A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chap! Even the ppl that I think wanted to hurt me : ) (side note: on the Entertainment Tonight NM promo's, Taylor as Jacob running out of his house... *dies*)

--- --- ---

She looked so frail for one with nothing left to break. Her forehead was damp, the sheen of a cold sweat covered in strands of matted black hair. The warm brown of her skin now had a sickly yellow tinge. The colour also tainting the whites of her eyes. Her large pupils however were a hollow black. The light behind them gone. Red swollen lids accented them still, although the last tear she had shed was hours ago.

Occasionally she made a soft whimpering noise but she never spoke. She lay all day in the same position, knees curled up to her chest, arms wrapped around them. Her eyes remained wide open as she blinked on occasion. Food and sleep were refused. The latter only causing her to awaken in panic. I was here for her always. Alert as she slept. Ready for the onslaught of tears upon her awakening. I would hold her until she stopped shaking. The few seconds it took to realise that her nightmares were no match for her real life broke my heart every time. I now gripped her tightly to avoid the pain in her eyes. Easy for me. She had no such option.

I watched as her eye lids grew heavy, each blink slowing. She was on the verge of falling asleep. Sometimes it took only minutes for her to tear herself out of her nightmares, sometimes hours. I sat closer to the bed as I watching over her. The scars I had grown accustomed to seemed frightening without the life in her face to mask them. They were a curse. A constant reminder of her lost love that repulsed any potential suitors. Her heavy lids closed as her breathing slowed. This would be a shallow sleep. I could tell now. The heavier sleeping usually occurred when they medicated her enough. No this would be short, and I would be ready.

Jake tried to sit with me but his presence only made Emily more distraught. All of the boys did. Russet skinned ghosts, walking reminders of her lost husband. For now both my mother and I were keeping watch of her as the only ones she would allow in her room. The doctor confirmed that it was rare to lose a baby at nineteen weeks but fortunately she was still able to have children in the future. Her face remained unchanged at the news. She seemed resolved that there was no future for her.

Mom would be here soon. I needed sleep. I needed to be in Jakes arms. I needed to feel that there was some hope in the world as I sat through half a day of pity for my poor cousin. I hated that I had that option, that he would be waiting for me when I left. Emily had a cold hospital room and an empty house awaiting her return. Jake had dismantled the crib Sam made, storing the rest of the baby stuff in his garage. We figured it was the last thing she would want to be greeted with upon her return home. A parcel of baby clothes arrived just yesterday from our cousin. We couldn't be there for every delivery or every question about the baby. We could be there for Emily though, at the very least. Whatever it took.

My thoughts were interrupted as she shot forward, body convulsing, choking on her sobs. Arms at the ready I gripped her tightly, trying to keep her calm and hold her in place. My strength was no match for her and the shaking slowed to just a light tremble. That was as close to normal as she got. She gripped me as a show of her appreciation before letting go. Falling back onto the bed as if it was nothing unusual she settled back into the fetal position.

Tomorrow was Sam's funeral. We still didn't know if she was coming. We had both asked, my mother and I. Neither wanting to push her. A light tapping on the door indicated that my mom was here. She would hopefully be able to convince her to attend. If not I would take her to Sam's real grave instead, away from the others. Our own private service. I stood up giving my cousin a kiss on her cheek goodbye. As I walked out of the room a faint voice called out to me.

"Stay with me tomorrow Leah?"

I swung around startled, unsure if she had spoken or if it was wishful thinking.

"Here?" I asked, hopeful she would reply.

"No, at his…the….tomorrow. Stay with me ok? You and Sue. I need you."

I was so relieved to hear her voice, evident in the smile that broke across my face.

"Of course. I'll be back tomorrow to help you check out ok?"

I was never the girl to turn to in these situations, that was more Emily's style. She gave me a faint half smile as she returned to face that same spot on the wall. I walked out to let mom in. After a quick update on her status, sleep patterns included, she was ready to take over. I saw Embry out the corner of my eye but pretended not to notice. Mom walked in I took off in the opposite direction. Large cautious foot steps followed me as a voice called out my name.

"Lee?"

I stopped. It was not like I could avoid him forever. Turning to face him I realised this was the first time I had seen him since the battle. He was pale, much like the others. Grief effecting our appetites as well as sleep patterns. His hair was dishevelled and his face had a thick coating of stubble. I knew I didn't look too hot either but Embry was just a mess. My previous resolve to punch him in the face had faded. Recent events considered, our issues seemed petty in comparison.

"How is Quil's family?" I asked before he could speak. I had been wondering for days.

His head dropped as if the weight of that question was too much. No doubt he was going through a painful replay of the news he had delivered. I could relate.

"Not great, as you can imagine. Old Quil is strong but Rowena won't stop crying. She keeps holding me like I'm a substitute for him. I let her. I don't know if it's something I should be encouraging or not but I do. She cleaned his room when I was over, as if he was coming back home. Its just, ah, it's hard."

Poor Rowena. First losing her husband and now their son. I had used Emily as my excuse not to see her yet. The truth was the memory of Quil's death was still too vivid in my mind. I was already dealing with the constant replay of Sam's death. It was selfish but I didn't know if I could handle them both at the same time.

Embry's face held a lot of pain. He was not dealing with his grief yet, too busy supporting others in theirs. He seemed more like his old self now. The sweet kid that others looked to for support. He was always good with that. I was not. I had only very little to offer as a friend but I still wanted to try.

"You want to come over and I'll make you something to eat?" I blurted out.

His face lit up. I had extended a branch. The past was now officially in the past.

"Yeah that would be good, thanks Lee. I've missed your cooking you know."

I had no doubt, he loved anything I made. All of the guys did. Then again if it was food they were in

"I wanted to see Emily but your mom said she's not ready yet so I can head back to your place with you if you want?"

"We're only stopping their briefly, I'm staying at Jakes. I can cook for you there"

His face dropped again.

"Actually I'll give it a miss."

"Embry, come on…"

"No thanks Leah, I'm suddenly not hungry. I have to go anyway."

"Where are you…."

He walked off before I finished my sentence. I considered going after him for a second but stopped when I realised it was probably a good thing that he wasn't coming over for dinner. I continued my exit from the hospital, grateful that tomorrow would be my last day here.

Walking outside the fading sunlight seemed brighter then usual. The fresh air was just as inviting as I let it fill my lungs. A full day of confinement heightened your senses. I savoured the moment before looking at the car park. Leaning against a tiny run down car was a tall russet skinned boy. His face was also covered in stubbled although not as much as Quil's. He knew I hated it. His hair was still wet from a recent shower, a few strands hanging down his forehead. He smiled at me as I walked over to him, smiling in return. I was getting used to the way my lips involuntarily mimicked his own grin. I couldn't' help it when I was around him. He grabbed me, hugging me first. He would wait until I returned it before breaking the hug and taking me in for a soft kiss.

"I've missed you" He said pulling away.

My eyes opened slowly. My smile was my way of telling him I had missed him too.

As we did each night the first stop was my house. Seth and the other guys were there and I filled them in with Emily's progress. Grabbing a change of clothes we headed back to the Jake's place. Billy was home and he made a point of welcoming in. He didn't hide that my relationship with Jake got his full approval. Rachel was the same. She always made sure to save me some food joking that she had to lock Paul away to do so. Even Paul was happy to have me around...to an extent. He said it was because both Jake and I "weren't such bitches" when we were together. That was pretty deep and meaningful considering the source.

After another night of good food and good conversation I headed back to Jacobs room. There was no pressure with us. He would squeeze himself right up against the wall and I would press myself into him as I lay at his side. I wanted more, he knew that, but right now was not the time to pursue anything. After my days with Emily this was all I wanted. To be in Jakes arms as he waited for me to fall asleep. I pushed the guilt of my contentment away. This was our time and I refused to let anything ruin it.

--- --- ---

I woke up fully rested for the first time in the last few nights. I had my share of nightmares but they were getting easier to manage. When the same images are on replay during the day the night version isn't as terrifying as it should be.

Jacob was still asleep. His mouth wide open, corner glistening with a touch of drool. His throat rumbled with a low snore. I slowly left the bed not wanting to disturb him and he rolled over instantly taking up the tiny space I had occupied. After a shower and breakfast with Rach he was still asleep. I crept in to give him a kiss before heading back to the hospital when he grabbed me and pulled me into him. He kissed me hard as he stretched his arms around me. I let a laugh escape my lips, caught off guard.

"Well, morning to you too." I stated. He grinned at me before pouting.

"That time already huh?"

"I know. But its a big day today. Emily's first time around other people and all. I want to get in early, help her get prepared."

He smiled thoughtfully at me as he ran his hand through his hair.

"Call me and I'll come and pick you up."

With one last kiss, slightly lingering, kiss I went to get a ride to the hospital with Rachel and Paul. Entering the long white corridors was almost pleasant for once. Just one more day I thought to myself. As I walked closer to Emily's room I saw my mom standing outside looking worried. Panic set in. I starting running towards her, a feeling of dread catching in my throat.

"Mom? What's wrong? Is it Emily, is she ok?"

She gripped my arms to calm me down.

"Yes she's ok...Leah. Its not her. Embry is in there with her."

"What she let someone else in?" I was releaved beyond words "That's great news. Maybe the funeral won't be so bad for her today."

I smiled back at her as I entered the room.

"No Leah wait.."

As I walked in Embry was in my seat watching over Emily.

Déjà vu.

He had that same glassy eyed look of adoration on his face that Sam once had. He didn't even acknowledge me as I burst into the room. Emily smiled my way, completely oblivious to what had happened.

Embry imprinted on her.

I wanted to rip his throat out but I didn't know why.

"Embry? Can I see you outside for a minute." I asked through clenched teeth.

"No Leah, I'm busy." He replied without even glancing at me.

Definitely déjà vu.

I walked past my mother as I headed for the rest room. Shutting myself in a cubicle I took in what had just happened. Embry imprinted on Emily. The next alpha in line imprinted on the previous alpha's wife. It made sense in a sick, cosmicly twisted way. Apart from the completely inappropriate timing, Emily's current vulnerable state and the fact that I now no longer existed in his eyes, why did I care? He finally had someone else, someone good who would treat him right.

So again, why did I care?

The hospital curse broke me down again and I did the one thing that I would only allow myself to do in these walls. I burst into tears.

--- --- ---

A/N: So...I'm almost scared to ask but what's the ratio here, Clearcall vs Blackwater (in this story). I'm pretty sure I already have the final Leah/? pairing done in my mind but I'd like to know what you guys think.