Chapter Five.

Miley.

The heavy knocking on the front door was what distracted me,

I'd been sitting at the window all morning gazing absently upon the city watching people's lives play out before me. I'd even watched the sunrise, like I did when I was little with my dad. I always loved to sit with him and watch the orange light slowly creep along the buildings, spreading slowly like liquid until the day covered the entire city. It was mid morning now and I hadn't really considered moving, knowing well enough that I was needed nowhere so when the fists fell heavily on the door I tried to ignore it. They however didn't stop, until I eventually got to my feet and walked over to the door,

"Who is it?"

Instantly the knocking ceased only for deadly silence to ensure. I moved to unlock the door only to hesitate, a sudden feeling of familiarity sweeping over me as I dropped my hand. This had happened before, the last time I had a fight with them. Someone had knocked and not answered, so I'd idiotically opened the door only for both of them to force their way into my apartment. I however never made the same mistake twice, nor would I forgive either of them for attempting to ruin the only good thing in my life.

The knocking started up again as I went into the kitchen opening the fridge,

"If you think I'm going to open the door you're kidding yourself Jason." I yelled,

I carefully put a bottle of milk on the counter closing the fridge then moving to get the cereal listening to the perfect in sync thumping. I poured the cereal with one hand, then the milk as I spun to return both to the cupboard and fridge only for my sling to get caught up in the mix. The next thing I knew there was a smash, as milk and cereal splattered across the floor and flew from the shattered bowl across my bare legs. The scream I released was more in fright then pain as I grimaced rubbing my arm looking at the mess,

Why was I born so god damn clumsy? I leaned down collecting the pieces of shattered porcelain only to note that the knocking had stopped completely, had he given up or was that too optimistic? I raised my eyes only to find a pair almost identical to mine staring straight back at me as I screaming overbalancing and falling onto my butt.

"Shit Miley!" His large hands grabbed my waist and hauled me to my feet in a second as I grimaced the jolt causing a sharp shoot of pain to ricochet through my body. "Just sit down, are you okay? I'll clean this up, god I didn't mean to scare you!"

I opened my watering eyes as I locked them on the target my chest tightening,

"What the hell Jason?" My lips yelled harshly,

He just looked at me confused as I wiped my now wet hands on my top, "What the hell were you thinking? You know better than to creep up on me! Get the hell out of my apartment! I didn't let you in because I didn't want you here, get out before you ruin anything else."

"You dropped the bowl all on your own Miley!" He retorted,

"Well maybe if you hadn't been knocking so heavily I would have been more focused on the task!" I yelled,

"Well maybe if you let me in this wouldn't have- You're bleeding."

"What?" I asked confused my mind focused on the argument.

His hand shot out and grabbed mine turning it over as I stared at the clear bloody line across my palm. I groaned pulling my hand back only for his grip to tighten, as I opened my mouth to yell only to stare into his eyes which looked at me wearily and concerned.

"Let me help you Miley," He whispered, "Please let me help you."

I felt the laugh come from my lips automatically, "You've never helped me with anything my entire life, why start now Jason? Get the hell out of here, I can do this on my own." I stated glaring at him.

He sighed, "Miley please, just calm down for a second?"

"I am-"

"You're yelling, just stop okay?"

I closed my mouth instead staring at the blood seeping from my hand. Next moment it was gone, a kitchen cloth placed upon it as Jason slowly began to tie it around my hand as a make shift bandage. Without another word he grabbed my elbow lightly and pulled me towards the bathroom, pushing me to sit on the side of the bath as he moved to rummage around the cardboards. I stared at my uncle, watching him intently,

"Where's the other therapist?" I finally asked.

Jason's head popped out from the cupboard a band-aid in hand, as he closed the doors looking at me bewildered. "Aunt Amy, I mean generally when you come here you're either, one checking up on me, or two coming to tell me how completely wrong I am and give me a long lecture about mom and dad or my feelings or-"

"She said I should come alone." He murmured simply.

"Why?"

"Because she knew this wasn't her battle, which it isn't and you know that too. Miley she may have known but it was me who made the decision, you shouldn't punish her for that." I wanted to retorted but I knew he was right,

"Then why are you here?" I asked simply.

"To apologize I guess,"

He didn't even bother to look at me as he said the sentence, instead moving to put the band-aids on my hand.

"Apology not accepted." I replied without a delay.

Jason turned up staring at me with the same look my dad used to give mom when he came home late and missed dinner. "Miley look…" He sighed pressing the band aid down as I withheld a yelp, "I know what I did wasn't exactly just, or reasonable but you do understand why I did it don't you?" Jason looked up at me as I nodded dismally,

"Because I'm all you have left to remember dad by…"

He sighed shaking his head, "No, and it makes me hate myself that you think like that. You are right but you're also so wrong Miley, because not only are you the only thing I have left but you're my little girl, I basically raised you and the concept that you're putting yourself in a position of danger scares the hell out of Amy and me because we love you so much."

I looked at him as he dropped my hand, "I don't want you to get hurt, I never have, you've already been through so much and I just don't want you to go through anymore."

"Are you sure this is me we're talking about here, or you?" I asked simply.

That was the kind of comment that got me into fights with him, but instead of the yelling to start he nodded at my smart-ass remark.

"Both," He replied.

I nodded thankful for his honesty for a change, but I also knew I had to return it.

"I'm mad at you."I know,"

"I understand that you love me, that you're worried, but this is my life, not yours" I stated giving a sigh wishing I knew how to explain how I was feeling to him, "I like being a cop Jase, and like I said before, sure it has to do with mom and dad but look at everyone in the world! Don't tell me there aren't other kids who follow in their parents footsteps even though they died or something happened, so why can't I Jason? Why do you hate the idea of me being what you are?"

"Your situation is different and you know it."

"But you're a cop too, you're being a hypocrite."

"Fine my selfish response is I can't lose you too but there are other factors."

"You won't lose me-"

"Miley you don't know that." He snapped staring at me.

I saw the fear in his eyes as I shook my head and reached out putting my hand on his, "Don't you get it Jase, nothing will ever happen to me…" I looked up a small smile coming to my face, "Mom and dad would never let anything happen to me, and they've already saved me once haven't they?"

I looked back to my uncle as his eyes were now locked on the scar on my wrist,

"Miley they might not be able to always help you."

"I know that but I want to be a cop."

"Why not something easy?" He asked.

"Because easy is boring, my life has never been easy and you know it."

"I'm scared that you're only doing this to hold onto them Miley," He stated staring at me looking for a reaction as I kept me expression emotionless, knowing that it was the truth, becoming them was the only way I could keep hanging on.

"Why is holding on such a bad thing?" I whispered.

"Because they're not here anymore."

"They are" I responded,

"Miley-"

"Don't," I stood up shaking my head at him, "I know they're still here."

My uncle stood up and sighed moving his hand to his back pocket, "Look there's no point getting into an argument about this when in reality it's out of my hands now." He handed the envelope over to me looking dismal, "In a month you will undergo your final examination, that includes a psych evaluation, fitness, weapon and written test. Basically it's the final examination that you never did,"

I looked at him confused, "What-"

"You pass you're a cop, you fail and-"

"I'm nothing." I murmured realizing,

Instantly he was shaking his head again, "No, no Miley god where do these thoughts come from?" He asked frustrated, "You'll always be someone okay? As long as you have Amy and me you'll always be perfect. Actually that's another thing I want to talk to you about-"

"If you suggest moving back in, it's not going to happen." I cut off.

"No, I was suggesting that we keep our work and personal life separate."

I stared at him wanting so badly to laugh, "Look I know that will be hard for me, maybe less you but if you pass then I will treat you like everyone else in the force Miley. That means if you even consider acting like you did the other day I will have no second thought in kicking your ass to the curb." The laughter in my head instantly died as I realized how serious he was actually being, "And if we get in a fight at work I don't want it to be carried into our personal life, like it has been okay?"

"So if you fire me, I can yell at work but not at home?"

He glared at me huffing, "Well yes but-"

"Okay I get what you mean," I stated nodding "Yeah fine okay I'll do that, but only if you promise that you won't tell anyone our relationship and you and Amy back off." He nodded pushing out his hand,

"I'll accept that,"

"Fine."

"Okay done."

I shook his hand as he sighed, "Right well I don't suppose you want to go over to see Amy would you?" He asked hopeful,

"No, but I suppose I will."

"And if I said I was sorry, truthfully sorry would you accept it?"

This time my uncle looked directly at me and I had to nod because what was the option? Be mad at him forever? No, life was too short to hold a grudge, I knew that better than anyone.

"Fine I accept your apology, but-"

"There is always a but with you" He proclaimed sighing,

I ignored his comment but frowned to show my disproval, "How the hell do you expect me to learn what I missed in a year, over the span of a month? Let alone physical, if you haven't noticed there is a slight issue with that." I announced as he just stared at me shrugging,

"I don't know, work it out, I'm sure you will."

"So you won't help me?"

"What like a mentor?" He asked as I saw the smile coming to his face,

"Well yeah but-"

"No, no way in hell. I gotta get to work, maybe call a friend from the force."

He moved to the door, as I just stood there, "I don't have any friends in the force!"

Jase gave me a smirk and shrugged, "Well maybe you should start there? Bye Miley, I'll see you at dinner."

I grumbled as I heard him walk down the hallway, and the front door opened.

"Hey wait!" I yelled a thought suddenly occurring, "How did you get in, I changed the locks!" I heard my uncle laugh as the door slammed and I was left alone once again in the apartment I'd inherited far too soon.

I huffed realizing the predicament I was in, a month? Where was I even supposed to start preparing? My eyes gazed the hallway, falling on a bag of candy as I reached for a lollypop only to click staring at the bag realizing the answer was right in front of me. I didn't have friends, but I could make them? Or had I already? I dropped the lollypop and rushed for my bedroom knowing exactly where I needed to go to acquire the help to aspire and complete my dreams.

Nick.

Nick,

I wanted to say first off that I love you son, and I wish I'd said that before I left but I didn't. Look I know you're angry with me, I get that, but this isn't between us Nick, it's between your mom and me. I don't want our relationship to suffer because of what happened, so please is it too much to ask that you forgive me? I want to see you at the airport when I get home Nick the question is do you want to see me?

Dad

I stared at the email for a moment, my cursor hovering over the reply to message button wanting so badly to reply yet I knew I couldn't. I could never reply to him. I huffed frustrated and pressed back to my inbox, trying to ignore it but knowing I never would. How could I ever forgive him for cheating on my mom?

"Mom called."

I quickly hit the red button my emails disappearing as I looked at Kevin who stared at me unconcerned, "She wants us to come to New Jersey for the weekend in three weeks, you in? Joe's coming." I looked at him and shrugged surprised by the fact he was even speaking to me.

"Yeah, maybe,"

"You should." Kevin announced moving away, "You need to meet her new boyfriend eventually Nick."

I clenched my jaw hearing that word, boyfriend? Teenagers had boyfriends, my mother had a cashed up red neck who liked his beer and truck. I felt someone watching me as I glanced over to find Demi's eyes lingering on me only to spin back to the screen and start tapping on her keys,

"Do you think I should go?" I asked her,

She looked up innocently "Go where?"

I gave her a look and she shrugged giving me a weak smile, "Nick it's been a while now," Demi murmured simply, "Maybe you should go meet this guy, clearly you mom loves him and he must be making her happy."

"I suppose but after everything with dad-"

"More reason you should go, so you can see that she is happy."

I sighed leaning back on my chair, I suppose she had a point but I tried to avoid my mom's presence at all costs. It's not that we didn't get along, we did, but ever since the dad issue things had changed between us in a way which wasn't good.

"Jonas, Nick." A voice yelled out.

I sat up straight glancing over to see one of the receptionists looking at me, she was elderly and putting it simply we'd had some issues that resulted in us both keeping our distance and muttering crude words when the other walked by.

"A girl is here, claiming she has an appointment with you?" The woman asked unimpressed by the fact she'd had to get out of her cozy little office to speak to me, "Her name is Miley, she said you had a meeting with her?"

I looked at her completely bewildered as the receptionist rolled her eyes,

"I knew she was lying, stupid kid-"

"Wait, Nick you remember the appointment…" Demi announced shoving me so that my chair rolled a little, I gave her a look moving to shake my head as Demi sent me a glare that clearly meant to lie. "Remember? The appointment."

"Yeah," I turned back nodding, "Right the appointment."

"So she does have an appointment with you?" The receptionist asked.

"Yep she does."

The receptionist gave us both a look before hobbling away as I turned to Demi giving her a confused look. "What appointment?"

Demi rolled her eyes slapping me on the arm, "You know she can't get in here without a security clearance, clearly she wants in and lied at your expense." Demi proclaimed simply looking at me, "Use this to your advantage Nick, now she owes you big time."

"Use what to my advantage?" I asked confused.

Demi just stared at me, "Are you blind, she flirted with you the other day."

"I think that's just her attitude-"

"No," Demi stated pushing her feet of the ground and rolling back to her desk "I know girls like her and trust me, she likes you Nick. Maybe you didn't realise, but I sure as hell did."

"Why the hell would she like me?"

Demi laughed, "Your eyes?" She murmured mocking me, "Or maybe she likes players?"

"You're sounding like Selena shut up."

"Oh come on!" Demi smirked, "I was just joking-"

"And letting her in here could cause world war three, you saw her the other day she went freakin psycho!" I announced as Demi's expression suddenly changed, "I mean she has to be bipolar or something because Miley went from a complete crazy person to hugging you who she hardly knows? I mean who does that? What if she's decided to take revenge out on the Commissioner for firing her, and this is her master plan so she can sneak in and kill him-"

"I didn't even think of that, but I'll definitely consider it now."

I instantly froze hearing the familiar female voice behind me. Demi just stared at me her eyes watering and I could literally see she was about to explode into laughter. My brain quickly went into overdrive trying to dig myself out of the hole I'd somehow created,

"I was just explaining to Demi about my…cousin."

"Her name is Miley too?" She asked right beside me.

I turned to see Miley now perched on my desk, causally looking through my papers. I opened my mouth only to nod, because I knew if I said anything else this would only get worse for me. Miley looked up and shrugged,

"I'll have to meet her, she sounds a lot like me."

"The resemblance is uncanny." Demi announced from the other side.

I waited for Miley to yell instead she just smiled and turned back to me looking expectantly. I stared at her confused as she motioned at me with two hands until finally I clicked,

"Oh I'm sorry, I-"

"Accepted, okay I need your help." She stated.

I almost fell off my chair at the sudden change in direction, as I instantly nodded willing to do anything at the moment for her. She moved off the desk only to wince as my eyes widened,

"Are you okay?"

She nodded her face contorted in pain, "Yeah, everyone is still a little painful, actually that's why I need your help, both of you."

Her eyes turned to Demi as I spun to see Dems looking just as confused as I felt,

"You need us?"

"Yeah I got fired,"

"We guessed as much," I murmured.

"Yeah turns out they don't like bipolar people in the force."

My eyes widened turning to her as she gave a small laugh, "I'm joking, I'm not bipolar or any other thing, you've just seen me at my worst." She announced as I nodded a little intimidated and confused by this new version of Miley, the girl I'd once been bewildered about but in a completely different way.

"I can have my position back though, I just need to pass the final examination, psych, weapon and fitness testing."

"Oh that's great-"

Miley instantly pulled a face looking at Demi, "No it's not, I had to get rid of everything when I went undercover connecting me to the force, including all my books otherwise-"

"Your boyfriend couldn't come over?" I questioned,

Miley's expression instantly fell and she nodded, "Yeah, something like that." I saw the look in her eyes like I'd brought up something she'd pushed away, did she feel bad about Chris' death too like Demi? "So I don't have my books and I could really borrow someone's if that's possible?"

"Oh I have mine," Demi announced smiling,

"Great, could you maybe help teach me? I'll pay you."

Demi frowned, "Why? You-"

"I missed a year, I have a month before this test."

"Oh shit." I whispered,

"Yeah exactly, and the other issue is the fitness I didn't really need to do a lot of running drills at the nightclub, I mean I got the gyrating and pole dancing down sadly that's not a requirement." Miley announced as I couldn't help but let out a chuckle, "So could you maybe help me Nick?"

I turned and stared at her, to see how serious she was about this. Miley genuinely wanted our help, something I had never expected from her because it had always been the other way round. Now the ball was in my side of the court and I had two options, did I want to play or walk away? I stared at her feeling an overwhelming curiosity towards Miley, she was so mysterious in ways I couldn't describe, she always had been and this was my way in to her life, to understand why Miley acted like she did.

"I'm in," Demi announced simply.

Yet again she'd beaten me to the punch but I nodded staring at Miley,

"Okay yeah sure, I'll help you with fitness, Demi with the books."

Miley instantly looked relieved her body relaxing as I realized something, her mocking and sarcastic nature wasn't an aspect of her personality but a defense against serious situations.

"You have no idea how thankful I am." She announced.

"I think we do, so when do you want to do this?" I asked.

Miley's face instantly lit up and she shrugged, "Well as soon as possible," She turned looking at Demi giving a smile, "Because let's face it my entire future is now in your hands, so when you say when I'll jump however high you want."

My mind flickered back to almost the same sentence coming from her lips only a few weeks ago.

"The tables have definitely turned then," I announced,

"We'll start tomorrow afternoon." Demi announced,

"Done."

Miley looked at me and I knew she remembered what happened at the club, she nodded in agreement. "The tables have turned, so once I get the sling off in two days will you help me?"

"We'll meet in two days."

"Then it's a date." She whispered with a smile I couldn't help but return it while questioning what I'd just got myself into.

A/N: Hey guys sorry for the delay been busy with christmas like I'm sure most of you have! Thanks for the reviews and if you have twitter come talk to me- I need more niley online friends :P (bec93)