A/N: Thirteenth chapter. I give you...SMUT. Try not to cough up cheeseballs.

XIII.

If you lived in La Push, and if one day the President of America resigned in an explosive controversy, you were damn well lucky to hear the news and gape at the surprise within three days. It's like the bottom of the Grand Canyon; La Push was always last to hear the news, despite the fact that in the twenty-first century messaging was supposed to be instantaneous. But news within the bottom of the Grand Canyon itself could not be more different. If you lived in La Push and were unlucky enough to get yourself trapped in an empty pit on a dark rainy night, you might still consider yourself lucky if your Biology teacher didn't ask you the following Monday whether your ankle still hurt or not. The usually laid-back reservation sprang into frenzy whenever something out of the ordinary happened.

Quileutes were said to be people of dignity, yes, but every single one of them turned into gossip-deprived obsessive maniacs whenever you anyone started a sentence with 'Did you know...?'. It's scary, and it got worse with more controversial gossips.

Yeah. Controversial gossips like Leah Clearwater kissing Embry Call in front of the whole of La Push High School's student body.

I was surprised, embarrassed, and downright giddy. If I were a werewolf, like the man I was currently dying to make-out with, my fur would have bristled with electricity. A tingly current spread like wildfire to the tips of my fingers, which were toying with the trail of vanishing hair on Embry's nape. I was aware of every flimsy detail that I could take notice--that his nape was so soft, that his hands were just about the perfect size, capable of being mighty and delicate at the same time, that all that was needed for our lips to meet was for me to tiptoe or him to bow, and that his lips were one of the best things God could have created.

I couldn't remember exactly how I ended up pouncing on the poor lad, though the why part was more than obvious. I did recall walking out of the school canteen to steer clear of my line of thought when my eyes landed on the one person I wanted to rid my mind of. He was striding away from Quil Ateara, towards the dense woods, shoulders slumped as if ashamed. I knew at once he was bailing, like he did yesterday and many days before, and if there was one thing I would do it would have to be to stop him from bailing on Quil, or on me. Or at least that was what I intended. My twisted mind made me run, hook myself on him and stick my tongue down his throat.

It was shameful, really. I would have cringed if I was an audience, gag somewhere or suffer a dairy overload. I would have been ashamed, except that he approved. With passion.

Kissing Embry was addictive; the moment I pulled away, there was nothing I wanted to do more than pull him back to me. Only the hum of talk around us and Quil stomping his foot in spectacular irritation got me out of delirium that involved being all over Embry. Ateara stomped once more, in the same way an enraged bull would do so before charging. I found it slightly amusing, if not embarassing, because he was glowering mightily at me as if I usurped something he felt he owned. I called it jealously, but he could charge at me for all I cared, because Embry clearly chose me over him.

I giggled, not least because I spied Embry inching closer to my lips and Quil moving his own lips to curse me. Embry heard, his werewolf senses to blame, and stopped trying to kiss me to growl at his best friend. I was a little too giddy to notice that Quil was growling back, shaking exactly the way Seth did when he first changed. Phased, Sam called it, wasn't it?

The eerie sense of responsibility that I was about to be the reason for yet another werewolf escaped me. Mr Clarke had suddenly blasted his way through the throng of whispering gossip maniacs pretending to be students and started bellowing to get us to his office, where detention was waiting. Quil eyed us as if expecting us to rid him of responsibility, but huffed and led the way himself. Embry sighed and regretfully stepped away, grinning. I knew he was pleased with himself, the smug werewolf.

I ignored the way his eyes sparkled, no matter how cute he looked. He could not find the words, it seemed, because he just stared, and stared, and stared and had I not known better I would have said there was nothing or no one else those eyes could see. There was something there, in his stare, not so much accusing, but more impassioned and slightly lovesick. I was not much of a patient person, especially not with his adoring stares, so when the feeling of self consciousness started to creep in, I hissed. "Embry, stop the hell staring at me."

His grin widened, mimicking that of a man whose life was just extended, except that he was cuter. "Thank you," he murmured, closing his eyes and stepping nearer. He inhaled deeply and then smiled, relishing in whatever sweetness the air brought. "Thank you."

"Thank you for what?"

He only raised his eyebrows, which was enough of an explanation. I cringed, trying to compose myself while I remembered how good his lips felt against mine. I cleared my throat too, and looked away from his warm gaze. "Right. Don't you look so smug."

"Do I look smug?"

"Very."

He chuckled, shaking his head lightly so that his dishevelled hair, perhaps tousled by my wandering hands, basked in the rare sunlight. "Can you say it again?"

"I'm sure you don't need to hear it twice," I grumbled.

"So it's true then, that you said it?"

Yes, yes. I want you to stay, damn it. Happy now? I tried to keep my face straight. "Shut up, Embry."

I sounded more affectionate that I thought.

The buzzing around us interrupted our conversation, which was certainly a good omen; Embry had inched so close I had to restrain myself from tiptoeing to reach him. A loud yell calling our respective names, mine with distinctly more agitation, rang above the whispers. A few faces in the crowd frowned while I followed Ateara's footsteps to Mr. Clarke's miniature headquarter. Embry skipped beside me, touching his lips as though they were tingling. I couldn't blame him; mine were on fire.

There is no preventing from hearing the muffled gossip that erupted with my indecent behaviour now. Embry scowled, throwing each student with a moving mouth a seething look of warning. They reciprocated with continuous prattling, with Embry's glares fueling the fire. Slowly, the words drifted clearer.

"Did she just kiss him?" A voice with no matching face sounded appalled.

"Leah Clearwater? You have got to be kidding me."

There was a giggle or two. "Damn, she is lucky!"

"No, He is lucky."

"Nah, that's Leah Clearwater," a know-it-all said. "He's doomed."

"Whoops! Congratulations, Embry!"

"I don't think it'll last. Three weeks, tops," another predicted.

I grimaced this time, wincing as we continued marching. Perhaps Embry noticed, because he leaned in and breathed into my ear to distract me. His labour was fruitful, if not potent. I shivered lightly, his warm breath a contrast to the frosty hall. "Don't listen to them. They don't know anything."

Neither do you, I wanted to say. Do you know I'm about to pin you down if you don't stop tickling my ears? I nodded to bin the thought and stalked off. Damn, when did Embry start being such a tease?I knew the answer of course, but I had to stop about him being so macho or I would go insane. Who said only teenage boys had raging hormones? He hadn't met me yet.

Embry was beside me at once, reaching almost as instantly for my hand. In the absence of life in the frigid school corridor I could only dwell on his warm fingers touching my palm, tiptoeing across it, as if trying to get used to the idea of closeness. I twitched at his first touch, but it was as far as I got. I could hardly prevent myself from anything, so I swallowed my pride and let him do his bidding. And his fingers didn't stop; they traced unrecognisable patterns, weaving through my skin ever so slowly, never leaving.

Mr. Clarke was waiting for us impatiently by his door, tapping his foot all over the place. He snapped at us while we walked through calmly, demanding that we sit down and do nothing while he finished yelling his insides at Ateara.

Mr. Clarke was fuming, Quil was glowering, and Embry continued doing his little things with my hands. My attention drifted slowly, latching on to the window behind Mr. Clarke, where someone was clearly trying to catch my attention.

Embry and I realised it at the same time. Our contact broke, and I shifted slightly in my seat, guilty. Even the foggy windows failed to veil my brother's anger. I was slightly concerned that he was half-naked, but what was really odd was the fact that Seth was raising his fists threateningly at Embry and daring to burst through the windows, while mouthing what was obviously the limited foul words he knew. I shrugged, just in time as Jacob appeared behind Seth and with a soft smile, pulled my brother away, while he kicked and screamed and clamoured to free himself.

A thunder inside the room made me forget about Seth's tantrum. "HOW MANY MORE TIMES DO I HAVE TO ENDURE TELLING YOU OFF?"

Embry pouted at Mr. Clarke. "How many times do we have to endure you?"

"Kissing in the courtyard? Kissing?"

"Why, you jealous?"

"Have you no shame?" he bellowed. I felt it was directed at me. Where indecency was concerned, Leah Clearwater was a pioneer.

"Who told you to watch?" I snidely commented. Embry supressed a laugh. Besides us, Quil gave him a mortified look, not forgetting to toss me a hostile glance afterwards. I wanted to strangle him. So? I kissed your best friend. Get over it, you wimp.

Mr. Clarke turned his back on us and crawled back to his seat, problematic. "Always you two. Is it a thirst for trouble you have? Or do you simply enjoy the attention?"

"I don't think we enjoy attention from you, sir."

"Watch your mouth, Clearwater. I am at lost. I have no idea how to proceed with you anymore. You two never learn. Breaking school rules, smashing library bookshelves, kissing in front of the whole school...you're a magnet for touble you are, or trouble itself resides in you two!"

"That's Bella Swan," Embry snorted.

Mr. Clarke was a bit deaf, you see, so he didn't caught on Embry's words, except the last one. "Swan?" he roared. "Swan? I don't have time for animal jokes, Mr. Call!"

Embry snickered, undaunted, and whispered to Quil. "Jacob will murder him."

Quil didn't show his teeth at all. He was busy scowling at me to take note that Embry actually cracked a joke. I was busy glaring back too, or smirking back, trying to figure out which was annoying Quil more. Mr. Clarke stormed what remained of his ass for the rest of the sunny afternoon, and by the time he had finished threatening us with all the school's detentions and punishments Quil Ateara was just about to snore and Embry and I were simply nodding to whatever resolution he deemed fit.

When he finally culminated his ceremonious rites, Embry looked like he had just woken up from an out-of-body trance. He swiftly turned to our grumpy headteacher and tilted his head, questioning. "That's it? No detention for a month or locking us in the broom closet?"

"To hell with locking you and Miss Clearwater in the broom closet, Mr. Call."

He slammed the door in Quil and Embry's dumbstruck faces as Ateara turned to his best friend, ignoring my existence. The guy hates me. "What did he say our punishment was?"

"Informing the 'rents?"

Quil shrugged. "Not bad, I guess. I gave them Grandpa's number so I'm sure Mr. Clarke will lose patience after repeating himself fifteen times."

"I gave them Jacob's number," Embry boasted. "I'll just tell Jake to watch over the phone and slam it down when he calls."

I felt like a loser on legs. I actually gave my parent's number, though that was because I was overly confident that even as I reigned as La Push's most notorius deliquent I would never ever be caught red handed. Apparently, I hadn't foreseen that I was going to get all kissy-kissy with Embry and get myself entangled with the catching net.

I noticed how the momentary smile that adorned Quil's face vanished suddenly. Embry had turned back to me and had slipped his hands on my waist before I knew what had witnessed every action with scorn, his frown a perfect rendition of Old Quil's. He shifted his stance from relaxed to cautious, very uneasy. "What do you think you're doing, Embry?"

"What the hell is your problem, Quil?"

I knew why Embry sounded so anxious. Quil started shaking violently that I noticed Embry moved slightly, keeping me behind him while he took the protective stand. Quil pointed at me over his shoulder. "Do you know who she is? Don't get yourself entangled with Leah Clearwater, that's Leah Clearwater!"

Embry returned a growl that was too serious to ignore. "Mind your own business, Quil."

"But Embry, you'll--"

He bared his teeth this time. The rumble in his chest was more prominent, and if Quil still could not take hint, I did not know how else to make it clear that Embry is nowhere near kidding. "I said mind your own business."

Quil gave us a final look of outrage before bailing, scurrying along the corridor and into the sunshine. Embry sighed after him, and then with no second yet to breathe, a howl suddenly echoed from the forest. Our heads snapped in attention, while Embry's lips formed a thin line. "That's Jacob."

What about Jacob? "What's he howling his snout away for?"

"I don't know. It sounds like an emergency."

"He's calling you?" I confirmed.

He nodded, waiting for permission. When I did not meet his deadline for either telling him to go deal with his wolfy issues or stay and make out with me, he added, "Do you want me to go?"

No. "If Jacob Black wants to play fetch with you, go."

"Do you really want me to go?" he asked again, this time declining his head so our noses touched. His breath on my lips made my stomach flutter. His gaze was intense, and all I was able to do was gulp. Shameful.

"Should I go, Leah? Or should I stay? You're not answering me."

I was trying hard not to think that it was an open invite to hiding in the nearest empty room and cuddle, kiss, or snuggle, whichever applied. "Uh huh?"

However irresolute I sounded, Embry did a slow whirl around and just as slowly walked away, deliberately making me perceive that me, alone in the deserted corridor, without his warmth was a discovery I did not intend to realise. He was almost at the end of the corridor when my words reached his sensitive ears.

"Stay," I half-pleaded, half-demanded. It was the word of the day.

Embry strode back, each step more swiftly taken than the other. I could see his exhilaration as it washed over his face, and the immeasurable happiness that followed. He lowered his head infinitismally and kissed my nose, his lips all crunched up to do the task. I gave an involuntary grunt of disapproval. My lips are an inch below, honey. His hands tidied my hair and inclined my head so any succeeding trail of thoughts then vanished.

"If you think I can stay away from you for another second, Leah Clearwater, you can keep imagining."

He gave me a smile and, at almost a snail's pace, bent closer. I pursed my lips and spoke before his reached mine, regretting doing so almost immediately. "Kissing you once doesn't mean I'm kissing you twice."

Undeterred, he inched his lips closer still, so close I could feel its warmth. He kept still while I continued expecting its tenderness, and then lightly chuckled, sending wafts of warm summery breaths into my mouth. "Reaally, Leah? Then why are your hands behind my neck? I assume that has nothing to do with your lips so close to mine?"

I tilted my head and closed my eyes, so I could barely feel his lips. I thought I was teasing, but I hardly managed the stillness as he breathed in me again. "No connection whatsoever. A guy can dream, Embry."

"Go on," he teased. "I dare you not to."

His fingers held my chin and raised them a little higher. I could almost feel his lips touching mine. Almost. This would not be a battle to be lost by Leah Clearwater, although my resolve was going, going, gone. I sounded stubborn when I spoke, like someone who knows they are a lost cause but are proud enough to argue otherwise. "I won't kiss you," I whispered, my pretense betrayed by the uncertainty muddled with my words. "I won't kiss you."

"Hmm...Pity I'm almost expectant..."

"Too much confidence..." I barely let out. "...is bad."

He disregarded this, and shifted his hands so they cradled my face. "It happens when you start kissing me without warning..."

"I am not kissing you again," I said inaudibly, which was a lie. Of course it was a big fat lie; I could barely keep my legs upright, and if I wasn't leaning on Embry I would end up like a glob of giddy jell-o on the floor.

"Don't then," he said finally, pulling away. The instant the warmth of his lips vanished, I leaned further in pursuit. He must have some supernatural grip on himself because whatever restraint he possessed I certainly did not. He managed a soft giggle before my tolerance ran out, completely swept away by his breath. I grabbed his hair and pulled him to me, and he could think whatever he wanted of it but I was going to kiss him whether he liked it or not.

I suspected he liked it. He kissed me slowly, softly, as if letting his sentiments control the way his lips moved, rather than his hormones. I permitted myself to revel at the tenderness, to drop my guard and relish the moment like Embry clearly did. I could not only taste him; I could feel him everywhere. I was surprised Embry's lips did not wander beyond mine. He lingered there, exploring gently. There was a jolt in my stomach when I felt him probe deeper; I gasped and pulled away.

Embry looked stunned and upset. "S--sorry," he stuttered. "I--I'm sor--I'm sorry, I lost control, I shoul--"

"Lose as much control as you want," I urged. "And shut up."

I captured his lips again, our breaths swirling, hands wandering, heart hammering wildly in our respective chests. Embry's hands landed on my hips, but hesitated like a gentleman. Mind you, he kissed like a gentleman. A passionate, werewolf gentleman.

"I can get used to this," he gasped. "I lo--"

An angry march erupting at the end of the corridor cut his words short. Seth was striding mightily towards us, his little nose flaring. "Eeeww Embry!" he wailed. "Stop touching my sister! Hands off her hips! Eeeww, Leah what the...hands off his...eeeww!"

I stepped away from Embry to glower at my sulking brother. "Last time I checked, you're my little brother. So quit poking your snout in my business, Seth. Go chase your tail outside or something."

"Urgh Leah, he was undressing you! Right in the corridor too!"

I rolled my eyes. "Undressing? Great God, Seth, d'you have a fever?"

"Why are you kissing him?" he pestered on. "He had a rabbit for lunch!"

Yeah, my brother is an aspiring animal rights activist. Pun intended. "And your point is?"

"It wasn't cooked!" Seth cried. "He was eating it raw when he was a wolf, and he killed it too!"

I rounded to glare at Embry, who mouthed a soft apology. My hands automatically flew to cover my mouth though nothing rabbit-y lingered on my tongue. Seth turned his attention on Embry, and together they discoursed, my brother a little less pleased.

It was at this point that it became distinctly clear why I had spent the day thinking about Embry afterall. Why he had been all over my mind from before I went to sleep until I regained consciousness in my dreams, and from the moment I woke up until I blasted that flask in chemistry. He was limping, as he had done so yesterday, and I shuddered to think who the culprit was.

I blamed him. He could not run away just like that, scuttling away as though there was nothing he wished more than isolate himself. He could not leave me worried sick about whether or not he was going to bleed to death in the cold of the night or let me wander about in great agitation for Seth to bark that he was going to perish in his own sadness because I pushed him away, or leave me with almost a nervous breakdown when Paul decided it was funny to tell me that a mutilated body of a wolf (told me it was spotted grey too) was found at the foot of the mountains.

I debated whether it was worth risking my pride to scold him, but scolding him sounded like the best thing to do. I broke their little meeting and forcibly wedged myself between their warm bodies.

"Sorry to break your little cuddling, boys, but Embry--" I faced him sternly. "You have been mangled by a vampire and I don't take lacerated werewolves for a boyfriend."

Embry's face was full of grins--he was glowing. His eyes were dancing, his lips massively stretched, and nose twitching with thrill. He looked so happy it was almost funny. "Boyfriend?" he repeated. "Aahhh, this is surreal." He gazed at me tentatively, before breaking into a bigger smile. "You like me?"

"I hate you," Seth mumbled.

We both ignored him. "Not really," I told Embry. "I just enjoy kissing random guys, and you're today's lucky pick."

He was gobsmacked.

I rolled my eyes at his reaction and then tiptoed to kiss him lightly, merely to prove a point. I slung my hands around his neck and kept it there. "You like me?" he repeated. He could not go far beyond the question.

"You're an idiot," I teased, reaching for his nape. "For not knowing."

"Urgh this should be illegal. Get a room!"

"We will, Seth," I winked.

"LEAH!"

"Oh sod off sissy. Go away and do your homework or I'm ratting you out"

"I'm ratting you out," Seth warned. "I'll tell mum and dad you and Embry are making out like rabbits in the school corridor. Ha!"

"Dad likes Embry," I shrugged.

Seth scowled, defeated. "How come you get to make out with him while I always have to do my homework? You're being unfair, Leah!" Mostly, he sounded as though he was asking me to share Embry. Seth knew it was wrongly phrased, and I wasn't going to let him forget that. He knew that part too, so he had begun sulking before I even opened my mouth.

"I know you have issues, Seth, but let me clear things out for you, okay? One, you don't get to make out with Embry because you just do not. Two, you don't get to make out with anyone because you don't have a girlfriend. Three, if you have problems with either of that, there's always Old Quil to talk to. I wish you luck, bro."

"You're cruel!" Seth barked, before running away to disappear outside, pretending to scratch his eyes. I guffawed. How could I ever live without the satisfaction of harrassing my baby brother?

Embry was still in his own little world when I pivoted back. He blinked rather unsurely when I grabbed his attention, as he usually did whenever he was confused, and then squinted his eyes to ask. "You liked me? Even before? And you still like me, now?"

"I kissed you," I reminded him. "In public, in front of an awful lot of students and teachers, all of which have uncontrollable big mouths."

"So you like me?"

"Tell me, Embry, what do you want me to say to satisfy that little brain of yours? I'm crushing on you?"

"Are you?" he blinked again.

I shook my head. "Get out of your little stupor, Embry Call. You're in a daze."

"Yes," he said, all dreamy-like. "Maybe I am. That is beside the point, however. Do you like me?"

"Well what do you think?"

He kissed me softly again.

"I think you do." A pause, a great grin, and then a kiss on the forehead. "Shall we go home?"

Home. It reminded me of a certain annoying someone who I was supposed to go home with today. I had been much too glued to a web of werewolves and vampires and Embry Call these past fortnight that I had wanted a strong digression, something that could annoy the hell out of me and hence make me forget all the sticky, tangled strings of everything supernatural. For once, God granted my wish and gave me living hell.

Enter, Patrick Ricks.

I guessed I would not have to put up with him much longer now, seeing that Embry was clasping my hand as though afraid I'd float away. Outside of the deserted corridors, the sun stung our eyes, hushed murmurs met our ears and wild stares followed our trail. I caught sight of one particular Jessica Spencer scowling more than the others combined; personally offended and mortally angered by the way I snatched the object of her obssession. Sadly for her, I couldn't bear myself to care.

At the other end of the parking lot was the living hell. The gleaming red car told me Patrick was still into my chaffeur business, but right now I preferred a wolf ride.

I felt Embry brace himself with confidence as the door of the car slammed, with Patrick striding out angrily, his eyes set on our entwined hands. He jumped on the chance to exhibit his numerous pair of sunglasses, though the one he wore, a deep reflective black, was primarily to conceal a black eye Embry gave him yesterday. Dust swivelled where his feet pounded against the soil, but not long after he started his assault, Jared overtook him.

Poor little Patrick's ego was wounded. He couldn't quite comprehend how Jared could move so quick; He stood baffled, between the car and us, cross.

When Jared reached us, he was hesitant. I had never quite seen him look so weary. His shoulders were not in their usual manly stance; it was physically translating a heavy burden that Embry immediately understood. He looked like the bearer of a horrid news, and reluctantly so.

He gave me a fleeting glance, as if conscious that if he lingered more I would be able to glimpse a secret he did not want known. He was biting his lips as though preventing the words from spilling out, but in his eyes I saw his dread. Embry's hand trembled in mine as Jared eyed him, and I was sure he understood whatever Jared said with those knowing looks. Slowly, I watched as Embry's posture conformed to his--resigned.

The connection that they shared made me feel like an intruder. So when Jared finally spoke, I was surprised he addressed me.

"Leah," Jared began. "Your dad..."

A/N: I toiled for this, so please review! I hope you didn't cringe much because I find it soo cheesy, but I thought Embry should get some because he'd been so repressed, the poor guy. Just a question, who brings your Embry to life?