Chapter 5 is alive and well! Hope you all had a great weekend. Lots of writing was done which I am happy about. Thank you all for you support! itsmereading, you know I love you! twi nana, Paul is 21. In Washington, you can be a trooper at 19 1/2. Oh get ready for the drama! I hope to not disappoint ya!

I don't own the song or the characters. I am running out of songs. Lol. Lets go! -Brier

Chapter 5

Song of the Day

For King And Country : Burn The Ships

Bella

What a way to start my birthday! Having so many people here to support me and leaving my prison, otherwise known as hell. The State Troopers were not happy that Fork's Chief of Police was so evil, and that Carlisle might know what is going on with his son. So, it sounds like the shit is going to hit the fan. Most of the Forks Police Department is being suspended since at one time or another someone over looked the issues going on between the Chief's daughter and the town doctor's son. Wow. What a mess this will be. I can't wait! State Police are taking over the investigation since Forks P.D. dropped the ball. But since Edward is 17, it might be moot. He might get juvie. Who cares, I will get justice! His mug shot was amazing! Smug bastard. Enough about Assward, did I mention I am a single lady? Dances around the room!

In recent news, I am the newest tribe member of La Push, as well as newest student. Since it is the beginning of the year, I plan to take a few days off, I want to get settled. Take what I want from my old house and bring it to Billy's, or my new house. I am so excited! The only issue is where I will sleep. I'll take the couch all day any day if it means I don't have to go back to my house. Unless I can have my old house outright. We shall see. I haven't been this happy in God knows how long. I smile as I listen to Jake and Billy argue about who knows what with an off duty Trooper Paul LaHote, Sam, Harry and Old Quil. Not sure if I should be listening or not. What the hell? It might be about me. I walk into the kitchen where there appears to be a Council Meeting. Wait a minute, when did Jasper, Emmett, Jake, Embry and Quil join the council? Guess not a council meeting then. Too many pale faces. I really need to stop hanging out with Jake.

"Shouldn't Bella have a choice? I mean, she is 18 and been through hell for years! She picked coming here! It's small but she has always felt safe here! I know that much from what she has told me over the years!" Emmett looks like he is ready to break something. Jasper is trying to calm everyone, always the voice of reason. Or crazy. Wait, this is about me? Shouldn't I be involved?

"Hey guys! What's going on? I was going to start lunch but I can wait," playing dumb.

"Hey Bells. Sorry, the guys came over while you were showering. We have some questions for you. Have you thought about where you want to stay?" Jake looks down at the floor like he did something wrong. Sam looks professionally detached. Billy and Harry look pissed and Old Quil could take it or leave it. Emmett is ready to beat someone and Jasper is holding back Emmett. Poor Embry and Quil look confused. Which is their normal, sadly.

I think about it. "No I really had not thought about it. I just figured not my house. While I know it is small here, I really don't mind the couch for a few days. I can figure something out long term since I don't know what is happening to my parents or the house in Forks. Any news Trooper LaHote?" Kill them with kindness, always gets you somewhere.

"Honestly, there is not much I can share. Your Dad is in a lot of trouble though if just the one incident is true. Your friends suspensions are being looked into Since it was in defense of a well known abuse victim. I wish we could press charges again most of the school. This is bull shit!" Paul gets up and slams the door as he leaves. Odd. I guess Paul is on my side. Good to know.

The kitchen is oddly quiet. Something that does not happen often with this amount of loud mouths. I go to the fridge and look to see if there is anything I can make. It's bare, but there is enough for sandwiches. I make some macaroni salad to go with the sandwiches. I also made some simple cookies for dessert. Hoping we have enough, I plate the sandwiches and salad then put them on the table. Billy, Jacob, Embry and Quil are happy to eat my cooking again. They are so easy to please. Old Quil eats mumbling something to himself and Sam leaves the room and makes a phone call then comes back with Paul. Emmett and Jasper are always happy to eat.

"Paul did you have something to say to Bella?" Sam asks. "Thank you for making lunch Bella. It's real good. The cookies smell great!."

"Thanks Sam. Hopefully the cookies taste as good as the smell," I say with a shy smile.

"I am sorry that I went off on you earlier Bella. It was not my intention. Your whole life has been filled with abuse nobody should suffer through. You did everything right down to having people support you in getting out and you couldn't. This is hard on everyone. I can't imagine what you have been through all these years. Thankfully you had people who love you. As for where you are staying, wouldn't you like a bed? There are plenty of us around the Rez that would gladly let you stay with them. I'm sure your friends here as well. Just think about it. Either way, as daughter of Chief Billy Black, whether you are here or in Forks you have the backing of the tribe and State Police. Please remember that." Paul looks almost defeated handing me a card. "Call me anytime. If you need a friend or someone is bothering you, I will be there. Okay?"

"Thank Trooper Lah…." I start before I get cut off. "Paul. Just Paul hun." I look down as I start to blush. I feel a hand on my back. "I should clean up my mess in the kitchen. Billy can I stay on your couch at least tonight? Or take the girls room?"

Billy smiles. "Of course my dear daughter. Jake, get new sheets on the girls beds for you sister!" I laugh as Jake messes with my hair. "Going Dad! Lucky I like you Sis! Lunch was great!"

I get up and we wrestle like we did as kids, until he picks me up and throws me over his shoulders. I squeal as he tickles me. In the kitchen is laughter. I feel like I am where I belong, home at last.

Step into a new day. We can rise up from the dust and walk away. We can dance upon our heartache, yeah. So light a match, leave the past, burn the ships, and don't you look back.