Troubleshoot
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.
The Final Nail
There were days when the tiredness came in both forms, physical and mental. Bella's body was crying out to rest, yet her mind was urging her to move, to burn the anxiety right out. Sitting waiting for Jacob to return was like torture. Without any form of exercise her mind wouldn't let her be still, but without some proper respite her body was spiralling into exhaustion.
"Please hurry back, Jake." Bella murmured, staring bleakly out of the Rabbit's windshield toward the encroaching forest.
It was getting late. The daylight had dwindled to a barely perceptible lightening of the gloom. Dusk was setting in. As the light drained away there was barely enough even for shadows. Whether Bella liked it or not the darkness arrived and under it everything in the forest was hidden. Even the stars and moon cowered behind a dense layer of cloud, giving the air that tincture she associated with the world before an approaching storm.
Bella found her hearing becoming sharper and her mind more paranoid as she sat rigidly in the passenger seat of Jacob's car. Every snap of a twig was a signal that danger was approaching. Each strange aroma made her brain jump to the most fearsome thing it could be, causing her already weary body to prepare for flight, fright, or freeze. Coming perilously close to losing her life on several occasions in the past, she had never lost her sense of fear for what stalked in the shadows. She supposed she would never completely recover from the aftermath of the newborn battle. It would always haunt her in one way or another.
All she could do was continue to wait while the blackness descended and pray that Jacob wouldn't be far behind. She had the option to go back inside the house and wait, but she really didn't want to have to set eyes on Rachel again anytime soon. Nursing her sore hand against her chest, she counted the beats of her heart to try and calm her nerves, her eager gaze sweeping the forest edge, seeking for any sign of movement within the shadowy forms of the trees.
Suddenly the headlights of an approaching vehicle were as two bright stars lighting up the night. Bella pulled herself upright, shielding her eyes with her hands as she tried to see who it was. Soon a Ford Escape belonging to Sue Clearwater swept into view.
Bella let out a slow exhale of relief, relaxing back in her seat as she watched with curious eyes as the Clearwater matriarch climbed gracefully out of the car. Bella wondered idly what the older woman was doing there. Maybe she had come to pick up Seth. It was only when she observed Sue's thin face, the long black hair swinging casually around her shoulders, walk around to the passenger side of the car, that Bella realized that the older woman wasn't alone. She had brought Billy with her.
"Oh no!" Bella exclaimed in despair.
Billy had the worst timing possible. He couldn't be allowed to go inside. Not with Rachel there, nursing a bloody nose, an injury that Bella herself had inflicted in retaliation for the harm Rachel had done to Charlie.
Oh, God, what should she do? If Billy saw his daughter in that state all hell would break loose. Explanations would need to be given. Who knew what tall tales Rachel would come up with to defend herself against all the terrible accusations? Bella knew that Billy would immediately jump to Rachel's defence, not wanting to believe that his precious little girl could be capable of such wickedness. Rachel might use her father's affections to her advantage and try and make her escape that way.
"Oh, why didn't I call the cops straight away!" Bella lamented.
She sat rigidly in her seat as she watched Sue Clearwater deftly help Billy to slide into the folding wheelchair. Then when he was settled, she began to wheel him over the bumpy ground toward the house. Bella knew it was time she made her presence known so she could intervene and stop them.
Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Bella pushed open the car door and hailed them.
Sue halted, twisting her head around in surprise when she heard Bella calling her name. "Bella?" She said hesitantly. "What are you doing sitting out here all by yourself in the dark?"
"Oh, I'm just waiting for Jacob." Bella tried to keep her tone light. "Hi, Billy."
"Hi, Bella." Billy replied, a faint smile lighting up his lined face. "So, Jake's not inside then?"
"He was…he just got called away. I'm sure he'll be back soon, though."
"Is this to do with Rachel?" Billy scrutinized Bella's face carefully as he asked the question.
"What makes you think that?" Bella felt sweat break out on the palms of her hands. She stuffed them in her jacket pocket nervously.
"I know that Rachel is here, Bella. Leah told Sue. And Sue told me." Billy glanced up at the older woman wryly. "I made her bring me here. I need to see my daughter."
"She should be coming to see you." Sue said testily, wearing an irritated expression that reminded Bella very much of the she-wolf herself. "You shouldn't have to go chasing all over La Push trying to track her down."
"Rachel has been through a lot." Billy's voice held a pleading tone, his dark eyes begging for Sue's understanding.
"I brought you here against my better judgement, didn't I?" Sue remarked grudgingly.
"Yes. And I am very thankful." Billy reached up and patted Sue's hand. Then he returned his attention to Bella. "I take it Rachel is inside?"
The beginnings of panic stirred in Bella's chest. She felt her throat tighten. How was she going to stall him? What excuse could she give? Oh, Jacob, where are you? She cried in her head. He would be the best person to deal with his father. All she ever did was make things worse.
"Um…I think we should wait for Jake to come back."
"Why?" Billy caught the underlying anxiety in her tone. It aroused his suspicions at once. "What's going on here, Bella? What are you not telling me?"
"We should wait for Jake." Bella tried again.
"No. I am impatient to see my daughter. I am tired of waiting." Billy's face settled back into grim lines. "Take me inside, Sue." He directed her.
Sue was studying Bella critically. She could tell the girl was in a state of high distress. Something had clearly gone down between Charlie's daughter and Billy's. Knowing Rachel's sly nature, she had a sinking feeling that she had been up to no good. Rachel Black had always been a scheming little witch, even from a young age she came across as deceitful and duplicitous, something Sue had often observed. However, Billy as well as dear Sarah (when she was still alive), refused to admit their daughter had a dark side, always coming up with ready excuses to explain away her awful behaviour as a child. From the way Bella was reacting now, Sue was worried that Billy might be about to get his rose-coloured glasses well and truly shattered.
"Maybe we should listen to Bella." She suggested to Billy. "I'm sure Jake won't be too long. Then you can speak to them both together."
Billy's suspicions were well and truly roused now. He glanced between Sue and Bella. There was something bothering them, and he couldn't put his finger on it. Bella was fidgeting like a restless toddler. Sue's brow was furrowed in concern. He could feel that he was missing something important. Something that both females clearly didn't want him to hear.
Clearing his throat, Billy demanded an explanation from Bella in his rich, deep voice. "I know you're hiding something, Bella. Please stop stalling and just come out with it."
Whenever Bella looked at Jacob's father, she always felt like she was seeing two people rather than just one. There was the old man in the wheelchair with the lined face and the white smile that everyone else saw. And then there was the direct descendant of a long line of powerful, magical chieftains cloaked in the authority he'd been born with. He looked that way now, his expression commanding as he regarded her with thoughtful eyes.
"Please don't make me say it." Bella whispered as tears pricked at her eyes. She felt deathly afraid of Billy's reaction once she told him the truth about Rachel. He had her backed into a corner now.
"Bella!" Billy was losing patience.
Bella exchanged a quick glance with Sue Clearwater. The older woman emitted a soft sigh, giving a subtle nod of her head, indicating to Bella that it was best just to get it over with. Delaying things was just making Billy more antsy.
Bella felt utterly miserable. She kept her shaking hands in her pockets, bowing her head slightly so she didn't have to see Billy's face. "I punched Rachel." She admitted in a low voice.
"What?" Billy's tone was incredulous. It took him a minute to recover his wits after this shocking revelation. His features settled into a stern expression; his dark eyes grim. "So that's why you're hiding out here in the dark like a coward is it?" He accused. "I cannot believe you would do such a wicked thing to my daughter!"
"Hush, Billy." Sue chided him. She gazed at Bella with sympathy. "Let Bella finish her explanation. You and I both know she would not have done something like that unless seriously provoked."
"Are you actually defending her right now?" Billy demanded, twisting his head around to look up at Sue in disbelief. "I thought you didn't condone violence."
"Only when its warranted." Sue answered gravely. "Just hear what Bella has to say."
With his hands folded tensely in his lap, Billy settled back in his wheelchair, glowering in Bella's direction. "Alright I'll listen but be quick about it."
A flash of resentment toward the older man made Bella raise her head. She pushed down the guilt, knowing there was no way she could sugar coat the truth to make it sound in any way palatable. He had demanded she be quick. Well, she would honour his request, no matter how much it hurt him.
"I punched Rachel because I found out she's the one who ran over Charlie and left him for dead. She broke into our house, stealing some precious keepsakes, including the engagement ring Edward gave me as well as the Mercedes Guardian. She was at the wheel when it hit my dad. She was also responsible for the pile up on the highway just outside of Port Angeles…"
Billy's complexion had turned a deathly shade of grey. He shook his head fiercely as he felt Sue's hand settle on his shoulder. "That's enough, young lady." He said fiercely, cutting Bella off mid-explanation. "Why would you say such wicked things? I cannot believe it. Charlie would be ashamed of you for telling such vicious lies!"
His brutal words about Charlie lit the flame that sparked Bella's righteous anger. She needed it. A bit of righteous anger in the right moment, in the right situation, can be a very good thing.
"How dare you try and emotionally blackmail me?" Bella retorted with bitter fury. "Every word I speak is the truth. It's not my fault if you choose not to believe it!"
Billy faltered, his expression turning bleak. "You're right." He acknowledged. "I shouldn't have said that about Charlie. For that I am sorry. But you must understand, Bella. I know my daughter. I know she could never do such spiteful things. I brought her up. She doesn't have it in her. You are mistaken. I don't know how or why but I know she is innocent of everything you are accusing her of."
"You haven't seen Rachel in years." Bella bit back resentfully. "You don't know her at all. And I am telling the truth. Whether you choose to believe it or not is up to you. I'm going to wait in the car for Jacob." She was about to walk away when Billy's next question made her pause.
"Does Jake know?"
"Of course he does." Bella said quietly, keeping her back to the older man. "Why do you think he isn't here?"
"And he believes it?"
"Yes."
"And what about Paul? Does he know?"
Bella delivered the killer blow. "Who do you think brought her here to face justice? He was in denial just as much as you… until he caught her trying to steal from you." She flinched as she said the last words, biting down hard on her lower lip at the sound of Billy's choked gasp. She couldn't bear to look at his face, so she continued on toward the car, sealing herself back inside.
"Billy, take a deep breath." Sue urged as she ducked down and looked worriedly at his ashen face.
Billy was gasping for air, one hand splayed on his chest. He looked like he was about to have a heart attack, but Sue knew it was just panic. She talked him down gently, prising his hand off his shirt, and enfolding it in her own. Eventually his breathing became more regular, his eyes less wild, as the tightness in his chest eased.
"There you go. All better now." Sue squeezed his hand before letting go, glad to see some colour returning to his cheeks.
Billy closed his eyes for a few seconds, taking in another few fortifying breaths. "Please take me inside." He begged Sue hoarsely. "I must see Rachel. I must – "
"What?" Sue coaxed softly. "Listen to her spin you yet another web of lies? Billy, you know deep in your heart that Bella is telling you the truth. You must accept the harsh fact that Rachel is not who you thought she was."
Billy shuddered, shaking his head again. "She is an imprint – "
"What has being an imprint got to do with it?" Sue snapped impatiently as her daughter's heartbroken face flashed to the forefront of her mind. "You think it gives them some sort of special status, that none of them can be flawed? Get your head out of your ass, Billy. See what is in front of you. None of the imprints are entirely innocent. And that is including my niece…and yes…. even little Claire…spoiled young madam that she is."
Billy's jaw dropped. Sue had never expressed her bitterness about the whole imprinting issue so openly before. "I thought you understood."
"Why would you think that?" Sue questioned sarcastically. "Imprinting has caused nothing but heartache and division. We've all been shielding you more than we should Billy due to your poor health. But maybe that was the wrong thing to do. I know it hurts right now, but you need to go in that house, look your daughter in the eye and demand she admit the truth."
Billy's dark eyes dimmed with despair. Without another word to Sue, he began to manoeuvre his wheelchair the last few meters toward the house. Sue watched him go; her face resigned. This was something he was going to have to face alone. There was nothing further she could do to protect him now.
There was no sound in the house as Billy wheeled his chair inside. Yet you could cut the tension with a knife. Sam was pacing back and forth by the front window, looking harassed. Seth was at the sink washing the dishes, his back to everyone else. Embry, Quil and Jared were sitting at the table in a grim circle, Jared's foot was tapping up and down like some dumb windup toy.
Slowly Billy's stricken gaze landed on his daughter. Rachel was kneeling on the floor, a bloody cloth pressed to her face. Emily was by her side, not helping the injured girl, just staring sightlessly into the middle distance.
"I've just spoken to Bella." Billy's voice as well as his hands shook as he spoke. "I need you to be totally honest with me now, Rachel. Is there any truth in what she said? Were you the one who…who… hurt Charlie? Did you steal from him?"
Rachel climbed slowly to her feet. She moved toward her father like an automaton, before dropping down to her knees again in front of his wheelchair in supplication. Her eyes were liquid with moisture. "Please, Dad, you have to help me. I'm begging you." She implored. "Bella has had it in for me ever since I came home."
"Answer my questions, Rachel?" Billy asked again, trying to harden his heart against her tears. "Did you hurt Charlie? Did you steal from him? Did you – did you steal from me?"
Rachel raised her tear-streaked face to his. Her nose was a bloody mess, making it difficult for her to breath as well as talk. "You believe Bella over me? Look what she did to me, Dad? Look?"
Billy found his hand reaching out toward his daughter almost against his will. He touched her cheek gently. "We need to get you to a hospital."
"Yes." Rachel's face came alive, her crocodile tears immediately retreating. "Let's go now. I'm in a world of pain."
There was the loud sound of chair legs scraping on the wooden floor of the kitchen. Embry stood up abruptly, his face and voice hard. "You're not going anywhere, Rachel. Stop trying to manipulate your old man into helping you escape."
Rachel flashed him a hostile glance, before rearranging her features into a pitiful expression. "See what I have to deal with, Dad?" She pleaded. "Bella has them all convinced. Even Paul has fallen for her lies. You must help me. Get me away from here."
"You're unbelievable!" Embry snarled. "Even now you're trying to evade justice."
Billy looked deep into his daughter's eyes. Rachel looked back at him, her hands clawing at his. "Help me!" She pleaded again. "You know I would never take anything from you, Dad. You know me. You believe me, right? You trust me?"
"Stand up, child." Billy said huskily.
Rachel did as he asked, rising slowly to her feet, her hands still holding tightly to his. There was a slight clatter as something fell out of the back pocket of her jeans and onto the floor. Billy's eyes followed the sound, a choked gasp leaving his lips as his gaze alighted on Sarah's wedding and engagement rings, the solitary diamond shining faintly in the dim light.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Jacob arrived back just at the moment of Rachel's arrest. He walked through the high-beams of the cop car, in front of the black grille to the other side. He saw Rachel hand-cuffed, being steered into the back of the cruiser with bobbed head, looking all out of balance before she was lost from view behind white metal and blackened glass. The lead officer slammed the door behind her, shutting out the damp evening. Another officer called in a status report on their radio, showing not the slightest interest at the grim audience looking on. There was no small talk. Nothing.
With a heavy heart, Jacob spotted Billy amongst the group of onlookers, his face lifeless and ill at ease. An anxious looking Bella stood on one side of him, a grim-faced Sue Clearwater on the other. Jacob went straight to them, reaching out for Bella automatically and pulling her into the security of his arms.
"What happened?" He asked no one in particular.
It was Sue who answered. "Your father called the cops. Once he found out the truth, there seemed no point in delaying things."
"Dad?" Jacob looked down at his father's bent head.
"Not now, son." Billy replied brokenly, a single tear running down his lined face. "Not now."
A little while later Billy was sitting by Charlie's hospital bed. He had asked Bella if he had could have a moment alone with the police chief. Bella had kindly granted him his wish. He let his hand fall to the cotton sheets, clean, stiff, functional. It was a place to lie and not a bed. "Bed" means soft sheets with a warm duvet; it means somewhere safe as a bear in his winter den; it means comfort and privacy. This room was none of those things. It was cold, impersonal.
With bowed head Billy reached for his friend's hand. Charlie's fingers felt icy. Billy's head bent further as grief overwhelmed him at his friend's plight. It was made so much worse now he knew that his daughter was behind it.
"I'm so sorry, Chief." He wept, moisture flooding his eyes. "It's my fault you're in here. If I had been a better man, a better father, then none of this would have happened. I wish I could turn back time. I wish I could make it right. It should be me lying there. Not you."
Charlie's eyelids began to flutter, his fingers twitching in Billy's grasp as he finally came to.
A/N-thanks for reading! Jeez that was one monster of a chapter! LOL