A/N: There seems to be a little teeny tiny misunderstanding regarding the cliffhanger in my last chapter. I didn't mean for it to be confusing. You all know exactly the news regarding Jacob, Bella's only just now hearing about it. *Hint hint* Leis, palm trees, etc. She knew about the offer, she didn't know he accepted. Sorry for any confusion. I'll take it to mean that you were so "enraptured" with the story that you got carried away. It happens ;)...I also suggest that you look at my profile for an explanation of my philosophy regarding this story where I also discuss a recurring theme I've observed in my reviews and PM's and such. There's also a shout out to Waning Moon's readers. Cheers! xoxoxoxoxox

Unchained

"Would you quit worrying already, you're making me nervous!" said her agitated voice.

"Well you didn't have to volunteer you know. I could have taken a bus or something, or one of the guys could have driven me!"

Leah was gripping the steering wheel with both hands now making me nervous. I couldn't help but think, Please don't kill my car, please don't kill my car.

"I have my reasons, now be quiet," she said.

Figures. I should have known there was something behind her sudden burst of helpfulness.

It was the longest car ride of my life, and I don't mean distance. Why can't Seattle be closer? Or Hawaii for that matter. I knew it was a bad idea to let her drive me. I just tried to tune her out.

It was my first plane trip and I was doing it alone. I was a little nervous and wanted to focus on what was in front of me, but Leah's predictably surly attitude made it difficult to concentrate.

But several members of the tribe including Sue have flown before and they all offered some good advice. Unfortunately, it was almost all conflicting advice, but I weeded out some of the more exaggerated ones and read some forums online. I felt ready. So why was my stomach in knots?

There was a lot to worry about these last couple of days and even more things to do but somehow we managed it. We got all of my junk packed and ready per the airlines' specs ( Man they're picky bastards!). At first dad was suspicious why I was packing so much stuff considering it was just a visit. But I said "just in case I had a situation or two of phasing", although in my mind I couldn't imagine a situation there in which I would use it. But he seemed fine with that explanation, or maybe he was just going along with it. That was really the closest it came to my cover being blown.

I wanted to take off before today but Sue kept waiting and waiting. I don't know what she was waiting for, she never said. Just kept saying there was a hold up of some kind. I really didn't want to be reminded of this day in any possible way. August 13, the day of Bella's almost-wedding. Great.

Driving to Seattle gave me a lot of time to think, too. I naturally thought of that and many things. Why didn't she go through with it? I know what I'm hoping the answer is. The entire pack has been in a buzz about it. I was glad I stopped changing a few weeks ago; everyone asking me and each other in my head what was going on, and me not having any answers… talk about torture. Does canceling the wedding mean she changed her mind about being turned? The tribe asked me once already to ask her but I flat out refused and told them to handle it themselves, since that's what they'd be doing anyway when I'm gone. I didn't want to be the goodwill ambassador anymore. It was really Sue that asked, I hated telling her no but it was out of the question. Why would she ask me to talk to Bella now knowing how I feel? Women will just never make any sense to me.

As far as I'm concerned nothing's changed. Bella still could get married whether she's changed or not and she still could be changed whether she's married or not. People change their minds, right? All the time! Women especially it seems. Either way I'm out of it! Everybody can just go to hell for all I care!

Breathing hard I stopped myself before I got too upset. I had never phased in a car before but I was pretty sure that wouldn't be a good thing, especially in my Rabbit.

I chastised myself for bringing up such bad feelings and memories. I had plenty on my mind already.

Also, I am going to be with my annoying sister and her burly husband who worships her. If I get on her nerves all she'd have to do is say, "sic em" and then it would be on.

But I liked Kimo. He was a good guy and a good husband to Rebecca, who can be a handful. I'm pretty sure he didn't know what he was getting into. I warned him.

Tonight, Kimo and Becca will greet me at the airport and it all starts there. I still haven't told anyone what my real plans are, to stay indefinitely. I don't think I'll get too underfoot. Becca's in the RN program so she's hardly around, Kimo is in charge of the family business, when he's not doing all of his surfing tournaments. Sometimes he wins, sometimes he doesn't, there's nothing hardcore about Kimo, he's as laid back as you can get.

It was a long trip to Seattle by car but I couldn't see a way to have Sue also pay for a charter from Forks, which would have cost more than the ticket to Hawaii.

So much waiting to be had still. Three hours to Seattle, two or so hours to get checked in and through security with a 6-hour flight in the end, and that's if all goes well. It's going to be murder, but believe it or not I was looking forward to it.

It was doing something, going forward. I mean hell, sideways was fine, too. I was doing something for me that didn't involve anyone else in the pack and also didn't involve moping around the house withering away. I was nervous and sad but beneath it all I felt, excited. The anticipation of what happens next was building and it felt good. Now if I can just not think of anything negative for the next, oh say, 11 hours or so I'll be all right.

"God, I hate traffic! Why is it always when you're trying to get somewhere the slowest slow-ass people always get in your way, ALWAYS!" Leah griped.

Well that didn't last long.

We somehow made it to the airport, it was already a long trip, mostly because of the company I was keeping.

Nothing about flying is user friendly. First we had to figure out where to park, then hop on a shuttle, then check the bags, then go here, then do that. We haven't even reached security yet. Yup, all the terrorists from Forks, WA will be disappointed to hear this. But I get it, it's procedure.

By the time we got done at the security checkpoint, I was even more nervous, and now irritated to boot.

After we checked in, Leah could have left but she didn't. She went through the whole process with me. She said she wanted to. She even offered to stay with me at the gate while I waited for the plane. Yeah, that's not weird at all.

She was surprisingly quiet through the whole process. She seemed to have something on her mind. I didn't ask because, well, then she would tell me. Who needs that? I had enough on my mind.

By the time we got to my gate I was actually tired, probably from the anxiety. But the flight was delayed so we had a long wait still.

"Ok Leah, thanks for taking me this far, I think I can handle it from here."

"Oh no, Little One, I'm hangin around. I'm going to make sure you don't wander off and get on the wrong plane like that dingy kid from Home Alone."

"But Leah, we're here. That's the gate right there. We've already checked in, what else is there to do except wait?"

"Well, I'll wait with you then."

"Why?"

"Maybe because I want to, stupid. Is that all right with you?"

"Yeah, right, because the last few hours have just been SOOO much fun, huh? What's going on, Leah?"

She looked out the window at the taxiing planes. A different kind of hardness shrouded her face.

"I need to get out, Jacob."

"So go."

She rolled her eyes, "No, I mean, out of the pack. I need to get out of the pack."

Understanding what this was probably about I averted my eyes. This has been a long time in coming.

"Why are you telling me? Sam's the one you should be talking to." Since when has she been shy?

She bit her lip and looked out the window again. Another very different layer of emotion covered her face. In one brief second the hardness that was there disappeared and she reminded me of someone else. I suddenly didn't feel quite as hostile towards her after that.

"I can't, he'd just say no, you know him. Do you know he even said something about keeping me near the reservation in case the tribe needed me, also, to keep an eye on me?" She laughed at the gall he would have to suggest that she can't control herself. It was all I could do to not laugh.

"Well you have to admit, you are kind of a loose cannon."

"Whatever. The point is I have to get out of here, Jake. It's important. You know I wouldn't ask you if I wasn't desperate."

"Leah, I'm not the Alpha, Sam is. Even if I wanted to…"

"That's bullshit Jake, you and I both know that's bullshit!" She managed to keep her tone down somewhat but her words came out loud and clear. I looked around and people were shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

"Leah, you don't know what you're asking," I said through clenched teeth. "You're going against Sam's direct orders. This would be viewed as, well, mutiny, a desertion. Even if I could let you out, you could never be allowed back in, no matter the circumstances. Is that what you want?"

"I don't care anymore, Jake. What I want is to have my own life back, my life." She actually looked sad now, and what surprised me was how sorry I was for her. I knew it was hard for her, it was hard for all of us.

"Leah, I don't know."

"Jake. Okay, I understand why he's keeping me around. I know he cares for me…"

"He loves you, Leah. He does, I've felt it. It's different than before, but he does love you."

That was the exact wrong thing to say. Any resolve or strength she had to hold herself together was gone. I've never seen it before and hoped to never see it again…Leah crying.

I really felt bad now. I don't know what possessed me to say that, I don't know if it hurts or helps to know such things. I was reminded of when Bella visited me after I was hurt. She finally admitted her feelings and how she had thought of having a future with me. That hurt like hell I have to admit, but at the same time a part of me was glad to hear it. It at least confirmed what I already knew and let me know that it wasn't just in my head, I really was that important to her…Am… Was.

Leah bent her head down to hide her crying. I moved next to her and awkwardly patted her back. People were looking at me harshly now.

I was really uncomfortable. "Leah," I whispered, "are you about done because I think people probably think I'm abusing you or something." Her muffled crying didn't show signs of stopping.

"Leah, don't make me hurt you!" I whispered again.

She laughed.

She was wiping her face, "You know, I probably wouldn't mind being in the pack if things were better between us, me and Sam. I-I don't think it's getting better, Jacob. In fact…"

"I know, you're not over him, yet."

She put her head down. "Do you know how hard it is for me to hide my thoughts, to guard my reactions, to calm my damn heart beat every time I even hear his voice?"

"Hide your thoughts? When have you ever hid your thoughts?"

She smiled coyly, "Oh Jacob, I'm a woman. Believe me, you guys didn't hear one thought I didn't want you all to hear. And that's not even half of it." She cocked her eyebrows.

"Damn!" I said blinking my eyes.

"Yeah. And yes, I know I've been a shit."

"No argument there."

"I'm tired of being this way, man," she said ignoring me. "I'm tired of hurting. I'm tired of being, this!"

She wasn't specific about what "this" was, but I think I knew what she meant.

"Leah, I can't release you, if I assume an alpha position and override Sam's orders I'm challenging Sam."

"Jacob, just hear me out. Everyone knows you're the true alpha. The only reason Sam's in charge at all is because you keep refusing it, but that doesn't actually change anything. It's not just a title, you can't just give it up! It's who you are, who you're born to be. Sam was first, so naturally he'd be in command of the pack first, until a suitable alpha takes over. If you hadn't changed, everything would have stayed as it was, but once you changed the entire hierarchy of the pack changed, too. The only reason we follow Sam's orders now is because - as an alpha - you told us to.

"Jacob, when you leave, you leave Sam in charge. I'll Have to follow his orders. I know Sam's worried about me, I know why he's so concerned but really I'm fine, I swear it. I can't convince him of that. But you believe me, right?"

As she looked straight into my eyes I wasn't sure what to believe. For all these months I've only seen one side of Leah. But looking at her now reminded me how I'd completely forgotten there had ever been anything else. She used to be a beautiful person, full of life and spirit. An artist, with talent flowing through every pore. She mastered every medium she got her hands on, but she had a particular love of sketching. It wasn't just what she did, it was who she was. And every so often when her guard was down I would see her look at something ordinary and in her mind's eye, through the pack's eye - I can see what she sees. And it's amazing! She sees beauty in things most people overlook, even now; until she realizes someone is watching her and then she turns it off again and the tough Leah's back. I haven't seen the real Leah in a really long time. She was right, pack life was smothering the art right out of her.

"I've been accepted at PNCA, Jake. I'd really, really like to go. Even if I left with Sam's permission he could call me back at any time, for any thing. I'll never really be free. I just can't keep doing this. It's killing me, Jake!" Then Leah took my hand in both of hers and held on tight. "Please!"

I went over everything she explained, and all the possibilities that came with it. Knowing what I had to do and what I should do in my head didn't help me one lick. So, knowing that, I went 100% with my gut feeling and hoped for the best.

"I release you."

As soon as I spoke the words, her eyes closed and she seemed to swoon. I reached for her to keep her from falling and touched her face, holding her head up. I was glad she was already sitting down. Then she took a deep breath, and then another. It was as if she was taking her first breaths of life, the first in a long time; as if an invisible load or a binding had been lifted from her.

Then the most amazing thing happened...if I hadn't seen it for myself I probably wouldn't have believed it.

Leah laughed.

A/N: I hope this made you smile. I was originally going to make this one chapter but I decided maybe you all would rather read what I've got now as opposed to waiting. So although it's shorter than expected, the other half of this will come along very soon, probably within a week. I just want to make sure I've got it right where I want it. Too, I thought it would be good to leave a chapter on a good note for a change.

I modeled Leah's innate love and ability for art after my daughter, who is exceptionally talented. Her ability to see things beyond what the rest of us see amazed me when she was a toddler and it thrills me now to know that she wants to continue her art and attend art school after high school. Her art and love of life inspire me everyday.

***Disclaimer: The characters setting and familiar situations belong to Stephenie Meyers. References to films or music also do no belong to me. No copyright infringement intended. I'm not making any monetary profit from this.