A/N: Here is Chapter 7 please read and review.

Chapter 7

Talents

Thomas

There was nothing that mattered to me anymore not the pain of my loss, not my hatred for the vampires that had taken everything from me. The only thing that mattered any more was the woman I held in my arms. We were still kissing despite the rain. Her arms had wrapped around behind my neck and she was pulling me closer. My arms were around her waist and I was attempting to do the same. When her fingers brushed through my hair, they sent waves of electricity cascading down my back.

My lips parted as hers had and we breathed new life into each other. A small voice in my head was screaming propriety and other such nonsense. I told it where it could stick its propriety. I did pull a way for a second needing to breathe. I tilted my face to the sky and let the rain wash over me. Leah's hand on my cheek made me look at her. Her eyes were beautiful. I ran the back of my fingers along her cheek. She was smiling at me and I smiled back at her. I hadn't been happy, truly happy in a long time. I'd smile if someone smiled at me, but to me it had always felt ingenuine. Leah had changed all that for me, as I smiled at her the feeling behind it was genuine and deep.

"You're so beautiful," I said, she looked away feeling self conscious. A chuckle escaped my lips and she looked back at me.

"Look who's talking," she replied. The rain fell was soaking us, not that I cared and from the way she still felt so warm I surmised it probably didn't bother her either. I wanted to kiss her again but my stomach grumbled at that moment and we both laughed out loud.

"Guess we had better get back," I said after we were done laughing. Leah just nodded and I took her hand in mine. We walked back towards the house glancing back at each other occasionally. When we reached the house I hesitated at the front door not sure if I should knock or if I should just go inside. Esme answering the door solved that problem.

"I'm so sorry if anything that was said offended you," she began "we don't all feel the way Rosalie does." I knew that but it was nice to hear. Esme again astounded me with her ability to feel empathy for a complete stranger.

"No apologies nesseccary," I said. "I overreacted to a feeling she had every right to have." It was true it did not mean that I had to like it. The gurgling coming from my torso ended that train of thought.

"I'll fix you something to eat," she said, "Leah you are more than welcome as always. Jacob and Renesme should be here soon." I looked down slightly at Leah, enjoying that she was almost my height. In my opinion there was nothing sexier, than a woman you could look in the eyes without incurring neck injuries. I realized then that as far as I knew she had nothing to change into. I was about to say something when Edward spoke up.

"Esme won't mind if you borrow something to wear." Esme nodded on her affirmation as she headed to the kitchen. Alice bounded over to us and grabbed Leah's hand that was not already held by me.

"Come on I'll help you pick out something." For some unknown reason I felt sorry for Leah. A knowing smile from Edward made me think my pity was needed. Alice was tugging on Leah's hand and I had a brief thought of trying to win against Alice she was tiny it might be even.

"You should let go she's not above calling Emmett to help," Edward laughed.

"Yeah Alice is a force of nature when it comes to fashion," Bella added shaking her head. I let go and watched as they went upstairs. I followed a few seconds later and went to the room where I had woken up. I stripped my sodden shirt off. I looked around the room for a towel. A soft knock at the door made me look up.

"Come in," I called. Edward came in bearing a towel. I wondered how he knew I was looking for one. He answered my unspoken question.

"I can read minds," he said. Wow that must come in handy. Again he nodded at my unspoken thought.

"That's cool," I said. My thoughts drifted to my unexplained ability. When it first manifested itself I had been extremely angry and I had done some things I could not duplicate later when I had calmed down. The most I could manage now was to immobilize my opponent.

"That's interesting. You're sure you never touched anything," he said intrigued.

"Nothing, I just pictured what I wanted to happen and it did," I said. He continued to ask questions until the smell of cooking steak wafted into the room making my stomach growl.

"I'll let you get changed so you can eat." He left the room closing the door behind him. I chose a light gray button done and khaki slacks. Edward's interest in my ability had brought my own dormant interest to the forefront of my mind. I would have to try and see if I could make it work the way I wanted, when I wanted. Another whiff of steak made my mouth water I walked down the stairs following my nose to the delicious smells calling my name.

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Leah

The kiss had been running through my head the whole way back to the Cullen's house. I couldn't help taking small glances at him and he apparently could not help doing the same. Esme opened the door for us and was apologizing for something that had been said that had upset Thomas. He shrugged it off saying he overreacted. Shortly after that I was being dragged away by Alice to help me pick something to wear courtesy of Esme. I was secretly glad Alice had offered to help, I definitely liked her best out of all the Cullens. It was probably her bubbly personality.

"So how was the kiss," Alice asked. My Jaw dropped and I just stared at her not knowing how to respond.

"How did you know," I asked when I could talk again. She gave me a look that questioned my sanity. Then a question came to my mind, "I thought you couldn't see shape shifters and half breeds."

"I've been seeing Jacob and Nessie for months," she began to explain "they are still very hazy images but I can see them now." That was strange I guess Sam would have found that troubling, but he wasn't in charge of the pack any longer and Jacob saw the Cullens as family so it probably wouldn't stress over it if he didn't already know.

"Well get those wet things off and try these on," She handed me a light green short sleeve button down shirt and a pair of cream colored denim Capri pants. They fit alright, though they were just a touch small. I looked at myself in the full length mirror and was amazed at how I looked.

"I think Thomas would approve," she smiled. I felt a blush creep its way to my cheeks. I hoped he would, he seemed not to care what I was wearing before. I looked over at Alice, whose look had become blank. A few seconds later she focused on me.

"Oh he is going to love it," she said smugly and then she frowned, "I wish you would let me put some makeup on you." No makeup was not going to happen I didn't want to find out what would happen if I phased with it on. Images of a clown faced wolf danced through my head. The smell of cooking steak made my mouth water. I guess it had been a while since I had eaten too. I went downstairs to the kitchen hoping Thomas had beaten me there and I could surprise him with how I looked. To my dismay he wasn't there.

I jumped when two strong arms wrapped around my waist and a soft but strong voice whispered in my ear.

"Alice appears to have very good taste," Thomas said from behind me "I didn't think it was possible to improve on perfection." I felt my heart melt at his words. Someone coughed in to politely remind us that there were others present. Emmett took a more vocal approach.

"If those two get any cuter I'm going to puke." He seemed to ponder something for a moment.

"Then again from how tight he seems to be wound Thomas needs to get laid." Thomas stiffened at that as did I. The first comment was tolerable but the second was not and apparently someone agreed because there was a smacking sound.

"Jeez Bella, I was only joking." Thomas and I both stifled laughs at that.

"Let's go sit and eat," Thomas suggested. The food smelled incredibly delicious. He moved to my side and took my hand in his walking with me to the kitchen. We both thanked Esme before we started eating. We ate silently looking at each other occasionally. The light had gone out of the sky as we finished.

Thomas yawned, stretching his arms over his head. He smiled at me but I could see the sleep threatening. I didn't want to leave though. Edward proved a lifesaver with his mindreading ability.

"Leah can sleep in my old room," he offered. Bella began to ask a question but Edward silenced her with a kiss. I wonder what she had been about to ask. Thomas grasped my hand gently and led me to the stairs. We walked to Edward's old room together. Apparently Thomas was going to wish me goodnight.

"Hmm so that's whose room I was staying in," a slow smile crossed his face.

"What, this is Edwards's room… ah," it all clicked into place then. I would definitely have to thank Edward later, though he probably knew now as he could read minds.

"Well goodnight," I said as we entered the room. He handed me a long sleeve shirt to sleep in and turned his back so I could put it on. Not that I would have minded if he watched as I did so. He grabbed a pair of cotton pajama bottoms and I did not turn my back as he changed out of his clothes. He turned around and I must not have changed my expression as he gave me a knowing wink.

"Ready for bed," he asked as he climbed into the bed with a wrought iron frame. I slipped in on the other side and put my head on his shoulder and laid my arm across his bare chest.

"Sleep well," I said kissing his cheek.

"You to my love," he responded and I snuggled into his side feeling warm and content.