The return journey was a very somber affair. Nahuel and Leah ran in silence, along with Suyai. I taunted Leah before I phased, making smooching and gagging noises at her, trying to lighten the mood, but it made no difference. Jacob and I ran ahead of the vamps and Leah, itching to get out of the jungle and return to our own homes, in Jacob's case to return to Nessie also.

A short stop at Nahuels aunts for sad goodbyes. I sensed there was no reunion on the horizon, I'm sure they must have too, before we were leaving that world behind. A relief for some of us, and an entirely new beginning for others.

I saw Jacob and the others settled before running through the familiar trees back to my pack to report on the new situation. Sam had seen Nahuels sister with us, but as of yet I had ignored all questions, having too many other things on my mind. Like the fact that enough was enough. I wanted to be a part of Jacobs pack. I missed my friend too much, and this journey, intended to dull the pain had only increased my need to stand with my friend, support his role as a pack leader. It was a hard choice, knowing what I owed to Sam, and to Emily too. I knew it would hurt her, no matter the brave face and understanding manner she put on. And Quil...well, I was hopeful he would see my side and with a lot of suggestion on my part, maybe even join me.

I slowed as I neared the edge of the trees. None of the pack was in my head, but I could sense them, in their human forms, waiting for me. I huffed and continued on to Sam's house, phasing out front and pulling on my pants before knocking.

Emily answered, a resigned look on her pretty face, like she had known all along what my going would do. She summoned up a ghost of a smile and opened the door wider; I saw the whole pack waiting for me and drew a deep breath. Then decided now wasn't the time. I really wanted to talk to Sam and Emily about this alone.

Instead, I related everything that happened in the jungle (excluding what Nahuel and Leah got up to, she owed me for not milking that one), ending with the relocation of Nahuel and Suyai into the Cullen's family. Unsurprisingly, not one of them looked happy about that.

"Great, more stinking leeches." Paul of course.

Sam looked thoughtful. "Well, I guess if they are following the Cullen's way of life...I mean, Nahuel is Leah's imprint, there is nothing we could do about his presence anyway, what does his sister matter?"

Emily nodded. She and Sam were the only two who truly hated unmitigated violence. The rest of us loved any chance at ripping leeches limb from limb.

Finally the moans and protests died away, and the room emptied of all but Sam, Emily and Quil. Emily kept shooting me glances, expecting me to say what was on my mind, but the longer I was going without saying it, the more worried I was becoming. So I did what I do with anything distasteful and put it off. I kissed Emily on the cheek, slapped Sam on the back, and shoved out of the door, closely followed by Quil, who knows me just that bit too well.

"What is it man, you seem...off."

I harrumph at him, hoping that will keep him quiet.

"Em..."

"Stop bloody calling me Em!" I round on him. Then; "Don't you miss Jake just too much sometimes? Don't you miss the three musketeers?"

Quil lowers his head. "You know I do, but what's that got to do with anything?"

"I think we should join Jakes pack."

He snorts. "Yeah, let's up and leave our whole lives Embry, everything we have to do to run around the Cullen's yard all day. What a great idea."

I snarl at him. "Don't be a jerk."

"Embry, you went on a fun little holiday, time to snap back to reality."

"A fun little holiday, smart ass? Yeah, I love nothing more than wandering around hot and sticky in a place that has more stinking leaves than anywhere around here, eating turtle and not even getting a good fight in. Yeah, some holiday Q."

He stood in silence looking at me.

"I just think we should be together, Quil. We're brothers."

He flinched at my use of the word brothers, remembering their promise to me when I first phased. That even though I didn't know for sure who my father was, therefore who my family was, they would always be my brothers, and would always stick with me. It didn't seem like we were sticking together too well right now.

"I'm going home, Q. I haven't slept in a proper bed for days."

He nodded morosely, and I shuffled away, confused again. All this shit was just becoming too much.

And the beat goes on.

I walk in the front door to find my Mom waiting for me on the couch. As if I hadn't had enough trouble.

"Where have you been?" she raged at me. I stood in silence, letting her vent.

"Almost a week it's been and not a peep from you! I just go in your room and find an empty bed, no note, nothing! You know you're grounded - for the rest of your life?"

She scarcely pauses for breath.

"If it wasn't for Billy and Sam I would have thought you'd died!"

It had just been on my mind for too long. I couldn't even stop myself.

"And why would Billy care? Unless he's my father of course. Then, that could explain why Sam might care too, seeing as he could be my brother. All we need is one of the Clearwater's, and then the trifecta would be complete."

My mothers face turned grey. It actually skipped right past white. She fell back onto the couch.

"What are you talking about Embry?" The way she said it though, like she had been waiting for this. Which she probably had. It was so sad.

"I know, Mom. I've known for a while. Which one is it?"

"Oh, Embry. I didn't want you to know, ever. I thought I could always protect you from my stupidity..."

I raise an eyebrow.

"You're not my stupidity, Em; you're the most precious gift I have ever gotten. I was so young though, and so foolish..." she looked distant, remembering.

"Who is it Mom, I need to know."

"He was so charming, Embry, and I was such a romantic fool..." she began to cry, and I really didn't want to push her, but I needed to know.

"Who, Mom?"

A sigh, so soft and sad, it nearly broke my heart. "It was..."

The door flew open. Quil stood there, red in the face.

"We have to go, Embry."

"Man, can't it wait?"

"Sorry, no. You were right. Jake needs us. Leah's pregnant."

Really? Well, isn't today just one of those shit storms.

"I'm coming." I guess I'll have to find out later.