Tada! ;) Enjoy the chapter! Oh, and in the matter of the commercial I mention, I really did see a commercial for that. While writing this. I stared in amazement. That channel does honestly scare me sometimes.
Leah stomped back and forth in her room while Emily sat on the bed cross-legged, staring at the comforter underneath her.
"I can't believe he just ignored me! What was he doing, waiting until I left? Were all those times he said he didn't want to quit on us, that he wanted to work things out because he loved me a lie? I don't get it! I don't...." She trailed off helplessly, then her anger swarmed forth again. "I love him, and he treats me like this! It isn't fair! I've done nothing to deserve this and he swears he wants to try harder and then just ignores me!"
"Maybe he honestly didn't know you were there," Emily quietly suggested.
Leah scoffed. "I'm sure he did. I'm positive he did. He just didn't want to see me."
"Maybe he just wasn't sure what to say."
Leah stopped and stared at her cousin incredulously. "What the hell, Emily. I thought you were on my side of this! Why are you defending him?"
"I'm not!" Emily defensively snapped. "I just think you're being a little too quick to judge is all." When Leah eyed her in disbelief, Emily continued. "You don't know.... Maybe he's planning some sweet, grand, romantic gesture and you're here going on about what a douche he is."
Leah paused, then seemed to deflate in embarrassment. "You're right," she admitted quietly. "It would be just like Sam, too. He's such a sweetheart... or was, at least," she added sourly, so quietly Emily almost didn't hear her.
Seth hadn't ratted out that Emily had been hanging out with Sam to Leah, but he had mentioned seeing him. Emily wondered if perhaps he had noticed her panicked expression or pieced it together despite her lying about why she'd looked so ill. He was a smart boy. Emily had almost told Leah several times herself, but each time stopped. She realized she didn't want Leah knowing. She wanted to keep her afternoon with the sweet funny happy Sam to herself.
It really didn't matter in the grand scheme of things, she comforted herself, because Leah and Sam were going to end up back together in no time.
She mentally flagellated herself when she felt a stirring of bitter jealousy at the thought.
~*~*~
Sam paced his living room after his patrol, dirt still clinging to him, thoughts whirling around like the chaotic after affects of a hurricane. The urge to share everything with someone had kept growing, and now he found himself contemplating the insane.
Telling Emily.
It was ludicrous, but such a tempting idea. He could tell her. She would comfort him; he had realized she made everything feel simpler, easier. She'd do the same for this. It would be such a relief not to be alone anymore... and to be alone with her....
He nearly whined eagerly at the thought of sharing this with her, just her, of how close it would bring them. Shivers danced along his skin.
He abruptly scoffed at himself. This imprint business was making him act like such a girl.
But within moments, his thoughts were back on telling this whole thing to Emily. He scowled as he wondered again if this was a good idea... for her. Who was he to burden her with the reality that so many lucky people didn't have to ever face? Who was he to lean on her because he struggled with his responsibilities? She didn't deserve it, there was no way to tell if she'd resent him for sharing the truth with her. And more than anything, he wanted her happy. He wanted to be the one to make her happy.
Sighing, Sam rubbed a hand over his head. Why did his life have to be so complicated?
Whether or not he told her, Sam felt the need to go see Emily, soon.
For a moment, a part of him felt guilt. His attention to Emily would hurt Leah. Even if they weren't together any longer, she'd be hurt by the attention he was compelled to give Emily. And he truly felt bad about that. He wished he could make it so that Leah wouldn't feel any pain from this entire problem, but he couldn't do that.
The guilt faded away as his thoughts focused once again on Emily. He smiled as ways to make her smile, make her laugh, make her happy all flashed through his mind. Falling into his couch, Sam leaned back and closed his eyes with a smile, planning it all out.
The next day, Sam showered quickly when he trudged home a quarter after one, finally finished with patrol. He shook his head, realizing he was acting like a dog as he did so, but it was a fast way to get a lot of the water off. He ran the towel over his body, then his head to absorb the water still there, and walked into his bedroom. His last pair of nice jeans were pulled out of his dresser and up his legs. Shifting through his shirts with a frown, Sam felt the jittery need to dress nice for Emily. He had to look good. He wanted to please her, impress her.
He finally pulled out a black button up, leaving it unbuttoned as he grabbed his shoes and sat heavily on the couch, pulling them on and lacing them. Strangely, it felt odd to have clothes on. So often for the past months he'd been wearing nothing more than his cut-offs. To have full-length jeans, and a shirt, and shoes and socks.... It itched and felt awkward, almost suffocating and stifling. Sighing, he finished putting on his sneakers and stood, grabbing his keys off of the table and jogging out of his house, sliding into his car eagerly.
She was leaving in two days. He had tonight, and the next two days, to gain her trust and hopefully her compassion. Maybe some affection. He wanted her to remember him and think of him and want to keep in touch with him when she inevitably left.
Pain speared his chest again and he rubbed it absently. Maybe... maybe she'd stay. Maybe she'd stay... for him.
The pain lessened at the thought, and Sam pushed the uncertainty of that possibility from his mind. Tonight wasn't about his future. Tonight was about Emily's happiness.
~*~*~
Emily was sitting on the beach, watching the ocean. The book on the sand next to her had been forgotten a while ago; her thoughts were too frazzled and chaotic to focus on literature. Instead, she allowed herself - in the privacy she'd found here on the beach, all alone - to think about Sam.
She hugged her knees to her chest and watched the waves crash on the sand as she tried to logically puzzle through everything.
She liked Sam. She liked him a lot. She didn't like listening to the sometimes cruel things Leah would say about him. She didn't like how he'd sometimes seemed so... downtrodden and overwhelmed.
She'd enjoyed the afternoon on the beach with him. She'd reveled in the feeling of his arms holding her tightly to his chest, the warm feel of his skin, the firm feel of muscles. His smile and laugh prompted her to smile as well, and that day, when he'd seemed so happy and carefree, she'd thought she'd love to see him like that more.
But... Leah still cared a lot for him. They'd end up together again soon. Her possibly inappropriate feelings didn't matter. Besides, she wasn't even sure she liked him that much.... But, if he were any other guy, she'd love the opportunity to find out how far these feelings went.
Sighing, Emily brushed and then curled loose strands of hair behind her ears. She was leaving in a few days as it was. Sarah would encourage her to go for it anyway, despite the all complications of the whole thing, but Emily didn't think she could manage it. Not a brand new relationship... not with someone her cousin loved.
She sighed again, closing her eyes.
"That was an awfully depressing sigh."
Her head jerked up, causing a burning sensation at the back of her head, at the base of her skull, from the too-fast movement. She absently reached back and began rubbing it, staring up at Sam.
"I guess there's just a lot on my mind."
Eyes concerned, Sam fell onto the sand beside her, resting his arms on his knees and staring at her, meeting her eyes. "Like what?"
She blushed; no way was she telling him the truth. She scanned her thoughts for a lie, and muttered, "I guess I'm just gonna miss how... simple everything is here."
Something flashed in his eyes and he glanced out over the ocean. A bitter pain, she thought, but it didn't make sense.
"Yeah," he murmured. "Simple's always something to long for. I sure wish it stuck around for me a little more often." He looked back at her and smiled. "But just think of everything you're going to get to do when you go home. It'll be exciting."
"I'm sure you're right," she chuckled. "But I still think I'm going to miss this place." Her eyes scanned the beach, the horizon; so beautiful.
"You can always come for a visit," he said softly. She looked over at him, sensing an undercurrent to the words that smacked close to longing, hopeful, cautious.
"I probably will."
He grinned. "I'll look forward to seeing you, then."
Emily smiled, until she thought of Leah. Slowly, it faded away and she shrugged, looking back to the ocean.
Silence prevailed for a while, until suddenly, Sam was standing in front of her. "Come on," he ordered decisively.
"What?"
He held out both hands for hers. "Come on." He grinned hugely, that lightness from the other day at the beach coming back full force. "I've got a surprise," he teased.
Slowly and against her better judgment - Leah would be so betrayed if she found out about this - Emily let her hands rest in his, savoring the warmth that enveloped them. He pulled her upright; they ended up with barely an inch between them, the heat of his body simmering over hers.
The both stood there, breathing slightly unsteady, and then Sam took a step back, smiling gently at her. "Follow me." He led her up the beach, towards what she recognized as his car, and held open the door for her. As she sat down, he smiled and shut the door, then jogged across to his side and climbed in. He turned the key in the ignition, and grinned over at her.
"You do like sea food, right?" He eyed her playfully.
She laughed. "Of course!"
Grinning, he nodded. "Good. Just wanted to check."
They drove for about twenty-five minutes until they reached a small restaurant. It wasn't part of the Rez or Forks, nor part of Port Angeles. It was along the top edge of the beach, made to look like a large, elegant wooden cabin. Lights glowed warmly from inside, and outdoor lamps gave a bright cheery glow over the parking lot. Sam parked near the front, smiling over at her as he cut the engine. Emily opened her door and stood to get out, a surprised grin pulling up her lips as Sam appeared and held out his hand in an offer of assistance that she obviously didn't need but appreciated. It was so... old-fashioned gentleman; it made her feel special.
They walked inside. It was a bustling place, full of people and music. Laughter came from several different directions and Emily could only see smiles. Sam led her over to a small table that was free and pulled out her chair. A few minutes after they sat, a waitress appeared, smiling at both of them.
"Hey, my name is Maryssa, I'll be your server tonight. Can I get you anything to drink?" After telling her their drink orders, she walked away to give them time with the menus. Emily cracked hers open and scanned the items available in a quick glance. The dishes ranged from fancy sea food to the kind you found at touristy places that was always overly priced.
Emily glanced up and smiled as she caught Sam's eye. "What are you getting?" she asked, noticing that his menu was folded in front of him, apparently untouched.
He grinned. "What I always get. Fish and chips."
Emily laughed, smiling at him, and gave the menu a more considering perusal. "I think I'll get... the shrimp Alfredo pasta." Glancing up, she smirked a little. "Think it's any good?"
He shrugged. "Probably. Can't beat the fish and chips, though," he teased.
She set her menu down and leaned forward on the table. "So why did you bring me here?" she asked curiously.
For a while, a surprisingly long while in her mind, Sam didn't answer. He stared at her, watching her face, and swallowed. "You looked like you could use a distraction."
Well, this isn't really a very good one, considering what's really plaguing me, she thought, but smiled at him. "Well, thanks. Why here?"
He shrugged, sitting back. Sam felt slightly self concious with the attention she had focused on him, but at the same time he was reveling in it, humming happily internally. "It's a simple place, a happy place." After a moment, he added, "It made me think of you."
Emily glanced down at the table, feeling her cheeks heat up again. Ignore it, she told herself. He can't mean it like you're thinking.
Thankfully, in a movie-moment of perfect timing, the waitress showed up and they gave her their orders. A few minutes passed in silence that bordered on awkward but somehow couldn't quite be described as such. Emily pulled her loose braid over her shoulder and unraveled it before slowly redoing it, making the movements precise and slow to distract her fidgeting fingers.
Suddenly, Sam laughed loudly.
Emily's eyes shot to him and she tilted her head curiously, silently asking him what was so funny. Still laughing - though not as loudly - and unable to get words out, he just pointed somewhere behind her. Twisting around, Emily frowned as she scanned the people and things behind her. She didn't see....
Suddenly, Emily grinned and laughed as well, her hand shooting to muffle the sound by covering her mouth. She turned back to him, eyes crinkled and bright.
The commercial on the TV over the small bar behind them had just finished. "Sizing up Sperm on Nat Geo?" she giggled.
Both of them looked at each other and shook their heads. "That's just... inappropriately crazy," Sam declared firmly.
"Where do they come up with ideas like that?" Emily exclaimed, laughter lingering in her tone.
Sam shrugged helplessly. He was smiling, watching the happiness in Emily's eyes. "I tend to avoid that channel... they have too many strange, awkward shows. I much prefer USA," he added.
Blushing slightly, Emily admitted, "Oxygen fan."
Conversation began flowing easily then. Sam watched her as she spoke, all her smiles and laughs and shy glances stored directly to his heart. They easily kept up conversation as ate, continued after their plates were clean, until suddenly Emily gasped, half leaning out of her chair to reach her cell in her back pocket. She pulled it out, her eyes widening.
"Oh shit," she whispered.
Sam felt something in him deflate, like a child's face when their balloon was popped. He knew what those two words meant. They meant this night was basically over. It meant he'd have the car ride back, and that was all. It meant another night of longing to stare at her while she slept, another night of phasing and hanging around outside of the Clearwaters' house, the innate urge to protect her impossible to ignore.
"Hey, Aunt Sue," Emily said sheepishly. "I'm sorry! I lost track of time.... I'm out with a friend. We're at this adorable restaurant about thirty minutes from the Rez...." She smiled and chuckled. "No, I'll be home in just a bit. We'll leave right now. Okay. Love you too," she said, and then pulled the phone away, hanging it up and smiling sadly at Sam.
He looked down at the table at the distance that had suddenly pushed itself into her eyes and cleared his throat. "Right. I'll go pay and be right back."
"Oh, Sam, let me pay you ba-"
He shook his head, walking by her without waiting for her sentence to finish. He paid, then turned for the door. Emily was standing there waiting, and as he neared, she finished her sentence.
"I'll pay you back."
He smiled at her. "My treat. Consider it a good-bye gift."
She tilted her head slightly, face adopting a caring, unhappy look. "Are you sure?"
He smiled at her and rolled his eyes. "Positive."
They walked out to the car, silently, and started back towards the Rez in silence as well. Sam breathed deeply, using his superior sense of smell to draw in the lifting, cleansing one of Emily. The slightest touch of adrenaline tainted it and he frowned, glancing over at her. She was fiddling with her fingers, wringing her hands occasionally, tucking the few stray slips of hair behind her ear only to have them fall free again.
"What's wrong?" he questioned, his low voice husky.
Emily closed her eyes, feeling the heat in her cheeks and the tops of her ears. "Uhm... nothing," she muttered.
He stared at the road ahead, frowning, eyes thoughtful for a long few minutes before suddenly his face went expressionless. "Leah."
Emily's head snapped over to him, and she felt several things. Embarrassment that she was letting his history - and future! she reminded herself - interfere with their night. Anger at the way he said her name as he realized she was the reason for her discomfort, the way he said it as if he were tired of it and done with it. Empathy with the frustration in his tone that their had been inadvertently ruined the good time. Frustration with herself for wanting the history he had with her... to be gone.
Emily didn't answer him. They both knew she didn't have to.
The rest of the ride was silent, though somehow still managing not to be uncomfortable. Stiff, but not... awkward.
Sam pulled up in front of the Clearwaters' house. Emily opened the door, reaching over to unbuckle her seat belt when Sam's warm fingers curled around her wrist.
"Wait," he pleaded softly.
Emily glanced at him, unease growing in the pit of her stomach as her common sense once again reminded her fickle heart that Sam was going to end up with Leah any day now.
"Don't... don't worry about Leah, okay? Things always work out for the best."
She smiled at him. "I know they will," she insisted, pulling her arm away from his gentle grip and adding, "Good night, Sam," as she got out.
Sam watched as she slipped inside, then drove towards his house. Immediately, he stripped out of his clothes, tossing them haphazardly around his living room, kicking off his shoes in annoyance. No wonder he didn't wear the damn things anymore around the Rez. They were a pain when you wanted to phase.
Once he was bare of clothes, Sam stepped outside and called upon his wolf. It phased forth almost instantly, without any encouragement, just as eager to see Emily as he was. Probably more so.
Shaking his fur into place, Sam turned back for the Clearwaters' house. And another night of lying in the woods just beyond where Emily was sleeping, watching the window there for the first sign of her being awake.
See what I meant about that commercial? LOL! Hope you enjoyed! Let me know how you like it!