Phoenix

Chapter 2

Disclaimer (I guess I forgot this the first time): Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer

A/N: Sorry the last chapter was so bare, but I just had to get it out of my system. Anyways, I adore this pairing, I always felt sorry for Leah and I feel like we never really get to see anything from her point of view. And of course Jacob gets completely unfairly treated as well. So here's a little story for them

"Sam I'm not a child." Leah said firmly, arms crossed over her chest.

"Really, could've fooled me by the way you're acting right now."

She winced, hurt, and his gaze instantly softened.

"Look I'm sorry. I'm not trying to patronize you, but I think it would be best if Jacob stayed with you today. Just trust me ok, and for once don't be difficult." She exhaled through her nose and looked away from him.

"Fine, whatever." she mumbled.

"Good. I'll see you later."

"Yeah."

With that he left. He hardly ever came to her house anymore. It was so odd. But she hated the thought that maybe he thought she couldn't take care of herself, or, worse yet, that she needed to be monitored, lest she do something stupid. She felt bile rising in her throat and quickly shook herself of the feeling.

Seth came running down the stairs then, glancing at her.

"Oh hey…. Was that Sam?… So he told you… Well, it's not so bad. At least now you have company… Leah?"

"Yes?" she said, harsher than she'd intended. He looked at her for a long moment, as though searching her face for something.

"Never mind, forget it." he sighed, walking out the front door. He collided with Jacob on the other side.

"Woah, sorry." Seth said.

"That's cool."

"Have fun. We'll see you guys later."

"Yeah, right. Ok, bye." Jacob said grudgingly. Seth laughed, closing the door. Jacob turned to her where she sat on the couch in the living room.

"Well, if this isn't awkward." he said. The corner of her mouth twitched in acknowledgment, but other than that she made no effort to talk to him. Jacob made his way over, sitting on the chair opposite her. She had her legs tucked up beneath her, her hair was loose as always, and she wore no makeup. Leah was dressed in another nondescript T-shirt and plain jeans. Looking at her now she seemed very vulnerable, and Jacob wasn't sure how to feel. She was undeniably attractive physically, putting no effort into her outward appearance and still looking lovely, but on the inside she was hard. Her dark gaze was focused off in space.

She felt his eyes on her. He was dressed exactly like her. He was a handsome kid, well, young man now. He towered over her, suddenly, just like her brother and all the other guys who were younger than her. But he wasn't as imposing as them, and although he had a fiery temper she knew, he was more diplomatic than, say, Jared. Just like Sam… Leah glanced at him.

"Do you want something to eat?" she asked. He was almost startled by her voice.

"Umm, no thanks. But could I have some water?" She nodded, and stood up, going to the kitchen. It was odd, this formality all of a sudden. But she'd never been alone with Jacob like this before.

She heard his footsteps behind her as she opened the fridge and pulled out one of the bottles. When Leah turned to look at him, he was staring at the fridge door, more specifically, at the picture. Suddenly he seemed to become aware of her standing their.

"Oh, thanks." he said, taking the bottle from her hand. "How long ago was that? If you don't mind."

"No it's alright. It was, about a year and a half ago."

"Oh, ok. That's, a nice fish." he said, slight admiration in his voice.

"Thanks." she said, barely the ghost of a smile gracing her lips. "We were out there for like two hours trying to catch one. When it finally came along… wow. It was so worth it." Her gaze had shifted to the photo. She shook herself from the memory, turning to look at him, realizing that he was looking at her.

"He was a great guy." Jacob stated, taking a gulp of water.

"Mhmm… yeah."

"And you know… he wouldn't want you to be this way." She scowled,

"What way?" she asked, in a deathly low voice, although she knew what he was talking about.

"I just mean… I don't think he'd want to see you so…bitter."

"Look you don't know what the hell you're talking about, so just keep out of it alright." she said icily, stalking out of the kitchen.

"Jeeze Leah, I'm just telling you the truth." She spun around,

"The truth?! What are you talking about? You don't know what my father would want!"

"Well I know what everyone else wants!" He yelled. She glared and stormed away, slamming open the front door and marching out into the slight rain that'd begun to fall.

"Don't walk away! You always walk away! You never deal with it!" he said, following her outside. "Don't ignore me!"

"Fine! What do you want from me?!" she yelled, looking him in the eye.

"I , like the rest of the pack, and your family! Want you to stop sulking and start moving on!"

"Do you think love is like a fucking switch?! That I can just turn it off?!" she screamed throwing her arms up in the air.

"No, but the least you could do is stop being such a BITCH!"

She couldn't help it, she let go, she transformed, just like that. What he'd said had stung deeper than anything she'd heard before, it'd set off some trigger inside of her, and she lost it. He reacted quickly, ducking out of her way long enough to transform himself. She latched onto his back, teeth sinking into the flesh. He thrashed, throwing her off, and began circling her.

Why does is always have to be a fight? he asked.

Because no one understands, no one cares how I feel. she replied, following him with her gaze.

I understand. How do you think I felt when Bella got married?

He told me he loved me! He promised he would never hurt me! We were so happy together!

She said if it weren't for him, we'd be together.

She was like a sister to me! And I gave him everything! All I had! At least you never believed that Bella and you would be together forever, at least it wasn't dangled in front of you and then snatched away.

But it was still real!

But their love was their first, you're just stepping in on it, like Emily did to me!

That's different!

You're delusional!

And you're bitter and cynical!

What do you care?!

He growled loudly jumping on her and biting her neck. She clawed viciously at him, but he was relentless, seemingly projecting all his pain and anger into that moment.

Because I care about you!

His words thudded in her head, and reached all the way to her cold heart. Her anger dissipated, and she stopped fighting back. He noticed the change in her immediately. She lay motionless, save for her breathing below him. Suddenly she transformed back, until she was lying naked before him. He too changed back, until they were both staring at each other, bare, breathing heavily.

Though she should've felt self-conscious, all she felt was exhausted, and exposed emotionally, like she'd shared some part of herself with him, and vice versa. He slowly leaned toward her, his breath fanning across her face.

"I-I'm…" she mumbled, eyes locking onto his. He silenced her by pressing his lips firmly to her own. It wasn't gentle, not for a moment. It was rough, and demanding from both parties, full of emotion, full of steely passion. Leah poured her heart into that kiss, tangling her fingers in his hair, pressing her chest against his. Jacob tasted her, claimed her, his hand touching her side, her ribs, her arms. Their tongues clashed and battled, much like they had moments before, only neither gained an advantage. At last he broke free, sucking in air. He gazed into her eyes, his own dark with emotion, but there was a slight dimple showing in one side of his face. Leah kissed it, and smiled back, the first real smile she'd had in a very long time.

A/N: Voila. Wow, that really took a lot out of me but I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know if you want me to continue, or leave as is. Please review! Until next time!!