I can't get to sleep, I think about the implications

Of diving in too deep, and possibly the complications

Especially at night, I worry over situations

I know I'll be alright

It's just overkill

"Overkill"

-Colin Hay

Chapter 36:

Leave it to Jacob to ruin my day

I don't know how long it had been since I'd fallen asleep, but I woke up to the chime of Embry's doorbell. I grunted a little and kept my eyes shut. The pain medication had worn off completely, but I was already healed, so I wasn't in pain anymore. I was just having a hard time opening my eyes. I figured I was probably sluggish from the after-effects of the meds.

Apparently, Embry had fallen asleep, too. He jerked awake when the bell rang and accidentally kicked over a glass of water that was on the coffee table in front of us.

"Crap." He tried not to stir me as he slowly took his arm out from under me. I heard him fumble around the table, cleaning up his mess. He quickly opened the front door.

I perked up when I heard Jake's voice.

"Hey man, you get Leah home okay?"

"Actually." Embry waved him in. "She's hiding out here while all the crazy women of La Push do old lady stuff," he explained.

I poked my head over the back of the couch and waved to Jacob.

"Uh oh," he smirked slyly. "You two, unattended in an empty house? That can't be good."

"You're such an ass sometimes, Jacob," I said as I stood up. I took a moment to stretch. God, it was nice to not be in agonizing pain anymore. I needed to remember to thank Carlisle again for fixing me up. I wanted him to know that it wasn't just the morphine talking when I had thanked him before.

"Looks like you aren't hurting too badly anymore." Jacob noticed that I wasn't having any trouble getting around. "How's the arm? Are you able to throw like a sissy girl again?"

"Come here and let me punch you so I can let you judge for yourself," I snapped.

He faced Embry and laughed, "I'm going to go out on a limb and say she's back to normal?"

"Looks like it," Embry nodded.

"Cool. Well, I'm glad you healed okay," Jacob nodded.

"Well, I hate it when Seth is right, but he had a point about Carlisle," I shrugged. "The bloodsucker knows what he's doing, I'll give him that."

"Yeah. Who woulda thought that I would be spending all my free time with a bunch of goody-goody vampires?" Jake laughed.

"Speaking of which…" Embry looked at the clock. "How long have you been away from Nessie now?"

"I was just on my way back," Jacob admitted. "I had to go over a few things with Sam."

"How'd that go?" I questioned.

"The boundaries haven't changed. We also talked about Sam keeping a closer eye on his boys." He looked at me. "As it is, you did them a huge service by helping Cody. But, if he hadn't strayed from his assignment, you wouldn't have been hurt in the first place." I could see that Jake was still irritated that I'd been hurt. "Sam agrees. And he says he's sorry. He asked me to have you come speak with him."

"Uh, I don't think so." I shook my head.

All the revelations that had come about regarding Sam were not something I was ready to face. I still had a lot of pent up aggression and hostility. And I was also still majorly heartbroken anytime I saw his face or even heard his name, so for me to see him would probably not be a good idea. Especially since I had found out that he still might love me. He had imprinted on Emily, but apparently when I walked away from him, it stirred unresolved feelings that he had for me as well. We were both dealing with a lot, and if we were to talk now, it wouldn't end well for either of us. Besides, I was still trying to figure out what my kiss with Embry meant. Obviously, I wanted to move on, but there was still something holding me back.

"Aw, come on. You should go and talk to him," Jacob suggested. "I mean, you at least owe him that."

The hell I did! I didn't owe Sam Uley anything! He's the one who left. Whether or not he thought it was a mistake or not, he left me.

"He is worried about you." Even Embry was pushing me to do this.

Jacob nodded, "When he saw you hurt today, he didn't know what to do. It killed him to see you in pain."

"Then tell him to stop causing it," I muttered. Damn, I hadn't meant to let that slip. "Whatever. He knows we heal fast. Tell him I'm fine now."

"I will if I see him. But he's human right now, and I don't know when he'll phase back, so I can't promise that I'll get a chance to tell him anything. I didn't figure you would fight against me this much to go see him."

"You should have. You know my feelings on the matter," I frowned.

"I can't keep up with your feelings, Leah. You're all over the place these days," Jacob mumbled.

Well, I couldn't kick his ass for a true statement. My mood swings were getting hard to read for even me lately.

"Anyway, I just stopped by to update you." He glanced at Embry, and then he looked back to me. "And to see how you were doing." He paused. "Think you can phase again?"

"Probably. Why? Do you need me to?" I questioned.

"It couldn't hurt," Jacob nodded. "Originally, I was just going to have Embry come back to the Cullen's with me."

"No problem," Embry nodded.

Jacob faced me, "I wasn't sure that you would be completely healed yet. But, since you are, I kind of want all hands on deck for this. Since that mystery leech appeared in the woods, I would like to keep a really close eye on things. We still aren't sure who he was, or what he was doing here."

"Maybe we should have opted to tie him up and torture him to tell us the truth. We could have waved a giant bag of blood in front of him until he sang like a little sissy canary." I chuckled as I walked over to where Jacob and Embry were standing.

"I'm actually surprised you're still here in La Push considering you're this concerned about a breech in security." Embry looked to him for an explanation. "Well, that, and you whine and moan every time you're away from Nessie."

I laughed quietly. I had to agree with Embry, "Yeah, I thought you practically lived with the Cullens now."

"Esme did offer me a room." Jacob shook his head. "But I declined. I just go a day at a time. There have been a couple times when Edward gets really obnoxious, so I'll just run home and spend a few hours with my dad." I saw him frown a bit. "He's been such a joy to be around lately," he said sarcastically. "I mean, I love him and I feel sorry for him, but my old man is about two seconds away from me putting him into a home for crazy old guys in wheelchairs," he huffed. "Every freaking time I walk through the door, I have to hear some speech about the treaty and responsibilities and yackity, yack, yack. It just gets old."

It sounded like Billy was doing his best to get his son to come home. But no matter how hard he tried, it wasn't going to happen. The tension between Billy and Jacob made me thankful for the relationship that Seth and I shared with our mother. She never was one to push us to do anything we didn't want to do. She had always supported us, no matter what stupid decisions we had made in life. That's not to say that she didn't step in a few times and give us a good ass-whooping.

Jacob let out a heavy sigh, "I just feel like the more I visit my father, the further away we end up from each other." He shook his head. "That's actually while I'm still on this side of town. I just finished up trying to mend things with him."

"How'd that go?" Embry asked, and he sounded like he really wanted to know.

Jacob shrugged, "We've got a lot to work through. He doesn't get me and I don't get him."

I laughed. That sounded like the relationship that Jacob had with me. Maybe he had that affect on everyone he knew. Then I laughed harder because I thought to myself that maybe Carlisle should give Billy some of the stuff he'd given me for my arm. That would sure as hell fix things between Billy and Jake, because he'd be so drunk that he wouldn't even care! Both guys shot me an odd look. My laughter had caused them to worry.

"Sorry, just-had a flashback to me stoned on pain meds." I stuck close to the truth.

Embry chuckled, "Sometimes I worry about you, Leah." He rolled his eyes.

I just smiled at him and looked at Jacob. "He's trying. I mean, he visits with you and Nessie at the Cullen's place sometimes."

"Yeah, when your mom drags him," Jacob nodded. "He doesn't like to be there at all. He's warmed up a little to Nessie, but he still hasn't accepted that I imprinted on her." He shook his head in frustration and walked towards the door. "Let's just head out." He opened the door and then laughed softly, "If I didn't have Nessie to go to right now, I would probably think that today was just one heck of an unlucky day for me," he grumbled. "It's getting ready to rain. Looks like I'm gonna go back to my girl smelling like a wet dog."

"You've always smelled like a wet dog." I followed Jacob out the front door. Embry followed me.

"This is true," Jacob smiled.

I could see that even though Jacob was happy, there was a hint of anguish in his expression. He was hurting about Billy more than he was letting on. I wanted to say something to make him feel better, but I had no clue where to begin.

"Uh, er, you know, adults can be childish, too…" Okay, I had started. Where the hell did I go from here?

"Uh huh?" Jacob looked at me unsurely.

"Your dad is confused and trying to figure things out. I overhear him and my mother talking a lot." Shouting at the top of their lungs, actually. "He's doing his best to understand the situation for what it is. Just give him some time to adjust."

"Time isn't exactly on my side right now," Jacob grumbled. I could see how he felt that way. The more time that went by, the faster that Nessie matured.

"They'll figure it out, Jake," Embry said softly. "Nessie will be fine."

"I hope you're right," Jacob sighed.

The rain started to trickle down on us, moistening our clothes. We didn't waste any time as we undressed and tied our clothing to our ankles. Embry and Jacob phased first. They ran ahead. I wanted to take my time. Just because my bones were healed didn't mean this might not hurt. I stood still in the rain for a moment. I concentrated on the pitter patter of the drops hitting the ground around me. After taking a relaxing breath, I let my fur burst through my skin.

I breathed out a sigh of relief when I felt no pain.

Bout time, Jacob teased me. I thought we'd be half-way to the Cullen's by the time you stopped being such a wuss and just phased.

Embry, you still running with Jake? I questioned. When I saw them take off into the woods together, they had stayed side by side.

Yep.

Bite him for me, I smiled.

It was silent for a minute and then I heard Jacob yelp.

Ow, dude, what the hell? Don't you know sarcasm when you hear it!

Of course I do, Embry said. She was being literal, though.

I really liked that Embry knew me so well. It was nice to have someone who could decipher when I was being serious and when I was just playing around.

Seth, if you and Quil want to take the east, I'm going to have Embry and Leah cover the west. Jacob started to act like the Alpha.

Kay. Seth shifted his path. How are you feeling, Leah? he questioned.

Back to a hundred percent, I shrugged. As much as it pains me to admit this, you were right about Carlisle.

I could feel the smugness radiating from Seth's thoughts.

Don't let it go to your head. It's only taken you fifteen years to get something right, I teased him.

Glad you're feeling better, Seth barked out a sarcastic laugh.

Oh, yay. Leah's back. I heard no excitement in Quil's voice whatsoever.

Damn straight, I nodded. And Jake's getting ready to phase back, and as soon as he does, you're mine, Ateara, I threatened Quil.

Now, now. Play nice, children, Jacob joked. I heard his mood change and he got serious for a moment. Just run the borders. Howl if anything happens. He broke away from Embry and phased out. I guessed he was going to run the rest of the way to the Cullen's as human.

Man, he's really freaking out, Seth said quietly.

He just doesn't want anything to happen to Nessie, Quil shrugged. I would probably do the same thing if Claire was in any danger.

I had to laugh, The only danger Claire is in is being spoiled to death by you.

What can I say? Quil said happily. Seeing her laugh makes me smile.

Is that why you act like such a doofus all the time? I questioned.

Oh, nice one, Embry snorted out laughter.

Say what you want. Quil didn't seem bothered by me taunting him. I don't care. Because I know that as she grows up, I am going to provide her with so much love and happiness. I've got so much to teach her…

Yeah, but who's going to teach you? Seth asked sarcastically.

Oh! I laughed. Score one for my brother.

I listened silently as Quil prattled on about love, and imprinting, and all that sissy stuff. Embry and Quil continued to tease him, but they still seemed to be listening to his words and taking him seriously about certain things.

It was odd that I had become so accustomed to spending time with my pack, and not hating every second of it. And yeah, we ragged the hell out of each other, but it was all in good fun. I wouldn't be able to tease them if I didn't love all of them so much. They were my boys, even if they did annoy me sometimes.

I was whisked out of my thoughts quickly when I heard a growl escape Quil's mouth. He was picking up on a scent. I immediately recognized it.

Ease up, Quil. It's Alice and Jasper. I was a little surprised that Quil hadn't realized that it was them. He must have just been caught off-guard. He was lovingly gushing about Claire before he'd picked up on it.

I saw through Quil's eyes that Alice was racing through the trees, pulling Jasper along with her. Quil stopped and glared after them. He was extremely confused. Everyone stayed silent for a minute. I could feel my pack's tension.

They're almost to the border. Embry didn't understand what she was doing.

Seth let out a whine as well, If she's not careful, she might cross the line. Sam doesn't take very kindly to stragglers. I doubt he'll let her explain before he acts…

Alice can see the future, Seth. I'm pretty sure that if she sees hers disappear, she'll stop. I wasn't as concerned as the others.

Though I was also curious as to where they were going, I didn't think much of it. Alice was probably just trying to drag Jasper on some crazy shopping trip or something. Though I don't know why she would have gone so close to the Quileute's border.

I just continued my run as the boys tried to decipher what Alice was thinking. I didn't really care what was going on in her head, because it probably had something to do with clothes. But even though every fiber in my body was telling me that I shouldn't be concerned, there was still a tiny part of me that felt that something was wrong. Seriously wrong. I felt myself shiver a little.

Damn it, I muttered. Now I was worried.