Plans in Motion
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters.
It's the afternoon rush and Leah takes down the orders, going over them with each of the patrons with a bright smile on her face. It's getting easier and easier becoming a waitress as everyone is nice to her, if you ignore the looks of disdain from the local girls. No doubt there's an underlying hint of jealousy as before Leah had arrived John had stated that they weren't hiring anyone at the store and then suddenly she showed up and had a job. So Leah doesn't blame them because she'd be a little pissed to if some girl was muscling in on her crush – that's just experience and emotions talking. But if things go well then the girls soon won't have anything to worry about.
"Order for table no. 6 is up." John calls dropping the plate on the counter. Leah smiles and gives him a quick 'thank you' and drops off the latest order.
John watches Leah as she drops off the food, his eyes darkening for a moment as the boys at the table immediately begin to flirt with her and he grips his spatula tightly. Over the last few weeks John's relationship with Leah has been slowly growing. They weren't fortunate to have another 'date night' as Ted and the others have become a near permanent fixture at his home.
Shaking his head of the jealous and possessive thoughts John picks up the ticket and quickly reads over the order. His eyes narrow for a moment before growling in frustration and calls Leah over. He bites the inside of his cheek as Leah walks over to him with an overly innocent look upon her face – she's guilty.
"My order up?" Leah asks and John motions for her to come and join him in the kitchen. "What's up?" Leah asks with a smile once she joins him.
"What is this?" John asks waving the ticket in front of Leah's face.
"The order is for table nine." Leah states never letting her smile fall. She loves toying with him like this, playing innocent and trying to pull a fast one on him. It's a challenge that John can never find the heart to call her out on right away, he just plays along just to see that smile remain on her face but now…now she's messing with his menu – his life's work.
"This is an order for pancakes." John says with a frown, growling as he looks at the clock.
"That's right." Leah says with a quick nod, rocking back and forth on her heels.
"What time is breakfast over?" John asks glaring at Leah.
"Ten thirty." Leah answers biting down on her bottom lip.
"And what time is it now?" John asks crossing his arms.
"Twelve thirty." Leah answers. The two stand looking at one another for a minute until John finally breaks.
"Damnit, Leah, why would you let a customer order breakfast after hours?" John asks exasperated.
"I'm sorry," Leah apologizes quickly. "He's just really cute and I couldn't say 'no' and…he said I was 'beautiful'." John's nostrils flare as Leah breaks out into a blush and he stomps past Leah, heading out into the dining area. Anger building in him over this male that would dare flirt with his female, compliment her and somehow sweet talk her into going against her Alpha's rules.
"Basta," John begins but stoops short as he freezes and looks at the man at table nine. His large frame sitting at the booth with a newspaper in his hands, his long hair tied up in a braided ponytail that has since turned silver. Leah giggles behind him drawing the man's attention and John's eyes lock with his grandfather.
"John," Joseph greets with his warm smile.
"Grandpa," John greets back before turning around and heading back into the kitchen with a grinning Leah behind him.
"How could I say 'no' to that?" Leah asks before laughing outright at John.
"You are a sneaky, conniving little," John begins growling out but stops as Leah's smile falls, her eyes widening slightly waiting for him to finish his sentence. He can see that she's expecting him to say something harsh, a word that had become synonymous as a pet name for her 'bitch'. "Lily." John sighs, giving Leah a small smile. "Come here," John says wrapping his arms around Leah's waist and pulling her closer. "You are beautiful." John breathes out earning a blush from his lil' Leah – his Lily.
"So…you're not mad at me anymore?" Leah asks as John brings her even closer.
"No, not mad anymore but that doesn't mean I won't get you back later." John states with a playful smirk.
"Am I going to be punished?" Leah whispers softly with a small mischievous smile on her face.
"Eventually," John says gruffly liking the idea as he pulls Leah roughly to him and kisses her. Their lips mash together roughly. For a moment Leah's eyes are wide in surprise but she soon relaxes into the kiss. A growl rumbles from John's throat as Leah's hands grip his shirt, pulling him closer, her back shivering before she pulls away gasping for air.
John chuckles lightly as he can hear and feel Leah's heart beating – racing. There's a smug pleasure in knowing that he brought about this reaction. It is short-lived as the real world comes back in the form of calling customers, burning food and the approaching voices of his father and brother. Leah turns and walks away quickly before John can say anything to her. With a frown he moves quickly to save his customers' lunches.
George and Paul both freeze once they're inside the kitchen, instincts telling them that something has happened. The two exchange looks as John curses under his breath, quickly throwing away the burnt chicken and replacing it before running to the fridge for his pancake mix. John gives them a curt 'hey' as Leah asks for her orders.
"So…burnt some food, huh?" Paul asks with a knowing smirk. John never burnt anything because he always paid close attention to whatever task was at hand meaning that he had something else 'at hand'. John only growls at him as George begins washing his hands.
"We walked in on the tail end of something." George states with a smirk. John only huffs as he glares hearing some of the customers complaining about their missing meals.
"So you kissed her – again." Paul states with a huge grin on his face as he slaps John on the back congratulatory.
"Again?" George exclaims. "I never know anything that my kids are doing anymore." He grumbles with a small pout as Paul laughs.
John focuses on his task at hand, ignoring the teasing and questioning at the hands of his father and brother and only paying enough attention to Leah to get the orders. There is something about Leah's sudden departure after the kiss that doesn't sit right with him.
Leah finishes up her shift with a sigh of relief. It hadn't taken long for George and John to clean up the slight bit of chaos that ensured in those few moments between her and John. Something happened during this kiss that left her feeling…off. The moment John growled into their kiss, she was bombarded with thoughts of Jacob with some sort of forgotten memories or more likely fantasies involving Jacob.
The images have now only solidified Leah's need to find her 'self', to continue her journey and find her freedom. John and the boys are great but she can't see herself staying here, making a life here or with John if she was still harboring some feelings for her former Almighty Alpha. That was not being fair to her and especially not to John.
"What's on your mind?" John asks looking down at Leah as they walk home. She's been quiet and it's very unusual behavior for her. Leah's brow furrows her lips puckering over the question because there is so much but where to begin. "I'm not mad at you about what happened at lunch." John states quickly wanting to dissipate any qualms Leah had about her teasing having gone too far.
"I know," Leah says with a brief smile. "I want to do a spirit quest." Leah blurts out. She's wanted to do one since her epiphany but if there's anything Leah has learned over her time amongst wolves is that they were all very protective of her whether she wanted it or not. It started with Sam then Jacob and now John seemed to be no exception. It was obviously just some sort of male ego thing although Sam did harbor feelings for her before she became a wolf and John now.
Leah has figured that John would be hesitant of her taking such an undertaking. Ted having briefly explained the process and taking a hallucinogen is not her bag of tea but was a requirement. Jacob freaked over Leah drinking so who knew how John would feel about getting her stoned. Leah looks up at John expectantly as he stands looking down at her with a deep frown.
"A – a what?" John asks.
"That's right a spirit quest." Leah repeats. "You all did one but I never did." Leah says with a small smile as she places a hand over her chest and closes her eyes.
He studies her for a moment, processing her request and when their eyes meet, he can see the determination, conviction and desire to pursue this new adventure. A part of him is honored that Leah wishes to participate in his tribe's culture and heritage. The completion of the quest would succeed in sealing her place within his tribe permanently and yet he fears the end result of Leah's decision. Deep down he already knows that she will leave – her spirit desires it more than the human wants to stay.
"Are you sure about this, Lily?" John asks smiling down at Leah. She quickly nods her head showing her conviction. "Well…alright. If that's what you want then I'll see what I can do." John says wrapping an arm around Leah and walking her home.
"Have you even asked about the spirit quest?" Ted growls out as he walks in to find Leah doing her homework. It's been two weeks since Leah mentioned to Ted that she was going to ask John about the quest. He can't help but feel annoyed that Leah hasn't made any leeway.
"I did but..," Leah begins but trails off in thought.
"But what?" Ted asks sitting down next to her and begins playing with her calculator.
"He – he's been so busy with the pack, school, the diner," Leah states with a low sigh as Ted gives her a bored look.
"And you mean to sit here and tell me you bought that?" Ted asks incredulous. Ted didn't doubt that John would find a way to prevent Leah from having her quest but outright stalling and lying to her wasn't foreseen. Maybe John was smarter about avoiding Leah's anger then he thought.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Leah snarls angrily expressing her dislike for Ted's tone.
"Just that…I thought you were smarter than that." Ted states going back to the calculator to avoid looking at Leah's glare. Since the talk at the phone store the two wolves have had a couple more arguments and as much as Ted cares about Leah he couldn't deny that she was a bitch when pissed. The girl could melt plastic with her hateful glare but the anger kept her honest and realistic.
"So you're implying what exactly?" Leah growls out slamming her book shut.
"That you're being a," Ted states and holds up Leah's calculator for her to see '8008'.
"A boob?" Leah exclaims.
"You're not alone because John is being an even bigger one." Ted states with a shrug.
"He also wants me to finish up the quarter." Leah says defending her Mighty Mountain Alpha. "I do too." She mumbles out a bit more weakly.
"Yea, sure you do but until you do this quest you're going to find yourself still warring with yourself." Ted states tossing the calculator back on the table. "Look Leah," Ted states getting up and heading towards the odor. "John, he – he really cares about you – a lot. Don't let his 'issues' hold you up. I'm working on mine…slowly but surely and you've help but…,"
"John can't be my everything." Leah finishes up as Ted turns and looks back at her.
"I've been thinking about what we talked about. I'm being unfair to you and I don't want you to feel like I'm pushing you away."
"But you are." Leah counters matter-of-factly.
"True, but…seriously, on a deeper level I feel that there's so much more out there for you. This quest won't fix everything overnight but it should put you on the right path to finding balance."
"So…what are you saying?" Leah asks with a pout. Ted's moods always give her whiplash because sometimes he was understanding, funny and just great to be around while the rest he was just a prick – like now.
"Just ask George. Look if you're meant to stay here then so be it. You can stay, fuck John for all I care and have litter after litter of super wolves. But you should know by now that Alphas always have some ulterior motives when you're involved and letting you go isn't part of the plan." Ted says before disappearing out the door. With a sigh Leah nods her head resigning to follow Ted's advice because Alphas did have a tendency to want to keep their pack mates around and, to be honest, she hadn't left home to just sign on with another Alpha.
"What did you just do?" Ted freezes as a deep, gruff and angry voice greets him in the woods. Turning around he can't help the whimper that follows as John stomps towards him. The Alpha's muscles tense, his hands in giant fists, eyes dark with rage and his teeth bared in a silent snarl.
"Answer me." John snaps at Ted's silence.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, let's just all calm down." Gio says coming into the small clearing and putting himself in between the two.
"This doesn't involve you Gio." John snarls never taking his eyes off of the smaller wolf.
"That may be but I think it's best if I stay to moderate." Gio says. The two had been patrolling and Gio had decided to stop by John's place to grab a bite to eat and check up on Leah. He hadn't meant to overhear Leah and Ted's conversation but he did and John heard it too.
Gio had then been quickly consumed with John's anger, outrage and feelings of betrayal towards Ted followed by his worries, fears and love for Leah all at once. It became clear to Gio all at once that Leah wanted to have a spirit quest but John feared that she'd leave and John would do anything to keep her.
"You fuckin' bastard," John snarls at Ted. "Where do you get off telling her - ?"
"Telling her what?" Ted snaps feeling emboldened with Gio in between them and Leah a blood curdling man-scream away. "Huh? That she has options? Can get in touch with her wolf? Or maybe, that you're being a selfish prick by trying to keep her for yourself?"
"You don't know what you're talking about." John growls stepping forward but is easily stopped by Gio.
"I do but I'm the only one willing to say it."
"You ungrateful bastard," John lunges for Ted again.
"I'm not, John. Leah didn't come here to be yours. We both know that. You're 'fighting' to keep her."
"That's because she's worth fighting for." John snaps his body trembling violently. "No one has fought for her but I am."
"You – you don't know what the others did." Ted states trying to make his Alpha see. There were others that cared for Leah, were willing to fight for her if they were just given the opportunity.
"Alright, I get it!" Gio bellows shoving John and startling both males. "Look John…I'm sorry, man, but Ted's right. You shouldn't be trying to keep Leah away from doing this. It's her choice – not yours." Gio says sadly shaking his head. "And you," Gio says turning on Ted. "Need to get your shit together. Quit being an instigator and going behind everyone's back starting shit. We're a pack – brothers, a family. We can all talk about share things. You should've told John first to his face what you knew he was doing. Not go and tell Leah." Ted looks down with a low growl. "You know how John feels about her and yet you went and told Leah that John was basically a lying, manipulating and controlling bastard – when really he's not. You and I both know that and Leah can be a very tough judge on character."
"I get it." Ted snaps. "I over – overstepped my bounds."
"And?" Gio drawls out looking back at John.
"I did too with both Leah and you, Ted. Sorry." John sighs out his apology as Ted does the same. Gio nods his head proudly at his two brothers.
"Good. Now you," Gio says turning to John. "Need to have a talk with Leah." Nodding his head John heads towards the house leaving Ted and Gio behind. "As for you, you gotta learn a few things about timing and tact. Next time I might not be around to save your scrawny ass."
"I don't need you saving me." Ted snarls craning his head up to look at the larger man.
"Yea but whether you like it or not we're family, man from John our super serious, no nonsense Alpha to you our meddling little brother. Leah is too whether officially or unofficially, she's our sister and we all want what's best for her." Ted opens his mouth to argue but closes it as Gio growls at him. "I'm not saying that John is what's best for her. Only Leah can make that decision. She left La Push on her own and if she so chooses to, she can leave us the same. In the meantime, just quit pushing her away. It won't kill you to love her too." Ted's shoulders slump in defeat knowing that Gio is right. It was Leah's decision – not his and he was afraid of caring for her only to have her leave like all of the other women in his life. It was just so much easier to keep everyone at arm's length because when the day finally did come it wouldn't hurt as much, if at all.
"Come on, you need a good run." Gio says patting Ted on the shoulder.
George sits listening to Leah's request to have a spirit quest. He can't help the frown on his face as Leah is making the request on her own – without John. He listens to her talk about why she left home and he's reminded that Leah came to them while just in the beginning of her journey and that there was still so much for her to learn about herself, her wolf and destiny. George wasn't going to claim to have all of the answers but he could understand her desire to have them.
"Okay," George says nodding his head once Leah is finished. "You have my support and I doubt anyone on the Council will disagree." Leah's eyes light up at George's consent. "But we will have to talk to Sue and your Elders, first." Leah's smile falls.
"Why?"
"Well to ensure that this doesn't go against your own culture and heritage which I seriously doubt it will." He tags on quickly. "But by doing this you will become a daughter of the Inuks." George says smiling warmly at Leah. Leah's eyes widen in realization. "Don't worry, we won't ask you to denounce your Quileute heritage any more than your mother was asked to."
Leah nods her head in relief as George begins to go into details the process. Eventually the conversation turns to John and Leah's request. There's a small frown of disappointment from both parties. George would like to apologize for his son's behavior but knows that it can only come from him to mean anything. Sometimes love makes us do foolish things and George knows the whole world is full of fools in love.
A male and female vampire stands before Aro, Caius and Marcus. They listen intently to the two and a scandalous smirk crosses Aro's lips as he nods at them and then Jane. Jane steps forward, the smug smirk that she's carried for centuries whenever Aro has requested the use of her talent is replaced with a serious and calculating frown. She glares at the two vampires for a few seconds before turning to face her masters and shakes her head 'no'.
"Well it would seem," Aro begins excitedly clapping his hands together. "That we have received a very advantageous gift against our enemies, the Cullens and their –"
"So what do we intend to do?" Caius asks.
"What else but destroy the Cullens for the insolence." Marcus states with an air of boredom.
Alice comes out of her vision with a gasp and cry of fear. "They've gone to the Volturri." Alice states in a slight panic. "They'll be coming to kill us." All eyes in the room widen in shock, surprise and horror.
There have been many changes over the last year from Leah's plans to leave, her final departure, the vampire attacks, dealing with the newly formed pack, their feelings of being incomplete without Leah, the sudden changes in their imprints that brings with it challenging questions and now the inevitable return of the Volturri.
There was no doubt that the Volturri along with the two rogue vampires would kill not just the Cullens and the wolves but the imprints and the whole tribe. It was too big of a risk to the vampires to allow any of the Quileutes to survive. The world was slowly falling apart and in order to sustain it they needed answers and needed them now.
Billy sits looking at Sue and Old Quil, each with a frown on their faces awaiting his response. Nadie, John's grandmother and Elder of the Inuks, had called stating – not requesting – that Leah was going to participate in their spirit quest. Leah was going to have a talk with her spirit and wolf and learn more about herself and her purpose, path in life.
It was unnecessary but Sue gave her consent to let Leah participate and immediately came to tell Billy and Old Quil that their wolves needed to do the same thing. At the time, Sam had successfully accepted his wolf, so it seemed, that the 'Path of a Warrior' wasn't deemed necessary and there didn't seem to be time.
Maybe they should've made time?
A spirit journey seemed to be the next thing as Nadie had explained to Sue that the warriors were comprised of a trinity: man/woman, spirit and wolf. The man and wolf being the more dominate entities as they both possessed a physical body. It is the spirit that brings about a balance between the two. Man cannot win out over the wolf any more than the wolf can win out over the man. The two had to work together – communicate and that was through the spirit.
They boys were in chaos – always had been. They had thought that was the purpose of the imprint, to keep them grounded, the wolf in check but where they wrong?
"Billy?" Sue calls softly.
"They'll do it." Billy says slowly nodding his head.
If the Quileutes hope to survive another thousand years they'll need their spirit warriors to be ready and at peace with each other and themselves. The Cullens couldn't be counted on to protect this time.
A/N: I DID IT! I finished handwriting this last night and then it took me continually saving at each paragraph, spell check and pause but I did it. Also letting my computer go to sleep when that fan started to kick in really helped too but I finally did it. So I'm not going to push my luck and just and keep this A/N short.
But you all know what to do and I'd like to apologize if I offended anyone in my last update. You know sometimes girls just get into that kind of mood where we type and say anything and everything. I do still stand by my statement that this isn't going to be the SM happy ending where everyone is safe, happy and sits around in the white living room joking about the horrors of actually having a beating heart while doting over a child. There's more to life than just that and I aim to paint a picture of how things really work in the world. Ted really bugged me because I had this conversation with a friend who is just giving me a headache by saying one thing and then the same thing but in another way.
But my fave part of the chapter is Alice's vision of Chris and Abby going to the Volturri. YAY! Now the Volturri have a second chance to come back and be the kick-ass vampires that 'they and SM' claimed to be. I mean what the hell, SM? What the hell? What all powerful monarchy shows up and then just lets a small band of rebel-risers get off with a simple wave of the hand and a 'good day to you sir' (in a thick, bad British accent). Who? I mean if it was that easy then how do you explain what's going on in Northern Africa? I know those people wish Gaddafi was acting like the Volturri and said, 'Oh! You're not happy with the way I run things…oh…well, I'll just leave you all to your own devices but if you need any help, please, don't be afraid to ask.' Then the Ewoks will start singing, dancing and playing in the background. Because that's really how the real world works. Thanks SM! Thanks a lot!
O_o? Ah, damnit…I did it again. *bangs head on desk* The point is as you can see I really don't like the ending of Breaking Dawn and no matter what it'll just have an ending that just always puts me in a bad mood. But you all read, enjoy and review. I'm going to sit up and enjoy the rest of my day with Pride and Prejudice. Oh Mr. Darcy how you love Elizabeth so! Hehehe.