Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. I started this idea back at the beginning of my fanfic publication career (Feb. 2010), but put it on the back-burner since then. I polished this up to see if I could start a new story, since the fanfiction site wasn't letting me update either of my in-progress stories (unfortunately, it didn't work; still, you get it anyway). I do plan to work more on this, but want to wrap at least one of those other stories up first. I've never been much of a book-Leah fan, but maybe this will help me explore how she might have been feeling, and why. This starts up in Breaking Dawn, after Seth has reported that Bella and Edward are back from their honeymoon and Bella's sick. It may end up being something of a Jake's-pack POV of the Breaking Dawn book. Anything recognizable isn't mine.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Leah POV

"I hate this place," I muttered, kicking at the gravel of the road I was walking down even though I was wearing a pair of flip-flops. Whoever'd said 'home is where the heart is' was trying to feed a load of bull. To me, home was now nothing but pain, constant reminders of things I wanted to forget but would never be able to. The worst part was wanting to leave, but knowing I couldn't; the curse of my bloodlines meant I was tied here with unbreakable and invisible chains. And how I hated it, being forced to stay near the man I'd once loved, the man who'd broken my heart and the cousin of mine he'd broken it for. Almost as if I'd conjured him up, a howl I knew was Sam's echoed from deep in the woods. What now?

I turned away from the road with a grimace; ignoring the Alpha wasn't an option. Once in the concealing trees, I stripped off my tank top and shorts with an economy of motion and phased. Instantly, the cacophony of voices hammered my mind. No one seemed to know what this was all about, but somehow knew that it had to be big. The loudest thoughts of all were coming from Jacob, who'd also just phased. He was thinking back to that farce of a wedding a few weeks ago, and how he'd almost lost it on the bloodsuckers' home turf. How badly he'd wanted to see that leech Bella Swan had just married dead, if Bella and his friends hadn't been in the way, if Sam hadn't alpha-ordered him to stand down…

So self-absorbed all the time, I thought. His thoughts had been running along these lines for over a year now, ever since the bloodsuckers had come back to town, and I for one was sick and tired of it.

Yeah, no hypocrisy there, Leah, he shot back. I fought the urge to keep things going, refusing as always to consider whether he might be right.

Can it, guys, Sam ordered. I couldn't help the wince when my ex used that word: 'guys'. Just because I was the only one lacking a certain piece of equipment… Where's Quil and Jared? Sam moved on, once again ignoring whatever I might need or want, being the all-powerful Alpha like usual.

Quil's got Claire, Jacob reported. He's taking her to the Clearwaters'.

Good. Sue will take her.

Jared was going to Kim's, Embry informed us. Good chance he didn't hear you. We all groaned at that. One of the worst parts of being in the pack was the utter and complete lack of privacy where our thoughts were concerned. I hated seeing Sam's thoughts of Emily, knowing he'd once thought of me in that same way; another thing I ignored was whether he liked it any better than I did. Sam threw his head back and howled again, a demand for Jared's immediate presence, his imprint be damned.

I tried to focus on stretching my limbs out as I raced to join the rest of the pack. The sounds of Jacob's footfalls grew nearer, but by common and unspoken consent we stayed on our own tracks.

Well, we're not waiting all day for him. He'll just have to catch up later, Sam decided.

'Sup, boss? This from Paul. If there was anything at all I found amusing about the whole imprinting business, it was that Jacob was now having to deal with Paul 24/7 since Paul'd imprinted on Jake's sister Rachel.

We need to talk. Something's happened. For some reason, Sam and the kids started thinking Jacob. Seth, tell them what you heard.

Both Jacob and I sped up at that, racing faster to join the others. I poured on all the speed I had; I loved rubbing it in all their faces, but especially Jacob's, that I was the fastest wolf. Sam was annoyed, as usual, but we ignored him, as usual.

Seth? Sam focused on my little brother instead.

Charlie called around till he found Billy at my house. Seth began. Charlie had been our dad's good friend and fishing partner, and he'd been trying to help mom out since dad's death this spring, so him calling wasn't a big deal. But 'calling around' for Billy Black implied there was something going on, and we all flashed to the likely reason why: Isabella Marie Swan Cullen. Yeah, I talked to him, Paul added.

So he's all flipped out. Guess Edward and Bella got home last week and—

She's alive, Jacob's relief rushed through our bonds. I was sure she wouldn't come back…they'd just report her dead…

Yeah, bro, and here's the bad news. Charlie talked to her, said she sounded bad. She told him she's sick. Carlisle got on and told Charlie that Bella picked up some rare South American disease and she's quarantined. Charlie's going crazy 'cause he's not allowed to see her. Carlisle won't budge on it; says he's doing everything he can, but it's serious. Charlie's been stewing for days, but he only just called Billy now. He said she sounded worse today.

We all knew what this meant—had known from the day we'd first heard about that engagement. That Bella becoming a Cullen legally would inevitably be followed by her becoming a Cullen in that other way, too. Jacob's thoughts again overrode all others, though this time they were clear and logical. This disease was going to be her official cause of death, while she became a vampire. Are they going to let him see her? She'll look so different, he'd have to notice. Wouldn't feel like a real dead person…could she even stay still? Wouldn't she try to kill every human who showed up to her funeral? Will they even have a funeral? Dig her up after or have her do it? It was appallingly impressive how much thought he'd put into this—probably as much thought as the leeches themselves.

Jacob and I finally reached the others at the same time. I dropped down next to Seth and Jacob took the spot Paul vacated next to Sam, his right as the second-in-command. He completely ignored my Beatcha again comment. Jacob was filled with tension and expectation.

Well, what are we waiting for? No one said anything—I don't think we knew whether there was anything to say. Come on, the treaty's broken!

We have no proof—maybe she is sick…Seth suggested. Unlikely, but definitely possible where this girl and her luck were concerned. Considering how she attracted trouble and danger, it was all too likely that she had picked up some disease.

Oh,please! Jacob snorted.

Okay, so the circumstantial evidence is pretty strong, Sam allowed. Still, Jacob, are you sure this is what you want? Is this really the right thing? We all know what she wanted.

That had been one of the –no, the—big issues we'd had to deal with in the last couple months. We and the tribe's elders had gone round and round over what, if anything, we ought to do. The language of the treaty was clear and unequivocal, but we all realized that our ancestors had never considered the possibility of a human wanting to become a vampire. Every last one of us had had our life-choices taken away from us by becoming wolves; did we really have the right to take away someone else's choice?

The treaty doesn't mention anything about victim preferences, Sam, Jacob retorted, easily picking up on and dismissing our thoughts.

Is she really a victim? Is that how you label her?

Yes.

Jake, Seth thought toward our cousin, they aren't our enemies.

Shut up, kid Just 'cause you've got some kind of sick hero worship thing going on with that bloodsucker doesn't change the law. They are our enemies, are in our territory. We take out their kind. I don't care if you did have fun fighting beside Edward Cullen. I bared my teeth and fought a growl as Jacob snarled at my baby brother that way. Seth gave back as good as he'd gotten, though.

So what will you do when Bella fights with them, Jacob? Huh?

She's not Bella anymore.

You gonna be the one to take her down? Seth kept on pushing. Maybe he'd be able to make Jacob see sense where no one else had. The strike hit home and Jacob visibly winced. No, you're not. So, what? You gonna make one of us do it? Hold a grudge against whoever it is forever? Damn, my little brother was good.

I wouldn't…Jacob tried to insist.

Seth was justifiably skeptical. Sure you won't. You're not ready for this fight, Jake.

Jacob seemed willing toargue the point, dropping from his ready posture into a crouch, eyes fixed on Seth's location across our circle.

Jacob, Sam warned. Seth, shut up.

Dang, what'd I miss? Quil's mind finally joined ours. Heard about Charlie's call. For being Jacob's friend, and the imprint of a toddler, Quil could be pretty quick on the uptake when he wanted to be.

We're getting ready to go, Jacob informed him. Swing by Kim's and drag Jared out with your teeth, why don't you? We're going to need everyone.

Come straight here, Sam countermanded. We've decided nothing yet. Jacob's growl indicated his willingness to argue the point. Sam wasn't having it. Jacob, I have to think about what's best for the pack. I have to choose the course that protects everyone the best. Times have changed. I, well, I don't believe the Cullens are a danger to us. We know they won't be here much longer. They'll tell their story and disappear. Our lives will go back to normal. Sam's thoughts welcomed that idea. Not having to phase, no patrols. Finally getting his and Emily's wedding plans off the ground…

Normal?

If we challenge them, Jacob, they will defend themselves. We all involuntarily thought about those nights we'd watched the Cullens practicing those skills before the fight against that newborn army.

Are you afraid? Jacob's thought-voice was scornful.

Are you so ready to lose a brother? Or a sister? Sam's pause before that last bit wasn't missed, at least not by me.

I'm not afraid to die.

I know that. It's one reason I question your judgment on this.

I figured Jacob was distracted enough that he wasn't paying attention to me. I almost hated to, but I agreed with Sam on this one. Jacob wasn't running on all cylinders here. He'd been obsessed with Bella Swan for so long…he was like a kid who'd lost out on a prize or toy and was willing to destroy it just to keep the winner from getting to keep it. Just a case of sour grapes. At least I could pride myself on not stooping so low—I hadn't tried to break Sam and Emily up, after all.

Do you intend to honor our fathers' treaty or not? Jacob demanded.

I honor my pack and do what's best for them.

Coward. Jacob tensed, and for an insane second I actually thought he might turn on Sam.

Enough, Jacob. Sam's voice was filled now with that echo, that weight, that came from being our Alpha. His black eyes met those of every wolf in the circle. The pack is not attacking the Cullens without provocation. The spirit of the treaty remains. They aren't a danger to us or to the people of Forks. Bella Swan has made an informed choice; we are not going to punish our former allies for her willing choice.

Hear, hear, Seth chimed in.

Thought I told you to shut it, Seth.

Oops. Sorry, Sam.

Jacob, where do you think you're going? He'd left his spot and started heading for a gap in the line.

I'm going to tell my dad goodbye. Apparently there wasn't a reason for me to stick around this long. I think we all rocked back a little at what Jacob really meant. He was going to leave again, to go wolf like he had at the beginning of the summer, and he wasn't planning to come back.

Aw, Jake, don't do that again! Seth urged, only to have Quil and Embry tell him to Shut up!

We don't want you to leave…

Then order me to stay, Sam.

I won't do that.

Nothing more to say, then. He put on a burst of speed and was almost immediately lost to sight. His only thoughts were of what he might say to his father. Billy would be crushed to have Jacob gone again—he'd barely smiled at all the whole time he'd been gone before. I wanted to hate him for running again, but the reasonable girl I'd once been envied him. What I wouldn't give to be able to do the same, to leave everything that hurt me behind. We were all still sitting in the clearing where he'd left us when the link connecting him to us was broken by his phase.

Sam? Quil and Embry thought in unison.

I won't force him to stay, Sam repeated. He'll only be miserable here. All we can do is to let him know we're there for him and hope he'll come back again before long. Collin, Brady, let's get back to our patrol. The rest of you head home.

Seth and I ran together for a while, before he stopped a bit short of home. Let's phase back so we can talk, he said. We turned away and found trees to phase behind. Just because I'd given him baths when he was little didn't mean I wanted to see my brother naked now.

"Leah? What do you think about all this?"

"I think Jacob really needs a reality check. Bella Swan isn't his and never was. He's got no right passing judgment on what she does. Granted, I don't like the choice she's making either, but that's not my call, or anyone's besides her."

"Edward's not a bad guy, you know. He really loves Bella, and she loves him, too. They deserve to be happy."

"I guess someone should get that." Spirits only knew that I wouldn't.

Seth must've decided he'd pushed enough boundaries with Jacob today, because he didn't say anything in response. But, then, "If we go in the house now, we'll have to tell mom and Billy about this."

"Too late now." We were in sight of the house, and she was waiting for us on the porch, Claire perched on her hip. Billy wasn't there, so he must've headed home.

"What happened?" she asked us.