BPOV

About halfway down the stairs, I spun around and stuck my hands on Jacob's chest, stopping his descent. "You need to go back out and come in the front door," I whispered. "We don't need to start this out by explaining why you've suddenly appeared in my bedroom."

"Gotcha," Jacob replied, and headed back up the stairs.

I found Charlie on the couch, still watching the game. But instead of sprawling in comfort, like he usually did, he was sitting up straight, his head perched on his hands and his attention obviously not on the game. I glanced at the clock on the VCR, wincing when I saw that it was already 9:15.

"Dad?" I said quietly. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

He startled out of his deep thought, and spilled his beer all over the arm of the couch. "Oh! Geez, Bella, when you get there?"

"I need to talk to you about something," I repeated, trying to keep the impatience out of my voice.

"Sure, kid. Just hold on a minute," he threw over his shoulder as he ran to the kitchen. He returned in a moment with the roll of paper towels, and began blotting the couch as he nodded to the easy chair. "Okay, Bells, what's on your mind?"

I sat down, trying to get my face into some combination of confidence and respect. "It's about Edward," I began, watching Charlie's face. He tensed and started scrubbing the couch furiously. "And all the Cullens. It's kind of important. I know that you've been kind of wondering about them for a while…"

"Bells, listen to me," he interrupted gruffly. "Those people are no good, okay? I found out some stuff about them, and I think it's best if we give them some space. There's some, uh… legal problems going on."

"I know," I said quietly. I took a deep breath, but I was saved by a loud knock at the door. "That's Jacob! I asked him to come over," I said, leaping up to get it. Charlie just frowned when Jacob entered the room.

"I thought you wanted to talk to me about something, but okay. I just don't want you and Jacob going anywhere tonight. Jake, you can hang out here if you want."

Jacob looked at me, giving me a little nod of encouragement. "I asked Jacob to come over because he's part of the… uh, the talk." I felt my face growing hot, and no doubt, bright red. Was I really about to do this?

Charlie looked back and forth between us, looking suspicious. "What do you need him for? What's this about, Bella?"

I sat back down in the easy chair, and Jacob plopped down on the rug. "Okay, here's the thing, Dad. I know that you found out some odd things about the Cullens today."

Charlie's eyes snapped over to Jacob, who held his hands up in defense. "It's okay, Charlie, just listen to what she has to say, all right?"

"I also know," I continued as I licked my dry lips, "that you called the State Police and that they're coming in the morning. I-"

Charlie sat up straight. "How would you know about that? I haven't told anyone, not even Billy."

"The 'how' part isn't really important," I said quickly. "The important thing is, I want to explain to you why the Police don't need to come. So please, just let me talk for a minute before you respond, okay?"

Charlie sighed. "Bella, listen. I didn't want you to find out this way. And I wish I didn't have to take this to the next level, but I do. What they've done- what they're doing to you, I can't just ignore it! I mean, look at your face! Look at your arm!"

"My face?" I raised my hand up to my cheek, and winced at the tenderness. "Oh, that. Volleyball."

"And the arm was actually my fault," Jacob put in. "It was an accident."

"Now you're sticking up for him?" Charlie spat out at Jacob. His face was already getting red, and I bit my lip. This wasn't going the way I had planned.

"Dad… please. I'll explain all that later. I told you before that Edward wasn't hurting me, and that's the truth. The important thing is, the Cullens aren't bad. In fact, they're the nicest people I've ever met. It's just that they're not exactly the same as other people." I took another deep breath, looking at Jacob with a help me look.

"Charlie, what Bella is trying to say is that she's ready to tell you the truth. The same truth that my dad and the elders have been hiding. Remember today in the station when you wanted me to tell you what I knew?"

Charlie nodded suspiciously.

"Well, my dad didn't want me to say anything. But this is getting out of hand, and the Cullens deserve better than this. I think you need to know the truth, so please listen, okay? It's a little complicated." Charlie nodded again, more slowly this time.

"Okay, here goes," I said nervously. "The Cullens aren't like… regular people. It's nothing bad, but it's the reason that they need to get a little creative with their identities."

"Okay… I'm listening," Charlie said grimly.

"It's kind of a… a medical issue," I began slowly.

Jacob snorted. "I was going to say magical, but okay." I glared at him, and he shrugged.

I looked back at Charlie. "Their bodies have been… changed, in a way. They don't age like normal people." The blood drained out of Charlie's face, and he leaned forward eagerly.

"I found a picture of Edward online today," he said in a faltering voice. "It was taken back in 1980, but it was him. He was exactly the same as now. You're telling me that they're all like that?"

I nodded. "And this… um, medical change, it also affects their skin. That's why they're so pale. The sun bothers them. So, anyway, the not-aging thing is the reason that they have to move around a lot, and the reason that they have to tweak their records. I'm guessing you found some things that didn't match up about that?"

"Yeah. But that doesn't make it legal. Why don't they just report the medical condition?"

"It's kind of a secret. It's something that they can't talk about."

He frowned. "You mean like a secret agent thing?"

"No, nothing like that. It's a matter of… prejudice. If people found out the truth about their condition, they wouldn't be welcome anywhere. But it's not because the Cullens themselves are bad, it's just the… stories."

"And those stories are the reason that my Dad doesn't like the Cullens," Jacob offered. "But I know the Cullens, Charlie. These stories are true about some other people, but not about them. Does that make sense so far?"

"I think so," Charlie said slowly. "Okay, so they all have some kind of medical condition that changed their bodies, and this condition has some kind of… bad reputation? And the Quileutes hate the Cullens because of this reputation?"

I nodded. This was going well.

"And they've stopped aging, and this is why they have to use false identities."

"Exactly. Which is why I want you to call off the cops." Maybe I wouldn't need to tell the rest, after all. I waited hopefully while Charlie scratched the back of his head.

"Well…" he began slowly, "That's all very interesting, Bells. But no matter what the reason, I can't let the identity fraud alone. And I also have to report the non-aging thing that I found. I can't just pretend I didn't find it. I have a job to do."

"I know, but I'm asking you to sit on this one, Dad. For me."

He crossed his arms. "No. For one thing, you still haven't explained all the injuries. Was that story you gave me about the hiking accident even true?"

I hesitated for just a second, catching Jacob's eye. Could we do this without telling the full truth?

"Charlie," Jacob said quickly, "The reason we want you to call off the cops is because this stuff is kind of outside the scope of the law. You don't need to feel bad about it. The Cullen's don't exactly have a medical condition. They have a mythical condition."

Charlie leaned back into the couch. "Okay, you just lost me. Now you want me to believe they're not real?"

I glanced at the clock, tapping my foot. "No, not imaginary. Mythical. As in… you know, mythical creatures?"

Charlie snorted. "What, like werewolves and zombies and fairies?"

Jacob coughed, and I let out a loud whoosh of air. It was time. "Sort of like that, Dad. You see, each of the Cullens used to be a normal human, but they got changed into… something."

"And that something would be…?"

I took a deep breath, and in my peripheral vision, I saw Jacob leaning forward, waiting. "They're vampires, Dad. The Cullens are vampires. But they're good ones. I promise they don't-"

I frowned as Charlie burst out laughing, interrupting me.

"It's not funny," Jacob growled, and Charlie only laughed louder.

"I'm sorry," he finally said, after he had quieted down. "You're right, it's not funny. It's just that if you were going to make something up to get them out of trouble, you should have picked something a little more believable, that's all."

"It's true," Jacob muttered. "This is what my Dad has been hiding from you. Our people have a treaty with the Cullens, and my Dad wasn't allowed to tell you the truth, because of the treaty."

"What, the Quileutes are vampires, too, now?" Charlie demanded, and I groaned. What I wouldn't give for Edward's mind reading right now. Did Charlie believe anything we had said?

Jacob frowned and looked helplessly at me.

"Assuming I believed you, which I don't," Charlie added as he glared at me, "this only makes the case against them stronger. Why would this make me want to call off the Police? If I believed you, I would do the opposite! I'd call the Marines, the National Guard!"

"As I was trying to explain before," I said impatiently. "They're not bad vampires. Remember what I said before? Vampires have a reputation as being bad and scary, but the Cullens aren't like that. They don't hurt people, they only-"

Charlie stood up. "All right, I've heard enough. Jacob, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Bella's obviously not feeling well."

"But it's true!" argued Jacob. "If you don't believe us, call my Dad! He knows all about it, too."

"Because he's a vampire, too, right?" Charlie said scathingly. "You know, Jake, I thought you had a pretty good head on your shoulders, but I think it's pretty rotten of you to make jokes about your own people! Your Dad would be ashamed of you!"

"Then call him," I challenged. "And Billy's not a vampire, he's a regular human. It's only some of the Quileutes that are-"

Jacob cleared his throat, staring at me in warning.

"-are different," I finished lamely. "Anyway, we're talking about the Cullens right now."

"So go ahead," Jacob encouraged. "Call him. He'll back us up."

"You bet I'm calling your Dad," Charlie said, his face growing red. "Because this sick joke has gone on long enough. It's bad enough that Bella feels she has to protect them, after what that little-" His jaw worked as he looked at me. His eyes softened, and he lowered his voice. "Look, Jacob. I don't know what your part is in all this. But the Cullens have obviously done something to my daughter. She needs help, and I want you to leave, okay? Just let me handle this."

Jacob stood, but instead of leaving, he planted his feet and crossed his arms stubbornly. "Call my Dad," he repeated again. "We're telling you to the truth, Charlie. The Cullens really are vampires, and they'd never hurt anyone. I mean, my Dad doesn't like them, but even he'll vouch for their record."

Charlie just looked back and forth between us, obviously trying to control his temper again. "Fine," he growled. "I'll call Billy. But as soon as he shoots down your monster story, I want you out of here, Jacob. You understand?"

Jacob nodded stiffly. Charlie dialed Billy's number and I glanced nervously at the clock. How much time did we have? Just because the Cullens had to be gone by midnight didn't mean they would stay that long.

"Hey, Billy, it's Charlie. I'm calling because Jacob's here, and-" he paused, and looked up at Jacob with a frown. "Yeah. And he's trying to spin some story about the Cullens being some kind of monsters or vampires or whatever. He says they're actually nice, and that I should-" There was a longer pause, and Charlie's frown deepened. He crossed the room and stuck his hand on Jacob's forehead. "Yeah, you're right. I'll bring him home."

He planted the phone on his shoulder to muffle it. "Jacob, your dad said that you were delirious when you had your fever the other day, and it looks like it's back again. So let's just all calm down and-"

"I don't believe this!" Jacob growled, grabbing the phone from Charlie. "Dad, listen to me. I want you to tell Charlie the truth." He paused, listening. "No, I'm not coming home! This is wrong, Dad! The Cullens have never done anything to deserve this!" Another pause, and Jacob's face grew darker. "Because it's the right thing to do! And she's my friend! If you would just-"

Jacob's hands started to shake as he listened to whatever Billy was saying. "You want to talk about monsters? A monster is someone who doesn't keep their word, and who doesn't tell his own son the truth. A monster is someone who takes advantage of people when they… no, I don't need to calm down! I need you to tell Charlie the truth!"

The vibrations were moving up Jacob's arms now, and I tensed. I had never seen that before. Charlie moved toward Jacob, holding up his hands in a peaceable gesture.

"No! Stay back, Dad!" I hissed, grabbing his arm.

"Now what?" he groaned. He threw my hands off and headed toward Jacob again, who was yelling into the phone now.

Suddenly Jacob dropped the phone and clutched his stomach, looking up at Charlie and I with fear in his eyes. The trembling had reached his legs now, and I could see twitches rippling across his face. "I can't…"he choked out, and his whole body began shaking violently. Sweat began pouring down his face, and his features began to blur.

"Dad, we have to get out!" I screamed, and I plowed into Charlie, making both of us tumble over each other into the hallway. As soon as we hit the floor, there was a tearing and crashing sound.

"What the…!" Charlie scrambled to his feet and headed back into the living room.

"Dad, wait!" I followed him back in, and ran right into his back; he had frozen stiff right in the doorway, his eyes wide. The living room was in shambles, and the couch had been sliced to ribbons. There was shredded denim lying in pieces everywhere, and a huge, shaggy wolf with red-brown fur was backing into the corner, shaking its head from side to side. Jacob! There was no mistaking the eyes.

"He wants us to stay back," I warned Charlie, grabbing his arm again.

He finally let me pull him back out of the room, stumbling over his own feet. "Wh- what do you mean, he? Where did that… that thing come from, and where's Jacob?" His hand flew to his waist, no doubt searching for his gun.

"Dad, that is Jacob. He's kind of a werewolf," I said flatly, trying to keep the terror out of my voice. "Remember I said some of the Quileutes are different?" I tried not to let him see the nausea that was threatening to spill over. Jacob had just phased in our living room! Was he okay? Was this my fault, again? And now that it had happened, would Jacob be… different? Edward had seemed to think that once Jacob phased, he would hate vampires, as well. Had I just lost a friend, and gained an enemy?

"I don't believe it," Charlie breathed. "Werewolves are… real?"

I shrugged, trying to look relaxed. "Sure. And so are vampires. Now do you believe me?"

He swallowed. "Maybe."

"Hey, guys!" Jacob called from the living room. "I'm all right, come back in!"

"Jacob?" I ran back into the living room. Sure enough, there was human Jacob. He was standing in the center of the room, wrapping Charlie's old blanket around his waist as he tried to catch his breath. He grinned over to me, and I gasped. He had grown! He was a good three inches taller than before, and his face looked like he had aged several years. "Jacob?" I asked again, nervously inching towards him.

"Still me," he said, grinning even more. "That was… awesome! Hey, did you get shorter?"

"Being a werewolf is awesome?" Charlie asked weakly. He reached behind himself for the easy chair, and sank down into it.

"Oh, man, Charlie, I'm sorry about the couch," Jacob said, his grin disappearing. "And the lamp, and the wall…" I finally saw the rest of the damage. One whole side of the room was smashed, and there were gashes in the wall that matched the ones on the couch.

"S'okay," Charlie mumbled distractedly, turning back to me. "So… vampires, huh?"

"Good vampires," I reminded him, glancing back at Jacob nervously. Would he still think the Cullens were worth defending?

"That's what we meant about the reputation thing," Jacob said, and I sighed in relief. "Vampires are usually known for… you know, sucking people's blood. But the Cullens aren't like that." Even as he spoke, Jacob was looking curiously at his own hands, and reaching up to touch the new muscles that had suddenly appeared on his shoulders. His grin was returning already.

Charlie gasped. Apparently he hadn't thought of the blood thing until now. "So, Edward… all of them… ugh!"

"Remember, I said they don't hurt people at all," I said quickly. "They only drink animal blood. And I'm going to explain about the injuries now, okay?" Charlie nodded suspiciously. "Edward's skin- all their skin- is different from ours. It's kind of like granite, and it's hard and cold, usually. But in the sun it can heat up like rocks do, and it kind of… sparkles, and reflects the light. Anyway, last week, Edward and I were relaxing in the sun and I fell asleep next to him for awhile. When I woke up, I had gotten kind of a sunburn from the places I was touching his skin. It had heated up more than either of us expected, and that's how I got burned. I lied to you, because I didn't want to scare you. I'm telling you all this now because I don't want Edward to leave. They haven't done anything wrong, and nobody is hurting me. That's the truth."

I watched Charlie's face carefully. He just looked sick. "What about the new ones?"

"Like I said, the handprint was me," Jacob said reluctantly. "And I'm really sorry about that, Bella." He turned back to Charlie. "I'm kind of new at this werewolf thing, and I don't know my own strength sometimes. I was angry because I thought Edward was hurting her, like you did. I was holding her arm, looking at the burns, and I got upset and held her arm a little too hard. But that was before I knew the truth about the vampires, and even about myself. I know now that the bl- that Edward wouldn't hurt her on purpose. I wouldn't say he's my best friend or anything, but I have to admit, he's okay." I smiled and nodded to Jacob, thanking him silently.

"And the face?" Charlie asked quietly.

I smiled sheepishly. "That really was a volleyball. Remember my friends and I were playing yesterday?"

"Okay, but what about the other injuries? Back in Phoenix? And don't tell me you fell out of a window, because I'm not going to believe that one anymore."

I bit my lip, hesitating. I had been hoping he wouldn't ask that one. "Okay, try not to get mad, but I was… kind of attacked by a vampire. The bad kind. Edward saved me, and Carlisle patched me up. That was a fluke, though," I said quickly as his face reddened. "It's very rare for the Cullens to run into that kind of vampire. That was just bad luck… you know me."

Charlie wiped his forehead again, his breath coming in short gasps. "Dad, I know this is a lot to take in," I said quietly, taking his hand. "And I'm sorry to push all this on you so fast. But we're running out of time. The Cullens are leaving town any minute, and if you don't call off the Police, I'll never see Edward again. I love him, Dad. And now that you know about his secret, you can get to know him better. He's amazing. I'll tell you all about him, but please, first can you help us out?"

He frowned. "I don't know, Bells. Just because they told you that they don't hurt people…"

"Look," Jacob said. "Look at me. Werewolves have a reputation too, but do I look like a killer? You can always call the Police again another day. Just do this, and then you can talk to the Cullens all you want, all right? Make the call, and then we'll answer any questions you have."

"Well… I guess…"

I jumped up, throwing my arms around my father. Telling him the truth had felt surprisingly good. "Thank you, Charlie! You won't regret this! Just let me call Edward really quick, okay? I want him to know that they don't have to leave." I wasn't sure whether Alice would be able to see Charlie's intentions, with Jacob being here.

Charlie nodded uncomfortably, and I grabbed the phone, calling Edward's cell. "Just give me a minute," I said as I waited. But my heart sank as the operator's shrill voice made its announcement: The number you are trying to reach is no longer in service.

I turned the phone off and on quickly, calling Alice's number: same thing. Their house phone: the same.

"What's wrong?" Charlie asked gruffly.

"I can't reach them. We have to go, now!" I said frantically, running to get the keys to Charlie's cruiser. Charlie heaved a sigh and stood up.

"Fine. But Jacob, for God's sake, let me get you some clothes." He headed upstairs, and I sat in the living room, bouncing my knees nervously while we waited.

"So… you're okay?" I asked Jacob. "Did it hurt?"

"Nah," he said casually. "Just felt weird. I think I could do it on purpose now, if I wanted to. The coolest part was-"

"Okay, here you go," Charlie said as he tossed Jacob a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Charlie and I headed out the door, and Jacob joined us after a few seconds.

"Can't believe I'm doing this," grumbled Charlie as he pulled out of the driveway. "All for Edward. Ugh."

I smiled nervously. If we pulled this off, my father and my boyfriend might actually get along. But first we had to get there on time.

A/N: I want to explain how Jacob can still be Cullen-friendly. (I've already explained before why I didn't continue the love triangle) In this timeline, Jacob's situation is a lot like Bella's was, when she was finally changed. She already knew what to expect, and she knew that that thirst was going to be there. As a result of that foreknowledge, she was unusually well-controlled and not panicky like a normal newborn. And I don't think that her self-control was really a "talent", because her shield was her talent, and we never heard about any vampires having two talents. So, same deal with Jacob here. He knew what to expect in terms of phasing, and he had already formed his opinions about vampires. Therefore, he didn't automatically start hating them, and he was able to phase back easily, because he wasn't in panic mode regarding his phase, like he would have been in the real timeline.

So, kudos to all the readers who guessed that Charlie would find out! That was actually the original reason for this story. It only developed into a much bigger, more dramatic story because of all the encouraging reviews. You guys rock and I've had a blast writing this one! A couple (or maybe a few?) chapters to go, and we'll have our happy ending :)

Another great Charlie-finds-out story is "Exposure" by Aromene. Go check it out!