Chapter 2

I managed to get in and out of U-Store without raising a single eyebrow and got back on the road. Destination Forks. After more than two solid hours of intense, and I do mean intense, boredom I caught a glimpse of the city limit sign and breathed a sigh of relief. I made it! Now comes the hard part.

It didn't take terribly long to find the local U-Haul and return the truck without saying a single word. I kept my luggage and other bags with me I figured I could ditch them somewhere for a moment or two if I needed to. I wondered around what I figured to be the downtown area trying to find a suitable mark as a host family. I think that I was sitting on that bench for the better part of a Saturday afternoon before I found someone that met my needs. I needed someone who doesn't look to closely to people around him, who worked long hours, and had his mind preoccupied most of the time. That normally equates to doctors or cops. I found a cop! Now all I need to do is follow him for a few minutes to get his name and any family he had. Hopefully he doesn't ask too many question I'm good, but I'm not good enough to dodge all the questions. He walked into the local diner (The Lodge really ;) and sat down. I may not be good with veils but I can blend in when I want to, so I stashed my luggage, except for my leather messenger bag, in the bushes, and followed him into the diner and sat in the booth behind him with my back to him and picked up the menu. The waitress walked over to him first and made idle chit-chat that only coffee-house waitresses are good at.

"So Chief Swan what can I do ya for today," Score one for the Wizard I now have a name for my new host pappy! Oh wait I'm supposed to be a proper Englishman not a backwoods hick (I always get those two mixed up.) My new host father, I corrected. The waitress continued "Is Bella coming or are ya going it alone tonight?"

"It's just me tonight; Bella has too much homework to come out tonight." Ok make that score two for the Wizard; I have a name for the host family, Chief Swan and a daughter Bella. At least she sounds like a daughter. Unless I just walked into Deliverance. Now to put this plan into motion.

I got up and causally walked out of the Diner and down to the corner. I buttoned up my shirt, cuffs, and all; then put on my black pea coat, and the finishing touch I pulled out a small black umbrella out of the right waist pocket. I buttoned my coat up and then extended the umbrella. I dropped whatever simple veil I had put around myself and I felt the stares almost immediately. This really is small town one new person and everyone stops to gawk. I was slightly afraid that I would cause a traffic accident.

I turned around and walked back into the diner and up to the waitress "Excuse me miss." I said in my impeccable British accent.

"Have a seat anywhere hun," I cringed, why in the world do waitresses always have to call you 'hun' or darlin'.

"Actually," I replied "I'm looking for Chief Swan. Is he in here by chance?" Sometimes I honestly amaze myself. This is one of those times. Of course my best quality is my humility.

"Ya he's sitin' over in the corner" she said pointing right at him.

"Thank you, miss." I said as I smiled. This was the last chance I had to turn around and walked out. I have no papers, no exchange organization name, no transcript. Screw it I have to go for it now; otherwise I'll lose any surprise I might still have. I pushed this out of my mind for the time being, I concentrated on making everything work, the power positive thinking right?

"Excuse me Chief Swan." I started. My mind was racing criticizing every little imperfection with my accent and every nervous tick. Focus Marsdon A game time work on selling the cover as a whole not just the accent.

"You're new around here. How can I help you?" he was perfectly polite, but not outwardly friendly.

"I'm Aaron Brown, the exchange student." I said like he should know what I'm talking about.

"You say that like I should know what you mean." Was he psychic? I did my best to look shocked and confused, of course it's hard to control the little things when you're my heart is beating out of my chest.

"I'm supposed to be staying with you for six months. I have the paperwork in my bag here if you'd like to see it." This is one of those times where I truly impress myself. I could only hope that he wouldn't call my bluff right away.

"No one ever talked to me about this." He replied curtly.

I put my shocked face on before responding. "I'm truly sorry and I don't meant to sound selfish, but what am I going to do? I flew into Seattle and took a cab out here. I honestly have no place to go."

"When would we be able to sort this thing out? You can stay at my house until we can sort this thing out." He replied.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but this must be some sort of mix up. I was actually hoping to see how American law enforcement operates." Oh please, please, please hope playing to his ego works. I said as I mentally crossed my fingers.

"What do you mean?" He asked as he gestured me to sit across from him. I think that this is actually working. Everyone wants to be respected, fake interest in what they do and they'll be more willing to help. Or so I've learned.

"My dad is the chief inspector in Maidstone, where I'm from. I specifically asked to stay with a member of law enforcement. Not to be pushy, but I have my luggage outside and I don't really want it to get stolen…"

"Absolutely bring it in; we can put it in the cruiser later." Without hesitation I got up and went back out to the bushes. I looked into the bag for some paper to try and fake some notes between me and whomever I needed to have notes from. When I opened the bag there was a folder I didn't remember putting in the bag. I opened it up and low and behold there were faked transcripts, transfer papers, and all other things that were associated with an exchange student.

I did write a note, just one that reminded me to ask Harry about it the next time I called him. Must be some form of spontaneous magic that I'd never heard of. That's beside the point; I grabbed my sword bag, slung it over my shoulder, then picked up the two suitcases and walked back into the diner.

"Chief Swan," I began as I walked back to the table in the corner.

"Please, call me Charlie." He corrected

"All right than Charlie, I thought you might like to look at the paperwork to make sure I didn't make a mistake." I said handing him the newly created folder.

He looked through it, a lot closer than I had so far, and seemed to be genuinely impressed. "I see a lot of law enforcement classes are you interested in joining the force?"

"In a matter of speaking," Fuck I wish I had read through my transcripts at least a little bit. Must lie fast and convincingly; "well yes, umm sort of." I said trying to by some time. "I actually want to be a criminal profiler." I lied, well it wasn't a whole lie I did want to do that until I came into my powers. That or a surgeon, but that's not really the point right now.

"Oh I see," he replied, "I'm afraid that our local high school doesn't offer any of those kinds of classes."

"It's quite alright, I really wanted to get out of the country for little while and see what life was like on the other side of the pond." I'm starting to scare myself; I think at the end of this I'm going to actually turn into a Brit. Remember it's a cover and only a cover that you have to keep up until you're able to assess and deal with the vampires here.

"Well I do hope you enjoy it here. Oh I'm just about finished here; if you want something to eat we can get it to go." Ok this is going to be easier than I thought it would be, I've managed to somehow fake my transcript and all other paperwork and convinced the chief of police that I was supposed to live with him, without really trying.

"No thanks, between the eleven hour flight the cab ride from the airport and waiting until I could find you I'm just plain exhausted." I replied, it was more or less the truth except that the eleven hour flight was in reality close to an eighteen hour drive.

"That's fine, let me take one of those suitcases, looks like you have enough stuff to carry." I'm truly surprised by how quickly he'd warmed up to me, I guess playing to his ego really worked.

"Thanks." I said as he grabbed one and walked towards the door.

"Don't mention it," he replied as he opened the door before turning back to wave a quick goodbye to the waitress. "I'm parked just over here." He said indicating the stereotypical police cruiser. He opened the car and I followed his lead by tossing my stuff in the back seat.