Title: Legendary Travesty

Fandom: Twilight

Pairing: Leah/Esme, established Bella/Alice (Bellice)

Author: Mirandyscrow

Rating: R

Summary: AU Leah imprints in Eclipse. We follow her as she deals with the consequences that this extraordinary event causes. This story take place about a month before the beginning of Eclipse and will be a femslash pairing. If you don't like it then don't read it. Thanks!

Spoilers: Let's say everything up until Eclipse is fair game, but I'm twisting a lot of facts and timelines to suit my story.

Archive: Sure if you really want it. Lol, it would be a surprise to me, just ask my permission first. (It's nice when people ask)

Disclaimer: Did Bella and Alice hook up in New Moon? No? Well I guess that means Twilight isn't mine. Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer. Any and all other brand names belong to their respective owners. I do not make any money on this story. Please don't sue; I only have a box of Easy Mac as collateral. BTW Easy Mac is the property of Kraft. :P

Author's Note: I don't have a clue where this idea came from. I was actually focusing on going to sleep and this plus five other prompts popped into my head and played around in my skull until I wrote them down and attempted to give them a fair shot at being written. Now here we are.

Author's Note Upgrade Version 2.0: I am aware that some of the events don't exactly travel the exact same timeline of the book and/or movie. Please know that it is entirely on purpose to fit the story. So please no comments about, 'how it didn't happen that way' because I'm sure I've messed up the timeline by simply having one of the pairing(s) Bella and Alice, lol.

Author's Note Part III: I freely admit to not being a bartender and I'm aware that the job isn't as easy as I depict it in my fanfiction but being that this IS fiction I'm taking quite of bit of leeway. That said, I hope I'm not offending anyone.

Big thanks to faithlessfate for being an awesome beta! All careless mistakes I claim as my own.

Special thanks to Bablefisk for being my first beta!

Chapter 8: Taking That Second Chance

As soon as the sun had completely shrunk behind the horizon, Leah was sitting underneath the tree, propped against the base just as she was a little less than a week ago. The only difference was that this time she was fully alert and had all her wits about her.

After talking with Esme until it was nearly time for everyone to come home from school, Leah spent much of the rest of the day just walking through the forest and ignoring the onslaught of phone calls, text messages, and mental requests she received from Sam. There was absolutely nothing she wanted to say to him that wouldn't deteriorate into an argument.

Or murder.

She did, however, send a few texts to her mother, Seth, and Jacob letting them know she was okay and healthy. She needed space and she needed to breathe. She couldn't imagine going back to La Push after she'd essentially been banned. It'd finally dawned on her that she was now on her own. She was homeless.

Part of her, a very small part of her longed for things to go back to the way things were before she was tossed out of the reservation. Before she imprinted. Before she got sick and was found by Esme.

Leah smiled at her final thought. Maybe everything wasn't so bad. She shivered a bit at the memory of the vampire's body beneath hers. She wouldn't give it up for anything.

The crisp whisper of someone moving through the forest reached her before Esme's smell did. She stood up to lean against the tree casually so she wouldn't fidget. She didn't know what to do with herself. She didn't know what to do once Esme was in front of her. She decided to let the vampire make the first move.

In an instant, a firm and cool body wrapped itself around Leah, in a tight hold. "I've missed you," Esme whispered, reverently.

If Leah had any doubts on whether Esme was feeling the full extent of the bond on her side, she was positive now. Those three emotion laced words flowed through her filling her with dizzying affection.

"I've missed you too," Leah said, pulling her mate closer. To anyone else it would seem like a melodramatic statement made from two desperate star-crossed lovers but it was the unequivocal truth. She pulled back a little to look into Esme's eyes and leaned down to kiss her softly. Although it was just a simple meeting of lips, that kiss held so much passion it made each of the women's head swim.

Leah pulled back and settled once again against the tree trunk with Esme in her arms.

"How was the rest of your day?" Leah asked at once.

"I've been called out to Columbus, Ohio to redecorate a few suites in a hotel," Esme said lightly. She ignored the dark thoughts threatening to take over her mind and paid attention to Leah's response.

"Are you going to take the job?" Leah asked, trying to keep her tone neutral even at the distressing thought of Esme being in another state for any amount of time.

"That depends," Esme responded cryptically.

Leah blinked. "Depends on?" she asked expectantly.

"If you would fly out and spend the week with me."

Leah's eyes lit up as she thought of having a whole week of Esme to herself. Just as soon as her happiness came it fled. "I'd really, really love to but I have to be pretending to find an apartment and job."

"Why would you be pretending?" Esme asked curiously.

"I've been thinking that maybe if the elders see that I'm struggling and have nowhere else to stay they'll rethink my ban in La Push."

"And if they don't?" The vampire asked at once.

"Then," Leah shook her head slowly and sighed. "Then everything I'm doing won't be pretend. I have to do something with my time."

"Where will you be staying in the meantime?"

"I have a little money saved up. I'll get a hotel room in Seattle for a few nights until I can figure something else out."

"I can get you a discount if you like," Esme said excitedly. "I have a little influence with some of the larger hotels in Seattle."

The wolf shrugged. "I don't want you to go through the trouble. To be honest I was just going to stay at a Motel 6 or something."

Esme smiled. "Nonsense, it's no trouble at all."

"But-"

"Let me help you," The vampire said pleadingly.

Leah knew she couldn't say no to the tone or the way Esme's eyes implored her to comply. If the vampire asked her to do anything right now she wouldn't be able to deny even the most outrageous request. "Okay," she acquiesced. "Thank you."

"It's my pleasure. Although instead of using your savings to live in a hotel you can always-"

"What? Stay with you?" Leah all but scoffed.

"We have plenty of room," Esme reasoned, turning to look the wolf in her eyes.

"You also have a family that hold more than a little prejudice for wolves and more importantly a husband whose head I want to take off," Leah said. Her chest rumbled with a dark growl.

Esme looked thoughtful for a moment before she said, "Not for long."

"Even one more day is too long to pretend to not be your mate," Leah said.

"Carlisle and I have been together for nearly two centuries, Leah." Esme turned away, looking intently at the forest ahead. "How does one even go about breaking up that kind of relationship? I'm not even sure what to begin to say to him," she said with a deep sigh.

Leah's frame went as rigid as the tree she was leaning against. "You still love him."

"Yes I do," Esme said, laying a restraining hand on Leah as the wolf attempted to flee. "But I'm not in love with him." She looked deeply into rich coffee colored eyes. "Not anymore."

"No?"

"No."

"I apologize," Leah said, watching the dance of lightning bugs flash around them. Even when that ceased to entertain her, she was content to just hold Esme in her arms. "Wolves aren't known for their cool heads," She said wryly.

"I'll keep that in mind," Esme remarked with a small smile.

Leah felt odd, as if she was waiting on something. She didn't have time to ponder the feeling further because…

"What is it like to be a wolf?" Esme asked suddenly.

"What's it like to be a vampire?" Leah countered while she thought about the question.

"If you don't want to talk about it…" Esme started, afraid that she'd offended Leah. She gathered that the younger woman had a hard time adjusting to phasing.

Leah felt the slight downward shift in Esme's emotions and cuddled the vampire in her arms tighter to show she wasn't upset with her at all. "I don't really have a way to answer that just yet. Let me think about it while you tell me how you guys get the powers Jake says you have."

"Every vampire brings something over from when they were a human," Esme explained. "Some talents are active like Jasper's ability to alter emotions or how Alice gets psychic visions. With others it's just a result of who they were before, like Rosalie's beauty and Emmett's strength."

Leah had heard from Jake that the small vampire was a psychic but having it confirmed from the matriarch of the family still brought about a reaction of surprise. "Does she know about us?"

"She does, but she can't see anything involving wolves. She figured most of it out when she couldn't see my future anymore and I told her of our meeting."

The wolf pondered all the information. "What about you?" she asked finally, "Do you have any powers?"

"I don't have anything fancy like the ability to fly but I've heard Edward once describe my power as being able to love passionately," the vampire said.

"That would probably explain why our connection is so powerful," Leah said, quietly wondering just how much of that factor alone was what made them bond so quickly.

"Perhaps," Esme agreed. "What about wolves?" she shifted to look at Leah's face once more.

Leah glanced down at the vampire. "We don't get superpowers if that's what you're asking. Only the Alpha of the pack gets a little something extra. We just all become instantly linked together as a pack and the ability to change into wolves the size of horses. The plus side is that I'm the fastest wolf in the pack."

"The fastest?" Esme asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes," Leah said with confidence.

"I'm the fastest in our coven right after Edward," she said, standing.

"Fastest girl then?" Leah questioned, standing as well. She hoped she was reading Esme's intent correctly.

Esme nodded, shooting a teasing smirk to Leah. "Catch me if you can."

All Leah saw next was a flash of caramel hair. She smiled, quickly stripping out of her clothes. She jumped forward, phasing in midair and dashed off after Esme.

The casual observer might see a large grey wolf chasing after a woman and think of it as a deadly hunt. To the participants this chase was a playful, intimate, and beautiful dance between soul mates with the sounds of nature as its soundtrack. Leah teased Esme with tiny bites and growls when she got close enough to the vampire. Esme increased her speed suddenly, running haphazardly through the foliage. "You'll need to do better than that." She tossed over her shoulder.

The grey wolf dashed through the trees, anxious to catch Esme while simultaneously dreading the chase's end. Using more of her strength, Leah ran faster and leaped into the air. The vampire flipped backwards, avoiding Leah's well timed pounce. She landed on Leah's back. Esme's hands sank into the thick grey fur as her thighs clasped firmly to Leah sides. Leah bucked and twisted her body, trying to dislodge the vampire from her back. Esme's sweet, harmonic laughter was heard at the wolf's effort.

Leah paused just long enough for Esme to register the cease in movement. Suddenly, she was off like a shot. Esme leaned forward and clasped her hands around Leah's neck. Leah beamed inwardly and began to run with more vigor, whipping through the trees and leaping over fallen logs and rocks. Eventually, Leah slowed to a trot; she and Esme enjoyed the intimate stroll through the forest. Leah found her way back to the large oak tree. After she felt the gentle shift of weight lift from her back, she phased back, putting back on her discarded clothing from earlier. She was very conscious of the topaz orbs caressing her bare form. The heat of the gaze spread through her body.

Leah wasn't looking forward to saying goodbye to Esme. She turned away from the vampire, wishing the night didn't have to end. She glanced at the vampire and opened her mouth to say anything but no words would come. Avoiding her mate's eyes, she started to walk toward her father's truck on the path beyond the tree line.

"Leah."

A chilly breeze along the back of Leah's neck followed the softly exhaled word. The vampire was right behind her. She closed her eyes. "I…need to go," she thought regretfully.

"We both do," was Esme's mental response. She forcefully turned Leah around, pushing her back into the tree. "You're not leaving without a proper goodbye."

The vampire slammed forward, taking possession of Leah's lips. The underlying connection between them flared in their chests, strengthening and possessing Esme as she bit down on Leah's lip sharply, breaking skin. Leah moaned at the action, the quick stab of pain quickly followed by searing pleasure.

Esme greedily sucked on Leah's bottom lip, gathering the blood welling up from the small wound. Leah's tongue followed Esme's, teasing and dominant. She felt dark pleasure from the taste of her own blood in Esme's mouth coupled with the slight tart taste of venom. Leah felt the rush of arousal pooling between her legs and reluctantly broke the kiss panting for air.

The wolf could barely restrain herself and would have been content to kiss and quite possibly ravish her mate all night if it wasn't for the lack of oxygen she was currently getting. She pulled back from the kiss in a daze. Her eyes fluttered open and she gasped.

"What?" Esme asked in a panic. "What's wrong?"

"Y-your eyes," Leah said. Her own had widened. She had expected to see Esme's eyes as dark pools of lust and hunger but this was most certainly not the case.

"My eyes…?" Esme asked and reached in her pocket for a compact mirror. She opened and dropped it immediately. In the place of her usual liquid gold there were now pools of perfect shimmering emeralds. "Oh my," She breathed lowly.

"Is this because of my wolf's blood or because of our bond?" Leah asked still dumbstruck.

Esme was unable to tear her eyes away from her reflection in the compact she dropped next to her feet. "I don't know. This has never happened before," she mumbled distractedly.

Leah smiled, cupping her imprint's face lightly. "You look almost human."

"I do." Esme agreed still a little shaken. "I can't go back home yet."

"How did you even explain away this random trek out?"

"Alice covered for me. She told the family we were out hunting. I came here and she visited Bella."

"They spend a lot of time together. She's definitely closer to Alice than Rosalie."

"What do you mean?"

"It's cool that she's becoming best friends with her soon to be sister in law." Leah answered with a shrug. She was very confused when Esme began to laugh. "What's so funny?"

"Bella and Alice are not going to be sisters in law." Esme said after her twinkling laugh. At Leah's blank look, the vampire continued. "Bella and Alice are dating," she said plainly.

"What!?" Leah growled and stepped back from Esme. She stalked back and forth in a small line. "That bitch is screwing with Jake's emotions more than any of us thought."

"Leah!"

The wolf turned away, clenching a fist at her side. "No, I don't want to hear you take up for her." She ground out and resumed pacing.

"I don't condone the way Bella tends to flip-flop between Jake and Edward or more currently Jake and Alice but it's none of our business," Esme said sternly, stepping right into Leah's path.

"The hell it isn't!" Leah's exclaimed with glittering eyes. "Just because she can't make up her mind between supernaturals doesn't mean I have to stand by while she just destroys my friend's heart."

"It's not our business," Esme repeated. "Attempting to alter anything only brings more chaos." She said softly with a little air of sadness.

"That's why you had to leave this past year?" Leah guessed.

Esme nodded with a far off look in her eyes. "Edward saw Alice's vision of her and Bella's true mating and decided he would keep Bella all to himself but it just wasn't meant to be."

Leah remained quiet, deep in thought as she let the words penetrate her stubborn resolve. Her shoulders slumped as she realized Esme was right. She would have to just leave it alone and let everything follow its course. "What will you do now?" she asked the vampire after looking at her cell phone. It was getting very late.

"I'll have to hunt and hope this wears off," Esme said, stepping back into Leah's arms.

"What about my scent," Leah said, nuzzling her nose deep into Esme's hair. "You're covered in it now."

The vampire purred enjoying the gentle movements against her head. "I'll have to get a little messier with my dinner than usual."

"Or you could just go back like this," Leah suggested. She'd just love to see the look on Carlisle's face when he caught sight of his wife's unusual eye color.

"You know I can't."

"I know but it was worth a try." Leah sighed and pulled back, looking the vampire in the eye. "What are you going to do about Columbus?"

Esme blinked slowly. "Where did that come from?"

"I couldn't bear to be away from you anymore than I absolutely have to. The first time nearly," Leah swallowed the lump in her throat unable to say the words.

"Killed you. It nearly killed you," Esme finished for her, snuggling closer. "Don't ever do that again."

"I won't. I promise. Your eyes are slowly returning back to normal," She said, watching the green become tinged with gold flecks.

"That's good."

"You'll have to go back soon," Leah said a touch of sadness coloring her tone.

"Not for a few minutes more," Esme said. "I'm going to cancel the trip to Columbus or at the very least get some of my assistants to fill in for me."

"Good."

"I thought so," Esme replied, leaning into Leah's embrace once more.

-x-

The phone rang loud and annoyingly in the small room. A tanned hand shot out from under the covers to answer it.

"'Lo," Leah answered sleepily.

"Hello, Ms. Clearwater. This is Cindy at the front desk completing your 6:00 a.m. wake up call." The woman said with a crisp but perky tone.

Too perky for this early in the morning for Leah as she sat up and hung up the phone without another word. She had to get up and the wake up call was to ensure she'd have plenty of time to get a good breakfast and be early enough to visit the businesses she circled from the newspaper last night.

She threw off the blanket from her body and stood, stretching her arms high above her head. She groaned in pleasure as several bones popped loudly. Yawning, she proceeded to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

Barely thirty minutes later, Leah found herself sitting in the small café of the hotel enjoying the complimentary breakfast. She loaded her plate with waffles, fruit, bacon, and nearly a dozen cups of yogurt. Ignoring the stares she was getting, she tucked a napkin in her shirt to catch any food and began eating.

All too soon, she sat back from her plate with a happy sigh and a groan. The breakfast was okay but definitely nowhere as good as her mother's cooking or Esme's. Her brow furrowed in thought. She closed her eyes, focusing on the connection that tethered her to the beautiful vampire. She tugged at it gently as if to confirm herself that it was there. When she felt an answering, hesitant tug in return a wide grin enveloped her face.

Now, she decided it was time to start the day. With Esme in her corner she couldn't possible lose.

-x-

"Well, thank you anyway," Leah said as she walked out of to the convenience store after yet another rejection. So far, trying to find a job and a place to live was beginning to feel like an unattainable goal. Forks was such a small town that she didn't even try and start her search there. She rubbed her forehead in frustration and looked down at the newspaper in her hand.

All she wanted was to go back to her mother's house and curl up in her childhood bed with the covers pulled tightly over her head.

"I could use a drink," she muttered to herself jokingly and walked down the street. Almost as if by some miracle a bar appeared in front of her. She glanced at the sign and saw that it was simply named Joe's. She smiled to herself and walked in.

The first thing that assaulted Leah as soon as she entered was the thick smell of smoke, peanuts and stale beer. It almost reminded her of her father with his rare treat of cigars and a beer after dinner. She stood still for a few quick moments and allowed her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting.

Her eyes took in the welcoming atmosphere. The bar was decorated in all kinds of beer and liquor memorabilia, cluttering nearly every square inch of the walls. Boots were glued across the ceiling in various steps of dance. The state of the art jukebox sitting next to the bar counter looked a little out of place, yet oddly fitting. The decor was mostly definitely gaudy, random and a bit junky but Leah decided she liked it.

There weren't many people inside considering it was only about late morning, early afternoon. She walked up to the counter and leaned on it casually. A chubby guy with a kind expression and hair spiked up into a light brown faux hawk was at her side in an instant. He looked about to be about mid-thirties and his kind eyes shone of a story she knew she'd been interested in hearing.

"What can I get you?" He asked wiping down the bar.

"Just cranberry juice, please," Leah answered. She watched as he moved away to fetch her drink. "You got any food in this joint?" she asked a second later.

"Yup, the finest seven layer nachos this side of the Olympic mountains." He sat the drink down beside her.

"Alright, let me get the largest order of those you make."

His eyebrows darted up in surprise. "You sure? The serving size is already pretty big."

"I'm sure," Leah replied with no hesitation.

"Okay." He sounded unsure that she could eat them all but went to place her order nonetheless.

Leah looked at herself in the mirrored wall behind the various bottles of liquor on display behind the counter. She sighed heavily and sipped on her juice.

"Tough day?" the guy asked her as he returned.

The wolf shook her head. "Nah, it wasn't so much rough as it just wasn't what I expected."

"Well, what did you expect?"

"I was looking for a job," Leah revealed. "I thought it was time for me to finally strike out on my own. Although now I'm thinking maybe that was a bad idea."

"Wanting to better yourself is never a bad idea."

"It's tough out there. I've been turned down by seven jobs, all because I have hardly any work experience." Leah finished her juice, slamming her glass back on the counter. "How the hell am I supposed to get experience if no one will give me the chance?"

"Ah," the guy nodded, rubbing his chin in contemplation. "The age old job conundrum. What experience do you have? Maybe I can point you in the right direction."

"Getting a little personal there aren't you?" Leah teased lightly with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, honey, where are my manners? I'm Joe," he said holding out his hand.

She noticed a small, barely-there rainbow flag tattooed on his wrist. "Leah," she said with a small smile gripping his hand in a firm handshake. "To answer your question, I've helped out in the general store on the Rez for a couple of summers, helped my dad fix his truck and a couple of project cars here and there."

Joe studied her for a couple of seconds before he asked. "You got any bartending experience?"

Leah felt her heart leap into her throat at the question. He couldn't possibly be offering her a job could he? She shook her head before answering, "Nope, none."

Joe tugged at the small triangle patch of hair below his lip. "Can you at least learn fast and juggle?"

"Juggle?" Leah asked confused.

Joe smiled a secret smile as he turned away from Leah. "Jamie?" he called to the girl sitting at a far table in the corner. Leah followed his eyes and took in the haughty pale woman with hazel eyes that turned toward them. She had brilliant red hair that was pinned away from her face and cascaded down her back.

"Yeah?" Jamie asked around a mouthful of sandwich, her tone dripping with annoyance.

"Could you give me an impromptu demo for a sec?"

The girl groaned, placing her sandwich back on the plate and wiped her hands on a napkin before making her way over. She stood behind the bar and stared at Leah blankly. "Give me a drink," she huffed impatiently.

Leah raked her brain and blurted to the first drink that came to mind. "Sex on the beach."

Jamie snorted. "Predictable." She grabbed the vodka first and a glass. She suddenly shot her elbow down, sending the ice scoop flying. A handful of ice cubes sailed in the air. She caught them in the glass expertly. She grabbed the vodka and tossed the bottle behind her back. Catching it with a left hand she poured vodka about a fourth high in the glass. Her right hand pulled a bottle of peach schnapps seemingly out of nowhere and twirled it on the flat of her palm while she poured. She made the move to drop the schnapps and grabbed the orange juice simultaneously. She caught the schnapps just a few seconds before it shattered on the bar. She juggled the two bottles with practiced ease and tossed the cranberry juice into the fray. She slowed down her show and tilted the cranberry in the glass. All of the bottles stopped sailing into the air and she popped a straw in the glass, presenting the drink to Leah with a flourish.

Leah looked at the proffered drink but made no move to take it. "It's a bit too early for me," She lied smoothly. There was no way she was going to screw herself out of a job by admitting she was underage.

"Whatever." Jamie slammed the drink down, making sure some of the liquid spilled onto Leah's hand.

"Yeah that's Jamie," Joe said with a sheepish shrug.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but she's kind of a bitch," Leah said, dabbing at her hand with a wad of bar napkins.

"Oh honey. There's no 'kind of' to it," Joe said with a giggle. "But she's excellent at her job and knows when to reign in her attitude." He paused. "Most of the time. In any case, do you think you can master those techniques? Because you'll have to before Jamie can even begin to train you."

"How about we do it now? I've go nothing else to do for awhile."

Jamie came back to the bar with a smirk. "You think you're ready?"

"Absolutely."

"Okay," Jamie said unkindly. "Read these," she said, all but throwing three books into Leah's chest and walked away. "When you're done we'll start." She tossed over her shoulder while making her way back to her lunch on the table.

Leah dug into her massive nachos while simply skimming the words in from of her. In reality she'd already read the books in college. Her roommate was a bartender and a damn successful one. The quick money piqued Leah's interest but before she had a chance to pursue anything her father's death had her coming back home. She refreshed herself, glancing every so often at Jamie. She couldn't wait for the chance to put the girl to shame.

Just as the last gooey cheese covered chip disappeared into Leah's mouth, Jamie appeared her side. "So, fresh meat. You ready to fail?"

"Ready when you are," Leah said with fake kindness, following the other girl to the bar.

-x-

Leah exited Joe's with a large smirk. She loved seeing the dumbfounded and jealous expression on Jamie's face. Joe was so impressed with her 'natural ability' that she was starting a couple of days later. She would have been working that night but begged him off stating she'd already promised to visit her mother over the weekend to update on her progress.

She looked at the rapidly darkening sky. Things were most definitely looking up. She started towards her father's truck. Shaking her head internally, she chastised herself. Her truck. It was hers now. A putrid scent began to burn her nose.

"Leech," Leah spat and turned her eyes narrowed as she studied her surroundings. She thought she saw a quick flash of brunette hair disappear into the alley and quickly followed. Hearing panicked and unnecessary breathing at the alley she spoke strongly and clear. "I hope you don't think you're going to hunt someone down on my watch leech."

Whoever it was stuck to the shadows. Leah couldn't see a thing except the faint gleam of red eyes. A growl rumbled up from her gut. "People drinker."

"What are you?" A tiny voice asked.

Leah paused but didn't lessen her tense stance. "It doesn't matter what I am."

"You stink," The voice said.

"You smell no better to me, Leech," Leah said realizing the vampire was female. She wasn't sure of the age though.

"I'm not a leech!" a petulant voice snapped.

"You drink blood don't you?" Leah asked. She couldn't believe she was standing here debating with a vampire. Why wasn't it attacking her? Did they simply have a death wish?

"No," the voice moaned painfully.

"Stop the games, leech."

"It's not right to kill people. The burn is so great," The voice continued with a sob. "But I can't. I can't just kill people like them. Then they killed him, so I ran away." A small girl emerged from the shadows. Red eyes tinged with venom tears regarded her curiously. "What are you?" she repeated.

"A wolf," Leah said quietly. She was officially floored. She had not expected to look into the innocent face of the sixteen year old standing before her.

"Are you going to kill me?" The vampire asked with a small whimper.

"No." Leah looked away. "I'm going to help you."

Fire erupted into the vampire's eyes as she hissed. "I don't want anymore help."

"Okay," Leah said with a shrug and phased, charging toward the newborn.

The young girl looked at her with terror in her eyes. She blurred to the end of the alley. "No!" she choked out through her shock, ducking under the large claw swiping at her head. She flinched away from the large mouth snapping at her face and slapped the wolf away. "I want to live!"

The wolf tilted its head in a contemplative motion. Slowly the fur melted away to reveal copper toned skin. Leah stood in front of the young newborn unabashed at her nudity. "That's good to know. You should know that there are vampires that don't feed on humans."

"Really?"

Leah nodded. "I need you to run to that blue truck on the other side of the street and grab my bag of clothes on the seat then we're going to get you something to eat or you'll start killing regardless of your best intentions." She studied the young vampire before her. "When was the last time you fed anyway?"

The vampire shrugged. "Hours I guess." She paused at the end of the alley, looking to see if there was anyone in sight before flashing to aforementioned blue truck and back.

"Thank you," Leah said, accepting the clothes gratefully. She quickly dressed and dropped her ruined clothes into the bag before turning her attention back to the newborn. "What's your name?" The female wolf held out her hand. "I'm Leah."

"Bree." The vampire took hers in a tentative grip and shook it once.

"Nice to meet you. I'm sorry about trying to kill you," Leah said a little awkwardly as they walked back to the truck.

"It's fine," Bree said, shrugging off the incident. She made her away around to the passenger side of the truck and got in without another word.

Leah settled into her seat, glancing at the vampire beside her before subtly rolling down the windows for both of their benefits.

"Where are we going?" Bree asked once the engine rumbled to life.

"Forks," Leah said, maneuvering the truck into traffic with ease. "I've got someone for you to meet."

-x-

The forest was completely still with a light cloud of fog clinging to the ground. Leah leaned against the outside of her truck with her eyes closed. She wondered how anyone could kill someone so young. Bree wasn't much younger than Seth. Glancing at the fidgeting vampire, she shook her head sadly. It was such a fucking waste.

A familiar whisper through the trees greeted her and Leah opened her eyes just as Esme entered the small clearing.

"Leah, I got here as soon as I could. What's the problem?" Esme trailed off as she smelled the heavy scent of another female vampire clinging to her mate. She smelled the same scent from the truck and flashed to the passenger side nearly yanking the door off in her haste. She gasped when she saw the young newborn huddling into the seat.

Esme glanced at Leah with a heartbroken and confused expression. "She's just a baby," She said, reaching a hand toward Bree.

The young vampire flinched away and scrambled backward on the seat, almost merging with the driver side door in her attempt to escape Esme.

Leah opened the door before the newborn crawled her way through it but was a little unprepared for the small, firm body that buried itself into her in fright. "Hey, Bree she won't hurt you." The wolf awkwardly rubbed the back of the girl's hair in an attempt to comfort her. "Esme is the one I was telling you about."

"She has gold eyes," Bree said against Leah's torso. She turned her head giving the older vampire a small wary glance. A small voice told her that should trust the woman but it was difficult. The last woman she trusted…

Esme chuckled lightly and walked around the truck but made no move to come closer to the pair. "It comes from drinking the blood of animals."

Leah had to laugh at the disgust painted across Bree's face. "Suck it up, Baby Fangs. You said you wanted to live, so this is your chance. You're either going to drink from animals or I'll be forced to turn you over to the pack," she said sternly.

"There's more of you? More wolves?" Bree asked with wide eyes, taking a small step back from Leah.

"Plenty more," Leah said her eyes hard as flint before her eyes softened. "You don't want to hurt people anymore, do you?" she asked, crouching down to look in the newborn's crimson colored eyes.

Bree shook her head quickly. "No, it's wrong," she said at once and clutched her throat. "But I'm so hungry," she groaned out. "Can you show me how?" She turned her coal black eyes to Esme in question.

"She hasn't eaten in hours," Leah said by way of explanation.

"She has incredible control," Esme remarked in awe, finally coming to stand next to Bree. She tenderly cradled the newborn's face in her hands with a look of pity. "Come on, sweetheart. I'll show you how to hunt."

"I'll come too." Leah stood straighter.

"No," Esme said suddenly. Her voice unusually stern. "A vampire is at its most feral when in hunting mode. It wouldn't be wise."

Leah looked like she was going to protest even as she stared at the serious expression on her imprint's face. "Okay," She whispered.

"I'll be fine," Esme reassured her and blurred into the forest with Bree right behind her.

Forty minutes later after Leah had practically worried a path through the grass with her constant pacing, Esme and Bree emerged from the forest. The older vampire was her usual immaculate self while Bree looked like she'd had a liter of blood tossed over her head. "So how was it?" she asked the vampires.

"It went as well as to be expected," Esme said, glancing at Bree proudly.

Leah nodded. "You okay with drinking Bambi instead of B positive?" she asked the young vampire with a raised eyebrow.

"It tasted a little weird," Bree said, wrinkling her nose adorably.

"Kind of like eating a plate of broccoli instead of the steak you want?" Leah guessed.

"Exactly," Bree said, snapping her fingers in glee. She was obviously a little happy that someone was able to describe how she felt.

"Sweetie, it gets a little easier as the years go on," Esme assured her.

Bree was silent for a few seconds. Esme and Leah could see her bout of happiness, draining away as she suddenly was struck with a new train of thought. "What happens now?" She asked, a little nervous.

"Well now you need some new clothes and I have to take you to meet my family." Esme said gently. She tucked an errant strand of blood stained hair behind Bree's ear.

"Are they nice?" Bree asked immediately looking between Esme and Leah.

"Yeah, they're pretty alright for vampires. Just don't let them push you around," Leah remarked thinking of how Rosalie might react to the young newborn.

"Will you come with me?" Bree asked in a small voice her eyes looking at the grass.

"Me?" Leah asked and Bree nodded in response. "Why?" she couldn't help the incredulous tone, creeping into her speech.

Bree answered at once. "I trust you," Her tone said it should have been the most obvious answer in the world.

"Even after I tried to kill you?" Leah asked in surprise. She looked contrite at her mate when Esme gasped. "I didn't know what she was going to do if I let her go."

"I know you wouldn't have," Bree said with complete confidence. Her eyes were still trained to the ground.

"How do you know that? You're my natural enemy. I became a wolf to kill vampires." Leah tried to reason with the young vampire. She couldn't go back to the Cullen's house. At least not yet. She didn't know how she'd react to being around Carlisle after what she and Esme shared just yesterday.

Bree eyes darted up from the ground, fiercely gazing at Leah. "I know because you're mated with her." She pointed to Esme.

Leah and Esme looked startled for a moment.

"Am I right?" Bree asked, knowing from their startled expressions that she was indeed right.

Esme recovered from her shock first. "What makes you say that, sweetie?"

"Your scents mingle and you're just very comfortable with each other to be such mortal enemies."

Leah cleared her throat softly. "We are mated but we haven't told anyone and I can't look at her husband without wanting to set him on fire so I'm sorry Bree I can't go with you." She looked at the newborn's disheartened expression with imploring eyes. "Please understand that I would if I could but I just can't right now."

"Leah," Esme said softly.

"No, Esme. If I go back right now I'm sure I'll do something I'll regret. I know you'll do what's best for her but right now I've just got to go," Leah said, giving her mate a quick kiss before sprinting to her truck and leaving two very confused vampires to watch her abrupt departure.

-End of Chapter Eight-

Whew! The end of one of my lengthier chapters is upon us. :) How'd you like it? What do you think of my addition of Bree? Tell me in a review or pm.

Thank you everyone that continues to read this story each fave alert, review alert, and follow alert always make me smile like a giddy schoolgirl, lol. I hope you're all still enjoying even those of you that just lurk and follow. Come out of the shadows sometimes. I don't bite. ;)

~MC