A/N: Okay, it was a long time in coming, but here it finally is, the accident scene that changed it all, from Carlisle's POV. Read, Review, and Pass it on!

-Wish

Chapter 26: Disaster

That night, Edward wanted to go hunting again. He was being proactive about Bella Swan, not letting himself get the least bit thirsty. I was proud of him for being so responsible. I went with him this time. It was the first time we'd been alone since he'd returned on Sunday.

As we ran, I recalled our last exchange in my office. It had been a time of concern and uncertainty, not just for me, but for him as well. I remembered Edward's words and how it'd hurt when he'd cringed away. I wondered if I'd done the right thing in sending him away at the time. I wondered if my lack of trust had hurt him, or even contributed to his leaving.

"No," Edward whispered. "That was what I needed. I might so easily have betrayed that trust, if you'd told me to stay."

"I'm sorry you're suffering, Edward. But you should do what you can to keep the Swan child alive." I forced out the last phrase. "Even if it means that you must leave us again." It would all but kill Esme if Edward left again. She'd been so happy to have him home the night before.

"I know, I know," Edward replied.

"Why did you come back?" I asked, curious. Then I realized how my words could be misconstrued and added quickly, "You know how happy I am to have you here, but if this is too difficult…"

"I didn't like feeling like a coward," Edward confessed.

Edward and I had slowed to talk. A human could have probably passed us running at this pace.

"Better that than to put her in danger," I reminded him. "She'll be gone in a year or two."

"You're right, I know that."

I stopped running. Edward's face didn't match his words. He was patronizing me.

But you're not going to run, are you? I asked him silently.

Edward's head dropped in reply.

Is it pride, Edward? There's no shame in—

"No, it isn't pride that keeps me here," he interrupted. "Not now."

Nowhere to go? I suggested.

He laughed a clipped laugh, not really true joy. "No. That wouldn't stop me, if I could make myself leave."

"We'll come with you, of course, if that's what you need. They won't begrudge you this."

Edward cocked an eyebrow, making me laugh.

"Yes, Rosalie might," I admitted, "but she owes you. Anyway, it's much better for us to leave now, no damage done, than for us to leave later, after a life has been ended." I was serious now.

Edward flinched. "Yes," he replied, his voice a bit raspy.

But you're not leaving? I asked again silently.

He sighed, "I should."

I was confused. He was making hints that there was more then just one reason why he couldn't leave, like something besides his family was holding him here, in Forks. "What holds you here, Edward? I'm failing to see…"

"I don't know if I can explain."

I tried to read his expression. This was one of the times I wished I could read minds like he could. No, I do not see. But I will respect your privacy, if you prefer, I offered.

"Thank you," he replied. "It's generous of you, seeing as how I give privacy to no one."

We all have our quirks, I thought, laughing, and thinking about Alice's visit with Mrs. Johnson. Shall we? I suggested. I had caught a small herd of deer on my predator's radar.

He sighed, "Let's."

He wasn't too enthusiastic about it, but Edward and I hunted all the same. We had a fairly good hunt as the temperature dropped and the forest froze around us. Neither of us noticed though. I left Edward where he stood by the river, watching the sun rise. I had the early shift and it wouldn't do for me to show up in the same clothing as the day before. Not to mention, Alice would yell at me.

Esme sat on our bed as I changed. She might've been thinking. I got the feeling that she wanted to talk to me about something, but wasn't sure how to go about doing it. I did know that she was happy. Her son was back again.

I left for the hospital before the kids left for school. It was going to be a long day again of waiting for someone to come and tell me that Edward had slipped, and then scolding myself for even considering that Edward might fail. I was alarmed then, when Edward burst into my office.

"Carlisle."

I leapt to my feet, too fast. His face scared me. Edward—you didn't—

"No, no, it's not that."

I sighed in relief. Of course not. I'm sorry I entertained the thought. Your eyes, of course, I should have known… I looked at his bright, topaz eyes, relieved, and guilty for doubting him.

"She's hurt, thought, Carlisle, probably not seriously, but—"

"What happened?" I asked.

"A stupid car accident. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I couldn't just stand there—let it crush her—"

Edward didn't make any sense. Let what crush her? A semi? And how did Edward figure into all this? Start over. I don't understand. How were you involved?

Edward's voice dropped to a whisper, but it was more than loud enough for me to hear.

"A van skidded across the ice. She was in the way. Alice saw it coming, but there wasn't time to do anything but really run across the lot and shove her out of the way. No one noticed…except for her. I had to stop the van, too, but again, nobody saw that…besides her. I'm…I'm sorry Carlisle. I didn't mean to put us in danger."

I felt beyond relieved. Here I'd been afraid Edward would kill Bella, and he'd saved her. I walked around my desk and laid my hand on my son's shoulder. You did the right thing, I reassured him. And it couldn't have been easy for you. I'm proud of you, Edward.

"She knows there's something…wrong with me."

"That doesn't matter. If we have to leave, we leave. What has she said?"

Edward shook his head. "Nothing yet."

Yet? I asked silently.

"She agreed to my version of events—"he explained, "but she's expecting an explanation."

I frowned. I honestly wasn't sure what we would say to her to explain Edward's actions.

"She hit her head—well, I did that." Edward spoke rapidly, almost too fast for a human to hear. "I knocked her to the ground fairly hard. She seems fine, but…I don't think it will take much to discredit her account."

Edward sounded disgusted by the thought. Perhaps that won't be necessary. Let's see what happens, shall we? I suggested. It sounds like I have a patient to check on.

"Please. I'm so concerned that I hurt her."

I considered the irony of Edward's day as I ran my fingers through my hair. It was an absentminded gesture. It's been an interesting day for you, hasn't it? I laughed and he joined me.

I watched as Tyler and Bella were looked over and X-rayed. The PA said she was only slightly injured. I kept away from view, knowing that if she saw me before Bella talked to Edward, she would remember what he could do and she might start telling about the freaky Cullens.

I found Edward looking at Bella's X-rays. He had a medical degree too. It seems that he was calm, after seeing for himself that she was alright.

You look better, I thought to him.

He didn't respond. The hallway was full of humans, visitors, orderlies, and the works.

I pulled Bella's x-rays from the sleeve and stuck them to the lighted board. Ah yes. I see. She's absolutely fine. Well done, Edward. Everything seemed fine with Bella's head at first glance. But as I looked more closely, I saw multiple contusions. Healed, of course, but still…

"I think I'm going to talk to her—before she sees you. Act natural, like nothing happened. Smooth it over."

I nodded, even though I wasn't really listening. All these healed injuries, did Bella have head trauma often? Did someone do this to her? Look at all the healed contusions? I pointed out to Edward. He looked a bit distressed, so I tried to turn it into a joke. How many times did her mother drop her? I laughed quietly, though Edward didn't.

"I'm beginning to think the girl just has really bad luck," he said, staring at the X-ray. "Always in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Forks is certainly the wrong place for her, with you here.

Edward flinched. He'd been acting strangely since yesterday. I decided to ignore it though.

Go ahead. Smooth things over. I'll join you momentarily. Edward left quickly as I turned me attention back to the X-ray. I traced each injury, wondering what this girl could've possibly done to earn so many. Was she an extreme sports practitioner? Or was it just like what Edward said, she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time? I sighed and pulled her X-rays down to replace them with Tyler's. Tyler was in much bad a shape, having gone up against the force of his van, and Edward. He wouldn't be leaving as soon as Bella would. I kept both sets of X-rays with me. It was time to go see my patients, and really meet the cause of Edward's turmoil for the first time.

As I walked down the hallway, I listened to the conversation in the ER.

"It's all about who you know," Edward was saying. "But don't worry, I came to spring you." It was my turn now. Act calm and soothing and, above all else, human.

I walked through the door at a typical human gait. I watched as the girl's expression changed to shock. Not the one I wanted. She'd probably noticed our common eyes and skin. I decided to pretend as if I didn't notice her reaction.

"So, Miss Swan, how are you feeling?" I asked.

"I'm fine," she said softly.

"Your X-rays look good," I informed her as I clipped them to the light-board next to her bed. "Does your head hurt? Edward said you hit it pretty hard."

"I'm fine," she repeated, this time with an exasperated sigh and a glare at Edward.

I stepped closer to her, gently running my fingers over her head until I found the lump where she'd hit her head. I prodded it gently, trying to get a feel for her injury. Bella winced and Edward jerked forward. It was such a small gesture; I don't even think the humans noticed.

"Tender?" I asked.

"Not really," she replied automatically. Edward chuckled and Bella glared at him again.

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

"Can't I go back to school?" she asked anxiously. Why would she be impatient to return to school? Most teenagers liked days off, right?

"Maybe you should take it easy today," I recommended.

Bella looked over at Edward, then back to me. "Does he get to go to school?"

"Someone has to spread the good news that we survived."

I had walked by the waiting room on my way here. It was packed to capacity with students. "Actually, most of the school seems to be in the waiting room."

Bella groaned, "Oh no." She put her head in her hands.

"Do you want to stay?" I asked her, wondering if her head hurt more then she was letting on.

"No, no!" Bella replied. She pulled her legs over the side of the bed and placed her feet on the floor. But as she stood, she stumbled forward. I caught her before she hit the ground again.

"I'm fine," She insisted. Blood rushed to her cheeks and I worried about Edward. I felt him tense behind me. I balanced her, then let go, freeing my hands should I need them against Edward.

"Take some Tylenol for the pain," I prescribed.

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

I picked up her chart to sign off, smiling slightly. Bella was a bit amusing. Her clumsiness was almost endearing, and she seemed to be the sort of person who would hide an injury, before letting anyone know that something was wrong. "It sounds like you were extremely lucky."

"Lucky that Edward happened to be standing next to me."

I'd slipped. Apparently Edward hadn't quite addressed that just yet. "Oh, well, yes," I replied hurriedly, trying to mend my mistake.

All yours, I thought to Edward. Handle it as you think best.

"Thanks so much," Edward breathed. His reply was too fast and too low for either Tyler or Bella to hear. I grinned a little at Edward's obvious sarcasm.

"I'm afraid that you'll have to stay with us just a little bit longer." Tyler had suffered much more without a vampire to protect him. He'd hit his head as well and had slashes from the windshield. They looked like they were definitely going to need some stitches. I examined the wounds, but kept part of my attention on Edward with Bella.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Bella whispered.

I felt Edward tense and prepared to step in. But he got control over himself again and relaxed just a bit. It was more for my benefit then for Bella's or Tyler's. They probably couldn't have noticed the change anyway.

"Your father is waiting for you," Edward replied.

I heard the swish of her hair and her scent washed over me. He was looking at me, but I was focusing on Edward. Carefully, Edward, I cautioned silently.

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

Edward seemed to be trying to decide whether or not that was a good thing. In the end, he left the room with her and I was left to tend Tyler.

I finished off the day, not knowing what was going on outside of the hospital. I didn't know if Bella had said anything, or if anyone had seen anything. Time passed slowly as I tended patient after patient, until finally my shift was up. Then I raced home, as fast as my Mercedes would go.