A/N - I own nothing! Many thanks to Mist for pre-reading.

~ B of L~

"Stick to your guns,

If you believe in something, no matter what,

Cause it's better to be hated for who you are,

Than be loved for who you're not."

- Help Somebody by Van Zant -

Chapter 1: Loyalty

Billy Black was exhausted.

He hadn't slept well for weeks.

Every time he closed his eyes he saw the brown eyes of his best friend's daughter, wide with fear and wet from tears. He could never see what it was she was looking at, even though in his heart he knew. She was in the forest, backing away from something with disbelieving eyes until her back hit a tree. There was no sound, save for her whimpers and then eventually a blood curdling scream. Before the scream died from her lips, he would bolt upright in bed - heart galloping in his chest, tears running down his cheeks.

He had poor Jake scared to death. Several nights he was woken before Bella could begin screaming. Jake would be looking at him, fear and disbelief shining in his eyes. Billy would try to downplay it, mumbling about indigestion or something or other. His son would just shake his head, doubt and worry marring his youthful face. The boy took on so much after his mother passed and sisters left. A child of sixteen should not have to deal with an invalid father or the safety of his tribe. But he did it with a grace and strength that reminded Billy painfully of his late wife, Sarah. And now, Jake was being woke up in middle of night to comfort a helpless old man when he rarely got five hours of sleep a night.

And even being stuck in the same wheelchair for damn near eight years, Billy had never, in all his life, felt so powerless. Caught between the loyalty of a friend and his tribe.

Harry didn't want to get involved. He never wanted to make waves, a product of twenty years being whipped into submission by Sue no doubt. And Billy couldn't understand his indifference. Harry had kids too and Charlie had been his friend almost as long as him. Hell, Billy introduced them!

Quil would have cared. Quil and Charlie were kin, and shared a closeness that had often made him jealous. Quil was so excited when Joy got pregnant. 'Maybe I will get my own little Bells,' he had told his friends one day fishing. Of course, he had been proud as a peacock when Quil V came wailing into the world, but when Quil mentioned that Joy and him were trying again there was no questions that he had his heart set on a little girl. Sadly, he died not too long after.

The day after Charlie had told him Bella was moving back, Billy went to ask advice of Old Quil. Old Quil was sympathetic to his dilemma, but said he was bound to protect the tribe's secrets. And even more, the treaty prohibited them telling anyone about the Cullens' true nature.

He had cursed his grandfather Ephriam several times over these past weeks. Had it not been for that goddamn treaty with their neighboring enemies, he wouldn't be in this predicament. The pack would have run their sparkly asses off on sight. But now they had to endure the so called 'peace loving' coven for who knows how long, all at the expense of their children's childhoods and dreams.

Charlie knew the stories though. Billy couldn't remember any bonfire of his youth that did not have his friend there. Hell, Quil, Harry, Charlie and him had played "Wolves and Cold Ones' more times than he could count after the stories were told and the adults moved onto their own discussions. And who played the Cold Ones? The pale face of course.

Why couldn't he put the pieces together now? Since the Cullens moved back, Charlie had not caught on to a single innuendo that Billy had let slip. He tried to be subtle, lest he provoke the wrath of Old Quil and the remaining Elders. But flat out refusing to go to Forks General for treatment was a pretty big indicator that Billy was serious as a heart attack about this. Charlie was a cop, wasn't he supposed to be able to read between the lines?

And in the last month, any derogatory comment aimed at the leeches was met with an angry Charlie. Billy shook his head, he didn't understand it.

He was nervous to see him again. There was now an air of tension between them that had not been there before.

At the sound of a car door, he went to the window to find Charlie being dropped off by a deputy. He was picking up the old Chevy truck that Billy was selling him. Jake had been overjoyed of the possibility of not being sentenced to driving the 'dinosaur' as he called it for his summer vacation. It wasn't much, but it was a tank and she would be safe if, Spirits forbid, she got into an accident.

Billy opened the door and made his way to the kitchen to retrieve a beer for his old friend. "Come in out of the rain you fool," he said as Charlie opened the screen door.

"How you doing, Billy?"

"Good, good." He handed his friend the Rainer, as he sat at the table.

"Here you go. I really appreciate your help finding me something for Bells," Charlie said as he handed Billy money.

"No worries, Jake is on cloud nine to get rid of the beast," Billy chuckled as he put the cash in his pocket. They bullshitted for several minutes afterward, reminiscing about other vehicles they had owned over the years.

When Charlie mentioned his excitement for Bella coming back, Billy knew he had to say something. "Listen Charlie. About Bella, why don't you let her come to school on the reservation? She'll know a few people between Jake and his friends. It will be easier on her, being her last year and all."

He looked towards the window, his eyes closed in contemplation. Whether it was his offer or something else, Billy wasn't sure. Charlie always acted funny when it came to her. They didn't have a good relationship, years being apart because of the bitch, Renee.

Turning to look at his friend with glistening eyes, Charlie replied, "No, I already got her enrolled in Forks. Be better if she was closer to home. It doesn't seem possible, her walking the same halls as me. God, has it really been 20 years."

"Yep, your a fossil."

"Watch your mouth, or I'll arrest your sorry ass for disrespecting an officer."

"Sure, sure," Billy chuckled. Never in his life had he met a man quite so touchy about his age as the Chief of Police.

The smile slid off his face as he prepared for the coming storm he could feel brewing. "Seriously Chief, I think it would be a good idea if she was in school here."

"No! What is your problem, Billy? And you better not fucking be referring to the Cullens!" Charlie erupted.

"Charlie, there are things you don't know about them. I am your oldest friend, and I only have your best interests at heart."

"Don't you fucking insult my intelligence Chief Black! The Cullens have not done a goddamn thing. Carlisle Cullen is a gifted doctor and our community is damn lucky to have him here. And I don't have any problems with that brood of his, which is a hell of a lot more I can say for the kids in Forks or your reservation. I never thought you capable of such unfounded prejudice."

With that, Charlie smashed in his clenching fists the now empty can and slammed it on the table. Rising from his seat, he glared at the tribal chief. "My daughter will be going to Forks High, period. Whenever you get your head out of your ass, give me a call."

"Charlie, you're making a mistake."

"I've made many," Charlie growled. "But I'm trying to fix what I can now. Leave it alone Black. You don't know all of the situation. We've all got our crosses to bear. You keep your secrets and I'll keep mine. Tell Jake thanks for the work on the truck." With that, he turned on his heel and punched the screen door out of his way as he stomped to his recent purchase.

Billy went to close the front door behind him, and wheeled himself to the living room, his heart heavier now than it had been all month. He couldn't sit on the sidelines while Bella could be in danger. Damned if he don't, damned if he did.

Fuck it, he thought as he opened another beer. He would talk to Jake.

He would rather ask forgiveness from the Council, than Charlie.

A/N - Thanks for reading!