A/N: Ok, so I am back, after another delay. Unfortunately, that is life and while I would love to be writing about these characters all day, every day, there is a living to be earned, which means lesson plans, marking, meetings and whole lot of other lovely things. (I hope that it doesn't sound like I am a whingy brat- I really love my job. If only it did not consume so much time...)

Anyway, as always I would like to send out my gratitude to my wonderful readers. I love you all. Hope that doesn't sound creepy given that, you know, I don't actually know you :) And of course, I cannot forget the special shout out to that special breed of person- reviewers. You make my day, week, month. To be honest, I cannot really put into words how much I love you. (An I getting creepy again?)

On a different note, I feel like I need to let you know that we are moving into the back end of the story. At this point, it is looking like there will be 30 chapters, plus an epilogue, in all. This number is subject to change as I am continuously tweaking with the content of chapters, so I will keep you informed.

Now, I have kept you waiting long enough, so please go read the chapter and let me know what you think.

Music: Float On- Modest Mouse, Crazy in Love- The Magic Numbers, Invincible- Muse.


Jacob walked into the kitchen, watching Billy out of the corner of his eye. As predicted, his father visibly stiffened when he realised that he was no longer alone. It had been like this for the past few days, ever since he had broken the news of his and Leah's 'break up'. Billy had barely spoken to him since.

Jacob sighed inwardly, as he opening the refrigerator. Yes, the point was to guilt their parents to get them to back off, but he was pretty sure that he had taken the plan to a whole new level. He wondered briefly how Billy had managed to clean up all the shards of glass in the living room.

He turned and looked at his father. Yes, everything that he had said to Billy had been true. He had only been vocalising all the frustrations that had been building up recently. Blaming Billy for what they had to do, without actually saying it. But...in a few days he would be gone. He would not get to say a real good bye and had no idea as to when he would get to see Billy again. He did not want to leave things between them like this.

"Dad," he said quietly.

Billy jerked slightly, before looking up to meet his son's eyes. "Yes."

'I hate us being like this, dad. I don't want us to be like this," he started.

Billy's eyes closed briefly, and when they opened Jacob could clearly read the relief in them. "I hate it, too. I hate what I have caused."

Jacob held up a hand. "Dad, I don't want to get into that conversation again- we both know how it is going to end. I don't agree with the decisions you have made and I will never agree with them. But I don't want to spend my days hating and being angry. It exhausting...and I miss us."

A small smile crossed Billy's face as he wheeled closer to Jacob. "I was beginning to think that I had lost you forever...and I had no idea how I was going to live with that."

Jacob tried not to flinch at Billy's words. "Dad, you will never lose me, ok. You are my father, and I love you, ok. No matter what. No matter how angry I might get, no matter how many silent treatments I might give you and no matter how many windows I might break. You know that, right?"

Billy nodded. "I'm sorry, Jacob. I know that you don't want to talk about it, and we won't. But please, let me say that I am sorry."

"You can say it, but I have to let you know that I am not ready to forgive just yet," Jacob replied. "But when I am, you will be the first to know."

XXXXX

Leah paused at the front door, trying to determine whether her mother was in the house. She let out a sigh of relief at the total lack of noise and quickly made her way to her bedroom. Sue had mentioned going over to the Uley's when Leah had asked to borrow her car that morning. She must still be there.

In her room, Leah quickly shoved her shopping into the farthest corner in her wardrobe. She had told her mother that she was going into Port Angeles to buy up on music, which was the truth. She just failed to mention she was loading up for a long plane trip.

But while the music could be explained, the numerous electrical adaptors, travel sized shampoos and conditioners, and Australian dollars could not.

Making her way over to her desk, Leah removed a locked diary from her draw. Opening it, she flipped through to her to-do list and crossed off what she managed to achieve today. Leah had expected it to be difficult to get everything organised, but it had been surprisingly easy. Jacob had been right in his plan- Sue's guilt had allowed Leah to have almost a free reign these past few days. The ironic thing was that now she had the freedom Leah had not seen Jacob since they planned the break up. She did not want to risk this plan falling through, and so even though it killed her, that meant staying away from him.

The silver lining was that she was able to spend time with Sue. Things were still tense between mother and daughter, but Leah needed to do this. She did not want to leave behind any regrets. And even given the decisions Sue had made, hurting her mother would most definitely be regretful.

"Mum," Leah walked up behind Sue, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Sue whirled around. "Leah, last night...I am sorry- I want—"

"Mum, let me speak," Leah interrupted. "I hate what you have done. I will always hate it. But I don't hate you. You constantly frustrate me, but I love you. Remember that please."

As that conversation replayed through her mind, Leah flipped to an empty page in the diary. There was no way she could vocalise a farewell to her mother, but she could write one. Tell Sue exactly why she had to leave and to say the goodbye that she desperately needed to say.

Mum

The pen hovered over the page as Leah stopped at that one word.

How was she going to say goodbye?

XXXXX

Jacob flopped down on the couch and grabbed the remote, starting to mindlessly flick through the numerous channels. He had no plans for the evening and was more than happy to settle in front of the television for a veg out session. His mind wandered to the contents of the pantry. Would there be enough to sustain him for the night, or shop he head to the store before getting to comfortable?

He was still pondering this vital question when Billy made his way into the living room. "Jake."

He looked over. "Yeah?"

"I'm heading over to Charlie's for the evening, to watch the game. Did you want to come alone."

"Nah, I'll leave you two olds alone. I've got some plans of my own," he said, patting the couch cushion.

Billy grinned. "Ok then. "He paused at the sound of a car horn outside. "That'll be Charlie. I'm going to crash at his tonight. I'll see you in the morning."

"See you."

When Billy had made his way out the front door, Jacob hoisted himself off the couch, headed towards the kitchen to check the pantry. However, before he had the chance to do so, the phone rang out shrilly, ripping through the quiet of the house.

"Hello?"

"Jacob, it's Edward."

Jacob felt his heart skip a beat. There was only one reason why Edward would be calling him. "Everything is ready?" he asked, knowing what the answer would be.

"Yes. I have all your paperwork, and you have flights out of Sea- Tac tomorrow night, at midnight. You will have a stopover in Los Angeles before flying to Melbourne. Where you go from there is all up to you."

Jacob could not help but let a large grin spread across his face. "Wow...I'll be over to pick them up tomorrow, ok? Does late morning sound good?"

"Yeah, that should..." Edward trailed off, inhaling sharply.

"Edward? You ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied. "I am just having a little difficulty keeping Alice out of my head. She is doing all she can to be...heard."

Jacob chuckled. "It must be important then."

"Well, she thinks so," Edward sighed. "This vampire coven she keeps seeing- well, she sees them arriving tomorrow evening."

"And she still thinks that something is not right," Jacob put in, remembering the message that Leah had passed on.

"Uh huh. And it is driving her insane. She still sees their complete path to our place, so she has no idea where this unease is coming from. She is thinking about it constantly. Which is unfortunate for me."

"Just think to tomorrow night. You will be able to laugh about it when they arrive with no trouble."

"Here's hoping."

"Well, I'll let you go and deal with Alice," Jacob said. "See you tomorrow."

"See you."

A click on the other end of the line told Jacob that Edward had hung up. He went to do the same, but stopped and simply hit the disconnect button, before dialling another number.

XXXXX

His bag was packed. Jacob stepped back and looked at the pack sitting on his bed. He was packed. He was ready to go. And he could not wait to go.

Grabbing the pack, he moved and placed it in the back of his wardrobe. As he was closing the door, he heard a thump from the window behind him.

With a smile, he turned. "That was quick."

Leah was grinning at him. "Mum was already half asleep on the couch. I just told her that I was going to Emily's."

"You know," he said, gesturing towards the window. "You have used the front door. I told you that there was nobody else here."

Leah shrugged and stepped towards him. "That window has served us fine in the past. And besides, it would be my luck that somebody would see and go straight to mum."

Jacob stood for a few moments, simply taking in the sight of her. "I missed you," he murmured, opening up his arms. "Come here."

Without hesitation, Leah closed the gap in between them, wrapping her arms around him, and allowing him to do the same to her. She inhaled deeply, before sighing contentedly into his chest. She was home.

After a while, Jacob stepped forward, moving the two of them to the bed. He sat them down on the edge, one of his arms still wrapped around her shoulders. "So, do you want the details for tomorrow?"

Leah let out a little gasp and sat up straighter. "That totally slipped my mind." She let out a small laugh. "How long has it been since your phone call and I have already forgotten."

"Yeah, well," Jacob said, deepening his voice and puffing out his chest. "It's a well known fact that Jacob Black has that effect on women."

Leah slapped him lightly on the chest. "You are so full of shit," she said. "Now, what is happening tomorrow?"

"I'm going to see Edward late morning to pick everything up and then we'll need to leave at around 6.30, 7.00 to ensure that we get to Sea-Tac in time for our flight."

Leah shivered slightly. "This is really happening, isn't it? We are really going to go?"

Jacob nodded. "But now is the time to back out if you want to."

Leah pulled back, so that she could look into his eyes. "Do you want to pull out?"

"No," he replied, taking in the expression on her face. "Why? What are you thinking?"

"I am thinking that this is the craziest thing I have ever done- that I will ever do. And it is all because of you and what you do to me."

Jacob frowned slightly. "Is that a good or bad thing?"

"It's a good thing," Leah replied. "I cannot fucking wait to do this with you."

Jacob let out a small laugh. "Are you sure?" he teased. "That coven of vampires are arriving tomorrow. It means that we are going to miss out on all the fun."

"I have had enough 'fun' to last me a life time," she retorted.

"But you are sure," Jacob pressed. "You are totally and completely sure that you want to leave with me tomorrow?"

"Jacob," Leah whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You do not need to ask me that anymore." She pulled him down, pressing her lips into his. He responded eagerly, running his tongue across her bottom lip, before slipping it into her mouth. "Fuck," she breathed against him. "I have missed this."

"Tell me about it," Jacob murmured as he broke his lips from hers, and moved them along her jaw line and down her neck. He could feel her trembling from this slightest touch, and felt her skin break out in goose bumps beneath his tongue. "I have never wanted anything more in my life."

Leah gasped as one his hands moved underneath her t-shirt, and made its way to her breasts. "Then take it," she demanded.

Jacob did not need any more direction. He grabbed the hem of her shirt and yanked it off her body, following with his. Leah let out a laugh, reaching for the fly on his shorts, as he reached for hers. There were a few moments of awkward tugging and pulling, before they were both laid out along each other on the bed, completely naked.

Leah placed a hand at the back of Jacob's head and impatiently pulled his lips towards her. The short while they spent undressing had been too long in her opinion, and she was now craving his touch even more. Jacob responded with fervour, his lips hard and passionate against hers. It was as if they would never be able to get enough of one another.

Not breaking their kiss, Jacob adjusted himself slightly so that he was more side on to her body. It freed him to do what he had wanted to do for days. He trailed his fingers down Leah's throat and sternum, before circling a finger around her belly button. Leah's body jerked slightly, and she moaned, her lips still pressed into his. His continued his descent, revelling in the effect he had on her body. He reached her inner thigh, and paused in his ministrations so that he could push her legs apart.

Leah shifted her hips, knowing what he was going to do. "Jacob," she whispered- pleading, begging and asking all in that single word. He complied, moving his fingers so that he could stroke her hot, wet flesh. She moaned, and shifted her hips again, telling him that she wanted more. He pushed a finger into her, while rubbing at her clit with his thumb.

His hissed at the sensation of her heat surrounding his finger. "Fuck, you feel good."

"So...oh," she paused as he pulled out and then pushed two fingers in. "So do you." He started to increase his pace, moving his fingers in and out, curling them slightly to press into the walls that were contracting around him. "Jake...yes," Leah pulled her lips from his, throwing her head back, her eyes closed and mouth opened. She was thrusting her hips, bringing them up to meet each motion of his. She brought one of her hands down, so that one of her fingers could join his thumb, rubbing her. "Yes...more..."

Jacob watched, fascinated by the sight of both their hands working at her, before tearing his eyes away, to look at her face. He wanted to watch as she came apart, to see the expression on her face when he brought her over the edge.

"Is that good?" he whispered, trying to move his fingers as fast and deep as possible.

"Fuck...yes," she moaned loudly, as she began to thrust more frantically. He knew that she was not far off. "Jacob...more....don't stop...oh...oh..."

She cried out, arching her back off the bed. Jacob watched her face, as she rode out her climax. It was an expression of pure joy and ecstasy...and it was because of him.

He kept moving his fingers in her until her body was no longer thrusting. Removing his fingers, he bent down and softly kissed her lips. "I love you, Leah."

She opened her eyes, smiling lazily up at him. "I love you, too," she whispered. She lay there for a few moments, before propping herself up on her elbows. "Turn yourself around," she directed him. "Put your head on the pillows."

Jacob did so, and then watched as she followed him, climbing over him so that she was straddled across his waist. Jacob smiled, moving his hands up the sides of her body. "I could look at this sight all day, every day," he said, "and I would never get sick of it."

"Oh yeah?" Leah asked, running her tongue along her lower lip. "I think you might."

"And why is that?"

"Because this position would stop a whole lot of other stuff from happening," she pointed out, before bending herself so that she could kiss his chest.

Jacob jerked slightly as she started to move down, and he felt her tongue sweep out along his skin. "What...what kind of stuff," he managed to get out before groaning.

"Let me show you," she murmured, her voice vibrating over his skin. She continued her path down, before grasping the base of his cock in her hands. "Something like this," she said, before bringing her mouth down and licking his tip.

"Fuck," he hissed, as she moved down, taking his length into her mouth, her tongue and lips causing a delicious friction. He brought his hands down, burying them in her hair, not forcing her, but wanting to feel her move around him.

She let go of his shaft with her hands, and moved one to his balls, squeezing them as she ran her tongue along the underside of his cock. He could not help but thrust his hips into her. The way she was going, he was not going to last long. She moved her moved back up to his tip, and sucked it slightly, before taking him whole again, as deep as he would go. She sucked and licked, humming slightly, knowing that he would feel even the slightest of vibrations.

Jacob's grip on her hair tightened and he continued to thrust and moan. "Leah, you are fucking amazing," he gasped, feeling himself as he hit the back of her throat. "Fuck, yes..." he broke off, feeling a familiar tightening in his stomach. "Leah, I'm going to cum..." he let out.

She did not stop, continuing to suck as he exploded in her mouth, swallowing every drop. When it was over, she licked up his shaft once more, before sliding herself up his body. She rested her head on his chest, listening to his erratic heartbeat. She smiled, knowing that hers would have sound the same not all that long ago.

"How did we get so lucky?" Jacob murmured, his fingers playing with her hair.

Leah turned her head, resting her chin on his chest so that she could look at him. "This isn't luck," she said. "This is us. This is our decisions. We made this happen. We wanted this to happen. Luck has fucking nothing to do with this."

Jacob grinned. "Get up here," he said, and then grasped her wrists ad he pulled both of them into a sitting position- he rested up against the bed head, and her across his lap. "You are fucking right. This was us."

Leah leaned forward slightly, resting her forehead against his. "I'm always right, Jacob. You should have realised that by now."

"Well, you were right about that previous position having some slight restrictions." He shifted slightly beneath her and Leah could feel him against her stomach, already hardening. "What about this one? Do we have any restrictions now?"

She rolled her hips. "I don't think so...Jacob?"

"Yeah."

"I need you inside of me- now."

Jacob's hands moved down to her hips, lifting her slightly and allowing him to place himself at her entrance. He waited a moment, looking up at her hooded eyes, before bringing her down over him.

"Oh..." Leah sighed, arching her back and rotating her hips. She would never get sick of this. Never. With Jacob inside of her, she could convince herself that life was perfect and that there was nothing for them to have to worry about.

Jacob thrusted up to meet her movements. "Look at me, Leah," he panted. "Look at me." She looked down at him, seeing complete contentment and love in his eyes. She brought her hands to his, grasping them so that their fingers were intertwined. She wanted them to be connected in every way possible.

"I love you," she said, keeping her eyes on his as they moved together. "I love you."

He moved his head forward, pressing his lips into hers briefly, before connecting their gazes once more. "I love you," he replied, before moaning as she increased her movements, bringing her body down harder, causing him to press more deeply into her. "Ugh...don't stop."

She shook her head slightly, and Jacob could see a sheen of sweat building up on her skin. "Never...I'll never stop...never...always," she muttered.

"Always," Jacob echoed.

"Jake...Jake..." her movements were starting to grow more frantic. "You feel so good." She moved their hands back, so that they were pressed against the bed head, allowing her more force as she moved up and down.

"Fuck...yes..." Jacob groaned at this slight change of position. "Leah...I'm..."

"Me too," she panted, as she continued to move, letting out a moan each time she met one of his thrusts. "Harder," she whispered. "I need more of you..." He complied and could feel her tightening around him as he did so. "Jake...ugh...oh!" She let out a guttural moan and she brought herself down. "Fuck yes," she cried, feeling herself let go.

Jacob watched her come apart, her expression and clenching muscles bringing on his own climax. He pulled his hands from her grasp, wrapping them around her body, pulling them close as they rode out their waves together.

When their bodies has stilled, Leah made no move. She lay, slackened against his body, completely content. The idea of them separating seemed almost too much.

Jacob knew exactly how she was feeling. Gently, he lifted her off him, and then pulled their bodies down, so that she was lying in his arms. Pulling the covers over them, he turned and pressed his lips onto her forehead.

"I love you," he murmured.

He barely heard her whispered reply as they drifted off to sleep together.