Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight unfortunately, though I would be willing to buy Leah and Jacob with my nonexistent funds.

Finding Peace

Chapter 9

When Leah left the beach a short while later, she was finally feeling like the confidant, fearless Leah that she once was. After all if Jacob could come back and rejoin the pack after the emotional blow he'd suffered, then surely she could cope again. The fear that paralyzed Leah from the moment she first met that vampire a few nights ago was finally dissipated and while she didn't feel confidant returning to her apartment alone, she certainly felt safe enough being in La Push.

Which brought up a few very important tasks that Leah needed to accomplish in the next few days. Even though she still wasn't very thrilled by the prospect of being stuck on the reservation again, she wasn't about to return to Seattle for good. So Leah decided that if she was going to be stuck in La Push then she was going to find a place of her own and a steady job. Fortunately the hospital in Forks was short staffed and so Leah was pretty confident that she would find work easily enough.

The next thing she needed to do was to return to Seattle (with the pack of course) and load up the remainder of her belongings, take care of the paperwork with her landlord, and of course quit her job. While she was in town Leah also needed to get a new driver's license to replace her lost one, and she would also need to fill out a change of address form at the post office. Leah was hoping that all that could be accomplished the following day, but she still had to talk to the guys about it.

But before any of that could be done, Leah had to apologize to her mother, and it wasn't going to be easy. Growing up in the Clearwater household there was a certain order to things. Harry and Seth were always the calm before the storm, while Sue and Leah were the actual storm. Because of the fact that Leah and her mother were both equally stubborn, strong women, they clashed on more than one occasion over the years. So whenever they fought, it was usually of epic proportions, and nowadays it was all that Seth could do to steer clear whenever an argument was brewing.

Leah really did love her mother dearly, but she didn't like it when her mother treated her like a child or when she expected things that were impossible. Sue was always so gung ho about protecting the tribe and it frustrated her to no end that her daughter who was a werewolf despite all odds just wasn't interested. Leah was well aware of this, but it didn't change her decision in the least.

When Leah arrived home not long after and saw her mother's car parked in the drive way, she braced herself and walked in. Sue who had been washing the dishes at the kitchen sink stopped what she was doing and looked at her.

Leah met her gaze steadily for a moment before speaking. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the vampire."

Sue's face broke out into a small grin, though worry was still etched on her face. "I'm sorry I overreacted, Leah. I'm just very concerned for you."

"I know," Leah replied gritting her teeth. "But I'm going to be fine."

"How do you know it won't happen again?" Sue asked harshly.

"Because," Leah started. "I'm moving back to La Push."

Sue started for a second in obvious shock before she smiled widely, and rushed forward to pull Leah into a hug. When she pulled away, Sue spoke. "You have no idea how happy I am to hear that."

"I should also let you know Mom that I'm finding my own place," Leah explained.

"Really?" Sue questioned and Leah only nodded.

"Then I have a place for you to live. Seth too, if you don't mind," Sue said.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well," Sue replied and then she blushed, something Leah's Mom never did. In fact it was confusing the hell out of her out until she heard her mother speak again. "Charlie and I are getting married."

Leah was flabbergasted for all of ten seconds. "Wow," she said quietly.

"We are actually getting married next month since neither of us really care for big weddings," Sue explained. "And since I will be moving in with him, you are welcome to have this house. Charlie's home is small and we don't really need much space, and I will also be closer to the hospital."

"And why would I need all that space?" Leah questioned.

"You never know," Sue replied.

"But I really don't want to share a place with Seth," Leah answered honestly.

"Must you always be so difficult?" Sue asked, getting aggravated. But then when Leah opened her mouth to respond, Sue held up a hand. "Don't answer that."

Leah was torn. On one hand she wanted to accept just for the fact that she would have her own home and it was free no less, but on the other she really didn't care to share it with Seth. But her logic finally won out in the end.

"Fine," Leah replied sulkily. "I'll take the house."

When Leah was done talking over things with her mother, she was really anxious to go for a run. During the time when she stopped phasing, running as a wolf was something she missed dearly. None of her hulking packmates could ever beat her when it came to speed and once that was something Leah took great pride in. When she lived in the city running simply wasn't the same because running on two legs couldn't even begin to compare to the rush she felt in her wolf form. Leah realized that this was in fact the biggest thing she missed about being a wolf.

Leah quickly darted into the woods behind her home and check for peeping toms briefly before she stripped quickly, attacked her clothes to a cord on her leg and phased all within seconds. And as soon as she came down on her heavy wolf paws, she instantly heard the guys.

I just don't understand why Jacob won't come back. Quil was saying mournfully.

Me either. Seth agreed.

Maybe if we talk to him again… Embry started to say, but was interrupted by Leah.

I'm sure Jacob doesn't want to be nagged at by three overgrown werewolves. And besides, I just talked to him.

Oh no, Quil muttered. She's going to make him run away again.

Leah rolled her eyes as she ran towards where the three other wolves were meeting. You guys have such little faith in me. And then she showed them the part of her conversation where she convinced Jacob to return to the pack. Unfortunately Embry caught something else and he snorted in laughter.

You think Jacob's eyebrows are cute?! His EYEBROWS!?!

Leah winced inwardly, frustrated that she wasn't able to stop him from seeing that. Typical Embry always said the wrong things, and this was just one more addition to her ultimate revenge against him.

Seth saw what Leah was thinking and then addressed Embry. You must really have a death wish.

Embry scoffed. I'm not afraid of your sister.

You should be. Seth muttered, remembering all the cruel forms of revenge that Leah put him through over the years.

And what exactly is cute about Jake's eyebrows? Quil addressed Leah.

And what is so sexy about playing Barbies with Claire? Leah taunted. And like always Quil was ready to defend his relationship with his favorite five year old.

I wonder when Jacob is coming. Seth wondered, trying to change the subject.

And suddenly as if Seth had given him his que, suddenly Jacob's mind joined theirs.

Hey guys… He said and Leah winced. Luckily Jacob noticed. And Leah.

Speak of the devil. Quil muttered.

No, it's just Jacob. Leah replied with a grin. And then she focused her attention on her brother. Did you hear Mom's plan?

No. Seth replied confused. Leah quickly remedied that by showing him the conversation with their mother.

Cool! Mom's moving out! He exclaimed cheerfully.

Nice. Quil commented. Party at the Clearwaters!

But Leah wasn't having any of that. If you guys think I'm going to have a bunch of immature were-boys trashing my house on a regular basis then you have another thing coming. Plus Quil isn't your favorite kind of parties the ones where most of the guests play pin the tail on the donkey?

It is so nice having you back. Quil muttered sarcastically.

On the other hand… Leah started. If you guys go with me to Seattle tomorrow to pack up the rest of my stuff, I'll consider letting you guys have a party sometime.

I'll be there, Jacob said right away. And his words were soon echoed by the rest of the pack. The next day they would be heading to Seattle, and hopefully this time no vampires would be present.

AN: I was on a roll today and I was able to write a nice long chapter and since I didn't want to wait any longer to post this, here you go. Thanks as always for all the wonderful reviews on this story, it really has been such an encouragement. And as always I'm super grateful if you have any comment on this little story of mine.