my friend." Her small arms were crossed over her chest in exasperation as she gestured towards the ginger haired boy. The enormous boy chuckled as he ruffled her scattered mess of chocolate brown hair.

"Alright babe, I've got it."

Gigantor and his crew took three steps back. By the time Ginger hair had pulled himself to his feet, the affectionate grin on the larger boy's face had turned to a scowl of irritation.

"What have I told you about messing with her, Sanders?"

Gigantor stuttered as he continued to step backwards. Most of his crew disbanded and fled to separate sides of the playground.

"I-I wouldn't touch her McCarty! Swear! It was her who came up to me, got in the middle of what I was doing!"

"He's my friend, you idiot!" The little brunette screeched as she stomped a small foot.

"Izzy," the fifth grader warned, his gaze not leaving the bully in front of him. "Language."

"Sorry," she sighed, rolling her eyes and not looking a bit remorseful.

"I swear, I didn't know! I didn't know he was with you!" Gigantor's protests continued until the one called Emmett had him backed up against the steps to the monkey bars.

"Well he is. I've warned you before to end this business of yours." His scowl grew deeper. "And if you ever threaten Izzy again, I swear I will knock both your permanent teeth out. No questions. Now get," the massive boy spat as Gigantor slid from in front of his gaze and sprinted towards the tether ball pole where the rest of his group had gathered.

In an instant the large bell atop the school began to clang incessantly, signaling the end of the school day. The remainder of Emmett's group disbanded, each heading towards the rows of book bags that lined the side of the brick school and ruffling the small girl's hair as they walked past her.

The girl's eyes, however, had not left the tall, lanky ginger haired kid who propped himself up against the slide, holding his side. As soon as the group had dissipated from around her, she jogged slowly to his side, stopping a foot from where he stood. He winced and tried to stand straight.

"Are you okay?" she murmured, clenching both hands in front of her and gazing at him expectantly. The large boy walked up behind her and laid his large hand on her head.

"Izzy babe, you've really gotta get this good deed syndrome under control. I can't keep rescuing all the strays you pick up." The fifth grader turned and began to smile good naturedly at the lanky boy who had finally managed to stand without the assistance of the slide. His smile turned to a frown as he noticed the blood staining his chin. "Whoa, hey, dude, are you okay?"

The ginger haired boy glanced up at his saviors, licking his lips again and spitting at the metallic taste of blood.

"Yeah," he sighed, running a hand through his tousled, dusty hair.

"Geez," Emmett whistled through his teeth, "I've never seen Sanders actually mess somebody up that bad. Guess you musta put up a fight." He grinned. "Nice job."

"I told you he needed some help," the small little bird chirped in, one hand finally coming to rest on the back of Emmett's leg.

"Yeah, bug, you were right." Reaching down, he grabbed the little girl by the sides and shoved her onto his shoulders. He offered his other arm to the ginger haired kid as a support.

"Emmett McCarty. Fifth grade saint. Nice to meet ya."

The ginger haired kid looked up into the smiling eyes of the boy who had just saved him his nose, his jaw, and an almost certain uncomfortable month long stay with said broken jaw wired shut, drinking every meal through a straw.

Yeah … they were probably trust worthy.

"Edward Masen. Fourth grade punching bag. Nice to meet you." Edward grabbed on to Emmett's forearm and took a measured step forward, sighing when the pain in his hip and ribs subsided to a dull ache.

A small pressure on the top of his head made him look up. The tiny brunette brushed her hand through his hair and then waved, her small face lighting up in a beaming smile.

"Isabella Marie Swan. I'm in first grade and Emmett calls me his angel. But Izzy is what everyone else ca—" the little bird's words turned into a squeal followed by a fit of giggles as Emmett pulled her from his shoulders with one arm and swung her small body around to his hip.

"Angel! Little devil is more like it. Gets me into more trouble than I can get myself out of." Izzy beamed and placed a wet kiss against his cheek. Mockingly, Emmett groaned. "Watch yourself if you're gonna be friends with this one, Edward. Troublemaker in disguise, I swear."

Edward grinned as he watched his savior and first friend at the new school. The little girl smiled broadly at the boy who carried her to retrieve her things, finally noticing Edward's stare and tucking her head into the crook of Emmett's neck shyly. Edward's grin widened into a crooked smile.

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind."

Five Years Later

"Have you got it?"

Her thin whisper severed the silence in the empty girls' bathroom at Forks High, but her chocolate eyes glowed in the small bits of sunset that managed to cut through the layer of clouds and filter into the windows of the stalls. Reaching into his jeans pocket, Edward removed the small, hefty water key and sent an almost disapprovingly worried glance down at the scheming eleven-year-old in front of him.

"Are you sure about this?"

She returned his look in the form of her patented disbelieving scowl, complete with two small hands propped on two non-existent hips.

"Seriously, Edward? Are you really chickening out on me now?" Izzy leaned back against the wall and held out her hand, cocking up an eyebrow. "Do you want them to pay for what they did to Emmett, or not?"

The fresh image of Emmett in the hospital bed, broken femur raised in a sling and tape wrapped around his waist from the bruised ribs Ethan Sanders, Lane Thornton, and Reggie Grayson had given him on field in the middle of the Forks High Regional Football Playoffs echoed past his mind's eye. He frowned.

"No, I never said that, it's just –" he hesitated, knowing that she would never buy his excuse. "Maybe three days of dry weather in Forks is a sign. That it wasn't supposed to work. Maybe this is mother nature's way of telling us to back off."

Izzy scoffed and snatched the water key from his open hand.

"No such thing. It's just a freak dry spell that we have to make right, no ifs, ands, or buts about it." Turning towards the open window and the fading sunlight, she fingered the metal x and the side of her small mouth quirked upwards. "They'll pay for it till they graduate. I'll make sure of it."

Edward let out a slow sigh and studied the tiny girl in front of him. They had been inseparable for five years now, and Isabella Swan had proven time and again just how big of a spirit and personality her small, wiry body held. Her tiny fingers could barely cover the entire water key, but he knew if he didn't go along, she'd find some other way to turn the sprinklers on in the middle of the playoff game for the chance to go to State.

"You know, it's not completely fair to punish the rest of the team," he frowned again, addressing the one other hitch he had found in her plan.

"Psshh," she waved his concerns off with one hand and turned to face him. "They let it happen. Besides, all they'll do is reschedule the stupid game." As she turned back to the window, Edward watched as a sly grin spread across her pretty face. "And once they find the bags, the gloves, and the water key inside Ethan's locker, he won't even make it to play in that game."

Blinking twice, Edward stared at her profile. His Izzy was strong, endearing, brave, and more fiercely protective than anyone else he had ever met. He pitied then and there man who even thought to two-time her in the future.

"How did you –"

"I have my ways." She smiled and turned from the window again, moving in the direction of the bathroom door. Edward shook his head and trailed after her.

"God, Iz, you sound like a mafia boss or something."

A soft giggle escaped before she pushed open the heavy metal door and glanced out, confirming that the hallways remained clear and nodding towards the double doors at the end. The two pranksters stole quickly down the hallway, ducking beneath the glass on the double doors as Edward peaked out the windows. As soon as the coast was clear, the duo slipped out of the school hallway and strolled in the direction of the brick and concrete groundskeeper's shed that sat closest to the football field.

Out of the corner of his eye, Edward watched Izzy stop in her tracks. He smiled as she licked her lips in concentration and, as soon as he was three steps ahead, took a small running leap, only to wrap her skinny legs squarely around his waist. He grabbed onto her ankles and began a slight jog. As soon as he neared the small hut, he glanced around and came to a stop next to the door along the back wall, blocking their view of the football field.

Izzy remained on his shoulders as he tested the knob only to find it firmly locked. He glanced over at the small face that hovered over his shoulder.

"Well, what now? You're the man with the plan, right?"

Her forehead scrunched up in thought.

"Woman with the plan," she responded absently as her eyes wondered over the building, lighting up suddenly. Edward raised a brown in question. Izzy pointed upwards – directly at the rectangular window which sat above the door, the glass pane halfway open. More than enough for her skinny body to slide through.

"Iz!" The exclamation slid through his lips as a hiss, but in an instant she responded by placing one hand on the top of his head and hoisting her foot up into his available hand.

She knew he would never let her fall, even if he disagreed.

Smiling, she picked her other foot up onto his shoulder, pausing for a second and then taking a short leap, only to grasp at the window seal with the palms of her hands.

A soft pressure placed itself at the soles of her feet and she eased down a bit, placing more of her weight on his open palms. She smiled. He would always be there to catch her.

After a few seconds, Izzy felt herself lift half a foot higher so that her chest was level with the edge of concrete.

Picking herself up, she slid forward on her chest until she could pull her foot up and through the window. She straddled the cool ledge. Looking down at Edward, Izzy grinned and stuck out her tongue as she swung her other leg around over the ledge before dropping onto the concrete floor.

"Hurry," his urgent whisper slid through the window over the door. "They're just starting the second quarter."

Izzy nodded soundlessly, searching the small building as her eyes adjusted to the thin light until she spotted the white label over a spigot that came out of the side of one wall – field sprinklers.

"Score."

Sticking the skinny polygon into its connecting hole, she wrapped both fists around the water key and struggled for a few seconds, sighing as a subtle popping noise echoed from the spigot and the key finally gave way. Izzy spun the device a few more times and then yanked it from its hole.

Edward stood outside, a few feet away from the concrete bound hut when Izzy burst through the door, a wide smile lighting her face as she sprinted by him and back towards the metal double doors. Edward sprinted after her, but her thin legs carried her faster than he would ever be; he watched as she disappeared behind the corner into a small alleyway created by the two buildings. Darting after her into the shadows, he pressed his back flat against the brick wall next to her, both dissolving into panting laughter.

"So," Edward heaved in a final lungful of oxygen and turned to face the girl who stood doubled over her knees. "From where would you like to enjoy the show, my scheming little lady?"

Izzy finally turned to look at him, twists of feathered bangs stuck to the sweat on the sides of her face, her skin glowing in the fading twilight. Her eyebrows lifted and eyes lit up in hopeful expectation.

"The pavilion?"

He nodded, grinning until a sudden thought twisted his brow.

"What about the evidence that convicts our dear friend Ethan? They'll lock the school up as soon as the game is postponed. Which," Edward paused to listen to the growing murmurs that drifted their way, "will probably be relatively soon."

Izzy cleared her throat and pulled the water key, a pick, a small pack of wipes, and a skeleton key out of her pocket.

"We'll plant the evidence later," she smirked.

"I really need to talk to Emmett about what he's teaching you." Edward rolled his eyes and stuck out a hand. "Lead on, Donna Isabella."

Izzy grasped the proffered limb readily as they trekked back through the grass, through the parking lot, and finally to the old two story concession stand that stood twenty feet off from the recently rebuilt football field and concession stand. Swinging through a back entry way, Edward hoisted Izzy up onto the hanging ladder. When she had reached the middle rung, he started up himself.

As soon as the duo reached the flat concrete roof of the first story, they were treated to the fruits of their labor.

The sprinklers had already been turned off; however, they had done their intended damage. Players from both teams, along with the referees and a few spectators, waded around on the football field, which was lined with a two inch thick layer of mashed potatoes from the forty boxes of potato flakes Edward and Izzy had spread across the majority of the football field two days ago.

As Edward sat himself down on the cool concrete, Izzy placed herself between his legs and laid her head back, smiling sweetly and curling into his chest like a contented kitten.

"You'd take care of it if it were me, right?"

Edward smiled softly and ran his hands through her long, feathered brown hair.

"Of course, Iz. I'll always take care of you."

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