Chapter Info

Title: It's time to take a chance.

Number: 18/?

Warnings: Language, angst.

Author's Note: I'm amused at how you all predicted the Leah imprint, and I'm glad you're all happy with it.
Anyways please do check out my new story Wild Hearts… I have quite a few chapters pre-written of that, so updates will be frequent. And trust me, there is lots of juicy angst planned. It's also the story I'm probably going to work on more at the moment as my ideas are just so fresh.

- ʚɞ - ʚɞ - ʚɞ -

- La Push, Washington -

- Noelle -

She grumbles as she walks up the path leading to the small blue house in front of her, her eyes racking over the clapboard house with a small smile. She had no idea what was awaiting her inside, or if the owner of the said house was even home. But she was willing to take a risk, after all it was one of the reasons she'd dragged herself out of bed after only three hours of sleep. She was bone tired but this was a conversation that needed to be had, it had too. For everyone involved to move forward.

Stopping outside the door, she juggles the coffees and baked treats in her hand before knocking once, her teeth sinking into the flesh of her bottom lip as she waits. She could hear small howls in the distance and knew Jared was no doubt passing along the message that Noelle was in La Push, she'd seen him after she'd crossed the treaty line and had been the one she questioned as to where Leah was.

She had voiced her words carefully to Jared, making sure to give nothing away of her true intentions. Instead, she'd simply said she needed a woman's input on what was happening with the state of her love life. She hadn't cared if Jared believed her or not. She had gotten good at lying and it showed as he'd told her the directions to Leah's and took off into the woods. Questions could come later.

A movement behind the wooden door draws her attention back forward and she grins a saccharine smile as she holds up the goods in her hand towards the Quileute woman. A pleading look entering hazel eyes.

" I come bearing gifts of coffee and sugary baked goodness. " if all else fails, try bribery.

A sharp roll of brown eyes is Leah's only answer as she moves out the way allowing Noelle in, the shorter woman moving slowly and showing the ridges of tiredness that still clung to her. Stumbling lightly she makes her way towards the kitchen, setting down the coffee and treats with far more careful hands than she felt she had as she turns to stare at the woman who had once been like an older sister.

" I know what happened outside the hospital – " well, that was straight to the point. " So I believe me and you need to have a chat. "

Holding her hand up to silence any retort Leah had planned, she settles into one of the two chairs framing the small table, her deft hands reaching out for the coffee that was hers. Taking a sip of the still scolding liquid she turns her hazel eyes on the other. It was easy to see the unease that bled from Leah, the way she shuffled from one foot to another as though she was expecting the worst outcome of this conversation. As though she was expecting Noelle to be the second Uley to break her.

It was honestly heartbreaking - to see that even after six years - the damage of the imprint was still fresh for Leah. No doubt becoming part of the pack and having to relieve it had done far more than anyone had predicted. Noelle had heard the rumors, of how much of a bitch Leah had become but she found she didn't blame her. She would have done the same.

" Daryl and I are no longer together. " She states finitely, continuing her straight to the point way of talking. " We mutually decided to return to being friends. So first things first, this will not be another Sam and Emily situation. "

She visually watches the tension bleed from the she-wolf, a look of relief blooming over her features that in the fledging sunlight looked inexplicably beautiful in a harsh and otherworldly way. Leah's body relaxes it's previous taut and wooden posture as she strolls over to the table dropping down into the seat opposite Noelle. Tall, lithe body congealing to the sitting position in a way that had a string of jealousy rushing through Noelle's veins.

" Thank fuck for that – " Leah growls softly as she reaches for the baked goodies, nimble fingers pulling free one of the brownies.

Noelle chuckles softly as she shrugs in concealed humor. Mirth danced freely in her hazel eyes as she leans her tired frame back in the chair. Her long legs stretching out before her as she thinks over how best to go about the conversation she had planned. On the way over she'd run different scenarios in her head, but she was still unsure as to what plan to take. All she knew was that she was determined to help.

" Look I know my brother tore your heart out Lee. " she sighs " But I can promise on everything I hold dear, that's not who Daryl is. "

She knew Leah wouldn't believe her, not straight away. So darting her tongue out to wet her drying lips she decides to just start at the beginning.

" I met Daryl not long after I moved to Boston. I was a god damn wreck, I spent weeks crying over my brother and over Paul. And Daryl became a slow and steady friend. He showed me around the city, offered me his friendship even when I was slowly falling apart inside. He offered it, not even caring if I couldn't return it. "

She curses softly, as once more she's reminded that she doesn't deserve him. Even as friends.

" I spent the first two years or so in Boston just randomly sleeping with guys and dating some total fucking losers. But through it all I had Daryl. He'd come over to my dorm and simply help me with my work, or just to watch movies. He literally became my best friend ! " she can see Leah smiling despite herself and Noelle fights to hide her own.

" I didn't realize then, but I was slowly falling for him. He was working his way under all my walls. And well he was a stark opposite of Paul. Which was what I wanted. "

She sighs as her eyes look around the small room they were sitting in, her fingers idly tracing the plastic rim of the coffee in her hand. She was still working out how she was going to word what she wanted to say. Taking a trip down memory lane was not her plan, but here she was.

" Daryl is one of the rare ones Leah. He gives himself completely to any situation, he loves without equal and he is severely understanding. He knew I still loved someone else, that my heart had never been his wholly, and yet he loved me either way. "

Hazel eyes watch every flickering emotion as it crosses over Leah's face, the way the she-wolf was absorbing every word that Noelle was speaking as though it was a life-raft. As though every decision she was about to make all rested on what she learned at this moment. And as she sat there, she knew that Daryl would be perfect for Leah. He would be able to repair the damage that had been done by Sam, and it was something the she-wolf needed.

He had fixed her, so he could fix Leah.

" I know my brother hurt you in ways I'll never truly understand. No one in their right mind would, but don't turn away from Daryl because of it. " she murmurs softly. " There is a reason he was made for you Leah, a reason I had always felt like bringing him home was the best decision we'd made. It was because I had to bring him home to you. "

Bringing the now tepid coffee to her lips, she takes a large gulp as she lets the words settle in between the two of them. It was something she had been thinking on since she saw the imprinting, her and Daryl were two puzzle pieces who didn't go together, they'd spent too long trying to force it. But now, now she understood the reason she'd been so compelled to return. She had a true reason to bring Daryl home.

She'd never been someone who believed in fate before, she'd always dismissed it as weepy-eyed bullshit that people spouted as an excuse for the shit they pulled. But since she'd learned that her life had been forever tied to the supernatural, now she was second-guessing everything. Whilst she still thinks fate is broken in saying Paul was her forever, she did truly think fate got it right with Leah and Daryl.

Hazel eyes are inquisitive as she waits, letting the silence drench into her skin as she gives Leah the space to think. She knew that pushing Leah would result in her taking off running in the opposite direction. It was why she hadn't told anyone yet about the imprint, hadn't told Sam, even Jared had shared that no one knew what was bugging Leah and that she was just in a mood.

" I'm scared, Elle ! "

Leah's words drag her attention back and she smiles softly.

" Scared of what exactly. The imprint or opening your heart again ? " she prods gently.

" I – " Teeth sinks into her lips and Leah sighs softly. " I'm scared of both of those Elle, my life had been tarnished by an imprint once, even yours had been torn apart by it. And here we are, both fighting what has happened to us for fear of opening our hearts to that pain again. Don't deny it Elle, I know it's why you've said friends only with Paul, you're scared of giving him that power over you again. And truthfully, I'm scared of giving that to Daryl. "

It was hard to hear the words rapped in honeyed bass drifting between them, the words she had been denying to herself since she learned about the imprint. But that was the power of Leah, she understood the torment that Noelle hid, having lived it too. And here they were both sat, broken and scared to love. Love had broken them both and it was the true thing that they were running from.

Shifting from the chair, she walks over to Leah and pulls her in for a hug. Given Leah's height advantage there wasn't much difference between them even sitting down. Leah's head rested softly on her shoulder as she runs her fingers through the jagged locks of black, her motions soft despite how tired she was. All she cared for was offering the other comfort, and maybe some of it was for herself.

" How about we make a deal – " she murmurs as she pulls back to look deep in Leah's brown eyes, fingers coming up to wipe away the wayward tears cutting a path down golden skin.

" What deal ? " the hope in Leah's eyes was comforting, despite the pain she knew the other was feeling.

" I will bring Daryl with me to the bonfire next week. Take the time to get to know him, no expectations, no promises of friendship, or love. Just get to know him – " she vows.

Leah's attention was firmly locked on her once more, once more holding onto every word she spoke.

" And we promise each other here and now. That we turn to each other as we navigate this rocky path we walk. You help me with Paul and I help you with Daryl. Whenever either of us feels lost or feels like we're drowning in the pain we hide - we find each other. We find each other and put each other back together. "

Leah smiles the first genuine smile Noelle has seen since she walked in and as heated arms pull her closer she chuckles softly. Her head falling onto Leah's shoulder as they embrace the strength of each other. Of the knowledge that they were the only two people who truly understood what the other was thinking and feeling. They didn't need to voice the agreement to the vow, the hug spoke volumes for them both.

" Us girls have got to stick together. " Leah whispers in her ear and Noelle smiles as rich chocolate chuckles fall off her lips.

" True. Plus I can always use you to punch Paul for me so I don't end up with another broken hand. "

Their laughter is rich as they move apart, Noelle settling back into the chair she previously occupied as she drinks down the tepid coffee, allowing the caffeine to fuel her tired bones. Now that the stress had passed, she can feel it seeping back into her.

" I'll make sure to show that to Paul when we're on patrol so he's highly warned – " a wink accompanying the end has Noelle smirking.

" Carry on like that, and I might just persuade you to run away with me. We'll choose each other instead of the boys. "

" Oh don't tempt me. You know I have a weakness for Uley's. " Words said fluently as Leah pops another piece of brownie between pink lips.

Their laughter is rich and decadent as Noelle's roll off her lips like honey, mixing together to create a delicious mix of humor and ease. The stress of their previous conversation having disappeared like dust in the wind and yet it was settled in their bones, the foundation to which they built their current laughter. Thoughts they'd linger and obsess over later and instead they simpled relished in the ease of laughter.

" Also, just so it's out there. Daryl is a fucking monster in the sack. I wasn't lying when I said he outdid Paul. "

Okay so it was slightly unfair, six years had passed so she had no idea if that statement was still true. But from her memories it was. And as Leah chokes on her breathe, collapsing to her knees on the linoleum floor as she works to cough and laugh at the same time. Noelle finds herself smirking, a smirk that she had learned from Paul so long ago.

She could already tell that Leah would be sharing that knowledge through the pack mind as well, relishing in the torment it would no doubt do to Paul. And yet she couldn't bring herself to care, if it gave Leah a moment of happiness then she'd let it fester. Even if she knew she would pay for it when Paul found her again. Or maybe it was why she was doing it, some sick part of her wanting him to correct it, to take back his title as her best lay. She had no idea why she was so determined for that bit, or maybe she was just curious as to see what he would do. Her curiosity no doubt spurning on her actions.

" He's going to fucking kill you if he sees that in my head. " words choked on laughter as Leah finally regains her composure.

" Maybe that's why I'm doing it. I know better than most what happens when you challenge Paul's ego. "

If someone had asked her if she expected the conversation to go this way - she would have outright denied it. And yet hearing the pure laughter that was settling both from her lips and Leahs, it was worth it. When she had first dragged herself from her sleep she had no idea how the conversation would go, she had pictured many different ways she'd end up being thrown out with harsh words, and yet it had gone in a direction she hadn't truly predicted. Hoped for, but hadn't predicted.

" You know for all his wrongdoings Elle, Paul does love you. I remember Jacob saying to him once that Paul had found the true meaning of the imprint. He managed to let you go because it was what you needed, what he knew you needed. And yeah since then he's slept with every willing person he found, but he loves you. "

He fingers idly twirl the now empty coffee cup as she sighs, she should have known that Leah would take the opportunity to turn the conversation towards the other imprint settled between them. She didn't want to hear it, but she had forced Leah to listen so maybe it was only fair.

" I know he does Leah. But he took my choices from me, he made one that caused us to live in pain for six years. And how am I supposed to trust him, trust that should we come up against that again that he won't make another choice like that. Force me to live with a situation he controls without any input on my life. "

Fingers tightening around the cup as the sound of it rendering to nothing rattles around the room. Her true fear on the table before her. Leah doesn't answer and Noelle doesn't blame her, there was nothing to stay to that, as she knew Paul would wax poetry if it helped persuade her that he wouldn't do it. But there was no words for that anymore, all that Paul could do was prove it with actions.

It was up to the wolf to win her heart and prove that he wouldn't hurt her again.

" Hey, why don't you go to the guest room and get some sleep. I've watched you yawn five times in the last ten minutes " Leah says gently, a heated hand coming to rest on her shoulder. " You've got a shift tonight and I won't be the one to blame for you falling asleep during it. "

She blinks at Leah, not even realizing she'd been yawning, and yet now it was mentioned she could feel the ache in her jaw. An argument settles on the tip of her tongue but as Leah levels her with a pointed look she sighs her submission, nodding solemnly she allows the wolf to guide her to the other room. Sleep was actually something she wanted so she didn't care that she had just bowed to the other. Rather she was enjoying the potential of getting a few more hours of bliss.

" I've got patrol in a few hours. So I'll make sure there's a wolf to take you home when you wake up. And don't forget you will be watched tonight. "

" How could I forget my babysitters – " she grumbles as she falls face-first onto the bed. " Who is it tonight ? "

Her voice muffled by the sheets but she clearly hears Leah say it was Paul that was babysitting tonight. Yet before she can comment, sleep claims her once more, lost in the sheets of Leah's spare room.

- ʚɞ - ʚɞ - ʚɞ -

A / N : Reviews are love and highly appreciated. Please and thank you- so did you enjoy this ?. Did you like Noelle playing matchmaker?. Trying to fix everyone else's love lives minus her own.

Anyways don't forget to check out Wild Hearts and join Skylar on her quest to love and angst with Paul along for the ride.