disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.

Here is my new Leah story, because she never gets enough credit.

Despondency: state of being despondant; depression of spirit from loss of courage or hope; dejection. Synonym: Heartache.

Preface

Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens up your heart so someone can get inside and screw you up. You build up all these defenses; this whole wall of armor so nobody can hurt you, and then one stupid person walks into your stupid life and it all comes crumbling down. You give them a piece of you. They don't ask for it, but you give it to them none the less. They look into your eyes, envelope your hand in their own, move their lips against yours – dumb things that make it so your life is no longer controlled by you.

Love takes hostages. It gets inside you and rips you apart. It leaves you crying in the darkness wondering what the hell happened. Simple phrases like "I never meant for things to end up this way," and "Please, can't we still be friends?" work their way through you like a glass splinter.

It hurts. Not just in the imagination, not in a way that you can control. It's a hurt that goes deep into the soul, a whole body-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain.

I hate love.

Chapter 1

I woke up in his arms, my body lying halfway on top of him, my head tucked under his chin. Each breath I took was stained with his deep, woodsy sent, sending me back into a flurry of confusion and happiness. I did not move, content to stay here forever, never disturbing this perfect moment. It felt so right, so easy and natural, to be lying here across his chest, our legs tangled together. I was in complete and utter bliss. Sam adjusted, his arms tightening their hold on me, and then he relaxed back into sleep, exhausted. My lips pulled up at the corners.

How long had we been like this? I shifted, careful not to wake him, and glanced at the clock that was balancing precariously off the side of the bedside table. The glowing green numbers told me it was 4:23am. I repressed a groan. That was way, way too early for me to even be somewhat conscious.

I gently disentangled myself, stretching my legs and pointing my toes; flexing and tensing my muscles. There was a lot of stiffness and I was sore in places I had never been sore before, but mostly I had the odd feeling that I was a light as a feather, and would float away as soon as Sam released his hold. Layers of happiness clouded my head. I was floating.

I had been ready to take this step with him for a while now, knowing we would be married in a few years so it would inevitably happen, and not wanting to wait. My dad was visiting his cousin, who had stopped in up north where my grandparents lived, and of course my mother tagged along. They had left Thursday, and, not wanting to pull me and Seth out of school, I had been put in charge for the weekend. Seth was staying at a friend's house, and that left me and Sam alone for the night. Funny how perfect things work out, isn't it?

We had fit together perfectly, like the pieces of a puzzle, made to match up. Our breathing was low and harsh, declaring the love we held for each other in hushed whispers. He completed me, our bodies molding together; matching russet colored skin blending until we were one. It made me happy to know that not only were we compatible in so many other ways, but physically as well. Proof that we belonged together.

I looked up at him, sleeping so peacefully. He was beautiful, perfect, made just for me. I loved him more than everything in world combined.

I brought my fingers to his face, tracing from his prominent jaw line up to his forehead, where my hand slid through his silky black hair. It fell into his eyes as I moved my fingers down the bridge of his nose, and over his cheekbones, where they brushed the tips of his eyelashes. I lightly touched his eyelids, knowing that if they were to open, I would drown in the depths of what was underneath. Hoding my breath, the tip of my finger traced the shape of his lips. Those perfect lips. Lips that had molded to mine, moved with mine, so many times before. Lips that had kissed me up and down my body just hours ago, promising his love for me; promising he would never leave me.

I trusted these promises, trusted them with all my heart. I trusted that we would be married soon, and perhaps have children later on. I trusted that no matter what, Sam would be right beside me, loving me until death.

I closed my eyes again, succumbing to the layers of complete ecstasy that had me floating toward heaven. But instead of floating away, my body sank deeper into Sam's embrace, a wave of security washing over me. I knew that when I woke up (at a more reasonable time of day) he would be by side, vowing never to leave. I had faith in this, believed with everything I had that he would be there for me.

Because if I didn't, there would be nothing left.

So I realize that I should probably finish my Quil/Claire story before I try and work on anything else, but I've been having so much trouble with that one. Everything I write is sounding forced and i just cant figure it out. Ive been trying for a while, believe me. (on that note, if you havent yet read my Quil/Claire story, I would highly appreciate some feedback).

But I needed a break from that so for now (while I wait for this extended case of writers block to pass) I just wanted to write what came easily to me. And this is what I got.

Leahs story interests me. When you look at Sam and Emily, it seems like they've been together forever, but Sam used to be with Leah. He used to belong to her. There was so much more to that story then we got to see. Sure, Leah is a bitch now, but something made her that way. Something horrible and sickening; something that nobody should have to face. This imprinting story is different then the others, whether it looks that way on the surface or not. It wasnt all happieness.

The Preface of the story was based off a quote from Rose Walker, and obviously foreshadows the heartbreak Leah will see soon enough. Then we start at the beginging, when her and Sam are in love. Leave me a review and let me know how this chapter went, and if there's anything I should add, change, etc. I know it was a little short, but they will get longer as the story goes on. Promise ;)

Thanks for reading. I appreciate it.

~allison