You're eyes aren't deceiving you! It's an update!

Sorry for the long delay. RL has taken over this summer and allowed little time to write.

Special thanks to Jensy for being such a beta goddess. I owe a great deal to her.

Thank you Twigasm Podcast for mentioning Visitation in your second episode. That was a huge surprise and I'm flattered.

Disclaimer: Twilight is all S. Meyer. I just own a bunch of Dora DVDs and a minivan.

I pulled out the small wooden chair and flinched at the sound of the legs scraping against the tile floor. My throat was constricted with fear. I sat down slowly, never letting my eyes leave Chief Swan's face. I could feel my heart-rate speed up, and to counteract my rising dread, I tried to slow down my breathing. Having a panic attack in front of my girlfriend's father would be unacceptable.

I knew there was only one thing that would bring Chief Swan to my doorstep
and that was the knowledge that Bella had been here to visit me.

The look in his eyes was menacing and I prayed he possessed better self-control than
my own father. When my dad had looked at me this way, it meant I was about
to become intimately acquainted with his belt.

I hoped the Chief wasn't here to hurt me, but I would never underestimate parents protecting their children. My mother had made the ultimate sacrifice to save me, so I knew that if Charlie considered me a threat to his daughter, he would fight furiously to keep her safe. In this way, Charlie and I were similar. We would do anything in our power to protect Bella Swan.

I turned my head to sneak a glance at the closed door and unfortunately saw no one beyond the little square window. I was completely alone. I prayed that I could find a way
to dig myself out of the grave I seemed to be standing in, swallowing me whole.

Now I understood how an animal felt when approached by a predator in the
forest; a stronger, more powerful predator. My adrenaline rush cued a "fight or flight" moment, but I knew either response would be futile. Charlie Swan, with his vast experience at subduing unruly citizens, could have me helplessly pinned down long before I made it to the door. If only Emmett were here with me—he wouldn't let Charlie cause me harm. Well, at least I didn't think so. Upon further reflection, I began to doubt that Emmett would endanger his career and friendship with his mentor to help some punk inmate.

Unknowingly I slouched down further in my chair.

Charlie still hadn't spoken a word and though I was sure only a minute had actually passed, it felt like I had been trapped in this room for hours. I wished he would say something, anything; I longed for just one word to break the silence. Even yelling would be better than this hushed tension, his dark eyes glaring at me.

Charlie lifted his hands from his lap and placed them on the table, and then began to crack his knuckles. Feeling sickened, I closed my eyes; the sound reminded me of the night I had saved Bella. I would never forget the sound of breaking a man's neck with my bare hands. That crunching snap would haunt me for all my days.

Charlie coughed, obviously trying to get my attention, and I opened my eyes to meet his gaze.

"I'm guessing you know why I'm here, Masen."

"Bella," I whispered.

"It came to my attention yesterday that my daughter has been visiting you here at Meyer. Imagine my disappointment upon discovering my daughter has been lying to me about her whereabouts for months."

I looked down and stared at the ragged laces on my cheap white sneakers.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you," Charlie growled.

Instinctively I sat up straighter in my chair. "Sorry, sir."

"Did you ask Bella to visit you, Masen?"

"No, sir."

"She came to you on her own?"

"Yes, sir."

"Why?"

"She was my friend. She wanted to thank me for what I did that night."

"Why didn't she just send you a letter?"

"She did, actually. And then she came to visit. I was as surprised as you were."

"I somehow doubt that," Charlie mumbled sardonically.

Silence enveloped us once again. I could see that Charlie had more to say, but he seemed to be struggling to find the right words. He opened his mouth to speak, but then stopped several times.

"I'm a man of few words, Masen, so I'm just going to spit it out. What are your intentions toward my daughter?"

So there it was. . . the proverbial "Do you want to get your hands down my daughter's pants?" challenge. Such an old, overused question, yet delivered in such a new, unusual situation. I glanced around me at the prison walls, feeling surprisingly grateful to be asked this question here; to be asked to express my intentions and my opinions, like they somehow mattered. Maybe this grizzled police chief was actually going to give me a chance? If so, it would be one of the first times in my life that a male authority figure would bestow such a gift upon me.

I sensed this was my opportunity to make Charlie see that I was different than the typical Forks High student, who considered drinking and casual sex to be perfectly normal behavior. I wasn't that kind of guy, nor would I ever be. I hated drinking after seeing what it did to my dad. And, I was a mate-for-life kind of guy, much like the trumpeter swan. I inwardly smiled, remembering Bella's last name.

I had to make Charlie realize that I only wanted a chance to love and worship his daughter; to take care of her needs completely. I would never hurt her.

He was looking at me, annoyed by my delay in answering.

"I love her," I blurted out.

Charlie's reaction was initially one of complete shock, but then he began laughing. Anger I could handle, but laughing? This couldn't be a good thing.

"You've got to be kidding me. You love her? That's just your hormones talking, Masen. You have no concept of what love is, son."

I was terribly hurt by how quickly he downplayed my feelings for Bella. I might be young; I might have zero experience with girls, but I had no doubt that what I felt for Bella was love: pure and unconditional love. I'd been surrounded by enough hate and deception in my short existence to know that what I felt for her was real.

"I know you think I'm no good for Bella. People see this prison uniform and automatically assume that I'm some violent, unscrupulous asshole."

Way to go, Masen—curse in front of the one person who controls your happiness. Brilliant!

I uncomfortably cleared my throat. "I'm not like that at all. I've always followed the rules. Until that night in Port Angeles, I had always done what I was told. I had never come close to doing anything illegal. I was probably the only kid at Forks High who had never tasted alcohol or smoked a cigarette."

"Besides Bella, you mean."

I stammered, "Y-Y-Yes, sir."

Taking a deep breath, I forged ahead: "All I've ever wanted was to get out of the foster care system and build a life of my own. College, medical school, marriage, kids, a house in the suburbs . . . that is what I really want. And I know that I may be young, but I have no doubt that what I feel for your daughter is love. I would lay down my own life to save hers, and though I regret that I took three lives back in the spring, I would do it again if put in a similar situation."

I was a little frightened by my sudden mouth vomit.

"I know it's hard to envision your daughter dating someone in my situation, but I think we all know that if I wasn't a ward of the state and could have afforded a real lawyer, I likely would have gotten off with community service and probation. It was just bad luck that I had no family or money on my side when one of the guys who attacked Bella had plenty of money and influence. I'm not making excuses, though. I took three human lives and deserve to be punished for it. But I can promise you that if you allow me to continue a relationship with your daughter, I will never do anything to hurt Bella. Her happiness and well-being are extremely important to me."

Charlie sighed and rubbed his temple. "You're right, Masen. It's difficult for me to stomach my daughter being friends with you, especially with my experience in law enforcement. But what really concerns me is what I've read about your past, from the physical abuse by your father to the sexual abuse in the foster system.

My stomach clenched with shame. He knew? He knew about my awful past? Did Bella know too? Charlie seemed not to notice my sickened response and kept speaking.

"I just worry how that could shape a person, you know? So many of the guys I've arrested, for terrible, terrible things, had abuse similar to yours when they were kids. And I guess I just don't feel like I can trust you with my daughter."

Once I recovered from the shock of his words, I reflected upon them, discovering that I couldn't fault Charlie for his fears. I worried every day how my evil past would shape me as an adult. When it came to protecting a girl as beautiful and precious as Bella, I would likely feel the same way if I were in his shoes.

I sat up as straight as I could and leaned forward. Until this point I had maintained a totally submissive position, but I needed the Chief to know I would fight for Bella.

"What can I do to earn your trust, Chief Swan? I'll do anything you ask. Just please, don't take Bella away from me. She's the only reason I have to keep going. She makes me want to be a better person; to become the man that she deserves. I'll respect your wishes, even if it means I can't see Bella anymore, but please give me the chance to show you that I am more than just a punk kid with a criminal record."

"Hmm," Charlie mumbled as he rose from his chair and walked towards the door.

Shit, I thought, he was leaving? I had opened my mouth and screwed everything up.

"Chief, please. I love her," I called out, turning to aim my words at his retreating form. I was desperate for him to hear me. "My whole life, I've never asked for anything; I've tried never to complain."

Memories flooded me—sad, brutal images, including multiple occasions when I had considered taking my own life. Not once since I had met Bella had I contemplated suicide, and I had to figure out a way to communicate what she meant to me. I had to get through to this man who held my future in his calloused hands. "Bella . . . she gets me. She loves me, and I can't bear the thought of not having her in my life."

I didn't realize I was crying until I felt tears dripping from my face.

"Chief, please just give me a chance to prove myself. Please."

"Calm down Masen. I'll be right back."

He knocked lightly on the door and exited. His abrupt departure made me numbly gawk at the door closing behind him.

Bella's father held my life in the balance and I truly had no idea what he was going to do. On the one hand, he really hadn't been as hard on me as he could have been. I would have expected him to yell and threaten me, but that had not happened. I still didn't get the vibe that he particularly liked me or the current predicament he faced, but I hoped that my groveling had affected him somehow. I just couldn't imagine how I could continue without Bella in my life. Without her, I had nothing.

Several minutes had passed and I eventually put my head on the table in an attempt to stay calm. I willed myself to stop crying.

The door started to swing open and I lifted my head, noticing Emmett coming into the room with Chief Swan.

The Chief sat down across from me again and Emmett leaned with his back against the wall, his imposing physical presence building even more testosterone in the room.

"Okay, Masen, I've spoken with Emmett and given your request some thought. I don't really like the idea of you having a relationship with my daughter, but Bella seems to be crazy about you. She's typically a very good judge of character, and up to this point, she's never done anything to make me mistrust her. And Emmett here seems to think you are a good kid who deserves a chance."

I looked over and Emmett and he winked at me. I tried to fight it, but a small smile escaped.

"So, I'm not going to keep Bella from coming to see you. However, there will be rules. If these rules are broken, you can kiss your relationship with my daughter goodbye."

This was good news; I could live with rules. I just hope he didn't insist that we keep confined to the limited visitation area. Not being able to touch Bella would be torture. But, if that was what he wanted, I would respect his wishes—I'd be miserable in the process, but respectful. He was going to allow Bella to see me and that was something that made me forever grateful. I wouldn't let Charlie down.

"I'll do whatever you ask, Chief Swan."

Charlie cleared his throat.

"Rule number one: You are to continue your studies at the community college and maintain a minimum of a B average in every course. C's are unacceptable and will result in Bella's visits being restricted. If the class is hard and you don't think you can pull a B, then get a tutor. No exceptions."

Though I was surprised to hear that he cared about my grades, I thought that stipulation was fair and reachable. I was a good student and I expected to get straight A's this semester. I had never received a C in my life and I didn't intend on starting now.

"Rule number two: You are to stay out of trouble here at the detention center. Emmett explained an incident you were involved in a couple of weeks ago, and though you seemed to be acting on the behalf of a helpless kid, that's not an excuse to get into a fight. Keep your nose clean, stay away from the troublemakers, and follow the rules. Emmett will be watching you and I'll know if you misbehave. You need to prove to me that you are better than this place. You say you aren't like the other kids here; well, show me with your actions."

After the incident with James, I had no desire to fight anyone. I didn't really have any friends here, partly because the other inmates still avoided me following the fight. I would just have to be extra diligent in paying attention to my environment, trying to stay uninvolved.

"Rule number three: You are to continue attending counseling sessions. Emmett says he set things up for you but that you've been only once. I think this is a great opportunity for you to work through all the crap that you dealt with in your childhood. If you really love Bella, you need to make sure you are healed. She deserves the best, and the only way you can be that for her is if you get help. When the doc thinks you've progressed enough to no longer need therapy, you can stop. Until then, no counseling means no Bella."

Fucker. This would be the hardest condition of all for me to meet. I knew the words he spoke were true, but I also knew that in order for me to "heal", I would need to rehash all the ugliness I had experienced in my seventeen years. The thought of talking about my father or the foster homes made me nauseated.

I had only gone to see Dr. Jen the one time and actually it wasn't that bad. All we ended up discussing was the weather of the Pacific Northwest, and a little about music. She had asked me several questions and wanted me to tell her about myself, but I had avoided her prying inquiries fairly adeptly. If she had been annoyed with me, it had not shown. I had told her I would set up another appointment later, but that was already two weeks ago. I guess I would be spending lots of time in her office, and my chest tightened at the prospect.

I just hoped I wasn't too broken. I hoped I could be fixed somehow.

"And lastly, I figure I need to get to know the kid who thinks he's so in love with my daughter. Bella tells me I'm wrong about you and that you are special. She's never held any interest in a boy before and initially I was chalking up her feelings to puppy love, but if it's true that this is something more than that, then I need to see it for myself. Since you aren't in Forks, I'm going to come here and meet with you. I want to know what makes you tick, Masen. I'll come every few weeks and we can have a little chat, you know, mano a mano."

Great. Meetings with the dad. Maybe counseling didn't sound so bad after all. What in the heck would I find to talk about with Charlie Swan? Gun control? Politics? Baseball? He would probably find me to be incredibly dull. But then again, maybe that was what he was hoping for.

"Am I understood?"

I nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Good. Bella's got a few rules of her own to follow, but I'm sure she'll tell you all about those herself."

Charlie slid off his chair and rose to his intimidating height.

"So I think that covers it. Any questions?"

I had a million random questions floating in my head, but I figured I should save them for another day.

"No, sir."

"Good. Just follow my rules and we'll be cool."

"I intend to, sir."

Emmett opened the door as Charlie approached.

"Oh, one more thing. Bella's grounded for the next month for lying, which means no visitation. So let that be a warning to you—I don't tolerate dishonesty. I guess you will have to send her email or whatever it is you kids do nowadays."

I'm sure the disappointment was noticeable on my face. One month would seem like an eternity without a chance to see my Bella.

Just as Charlie was walking through the door, a realization hit me.

"Actually, Chief Swan, I do have one question?"

He stopped and looked at me. "What?"

"Um, tomorrow is Bella's birthday and I was wondering, um, if I could have your permission to call her tomorrow evening."

"Sure, I don't see any problem with that. Just no phone calls after 9:00."

"Thanks Chief Swan. I won't let you down."

"I'll hold you to that," he responded as he walked out the door.

Emmett followed behind him, giving me the thumbs-up sign.

I exhaled loudly, feeling utterly drained from that confrontation. Maybe everything would work out after all?

Thank you for reading!

Please take the time to review. I'm sorry I've been so fail at answering them. I'm trying my best!