Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight.

Ch7

"Bella," I breathed as I held her gaze, watching her subside as my scent washed over her, "you need to get checked at the hospital, and you're going to need some rest, okay?"

"O-okay," she said, dazed.

I nodded, satisfied.

"But after that, you and I are going to have a little talk."

I blinked.

* * * * *

"Ow," Bella put a hand to her head and seemed shocked to find that she was hurt. Relief that she had not been more seriously hurt swept through me, making me feel almost giddy for the first time in nearly a century. She blinked a few times as if trying to clear her eyes, and then looked up at me again. "How did you get to me so fast?"

My relief turned sour. Our eyes had met just before Tyler's van had gone into a skid but I had hoped she had forgotten that in the rush of events. Anxiety for my family bit at my mind.

"I was standing just a few feet away from you, Bella," I tried to keep my voice confident, almost cocky, trying to throw her off the scent.

Bella shifted in my arms and this time I allowed it, sliding away from her and standing up slowly. I took care to give the appearance that I was bracing myself against her truck in the small space between the two vehicles. I applied a slight pressure, hoping to smooth out the shape of my shoulders from the truck. Bella was inspecting her grazed hands and I shot a quick glance at the metal behind me. Not good enough. I reached under to brace my hand beneath the worst of the dent and popped the metal out into a fuller shape. Not perfect, but certainly better than it had been. Only seconds had passed, and I looked down to see Bella staring up at me, biting her lip as she pondered what I had said. I kept my expression smooth.

More people were surrounding us now, mostly other students pushing through to see the damage. All I could hear was a confused babble of voices and a roar of thought. I scanned the area quickly, trying not to wince at the sheer volume of it all, but could only make out concern for Bella. She was looking decidedly uncomfortable from all the attention, and stunned to find herself in such a predicament. She shifted her weight again, getting ready to stand, and I reached down to put my hand on her shoulder.

"Stay down for now," I cautioned. I found myself wishing that Carlisle was here; his calm manner in the face of crisis would have been sorely welcome. I held a medical degree myself, but theoretical knowledge was nothing compared to his centuries of medical practice.

"I'm cold," she commented, and I saw that her lips were quivering from a combination of cold and shock. I wished I could warm her.

"Help will be here soon," I said in a soothing voice, and dared to reach down and rub my hand over her shoulders.

She blinked and subsided against one of the truck's tires. "You were over there," she said, lifting her head to indicate the direction with a jerk of her chin.

I stilled.

"Wow," I forced my lips into a grin, "how bad did you hit your head?"

"I saw you," she said, huffing out her breath in frustration.

"Bella, I was standing nearby that's how I was able to pull you out of the way."

I held her gaze, trying to will her into accepting my story. It was after all, the only rational option available.

"Uh-uh," she said, shaking her head and sounding childish. Her bottom lip stuck out a little more now. Definitely stubborn.

I began to panic. How was I going to keep her quiet? I was going to have to destroy the evidence, if only I could get her to trust me.

"Bella," I said in a low voice, "please trust me." I needed her to trust me. I needed her.

She stiffened with realisation. "My name," she whispered.

"What?" I ducked my head to hear her over everyone's babble. The emergency services were on their way.

"I never told you my name," she said in a low voice.

I cursed my mental slip-up but rallied quickly.

"Sure you did," I said with a broad smile, "at the bar the other night, and we've talked in the bookshop."

"Oh," she blinked, "right." She gazed up at me through her lashes, "and you're-," she looked hopeful.

I'm yours, and you're mine.

I swallowed. It was now or never.

"Edward," I said, giving her what I hoped was an encouraging smile, "asking you to trust me."

There was a moment's silence as she considered this. I could hear sirens in the distance and knew we didn't have much time. I scanned everyone in the immediate vicinity again and couldn't detect any danger. If anything, people were surprised to see me beside Bella, but thankfully they all seemed to conclude that I must have been nearby when the accident happened.

Bella was the only one unwilling to accept the explanation, but given the lump on her head and the obvious concussion she would be the least reliable witness. She would be confused … in shock, who wouldn't be? No-one would consider her version of events given all the other people at the scene. Perhaps my family would be safe for the time being. The very thought of my family made me wince; there was going to be hell to pay.

The emergency crew arrived and I watched their slow progress with mild frustration. I could prise the vehicles apart with one hand to speed up the process, but I was already in enough trouble for one day. After a lot of effort they had made enough space to get to Bella with a stretcher.

"Edward?" I looked away from Bella with considerable reluctance to see Brett Warner standing in front of me. At last a stroke of luck in my direction. He was a registered nurse as well as an EMT, and I knew him from the hospital. "You okay?"

"Hey, Brett. I'm fine, nothing hit me but Bella knocked her head when I pulled her out of the way."

That was enough to satisfy Brett and he immediately turned his attention to her, not noticing as she glared at me. She wasn't one to seek out attention so this was probably her worst nightmare. She suffered Brett's examination and questions, giving a quiet groan when she realised people were snapping pictures with the phones. She hadn't contradicted my story though, which gave me faint hope.

The second EMT tried to insist I be treated, but it wasn't too hard to talk him out of it. After all, my father Carlisle would be waiting for us at the hospital, and he could see to me there. All it took was a calm manner and a soothing voice, and my suggestions were accepted at face value. Except for Bella.

She rolled her eyes when they put a neck brace on her and muttered in embarrassment as she was manoeuvred onto a stretcher. I made a move to walk away but felt my coat snag. I looked back to see that Bella had snagged my coat with her free hand.

"I don't suppose you want to make yourself useful and come with me?" she asked, dropping her hand as soon as I turned around.

"You probably should, Edward," Brett chimed in, "we'll need your statement for the report."

"Looks like I'm staying," I smiled at Bella, and followed her as the stretcher was loaded into the ambulance. I climbed into the back and took a seat by the ambulance.

"So," Brett had climbed into the passenger seat and turned around to peer at us both, "you want sirens and flashing lights?"

"Only if you promise to kill me now and get it over and done with," Bella snapped back, her face crimson with embarrassment now.

Interesting, she seemed to avoid the spotlight as much as I did.

The ambulance took a while to get out of the car park but a warning peal of its sirens cleared the last of the stragglers out of its way.

"How did you stop the van?" she asked again. A quick glance at the front showed that Brett wasn't listening to our conversation. I leaned forward to take her hand – so warm – and gaze at her eyes. Her pupils were still dilated and beads of sweat were forming on her brow. "There was an accident, right?" she frowned, "and you stopped the van."

She was acting more confused now and repeating herself, classic symptoms of concussion.

I was about to murmur a denial when she blinked at me twice. "I'm sleepy," she sighed, "do you mind if I have a nap?"

"No, you need to stay awake," I said, brushing her hair off her face. The rocking of the ambulance seemed to be lulling her to sleep, so I cupped her face in my hands. It was like trying to hold a dandelion in a high gale, but the shock of my hold hands sharpened her gaze.

"You're cold," she commented.

"No gloves," I answered smoothly.

I glanced at Brett again. There was nothing in his thoughts to worry me. As far as they were concerned she had a simple case of concussion.

My first priority when we reached the hospital would be to see Carlisle. I followed the stretcher as they unloaded her, chaffing at the slow human pace, and trailed it inside. Carlisle was in his office at the other end of the hall and I could hear that he was alone. I waited to make sure Bella was settled before setting off to see him.

"Carlisle," I murmured as I approached his office, knowing he would hear me approaching.

Edward? What's wrong? Carlisle looked up and pushed his paperwork aside when I appeared in his office doorway.

"There was a car accident, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

What did you do?

I ran my fingers through my hair in exasperation. "What could I do? I couldn't just stand there and let it happen, I couldn't let the van crush-," I broke off and swallowed hard, horrified at what might have been.

I don't understand, how were you involved?

A van hit some ice and skidded straight towards her. She would have been crushed between two vehicles." I looked at him in anguish and he nodded for me to continue. "There wasn't even time to think, I just … got to her and pulled her out the way."

You did the right thing.

"Carlisle, she saw me. I've put us all in danger."

We don't know that. Carlisle put his hand on my shoulder. "If it comes to that, we'll leave, but let's just see what happens. What has she said so far?"

"Not much, she's confused and has concussion."

Something in our favour, Carlisle noted. I nodded.

"I think she'll follow my story, but she's wanting an explanation."

Carlisle nodded to himself as he considered this.

We'll just have to see what happens, but for now it sounds like I have a patient to check on.

"Please," I said, hearing the desperation in my voice, "I think I hurt her."

You hurt her?

"She got the concussion when I pulled her out of the way," I admitted, shamefaced.

From what I gather, it could've been a lot worse. Don't beat yourself up over this, Edward, you've saved her life.

I sighed as I followed him out of his office.

Carlisle draped a fatherly arm around my shoulders as we walked, and I shoved my hands into my pockets and stared down, the very image of a penitent son.

I'm proud of you, Edward. This is quite a turn of events for you.

I shook my head at the irony of saving Bella and then trying to save her from myself.

* * * * *

I followed Carlisle to the Emergency Room and sat in the corridor outside listening to the hospital full of thoughts. It seemed that Tyler was worse off than Bella; having sustained an impressive crack to the head when his head connected with the drivers' side window and then the steering wheel for good measure. He was bleeding profusely – as head wounds did – but the smell of his blood was acrid and sour compared to Bella's.

Bella was wheeled off for x-rays and my impatience got the better of me. I made my way to the radiology room and when the nurse stepped out on an errand I inspected the print results. Her head was fine, but she had a concussion. The fact still remained that I had hurt her.

Carlisle found me there.

You're looking better.

I stared at the prints, not wanting to respond.

Carlisle reached past me and flicked on the lightbox to illuminate Bella's delicate bone structure.

Nice work, she'll be fine, but we'll keep her in overnight to be on the safe side.

Carlisle's approval left me with mixed emotions. He was pleased although he may not approve of my methods. What would he think had me known my real motivation?

"I need to see her," I said in a blunt tone.

She's sticking to your story, Edward. Carlisle was still studying the prints. She has a few old contusions, she must have had an accident-prone youth.

"I'm not sure she's grown out of it, she seems to have a knack for attracting trouble."

Then it's just as well she has you, Carlisle replied. I was still pondering that when he left to return to the ward. I followed slowly, still thinking.

By the time I got back to the ward, Carlisle was inside keeping a running commentary as he worked with the two victims, although he was careful to spend more time with Tyler. He didn't want to be around Bella any more than necessary in case she made a connection. One glance at his eyes would be all it took for her to realise there was something not quite right. I could explain my eyes as a penchant for novelty contacts, but Carlisle? Definitely not. I sat outside listening to the conversation in the room behind me. Waiting with a pinched expression while they staunched Tyler's bleeding and swabbed Bella's scraped hands. The harsh antiseptic muted the sweet metallic tones of her blood, but still it continued to sing to me, a siren song without end.

Tyler was still babbling his guilt in an endless stream of words, worrying that he had almost killed her. The damn fool couldn't stop talking about it. I looked at Bella through his eyes. Her eyes were tight and a slight downturn to her mouth hinted at the onset of nausea. Tyler didn't notice this, although his eyes were drawn to the curve of her breasts as one of the nurses urged Bella to sit up a little more in on hospital gurney.

I gave a low growl before I could stop myself and Carlisle heard me.

Edward? Is everything alright?

"I'm fine," I muttered under my breath knowing he would hear me. I wasn't fine, far from it in fact. "He has no right to look at her like that."

He's keeping his hands to himself, don't worry. Carlisle's thoughts were flavoured with amusement. I snorted to myself, glad that at least one of us was finding some amusement in the situation.

"How did you get out the way?" Tyler asked. I could see his thoughts, the last thing he had seen was Bella staring at his oncoming van in horror.

"Um-," she paused.

I sat outside with my fists clenched, not wanting to even breathe as she hesitated.

Tyler was starting to wonder if he had confused her with his question when she finally answered.

"Edward was standing next to me, he pulled me out of the way."

I sighed and then realised I had a rush of pleasure when I heard her say my name.

"Who?" Tyler was confused now.

"Edward, you know, the guy that saved me."

Huh, that's weird, I didn't even see anyone near her, but it all happened so fast.

I watched as Tyler considered Bella again. Pretty. Maybe this is my chance to ask her out, to say sorry. Even Jessica could let that one slide.

Pretty? The idiot boy was blind, she was beautiful. I'd heard enough.

I stood up and walked towards the door. Caution be damned, I had to see her. I wanted to hear her say my name again. One minute I was standing in the hallway, the next I was walking towards her bed listening to her heart rate accelerate as she looked at me.

Tyler opened his mouth to speak again but stopped when he saw me enter the room and frowned.

Is that him? Are they dating? Tyler wasn't happy to see me there, already resenting the perceived competition. I dismissed him with a glance and focused on the young woman before me, seating myself at the foot of her bed.

"So, what's the verdict?"

"I feel fine," her jaw jutted out a little, "but they won't let me go. How come you're not on a gurney like the rest of us?"

She was impatient, and I couldn't help but smile at her resilience.

"No blood, no foul," I grinned. "Guess I was the lucky one."

"Someone had to be," Carlisle smiled as he reappeared at Bella's bedside. He glanced up at him as he checked her vision with a penlight, and her mouth opened in a little 'o' of surprise when she saw him. I gave an inward groan. She had made the connection.

"Tyler here's going to be fine, his cuts are superficial so he can go home, but you young lady," he smiled as he ran his hand gently over her scalp until he found the bump in her hair, "are staying put."

I was unprepared for the motion that surged through me. I had seen Carlisle work with humans countless times. Years ago I had even assisted him informally, but only where there was no blood involved. Sitting here at the foot of her bed watching him run his hands through her hair, I felt a stab of envy, wishing I could interact with her the way he did. Wished I could touch her without fear of hurting her.

Bella winced as Carlisle's fingers explored her bump, and I flinched where I sat.

"Is that sore?"

"I'm fine," she assured him. I filed this away for later reference. She didn't like to admit weakness. I felt proud of her in that moment. That someone so fragile should wish to appear strong. "Are you sure I can't go home?"

"Quite sure," Carlisle smiled. "Is there someone we can call for you? Parents? Friends?"

Bella gave this some thought. "I should let my flatmate know or she'll worry."

"Boyfriend?" the word had slipped out before I could stop myself.

Her eyes flickered to me and I watched as her cheeks flushed becomingly. "No boyfriend," she admitted in a quiet voice after checking to make sure that Tyler was otherwise occupied. She looked back at Carlisle as she jerked her chin towards me. "Does he get to go home?"

"Edward does, yes," Carlisle agreed in a mild voice, "he's absolutely fine."

All evidence to the contrary. I'm sure the hospital staff would be concerned to know they had the undead in their midst.

"Have you got a phone?" I asked.

"In my bag," Bella replied automatically as she reached up to rub her temple. Carlisle noticed this and murmured a request for painkillers to the nurse.

"I picked it up when you were loaded into the ambulance, I'll leave you to make your call," I offered as I stood up.

"Don't go too far," she cautioned me, "we have some talking to do."

I didn't need to look at Carlisle to know he was monitoring me.

Be gentle, Edward. I nearly snorted at that. As if I could be anything but gentle with her.

"I'll be just outside," I offered, and steeled myself to walk away.

I paced up and down in the corridor, listening to Bella's conversation; the panic when Angela heard what had happened, Bella's reassurance and grudging admission that she would be staying overnight.

"Can I bring you anything?" Angela offered. I smiled at that, grateful that Bella had such loving support.

"Some pajamas," Bella replied without hesitation, "I don't want to end up in a hospital gown that flashes my butt every time I turn sideways."

I had to hide my grin at that. She had a point, but I wasn't sure the view would be unwelcome. I reassessed that opinion when Tyler started to consider Bella again.

"I'll see you soon," Angela promised, "I'm so glad you're okay. Just, listen, try to stay out of trouble until I get there, okay?"

"Ha ha," Bella replied in a dry tone before she hung up.

I reappeared in the doorway before she could call for me, and saw her eyes widen in surprise.

"Everything okay?" I asked as I resumed my seat on her bed. Her fingers were plucking at the blanket and I wished I could take her hands in mine.

"Fine, Angela will be here soon with some things for me," she muttered. Her gaze slid towards Tyler again and I watched her lips tighten, relieved to see that she found his attention as unappealing as I did. Her head jerked up as she heard what I had already detected; a babble of voices that was steadily growing louder as they approached. One voice stood out shrill with panic, Jessica.

Bella and I exchanged a complicit look of understanding as the group erupted into the room.

"Oh my god, are you guys okay?" Jessica was loud in her concern, some of the others following were a little more cautious in their well wishes.

I watched as Bella smiled and nodded, waving away their concern, blushing again under the new scrutiny. Tyler by comparison, was lapping up the attention, hamming it up for the crowd as Jessica cooed over his bandaged head. Bella's eyes tightened at the level of noise in the room and I stood up, motioning at Bella that I would be back before stepping out into the corridor.

"Carlisle?"

Yes, what is it, Son?

"Tyler's got company and they're getting loud, can he be moved?"

His tests were fine so he can be discharged soon enough. I'll send someone down.

I stepped back in a moment later and resumed my seat on the bed. "What about her?" Jessica gestured to Bella.

I gritted my teeth. For a supposed friend, she seemed good at forgetting her name when it suited her. Her thoughts were like a shallow pond. Even though Bella and Tyler had a legitimate excuse for being there, Jessica resented the fact they were in a room together, practically side-by-side in bed as far as she was concerned.

"Concussion," I bit out, and forced myself to offer a winning smile when Jessica looked at me in surprise. "She'll be staying in overnight."

"And you are-," Jessica looked me up and down and apparently liked what she saw, flicking her hair over her shoulders and jutting out her chest a little. Pathetic.

"This is Edward," Bella broke in before I could speak.

"Edward, right," Jessica's smile widened. It was as if Bella hadn't spoken at all.

The nurse sighed and started to shoo the teenagers as if they were ducks. "That's it, enough already, everybody out."

The nurse was ruthless. Her tolerance limits thanks to a week of shiftwork were wearing thin and she had no time to waste on flirty college students. The room was cleared within minutes.

Bella and I stared at each other.

"Alone at last," she said with a wry smile, "and you owe me an explanation."

I matched her stare for stare.

"What do you want?"

She blinked at that, and for a moment looked completely vulnerable; and expression that would haunt me.

"You said you'd tell," she began.

"You hit your head," I said in a gentle tone, "it's understandable that you're confused."

"I'm fine," she said in a fierce whisper, "stop treating me like an idiot and tell me what I saw."

She wanted the truth, which was only fair. It frustrated me to deny her such a simple request, but I had to.

"So what do you think you saw?" I leaned back with practised ease.

"You weren't anywhere near me, you were on the other side of the car park. I saw you just before Tyler's van started to skid," she broke off, frowning as she worked to remember, her bottom lip trembled and I ached that I was the cause of such stress. "The van was going to crush us both, but you just put your hands out and stopped it. You lifted it up and got me out the out the way."

I kept my gaze steady.

"So let me get this straight," I said when she paused, "you're saying I lifted a van off you."

"Right," she nodded.

"With my bare hands."

This time the nod was a little less certain.

"You know, no-one is going to believe you."

Bella's fingers had found a loose thread on the blanket, and she wound it around her finger as she drew in a long shuddering breath. "I'm not going to tell anyone," she said at last, "but if I'm going to lie for someone, then there had better be a damn good reason."

I stared at her and worked to conceal my shock. She was going to keep my secret, but why?

Trust.

I had asked her to trust me, and now she was expecting the same courtesy.

"Can you just thank me and be done with it?"

"Thank you," she said in a too-calm voice, and sat waiting.

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

"Nope," she replied, raising an eyebrow in silent challenge.

"Have it your way," I shrugged, "but I hope you can handle the disappointment."

Her face flushed again and she looked away to stare blindly at the wall before looking back at me. She bit her lip and I felt my heart dip at the pain evident on her face. "If you don't really care, then why did you even bother?" she said in a quiet voice.

I had been expecting anger and confusion, but not her quiet acceptance. Her question took me unawares and or the first time I felt my mask slip.

"I don't know," I admitted staring at my hands. "I didn't want to see you hurt."

"Truly?" her voice was quieter now.

I nodded, still looking down. Her hands appeared in my field of vision as she reached over to tentatively cover my hands in hers. She flinched at the chill but did not move away. I let her hands warm mine.

"Then that's enough for me," she said.

I looked up and was startled to see a slight smile on her face.

"For now," she added.

* * * * *

We were sitting together in silence when I heard Angela approaching. Her thoughts were spiky with panic as she looked for Bella's room number, but when she appeared in the doorway she gave a sigh of relief.

"Bells?" she whispered as she approached. To her credit, she flicked me a cursory glance but kept her attention on her friend as she approached Bella's bedside. "Oh honey, what have you managed to do this time?"

"I'm okay," Bella assured Angela with a smile, a more genuine one this time I couldn't help but note. "I just bumped my head."

"Right," Angela scoffed as she smoothed Bella's hair with a gentle hand, "before you nearly got creamed by that bonehead's truck."

I had to turn my burst of laughter into a cough, but Bella shot me an amused look that told me she wasn't fooled. She was too perceptive for her own good.

"I've got a concussion so they say I have to stay here tonight, but I'm out tomorrow."

"I'll call and see when you're getting discharged so that I can come and get you," Angela promised.

"What about your lecture?" Bella objected, but Angela waved her to silence.

"I won't hear of it," Angela said in a firm voice that was totally undermined by her warm smile. "Now," she lifted a small carry back up onto the bed, "here's your sleep wear and uh-," she shot me a glance, "other stuff, so you'll be able to get comfortable. I'm sorry," she broke off, shaking her head and extending her hand to me, "I'm Angela, and you are-," she gave me an expectant look.

I was prepared this time, and had been resting my hand on the cool metal frame of the bed. "Edward," I said with a smooth smile as we shook hands, "head bumper, life saver," Bella groaned at this, "and now leaving." I stood up to make my exit.

"Oh you don't have to go just because I'm here," Angela put in hurriedly. I dipped into her thoughts again, and was pleased to note they were warm with concern for Bella. She was shifting through her memories rapidly now, and I could see the connection was going to be made. It was time for me to go.

"I can see you two have some catching up to do so if you'll excuse me," I inclined my head, "ladies." With that I made my exit.

"Wow," I heard Angela sigh.

"I know, he's a strange one," Bella commented.

"Strange doesn't quite cover it," Angela replied. I paused halfway down the corridor, listening in. "Tell me you got his number."

"Uh-," Bella began.

"Oh Hells Bells," Angela sighed now, "a man that fine, who saves your life and you've got nothing? I swear I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

"My head hurts," Bella said in a small voice, obviously trying to throw Angela off the scent. I smiled at the little girl pitch to her voice.

"I'll get the nurse," Angela said, "maybe she'll know who he was. I know the two of you have met before anyway."

"You do?" Bella was surprised, and I have to admit, so was I.

"Sure, at the bar the other week. Remember? I saw the two of you talking at the bar. He was getting his flirt on with you then."

I frowned. Was I?

"Was he?" Bella echoed my sentiments.

"Oh sure, I don't forget the sight of you talking to someone like that in a hurry. The way he was looking at you-," Angela's voice trailed off as she reviewed her memory of the evening which, despite the alcohol involved, was pretty accurate.

"Yeah, right," Bella tried to shrug it off, but Angela was persistent.

"No really, a blind man could have seen it."

Bella said nothing. I would have given anything to read her thoughts in that moment.

For now though, it was all I could do to force myself to walk out of the hospital. It was time to go home and face the music.

A/N: Three cheers for the end of writer's block!

Reviews = love, and a nice little neck nibble from Edward. Rowr.