I'm bored of writing the disclaimer. I don't own Twi...blah blah blah, you know the rest.

A/N: Okay so last chapter was gorgeous and romantic but all good things must come to an end and so must this story. Just one more chapter after this. I've thrown in some pianoward in this chapter to ease the pain. Can I say a big, gigantic thank you to everyone who's supported the story and reviewed/favourited it. Before this Leah fic, my highest number of reviews for a story was 23. LOL. It goes to show that when you write from your heart and believe passionately in your story - even an uncoventional one like mine - it can pay off, so thank you. I want to hire a plane and skywrite all your names and then draw a big soppy heart around it.
But enough of that, on with the story.

I sat on the beach, watching the waves lapping the shore. The rhythm of the waves was hypnotic. I could sit here and watch the day turn into night without blinking once. There was so much to think about…

I smiled to myself as I relived the memories of last night. Edward's touch was still imprinted on my body. I could smell his scent lingering like a half-forgotten presence. It was a taste of happiness that had broken through my mind when it had been clouded with hurt and hate.

I didn't have to suffer anymore. I could let it all go and be free. It was time to move on and find happiness with someone who would put me first, even if it meant risking a broken heart to find it. I knew now that a broken heart can be mended.

A gust of wind blew my hair into my face and I was fighting to push the loose strands away when I saw a tall figure approaching from the distance. I pulled my knees up to my chest defensively as he came to sit down next to me. Oh, please not him, anyone but him. This is so typical. Just as I'm on my way to inner peace I have to cross paths with him.

"Nice day, huh?"

"Same as any other," I replied stiffly.

"I guess so." he smiled, "how's the family?"

"fine." I said, drawing circles in the sand.

"Good, good," he nodded, "how are you?" he asked, watching me surreptitiously out of the corner of his eye.

"Same as when you left me, Sam,"

"Ouch, Leah," he looked taken aback but recovered quickly. "I thought we had moved on."

"And why exactly would you think that?" I snorted indignantly. "Oh that's right. I don't run with your pack so you don't have to hear my thoughts anymore. Out of sight, out of mind, right?"

"It's not like that. I couldn't ever forget you, Leah –"

"But you did," I said softly, turning towards the horizon.

He shifted uncomfortably where he sat from me. "I want you to be happy," his voice was full with sorrow.

"Oh, so you won't have to feel guilty anymore? That's nice of you," I said dryly.

"Sheesh, Leah. You never make things easy, do you?" he sighed.

"what can I say?" I shrugged. "It's one of my many talents."

"Leah, I know you," the tone of his voice had an edge to it, as if he was sharing some big secret. It made me uneasy.

"You don't know shit," I scoffed.

I stared ahead at the sea, watching the turbulent waves. The seagulls screeched overhead, the trees lining the coast bent against the strong wind. Everything was suddenly too loud, I had to get away. "I'm going home." I dusted off my hands and got up. I started walking quickly, not giving him a chance to reply.

"Leah…" he called out from behind me, "he doesn't deserve you."

I froze in my tracks. He knew. Exactly what he did or didn't know I wasn't sure, but the bottom line was that he knew about Edward and me and it made my blood run cold. Had he told anyone else? How long would it be before he opened his mouth? Or ran with his pack and mind-blabbed it to everyone else? I groaned audibly at the thought.

I slowly turned around, expecting to see Sam looking angry or disappointed. Instead I was met with a kind, sympathetic face which somehow made me feel a million times worse.

He looked like he genuinely wanted to help me but I didn't need or want any of his help. I wasn't a person in need. I knew exactly what I was doing. I hadn't gone into this with my eyes closed. I hadn't been dazzled into submission by Edward. I was just on the brink of inner peace and now he had to come along and shit all over it.

I wanted to turn away before I could lose my composure but it was too late. Hot tears were rolling down my flushed cheeks. My footsteps didn't have time to sink into the sand as I made my escape. There was only one place that I had in mind.

***

I came up to the Cullen mansion with trepidation. This was reckless behaviour and I deserved to have the door slammed in my face but I didn't know what else to do. The thought of Sam knowing about my affair with Edward and the inevitable gossip that would result as he ran with his pack was too much for me to bear. What if Seth or my mom found out? Only Edward would understand.

I rang the doorbell frantically and the front door opened. "Hello gorgeous," said Emmett standing in the doorway, looking amused.

The hem of my short cotton dress twisted in my hands. "I need to see Edward," I blurted out.

His expression changed rapidly when he noticed the panic radiating from me like a bad smell.

"Yeah, sure," he said, nervous and unsure, but leading me to him nevertheless.

Edward was in the living room, sitting in front of a huge grand piano. He was hunched over the keys, playing quietly. His brow was furrowed in concentration, a look I remembered all too well. There didn't seem to be anyone else in the house.

Maybe he had a sensitive side that could read a person's emotions or maybe he just wanted to get the hell away from the crazy, mentally unhinged girl; either way Emmett left us in alone in peace, no questions asked.

The expertise of Edward's playing was intimidating, the way he played so skilfully, it made me hover nervously waiting for him to glance up from the black and white keys.

"Sam knows," I exclaimed.

He didn't flinch. "I know," he replied in a sad voice.

"How did you find out? You're not keeping tabs on me, are you?" I said, with a hint of annoyance. That mind reading shtick pissed me off at times like this.

"He came to visit me. He warned me not to go near you or I would 'pay the consequences' " He quoted Sam's words.

"I can't believe it. He came to see you?" I uttered in shock.

Edward just shrugged. "I let him say his piece and then he left."

My hand brushed the edge of the piano. The shiny black surface glided smoothly under my palm. My voice shook with emotion as I spoke. "He thinks he's protecting me. He thinks I'm some kind of victim who needs protecting but I'm not. He doesn't understand at all,"

I stared up at the ceiling, fiercely blinking back tears. I felt like I was fighting against myself. Since when did I start bawling like a baby at a drop of a hat? Get it together, Leah, you're embarrassing yourself.

"How dare he? It's none of his business – he gave up his right to be concerned the day he left me." I fumed.

Edward took my hand and sat me down next to him. "Listen," he instructed. His long, slender fingers moved elegantly across the piano keys, playing a composition that I assumed was his own.

It started like a sad lament but it began to build as Edward hit the keys with a controlled force. It reminded me of choppy waters the way the melody kept changing abruptly; Edward hammered the keys and the sound of crashing chords echoed around the room.

I watched him closely; there was fire in his eyes, something that had been lost but was now rekindled as he played intently. The piece began to sound softer, as Edward's hands moved slowly, coaxing a soothing melody from underneath his fingers.

I don't know how to explain it properly but the piece sounded so real to me, like a living breathing thing that was filling the room with its emotion. My heart warmed to its sound and the concentrated look never left until Edward had played the final note.

"It's beautiful. What's it called?"

"Walking thunderstorm," he said, looking pointedly at me, with a smirk.

I couldn't help laughing. No wonder it sounded so familiar. No one had ever named a piece of music after me. Edward was so strange sometimes. It was kind of adorable.

"That's original,"

"I try," he replied.

"So, what am I going to do?" I groaned.

His hands hovered over the ivory keys. "Do what you have to do, Leah,"

"If I could grow a pair of wings, I'd fly far away from here," I said wistfully. "What are the chances of that happening?"

"It's not entirely impossible," he said, matter-of-factly.

"Oh, really?" I arched an eyebrow. "How exactly does one achieve that, O wise one?"

"Buy a plane ticket, travel the world. I know you'd like that – and before you tear me a new one – no, I did not have to read your mind to figure that one out," he said, jokingly holding his hands up to shield himself.

"Oh whatever, Edward," I laughed. "Remember to ask the Wizard of Oz for some more courage when you next visit him – your supplies are running dangerously low,"

Edward put his hands down and looked at me. "You know, we could have been good friends if we hadn't…"

I sighed, "Yeah, I know. My great idea doesn't seem so great, right now." I stretched my legs out underneath the piano and stared into my lap. I hadn't intended this to be such a monumental fuck-up but I guess it was just another one of my many talents.

"Travelling would be great way to lie low and escape this mess but I couldn't afford it," I told him.

"Well, if you want to travel, I can help with the finances," he said, resting an elbow on the top of the piano.

My pride instantly kicked in. "No way. You're not paying me off like some whore."

"It isn't a weakness to accept another person's help and I've never thought of you as a whore, Leah." he looked disgusted to even utter the word 'whore'. The gentleman from another era was still present in Edward. I shouldnt have felt so pleased to see him react in that way. It would make leaving so much harder…

"Don't ever be this nice to anyone else." He looked at me incredulously as I spoke. "It instantly gives you away as being non-human."

He chuckled. "There are decent, kind, nice human beings in the world, you know,"

"Oh yeah? Name one." I challenged him.

He looked at me meaningfully.

"Shut your face, Cullen. Don't you even go thinking those words unless you want to end up a pile of smokin' ashes." Me? A Nice person? Did he get high before I arrived? Can vampires even get high?

I swear he almost flinched at the tone of my voice. His movement was like a small vibration – barely visible to the naked eye – but my sharp eyes caught it. "Maybe if you weren't so damn scary, the 'nice Leah' would get a chance to come out,"

"Do you need a change of underwear? Jeez, chill out. Bottom line is, I need to skip town –"

"But you don't need my help –" he interjected.

"No…"

"Great plan you got there." he said flatly. "Just remember, if you travel you'll never be able to escape from yourself. You'll be the best or worst travel companion you've ever had."

His words stumped me. I hated to admit it but he had a point. I was terrible company and the idea of never being able to get away from myself was…depressing to say the least. Was there really a 'nice Leah'? Edward believed so but I wasn't so sure.

"Maybe if I made myself less human and more animal-like..." I muttered to myself. The idea hit me like a lightning bolt; I could phase and travel my way around the country. It would be like a shapeshifting road trip. It wasn't exactly ideal but it was something and I wouldn't need a stack of cash to fund it. I would rather do that than accept a hand out anyway.

"You've given me a great idea. I don't need money when I can shapeshift and travel across the country." A plan started forming in my head as I got up and strode purposefully out of the living room and into the hallway.

A sudden vibration and whoosh of air swept past me as Edward appeared in front of me, blocking my exit through the front door.

"Don't leave like this," he pleaded. "I don't want you running through forests or scavenging for food or sleeping rough on this trip of yours. It's not right." he frowned.

"I'm not going to be wandering around like the little matchstick girl, Edward. I refuse to be your charity case," I said stubbornly, frowning back at him.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, closed his eyes and exhaled loudly. "I'm. Trying. To. Help. You." He opened his eyes to glare at me. "Why do you have to be so stubborn about it?"

I brushed past him. "I shouldn't have come here,"

If I had any sense I would have taken the cash and run but I didn't want to do that. It seemed like an easy way out, a get-out-of-jail free card and I didn't want to accept that because if I did, I would never learn to stand on my own two feet. Why couldn't he see that?

He spun me around to face him and backed me against the front door. "But you did come here."

"Yes, I did. And it was mighty stupid of me." I said, staring back at him.

He inched closer towards me, our noses almost touching. "I can always persuade you to…my way of thinking," he said in a velvet tone that was designed to make a girl drop her panties in two seconds flat.

The tension of the moment hung by a thread. He was either going to carry me upstairs and screw me senseless or I was going to cave in and accept his help. Before I could decide on which option I would prefer, I heard a car pulling up the drive. Whoever had gone out had come back. A look of pure terror crossed Edward's face and he instantly backed away from me. Uh-oh, this wasn't good.

I turned around as I heard the key turning in the lock. Everything seemed to slow down as it was happening. Well, everything except my heart which hammered inside my chest. The door was pushed open and the daylight shone through as three figures stepped inside. Three pairs of eyes were immediately drawn to me.

I looked at each pair of eyes in turn. There was the glowering, perma-bitchface of Rosalie, the suspicious, narrowed eyes of Bella and – oh god, please no. Anything but the demon spawn. Sweet baby Jesus, she's staring right at me – a pair of large blue eyes widened in curiosity. Nessie.

Talk about awkard! I just couldn't stop from throwing in one last cliffhanger. Why yes, I am evil. :)
So what will Leah choose in the end? tune into the final chapter.
Reviews make Nessie curious.