I would have liked to make this a little longer but I had to wait for Jacob's return.
Some intense shiz going on.
Enjoy.
And reviewing will only make Jacob angrier at Sam
Embry ran up the hill as fast as he could only to find Jade holding Leah up against the truck. Leah was crying incomprehensively and reaching towards Embry as soon as he came into her sight. Tears began to well in his eyes as he scooped her up in his arms, careful not to disrupt her healing bones. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." He cried, showering her dirty face with kisses. Embry took her right into the bathroom and held her wounded body in his one arm as he filled the tub with warm water. Once it was filled he carefully placed her in the water and secured a towel behind her head in attempt to make her more comfortable. He poured Epsom salts and baking soda in the water around her, carefully watching to make sure she was still conscious. He jumped when he heard a knock at the door but it was only Jade bringing in a pair of shorts for Embry and pajamas for Leah. She gave him a reassuring nod and closed the bathroom door.
Other than the occasional heave, Leah was growing calmer. Once Embry felt she was fully relaxed he added a bit of hot water to the tub to make sure it wasn't getting cold. Then he went to work. He scrubbed her entire body, top to bottom, with an extra soft loofa and cloth covered in baby soap, careful not to disturb the wounds that had closed. By the time he moved on to her hair the tub was a pool of blood.
"Sorry baby, I just have to lift you out for a second." Embry whispered as he gently lifted Leah from the tub. He emptied the dirty water and replaced it with clean, clear, piping hot water. The moment he tried to place her back in, loud, uncontrollable sobs erupted from her chest and she flung her unbroken arm tight around his neck, burying her face in his chest.
"E-e-em-em…" She cried out loud; Leah had never been in this much pain in her entire life. Not just the physical pain, that was nothing compared to the emotional distress she was feeling right then. She breathed deeply, attempting to calm herself down but it was hardly working. She did not want to leave Embry's arms ever again. "You saved me, Embry, you saved me." Leah continued to sob.
At that moment, Embry broke out into tears as well. He hated himself more than ever. If he hadn't of left her then this wouldn't have happened. She would not be hurt right now. "No I didn't. I'm the reason you're hurt, Leah. I'm a monster." If those words hadn't stung enough, a hard slap came to his cheek. Leah had actually slapped him, hard.
"Shut up!" She cried. "If you didn't come back. I would have been dead." She looked at him in the eye and swore that she would never leave him in a silent oath that he agreed to with a nod. His lip was trembling as he sobbed. Then, in that moment, Leah said something that neither of them had ever said, "Embry, I love you, more than anything in this world."
Without saying it back, Embry removed the chain that was permanently around his neck. His mother made it long enough so that it would break off when he would phase. Attached to it was a ring that was given to him by his grandmother before she passed away when he was ten. She instructed him to give it to the woman he would love more than anything and the ring would make it so they would never be apart. Embry took the ring off its chain and took Leah's left hand from around his neck and held it for a moment. He then kissed her ring finger and slid the engraved golden ring over the wet mark of his kiss. "I love you too, Leah. Never again will we be apart."
Jacob and Holly flew through the forest as fast as they could. To the untrained eye it would seem as if they were going around in circles but Jacob was pretty confident that they were heading in the right direction, as he never saw the same mark twice. Greg was clinging onto Holly's neck just behind him. Jacob had protested that he carry Greg but Holly provided the very good point that if she carried him it would slow her down enough that Jacob would be able to keep up, so Jacob agreed to carrying Greg's bags. They hadn't realized they had been running all night until the sun began to rise.
"Do you need to stop Holly? Or do you want to keep going?" Jacob asked without stopping.
"I don't think we can afford to stop babe." And with that they kept going, careful that when they reached clearings they would do as best as they could to make it through without being seen. Jacob was sure they had crossed the border to Idaho by mid afternoon and he estimated that they would be in the town where Greg's family lived by the evening. Nevertheless, he anticipated correct and they reached Grangeville, Idaho around six o'clock. Just before emerging the western treeline, Jacob and Holly phased back and dress with the clothes they brought for themselves. Greg was still rattled by the whole experience and began to worry that his family wouldn't accept him. Holly knew that his mother was not like that.
"Don't worry, Greg, unless your mother has turned into a heartless bitch she will welcome you with a big hug and then rush off to make your favourite cookies." Holly giggled, rubbing her nervous friend's back as they walked casually through the town. It was a very quiet, country town with friendly family restaurants and shops. They knew that his mother ran a bed and breakfast just north of the town and they were there by eight on foot. Greg sighed deeply as they approached the door and knocked. When the door opened, Greg's mother Susan appeared. She was a short, stalky woman with grey hair and a lot of heart. The moment she saw her son she cried out and flung her arms around him.
"My baby has come home to Mama!" She shouted out loud as she laughed and continued to hug Greg. "And he's with little Holly!" She then moved over and gave Holly a giant hug as well. His mother was someone that never fit in to the Vancouver scene and moved not long after Greg turned thirteen, leaving him there with his older brother Mark, who ended up in jail not long before Holly left for La Push. She had always secretly felt guilty for leaving Greg there with no one but she had no other choice.
Greg and Holly introduced Jacob to Susan and they were invited in for dinner. After a quick, but hearty, meal and explaining their fabricated story as to why Greg was there. Holly and Jacob insisted that they had to get on the road home, saying that their bus left at ten-fifteen. Greg knew, however, that they were leaving in order to keep him safe. He saw them out of the grand, colonial style home and thanked them over and over again for saving his life.
"Keep in touch eh?" Greg said, giving Holly a hug. "Send me a letter every now and then."
"I will." Holly agreed and they were off into the night. As soo as they were covered by trees they phased and ran back towards home. At around four in the morning, Jacob suggested that they stop and get some sleep. Not long after they had passed the border back into Washington they found a small motel off the interstate. Jacob paid for the room and they hustled themselves into the tiny room. Holly sighed irritably, wishing that she was home and in her own bed, or Jacob's. Jacob felt the same way. They hadn't said much to each other but Holly knew that Jacob was a little worried about what they were going to be met with at home. He kept getting a feeling that everything was falling apart and Holly reassured him that it was nothing they wouldn't be able to handle, together. She constantly had to remind him that she was in this with him, they were a team and she was going to do whatever she could to take the stress off his shoulders.
"I'm going to go take a shower." Holly sighed and walked into the tiny bathroom adjacent to the room. Before undressing she turned on the water to the shower to give it enough time to get piping hot. She needed a hot shower, bad. Looking in the mirror her face was covered in dry mud and her hair was in a horrifying state. Turning away she took off the sweatpants that she had changed into after phasing back. Just as she was lifting the shirt over her head she felt a pair of rough hands grab her from behind and begin caressing her waist and hips. Pausing and savouring the moment of affection that she had infinitely missed for the previous few days, Jacob finished the motion, lifting her arms above her head and taking the shirt off for her. Holly lowered her hands behind her, pulling his face down to her neck where he left a trail of kisses and nibbles that sent shivers down her spine. She felt his hands moving up over her breasts and her breath hitched as his touch intensified. Within moments he had her turned around to face him and was kissing her passionately. He had wanted this all weekend but was held back by their situation. He wanted her bad.
Slowing it down a little, Holly took her time removing the few articles of clothing Jacob was wearing, driving him completely mad with desire. She slid off the ratty grey t-shirt over his head, replacing the skin the shirt had covered with soft kisses and licks. She then trailed her tongue down his torso to the waistband of his shorts. Holly knew every spot of Jacob's skin and what it would do to him if she touched it. Not taking her tongue from his skin she pulled the shorts down, exposing him completely. She continued down the line of his pelvis and took him full in her mouth, hardening him even more. His exhale was staggered as he leant back against the tiled wall, hardly being able to take the feeling of Holly's mouth around him. Just as he was nearing an orgasm, Holly stopped and pulled him into the small shower and closed the curtain behind them.
The steaming water fell over their bodies as they kissed and washed each other all over. Once the water began running cold, Jacob pulled Holly out of the shower with him and she straddled him as he stood, dripping wet, onto the thin towel that lay beneath them. They stood there for a few moments with their mouths plastered together until Holly motioned towards the bed with a nod. In two strides Holly was thrown onto her back and Jacob slid on top of her. They continued kissing, increasing the intensity very quickly, knowing that neither of them were going to be able to take much more of it. Holly then flipped over so she was straddling Jacob, who followed by sitting up and leaning against the headboard. Just as Jacob couldn't take any more, Holly moved her lips down his neck, entangling her hands in his hair.
"Holly," Jacob breathed, caressing her sides. "Please." He was begging for her now. With that indication, Holly pushed herself onto his erection; slowly at first and then faster as she noticed his arms flex and felt his hands violently grab her. Using the headboard for support she continued to go faster and faster until Jacob suddenly stopped. Giving her one frantic glance he flipped her over onto her back and she wrapped her legs around his waist, inviting him inside again. Within a few moments, Holly's scream echoed in Jacob's ear as he felt her sticky release all around him. Seconds later, Jacob moaned as he finished inside her as well. Collapsing on her sweaty chest, Jacob breathed heavily for a few moments as she stroked his hair back in a very soothing motion.
Jacob placed his chin on Holly's chest and they watched each other for a few moments until they fell asleep soundly in each other's arms. Neither of them realized how tired they really were.
After washing Leah's hair and carefully dressing her in the pajamas Jade brought in, making sure he didn't rupture any of her half-healed bones, Embry carried Leah to his bed and placed her on the side she usually slept. He noticed that scattered around the room were various articles of Leah's clothing. Sweaters and tiny white socks littered the floor, suggesting that she hadn't left. Leah noticed his curious glances and responded in a raspy croak, "After you left I never went home. I'm sorry, I know you don't like your room a mess." She sounded genuinely guilty, knowing that Embry's room was always immaculate and hers was, well, a disaster to say the least.
"You don't have to apologize for anything." Embry explained, carefully curling up beside her. Truth was the thought of finding little reminders of her presence in his room was kind of exciting. "Didn't your mother say anything about you being here?"
"I don't even think she noticed I was gone." Leah admitted, closing her eyes and stuttering a bit. Embry held her tighter, though, not as tight as he would have wanted to thanks to her numerous broken ribs. "Besides, I don't think Jade was going to let me leave."
"Well, I know she adores you and you can stay here as long as you want." Embry whispered, tickling her sides softly; he knew she liked that.
"At this point," Leah tilted her head up enough to meet his loving gaze. "I don't think I ever want to leave."
"Well," Embry said quietly, pushing a fallen piece of hair from her eyes. "I don't think I ever want you to."
With that said they both looked at each other and knew it was time to say goodnight. They were both exhausted, in every way, and they were both in need of a good night sleep even though Embry wasn't sure he wanted to let his guard down. He reached over and turned off the light, anticipating the little gasp that erupted from Leah's chest.
"Sleep with the light on when I was gone?" Embry asked, remembering her fear of the dark.
"Yeah." Leah admitted as she closed her eyes. "But you're here now so I can sleep perfectly." And with that she fell into a dreamless sleep, more comfortable she had been in a long time even with the broken bones and damaged body.
The next morning came dark and drearily and threatening to thunderstorm. Embry and Leah remained curled up close together tucked under Embry's thick quilt. Even with their scorching body temperatures, Leah felt a bit chilly and shrugged down further under the amazing smelling blanket. Not an inch of her wanted to move from that spot. Embry stayed tucked in beside her with his arm firmly curled around her torso, snoring softly. Leah wiggled her arm and upper body a bit to make sure there was no sharp pain, and there wasn't, indicating that her bones had healed fully. She was still, however, covered in bruises; something that the fast-healing pack never seemed to get rid of quick. Leah figured it would be weeks until they were gone.
She must have fallen back asleep because the next thing she remembered was the feeling of Embry stretching beside her. Carefully, she turned over to face him and he smiled faintly. Leah traced her fingers down his cheek to his lips and he closed his eyes as the tickling sensation left goose bumps on his arms. A dull grey light left the room feeling dark and cold but still enabling Leah to take a good look at her body. First thing she noticed was the fact she was clean from head to toe. Embry had scrubbed her body clean of all the dirt and blood, washed and conditioned her hair twice and even went so far as to clean underneath her fingernails; he must have been up for hours. Leah could faintly remember him refilling the tub several times in order to keep her warm and comfortable. Then he carried her off to bed and she had the best sleep since he had left and the moment he wrapped his arms around her was the moment all her troubles seemed to disappear. This morning, however, she knew she was going to have to relive every single painstaking moment of the night before.
When Embry opened his eyes he noticed Leah examining her bruises and welts that had fully developed over the night. Her legs were a medley of blues and purples and her arms were scarred with more bruises and cuts that Embry didn't want to begin to imagine how she got. He felt hot tears run down the sides of his cheeks without warning. Embry had never been a crier but he had cried more in those two days that he had in his entire adolescence. He was more the suffer-in-silence type, but at that moment seeing Leah in a state that he could have easily prevented more or less killed him. She noticed his anguish right away and lifted her arm around his neck and pulled herself closer. As they were lying face to face, only an inch apart, Leah showered his face with tiny kisses and wiped away the tears.
"Please, stop blaming yourself." It was as if she knew this would happen. "I really need you to stop, or else I am going to start feeling bad for making you upset."
"It's not you that's making me upset, Leah," Embry sobbed in a whisper, "It's the fact that I wasn't here to protect you, and the only reason…" He couldn't come to say the name, "he did this was because we were gone, and he wanted answers. If we hadn't of left, this wouldn't have happened."
"Embry! For Christ's sake!" Leah grabbed his face in her hands and forced him to look at her. "This needed to happen."
"What the fuck do you mean this needed to happen?" Embry ripped his face from Leah's hands and sat up with his back facing her, rubbing his tired eyes.
"Embry, if this didn't happen, then Sam would continue getting away with abusing the power of the alpha." Leah argued. Embry knew she was making perfect sense but he was not about ready to agree that Leah getting raped and almost beaten to death was not necessary. "And don't even try to argue with me because you know that I'm right."
"All I'm saying is that it shouldn't have happened to you." Embry rebutted. "Anyone but you." Leah sat up on the bed and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, kissing the back of his neck.
"He'll get what's coming to him, Embry," Leah reassured, "Jacob won't stand for it." Embry turned slightly and took Leah into his lap, allowing her to bury her face into his copper, toned chest.
"I know he won't… but the thing is, Leah," Embry looked at her in the eye as he spoke. "I know that you aren't okay. I know that this is killing you and you are putting on a brave face. I know you better than you think. And don't even try to argue with me about that because you know I'm right." And he was right. Leah was preparing herself for the day ahead of her and in order to do that she needed to push all her disturbance away and deal with this head on. Embry, however, knew that she was going to descend into a psychotic downward spiral very soon; the same thing happened when Sam and Leah broke up in the first place. Embry was not about to let that happen again. He was going to be there for her one hundred percent. Now, all they needed to do was wait for Jacob and Holly to return. Jacob was their only hope.