Being There

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews on this story. I really appreciate it.

Nikki :)

Part Thirty

Sam psyched himself up before knocking on the Clearwater's front door. His keen hearing heard the light footsteps belonging to Leah. He would have known it was her anyway; he was attuned to everything about her. She opened the door and tried to shut it again as soon as she saw it was him on the doorstep. He put his hand out and caught the door before it closed.

"What do you want, Sam?" She seethed, her dark eyes blazing.

"You." He said bluntly staring back at her intently.

Leah opened the door wider and stepped outside, closing it behind her. Had she really heard him right? "What is that supposed to mean?"

Sam stepped close to her so that there were only mere inches between them, she could feel the heat radiating from his body. Her eyes travelled up his muscular chest which was heaving with each breath that he took. There was fire flashing from his dark eyes and something else. Her heart tightened in her chest as she saw the look he used to give her when they were together; it was the look of love.

"Sam..." her breath caught in her throat as she tried to speak.

He smiled at her slowly putting his strong hands on her shoulders. He leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips, pulling away to assess her reaction. She continued to stare at him in wonder. "How?"

"I woke up this morning and felt different. I felt free." Sam's smile grew wider as he leaned in and kissed her again. "My old feelings for you have been becoming stronger ever since you phased, Lee. Each day that has passed since, Emily's hold on me has weakened and today I looked at her and felt nothing."

Moisture welled up in Leah's eyes. "What does this mean? Are you going to leave Emily? Is this for real?" She begged him. "Don't play with me, Sam. I can't bear it."

"Look at me, Lee. You get me, you always have done. Really look into my eyes. I'm back now. I'm me." He took his hands off of her shoulders and cupped her beloved face instead.

Leah studied him carefully, he didn't shy away when she stared into his eyes. The same intense look of love was still there, all the barriers he had put up to protect himself had crumbled. He wasn't hiding anymore. "You really are back."

"I am." He whispered, his voice husky with emotion. "I'm never going to leave you again."

Leah's tears spilled over and she allowed him to pull her against his chest and wrap his arms around her. She closed her eyes and listened to the beat of his heart as her old bitterness and anger slipped away leaving her emotionally exposed, but happy.

XXXXXX

Quil stood outside his house staring out at the surrounding forest. He had just come back from the police station after being interviewed by Charlie. Jessica was due out of the hospital later on that day and was supposed to return home to the Swan house but Quil had other ideas. He wanted her to stay on the reservation with him and his family. It was peaceful here and that it was she needed more than anything. He was psyching himself up to speak to his grandfather. If he could get Old Quil on side his parents would follow the old man's lead, they always did.

He thought back to the interview with Charlie. Bella's father was a good man, he had tried to make it as painless as possible but he still had to follow procedure. The questions were tough but Quil had answered them honestly and had hidden nothing. It helped that Jessica's grandmother had backed up his version of events, telling Charlie in her witness statement that he had been provoked. He hated the fact that Jess would have to be interviewed too, she had been under enough strain. His parents had been useless, his dad falling apart as always. He was a weak man and his mother wasn't much stronger. That was the reason why his grandfather had such a tight hold on the family, without his guidance his parents would not have a roof over their head or the lifestyle they came to expect. Even at his advanced age Old Quil still did the books and managed the families finances.

It was now a waiting game as Charlie had to launch an official investigation and interview all those concerned, it could take a while. He had cautioned Quil to keep his head down and stay away from the Yorkie family. Quil had no problem with this, his main focus now was Jess. He saw Jacob and Bella walking slowly toward his house, he pulled himself back into the moment and waved. Maybe they had news about Jess.

"Hey, what's up?" He called out.

"Hello, Quil." Bella gave him a small smile, she looked extra pale and he wondered if she was still suffering from morning sickness.

"Hey, Quil. We came over to see how it went today." Jacob asked him.

Quil shrugged. "Much as I expected. Your dad was cool, Bella. Thank him for me."

Bella's smile reached her eyes this time. "Will do."

"What happens now?" Jacob put his arm around Bella and she sank against him gratefully.

"It's a waiting game. Charlie has to interview the others and then proceed from there." Quil replied. "Actually I'm glad you're both here, I want to run something past you."

Jacob and Bella gazed at him curiously. "Go ahead."

"I want Jess to come and stay here for a while, just until she gets back on her feet. Do you think she would go for it?" Quil looked at them expectantly.

Bella bit her lip as she glanced up at Jacob. "I'm not sure, Quil. I mean what would your parents say for a start?"

Quil's expression hardened. "It's not up to them."

"Jessica is going to be feeling very fragile, Quil. I think staying with Bells will be the best idea." Jacob said gently.

"Really?" Quil looked directly at Bella as he said this. "She's lost her baby and you're still pregnant Bella. I just think it will be too hard on her right now to be around you."

Bella clutched her belly instinctively. "I never gave that a thought. Has Jess said something to you?"

"Not in so many words." Quil gave her a sympathetic glance. "But how would you feel?"

"The same." Bella admitted sadly. "When I thought I was going to lose my baby I was devastated." Fresh tears leaked out of her eyes at the memory.

Jacob wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "It's okay, honey."

"I'm sorry." Quil apologised. "I didn't mean to upset anyone."

Bella pulled away from Jacob so she could look at Quil. "You haven't upset me. I just think Jess is lucky to have you on her side." She gave him an encouraging smile.

Quil returned it tentatively. "Thanks. I better go and face my grandfather. Will you wait here and we can all go to the hospital together."

"Of course." Jacob promised.

Quil nodded at them both before taking a deep breath and entering the house.

XXXXXX

Jessica was still very pale and weak when they collected her. Her grandmother was at the hospital with her. She took Quil aside and thanked him. "I really appreciate this. Are you sure your family are okay about this?"

Quil gave her a wry smile as he pictured his grandfathers face when he had first suggested it. Old Quil had taken a lot of persuading, but he wasn't heartless. He could empathise with Jessica's situation. He eventually agreed and promised to speak to his parents. "Yeah my family are fine with it." He said eventually.

Jessica's grandmother patted him on the arm. "Thank you. I will be staying in the area for the next few days. I plan on having a long talk with my daughter." Her lips pursed disapprovingly as she spoke.

Quil didn't say anything, he already knew the old woman's mission was a lost cause. He had never met anyone as cold hearted as Jessica's mother. He glanced over at Jessica as Bella and Jacob helped her along. She seemed to have lost her vitality, losing the baby had really hit her hard. He planned on being there every step of the way until she felt better.

"Ready to go?" Quil asked Jessica's grandmother as he held out his arm for her to take.

She took it and gave him a shrewd smile. "You're a good boy, Quil Ateara. My granddaughter will see that when she feels more herself." She patted his arm again as he led her out of the hospital after the others.

XXXXXX

Bella helped Jessica pack up her things. They carefully folded all her clothes and put them in the suitcase. Jessica had hardly spoken since leaving the hospital, she had clammed up completely. Bella was finding it hard to start a conversation but she couldn't let her friend leave without saying something.

"Jess, if you ever need to talk..." She said lamely.

Jessica raised her head and looked at her with such sadness in her eyes that it took Bella's breath away. "Thank you, but there is nothing to say."

"Are you sure about staying at Quil's?. You're welcome here as long as you want." Bella offered desperately.

Jessica's eyes dropped briefly to Bella's stomach before glancing back up at her. "I can't, Bella. I'm sorry. It's just too hard. I need space...to think."

Quil had been right. Bella felt guilt wash over her. She approached Jessica cautiously and embraced her friend. "I understand. I meant what I said though, if you need me. I'm here."

"I know." Jessica returned her hug quickly before pulling away. "We should go."

Bella sighed as she watched Jessica leave the room; sometimes there was just nothing left to say.

XXXXXX

When Bella and Jacob returned to his house they found Sam and Leah waiting for them. "Is something wrong?" Jacob asked quickly.

Leah quickly left Sam's side and took Bella's hand. "We need to talk." She tugged a reluctant Bella after her into the house leaving Sam and Jacob alone outside.

"What's going on?" Jacob asked again, getting increasingly frustrated. He was tired and just wanted to spend some quiet time with Bella after all the recent drama.

Sam ran a hand through his hair as he spoke. "How's Quil and Jessica?"

"Not great. She's going to be staying with him for a while." Jacob replied.

Sam nodded. "That's good. He'll take good care of her."

"Stop putting it off Sam, something has obviously happened between you and Leah. What is it?" Jacob demanded.

"I'm going to leave Emily. I decided something last night that I think is the reason behind why I was able to get up this morning and tell Lee exactly how I feel about her. The imprint bond with Emily didn't stop me." Sam's eyes were alight as he spoke.

Jacob felt confused. Sam's ramblings were not making any sense. "You've completely lost me. What did you decide that made everything suddenly so different?"

Sam looked uncomfortable for a moment and he couldn't quite look Jacob in the eye. "It affects you Jake, but I want my life back."

Jacob's eyes narrowed. "In what way does it affect me?"

"I want to step down as Alpha of the pack. It's time you took on the role you were born to do, Jake. I can't do it anymore. Once I made the decision I felt lighter and something inside me changed. If I'm honest it began the day you phased and increased when Lee joined the pack. My bond with Emily started to wane and I think it is all down to the fact that I was forced to take on the role that wasn't meant to be mine." He finally raised his eyes and looked straight at Jake. "So I'm asking you Jake, take over and set me free permanently. I'm begging you."

A/N-thanks for reading.