Chapter Six.

Miley.

"You've just arrested me for drug dealing, now what?"

Demi looked at me with a book in her hands expectantly. I sighed as she leant back in her chair in the navy blue outfit I wished I was presently wearing, however that didn't seem a likelihood of happening anytime soon the way I was going. Instead I was sitting here trying to summarize a year's worth of knowledge into a month, and revise the stuff I'd also managed to forget in the process of being undercover. I looked at her knowing what I had to say, as I opened my mouth only to stop a little unsure about the entire procedure,

"I say- you have the right to remain silent, and anything you do or say will be used against you in a court of law…" I started strong only for it to become sketchy after that as I tried to think back, "You have the right to have an attorney? And something else about an attorney?"

Demi just stared at me frowning as I shook my head, "I don't exactly know the rest…"

"Well I just got off my drug chargers with that lousy attempt."

I groaned slamming my head back against the wall, "Why don't I remember all this? I mean I used to be smart! It's like being undercover with all those Barbie dolls has caused me to lose brain cells." I announced closing my eyes dismally only for Demi to give a small chuckle,

"You're over thinking it, that's all, you know this stuff Miley."

"This is too much pressure-"

"This is being a cop Miley, you gotta accept the time you're given and do the best with what you've got." Demi announced as I opened one eye and she stared at me, "Now tell me my Miranda rights again and this time let's remember what the attorney does okay?"

"You have the right to an attorney, if you don't have one it will be appointed by the state?" I suggested hopeful and Demi shrugged,

"You've paraphrased but I'll accept it,"

"But they won't," I groaned.

"Miley it's not going to be that hard, you're making it worse on yourself…"

"You don't understand." I spat sitting up feeling completely frustrated, "If I don't have the exact wording down to the right grammar punctuation I can kiss this job goodbye, I won't be let off easy like you guys were in your examination!"

"Why not?"

Demi stared at me blankly as I clenched my jaw, "Because…"

"Because why?"

I kept my lips closed realizing I couldn't tell her, even if a part of me did, it would lead to more questions, some of which I didn't want to discuss. So instead I just shook my head, "Don't worry about it"

"I feel like you're not telling us something."

"That's a bold claim,"

I looked at Demi who just stared assessing me carefully, "You've changed so much since the academy, it's like you're a different person."

"Maybe I was always this person, you just never looked hard enough."

"No, Nick see's it too-"

"He hardly knew me-"

"You were more determined at the academy." Demi stated closing the book now looking at me intrigued, "Like you wanted it so badly that you'd do anything to become a cop. I remember you got the best grades for everything Miley, and now you're forgetting the Miranda rights? You haven't got that determination I remember, all I'm seeing now is you trying to prove to someone else you're good enough not you trying to show yourself you can do it."

I just stared at her not sure what to say, I felt insulted honestly but I couldn't blow up at her because she was my one and only hope at passing this test. So instead I asked the first question that came to my head,

"Then what do you think I should do to fix that?"

She shrugged, "I don't know, maybe jumping straight into the books wasn't such a great idea." I looked at her as she motioned outside, "Miley maybe you need to see the reason you wanted to become a cop to get that brutal determination back. I know the teen who dominated is still in there, she's just buried under what I'm going to boldly say is your anger towards the force."

"But I'm not angry." I spat

"You got fired, you should be-"

"No I'm just…" I stopped thinking it through, "I'm sick of people making decisions on my behalf because they think they're protecting me, when all they're really doing is making it harder for me."

"Okay I'm lost, is something else going on here?"

"I'd be lying if I said no." I whispered looking down tracing a bracelet on my wrist that used to be my mom's, "But I'm not ready to talk about it, however maybe you're right. I need to find determination someplace…"

"So where did you get that from in the academy?"

"For the study part? I got motivated from fighting and shooting- they were my favorite."

Demi gave me a confused look as I just rolled my eyes, "You must think I'm crazy, but when I'm fully concentrated on taking someone down all I can think about is my next move and how I have to make it to become a cop. If I did well in target practice and managed to take some guys down in training that was motivation for me to go back and study."

Demi looked at me, "Then maybe you will be better after this afternoon,"

"Why?"

"Your session in the gym with Nick."

I shook my head gently moving my shoulder; "I won't get the motivation because I can't beat him at the moment Demi."

"Who says you can't?"

"My body."

I looked at her and she just smiled, "Your body might not be fully capable at the moment, but trust me when we watched you fight like you said it was all about your next move. You use your head before you act Miley, sadly not many other people in this world do, example Nick."

"So you think I could beat him today?"

Demi smiled at me, "No doubt about it, just wear something tight."

I have her a look and she wiggled her eyebrows, "He likes you, I know he won't admit it but he's intrigued by you, so am I actually." Demi announced seriously, "I however won't get distracted by what you're wearing, he however will and trust me you should already know how use your body to your advantage."

"As bad as it sounds, I do."

"And that witty charm, Nick thinks that's sexy.'"

I looked at her surprised and confused, "He said that"

Demi stood up pushing the book over to me, "Girl he didn't have to, it was written all over his face." She rolled her eyes at me as I gave a small laugh,

"But he's a complete player,"

"Well you've changed, whether you agree with me or not on that." Demi announced staring at me, "You would never have asked for help, and yet you did. Maybe he can change too?"

"I doubt that."

"Me too, but you never know."

Demi moved to the door as I glanced at her, "Do you not like this new me?"

She stopped and tilted her head smirking, "So you are admitting that you've changed?"

"Maybe…"

She gave a chuckle, "I didn't like the old you Miley, no one did because no one knew you. You scared us. This Miley I can deal with although she needs to find that brutal teenager now if she wants to pass this exam,"

"Okay," I murmured,

"Maybe you should be more concerned about the psych evaluation."

I looked at Demi who just laughed at me, "I was joking, I got to go back to work I recommend you do some reading I'm making a pop quiz tomorrow for you do while I'm on my lunch break okay?" She announced as I looked at her,

"You're not supposed to tell me when I have a pop quiz Demi."

Realization dawned on her as she opened the door, "Well I'm giving you the heads up just in case, bye Miley."

"Bye."

The door closed as I smiled feeling the anger I'd had disappear, Demi was nice and I didn't know why I hadn't realized that or even attempted to make friends in the academy. Maybe that was it? My loneliness created a manifestation in me that make me want to succeed? Who was I kidding, honestly I didn't know what motivated me the most, mom, dad, my love of one on one combat, or was it proving my uncle wrong? The door opened as I ignored it for a moment only for a coffee cup to be placed before me,

I looked at it for a second confused turning to see Jason standing there,

"I thought you might need it." He stated simply.

I stared at him tilting my head, "Are you still trying to make it up to me?"

"Maybe,"

"I thought you said you were keeping your personal and work life separate, I'm pretty sure I'm sitting in the New York Police Department storage room which I'm almost definite is apart of the workplace." I looked up at as he towered over me looking like a leader, like my dad. "And somehow I don't think you go out and get coffee for all your other workers,"

"And lunch…"

He put down a sandwich and chocolate bar as I smiled at him,

"Thank you."

"And technically you're not an officer yet, you're just my niece at the moment." He announced moving back towards the door, "And so what if I break a few rules every so often,"

"You can only break them for good."

"I know, you'd kick my ass if I did something to break our deal."

"You're right I would, but thanks…seriously." I murmured.

Jason just smiled and looked at me, the lines coming to his forehead as I watched his expression turn to one of concern. "If you need any help, I might be able to…point you in the right direction."

He motioned to the next page as I flipped it and he opened the door,

"I really like my officers to understand the fingerprinting process," He proclaimed giving me a wink as he closed the door.

I stared at the page seeing the exact same heading as I relaxed, maybe Demi was right I was trying too hard to prove everyone wrong when the real battle I was facing was having to show myself that I could do this.

Nick.

So I wasn't exactly a gym teacher.

Nor was I the best at fighting, actually I was for our level, but only after Miley disappeared. Honestly I had no idea how to help her because we'd all learnt off her at the academy. So instead of walking in and getting her to fight me, which I knew would only result in me getting my ass kicked even if she was injured I'd gone with the option of recounting our first few days in the academy and what they made us do.

"You're late." Miley proclaimed.

"I was out-"

"You've been in the office all day."

"Have you been stalking me?"

"No, I've been observing, there is a difference."

"We call that stalking."

I gazed at her lying across the floor in the centre of the gym. I'd pulled a few strings and managed to get an hour in here every afternoon when no one was using it, however they hadn't stopped a few people watching in on the session.

"I didn't know you invited your admirers," I announced,

Miley's head instantly shot up looking towards the glass paneling where a few first year probationary officers were standing intrigued. Miley growled and got up as I realized why they were here,

"What are you wearing?" I snapped,

Miley turned looking at me as my eyes widened, okay this was going to be harder than I expected. She just shrugged her shoulders confused as I stared at the running shorts she was flaunting and the NYPD top that didn't leave anything to the imagination. How the hell did I not recognize her body before the other night? I mean when we were shooting I was so terrified of her with a gun I hadn't even had a glimpse at her well development body.

"Demi found them for me," She stated innocently.

"Of course she did."

"Is there something wrong?"

I heard the tone in her voice and knew she was playing with me. This may have been Demi's idea but there was no way in hell Miley didn't want to join in the fun of making me embarrassed,

"No," I stated smartly, "No there's not."

Miley walked over as my eyes strained to stay directly on her face,

"So what are we doing?"

I smiled and held out a single piece of rope as Miley's expression fell,

"Jump rope?"

"Jump rope." I responded smugly,

"But-"

"What?" I stated looking down at her, "You thought we'd go straight into fighting? Yeah that's not going to happen because let's fact it you'd most likely pull a muscle and lose any shot you have at becoming a cop." Okay yeah I was lying and covering my ass, but I couldn't let her beat me injured. "You've been dancing sure, but your unfit and your body wouldn't be used to rigorous exercise-"

"Hmmm isn't sex rigorous exercise?" She proclaimed simply.

My eyes widened and she just smirked, "Because I did that-"

"I don't care, you're jumping rope."

"I was joking Nick," She stated giving me a grin,

I threw the rope at her and just glared at Miley who stared right back as we went into a stare down that I was determined to win. After a minute or so Miley finally huffed and untangled the rope shaking her head.

"I hate jump rope it's so…"

"Simple? Yeah well let's see how good you are at it."

Miley finally made a jump as I felt myself die a little, holy shit this was the best idea ever. I couldn't help it, the tight shirt, the jumping, the fact I was male it all combined so I was staring straight at her chest. I mean I couldn't help they were right in front me, and to think she was paying me to watch this.

"Stop staring at my boobs." Miley suddenly yelled.

My head flew back to her eyes as I shook my head, "I wasn't-"

"Don't lie, you're a useless liar Nick, you always have been."

"When have I ever lied to you."

"When you told your friends you'd invite me to that party back in freshman year and then when I asked you about it, you lied to my face and said there was no party." Miley stated continuing to jump as I looked at her surprised,

"You remember that?"

"Of course I do." She spat, "That's when I decided you were a dick."

"You had a gun in your hand, and had just killed five cardboard people I didn't really want to ask you to come to a party you'd most likely laugh at." I stated reflecting on it as Miley snorted shaking her head,

"How would you even know?"

"Would you have come?"

"No…"

I just stared at her and she gave me a smirk, "If you asked now I might though,"

"Too bad there aren't any parties coming up."

"There will be, and when you get invited just remember-"

"To ask you, I got it, keep jumping."

"I am!" She snapped,

"Jump faster,"

She sped up as I managed to keep my eyes locked on her face. Eventually she was out of breath but I forced her through a few more drills before making her yet again start jumping. I could see she was tiring but I didn't let up making her do the exact same amount of work that we had endured in the first week of hell. I was quite correct in the fact she was unfit, by the look on her face, it was pain something I'd endured through training.

"Can I stop yet?" She groaned,

"No, keep jumping."

I watched the sweat falling down her forehead, as I noted the fact her red cheeks had suddenly changed color. She was turning white? I instantly realized that I'd misinterpreted the pain, this wasn't because she was unfit but-

"Stop!" I snapped pointing at her shirt, "You're bleeding!"

The rope dropped from her fingers in seconds and I could see the dazed look across her expression. Her head tilted down, as she looked down at her side staring confused. I rushed over putting my hand on her chin dragging it up as I stared into her eyes seeing the tell tail signs,

"You're on drugs again?" I hissed at her,

"What?" She stepped back confused looking vague, "Of course I am, a bunch of them I got shot Nick! I'm on like five different antibiotics, painkillers and god knows what else!"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because it doesn't matter-"

"Miley you can't exercise with them, it thins your blood and then-"

Miley pulled her top up as we both gazed at the blood soaked bandage on her side. She turned staring at me as I saw that she was shaking, and her eyes were completely unfocused. I grabbed her arms securely and started pulling her disorientated body towards the locker rooms, knowing that she was a few short moments away from hitting the gym floor.

"I'm fine." She proclaimed as I sat her down on a bench.

"You're not, you should have told me Miley…"

I made sure she was stable before rushing over to the fridge opening it to find a few cans of coke that would have to suffice. I cracked one open and moved back to see already the color was returning to her face, I handed her the can as she just looked at me blankly,

"Sugar, you need it."

Miley nodded still a little vague, "I'm fine, really Nick, I'm okay."

"When did the stitches get taken out?"

Miley made a face as I stared down at her, 'When did the stitches-"

"This morning,"

I groaned as she sighed, "The doctor said not to do exercise but-"

"What you thought you knew better?" I felt myself yell at her as she just stared at me with the can in front of her face, "You can't just not listen to people Miley, especially professionals, look you need to tell me this stuff how can you expect me or Demi for that matter to help you if you won't tell us everything?"

A guilty look fell across her face and she shrugged. "I just really need to get this job-"

"Well you won't if you're in hospital, when the hell are you off the pills?"

"Last ones are for tomorrow."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure!" She hissed at me, the color now completely returned.

We both fell silent as I threw a clean towel at her, which she put on her side. I leaned down examining the damage as Miley pulled the bandage up. For the first time I saw the damage that monster had done, a section of her side a scarred and bloody mess. She wiped it away sniffling as I spotted the pain-fuelled tears in her eyes. I sighed in relief seeing that most of the new skin was intact with only a small part at the top the real cause of the damage.

"It'll be fine." I murmured.

"How do you know?"

"My mom's a doctor,"

"Really? I didn't know that." She whispered.

"You never asked." I retorted,

Miley's lips sealed and I saw that she was clearly exhausted. I glanced at my watch noting she'd worked out for a good forty minutes; maybe I should have given her a break? The damage was done though and I was yet again partly to blame.

"Do you want me to call someone to pick you up?" I questioned,

She shook her head sucking on the side of the can like a child,

"I'm okay, I just wanna sit here for a bit."

"You sure,"

I moved my hand onto her leg, touching the soft skin rubbing my finger gently in a circle. I looked up to see Miley's cheeks were now crimson as she stared at me looking for the first time ever, extremely nervous

"I'm okay Nick, I'll be-"

The door opened as we both turned to our right to see the Commissioner standing there opened mouthed as he stared at the position we were currently in. Instantly I was up my hand against my head as Miley attempted to stand up to salute only to decide it was a better choice to remain seated,

"What the hell is going on here?" He yelled.

"Sir I'm training Miley here and I made misjudgment about her health-"

"It's my fault." Miley cut in shaking her head, "I was stupid, I did more than what my body could endure, I should have told you I was still on my meds and that I got my stitches out today then this might have not happened."

I looked at her confused once again. Miley was taking the blame for something? She'd never done that in her life, always passing it off onto someone else at the academy blaming his or her poor judgment instead of her own.

"Jonas you're dismissed,"

"Yes Sir, I will go call her family to-"

"No," He announced holding the door open for me, "I can do that, leave."

"Yes Sir."

I gave Miley a look as she just gave me a smile, "See you tomorrow, same time, same place, not jumping rope." Miley proclaimed a look of purpose in her expression, the first time I'd seen it since the academy.

"Okay I'll see you then."

I walked past the Commissioner as he slammed the door leaving me in the hallway. I stood for a moment playing out the events, she was still strong and I could see the girl still that I once knew in her. Yet at the same time she'd changed and I couldn't say I didn't like the person she'd become, yet at the same time I felt like there was still something not right about Miley. It was a look in her eyes, it had always been there, like she was missing something. I walked away knowing I could help her though, because Demi was right when we'd discussed Miley had lost the determination she'd had, yet just then I'd glimpsed at it and hopefully I could get that out of her again.

A/N: Happy New Year 3