CHAPTER 3

DISCLAIMER: See previous chapters

AN:/ Leah will not become pregnant by Sam in this story. The fever mentioned below is just that, a fever .

Too focused on playing the chords, Edward was uninterested in the minor disagreement in the other room. Colin and Embry were in sight in the living room playing video games. They were arguing about some girl and fair. The wolves have become a permanent fixture in his home. Despite some of the hostility some have, Carlisle welcomes them. At first they were just going to stay on the lawn but when Sue came they had to fill their duty to keeping her safe. Sue Clearwater, you didn't need gifts to sense her remorse.

Seth, Colin and Brady themselves have become family themselves along with Leah. Though Alice has set up a room for the three to share, they are usually found asleep in Leah's room, as puppies sleep at the foot of the bed. He amused himself with his use of the simile.

The she wolf has developed a fever, by wolf standards. If she were human she be likely dead. Luckily it's been more of an uncomfortable annoyance for her, though it has prevented her from resting properly and eating.

The movement upstairs alerted the minder reader that their guest has woken upstairs. He held his focus on Leah movements, making sure she has no ill intentions however she has been stabilizing. He would listen in her mind but recently Leah has been blocking her thoughts, though it seems not intentionally. Leah's mind just goes through the motions nothing substantial.

This was the first times Leah gone beyond the second floor, let alone leaving the room since she arrived a week ago. As she reached the bottom step, Embry and Colin looked away from their game and stared at her in awe as Edward left the comforts of his piano to greet their guest.

"Leah!" Colin rushed over her without a pause he wrapped his arms around her. She tensed at the sudden contact.

Colin pulled away hurt at Leah's uneasiness. "Sorry."

"Where are Rose and everyone?"

"Carlisle is at the hospital and Esme is in town. Everyone else is out hunting."

"And my brother?"

"He's patrolling along with Brady."

Leah decided to stare at her feet as if they were the most interesting thing in the world. Edward heard she wasn't sleeping well and felt very warm. Despite her abnormal body temperature she seemed to have had a fever. She came down in hopes to find Rose to ask if she could lay with her. Now she didn't know what to do with herself.

"Was there something you needed Leah?"

"No not really. I just came down for a glass of water." Before anyone could say anything else Colin's phone started ringing. He quickly checked the caller Id then silenced his phone.

"Who was that?" Leah asked.

"No one." Not a moment later his phone dinged notify he was sent a text message.

Leah looked at Embry who look annoyed if not frustrated, then back to Colin who seemed disappointed. "What's going on? Is something wrong?"

"It doesn't matter." Colin replied.

"Colin." Leah said in a stern voice. Colin jerked his head up to meet the old Leah, the one who you never mess with. He smiled hearing her sound like her old herself, though that tone usually meant he and the others were in trouble. It was hard on him, and Seth and Brady, to see Leah other than her strong self. He went to answer her knowing all too well you do not want Leah Clearwater to ask you twice.

"It's Sophia. She's trying to get me the come to the fair in Port Angeles." Leah eyes soften and she had a sly smile appear.

"Sophia. The cute girl I had tutor you during school. Ok so what's the problem?"

"Nothing, I just don't want to go." That was a bold face lie and everyone in the room knew it. Embry and Edward just stood watching the interaction between Leah and Colin.

"Why not?"

"I'm not really in the mood, besides the fair comes every year." Leah looked down so her guilt doesn't show. She knew he didn't want to go while she's alone.

"You should go. We are you going to get a chance like this. Its summer, sure there's no school but there's patrol.

Besides it sounds like she really wants you to go. You do owe her, so you should treat her a day at the fair."

"It's too late now, she already left. There's no way of me getting there besides in wolf form and it'll look suspicious if I show up before they do especially with no clothes and shoes."

"Just burrow my car. It is still parked back at home right."

"I can't legally drive Leah."

"Well, what about you Embry? Would you mind driving Colin to PA?"

Embry stared in awe. This was the first time Leah spoke to him. Actually it was the first time she acknowledges anybody else from the pack other than Seth, Colin and Brady. After couple days, one at a time they would hang out with Seth or the others while they were in Leah's room. Not once had she bother to acknowledge their presence. But they were content that they were allowed to see her and be in the same room as her, though usually they would just stand by the door or in the threshold

"Please Embry." Her plea shook him out of his stupor. He smiled at her before taking a glance behind her towards Edward.

"I don't know Leah. We are not supposed to be leaving you alone." He told her, holding Edward in his line of sight. They both knew what he meant. Edward has heard the order given by the new alpha, Jacob the moment Leah arrived. Not to leave her alone with the bloodsuckers. Just because her family are ok with Leah in their care doesn't mean the rest of them are. And the fact that it's just Edward, Embry sure Jacob has a problem with that most of all. Old grudges sometime die hard.

"I won't be alone; Edward is here. Please Embry, I'll really appreciate it. How are you going to pass up a chance to drive my car? Please, I owe you, please." Leah's pleas overruled Jake's minuscule order. Embry couldn't and wouldn't deny her request. He still couldn't believe she was speaking to him directly - him. Right now she could get away with asking anything of him and he would do it even if he would be making a fool of himself. Though he didn't want leave her alone with that parasite, he doubt anyone else wouldn't be able to not give in to her, especially with her soft eyes and tender voice.

"Sure Leah, I'll take Romeo here to meet his Juliet. Hey since you're up, why don't you come with us?"

"Yeah Leah, it'll be fun!"

"No, I'm not really ready to go. Maybe some other time, maybe we can all go." She went to lay a hand on the side of Colin's head; she smiled to reassure him since he seemed fairly disappointed. "Thanks for the invite but you'll have more fun more without me for now. So you boys can go run home in wolf form and I want you to take a shower and wear something nice, meaning no cut offs and something clean, ok."

Colin couldn't help but roll his eyes but he welcomes the nagging he had grown accustom to.

She went to reach her pocket only to just end up holding her hands behind her back. Edward saw a glimpse of Leah's thoughts which had explained her action. Normally Leah would show her soft sisterly/motherly side towards the boys by giving them a couple bucks she sets aside for them for movies, games and treats. Though no one other than her mother knows, she really spoils them. So out of habit she was about to offer some money but realized she didn't have any on her and she didn't want to tell him where she had some hidden at home because she wasn't sure if she had some in there. Edward knew she was starting to feel guilty by not providing Colin with anything. Pulling out his own wallet, he hands her the cash he had knowing she wouldn't accept any one of his cards. She stared at his offer confused just as Embry and Colin were. He smirked pointing to his head. She nodded in understanding accepting his offer.

"This is way too much." She said looking through the wad Edward was offering.

"You and I both know this is less than what you were planning on. You'll pay me back when you go home."

Thanks, she thought mentally hoping he would have heard her. His smile told her he had. Embry stood there not liking the interaction between the leech and his pack sister.

"Here Embry, this should cover gas and some extra for your trouble. I really appreciate this. I know Colin does to."

"It's no trouble at all. Anything for you." He quickly put the money away, he hadn't meant to say that last part.

"Like I said, you owe Sophia. You would have had summer school if she didn't help. So here's plenty to treat her and yourself and little extra. And you know what I'm craving for is some candy apple or maybe caramel, no both. Not that I'm not grateful for the food the Cullen's provide, nothing can beat junk food from the fair."

"Sure thing, Leah. I'll get some for Seth and Brady too."

Edward stepped forward and handed Colin more cash. "I've seen you all eat; one is not going to be enough plus some extra for Emmett. I know he'll appreciate it."

"Why? He can't actually eat them."

"Oh he wouldn't be eating it. I just owe him."

"Alright then, uh…" Leah would have never thought she would feel scared for Emmett. "Yeah so you boys should head out now."

"Ok, thanks Leah. You're the greatest!" Colin hugged and though at first she tensed up at the embrace, she gave wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back laying her cheek atop of his head.

"Have fun alright. You too Embry, the keys should be in the kitchen drawer by the phone. Thanks again Embry." She gave him a nod which he returned with a smile. Though she was speaking to him didn't mean she was ready for any contact.

As they sprinted off after they said their goodbyes, Leah called out for them.

"Don't forget to take a shower!" She stood there looking towards the direction they had left. Edward watched as he tried to read some insight in her mind. Again her mind was scrambled and too obscure, he could only get bits and pieces. She turned to face Edward. They stared at one another. Edward decided to break the awkward silence.

"Let me get you some water so you can go back to rest."

"Thanks." She said as she followed him into the kitchen. She stood there awkwardly as he hands her a glass. Edward could tell she was nervous though he didn't know why.

No he did.

It was the reason she came down in the first place. And he's the only one around to fill her request. Normally it was Rosalie or Alice, occasionally Emmett, who would cool down her fever.

He thought back to Embry's thoughts. Yes, no one could deny her anything.

"Leah, would you like for me to lay with you so you could rest?" he continued before she could respond. "Come on; let's get you back in bed before Rose comes home. I don't want her to feel as if she can't trust me to take of care of you."

"You mean you don't want her bitching at you." She chuckled

"You have only seen the half it." He laughed as they returned.