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To all who have alerted and favorite this story! I am touched, truly!

I read them all, and have responded to most. I was so nervous about

whether or not people were going to like my story, and writing style!

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Chapter 9

Whoa! Now That is What

I Call a Connection

Leah POV

Somebody pinch me, please?

No, seriously, somebody!

I have walked around for a year now, in a fog of depression, and shrouded in bitterness. Twenty-four hours ago, I was trudging towards this same field with my pack, resenting every step that brought me closer to a face-to-face meeting with a species that I loathed. Tonight, I make this journey with a light heart, and hope… I HAVE HOPE in my heart.

Tonight the setting is entirely the same. There will be vampires. There will be training for battle with other vampires. Most of the pack will be there. It is my view of the setting that has so drastically altered. Tonight I am going to see HIM. Tonight, I am running to the field. Tonight, I want to watch. I want to see my vampire. Is it too soon to think like that? Probably, but I cannot help myself.

We are a good three miles from the clearing when I feel something. I cannot explain it, but I can feel Edward inside of my head. When he left last evening, to go home to his family, and share with them all that took place, I felt so connected to him… and I felt it when the connection was broken. Somehow, I can feel him.

Edward? I think as forcefully as I can. Can you hear me? I think you can. I think I can feel you here with me... in my head.

The strangest thing happened then, and if I hadn't experienced it for myself, I would never have believed it! As I was thinking intently, willing Edward to hear me, and running at speeds I don't think I have ever achieved (which is saying something, as I am the fastest in my pack), I heard a voice in my head. I heard his voice. INSIDE MY HEAD.

Leah! Holy crap, but she's fast! So graceful... wait! She's hearing, What? I heard from his mind. His thoughts sounded absolutely thunderstruck.

Can you really hear me, Leah?

Yes, Edward, I can hear you. How can this be?

I don't know! No one has ever heard my thoughts… well, no one but Aro and… there was a momentary break in his thoughts. I'm sorry, I let my mind run away with me, I didn't mean to. He was apologizing. This thought seemed abrupt, and I was lost.

What? I don't follow… You said no one has ever heard you except for someone named Aro, and then you were silent. What is the apology for? I asked just as I reached the tree line at the edge of the field.

You didn't hear my crazy little rant? He asked.

No, I heard "no one but Aro, and…" and then you were apologizing. What did I miss?

Hmm.. just a second… he projected.

I quickly phased, and donned my cotton dress before entering the clearing. As I approached the family, I noticed odd looks on their collective faces. They were watching Edward in silence, like they were waiting for an explanation. Alice in particular looked incredulous. They stood like statues, waiting for… something.

"Did you hear that?" Edward asked aloud.

"Hear what?" I returned, allowing my puzzlement to show in my voice.

I think you can only hear my thoughts when I intentionally direct them towards you. He replied into my head.

"Wow!" I responded verbally. "How is this possible?"

"Edward, what is going on?" asked Carlisle, sounding fairly exasperated.

"I can hear him." I answered too quickly for Edward to respond.

The family, who already wore matching perplexed expressions, now dropped their jaws, openly expressing their shock. They quickly regained their composure, and shifted out of their awkward stances.

"How?" growled Alice, her voice dripping with hostility. "How does this work? She imprints, and you succumb? You give her everything you are, even your mind? How could you?"

Alice stepped toward Edward, her eyes wild, her stance threatening. Jasper responded quickly, grabbing her around the waste, and pulling her against his chest. The atmosphere began to change, and there was a peace that descended around us. It felt like a fog, a tangible cloud. I assumed Jasper to be using his gift to calm the situation so that Edward could explain.

"Alice, I cannot even begin to explain." Edward said. "I told you everything this evening. All that I have consciously given is my word that I will get to know Leah. I don't know how to explain this. I've already admitted to you all that I feel some sort of connection here."

Alice and Carlisle both think that we were intimate at some point while we were together today, er yesterday... whatever… they both suspect that forming a physical bond could be the only thing that would allow for such a strong tie. He projected towards me, wanting me to understand the anger Alice was expressing.

"But, you didn't even kiss me!" I stated, surprised that such an assumption would have been made.

"I know, and now they do too!" Edward smirked. "I figured if you responded like that, then they might believe more easily than if I simply told them so."

Carlisle cleared his throat, and looked at me apologetically. I shrugged. I figure that they don't know me yet, so having them assume something of that nature with regards to me was not a big deal, but they knew Edward far better than I. It made me wonder about his background, maybe I misunderstood what he was saying in yesterday morning. It sounded to me like he was a virgin. Did I misunderstand something?

No, Leah. You didn't misunderstand anything. I am completely inexperienced. They just assumed because the bond between us is already forming. And attachment has clearly been made, and they are trying to make sense of it. Edward explained.

I blushed crimson. Knowing that he was completely innocent (with regard to physical love) made me feel suddenly awkward. I was glad when we could hear the rest of the pack arriving at the edge of the clearing. This was a conversation that needed to be tabled for later. I figured I was going to have to try to explain to the pack what they had undoubtedly heard going on inside my head before I had phased back to myself. (In my mind, it was always the wolf that is "other", I am human.)

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