Two weeks later... heh. Sorry. BUT! I got a nearly perfect score - missed it by one measly point! - on my Senior Project oral presentation. I graduated on Saturday. I already am going through withdrawls of not seeing my lovely hilarious friends but I haven't cried. I know, something's wrong with me, lol.

I hope you all enjoy the chapter!

Sam's hands held her waist tightly, keeping her pressed against his front as he buried his nose in her hair. She felt his chest expand under her palms as he inhaled deeply, holding in his breath for a long moment before releasing it in a sharp gust.

"I'm going to miss you," he whispered.

"I'll call. I promise. And visit. A lot."

"It won't be the same." The quiet sadness in his voice tore her heart open, but Emily couldn't let herself stay here and not continue her education. And Sam had agreed with her. He'd encouraged her to do whatever would make her happiest, constantly telling her that that was all that mattered to him. That she was happy.

So... she was leaving.

Sarah poked her head out of the car she'd driven down to help Emily bring her things back up. "Hey, Em, we need to get going!"

"Ok," Emily called back over her shoulder, slipping her arms around Sam to clutch him closer. "Just a sec!"

Sarah smiled tolerantly and knowingly before she slipped back inside the car.

"Keep me posted on Paul and Jared okay? I want to know how they're doing." The school on the rez was starting back up again soon. From what Sam had explained to her, neither of the other two had gone back yet. Why Jared hadn't, she didn't know and didn't ask. But she knew it wouldn't be easy. The control those boys would have to have over their emotions so they didn't phase...

Sam smiled and nodded his agreement, pulling back and running his knuckles down her scarred cheek gently. "Take care of yourself Emily." Leaning down, he kissed her gently but soundly before taking a firm and large step back, face rather stoic.

Emily turned around and came face to face with a grinning Jared who held his arms wide open for a hug. Laughing, Emily squeezed his torso tightly.

"Don't forget to write, college girl," he teased.

She rolled her eyes with a small grin. "Don't drive Sam too crazy."

While Jared acted highly offended by the mere suggestion, Emily turned towards Paul, who was standing back with his arms folded, eyes on the ground. She stepped right in front of him and waited for him to look up at her before smiling.

"Take care, Paul. Good luck. Don't let Jared steal your food."

Paul smirked. "Nah, he's too slow."

"Hey!" Jared glared at his packmate as Paul just laughed. He unfolded one of his arms and wrapped it very gently around Emily's shoulders. "Good luck yourself."

Emily smiled at him and headed towards her car. She was amazed at how much stuff had gathered here while she'd stayed. Pausing at the door of her car, she looked around. Sam and the boys stood off to one side, not quite part of the other people gathered that she'd already said farewells to. Her aunt and uncle smiled and waved. The Elders were talking amongst themselves. Seth was texting on his cell. Leah was nowhere to be seen.

Sighing, Emily got in her car before she started crying in front of all those people. A part of her had fallen in love with this place. The people. The sense of community.

She fought tears on and off all the way back to Seattle, with Sarah following behind her.

She helped lug things up to the apartment and back into the room which would be hers once again. She sat on the bed for several minutes, staring at a picture Aunt Sue had given her of a day on the beach with the family - even Leah - and the Pack.

The tears finally found their release and spilled down her cheeks. It felt strange against her scars, but she barely noticed because her chest hurt from the deep sobs. She twisted and pressed her face into her pillow, muffling the sounds, and curled in on herself.

Boss?

Sam sighed. What Pup? It was useless telling Jared not to call him Boss, so Sam just went with it now.

You cool? came Paul's voice, gruff and uncomfortable.

Yes, Sam snapped. I'm fine. And he was. He was surprised at how well he was doing... for now, at least.

Both of his packmates went silent for a long time, but Sam could pick up on the tenor of their thoughts, the way they disagreed with that statement. Sighing, Sam told them to turn in the for the night, that he'd take care of the patrols.

Nah, I'll stick with you, Jared said casually. Dad's cooking tonight. He grimaced and thoughts of the last time Jared's father had cooked reached the other two.

That's disgusting, Paul stated firmly. Abruptly, he added, I'll stay too. I want to exhaust myself so hopefully Mom can't wake me up tomorrow to clean the house.

Sam snorted, seeing the excuses as exactly what they were - excuses. But he didn't call them out on it. In truth, he didn't want to be alone right now, not really.

They all ran for a long time before meeting up at something of a center point for their patrols where each route overlapped temporarily. The three stretched out in the grass, relishing the cool night breeze through their fur on the surprisingly clear night.

I think I'm gonna miss her cooking the most, Jared mused randomly. Never tasted better lasagna.

I swear you only think with your stomach, Paul snorted. After a moment, though, he continued. I'll miss her smile. There's something about it that makes you think she really does care about you and whatever you're talking about.

Sam could feel them waiting to see if he'd speak, and what'd he say.

Everything, he whispered mentally. I'll miss everything. Her laugh. Her smell. Her eyes and smile and lips and hair. Her hands. The way she hugs me when I get home and she's got a meal ready. How she doesn't have to say a thing yet I know everything she's saying to me when I start to fall asleep on the couch and her hands are running through my hair. Her humor and wit. Everything, he finished with a sigh.

The other two were silent for several moments before Paul spoke up. You are so whipped.

Sam growled as both the boys began laughing, mentally and out loud, Jared rolling onto his side he was laughing so hard. Snorting, Sam stood up and pounced on the pup, growling in a pretend serious tone. From the side, Paul tackled him; both started laughing again until Sam twisted from underneath Paul to pin him to the ground.

And this is why you two are the pups and I'm the boss.

Jared laughed as Sam stood up, then Paul tackled him and the two were wrestling and fighting like the pups they were. Sam rested under a tree, watching them and thinking of Emily.

Sighing, he rested his head on his paws and tried to ignore the sharp pain in his chest.

Emily sank deeper in her seat as another person in the class stared at her. It wasn't hostile or rude, just a little horrified and curious. Even the professors responded that way. What did she expect? It was the first day; give it a few days and no one would care nearly as much. They'd return their focus to their own lives and forget about her except for the occasional passing wonder.

As the professor dismissed them, Emily shot out of her chair and pulled her bag over her shoulder. Her day was done. She could go back to the apartment and relax. Start some homework. Read a book or watch a movie. Hadn't one of the ones she'd been waiting to see finally come out on video the other week?

She made it to her car and started it when her stomach let out a large growl. She put a hand on it, as if that would do anything, and decided to make a detour to a coffeehouse. She pulled up in front and slipped inside. She'd order a latte and a sandwich, stop by the movie store and rent the movie she wanted to see, then return home.

The kid behind the counter looked bored as she walked up, his eyes focused on the counter. For some reason, he reminded her of Jared. This kid was pale and had red-blond hair, but somehow, they seemed the same. Maybe it was the way they looked when bored. Jared got a similar frown on his face...

The kid gawked when he saw her face, and Emily blushed. That seemed to snap him out of it, because his eyes jerked from the scars. He stared over her left shoulder as he asked for her order. The blush didn't leave as she told him what she wanted and paid. It was even worse when they tried so hard not to look...

She was relieved to get back to the apartment and kicked off her shoes the instant she was inside. She put in the movie and curled up in a corner of the couch with the lights off.

Except it felt... wrong. Like she was forgetting something. She couldn't concentrate on the movie as she tried to figure out what it was. What the feeling meant. She sat there frowning for a long while.

She continued frowning once she understood.

When Sarah came home close to seven o'clock, she frowned to find Emily sitting in the dark, staring at nothing, and flipped on the lights as she moved to sit next to her best friend. "Em?" she asked slowly, concerned. "Are you alright?"

Emily looked up as if rousing from a daze. Then she sighed heavily. "Yeah. I think I will be now."

Sam left the meeting with the Elders. They'd been discussing other possible new wolves. No one was showing very strong symptoms at the moment, but there were several highly likely candidates.

Sighing and rubbing his forehead, Sam pulled out his cell and dialed Jared. The kid had been having a rough week. Once he'd finally gotten his ass back in school, the kid had gone and imprinted. Of course. Why not? Sam rolled his eyes.

Of course, Jared couldn't just come out and say it. He was obsessed with the girl he apparently had sat next to in classes for years and never noticed. And apparently... she didn't believe he was really interested in her.

Sam couldn't stop his slight smile and chuckle at that. Jared's frustration, awe, and disbelief were amusing when he started talking about his imprint.

"Hello Boss," Jared said in a frazzled tone. "How're you? I'm fine, thanks. Kim just told me to get lost quite angrily when I asked her out for Saturday night. I think she even started crying."

Sam's amusement faded away at the pain he heard in his friend's - his brother's - voice at the last bit. It was never easy knowing your imprint was in pain. Knowing you were the cause of it? It was almost debilitatingly painful.

"Jared," Sam said calmly and firmly. "Are you honestly alright right now?"

Sam could just see the guy pacing, faintly hear the echo of his footsteps as he did so."I don't know. I feel like my skin is crawling, but I think that's because I want to go after her. Why can't she believe I mean it?" he asked in obvious distress, his voice starting to turn frantic. "She hardly even looks at me, ignores me half the time when I try to talk to her. I'll say hi and she just stares at me before turning away! Sam, I can't stand it!"

The kid was close to cracking. He was nearing the critical stage where he'd near a phase with the slightest provocation. Sam wasn't going to let that happen, especially at the high school.

"Jared," he said in that same calm, firm tone that the other two jokingly called his Alpha Damage Control. They thought it was funny. Sam thought they're dubbing every tone he had annoying. "Jared, I want you to ditch your next class and go for a run. Just take off and I'll handle everything with your teachers and school."

"I can't just-" Jared started, annoyance and distress making him testy.

"Do it," Sam ordered.

Jared grumbled, but agreed. Sometimes, it paid to be the Alpha. No one could argue.

"Come by my house after you get out of school," Sam continued. "We'll talk then." He hung up and shook his head.

If there weren't leeches going to the Forks High School, Sam would think of sending Jared there. He wouldn't have to deal with the stress of his imprint shunning him every day. Jared didn't need to deal with that on top of normal high school and his werewolf issues. Three was a crowd, after all, and werewolves didn't do well with them.

Sam got home and made himself a meal, scarfing it down hungrily. His eyes drooped and slid closed as he dropped his plate in the sink and stumbled to his bed.

He wished his sheets still held Emily's scent. It was basically all gone now, even the most faintest traces.

When his door opened and his name was called, he shot upright, shaking his head and yawning until his jaw cracked."Just a sec," he called out, standing and stretching. He wasn't too sure how to help Jared, but he had an idea. Maybe it would work, maybe it wouldn't. But it sort of helped him.

"Come on," he told the kid as he walked into the living room. They walked out the front door and down to the road. Neither of them spoke; Sam watched Jared from the corners of his eyes. Jared kicked pebbles and dirt clumps as the walked along, his hands shoved in the pockets of his shorts and his face locked down, scowl firmly in place. His shoulders were hunched and tensed.

They reached the cliff and Sam stopped, turning to face Jared with his arms crossed. Jared looked around before staring at Sam, slight annoyance mixed with curiosity on his face.

"What now?" he asked sourly.

Sam kept his face rather stoic. "Now you listen." He leaned back against a tree and looked out over the water. It was peaceful this high up. Calm. Soothing.

"I come up here when it gets hard. Being away from her. She hasn't called in four days. Since the day before her classes started." He cleared his throat. "This was the first place I... accepted my lot in life. I fought it so hard at first. But up here, one day, I decided to make the most of what I was. I decided I wasn't going to mope around about things I couldn't change. I wasn't going to try being something I wasn't anymore and I was going to embrace what I was. It was strangely... liberating." His lips quirked at that. "Freeing. To leave all my problems here on this cliff. So this is where I come. My problems stay here after I leave, at least for a while."

He looked at Jared. "So that's what I want you to try. Everything that's bothering you. Everything that pisses you off, makes you afraid, confuses you. It all stays here. And you don't run from it." He shook his head. "It's not in our natures to run from things." He offered a sardonic half-grin. "However, we might jump off a cliff to be free from them for a short while."

Jared stared at him dubiously. Sam just shrugged and walked to the edge of the cliff. "Do you think you could comprehend how terrifying it is, to think that maybe she hasn't called because she's found something else in her time more important? If Kim just out of nowhere, wouldn't even look at you, speak to you even if it hurts you when she does, if you couldn't see her...? Not knowing..." Sam shook his head and barked out a bitter laugh. "It's the worst."

He glanced over to see Jared trembling slightly, eyes locked on some point beyond Sam, fearful and uneasy. "Terrifying," he murmured.

Sam nodded, looking back down at the waves. "Yeah."

Jared stepped up next to him, pulling off his shirt. "I think I hate it. But I love it. I love her. I hate that I don't know why..."

Sam put his hand on his brother's shoulder at the pain in his voice. "Give it time. Don't rush it."

Jared away from the water, straight into his eyes. "It's hard. It hurts."

Sam cracked a smile. "No one ever said love was easy or kind. Or gentle."

Jared's lips quirked and he let out a soft chuckle. "True," he drawled dryly. "Very true."

He looked back down at the water. "So... what? I just leave all my problems behind here?" he asked, half joking, half serious.

"You don't let them hold you once you jump. Trust me. They can't when you jump. It's nothing but freedom."

Jared nodded, stepping closer, then looking again at Sam. "I seriously hope this fucking works." He leapt.

Just before he hit the water, Sam heard Jared's amazed laughter. He knew what that felt like. The heady freedom and joy of falling.

Sam looked up at the cloudy sky. Stepped back a few paces. Ran. And jumped himself.

As he made his way back to the house with Jared, he was glad to see the pup grinning more easily, more relaxed. He'd slung his wet shirt around his neck and laughed when Sam pushed him away from him when he'd cracked another Alpha joke.

"Get your ass on patrol," Sam chuckled as they reached his house. "You're late enough as it is."

"Okay," Jared chuckled. "Just let me throw these clothes in the dryer."

They stepped inside.

Froze.

"Uh, hey," Emily said, lifting her hand in a small wave. It fell as neither of them moved for several moments, but then Jared just stepped into the house, nodding hello at her and smiling. "Hey, Emily. See ya," he added, heading for the back room to throw his clothes in the dryer before phasing to patrol.

Sam shook his head slightly, confused, amazed. Confused.

Yeah. Definitely mostly confused.

"What are you doing here?" Sam asked, closing the door and stepping farther into the living room. Emily was wringing her hands as she stood up from the couch, a sign that she was nervous and anxious.

"Uh, well, I wanted to tell you something. In person."

Oh no. She'd realized she could do better. She'd maybe even found someone she thought was better. Sam wasn't sure that was possible, honestly, but maybe it was. What else would she have to tell him that would be big enough to do in person? Cold dread gathered in his chest and sunk through his whole body, chilling it, gathering thickly in his heart and gut.

"What?" he croaked hoarsely.

She swallowed, glanced down and saw her hands, forcibly stopped them. Took another deep breath.

"I'm dropping out."

Silence followed that statement as she shifted uncomfortably and glanced at him uneasily. He blinked, shook his head, stared at her.

"Wh-what?" he stammered in shock.

"I'm dropping out," Emily repeated more firmly, stepping a little closer to him. "I can't do it Sam. And it's not just the looks I get or any of that," she quickly assured him, because that had been everyone's main concern when she told them. "I mean, maybe that's part of it, but not the main reason. I swear. The thing is... I just couldn't stand it. I missed all of you too much. I missed the rez and the beach and the wind in the trees. I missed Jared's stupid jokes and Paul's grumpiness that hides how much of a sweetie he is. I missed Aunt Sue's cooking and Uncle Harry's fishing stories. I missed... I missed you, though, the most.

"I thought I'd be able to handle it, but I guess I was wrong. Everything reminded me of here, of you, and I realized I couldn't be happy without you involved in my life. More than phone calls," she added. "More than emails and phone calls and impersonal distant things like that. I wanted you there, with me, next to me. I want a life with you, Sam. With you directly and personally involved. I want this, even if it isn't what I always expected my life to be. I can take classes online. I can deal with anything that requires me to leave occasionally when it comes to that. But I realized the other day that... I really really want to be here. With you. That's what will make me happy. That's what I want."

She looked up at him, smiling slightly. "So I packed my things, dropped my classes, helped Sarah put an add in the paper and interview a few possible roommates the very next day, called Aunt Sue... And drove back down here. Back home. Back to you, and where I belong."

Sam reached out to brush the hair out of her face. "You really mean that? Are you sure it's what you really want?" He had to ask. Had to be sure...

She grabbed his hand in both of hers and brushed a kiss across it, then held it to her heart. "Yes Sam. I am absolutely sure. I love you."

His heart stopped at those words before picking up pace so quickly that he swore it was going to explode. Or maybe he was. He swallowed and focused on slowing it down. At least enough until he was sure he wasn't going to phase.

"God, Emily. I love you too. I'm so... I can't believe..." The words kept getting stuck in his throat, but Emily seemed to understand. She smiled and nodded, stepping right up against his chest, and leaned up on her tiptoes.

"I love you, Sam Uley," she whispered against her lips.

"I love you back," he murmured before leaning the rest of the way down and kissing her lips, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her against him. Joy bubbled up in his chest, a million times more freeing and liberating than the sensations he got when he dove off that cliff. Laughing, grinning to hear her giggle and feel her hands on his shoulders, he spun her around, watching her eyes light up. Setting her down, her grabbed her face in his hands, one side rough and the other smooth, and kissed her deeply.

"You are amazing," he breathed, staring between her eyes, awed and humbled that she'd chosen to be with him. To love him after everything.

She grinned. "I know. Hopefully you remember that when I annoy the heck out of you."

He laughed at her teasing, but didn't say out loud what he was thinking. He'd never not know how lucky he was to have her.

Okay. So maybe this imprinting thing hadn't been so bad after all.

Grinning, Sam leaned down and kissed her again.

Tada! What a happy ending for those two, no?