Disclaimer: Don't own Twilight, wish I did, but don't. And a big thank you to Beverly who actually told me that the person who created Lost in Austen is Guy Andrews. So thanks Guy Andrews. I can finally use your name now. :D
A/N: Sorry, it's been a while. I've been distracted and lazy. I know I'm horrible. Occasionally I really just need a big kick in the butt to get going. So here's the new chap. Hope it's okay, as always excuse the grammar and let me know what you think.
Without waiting for Edward to follow, the eagerness to see my friend again bubbling up inside of me, I walked as fast as my legs could carry me towards the house. Charlie's police cruiser was parked directly across from me in the drive, the soft sounds of a television emitting from somewhere inside the house filling the air.
I knocked loudly, cringing as I felt my knuckles smack against the wood. If Edward had noticed, he didn't say anything. I heard the sound of chair creaking as someone got to their feet, a drink can being set down on the coffee table and then footsteps slowly making their way towards the foyer. At last the door swung open.
Charlie blinked down at me, as though trying to guess whether or not he was merely seeing things. His hair was ruffled, lips set in a line underneath his moustache and a plaid shirt sitting simply over a grey T. He was clearly in relaxation mode, a can of beer, loose clothing and some sort of sport playing on the television. Yes, definitely Charlie.
Feeling awkward and inadequate, I twisted my feet inward and lowered my chin. "Err…hi Charlie." I finally pushed out.
"Good afternoon Chief Swan," Edward offered politely but Charlie seemed too fixated on my presence to be able to deal with that of Edward's just yet. Understanding this, Edward stood straightly and silently, waiting for some other form of conversation to pick up.
After what seemed like hours – although I do tend to lean towards the dramatic – Charlie's mouth opened and sound came out. "Ashley, what are you doing here?" he asked. Though the words may have seemed unfriendly, the tone was not. Besides, I'd spent too much time with him to be offended so easily.
"Well, the chance to come back to Forks came up and, you know, I just found it hard to….resist." I smiled broadly, hoping to ease the awkwardness of the mood. This was true. Victoria had provided the chance and it's not like I'd protested for very long. I'd never exactly been great with temptation, especially under pressure. My chocolate addiction was proof of that.
Suddenly the moment shattered. A wide grin spread across Charlie's face as he stepped to the side, gesturing for me to come through into the house. "It's good to see you, come in." he said. I stepped past him, into the hallway, Charlie following close behind. Edward, apparently forgotten, shut the door quietly behind us and, ever the polite houseguest, proceeded in casually and exaggeratingly wiping the soles of his shoes on the mat. God, when you knew the truth you began to wonder how over the top certain actions had to be in order for the Cullens to appear human.
Charlie wrapped one arm around me in a sort of embarrassed hug before leading us into the living room. "Anything I can get you?" he said, referring to refreshments. Edward, as usual, declined. I followed in suit.
The house was just as I remembered it. The chairs old and comfy, the kitchen with its shabbily painted yellow cabinets but still giving off a homey feel, and the living room filled with photographs of Bella as if showing her life in pictures. I sat down, breathing in the feeling of it all. In some ways, this was now regarded as my home away from home.
"So," Charlie began, his voice suddenly gruff. "How've you been?"
"Alright," I offered. "You know, reports, work placement, family stuff. Same old, same old," I shrugged. "You?"
"Good," he said casually. Softly he repeated the sentiment under his breath, "good,"
"How's Bella?" I asked, struggling to keep the conversation going. When I'd lived with Charlie, we hadn't been big on the talking, not that I'm not a talker because I really am.
"She's fine. After you left she went to live with her mom and Phil in Jacksonville." He paused. "I heard from her a couple of weeks ago, she says it's hot. But then again, that's kinda the way she likes it," I nodded; Bella had never been big on the cold or the wet. Jacksonville was probably paradise for her. For me, the humidity and heat would be absolute hell.
Watching Charlie's face I could tell how much he missed her and how lonely he must feel living alone again. By the look on Edward's face, he was reading the same thoughts from his mind.
"So, no suspicious deaths in the area lately?" I asked, not thinking as the words popped out of my mouth. They had been in attempt to lighten the mood but by the different responses from the pair, it was a much failed one. Charlie looked surprised that I would know about something like this but also a little stressed, Edward looked shocked, as if unbelieving that I would bring something that sounded vampire related to Charlie's attention.
"No way, you're kidding? I didn't honestly mean…I mean, I'm sorry…oh crap," I put a hand on my face. "I am the worst conversationalist ever,"
"Don't worry about it, you couldn't of known." he said gruffly, standing up and heading into the kitchen. He returned with a creased newspaper in his hand before handing it to me. I peered down at the bold, black font stretched across the page.
FRESH ATTACK STUMPS WASHINGTON POLICE
In the late hours of Wednesday this week, the body of seventeen year old Taylor Bryce was found submerged in the forests surrounding the small town of Forks, Washington. According to sources, Bryce was last seen Sunday morning after the teen informed her parents she would be spending the day bushwalking.
The signs of damage to the body and circumstances of death link closely with that of the deaths of Christopher Krell, Robbie Parks, Rosa Lawson and Danielle Forester. With the body count piling up at an alarming rate within only the last couple of months, fears are mounting. Neighboring communities had best lock up their houses; something monstrous is hunting the town of Forks.
For more information see page 13.
"Whoa, I'm having Eclipse déjà vu right about now," I said without thinking. Charlie shot me a confused look, one that I had gotten use to facing while living in Forks. For a while it had seemed like the same look had been permanently etched into Edward's features. Well, that is, until he found out about the books.
Feeling both sets of eyes on me, I quickly backtracked. "Oh, sorry, just some TV show I saw. Ignore me," I twisted my fingers around uncomfortably.
"So….how long has this been going on now?" I asked, interested.
Charlie thought, "About two months or so."
I frowned, "And you have no idea who's doing it?"
"We're doing our best but apart from the bodies themselves, the crime scenes have been clean as a whistle. No trace of anything. Quite a few people are under the impression that they're wolf attacks."
"Wolf attacks?" I blurted out stupidly before a bell went off in the back of my brain. Of course people suspect the wolves. It's just like in the second book, murders and hikers catching the occasional glimpse of the beginnings of Jacob's pack. With Jacob on the mind, I made a mental note to take a trip down to the reservation to see him while I was here. Maybe even meet the famous Quil and Embry if I was lucky.
He nodded, "Yeah, there've been a few sightings of large wolves in the area lately. Word of advice, while you're here I'd avoid any bushwalking."
I raised an eyebrow, "Because you know how much I love doing that." I replied sarcastically.
"Well….yes," he agreed. "But just in case," he eyed Edward. "I'd avoid the family trips for a while Edward," he advised.
Edward smiled, "Thank you Chief Swan but we can take care of ourselves," he said politely. Yeah, like there was anything out there the Cullens couldn't handle. Apart from the Voltori that is.
"Ashley, where are you staying?" Charlie asked all of a sudden.
I titled my head, "….I was going to be staying with Edward but–" I began but he swiftly cut me off.
"Bella's room is empty and I'm sure she wouldn't mind you using it again. If you want it, it's there." He offered.
I smiled at the idea. Hmmm…options. Normally I wasn't so big on making choices. Choices are hard and I don't like to offend people if I can help it.
"I'm sure Ashley would like that very much," Edward said, answering for me. I spun around on the couch, twisting my body to face him and a surprised look crossing my face. Was he that eager to get rid of me?
Edward ignored the look, "I'll drop her off with her clothes later this afternoon," he added. Okay, great but what stuff? The only things I had with me were the articles of my ruffled up school uniform and I wasn't about to go around wearing that. People would think I'd been through some sort of attack. Oh wait….that's right.
Charlie looked happy but at the same time as though he was trying to make it seem casual.
"Good, I mean, okay. If that's what you want." He said roughly.
Getting to my feet, I looked down. "Yeah, that sounds good, but there's some other people I'd like to go see, if that's alright?"
Charlie stood as well, nodding. "Sure, sure, don't let me keep you. You kids run along," he ushered us.
Giving him a grin I made my way to the door, the pair of them followed behind me. "So, I'll see you later?" I checked. Charlie nodded.
"You bet," he said.
"It's was good to see you again, Chief Swan." Edward said, as they shook hands.
Charlie gave another curt nod before allowing us to move past him and out the open door. He shut the door behind us, as Edward and I began making our way down the path towards the car.
Without looking back, I voiced what had been bothering me. "Not so eager to have me as a house guest are you?" I said, only partly teasing.
He quickened his pace until he was standing in front of me. "Ashley," He said, smiling slyly as though I were missing something obvious. And knowing me, I was. "You know I would love to have you at my house but I would have thought you'd understand why that isn't possible."
I frowned thoughtfully, looking for complex excuses and completely missing the obvious. Seeing my struggle, he rolled his eyes and sighed. "You and I both know it's been harder for Jasper than usual at the moment, not to mention what the exposure of your blood did for him the other day. Lessoning the amount of time spent in the presence of my family would be beneficial at the present time, at least for the next couple of days." He reasoned.
"Oh," I felt like smacking my head against a wall. Jasper, right. "Okay, no problem. If that's what you need."
"I appreciate it," he told me sincerely. "But while we're talking about clarification, I'm curious about something."
I looked up from the patch of grass I had started staring at, "Hmm? What about?"
He grinned, "Where else is it that you plan on me chauffeuring you to?"
I smiled sheepishly, feeling embarrassed. It was true, I was taking advantage of him. "Not that I mind," he added on, noticing my expression. "
"Sorry, I know I shouldn't be telling you to drive me round." I admitted.
He shook his head, "Like I said, I don't mind. Remember, after the last two months, I'll jump at any chance to spend some time with you and speaking of the time we've been apart," he stepped closer and fingered a strand of my hair. "What in the world gave you the urge to do this to your hair?"
At last he'd mentioned my dye job. A couple of weeks ago I'd gone to the hairdressers in need of a change. The result, a whole lot of sandy blonde streaks. Plus my front fringe had grown out to the side. Nowadays I had to clip it back to avoid it hanging in my eyes and driving me crazy.
"Err…." I mumbled, "You don't like it?" Edward gazed at it thoughtfully, playing with lock and twisting it around his fingers.
"It's different," he concluded at last. Great, thanks, like I haven't heard that one before. Come on, I need a little bit more than that.
"Good different or bad different?" I pressed.
He shrugged, letting the lock drop into place. "Just different,"
I rolled my eyes, walking past him to hop into the front seat. He joined me before I could blink. Looking down at me thoughtfully, clearly still thinking about my hair colour, he raised an eyebrow. Then the mood was broken. "Alright," he said, starting the car and letting the soft purr of the engine fill the air. "Now where to?" I glanced out the front windshield, smiling as it started to drizzle.
"The Newtons' sporting goods store, please."
A/N: There you go, just a little nice and relaxed conversation with Charlie. Again, apologies for being so slow. No idea when the next chap will be up, assessments are being fired at me like there's no tomorrow at the moment so I'm sorry if it takes a while. Remember to review, I loves reviews.
Next Time on Return to Meyer….Its time Ashley says hello to some of her other old Forks friends. Only problem is, the person she really wants to see is about half an hour away. Not to mention that her boyfriend isn't so big on werewolves….this road's about to get bumpy. Just another day in a supernatural, fictional world.
Next Time….