Not that they haven't seen me naked before or anything but it was still embarrassing none the less. I changed quickly into an extra large grey t-shirt and a new pair of shorts. Embry walked in front of me, grabbed my hand and then gently led me downstairs, as it still hurt like a bitch if I moved too suddenly or twisted in my neck in some way. The marks that Jake left were still fresh outta the deli, red and bloody. I could slowly feel my skin reconstructing itself and let me just say it feels kinda disgusting. It was kind of like feeling your stitches rip slowly, one by one but it didn't hurt as bad.

As we reached the bottom, I found Doc, weird kid, and macho man waiting with anxious stares. Aren't vamps supposed to be invited in or something? Or is that a myth too like everything else? The two younger vamps held curiosity in their features as they took a good look at my face and as I tensed up, ready to let them know what was on my mind, Embry stopped abruptly.

He turned around to face me and put his hand on my shoulder. His intense gaze had me feeling like I was in some kind of seriously cheesy soap opera.

"They're here for your safety. Be good, got that?" Embry asked, keeping his eyes on me.

"Just because I'm a dog doesn't mean you can treat me like one." I replied. For a second, Embry showed a small beginning of a smile and then stopped. I wanted to go Joker on his ass and be ask "Why so serious?" and maybe add in the tongue flick but a lot of the guys are getting annoyed with my I can't take my life seriously act. Usually people that have suffered severe heart breaks, changes into a big fat mutt, and lost their dad, wouldn't think their life was serious anymore either.

I can't be emo Leah and I can't be joking Leah. This is why they always get the pissed off Leah.

Speaking of Dad, I really wish he was here…I miss him.

"Leah?" Doc asked. I hadn't realized a lot of things in the past two minutes. For example, we were now at the bottom of the stairs and the others had been talking for quite some time now.

"Is that alright with you? Are you okay to come out?" He continued to ask. What the hell was he talking about?

"He asked if you were okay with moving out to the clearing to meet up with the rest of the group. They already ran into Jake and told him to get the others. Gee Lee, this isn't rocket science, you should try paying more attention." Quil blabbered at me, rolling his eyes.

"In case you hadn't notice princess, I have a lot of crap going through my brain right now."

Quil gasped in shock for an anonymous reason I'm sure to find out right now.

"You have a brain? I didn't know that, did you know that Jared?"

Jared shook his head and said "No way. I'm not getting involved in this one."

Quil pouted at the lack of support he got. "Fun killer."

"Anyways, I'm fine," like fucking always, "and blah blah blah, let's just get this whole thing over with."

"That's the spiri-"

Thwak

"Why couldn't they be after Quil?" Embry asked after slapping his best friend upside of his head.

"It would have been much easier and funnier to get rid of him." He took the first steps toward the door with the leeches following him. I followed after Jared and Seth as Quil came following last, sulking.

"Hey Quil, if we get through this-alive, I'll treat you to some ice cream. And if you do a really good job, I'll even let you have some sprinkles. If you punch Jacob for me-no wait I'll do that myself, but what the hell I'll throw in the cherry for you too." I taunted. Watching his expression was great. He looked so hopeful at first and then as I continued talking it dropped slowly, half heartily hate held in his eyes.

"No Leah, I think he prefers a bone." Seth put in.

"Alright, alright, stop torturing me I get it."

I think the vamps were getting a kick out of this but refused to show their amusement all the way. Like it was illegal to smile on our turf. Not that I didn't mind their discomfort.

We walked to the clearing, staying human since it would be easier to plan that way. The whole blood sucking clan was there along with Jake, Sam, Paul, Collin, Brady, and John. They too came as themselves. Brady and Collin looked so young; it wasn't right putting them out to fight. John, inexperienced yet older at least looked like he can handle himself.

I have to admit that seeing that half whatever you want it creature like kid thing in the mother's arms instead of Jake's was kind of surprising. He never let her slash it be alone unless he came back home. I barely snagged a glance at Jacob and he looked like he's just came back from The Great Depression. His eyes were all red, puffy at the bottom, and he just looked drained as hell.

He glanced up, unfortunately at me, and if I thought he looked bad before wooooh, now I can't even explain it. He looked terrified yet disgusted at the same time. I could see John asking him what was wrong but he shook his head, pinched his nose ridge and sighed.

"Alice, will you please explain to the others on what will be happening?" Doc asked her. Tinkerbell took a good look at all of us before talking again.

"They'll be coming two days from today at exactly eight forty-five in the evening. They have decided to skip the sneaking around act and are coming full throttle. Marcus has gathered up around seventy four newborns and trained them to get no one but Leah with her scent. Marcus, Caius, Athenodora, Felix, Renata, Jane, and Alec will be joining as well."

"Man are we screwed or what?" Seth asked.

"No, not entirely. I have contacted Aro and told him about our situation. He is most displeased with the risk that his family may not return to him but he has also stated that it is their own choice to fight and they know of the consequences. He said that he would not fight against his own coven when we asked if he could help stop the matter but gave us a few references as to who might help even the playing fields." The doctor explained.

"Aro had ordered Jane and Alec to stay behind but they promised that they would only come to watch in case things got out of control. We're not sure what their real intentions are but we can't be worried about it now. As long as Bella keeps her shield up then they won't be a problem. Mostly none of them will. Speaking of which, Bella will stay by your side Leah. The protection will come from the inside and continue outward.

We know the forests better than anyone else. Leah, we mapped out a pattern that you would run through." Oh man this guy was on a roll; just keeps talking and talking and talking. I would have wondered how and when they planned this all out but then again they don't sleep.

Doc pulled out a map from his pocket and held it out to me. Embry, being the kind soul he was, went ahead to retrieve it from him and brought it back. I mean I had no problem getting it; I just didn't want to bother moving…or something like that.

I took a good look at it, the map was detailed and looked hand drawn like one of the leeches sat out here for an hour, looking at every detail of the forest, counting the trees and creeks. I'm sure that every tree that is put on this map relates to a real tree. The pattern that I saw was clearly outlined. It started what looked like to be, an hour away from our homes and continued north. There was nothing but right turns, making my course into a circle. One super long-ass circle.

"How long would it take to run this thing?" I asked out loud.

"With the fastest speed you have, approximately half an hour. But," of course there's a but, there's always a but, "you will eventually get tired and start to slow down and we're hoping by then that we've taken care most of the problem."

"Soooo are there any others that are coming to help? We only have like forty of us to help out. The rest are too young." Seth said. He had a point though; to my dismay I thought more leeches were supposed to be involved too.

"Yes, currently we have Zafrina, Senna, Kachiri, Peter , Randall, Tanya, Garrett, Kate, and of course Vladimir and Stefan. That leaves us under seventy but Aro's references put us one number below the Volturi which pretty much makes us even."

"Nice." Quil said, gloating.

"Why are they all trying to help?" I asked. I mean when I was asked to help I had complained for days. If it wasn't for Sam's Alpha control at the time, I wouldn't have helped at all.

"Many reasons actually. Some figure you all would be good ally's to them someday although we told them not to assume it. Most want revenge like Kate, Tanya, Stefen, and Vladimir, and a lot of them still owe our coven favors as well."

Allies, ha ha. Just keep on humoring me.

"We think it would be in best interest if we take a practice run. Of course our numbers are limited today and we'll have to explain to the others tomorrow but this way you can talk to the rest of your packs about the plan."

"Yeah that'd be best." Sam answered for all of us. "Leah?" He asked, turning towards me.

I'm pretty sure it wouldn't matter if I said yes or no because either way they would've talked my head off into going along with it. Then I'd have to listen to them complain. Oh the horror.

"Yeah, go for it."

Even though I hated this ally trend we had with the vamps but I have to do this right. My best friends and brother lives are at stake and if I keep fooling around, someone's bound to get hurt. I'd be all hurrah for me but I doubt that's going to happen. I followed the group further into the woods and started analyzing.

This fucking trip is going to take hours.

Three hours. Three mother fucking hours it took to walk around the damn forest. Why didn't we just plan to take a trip to Canada and back or something, that way I could at least get Vancouver outta it. In the mean time they managed to starve me. I can eat Seth if I wanted to.

After them pinpointing every single little detail-which may I say so myself I actually paid all my attention to-they described where everyone would be located and where they would attack from, if something started to attack me or when I got to a certain point. All too confusing really, I just know my job is to run around like my ass is on fire. It's not that hard to do.

Jacob's present that he left for me somewhat healed all the way, the only thing left is four pink lines but otherwise I'm just peachy.

Right as I was about to walk into my oh so comfortable home, Quil and Embry, also known as dumb and dumber, managed to catch up to me.

"Hey Lee, we know you're going to be bored as hell when you get in so we decided to join you…again. Since we are your only friends and all." Quil said walking stride by stride next to me with Embry on my other side.

"First of all, are you planning on kidnapping me again? Because I am so not in the mood. Secondly that first thing was a warning. Thirdly, I'm starving and I just want to go to bed. Lastly, I have other friends you know. They're just invisible."

Embry and Quil looked at each other, leaning to the side of my walking frame and then started busting out laughing.

I rolled my eyes at them at kept up my fast pace. Home seemed so close yet so far away. Although it's only like another fifteen feet, but that's fifteen feet I have to deal with these bozos.

"Good one Leah." Embry choked out. It took him a few seconds to compose himself again. "But we ordered pizza and accidently, honest mistakenly, gave them your address instead. Damn, guess we'll just have to hang around until it comes. "

"Besides, we ordered your favorite. Plain old boring cheese."

"Gee, inviting yourself over much?" I scowled at them.

"Yeah, we would have just barged in but that would be rude." Embry said and dodged my hand I swung at him.

"Oh, I'll show you rude." I ran ahead of them and into my house, slamming the door inches away from their faces.

I laughed. "In your faces asswipes!...literally." I mumbled that last part and started to turn around when I heard them start bitching.

"Leah, you slut! Open up before I open a can of whop ass on you!" Quil yelled, banging on the door.

I let out an exasperated sigh and went back to the door and yelled "Whoa, your highness! Last time I checked you were an outside dog! So go! Play! Go get the bone! Fetch the ball! Or chase your tail for all I care!"

Now they were being too quiet. Which kind of scared me. I can never get them two to shuddup and to have them ignore my insults, well that's just fucking rude. They were mumbling just outside the door which either means that one, they're planning an attack through my window or door, or two, they keeping something hush hush.

Then I came to realize that a third voice had joined them. His voice. I was about to slam open the door and let him feel what a pair of claws in the face feels like when Embry's voice stopped me and inch short from the door handle.

"What the hell is your problem Jacob?" He yelled.

Jacob mumbled something which caused Quil to say "It's not us you should need to apologize to. Embry, let him go, we'll come back later. "

There was a moment's silence. The suspense was terrible. I hope it lasts.

"Damn straight you deserve it. Tch, and I don't forgive you until Leah does." Embry said.

I wish Jake spoke a little louder, that damn boy never talks quietly. I mean how's a girl suppose to eavesdrop these days?

There was another silence and I had thought for a moment that everyone just went home. I stared at the door for a while longer and then took a step backwards to turn around and go to my room.

Knock Knock Knock

"Ughhhh! What? What! What?"

I yanked open the door, nearly ripping it off of its hinges, and there I stood face to face with Black. I was surprised to find myself inches away from his face and no one said anything for a minute. We were playing the staring game un-fun addition.

Jacob still looked like he had a dick shoved up his ass but he also looked anxious and concerned. I could see his eyes trace the marks that he left and then he reached out, and lifted up my shirt.

Pervert.

I don't know why I was still frozen in my tracks and couldn't manage to move a muscle. I need to drop kick his ass before he runs off again and as he starts to question anything I'm going to stick my nose in his face and yell, 'You know why!" like they do in the movies.

Jacob took another step forward, keep his eyes locked on my abdominal. His fingers traced and re-traced the light pink scars which made me shudder.

All of a sudden he dropped my shirt, let out a long suffering sigh and looked at the ground before looking at me again.

"Come to finish what you started Jake?"

Insert bitchy Leah mode.

He visibly flinched which made me feel guilty for a second. Only a second. I know he didn't mean to do anything rash but it comes in the boy's blood.

"Leah, I'm- I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am. You could have been seriously hurt-or dea-but…erm…if there's anything I can do…to make it up to you…please." He said sincerely.

First off, I kind of was seriously hurt Jake. If you don't call three Wolverine claws to the face and chest serious than your crazier than I thought. For some weird reason, I couldn't feel angry or upset at all. I was just happy that he was here. If it's anyone I want to get mauled by it'd be Jacob. I didn't want to cuss him out, never will I mention that to Quil or Embry, so I just forgive him.

"I forgive you-"

"Look Leah-"

We both stopped short, letting that awkward moment pass because we both starting saying something at the same time.

"What?" Jacob asked, looking bewildered.

"I said I forgive you, I kind of had it coming. I'm sorry I was trying to keep secrets, it wasn't right." I hadn't notice that I was looking at the ground but when I looked up his face had me laughing.

He was totally confused; it looked like he just got mind fucked or something. Then his features slowly changed and his frown turned upside down into that nice soft warm smile that I've grown to love.

"Thanks. Damn Leah, you never cease to surprise me. I was kind of ready to be broken and have my limbs ripped out." He scratched his head and laughed.

"Your lucky day then I guess." I smiled again.

We looked at each other for another moment and I realize he never got to finish what he wanted to say earlier.

"Were you going to say something earlier?"

He looked blank for a second but remembered what it was and said, "Yeah, look Leah. I need to talk to you. Something's happened."

I started to freak thinking Seth or my Mom had been hurt or taken or turned into a zombie or something. I guess Jake noticed because he put a hand on my shoulder and cupped my chin. Why did he have to be so fucking sweet and gentle? Your too close man, too close.

"Leah it's nothing bad I swear. In fact it's the complete opposite." He still stared intently at me, sometimes looking at the damage done, but held his smile.

I didn't want to be stuck in the doorway anymore than I had to so I took a step back, twisted out of his hold before I did something stupid.

"Maybe we should talk inside." I suggested. He walked in, shut the door and then took my hand to lead me upstairs.

"Jacob what's wrong? What happened?" The stupid boy was stressing me out, I mean witches could've taken over the damn planet by now and he was keeping the fun secret to himself. I yanked out of his grasp before he could open the door to my room and crossed my arms.

He froze in his tracks and chuckled silently. Jake turned to me and said,

"I don't know what is it with you but…you keep breaking apart our legends, proving them false, and I'm glad you do."

"What the hell are you talking about Jake?"

"I've gone three days without thinking once about Renesemee."

Realization stabbed me in the gut hard and boy oh boy did I love it.

I know its been a really really really long time but thank you for putting up with me! Thank you for all the fantastic reviews and I hope you have a nice rest of the day!

-Mikeysgurl916