"No, Seth, you have to let that arm heal for a couple of days before you go diving!" Sue warned for the third time. "Try to remember how much fun it was to have a bone re-broken because it healed wrong!"

That stopped him in his tracks. Seth considered himself a pretty tough guy, but the very thought of that painful memory could make him break out in a cold sweat. "Okay, you win, I'll just sit here and grow moss," he grumped, turning on the television.

"Don't worry, Seth, it will only grow on your north side," snickered Leah. "Maybe Mom and I can go diving and you can watch!" she suggested with an evil grin. "That would be something to do!" Sue anticipated his move and stepped between them before Seth could jump on Leah. "Sit!" she commanded. Seth preserved his dignity by grabbing a couch pillow and chucking it at Leah's head, as he obediently sat.

"I could do your nails for you," suggested Leah. Sue sent a glare in her direction, not bothering to comment. "You might want to do something with those nasty claws of yours," Seth smirked.

"Well, some of us have work to do," Leah announced as she started outside to patrol. She stepped behind the shed in the yard to disrobe before phasing into her compact but speedy wolf form, figuring she'd pick up her clothes when she returned. Unfortunately, as soon as she phased she was assaulted by the voices in her head. She had expected to "hear" Jacob, since he was the patrol she'd be replacing, but she was chagrined to interrupt a conversation between him and Sam.

Sam was carrying on about something wonderful Emily had done, and Leah made a gagging noise, then projected a memory of herself and Sam that stopped their discourse cold. Leah, must you keep doing that? came from Sam, followed by wolfish laughter from Jacob.

Leah sprinted to their meeting point, delighting in the feeling of stretching her muscles and the wind ruffling her fur. She hated having Sam intercept her every thought, and she would give anything to get him out of her head. She sighed, consoled slightly by the fact that he only connected with her when he was in wolf form.

The large reddish wolf was waiting for her at the rendezvous point. Hey, Jake, anything going on?

Nah, everything's quiet now that you and Sam are separated. Leah could swear that the wolf rolled its eyes, but maybe that was her imagination. Well, the good news was that Sam had phased back to human form and would be out of her head for the time being. Just as Jacob turned his back and started to lope away, Seth spoke up and both of them heard Leah, you need to come home. Now.

Jacob hesitated, looking back over his shoulder. Seth, do you need both of us or should I continue on patrol? What's going on?

Just a broken pipe – I'm sure Leah can fix it with two good arms, but I can't get a grip on it. Jake turned and started back toward the house. Leah, I'll get the pipe – you go ahead and patrol.

Leah shook her head and started around the perimeter of the reservation, grumbling something about men's work and not paying any particular attention to where she was running. She hadn't gone very far when she stepped in a steel bear trap, which closed painfully on her leg, cutting it to the bone. She howled in pain and frustration, and Jacob stopped once again.

Okay, Jake, here's the thing, she thought in his direction. I need hands to spring this thing, but I'm stuck here with no clothes if I phase back to human form. So let me see if I can get it off before you come running back. Got it?

I'd like to think that Jacob at least tried to resist, but let's face it. Even though Leah wasn't his favorite person, the temptation was just too great. He circled back quietly and peered around a tree, just as she snapped the trap off her ankle. As she phased back, his view was duplicated right at the same moment in both Leah's and Seth's heads, and chaos ensued. Seth yelled so loudly that Sue fell off the chair she was standing on, holding the broken pipe. At the exact same moment, Leah realized what Jake was up to and growled. She tried to leap at him, but the damaged leg collapsed under her, causing her to fall sideways. Jake, realizing that he'd been caught, decided to run to the Clearwaters' rather than risk life and limb by trying to help Leah. Leah was the fastest wolf in the pack, and without a damaged leg she would have caught him easily, but luck was with Jacob for the moment. By the time she limped home, he hoped to be long gone.

As Jacob hurriedly dressed and ran into Sue's basement, Seth directed the broken pipe at him, soaking him and driving him back out the door. "God, Jake, what the hell were you thinking?" he yelled, as Jacob came back in, laughing, and headed for the main shutoff valve. Sue was still sitting on the floor, looking from one to the other, totally confused. Jake managed to shut off the water supply, thinking that he'd leave the rest to Seth, but as he ran toward the back door he encountered an enraged wolf, snapping and growling at him.

"Leah!" Sue yelled. "What are you doing? It's Jake!" Leah growled and lunged at Jake, who jumped behind Sue. Sue stood up, steadied herself, and ordered: "Leah – get outside now, phase and get dressed. Jake – don't you go anywhere until that pipe is replaced. Seth – come here right now and tell me what in the world is going on!"

By the time it was sorted out, they all had a good laugh (except Leah, who still wasn't laughing). Within three days, her leg wound had healed, leaving a jagged scar, but Leah's wounded pride would take a little longer.