Updated September 20, 2008

I don't own anything except my OCs. Please review :-)

Sorry this is short, it is all I could get typed up before work. :-)

Chapter 3

The amount of people in attendance was impressive and I had a feeling most were here due to Sue than because of me.

As I walked in Sue's home, the first room I entered was a large living room which had a TV, playing the Seahawks game. Around the TV was a gathering of males, ages ranging from a young toddler to an old man with graying hair, all native in appearance. I wondered if the elder one was part of the tribal council I would eventually have to interact with.

'Couldn't hurt to get on good terms now,' I thought.

The source of the police cruiser walked out of the kitchen in the form of an off duty Charlie Swan. I had spoken with the Forks Police Chief a few times in the past for various stories but didn't know he was acquainted with Sue.

After seeing them share a smile, I realized they were a tad bit more than acquainted.

'Way to go Sue!' I thought with a smile. For an older guy, Charlie was still pretty cute.

By now, all eyes were on me. It was kind of creepy.

"Everyone, this is Megan Akers, Danielle's daughter," Sue said starting introductions. Charlie was the only one who recognized my name. Everyone else over 30 showed clear recognition at my mother's name.

I had forgotten just how small Forks was.

I gave the room a smile and began the task of putting names to the faces.

The older man was 'Old Quil' Ateara and next to him was his grandson of the same name, Quil. There was also Billy Black, a man slightly older than Charlie, who was in a wheel chair. Near him was his daughter Rachel.

Taking up the rest of the room was a group of large men and, with them, two women. All were near my age.

They were quite intimidating, even to someone like me, who dealt with intimidating people all the time.

They all had similar characteristics, making keeping them straight all the more challenging.

The eldest of them was Sam Uley and attached to him was his wife Emily. Except for a few scars that I tactfully ignored, she was beautiful. Sam seemed to be respected by all in the room, even the older men. I began to suspect that he, even being so young, was a member of the council as well.

There was also Jared and his wife Kim and Rachel's husband Paul.

The young boy I had seen was James Uley, Sam and Emily's son.

I was thankful that when Sue got to Charlie, he made no mention of my career, simply giving me a smile. That was something I wanted to delay as long as possible.

Introductions made, most turned back to the game, while I followed Sue into the kitchen.

"I'm sorry my kids couldn't be here to see you Meg. They're out of town visiting some friends with Billy's son Jacob and his friend Embry Call," Sue said, while finishing up dinner. I was distracted from what she was saying by the massive amount of food being prepared, managing only to nod in recognition.

Bowls. Millions of bowls. And I was only slightly exaggerating.

It looked like the amount of food I had seen at one of the paper's Christmas dinners. And that had been for over 100 people.

Who was going to eat all this?

I was distracted from these thoughts when Sue unsuccessfully tried reaching for a bowl, just out of reach for either of us.

"Charlie," she called, stepping back to stir a soup of some kind.

When he walked in, she simply pointed to the bowl, no words needed.

After grabbing it, no difficulty what so ever, he set it on the counter beside her, stepping back to give her a look.

Now, for anyone who has ever seen The Princess Bride, it was Wesley and Buttercup in person.

'Well, I'll be,' I thought. 'Sue's in love. And so is he.'

I was waiting for him to say, "As you wish," and complete the scene of True Love.

I decidedly looked away, pretending to work on something, letting them have their moment. But, not before a feeling of jealousy reared its ugly head.

With no thought at all, I shoved the feeling away, as per usual.

I turned back as Sue was saying, "Tell them its ready."

Charlie was wearing quite the smile as he walked out of the room.

Sue and I, along with Emily, Kim and Rachel, managed to bring the food to the dining room, which had a separate table, just for all the food.

Other than me, no one seemed shocked by the amount of food, so I decided not to say anything.

As the food was passed around, I noticed that everyone piled the usual amount of food on their plate, although both Collin and Brady looked like they wanted to take more.

As such, there was still a ton of food on the table I was trying to ignore, leaving the reason for its preparation still unanswered.

Once everyone had begun eating, an inevitable onslaught of questions began.

"So, Meg," Billy began. "What brings you back to our small town?"

Feeling everyone's gaze on me, I felt like a suspected double agent in the CIA.

Keep Cool.

"I needed a vacation," I said with a smile. "And I wanted to come back. I remember loving it here. And I still do."

That's right, butter them up.

"So, what is it you do? I recall Sue saying something about a paper?" Billy continued. Apparently he was the chosen interrogator.

Well, there goes that secret.

"Yes," I said, noting that both Sam and Old Quil were paying close attention, "I write a column for the Seattle Times."

"Their youngest columnist ever!" Sue interjected loudly, looking at me much like a proud parent, which gave me a little pain.

I still gave her a smile.

"Well, that is impressive," Billy said, very sincere. After hearing I wrote a column, both Sam and Old Quil seemed to relax.

Maybe they decided that a 'big shot' columnist wouldn't have interest in some silly wolves that may or may not be on a killing rampage. I restrained from shacking my head at them.

"So," my interrogator, aka Billy, continued, "How did you get such a position so young?" Again everyone was interested. I could almost hear what they were thinking, as it was what most people thought before they knew me and my story.

Did I have connections to the top?

Did I cheat?

Did I sleep with the editor?

"I graduated from High School at 14 and graduated from university at 16. I was hired by the paper immediately."

I saw everyone look clearly impressed.

"Because of my age, my starting role was very light. But, for 18th birthday, I was given a promotion in the news department and for my 20th birthday I got the column."

"Nice gifts," Sam said with a smile, first time he spoke to me.

I had to laugh. It was strange to describe them as birthday gifts. It was more the fact that the editors on the paper had to wait until I had reached a reasonable age to give me the work loads the various positions entailed.

Now that everyone had a better feel for who I was, the rest of the meal was spent in comfortable conversation.

I was amazed, when everyone's plates were empty, to find the table of food empty as well. I had not noticed anyone moving to get seconds. I began to wonder if Collin and Brady had attacked while I was being questioned, so no one would notice.

When dinner was finished, everyone moved to the living room, while Sue and Charlie stayed back to do the dishes. I stayed and got to know everyone better, especially Emily and Kim, who I could see myself being good friends with.

But, soon this big group that was really one big family, regardless of relation, began to make me a little uncomfortable. I was an only child and had no experience to draw from.

Saying my goodbyes, and making promises to call Emily and Kim later, I made my way back to my home.

As I fell asleep that night, dreaming of something I would forget in the morning, I thought I heard a wolf howl.