Paul closed his eyes as he sat on the warped porch planks and leaned his head against the faded red siding. Like his brothers who gathered inside and outside, he cringed through one of Jacob's agonized screams. Paul crossed his arms over his chest and dug his fingernails into his flesh, knowing Jacob endured far more pain at the moment than he ever could.

Paul was angry. Hell, Paul was always angry, but today, he was livid. Paul wanted to destroy something; the newborns weren't enough. He felt almost feral as the wolf raged inside him, only remaining where he sat under Sam's Alpha command. There was nothing unusual about Paul's fiery temper, but today was different. It wasn't only that they had battled an army of newborns or that Baby Alpha was a broken mess, screaming in pain.

It was the Leah of it all.

The pixie leech was unprotected and in the middle of one of her visions (weird shit, if you asked Paul) when the last hiding newborn finally showed himself. With no other choice, Leah rushed into his charging path. The rest of the pack cried out for her as Jacob charged headlong for them both. He knocked Leah to the side as the vampire's arms snatched at his torso, crushing Jacob's ribcage instantly.

Jacob's weirdly chivalrous ass always has to risk himself for a girl. It was a toxic trait, like White Knight Syndrome or something. He and Cullen had it in spades.

Everything happened so quickly after the battle that the entire pack became immobilized with pain. Whimpers and growls flooded the clearing as Jacob's injuries overwhelmed them telepathically. Paul felt like his stomach was hanging out of his mouth while multiple swords impaled his ribcage. His back legs buckled for a moment as fire licked his spine. It felt like he was struggling to contain his shape, and he damn near pissed himself.

Paul couldn't imagine trying to phase in that pain. Jacob only returned to his human form to spare them from his agony. They were all astonished he was coherent enough to recognize the pain of those around him. The exertion was too much, and the poor kid passed out. Paul honestly couldn't blame him.

Emmett nearly took Paul's leg off the day they collided while chasing Victoria. What Paul thought was excruciating then was nothing to what Jacob felt when crushed. Paul would take the pain of his nearly severed leg again if it could save his brother from what happened today. The spirits made baby Alpha of stouter stuff - though Paul would never tell him that. Paul loved the guy, even if he was a pig-headed, pussy-whipped dumbass sometimes - though he'd never tell Jacob that either. Well, at least not until he was feeling better.

Why did things like this happen in the first place? Why did good people get hurt? What so-called deity out there handled fate? Which God or Goddess determined that a kid had to be a hero? What cosmic phenomenal power decided a sixteen-year-old should have half his body crushed by a goddamn vampire (another teenager turned against his will)? Why the hell do we exist only to struggle to survive? Why give us free will from birth just to take it away?

Was life actually hell? Because it sure felt like it sometimes. Paul couldn't understand it.

Cullen told Sam when they arrived that one of the Volturi guards watched from a tree in the distance throughout the battle. All-consuming and fire-filled pain was the bloodsucker's precious gift. Her power came from being burned alive as a human. She gave the newborn's crushing pain some extra oomph without knowing that hurting one would affect them all. Dr. Fang said he never knew her power could reach such a distance, and he had lived with her for nearly a century. He worried about their connection to the pack and the trouble it could cause both sides. He also said that the Volturi ticks weren't so fond of wolves.

Paul had news for them; The wolves didn't like them much either. They had just annihilated an army of newborns who were notoriously more physically powerful than the old vampires were.

Bring it, geezers. We would just need to take out the little witch bitch and her baby-faced twin first.

Sam was more concerned with a newfound weakness in the pack. If some gifts could affect them as one, they would look a lot more like sitting ducks than snarling wolves. The alarm on Sam's usually stoic face was unnerving, even for Paul. Dr. Death offered the coven's aid to the best of their ability.

Despite his dislike of all things undead and a reluctance to admit to his weaknesses, Paul couldn't deny the potential perks of the alliance. Maybe there was more Ephriam Black than Levi Uley in Paul's blood. Either way, he couldn't escape the wolf gene if he tried.

No one was escaping Jacob's agony at the moment. Each wolf needed to remain close as the leeches slowly tortured Baby Alpha inside the house. Some were sitting inside, but Paul's temper couldn't take it. He expected Leah would join him soon. The poor girl was a complete fucking mess, and that pissed him off the most. Leah did what any of the wolves would have done and took a hit to impede an injustice.

Paul could tell that Leah secretly liked the pixie who faced Jacob Black fearlessly despite being four-foot-nine and nearly eye level with his nipples. Paul thought Alice was cute when she went cross-eyed with one of her visions and wondered if she made similar faces when she came. He laughed out loud at the thought, earning a silent reprimand from Sam. It was no time for laughter.

He refused to look Bella Swan in the eye as he looked away from Sam. She was weeping and chewing a hole through her bottom lip as she leaned against her shitty truck. Seth stood at the leech-lover's side, comforting her while her boyfriend - correction - fiancee helped Carlisle and Sue re-break Jacob's bones.

Is Eddie Boy enjoying himself now that he can finally inflict some pain?

Jacob and Bella's fight over her engagement was almost too distracting for Paul. Like a train wreck he couldn't look away from, he watched through Seth's horrified eyes as Bella kissed Jacob before the fight. As the poor sucker got his first taste of someone else's tongue, the pack considered the repercussions. To everyone's surprise, Cullen handled it like a champ and kept his cool when losing his temper would have been justified. It almost made Paul respect him.

Paul secretly couldn't wait for Bella Swan to become a newborn and go on a blood bender. He wanted to take her apart himself. After all the trouble and heartache she caused, Paul felt the Pack owed her at least that much. He probably wouldn't torch her because Baby Alpha would get pissed, but he'd sure put the fear of god into her before letting her put herself back together. She only waited around now to tell the poor kid goodbye. Bella was marrying her bloodsucker, and that was the end. Paul hoped the bitch choked on her wedding cake. It would save him the unpleasant aftertaste.

Vampires taste like… Well, actual ass tastes better. Paul would rather swallow a fucking fart.

When the front door opened, Paul felt it as Leah stepped over his outstretched legs. He opened his eyes in time to glance at the swell of her backside as she moved past him. As usual, she took over the only lawn chair. Paul sat on the ground purposely, knowing she would flee the house eventually, and she always chose the chair. Sam eyed Paul suspiciously when Paul willingly sat on the porch floor. Paul didn't have the heart to fuck with Leah today. They had all been through enough.

Sam's wary eyes silently observed them for a moment before focusing on the front door like his all-powerful stare could somehow silence Jacob's screaming. The sound of Leah sniffling caught Paul's attention, and he reached over to grab her hand without a word. As his fingers threaded through hers and squeezed, she sobbed. He remained silent, letting the grip of his hand and circling thumb along her knuckles convey the comfort he ached to provide. As Jacob's screaming finally stopped, Leah released a ragged sigh of relief and calmed considerably. Paul didn't let go.

.A few minutes passed in absolute silence as they waited for word on Jake's condition. Barely a whisper, she raised their hands slightly and asked, "Why?"

Paul frowned and squeezed his eyes shut, knowing precisely why she asked. It wasn't like him to comfort her or show her affection. If he were honest, Paul was downright asinine most of the time. For months he did everything possible to keep his thoughts about his only female pack mate to himself. It had not been easy, especially during times Sam remembered some of their most intimate moments.

But today was different. Today, Leah needed comfort and to stop blaming herself for something she didn't cause. Today, Sam Uley could go to hell.

"Paul?"

Unmoving, he asked, "Hmm?"

Leah whispered, "Look at me."

Paul slowly turned toward her and met her gaze. Her large dark eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot. Leah's lips and nose were dry and cracked from a solid hour of crying. Dark circles were forming under her eyes. A lack of sleep and emotional exhaustion wore her down regularly, but Paul had never seen her so haggard. She's gone paler, yet flushed, and Paul wondered when she had eaten last.

Squeezing her hand gently, he said, "Just take it, Lee." His hand, his comfort, his heart; Paul didn't specify. As far as he was concerned, she could have them all. He hoped to convey his sincerity with his eyes and express how he felt somehow. If only she weren't his best friend's ex-fiance.

But that didn't matter today. Paul turned toward Sam and said, "Lift it. Let me up."

Standing with one hand on Billy's shoulder to comfort him, Sam winced over the older man's grip on his forearm. Despite the end of Jacob's screaming, Billy hadn't calmed an iota. "Are you calm?"

"I'm fine."

Sam gestured for him to get up, and Paul felt the order's weight fall away.

Leah let her hand fall away from Paul's as he stood, and he bent to recapture it. "Come with me. We need to blow off some steam." Her eyes narrowed at him suspiciously, and he bit back a smirk.

She whispered, "What are you up to?"

Paul sighed. Of course, she automatically thought he was going to fuck with her. Maybe he pretended too well for the pack. Leah more-or-less loathed him most of the time. She raised an eyebrow in question and shot a glance at Sam.

Paul didn't need to look to feel his Alpha's discomfort. When anyone as much as sniffed at Leah in his presence, he practically turned green with jealousy. Today, it was worth it. Paul planned to do whatever he could to make sure Leah had comfort. He just needed to convince her first.

"It's been a hard fuckin' day, Lee. We can be friends for a little while, yeah?"

Her shoulders lifted as she harrumphed in silence. With a gentle nod, she said, "Yeah. Okay."

Paul couldn't hold back his grin. "Come on, then."

She tensed, looking almost panicked as she glanced toward the front door. "I need to see Jacob before I leave."

Paul's brow furrowed as he recaptured her gaze and whispered, "No, Lee. You don't."

"How can you say that?" She let go of his hand to point at the door. "This is my fault!" Leah's other hand fluttered to her chest and curled into a fist over her heart as she took a ragged breath. Paul dropped to one knee as she doubled over in her chair and began tearing up again.

"Shhh." Paul attempted to soothe her, gently rubbing his hands along her upper arms. "No, it isn't, Leah."

As she shook her head, he repeated, "No, it isn't."

"Jake got hurt saving me."

"And he knows you're grateful, Lee. I promise you no one blames you for this. Jake is probably exhausted, if he's even conscious. Seeing him wrapped up in bandages and morphine'd out his gourd by Sparkle Leech, MD. and your mama will not help you feel better."

When she didn't respond, he offered, "I'll even come with you to see him tomorrow, but you need to eat and rest before you make yourself sick."

Incredulously, she said, "We don't get sick."

"People get sick in other ways when worn down, Leah. Don't make me say please. You know I won't." Paul winked at her flirtatiously, and she scoffed but smiled.

"Don't make me regret it," she warned him as she relaxed, conceding. "What are you planning, anyway?"

Paul tugged at her hand, and she stood with him. "Exactly what I said. Blow off some steam, eat, and then get some rest." He schooled his features quickly before finally releasing her hand and turning toward Sam.

Sam still scowled at the door, silently ignoring Paul and Leah as they approached. Paul kneeled by Billy and took his chief's free hand in both of his. "We will head out of here for now and get some rest. If Jake is awake, he might be pretty overwhelmed with everyone here. Is it okay if Leah and I see him tomorrow?"

A soft sigh left Billy, and he looked up at Leah. Billy finally let go of Sam's arm to pat the top of Paul's hands. "Rest, both of you. I'm sure he will appreciate staggering the visitors a bit. I'm sure he'll ask for Bella first, but I'm not sure he'll want to see anyone after that."

Billy's eyes narrowed as he spoke of Bella despite her presence nearby. It was odd, considering he loved her like his own. The leech lover's lip quivered, fully aware that Billy knew she was responsible for irreparably breaking his only son. Or would be the minute she walked into his room and crushed the hope her kiss instilled.

As Paul stood, Sam carefully caught his forearm. "Come with me for a second. I need to talk to you about something."

Paul met Sam's glare with his own and nodded. He followed Sam's silent strut toward the treeline and out of hearing range. As Sam turned to face him, Paul asked, "Is there a problem?"

"Why are you so interested in Lee Lee suddenly? She's fragile as fuck right now."

"You think I don't know that?" Paul scoffed angrily and glanced back to check on Leah. He almost snickered as he caught her glaring at Sam. "She's had a really hard fucking day. She needs to eat and rest."

Sam folded his arms over his chest. "And that's your only intention?"

Paul was instantly seething. "Nice to know my so-called best friend thinks I'm a fucking predator. Thanks, Sam."

"That's not what I said, Paul."

"No, but it's what you implied. I've been respectful about how you feel about Leah."

Sam barked out a bitter laugh. "You've pictured her naked."

Quietly, Paul hissed, "Thanks to you, we've all pictured her naked." Sam's audacity was maddening.

"And you bitch over her shitty attitude more than anyone else."

Without thought, Paul gestured toward Leah and yelled, "Yeah, because she's fucking incredible and doesn't even see it. She's too busy hating herself because of you ."

Sam trembled as his face flushed with fury. His tone was a warning as he drawled, "So, tell me, Paul. How long have you felt that way?"

"I've always felt that way, Sam. I keep my mouth shut because it's none of my goddamn business. You're my friend and my alpha. I respect that, but right now, she needs a friend. Not a jealous ex, or a guilt trip, or some asshole trying to take advantage of her vulnerability. And screw you if you think I'd do the shit you'd do to Leah."

Paul didn't wait for Sam's response as he turned and jogged toward that house. The front door opened as he reached Leah's side, and Carlisle and Edward walked over to Billy. The doctor was drying his hands on paper towels and said, "Jacob's going to be fine. He will need to rest for a few weeks. He must not phase, and I recommend bed rest for a few days despite the rapid healing. I'll be back shortly to set up a morphine drip." Turning toward Bella, he added, "He's asking for you."

Bella barely glanced at her fiance before running into the house. Paul gaped in surprise as the incredibly clumsy girl didn't stumble once. He laughed as he contemplated clumsiness being her vampiric gift.

Like a bull in a china shop. With any luck, she'd fall, and her limbs would detach themselves.

Cullen lifted his head to sneer at Paul, and the shifter smirked back. Jake's right. Fucker hears every damn thought in your head.

Cullen snorted. "Believe me, Paul, I wish I didn't."

Take a space heater next time. Paul snickered as Cullen rolled his eyes.

"Let's go, Paul," Leah said softly, regaining his full attention. He ignored it as Sam glared their way and led her into the woods.

Despite his whisper, Paul heard Cullen reassure Sam. "He just wants her to rest."

Surprised, Paul thought, Thanks, Leech.

Hours later, they sat on Leah's sofa together, each lounging comfortably at opposite ends. Paul ordered takeout from the local Mexican joint and convinced them to deliver despite being a Monday. Seth wasn't coming home for the night, and Sue was sleeping at Billy's to control Jacob's medications. Paul and Leah were all alone in the little gray house. It was a rare moment of peace for both.

Supernatural was the only selection the two could agree to watch while they ate. Paul gravitated toward Leah as the night wore on. Eventually, he lay on his side, his head propped on his elbow near her hip and his feet draped over the armrest. On the screen, Sam Winchester sat on a couch beside the werewolf woman he had the hots for, and Paul couldn't help but roll his eyes at the irony. Still, the comfort of his warm packmate by his side and a full belly had him nodding off within a few minutes.

Paul stirred somewhat at the sensation of fingers running through his hair, her nails gently grazing his scalp. Paul moaned in surprise and chuckled as he became more alert and glanced at her reddened face. She yanked her hand away and laughed.

"That was a sneak attack, but you don't have to quit," he said as he looked toward the screen.

"A sneak attack?"

"Yeah. I was nodding off. Tell me you'd have tried that if I was wide awake?"

Leah's laugh was playful, dripping with orneriness, and the sound of it warmed him all over. It was an odd feeling - as if it directly tied her happiness to his own. Paul glanced up at her again as she resumed toying with the uneven strands of his hair.

"You need a haircut." Leah shifted her body toward him slightly. Paul fought the urge to close his eyes. From where he lay, the soft flesh of her thigh looked comfortable. She chuckled again as he scooted closer, pressing his cheek atop her bare skin. Leah rolled her eyes as she looked down into his face.

"Make yourself at home," she said sarcastically, though she never stopped stroking his scalp.

"Don't tempt me." Paul reached down and pinched the back of her knee. Her leg jerked underneath him before she cackled and tugged his hair. The sensation shot straight to his groin, and Paul bit back a moan. He had pictured Leah pulling his hair many times but usually had his dick buried inside her during those fantasies.

"You're not so bad, you know?"

Paul turned his back and looked up into her face in confusion. "You thought I was just an asshole, huh?"

She grinned at him and shrugged. "We just seem to clash most of the time. It's nice to hang out without fighting. I'm just surprised, is all. I thought you hated me."

When he didn't respond, she said, "Thanks for hanging out with me, anyway. I needed it." She looked away from him and back at the screen.

Paul turned back to his side, trying to school his features and hide the frustration he felt. Maybe he was too hard on her sometimes. Paul only wanted to toe the line and keep from fighting with Sam. He never meant for Leah to think he hated her. The thought of hating her seemed impossible. It was unsettling. He needed to fix it.

Then again, maybe it was for the best. It would be easy for Paul to slip if he treated her differently, to allow himself to gravitate to her side. He was increasingly more aware of the heat at the apex of her thighs, so close to his face. Close enough to turn over and bury it there if she'd let him. And damn, if he didn't want to.

When she took a sharp breath, Paul noticed the passionate love seen on the screen. He watched the characters get lost in each other and sighed, considering how much he'd like to carry the woman beside him to bed and do the same thing. But that wasn't what she needed today.

Paul bit back another chuckle as he noticed the change in Leah's scent, unsure if he or the couple on screen sparked her interest. Maybe she simply had a thing for guys named Sam? Paul sighed. If I'm anyone, I'm fucking Dean.

Well, not fucking Dean. That was Cas's job these days.

Paul looked into her face again, expecting to see the underside of her nose and chin as she gaped at the television. Instead, he met her intense stare. It was as if she were trying to memorize his face by heart, and it stirred something within his chest. He protected his heart carefully, but how she looked at him now gave him hope. No one looked at Paul like that. Not even the drunk older women that ogled him in the bar or the women that offered to fuck him in the car park. Leah was different. She knew him.

Looking back toward the screen, she said, "I'm not fragile."

Paul's sat up to see her better, her fingers slipping from his hair as he asked, "What?"

"Your conversation with Sam. He said I was fragile. I'm not. Or vulnerable. Eternally pissed off and cynical, maybe." Looking back into his eyes, she said, "But not fragile. Not even close." Leah leaned toward him further and said, "Life can try to beat me down all it wants. I can take a pounding. Jacob isn't the only one who can get crushed and live through it."

Paul wanted to smile at her, proud of her strength and perseverance. He couldn't move, however. If Leah had overheard the earlier part of his conversation with Sam, she would have caught the rest too. Paul had allowed his feelings to slip for just a moment. But it was enough. She would have felt the underlying sentiment in his voice just like Sam did.

Paul slowly stood and ran an anxious hand through his hair. "I should probably get home," he mumbled, unsure of what else to say as he fought back the panic in his chest. He was playing with fire, letting himself be so close, and he knew it.

Leah frowned and looked away from him, confused by his sudden discomfort. Her lip quivered as she took in Sam Winchester's devastated face. She squeezed her eyes shut and flinched as the sound of a gunshot went off on the screen. Leah seemed to wither right before Paul as his unexplained rejection consumed her. Ironically, Dean was shedding a sympathetic tear.

Leah choked out, "See ya."

She was breaking his heart. Paul glanced toward the door, knowing that if he didn't leave now, he may just never leave her again, regardless of any hell to pay. He remembered her overwhelmed state that afternoon and how he couldn't let go of her hand, even when her tears stopped. He recalled the absolute terror he felt as the lone newborn charged at Leah and the instant rage that consumed him as Jacob collided with her, sending her much smaller wolf flying.

Paul squeezed his eyes shut in frustration, willing the memory to leave. Before he could say anything, he felt her step toward him; her face mere inches from his. She smelled like spices, grass, and fresh linen mixed with arousal and the faintest hint of vampire. It was oddly comforting, and he took a slow deep breath, filling his lungs with her. He didn't move as her arms slid around his waist, but his heart pounded.

She whispered, "Paul?"

His eyes stayed shut. Paul's brow furrowed as he struggled against the urge to embrace her back. He wanted to pull her against him and cradle her there, never letting her out of his sight again. Paul didn't know how to process those feelings. He was unsure when they began and couldn't turn them off, though he certainly tried. He couldn't help it any more than Jacob could help his love for Swan.

And now, thanks to his outburst earlier, she knew. Sam knew, too.

"Paul, please?"

He finally forced himself to respond as he asked, "What is it, Lee?" That one action seemed to crumble what little resistance he felt as he gently embraced her in return.

Leah whispered, "Open your eyes and stay with me."

Paul finally opened his eyes to meet her gaze, seeing a look he saw in Sam's memories more than once. One of loneliness and need, haunted and wanting. A look that Sam had turned his back on a hundred times since imprinting on Emily and leaving Leah so fucking alone.

What was it he had decided on just that afternoon? Today, Sam Uley could go to hell.

In that instant, Paul knew he would stay. He would do anything she asked just to send that look away, to bring back the laughter he'd coaxed from her less than an hour ago. Paul nodded and stepped out of her embrace.

She watched in confused silence as he threw their takeout containers in the trash and turned off the television. He returned to her side and grabbed her hand, threading their fingers together. Their hands felt like matching pieces of a puzzle, and the thought of it made him smile.

"We should try to sleep." He pulled her toward her bedroom, letting her lingering scent lead him to it. He smirked at the peach-colored walls, bookshelves, and well-hugged stuffed animals. Old posters hung in random places as if they had not updated her room since her early teens. He lay on her bed, scooting himself back against the wall before gesturing for her to lie down. "Come here."

Leah smirked but didn't hesitate to lie down on her back at his side. She settled at the edge of the bed, careful not to touch him as she closed her eyes. He let his eyes feast on her tired face, tempted to trace her full lips with his thumb.

"We probably should have showered," she mumbled. "My bed will smell like leech ashes now."

"It'll wash out." He snickered as he slid his hand along her lower ribs, barely grazing the underside of her breasts with his forearm as he pulled her closer. The uptick in her heartbeat caught his attention before the fresh scent of her arousal did. Paul released her waist to cup her cheek in his large hand.

"You smell pretty damn good to me, Lee Lee." She gaped in surprise at her old nickname, and Paul cringed. "I didn't mean to call you that," he admitted. "Just sort of slipped out."

Leah's eyes sparkled with mischief as a genuine smile relaxed her features. Her whole body shook with her quiet laughter. "It doesn't bother me as much when you aren't mocking me."

Paul dropped his head to the pillow with a grunt, and she laughed again. He could hear the hesitation in her voice as she asked, "Did you mean it? What you said today?"

Paul yanked her body closer as he turned to hover over her. "Every fucking word."

Leah glanced toward his lips and subconsciously licked her own before lifting one hand to capture the back of his neck. She pulled herself flush against him and lifted her head. Leah hesitated for a moment before pressing her lips to his. He moaned as her full lips enveloped his own, brushing and sliding together, stirring electricity through his limbs. Paul traced her bottom lip with the tip of his tongue, silently seeking an entrance. Her lips parted as she sighed into his mouth, welcoming him inside. Paul reveled in their kiss, allowing the joy of being able to hold her sink in just in case it never happened again.

All too soon, Leah pulled away. She gasped for breath as she stared up into his face. Paul chuckled as he lay back down and wrapped his arm around her. He couldn't hold back a yawn and smiled as she let out a small whimper of disappointment.

"Thank you again," she whispered. "For being a friend today." She buried her face against his chest and closed her eyes.

"I'll be your friend tomorrow too, Leah." Paul closed his eyes and held her tighter as they fell asleep.

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