Chapter Thirteen.

Miley.

I hated that the pleasure of alcohol was only short lived.

A few drinks could dull emotions, distort them into something else that was far more pleasant than reality. A few more could completely warp judgment and therefore bring out a complete different side to a person who was often more violent, emotional or truthful than the sober individual. I had a tendency of doing two out of the three. I hated that I was one of those drunks who got to a point where everything that came from my lips seemed out of my control with basically no filter, while a single badly placed sentence from another party changed my mood in a heartbeat.

I was an emotional honest wreck.

When I woke up I'd been terrified, because I'd never put myself in a position like this before. My head was pressed up against a naked chest, with foreign arms wrapped around me and our legs entangled under the sheets. I'd almost thrown up in that moment alone, but as I opened my eyes and looked up to see Nick fast asleep the picture began to clear as the memories of last night returned to my head.

It was then I realized the mistakes I'd made.

Now half an hour later I was still frozen in the same position hardly breathing because I didn't want him to wake up and expect me to explain what happened last night. My judgment had been so far off that I had potentially ruined the one relationship that I'd been trying so hard to protect,

"Do you think she's in there?" A voice whispered,

My body tightened even more hearing the familiar voice outside the door,

"I didn't see her leave-"

"Selena said she saw Nick dragging her to his bedroom, you don't think…"

"He might be a complete dick Demi," I heard Joe murmur outside the door, "But he wouldn't do that to her, no matter how willing she was, Nick wouldn't touch Miley." I heard their feet move away as I instantly felt sick, because I had been willing in my drunken state I'd literally thrown myself at him,

My head throbbed as I decided I needed to get out of here, I had to go home and clear my thoughts from the agonizing pain and disgust I was currently feeling towards my state presently. I shifted watching Nick's peacefully sleeping face as I moved my feet first, then my head slowly managing to slip away from his grasp. I stood beside the bed watching him intently, last night he'd acted nothing more than a gentlemen to me when he could have got away with so much knowing I wasn't going to stop him. He'd respected me, something I was sure a lot of men in the same position wouldn't have done. I embarrassingly moved around his room finding a shirt and sweats pulling them on uncertain of where my clothing had been discarded after I arrived.

I glanced at him one more time, spread across his bed comfortably as I turned unlocking the door guiltily walking away from him again. I moved into the hallway as I saw the aftermath of the party. Discarded bras were hanging off the light, pizza boxes and beer bottles were littered everywhere, the whole place looked a disaster.

I took my walk of complete and utter shame tip toeing carefully, my whole body feeling like a truck had hit me,

"You can't tell Nick that you and me-"

"I won't Demi okay, he'll give me hell too."

I peaked out and found Demi sitting on the kitchen stool wearing a shirt that almost replicated the one I was currently doting. I didn't have time to dwell or the mental capacity to examine the implications of their discussion instead my eyes searched finding Joe hanging out of the cupboard,

"I don't think I have any painkillers,"

Demi groaned getting off the stool holding her head, "Are you fucking serious?"

"Well you look! I can barely see straight!"

"I can barely walk," Demi, groaned, "Everything hurts so bad."

"That's because I rocked your-"

"Don't finish that sentence Joe,"

She staggered into the kitchen as I stepped out carefully and rushed towards the front door the quickest my hurting body could muster. I unlocked the next door and slipped out closing it carefully sighing in relief,

I knew it was wrong, I knew what Nick would think of me but to face him, them, I just couldn't do it in my current state of mind without breaking down like an emotional child. I walked down the hallway in my heels, my head spinning as I covered my eyes exited the building in what appeared to be the afternoon sun. I staggered to the subway and some how managed to make it all the way back to my apartment before I really felt the hangover set in. My stomach suddenly started to grumble in protest as I grabbed at my handle attempting to unlock the door with my shaky hands,

Suddenly the handle twisted from the other side overpowering my lousy grip. The door flung open and I was faced with the one person I really didn't want to see right now.

"Oh thank god!" Jason announced,

Instantly I was in a bone-breaking hug as I felt my stomach convulsing at the sudden movement my uncle had made. Just as quickly he let go of me, I looked up at Jason trying to focus on his eyes,

"Where the hell have you been?" His voice yelled,

I grimaced covering my ears yet still his voice seemed to raise an octave higher escaping the block I'd attempted to protect my aching head,

"Do you know how worried we've been? We came over last night and you weren't here, then you never came home!" He screamed as my stomach flipped again. I felt my mind react to the pain causing my eyes to water and lip to quiver, I couldn't deal with this right now. "Where the hell have you been Miley where-"

"She's going to throw up," My aunt's voice warned,

She was right because a second later, the first load of contents from my toxic stomach spilled from my mouth onto the floor landing on my Uncle's shoes. I heard them yelling but my body crumpled under the strain of my emotional and physical havoc that was occurring within, as everything in me faded out for a few seconds. The next thing I knew I was holding the toilet seat, my stomach heaving as an acidic flavor spilled from my lips.

"Deep breath honey, it's better out than in okay?" My aunt murmured,

Her fingers rubbed my back as sweat trailed down my forehead. I threw up again, my whole body shaking as I realized I was crying in pain. It felt like it was never going to stop.

"Who did this to you? Who did this Miley? Look at me-"

I saw a flash of my Uncle's wild eyes only to shove my head back towards the toilet as more liquid spilled from my trembling lips.

"Jason stop it!" My aunt hissed, "Just calm down okay she's fine, she's-"

"Throwing up completely drugged out of her mind, wearing men's clothes-"

"Jason if you aren't going to help go stand outside!" Amy yelled at him.

"We should call an ambulance-"

"Jason they'll call the cops because she's clearly had more than just alcohol."

"She deserves to be punished for-"

"She's allowed to do stupid things!" My aunt snapped, "She needs to learn from her mistakes Jason, don't tell me you've never tried drugs because I know well enough what you and Billy used to get up too!"

"What so it's okay for her to wake up in some randoms bed Amy?"

"Well we don't know what happened yet, so just shut up and stop assuming-"

"Oh come on," My uncle spat disgusted, "Look at what she's wearing Amy,"

"Get out Jason, you aren't helping!"

I listened to the bathroom door slam as spat into the toilet feeling my stomach finally stop heaving allowing my body to crumble onto the cold tiled floor. My aunt gently rubbed my back talking to me slowly for a few minutes until finally she moved her hands under my shoulders and pulled me into a sitting position gently pushing me against the wall. I sat there my eyes closed, as Amy moved a wet cloth over my face carefully,

"You're fine now Miley, hun can you tell me what you've taken?"

I opened my eyes feeling tears falling, "I want my mom," I whispered.

"Hun, Miley, hey look at me."

I tried to focus as my lip quivered, "Miley what have you taken?"

"I drunk and smoked…"

"Smoked what?"

"Weed,"

"Weed, that's it? Are you sure Miley?"

I nodded as she sighed, "Do you know where you were last night?"

I nodded again as Amy carefully placed the wet towel across my forehead, "Miley, Miley look at me." I stared into her eyes trying to stop my eyelids from closing, "Do I need to go and get you the morning after pill?" She asked me deadly serious a hint of anger in her voice as I shook my head, "Are you sure-"

"I didn't have sex Amy," My voice mumbled,

"Miley do you remember everything that-"

I nodded my head groaning, "I didn't I swear I didn't, please believe me?"

"Okay," Her voice stated calming down a little, "Okay I believe you hun,"

I felt a sob escape my lips, "I want my mom,"

I heard Amy sigh rubbing my back again, "I know you do Miley," She murmured sadly, "But trust me if Tish were here right now you would be in so much more trouble missy, you still are in trouble, but your mom hated drugs Miley and I can't say I'm not disappointed in the position you're currently in. I honestly thought you were smarter that this, but all of that aside considering recent events I'm willing to let this slide if you promise you will never do this again okay?"

I nodded, "I promise," I whispered.

"Was this out of celebration or-"

I felt my lip quivering as I started crying again my head killing me. Amy pulled me into her arms as I buried my head into her shoulder, "You're okay now, you're home, you're safe and everything is going to be okay."

"No it's not," I murmured, "Everything is wrong…"

"What brought all this on?" She asked in my ear,

"A boy," I responded simply.

I heard my Aunt give a small sad laugh, "That explains a lot, and how about you finish telling me this story once you've had a sleep…" She murmured letting me go moving her hand to my cheek, "Because at the moment your pretty little face is looking anything but,"

"I wanna shower," I responded my brain finally gaining control of my body.

Amy nodded staring at me concerned, "Do you want my help?"

I shook my head, "I'm okay now, I think I just need to sit here for a minute."

"Okay, I'll get some clean clothes, don't lock the door."

I nodded closing my eyes leaning back against the wall as Amy stood up leaving me alone. I sniffled wiping my nose on the back of my hand as I stared at my reflection in the shower glass. Who was that person? That wasn't me! This wasn't who I normally was! I looked away embarrassed as I pushed myself up realizing I had to make a change, I had to talk even if I didn't want too.

Nick.

I was normally the one to walk out, so to have the tables turned I realized how much it hurt because when I woke up to find the bed empty and Miley seemingly gone I really felt the pain. After everything I thought she would have at least stayed and spoken to me yet she ran again, and I couldn't deny I was so angry at her. Then I started to realise that maybe she didn't remember last night and waking up in her underwear sleeping in my arms gave Miley a quick conclusion that scared her and scared me a little too.

I didn't know what she was thinking and something in me wanted to know more than anything. So when I found my apartment empty, a note from my brother explaining that he'd gone to buy painkillers I decided I wouldn't just sit around and expect Miley to call me because I knew she wouldn't.

I decided if she wouldn't talk to me, than I'd do the talking for both of us…

I was proud in myself that this morning I didn't have a hangover and I was very capable of quickly dressing in the process managing to note a pair of my sweats missing and locate articles of clothing that Miley had been wearing briefly at her arrival. It didn't take a genius to work out clearly she had my missing pants so I had an even better reason to address her at the apartment with incentive on getting my clothes, even if it wasn't my first priority.

I left my shared apartment planning the speech in my head noting down the points I wanted to discuss, and how I hoped that she'd open to me if I said them. But when I reached her door all I wanted to tell her was three words that a part of me was still too scared to say.

I knocked heavily on the door giving a sigh, "Miley it's me, we need to talk…"

I knew she wouldn't open the door as I leaned back against the wall,

"I know you can hear me and I'm not going to leave, so you can either let me in or at least hear me out because I want to make this right, I really do Miley." I stated clearly,

"When I worked it out, who you were I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't sympathetic because I was Miley…"

I trailed off closing my eyes, "The pain you must have gone through losing them, I can't begin to imagine what that would have been like. The thing is no one can because grief takes us all differently and in your case I don't think it has ever had the chance to stop because the world won't let you move on, especially this city." I spoke the truth feeling like q coward that I wasn't saying it to her face.

"I lost my dad too though, and I know it's not the same but he died for our country and I understand what's it like when the people around you continually pretend to be happy for you." I shook my head remembering my dad's funeral, "Their fake smiles, and condolences, I hated it too Miley, every single moment and I completely understand why you don't want anyone to know who you are but at the same time I don't understand at all…"

"You should be proud to be their daughter, because they died being heroes, just like my dad did."

I clenched my lips closed unsure of what to say next, "Last night you scared me so much Miley, and maybe you don't remember, maybe you do but I promise I didn't do anything to you except try and help. That's all I've ever wanted to do since I found out the truth, I'm not sympathetic anymore, I'm concerned because I think your missing the best years of your life trying to hold onto your parents. And maybe you're not the only one" I proclaimed praying that she would open the door,

"Drinking isn't going to ease this Miley, nor is smoking or yelling at your Uncle who I have to agree with probably deserves it most of the time, he is a bit of dickhead to you, but-"

The door clicked as I straightened, "Miley please let me in?"

The door knob twisted as I smiled and looked up instantly feeling everything in me drop,

"Commissioner Stewart," I stated in shock.

My hand sprung to my forehead as he just stared at me and I could literally see the determination in his eyes as he held back the punch I was sure he wanted to throw at my face. I felt my throat dry up as all the words I still hadn't said chocked up in the back of my mouth,

"I was just…" I motioned with my hand awkwardly, "Leaving."

"No you weren't, I think you should could come in."

A new face appeared as I looked at the woman who held an elegant posture and long black hair, Mrs. Amy Stewart, the Commissioners wife and Miley's aunt.

"Jason," She murmured turning to look at her husband, "He knows what happened last night, you want to know what happened don't you?" The Commissioner's lip twitched and he nodded,

"I do but not from him, I don't-"

"Sir I swear I didn't-"

"You let my little girl get drunk and wasted on-"

He stepped towards me fists clenched as I shook my head staring terrified at the man who a part of me had always feared, "Sir I didn't! She was already drunk when she arrived and I tried to stop Miley smoking, but she wouldn't listen to me! I don't know what she's told you but I swear I didn't lay a hand on her in that way, but a few of the guys almost did so I took her to my bedroom to make sure no one took advantage of her state. I swear Sir, I wouldn't do that to her, I wouldn't allow anything to happen to her…"

Mrs. Stewart turned giving her husband a look. "Jason, please just-"

"Did she tell you about her parents?" He asked me directly,

"No Sir." I shook my head, "No I worked it out, I saw a photo of her as a child in your office she has the same one in her bedroom-"

"You've been here before?" The commissioner instantly hissed,

"Yes Sir, when we were training,"

"Training?"

"For her assessment." I responded,

Yet again I was faced with his judgmental eyes as Mrs. Stewart gave her husband a look and put her hand on his chest. "Jason, look he's a nice boy clearly, and I have a feeling you might be a Jonas, Nicholas?" She asked turning back to me as I frowned,

"How do you know that?"

She laughed turning to Jason, "You didn't tell Miley and Nick that they-"

"No, because I didn't know he knew who she was." He snapped.

He continued to glare as Mrs. Stewart sighed, "Jason we knew the second we got Miley this wasn't going to be easy, we knew she'd have to grow up eventually and trust other people." Mrs. Stewart looked at me, "And clearly fall under the charm of a boy, so let him in so he can explain what happened to her last night because some how I think he knows a lot more about her than either of us do at the moment."

Jason sighed defeated stepping back, "Fine." He grumbled.

Instantly the woman smiled stepping aside as I stepped into the apartment feeling my knees shaking as I offered my hand,

"I'm Nick, which you already know-"

"I'm Amy, Miley's aunt."

"How did you know who I was?"

"Because you look like your dad Nick." The Commissioner announced slamming the door looking towards his wife frustrated, "Miley's dad and your dad were friends, your mom and Tish used to have play dates with you and Miley at the park all the time. You were only young, three or four maybe?"

"Miley and me knew each other?." I whispered in shock.

He looked down on me still glaring and nodded, "Yes you did."

"How come we didn't stay friends?"

I looked at both of them actually intrigued as Amy gave a weak smile, "Well after 9/11 we got Miley, your dad went to war and I guess the link our families had completely disappeared until now that it is…" She announced with a smile,

I'd known Miley, little Miley and I didn't even remember.

"Is she here? Is Miley okay?" I asked focusing back on topic.

Instantly the both looked tense as Amy nodded, "Miley was in a bad way this morning, a really bad way, she had a shower and I've put her to bed." Mrs. Stewart looked at me nodding, "She'll be okay,"

I nodded relieved as I found her eyes just looking at me,

"You really do look like your father Nicholas, so much bigger than the photo I have of you with Miley in the park-"

"You have a photo of us?" I asked.

She nodded, "I do, at our-"

"This isn't time to go down memory lane Amy," The Commissioner murmured,

She rolled her eyes looking at me, "Ignore him, he's just worried about Miley apparently he's not the only one." She stated her voice dropping a little,

I nodded, "No he isn't,"

"So when did you suddenly become concerned with my niece?"

I looked at the Commissioner and tried to think back, when was the turning point? I guess there never really was one because it was at the academy that Miley caught my eyes just like everyone else. Her secretive nature and confidence brought intrigue that I couldn't help but be charmed by.

"First year at the academy,"

"That long?" He question calming a little as I nodded,

"Don't tell her that though,"

"So were you two…" Mrs. Stewart began only to stop, "Dating?"

"No, no we weren't, it wasn't until training that…" I trailed off feeling the Commissioners once again sending me a murderous glare, "I guess we connected, then I went a blew it by telling her I knew the truth. Since then she's been avoiding me. Miley thinks I'm going to change because I know the truth,"

"We assumed as much from what you were saying at the door."

"Has she always…" I hesitated trying to word my thoughts,

"Been so emotionally unstable?" Jason filled in.

I looked at him and began to shake my head, because that sounded bad but that was exactly what I meant. I stopped as he nodded moving over to the kitchen bench, "You see down the hallway, the last door…" I looked down and nodded seeing the white door, "That's her parents bedroom, if you walk in there today you'd think someone still used it, because it's exactly how they left it, down to the bookmark still stuck between the pages of a book Tish will never finish. It's exactly the same because Miley won't let us change it,"

"She won't let us change anything here." Amy whispered.

I looked at Jason as he put his hands on the bench shaking his head, "We tried everything with her, counseling, treatment, and drugs nothing helped. If anything all of it made her so much worse, so we stopped."

The Commissioner sighed and continued "Everyday she shakes a snow globe-"

"I saw her do it." I announced looking at them, "Right before I saw the picture, she talked about how that city was her perfect world."

"Yeah because the twin towers are still in it." Amy stated.

I closed my eyes for a moment, "She had us all fooled." I murmured, "Everyone at the office thinks she's happy and care free. That she's confident."

"Doesn't surprise me, Miley's good at pretending."

"I want to help her-"

"And you think we don't?" He spat at me.

I looked at him as I sighed, "Maybe it's not my place to say this, but I don't think you can help her." I responded seriously looking between them, "To you, you're just a constant reminder of what she's lost, but me…I'm not. Miley doesn't want me on your side, she doesn't want to look at me and think of her parents."

"So what do you want us to do?" Mrs. Stewart asked,

"I want you to make me Miley's partner."

A/N: So who saw that coming? Thanks for the reviews! I start University tomorrow ew, goodbye summer hello winter and study! If you read SOSN I haven't written the chapter I'm aiming to do it this week sometime. :)