Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. I am only putting my spin on Stephenie Meyer's already created world of the supernatural.

Warnings: Violence/Gore, mentions/attempt of suicide and character deaths


Leah's gonna be so pissed!

Leah's gonna love this.

Leah doesn't know?

No, doofus. She's still sleeping. Sam said to let her rest. She's waking up now, though.

The pack thought my name so often that I woke up without any help from the outside world. My eyelids pulled open, heavy as I examined the clearing where all the snow had melted from the night before. The wood was set up for the bonfire and the Cullens stood around it like they were statues, unblinking. Rosalie caught my eye and a hint of a smile graced her lips before everything hit me.

The rush of pack-shared memories was a slap across the head, my mind stung as it expanded for new echoes of moments. Tears, shouting, begging, pleading, Jacob's joy. Bella had been awake when Jacob and Edward were talking last night. She sat up when during the conversation when Jacob mentioned me and how I'd imprinted—

Oh my God! Anxiety socked me in the chest, hard enough to where I struggled to breathe. I hopped up to my feet and I could see Jasper tensing in the distance. Tell me this is an elaborate fake memory for a really bad prank!

It's not a prank. Would've been a good one, though, Paul thought, happy at the thought of Edward not being around me anymore.

Edward and Bella had the argument of a lifetime in a tiny tent in the middle of the raging blizzard. Apparently, Edward had already promised to stop hiding things from her. My imprinting was one helluva big straw that broke the camel's back. Jacob was there to add fuel to the fire, too, adding in a few details every now and then to make it worse. In the end, Edward had been forced to wait outside of the tent while Jacob cuddled her the entire night.

Seth felt so bad and had barked every time Jacob opened his mouth, trying to get him to shut up. Edward was standing close to him and had started staring since I woke up.

I tried so hard, Leah! Seth thought, distressed to the max. Everyone in the pack was starting to get bothered by our considerable panic. Edward, I'm sorry for Jake's behavior!

I had to be getting it wrong. I'd stayed out of the way, I'd made sure not to tell Bella even when I knew it was right, and Bella found out anyway? Not only did she find out, but right before the battle?

Some cosmic force had to be screwing with me!

"I can hardly understand you, Seth, let alone any of the others. Slow down," Edward whispered to my little brother who was still profusely apologizing. "When you're all in a panic or otherwise distracted, I can't hear well. Not even…" Edward trailed off and closed his eyes.

At least you're not the reason she found out, Seth thought at me, hesitantly optimistic.

I'm still the reason it's even happening!

Don't worry, Leah. After he rejects you, I'll kill him for all the trouble he's caused the pack.

Everyone's thoughts hushed in a split second, even Sam's. It was forbidden to threaten or harm an imprint, no matter what. It was our most sacred rule and to Paul's credit, he felt immediate guilt for his comment—instant, gnawing regret. It was a shame I didn't care.

I tackled Paul, dishing out a savage bite to his shoulder.

Distantly, I heard Edward gasp as he realized what was happening, but it didn't slow me down. He could be horrified all he wanted, I wouldn't let a threat against him slide. No one could even think about hurting him. I did my absolute best to try and maim him before Sam forcibly separated the two of us. The Cullens ended up having to step in to keep us apart and Emmett picked me up like I was a pillow.

Sam dealt with Paul. There will be consequences if I see anymore internal fighting! I mean it! Sam shouted as he used a paw to keep Paul on his back and Edward flinched. He must've got that clear over everyone's frantic chatter.

Something's happening, Seth thought, an anxious tinge to his mind.

I closed my eyes so I could better see through his and the others quieted to watch along with me. Jacob was leaving and Bella was chasing after him, begging him to stay with her. She had puffy and red eyes, the poor girl, but Jacob wasn't budging. Finally, she made an outlandish request for him to kiss her, right in front of Edward.

Edward, kill him! I'll help! I started barking in Emmett's arms and he tightened his grip on me.

"We'll take Flash until things calm down here," Emmett told Sam, who nodded in turn.

I got carried away like a baby having a temper tantrum, but before I could even growl at Emmett for it, Alice spoke. "It's time," she announced with astounding timing. "Get ready!"

Sam had the pack line up, scolding anyone for wandering thoughts towards my bowlful of drama. They were to focus, to keep their eyes on the prize—Victoria's head. It was easy enough for everyone to stay on point until Jacob phased.

He had the kiss playing over and over again in his head. Seth started to get queasy. I didn't let a second pass before I picked the inevitable fight with Jacob.

I hope a newborn tears your freakin' head off! I thought, sending plenty of vicious imaginings at him.

I wouldn't even care. I got to kiss Bella—I almost didn't come down here! But, you guys need me… I knew she'd ask me to kiss her, though. I knew it! He conjured up more horrible new details about how her lips had felt. And I don't get why you're so grumpy, Leah. You get him, I get her. Everybody wins.

You're such an idiot, Jake! You're hurting everyone and that includes your precious self! I recalled the look on Bella's face when Edward was climbing out of the tent. Seth's glimpses were enough, but with all Jacob's memories at my fingertips, it was impossible not to see.

Bella would never get over Edward.

I'd only gotten over Sam because I could imprint. Bella would always be wishing, wanting the one thing she knew could never be only hers. So, the kiss hadn't meant she wanted Jacob instead of Edward. It meant she needed to not lose anyone else, especially him. He was her friend—her best friend, forever. She would never let him go and she would never hold him any closer—

That's not true! Jacob barked loud enough that I hard him from miles off. I was an uncomfortable reminder again. Unless he imprinted, life would always and forever be hell for him. Shut up! You don't even know what you're talking about! You don't even know her! And, Jared? You're right! If she needs help out on the field, let her die!

Edward whispered from miles away, "No."

Jake, don't say that! You can't say that about my sister! Seth whimpered, his stress rising to a level that affected me on a physical level. A headache throbbed between my temples and I let out my own whimper before Sam locked it all down.

Everyone, shut up or I'll wipe you all out before the army even gets here! Sam ordered in that irresistible tone. All side-conversations, along with Jacob's and my argument, ceased. This is ridiculous, I can't believe the immaturity you're all exhibiting! Our ancestors would be ashamed of you, you make pitiful warriors. At this rate, you couldn't pull together to defeat a pillbug! So, let me make this all very simple for you bozos! Jacob Black, you will help everyone who needs it! The rest of you will either fight together or you will die together—period!

That put the fear into everyone, the kind that made you keep your head on a swivel and bounce on the balls of your feet. Jasper lit the fire not long after Sam's rebuking and then the pack split into two.

I was in the half of us that went where the second group of newborns would be trying to ambush the Cullens from. Emmett and Rosalie joined us, both of them loose in their stride. They weren't even a little worried. Emmett had a difficult time finding a spot to hide until Rosalie yanked him behind a big, leaning spruce.

The rest of the Cullens waited out in the clearing. Jacob was with them, an absentminded disgust at their stench occupying his mind. Embry and Quil were backing him, waiting for what we were all sure would be the fight of our lives.

Petty disagreements that had ruled the pack for the last week lost all their importance. None of us had been too worried before—killing vampires was what we were made for, it was our calling. Now, there was a gnawing awareness of how easy it'd be to slip up and die. That awareness became tangible in the newborns when they were within hearing distance.

A guy kept ordering them around and none of them seemed to care, too distracted by Bella's scent. I understood why Alice was so sure it'd be an easy fight now because I was starting to bet on that, too. Finally, one of the girls spoke up and the army divided into two smaller and more manageable groups.

It wasn't long before the first group of them got close to where we were hiding. To my complete and utter surprise, the idiots actually started talking as they came toward us.

Some excited guy in the group said, "Just smell that! She's gonna be so tasty—so ripe. I can't stop drooling!"

"We must be close now," a terser female voice responded.

"If I see her, she's mine. I'm gonna split her open and lick her insides to make sure I have every. Last. Drop of her blood." The same guy started to sniff the air and all four of us tensed. Rosalie and Emmett didn't bat an eyelash "She's not here. Those yellow-eyes tricked us. I'm gonna get her!" He peeled off from his group and I looked over to my alpha for permission.

Go ahead, Leah, Sam thought with malice. He wanted to do it, himself, but I was faster.

I darted out of our cover in the brush and snatched him up, biting him in half before he could even react to me. When my teeth sunk through his torso, I remembered eating candy necklaces as a kid, all chalky and crunchy. At least the necklaces had tasted like something good and sweet. This sucker tasted like ash, like a scorched stone. It was disgusting. It was nauseating. It was a shame someone so young had to die twice.

It was also completely satisfying. Something deep inside of us was satiated, fulfilled. Finally, I was doing what I was supposed to.

After I'd chomped the guy in half, the second group entered the clearing and it was like an explosion went off. Snarls and growls and bloodthirsty screams echoed off of the trees, but they didn't fade as an echo should. The sounds only got louder, especially when what sounded like stone scrubbing against a grater joined the plethora of noise.

Through the metallic screeches and the ashen taste in my mouth, I could still sense everything. I knew what paw Embry was using to whack a cold one in the face, it might as well have been my own paw. I'd never been more physically connected to the pack. Instead of the typical yelling over one another, we all spoke and understood at the same time. We were sharing the moment, marking each other's positions and what each of us was doing. Even Jacob had quieted down. He was laser-focused on defending against a group of six alongside Quil and Esme.

It occurred to me that the reason we'd fought each other when phased was that we were supposed to be fighting. We weren't supposed to be hearing every little unimportant, fleeting thought. This was what the telepathic connection was actually for. Easy, streamlined battle.

The newborns were every bit as vicious as the Cullens had described, so it was a good thing we'd pulled together so well. They scratched and tried to grab and break anything that came near them. Emmett made our group of leeches nervous, shocked them with his sheer size. They had to know it was hopeless as soon as they saw him. It was like they'd brought knives to a gunfight. None of them were even slightly prepared for the ruthless, strategic battle.

None of them had prepared for my speed.

Tear him apart, Lee! Quil encouraged me as I tore off the leg of one who'd caught Edward's scent, admiration coming through his thought.

The pack stuck close while fighting, but I was like the ball in a pinball machine. I was all over the place, catching cold ones that headed off toward where Bella was still hiding. I always threw them back into the fray, directing them into the clearing where it was easier to keep track of them. And there was truly no mercy in that grassy clearing, not even an ounce. But there was also still no sign of Victoria.

We all became impatient for her appearance—Jacob, especially.

Jacob switched with Sam and was in the woods, at my back at some point in the fight. While he gave a newborn a good claw across the face, he thought to me, The second she shows her face, she's mine. It's just a question of when it's gonna happen.

No, it's a question of where, not when. Where the hell is she? I wondered back before darting off to snatch up a fleeing vampire by her hair. I got a good hold of her and then threw her, spearing her straight into the fire.

Whenever a cold one or its limbs got tossed into the raging bonfire, the orange blaze would flash violet. They burned fast and smelled horrible. Their usual toxic icy sweetness was being suffocated by a cloying, fetid stench that had its own form. Black smoke came alive whenever a cold one got thrown into its foundation of flame. It waved a cruel farewell to their stinking lives and loomed over its next victims, waiting to be fed.

It was intense watching a cold one burn alive, too panicked to simply step out of the flames and roll around in the grass.

Yikes. Bad way to go, Jacob remarked, a little lighter about it than me. All I could think of was how that could've been Edward if Bella hadn't caught him in time. You know, even for imprints, you two are intense. Even Sam thinks so. Can't you go five seconds without thinking about him?

No.

Speaking of Edward, I made sure to check in on him. Seth turned his head so I could see where Edward had curled up beside the tent, listening to Bella cry. Nothing would fix itself. He had to go in and fix it. Screw Jacob, screw me, screw everything. If he didn't go in, it would get so much worse because the one person in the world she needed wasn't there. The one person she needed to hold her was outside while her questionable best friend risked his life.

Shut up, Leah. Jacob barked in my general direction.

Go in, comfort her! I urged him, making sure to be loud so he'd hear me. It surprised me when he followed my instructions, unzipping the flap to head into the tent.

Jacob's heart wrenched, giving everyone else's heart a faint tug. We have to end this thing. How long've we been fighting?

Less than two minutes, Embry thought. He'd been meticulously counting the seconds. Seconds were like minutes in battle with a vampire. Everything happened in halves of milliseconds, during the spaces between one Mississippi, two Mississippi, and three Mississippi for a human.

At least you guys get to fight, Seth thought, sulky as Embry helped Quil take on a tall one. Aw, that looks so cool! I hate being up here!

Seth, stop complaining and keep watch, Jared thought with a vague authority.

The fight wasn't even close to being over. Not a lot of newborns were being killed, we were in the middle of the process of herding them together. We needed to have each one accounted for and the pack had counted seventeen, altogether.

I thought there were eighteen, Embry thought, replaying his headcount in his mind. He'd counted eighteen, sure enough. I guessed there were four dead instead of three, then.

It's possible the Cullens killed one without us realizing. Sam recalled how quick Jasper had dismembered a newborn and then tossed it into the fire.

Less work for us was better, if you asked me.

See, that mentality is exactly why you don't already have Edward. I know you want him, don't deny him. You don't have the drive it takes to get him, is all. Jacob started his mental brag about kissing Bella again, baiting me.

To be honest, it felt good to be out of the confusing Cullen house and killing off leeches. This was what I was meant to do, the reason why I'd phased. There was a sense of rightness, almost as strong as when I stood beside Edward, warming me up and making me stronger—

So, you're just gonna ignore me now?

I was faster than ever, dodging all the grasping white hands without a thought, biting off a few as I went. One thing kept me going even when I thought about the Bella situation. One thing, all by itself.

After we won the fight, I could finally kill Jacob Black.

As if. Jacob put all his dubiety on me before focusing again on the threat at hand.

Can I get a little help over here? Jared asked and I went running. I felt all his distaste about it as I helped him fight off a big cold one. Thanks, I guess.

What do you mean "you guess"? I saved your butt!

Stay sharp! Sam bellowed his correction and I ran toward another newborn that was already running for me.

It was like a game of chicken, but at the last second, I let my legs fall out from under me. The newborn wildly over-swung and I took off its arm, which kept it busy screaming in agony. I threw its arm into another newborn that thought it was slick coming up behind me. The newborn went flying and I took that as my chance to dart over to Paul.

He hadn't asked for help, but I'd felt his stress level take a sharp spike. I hadn't realized it in the fray, but he'd decided to try and take on two by himself. Thoughts traveled at light-speed whenever we fought while phased. Feelings traveled faster.

No, no, no! It's on my back!

I got you! I seized the demon by the back of its head, throwing it straight into Sam's waiting mouth.

Sam got his teeth around the newborn's neck and bit the head off of it. I picked it up off of the grass, tossing it into the fire as he helped Paul. Embry came over, lending the two a hand so I could go get a vampire that was trying to escape.

Why'd you help me back there? Paul wondered, completely befuddled by my actions.

It comes down to this, Paul. I don't want one more family broken up because of cold ones. If they want to take a life today, they'll have to do it over my dead body.

You almost sound honorable. Paul helped me and Embry tear apart a bulky newborn. Anyway, since I owe you now, I'll allow you to fight me to re-earn my respect. You lose, I hate you forever. You win—

You can't hate me or Edward. In fact, you'll become supportive—a cheerleader for our imprint bond. I thought of creative ways to use Paul's support to make his life miserable. Pom-poms would be a great start.

Sure, I'll agree to those terms. You have no chance of winning anyway, Paul thought, not a doubt in his mind.

Wow, you really are stupid, Jared thought at Paul.

The groups finally joined each other in the clearing to try and stand a better chance at winning. That was how I ended up fighting with Rosalie. Together, we made up one efficient killing machine. We took down four newborns in three seconds.

"That's how it's done!" She yelled fast, her diction not suffering for the speed. Emmett gave an eager growl in response from a few feet away. They had a bit of a wager over who would kill the most newborns after Jasper.

She gave a teasing thump to my ear before going off to a trio of leeches. She looked so much more graceful than them, refined in every way. The newborns zigged and zagged while Rosalie danced and looped around them. All of them shined, but Rosalie's glow was the only one that reminded me of a diamond.

Emmett was having a blast. He jumped on the shoulders of a newborn and ripping its head off with a roar that made a few nearby newborns jump. The Cullens were killing the most, by far, but we were doing great in keeping the heat off of them. Especially Jasper, who seemed to have the bulk of the newborns on him.

It looked like he was doing alright, but something urged me to keep watching. Alice was behind him and she would try to fight some incoming from the side, but he would block her off. She locked eyes with me from across the clearing, I could see the desperation in them. Mixed with all the desperation was all the frustration her pretty, pixie face would allow her to display.

I found myself running over to help them.

Jasper's got bit on the arm as I lurched toward the chaos surrounding him and a flash of heat went through me. I tore the newborn off of his arm and started ripping it to shreds. Alice was quick to join me with her teeth bared and fierce eyes. I left her to it so I could help clear out the rest of the leeches crowding the two of them. Jasper was smart enough not to try and keep me from fighting alongside him.

"Jazz, let me fight, too!" Alice demanded, crouched behind him and waiting for an opportunity to present itself. But he didn't let one get past him, even if he almost got bitten because of it. "Jasper!"

I snatched up a bloodsucker by its ankle, slamming it down on the ground. It had tried to jump onto Jasper, but I'd gotten it in time. Alice was shaking with anger as I ripped the newborn up, but managed to give a nod to me when we locked eyes again. She mouthed a thank you and I nodded before helping her love fight off more red-eyed demons.

Incoming! Seth alerted. Victoria was on her way to them. She'd somehow gotten by the rest of us to approach Bella and Edward straight on. Someone was with her.

You got this, Seth. We're all here to guide you through it, Sam thought, calm and level even as he took on a dozen newborns by himself. I ran over to help, Jacob too busy killing just one newborn and worrying about Bella. I couldn't blame him, I was already running to get to Edward. Leah, stay and fight!

Sam used his alpha voice, so I had no choice. I knew someone was going to try and kill my baby brother and I couldn't do a thing about it. No choice—never any choice. But, I could beg, beg any god that was listening, beg my ancestors.

Not my brother. Please, not him. If anyone, it should've been me. It could be me, I didn't care. Just not him. Not him and not Edward.

I'll be ok, Seth thought, full of courage and strength. I was too weary to even pretend I was so sure. I'll be sure for both of us.

Soon enough, I felt a pain go through my shoulder and I knew— Seth!

I'm ok! I'm ok! I'll get him, don't worry! He had a plan. It was a stupid, stupid plan.

Sam, please! Please, let me go up there! It's my family, it's my imprint! Please!

No, we need you here, Sam thought, denying me the comfort of being able to protect them with my own body.

They'll be fine, Leah. Stop worrying over that bloodsucker so much. Trust in Seth, Jacob thought too harshly for it to be nice or reassuring.

For all Jacob's talk, he was also perplexed. It was more about Victoria being so close to Bella for him than about Seth's shoulder. He had complete confidence in my brother. And it wasn't that I couldn't believe in Seth's ability to take that cold one down. It was that I didn't want to even think about him having to fight without backup. Edward would be too busy fighting Victoria and protecting Bella. Seth was essentially on his own.

"Please!" I heard one of the scum cry out and spotted Carlisle holding a small one in his arms. He could've lobbed her head right off of her shoulders. Instead, he threw her into a spruce a bit away, more removed from the raging battle.

"Please," the girl said again."I don't want to fight." From the look on Carlisle's face, I could tell he was considering sparing her. So much for no mercy.

Great. That's just what we need, another Cullen.

If they do take her in, it's none of our business. She's already one of them—more power to her if she chooses to obey the treaty and only feeds on animals. Makes our job easier, Sam thought in response to Jacob's sarcastic comment.

There always seemed to be a line of the things trying to make their way to Sam, so I teamed up with him and Jared for a bit. Jasper made his way over to Carlisle, leaving Alice and Rosalie to fill the hole he'd left in battle.

"Leah!" Alice called out of nowhere and drop-kicked a newborn out of midair before it could land on me. "You need to pay attention! Just because we're winning, doesn't mean you can't still get hurt!"

At her scolding, I looked around the clearing. The army's numbers were low, only a few of them left and fighting for all they were worth.

The fight was over in a few more seconds and all of us were able to take a breath. Jasper had a newborn knelt by the fire, Carlisle close by. Alice ran over to them and Emmett and Rosalie helped us throw the remaining body parts into the fire. Rosalie patted my head and then ran her fingers through my fur, getting chunks and dust out of it for me.

"Flash! Way to go on the field!" Emmett gave me a smack on the rear end like we were at a football game. I kicked him with my hind-leg and he laughed as he went flying into the trees.

Rosalie rolled her eyes. "I'll talk to him about boundaries and how they still exist even when you're phased." She started to go after him, but she stopped and looked up at me. "Good job today." Then she raced off to go get Emmett.

I decided to take one last look around the edges, making extra sure there weren't any left. I made it a quick scan since all I wanted to do was phase back and check on Seth and Edward. Seth seemed fine, but Bella was against a mountain wall, clearly in shock. Edward was speaking to her in a soft, soothing voice.

Seth, is she ok?

We're all good, Leah. I got Riley all by myself! Seth was bursting with pride and everyone was quick to encourage him. It got loud enough to where I couldn't hear anything but how they were singing Seth's praises.

I'm going up, Sam! I yelled over the rest of them.

I turned my back to the trees, already starting to lose my heat as I stood next to my bag. It was still laying the same place, covered in white powder and shards of newborns. Everyone was talking, busy celebrating how awesome they were, but Sam glanced over at me.

They should be coming down soon and then we'll have to leave. Why don't you stay with us until then? Celebrate, you deser—dodge to your right! Leah, for God's sake, move! The thought changed quickly from almost a lazy, half-formed thing into an acute panic. My heart-rate shot up in an instant.

Sam had started running toward me before his thought was even all the way out. The entire pack was on his heels and so were a few of the Cullens, but none of them were looking at me. They were all looking behind me.

I hadn't paid close enough attention in my scan, I'd been too eager to want to get to Edward and comfort him. A newborn had been hiding, but it wasn't anymore. That was my mistake. I realized that. But since it had all happened in a split-second—if that—there was nothing I could do. I wasn't that fast.

But, to be completely honest...I didn't even try. Wouldn't they all be better without me anyway?

"No!" I heard Edward's heavenly voice cry out. Through Seth's panicked eyes, I saw Edward reach out like he could help somehow. "Jacob, run!"

A pair of cold arms snaked around me, its fingers pressing into my fur and through my skin. My heart skipped a beat, practicing for the real deal of stopping altogether.

Oddly, I heard the crunch before I felt it. It sounded so fragile for being so loud. It was like a carton of eggs getting stepped on, something that required so little effort to break. Jacob had been the closest out of everyone running, by far, but he paused when he heard the sound, just for a millisecond.

He didn't like me, but he'd never actually wanted me to die. That was all he could think. It was the last coherent thought that made it to my brain before the grip tightened and the pain hit. The entire pack stopped to howl in place, screaming in their heads. We all screamed.

AHHHHHHH!

I blacked out. Everything was gone. But, it all came rushing back.

My eyes snapped open and I was in my human form, curled up on my side. I tried to suck in a breath of cold air, but the pain stole away the oxygen right from my lungs. There was an excruciating burning in my shoulder, boiling me from the inside out.

Carlisle was knelt by my side, his eyes hard. He said something as he pressed the oversized tee from my bag onto my burning shoulder, but I couldn't hear it. I couldn't hear anything.

"Carlisle," I mouthed, unable to get the air I needed to say his name.

He tried to move my arm with a gentle touch, prying it just a little from my side. My hearing came back with a loud pop as I let out a scream that I didn't know I had in me. It bounced off of all the spruces, back at me, and through me.

"Leah!" Sam was human again and wearing shorts as he knelt down beside me, shielding me from the others' eyes. "No, no, no. Lee-Lee," he whispered his old nickname for me. His hand hovered over my skin, not brave enough to touch me after the piercing sound I'd made.

"We have to get her to our home, I can take care of her—"

"No, her mom's. Her mom has to know," Sam insisted over Carlisle.

Esme chimed in from somewhere out of my view, "Her mother won't likely allow her in. Take her to ours, please."

"Make a decision, they're coming!" Alice exclaimed, her voice dim. Pain didn't have a sound, I knew that, but my blood was rushing in my ears. My blood pulsed in time with the sharpness around my lungs, with my frantic gasps through a tight chest. The sounds were one with the pain and both overpowered everyone else's voice. "Go! Take her to ours!"

"Please," Carlisle begged. "I can save her."

Sam nodded and then gently slid his arms under me, wincing when I gave a quivering cry. I couldn't extend my legs, I couldn't feel them at all. I wanted Edward, but he wouldn't get there in time. We had to leave before the other vampires showed up.

I hoped he could hear me, could hear my thoughts, could hear my voice. If he was close enough, there was a chance. One last chance to say the right thing. The thing to make his frown go away.

"I-I—…I—" My lungs denied me it, the one last choice I had to make. I didn't even get to say my last words. Blood dribbled out of my mouth and down my chin for all the effort I'd made.

Sam almost lost his mind when he saw it. "Don't take long, Carlisle!" He shouted, desperate.

Sam started moving away with me in his arms and my heart trembled in my chest. Tears started flowing down the sides of my face when I realized I wouldn't get to see Edward or my mom again. And then Sam just sprinted us away. Far away.

"Hang in there," Sam whispered into my hair, adjusting me in his arms since I was difficult to hold so slick with sweat.

What had that demon done to me? I couldn't think or sort out exactly where all the pain was coming from anymore. All my thoughts scrambled in my head every time Sam took a step and moved me. I just knew the burning was getting worse and I wanted Sam to take the bloody fabric off of the fire he couldn't smother.

"Leah, can you hear me?" Jacob asked and I saw that the whole pack was running with us.

I tried to nod, but the pain was overwhelming when I moved my neck. I could only stay very still and try to breathe.

I went out again.

Sam was still running when I came to, but he was looking down at me with concern etched into every line on his face.

I started to try and say something, only to blink and instantly fade out of consciousness.

Trying to stay awake was like trying to lift up a building that'd collapsed on top of me. I couldn't bear the weight of my own exhaustion. The burning spread through my veins and I became eager for the lapses of consciousness. It was the only way to escape the fire.

But—darn it, I was stronger than this! I knew I was stronger. I'd always wanted to be when it came time. I'd always promised myself I'd be.

Sam's arms were the constant. I would go out for longer and longer each time and he was always there. He held me close and gentle to his chest, his arms curved in an odd way to try and shield my naked body from plain sight. In a way, I was glad it was him.

He looked down at me, a tear slipping down his cheek. I felt it splash against my cheek before I slipped away.

Later, my eyes fell open again, giving me another sense to rely on than touch and sound. The Cullen house was within smelling distance. It was funny, the stench didn't bother me anymore. I actually preferred their smell to the newborns.

When I looked around as best as I could without moving my head, I saw that Seth was running beside Sam. Silent tears streamed down his face that he wiped away with a tight fist before anyone could see. I reached for him, grunting in pain and continuing despite the screaming of my bones. He saw and his fingers grazed mine before I was out again—deeply.

I could feel that I wasn't going to wake up again, but no dreams stirred me. It was just blackness. I couldn't feel any pain, though, so I didn't mind the absence of everything else.

Not being in pain was so preferable to being awake that I let myself sink deeper into darkness. I relaxed into it and let it carry me further out, toward the unknown. Away, away, and farther out still. I couldn't have found my way back if I'd wanted to.

And then I got this really weird feeling.

I felt like if I kept sinking, my dad would catch me. He'd just be there and we would be together and I wouldn't have to ache the way I had ever again. I stopped sinking. I went towards the feeling of him. I had no body to walk with, only a sense of his presence to float towards, to focus on as it grew more and more intense. Eventually, I started being pulled toward him by a force. I wasn't sure what it was, but I was happy to let it lead me faster away.

"No, Leah. Go back," Dad said from somewhere deep within the peaceful dark. I had missed his voice so much. I wanted to see him. "Don't come here. You have to go back."

Why not? I was so sick of hurting, of fighting. Why couldn't I be with him?

"Your brother needs you, your mother couldn't live with herself if you were taken away from her, too. You have so much life left to live." An opposing force pushed back on me, keeping me still against the pull downward. "You have to go home, Leah. I love you, but you can't stay."

Dad, I love you, too. I love you so much. I'm so sorry for what I did. I'm sorry.

"It's not your fault, Lee-Lee."

I was yanked out from the darkness, through all the layers of unconsciousness and the depths of nothingness. It was fast, as jarring as when a fish was abruptly pulled out of the sea, into the air and exposed to the raw sunlight.

I startled awake with a yell, softness under my right side, the icy smell of cold ones all around. Two sets of hands held onto me, restraining me where I was laying on my side as the yell transitioned into a scream. There was an oxygen mask blasting me with air and a pain in my chest was threatening to kill me. I tried to reach toward it, looking for some way to end the savage torture.

"Hold her down!" Carlisle commanded and the two sets of hands tightened, stopping my limited wriggling.

My eyes opened and I was still screaming and all I could see was Carlisle next to an odd machine. A tube was feeding red liquid into it—blood. My blood. Chest tube.

My mom had talked to be about chest tube placements. She went on and on about how painful they were and how if I ever needed one, I needed to ask to be put under. I'd always rolled my eyes and thought to myself how I could take it.

But no, I couldn't. I couldn't take it.

I screamed bloody murder until I had to stop to breathe and that was when I heard Seth's sobs. He was somewhere in the room, as was the rest of the pack, if I was smelling things right. He was suffering because of me. Was that all I was good for? To make every I loved to suffer? I bit my cheek to try and shut up for Seth's sake, giving a ragged pant. My ribcage crunched when I exhaled through my nose.

Blood pooled in my mouth as I writhed on the bed, doing my best to shut up. Carlisle adjusted the blue sheet draped over me, a hole where the tube was. It didn't seem like he was even close to being finished, so I resorted to begging—louder than I'd planned.

"Stop! Carlisle, please!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. It was worse than it should've been because I could feel my flesh trying to mend itself around the tube. Carlisle kept having to push against my healing as it tried to push out the small tube. "Stop, stop, stop! Please! Please, stop!" My voice was hoarse and against my best efforts, when Carlisle pushed the tube further in, I let out a shriek.

"Leah, listen to me." Edward's voice channeled through the air and the bond shut me up so I could listen to him. "It's going to be alright, but you have to stop moving. He'll hurt you if you keep moving and he won't mean to, but he won't be able to help it." He pressed a hand to my cheek. I was running so hot that his hand started to warm against my skin the second he touched it. It had to hurt.

"Don't touch me!" I yelled. I didn't have enough control to not move and speak at a reasonable volume.

"It's ok. It doesn't hurt me," he insisted and slipped his hand down onto my neck. It felt so good. "Relax. I'm here. It's going to be alright."

I made an effort to keep still, but when something in my spine reconnected, I started to kick. Carlisle leaned over me, displaying all the blood on his white coat. An icy liquid pushed into right arm and I let out a soft sigh. My head felt light, the fire was dull and distant. Edward's thumb started a hypnotic pattern of sweeping back and forth over my neck. I was out before I could count to two.

When I woke up again, I was still in bed, but the whole pack was in the room along with the Cullens. Since I was on my back, I looked to my left and saw Sam was there with a severe expression on his face. He lit up when we met eyes and gave a nod to the pack who started to crowd the bed. I looked to my right and Edward was there, holding my hand in both of his. The pack muttered endless apologies and wishes to get well. A peek out of the glass showed me it was pitch black outside.

"You guys should go home," I croaked over the top of them. "Take Seth. Tell my mom. Get some rest."

"You sure you want us to leave you here?" Jacob asked, casting a wary glance at Emmett who was in the corner. "We could take you with us."

Carlisle piped up from where he was standing near Sam's seat. "No, you may not move her. Her mother is welcome to visit her here, however. And, of course, Seth is, too."

The pack looked at me, nervous as hell about the group of vampires we'd just backed in battle. I understood it, though. It was hard to leave any member of the pack behind when you were a part of it.

"Go already," I said, closing my eyes. I focused on breathing as they all channeled out of the room, taking Seth who struggled and fought.

"No way! I'm not going! Leah!" Seth ran back into the room, a betrayed look in his eyes. As soon as I could, I was going to hug him and go have a calm dinner with him and Mom. I didn't care if I had to duct tape her to a chair to make it happen. "You can't make me—!"

"Let's go, Seth," Sam said, interrupting his outrage. He got up and put his hands on Seth's shoulders to steer him back out of the room. "Call if you need us. I'll be here in five minutes, anytime, any day."

Sam lingered at the door until I replied in my hoarse voice, "Yeah, ok." He then pushed Seth right outside of the room with him. The pack trailed after him, muttering more morose apologies as they went. It was kind of surprising how easy they left.

"Jasper helped," Edward whispered to me and I looked up at his face. The full force of his beauty was a shock to my system after having been without it for so long. "How are you feeling?" He asked and then set his jaw. He didn't look very concerned.

I thought about it, wiggling my toes and the fingers on my free hand. "Drugged." There was a decided numbness to every square inch of me. It rocked.

"Good," Carlisle said, back in the room after seeing the pack out. He placed a cool washcloth on my forehead and checked the clunky monitor beside me.

I used the cloth to wipe my eyes with a shaking hand since they stung with sweat. Edward took the washcloth from me with one hand, wiping my face and eyes for me. Since he could read my mind, he knew what I needed and where. It was the first time I'd appreciated his ability in a noncombatant area. When he finished wiping my face and neck, he held the cloth in his hands. It was a moment until he made it cold again before it went back on my forehead. For being so nice, he looked pretty pissed off.

Carlisle spoke then. "You had a hemopneumothorax and a collapsed lung. I managed to perform surgery to help, but even with Seth and the extra bags of blood I had, you lost a lot of blood. You had the worst spinal cord injury I've ever seen, but it healed once your brother's stem cells came into effect. His blood also helped flush out whatever venom was left after I extracted the majority."

"Venom," I whispered to myself. That explained the burning. Vampire venom was poison to a shapeshifter and if you got hurt after getting bit, you didn't heal. No wonder I got surgery—I actually needed it. "How'd you get it out of my system so fast?"

"I tried to—for lack of a better word—suck it out of you, cutting you open being too much of a risk. Venom is a natural blood thinner and you already bleed so well. Your blood was too bitter for me, however, so Edward helped me out." I glanced over at Edward after Carlisle's explanation.

He still looked pissed off. His voice was level, though, as he said, "It may surprise you to know that wasn't my first time sucking the venom out of someone."

"The bite mark on Bella's hand?" I questioned and smiled when he made a little shocked face. "I'd been curious about it for a while. She hadn't told Jake the whole story, but I guess I know now."

"Yes, well, you should be thankful a veteran was around to help," Carlisle teased, lightening the mood.

"Mind you, it didn't taste good. It tasted like how blood used to taste." Edward made a disgusted face and then gave a brief shudder.

"Thanks," I muttered. Was it weird that I felt a little offended Edward hated my blood?

Definitely. It was definitely weird.

"Definitely," Edward agreed, taking me off guard. I laughed, wincing in regret when pain struck my chest. A smile ticked his lips up for a second before he resumed the upset face.

Carlisle rubbed his eyes from the side of me and I wondered if I'd been the first being on earth to tire out a vampire. "Would you like more medication? How's your pain on a scale of one-to-ten?"

"Four. I feel pretty great, all things considered," I told him and took a deep breath for added measure. He watched, wary for a moment until he saw I wasn't lying.

Carlisle's eyes lit up as he exclaimed, "Good! That's very good!" He smiled to himself, completely pleased.

"Yeah, you saved my life. That's pretty good work there, Dr. Cullen." I tried to sit up, but Edward held me down. Why?

"Your healing isn't up to regular speed yet. You must rest," Edward answered. He looked so tired, too. Was he ok? "You can't seriously be asking me that."

"Enough with your secret conversations!" Emmett exclaimed in his deep, bass voice. I remembered the rest of the Cullens were in the room. They all had smiles on their faces as they looked between me and Edward. "That was pretty hardcore, Flash. Dunno if I could've done that when I was human."

"Let me save you the trouble. You couldn't have." He grinned at my slight, his dimples becoming pronounced. "You know, you guys can go and live your lives. I'm out of the woods now."

"Actually, we should keep watch over you tonight. Who'd like to take the first shift?" Carlisle asked, looking at his uncharacteristically quiet family.

"I will," Edward said fast before anyone else could even react. He scowled at something before he added, "I wish to speak with her, that's all."

Rosalie smirked, "Sure. That's all."

"Not now, Rose," Alice said in a tone that was missing the chastising tsk-tsk it needed. "Lee, when you're done speaking with Edward, we'll send in Esme. Carlisle will watch you after he's rested his mind a bit. I'll come to take care of you in the morning, Rose will in the afternoon. Emmett's here if one of the four of us can't take our shifts and Jasper will stick around to keep you feeling nice. Deal?"

Sounded good to me. "Deal."

"Great!" Alice clapped her hands lightly, a bright grin on her face. "We'll give you some privacy."

"You were great on the battlefield. Better than Jacob, if you ask me," Jasper told me, the bites on him already healed. "Let me know when you want my help." I nodded and he smiled, letting go over Alice's hand when she came toward me.

"Thank you for today, Leah," Alice said, so sincere in her tone. "You're the toughest person I know." She gave me a cold kiss on the cheek before leading Jasper out of the room by hand.

Rosalie was next, saying, "Don't be a baby. You'll get through this." Then, she looked to Emmett and waited on his final comment.

"I'm super pissed we didn't get our time to shine together," he said, sniffing and turning his head to the side to show his offense.

"Next time," I promised. He grinned.

"Can't wait." He wrapped an arm around Rosalie's shoulders then and the two of them walked out.

Esme came over and caressed my face, wincing at first contact. I still had quite a fever. "I'm so sorry this happened. But thank you so much for protecting my family today. I saw you out there, looking out for us and I was so touched. We'll take care of you the same way you took care of us, so relax. Recover for as long as it takes, we're at your beck-and-call."

"Thanks, Esme. You're too nice." I meant that, too. She was way too nice, someone was bound to try and take advantage of there. I'd be there to punch that person in the face. "Go on, I have to talk to Edward. You're coming back right after," I reminded her when she lingered.

"Alright. I'll take them outside for a bit, give you two genuine privacy." She took my left hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze before she left. As promised, she took the rest of them out, despite Rosalie's complaints.

Carlisle sighed, seeming torn. "I would prefer not to leave you, Leah." I preferred him to stay, too. Edward was freaking me out.

"Give us two minutes, that's all we'll need." Edward, who'd been silent throughout the goodbyes, let out a sharp scoff then.

I was in danger.

Carlisle looked between us and then conceded. "Two minutes." He ran out of the house. I knew he was probably already counting.

"Did you know the bond broke when you died?" Edward asked me once we were alone. "When you died for those three seconds, it shattered. The pain was worse than turning. Reconnecting after your first heartbeat was a relief."

I didn't know what to say to that. I had to think on it, not being the most eloquent woman in the world. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

He ripped his hand out of mine and stood up, knocking his chair over. "Who were you trying to hurt then? Who? Explain why you didn't even try to defend yourself against the newborn!" He shouted, shocking me to my toes. I'd expected a little leniency after coming back from the dead. "And you may have received some had you not been the reason you died in the first place!"

"That's not fair! Even if I'd tried, I wouldn't have been able to turn around in time!" The two of us shut up, the shock I felt showing upon his face. I could yell at him now? No, no—I could get angry with him now?

Well, hell yeah! That was more like it!

"Oh, yes. Bravo. Your suicide by newborn has brought you newfound independence." I was about to release all my frustration out on him when his face crumpled. He looked at me like I'd torn his heart out. "So much of me lives in you now. Do you have any idea what it felt like for me when you died? How could you do that and think it was for anyone's sake—especially mine?"

"I didn't do it. I just…didn't try very hard to stop it," I muttered, lowering my head in shame. It still hurt to hurt him.

He knelt beside the bed and took my hand in both of his again. "Fine, you didn't do it. You still must see what it did it to Seth, to Sam, to poor Collin. Can't you see that this affected everyone around you as well as yourself? When you died, I did too. Part of me died with you. Do you understand?" I gave a slow nod. "Then promise to try very, very hard the next time. Promise me that you won't let today repeat itself ever again."

"I can't promise that I won't die someday." I met his eyes, my stomach fluttering when I saw the soft look he had on his precious face. "And yet, here I go. I promise to never die, for any reason." Free will up to a point, it seemed.

He smiled and it reached his eyes, turning them into liquid topaz. "Leah…I want to make sure you know I'm doing this because I don't want any harm to come to myself or Seth. Of course, I would prefer an innocent life never to be taken. I don't desire your death. But this talk doesn't mean…" He trailed off, eyes flitting around, searching for something. He looked back to me and asked in the softest, sweetest voice I'd ever heard, "You know this doesn't mean anything else, don't you? I'm in love with Bella."

"I understand and I don't want anything more than friendship." It didn't hurt so bad when he was nice about it. Who knows? That could've been his intention.

"It was." He let go of my hand and stood back up, the sweet face gone in place of his usual frown. "I have no desire for you to be hurt anymore than you have been already. Now, rest. Research to painlessly break the bond will begin in earnest once I return."

He ran off before I could respond. I was left alone with my thoughts, my feelings, and the crashing realization that he really didn't care about me. I'd died and all he could think of was himself. That was it, wasn't it? He didn't want to be hurt again and only a monster would have wanted to see my brother in pain. So, it was back to square one.

As if I'd ever stepped onto any other square. I convinced myself I had with that stupid phone call, but as always, the turn came to find me. The turn of every good thing into another horrible memory…

Sleep was a good way to avoid thinking about it all.

I took a deep, cleansing, painful breath before getting under the covers. And then I was out. I didn't even remember closing my eyes, but I knew I was asleep when I found myself on a bridge. I was looking at myself from behind, a bodiless awareness. The me on the bridge was wearing a nice dress and her hair was long and wavy. She was the me I wished I still was. She glanced back and smiled.

For the first time that week, I was having a dream.

Edward walked to her from behind where my awareness was bolted down. He joined her and I surveyed the happy scene that took place during sunset. The two started laughed and talked about different things I couldn't quite make out. One comment stuck out, ringing clearly in comparison to the inaudible, happy conversation up until that point. He lifted up her hand and kissed it, a glorious engagement ring on her finger, next to a golden band. He murmured against her manicured fingers, "We'll have to make sure of that, especially with a baby now on the way." He placed his hand on her belly, pressing the loose fabric of her dress against the well-hidden swell. The two of them giggled, resting their foreheads together.

I woke up crying and even though Carlisle was there, his hand in mine, golden eyes shining with sympathy, I was alone. I was alone in all the ways that mattered.


A/N: Wow! That's over! I tried to stick to as close with the Eclipse book battle as possible, I hope you enjoy it. And how's about that twist, huh? The bond actually broke for three seconds. What impact might that have on the bond overall? Hmmm...guess you'll have to wait and see!

Thank you for reading and all of precious reviews that I absolutely adore! I appreciate the follows and favorites so much, you don't even know. I'm just trying to write a story I'd like to read and I'm so glad you like to read it, too. Sorry for any mistakes, I do my best! Please, keep reading and if you know anyone you think might like my story, please recommend me! Thank you and have a good day or night!