A/N: Ok, so I have been a naughty fan fic writer once again and kept you waiting much too long. The end of the school year is coming along much too quickly and the list of things that I need achieve by that time is only getting longer. I suck, I know.

So thank you to those wonderful readers who continue to stick by me, even though I am sure that I am frustrating you at times. And of course the extra special, with a cherry on top, thank you to those freaking unbelievable people who take the time to review this story. It brings a real positive start to the work day when I open my email and get to read your wonderful and supportive works. I actually broke 300 reveiws last chapter. For some, that is nothing. For me, that was huge. Thank you to all who played a part in that number.

Several of you have been putting forward some theories on how this story would play out. I would love to comment, but I do not want to risk giving anything away. That being said, I am actually a bit scared of posting this chapters. There are events that will really shape the way this story will play out. I feel like I need to say once again that I have known how this story would end before I even started writing it...

Enough from me. Please enjoy this chapter and I would love to hear what you think about it.

Music: Breathing You In- The Whitlams, Landslide- Lior, River of Dreams- Kate Miller-Heidke, Don't Fight It- The Panics


Jacob blinked a few times, his eyes adjusting to the bright sunshine that was filtering through his curtains. Of course Forks would put on the beautiful weather on the day that they were leaving, like it were giving one last ditch attempt to convince them to stay. He smiled to himself. One rare sunny day was nothing compared to his expectations of what was to come.

He glanced down at Leah, who was still fast asleep with her cheek resting on his chest. In twenty four hours time they would be well and truly gone. His stomach turned with a mixture of fear, anticipation and excitement. They were really going to do- and he could not wait.

He was not deluded; he knew that it was going to be damn hard. The two of them only had a small amount of money between them, which meant that work was going to be a priority. It was not going to be a romantic and relaxing holiday for the two of them.

But, it would be the two of them making their own decisions. It would be the two of them starting a life together and getting to control what happened. And that was going to be far more rewarding than a romantic getaway.

Glancing at the time, Jacob groaned slightly. They were going to have to get up and going. Billy would be getting home soon, and there were still things that needed to be finalised- like him meeting Edward.

"Leah," he said quietly, rubbing her ear lobe between his thumb and forefinger. She stirred, letting out a protesting moan before opening her eyes.

"What did you do that for?" she grumbled, rolling over onto her back and stretching out.

"Because, if we want to be getting on that plane tonight, we had better get going. I have to see Edward, and I think that Billy catching us will make sneaking out tonight a hell of a lot more difficult."

Leah propped herself up on her elbows, a large smile breaking out on her face. "We're getting on a plane tonight, aren't we?"

"Yes, we are," he replied. "Well, we will be if we actually get ourselves organised."

"Well then," Leah said, sitting up straighter. "I guess I should be going. But, before I go..." She leaned over, pressing her lips into Jacob's. "I love you," she murmured against his skin.

"I love you, too," Jacob replied, kissing her once again. He watched as she climbed out of the bed and grabbed her clothes from the previous evening. They would soon be doing this everyday- waking up together.

"So," Leah turned to him once she was fully dressed. "Where are we going to meet tonight?"

"Meet me at the clearing- will you be ok with riding the bikes?"

Leah nodded. "I will be fine." She paused, reaching into the back pocket of her jeans. "Could you do me a favour?" she asked, pulling out a white envelope.

Jacob sat up. "Anything."

Leah handed the envelope to him. "Could you please give this to Edward?" Jacob glanced down at the name- Mum- and looked back at Leah quizzically. "Could you ask him to give it to mum once we are well gone? I don't want to leave her no answers. I've explained everything in there. I just don't want her to think that I have gone out of my way to hurt her."

"Hey," Jacob reached out and clasped one of her hands. "This is not going to be forever. As soon as they accept us, and when we have had enough of the travelling, then we will be back. They are our family. Sure, they are going to be pissed but they are going to understand the choice we have made."

"I hope so," Leah said, smiling down at him. She leant down, kissing him once more, before making her way to the window. "I'll see you tonight."

"Yeah," Jacob grinned. "I'll see you tonight."

XXXXX

Thankfully, Sue hadn't noticed her daughter's disappearing act the night before and so Leah simply climbed back through her bedroom window. She still needed to finalise her packing, but she wanted to gauge Sue's activities for the day before pulling everything out.

Leah paused in front of her dressing table, to run a brush through her hair. As she did, her thoughts wandered to what it would actually feel like when she and Jacob walked onto the plane that night- together. She glanced up at the mirror and realised that she was smiling- no grinning. She was by herself, in her bedroom, grinning like a crazed loon. And with that thought, she let out a loud giggle.

Leah dropped her hairbrush and clapped a hand over her mouth. She stared at herself in the mirror through large eyes. Since when did she giggle like a hyped up pre-teen girl? She didn't do that sort of stuff; she had never done that sort of stuff. The sweet smiling and giggling irritated her to the bone, so why was she...

Her hand dropped and the smile returned to her face. She was happy. She was completely and utterly happy, for quite possibly the first time in her life. And she was going to ensure that she stayed happy. She was going to stay with the person that she loved, and in doing that she was going to make something of her life. She and Jacob were going to do what they wanted to do.

She smiled at her reflection once more. She could get used to feeling this way.

But then, the gears in her mind kicked into her gear. There was too much to do today and there was no time to waste. She needed to shower, get details on Sue's movements for the day and she needed to pack. She moved towards her desk, to get out her diary and check her packing list, but stopped when she heard footsteps travelling up the hallway.

Moments later Sue appeared in the doorway. "Oh good, you're awake. I need a favour."

"What favour?" Leah asked warily. The last thing she needed was to be running around after Sue today.

"Oh, it's nothing big. It's just that I had organised for a plumber to come in today and look at the sink in the kitchen. But Angelica just called. She's broken her ankle and I offered to go over and help her out today. Would you be able to hang around here and let the plumber in?"

"What time is he coming?"

"He said late morning," Sue replied. "Don't worry about payment- I've already spoken to him and he said that I can fix him up later."

Leah nodded. "I can do that."

"Oh thank you," Sue said. "I'm heading off now- I'll see you later tonight, ok?"

"Yeah, see you..." Leah trailed off as Sue made to leave. Sue would be gone for the day. This would be the last time she would see her mother in who knows how long. She couldn't leave it like this, could she?

"Mum!" Leah called out. She stepped forward and threw her arms around her mother, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Oomph!" Sue stumbled slightly, not expecting the onslaught from her daughter. "Honey, are you ok?"

"Yup," Leah said, stepping back from the embrace. "I just love you."

Sue brow furrowed slightly and it was obvious that her mum radar was running over time. "Leah, I know things have been difficult between us lately, but you would tell me if anything serious was going on wouldn't you?"

Leah nodded. "Yes," she answered truthfully. 'I just may not tell you before they happen.'

"Right..." Sue trailed off. "Well, why do you say to a girls night in tonight? Us, some trashy films and even trashier foods?"

"That sounds great, mum," Leah managed to get out. "You go look after Angelica, and I'll get everything ready for when you get home, ok?"

Sue hesitated for a moment, but then reached out to run a hand over Leah's hair before walking away.

XXXXX

Jacob approached the large, white house, his mind signalling Edward to his appearance. He did not feel like knocking on the door and chancing facing anybody else. He wanted to get the paperwork and get home.

Thankfully, Edward walked out the front door moments later, with a plastic envelope in his hands. "Hey," he said, stopping in front of Jacob. "So, no backing out?"

Jacob shook his head. "Not a chance."

Edward smiled, handing the envelope over. "Four passports, four birth certificates, four drivers licenses and plane tickets. It is all in there. Take a look at your new names, tell me what you think."

Jacob's brow furrowed slightly and he ripped the Velcro fastener open and pulled out the passports, flipping through them. "Jacob Lehane and Leah Summers," he murmured and then glanced up at the grinning Jacob. "I don't get it."

"Really?" Edward's expression fell. "Damn...well, let me know when you do figure it out, ok?"

Jacob chuckled softly and shook his head. "So, how much do I owe you for this?" he asked, placing the passports back in the envelope.

"Nothing," Edward replied.

Jacob's head whipped up. "What?"

"You do not owe me anything."

"Actually, I think that I do. I can't let you pay for this, Edward. This is something that I am doing and I cannot rely on you."

"Jacob, you are not relying on me. Plus, I owe you."

"Oh, really?" Jacob replied, arching an eyebrow. "And just what exactly do you owe me?"

"You were there to help Bella when I wasn't, when I was the one causing her pain. You kept her from hurting herself, or even worse," Edward said, his voice low. "And then you saved her life for a second time. And, at the same time you saved my daughter's life when the rest of the pack wanted her dead. You didn't have to, but you did. It is because of you that I have my family with me today. Covering the cost of this paperwork is my incredibly paltry way of showing you how incredibly grateful I am for you. If I can help you achieve the same happiness that I have with my family, then I can maybe start to think that we are well and truly even."

Jacob stared at Edward's admissions, unsure of how respond. "Um...well..." he cleared his throat. "Ok then...thanks."

Edward nodded shortly. "There's also something extra in there," he pointed at the envelope. "There is a credit card for both of you, linked to one of the Cullen bank accounts. It is offshore- there is no way that it can be traced back to you. You are welcome to use it anytime you wish."

"Whoa," Jacob said, holding up his hand. "Now, that is too much. This entire trip is not going to be bankrolled by your family." He went to open the envelope, wanting to hand the card straight back.

"Wait," Edward said. "Just keep it with you to help you get started- you don't know how long it will be until you can find work. And then, what if something goes wrong? Have it with you in case of an emergency."

"Edward, I can't," Jacob protested.

Edward shrugged. "I figured," he replied. "So, I put the number of the account in there. If you happen to need to use it at any time, you can repay whatever you use when you are financially able to do so."

Jacob paused, considering the offer before nodding. "Ok then. I'll keep it- but I won't use it."

A large grin broke out on Edward's face. "Why does that not surprise me?"

Jacob sighed. "Look, I know that you see this how thing as you paying me back, but I need to say thank you. Without you, Leah and I would have never been able to do this."

"It was my pleasure," Edward replied and then cleared his throat. "Now, this is getting just a little too much like an Oprah episode for my liking."

Jacob laughed. "Good to know that you are feeling as uncomfortable as me with all the bonding," he gestured behind him. "I should probably go. Things to finalise."

"Take it easy," Edward said. "You have a huge couple of days in front of you."

"Ok...oh," Jacob suddenly remembered and pulled Leah's letter from his back pocket. "Could you please give this to Sue in a few days time? Leah wants us to be well on our way before she gets it."

Edward nodded, taking the letter. "Make sure that the two of you enjoy yourselves, Jake. It will be an experience you will never forget."

Jacob smiled as he turned and walked away. He was certainly hoping it would be.

XXXXX

Leah zipped her bag shut and then placed it back in her wardrobe. The last thing she wanted was for Sue to come home early and see the luggage sitting on her bed. That would raise some questions Leah did not want to be answering.

Unsure of what to do with herself, Leah wandered out of her bedroom. She was completely organised, ready to go, but there was still hours until she and Jacob would be leaving. She knew all too well that those hours would be longest of her life and desperately needed a distraction. Unfortunately her stomach was a bundle of nerves which cancelled out eating something. She didn't think that she could be able to concentrate on a book. There was no way that she could sit through a movie. Housework, maybe? She could help her mother out before she left. She was sure that she had seen a pile of washing ready to be hung out on the washing line. Yup, she would do that and...

Leah's thoughts trailed off as she heard a knock on the front door. Glancing at her watch, she deduced that it was probably the plumber. She smiled, figuring that he would be as good a distraction as any, and made her way to the door.

"Hi," she said as she flung the door open. "Come in..."

The man standing on the other side of the door had been glancing down at the mobile in his hand. As Leah spoke, he looked up and met her eyes. Leah's stomach clenched as she felt a glowing heat spread slowly through her limbs. For a moment she felt as if her whole being had come apart, broken in a tiny million pieces. Everything that made her up as a person was disappearing. But then the world started to right itself. She felt herself connecting again, but differently. She was being put back together, but there was something extra. A link, a need, a want...and it drew her straight to the man standing in front of her.

The man who was not Jacob.


And once again, m47e47l ducks and runs for cover.

Evil, evil cliffie, I know and I am totally prepared for you hating on me right now...please don't hate on me :) But for your sake there is still quite a bit of story for to tell. Chapter numbers are now standing at 32 plus epilogue. Stick with me, things may pan out differently to how you expect :)