Chapter 3: Charlie

**Okay, so, I got the idea for this fic from the Lifetime movie Blindsided. But, if you have seen the movie, this will be nothing like it. I did use the beginning to start my fic, but I got the idea from watching Blindsided. Just wanted to clear it up, thanks to a reviewer mentioning it.

Now, on with the story.**

I seen her eyes. A pleading look hidden among them. I couldn't shake her eyes. They haunted me. Then it hit me. The loud boom, the fire, the stone wall. All at once. I was frozen. Couldn't move. The last thing I seen were those eyes.

"Swan! Swan!"

I screamed as I was shaken awake. I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or if it was real.

"Swan! Calm down! It's okay. It's me, Harding."

I calmed at his voice, my hands shaking as I reached up to his face. His hand guided mine, so I could know it was him. My nerves calmed.

"Where are we? What time is it?"

"We just landed in the states. It's Saturday. A whole day's flight. Come on, let's get some food before our next flight. I managed to get us another non stop to Washington from New York. We will be in Seattle about 5 hours once we board again."

I rubbed my eyes, I can't see, I still feel the motions from before. I stood and reached above me and grabbed my bag before letting Harding help me off. We met up with Franklin and Jenkinson outside and a taxi took us to a nearby resturaunt.

"Afternoon. What can I get you?"

"Yes, what do you have for specials?" I asked, making sure I folded my stick where she could see it. I didn't want a repeat of the flight attendant.

"We have Philly Cheese Steak poboys, fries and gravy and a New York strip steak with baked potatoe."

"I'll have the Philly plate and a Dr. Pepper please."

"Yes, ma'am. What about you guys?"

"Steak." All three said.

The waitress left to put in our order and brought back our drinks. I felt for mine and manged a straw in it.

Wasn't long before the food came and we all began to eat. I sensed a hand coming towards my plate.

"Better take that hand back, Franklin. I have a fork that will hurt when jabbed into a hand."

"Damn. How'd you know it was me?"

"I can hear what direction something is coming from. Plus you have always been the one to steal my food."

Harding and Jenkinson laughed. I couldn't help but laugh, too. We finally finished and headed back to the airport. We loaded the plane and relaxed off.

"Hey, Swan. Got somethin for ya. I set your laptop up while you slept last flight." Jenkinson said, sitting beside me this time.

"Why you diggin in my stuff, you ass?"

"Chill. I put a program on it. Everything is voice activated. Here. Try it out. Tell it to power on."

"Laptop on."

"Welcome, Bella." Came a voice from my lap.

"Now, when it powers on, you can give it a command for anything. E-mail, music, anything. I have mine, Franklin and Harding's e-mail saved. Just tell it which one you want by saying our last name and then say your message. Figured it would be something easy to use can keep in touch with us, where ever we all are."

"Wow. Thanks, J. That's pretty neat. It will come in handy for the rest of the trip."

"No problem. Here. Here are some headphones with the microphone."

I felt Jenkinson place the headphones on my head. I reached up to his face. I felt the emotion of happiness and caring.

The captain came over the speakers announcing our flight was leaving. I gave my laptop commands and before long, I had downloaded songs for my trip. I reclined the seat slightly and closed my eyes. As I listened to the music, I pictured the guys. Their faces, how they look when they laugh. These guys have been my friends for the last two years. I didn't know what I would do without them once they dropped me off.

Our flight finally landed. I was happy I could be on the ground from now on.

"Alright. All set. Let's move out." Harding said as he shut the back of his rental SUV.

"Shut it, Harding. You sound like Sarg now." I joked as he helped me in the front seat.

"She has a point. I'm just sayin!" Franklin said.

I assumed Harding gave him that look. The look that he used to make the lower, newer recruits shut up.

"Let's just go. Is there a GPS?"

"Yeah. Why?" Harding asked.

"GPS?"

"Hello. Where may I take you today?"

"Holy shit! It talks!" Franklin yelled.

"Search Charlie Swan residence in Forks, Washington."

"Searching. Residence found. Shall I take you there?"

"Yes. Take us now."

"Damn, girl. Anything you can't do?" Harding laughed.

"There is one thing. I can't pee standing up. That's the last thing on my list of things to accomplish."

The guys burst out into laughter. "Man, I sure am goin to miss you, Swan." Jenkinson said.

"Don't go all girly on me, J. It's not becoming." I laughed.

Harding pulled out and headed in the direction the GPS led him. It two hours or more to get us to Charlie's. My nerves began getting to me. I didn't know how Charlie was going to be towards me after ten years, plus me showing up blind after an accident.

"Bells?" I heard as soon as my door opened.

I turned towards his voice. It was much different than I last remember. Deeper, older. I reached out, feeling for his face. He took my hand and touched it to his cheek.

"Hi, dad. It's good to see you." I felt of his cheeks, his eyes. All so much older.

"It's great to see you, too, Bells. Well, let's get you inside. Can you get in okay?"

"Yeah. Just help me out and I can find my way in. I need to learn where everything is. Guys, get my things?"

"Sure thing, Swan." Harding said.

Charlie helped me out of the SUV and helped me steady myself. I took out my stick and felt my way in. When I felt the stairs, I reached for the railing, Charlie helping me find it.

I made my way inside. It still smelt the same. Fish, wood and aftershave. The smells I loved as a kid.

"Oh, dad, let me introduce you to my comrades. Greg Jenkinson, Carlos Franklin and Jeremy Harding. Guys, my dad, Charlie."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. You have an amazing daughter. Shes the best soldier we had in our ranks." Harding gushed.

"Thank you. Its wonderful to hear that. Thank you for serving, and for bringing her home in one piece."

"It's our pleasure, Mr. Swan. Bella, we have to go. We only have a short time with our families before we have to leave again. E-mail us. Take care of yourself." Franklin said, hugging me.

"I will. Thank you, guys. Take care." I hugged Jenkinson before hearing the door shut.

"So, Bells. What do you need me to do?" Charlie asked, nervously.

"Carry my bags upstairs, please. I need a shower after that long trip."

"Yeah, here, I'll help you to the stairs." He gently took my arm and led me to the stairs. I carefully counted the steps for later. I remembered my room was the first one at the top of the stairs.

"I got rid of a few things, added some new. Found a good desk and bed set. Everything else is still the same."

"Thanks, dad. I'm going to shower and then we can have dinner together."

"Can you find everything yourself?"

"Yes, dad. Linen closet next to my room, bathroom is the next door. I'll be fine. If I need anything, I'll call for you."

"Okay. Well, uh, I'll just leave you to it then."

I heard him walk down the stairs as I found my bag. I pulled my shower kit out and found my robe. I felt my way towards the linen closet and pulled out a towel and washcloth then making my way into the bathroom.

I took my things out of my kit and placed it on the shower rack. I then sat on the toilet and undressed.

It felt good to have a decent shower. I stayed in longer than I planned. Once the water changed to cold, I got out. I was happy to notice Charlie had handles installed for me to use while getting in and out. I toweled of and wrapped in my robe.

When I made it back to my room, I pulled my clothes out and laid them on the bed. I realized it was time to shop for normal clothes.

"Bells? You okay?"

"Yeah, dad. I'm coming down." I yelled as I slipped into my sneakers.

I left my stick in my room as I went downstairs. I counted the steps and successfully made it down. I pictured the house from childhood and found the living room where Charlie sat.

"Hey, you made it. Feel better?"

"I do. It was nice having a long shower."

"Where's your stick thing?"

"Upstairs. I decided to learn the house without it. Maybe make things easier. All I need to know is where everything in the kitchen is."

"No problem, kiddo. We can work on that. So, do you want to go out or stay in for dinner?"

"Is the diner still open?"

"It is."

"Let's go out. I want to go and get me some new clothes if there is a clothing store around. All I have it my Marine attire. Is there someone who can help me?"

"Sue Clearwater. She works at the diner. You remember her don't you?"

"Yeah, Harry's wife. Let me get my bag and stick and I'll be ready."

I made it back upstairs and found what I needed. I put my tags on as well, seeing as how I always wore them. When I got back downstairs, Charlie helped me to the cruiser.

He was Cheif of Police in Forks. He was proud. Who wouldn't be. I was happy for him.

We made it to the diner and sat in the corner booth we sat at as a kid. Dad talked to Sue as we ordered, who agreed to go with me after her shift.

"So, dad, tell me. What have you been doing with yourself?" I played with my straw as we talked.

"Same old stuff. Billy Black comes by every week to watch the game. I fish and hunt with Harry when I'm not on duty. I stay to myself. Lonely old man you got, Bells."

I chuckled. "Don't worry, dad. I'm sure you'll find someone. You're handsome still. Better hurry, though, you won't last forever."

"Funny, Bells. Tell me why you joined. We never talked hardly after your mom took off."

"I joined to be my own person. With mom it was always going and doing what she needed or wanted to. I never done anything for me. So when I found out about the Marines, I joined. I went into photography and infantry. I lucked up and got both. It was nice to be able to do something for me."

"Well I'm proud of you. You're still just as beautiful as when you were little. I missed you, Bells."

I smiled. "I missed you, too, dad." I reached for his hand. "We have ten years to catch up on. I expect that pony I didn't get for my 12th birtday and Mustang car for my 16th."

He laughed. "Still the same Bella. Sorry, baby. No can do on the Mustang, but I can do the pony. I'll have it by tomorrow."

"Joking, dad." I giggled.

"Me, too."

Now I see where I get my outlook and personality from. I was looking foward to spending more time with my dad.

**A/N: Shew! I'm on a roll! Last chapter for now. Write more later! So happy to see I already have awesome reviewers! :) I will try & make you proud!**