Okay, you've got to be expecting a long note since this is the last chapter, right? Right!

I want to thank all my reviewers-you guys are amazing! Thanks for sticking with me until the end (those that have, I know of at least one reviewer lost… :[ …)! You guys are great, and love each and every review you gifted upon me!

Next, I'd like to say that I really enjoyed writing this story and was sad when it ended. I had trouble with the ending, then when I finally wrote it, couldn't find a place to split it-so you get an extra long last chapter!

Lastly, I'd like to request that you at least brief over my other stories. I have about a bazillion one shots that you might be interested in (various pairings) and would love to see what you think! I've recently been informed that I have 40 plus stories….wow…didn't realize… So check them out!

Disclaimer: I only own the plot and Leah.

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Chapter 15

Each breath sent a sharp pang through her chest and made her nearly gasp. It was a task just to keep from falling over. Lea wrapped her arms around herself tightly, as if the action would hold her together and keep her beaten body from falling apart.

She'd broken her promise.

Scowling at the thought, Lea decided she didn't care. It had been three months since seeing Nick and he obviously didn't care about her anyways. There was no truth to any of it anyways.

Gasping as a sharp pain shot up her leg, making her stumble, Lea recalled the fight she had just been in. It had actually been satisfactory for once. No one had won, but the fight had been broken up by someone spotting some cops not far off. Considering her condition-not that her opponent was any better off- and the fact that it was two in the morning, Lea decided it best not to be caught by the police that night.

Lea spat to rid her mouth of the foul tasting blood and lifted a hand to check her jaw for blood. It didn't do any good, she realized since her opponent had somehow managed to give her a nasty cut in her side and her hand was already covered with blood from that wound.

Maybe she would bleed to death and die? The thought strangely made Lea chuckle to herself, wondering if anyone would even notice her absence anytime soon. Doubtful, she decided. She was quite a ways from home, and wandering the city. Her mind was too fogged with pain to even comprehend if she was headed in the correct direction to make it home.

Lea sighed deeply, slumping heavily against the brick wall of some building. The pain was coursing through her, sending jolts of sharp electric feelings that made her wince every time. This was the worst.

Somehow, she knew in the back of her mind, that she wouldn't make it home tonight. And she was in a very bad situation.

Then it went black.

It smelled like clean sheets and rain.

Lea turned her head slightly without opening her eyes, gasping and letting out a groan at the pain that coursed through her at the motion. There was a sound of movement somewhere in the room but she was too tired and hurt to feel like opening her eyes.

Suddenly a warm hand was pressed gently against her cheek, caressing her soft skin almost lovingly, a thumb stroking her skin and bringing a small amount of comfort. Lea tried to smile slightly, but failed. It had been a long time since anyone had touched her that way.

Her eyelids were heavy, but she felt a soft, undeterminable touch to her cheek before she drifted off again, hoping to not wake up, but return to the wonderful, yet simple dream she was currently in.

It was dark when Lea woke the second time, but she managed to open her eyes. For a moment, she only stood staring at the ceiling that she couldn't really see. She was in a hotel room. A shot of pain made her wince, but move her arm slightly, to hopefully relieve the stiffness. Her hand brushed against cloth-not the sheets she was in between.

Lea wasn't really worried or scared. There wasn't much that could happen to make her feel any worse, but she was curious. Slowly, she moved her hand to rest on the person's chest, only just realizing she could hear soft breathing.

She bit her lip, knowing that if this was some freak of a stranger, she would teach them a lesson-despite them obviously taking care of her. Her fingers maneuvered their way up ward to touch the person's face and Leah held her breath, just in case they woke up.

Fingers touching soft curls, Lea felt her heart leap to her throat and fought the urge to cry. The person's hair made her think of Nick's and that was one person she refused to think about at the moment.

Rolling over and unsuccessfully suppressing a groan at the nearly unbearable pain, Lea was annoyed to find herself so achy and weak, resting her face against the person's shoulder just to catch her breath from the pain.

Her heart sped up as she breathed deeply, recognizing the smell of the person's clothes immediately.

Nick.

But she had to be imagining it. There couldn't be any way he was really there. Besides, she didn't want him back anyways. He was a jerk and had run off. There was no need to care who it was.

"Are you awake?" his sleepy, worried and concerned tone-and soft skin as he pressed his hand to her cheek melted her will. It was really Nick. She refused to cry about it though.

"Yes…" Lea breathed, trying not to gasp at a spasm of pain in her leg. She knew nothing was broken though, amazingly. He was sitting up in an instant, hands holding her face gently after she forced herself up also.

"You're horribly beaten up." He sighed, warm breath touching her face soothingly and Lea swallowed the urge to tear up just because he was there with her again.

"I can feel it." She whispered.

"What happened?" Nick demanded, sounding worried but the hint of anger in his tone was unmistakable. She hesitated, knowing that he would have to find out she broke her promise to him after all.

"Fight…" was all she managed to reply softly, feeling him tense before his hands dropped. Lea was about to go on and offer her sincere apology, but he picked up her hand and brushed his lips against her knuckles tenderly.

"Oh, Lea…"

"I'm sorry." She choked out, shivering as a sudden chill from the room swept over her. The rain was pattering on the hotel window and she could hear it getting harder and harder. There was a silence before Nick sighed, setting her hand down slowly.

"I forgive you. I always will." He breathed sincerely, "Are you in a lot of pain?"

"I'm fine." Lea tried to brush away the concern, but Nick persisted.

"You are definitely not fine." He stated sternly, "You look horrible." Lea opened her mouth to reply, but he rushed on, "No, I don't mean horrible," he spoke apologetically, "You're beautiful. I just mean…so many cuts and bruises, Lea…"

She found herself blushing at the compliment, but only addressed his latter comment, "I know, trust me, I know." Her hand automatically reached to press against the cut that was stinging on her side, and her palm met her flesh.

"Where's my shirt?!" Lea squeaked, her face warmer than ever now, fingers discover that he had definitely taken off her shirt to tend the wound on her side. There was a momentary silence before Nick spoke sounding awkward.

"Sorry." He muttered, "Lea, you were bleeding so badly from that gash in your side that I even considered taking you to the hospital. But once I cleaned it off-"

"After taking off my shirt." Lea interrupted in a mumbled.

"Yes…" he hesitated, and she could hear the thoughtful tone and frown in his voice, "but after I cleaned it off, it stopped bleeding for the most part. I didn't want you wearing your bloody shirt in the hotel bed and leaving blood. The staff would wonder."

"…I guess you have a point." Lea admitted, still unable to keep from blushing.

"Plus, I had to keep on eye on it for bleeding, and it would just make it more difficult-" Nick went on to explain, but Lea pressed a finger against his perfect lips, making her skin tingle as she smiled at him.

"I forgive you for your improper actions." She whispered, kissing his chin softly before sighing, "Why'd you leave me?" Lea hated the desperate and hurt tone of voice she spoke in.

"Lea," Nick ran a hand through her hair, "I didn't want to. They told me you were out riding when it was time for us to go. You weren't?..."

"Have you ever known me to go riding alone?" Lea whispered, surprised Nick had been swayed by whomever's lies. Slowly, he shook his head.

"I was afraid that maybe you'd found someone to ride with." he admitted softly, "Someone other then me. Someone…better?"

"That's a dumb fear." Lea couldn't help but chuckle, but wanted to take it back when she realized it might hurt his feelings or make him feel foolish. She ran a hand over his face.

"Did you get mad?" Nick breathed, "When you found out I had left?"

"Furious." Lea stated instantly, faintly seeing his smile despite the darkness. The smile she had always fallen for.

"Did you hate me?" he teased.

"I tried." Lea admitted, remembering trying to shove aside his face from her mind. It was a very hard task, since he was all she thought about. Nick rested his forehead against hers.

"I'm so sorry." He sighed, and she felt his hand touching her side gingerly, "So this is my fault. You're pain."

"Not really." Lea whispered, "It's my fault. For being so angry that you didn't care enough to say goodbye."

"But I did! I-" Nick began to protest worriedly, but Lea interrupted him.

"I know, but that's what I was afraid happened."

"You have a dumb fear too." Nick responded, chuckling at her and brushing his nose against hers, "Looks like we both have irrational fears."

"I guess so."

They only sat there for a few moments, both just enjoying the fact they were together again, despite what had happened and people not wanting them together. It was amazing how they had come together again.

"Did you…miss me?" Lea asked timidly, knowing that before summer she wouldn't ever speak in that tone or anything near it. He had changed her so much, it was unbelievable.

"Lea…" Nick's tone changed to one she didn't recognize, and she felt the fear grip her, "I love you."

"…what?" she whispered breathlessly, heart suddenly pounding in her chest making her wonder if he could hear it. Nick shifted restlessly at her disbelief and request for him to repeat it.

"I love you." He admitted in a vulnerable tone, and Lea found herself running her hand through his beloved curls with a small smile on her face.

"How could someone like you ever love someone like me?" she asked softly in shock, disbelief audible in every words she spoke. Nick gripped her tightly to him, kissing her cheek softly.

"I'm no angel." He breathed in her ear, the smile in his tone. Lea grinned, pulling back to look at his face nervously.

"I love you, angel boy." She spoke in barely a whisper, "I don't know how, but I know I love you."

"There's so much I want to say right now," Nick spoke after a moment, "But I can't find the words…"

Lea laughed softly, kissing the tip of his nose, "Me too…"

"May I kiss you?" Nick's whispered the words Lea had been dying to hear. The words she irrationally feared his voice would never say to her again.

"Please." Was all Lea whispered in reply, smiling as their lips collided in a fierce, passionate kiss. It beat their first kiss in intensity and meaning, definitely. It was a kiss of love, and Lea was soon sure her head was spinning.

Nick broke apart so suddenly, Lea was afraid something was wrong and a frown settled on her face, "What's wrong?" The worry in his eyes said that something was on his mind.

"Am I hurting you?" his hand lightly touched a couple bruises to explain the meaning behind his words.

"Angel boy," Lea grinned, "You're amazingly perfect."

"As are you." His unexpected reply came.

Lea could come up with no response, not knowing how to take such a large compliment.

"I'll love you forever." Nick murmured, kissing her briefly.

"I'll love you forever, Angel Boy." Lea whispered in reply.

I hope you all liked it! At least a little bit!

So this might not have wrapped up quite the way you thought, but I hope everyone was at least satisfied to some degree. I mean, they got together in the end-right? That's what we all expected and wanted….

If ever there was a time I was begging for a review, it'd be now! Now that the story is revealed and completed I want to know your thoughts even if you didn't review any other chapters. So, please let me know now! :)

I'd like to tell you that my new story will be up shortly. It's still a work in progress, so reviews won't come as quickly as these past few have. The story is revolved around Caitlyn and Shane but only their characters, Camp Rock has nothing to do with it. (Sorry, Nate/Caitlyn fans, but I'd still appreciate if you read!)

So keep your eyes open for "Love Story" (I think that's what I'm going to call it.)

Thanks again to all my wonderful reviewers! And thanks to all my readers who didn't review, but read!

I can't believe it's over….okay, I'm done now…I guess…

I 3 Leah's character and am going to miss her!

Nick and Leah = 3!