All characters that are from the TWILIGHT saga by Stephanie Meyer belong to Stephanie Meyer. All others belong to me. I do not receive profit for these stories except for the joyous enjoyment of reviews.

This story follows right after When I'm Gone: Third Installment to GONE Saga, so if you haven't read that one or the two before, please do so.

The timeline of the story will coincide with Gabriel Michael Laskaris' growing up years, starting at Seth and Rosa's wedding day, April 12th and will progress from there.

AN: Apologies. Many, many apologies. Life has been crazy since last I posted (July). We've had events at church, work nights at the hospital, and little brother is officially home out of the ARMY. I have been lacking inspiration but I finally buckled down and finished this chapter and the ninth chapter of my BONES story. If you are a BONES fan, you should pick up my story, TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.

Anyway, lots of reviews get me excited and inspired...although with the coming holidays and starting a new business, my time is even more limited. I will endeavor to do the best I can. I won't give up!

Enjoy as you read and please remember to drop some reviews...tons of them, actually.

Chapter Ninety-Five (17 yrs old)

January 14th
La Push, WA

"I need your help."

There were a few seconds of silence before she answered, "Is it personal or pack related?"

Tilting his head, he thought about it for a bit, "It sort of overlaps."

"Why are you asking me?"

"Because you're female." He cocked an eyebrow, smirking slightly at her narrow-eyed reply, "Seriously? Because I'm female?"

"I'm thinking we've been going the wrong way about catching the leech," he leaned back against the railing, crossing his arms over his broad chest as she tilted her head, squinting at him, "What do you mean? And what does it have to do with me being female?"

"Well," crossing his ankles, he moved his jaw from side to side as he thought over the idea he'd been mulling in his head for the past week or so, "Why did the leech come after us?"

Rolling her eyes, she propped her butt against the wall behind her, the breeze ruffling her chin-length dark hair, "For revenge."

"Right," he uncrossed his arms, gripping the redwood railing he was leaning against, "Because we destroyed her mate."

Staring at him, she knew he was going somewhere and not merely pointing out the obvious –when it came to Zak, there was always a point to everything he said, considering he only spoke when necessary, "Yes."

"She reacted the way a woman would, not as a vampire," he lifted an eyebrow as she let out a scoff, "What would you do if someone came after Brady?"

"I'd go psycho killer bitch on their ass," she pursed her lips as she realized what she'd said without thinking, "I see what you mean, but, being she's already a psycho killer bitch, how would her reaction be any different from a vampire's?"

"A vampire only cares about blood," he cocked his head to the side, reaching back to scratch at an itch between his shoulder blades, "Finding the best hunting grounds would be its main interest. Considering the way the leech killed Megan, without biting her, she wasn't thinking as a vampire, but as a woman."

"She was setting Gabe up," lifting her sandaled foot, she propped it up against the wall behind her, running her fingers through her dark hair, "Too bad she didn't think it through and had the male vampire do it –the hand prints around Megan's throat were too small to be Gabe's."

"And, once again, she didn't act like a vampire. She's making mistakes that would have otherwise been avoided had she been thinking with clear logic. Instead, her need for revenge is clouding her thoughts and affecting her actions."

Nodding, she let her eyes wander to the street where some of the neighborhood kids were riding their bikes and skateboards, "I hear you. I've actually been thinking on something she said to Gabe on that video…I'll ask Gabe for a pack meeting as soon as I come up with a plan, okay?'

"Good," he gave her a nod, pushing away from the railing and heading down the porch steps, "See you for patrols tonight."


February 3rd

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The music was hot and heavy, the only two dancers on the stage moving in perfect rhythm as the spotlight followed their every step.

Standing in the shadows of the left side wing, Vivi watched as Thalia and Lucca worked on the choreography they'd been given by Lia. There was a new interpretive dance performance in the works, with Lia choreographing and using all the dancers. It was an interesting piece loosely based on the first three chapters of the book of Genesis, with a lot of artistic license being taken. While Lia had grudgingly given Vivi the role of Eve –the woman still didn't like her and Vivi had long stopped caring on how others felt about her –Thalia had been picked for the role of the serpent, which had more depth and versatility than Vivi's own role, something that was really pissing her off with every practice they had.

Lucca, as Adam, moved his hands down the sides of Thalia's body, resting lightly on her hips before pulling her into him as she slid her hands up his chest and around his neck, lifting her right leg up the side of his until she stood on the toes of her left foot, their bodies pressed from chest to hips in a show of lust and forbidden intimacy.

Flicking her gaze down to her watch, she smirked before looking across the stage, focusing on the two of them; picking up the lust and desire Lucca was feeling, Vivi slowly amplified those feelings, pulling at them to wrap around Thalia, a sticky web spun around her prey.

It was too bad Lia had left; the shit fest about to take place would have certainly knocked Thalia off her fucking high horse. Glancing at her watch again, she smiled as the sound of the back door opening carried across the darkened theater. She loved how punctual Marc was; it definitely made it easier when planning, and now it was time to put it all in motion.

"What the fuck is this?"

Thalia stepped away from Lucca, her cropped cotton top sticking to her skin, the perspiration heavy due, not only to the physical exertion of dancing, but the hot spotlights lighting up the center of the stage where they stood, "We're rehearsing."

Marc moved up the steps to the side of the stage, a glower on his face as he glared at Lucca, "From where I'm standing, it looked like this guy had his hands all over you and you sure as fuck were enjoying it."

Thalia's face flushed, her chest rising as she tried to keep herself from snapping at him, "This is my job, Marc. I'm a dancer…and you can't just come in here, acting like some…idiota ciumento!"

Leaning against the wall, she watched as Marc shoved a hand into his hair; jaw tight with the obvious struggle in getting his jealous anger under control. Carefully, she plucked the strings of his emotions, delicately building his jealousy, enjoying the way his anger rose along with it, a smile spreading across her face as she watched the results of the symphony of emotions she was conducting.

Fisting his hands, he whirled around to where Lucca was still standing, "What the fuck are you still doing here?"

"Seriously, Marc," Thalia moved to intercept Marc as he moved towards her dance partner, "You need to get yourself under control. We were just rehearsing, that's all. There's no reason whatsoever for you to be jealous."

"Really?" Marc's dark brown eyes glittered with the anger inside him, his heart beating like hollow drums, steadily increasing until he couldn't think beyond the feelings churning within him, "Because I can smell you…you smell like a bitch in heat, Thalia."

The sound of Thalia's hand connecting with Marc's cheek echoed throughout the auditorium; Vivi bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud. Pulling her emotions out of the situation, she turned and walked away, whistling in satisfaction as soon as she made it past the dressing rooms.

Letting out a soft chuckle, she hitched her gym bag higher up her shoulder, her smile turning into a grin as she turned the corner and saw Carolina, one of the chorus dancers, heading her way, "Como vai isso, Carolina?"

Caro, as she preferred being called, stopped mid-stepped, "Hey, Vivi...you're looking mighty pleased with yourself."

Her smile grew as she tilted her head to the side in contemplation, "I suppose I am."

"What's got you so happy?"

"I've been working on a personal project of sorts," Vivi's smile grew until her teeth, white and perfectly straight, sparkled under the bright lighting in the hallway, "Just initiated the first phase, and I must say it went better than I thought it would."

"Well, good for you."

Walking past her fellow dancer, Vivi couldn't hold back the full bodied shiver of satisfaction, "Good for me, indeed."


February 9th

Seattle, WA

Setting aside the packing tape, he made sure the box was secured and labeled before stacking it with the others. Looking around the living room, he let out a sigh of relief to see he had finished packing the last of his belongings.

It was a bittersweet decision for him –this had been his first apartment after graduating college and getting a job with one of the top sustainable energy companies in Seattle. He had moved quickly up the ladder the first three years, and through further schooling and experience, was becoming one of the leading experts in sustainable green energy.

Despite the increase in salary with every promotion he'd earned, he had kept this little two bedroom apartment near Pike Market, enjoying the easy accessibility he had to all the city had to offer. Not to mention, this was the apartment he had brought his imprint to, where he'd given her his virgnity and been gifted with hers.

Stretching his arms over his head, he moved across the redwood floor, which he'd installed to replace dingy carpet and yellowing linoleum, stepping out into the small terrace where he kept a tiny patio table and a chair, flower boxes secured around the wrought iron railing. He had left the glass doors leading to the terrace open, enjoying the wet breeze and fresh scent of incoming rain as he worked on packing up the living room and kitchen; now, he stood out there enjoying the view as the sun set behind the city skyline, spilling warm colors across an otherwise grey sky.

As he breathed in the fresh rain scented air, he wondered what it would be like to live in a concrete city like Chicago. It wasn't his first choice for a place to move to, but since it was where she was moving to for the purpose of furthering her dance career, he was keeping his promise and following one step behind her.

The last time he'd been with her –the hospital room where she'd been recuperating from emergency surgery after an ectopic pregnancy had caused one of her fallopian tubes to rupture –had been almost six months ago. Since then, he'd kept his distance, letting her live the life her father wanted for her. He'd watched as she slowly regained her sparkle, her beautiful smile coming out more often, leaving him to carry the sadness and lonelines for both of them.

Without her knowing, he kept to the shadows of her life, watching her live, laugh, dance and perhaps even love. He watched as she flourished as a dancer, as she gained experience as a choreographer. He was there for every one of her performances, from opening night to the last showing. He was so proud of her, watching her grow into a beautiful and confident woman, able to stand on her own two feet without any need for validation from others. She gave herself over to her vocation, heart and soul, and he enjoyed being witness to it all.

As for his own life, despite all the good things happening, there was no joy for him, for he wasn't able to share it with her. Instead, he just lived each day at a time, the morning and night texts he received making it possible for him to continue breathing and moving through his day with some sort of purpose. It wasn't all lost –he knew the time apart was running its course, knew fate would someday bring them back together...he just didn't know when.

The ding of an incoming text snapped him out of his revere as he turned back into his small apartment, finding his cell phone on the smooth concrete countertop he had chosen to replace the chipped tiled one. Swipping his thumb over the screen, he smiled at the text she'd sent him.

I love you

He smiled as he responded in kind, his heart skipping a beat at her quick reply to his own declaration.

I miss you

Looking around his apartment, eyes momentarily resting on the empty shelves, empty walls, packed boxes, he let out a soft sigh as he turned his attention back to his phone, his thumbs flying over the screen.

Always a step behind you, Monika

Nika smiled at his text, her thumb hovering over the screen to reply but the sound of her dance partner calling out to her had her setting the phone to the side. Moving down the aisle of the theater she had performed and choreographed at for the past two years, she reached up to grab Dave's offered hands, letting him pull her up onto the stage.

"Alright, babe," Dave ran to the far edge of the stage, playing with the docking station they had there, "Let's pick up where we left off last time."

Grinning at him as he froze into his starting pose, she shifted on the high heels she was wearing, the soft fabric of the light skirt she wore brushing over her thighs. For the last three months, Dave had been expanding her dance repertoire, teaching her the different aspects of ballroom dancing, something she felt would help her gain the versatility a choreographer should have.

Since being partnered with Dave, Nika was discovering so many things about herself, about her dreams and her passion for dance. Now, they were both getting ready to relocate to Chicago, where they would not only be one of the primary dancers at the Chicago Dance Company, but she will get to start choreographing with the chorus dancers. Having worked with Denise, the main choreopgrapher at Pacific Northwest Ballet, for the past year, she was ready to spread her wings a bit, and she was very grateful she wasn't doing it on her own, but with Dave.

"Okay, baby girl," Dave called out to her just as the music started to play, a hip swinging song by Ricky Martin called Adios, "Show me what you've got, honey."

Going into the routine, her body moving fluidly as she swung her hips, shimmied her shoulders, and moved her arms and legs in the fluid and graceful motion she was becoming known for.

"Sexy as hell, sugar," Dave moved with her, their circle becoming smaller as they moved closer together. Settling his hand on her hip, he took her left hand with his free one and began to move her from side to side, their routine going into a bit of dance gymnastics, Dave laughing as Nika moved in a way he had only seen Latina women do, "You're fucking hot, Nika. You're going to set that stage at the CDC on fire, baby doll!"

Laughing, she lost herself in the fast and hot beat of the music, moving her body with his, the feel of the smooth stage under her heeled shoes fleeting, making her feel like she was flying. They worked the routine again and again, the sweat building and rolling down their slick skin as they moved with each other, feet intricately stepping in and out, hands sliding and gripping, arms spreading and wrapping, legs stretching and lifting.

So lost in the music and movement, she didn't hear her phone ping as another text came in. Instead, she kept dancing, her heart beating fast as she felt the joy that came with the freedom of dance.

On the other side of the city, Doug set his phone down when he didn't get a reply to his last text. Running his hands through his hair, he looked around his packed living room and kitchen, knowing his small office and bedroom were done so there was nothing to do for the rest of the night. Looking out the opened terrace doors, he closed his eyes and breathed in the air. Grabbing his phone and keys, he closed the terrace doors, then headed out of his apartment, making sure to lock the door behind him.

Once he was in the garage, he got into his car, a sleek black sports car he'd bought seven months ago with Monika at his side. She had loved the car, saying it was really sexy and totally him, whatever the hell that meant. Trying to drown out the mournful howling inside him, he cranked up his radio before tearing out of the underground garage, easily pulling into the street and getting on the main freeway, heading out of the city as he sought for some little bit of peace that may perhaps help him sleep this night.


March 3rd

La Push, WA

Zak closed the fridge, setting his bottled soda pop on the table before sitting down. Grabbing the roast beef sandwich he had made -with extra beef, cheddar cheese, banana peppers, and hot mustard -he tore into it, chewing as his taste buds exploded with delight at the amazing combination of flavors.

The ringing phone snapped him out of his current food euphoria. Setting the sandwich down, he looked out the back window then down the hall, making sure none of his brothers would come around and snatch his kick ass sandwich off his plate.

"H'llo," he tucked the phone between his ear and shoulder, opening the bottom cupboard and reaching to the back where mama hid his favorite bag of chips.

"What are you doing?"

Moving to sit back down, he tore the bag open and set it beside his plate, "Eating."

His best friend's laughter made him smile, her voice smooth and low as she teasingly replied, "Weren't you eating when you texted me two hours ago?"

"Yes," Zak bit into his sandwich, chewing a few times before swallowing, "That was elevenses, though. Now I'm having lunch."

He grinned as she laughed at the reference to one of her favorite books, The Hobbit, his chuckle getting lost as he bit into the crusty french bread, the delicious flavors making his eyes roll, his agreement muffled as Abby pointed out the obvious, "Sounds like it's a good lunch."

"The best," taking a few chips, he popped them into his mouth, his words not clear but having had practice, Abby had no problem understanding him, "What you doing?"

"Checking my gear," he could hear as she moved stuff around in the backround, "Daddy and I are going rock climbing this weekend. We're going to camp overnight then head up to Exit 38. We're going to do the Nevermind wall. You said you'd come with me next time I went climbing, remember?"

"Didn't mean it," Zak twisted his soda pop open, letting the fizz die down before taking a swig of the carbonated drink, "Especially when you're climbing a wall called Nevermind."

Laughing, she didn't take offense at him backing out, already knowing he wouldn't climb up thirty plus feet high walls anymore than she would stand on a surfboard and ride ten feet high waves out in the deep ocean, "We can do some indoor climbing."

"Sounds good," Zak bit into his sandwich, looking up as Gabe walked into the kitchen, Xavier beside him, "I'll go if you go wakeboarding with me."

Xavier climbed up on Zak's lap, the older boy easily keeping him in place, not saying anything as the six year old reached out to take some of his chips.

"I'll have to think on that...how about we do tubing?"

"Yeah, that sounds like fun," the sarcasm in Zak's voice had her giggling, the last of his sandwich taken by Avy as soon as he placed it on the plate to pick up his drink, "Sitting on inflated tubs out on still waters? Boring. Give me something to work with, Abby-girl."

"I'll agree on bodyboarding, but only if you do the thirty five foot rock wall."

"Not happening."

"Guess no bodyboarding."

"Guess not," Zak watched his little brother finish his sandwich, the enjoyment evident on his little face as he hummed his way through roast beef, cheddar, peppers and hot mustard, not to mention fresh french bread bought every morning from Aunt Emily's bakery, "We'll do something else."

"Sounds like a plan. Since I'm going to be there for Spring Break, we'll have plenty of time to find something to do that does not involve heights or deep water."

"Definitely," he looked up to see Gabe standing beside him, his own roast beef sandwich in one hand as he tipped his drink up to his lips with the other, "Gabe's here so talk to you later."

"Okay," Abby's smile could be felt through the phone, making Zak smile as she said good-bye, "Love you. Bye."

"Bye, Abby-girl," Zak grabbed the phone as he stretched his neck and finished his drink, "Love you too."

Pressing the OFF button, he set the hands-free phone on the table, managing to grab a couple more of his chips before Avy finished them off, "What's up?"

"How's your girlfriend doing?"

"Not my girlfriend," he gave Avy a cuddle before standing up, setting the boy on his chair then picking up his plate and the empty chips bag, "She's my best friend. Big dif."

"Ian doesn't think so."

"What does Ian have anything do with Abby and me?"

"Abby and I."

"The grammar police isn't here, Gabe," Zak tossed the empty bottle and bag in the trash, rinsing out the plate before placing it into the half full dishwasher.

"Sorry," Gabe grinned at the title most of them had given Emmie -one of many, really, considering the terrors referred to her as the mad scientist, Tyra occassionally called her a walking encyclopedia, and as for Emmie, she constantly corrected all of them and told them she was a genius and they needed to get it right or risk looking foolish, "Used to it."

Avy climbed down from the chair, giving Gabe's leg a hug before running back outside. Zak let out a sigh as the door slammed shut behind his little brother, "Did he just come inside to eat my food?"

Gabe tapped his nose, relishing the last bite of his roast beef and cheddar cheese sandwich -he had added dill pickles and horseradish to his, "He can smell food from miles away. I think we should teach him to hunt on the full moon nights. We can stock up ma's freezer with elk, moose, and deer."

Laughing, he wiped down the counter, placing the bread back into the bread box, knowing it would be gone by the end of the day, "So what's up? You had that Alpha look when you walked in."

"Bailey called a pack meeting."

Zak's head snapped up, blue eyes zeroing in on his older brother and Alpha, "Why?"

"She's found a way for us to flush out the vampire-bitch."