Seth POV

"You're a bad man Jacob. You're a bad man because you killed Leah's baby."

The silence following Nessie's condemnation of Jake was deafening and I saw my mom literally sag as the breath whooshed out of her.

Embry looked over at me, eyebrows pulled together and I shook my head just enough for him to see. He seemed to get it right away, because he winked and nodded.

I wanted everyone to think, at least for a few minutes, that Leah had been pregnant and Jacob had killed her baby.

I knew that no matter how much Old Quil criticized, no one would really see the absolute seriousness of what happened to my sister, so I was hoping that if they thought she had lost a baby, they would feel really guilty.

Nessie put her hand on Bella's neck and her mother nodded. With a tight smile at Jacob, Bella turned and disappeared through the trees. Two seconds later, Jacob seemed to snap out of his stupor and took off after her.

"Bella, wait!" I heard him call, as their footsteps disappeared quickly.

"Seth?" My mom asked, her face a mask of shock and horror. "Leah was..." she swallowed hard and a tear slipped down her cheek.

"Did she know?" she whispered. She shook her head, her face completely crumbling. "Please tell me she didn't know yet."

I heard the sick sadness in her voice and understood why she said that. I had thought the same thing when I first heard Rosalie ask Carlisle if Leah was pregnant. If Leah hadn't known she was pregnant, I didn't think anyone should tell her.

No matter how lacking in understanding my mom had been lately, I knew that she loved Leah. I couldn't let her suffer thinking Leah had been pregnant and lost her much longed for child. Only my mom and I had ever heard her sob bitterly over her barren state and I had seen my mom laying with her more than once, holding Leah and rubbing her back while she wept.

"Carlisle thought for a moment that she might have been but she was only bleeding from her injuries." I didn't think it was anyone else's business that my sister was having 'female happenings', so I didn't add the rest of what he had said.

"So she's not?" I shook my head at the hopefulness on my mom's face. Was she happy that Leah wasn't pregnant because she didn't want her devastated, or because she didn't want Leah to have a baby with Charlie?

"No, she wasn't; isn't. But that doesn't mean that she couldn't have been. Jacob didn't even think of the fact that she was a woman. He just saw her as a wolf, just beat her down, thinking she would phase and protect herself. But even if she had phased, he's twice her size. If she was lucky, she might have been able to outrun him, but she wouldn't have been able to effectually protect herself."

My mom opened her mouth to say something and I shook my head. "There isn't an excuse you or anyone else can make for what happened. And if any of you ever want to repair your relationship with Leah, I suggest that the only things said to her are apologies."

I turned to Embry. "I'm going to head back now. If you want to come over later that's cool. Otherwise, I'll let you know when she wakes up."

He nodded. "Yeah, I'm going to go home and take a shower and say hi to my mom, but I'll come over in a little while."

I gave him a wave and jogged away towards the trees. Sam called my name and I chuckled to myself, ignoring him completely. I didn't know how I would react if Jacob gave an Alpha order, but I was feeling particularly rebellious and powerful. Even after joining Jacob's pack, I had still felt a sense of subservience to Sam, but now, I felt nothing more than a desire to punch him right in his bullet wound.

Instead, I ran back towards the Cullen's house. I knew that they would protect Leah, but I wouldn't be able to relax until I was near enough to make sure she was safe.

I didn't know what the future was now, but Jacob had majorly blown it up. Was I going to have to rejoin the other pack? Could I just refuse to be part of a pack?

Damn it! I didn't want to have to decide stuff like this. I just wanted to go to high school and do my patrols and eat. I was only sixteen!

"Hey kiddo," Alice said with a smile as she materialized beside me when I crossed the treaty line.

"Hey shorty," I retorted and she laughed lightly.

"Bella needs to talk to her dad, but he's not going to leave Leah. Do you mind giving them a few minutes when she gets home?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, sure."

"Thanks. Carlisle and Esme are hunting, but she left you some food. And the rest are with Bella, but they'll go hunting when she comes back to talk to Charlie."

I ran with her and when we reached the house I went in to check on my sister. She was still out but I could see little changes to her bruises and it was very relieving to see that her body was healing itself.

"Hey kid," Charlie said wearily and I gave him a little smile.

"Hello Mr. Swan."

He chuckled and shook his head. "Please, not that – Seth."

I grinned and sat at the foot of Leah's bed. "Has she woken up since I was gone?"

He glanced back at my sister's face and I saw his eyes go soft as he just looked at her. "No, but she's been muttering in her sleep for the last half hour or so."

He was holding her hand and I saw that her hand wasn't slack like I was expecting. Even unconscious, she was holding onto him tightly.

Feeling like I was intruding on their privacy, I stood. "Esme made me some food, so I'll be downstairs if you need anything."

"Sure, thanks," he said without taking his eyes of Leah.

Esme had left me a pile of pastrami sandwiches with pickles and chips and I grabbed a couple drinks out of the fridge before heading outside to sit on the back step.

Bella POV

"Bella!"

I stopped dead just over the treaty line where Emmett and Jasper were waiting and I saw that Rosalie had joined them also. Her eyes spit fire at Jacob and I knew she would love to beat him to a pulp. Whirling around, I glared at him as I handed Renesmee off to Emmett.

"What?" I spat out and his head jerked back in shock at my tone. I sensed the others backing off and I just stared Jacob down.

"I..." He paused looking at me with his best sad eyes and I gritted my teeth, determined not to be swayed by him being 'Jake'.

"I didn't mean to," he finally said quietly and I shook my head.

"Seriously, Jake? Seriously? You almost killed Leah; killed her! 'I didn't mean to', doesn't even begin to cover it."

I shook my head, just incredulous at his cluelessness. "What the hell were you thinking, Jake! Did you seriously hit her because she's with my dad?"

His mouth opened and closed like a fish. "No... I don't know. Sam had been saying stuff about her and then the guys started having shit to say and I was just pissed off at the whole situation. Then I went over to your dad's and I could smell her in his house! You said that you weren't happy with who your dad was with and you wanted to change it. I just..."

My hand was around his throat squeezing before I even thought about it. "Don't you dare! Don't you fucking dare blame this on me!"

Jasper was prying my hand from around his neck, pulling me backwards as I seethed and snarled at Jacob. "Calm down, Bella. You don't want to kill him in front of Renesmee," he said and I could feel that he was doing his best to give me a shot of calm.

Jacob coughed and rubbed his throat, wincing as he touched it.

"If you thought for one second that I was saying that I wanted you to kill my dad's girlfriend, you're even stupider than I think you are right now! Let me tell you something." I shook out of Jasper's hold.

"My dad is happy. My dad hasn't been truly happy in his life since I was a baby. And if you think that I would, for one minute, take that away from him because I wasn't friends with the woman he loved, you don't know me at all!"

I sighed and shook my head. "You need to let me go Jake. I know you imprinted on Renesmee; but even that is a form of holding on to me."

He was staring at me with a confused and pained look on his face.

"Did I really..." I saw him swallow hard. "Was she really pregnant?" There was dread and the certain knowledge that if so, he was a dead man.

Rosalie was in his face in an instant with a death glare. "Believe me. If she had been pregnant, I would have already killed you!"

Jacob stared at her and then let out a sigh.

Don't be so relieved," I told him sharply. "Just because it didn't happen, doesn't mean it couldn't have. You didn't even think about something like that, did you? You didn't even see her as a woman almost a foot shorter and eighty pounds less than you. You just beat the living hell out of her and for what? Because you thought you were doing me a favor?"

I shook my head and let out a disgusted laugh. "God Jake! You almost killed her! What if she had been pregnant? Do you really think I would appreciate you killing her baby for me? It would be my brother or sister and it would devastate my dad! Not to mention Leah!"

I shoved his shoulder hard when he stepped towards me. "You saw what happened when I was pregnant with Renesmee! I was willing to let her kill me, just so she could live! Leah's a woman Jacob. Yes, she phases into a wolf, but she is a woman first and foremost. Obviously you've forgotten your humanity, which came before your wolf!"

Jacob looked at me as if I had slapped him. I really wanted to. I felt awful for hurting him with my words, but I knew I couldn't keep allowing him to pine over me. Because in spite of his imprint on Renesmee, I knew there was still something there in him, no matter how subconscious it was.

"Edward will not allow Renesmee to see you after today," I informed him tersely and watched as his whole frame sagged. It was one thing for a little child to say "I don't want to see you anymore" in a temper, but hearing that Edward would not allow Renesmee around him, was a definite declaration.

Though it hurt me so much, I had to agree with Edward. If Jacob could hit a woman out of temper and a weird, twisted sense of loyalty, I wasn't sure I was comfortable with my child being with him.

I loved Jacob, I always would. He was my best friend; the one who had saved my life back when Edward had left me, but I had never been comfortable with his imprint on my daughter. If it had been anyone but him, I would have killed them when I had first woken. The only thing that had saved his neck was that he was Jake.

"I'm sorry Jacob," I said, hurting because I was hurting him, but I knew that if I was really a friend to him, I had to cut ties so he could move on with his life. I turned to walk back to where Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper were waiting and I heard Jacob fall to his knees.

As the five of us started towards home, I heard him let out a choked cry followed by gut wrenching sobs.

I hardened my heart, not allowing my sympathy to turn me back towards him. It was almost impossible, as I remembered lying curled on the forest floor after Edward had devastated me. But I had to believe that Jacob would find his way in life. He had made a horrible mistake, but I just hoped that he would survive this and come out of it stronger.

Guilt ate away at me though. What if the imprint didn't break? What if the separation killed him?

Renesmee had been the first to tell Edward she didn't want to see Jacob anymore; that she didn't like him as her Jacob because he hurt Leah. So she needed him to stay away. Would that be enough for him to endure the separation? There was nothing I could do now, so I ran in silence with the others.

Charlie was back at the house alone with Leah, and I wanted the opportunity to talk to him without Seth or god-forbid, Sue around.

"Mama?" Renesmee asked timidly from where she was riding in Emmett's arms.

"Yes baby?"

"Is Jacob going to be okay?"

I gave her a small smile. "I hope so Nessie, I really, really hope so."

Charlie POV

Seth was a good kid. I knew he left the room just for Leah and I's sake, and I appreciated the sensitivity; especially considering not only his age but the events of the day.

I had only been alone with Leah for an hour and a half, but it felt like I had been here for days. I just wanted her to wake up. I wanted to know she was okay and be able to look in her eyes.

Feeling frustrated and helpless, I moved out of my chair and sat carefully on the edge of the bed. Leah was restless and her un-bandaged eye twitched rapidly. Leaning down, I kissed the side of her mouth gently and rested my forehead against hers.

"Please wake up for me, baby. I need to know you're okay."

I lifted my head away from hers and touched her face. The half that was wrapped in gauze made my chest clench and I leaned down and kiss her cheek just below her eye. "I love you Leah. Please come back to me."

Not wanting to cause her unnecessary discomfort, I moved back to sit in my chair again. I got lost in thought and jumped when a hand rested on my shoulder.

"Hey Dad," Bella said quietly as I looked up in surprise. I hadn't even heard her come in the room.

"Hey Bells." I gave her a halfhearted smile and then looked back at Leah.

"Has she woken up again?" I shook my head at my daughter's question.

"No, she's been muttering and moving around a little, but she hasn't come to."

We were silent for a few moments, both looking at Leah. I realized that Bella hadn't known that Leah and I were a couple, and she was probably shocked and maybe even a little upset to find out this way.

"I guess this is probably…" I paused, wondering what words I should use. "Surprising to you," I finished and my daughter smiled.

"Um, I kind of knew."

My eyes widened and Bella looked down at the floor with a chuckle.

"It was pretty surprising when I first found out, but you seem so happy lately when I talk to you."

She hugged me around the shoulders for just a second and then pulled away. "If Leah makes you happy, then that's all that matters."

She sighed and sat on the arm of the chair. "I worry about you, you know. I don't want you to be alone. You deserve someone to make you happy." She looked at me with a smile around her eyes.

"Plus, I think you make a really great dad. And she's definitely lucky to have someone like you."

I looked at Bella in mute surprise. She thought I make a really great dad? Was she saying she thought I should have kids with Leah?

"Edward said she really loves you," my daughter said quietly as we both looked at Leah's unconscious face. I raised an eyebrow and glanced at her.

"And how exactly would Edward know this?"

Bella stared at me guiltily and fidgeted. "I… he just…"

I smiled, unable to stare her down when she was being so 'Bells'. She chewed on her lower lip and her eyes darted around and – whatever it was that had changed her so much – wasn't hindering it, she would have been blushing.

"Edward seems to know a lot of things that people never say out loud," I commented, watching her face carefully. Her eyes widened slightly, her nostrils flared and her lips pursed. She stayed frozen in that pose for just a second too long; a second that scared me, because she looked absolutely lifeless in the pose; like a marble statue or something.

She snapped out of it and laid a hand on my arm. "Dad," she paused and looked almost panicked. "Don't think about it; please!"

"Why? Because he'll see it in my head?"

She actually let out a little huff of shock when I said that and looked towards the door.

"It's not… Please dad. It's for your own protection. If you knew the truth about everything; there are some very bad people who would… Just please! Don't think about it or try to figure out everything."

I studied my daughter, not wanting to know, yet wanting to just know everything so I could reconcile what she had become. She looked at me with worry and sadness and I really didn't like the combination.

"I just want you to be safe," she whispered and I frowned, pulling her close in a hug.

"I think that's my job, Bells; keeping you safe." She hugged me around the waist, resting her head against my chest. I could feel her coldness seeping through her clothes. Instead of recoiling, it made me hug her tighter, trying to hold on to the memory and feeling of her as she was before.

"I love you dad," she whispered. "I just want you to be happy." She pulled back and let go of me. "Do you need anything? You've been up here for hours. I could get you something to eat."

"I could use a drink," I told her and she nodded.

"Okay, I'll get you something." She left the room and returned what seemed like seconds later with a snifter of whiskey in one hand and a beer in the other.

I downed the whiskey but as I was opening the beer, Leah moved her head a little and lifted her hand. I just about threw the bottle onto the night stand in my haste to make sure she was okay.

Leaning down over her, I touched her head. "Leah? Are you awake?"

She groaned and opened her eye just a little. "Thirsty," she croaked in a whisper and I turned to see Bella darting out of the room.

"Hey, baby," I couldn't help smiling at her, so relieved that she was awake and aware. Her jaw shook and she looked distraught as she lifted her unwrapped hand to her face.

"My face," she whispered. "It's all…" A tear slid down her cheek and I shook my head, wiping it away.

"You're alive, Leah. That's all that matters. Don't think about anything else."

She looked at me with pleading in her eyes. "You…"

"I'm not going anywhere baby; I'm right here with you."

She nodded and reached for my hand with hers.

"Hey," Rosalie said, coming into the room with a glass of water and a straw. She was smiling at Leah. "You're awake." She moved closer and I stepped back so she could help Leah take a few sips of water.

"Are you in pain?" She asked softly and Leah nodded with a grimace.

"My face hurts so much. And it feels like someone is stabbing me in the chest when I breathe."

Rosalie looked furious for a split second, but then she smiled and smoothed Leah's hair back.

"Carlisle is coming in to check you over. I'll give you a shot of morphine after, okay?"

"Did I hear my name mentioned?" Carlisle asked cheerfully as he entered the room. He took Rosalie's place and gave Leah a kind smile. "How are you feeling?"

"I hurt everywhere," she said with a grimace of pain, her words a little slurred as she was barely moving her jaw when she spoke. Her breathing was shallow and she moved her right arm so it was cradling her side and her splinted hand was laying on her stomach. "It hurts to breathe."

Carlisle nodded and reached for the sheet. "May I?" He asked politely and she nodded. I stepped towards the door.

"I'll wait outside," I said and Leah turned a panicky gaze on me.

"Please don't leave me!" She said, her visible eye swimming with tears. I stopped in my tracks and Rosalie crossed so that she was side by side with me, her back to Leah.

"Stay with her. I'll wait outside if it makes you more comfortable." The blonde gave me a fierce look. "She needs you more than anyone else, trust me on this."

I moved to the foot of the bed, Leah's eyes following my movements and I touched her sheet covered feet in reassurance.

Carlisle examined her thoroughly, touching her ribs and asking her questions. He pulled down the top flap of the gauze covering a large, square area just below her right breast, but I could see anything beyond the white bandage and his matching hands.

Had they operated on her in that room? I felt anxiety over not knowing everything that happened with her and as if he knew what I was thinking; Carlisle looked at me with a small smile.

"I had to fix a tear in the wall of her lung and also repair her liver." He replaced the gauze and rubbed the edge of the medical tape holding it in place. "I was just making sure her wound was not becoming infected."

His words drove home the fact that I had nearly lost her and I touched her again, just to reassure myself that she was really here and awake.

"You're doing well, Leah," Carlisle said. "Rosalie will give you some more morphine and we'll make sure to check on you throughout the night to make sure you're comfortable."

He pulled the sheet back over her. "Would you like something to eat?" He asked and Leah shook her head.

"No." She looked at me and moved a little bit, looking uncomfortable. "I need to use the bathroom."

Carlisle nodded and motioned to the door. "I will send Rosalie up with her meds." He left as I circled the bed to Leah's side.

She was trying to sit up and I lifted her carefully and helped her turn so her feet rested on the floor. Her eyes were closed, her face a mask of pain.

"Let me carry you," I told her and she shook her head, breathing rapidly.

"I can walk."

I chuckled. "Baby, you can barely breathe." Without waiting for her approval, I carefully lifted her and carried her into the bathroom. Setting her on her feet, I rubbed her cheek with my thumb. "I will do anything you need. Please let me take care of you."

She nodded, looking down at her near naked, multi-bandaged self. "Can you help me…" she motioned to her underwear.

She leaned against me, letting me help her and when she was finished, I carried her back to the bedroom. Rosalie was waiting to give her a shot.

"Will you sleep with me tonight?" Leah asked, holding onto my hand with a death grip.

"Yes, let me just call Henderson and I'll be right back."

She nodded and released my hand. "Okay." Rosalie took my place and I left the room reluctantly, knowing that I had to communicate with my deputies if I was going to miss work tomorrow. There was no way in hell I was leaving Leah right now.

It only took a few minutes. I told Jeff that there was an unexpected family emergency and I was with my daughter until further notice. It was the truth. And it was easier than getting into details. He assured me he had everything covered and I hung up, relieved to be able to focus on what Leah needed without worrying about work.

When I returned to her room, Leah was laying against two pillows in the middle of the neatened bed, and there was music playing, inset lighting in the crown molding casting very faint glow in the room. Rosalie smiled at me with a nod and then looked to Leah.

"I'll check on you in a couple hours to make sure you're still comfortable. If you need anything before then, just call me. I'll hear."

Leah nodded faintly. "Thank you."

As the door closed behind Rosalie, she reached her good hand to me. There was a plea in her eyes for me to take it and I sat beside her, taking her hand in mine.

"Do you need anything?" I asked her and she shook her head.

"Can you just lay with me?"