"You need to hurry this up dad - she doesn't have a lot of time"

Even through the closed door Leah could tell Rosalie was growing anxious. Carlisle had taken various samples from her before examining each of her injuries. It had been a good 20 minutes already and he still hadn't finished. Bella would start making her way to La Push soon, as per her phone call with Jake who had been prompted by Leah. Bella was under the impression that Jake had been helping Leah deal with the guilt that came with a drunken one night stand.

…Just as Leah wanted it.

She needed to see her face to face. She needed to give the girl half a chance to redeem herself before she decided on the degree of punishment she would put her through. It would be brutal, much like the one she was planning for Sam; but until she saw Bella herself, she was unsure of just how cruel she was willing to be. Her emotions were all over the place. It was easy enough to be bitter and spiteful as a part of her had recently been stolen, reminding her that she wasn't immortal as most people her age often forgot. Unfortunately, that part also left her vulnerable and she was unsure if she had the strength to go to the full extent of her plan for revenge.

She hoped that was about to change, with Bella's arrival in under a half hour. Carlisle needed to be gone long before then. His face was set in a concerned frown that had turned to annoyance at Rosalie's forceful banging. He shouted back at the closed door while tending to one of the few wounds in which the skin had been broken.

"She should be in a hospital Rosalie - this is not the place to be doing such an examination. Do not rush me."

"She's rushing you because Bella is on her way." Leah replied.

He turned his whole body towards her. As angry and hard as his face was there was no mistaking the healer in his eyes. They had a strangely comforting effect on her, and she almost felt bad for forcing him to assess her in secrecy. …Almost.

"You really should be in the hospital Leah. You have nothing to be afraid of. I know it's not the easiest place for you to be in, but you need be seen by someone who is trained to deal with such matters. I'm not sure if I'm following all the procedures that are required and I'd hate for that to allow for Sam to get away with what he has…."

"I have no intention of letting him get away with anything," she replied.

"But I can't submit these tests anonymously, I need a name. If I change the details post results it will appear I have tampered with the samples."

"You'll work something out. I don't want anyone in that hospital to know these are for me. "

"Leah…"

"Dr. Culllen, you know what Bella is like. You know what she is capable of. You may have been fine keeping your silence but that doesn't work for me. I want it done this way. I need it done this way."

"But I…"

"No. I will do whatever it takes to get what I need. If that requires a bribe to secure your silence then so be it. If Bella could do it than so can I."

He swallowed as his pale face became even whiter.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Rose told me everything, about the affair and about the documents you provided to help Bella convince Emmett that Rose had had an abortion. Regardless of the gratitude my family has for you the revulsion I feel at just the thought of you helping in your daughter's heartbreak makes it easy for me to have no problem passing on this information to whoever can use it where it will cause you the most pain."

"But I didn't know at the time it was for Rose specifically. You have to understand Leah, my family, my career - they're all I have in the world. I thought I'd be protecting them but in the process I managed to lose one entirely. I have a well established reputation in the medical community. If she were to sully that I may as well apply to work at McDonalds now."

"Wow." Leah said as she shook her head "you really have no idea do you? Priorities wise your family should come before your career. You should be patching things up with Rose and Mrs. Cullen, not catering to the every whim of a teenager who seduced you while you were having a mid-life crisis."

"It's too late for that. The damage is done - it's irreparable."

Leah swung her legs off the side of the bed. Her examination was over. It was taking all that was in her not to find Seth's bat and knock Dr. Cullen's head off of his shoulders.

"You're a coward, a fucking coward. It may be irreparable but it doesn't mean you can't try to make amends. You don't deserve forgiveness for what you have done but you can work towards re-establishing your relationship with your family. You know what? You're the adult, the one with the medical degree. You should know better. Then again, you should've known not to fuck around with your daughter's underage school friend too."

"Whoa, now hold on, that's not fair."

She moved her head so it was inches from his as she whispered into his face.

"You're right. It's not fair, not to Rose and not to your wife. You know what is fair? Me telling Charlie Swan what happened and letting him and his shotgun figure out the appropriate method of punishment."

Carlisle got to his feet in an instant and began packing up the bag he had brought, samples included.

"This is covered under Doctor/Patient confidentiality. It does not leave this house. You will contact me when you have the results but not before then."

He stopped for a second as if he was about to say something and then shook his head as he picked up his bag.

"I've got it Leah. You won't hear from me until necessary. I'd appreciate it if you would do me the same courtesy."

She nodded her head at him as he opened the door and stormed out through the living room. Rose, Jake and Seth were waiting and each got to their feet at his sudden exit. He slammed the front door behind him and Jake rushed over to Leah. His hands moved down her shoulders to her elbows as he looked her in the eyes.

"What did he say? Is everything okay Lee? Do you need me to drive you to the hospital in Seattle?"

It would be very easy for Leah to lose herself in Jacob's caring arms, to allow her the time she needed to process what had happened, to grieve for the part of her that was destroyed by Sam's violation. He was so full of warmth and love for her it was impossible not to feel protected when he was around.

But she didn't have the time.

Maybe after this, if she was still standing, she would hope that her relationship with Jake was still intact enough for him to allow her that chance. For now though she needed to set her plan in motion. She had to keep focused as welcoming as the thought of crumbling into Jacobs open arms was.

"It's all fine Jake. I don't want to go into detail but everything is...fine."

"I don't believe you."

"Well that's your problem."

Before he could pry further there was a knock on the door. Leah jumped - a reaction she was getting used to. Jake pulled her into him tightly as Rose silently offered to check it out. Seth moved to stand just as protectively behind his sister and Rosalie looked through the small window at the visitors outside. She turned to whisper towards them.

"I think it's your dad Jacob, and an older man."

Leah's face filled with fear. She knew why they were here.

"Calm down Lee" Jake started "Bella probably just told dad where I was. No big."

He moved to walk towards the door as Leah whispered into Seth's ear. He nodded at her plea and hugged her quickly.

The door opened to reveal Billy Black and Old Quil Ateara.

"Seth." Billy spoke "You need to come with us."

"Wait, what? Dad, you can't be serious. I put Sam in the hospital, if anything you guys should be here for me, not Seth."

Billy gave Jake a look that Leah couldn't read but he spoke with a low determination in such a way that only Jake would be able to read between the lines.

"Your time will come Jake. For now we need to speak to the youngest Clearwater."

"But..."

Seth put his hand on Jakes shoulder as he stood next to him.

"It's fine Jake. I'll be back soon. See ya Lee, nice meeting you Rose." He walked out the door and turned to face Jake. He mouthed his words slowly, "Take care of her."

Jacob turned to face Leah, his face full of questions.

"Why did you let them take him now? You could ask for it to wait until they call the full council for a meeting. This is all too fresh - we need to work out a plan."

"Don't worry Jake. It's under control."

"How can you say that? Your mom could be there for all you know. I thought you didn't want her to find out? Now the whole council will know what happened."

"It's under control Jake."

Rose interrupted now, "Leah if you have a plan you need to fill us in, we're a team now."

"Rose, for now all you need to know is that it has been set in motion."

"That's not good enough Leah. I need more information than that."

Leah turned to face the girl fully now. "All you need to know for now is that I promise you we will get you your Emmett back…. The damage that Bella Swan has done will be repaired. I refuse to let any trace of her remain in either Forks or La Push. Know that."

A flicker of hope passed over Rosalie's face making it soft. Her eyes sparkled for a split second and Leah knew she was doing the right thing by keeping the details of her plan to herself.

"I hate this Leah but you're the only person I feel I can trust right now. You need to show me the same respect though - I would like to be in the loop."

Leah forced a smile as she nodded her way. For now she was worried that upon hearing her plans both Jake and Rose would reject her as crazy and she would be on her own. It was selfish but she figured she had earned that right for now.

Suddenly every head in the room turned towards the front door. Bella's beastly truck made its presence known in the distance, thundering its way down the main street. Leah could feel the hairs on her arms begin to stand up as she sat down on the couch with Rosalie at her side. Jake walked towards the door before turning back around and pacing for a few steps. The engine stopped and they all froze for a moment. There was a light tap on the door as Jake seemed to force his legs that way.

Upon opening, Bella's slight frame was revealed to the room. She entered with caution, suspicion covering her face.

"So this is where you've been Jake? Billy and I were worried about you."

Leah ground her teeth. She had known Billy her whole life and he was not the 'worrying by the phone' kind of guy. It annoyed her how easy it was for Swan to lie and how much she sounded like she believed every word.

"Yeah, well…ah, sorry 'bout that. Leah needed a friend and I lost track of time."

Bella's eyes fell on Leah now. Her expression was blank but the tone of her voice was still cautious.

"So you're to blame for stealing my boyfriend? My bed has been empty the past two nights because of you. Not that it matters, I've found him now."

She placed a light kiss on Jakes cheek to make a point. He didn't move - he didn't even look at her. He hadn't made eye contact since she had entered. Leah could see how hard this was for him and she was proud he was as calm as he was.

Bella had noticed though, she seemed slightly embarrassed and mostly annoyed as she pulled away from him. Her eyes met with Rosalie who was staring at her with disgust across her face.

"Since when did you join this little 'pack' Rose?"

"A normal person would call them friends Bella - you're probably unfamiliar with that word."

Bella twisted her lips into a forced smile.

"Oh I know what friends are Rose, Alice can vouch for that."

"I meant the word 'normal' actually, and if you're talking about your fuck-buddies then half of Washington would be considered your 'friends.'"

"What?" Bella seemed taken aback by Rose's casually mentioned revelation. "Are you still bitter because your dad came on to me? That wasn't my fault and you know it."

The lack of reaction from Jake showed her just how much they knew and for the first time Leah could see the cracks in Bella's impenetrable exterior showing.

"Are you going to let her talk to me like that Jake? Are you going to let some lying stuck-up bitch call me out and say nothing?"

"Bella," Leah snapped, "You will watch how you refer to my friends when you are in my home. Got it?"

Bella's body stiffened but she refused to take her eyes off of Jake.

"So what Jake, these girls told you to call me over here just so they could take cheap shots at me while you stood by and watched?" He refused to lift his head to her again and she placed a hand on his cheek as she lowered her voice. "Jakey, they're just jealous of what we have. Leah is obviously in love with you and Rosalie blames me for something she fucked up herself. You know that. You know she can't be trusted. …And Leah? She's blinded by her feelings for you…."

Jakes head suddenly shot back as his eyes met with hers. "DON'T speak for Leah, you don't know her, you don't get to do that…And Rose? I only know what you've told me to believe which seems to be a lie, like most of what comes out of your mouth."

Bella's mouth fell open but she closed it as soon as she remembered herself.

"Jakey, don't listen to them. You know I love you and that's all that matters. We just need to talk, I can explain everything."

"I don't want to hear it. There is no us Bella that ended the day you started fucking around behind my back."

"But you haven't even heard my side of the story..."

"And I don't want to."

"But Jake..."

"Enough. We're done. All that shit with you sneaking around, the lying, the deceiving, the outright bitchiness? I thought I loved you Bella. I always thought I was so lucky to have you in my life."

"But, no Jake - you are, I mean, I am, I mean, we fit. We fit perfectly. Please Jake..."

"No Bella. You need to get the fuck away from me."

Bella placed her hand on his arm and he reacted as if her fingers tips were fire. He pulled his arm away to make a statement and stormed towards the front door, slamming it behind him much like Carlisle had done only 15 minutes ago. He left Bella standing alone and broken, in the middle of the room, for both Rose and Leah's viewing pleasure.

Leah wanted to smile as she allowed herself to revel in Bella's undoing. Her eyes were hidden behind her mousey brown hair and Leah imagined she was hiding her tears from her. She cracked and let a small grin break over her face. It was the first one she had managed in days, the first time she had wanted to allow for one, and it felt...good.

Bella's forehead fell into her hands as she took a deep breath, stuttering her exhale, and began to rub her eyes. She kept her head down for a few moments longer and let out a series of short, pathetic whimpers.

"Oh come on, get a hold of yourself Swan."

The crying was just sad, not that she wasn't enjoying it. She began to see Bella wasn't the formidable enemy she had given her credit for. She glanced over at Rose who had a full blown smile on her face and made no attempt to hide it. Then Bella lifted her eyes to meet with Leah's and she suddenly lost the urge to breathe.

Bella was crying but beneath her tears was a smile that matched her own smirk. She rubbed her eyes a few more times making them redder and producing even more crocodile tears as she did.

"You ladies really thought you had some idea of what you were doing, huh? I've been playing this game for years - all you can do is take notes."

"You fucking disrespectful..." Rose jumped to her feet as Bella cut her off. She began to wail in pain now as she got louder and louder. She fell to her knee's and clutched at her stomach. Jake opened up the door and immediately looked to where Leah was sitting. He saw Bella on the floor and couldn't help but try to help her up.

"Jesus Bella, calm down. What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Bella was crying hysterically as she began coughing and spluttering, attempting to get out her words. When she did Leah could see the plan she had set in motion fall apart before her very eyes.

"It's the baby Jake - I think you've hurt our baby."