Chapter Forty Eight

Charlie

I did a lot of thinking on the flight home, I decided I didn't want to stay in Forks any longer, I couldn't face living so close to the Quileutes knowing what they had done. I needed a fresh start away from all the memories, somewhere I could invite Bella without worrying about her safety but I had no idea where. Once home I would start my search for a new post outside Washington state. I hadn't bothered to ring anyone to pick me up from Seattle, I couldn't face the long drive home with all the polite chit-chat, I'd catch a bus or something and I was very surprised to find the young driver waiting for me.

"Did Annie tell you I was on this flight?"

"Yes she did and I thought you might like a ride home."

"Professional driver are you?"

"Sometimes it seems like it Chief."

"What are you doing here anyway? Annie said you had business to deal with"

As I said it I closed my eyes, suddenly realising who this was.

"You're Johnny H aren't you? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Would you have spoken to me so openly if I had?"

"Probably not, you've been at the res I take it?"

"I have and as I need to return there in the morning I thought I might as well make myself useful. I can tell you what happened as we drive, I think you deserve to know. Have you heard from your daughter yet?"

"Not for a few days I'm just hoping the Cullens will help her, it can't be easy becoming a vampire."

"I don't think its easy becoming anything whether that be a parent, a vampire or a guardian but we all do the best we can or at least I hope we try."

I listened as he explained what had happened at the meeting with the elders and the punishment he had meted out.

"So that's it? The end of the Quileutes as a tribe?"

"Unless those who were not involved decide they want to stay on in Forks but I doubt it, not without guardian protection."

"Wouldn't you allow any innocents to earn that protection back?"

"I don't think so Chief Swan, they betrayed everything the guardians stand for and the villagers are all tribes people who all have a voice and knowledge of what the elders do and decide. There are no truly innocent Quileutes. After all they have done to you and your daughter you still strive to see the good in some? You are an exceptional person Charlie"

"I guess I just don't want to believe that they were all involved."

"Well Harry Clearwater wasn't but he too will come with me to Denali, he is disillusioned with his own people."

"I guess there's one Quileute worth saving then. What about Sam and Leah? The two remaining guardian wolves?"

"There were actually four Charlie, Seth Clearwater and another young man but I have ceased their phasing, they will live the rest of their lives as human and never become guardians again."

"Sam and Leah too?"

"Sam yes, he too cannot phase again and I think for him as an Alpha that will be hard but by the same token he was the one responsible for the death of his pack and that is little enough punishment I think."

"And Leah?"

"That is a little more problematic. She is only the second female I have known of who phased into a guardian."

"What happened to the other?"

"She found it very hard and it changed her whole existence. In order to phase our bodies undergo a certain amount of chemical changes as well as the physical ones. It has no detrimental effect on the men but it caused the girl to become sterile. Leah will never have a family of her own even if she never phases again. At the moment she is missing although I understand Sam has called her back so now we wait and then I will explain the situation to her and give her the choice of accompanying us or becoming her wolf self on a permanent basis."

"Why not let her stay with the tribe if any decide to stay in Forks?"

"Because Leah is dangerous, as a bitter woman or as a guardian. As a wolf she could mate and have cubs, a family if she so desired but I understand that Sam was her one true love and he imprinted on Emily. I think Leah will choose to end her life from what I've heard of her."

"And you are OK with that?"

"No Charlie I'm not all right with any of this but decisions must be made and punishments given out, that's the lot of a leader, a burden I have carried for centuries and believe me it never gets any easier."

Looking at his youthful face I saw the weariness of the years only in his eyes,

"I love my people, all of them, but like children they need guidance and sometimes chastisement. If not me then who?"

I felt sorry for him, this was really hurting him but as he said, if he didn't enforce the rules of the guardians who would.

"Would you tell Harry thank you for pointing me in your direction."

"I will. I don't suppose we will meet again but it has been interesting Charlie"

As he pulled up outside the house he put his hand out to shake,

"I wouldn't be so sure you wont see me again. I have an invitation to visit Denali again and I like Annie she's...unusual."

"She is that Charlie. Then this is just goodbye for now. I hope Bella finds peace in her new life."

"Thank you"

As soon as I'd retrieved my bag he drove off and I felt I'd lost a friend. Going inside I put the kettle on and checked my messages but there was nothing from Bella. I wasn't too concerned, I knew it would be hard for her at first and me pouring on the pressure wasn't going to help so I decided the best thing to do would be to back off and give her some space. I did ring and speak to Esme though, my excuse being the news I had of the Quileutes and their fate. She sounded relieved that the danger was passed but still uneasy. I deliberately didn't ask after Bella and she didn't mention her, I knew if there were anything wrong she or Carlisle would tell me but I'd heard enough from them to understand it was going to be a long hard progress from human to fully functional vampire.

Renee rang to tell me she was having a wonderful time with Phil or at least the call started out like that, friendly enough, but it soon degenerated,

"I haven't heard from Bella in a while, is everything OK?"

"Sure, she's just busy with her school work and friends"

"Too busy to ring her mother? Have you turned her against me Charlie Swan?"

"No, why would I do that?"

"Oh I don't know, spite maybe."

"No, I leave that to you Renee. I'll tell her you called."

I rang off before I said anything else that I might regret later. I had no idea how I was going to sort this problem out, after all Renee couldn't see Bella for a long time, if ever. But it was a problem I would solve when it became a necessity.