I do not own anything in the Twilight Universe. I only wish I did.

Secret Admirers

Toni dipped her fingers in the cool water, on the side of the boat. The sun was just peeking over the horizon. They had been in the boat for two hours. So far, they had no nibbles. At least that is what she thought he called it. It didn't really matter to her. It was so peaceful out here. Charlie had met her, at her door, at 4 am, fishing poles and boat in tow. He had talked about going fishing for awhile but nothing definite. Then all of a sudden, he decided that today was the day.

Although, she was a morning person, 4am was still night to her. But she could not deny the man his time of peace. Some men worshiped God's creation with a bible, Charlie did it with a pole.

Her boss was extremely stressed the last few weeks. To say that Charlie was a man that kept his thoughts to himself, would be a major understatement. But anyone could tell that there was something that was really bothering him. She watched now, as he mentally worked his problems silently in his head. The man was hurting. Toni was glad that she had come, she only wished that she could help him with whatever was bothering him . But she didn't want to assume too much, and bud in uninvited, so she kept her silence, waiting for an invitation. She wished she had someone to talk to.

Toni had her own problems. The visions were torturing her. They twisted themselves to the most frightening images she had ever seen. They were no longer about the sexy man that haunted her dreams, but of ferocious giant wolves devouring monsters from her worst nightmares. Even when they came during the day, she would break out in a tingling sweat, and she had problems not vocalizing her reactions. Toni thought that the "Oh, I was just scared by a spider!" excuse was wearing a little thin. The guys at the office, were convinced that she was terrified of the pesky things. They scheduled an appointment with the local bug man. Pity, that he couldn't fumigate her mind and get rid of the wolf hallucinations as easily. Maybe the concussion was the cause of the change. Maybe she was finally going crazy, like her Mother truly believed her to be.

It hadn't helped that she hadn't seen Seth since his stabbing last Tuesday. She hoped that he was ok. Toni had stopped by the next day, but no one was at home. Then she checked out his bachelor pad, still no one home. She asked all of his friends, that she had come across. Toni even stooped as low as to bring it up with Charlie. But she stopped, feeling too much like a stalker. All she knew was that she felt better, being around him. Right now she didn't feel too good. Suddenly the silence was too much.

"Did you see the game yesterday?" Toni knew the question was loaded. He should be good for filling the silence for a good thirty minutes. But he looked through her, still working out his problems in his head. She wasn't sure if it was worth repeating her question, when he turned to her like he was going to ask a question of his own, then swallowed it instead. The intense emotion on his face, made her feel like she was peeking into his soul. She broke eye contact first. The air seemed to be sucked out of boat. Again she tried to fill the silence.

"The game. What did you think about the game yesterday?" Toni continued to look at their feet, afraid to see the anguish that filled his eyes.

"The game?" Charlie repeated, as if the question made no sense. He tried to bring his mind back to the present, but he could not seem to concentrate. Well, to be honest, he couldn't stop repeating the conversation, he and Sue had yesterday. She had stopped by to see how he was doing. Charlie had told her that he would talk to her, later, after he found out that Embry was his son, that he only needed a little time to think it over first. But he had never come over to see her, he hadn't talked to Bella or Embry either. He hadn't talked to anyone. Instead, Charlie had continued to stay in a state of self induced haze. Charlie lingered over feelings of hurt, betrayal, and anger. He mulled over the revelation in total isolation. Simply, he stewed in his own juices.

The more he thought about it, the more he didn't want to believe it, the more he didn't want to believe it, the more it impossible it sounded. The more he ignored it, the more he pretended it did not happen, the more he could control his run away emotions. He hated uncontrolled emotions. He liked his world simple and uncomplicated. And this new situation was too complicated! Charlie did not like his life turned upside down, but he felt like he was living in a trapeze net, about to fall through the holes.

Then Sue came over last night. She seemed angry that he didn't want to talk about it. The things she accused him of, kept playing over and over in his head.

"Sue, what brings you over?" Charlie asked, surprised to find the woman at his front door. He had the game on the tv, but his mind had a habit of wandering this evening and if asked, he would not be able to give the score, much less any details.

"I came to see how you were doing. You never stopped by. I thought you might like to talk." Sue said as she hesitated at the threshold, waiting for him to invite her in. Charlie stepped back and gave her room to enter, his expression guarded.

"Won't you sit down?" Charlie motioned for the couch and he took his seat in his recliner. He offered her something to drink, but she declined. They sat in an uncomfortable silence, only relieved by the muted noise of the game on the tv. Charlie glanced at Sue, who was looking expectantly at him. Obviously, she wanted him to go first, but for the life of him, he could not think of a thing to say.

"How are you?" Sue's question made him feel on the defensive. Charlie was quick to answer, to prevent any further intrusion into his personal life.

"Fine. Fine." Charlie broke eye contact first. Sue looked back at him her compassion slightly patronizing.

"Are you sure?" Charlie's gaze turned back to her. What did she want him to say? Really, she made him feel like she wanted him to fall apart in front of her. She should know him by now. That was not him. It made him irritated, and his response was just as patronizing.

"Yes, Sue. I am just fine." Sue braced herself, expecting some push back. She leaned forward to try to capture his wandering eyes.

"Charlie, you just received life changing news. It is understandable if you have strong feelings about it. You need to talk about it." Charlie's gaze hardened in front of her. She could literally see the walls building up around him, brick by brick.

"Sue, no offense but I know myself. I can handle this life changing news, I handle the emotions, and I do not need to talk about them."

"Is that what you think you are doing? Handling it? You have not talked to Bella or Embry. And you sure the hell not talked to me about it." Her resentment leaked through the last of her statement. Was that what this was all about? She felt left out, because he didn't gossip with her like a couple of giggly teenagers? Well, she had news coming if she thought that.

"Look Sue, I do not need to rationalize my actions with you. It's none of your business if I talk to my daughter or not." Charlie clearly on the defensive now.

"Well, Embry is my son-in-law. I know first hand that he is waiting for you to make the first move. He wants to talk to you. It's not his fault, that you are his Father. And he is not asking for you to make up for all of the missing years, he just wants to talk to you." Sue's point poked at his wall, too close to his own regrets and guilt. He pushed back with the only defense he had.

"Sue if I wanted to talk to you about this I would have, one of the twenty times that you came to the station. I can handle this on my own. I do not need your help." Sue bristled at his dismissive tone. Charlie stood up to let off some of his steam. He started pacing in his tiny living room. Sue took a deep breath and rose to her feet also, coming up behind him.

"Charlie, please do not shut me out." Charlie jumped at her closeness, as he turned to face her. Instantly he regretted his tone, that he had used with her. She didn't really deserve it.

"I'm sorry. It's just hard for me.... I can't talk about this." Charlie confessed, pleading with his eyes for her to understand.

"Can't talk about this, or just won't talk to me?" Sue asked sarcastically. Charlie stepped back, not knowing where she was going with her question.

"What does that mean?" Sue took a deep breath and let her frustration of the last few days out in a rush.

"Is it easier to talk to Toni?" Charlie got lost in the conversation. He opened his mouth and stopped his words from coming out, as he rethought his question.

"What does Toni have to do with this? Charlie's temper flaring again, despite his attempt to control it.

"Well, you've gotten pretty close to her in the short time that you've known her. Maybe it's easier to talk to her. You seem joined at the hip." Sue's tone indicated her disapproval.

"Toni is a colleague and a friend. What have you got against her?" Charlie asked, sensing that she had an instant dislike of the girl.

"I have nothing against her. It just seems that all of the men around her are making fools of themselves." She declared. Charlie took offense at the comment.

"I don't know what you mean. Please grace me with your infinite wisdom." Charlie bit out. "How have I made a fool of myself? By befriending a woman who has no family, no friends? Or are you referring to helping a woman who was in an accident and is still suffering from the effects? Tell me! Tell me what part did I act like an ass in?"

Sue sputtered, shocked at Charlie's attack. Put that way, it did sound like she was making too much of his actions. What she did not want to look too deeply into, was the fact that if they were talking about anyone else she probably would not have the same reaction. But Toni so close to Charlie, had her seeing green. She knew it. She just didn't like it. She didn't like the fact that her son, Seth, seemed to be drawn to her as well. But she found Charlie's attention more offending.

"I did not call you an ass." Was all she could dispute, of his statement. Her voice much softer and less condescending than before.

"Well, you might as well as have had. It means the same thing." Charlie moved closer, and raised his hand to touch her arm, but stopped midway to lower the same hand. He did lower his voice to match hers. "Sue, I don't know exactly, what you thought you saw, but I have done nothing to make you accuse me. I have done nothing but offer company and friendship to a lonely girl. If you would just give her a chance, you would see that she is really nice and decent."

Spoken like that, Sue was the one who felt like an ass. Afraid that Charlie would see too much in her face at the moment, she made a quick apology.

"I am sorry, that I over reacted. It's just that you've been alone for so long, that I thought you would always be that way. You just push everyone away. But then you seemed to have found a strong connection to the girl, that is young enough to be your daughter."

Charlie turned uncomfortable, at the reference of Toni's age. Too close to his own thoughts. He also did not want to dwell on the fact that he did feel close, a connection that he had not felt with anyone in a long, long time. It was better not to address it at all.

"It's ok, apology accepted. Are we still friends?" Friends? Sue thought about that. At this point, in their lives, she thought that they were so much more. But apparently, Charlie never crossed that line. So be it.

"Friends." She declared, as she raised her hand for him to shake. Charlie looked at it, and paused. Sue started to lower her hand in uncertainty. Then Charlie reached over and gave her a hug. Caught off guard, she stumbled against him. He held her longer than she thought he would, by steadying her against his chest. She chuckled to cover her surprise. She felt the deep rumble of his echo, through his uniform. Awkwardly, he stepped back, sooner than she would have liked, still feeling disconcerted.

"Thank you for coming by. I will think over what you have said." Charlie said, clearly finished with the conversation. Sue said her goodbyes and she was on the other side of the door, before he realized that he had dodged the bullet on her original need to talk to him.

Now, sitting in the boat, he felt like he was drifting toward white water rapids, his mind twisted in the turbulent currents. He was just as lost in the present conversation. Toni seemed to have given up on him and was staring out at the bank, across the river, that they were fishing on.

Seth stood in the shadows, watching the people, in the boat. He had been following them, since they set in the water. To tell the truth, he had been watching her, since the end of his patrol shift. He had picked up the habit, since the newbie vampire was detected. He seemed to have a natural ability to escape the wolf pack's attempt to apprehend him. Seth hated the idea, that he was still out there, and that Toni was unprotected. He rationalized that the spirits were the ones that designated him to be her guardian angel. So he was just doing his job.

Charlie had stopped the boat across from the cliff that he was standing on, but still hidden in the trees, he watched. They started fishing, or rather, Charlie and Toni put their lines out, but neither one was paying much attention.

She seemed so relaxed, just skimming the water with her hand. He wanted to know what she was thinking at the moment. Although she was enjoying the great outdoors, there was a sad turn to her lips, that had him wanting to make her smile. The sun was just making an appearance in the sky behind them. The light hit her hair setting the tresses on a glittery fire. She had it down and free falling down her back. It also made her fair skin translucent. Seth stood transfixed as he stared at her, as if for the first time.

It was like the first time he had ever felt the effects of imprinting. His stomach dropped, as the ground beneath his feet shifted. The sounds of the woods behind him ceased and all he heard was her steady heartbeat, his own matching pace, till there was only one. Seth gripped the tree beside him to keep himself on his feet. Each time he saw her, it was harder to remember why he was fighting the imprinting in the first place. His love for Lauren had not disappeared, but seemed more and more like a sleepless dream.

Taking the opportunity, to really gaze at her, without fear of her catching him, he looked his fill. His shifter abilities, made it possible to see the pores in her opalescent skin. He could see every curve of her body, every swell of her chest as she took a breath. His eyes caressed her face as they moved over her, drawing her image in his mind, etching her into his soul. Then her head turned toward him, her eyes wide with shock. She searched the space where he was, in the woods, high above her head.

Seth stepped back, afraid that he was detected, then he came to his senses. There was no way on earth, that she could see him, from this distance, in this dim light. But her eyes stopped right on him. Her eyes narrowed on his face. She held her breath, as did he. Both locked in place as time stood still.

Toni was waiting for Charlie to answer her question, when her vision faded and it was as if she were looking in a mirror. But the mirror across the river on the bank. She saw herself, but not in anyway a mirror reflected. Her hair was practically glowing in the early morning light, and her features were much softer. It was as if she were looking at a moving picture that had major airbrushing. It was her, but it was not her. The idea popped into her befuddled mind that she might be seeing through someone's eyes. His eyes. The thought that he might be this close. That he was there. On the bank. Her eyes misted as her body took an involuntary gasp as air rushed back into her lungs. Toni raised her hand as if to reach across the water, and the mirror image followed its movement. She was seeing the same moment that she was living in.

Charlie made a move behind her and she tore her eyes away from the bank. The image did not fade, but was tinged with a red glow. The double image imposed over Charlie's face made her queasy.

"Can you pull over to the bank?" Toni asked, while trying to fight the urge to jump out of the boat and get the other side of the river. Charlie, afraid that she might get sick, by the look on her pale face, turned the motor over without answering. He started steering the boat to the river's edge. Half way there the image faded into a blinding white background. Her verbal protest made Charlie let out the throttle a bit more to get to the bank faster.

Seth fought his panic as he watched her get closer to the forest. She seemed upset. Even though the sun had risen farther into the sky, he was sure that the light was dim enough that she could not see him in the foliage. Still he took another step deeper into the forest. She stumbled out of the boat, not waiting for Charlie to anchor or help her. She raised her eyes above her, frustration on her face. He could see a layer of tears swimming in her eyes, only held there, by the tilt of her head. Toni searched the shadows, frantically trying to bring the image back so she could pinpoint the location. But like always, she had no control over her images. Charlie placed a hand on her shoulder, in concern. She lowered her head to look at him, her tears finding release.

"What is the matter?" Charlie asked as she turned into his chest. Toni had the familiar feeling she always got right after a vision, that she was going insane. That her mother was right. This time, her disappointment and frustration overwhelmed her senses. She sobbed as his arms tightened around her.

Seth moved closer to the edge, his need to comfort her dictating his steps. He stopped as he picked up a leeches scent. It burned his nose and he turned his head as he scanned the forest for direction. He did not find the trail till he turned back to Toni at the bank below. Terror seized his heart as he realized that the vamp was in the cave below with Toni.

Archer moved to the edge of the cave, lured by the tantalizing scent that lingered at the entrance. His foot stopped as the dawn's light fell upon the ground before him. Afraid that he would burn up in the sun, like all of the movies that he saw about vampires, he stayed there, at war with his common sense and his hunger. He had not got his fill last night before his fear brought him back to his lair. He did not want to be caught in the light. But the hunger was gnawing at his stomach and lanced his parched throat with a trail of fire. He could hear their heartbeats outside the cave, their twin beats seconds apart from each other. He growled deep in his chest at the thought of the respite from his pain so close yet impossible to reach.

Toni paused in her crying at the low sound coming from the cave in front of her. Could he be in there? Was she closer than she thought. She turned toward the entrance, hope lifting her steps. Charlie held her back, not quite understanding her movements. The caves in this area, were very dangerous. There were all kinds of creatures, bears, one of them. The growl was definitely not human. Toni tried to brush off his hold, but he held tight. Before he could say anything to stop her, they were rained upon with rocks and small branches, from the cliff's edge. The biggest wolf that Charlie had ever seen was standing on the edge. His stance was defensive, as if ready to pounce on a adversary.

Toni''s heart pounded at the sight, fear paralyzing her flight. Her phobia making her knees shake. The wolf paused at the edge. It's head bowed down at them, but moved to look at the mouth of the cave. Then the wolf howled out to the sky. It looked back at Toni and yipped much softer, almost as if a plea. Her eyes locked with the great beast. Charlie's hands were on her shoulders.

"Just take a step back. No, don't turn around, don't break eye contact. Just step back until we get back to the boat." Charlie directed as he pulled lightly on his grip. Toni tried to make her feet move, but her knees had locked. She cried out in her fear. She felt the pull on her shoulders tighten in strength. The wolf yipped again, a little more impatient. His eyes bore into hers. Her foot moved. The wolf pranced. Toni took another step back.

"That's it. Just a few steps more. We are almost there. Good girl. Come on, don't slow down." Charlie cautioned as Toni's vision doubled again. Her fear filled face blurring over the brown wolf. Toni broke eye contact as she scanned the area, lingering on the cave. The wolf howled, it's pitch sharp and biting. Toni looked back up as her feet moved again. The wolf stepped to the edge of the cliff, it's paws digging into the loose dirt, sending more debris off of the edge.

Charlie helped her into the boat and she sagged back to the side of the boat as he lifted anchor and pushed away from the shore. He climbed into the boat and eased open the motor. Toni closed her eyes to see the vision waver, as she saw herself disappear from view.

He had stayed by the house all day. She had not come out. But he could feel her pain, and he could hear her tears. Above all he could smell her fear. Micah fought the urge to swoop into the house and carry her off, to take away whatever had her so distraught. That was probably not the best idea that he had ever had.

As the sun set, her fear got even stronger, until he choked on it. He waited as long as he could and then stepped up on the porch. He twisted the light until it no longer illuminated the entrance. Micah braced himself to knock on the door. The unfamiliar feeling of nervousness paused his hand . This was ridiculous. There was no reason for him to feel this way. She was a harmless little girl. He waged wars, he invaded whole villages, but to be bested by a girl still much a child? Steadying his resolve, he knocked, and listened as Claire made her way to answer the door.

She opened the door, her face etched in worry. When she opened the door, she was completely taken by surprise. Even though the lighting was very poor she knew it was her mysterious rescuer. Before she could think clearly, a name lighted upon her lips.

"Mic..." The name died upon her lips at the young man's expression, and the piercing pain that hit between her eyes. Micah waited for her to finish, but there was just silence as she tried to retrieve the thought from her fragmented mind. "Michael?" Claire finished on her own, without the benefit of memory. Still it did not sound completely right.

Micah hesitantly smiled, thinking that it might be better if she didn't repeat his real name in front of the other wolves. This way he might not tip his hand too quickly. Claire laughed, not quite believing that she finally guessed right. Micah's smile morphed into a brilliant smile that glistened even in the dim light. He had made her smile. She chucked him on the shoulder.

"I did it! Told you so. Hey come on in. I was about to make me something to eat. It won't be anything fancy, but it will be edible." Micah stayed where he was, not wanting to go into the light. He didn't want to scare her with his eyes. She wasn't ready.

"Why don't we stay out here for a while." He pointed to the swing on the porch. She hesitated, until he sat down and patted the space next to him. Claire moved slowly, and sat down as far away from him as she could. She felt uncomfortable in his intense stare, his eyes dark and impenetrable. So many things felt funny to her and she could not help but voice some of her concerns.

"How did you know where I lived?" She fought the urge to look away, to see the truth in his eyes. He did not hesitate, as if expecting her question.

"It's a small town. The phone book has ten pages." Micah smiled at his attempt at humor. Claire was not so easily satisfied.

"But I go to Forks high school, this is La Push. How did you know that I lived here at the rez." The flicker of his eyes, was the only sign, that he was thinking as he went.

"Ok, you've got me. I asked around. One of your friends told me." Claire narrowed her eyes at him. Did Tara help him out and she did not tell her? She was so dead. "I was worried about you. I wanted to make sure that you were well after your ordeal." Again, he burned her with his intense stare.

" I am fine." She tried to reassure him, but her voice wavered at his concern. She had a terrible day. Quil still had not come home or called. After he rejected her last night, she was not going to be the first one to call. And her Mother was weaker and weaker. Without Quil to lean on, she was terrified of the future. She didn't know what she was going to do without her. She had called Carlisle, but he was not able to give her any good news. He told her that it might be time to prepare for the inevitable. That scared her the most. She sucked in her breath to keep the tears from falling. Claire was amazed that she had any left in her.

"That is what I was afraid of." Micah said as he moved closer to her. She laughed nervously as his presence invaded her personal space.

"Michael, really, I am ok." Again the name echoed falsely in her ears. "It's just been a bad day, that's all." Beyond her control, the tears kept coming, one by one. Micah placed an arm lightly around her shoulders, still she shivered at the coolness of his skin through his shirt.

"Why don't you tell me what has you so upset. Maybe I might be able to help." Despite the cold, she felt warmed by his firm embrace. She began to tell him about her sick Mother. How this was the second bout of the cancer, and that she was not recovering like she did before. He listened with sympathy, rubbing her back and asking questions, that drew her in. As she talked, Claire felt it easier to breathe, her tears dried up and she was able to laugh at some of the things, that struck her as funny.

"And this Quil, that lives with you and your Mother, where is he now?" Micah's question caused Claire to winch. That was the question of the day.

" He's taking some time away from here. He said that he needed his space, time to think." Her defense of her imprint sounded hallow even to her ears. Again, Quil's desertion pierced her breaking heart.

"He is an imbecile." At Claire's gasp, he continued. "Obviously, he is an idiot to leave you at a time like this. He must not care much for you, if he can just walk away when you need him the most." His observations, echoed her own doubts, making them more statements than questions. Still she felt the need to defend him.

"No, he cares a lot for both of us. He's just going through a tough time right now." It sounded lame even to her.

"Well, you would know him better than I would. Still, he must realize that your feelings are important, than his, what did you say, his space." Said like that, she agreed. Michael made her feel better. It was good to feel that someone thought her feelings were important. Claire was tired of worrying about everyone else.

"Thank you." Micah's forehead creased at her comment. "Thank you for making me feel better. It's nice to know that someone cares." Micah brushed back a curl behind her ear.

"I'll always care for you Claire." His tone was intense, and made her shiver at it's fierceness. Claire swallowed in her sudden nervousness. She had no idea how long they sat and stared at each other, before they were interrupted by her Mother's cry out to her. She stood up and he followed.

"You want to come in for a while? I will be just a few minutes, with my Mom." Micah stopped at the spill of light from the living room.

"No. I think I'll be going now." Claire asked if he were sure, offering to make them something to eat, but again he declined. Claire watched him as he went down the steps and seemed to fade into the shadows of the road, as if he were part of the night.

Sorry it took so long to update. Work is killing me. Hope you like it.