Author's Note: Here's chapter ten! Oh and as you'll notice, I haven't been putting disclaimers because it's in the description of my story.

On a side note, if anyone read the story and decided it needed some cleaning up it's because I don't have a beta and I'm a lazy butt. If someone wants to volunteer, send me a message and we'll be an awesome duo.

The Chief and I had taken the I-5 and had been driving about twelve hours, stopping every now and then to stretch our legs and eat. It was about nine o'clock when we finally decided to stop and get a motel near Redding, California.

Neither of us had really talked to each other, both of us stuck in our heads. The most we said were the same lines; "Thanks for the food, Chief" and "No, you can't drive. You don't have a license."

I told him that we would get to Phoenix faster if we took shifts at the wheel. He just told me that if I got pulled over he could get into a lot of trouble at the station for taking his police vehicle on such a long road trip. I couldn't argue with that, so I spent most of my time thinking over what I would say to Bella if I had the chance, how the guys were doing, how my father was doing, or even what I would say to Charlie if we ever talked. It looked like it was time for the latter.

The Motel 6 we were going to stay at looked shabby and worn down. I expected no less for the price we were paying either. I wasn't complaining either.

"You know, Chief, you don't have to pay for two people. I can just sleep in the car," I offered. I knew that his job at the police station was a comfortable living, but I also knew that affording his two story house wasn't a small fee. I had come on this trip with the fifty bucks I had been saving for that master cylinder. It was just enough to feed me for however long I'd be here and to help with gas.

"Don't worry about it," he said, straight-faced. "I had been saving up for a week long fishing trip, but I think that this might be a better use," he gave his credit card to a young girl behind the counter who reminded me oddly of Leah's friend, Emily. She flashed me a smile as she slid the card and continued to process the amount for the room.

I frowned slightly and shrugged my shoulders. Charlie was the kind of man who liked to keep things short and to the point. Ever since I was a child, he had been this way. He spoke little unless it involved things he understood and could contribute to the conversation. Seeing him broken on my couch this morning was the second time in my life I had seen his composure break. The first time was when his wife left him.

I never wanted to see him like that again. He was close to my family and I have to admit that I had admired him since I was small. I just hoped that things with Bella would be sorted out and she'd come back to Forks. Not just for me, but for her father as well.

We grabbed our bags and walked to our room on the second floor. I couldn't help but notice how much he had changed since Bella arrived. He seemed happier and more open with others. He had come out of that broken shell he hid in.

"Wow, it's been a long time since I've stayed at a place like this," he mumbled, grabbing my attention. "How do I use this thing?"

It was then that I noticed he was using the keycard backward, trying to unlock the door. I couldn't help but laugh, "Oh come ya' old geezer!"

He whipped his head around to face me, eyes wide with shock that I had said something like that. I caught my laugh and returned the wide eyes, surely thinking I was going to be sleeping in the car for sure now. After a moment though, he softened his expression. "You sounded just like your old man, just then. I could have sworn Billy was standing right next to me," he laughed good and hard then handed me the card. "Well if you're so smart, then you do it, boy!"

And there it was. That was the Charlie I knew.

I slid the card in and quickly pulled it out, seeing the light turn green and turning the knob. "You had it backward. Even a child could figure that out!" I teased, grabbing our two bags and leaving them by the complimentary dresser that no one ever used.

"You keep talking to your elders like that and maybe I'll take you up on that offer of yours. I'll sleep in the nice bed and you can sleep on lumpy car seats," he took off his shoes and laid on one of the beds, flipping on the television.

I took up the idea and settled myself in; watching as two hockey players almost beat each other unconscious for the puck. Maybe I'd ask Cullen to a game of hockey when we got back… I smiled at the thought.

"Hey Jake," Charlie's voice called over the chatter from the old box set.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"Why did you want to come with me to get Bells back? It seems like you're really going out of your way and missing school for this," he spoke casually, not looking away from the television set.

My face felt hot again as I searched for the answer. What was the correct thing to say to the father of the girl you liked? I had to spit it out one way or another. I just hoped the filter in my brain would help this time.

"Well, uh…" I choked a little. Way to go Jacob—great start. "There is probably no tactful way to say that I have feelings for your daughter. It's probably also really easy to figure out on your own. My father knew the day I came home after seeing her on the beach," I scratched at the back of my head where my ponytail sat, nervously. "But honestly, there is more to it than that," I took a breath. Charlie just waited patiently for me to explain. "Even if she doesn't have any feelings for me—even if she never has feelings for me, she's my friend," I peeled my eyes from my exposed kneecaps and looked into his eyes that were now focused on me. "I've known you and her for a really long time, even if she would only stay at your house during the summers…those are the summers that I loved," I smiled at the memories. "You and Bella are really important to me and my family. You're good people. I just don't want the good people in my life to be torn apart because of misunderstandings and rash decisions," I kept smiling at him to get him to understand; thinking of Leah and her mom, my father and Rebecca.

Charlie was quiet for a long time as he thought about what I said. It made me a little nervous. Maybe I said the wrong thing. Was he mad? Was I going to have to hitch-hike back to Forks? I felt my mouth twitch a little. I would have to cut my hair so I wouldn't be mistaken for a girl in the night…

"You sure you're not trying to butter me up, boy?" he raised an eyebrow at me with a strict tone in his voice.

Was this a trick question? I looked at the small smile that crept upon his lips and felt the corners of my mouth hitch up as well. "With all due respect sir, I think it would be impossible to butter you up," I laughed. "You're a police officer. Isn't it your job to interrogate people? I don't think you've even let me get away with a fib when my sisters and I were kids."

He chortled, "Damn right, boy."

It seemed I didn't need to hitchhike any time soon. And with that, we got some well deserved shut-eye.

Author's Note: I'm actually getting close to finishing the story!

I also wanted to let you guys know that whenever my muse flies away from me for this story, I reread your reviews and they inspire me to keep going. I'm just really grateful that you kept following what seemed like a dead story. I worship you. And for the dedication, I WILL FINISH THIS STORY!

And again, let me know how I'm doing. I love the input. It helps me become a better writer.