All Twilight stuff belongs to Stephenie Meyer!

Happy Birthday!

I glared balefully at my reflection as I yanked a hairbrush through my cropped hair. I pushed out a breath as I turned my head this way and that. I'd do. I was still frowning, the only reason I was going to this thing was under Jake's 'orders' – damn pack rules.

Finally ready I slipped out to meet my brother. Since the bloodsuckers…I mean the Cullen's along with Jake left Forks the place had almost gone back to normal, though they of course did return to visit Charlie and for Jake to visit his family and pack.

But it was Nessie's birthday today, and despite who and what her parents were I liked the kid. She'd grown on me, slowly, but grown on me all the same. She'd be seven years old today…but looked well into her teens and her mind power, wow much older; she'd grown up so quick all of us were amazed. She was one of the few reasons why I'd stayed in Washington at all.

"C'mon Leah!" Seth called from the porch.

"Hold onto your hat, we'll get there" I grumbled back, I knew he was anxious to visit the crypt. I picked up the present for Nessie that I'd left in the hall way. I shrugged down at it. What did you get a kid who had everything anyway? So I'd just made her a beaded bag, she was always admiring the one I'd made Emily.

We arrived at the bloodsuc...Cullen's in less time than it would have driving, the smell hit me as it always did and I resisted the urge to turn right around again. I clenched my jaw as I looked up at the porch. There they stood all except Nessie and Jake.

"They're finishing up out back" Edward said reading my thoughts, I merely nodded from my position by the trees.

"Hey Edward" Seth darted around me and headed up the porch to hug and shake hands with them all I fought the urge to wince, even after all these years I couldn't take it, only Nessie I could cope with. I knew it had been a bad idea to come, but Alpha's orders and all that.

"Leah!" I turned and there coming around the house was the birthday girl. Her red curls bouncing down her back, it was scary how much I thought of this girl as a friend, I didn't have many. Especially when I remembered I hated her very existence once.

"Happy Birthday" I murmured as Nessie hugged me. Jake pulled me into a hug too then half dragged me into the oversized crypt. The leeches had only arrived three days ago, three days earlier; during patrol this place had been empty now it looked as though they'd never left. Alice had yet again out done herself with the party decorations.

As I stood by an open window, down wind of the leech stench, I surreptitiously watched the interplay between, Jake, Bella and Edward; the interplay between them was always entertaining.

"Leah?" I turned and frowned. The flashy bloodsucker…oh what was her name? Rosabelle, Rosalynn…no Rosalie, that was it, Rosalie was stood a little way away, she barely acknowledged me usually, too busy sparring with Jacob, I just found her too superficial to bother with. What did she want? I was tense awaiting her next move.

"Yes?" I said curtly, taking in her wary gold eyes.

"Thank you for coming today, I know you're not comfortable being here, but Nessie is really happy" she smiled indulgently at her niece, who was laughing in a group that included Seth, Quil and Embry. I looked down at my bare feet, awkwardly.

"No problem." I mumbled.

"It's hard for me too you know…" Blondie said quietly, and I looked up at her. What on earth could be hard for her? She was beautiful, rich and had a well… thing of the male species in love with her. What did I have? A younger brother who loved leeches and a pack that barely spoke to me.

"What's hard?" I said my voice was low too, not that it would do any good, everyone could hear us anyway.

"Children Leah, I see the way you look at Nessie, I know that feeling too" I flinched at her words as though she'd yelled them, though her voice had remained low. Great, just like the bloodsucker she was, she would have to go for the jugular.

"What's it to you?" I said standing; I could feel my hands beginning to shake. Her gold eyes widened as she stood too.

"I don't mean to cause offense Leah, but I just wanted to say, if you needed to talk."

"Thanks but no thanks" I said harshly. Turning I headed out of the door, through the yard and into the trees. I undressed and phased, then I realized I'd forgotten about the party. Oh well I'd apologize to Nessie when she was in La Push next.

I ran quickly trying to push Rosalie's words out of my head. She'd hit a raw nerve. I was coming to terms with the fact that Sam and Emily were expecting, that nearly everyone in either pack had imprinted. Me? I was a freaky female wolf with no future to speak of and a past I didn't want to relive again.

Leah?

Jake's thoughts brought me up short. I skidded to a stop.

"What?" I asked him, he was running further into the forest.

What happened? One minute you were there the next…

"The flashy bloodsucker…hell it doesn't matter Jake, go back"

Blondie? What did she say now?

"Nothing of consequence" I thought. "Go back Jake; I'll come back later...maybe. Apologize to Ness for me?" I heard Jake sigh in his thoughts then he stopped and turned.

Sure thing Leah, take care okay?

Then he was gone and I was left alone again. I ran clear past La Push and home. Where I managed to phase close enough to dive into the house change and head back out. I decided to walk First Beach. It had always calmed me. I wandered aimless for a long time, my thoughts tumbling and weaving like the waves I walked parallel to. Would I ever imprint? There were no 'wolf-girl' stories for me to find out. I sighed heavily and again began to pace. I was treading a rut in the sand but I paid no attention. The moon was rising and I stopped pacing to gaze up at it.

I could feel the tears on my face and I wiped angrily at them. It went beyond what the leech had said earlier, the old fears and hurts were coming to get me as they always did at night.

I knew I had to be on patrol tonight but I still sat on a piece of driftwood gazing out on the black sea.

"Leah?" I looked up, and my heart squeezed. Sam Uley the man I thought I was going to spend the rest of life with was walking up the beach towards me.

I turned away; he was the last person I wanted to see. "Jake said you were upset" his voice was full of concern, I winced.

"Jake needs to keep his nose out, I don't care if he is my Alpha" I said sniffing petulantly. Then I looked up at Sam, we shared a half smile. He sat beside me looking out at the water as I had done.

I'd come to terms years ago that he and Emily were one complete unit. I had. But when you'd been dreaming of a future since you were young it was still hard to see it die. I was still mourning that loss, not so much the players in the story but the story itself.

"Sam?" I asked the place was so quiet my voice carried, even though I'd spoken softly.

"Yes Lee-Lee?"

"Do…do you think there's someone out there for me? I mean just for me?" he sat silent for a long time. I wondered if he hadn't heard me, or that he had and was ignoring me. I shifted uncomfortably beside him.

"I hope so Leah." He said finally "you deserve someone, someone who'll look after you, and give you all those things I promised and could never do for you." The pain stabbed me again but I kept it at bay. That would be wonderful, but I was such an entity who knew what as awaiting me? Hell 'imprinting' was all about continuing the bloodline; I physically couldn't do that anymore…so…what was my life to be?

"Thanks Sam" I said, though my questions, both vocal and mental, had been far from answered. I took his hand in mine and squeezed, he returned the pressure.

We sat together like that for a long time, silently in thought, but as it started to get late I knew Jake would need me on patrol. I said goodbye to Sam, then I phased and took point.

Hey Leah, you okay? My brother Seth was heading towards Charlie's place.

"Sure," I thought, would be convincingly. I ran towards the Cullen's making a detour via the river. I could hear everyone still enjoying the party. I then made my rounds; I'd head back to La Push later in morning.

A/N: Hi,

Okay this is my first attempt at a fanfic with chapters, I've no idea where its going at this point but I've written one other chapter which I'll upload asap.

Let me know your opinions, thoughts, feedback, etc...

thanx

Fx