Shifting Moon

 That was the first time I learned what being trounced was. With all my strength and speed cut out from under me, I was frustrated like I hadn't been since I decided too never to be helpless again. Jasper didn't humiliate me, he was a terrific teacher and talked like he had tens of years of experience, which was weird as he was just a bit older than me.

 But for an hour and a half, he bounced me all over that clearing, slapping my ribs and a few times my forehead to the point I was sure I would have handprint-style bruises. I took everything he said to heart and knew I would think over his words many times over the next few days.

 We ran to the police station once the sparring was over, and we both flew through the workout like it was nothing. My body kept acting like I needed more weight but logically I knew adding more could hurt my overall progress. If I didn't know better, I would think someone was slipping me steroids or something. 

 When Jasper went to leave, I finally took notice of how icy the streets were. Worried I suggested Jasper not ride his bike home but let me and Bella take him to school. He could have someone bring him a change of clothes. He just laughed good-naturedly at me and said he would be fine.

 When I went back to the workout room to clean it up Charlie poked his head in. "You look like you feel a whole lot better. You had me a little worried this morning."

 "Yeah, Jasper and I did some sparring instead of running this morning. I think I needed my butt kicked around for a while to work my way through everything. He may not look like it, but even with his build being smaller than mine, he would stomp me flat with little effort." 

 Charlie looked at me and nodded his head. "Yeah, when I met them all, The Cullen's that is. He was the one I was most cautious of, his eyes have a look like I have only ever seen in old war vets. He must have had a rough time before Carlisle adopted him. Trying to protect a sister like he has, I am sure there was no shortage of fights."

 I gave him a wicked smile, "So my perpetually single Uncle does know how to appreciate a good-looking girl? I was beginning to wonder."

 "Don't you even start rumors like that boy, that girl is nearly the same age as my own daughter. Besides, beauty like that comes with more trouble than I want in my life."

 I nodded in agreement, "Yeah that one is definitely high maintenance. I am just happy my uncle is still taking note of the flowers in the garden of Fork's is all I'm saying."

 Charlie blushed, "Well stop talking and get ready for school, Bella should be getting here soon."

 "In this ice, I may be better off taking a bobsled to school."

 "No worries, I put her tire chains on her truck before I left for work this morning."

 "You should have said something, I could have helped. I should probably learn to put them on at some point also."

 Charlie nodded, "If you plan to stay here or anywhere in the north it's a good thing to learn. I will have you help next time."

 I headed for the shower room and did my normal routine. Then went to wait for Bella at the door. Once she got there I walked with short slow steps until I grabbed the door of the big red monster and then I climbed in.

 Bella had my favorite peanut butter pancakes in the same Tupperware as last time ready and waiting for me. "You didn't have to do this sis, I should be the one making you special foods and such. I feel terrible for hurting you, let me see your arm."

 Naturally, she was wearing a jacket, and I would bet long sleeves under that, for warmth if nothing else. Her arms stayed covered to hide them from my guilty eyes.

 "Stop worrying about it Thomas, besides I'm driving right now and can't show you."

 We talked about normal stuff as she drove to school and parked in her usual spot. "This truck handles really good, I thought it would be so much worse than it was on the icy streets."

 "You should look at your tires then and remember to thank your dad." I jumped out to look at the chains on her tires to see if they would shed some light on how they work. I was on one side of the bed and Bella was looking at the tires on the other side when I heard the sound of something heavy sliding.

 I looked up to see an old minivan sliding towards us and a panicked kid in the driver's seat. He was sliding so fast that there was no way he could stop before hitting Bella's truck. Right where she was standing. As fast as I could, I moved towards her by pulling myself into the truck bed and praying I could reach any part of her to yank out of harm's way.

 I reached my arm out, knowing I wasn't going to be fast enough. NOT AGAIN!!! My mind screamed. I kept trying to move faster and just before the van struck her, Bella disappeared.

 My momentum carried me to the side where Bella had been, and I looked down to see her on the ground covered by a guy with short bronze hair. Before I could relax though I saw the van bounce off the fender of the truck and start to slide again with its momentum swinging the van front around and I realized that it would squish both Bella and the one who saved her.

 No way I was going to let that happen. I put my foot on the rail of the truck bed and shoved forward in hopes that the van was off center enough that my shoulder tackle high would stop some of its momentum. If not, then my bigger body being squished to death between the vehicles should mean that the two of them would survive.

 When my shoulder hit the van, I felt a snap somewhere around my shoulder/collarbone area, but I kept pushing with my legs against Bella's truck thinking that any little bit was that much more of a chance for their survival. By some miracle, the van started tipping away from the truck and the two next to it. The guy who saved Bella had his hand out toward the van, probably a reflex action to stop the inevitable. After that glance, I couldn't see them any longer as I was tumbling with the Van onto its side. 

 The surroundings erupted into loud noises. It was like I had my earphones on before, but suddenly I could hear screaming and shouting. I felt someone touching me asking something, but I couldn't make out what she was saying. I recognized the long bronze hair and my mind flashed to the boy covering Bella.

 "The Bella… The guy and Bella. Are… are they ok?" I shifted my legs to help me slide off the van so I could check on Bella. But I must be weaker than I thought, this little girl who didn't weigh more than 130 pounds was stopping me, holding me in place.

 With tears in my eyes, "You have to let me go so I can see. I won't let another one die. I tried so hard. Help me!" I begged her.

 She helped me slide off the side of the van and I threw my unhurt arm over her shoulders; she then helped me walk around the van to see the guy I recognized as Edward holding Bella down and checking her head to see if she was hurt. 

 "They are ok!" After seeing this, the strength went out of my legs and Edythe who I had recognized earlier helped me to sit beside the truck. My left shoulder and arm dangling out of my control.

 As I got comfortable, I heard Bella and Edward arguing.

 "I need to check on him, he looks hurt. Let me up."

 Edward had his hand on her shoulder, "You most likely have a concussion. You shouldn't be trying to move around too much right now. He isn't in any danger. You can see him."

 I saw her continue to struggle with him, "It's ok Bells, you should listen to him. If you get any more hurt because of me, I will feel even worse. If that's possible." 

 Edythe, who was still next to me "Because of you? What are you talking about? You did more than most would think humanly possible to save your sister. You have nothing to feel bad about."

 "If I hadn't told her to look at her tires, she would have never been in the way to begin with. So yes, it is my fault. Anything after that is a moot point."

 "That's stupid Thomas, you didn't make the van slide towards me," Bella said from where Edward was keeping her.

 I could hear the ambulance sirens in the distance. "Everything I did was useless if you hadn't gotten her out of the way first Edward. For that, you will forever have my gratitude." I looked directly at Edward as I spoke.

 "I am just glad I started walking over as soon as I saw you guys get out of the truck, I couldn't remember what the homework assignment was in Biology and planned to ask Bella here. If it wasn't for that, then I never would have been able to get to her in time. Then you saved us both by hitting the van just perfectly to tip it over. We are all very lucky."

 It sounded like he was getting the story straight in his head more than anything but then, I am still a bit loopy, so what do I know?