The Lake Freezes

Thursday, September 1, 2005

Leah sat on the edge of Billy Black's couch, chin in her hands. Billy stared back at her. She didn't regret her conversation with Edward last night.

"Do you need me to go with you?" He spoke to her back as she rose from the sofa, sleep lines deep in her face and her muscles sore.

She sighed. "Better this way."

The heaviness went on too long, so she smiled, reminding him that there was a way she felt about the pack and her tribe and a way she felt about him, and the two simply couldn't mix without good reason.

He got the hint.

Only now she regretted that, alone and nervous, she was losing her conviction.

Billy set her sandwich in front of her. He waited until she took a few bites before he spoke. "I cannot help you."

Leah looked up at him. Billy's grave expression aged him. It worried her into rambling, "Billy, I've been locked out of the realm. I don't know what happened to the princess -"

"All their problems."

"I'm scared. I don't know what any of this means. But I fear I'm the one who has to fix it."

"Child, if that were the case, the path to do so would be clear, if not easy. As is," he enunciated, "you are cast out from their affairs and from their land. No matter what that Ella is up to, you're powerless to stop it."

"And what if her plan is to come after me? After our tribe?"

He shook a cigarette from his shirt pocket. "Only then should you and your pack brothers step in."

She scowled. Yes, she could not ask Billy or the pack to solve a case or fight a war that was hers, entirely. The mission had never ended. It only changed course. So long as the people she loved were threatened, it would never end for Leah.

Leah pushed away from the table. "I was wrong to ask this of you." She calmed her face. "And we've other resources to comb through."

The tribal elder raised a brow at the pronoun. "And your Cullen must not come here."

"I know that."

"Good."

Leah rolled her eyes. "I am not blind to the danger, Billy. But I know they aren't the cause of the shifting."

Billy started to say something, then changed his mind. His hands shook a little as he set down his teacup. "May I ask you something?"

She paused.

"Leah, did you ever consider that you're paying a price every time you leave your home?"

The question was worded oddly, but an answer rolled off her tongue. "I'm paying for it now."
The door burst open.

Rachel Black leaned against the doorframe shaking out her hair from her beanie. "Why's that weird dude on our doorstep?"

Leah bum-rushed her. "Rachel!"

Rachel staggered from her weight. "Wow! You've been bulking up."

"Shut up." Leah was so surprised she shook off the jab immediately. "You're back!"

Billy accepted his daughter with open arms, his eyes misty. "If I had known you were coming, we'd have a better celebration meal."

"Oh, Dad," Rachel smiled, kicking in her heavy duffel bag, "I'm not here to celebrate. I'm just here to see you and Jake."

Billy sharply exhaled. "Are there problems at school?"

"What? No." She grabbed her father's hand. "I just felt so bad about barely visiting over the summer because of that internship. So I worked ahead so I could visit for a week or two."

Leah coughed. "I need to get dinner together. I'll see you later, Rach."

Rachel's eyes held that same wisdom as her father's, but there was a change, a new light in her, an ease in her stiff manner. "Nice seeing you, Leah."

Above her head, Billy gave Leah a weighted look. Now two of his children were at risk of standing too close to the burning supernatural world. And if Leah was smart, she would put out those fires, not ignite those flames.

She just had different ideas of how to do that.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

By now, no one in northwest Washington really questioned the howls from La Push. They only wondered how the reservation was surviving the growing wolf population for over a year. Then again, the community had trudged on through worse battles, both recognized and obscure.

This morning was unusually quiet for the official members of the Quileute wolf pack were in human form, united, hovering over a maimed deer.

"This is bad," began Quil.

"Yeah, no shit," Leah replied. "Fucking terrible is more like it. At least."

"Show a little respect, guys, we're hovering over a dead body," muttered Embry, already backing away a bit. "Poor dude didn't know what hit him."

"Dude, you say it like he lost a foosball game." Jared's grin was edging towards crazed amusement.

"Yeah, the game of life," Paul said as quick and low as he could.

"Guys!" Sam hissed. "This is disturbing!"

All of them went silent again and though they did not look at each other, they felt the disgust and discomfort pass between them all.

Sam looked up and met Jared's eyes. Leah watched the understanding between them.

"No." She tried to swallow, but her throat was too dry. "Not them."

"Well how do you know?" Quil threw up his hands.

She couldn't avoid their piercing glares, ranging from concerned to furious. Nor could she blame them. "It's on our land. They wouldn't travel past the line, not even to hunt."

Paul nodded slowly, as did Embry. The others didn't look so convinced.

"And anyway, they...get rid of it afterward." She frowned. "And this guy is still alive."

Jared blinked. "What? His heart…"

"No, I've got something."

Quil shook his head. "Okaaay, I think I'm gonna head back in -"

"Stay," Sam ordered, earning a pout from the younger boy. "No one goes through these woods alone."

"All of you be quiet," Leah muttered. She closed her eyes and focused, spreading a hand across the fading warmth of the buck's flank. There it was -

The thud. Thud. Thud. Thud…

"There," she breathed. "Can't you hear?"

The heartbeat grew stronger until it rang in her head, shutting out all other noise.

"Can't you hear?" she repeated, but the words were dulled to her own ears. She could sense the panic setting in around her, though. Someone grabbed her shoulder and shook her.

'Stop.' A voice hummed at the edge of her awareness, but clear enough for her to latch onto it.

When she blinked her blurriness away, the pack was spread out, eyeing her cautiously.

And the doe was upright, nibbling at a spot of mushrooms.

Leah stumbled to her feet, afraid to get closer, afraid to run.

"Leah…" Sam reached for her, but she was quicker.

"Let's go home." Her voice sounded creepy and lifeless in the still air.

They did indeed head back as a unit, but her mind was far away, pinning her own picture to a mental investigation board.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

After a week, Edward still hadn't received an email response from Patrick. Usually, the young man responded within a day or two. Before he could overthink it, an unknown number sent him an address and a blunt explanation.

Genesis General Hospital was a good ways off from Forks. It gave Edward a few more minutes to fret and debate his choice. Never a good thing.

Against the off-white sheets, Patrick Masen looked paler than usual, with faint circles under his eyes. The two of them resembled each other more than ever. Edward nearly laughed at the cruel irony.

He approached cautiously, feeling the danger of being here, feeling like an intruder, too, especially when he saw two women standing over his bed.

"Edward, you made it," grinned Pat, as if they were all at some frivolous party. "You remember Ollie and Gracie."

"Olive Chen, nice to meet you," greeted Ollie, whose voice was a lot smoother when sober.

Gracie stuck out a hand, after a moment's hesitation. "Thank you for coming. Patrick's talked a lot about you."

Edward gave it the briefest of touches, allowing his preoccupation with their ill friend to cover him. "Likewise. I'm glad you contacted me."

Patrick playfully slammed a fist on the mattress. "Are you all gonna talk about me as if I'm already dead?"

"You're not dying," Olive insisted. She avoided Gracie's glare, already anticipating it. "This was the first time you collapsed after being diagnosed. The medication is working."

Gracie plopped into the nearest chair. She stared at Patrick, drumming up old memories.

'You've got to promise me that if I die, you'll use the money for your brothers.'

'What? No. What about Strawberry Moon's debut album? We've worked so hard for this!'

'It's mostly your work, Ollie. Just let it end here and move on.'

'You don't trust the band in my hands, do you?'

'What? That's not it! I want you to have insurance and a bank account above the double digits.'

'Huh. I guess I can't handle a lot on my plate without your help, can I?'

He turned away, but she glimpsed that moment of regret. "Don't bring your mental health into it."

She left the room, too angry to speak. He always did make her regret being selfless.

Patrick sat up at the proper time, shaking everyone from their musings. "Actually, I need to talk to you in private, Edward."

Arm in arm, the young women left the room, whispering. Hm, they were closer than either one let on or that was an unexpected show of support. Edward would have to make sure whatever tension remained between all of them did not harm Patrick.

The boy smiled. "I want you to do me a favor."

"What is it?"

"I need you to perform that song we wrote months back."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Now's the time. I have to kiss everyone I love goodbye."

"Oh. I guess that would be fine. Are you sure there isn't more room for me to help you?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Isn't there something you've always wanted to do, something on your bucket list?"

He looked at the hideous fluorescents, pretending to think deeply. "Thanks, man, but I'm pretty sure if I stand, all my organs will come falling out my ass."

Edward could picture it clearly and it chilled him. "Well then, is there anything you've always wished for?"

"Anything?"

"Anything."

For a second, Patrick's green eyes went wide, as if really considering the possibility. For what? To fix whatever was wrong with Gracie's life? To heal himself? Then he laughed. "I'm good, moneybags, I swear."

Edward felt unreasonably annoyed, but he would later try to figure out how to change his friend's mind and grant him his own wish. Someone better than him needed to have it.

When he got to his car, his phone rang in his pocket.

Leah did not spare time for a greeting. "Edward. I know how we'll find Echo."

Monday, September 12, 2005

The pair of them arrived at their lake before the sun did. For a long while, they stared into the depths. Leah leaned closer, her nose centimeters from the surface.

Edward tugged gently on her arm. "They are dangerous people, Leah. The fairy rebels are outsiders in their own world."

"So are you," Leah murmured into her fingertips.

He huffed. "Even if Echo managed to escape her attacker, she'd never go to them."

She saw through him. "Don't worry about me. I can do this."

"No, listen - " Edward took her face in his hands, his lovely eyes desperate. "I'm not sure if we can believe the truth we've been given. Think about it. Ella suddenly is afraid of the outside world? Unlikely."

Afraid of dangers or afraid of opposition? Because there was a clear difference. At a time where the realm most needed Leah, their Guardian, she was being shut out. As if everyone was a suspect or a threat to their safety. "Or…"

"Their stability. You didn't agree to stay and she tossed you out."

"Using Echo as an excuse." She shook her head, disgusted with the mere possibility. "Tacky."

"Who's to say the whole thing wasn't a sham in the first place?"

Leah mulled over it. Yeah, it wouldn't be beneath Ella to arrange a kidnapping. Was that even a vampire?

No, Leah knew it in her bones when she was faced with a Cold One. That much was clear. "Something isn't adding up."

Edward leaned back on his hands. "If Echo were here, she'd probably know what to do."

"Edward, she was already planning to leave," Leah said, just now remembering, her voice growing excited, "She was already planning to go. She must have left something behind, some kind of instruction."

He frowned, deep in thought. "She did say when I last saw her, that she was finding someone to help me with her research about the spell," he admitted.

Leah flopped back. "Ugh. Whoever that is, we'd have to break into the realm or wait for them to contact us."

"Where did she plan to go?"

"I don't know, but Troy was going to go with her. Wait. Do you think he's missing too?"

Edward flopped down next to her, ginger hair falling in his face. "It's the same problem."

"Oh, yeah. Okay, but what if we called his family or his mother's clan?"

"Dead mom, estranged father. Not too close with his mom's folks but the Troeon who raised him…"

"No way can we talk to them," Leah dismissed. "They know about Naomi."

"Ok, so? What are we supposed to do? She's kind of infamous with these people!"

"It's different. They're sort of allies, they kept an eye out for Naomi. Whatever Ella's cooking, they're not going to fight her. And they certainly wouldn't house a runaway princess."

"But who else?" Edward asked.

"Who else?" Leah wiped sweat from her brow. "I guess someone more powerful, if they agreed with Echo. Or really just wanted to stick it to Ella. Or someone playing a different game."

She brushed the dirt from her clothes, getting ready to leave. "I have to do this, Edward."

Already, she felt the walls they'd been building since she shifted. They were closing in. She expected him to storm off and go hunt.

Instead, his hands found her thighs, slid past her hips, to her waist. He knelt before her, hurt, yet hopeful.

"Red…"

"If you must risk your life, for the millionth time, my guardian, then let me go with you."

Leah and Edward cracked open a large textbook, one she had hauled from her bedroom closet in La Push all the way out here.

This was scary. She'd been all but barred from using spells as a fairy and most of them seemed to have practical benefits. There weren't really any "make the dishes do themselves" spells like Harry Potter. It was mainly controlling the elements and restoring withered plants and healing the earth. Selfless, goddess-of-nature stuff.

Supposedly, things got a little tricky with more advancement. That was one of the reasons the rebels had separated themselves. They wanted to do things just for the thrill of it. To shapeshift, to play tricks, to bend time.

To cross dimensions outside of the In-Between.

Edward gently prodded her forward. "It's time."

She reached behind her and squeezed his hand. "Okay."

"Wait." His honey-colored eyes burned into her.

"Yeah?"

He exhaled, smiling a little. "It's irrelevant."

She raised her hands and the lake rose in the air before falling on them, boxing them into a four-walled room completely made of water, including a floor and ceiling. Leah touched one and felt the cool wetness, but also the sturdy plane. It was the real thing.

Suddenly the box began to shrink. The two of them inched towards each other, Leah taking a deep breath, before the box surged back into the lake, pulling them along with it.

In the lake, Leah opened her eyes to see she was walking on the floor of the lake. Only...this couldn't be it. The surface was too far above their heads and everything was too polished and clean to be their lake back on the northwest coast - it was more like a pretty little underwater cave constructed at a water park. Shimmery shells and rocks clung to the walls. As her fingers brushed one, a voice called out.

"Careful. You'll send yourself back to your reality."

The buttery voice belonged to a pretty woman with short hair in a fluttery aqua gown. Her green eyes stretched too much across her face, appearing almost inhuman. She looked absolutely peaceful, as she were nothing more than a pillar.

"So we're in your reality?" Leah ventured.

Her mouth quirked. "More like the entrance."

"I didn't realize we'd be met with a gatekeeper."

"The entry-exit system is a little less protected than tree travel."

"So is this a new art?" Leah took a cautious step forward, hands relaxed. "I'd love to learn how you do it."

"It may be a little difficult for you." The gatekeeper inclined her head. "Who's the vampire?"

"A fellow...messenger. We need to speak with your leader."

The woman stared.

"Concerning Cosaint issues."

"Issues?" Her smooth skin creased.

Edward spoke. "We're representatives of the Cosaint clan. Kingdom-to-kingdom relations need to be discussed."

The woman rested a hand on her hip. "Honey, this ain't a kingdom. Head a little east if you want to make more crooked trades."

"Wait," Leah intervened. "We don't mean to swindle or steal from you. We need your help."

"I'm listening."

"The princess of the Cosaint realm…" She looked to Edward. They couldn't very well spread the word that the clan was so unstable Echo had been kidnapped. That would surely send Ella after them with a vengeance. "She is travelling and we were told to deliver something to her, only we have lost connection from our commander, so we cannot recall the route she took. Would you tell me if she showed up in your realm in the last few days?"

The gatekeeper whistled. "Hm. You do know I'm only here to guard the gate, right? Not some social climber who can be bought with a pretty necklace?"

"Of course."

"Then why won't you come out and just say what you mean. You don't have a clue where the girl is. She ran away and you jokers have to bring her back."

"That's…"

Edward nodded once. "Accurate."

Leah released the breath she'd been holding. Close enough to the truth to find answers, but it wouldn't incriminate them. She felt stupid for never thinking of it.

The gatekeeper gave a wicked grin. "Well, you ain't got to be shy. If she comes by, we won't bring any harm to her."

"Really?"

"So long as she pays her dues."

"What?!"

The woman was already walking away. "Look, kid, this is a place for survivors and if she wants to stay here, she's gonna have to work for it."

"For how long?"

"A useless, spoiled little princess who just couldn't possibly hack it in the castle? I'd say her whole life, just about."

"But, but," Leah struggled, "she's not useless. She's a genius!"

"I hope she proves me right," the woman nodded.

"She shouldn't have to," Edward sighed. "She's lost."

"Lost?"

"Edward!" Leah scolded. This was bad.

"She's in serious trouble," Edward continued. "Tell me, do you know anything about vampire attacks lately?"

"Not too much of them."

"Well whatever she's caught up in could affect clans everywhere if you all don't do something to stop it."

"A special case," the gatekeeper snarked.
"We need help finding her. Please, just search the local area," Leah tried.

"No can do, kid. We're already stretched thin."

"She's a princess. You find her and we help you get back on your feet!"

"Some princess."

"Wait." Leah held up a hand. "Do you know where she is?"

The woman considered. "Possibly."

"Yes or no," Edward demanded.

"Can't trust the Cosaint. Sorry."

The woman lifted her round arms and spread them to the clear waters above. A chill creeped down Leah's back like no other. It slithered down her legs, locking her feet into place. She jerked away. "Edward!"

He reached for her, but his natural speed slowed dramatically until he went as still as Leah. His lips struggled to cry out for her, his eyes wild.

Leah's glowing hands were near arthritic as the water all around them became solid. Only the gatekeeper still moved freely, her arms swishing around in circles, blue palms lit.

Stop! Just stop! They could not even beg for mercy.

Leah reached deep inside her soul and summoned the energy that had saved a dying animal, that had rolled the earth and bent the trees. Right now, she needed the power that could obliterate and destroy beyond her own imagination.

One confident request from the waters and the land: Lend me your power.

A thousand cracks in the ice rang out, instantly melting, as the water grew hotter, hotter, and hotter still. Leah groaned as the heat stung her skin, forcing her to her knees.

Ahead of them, the gatekeeper crawled desperately toward the door, her hands whizzing around to unlock the door.

Edward got to her first. "Did you think you could attack her and get away so easily?"

The gatekeeper twisted to get out of his grip. "Let go, you tick!"

Leah lit her palms as she neared them. "It's clear now that you only have one choice."

"I'm sworn to secrecy."

Leah raised a hand over the woman's head. "Won't matter if you're dead

The woman began to whimper. "Alright, alright. But you'll have to pay for me to keep my clan off you."

Relieved, Leah let up. She would not have to take another life today. "Tell me."

The woman nodded. "She went here with a man for just a night."

"A vampire?"

"What? No. Another fairy fellow. They came to a party, said she was looking for a cousin."

"What did he look like?"

"About thirty, blondish. Scruffy."

Edward and Leah exchanged a tense look. Leah let the woman go.

"Name your price."

The woman smiled. "Next time you see the queen, take the amber scrolls out her library."

"You want them?"

"Yes. They're a record of the crimes of my whole clan. I want them gone."

"Doesn't sound safe. Or like an even trade."

The woman smiled. "Nothing is."

The sun was just starting to rise when they broke through the surface, gasping for breath. Edward hauled her over his shoulder and swam sidestroke to the bank. The water walls guided them along the way, still in place until Leah broke them down.

Dripping wet, Leah instantly scrambled to her feet, fighting the exhaustion.

"We did it!" she cheered. "One step closer."
Edward's fists were tight to his sides. His eyes were closed. "You are so - so -"

"What?"

Finally, he gave in, and a smile formed. "Brilliant."

She threw her arms around his neck, so relieved that things were on the right track. The standard vampire bleach smell she was coming to associate with him was diluted by their swim and she was finding the old one, something rich and aged with a hint of sweetness.

He pulled away too soon, his brow furrowed. His hand reached up, as if to touch her face, but he dropped his hand to the water wall, by her arm. The light of their enclosure reflected off his pale skin. Bowing his head, Edward sighed, and a cool breath tickled her neck.

She licked her lips, eyes tracing his mouth. "What is it?"

His beautiful black eyes bore into hers, wary and sad. "I can't tell if you've forgiven me or not."

That still plagued him? Sometimes, she wished he could have a break from her mind. Maybe then he would learn that what you thought, what you believed, and what you knew could be different things.

She took a deep breath, then mumbled, "You don't need my forgiveness."

He recoiled slightly. "What?"

"I don't care. Is that crazy? Because I know you'd never do it again. I can see how much you regret it and the thing is… Yes, the thought of you drinking human blood is kinda gross, but killing perverts? If that's the worst thing you've done, then I'm proud."

His left hand skimmed her waist, the hope in his touch contrasted by the doubt in his voice. "What about..?"

"You were half-right. I mean, innocent people getting murdered, yeah, that's a problem for me. But killing monsters is kind of my life. If you did it all over again, I'd probably help you."

He gave a shaky little laugh. "I'm not sure I deserve that."

"I'm not sure we have to agree."

At that, he smiled like she hoped, wide and unrestrained. His fingers trailed along her side in such a slow, dizzying way she had to work very hard not to drop the waterwall they leaned against.

"Thank you." The words were deep and melodic, sung from his heart. His thumb swiped along her hip, and a decision was evident in his dark gaze.

Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. Before her mind went completely blank, she struggled to cling to some fraction of reality. "What did you need to tell me? Before we went under?"

He leaned down, lips brushing the junction between her neck and shoulder. "That I like how warm you are," he whispered against her skin.

He'd never pressed against her like this. Always with fear or relief but never with a need that rivaled hers.

They both heard her heart drumming in their ears, documenting just how long they could stay suspended between moments. It's not so embarrassing anymore, she realized, not when he's so close he can feel it against his own chest, and she no longer needs to hide how much she loves him.

Surprisingly, Her Wolf was quiet, despite the threat of Edward's sharp teeth and worse, his venom. Leah eagerly took that as a good sign.

She turned her head, crashing her lips into his, pouring into him all her emotions.

His hands were everywhere they weren't allowed to be before, wandering along the curve of her hips, lingering on the nape of her neck. Around them, the water brightened from a natural clear to a buzzing electric blue. Behind her eyelids shone a light that rivaled the sun.

He murmured her name over and over, in a million different ways. She could die hearing it.

When they broke apart, she whispered, "You don't have to reveal it all. But you don't have to hide from me, either."

He looked at her for a second too long and she feared he was going to back down. So she nodded her encouragement.

She curled against his offered arm as they walked together, cheerful despite all that awaited them.

Everything that had clicked into place months ago only solidified.

When they got to the white house, Carlisle was standing by the door looking stricken.

"What is it?"

The doctor stepped aside and her mother was standing there, of all people.

"Mom?"

Sue folded her arms, seeming to curl in on herself.

"Leah, there's been an accident. Your father was badly hurt."

"Oh my god, did he -"

"We don't know yet."

The back door slammed shut. The rest of Edward's family had filed in. She felt her mother stiffen.

Still, Alice moved to embrace Leah with open arms. "Are you alright?" she called.

Leah didn't go to her because she saw it. The smears of blood on her friend's shirt. The rusty smell swelled in the air, sweeping her off her feet.

Replies:

FavFan: Yes, I can't wait til the happy days return for our girl 3

SF: Nice to hear from you! I'm glad you love this AU as much as I do:)

sentinel10: OMG, hi. I could not hold back a kiss anymore. Actually, a kiss scene has been written and cut from at least five chapters in the past. The worst time for L/E, ironically, felt like the perfect time.

brankel1: Thanks, bud!