6 Months, 9 Days, 12 Hrs

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series and if I did Jake wouldn't have imprinted on Nessie. But I still loved the series.

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He's been gone now for 6 months, 9 days, 12 hrs, 17 mins. and she's long since given up on counting the seconds. She's tried to convince herself to stop counting – stop counting how long it is until he comes back. "He's not coming back – ever. Bella will make sure of that." Leah sighs to herself as she stops pacing to look at the winnings from the bet sitting on her bed. Of course, the bet didn't help Leah forget the ache Jacob's absence brought. At least she now had more than enough money to cover a security deposit – if Embry found a place. Leah smiles thinking about her friend, her confidant – Embry Call. He was the one Leah went to talk to about Jacob leaving with the Cullens. Leah frowns and begins pacing back and forth faster thinking back on that night.

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It is a rare cloudless night with the full moon sitting high in the sky. Leah sits on the beach enjoying the cool, salty breeze on her face and in her hair. The sound of the crashing waves and the rolling gravel always calms her. Her ears pick up the sound of heavy footsteps heading in her direction but right now she chooses not to acknowledge him – not yet anyway. Jacob sits down beside Leah and without a word grabs her legs and places them in his lap. She scoots closer to him resting her head on his shoulder as his hand carelessly strokes her thigh and he kisses her forehead. Over the last three years they've grown close and Leah's just glad for the little intimate moments like these that they share. "Beautiful night." Leah says looking up at Jake with a smile.

"Yea." He whispers after looking into her eyes and looking down at his hand. Leah's smile falls and she pulls her legs from his lap. She knows that something is wrong. Leah sighs heavily noticing Jake's pained expression at her sudden reaction.

"What's going on, Jake?" Leah asks pulling her knees up to her chest.

"Lee-Lee." Jake says scooting closer to Leah wanting to close the gap between them. Now she definitely knows that something is wrong because Jacob Black only calls her that when he knows he's in trouble. Jake kisses Leah's forehead gently as he wraps his arm around her shoulders holding on to her tightly. "The Cullens are leaving." Leah turns her attention back to the crashing waves and the rolling gravel.

"When?" Leah asks after some minutes of silence between the two.

"Two weeks." Jake answers his hold tightening more.

"Where to?"

"Alaska."

"When are you going to tell the others?" Leah asks noticing Jake's groan at this question.

"Not sure." He admits with a heavy sigh. "I wanted you to be the first to know even before Dad." Leah smiles gratefully at that knowledge. As her relationship with Jacob has grown closer so to has her relationship with Billy Black. She had quickly become his 'little girl' since it was always Leah that kept him company while his other two children were off 'bonding' with their imprints. Billy was more of a father to her than Charlie Swan.

"Will you tell him tonight?" Leah asks looking at Jake closely. She sighs as she watches Jake's brow furrow and he bite his bottom lip deep in thought. This was the moment that both Billy and Leah feared would come – Billy had even confided in Leah that he still hated the Cullens and loathed Jacob's imprint even more.

"I want you to be there with me when I do." Jake finally answers leaning in and resting his chin on Leah's shoulder. "Will you?" Jake asks pleading as Leah looks at him. "Thank you but not tonight though, okay?" Jake says after Leah finally nods her head with a deep sigh.

"You're the Almighty Alpha." Leah says sarcastically rolling her eyes earning a chuckle from Jake and another kiss this time on her nose. The two sit quietly enjoying their last few moments together – neither sure of what to do or say. Jake has long since changed their seating arrangement placing Leah in between his legs, his chin resting on her shoulder and his arms wrapped, almost, possessively around her waist. After an hour, Leah stands up stretching ignoring the chill and the sense of loneliness that has washed over her leaving Jake's embrace. "It's time for me to get going." Leah states as Jake stares up at her with worried eyes. "You, uh, we should tell Billy tomorrow. Good night, Jake." Leah says walking past Jake heading towards the road.

"Come with me!" Jake shouts suddenly quickly scrambling to his feet and catching Leah's hand. "Lee, come with me!" Jake repeats again desperately. Leah looks up at Jake shocked and confused by his sudden outburst. She notices him breathing heavily as if he's just ran the entire rez five times and his eyes are desperately searching her own.

"Where? Go with you where?" Leah asks allowing him to pull her into a tight hug.

"A, Alaska." He whispers into her hair. "Come with me to Alaska, Lee-Lee, please?" Leah looks up at him surprised as he smiles down at her and runs a hand through her hair. Leah feels her heart and body screaming yes. Yes to going with him. Yes to always being near him. Yes to continuing to loving him as she has been over these last two years.

"To do what, Jake?" Leah asks with a humorless chuckle. "To be what? What about the pack? What about Dad, Billy?" Leah asks frowning up at Jake.

"I, I don't know." Jake admits sadly with a sigh shaking his head.

"Your place is with Nessie." Leah says removing Jacob's hands from around her waist. "My place as your beta is here. I'll stay to look out for everyone – the pack, Billy and La Push." Leah doesn't say another word as she turns and walks away from Jacob fighting back the tears.

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Instead of going home that night she ran to Embry's place and told him about their conversation on the beach. Embry held her tightly as she cried her heart out. He calmed and soothed her telling her to do what she thought was best for 'her'. During those two weeks Jacob told everyone he was leaving and Leah was always by his side – with Billy, their pack, Sam's pack and then finally with the Council as a whole. Her heart seemed to crack every time he said it. But she kept her pain hidden behind a supportive smile and even anger when Sam called him a pathetic, weak, irresponsible coward. Only Embry saw her cry, heard her fears and silently watched her heart crack. She asked Embry to help her find the courage to let Jake go in the end – she had debated whether or not to tell him that she loved him or even begging him to stay with her. In the end she knew it was futile because no one could fight the pull of their imprint; Sam couldn't and neither could Jacob Black. The day had finally come to say her last good bye to Jacob Black and she had put on a strong act pretending she was saying good bye to an old friend, that's it and nothing more – a friend. However, while he was holding her and their eyes locked she felt her strength fail her and she cried. Her heart cried out when he gently wiped away her tears without teasing her for them. Embry saw the moment and as soon as Leah and Jake was apart he immediately stepped in and immediately wrapped an arm around her waist – he was holding her back from making a fool of herself. That's what she had convinced herself of and for that she was eternally grateful to Embry Call.

Over the months Leah and Embry had only gotten closer – Embry showing up at the times when Jake would've so that she couldn't dwell over his absence. The two hung out more on the rez together, went to the movies, sat and talked with Billy, he'd even tag along when she felt like shopping, and even just sat quietly enjoying each other's company. Slowly, but surely, Embry Call was becoming more than just her pack brother. She vaguely remembered sharing a kiss with him but she was completely drunk and thinking about Jake being the man holding her instead of Embry. Embry never brought it up and so Leah assumed that it never happened. However, it seemed as if her whole world had been suddenly turned upside down with just this last phone conversation with Jake. It started off as the same-old, same-old conversation between the two. But when she asked for a change of pace she was completely unprepared for what happened next. Jake's voice sounded so deep, husky and sexy as he began telling her what he missed about her and wanting to taste her. She had been feeling and thinking the exact same thing about him. It had been years since anyone had seriously talked about being attracted to her that she couldn't stop herself from wanting to relieve the warm building pressure that was gathering in her stomach and nether region. She started giving into the sexual fantasies that the two held – her hands roaming over her body pretending they were his as he coaches her through it while she returns the favor. But what he said next just – it was the last crack Leah Clearwater's heart could take. "Shit, baby. You should be here with me." Jake growled out talking about gently playing with her wet center. Leah froze as hot tears began to well up in her eyes.

'How dare he? He's the one that left! He left with his imprint! He chose not to stay!' Leah growls in annoyance. "Should be there with you?! For what purpose? So you can relieve your sexual frustration because your precious imprint is still too young to do it? Is that why you wanted me to come with you?" Leah demands angrily sitting up. "You've got some nerve. You sick, dirty bastard. Don't ever call me again Jacob Black!" Leah yells as she turns her phone off and throws it on the bed in a rage. She quickly gets up and begins pacing her room back and forth like a lion in a cage. Jacob had left La Push and soon she would too. Jacob wasn't coming back – no matter how many times he said he missed her, needed her, even wanted her – he had no choice in the matter. She had a choice. She was going to make a life for herself and find her own love. She would find her love, her Harry, the man that wouldn't leave her because of an old stupid legend. The man for her would be there for her when she needed him the most. Suddenly looking up she is surprised to see Embry standing before her and she can't help but smile at him. Embry's always been there for her when she needed him the most.

"Are you alright?" Embry asks taking Leah's hands and gently rubbing his thumbs over the back of her hands. Leah nods her head slowly and Embry sighs knowing it's a lie. "Don't lie to me, Leah." Embry whispers pulling her towards him gently and wrapping his arms around her waist. Leah hangs her head and leans into his embrace.

'He knows me so well. At this point he has to know me better than Jake.' Leah thinks resting her palms on his biceps.

"Let me guess. Jacob, again." Embry states rather than questions. Leah whispers a yes and can't help but wonder why Embry has suddenly tensed but pushes it aside snuggling deeper into his embrace letting his hold calm her. "What did he do?"

"Just being a bastard." Leah mutters as she leans out of the hug. Leah watches with worry as Embry growls deeply and his eyes grow dark and his eyes glaze over as if he's remembering something. With a sigh she looks down wondering what she's going to do about Jake. 'Will he call me back? Will he actually do as he's told for once?'

"Leah?" Embry whispers and pulls her chin up so that she'll look into his eyes. "It'll be okay. I'm here for you. I'm here right now." Embry whispers leaning in closer and pulling Leah towards him with his hand on her hips. He buries his nose into the crook of her neck taking in her scent and gently kisses her neck enjoying the taste of her on his lips and tongue. Leah's eyes widen at hearing Embry's words and find herself unable to control her body's reaction when Embry's lips and tongue taste her already hot and sensitive skin.

"Embry." Leah whispers as Embry kisses her chin and rubs his nose against her cheek his warm breath on her face sending a shiver down her spine.

"Leah." Embry breathes out his lips brushing Leah's lightly and she whimpers. Leah watches Embry smile through heavy lids and kisses her lips so softly and sweetly. Deep down Leah feels her heart swell from the contact and attention but deep down inside it's not the same as if it was Jake. However, it's her body that she can't seem to gain control over as her skin heats up at the small of her back where Embry has placed his hand and on her chin that he has a firm grip on. She feels her restraint slowly fall as he nips at her bottom lip and licks it gently begging entry. "I'm here now." Embry whispers against her lips pulling her pelvic closer to his. Leah gasps from the contact feeling his arousal through the fabric in their clothes. Embry takes this window of opportunity sliding his tongue in her mouth wrestling with hers for dominance. The two pull back gasping for air and Embry nudges Leah's chin with his nose. "I love you, Leah." Embry says looking Leah straight in her hazel eyes.

"I love you, too, Embry." Leah replies back with a sweet smile. 'I do love him but not the same.' Leah thinks as she hears Embry chuckle lightly to himself. She sighs to herself as he runs his hand against her cheek and through her hair. He opens his mouth getting ready to speak but a howl echoes from the forest and both stiffen immediately. "Leeches." Embry growls as he reluctantly releases Leah from his embrace.

"Duty calls." Leah says with a dark smirk as she brushes past Embry and heads down the stairs. Once outside Leah quickly pulls off her summer dress and ties it to her leg before phasing into a huge light gray wolf. She waits patiently as Embry quickly joins her and the two run for the forest heading off in the direction of the howl. 'Did you pick up any strange scents around our territory, Seth?'

'No, nothing has come near Forks or the Cullens. This can't be any friends of theirs.' Seth answers as Quil joins Leah and Embry.

'Leah? Is your pack gathered?' Sam asks.

'Gathered and already heading towards the clearing.' Leah states as Seth finally joins them.

'Perfect. Some of the others are already there. We'll talk more once everyone arrives.'

'EMBRY FOCUS!' Leah snarls as the Alpha communication link breaks and Leah catches a glimpse of Embry's thoughts straying to a few minutes ago.

'Right, right. Sorry, sorry.' Embry quickly apologizes shaking his head and earning a confused look from Quil and Seth.

'And Sam wonders why I won't take the cubs.' Leah grumbles as Quil and Seth chuckle. Seeing the clearing ahead Leah falls back allowing Embry to take point as she quickly phases back into her human form and throws the dress back on. Making sure it's pull down all the way Leah walks confidently into the clearing and takes the Alpha position ahead of Embry and scans around to see Paul nodding at her while Collin, Brady, and some of the cubs pace back and forth anxiously. Suddenly the cubs look up noticing Leah's presence and bound over to her excitedly yapping, yelping and brushing against her. Leah can't help but giggle at the cubs' attention and hugs every single one earning sloppy, wet wolf kisses from each. After the Volturri's presence the newborn wolf cubs had a hard time adjusting to the new double-life and were forced to leave their homes until they learned some self-control. Billy often told her that chances are the cubs would've gone completely wild had it not been for Leah's patience, encouragement and support. She helped them with their homework and how to control their emotions – she was their savior, their idol, their one and only Alpha. Jake refused to accept the cubs into his pack because initially there wasn't supposed to be a renegade pack and eventually he just didn't want to have to deal with their thoughts and fantasies about his Beta. The moment word was out that Jake was leaving they all came to Leah begging to finally be allowed to join 'Lovely Lee-Lee's' pack. She felt bad when she had to turn them down but after hearing Paul complain about how Rachel had put him out after she caught him saying Leah's name in his sleep – for her sanity and her pack's she had to turn them down.

"GET BACK!" Sam growls out as he runs into the clearing zipping up his shorts followed by the rest of his pack and more cubs. The newly arrived cubs ignore Sam's order and run up to Leah to greet her. The others just quietly look at Sam before turning their attention back to Leah.

"POSITIONS! NOW!" Leah snaps using her Alpha command. Quickly the cubs run back taking their positions behind their older pack brothers. Leah looks back and smiles apologetically at her own since her tone had caused them to straighten up. Leah turns around and notices Sam wincing slightly fighting the urge to take a lesser position in front of his own pack. "Heh, looks like being Jake's Alpha female has its advantages." Leah smirks as Sam growls. "Let's get right down to business, shall we?"

"Collin picked up the scent of maybe about 5-6 leeches at the southern border near the Makah reservation." Sam explains meeting Leah's gaze full on.

"Is there's a chance its some of the witnesses that came with the Volturri?" Leah asks addressing Collin directly. Collin shakes his head while Sam growls. It was agreed upon between the two Alphas and their Betas that communication in human form would be easier for planning so that both packs could hear what was being said. However, Leah knew that she had stepped over the line by directly address Sam's pack without his permission. Honestly, right now she didn't care about the formalities. There was a serious threat to their people and they had to deal with it quickly and efficiently.

"Collin didn't recognize it." Sam replies growling at Leah. "So it looks like we're just dealing with a coven of vampires who are completely unaware that the Cullens even lived here." Leah nods her head in agreement.

"So where do you need us to run?" Leah asks.

"You and Seth are the quickest – so I'll need you to run along the southwest border to ensure that none of the leeches get any closer to home." Leah nods her head in agreement and turns around preparing to undress and phase. "Lee?" Sam calls back. Leah turns around to see Sam frowning at her and he leans down to be eye-leveled with her.

"Don't want me directly addressing your pack?" Leah whispers sweetly. "Usually I wouldn't dream of it but timing is of the essence and I don't have time to stroke your ego, Sammie. I'll leave that to Emily." Leah says turning around and heading towards the trees.

"Should we call him and the Cullens?" Sam asks after her form. Leah freezes and thinks the question over. "Leah?"

"Call the Cullens, if you want. I only recommend getting Carlisle and Edward down here – we may need the medical attention. I wouldn't recommend anymore though." Leah turns around quickly glaring darkly at Sam. "We don't know who we're up against. This may still involve the Volturri and the last thing I want to do is increase their numbers by handing over the mind-reader, the mental shield, the gypsy and the Halfling."

"What about Jake?" Sam asks a smirk forming on his face.

"He can't come because of his imprint, remember?" Leah states with a confident smile. "Now then times a wasting."

"I'll have Emily call then." Sam responds back as Leah heads to the trees quickly undressing and phasing into her wolf form. Stepping back out into the clearing to find only her pack remaining.

'Huh? So you're 'Jake's Alpha female' now?' Quil asks teasingly with a dark chuckle.

'Do you think Jake will come?' Seth asks hopefully as Leah takes point leading her pack to the southwest region of the territory. Leah spreads the pack out in tiers to ensure that no scent is overlooked while in their excited state. A howl erupts near the Makah and La Push borders as Leah redirects her pack. Leah quickens her pace with Seth hot on her heels.

'There are twelve of them, Leah. Four have broken through heading in your direction. I'm sending Collin, Brady, Dave, Ezekiel and Cyrus after them.'

'Right, we'll block off their escape.' Leah adds and quickly relays the message to her pack. Spreading out they see the four vampires eyes burning crimson red and fangs glistening in the moonlight. Leah maneuvers her pack downwind to keep the element of surprise. Leah and Seth quickly pounce upon the last vampire running behind; an olive complexion male and rip into him mercilessly as his screams warns the others. Turning around the three vampires lunge at Leah and Seth but Quil and Embry jump out pinning a snarling female to the ground. The other two seeing their comrades fall at the jaws of the four wolves turn and run off barely avoiding Collin, Brady and the cubs. Leah growls her annoyance as the younger wolves turn around to finish the job. Leah's nostrils are filled with the smell of burning vampire flesh as the two bodies are burned. 'Come on. Let's go make sure the cubs finish the job.' Leah adds catching the scent of the two vampires that have escaped quickly followed behind by her pack. The Renegades quickly catch up with the cubs but find no vampires in sight and the cubs are whimpering nervously sticking close to Leah – whether for their own protection or hers she cannot tell.

'They've run off for now.' Sam breaks in. 'We'll chase them down through the neighboring reservations. And, oh, Leah – the two Cullens are on their way.' Sam adds. Leah quickly phases back standing up her heart aching in her chest. She ignores the course fur brushing against her body and the suddenly vicious snarls, growls and yelps of pain until she feels a warm pair of arms wrap around her. Opening her eyes Leah sees Embry looking down at her with a frown.

"We're heading south to make sure we get every last one." Leah states quickly pushing aside the impending sense of loneliness and rejection.

"Who's coming?" Embry asks knowing that there was more to the message that Sam relayed.

"Just the two Cullens." Leah answers looking up at the sky and catching a glimpse of the moon through the clouds. 'It's been six months, nine days, fourteen hours and who gives a fuck about how many minutes.' Leah growls to herself and tries to gain control of her emotions and the thoughts of Jacob Black bombarding her. Shaking her head she jumps back from Embry and quickly phases waiting for Embry to do the same. 'Let's go.' Leah says as they take off running south.

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Nessie sits silently watching her mother pace up and down in the living room mumbling to herself so quickly she cannot even make out what is being said. Looking around Nessie is confused by the scene that is playing out before her. Her mother seems highly agitated by Jacob's bold declaration of love for the she-wolf, Leah Clearwater. However, the rest of her family seems to be perfectly at ease. Nessie looks over to see Uncle Emmett watching a game on the television with Aunt Rosalie sitting beside him reading one of her magazines. Her father is sitting composing a new song on his piano. Aunt Alice is busy arranging flowers in one of the many vases within the home. Uncle Jasper is off in a corner reading a newspaper and yet at the same time seems sensitive to her mother's emotions. Grandma Esme and Grandpa Carlisle she's not seen since Jacob stormed out of the house in a huff. Everyone has told her that she's a very smart girl, wise beyond her years and special – but if all of that is true then why does she feel so confused, lost and unimportant? "You're not any of those things." Edward says from his piano frowning at Nessie.

'But then why did Jacob leave?' Nessie asks trying to fight back her tears.

"He's just upset, that's all." Edward explains but now Nessie is completely aware that all eyes are on her. She looks around and she sees a mixture of pity and anger – anger solely from her mother.

"Don't worry about it, Nessie." Rosalie coos smiling at her. "You can do so much better than the mutt anyway." Nessie gasps at Rosalie's words while Bella growls. "Save your growls for someone who cares or might actually be intimidated." Rosalie snaps glaring at Bella.

"How dare you say that?" Bella snaps back. "Jake has imprinted on Nessie and he can't love anyone else but her!"

"That's just the problem with it." Jasper says putting down his paper. "Imprinting makes the wolves forget what's important outside of their own imprints and killing vampires."

"Jacob's sacrificed a lot to come here." Alice adds speaking up and bouncing happily to stand with Jasper. "He left behind his family, his friends, the only home he's ever known, and not to mention the one person who kept him grounded."

"Nessie keeps him grounded." Bella states seething while trying to keep her cool while speaking with Alice. "He told me so himself. Imprinting is like feeling gravity pull you back down to the ground."

"But how close to the ground is the pull?" Emmett asks turning off the television.

"You know he almost forgot Billy's birthday?" Edward asks looking at Bella with concern. "Leah had to come and remind him of it. Leah's the one who's always told Jacob about his other responsibilities."

"Well it's not Nessie's fault that he can't keep his dates straight." Bella says defensively.

"It's the idea of imprinting." Emmett mumbles.

"I can't understand how you can all sit here and say that Jacob and Nessie don't deserve to be together." Bella says feeling betrayed by her family.

"It's not that they don't deserve to be together." Carlisle says entering into the room with Esme.

"It's just that they shouldn't. They are descendants of a lineage that are naturally enemies." Esme adds with a sad frown.

"But Jake has put that aside for me, for Nessie, for all of us." Bella explains looking around seeking understanding. "Jake made a promise to Nessie."

"That promise was to always be her friend and be there whenever he needs her." Edward states. Nessie cannot help but look at the bracelet on her wrist. She recalls when Jacob gave it to her for Christmas, it was her first Christmas. He presented it to her and said it was a special bracelet promising that he'd always be her, be her friend. Was that all Jacob had wanted to be to her? He stayed by her side continually when her mother was a threat and then when the Volturri were coming – but once that danger was over he went home. He went back to his family, friends, his pack and his life.

"Did he love her then?" Nessie asks to no one in particular.

"Maybe." Rosalie answers as honestly as she can. "He's definitely loved her over the last two years."

"Yea, but everyone else loves their imprints. Why doesn't he love me like he loves Leah?" Nessie asks as her vision becomes blurry. Blinking her eyes she feels hot tears roll down her cheeks.

"Nessie, don't listen to them. Jake loves you too and he's just confused or homesick. That's it! He's just homesick." Bella explains quickly picking up her daughter and holding her tightly.

"But then how come Leah is the only one to make him happy? He's miserable when he doesn't talk to her at least every other day. He always leaves so that he can talk to her without me around." Nessie states feeling suddenly cold and unloved.

"For Jacob, love and imprint love are two different things." Emmett explains with a weak smile.

"It's because part of you is a vampire." Jasper states calmly. "And the older you get the more you are like us rather than a human." Bella and Nessie look at Jasper strangely but the others in the room only seem to remain silent – as if this fact was common knowledge.

"Is the imprint fading?" Bella demands looking around frantically.

"It died a long time ago." Alice admits with a weak smile. "Remember before Nessie was born I couldn't see her future? Even after she was born I couldn't see it. It's because Jake would imprint on her meaning her life would be overlapped with a shape-shifter's. Two years ago everything became crystal clear – Jake started hanging out less and less. I see Nessie's future and it is not with Jake." Alice admits smiling happily at Nessie. Bella opens her mouth to say something but a ringing phone silences her. Emmett looks over and picks up a black and silver phone.

"Yes?" Emmett answers Jake's phone and listens quietly. "No, this is Emmett. Uh, yeah, they both are here. It's for you, Carlisle." Emmett says handing the phone to Carlisle. "It's Emily Uley." The entire room is quiet as Carlisle listens on the phone to Emily.

"We're on our way." Carlisle says and hangs up. "Apparently some vampires are in the area. Sam has asked that Edward and I come down just in case someone needs medical attention." Carlisle explains as Edwards nods his head understanding.

"Is Leah okay?" Rosalie asks and Carlisle can only shrug his shoulders. "Well I'm coming too."

"No, they asked that only Edward and I come down. We will call you if you anyone is hurt." Carlisle states as he hugs Esme good bye. Nessie watches as her father and grandfather make their rounds saying good bye to the family. "I think you all need to update Jacob about what is going on in La Push." Carlisle says as he kisses Nessie good bye. With a solemn nod from her uncles and aunts she watches as her father and grandfather run out the door heading back to the Olympic Peninsula.

"Why did Jacob come then, Aunt Rosalie?" Nessie asks seeking the final answer to her question.

"Because he thought he had to." Rosalie answers with a frown as she turns heading outside to search for Jacob.

'Because he had to?' Nessie thinks holding her mother tightly. 'Was that all she was to him now? A responsibility? A chore? Task? Errand? Something that he had to deal with rather than wanted to?'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Leah groans lightly to herself as she feels the suns rays on her face brightening up the darkness behind her eyelids. Opening them she is greeted with the sight of bright green blades of grass covered in morning dew or rain – it could've rained again last night. She stretches out and rolls over but finds herself unable to and begins to panic. Hearing an annoyed growl she looks behind her and notices Embry holding onto her protectively. With a sigh she carefully grabs his hand and removes it from her waist before jumping up and shaking out her hair. Looking down she notices Quil sprawled out on the grass beside Embry snoring loudly and Seth also knocked out beside him their limbs tangled. They had now been out in the woods for six days in search of the remaining vampires and were coming up with nothing during the last two. Leah suddenly stiffens as she realizes that her entire pack slept out in the middle of, possibly, leech infested woods without anyone on watch. She growls to herself knowing that she'll have to have a serious talk with them about security and coverage. Closing her eyes she sniffs the air around her and cannot pick up the slightest scent of a leech anywhere nearby. Turning her back on her sleeping pack mates Leah walks over to the nearby river and kneels down to drink some of the cold, icy water and splash her face. '6 months, 13 days, and 3 hours.' Leah thinks to herself quickly wiping away her tears.

Hearing a twig snap Leah quickly phases into her wolf form and crouches low slowly backing up into the trees. She quickly calms down as a dark brown wolf emerges from the other side of the river with a huge yawn. Leah immediately recognizes Ezekiel, aka Zeke, and barks a good morning to him. Leah laughs to herself noticing how quickly he awakens and even holds his head up high trying to look confident and strong. "It would seem that you're very special to these mongrels." A sweet melodic voice sings out over the river. Both Leah and Zeke immediately tense up. Leah growls trying to pinpoint the source of the voice while Zeke is standing stark still. Hearing a rustling in the leaves Leah looks up and notices a copper toned female leech falling from the trees above Zeke letting out a warning howl for both packs to hear she runs across the river at her top speed and pushes Zeke out of the way but not before the leech swipes at her back ripping her open. Leah howls out in pain as she crumbles to the forest floor crying out in pain. Looking over she notices Zeke is completely shocked as the female leech laughs evilly at her handiwork. Leah growls and tries to stand up finds that her back legs will not respond. "Awe, too bad. When you tried to save your little admirer there I wound up slicing up the nerves in your spinal cord. It would seem you're paralyzed from the waist down." Leah whirls around and lunges for the vampire jaws opened but a sharp pain causes her to cry out and she phases back unable to control it.

"Run Zeke." Leah cries out looking at the still stunned wolf. "RUN AND GO GET HELP!" Leah orders and he snaps out of his trance and takes off running towards Sam and his pack. "Stupid boys always sleeping in." Leah growls out as the vampire stands over her.

"Not necessarily. It's a gift I possess – I can make anyone I choose to slip into a deep sleep, like a coma." She states and carefully grabs Leah's arm and twists it. Leah cries out in pain as she feels the bones breaking, the cartilage and ligaments ripping and tearing in her arm. "I would've liked to have saved you for last." The vampire growls out. "Respect for a fellow Native American girl and all that but you're a bit more dangerous than you look." The woman says almost sweetly as she moves on to Leah's other arm. "You've orchestrated your pack brilliantly – always staying down wind, attacking in pairs, never over-exerting yourselves. Plus, you seem to carry a lot of control over a good deal of the other group as well." Leah grits her teeth and growls as she feels her other arm broken and abused. "Oh, what's wrong? Not going to cry out in pain for me again?"

"Respect for a fellow Native American girl and all that shit." Leah growls out through tightly clenched teeth but tears falling nonetheless.

"You're funny. Too bad you were born a wolf. We would've had fun as vampires together." The woman says grabbing hold of Leah's head gently. "But your little friend, Zeke, was it? Well he's successfully woken up his band of brothers and they will be here soon." Leah narrows her eyes at the woman above her. "So I guess I'll just make them all suffer by living with the guilt that they weren't strong enough to save you." Leah gasps and tries to will her body to heal itself as the woman leans down and bites down on her neck hard. Leah cries out in pain as a hot searing heat shoots down her neck blinding her to the world around her. She gasps out now unable to hear the sounds of a series of barks, howls and growls come from both sides of the river.

'6 months, 13 days, 3 hours and way too many damn minutes and seconds – you were supposed to come back Jake.' Leah says to herself trying to fight off the venom she knows is in her body. 'Why couldn't you hurry up and bring your ass back?' Leah feels the world swirl around her and slowly grow dark and slips into unconsciousness.

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Well there's the next chapter. So what's been going on with Jake over the last six days? Does he know that there are vampires in La Push? What about Nessie? Poor thing is feeling confused while her mother is fuming. And Leah?

Thanks for everyone's reviews and I couldn't help but laugh at all of my Blackwater readers absolutely HATING the little Callwater moment. Especially Rogue Assassin's response because she is royally pissed off at Leah. But I hope this chapter kind of cleared up a bit about Leah's feelings about Embry and Jacob. And it would seem as always Bella is oblivious to the bigger picture in the end. I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter and I couldn't help but throw in everyone's question:

XBlackRose77X - omg! jacob better get his butt back to la push

Running with the wolves - Jake HAVE to get his butt down there NOW...

BLACKWATER4EVER - Jacob needs to hurry his ass up and get to la push!

.loveXx - WHAT! No! Jake needs to bring his ass back now!!

xXHatchiXx - i really want jake to get his ass back to la push before it's too late!

Jacobleah - When will Jake get over his duty and come home ?

ItsCuzOfTheFame - I hope Jake goes back to Leah *sniff sniff*