Disclaimer: I own Lilly, her family, Jason/Jaden, and little Lysander. I don't own the song (Almost Lover By: A Fine Frenzy, I suggest you listen to it while reading.), or any Twilight characters.

Hello to all, this is the first chapter of Taking Chances.

If you haven't read Nightfall Is Bliss, than stop, go to my profile, and read it first. THIS IS PART II. Please, don't spoil it for yourself, if books were meant to be read end to beginning, than we'd print them that way.

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So, You've read Nightfall. I hope you enjoy this part as much as you did the first. I've been told that this sounds like an emo Seth, but I do not intend for him to be that way, so if that's what you're looking for, I'm sorry. These first two chapters are Seth and Lilly's individual reactions to separation and grief. I am going on vacation, so I decided to post this first chapter before I finish the second chapter. I hope to have internet this weekend, but I'm not sure. When I've finished the second chapter, I'll post it as soon as I can.

As always, reviews are much appreciated. Criticism as well.

Enjoy!


Without You

Chapter One

Seth Clearwater

I thought I was at home when I woke up, but everything in the house looked older. This must have been another dream. Excitement filled me.

"Lilly! Megan!"

Instead, my sister walked into the room holding a carton of ice cream, "What are you screaming about, Seth?"

"Where is Megan?"

She rolled her eyes at me, "Who's Megan?"

"Megan!" I exclaimed, "My daughter!"

Leah snorted, and ice cream spewed out of her mouth, "You? A daughter? Since when?"

"Leah, don't joke! Megan, my daughter, she's got dark brown hair and my eyes. She's about eight years old. Ring any bells?"

"Don't make me laugh, Seth. You know as well as I do, that we'll never have kids. I can't, and you're a prude. I'll tell you, you're never going to find your imprint if you keep staying here. I've been telling you for years that you need to leave for a little while. The pack doesn't need you that badly."

I slumped into an armchair that I didn't recognize, "What are you talking about? I did imprint."

Leah sat next to me, bouncing up and down, "Who is she? When did you meet her?"

"Lilly. I met her at school."

"Oh, puh-lease. You haven't been to school in years. Really, Seth what's going on with you?"

"I don't know." In my mind, I saw the image of the beautiful little smiling girl. I tried to hold onto it, but it faded until she was gone.

Leah started chattering and I could only stare at my hands. Lilly and Megan weren't here. I wanted this dream to be over. After what felt like hours, I shot up out of bed.

Your fingertips across my skin
The palm trees swaying in the wind
Images

The room smelled of Lilly, and I relished in it. Every fear brought up in my nightmare was corrected with her scent.

I remembered last night, falling asleep with her beside me. She had felt so good. I'd never thought I'd get so lucky to have a mate that I'd have to hold back with. Every move I made, she met me with equal enthusiasm.

You sang me Spanish lullabies
The sweetest sadness in your eyes
Clever trick

At that moment, I realized consciously that she wasn't there. I got up, and made a circuit around the house, to no avail. After a second circuit, still no Lilly. Going back to my room, I sniffed again. Her scent was fading; she'd been gone a while.

That wasn't a big deal, she probably just didn't want her parents to get any ideas, and so she went home.

I walked through the kitchen and asked my mom if she'd seen Lilly, "No, not since she was here yesterday looking for you. Why?"

"No big reason, she was just over last night, and I fell asleep. I just wanted to know when she left."

Mom shrugged, but turned to me with a worried look, "Seth, is Lilly okay?"

"She seemed okay, why?"

"Well, she seemed really odd yesterday, and with her grandmother dieing and all I was just wondering."

I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me

"What? Her grandma died?"

"Yes, she didn't tell you? Poor girl was incredibly upset about it."

"No, she didn't. She honestly seemed fine. Are you sure?"

My mom gave me a droll glare, "No, I made it up. Of course Seth! She was frantically looking for you, and tried to seem normal, but I could tell."

"Why didn't she tell me?"

Mom shrugged, "Maybe she just didn't want you to worry." I started to go back to my room when she stopped me again, concern on her face, "Seth, before she left to find you, she did say that she never wanted to hurt you. It seemed odd. You might want to call her house."

I dug my cell phone from under my bed, and called her house. She hadn't gotten an American cell phone yet, but she'd told me she was trying.

It rang twice, and then my heart stopped, "We're sorry. The number you have dialed has been disconnected and is no longer operable. If you believe you've reached this message in error, please hang up and dial again."

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?

I did. Ten times. Same message each time.

By this time, I was panicking.

I contacted Jake and Sam and asked them to meet me at Lilly's. Something was wrong. Now that I was fully awake, I realized the sweater I kept on my desk to tie to my ankle with my pants before I shifted was gone. Instead, Lilly's scent was stronger and fresher there. She had taken it. That struck me as a red flag. Why would she take my sweater? I had to get to her house.

So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

I made it to her house in record time. Sam and Jake were already there. I started to run in, but Jake grabbed me by the shoulders, "No, Seth. She's gone. They're all gone. The house is empty."

"What?" I breathed out. I didn't understand. How could they be gone. "No!"

I tried to move past him, but it was futile. He was an alpha. "Seth, they've been gone since morning."

"Why?"

Jake shook his head and pulled me into a comforting hug. It didn't help. My whole body was numb. I couldn't think or move, so I just stared over Jake's shoulder. Sam stood behind him, pain and sympathy written on his face.

We walked along a crowded street
You took my hand and danced with me
Images

Lilly was gone. How could that be? Hadn't she just been with me? I remembered the way my arms had fit around her. I remembered the smell of her hair, and the way she smiled at me. What was I supposed to do?

I didn't know, so I did the only thing that felt right. I cried. At first the tears just fell silently, but then I started sobbing. Jake sat me on the ground, and cried with me. Soon, the whole pack was standing around me. I only knew it because I felt their presence. They were with me, sharing my grief. Even when it started to rain, they stayed.

And when you left you kissed my lips
You told me you would never let forget these images, no

After what seemed like hours, they moved me into a truck. They were talking to each other, but I couldn't follow any of what they were saying. I kept hearing my name, but it wasn't from the person I wanted it to be from. Lilly, she was my imprint. Mine.

I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me

The thoughts going through my head were nauseating, and I barely noticed when my stomach rejected any and all of the food it had previously contained. I cried myself to sleep. When I woke up, I was in my room.

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

My mom was sitting next to me, holding a washcloth to my forehead. She looked worried, the wrinkles on her face seeming even more pronounced than before. "Seth?" She asked, her face breaking into a smile, "Sweetheart, are you feeling any better?"

"Was it real?" I really hoped that I'd still been dreaming.

Her smiled saddened, "No, baby. Lilly and her family have gone home. Jake went and checked the records at school. Their dad pulled them out yesterday." She leaned in and hugged me, "Now I know what she meant. She would want you to move on."

"Mom! She was my imprint! I can't move on."

"I know, but Seth, you've got to try. I was so scared when the boys brought you home. I can't lose you too. You're all I have left, with Leah gone."

"I understand." My voice sounded hollow. I really felt like I needed to be alone, "I'll be back."

And then I wandered. From the beach where we first kissed to the forest where we had almost gone a little too far. Everything hurt. Why didn't she tell me?

I cannot go to the ocean
I cannot drive the streets at night
I cannot wake up in the morning
Without you on my mind
So you're gone and I'm haunted
And I bet you are just fine
Did I make it that easy
To walk right in and out of my life?

I couldn't help but wonder if she even really loved me. She'd never said it, but neither had I. I hadn't thought I'd needed to. Now I wonder if I'd said it, that she'd have stayed. So many questions were running through my head. I wanted to talk to her, ask her why she hadn't told me. I felt so tired. It was like Lilly had been my battery charger and now that she was gone, I couldn't keep a charge. Every smile had made my heart beat faster. Now every smile I remembered was like a dagger to my heart. I loved her. So much it was unbearable. I would find her, I decided. Whatever or however long it took, I would find her.

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

I wouldn't go now, but one day, after I'd finished school, I would find her. On that day, I would claim her as mine. Lilly would always be my mate.


I've been told I'm evil, but I don't really think so. Have no fear, little Megan may be gone, but she's certainly not forgotten. We haven't seen the last of her, though it might be a while, depending on my poll votes. (Please vote!)

I hope you liked the first chapter, and know that the second is coming soon.

Now everyone! Alert, Favorite, Review and be Merry!

~Jenn