I wanted to thank you all for reading and reviewing my last chapter. I'm also thankful for you guys hanging in there while I try to refind my footing on writing. I'm actually really excited about this story. I don't want to take it too fast, so I will be doing Jacob's point of view so you guys can have a bit more of a rounded experience. Let me know what you think. I love the reviews and I do read every single one. I'm hoping I can start to get more :). Enjoy!

Jacob's POV -

Obsessed could be the only thing that could describe me right now. Ever since I met eyes with Charlie Rainwater my mind only seemed to focus on her. The way her eyes were the same pale green as her grandmother's, framed in thick long dark lashes that made them look like they glowed. The beautifully rosy color of her plum lips or the soft look of her skin, covered with a blush from the cold air of the beach. My mind plays over her every detail over and over again. Distantly I can hear the groaning of the pack as they peak in on my thoughts, but nothing can drag my attention away from the motel window. Inside Charlie and Anna were eating dinner she picked up from the store. Simple sandwiches, fruit, and chips. Her lips are turned up into a smile she seemed only to have when it came to the little girl in front of her.

How long do you think she'll be staying in a motel?

Not long if I have anything to do with it.

Charlie's POV -

I almost feel like I should be locked away for extreme paranoia. We'd been in town for less than a week and I'm practically crawling out of my skin with the feeling of being watched. The only thing keeping me from bolting with Anna, is the fact that she seems to have already found her home here. Yeah we're living in a motel room eating sandwiches, but the absolute joy she finds in the rain alone has me stuck in place. I just wish I could have her joy while I'm striking out left and right on housing and job prospects. Always feeling as if someone was looking over my shoulder. Shuddering I push the thoughts away and focus on the task at hand.

It took me one day to recover from my grandmother's rejection. By the next night I'd already started on my search for a home and job. Anna being the sole reason for my sheer will and determination. So far in the last 4 days I'd been turned down from every attempt I could possibly make to settle in La Push. No job without proof of residence, but no residence without proof of a job. The money leaving the account left me panicking at the alarming rate that we were fast approaching the homeless option. Who cares if I'm being watched if we can't sleep or eat in peace.

Taking a deep breath I pull into the parking lot of the auto shop I asked directions at once. Grabbing this morning's paper off the passenger seat, I slide out of the truck and pull Anna from the back. Running through the light drizzle I enter the shop again and don't even get to ring the bell before someone is coming in from the shop. My heart hits the ground and I fight not to turn and flee when the man I'd locked eyes with on the beach stops in front of me. I open and close my mouth like a fish and flush at the embarrassment of it all as he watches me with an intense, yet amused expression…does he look pleased? Anna squirms in my arms, slapping me back into the reality of the moment.

"Hello, I ummmm." I drift off and take another breath. "I was looking through the paper this morning and wanted to inquire about a cabin available to rent. I tried to find a contact number, but all the ad said was to stop by here and ask for Jake."

Everything inside me feels like I'm a fraud. Who the hell says to inquire anymore? As if my attempt at a more grown up use of vocabulary would set me above any other applicants. Trying desperately to pull myself to stand tall I shift Anna to lay against the front of me like a shield. The man in front of me stares at me with that still intense look and I can't tell if I should be flattered or run as fast as possible. My mouth tries to deflect.

"It'll only be for the two of us. We're quiet and clean. We won't cause any problems." Clear and concise. I almost feel proud until he opens his mouth and just the sound of his voice makes my heart stutter.

"I'll keep that in mind." He says now looking almost completely amused. His voice is deep, but not that kind of deep that makes you think a tuba is hidden somewhere. I almost facepalm at the thought. "I'm Jake and you are…?"

"Oh…OH! Oh I'm Charlie and this is Anna." I rush out with an awkward attempt to smile.

"Nice to meet you. I have an office just back here if you'd like to join me." He smiles as he gestures to the door behind him.

Pushing past my nerves I follow him and set Anna in one of the two chairs for visitors and sit in the other. I quickly pull up a downloaded video for her to watch on my phone and then turn back to the man…Jake.

"She tends to behave a little better with a distraction." I explain weakly. So much for being strong and mature. I feel a headache coming on.

"I get it. My nephew is the same way." He says before pulling out a folder. "So the cabin is pretty old. It used to belong to a friend and I bought it a couple of years back. I've updated it whenever I find time though so it shouldn't be annoyingly outdated."

He pushes over some pictures and I sort through them as he continues talking.

"It's not large, but it's a two bed/one bath. There's a yard, but no fence. If you guys settle in the cabin I'd be happy to add some fencing." He explains.

"You wouldn't have to do that." I let him know, feeling anxiety creep in at the cost to add something extra like that.

"I was planning to anyway, but it's more of an incentive knowing there's a little kid in the house." He reassures me. "Rent is $500 a month due on the 1st of the month. Utilities are your responsibility and due on the 15th, but I will be around once or twice a month for yard work and other maintenance."

"Do you charge a security deposit?" I ask as I sort through the last of the pictures.

"No." He replies. "Have you ever rented anywhere else before?"

I feel my anxiety rise sharply and brace myself for another rejection after my explanation. Looking up from the pictures I meet his eyes and notice a trace of concern, before it's washed away. I glance over to Anna to make sure she's thoroughly distracted.

"I don't have a job." I blurt out. My face flames up and I take a calming breath before meeting his eyes again. "We just moved here and I do have enough for two months rent and utilities, but I haven't been able to find a job quiet yet. Everyone requires an address to hire me, but no one will rent out without proof of employment."

"Well I don't…" I cut him off abruptly in desperation.

"I'm a hard worker and I promise that I will find a job if you let me rent from you. I give you my word and I never break my word." I feel myself word vomit all over him, but embarrassment isn't enough to make me stop. "I can keep a clean house, and Anna is such a good girl you would never believe a child lives there. I can do my own yard work if that'll help and you don't need to put a fence in. I also have cash in hand."

"Charlie." His voice saying my name silences me and a strange feeling runs through me at the sound of it. He looks like he's somewhere between alarmed and desperately trying not to laugh. I frown slightly at the latter. "As long as you pay rent and don't destroy the place, it's all yours."

Shock runs through me, but I push it away quickly. If this man wanted to let me rent from him, I wasn't going to throw that away.

"I'll find a job." I reassure him stubbornly.

"I'm sure you will." A chuckle escapes him finally. He holds up his hands. "I'm sorry, it's just that this has been so awkward."

His words and laughter make me more uncomfortable than reassured. As if sensing that he straightens up.

"I've never rented out before. I realized I wasn't going to move in and that I essentially bought and cleaned up a place for no reason. You're the first and only person to ask about the place and I was more nervous that you would turn it down than you were of me turning you down." Another chuckle escapes him and this time I let a small smile grace my lips. At the sight of it he looks momentarily dazed but it's gone so fast I feel like I imagined it.

"Is there an application?" I ask, trying to push past the awkwardness. "We just got to town and I haven't had a chance to switch over my license or anything."

"You'll need to fill one out for paperwork formality and then it's just a standard lease. You can choose what to do for the length of it." He says getting down to business.

We fall into silence as I fill out paperwork. Anna giggles at the phone every now and then and I try to stifle my rising anxiety of being in a room with Jake. The sound of shop through the open office door doing wonders to help that. I quickly hand over the paperwork and make work to sign for a 6 month lease. Pulling out my envelope of cash, I make quick work of counting enough for two months worth of rent.

"When will I be able to get the keys?" I ask as I slide everything over. I watch as he signs his signature over everything, before filing it away.

"You can have them immediately. I've paid up on utilities for the next month, so you have a little bit before switching over them to your name." He says as he slides some keys across the desk. I pull out enough money to cover our utility expenses for the month and leave them in place of the keys. "You don't have to do that."

"I'd rather I pay for it." I dismiss quickly. "Thank you for renting to us. This should make everything so much easier."

"You said you were looking for a job?" His words are just as quick as I am to get ready to leave. I stop and force myself to look at him again. I feel myself focus on my bruised face in my mind. "I'm in need of a receptionist here. It's $15 an hour Monday-Friday."

I don't say anything for a moment. Everything inside of me screams in distrust at the ease of things in the last hour. First a home and now a possible job. The last time something seemed easy was when I was being handed a truck to run away. Jake watches my face.

"It's just handling appointments, billing, and paperwork. We usually have one of the guys do it, but we could use everyone in the shop since we're growing more popular." He explains as he pulls out a sheet of paper and slides it across the desk. "Simple 9-5 shift and if you want we do have to work one Saturday a month, but it's just to take inventory and for our monthly staff meeting."

I sit back down and pull forward the paper, and application, and start to fill it out. I try to hide my slightly shaky hand as I do so. I stop when another problem surfaces. I take a deep breath.

"I don't have childcare." I say softly. "Is there a daycare around here?"

The…worry…in his eyes dissipates and he shakes his head with a soft smile. For some reason I feel ease moving through me at the action.

"You can bring her to work with you." He says. Disbelief slams into me and I push away from the paperwork abruptly. As if sensing my withdrawal, a brief panic crosses across his face. "What I'm trying to say is a lot of our kids on the reservation are watched by family members or attend school. We don't really have much in the way of an official daycare yet. You can bring her to work until you find someone to watch her or otherwise."

"I'm sorry." I croak out as I pick back up filling out the application and resume blanks. "This is a little new to me."

Jacob's POV -

If anything was obvious, it was the knowledge that Charlie Rainwater had definitely been knocked around long enough to distrust the world around her. The thought has rage tumbling through me and my wolf howling for retribution. From the moment she had walked through the door to ask about the cabin it was written all over her. Not just in the dark bruises covering half of her face, or the way she moved with caution to injuries under her clothes. It was the way she stood on edge. Her eyes flitted about looking for a threat and she made sure her back was always to an escape. The thought of the abuse she had to have suffered through left me breathless.

I step outside to breathe in fresh air in hopes of washing away the scent of her anxiety. Looking around I pull out a cigarette and light it up. I can almost hear Bella lecturing me on the hazards of smoking, but I need something to focus on. Something other than the way she had to force herself to look me in the eyes or the way she made absolutely sure there was at least five feet between us at all times. After the paperwork she'd practically fled, smiling a tight smile, but unable to shake my hand. It was clear the inability of the action embarrassed her when her cheeks flushed and she could barely meet his eyes. It had taken a lot of effort to not stroke her face. Hell it had taken an extraordinary amount of restraint to not touch her at all through the whole thing.

"You look like a bomb ready to go off." Quil says as he comes to stand next to me.

"I feel like one." I reply as I take another drag.

"I take it didn't go well." He comments lightly as he pats my back in an attempt to calm me. "We'll figure it out."

"It went fine." I groan. "She took the cabin and the job. Hell she even took the ability to bring the kid to work with her."

"Okay…then what are we upset about?" He sounds confused, but cautious. He knows there's more to it than what I'm speaking.

"Someone beat the hell out of her." I spit out. My body shakes violently for a moment, before I can gain control over it. Quil eyes me with alarm. "Forget the bruises all over her face. Forget the fact that she can't…her ribs have to be hurt."

I flick the cigarette away from me and try to get my heavy breathing under control. Charlie's guarded eyes flash through my thoughts and I feel my teeth grind.

"Wherever she came from, beat her in every way." I push it out in one breath.

Understanding flashed through Quil's eyes. Abuse was not something unheard of here on the Reservation. While not common, it wasn't invisible.

"It's written all over her man. Someone has been doing this for a long time." I close my eyes at the frustration of it all. "How the hell am I supposed to protect her from things that have already happened?"

Quil stays absolutely silent. There isn't a right answer to any of it.

Charlie's POV -

The pictures hadn't exactly captured the cabin in its true essence. While the pictures looked outdated and even borderline concerning, the actual cabin was really nice. Made with a base of stone and then blue wood on top it was almost picturesque. The roof was a black, standing out to the other homes in the area which seemed to be fond of green and red tin roofs. A small covered porch with railings sit on the front. The front yard wasn't much to brag about. A tree sat in the far corner near the street and the driveway was made of gravel, but that was pretty much it. Anna was already running around it with excitement.

Snatching up the energized toddler I lay kisses all over her face as she laughs while I carry us up the porch steps. Pulling out the set of house keys from my pocket, I open up the door and step inside. It's incredibly obvious that Jake's pictures must've been from before the renovations. The floors were a pretty dark oak instead of the gray carpet in the pictures. The walls were no longer the wood slats, but now replaced with a regular plaster and plain white. The wood ceilings were tall making the whole space seem larger than it actually is. Setting Anna down I let her run loose as I acquaint myself with the space. To the right of the door was a small living room. Windows sat on the far right wall and on the wall directly right to me. A stone fireplace sat in the center of the wall directly in front. To the left was almost identical, and I'm assuming a dining room. In front of the dining room was a small kitchen. The cabinets were painted navy blue, but other than the updated stainless steel appliances, remained kind of outdated.

I don't make any noise as I test the lights and hot water in the kitchen. Pleased all seem to be working, I make my way down the hallway straight ahead of the door and to the right of the kitchen. Two accordion doors sit at the start and opening them reveal what would be a laundry area. Big enough for a washer, dryer, and maybe something to slide between them. Closing the door I make my way farther down the hallway and find a door after the laundry room and find a simple bathroom. It's now becoming obvious this is what he must have meant by outdated. While the outside and front of the house seemed to have been worked on, not much had been done to the back. The walls were obviously replastered, but ugly linoleum that has been tinted yellow from age covered the bathroom. The rest of the bathroom follows the idea with old wood cabinets and a paint chipped linen door, hinges rusted. The faucets are crusted with water marks and build up. Even the tub had stains, I'm hoping they are from age not dirt.

Leaving the bathroom I find a bedroom on the right of the end of the hall. The size was nothing spectacular, but I'd expected worse from Jake's descriptions. The wood from the front of the house extended into the bedrooms and the walls were the same plastered white. The ceiling remained the same high beamed wood. There was a small closet along the right wall and two windows along the far left wall and the wall straight ahead of the door. I let myself imagine, for just a moment, what the room could look like all pretty for Anna. Shaking my head I make my way across the hall to the bigger master bedroom. It was larger than the room Anna and I shared in Pittsburgh. Plenty of space for a large bed, dresser, and even a chair if I wanted. To the left, in front of the door, was another door leading into a bathroom. Identical to the other style wise.

"Eat!" Anna's voice echoes throughout the house from the kitchen leaving me smiling. "Eat!"

A house. A house, job, and childcare! Not even 2pm on a Wednesday afternoon and I felt like I had tackled the world. I let myself dance for a moment in excitement. Pulling myself together I walk out of the room and turn the heat up a little. Plopping my backpack on the counter I pull out the remains of my cash and start counting. I'd left for La Push with almost 6k in cash. Subtracting the traveling expenses, hotel stays, and the money I had to fork out for the cabin…I felt my heart stutter. A week. In just a week I'd blown through more than half of the money and only had $2,500 left. Taking a deep breath I look around. The cabin had nothing in it. I'd need stuff for the kitchen, groceries, toiletries, and even air mattresses to sleep on. That didn't include the cost it would take to register the truck and swap my license over. A loud groan leaves me at the thought of it all. How do people do this?

"Eat!" Anna's voice makes me set my thoughts down as she tugs at my jacket.

"Alright bug, let's go get some food."

It was almost seven in the evening by the time we finally got home. After getting lunch at the local diner, our whole day was spent tying up loose ends. First was a stop by the DMV with my lease in tow and new proof of employment in tow. Surprisingly the Forks DMV wasn't as much a hassle as I'd assumed it would be. I was able to pay the tax, tag, and switch my license in just over an hour. Next stop was the bank. I couldn't rely on the cash in my pocket forever. After signing up with the local Credit Union, I finally slid into grocery shopping. That had been by far the most painful part of it all. By the time I got the bare minimum basics, I was down to just a thousand in my bank account. Lugging everything into the house I make some quick sandwiches and try to hunt down the painkillers Kathy had given me.

Jacob's POV -

It had taken everything inside of me not to spend the day following Charlie around town after she left. By the time we closed the shop for the day it had taken zero time at all to be in the woods and shifted. Voices of the pack members on rotation greeted me, but I wanted only one to actually talk to one.

I'm surprised you lasted all day.

Brady's voice fills my mind. I had him keep an eye on Charlie all day for me.

Where is she?

You don't waste any time.

Brady!

Alright. She left the shop and went straight to the motel in forks to grab her things. From there they stopped by the cabin and then went and ran some errands.

He lets me sort through his memories and I'm pleased to find that she wasted no time squaring away her priorities. She was wasting no time settling down and my wolf growled with approval at the thought. She had no plans to go anywhere for the moment and that's what's important.

I'd hope she doesn't plan on going anywhere. I mean I'm still shocked at how fast you and Quil managed to move out of the Cabin.

Brady.

I mean it's way more spacious than the apartment above the shop.

Brady!

Yeah I get it. Look, she came home, set up shop, and she just finished bathing the kid. I'll talk to you later.

His voice disappears as he shifts. Without thought I feel myself run through the woods until I'm settled next to the cabin in question. Brady wasn't wrong. I had lied to Charlie about the true extent of the Cabin. I'd been living there for the last two years, slowly renovating it. Quil had moved in a couple of months ago. We'd moved out and cleaned it up the moment I realized Charlie's need for a home. Word had spread about Abby's granddaughter returning to La Push and her troubles finding a place to stay. I didn't hesitate to move into the apartment above the shop and post the cabin for rent, knowing she would see it and eventually make her way to me. Anything to get her out of living in a motel room.

I watch as she sets up a pack and play in the master bedroom next to an air mattress. Filling it with blankets and a pillow, she lays a freshly bathed toddler in it. I watch as she pulls a pair of leggings and a large tshirt from the duffel at the end of the bed. Before I can look away she lifts her shirt up and I'm met with something that makes me snarl. Her rib cage and abdomen are completely covered in large ugly bruises. The worst of it all, was the clear imprints of boots amongst the bruising pattern. Standing up I force myself to run into the forest before I let out a howl of pure fury.

Charlie's POV -

Sleep refuses to happen. Staring at the ceiling I feel irritation rising in me at the lack of dream state I'm in. Sighing I roll over and check on Anna, who apparently has no issues sleeping. Closing my eyes for what feels like the billionth time, I try to feel even a little bit tired. It takes a whole five minutes before I'm angrily sliding off the air mattress and making my way down the hallway. The sound of my footsteps sound loud in the sheer emptiness of the house. Ignoring that, I set about making some tea and munch on an apple as I wait. The feeling of something hangs in the air and I feel restless with it. Grabbing the tea off the counter I shrug on a hoodie and head outside to sit on the porch swing.

The crisp October air rushes over my skin and I breathe it in, allowing it to brush some of my anxiety aside. The creaking of the porch swing is minor as I rock back and forth. I take a deep swig of my tea and lean back against the swing. I let my eyes close for a moment, before I place my tea on the little side table and pull the burner phone from my pocket. The wind rustles through the trees around the house, but the sound soothes me instead of making me nervous. Sorting through the numbers I find the one I'm looking for and press call.

"St. Clair ICU, this is Kathy." The sound of her voice makes my heart thunder.

"Kathy…It's Charlie." I breathe out. There's silence for a moment and then her voice sounds out clearly.

"Charlie! Oh honey, we've all been so worried about you." Her words bring tears to my eyes. "Are you okay? John says we can't know where you are, but are you okay?"

"I'm okay. Anna is okay." I choke out. The sound of her worry makes the last week of stress hit me. "We're far away and I found a house and a job."

"Oh thank God!" She sounds teary as well. "We've been going mad wondering if you were okay. That thug stopped by and I swear I could just swat him if I could. To act like you're some kind of troubled youth that just kidnapped Anna is beyond me."

"Kathy I promise he's lying." I feel like I have to reiterate that. "I'd never lie about what he did to us."

"Well of course he's lying!" She sounds eager to reassure me. "You come to us with his boot imprinted all over you. Troubled my ass, and your poor mother. Going out of her mind."

"She's awake?!" Excitement boils through me. "I thought she was put under for a moment."

"Oh here I am talking up a storm and you called the hospital. Of course you want to know about your mother." She says with guilt in her tone. "She woke up yesterday. Her lungs are doing much better with the stint and her stats have improved, but I don't want to give you false hope honey. She is not doing well at all. Sometimes we see this. A marked improvement…well you know before…"

I feel my tears spill over and I feel a sob escape me. Wiping at my face I take a couple of deep breaths.

"Is she awake? Can I talk to her?" I can hear the begging in my tone. Shuffling sounds on the other end of the line and I hear someone call my mother's name.

"Lyra? Oh don't you worry….It's Cha…."

More shuffling sounds and then heavy breathing.

"Charlotte?" My mother's raspy voice fills the line and I sit up quickly.

"Mom?!" I croak over my tears. "Mom, it's me."

"Oh Charlotte…." More heavy breathing. "I've been so worried. You left and I've been so sick. He's so mad."

"He…He really hurt me mama. I couldn't stay any longer." I explain, my breath hitching on a sob. "I took Anna and I ran."

"Are you safe?" Hope fills her tired voice. I nod before I realize she can't see me.

"We're safe. I found a house and I start work on Friday. We even have a truck." I'm eager to tell her everything. "Anna is so happy mama. She loves the beach and collecting shells. She has her own room and a yard."

"Oh baby…you've done…so proud of you." Her need to catch her breath interrupts her speech. "Tell me more."

I don't hesitate. I tell her about our drive and the arrival. Glossing over meeting her mother, I instead tell she was out of town and I haven't been able to make contact. I fill her in on the rain, and trees. How Anna has started a shell collection and which ones are her favorites. I even tell her about my odd run-ins with Jake and how, because of him, we had such a cute cabin and a reliable job with childcare. How I even set up my first bank account.

"Jake? As in Jacob Black?" She asks, sounding more alert than I have heard her in a while.

"Yes, but I'm being careful. Nothing is ever this easy." I tell her. "He's…It's been really kind of him to help me out so much though."

"I went to school with him. He was younger, but I remember him." She says sounding tired again. "He and his group of ….friends were adorable. You must've …made quite an impression for…. him to help you so much. He was a cute kid."

Something in her voice makes my heart speed up. Something that told me she knew something she wasn't willing to share with me. I push the thought away.

"I don't even know him." I tell her softly. I debate my next words, before continuing. "Let me come get you."

"Charlie…" My nickname slides through the line and I know what her answer will be.

"I'm scared. I'm so scared." I let my sobs loose. "If you're so certain you're going to die. Then do it here. Don't leave me when you're so far away. Please mama. Please."

She doesn't say anything and I feel my heart wither away. The weight of the last week continues to make itself known. Her heavy breathing and the heart monitors in the background are the only indications that she's still on the phone with me. Pulling myself together the best that I can I keep going.

"What about Anna? She's so little. What am I supposed to tell her?" I ask shakily.

"You tell her that….. I love her so much. I love just like….. you love her, and that you took her to give her the best…..life." She starts coughing and I hear the heart monitors spike. "I'm tired baby."

"I'll call back in a couple of days. You get plenty of rest and I'll call back in a couple of days with an update." I tell her tearily.

"I…love…you." She breathes.

Kathy gets back onto the phone and tells me mom is going to rest some more. I don't waste any time letting her know that I'll call back in a couple of days before I hang up. Once off the phone more tears make their way down my face and I fight the urge to throw things. More cold air brushes across me when the wind blows and I use it to center myself. One more day and I start work and from there it's one day at a time. I can do this. I have to do this.

I'm going to end it here. Please let me know what you guys think of it!