Chapter Four.

Miley.

"Miley breakfast…"

"Miley I made your favorite!"

"Miley?"

A heavy knocking fell on my door as I lay in bed staring at the snow globe perched on my bedside table. I reached out and shook the glass, watching the white snow instantly swirl around what used to be my perfect world, a replica of the city I used to love when I was a child. I put it down and pushed myself out of the bed in a routine I hadn't followed since I was in high school,

"Miley why did you lock the door? Miley answer me!"

"Miley can you open the door?" My aunt exclaimed frustrated,

I couldn't help but smile at her determination as I struggled painfully over to unlock the door. A second later I was faced with orange juice, a plate of scrambled egg and bacon along with the unwanted addition of my red faced aunt whose glare could kill,

"Miley I told you not to lock the door, I specifically said-"

"I'm sorry," I responded simply, "Bad habit"

She scowled me shaking her head, "What if something had happened Miley? What if you fell or feinted? Look the doctor said-"

I took the plate from Amy giving her a reassuring smile, "He said I'm fine, remember?" I announced sliding past her, trying to maneuver my arm which was now in a sling and my new frustration, "He said my arm was healing great, my stomach will be fine by next week and that I only have to stay under prison watch until next Monday."

"Prison watch? That's what you think of your uncle and me?"

"Noooo" I responded lying as I smiled sitting at the counter, "Of course not."

"She's lying Amy"

I rolled my eyes hearing my uncle's voice coming from the bathroom,

"Don't you have some place to be Jase? Like work?" I retorted.

The door opened and he stepped out dressed in his normal suit, I swear he had at least five of the exact same one.

"Yes actually I do." He announced grabbing a piece of toast. Amy looked at her husband with raised eyebrows her head tilted to the side,

"But you said you'd have breakfast with us Jason, so we could talk about that thing-"

Jase gave Amy a look shrugging, "I can't-"

"Jason Gerald Stewart you promised."

"A promise I'll have to break and reschedule until tonight, bye hun."

I watched as he kissed my aunts cheek, causing me to look away. It wasn't that I didn't like seeing them show affection it just reminded me of my own parents in the kitchen every morning.

"Goodbye Miley."

I just grumbled and scooped some of the eggs into my mouth as he left. We still weren't on great terms but at the moment I didn't want to push the subject of work and clearly my uncle and aunt didn't either because there had been no mention of it since the hospital.

"So what's the plan for today missy?"

My aunt looked at me as I shrugged, "The gym maybe?"

Amy's eyes instantly widened to almost the size of the plate she was holding,

"The gym, are you kidding me Miley? You got shot-"

"I'm fine Amy."

"No, no you're not look at yourself Miley."

She huffed throwing her hand out in my direction, "You've lost weight, you're barely eating…" She looked at the bacon and eggs still mostly on my plate frowning, "Your shoulder is a mess that needs to heal, your side is in tatters! You are not going to the gym Miley end of discussion." She dropped the plate into the sink as I just nodded,

"Okay then I won't go, jeez don't get-"

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence missy."

"What? I-"

"Stop with the attitude."

"What attitude-"

Her finger pointed at me frowning "You may have been undercover for a year and acted how ever you felt there, but this is my home and here you will respect and listen to me and your uncle understand?"

"Yes Amy," I murmured rolling my eyes,

"I saw that Miley, now eat your breakfast."

I huffed wanting to throw in the whole I'm not a little kid statement but I knew better than that knowing that some how the conversation would then turn to my parents. I hated when they used them against me, even the mention of my mom and dad started a fight under this roof, it had been the same since I was a kid. I didn't like being compared to them, or talking about how much I missed them because I wasn't like that. Automatically to Amy and Jason it meant I was bottling up my feelings, which I wasn't, I just wanted to keep my thoughts private because I knew a lot of them would scare both Amy and Jase too much and I didn't want to put any more burden on their shoulders. I mean they'd already got stuck with a kid who wasn't even theirs.

"How about we have a movie day?"

I looked at my aunt almost chocking on the orange juice, "A movie day?"

"Yeah," She stated smiling as Amy cleaned the dishes, "I remember when you were little we used to have movie marathons for days! Do you remember that?"

I nodded although I remembered little of my childhood that was happy,

"Maybe you should move back in here so we can have more time with you?"

I could have laughed at how subtle that hint was, and how clearly this whole conversation had been leading up to it. I'd moved out on my 18th birthday, my uncle and aunt hated the idea and tried so hard to stop me but in the end they could do little to actually stop it. I'd finally been given a sum of my parents money, and I decided I'd much rather live in my real home then the one I'd had no choice but to move into. It was nice there, quiet but loud with so many memories I could hold onto and live out without anyone seeing.

"I'm not going to move back in Amy." I murmured carefully,

"But Miley you need me, you need us and-"

"And I'm an adult I can look after myself."

Amy just looked at me and frowned turning away, "You sound so much like your mother right now when she was having you. So determined." She announced,

I looked down clenching my lips this was the exact reason why I'd moved out. I didn't want to hear the stories I didn't know because it made me want them more, so mom and dad could tell me them, not a third party. I just liked living with what I already had to hang onto, the words my parents had told me, "You're dad had to go to Boston for this work thing when you were eight months along, Tish was so determined to make Billy go but he wanted to be there just in case you were early." Amy started a smile on her face as I dropped my fork and stood up,

I turned heading to my bedroom as she sighed, "Miley, honey-"

"Thanks for breakfast."

I walked down the hallway thankful Amy decided not to follow me, I brushed up against the table pain hitting me like a brick wall as I stopped. I clenched my shoulder frustrated by it's incapability to do anything at the moment, while gazing back at the inflictor of the pain. I looked at the cabinet annoyed only to spot an envelope sitting on it,

I reached out grabbing it confused, spotting my name across the paper.

In seconds it was being ripped apart with one hand as I unfolded the sheet with out hostility. It took me a second to realise what it was, and I didn't truly understand until I saw three things. The ink in the top corner depicting the New York Police Departments symbol, my uncles freshly signed signature at the bottom of the page and the one and only sentence I really had to read to realise the betrayal…

Due to circumstances the Board and Commissioner of the New York Police Department have had no option but to terminate your position effective immediately.

Terminate my position?

Was this some fucking joke?

Five steps later I was back in the kitchen shoving the letter directly into my aunt's face as my voice yelled the first thing that came to my poisoned mind,

"Did you know about this?"

Her jaw clenched looking at me nodded gravely, "I did, that's what I wanted your uncle to talk to you about-"

"This is a joke right?" I spat at her,

She stared at me and gently moved her hand out towards me, "Miley, sweet heart, we just think that you would serve a better purpose doing something else in the community. Something that's less-"

"Dangerous?" I yelled at her,

Amy stared at me pleadingly, "Hun we just don't want to-"

"Lose me too?" I hissed and laughed mockingly at her, "Well you just did Amy."

I spun and headed straight for the front door as I heard my aunt calling out but I only had one clear thing in my spinning head. Was he really that fucking stupid? Did The commissioner really not think I would go down without a fight? Because if he didn't well he had hell coming for him, and there was no way that I would be the one losing out this time.

Nick.

"Can I have some?"

"No."

"Just one? Come on Nick…"

"No."

"Nick she won't even notice."

"No."

I looked at my brother who was staring into the bag full of candy which had been sitting on my desk all week and a temptation to every passerby. Joe pulled out a Butterfinger looking hopefully towards me as I snatched the chocolate bar and pushed it back into the bag frustrated by his presence,

"Joe just piss off."

"Come on man, just one! I've been out on patrol all night and my feet are killing me!" He complained as I just rolled my eyes tapping away on my computer, filing cold cases, the shitty job I'd been given as punishment. "I could really do with just one Nick, then I'm outta here I swear man."

"For the fourth time, N O" I spelled out as he just stared at me,

"Asshole."

"Go away Joe."

He finally moved as I pushed my hand out and looked up at Joe, "And put the packet of M and Ms back in the bag," I announced as he tried to play innocent for less than five seconds before huffing and returning it.

"You're a dick."

"Get lost Joe." Demi's voice snapped, "I'm trying to concentrate."

"That makes two of us."

"Not my fault you have shitty desk jobs at the moment which are making you both act like you have PMS!" Joe announced walking away motioning his hand in the air at some lame attempt at a wave, "I will go enjoy being a real cop while you can do all the backstage work that is basically pointless. See ya,"

I looked over at Demi who just huffed staring at her computer,

"He has a point, this is doing my head in." She muttered,

"Yeah me too."

"Do you think we'll ever be let outside again?" Her eyes turned towards the windows, a longing expression across her face as I shrugged,

"You yes, me probably not."

Demi groaned face planting into the desk, "I just wanna be back working with Joe in the real world not stuck in here like some business woman, I chose this job for that specific reason." She murmured into the paper as I smiled.

"I don't think anyone has been so desperate to work with Joe."

"I know right, any word on your partner?"

"No, wish there would be though."

"Did you hear the gossip?" She asked sitting up

I turned and stared at her not really caring, because to me gossip was only a useful tool to the females of the work place which I typically tried to avoid knowing well enough the trouble it could get me in. Demi instantly perked up, only to then look a little unsure reconsidering for a moment only to quickly reassure herself.

"Selena is going out with Justin, she told me yesterday."

I didn't react to Demi's announcement but inside I was dying a little,

"Justin as in-"

She nodded shaking her head, "She is so lucky, the entire female population in this workplace has been dying to be with him, but no it had to be her of course." Demi announced rolling her eyes, "Not that I care he isn't my type and she's my best friend, but she manages to get all the amazing guys."

"You saying I'm amazing?" I asked smartly,

Demi looked at me and pulled a disgusted face, "Not in that way, but all the girls seem too. They love your eyes supposedly…and your arm muscles." She stared at me tilting her head, "They also think you'd have a huge-"

"He doesn't, let me assure you."

I instantly spun to see Joe yet again smirking at Demi, "I however-"

"What the hell are you still doing here?" I snapped furiously,

"Well you see I was leaving when I saw someone…"

He motioned to the candy bag and I snatched for it furiously, "No you can't have any Joe for the fucking millionth time,"

He just glared at me in response, "Miley's here, in the foyer."

My eyes widened in surprise, as I was instantly up,

"Here as in-"

Joe nodded, as Demi rushed up beside me looking at him, "Is she okay? Like I know everyone keeps saying she's out of hospital, doctor saying she's fine and all that crap but-"

Joe just laughed, "Oh yeah she is fine, although seeing a side of her which is definitely terrifying! No wonder everyone in your year was scared of her." He proclaimed as we both gazed at him confused and he leaned forward, "She's having a huge fight at the moment outside with Selena actually, who won't let her in because she doesn't have a pass. Miley wants to see the Commissioner and is throwing a piece of paper around"

"Paper?" Demi asked bewildered,

I looked around noticing a few others were now gazing up over their cubicle walls intrigued by our conversation,

"I reckon she got cut." Joe proclaimed boldly,

"Cut?"

"Fired." I responded as Demi's mouth dropped,

"What? Why? She-"

"Got shot, didn't really do a great job at capturing her 'boyfriend' and didn't get out of the way. I don't think the board or the Commissioner were impressed." Joe continued as I just shook my head in disbelief not understanding,

Miley hadn't hesitated to fight back against Chris, yet I had and I kept my job while she lost hers? How did that even work? I was about to question the matter further only for the door to fly open as we all turned to see for a brief second Miley flying directly past us in a flustered state heading for the Commissioner's office,

"Hey wait!" Selena yelled running past us, "You can't go in there"

Miley stopped and turned glaring at Selena as I noted the impact of her injuries a large sling covering the arm that I practically caused, "You can't tell me what I can and can't do okay? No one can so fuck off." She announced and opened the office door storming in as we just stood there in complete confusion.

"What just happened?"

"She pretty much just told Selena what I wanted to say during our entire relationship." I murmured looking at my ex to see her standing their disgusted,

"What's going on?" Demi asked.

She headed for Selena as I followed, along with Joe knowing that this was exactly the kind of gossip and drama I didn't want to get involved in. Selena shrugged looking at Demi then at me,

"I have no idea, she was acting psycho crazy!"

"What did the paper say?"

"No clue, she wouldn't show me!" Selena stated shaking her head,

Joe moved over pressing his head against the door motioning for us to be quiet as I rolled my eyes at his stupidity.

"Joe there is another room before his office you idiot-"

"I can hear them, they're fighting, I was so right she got fired."

Instantly all of us were up against the door, a few of the other office workers all looking up eagerly to also find out what was going on. I pressed my head against the wood hearing distinct voices while trying to sensor my hearing past the mumbles and get a clear idea of what they were actually talking about.

"Don't you dare bring them into this!" Miley's clear voice shouted,

"It wasn't just me, it was the board Miley it was-"

"I wonder why everyone calls her by her first name." Demi suddenly pondered confused, "I mean we all go by our last names, minus you guys because it get confusing." She stated looking at Joe and me "But the Commissioner calls all of us by our last names, it kinda sounds like-"

"She knows him?" Selena suggested.

"I don't know,"

"I'm a good cop! I am! I deserve to be in the force!" Miley yelled,

"You got shot-"

"This isn't fair!"

"Life isn't fair Miley, you take what you're given!"

"Don't you think I've already taken enough?"

"And so have I, so get the hell out of my office you're out it's done."

"If you think this is over you're kidding yourself Commissioner! This is my life, this is what I want and I know that if I take you to court you will be punished for unexplainable dismissal." She screamed.

"You don't have the money-"

"Actually I do!" She screamed, "Remember how old I am now, or are you forgetting again?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Joe asked,

I shrugged as Demi shook her head, "No idea."

"Fine then, I don't need you, I don't any of you because I have another option. You may not take your signature off this but he will." Miley suddenly screamed as we heard a smash followed by footsteps,

"Don't you dare Miley-"

The door flung open as we almost ll toppled into the room quickly throwing ourselves into a straight position completely guilty of eavesdropping. Miley for a moment just stared at all of us, red faced, breathing heavily with a clear evil blackness in her eyes. Without a single word to us she turned and walked directly towards the office of the second in charge, the Chief of the department.

"What are you doing?" A voice suddenly yelled,

We all turned like deer caught in the headlights as the Commissioner glared at us,

"We wanted to give Miley her present for-"

"Get back to work."

He slammed the door in our face, but not before I spotted the shattered glass of a photo frame, a photo of a little girl in the picture. We all hurriedly moved back to our desks as Joe gave us a wave,

"Call me! Tell me what happens, okay?"

Selena followed Joe back into the main lobby as all fell peaceful again, and eventually I got myself back into work. An hour later the chief of the department's door finally opened and I saw him smiling walking out with Miley who had gone from red faced to looking just as calm as I remembered the girl who held a gun like it was a child's toy.

"Thank you Chief, seriously I owe you."

He smiled at her and shook his head, "Look now that I've heard it from your perspective I think differently, I'll see what I can do okay? You don't owe me anything Miley, no one in this world will ever owe you." I watched completely bewildered as he exchanged a look with her that I didn't understand.

Miley walked back towards us but stopped at the Commissioners window and tapped on it. I stared at her amazed at the balls she had to even speak to him in that kind of manner let alone do something like that. I mean I knew she had wild confidence yet we'd never really seen it play out and now that I had I couldn't help but admit I was impressed by her relentless attitude. The blinds flicked up and I spotted the Commissioner as Miley held up the piece of paper smiling as she ripped it in two and walked away. I was surprised that the Commissioner didn't open his door and fire her on the spot honestly, but I had a feeling that something was going on here that none of us truly understand.

"Miley, I'm Dem…well I'm not sure if you remember-"

I found myself watching Demi stumble over her words as Miley suddenly smiled, "Demi, I know who you are of course I do!" Then Miley did something really unexpected and grabbed Demi hugging her, "You saved my life."

"I…I…I was just doing my job."

"You saved my life, I owe you so much."

She let go of Demi who finally seemed at ease after the past week of tension, how did Miley just do that when I'd been trying all week? Miley motioned apologetic towards the door,

"I have to go, but I'll be back real soon, maybe you could show me around?"

Demi instantly nodded, "Yeah, of course I'd love too."

"Thanks Demi, I really mean it."

Miley turned and walked down the hallway as I wordlessly held out the bag containing the sweets, along with the card within. Miley's head shot towards me confused as I stared at her,

"From all of us, I'm happy to see you're okay."

I saw a flash of red appear on her cheeks as she accepted the bag,

"Thanks Nick, you…" She hesitated, "You saved my life too."

I looked at her and heard the flirtatious sentence come from my lips before I even thought it through, "So what are you going to do to make it up to me?"

Miley just stared at me and I felt myself instantly die as she just stared laughing,

"You'll have to wait and see I guess?" She responded smirking.

With that she turned and left as I realized I'd made a mistake not getting to know her earlier.

A/N: I'm back! Who missed me? Thanks for the feedback hope you enjoy this chapter! If you read my others stories Hurricane will up tomorrow and SOSN's next chapter still needs to be written so maybe the weekend? Thanks guys :)