Chapter 12:

"...And I can take you for a ride on my big green tractor
We can go slow or make it go faster
Down through the woods and out to the pasture
'Long as I'm with you it really don't matter..."

"I think I'd rather talk to Clair about dolls than watch this." Seth said with a grin on his face watching his sister dance and sing around the kitchen.

Alec came up behind Seth with a smile playing on his soft lips. "Really? Because I can think of nothing better to do than join in."

Alec walked up and grabbed Leah around the waist surprising her. She laughed as Alec continued to sing and spin her around the kitchen.

"...Climb up in my lap and drive if you want to
Girl, you know you got me to hold on to
We can go to town, but baby if you'd rather
I'll take you for a ride on my big green tractor..."

"Oh, yeahhhh, ooohhhh" Leah laughed as she tried to continue to dance upright with all the giggles making it extremely difficult. Seth shook his head and made it to the couch where he started his day in front of the x-box while Leah and Alec continued to be Country stars.

The song ended and Leah looked at Alec with surprise, "You listen to country?"

Alec shrugged, "not really, but I've heard the song once. I have a photographic memory, remember?"

Leah nodded and turned back to the pasta sauce. Alec walked up behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder. "I like country now however."

Leah snorted, "You don't have to like something just because I do."

Alec sighed and then came to rest his back against the counter beside her so they were face to face, "I know, but I like anything that makes you happy."

Leah smiled sheepishly, while letting her hair fall into her face to cover the soft blush that appeared on her face.

Alec had been there in the Clearwater house as a guest for the past four days. All of which were spent with Leah as much as possible. The pack constantly came in and out of the front door checking up on her. However they seemed their hard work of walking over to the house should mean payment with food. And that was why Leah was currently cooking the spaghetti. Yes it was morning and usually eggs should start the day. But when you had a metabolism like the wolves, Alec noticed you needed the high-carb diet in order to stay active. It also explained why after a few days with out any food, Leah looked as if she hadn't eaten in weeks.

Alec stayed in the guest bedroom downstairs, away from Leah. Jacob told Sue that it might be for the best. Alec snorted, he was a man but he wasn't an animal, he would never attack her in her sleep. They didn't like each other and it was apparent in every word, gesture and glare they cast each other behind Leah's back.

Jacob did everything he could to make Leah forgive him for leaving. Flowers and chocolates were first. Jewelry and dinner came second. A private lunch on first beach came third, and today he was picking her up for another surprise. He could tell Leah enjoyed the spoiling, but she always came home sad and depressed. It made Alec want to kick Jacob's ass. Of course anything made him want to kick the almighty Alpha in the ass.

"Don't go Leah, stay here with me." Alec whispered while pushing her hair back behind her ear.

Leah smiled, "I can't. I already told him I would."

Alec grimaced, "Why? You seemed so depressed afterwards."

She stopped stirring the sauce and looked up, "It's complicated."

Alec sighed, "Then make it uncomplicated. Go out with me instead."

"She already has plans," a deep voice answered for Alec from the back door that connected to the kitchen.

Alec tensed and moved away from Leah. She made her demands clear. The first one to instigate a fight was the first one to be on her shit list. Jacob was already there and working his way up the ladder. Alec didn't wish to join him. Alec watched as Jacob moved into the kitchen there eyes narrowing on each other. Waiting for the other to make the wrong move. He knew Jacob felt threatened by him, and he should, Alec had every intention of keeping Leah to himself.

Alec looked back at Leah and watched her reaction. He knew she was angry at Jacob, but her eyes lit up when they landed on Jacob walking towards her. When they embraced, he watched as her hands lingered at the nape of his neck, almost trying to curl the short hair around her slim finger.

Leah likewise entranced Jacob, her skin glowed and she looked more radiant than ever when she smiled. They pulled apart and Alec walked in between brushing against Leah purposely. He heard Jacob growl behind him, but ignored the threat like always. Alec leaned down and nuzzled her neck before stepping away.

"I'll wait up."

Leah nodded in understanding. Jacob moved forward and ushered Leah out of the kitchen, while saying 'that's not necessary' over his shoulder. Alec watched them leave in Jacob's rabbit. Sighing he sat down next to Seth who was currently manhandling his x-box controller. Seth spared him a sighed long glance and noticed Alec's deflated attitude.

"Man, you have it bad." Seth said with a small laugh and then a grunt when his character was shot.

Alec looked over, "I've lived for nearly 212 years and I've never come across someone who made me feel the way she does. Its like every time she looks at me, I'm not some horrible monster, just a man. She makes me feel completely human, everything is emotional and out of control. I want to just watch her and touch-"

"Wait, wait..." Seth paused the game and reached under the couch. Pulling out a set of big head phones, "Don't really want to hear about how you want to touch my sister." he explained while putting the headphones into the jack on the x-box. He leaned back and continued to play, "Yeah! How do like me now suckas!"

Alec shook his head at Seth's teenage antics. The boy truly did have a carefree light nature that Alec envied. Alec watched Seth play and thought back on the conversations with Leah when they were locked in that cell together. She told him how Seth took the death of his father really hard, but was more mature than anyone could give him credit for. Alec could see that Seth was the sensitive type, but also the kind of person that would take a bullet for a loved one. That must be why Leah was so protective over him, she mistook his belief to trust people for being naive.

That morning seemed to be focused on Leah. Alec couldn't understand why his world seemed turned upside down when he was around her. Her scent drove him wild, her smile was like pure sunshine, and his thoughts made him feel sick to his stomach. He didn't understand, he preferred to be by himself, he was a nomad until he found his stepbrothers and sisters. His sarcasm and dark attitude is what kept people away and what made him happiest, at least that's what he thought until Leah. When Nahule brought her in to the house, she was unconscious and barley breathing. Alec was livid that they would treat an innocent person like this. Nahule argued she was their enemy, but Alec knew better than to trust his easily influenced cowardly brother. Alec continued to help her out as much as possible until Nahule discovered his betrayal and placed him in there with her.

It was the best thing that ever happened to him. He felt like he just woke up from a long nightmare of loneliness and dark shadows creeping from around the hidden corners of his mind. It was freedom to talk and laugh with someone and not have her fear what you are or think that he was some monster hybrid. Alec wasn't touched as a child, yet when Leah would run her hands through his short hair, he didn't flinch or growl at her. She didn't have malice in her touch, only gentleness. Alec died each day when they would come so close that they inhaled each other's scent, he wanted desperately to feel her soft lips and the moan that would attempt to escape as he showed her what he was really good at. They would catch each other off guards at weird moments, like in the kitchen prior to when Jacob walked in, or late yesterday afternoon, when they were crossing each other in the doorway to the living room. He could remember when he wanted to walk up to her and just take her in his arms like a vintage romance movie scene. And when she walked out of the bathroom early this morning in nothing but a short towel showing off her long incredibly toned legs, he nearly ripped Seth's head off for coming out in the hallway.

Speaking of Seth, the boy is lying upside down on the couch with his head hanging off still playing the x-box and yelling at his enemies.

"Oh yeah? You wanna dance pretty boy?" He taunted to the person on the other side of his earpiece.

Alec shook his head. He knew that his nomadic ways were pushing for him to move on, but it seemed that the never-ending cycle of moving on was going to end here at La Push with Leah. He just has to find a way to get Jacob to understand that he's taking the girl...weather Jacob liked it or not.

OoOoO

Jacob laughed at Leah's attempt to be angry at him. She was currently soaking wet and standing in waist deep water on the outskirts of La Push beach. The waves were inching up her shirt making the material paste itself to her skin. Jacob continued to try and muffle his laugh. He didn't plan on this happening, he was just teasing her and she took the bait all to easily. They started the day as usual with a walk and then some talking but never about the Cullen's. Jacob was getting tired of the coldness she continued to exhibit towards him when she remembered to. It was like he would do or say something that made her smile and then she would remember that she needed to be angry. He knew that he shouldn't push her, but now that he had his freedom to choose whom he could be with, he wanted to choose her. Leah however was reluctant to be chosen. So while they were just walking along the beach, Jacob challenged her. He explained that he could run faster than her, figuring that getting her angry about something other than his mistakes might help the situation. In reality, the race ended up with her trying to avoid him by accidently running into the water. Before she could run back to shore Jacob burst out laughing at her appearance.

"You think this is funny Black?" Leah asked while clenching her teeth together.

"Actually I do Clearwater." Jacob responded with a shit eating grin and arms crossed over the chest.

Leah grinned evilly making Jacob a little uneasy. She walked forward slowly causing more and more of her body to be revealed. Jacob was in a slight trance and was unable to look away. A perfect moment for her to snatch him and pull him into the water getting them both completely wet. Jacob sputtered and tripped causing his entire body to be engulfed.

Leah started laughing out loud at his appearance. Jacob leaned up and she didn't even notice that he had pulled her into his arms.

"I missed that sound." Jacob whispered.

Leah quieted down and looked up. "It's too soon Jacob."

Jacob sighed, "Whenever you decide to forgive me, I'll be here. I will still love you no matter what you say"

Leah sighed and leaned her forehead against his shoulder, "I don't want to talk about that Jacob."

Jacob pursed his lips and ran his hand down her wet hair, "I know. But I made the biggest mistake in turning my back on you and there is no way I can turn back time and change it. All I can say is that when I thought you left me, it was the hardest thing I ever faced, the loneliness and despair were nearly choking me, and all I could see every time I closed my eyes was you your face. Please Leah let me back in." Jacob whispered in her ear.

Leah looked up peeking through her dark eyelashes. "I'm trying." and clutched at his wet shirt. "You made me look like such a fool when I constantly kept believing that you would rescue me. And then...and then my knight and shining armor never showed. It still hurts Jacob."

"What is Alec to you?" Jacob asked suddenly causing Leah to jerk her head back in surprise at his question.

"What? He's a friend."

"I'm sorry, it's just I see the way he looks at you and I don't like it." Jacob explained.

Leah pulled herself away from him and wadded back to shore. She wrung out her long shirt and Jacob watched as she pulled her shoes off and dumped the water out of them. Jacob fallowed and mimicked her actions, except he took his shirt completely off. Leah watched in rapt fascination as his arms and stomach contorted and flexed from his motions. When Jacob noticed Leah watching him he grinned and then flexed his arm to tease her. She saw the smile on his face and scowled at him in warning.

They began their journey back to the Clearwater house. Both silent and in their own thoughts. Leah stopped in her tracks and looked at Jacob who didn't realize she came to halt until a few yards away. He raised an eyebrow in question to her action. Leah took a deep breath and wrung her fingers together.

"I don't know what Alec is." She said softly.

Jacob stayed silent and waited for her to continue rather than interrupt.

She walked over to a tree and leaned one shoulder against it for support. "He's the first person in a long time who started to take care of me without feeling obligated too. When I took that fall off the cliff, you felt guilty about not protecting me and now after the kidnapping you're doing it again."

"Leah-"

She put her hand up to stop him from speaking further. "Don't Jacob, your guilt is what drives you to protect me. Where as for Alec it's just something that came naturally to him when it concerns me, nobody else," she looked up and into Jacob's dark brown eyes, "Just me." she whispered.

Jacob felt deflated. What she said was true. He did feel incredibly guilty that he wasn't there to not only protect her but also not able to rescue her. He felt like an ass for being led so easily away from what should have been the most important thing in his life. He walked over to her and opened his arms.

"If you ever gave me another chance, I swear Leah, I won't let another person hurt you ever again."

Leah walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist as silent tears escaped from the corner of her eyes falling on his bare chest. She sniffled and leaned her head back to look up at him. Jacob smoothed the hair out of her face and smiled.

"Is that a yes?"

Leah worried her bottom lip until finally nodding. Jacob gave a whoop of excitement and lifted her off the ground to spin her around in a circle. Leah laughed out loud while she held on for dear life as he twirled her. Jacob stopped and let her slide down his body in the most sensual and erotic way. Leah waited patiently as he knelt his head and ever so slowly, lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was soft and gentle, yet demanded from Leah to notice the power it could hold. Jacob delved deeper as their breaths mingled and became faster as oxygen was becoming rare between them. Leah broke away to catch her breath as Jacob grinned with satisfaction at her response.

Leah shook her head at his very happy smile. She pulled away everything except her hand that he kept snuggly wrapped in his. They continued walking to the house, except now they did it with a more leisurely pace with their locked hands in between them.

"I should tell Alec." Leah said.

Jacob scowled at the name, "tell him what?"

"That were back together," she answered as if a conversation with Alec about her love life was something she had on a day-by-day basis.

Jacob shook his head, "It's none of his business, and he'll figure it out sooner or later."

Leah laughed at the man comment and decided for once, she wasn't going to say anything. She didn't want to ruin her special moment. She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked down.

It seemed however somebody else was.

"Nessie." Jacob whispered.

Leah's head snapped back to reveal a very disgruntled looking vampire who starred at Leah with deep hatred in her bright golden eyes.

Nessie tilted her head as if assessing the situation before her. Leah knew what Nessie was looking at; she saw Jacob and Leah standing close holding hands. Jacob staring at her with a shocked expression and Leah biting her lip, trying to conceal the look of fear in her eyes. And it wasn't that Leah feared Nessie, oh no, she could take the bitch all day every day. The fear she felt at that moment was the fear of loss, she was afraid of losing Jacob again when she just got him back. But Jacob did the one thing that took that fear completely away.

Jacob moved closer to Leah and slipped his arm around her waist to bring her flush with his body. His torso was turned inwards towards her as if protecting her with the side of his body and back from Nessie who only glowered more at the pair. Very slowly he pulled her with them as they inched towards the edge of the forest line revealing Leah's house. Seth and Alec walked out to the porch and Embry and Quil who had visited came to stand beside them in support. Jacob carefully turned his back on Nessie and walked away.

Leah kept her head held high and regal with her eyes looking straight ahead of her. Alec seemed to connect with her line and held a silent message in his own. Almost as if telling her to keep walking, she was almost there. Leah made it the front porch step and that was when all hell broke loose.

OoOoO

I know, how dare I leave it like that with that evil cliffhanger! But don't despair my avid readers, Smo has the next chapter almost done and on its way!

As to why I said that in third person, I don't know. Lol.

Anywho, please review!