At some point I must have fell asleep because a bright light flashing in my face jolts me out of my sleep. My body leaps halfway up from whatever position I'm laying in before slowly laying back down, my eyes fluttering shut. Sleep feels so heavy, like I can't bother to fight it, but when another few flashes go off I manage to peel an eye open.

I squint at the harsh light in my face until it goes away and reality slowly sets in. Leah, Seth, and pretty much everyone else who was hunting and on patrol last night are standing before me, giggling and smiling down at me. I just don't comprehend why. I rub my knuckles over my eyes, trying to wake up further when I feel something rustle beneath my head. I glance behind me and realize my face is in Jake's lap. He's still passed out, but he's sitting up right with his head thrown back, mouth wide open.

I shake his arm and his neck goes flying upright as I startled him. "They're taking pictures." I mutter, my voice heavy with sleep.

"You guys just looked so cute." Esme's soft, motherly voice coos at us. "We had to capture it."

"It was repulsive, I'm gonna make some coffee." Leah mutters as she leaves the living room, bee lining towards the kitchen.

I groan, stretching out my legs which were curled up to fit on the couch which Jake was hogging up. I spent some time with Bella and Emmett watching TV before I went to work in Carlisle's office. I straightened up his paperwork, completed some notes that needed to get done, and properly documented Olivia's case. He keeps a personal file of all bites wounds or vampire attacks so we can study them and do our best to solve the case. Whether we're dealing with a serial killer vampire or a newborn, we need to figure it out.

I remember being pretty exhausted when I tried to straighten up the living room after Bella went up to bed, we had left a decent mess of food and blankets everywhere. At some point Jake joined me and we both agreed to stay awake until everyone was back, clearly that didn't work out.

A moment later the fog clears and I sit up, allowing for Jake to stand up and move. He yawns as he follows Leah towards the kitchen, also probably in search of the coffee. I sigh, laying back down flat this time, realizing how much my neck now hurts from laying in his legs. "What time is it?" I grumble to no one in particular, squinting as the lamps are still on. I realize it's still not quite light outside considering this house of windows isn't too bright.

"It's four in the morning." I hear Seth's voice, smooth like butter, just a few feet in front of me. "You must be exhausting." He says, taking a few steps closer so he's in my line of vision. He reaches over and grabs something from the back of the couch and then lays a knit blanket over my body, which I didn't even realize was chilly until now.

My chest feels full at the kindness. "Thank you." I whisper, my voice gentler now. "Did you just get back?"

He nods his head, taking a seat on the couch opposite of me. He looks like he's in one piece, no obvious scrapes or scratches on his exposed skin. He's still not wearing a t-shirt and his shorts lay low on his hips. His hairs a little messy, but otherwise he looks perfectly freshened up. "Yeah, you should have gone up to sleep." He points towards the stairs behind me. The Cullen's have plenty of guest rooms that are always prepared for us, one of which is practically Jake's bedroom, he's here so often.

I shrug a shoulder, pulling the blanket to tuck it until my chin. "We were trying to stay up until you guys got back to make sure everything went okay." He smiles sweetly back at me.

Leah barges in the room, a mug in her hand. "Let's get going I'm exhausting." She emphasizes, sounding cranky. I don't blame her, she just had an awfully long shift. The Cullen's must have needed more time on their hunt, pushing back patrol. I slowly rise from the couch, rubbing my hands over my eyes as I stand up. In a sleepy haze I collect my shoes, keys, and phone before marching out of the house behind Seth and Leah.

Leah offers to drive me back to my apartment, knowing I'm too exhausting to safely drive my own car back. I merely thank her, climbing into the back seat and lazily strapping myself in. Everything is draining the energy right out of me at this point. I need a boat load of sleep and then tons of coffee when I properly wake up.


I wake up again, this time feeling a lot more present. Light is streaming in the room and I feel awfully warm in my cozy bed. I keep my eyes shut as I roll over, snuggling my cheek against my pillow, letting out a yawn.

Instead of silence, as I suspected I'd be greeted with, I hear a raspy voice reply, "Your breath reeks."

I crack open an eye, feeling my heart race with worry until I realize it's Leah who's facing me. I'm not in my bed at all, I'm somehow in hers. I have absolutely no memory after tiredly climbing into her car last night and now I'm concerned how I got into her bed and what time it is. "Sorry." I grumble, my voice husky with sleep. "I guess I didn't brush my teeth last night." I groan, rolling onto my back.

"Yeah, you didn't get that far." She snorts, also rolling onto her back. I feel her stretch out her limbs, smacking her lips as she wakes up further. "You fell asleep in my car before we even got to your house and I felt bad waking you up so I drove you here. I tried to get your ass up but you wouldn't even open an eye so Seth carried you to my bed. Lazy ass." She huffs out a laugh.

I rub a hand over my face, trying to recall anything, but I don't. "Fuck I was seriously out, I don't remember that at all." I shake my head. I feel well rested and that pain in my neck has gone away thanks to Leah's comfy pillows. Her room has pretty much remained an image of how it was in high school. Her walls remain a blue/grey shade and the floor is a light grey hardwood. She has a multicolored rug in the center of the room with lights of bright colors. Her large bed, a king, is covered in a large white comforter with black polka dots covering it. She has the same stuffed turtle as she has held onto since she was a baby, always right next to her pillow. Her mirror which is connected to her long dresser is covered in pictures from high school and middle school, mostly of all of us. The ones of Sam are long gone. Her walls have old school rock posters covering them, concert tickets, and random momentum.

Some beach themed trinkets lay around the room, the largest one being a beautiful surf board that remains in the corner of the room, unless in use, with a red bikini hanging off of it. The room is typically always a little messy, mostly scattered clothes and empty water bottles. A few records are stacked on top of her dresser and beside the record player that sits on her night stand.

"It's okay, we were all exhausted last night." She offers, sitting up, glancing out the window. "Hungry?" She looks down at me, raising an eyebrow. Leah's always hungry, especially now with phasing. She can out eat most of the boys while remaining fit with an athletic build. Her short black hair has some gentle waves running through it, her natural hair type coming out as she's now cut it short and stopped using heat on it. A few freckles run along her nose and cheeks and her face has a natural dewy glow to it. A natural beauty.

I nod, heaving myself up and out of the bed. Cool air hits my body and I feel my nipples harden against what I now realize is an oversized t-shirt. "Who changed me?" I frown down at the unfamiliar clothes. I was wearing jeans when I left the Cullen's, I know that much.

"Oh Seth did, he told me to tell you your boobs are impressive." She says in the most serious tone. I look up at her to see her smirking, "Me, dumbass!"

I pout at her, "Aw you're so sweet." Sleeping in jeans would have been awful, I don't know how I did it earlier in the night. I take a look at myself in the mirror, making sure I look presentable. My long black hair is a little tussled from sleep and my eyes look a little puffy. I notice I haven't acquired all that much sun this summer compared to the last one. We hardly went to the beach, hardly had time to lay out in the sun. Life stopped being fun and easy.

I go through her pajama drawer and pull on a pair of shorts so I don't greet her family with my butt cheeks and follow her downstairs to the kitchen. The scent of coffee and syrup flood my nose, making my stomach grumble. Anytime I get to eat Sue's food it's a pleasure, it's been a while since I had her breakfast.

I find Sue at the sink, washing up her hands while Harry is seated at the kitchen table with a stack of pancakes piled on his plate. "Good morning girls." Sue smiles at us, "I didn't know you were here last night Gwen."

"Seth had to carry her in, she was passed out in my backseat." Leah collects a cup of coffee from her mom and walks it over to the table, greedily piling up her plate with food.

Sue pouts at me, walking over to wrap an arm over my shoulder. "I haven't seen you in too long Gwen, does the hospital have you super busy?" I squeeze her back before pulling away. Sue is about my height, naturally thin, and she keeps her hair long and often times loose down her back. Her nails are always painted perfectly and her smile is always vibrant, easy. She's a true beauty, just like Leah.

Nodding, I brush hair out of my face, moving towards the table. I can't deny myself Sue's food any longer. "Yeah, between the Cullen's and the hospital I'm pretty busy. I got to see Billy for a little bit the other day though."

"Oh that's nice, we've been meaning to invite him over for dinner." She smiles, leaning her forearms on the kitchen island as she sips her coffee. I grab myself two of the smaller pancakes, a few slices of bacon, and two slices of toast. Maybe half of what Leah has already eaten. "Did you see Rachel there too?"

I shake my head, pouring myself some orange juice. The Clearwater's are like a second family to me, there's not many boundaries in this household. If I asked Sue to eat she'd probably swat me and remind me never to ask again, that I'm always welcomed here for every meal and every nights sleep. It's how it is on the Res. It's the same with the Blacks and Ateara's. "No, I haven't seen her in a while actually."

Leah nods at that, "Yeah, I think she has a new boyfriend. I just don't know who."

Harry scoffs at us, like we're two gossips. "Why don't ya mind your business." He bites into his pancake.

"Oh shut up old man." Sue clicks her tongue at him. "Acting like you don't ask Seth about what everyone's up to." She shakes her head at her husband. Leah and I both laugh at them when the stairs creak. I glance over to see Seth is merely just a pair of tight grey briefs as he makes his way down the steps. His eyes land on me first and I see him pause on the last step, like he's debating joining us.

"Good morning honey." Sue greets him. That gets him moving again and he slowly makes his way towards us, although he stands awkwardly, his hands in front of him. His head is bowed, not glancing up. "What has you all shy for?" Sue frowns at him, noticing his posture too.

That gets Leah and Harry's attention as well and now we're all looking over at him. He gives his mom a look before he glances over at us. "Nothing, I just forgot we had a guest over. I should have gotten more dressed." He mutters to his mom, looking a little red in the face.

I shoot him a smile, the only thing I can think to do, before diverting my eyes.

"Really Seth because we're talking kind of loudly down here, I feel like it'd be tough not to notice. Ya know, being wolf and all." Harry comments dryly, pointing his fork in his sons direction. "Plus this is nearly the most clothing I've seen you in for breakfast in a while, surprised you didn't come down here with your butt out." Harry shrugs a shoulder before going back to his food.

Everyone in the pack teases Seth, but they're nothing compared to Harry. He has quite a dry sense of humor, he's not embarrassed to say a thing. He never means to humiliate anyone, but he does like to pick on people, get them red in the face. He's much like his friends, Billy and Old Quil. Three pains in the ass, if you ask me.

"Dad." Seth hisses through his teeth. "I'm groggy this morning, still pretty tired. I'm not paying much attention." He rambles off, as if he needs to explain himself. I see Harry's lips pull up, a face of success.

"Harry." Sue warns him, taking the seat beside Leah at the table. "Seth don't be shy, you and Gwen have seen each other naked more times than I could count." I'm not sure who's face gets redder, mine or Seth's. There's a silent pause before Sue continues, "No comments, I meant when you were babies. Just come sit and eat." She begins making herself a plate and I glance over to see Seth staring at the last chair at the table, the one beside me.

He sheepishly takes it, although he's scooted as far away from me as possible. Still, his heat seems to pour into my side, maybe I'm just imagining it, but I swear I can feel it. My appetite is gone, but I still force myself to eat. "So, what's everyone's plans for today?" Sue quips, trying to lighten the tension in the room.

"I'm due to pay Charlie a visit, see how he's holding up. I might swing by Billy's after that too." Harry fills the silence, smacking his lips as he eats. "Seth how's school treating you?" Seth just began his senior year about two weeks ago. I couldn't imagine being in school and having the stress of all this on top of it. My senior year was great, it was my last year of normalcy before everything went crazy. Football games, drinking at Quil's, homecoming and prom, it was a really fun year.

Seth lets out a breath. "It's tiring, but it's fine. My grades are fine."

"Your grades are always fine." Leah points out, which is true. Seth's always been the top of his class, he's brilliant. He could go far for college, or I should say could have. Now I'm not so sure what he'll do. How can you balance college and the pack?

"Maybe we can talk to the principal." Harry suggests, wiping his mouth. "Maybe lighten your class schedule a bit, make things a bit more manageable." Seth nods at that, looking interested.

Not long after breakfast I collect my things and have Leah take my to my car at the Cullen's. I feel filthy from not showering or brushing my teeth so I don't bother saying hello, I just focus on getting back to my place. After a hot shower and running through the motions of my typical morning routine my mind remains stuck on Billy's porch.

It was messy and unkept, despite him being a normal functioning adult. It gets me thinking what my father's porch may look like, what his house may look like. The guilt I've been burying seems to bubble up until I can't stop picturing it. Until I grab my keys and I'm driving my car to the edge of the Res where he resides. It's not my childhood home, it's not the cozy place I loved and cherished with a large backyard and a pretty white porch.

I drive through the section of the Res where Embry resides with his mom. The section is small and crowded by mobile homes with minimal space for cars to park or yards to play in, everyone's sort of on top of one another. The mobile homes are all unique in color, size, and shape. My father's is rather small and white with burgundy shutters and a plain natural wooden porch with three steps.

Nothing but heavy, dirty work boots sit on top of the stairs and the small section of grass that he can use is clear of anything, the grass must not have been cut in a few weeks as it's long. My stomach is twisted with dread and guilt as I park my car and heave myself out, staring at the entrance. He's lived in this trailer for about five years when he couldn't afford my childhood home anymore and sold it. I was devastated when I found out. The entire house was my mom's spirit.

She chose the colors of the walls, the colors of the wooden floors, the rugs, the furniture, all of it. Our family pictures were nailed into the wall, meant to be there forever. I swore the house still smelt of her, even though she passed when I was so young.

Then it was all packed up.

I ease a breath and push past every urge to leave, walking right up to the door with my shoulders back and my chin tilted up. I knock twice and pause, waiting. When he doesn't answer I knock again and then decide to just walk in. It's my father's house after all, it used to be mine too.

The smell isn't cozy or inviting like my childhood home. It smells of cigarette's and old beer, which is likely spilled and molding onto the awful seventies carpeting in here. I turn right to see him where I left him, in front of the TV. A beer in a hand, a tray of cigarette butts next to him on his coffee table. He sits with his feet up in the recliner, his head rested back.

I know he's awake before I even get closer. He hardly sleeps, no amount of sleep medicine seems to help him. He doesn't go to the doctor anymore, nor the psychiatrist. No one can help him until he'll help himself. "Gwen." Is all he says, his voice so husky and thick from smoking his lungs black.

"How are you?" I ask, my voice gentle and calm. I see a shoulder lift, that's all I get. The news is on TV, listing off this weeks weather forecast. As if it matters to him, as if he even bothers to go outside at all. The house doesn't look half bad, there's no garbage flooding the floors or empty beer cans around. It has a smell and it's not inviting, but it's not like I pictured it may be. Maybe he doesn't need me after all, maybe he's doing a little better lately.

"It's been a while." He mumbles after a step of silence between us. "You been good?"

I nod, but realize he isn't looking towards me. "I'm good." I loosen a breath, my shoulders relaxing a little bit. "I'm good, I'm just working a lot at the hospital."

"I hear things." He says, before having a coughing fit. "I hear things on the news about a lot of people going to that hospital. Are you safe?" Am I safe? If only he knew all the danger in the world, or should I say just this town alone. If it weren't that he hardly left this house or his job, I'd be scared for him, want to tell him. I doubt he'd believe me for a second, probably think I'm crazy. He'd ignore me, dismiss it. Go back to his TV.

"Of course." I say tightly, never wanting to worry him. "Always."

He hums, "And Billy? How's Billy?" I haven't heard him ask about Billy in years. Billy tried to be there for him, tried to help him stay sober so he could take care of me better. He tried to help him keep our house, tried to talk him out of leaving his old job when things were really rough. When Billy realized there was no more help to give my dad, he was then helping me. Making sure there was food in our fridge, making sure I had a place to stay when things were rocky.

Mostly my dad is a functioning drunk, but not always. He wasn't always so calm and he didn't always pass out when he was really far gone, some days were harder. Some nights were sleepless.

"Billy's doing good. He's keeping busy, so is Jake." Dad doesn't say anything. He just absorbs what I said and ignores the conversation any further. "I just wanted to come see how you were." I add in.

Still he's quite for a few moments and I don't think he'll reply. "I'm always fine." What a lie. What a big, fat lie.