I don't own Twilight. Nor do I own "What Sarah Said" By Death Cab for Cutie

I do, however, own every death cab for cutie album, an assortment of chewed on guitar picks, and seven tubes of chapstick.

Leah POV

"Jacob," I meant it to come out as a scream, but it was barely audible, even with the super wolf hearing. My legs, even being made of rubber, somehow held up my body weight as I stood up swiftly, but still unable to walk towards him. His body was covered in dirt and what looked like blood. His clothing was torn, slashed, and hanging on by a thread. My heart broke seeing him. When his eyes met mine, a slow grin spread across his face. I think it was about this time that my heart finally started to beat again. I never noticed how still it had been all day, but now, seeing him there, relatively in presentable form, it pitter pattered endlessly.

"Leah," his voice was just somewhat louder than mine. The muscles in my body burned for me to move to him, but I could only take the tiniest of baby steps. He took a stride towards me, quickly cutting the distance between us. I ran my hand over his cheek, feeling the warmth from it, and the familiar scratch that came from it. He was tangible. I could touch him. He was living, breathing, smiling right in front of me. I let my hands trail over his chest, feeling his heart beating just as sporadically as my own. His giant hand tilted my chin back up to look into his eyes. I knew there were tears streaming down my face, but I just couldn't care any less at this point. I had no backbone left in me.

"Jacob," I murmured, smiling as tears ran down the corners of my lips. Jacob leaned down to me, wrapping his arms around my back and waist and letting his lips find mine in a blessed moment of reassurance. He was real. I didn't care if I couldn't breathe and my lungs were on fire. At least now, it was for a good reason. All too soon, Jake pulled away, looking around the room anxiously.

"Where's Nessie? We have to go to the Cullen's house, now. Its Seth and Bella," he trailed off. My body went rigid again. I just had my world spinning again, but now the rug was being pulled out from under me just as fast.

"What? What happened? Where's the pack? Is everyone else alright? Where's my baby brother?"

"You'll see when we get there, just, we have to go. Nessie!" He called for her. I heard the babies crying. The cries got closer and closer as she made her way downstairs. I started to gather a bag for the babies quickly, trying to rush us out of the house.

"Oh my god, Jacob," Nessie smiled for the smallest increment of time. "No, no no no," she wailed, clutching her daughter closer to her. "If you're here. No... You aren't supposed to come here first. Seth is. Where is he?"

"Nessie, we have to go, right now." Jake grabbed Connor from her and told Trevor to follow him. We piled into the car as quickly as we could. Jake drove us at breakneck speed as he rattled off a short version of what had happened.

"All I remember at first was talking. They were in robes, and they were just lying to us. The next thing I know, I was slammed into some tree, a good twenty feet away. They kicked me, square in the chest. I shifted on impact. I think a few bones were broken, but I just shifted back as quickly as I could. As soon as they came at us, Seth and his team went in. They had more than we were expecting. They came from every which way, but we got them. Fuck we got them all!" he smiled, but quickly his eyes darkened and he frowned, holding off for the worst parts. "From what I saw, Edward was going in for one of the last one," Nessie in took a breathe sharply. "But, there were two of them and he just didn't see the second one. Seth jumped over, but he was bitten. Then," Jake didn't want to continue. He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles whitening. "They just threw him. Edward tried to help, Rosalie tried to help, but they were stuck with their own battles. I was in front of Bella, trying to keep her focusing because we just couldn't get that Jane bitch." A tiny baby let out a weak cry as Ness rocked it quickly. "Emmett, God, Emmett," Jake choked a little. "They just bit him, straight on the shoulder. I'd never thought I'd see him in pain. Ever. He's the strongest. The best." I gripped Jakes forearm tightly, urging him to continue.

"Tell me about my family Jake," Nessie begged him sternly. I'd never heard her so authoritative. Jake took a deep breath.

"Seth, he was just laying there. We thought we got them all. I mean, I finally got Jane. Or so I thought. God I'm such an idiot. I didn't do my last walk over, to check the area. I didn't even think about it, I was just so worried. The rest of the pack was beaten up pretty badly, but their healing. Seth, he just, oh God. Edward was over his body, yelling to Carlisle while Alice, Rosalie, and Jasper started the burning. Bella started to come over. I shouldn't have left her. I heard her scream. God, it was worse than ever before. I had to watch as she rolled on the ground in agony, clutching her head. Edward, I thought he was in as much pain as her. He ran to her though, through it all. Jane wasn't gone. I finally got her though. I made sure of it. By the time we'd finish our check, Bella was, oh god, I don't even know," Jake started to breath quicker, I could tell he was getting angry. Nessie silently plead with him to continue as we neared the house.

"Jake are they going to be alright?" she whispered. Jacob hung his head as he pulled in quickly.

"I don't know."

Nessie POV

"Dad," I barely muttered the word before I was wrapped in his arms, feeling like I was five again, and a hug could just make everything right once more.

"Ness!" he hugged me tighter than was comfortable, but I let him have his reassurance. God knows he needed it now, just as much as I did. "I love you so much, my girl." I knew I was already crying.

"I'm so glad you're alright," I felt my chest grow heavy. My dad was alright, but at what cost? What about my husband? My mother? My uncle? "Where are they? What happened?" My mouth was moving faster than my legs and brain. He didn't say anything, but I could see the anguish on his face. He set his draw and his lips became a hard line. I knew that look. It was the look that meant he had bad news. He had just started to open his mouth as Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper came running outside to meet us.

"Nessie!" Aunt Alice smiled through some sort of pain, and hugged me tightly. She kissed my forehead gently after hugging me just as tightly as my dad.

"Where is Mom?" I looked between them all quickly. I knew Aunt Alice was telling Dad something. The worry flickered between them. Uncle Jasper tried to calm us all, but the grief that gripped my whole body wouldn't budge.

"Come on, Ness," Dad urged me inside. I went to grab my children from Leah and Seth, but they held strong.

"You go," Leah whispered, unable to meet my eyes, "You see him first. He needs you right now." I was truly touched by her actions. Reluctantly I followed into the house that was once my childhood home. The first thing I noticed was the living room, full of activity, smelling like a kennel. It seemed as if everyone was already there. Everyone except the person I needed to see the most.

"Aunt Rose!" I didn't think I could be happier. I guess that's why my heart hurt even more when I saw the look on her face. Uncle Emmett was laying on the couch, looking almost translucent. I couldn't help the gasp that escaped from my lips. His lips only moved slightly as I approached. I saw the gash on his shoulder, the puncture marks, everything. The whole pack was standing around him in a circle. They all looked healthy, but incredibly unaffected by their victory, If anything, the win left them more worried than anything else.

"What happened?" I managed to stutter, studying all of their faces for the answer. Aunt Rose sat back down next to Uncle Emmett as his body convulsed slightly. After a few seconds, he stopped and went still again, his eyes fluttering. I'd never seen him more human, and that scared the hell out of me.

"Emmett, came in, after me when I was cornered," Embry whispered. I almost couldn't hear him. His head was down and he was shaking it gently, as if in disbelief. "There were two of them, and I was surrounded. One came on me, and I tried to shake it, but the other tackled me. Next thing I know, Emmett lifted one clean off of me. Then," he slowed, his fists clenching til the knuckles were white, "One came out of no where, got him right on the shoulder. But Emmett, God, he finished two of them before he collapsed." I looked back at my uncle, smiling at the retelling. In that smile I saw my goofy uncle. I needed him to be back, jumping around making crude jokes.

"Is he going to?" I couldn't finish the question. Aunt Rosalie just shook her head.

"We can't be sure for a few more hours. The pain is just going to get worse. But, the worse it gets the more likely it is that the venom is working its way out of his body." I knew from how she was speaking that every shudder and moan from Uncle Emmett hurt her just as much.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, clutching my arms around my stomach.

"Go, you don't need to see this," Rosalie motioned to everyone around her. The pack looked around at each other. "Go!" she ushered them with a more stern voice. "Go do a final perimeter sweep. Do something. I'll let you know how he is later." I wanted to stay, to make Aunt Rosalie better, to help Uncle Emmett, but the look in her eyes said it all. She just wanted to be alone. Uncle Emmett wouldn't want everyone to be watching him scream in agony. He was stronger than that. Dad guided me upstairs. Carlisle was waiting for us on the landing. He looked somewhat happy. Dad relaxed beside me as they had a silent conversation.

"Tell me already," I moaned, unable to handle this suspense.

"Bella is awake, and fine," Carlisle beamed. I let myself have this small victory, hugging Grandpa tightly in thanks. My mom was alright. "She took a direct shot of Jane when she went to help Alice. But she's recovering. She's fine." He seemed unbelievable happy. I didn't want to ruin this moment, but my heart was growing harder and stiller with each passing moment.

"Where's Seth?" I whispered, choking slightly at my question. Grandpa's face grew longer. My hand covered my mouth, trying to stifle the cry that I wanted to let out.

"I'm going to check on your mother," Dad whispered, hugging me tightly. I took a few deep breaths, following Grandpa down the hall. As I walked into the room, I could only think of the last line to an old song.

Love is watching someone die.

Bella POV

"Edward," I whispered, smiling as he leaned against the doorway, appraising me silently. I saw his eyebrows raise and his face relax into the peacefulness that I loved. I moved to sit up, but for the first time in my vampire life, I was sore, and memories of human moments flooded my aching body.

"Stay," he was at my side before I could blink. I shook my head, stubbornness obviously still fully intact.

"Where is everyone?" The house seemed still as I tried to get my bearings. Edward grabbed my hand and rubbed it quietly, looking far off in thought. "Tell me everyone is alright," I begged, worry clouding my thoughts after his face grew. He whipped his head up quickly and locked eyes with me.

"Everyone is fine," he tried to sound soothing. My head was throbbing as I released his hand and stood up quickly.

"Really? Then why do you look like that?" I accused. He stood up next to me, his body tense, as if I had just struck him. "Where is my daughter?" I pleaded, "My grandchildren? Seth? Alice? Emmett? Esme? Where are they Edward!" I was growing hysterical, imagining horrible possibilities. What if we had missed one? What if we had failed in protecting them? What prices did we pay? I had been no use after I was knocked out. I had spent so much time shielding everyone, I was no good. My body became normal again as the pain disappeared, being replaced fully by dread and mind numbing terror.

"They're alright," Edward tried to soothe me again, taking a step towards me, "Emmett was bitten, but he should be coming out of it soon. Alice already saw it. The pack is fine. Each of them are alive and well. Nessie and the babies are fine. We succeeded. We wouldn't have if it wasn't for you." I scoffed, glad I was returning to my vampire like self so I could compute this all quickly.

"We did it?" I felt a little calmer. I wouldn't feel better until I saw everyone. I needed tangible proof. Edward's face fell slightly.

"But," he began. Every piece of calm that I had found, escaped in an instant.

"But," I trailed off, urging him to continue.

"Seth, he, uh," Edward couldn't continue, his body starting to shake, "God, Bella, he doesn't look good." I felt my knees buckle and my unneeded breathing cease.

"Does Ness know?" Edward nodded. "Then let's go. She needs us." Edward wanted to fight me. I know he wanted to tell me to get back in the bed and take it easy. He could never shed his protectiveness. I couldn't do that. When you become a mother, you cease to be important. No matter how old your child gets, they become the top priority. Edward led me down the hall to the hospital room. I hated this room. The smell made me want to throw up, and the memories hurt me, no matter how faint and repressed they may be.

"Oh God," I gasped breathlessly. The smell of cleaner, bleach, and Seth scoured my nose, almost making me dizzy. The faint beeping was the only noise I noticed as it accompanied the puff of the respirator. I couldn't move from the spot my feet suddenly became rooted to. The scene before me was out of a horror show.

Seth laid motionless on the bed. He looked as if her were dead. I shuddered at the thought. The beeping was the only thing that assured me he was alive. His heartbeat was almost too faint for me to even hear. His sweat pants were torn, and barely hung on his body. Carlisle had his leg wrapped in a make shift cast, and elevated. His hip was wrapped in much the same manner. His torso was covered in bloody scratches and gashes. Bandages stuck to them with the deep brown liquid holding them in place. One arm was wrapped up like his leg. The other was bleeding horribly through the bandage. As Carlisle changed it, I noticed the shape of it and touched my own forearm. Seth was bitten. Not just once either, from the looks of it. The closer I looked the more I saw the faint crescent shaped outlines, all oozing blood slowly. I felt my breathing quicken as anger and hopelessness wretched my body. His face was unrecognizable almost. His head was wrapped up in white bandages. His hair flopped in a wet mass over his tightly shut eyes. His eyes were swollen shut, and his nose looked as if it were completely smashed, not just broken.

Nessie sat in a chair next to the bed, gently holding his free hand. Her eyes were swollen from crying, but not a tear fell anymore. It broke my heart to see my daughter so distraught. Pain was blatantly read in her face. Her hand was so small compared to his as she intertwined their fingers. I choked back a sob. Ness stared blankly at Seth's face. I would have given anything to know what she was thinking. But, from Edward's face, and how contorted it was, I was thankful I couldn't see.

"Why isn't he healing? Isn't he supposed to be a super human healer?" I finally found my voice to mutter my worry. Ness' head snapped to me. A painful smile slowly crossed her face. She was hugging me tightly just as quickly. I relished in seeing her again. My only fear had been leaving her and Edward, and now, being with them, I felt complete. If only I could say the same for her. Images from her mind raced through mine. I felt her hurt. It felt familiar, and hopeless, almost fearful in a way.

"I'm so glad you're here," she whispered, burying her head in my shoulder. I kissed her forehead and held in my sob of satisfaction. "I love you Mom."

"I love you Nessie," I whispered as she loosened her tight hold on me. She wiped her cheeks thoughtfully and the smile faded from her lips. She looked back at Seth and sighed.

"Bella, I'm glad you're alright," Carlisle nodded towards me. I managed a smile towards him.

"What's happening?" I asked again, sick of people avoiding questions. Ness shook her head, as if trying to shake away the devil himself.

"I'm not sure," Carlisle mused, checking over Seth once again and beginning to stitch up a few gashes on his chest. Ness cringed as the needle met skin. I hugged her tightly again, shielding her from the view. She pushed away, trying to gain some composure.

"I need to go check on the babies," she stated, matter of factly. She gazed back at Seth, guilt radiating from every glance. She moved to walk past, but I grabbed her.

"We'll go get them," I assured her. She looked at me dubiously. "We'll feed them and bring them back soon. He needs you." Seth gave me a simple squeeze and made her way back to her seat of vigilance.

I only heard her whisper quickly as she kissed Seth's hand, "And I knew that you were a truth I would rather lose, than to have never lain beside at all." I grasped my throat quickly, grabbing Edward's hand and going to find the children.

I wanted to take away her pain.

Not being able to do that made me feel as if I failed as a mother.

Ness POV

Seth didn't even look like himself.

Through all of the swelling and blood, I tried to see the man I loved. Maybe my mind refused to believe it was him; maybe I just didn't want to deal with the pain that came with the fact that he looked as if he got into a fight with a semi, and the semi won. Regardless of reasoning, I tried my hardest to have hope. I hoped that he would wake up, that he would heal, that his heart wouldn't stop. There were moments when it fluttered, almost as if teetering on the edge of desperation. The only part of his body that didn't look hurt was his hand, and I clutched it in mine tightly.

I was so relieved to see everyone else, safe and sound. Having my mother back made me hope that much more that Seth would be alright.

Not even four months ago, he was in my shoes, clutching to hope, and praying with every piece of him. He seemed so much farther gone than I was. I didn't notice the flutter of activity as people came and went over the next few hours. It wasn't until someone clicked on the lamp next to the bed that I even registered that day had once again seeped into night.

Pretending that I was hopeful was almost more torture than being left alone, staring at Seth's barely living body. As each visitor came and went, I became more and more despondent. They would come in, shyly at first. I would hug them, thankful that at least they were safe, and feel so blessed that they fought for me and my family. They would try to tell me something about Seth getting better; 'he's strong, he'll come out of it', 'he can't leave', 'he loves you too much', 'it'll be alright'. I would slump in the ever present chair and once again grab Seth's frail hand, and wait for them to creep out of the room before sobs would once again reach my throat. By the third or fourth visitor, I had no more tears left. My body just shook and shook, as if I were laughing.

"Hey," A familiar voice oozed from the doorway. I didn't bother looking as Aunt Rose walked in. She pulled up a chair and sat next to me.

"I don't want to talk," I muttered, surprised by how horrible my voice sounded as it faltered from my throat.

"I didn't come to talk," she murmured. I looked at her, dumbfounded and surprised. She had a solemn look on her face. My daughter was in her arms, sleeping soundly.

"We came to just sit with you," my mother's voice confirmed as she sat down, holding Connor. I didn't have the energy to smile, but instead just nodded, beaming at my children. They both slept on, dreaming simple things, in perfect worlds, unaware that their father was hanging on by a thread.

It wasn't until their was a commotion around me, a flurry of motion, a blur of life, that I woke up from sleeping on the side of the bed. I hadn't even realized I had fallen asleep. I looked around, unable to find Mom or Aunt Rosalie. I could hear Abby crying. Grandpa and Dad pushed past me as a respirator stopped puffing and the steady beeps turned into one long one.

Whose going to watch you die?

________________________________________

So,

Sorry for the double update thing, but as soon as I posted this chapter, I got an email...

"Everybody's Darling" was nominated for the Indie Twific Awards too!!!!

Its up for:

Best Canon WIP
Best Characterizations (non Edward/Bella) WIP
Best non ExB Story Line WIP
Best Secondary Story Line WIP

Thanks to whomever nominated my stories, its really an honor.

I'm just dumbstruck that someone did that. Honestly. Its warmed my heart.

I just found out that my other story, "Such a Simple Fool" is nominated for the indie twilight fan fiction awards.

It's up for:

Best Use of Music as Inspiration WIP

Most Original Story Line WIP

Most Romantic Moment WIP

You can learn more about the nomination at theindietwificawards dot com.

so,

go check out my story!

and vote when voting opens!

even if its not for me.