Chapter 13: Leeches

The next day after a perimeter sweep, Sam called us all together.

"What's up?"

"New activity."

"With…"

"Not with them."

"Who then?

"Up by Port Angeles. There's been some deaths. Need to make sure they don't trickle down this way.

"What's the plan?"

"Wait 'til nightfall. We'll go in pairs. Collin, Brady you stick around to protect the town."

"Aww man we never get to have any fun."

"All in good time."

"Seems like it's never gonna be that time."

"Stop whining you two."

"Easy for you to say Jared, you always get to go!"

"Enough, all of you. Meet back here at dusk. For now, go home."

Everyone ran off for the most part. Sam stuck by and I knew I had to talk to him. "Sam," I said but he already started phasing back. I did the same.

"Sam," I said again but he kept going, walking forward.

"I'm sorry," I said. He stopped, "I didn't mean to give you problems with Em I just-they just needed to understand. Nobody does and it was just driving me insane to have to try and explain."

Sam turned at me, shook his head then sighed. "I didn't tell her," he paused, "I didn't tell her to spare her pain. Either of them. Haven't they both suffered enough for my careless mistakes?"

"Like I said," I held up my hands, "I'm sorry. It wasn't my secret to tell," I paused, "Why'd you show me then, if you didn't want anyone else to know?"

"To show you that you would forget Bella," he said, walking back toward me without losing eye contact, "To show you that it's not about just picking someone else or having them picked for you. It's finding that someone who completes you in every way. Leah... I loved her very much. I wanted to marry her... but the minute I saw Emily...I knew. Just like you knew with Kelly. Emily is my everything and always will be. I hope one day you will finally see how much Kelly really means to you."

"I already do."

Sam shook his head, "No. You have no idea. There will be a time you will come close to losing her. Then, that's when you'll know how much you need her, not what you think is meant to be with Bella."

"You've seen my thoughts, I've given up that. I just want to help her."

"You can't save everyone Jacob, especially someone who doesn't want it, " Sam said, "I hope soon you can focus on what really matters."

I was about to respond but he walked away without another word.

That night, Sam didn't say much to me. None of them did really. We focused on hunting. We didn't find any bloodsuckers. They'd run clear up to Canada, not bothering to stick around. All we caught were scents. More than one but no clue if they were one big group or individuals. Days passed like this. Hunting at night, maybe some sleep during the day but not much more than that. I missed her. Hunting kept me semi-distracted but Sam's words kept echoing in my brain. Not only just his. Emily's too. I didn't want to hurt Kelly. In fact, I kept creeping to her window regardless but I guess she's been working more. It ate at me not to find her in her room, waiting for me like she used to...Why would she? After what I did...I wonder if she misses me as much as I miss her. I know I shouldn't but hell maybe I should wonder. She does mean a lot to me. Maybe Emily's right. Maybe I am pulling a Bella. And if I am...God I'm an idiot. That was no picnic and if I'm putting her through that…

I have to get away, to think. I can't go to First Beach cuz when I'm there, all I do is have the memories flood back of each time I was there walking and talking with her. Then where? Well there is one spot I could technically go now...and so I did. I sat at the border. I could cross it, Bella wasn't there. She's back at school but even so I never really wanted to go into that house even when she was. Different types of memories came back this time. I could see her, brown hair, brown eyes...she was beautiful and she never wanted me to tell her so. How can she not see it? The pack, helping the Cullens...it all still seems so damn surreal. How can they want her to be one of them if they're so...so…

"Jacob?"

I turned to see an the older vampire approaching me. I had smelled him but I figured that was just cuz I knew they were in the house.

"Carlisle...right?"

"Yes," He smiled, "Have you been sitting here long?"

I shrugged, "Little bit. Thinking. You?"

"I uh-," he smiled and shrugged, "I smelled a deer not too far off. Was going to have dinner."

I chuckled half-heartedly. "Sorry to interrupt."

"You know...Bella isn't here...yes?"

I nodded, "Just came here to think."

"Ah," the older vampire smiled, "I sense some conflict in you. Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine," I said. How the hell could he tell? Am I wearing a sign on my forehead that says 'conflicted werewolf' or something?

He chuckled again, "I realize you're not exactly fond of the rest of us. You tolerate us because of Bella. But I do hope I can extend my gratitude for what you and your pack have done."

"No big deal. It's our job."

"Right, right," he said, "Still we are forever grateful. You, especially had a big hand in convincing the pack to come to our aide and of course we know that is in large part to how you feel for Bella."

I didn't say anything.

"I hope I do not come off to forward, I simply see you are struggling with something and wish to offer my help, some advice," he said, "You may choose to accept it and use it or ignore it entirely but I feel I must at least try. Part of the need to help people."

I glanced at him. Advice? How can he help me? You got a magic potion with you doc? Otherwise I don't think you can help me.

"I wager you have a decision you must make and it deals with Bella and another," he said, glancing at me, "Now now, don't look at me like that. I can't read thoughts as Edward does, just facial expressions. You look like you're torn between two people. I have seen that look before..."

I swallowed. Holy crap. Is going to go full on Dr. Phil here?

"Perhaps," he said, "Instead of searching so hard for a solution, you should simply stop and let it come to you. Sometimes the hardest solutions are the easiest to find as they have been in front of us all along," he smiled, "As I said, do with it what you will. We do care you Jacob and sincerely wish you well."

And he was gone. Even if I did want his advice I have no idea what to do with that. What solution could be in front of my face? Other than letting go there wasn't one. Again more days passed, same routine. All these words sticking in my head and I honestly can't take any more. I glanced at the picture on my phone, the one of Kelly when she called. The gaping hole...God it came back in full force. How the hell can I do this? What if she really does fall out of love with me….is that something I actually want her to do? I mean...I'm not acting on it so maybe it's not so big a deal...God I miss her. I just want to see her. Maybe...maybe I can. I don't have to get close, I could just wait from far away...great now I'm a freaking stalker. But I need to. Being apart, I'm dying on the inside. We're not meant to be apart. If I just see her from a distance it won't hurt so bad and then I can focus again. Yeah. Good idea.

I walked up First Beach. She should be leaving soon and I can get a glimpse of her. Those golden waves in the breeze. I watched the resort as I slowly walked forward. I stopped when the golden speck appeared. I smiled until I saw she wasn't alone. Some guy was there, getting closer to her. Not just a guy, a leech. My protective instinct kicked on within seconds but the second I meant to pounce she had already gotten away from it. We made eye contact, bloodsucker even grinned. Why is it talking to her? What the hell is going on. Once it left her alone, I hid back in the trees, hoping she didn't see me. Didn't want her to think I was going back on our arrangement. I made sure she made it home okay though. Not going to risk that thing following her. The minute she laid on her bed, I made a beeline for the trees.

"They're here!"

"Whoa-"

"Slow down-"

"Who?"

"The leeches we've been tracking...one of them for sure is here. I've seen it with my own eyes."

"Yeah they come and go. They never stay though. It's like they're looking for something."

"I know what they're looking for."

"What?"

"Kelly. One of them was talking to her. Cornering her."

"Thought you two weren't seeing each other?"

"Not now Embry...I was just at the beach. They were further down."

"You're positive?"

"Do I look unsure?"

"Why do you think they're after her?"

"I mean-you only saw one."

"The way it looked at her-it was more than dinner. He got close-too damn close."

"Why would it care about a human?"

"Did she get bit?"

"No-it let her go. I followed her home to make sure."

"Stalker much Jake."

"I was protecting her."

"Mhmm, whatever you say."

"Doesn't sound like a normal leech to me."

"Well, it makes sense though. Sounds like that guy she was complaining about at work."

"Whoa-what? What guy?"

"Calm down Jake."

"CALM DOWN? You're telling me some guys has been-"

"We didn't tell you because it was harmless-"

"She just was getting hit on-"

"She only told Emily and Rachel-"

"And no one thought to tell me?"

"At the time, it wasn't a big deal."

"You were keeping your distance remember?"

"We'll protect her Jake."

"You know we'd never let anything happen to someone's imprint."

"How long has this been going on?"

"The past week."

"A WEEK!"

"Calm down Jacob-"

I phased back. I can't believe this. It can't be happening. No way. No way in hell. First Bella with the freaking Cullen and now Kelly...What the hell is the blood suckers fascination with the women I fall in love with? Whoa...wait. What...I. Holy crap. I'm such an idiot. Here I tell Bella you can love two people at the same time and it only just hit me how true it is. I love her. As a friend, sure I've know that for awhile. Is there more though? Is that why I'm so ready to tear this damn bloodsucker to pieces? I mean I did feel this overwhelming need to keep her safe but is that just my blood? And the fury for the pack not doing anything...But I can't be...it's impossible. It's just my blood right? I, me, Jacob Black haven't fallen in love with her on my own...have I?