Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns everything in here except my imagination and some of the characters. I have also made some slight changes to her world.

I make no apologies for being British, but it does mean that sometimes my spelling/grammar or the words I use may be unfamiliar.

I have used my imagination to create some of the characters and their backgrounds. They are fictional and do not represent anyone living or dead from this reality. Although I can't speak for other realities….

A thousand thanks to my pre-readers Andrea and hubby Harry – I can't do this without you both!

This is still Charlie's point of view. It continues where the last chapter left off and leads us into the fight. BE WARNED: The fight will include gore from the beginning. If you don't like to read about blood and gore – DON'T READ IT!

Charlie's POV

Prejudice

Renee stayed in my truck alone until Sue, Carlisle and Esme came back with the last of the medical supplies. I told Sue she was in my vehicle, so Sue promptly took her home. I didn't care. As long as she wasn't under my feet she could do whatever she liked.

"Charlie?"

I turned as Carlisle put his hand on my shoulder. "Does she know about Bella yet?"

"No," I sighed. "I couldn't even tell her about your family being back. It's one thing to know about shape shifters and werewolves, but to find out about… cold ones too? She's upset as it is. I'll tell her when she's calmed down."

"I hope she doesn't find out from anyone else, Charlie."

"Carlisle, I don't care. Let's go and see how things are going in the centre."

Once the medical supplies had been sorted, I went out to see how the boys were doing.

"Charlie!" Emmett shouted. "We're done!" He grinned as he slapped Jasper and Sam on their backs.

"Whoa man!" Sam spluttered as he stumbled forward.

Emmett laughed loudly. "Aww, what's the matter, dawg?"

Sam and Emmett began chasing each other around the centre, taunting each other and laughing.

I scowled. Why weren't these boys taking this seriously?

"Charlie?" Carlisle said. "We're going home for a while. Edward is going to ring, so are you coming too? I'm sure Esme will rustle something up for you! I also have a friend who is coming to help and I'd like you to meet him. His name is Eleazar."

"Is he a v… va… cold one?" Why couldn't I say it?

"Yes," replied Carlisle, "And a vegetarian. We'll see you at home, okay?"

"I'll be right behind you," I said as I dug my keys out of my pocket. As I drove towards the Cullen house I only had one thing on my mind: Do I tell Bella her mother has returned?

As I pulled up outside the house I decided not to mention her mother; she had enough to handle and she'd find out soon enough anyway.

Esme was at the door. "Come on in Charlie, Bella is on the phone now!"

I ran up the steps and through the front door, unable to hide my excitement. I stopped in front of Carlisle as he pressed a button on the phone and handed it to me.

"Bella?" I held my breath.

"Daddy!"

I felt so much better hearing her voice. I just wish I could touch her again, but then she told me she was coming home and I didn't want to touch her again – that would mean she'd be here with the danger. As she told me she loved me, I froze. Suddenly, I wasn't sure I would see her again and there were things I needed to say. She tried to stop me, but I wasn't having it.

"I love you too, my beautiful girl. If you don't make it back in time and something happens to me…"

"Dad no! Don't say that! I'll be there, you'll be fine!" I could hear her sobbing, though she was trying to hide it.

"Bella…"

"No dad…. don't…. please."

"I have to say this. Please listen." I was determined to get this out!

"Bella," I continued. "I love you so very much and I am so proud to call you my daughter. I know things haven't quite worked out the way we thought, but I know Edward is a good man. I couldn't ask for a better partner for you or for a better family to take over from me."

I was losing it…..

"D…D…Daddy," she wailed, totally inconsolable.

"Bella," I gulped, trying desperately to keep calm. "I've got to know the Cullen family a lot more and I can see how much they already love you. You've got brothers and sisters now, as well as a mother and father who will guide you better than I could ever wish for."

"Daddy…."

"Safe travels, my darling Isabella," I managed to get out before a strangled sob burst from my mouth. As I sunk to my knees I dropped the phone, but I couldn't see where it went for the tears. I felt someone pull me up and drag me outside where I once again slumped onto the top step. I tried in vain to catch my breath but all I could think was 'I'm never going to see my baby girl again.' I hadn't realised who had dragged me outside until I heard Esme whispering that everything would be alright. She hugged me tight and rocked me gently, but as my breathing began to calm I suddenly remembered what Bella had said about coming home.

"Esme, don't let her come home, please. She's my baby and I can't see her get hurt, or worse, she sees me get hurt. Please, keep her away."

Esme shushed me and chuckled. "Charlie, she's stronger than any of us at the moment, I'm quite sure she'll be safe. However, if the worst happens, you know we'll look after her, right? Do you really think she'd stay away? She'd never forgive herself if something happened to you and she wasn't here."

Esme was right. My daughter could be so stubborn sometimes! I jumped as Alice appeared in front of me holding a cup of what looked like tea and a bread bun with what smelled like bacon. I raised my eyebrows, wondering how on earth they instantly knew how to make me feel better!

An hour later we were all back on the reservation. People were beginning to arrive with their families and… weapons?

"Hey Ray! Have you got a permit for that shotgun?"

"Er… yeah Charlie, of course," he answered before hurrying his family into the centre. I think once this is all over I had some visiting to do!

Every person was allowed to bring one bag with a change of clothing and any small valuables they may have. Thankfully everyone seemed to be adhering to the rule; the only 'extras' people carried were food to go into the kitchen to share and a variety of guns. I was going to have to do something about this. I couldn't have loaded guns around the children – it was an accident waiting to happen.

I spotted Sam arriving with some of the other guys. "Sam," I called. He smiled as he made his way over to me.

"What can I do for you Charlie?"

"We have a situation, Sam. A lot of the men are bringing loaded weapons with them. Can you guys collect them in and lock them in the office until later? Make sure they're unloaded. Put name tags on them if you have to; I know what these guys are like with their guns!"

"Sam chuckled. "Will do, Charlie." He turned to the others. "Paul, Quil, Embry, Jared, I need your help with something."

As he turned to go into the centre the four boys trotted after him, listening as Sam explained what they were doing.

I heard another car pull into the car park and I turned to look.

I wish I hadn't.

Harry, Sue, Leah and Seth had arrived with Renee. I smiled at Harry as he exited the car, but he didn't smile back. He grimaced and continued to walk into the centre. As Renee stepped out of the car I noticed she had tears running down her face, her mascara running with them and she looked…angry.

"CHARLES SWAN!" Renee yelled; spit flying out of her mouth as she stormed towards me.

I took a step back.

"WHEN were you going to tell me? I leave my only daughter with you and NOW SHE'S DEAD! You are the worst father EVER! I should've taken her with me, but instead I left her, thinking she'd be better off, thinking she'd be safe! This wouldn't have happened if she'd been with ME! YOU GOT OUR DAUGHTER KILLED! I HATE YOU!"

She collapsed on the floor, running out of steam. Her fingers were clenched, her eyes were shut and she was rocking on her knees. What the hell had Harry and Sue told her?

"Renee… RENEE!" I ended up shouting at her to attract her attention. As I reached down to help her up she screamed at me again. Second wind obviously!

"DON'T YOU TOUCH ME," she spat venomously.

I wasn't putting up with this. "YOU listen to ME, Renee. I WILL explain things to you, but you need to calm down. Bella IS NOT DEAD. Do you hear me? NOT… DEAD." I frowned. Actually she is dead, just not dead and buried!

Carlisle and Esme came around the corner of the building, hurrying at a human pace towards me.

"Charlie? Are you okay?" Carlisle asked, concerned.

"Yeah, Carlisle, thanks. Let me introduce you to my ex-wife, Renee. Renee, this is Carlisle and Esme Cullen. They…"

"Oh I know all about you and your family," Renee spat again as she slowly stood up. "I hope the werewolves rip you all apart! This is ALL YOUR FAULT! If you hadn't…"

She stopped as suddenly as she'd started as Emmett and Jasper appeared at our sides, her tear-stained face draining of all colour.

"Look Ren, Bella is on her way here, so you'll get to see her yourself, but DO NOT speak to the Cullens like that. There is enough prejudice around here without you adding to it. They are my friends and Bella's family so keep your mouth shut."

"Well they would treat her like family, wouldn't they? After all, THEY MADE HER INTO A…A…"

She couldn't finish her sentence as she broke down again. I heard Emmett and Jasper growl before Alice and Rose dragged them away.

Renee was now muttering to herself. "She should've stayed with Jakey. He would've looked after her. He would've kept her safe. Such a lovely boy…" She'd obviously been 'fed' a story about what had happened according to Sue.

"I'm taking her inside," I told Carlisle. "I'm sorry for what she said. I don't think she actually knows the truth about what happened but it's something I need to deal with at a later date."

"Don't worry Charlie," Esme soothed as she reached out to stroke my arm.

"DON'T TOUCH HIM!" Renee yelled, making me jump. "Get me away from them, Charlie. And as soon as Isabella gets here bring her straight to me. I'll keep her away from these… people."

"Good luck with that," I muttered so low that Renee couldn't hear me, but I knew Carlisle and Esme could. They both smiled as I led Renee into the centre. I had to smile too. No, Renee didn't understand at all.

I deposited Renee in the kitchen where she proceeded to clean herself up and help Sue preparing some food. I couldn't understand why Sue would say such things against the Cullens, especially when she has seen how much they have been helping us. I walked outside and squat down against the building. I know Bella will stand up to her mother, but I was worried about the way Renee will react, especially as she's closer to the Cullens than with Renee. Then, of course, there was Edward and the fact that Bella calls Esme mum.

Oh dear.

By six o'clock that evening everybody who needed to be in the centre was there and I had successfully avoided Renee. The Cullens and Eleazar had hunted and were now patrolling with our shifters. Sam and the gang had also eaten and after a heated discussion about whether or not the girls should stay behind, they had all gone to patrol. The rest of us at the centre were eating, except me. I was stood at the front door, watching the fading light as the darkness began to slowly creep in, increasing my feeling of dread. My blood was running cold in my veins.

Soon…

"Charlie?"

I was so busy staring into the trees that I didn't hear anyone come up behind me. I spun around to see Billy wheeling towards me with a plate of food on his lap.

"You should eat something," he said, holding the plate up.

I took the plate and fork and began to eat.

"I'm so sorry, Charlie." Billy spoke so quietly that I barely heard him.

"It's not your fault," I replied just as quietly, though I wasn't sure I believed it.

"I'm his father – I'm to blame. If I'd been a better father I…" He dropped his head into to his hands. "Where's my boy, Charlie? He must be going through hell."

Jake was going through hell? What about Bella? She's the one that suffered the most!

I kept my mouth firmly shut. This was neither the time nor the place.

"I'll see you later, Charlie. Good luck," Billy said as he turned his chair to go back into the main room.

"He'll come back," I said. He had to… I had unfinished business with him!

Billy waved and continued into the room, letting the door shut behind him. I sat alone once more. Who would arrive first – Bella or the werewolves?

I checked my side arm and the shotgun in front of me. Everything was in working order. I decided it was time to allow the men their weapons back so I unlocked the office door. The men, once armed, situated themselves around the room. Some were under the boarded up windows and some were surrounding a screened off area in the middle of the floor. The children were in here. We couldn't stop them hearing what was happening, but they didn't have to see what was going on. Harry and Billy were poised at the emergency exit in case anything attempted to get in. We decided we would need at least one other door to escape from if we needed to, so Jasper had welded a huge metal door against the wooden door and it could only be opened from the inside. A couple of the other men also stayed near this door while others positioned themselves just inside the main room with me in the foyer alone. This was because there wasn't really room for another person in here, but if I needed help I just had to shout.

I returned to my position at the front door… but I wasn't alone for long.

Sam, Emily, Eleazar, Carlisle and Esme came rushing in. Sam and Emily were breathing heavily and wore shorts with a vest. Eleazar, Carlisle and Esme looked like they'd been for a leisurely stroll around the centre!

"They're on their way," Carlisle explained. "There are eighteen of them; seven lycanthropes and eleven werewolves. They've split into four groups. Jasper thinks they're going to attack from four sides, possibly hoping to drive us together. They obviously don't know we've already gathered everyone together. We've split up too, but we won't go too deep into the woods as we don't want any to get around us."

One of the men the other side of the main room door has poked his head out and heard everything Carlisle had said. He nodded as he closed the door and hopefully reported back to everyone else inside.

I looked at Carlisle. "It's really happening, isn't it?" Please tell me no. Please tell me it's all been a dream, a nightmare.

"It is Charlie. You should be in there too, you know. We'll guard this bit," Carlisle said, patting my shoulder.

"No way, I need to see what's happening. I don't care what happens to me, but you will look after Bella, wont you?"

"Oh Charlie," Esme said as she hugged me. "You know we will. She's already a daughter to us and we love her very much."

"I know. Just watch out for Renee. Take Bella away if you have to," I pleaded.

"Don't worry. She'll be safe with us and she'll be happy," Carlisle promised as he hugged me too.

"Charlie! Charlie!" I heard shouting through the trees as the rest of the Cullens and Quileutes burst forth from the closest tree line.

"They're coming, they're near," said Alice as everyone spread out around the centre. All of the shifters were now the magnificent, powerful wolves I had seen on many occasions, but now I just hoped they were powerful enough.

We waited…

We heard them before we saw them…

"ATTACK!"

I heard it just before Carlisle firmly shoved me into the foyer and shut the doors.

The snarls, growls, shouts, yells and screams pierced the night and they sounded horrifying. I shivered. I was still sat on my bottom when Seth came flying through the doors all bloodied and moaning. I immediately got up and dragged him to the doors leading to the main room. I heard someone yell for Sue to come and look after him. I held onto him as I looked back at the now shattered pieces of wood that once offered at least a little protection for the sounds outside.

Sue and Andi's Mum, Shirley, bent down to check on Seth before they carried him through to the other room. The whole building shook as bodies were flung against it. I jumped as something bloody shot through the opening and plopped with a wet thus at my feet.

A hairy hand with thick, discoloured, sharp fingernails laid there while I just stared at it.

"Get rid of it!" Sue screamed as she finally hauled her son through the doors and shut them with a bang.

I slowly bent down, gingerly picked it up by the hairs on the back and flung it as far as I could outside the doorway. I couldn't see where it landed as I couldn't see anything past the doorway. Even with a full moon the darkness had totally blanketed the area.

I edged closer to the gap, peering into the darkness, just waiting for something to happen. I gripped my shotgun tighter, bringing it closer to my chest.

"Aaargh!" I yelled as a hairy face suddenly peered back at me through the doorway.

It was huge.

It took a step towards me, snarling and growling. Spit was hanging like shoe laces from both sides of its jaw and its arms were reaching out.

Towards me…

I raised my shotgun… and fired.

Its head exploded, splattering me, the walls, the floor and the ceiling with blood and brain matter, before it fell forward. I jumped backwards before it fell on me and watched it hit the floor with a dull thud, spilling even more blood onto the floor.

Oh man I felt sick, but at the same time I felt like I could run a marathon!

I watched in awe as the once hairy monster in front of me changed into a man…

A man that I had just killed…

A man that had a life before today…

It didn't matter that he wasn't human, what did matter was that I had taken a life.

Pull yourself together man! It was either him or you!

Please stay away, Bella, I don't want you to see this. Please don't make it back in time…

Are you still with me? Love it or hate it?