A/N: Ok, so the response to the previous chapter was incredible! Thank you so much to all who read the chapter. And of course, an enormous shout out to those fantastic readers who took the time to review. I love you all and I hope that my enternal gratitude is coming through in this little post :).

I love that you all loved the Jacob and Bella bit. I actually wanted to redeem Bella in that section. I am so not a Bella hater, but it was kind of coming across that way in previous chapters.

Another side note, about the argument between Leah and Sue. Yes, Sue came across as harsh (but in my opinion, Leah was also incrdibly hurtful in her words). The way I imagined Sue in the previous chapter was a woman who was at her wit's end. A woman who had been watching her daughter suffer and discovering that she really couldn't help the situation. The 'tough love' that she demonstated was a reaction to both Leah's behaviour and her inability to help her child. I decided to include a small part with Sue in this chapter in the hope that I would convey that message more clearly to my readers.

So, enough from me and here is the next chapter. I hope that you all enjoy it (and let me know what you think).

Music: Better- Regina Spektor, I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked- Ida Maria, Wayside- Birds of Tokyo


Thrusting his hands deep in his pockets, Jacob made his way into the Uley's backyard. Leah had left him, instructing him to leave at least five minutes before heading into the party. He had used that time going over exactly what had just happened. Leah had been the one to initiate their whole....agreement, but there had been something a little odd about the way she had just thrown herself at him. Jacob had seen a real desperation in her eyes and that was completely surprising to him. Leah fought tooth and nail everyday to ensure that she showed no signs of weakness, so why was she letting it show to him of all people? It was one thing to 'help' one another, but it was another to allow oneself to become vulnerable.

Spotting Quil and Embry standing by the edges, Jacob made his way over, catching the most recent strands of their conversation.

"Hmm," Quil was saying. "Do you think that she heard?"

Embry shook his head in response. "I don't think so...how bad do you think she is going to flip when she does hear the news?"

"What news?" Jacob asked, stopping in front of the two of them. "And who is she?"

Embry looked at him. "Did you not hear?" Jacob shook his head. "Sam and Emily are going to have a baby."

At that moment everything made perfect sense. Leah's assault on him, her desperate need...she must have known. Only Sam could provoke such a response out of her. He glanced around, trying to catch sight of her. He knew that being in this crowd, watching them celebrate would be killing her. He couldn't see her, and so turned back to his friends. "That is awesome. Sam must be over the moon."

Quil chuckled. "Yeah, the powerful Alpha wolf is turning into nothing but a big softie before our eyes."

Jacob grinned. "The big man melting before our eyes. That is going to be fun to watch." He paused. "So who is she?"

"Who else?" Embry replied. "Leah. Can you imagine her reaction when she hears this news?"

Jacob was silent for a few moments. "How do you know that she hasn't already heard?"

"Because we haven't seen any sort of an aftermath," Embry laughed, trailing off when he noticed that Jacob was not joining in. "What?'

"You need to give Leah more credit," Jacob answered, his voice low and even, and both Embry and Quil blinked in surprise.

"Well," Quil started carefully, "her actions of the past really don't give all that much credit, Jake."

"And she is not going to have much success in changing that if everybody is just going to sit around and expect her to behave in a particular way," Jacob shot back.

"Whoa," Embry held up his hands. "Jake, why are we even talking about this...and why do you even care? Leah rides your nerves as much as the rest of us."

Resisting the urge to smirk at Embry's choice of verb, Jacob's mind flashed back to Sam and Emily's wedding reception. Sam had also questioned him standing up for Leah. Back then he had no answer. And now? What answer could he possibly give now? 'Well guys, Leah and I have this agreement where we fuck each other in order to forget how fucked up our lives are. I would a feel a little guilty bitching behind her back, only to return to her for something else later tonight.'

Because, that was his reason, wasn't it? There couldn't possibly be any other reason why he would feel the need to stand up for Leah, right?

"Uh," Jacob started, his mind still working furiously. "It's just, with the smaller pack, I've been living with Leah's mind a lot more lately. That's gonna have some sort of effect."

Quil and Embry glanced at each other and then nodded. They both knew how strong Leah's thoughts could be. Embry in particular.

"Hey Jake," Quil started. "Did we ever thank you for taking her off our hands? Wolf form has been so much more peaceful as of late."

Jacob just shook his head and then clapped his hands together. "Right, I'm starving. Where is the food?" Thankfully, his diversion worked, with Quil and Embry directing him to the huge spread that was set up on the other side of the yard.

XXXXX

When Leah woke up late the next morning, the house was silent. Curious, she made her way into the kitchen. On the bench was a note from Sue, telling her that she was going to visit Seth for the day. Leah could not help but feel relieved. She had not spoken to her mother since their argument the day before and she had not quite figured out how to apologise.

Opening the fridge, Leah perused its contents, still deciding if she was even hungry. The process was cut short by a sharp knock on the kitchen door, the one that lead out to the Clearwater's backyard. Straightening up Leah saw Jacob through the window. That ever familiar sensation of anger coursing through her veins reared up almost immeadiately.

"What the hell are doing here?" she demanded, throwing open the door. "Since when do we make house visits to one another? What if my mum was here?"

Jacob held up his hands in mock defence, as he brushed past her. "Relax Leah, I don't think Sue will appreciate you phasing in her kitchen."

"Don't flatter yourself, Jacob. You don't affect me that much."

"Well, should we start to talk about the ways in which I do affect you?" he asked, flashing his usual smirk. Upon seeing the narrowing of Leah's eyes, he made the very quick decision that this line of conversation was not the best option at this present time. "Ok, ok... I am not stupid- I know how you want this to work. But, I knew that Sue wasn't home. I was out for a walk, and saw her leave. Thought that I would drop around."

"Why?" Leah questioned.

"I wanted to talk to you."

Leah let out a loud sigh, as the puzzle pieces fit together in her mind. "I am fine, Jacob."

"Who said that I was going to ask that?" Jacob asked, his expression telling her that that was exactly his topic of question.

"Jacob, you went to that party. You would have heard the news and put two and two together. As much as I hate to admit this, you are not stupid. I am more than aware that you know it equals four."

Jacob gave a short nod. "I just wanted to see if you were ok."

"You mean, you wanted to make sure that I wasn't losing the plot and wrecking havoc all over the damn place."

"Did I say that?" Jacob snapped. "Look, you said something to me the other day that really helped and –"

"Jacob, deep and meaningful's were not part of the agreement."

"Can you just give me a little leeway here? Let me explain something?" Jacob asked. Leah stared at him for a few moments before nodding. "I didn't get a chance to tell you what I did yesterday morning. We kind of distracted each other..."

Leah simply raised her eyebrows, her foot beginning to tap on the kitchen floor. Jacob fought back a laugh. She needed no words to express that she wanted him to hurry the fuck up.

"I took some damn action. Spoke to Bella. Told her that she cannot be a part of my life anymore. And I wanted to thank you. Because if it weren't for you, I don't think that I would have ever been able to do that."

Leah snorted softly. "Jake, that had nothing to do with me. You did that all on your own."

"But if it weren't for you—"

"Stop right there. I have played no role whatsoever it the soap opera that is your and Bella's relationship."

"You told me to take control—"

"Jake—"

"And I want to be able to help you in some way as well."

"I am getting all the help I need, thank you very much," Leah replied, her voice clipped. She was trying very hard to fight the small part of her that wanted to accept Jacob's offer. The small part of her that was telling that it was ok to appear weak. The small part of her that was telling her that Jacob would truly be able to help her. 'The small part of me that is completely fucking stupid,' she told herself furiously.

"But what—"

"And if I ever think that I might need more, then I will let you know."

"Are you sure? Because, all you have to do is tell me—"

"Stop!" Leah yelled. "Just stop before I have to hit you or something! Ugh! I really don't like you at the moment."

Jacob laughed. "You don't like me full stop."

"Yeah, but I was beginning to tolerate you. But for that to happen you need to shut the fuck up and get your clothes off."

Jacob cocked his head to the side, biting his bottom lip. "So, is that a general observation on your behalf...or a direct instruction for this particular point in time?"

Leah stepped closer to him, grabbed the hem of his t-shirt and yanked it over the top of his head. "I think that it must be an instruction," she murmured, reaching up so that she could press her lips into his. He moaned in response, his arms snaking around her body, to pull her tighter to him. One of his hands made its way under her shirt, cupping itself around one of her breasts.

Feeling the warmth of his skin on hers, Leah let the numbing of her mind take over. Jacob was wrong and she was more than right, she told herself as she started to fumbled with the fly on his shorts. This was the only kind of help that she needed.

XXXXX

Seth watched his mother listlessly poke her meal with a fork. Clearing his throat, he leaned back in his seat. "Spill Sue."

Sue looked up. "Seth Clearwater- I don't care how old you become you will always refer to me as mum." Even though she was frowning, Seth could hear the laughter in her voice. "And what exactly am I going to be spilling?"

Seth shrugged. "I can only assume it is something to do with Leah."

Sue sighed, placing her fork down. "Have you spoken to her lately?"

"Not really. She is not really up for talking these days," he replied. "She is more inclined towards screaming and yelling."

"We had a bit of argument yesterday," Sue said, her voice clearly laced with distress. "We both said things...harsh things. I just don't know what to do anymore. I don't know what she needs; she won't tell me what she needs. I just want to be able to help her, but..."

Seth reached across, clasping one of his mother's hands. "Mum, Leah knows what she needs. She will be able to get herself through this."

Sue shook her head sadly. "I am not so sure, Seth. So much time has passed and she is still so...angry. It is almost as if she has become dependent on this misery."

"Look, you and I both know that the best way to deal with her. Support her if she seems like she needs it, tell she acting like a bitch if she is."

"Please don't call you sister that name. I hear it from too many other people," Sue muttered. "That term is just thrown around without any consideration."

"Sorry," Seth replied. "We just need to make sure we always tell it to her straight. That is what she does and I think that she will appreciate it in return."

"Easy for you to say," Sue said with a small smile. "You don't exactly live with her anymore."

Seth let out a laugh and picked up his water glass. "Touché."

The smile slowly fell from Sue's face as she went to pick up her fork. "What if we never get her back, Seth? What if she can't get herself through this? What if she stays consumed by this hurt forever."

As Seth set his glass back onto the table, he could not look into his mother's eyes. Those thoughts had also crossed his mind. And, like Sue, he could not bear to consider an answer.

XXXXX

Jacob turned at the end of the Clearwater's driveway, and walked along the edge of the road in the direction of his house. He wasn't sure how he was going to be able to look Sue Clearwater in the face, given what he had just done on her kitchen floor with her daughter. Images of a naked Leah, her back arched back as she came on top of him kept playing through his mind.

He smiled to himself as he ambled along and was quite enjoying the replay of events in his head. However, they came to an abrupt stop when he thought of Leah beforehand, when he was trying to offer his help.

The sadness and desperation in her eyes was becoming more and more apparent to him. There was no escaping it. And their agreement, it couldn't possibly be enough, could it? Would it have been enough for him had Leah not offered him any advice? Or would it just have become a way for him to suppress everything...a way to stop dealing with everything?

He stopped, and turned back towards the Clearwater's. It wasn't enough, he knew that, and on that realisation he was aware that it would be wrong of him to continue walking away. Leah had helped him and he owed her that much.

As Jacob neared the Clearwater's he noticed Leah walking down the driveway. For reasons unknown to even him, he halted his steps and moved behind one of the nearby trees. From there he was able to watch as she made her way to letterbox. He kept his eyes trained on her, noticing the graceful lilt of her steps and the way her hair turned almost blue under the sun.

Mail in hand, she turned and Jacob saw her eyes. Sadness again. He was seized with a great need to make that sadness go away and...

His stomach turned as he began to piece all of his thoughts together. As they all fit together, the meaning behind them began to evolve into something else entirely.

Jacob closed his eyes, his thoughts going back to his conversation with Quil and Embry the day before.

"Whoa," Embry held up his hands. "Jake, why are we even talking about this...and why do you even care?

"Why? Because...because I think that I am starting to care about her, Embry."

Oh fuck.