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 denial, acceptance and the consequences that this extraordinary event causes. This story take place about two months 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 Numero Dos**: This will NOT be a Grey's Anatomy/Twilight crossover. I like a few of characters in the show and they happened to be doctors working in Seattle so it was an easy fix. Also, I am not a doctor nor have I ever taken any medical-like classes besides Anatomy and Physiology in college. If any of the jargon/medicine is not quite right just keep that in mind when reading.

Big thanks to faithlessfate for being an awesome beta and making this story worth reading! All careless mistakes are my own.

Chapter 14: Monkey Wrench

Leah turned slowly, dreading meeting the vampire behind her. She'd never win against this leech especially when she'd barely caught her breath from fighting Victoria. He blurred forward, knocking the bottle out of her hand and back handed her violently to the ground. She cringed as she felt the broken shards pierce her skin. The vampire began pummeling her ribs with his feet, and Leah winced as she felt two of them break under his assault. When they didn't poke out of her skin, she realized he wasn't using all his strength.

Esme told her that a newborn's strength and anger was nearly uncontrollable for the first few months. "You hurt her," he said, pulling her to her feet by her throat and lifting her high above his head. "Now I'll hurt you," he declared, slowly choking the life out of her. Leah spat at him. He flinched, dropping her harshly in disgust. "What's this? Your final toast? He asked mockingly as he smelled the vodka saturating his face and clothes. Marching forward, he stomped on Leah's hand as she tried to crawl away. "I was going to give you a quick death but now you've gone and shown what a dirty beast you are." He taunted, grinding his shoe on her hand.

Leah grunted in pain and thrust her hand under his foot up with all her might, knocking him off-balance for just a split second but that's all she needed. She scrambled onto her feet and gave him an upper cut that would have put any normal man out cold.

The vampire barely reacted as his head snapped back from the blow. "Bad girl," the leech growled at her condescendingly and reached forward in a blur to pick her up once more.

-x-

Bree flipped the silver Zippo over in her hands. It was one of the first editions. Her grandfather was issued it when he fought in World War II and passed it down to his son who then passed it down to Bree. It was the only thing she wanted from her old home. The years after her father's death were spent in anguish and tears. It was the fight with her mother over selling the lighter for a little extra money that sent her running away into the night with the lighter in tow that fateful day she was turned.

She remembered running all the way to the neighborhood park, stashing it under an old stump next to the see-saws. She had sat there crying until a searing pain shot up her arm, then her neck and finally her chest. There was so much pain…She paused suddenly in her reverie, catching Riley's eucalyptus and honey scent on the wind. She then smelled fresh blood, garbage, wet dog, and top soil. "Wolf," she whispered in recognition and followed the scent.

The trail brought her to an alley behind the bar where her life changed for the second time, just in time to see Leah soar through the air and land hard next to the gate near the end of the alley. Bree moved quickly, thankful that Riley hadn't noticed her in his rage.

-x-

Leah glanced behind Riley and saw Bree flashing forward with the one eye that wasn't swollen shut. She sent thanks up to any deity that was listening as her pained groans morphed into a wheezing laugh with relief. She continued to laugh even as Riley came forward with murder in his eyes.

"What's so funny you filthy dog?" he demanded, bending to snarl in her face.

"Your screams," Bree answered, tossing the lighter at him and watching he went up in flames. Riley flailed with pained screams but all too soon he was nothing but a smoldering pile of ash.

Bree knelt down to cradle Leah's head in her lap.

"You shouldn't be here," Leah rasped out at once before a series of coughs wracked her body.

"Is that how you talk to everyone that saves your life?" Bree teased to lighten the situation.

"You want to have etiquette classes now?" Leah asked with a roll of her eyes. "Thanks Baby Fangs," she said a beat later.

"You're welcome," Bree said with deadly sincerity. She frowned as she smelled the amount of blood wafting off Leah at the moment. "You need a hospital."

"And a shit load of morphine," Leah agreed with another cough. "I feel like I've been run over by a three dozen army tanks." She shut her eyes and tried to contact Esme through her bond but felt herself begin to lose consciousness. "Esme is going to kill me," she muttered.

"You're probably right about that. Where's your phone?" Bree asked, gently laying Leah's head on the blue jean jacket she shed.

"Check near the dumpster. I think it flew over there after I went airborne." Leah waved her bloodstained hand in the general area.

Bree blurred over to the cell phone's location and back. She pressed 911 and proceeded to hit the send button, when Leah stopped her.

"No ambulances. That's just going to cause a whole bunch of attention we don't need. Call Esme," Leah groaned pathetically and passed out.

-x-

Two paramedics burst through the doors pulling the gurney with urgency. Two doctors and several nurses descended on them almost immediately.

"Okay, what have we got?" Dr. Callie Torres asked just as she finished tying her hair back in a messy ponytail. She jogged alongside the gurney.

"Young female approximately twenty years old. Multiple fractures and possible concussion." the first paramedic reported automatically. "Her pupils were responsive at the scene and she's been drifting in and out of consciousness."

On cue, Leah moaned pitifully on the gurney. Her head lolled to the side as she promptly vomited over the edge.

Dr. Miranda Bailey hastily grabbed a bed pan, hoping to catch most of the sick. Once it seemed as though the flow had stopped she threw the bed pan away. "Okay, she's lost a lot of blood… get me two pints of O-neg and get an IV started to replace her fluids!" she yelled to one of the nurses who scurried off to complete the requested task.

Once Leah had been deposited on a bed from the gurney, Callie began assessing the extent of her injuries. "Her ribs are nearly shattered on her right side we're going to have to wrap them. Someone call Dr. Hahn for a consult. We need to make sure none of them are in danger of piercing her heart."

"Her BP's spiking," one of the nurses announced. The rapid beeping of the machine beside her, confirmed her report as the numbers began to climb on the screen.

"Esme," Leah moaned pitifully, seizing up against the restraining hands of the doctors.

"We have to stabilize her before we do anything," Dr. Bailey said. "My God, it looks like she's been hit by five Mack trucks. How is she still conscious?"

"Especially when she reeks of vodka," The first paramedic reported, not without a little judgment staining his voice.

A nurse used teasers to pull a shard free of Leah's skin with a wince. "She does have a lot of glass embedded in her back that could be why."

"Mugging gone wrong?" Another nurse tossed out the question as a suggestion.

"We're not the police. We don't get paid to make guesses about how she got like this," Callie said sternly glaring up at the paramedic and nurse respectively, over Leah's form. "We get paid to make sure she gets well."

"Ah!" Leah screamed as he felt her ribs knit back together. Her arm surged up, fighting through the restraining hands, catching Dr. Torres in the nose.

"Aw, fuck!" Callie groaned as pain blossomed across the middle of her face.

"Torres, you alright?" Dr. Bailey asked while she struggled to restrain Leah. She quickly fastened the leather restrains to the younger woman's arms with the help of three nurses and the two paramedics. It was unbelievable the strength this young woman had.

"Yeah, I am," Callie replied nasally as she held her nose tightly to stem off the bleeding. "That girl's got a mean right hook on her."

A nurse came forward, plucking a syringe lightly with the nail of her finger. "I'm pushing some Ativan and Valium to calm her down."

Leah's screams tapered off as the sedatives entered her system.

"Alright, let's get her cleaned up so I can set her bones." Callie looked down at the girl quietly whimpering in her sleep. "What happened to you?" she asked the unconscious Leah before she said to the room. "Someone, get me some information on this girl."

"She has a friend that brought her in but the she hasn't said boo to anyone since she entered the ambulance bay and ordered us to save Jane Doe," The first paramedic said before his beeper went off.

"I'll see if she knows anything about her medical history," Dr. Torres ripped off her bloodied gloves and made her way back into the waiting room.

Bree looked up as Callie walked in, her expression one of pain, fear and… hunger? Callie shook her head and blamed the long hours she worked for the odd thought. She stepped forward only to be blocked by Mark Sloan.

"Heard you got your ass handed to you, Torres." He made a show of staring at her face from every angle. "Seeing your nose swollen and bruised, I'm inclined to believe it."

"Mark, move. I've got find out some history on my patient. She moved toward Bree once more and Mark grabbed her arm, tugging her back to a stop. "It can wait," She insisted.

"I'd hate to see your stunning beauty marred by a crooked nose." He pressed.

"No I've got to find out-" Dr. Torres started but stopped when she noticed Bree was no longer sitting in the waiting room chairs. "Where the hell did she go?"

Mark looked in the same direction and saw an empty chair. "Who?" he asked, confused.

"She's the supposed best friend of my Jane Doe patient." Callie yanked a frustrated hand through her hair.

"I guess this means you have time now?" Mark asked pointedly.

"Yeah come patch me up, ass," She said, walking towards his office.

-x-

Bree made it outside and nearly collapsed with relief. Being around human blood even the diseased and tainted kind set her throat ablaze with hunger. That doctor that took care of Leah smelled so incredible it was all she could do to get away before she committed mass homicide. Bree sighed and thumbed the Zippo in her pocket, waiting for the inevitable arrival of the Cullen's. She didn't have to wait long before a Volvo came to a dead stop inches from her body in the ambulance bay.

Emmett and Esme hopped out of the car first while Edward came forward staring at her intently. "This wasn't a trick."

"You could have just asked me." Bree asked annoyed at Edward's blatant probing of her thoughts.

"Where's the fun in that." Edward said with a smirk.

"That was so incredibly foolish of you, Bree. You had the Denalis worried sick about you." Esme said.

"I needed to get my Zippo back. It's the only thing I have left from my family." Bree looked down sadly.

"We'll discuss this later." Esme said firmly. "You'll go home with Edward while we work on getting Leah transferred out of here." She suddenly flashed forward, grabbing Bree in a tight embrace. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you."

"It was no problem." Bree said, hugging back just as tightly. "Tell Leah when she wakes up that we've got to work on her fighting skills. She was getting her ass handed to her."

Emmett looked at his mother expectantly, annoyed when her chastisement didn't come forth. "Hey! How come she gets to swear?" he asked in a whine.

"She gets one free pass for acts of bravery." Esme quipped lightly and released Bree.

"Emmett, stick close to Esme and call immediately if anything happens." Edward said, climbing back into his Volvo.

"Bro, I can-"

"I mean it Emmett, you know how well Victoria can capitalize any situation. If she comes looking for Riley she may track Leah's scent here for revenge."

Emmett ground his teeth together in annoyance but nodded.

"We'll call," Esme confirmed, ushering Emmett toward the hospital.

"Wait!" Bree said, digging into the pockets of her jacket. "I took Leah's wallet and cellphone. They know her as patient Jane Doe. I didn't know if you wanted them to dig into her whereabouts too much."

"That was very smart thinking, Bree. Thank you," Esme said, accepting the items and continuing through the emergency room doors. She and Emmett passed the waiting room of disgruntled patients and families who fell silent at their appearance. Everyone stared unabashed at their beauty, allowing the two vampires to just waltz right up to the receptionist desk.

The woman behind the desk was busy typing rapidly on her computer and didn't give Esme so much as a courtesy glance. Her name tag read: Betty.

"Excuse me, Betty," Esme said after a few more moments of silence.

"Fill out these forms and someone will be right out to see about your condition shortly." She stated with a bored tone, handing Esme a clipboard and pen without looking up once.

"I'm looking for someone actually." Esme said, pushing the clipboard and pen back across the small desk firmly.

"Visiting hours are over." The woman stated with a sigh.

"I'm not here for a visit, I'm here to-"

"It doesn't matter what you're here for, you cannot go upstairs tonight." The woman stated, picking up the phone in an attempt at ignoring them.

Emmett clenched his jaw and reached across the counter, hanging up the phone. "I think you can make an exception just this once." He said, pointing to his mother. "She's Esme Cullen. Chief Webber has already been contacted about this and we need a patient moved immediately."

Betty let out a very annoyed sigh and returned her attention back to the computer. "What's the name?"

"Jane Doe." Esme answered at once.

Betty typed a few keys and scrutinized the screen. "There are seven Jane Does in tonight."

"She would be the most recent one. A young girl about twenty years old," Esme clarified for Betty.

"Alright," Betty pressed a few more keys. "Jane Doe number seven is in room 543."

"Thank you." Esme said graciously and walked to the elevators. The door opened just as they made their way to the elevator and walked into the car just as a group of people exited.

Esme pressed the correct button as Emmett settled in the car next to her. When they reached the third floor, the door opened and a male doctor with sandy brown hair and ice blue eyes was standing on the other side.

He stepped forward and paused, his eyes landing on Esme. He smiled his most charming smile and began to sidle up to her but was stopped by Emmett's large hand in his chest.

"Whatever you're about to say, save it. My mother is visiting her friend in the hospital and she doesn't have time for your cheesy pick up lines." Emmett said sternly and lowered his hand, crossing his arms over his chest. He flexed his muscles for good measure.

"My lines aren't cheesy." The male doctor said, but eyed the large teenager in front of him with apprehension.

"Move it, Sloane! Don't you have some bubble headed patient to feel up today?" A tall blonde with a whisky rough voice shoved past the plastic surgeon and onto the elevator. The door finally closed and both vampires became aware of the delicious scent clinging to the blonde.

They stopped breathing, thankful that the two doctors were now more interested in their argument than the other passengers of the elevator.

"Hey, Hahn, I'm nothing if not ethical with all my patients," Sloan said, in a mock hurt tone.

"The nurses went on strike last week because you hit on all of them and broke three of their hearts." Dr. Hahn tossed out her parting shot before stepping out onto her floor.

"I said patients." Dr. Sloan protested when the doors closed. He jabbed the button to open them and jogged after her to settle their argument.

The doors closed once more, leaving the two vampires alone. Emmett and Esme shared a look.

"This is an odd hospital," Esme said with a small frown.

"Definitely." Emmett agreed, looking at the lighted numbers above their heads.

They shared another look before chuckling lightly. The elevator ringed, signaling that they'd finally made to the fifth floor of the building. They stepped out of the elevator and all eyes were on them.

Emmett held their gazes with an unblinking one of his own before turning to his mother. "Well, so much for a covert mission." He commented lowly out the side of his mouth.

"We don't have time for this," Esme muttered too low for human ears. "Let's just walk fast and ignore them."

"The numbers descend to the left," Emmett said and walked purposely down the hall. Esme followed and soon they were at Leah's room.

Esme tore open the door and swallowed a sob at the sight of her mate lying in the hospital bed with IVs seemingly coming from everywhere. The steady beep of the heart monitor was the only thing barely keeping Esme from breaking down. If Leah had been kil-She couldn't even bear to finish the thought.

"What happened to you?" Esme demanded to the unconscious girl lying on the bed. "What did you do to yourself?" she begged helplessly as her eyes tracked the extent of Leah's injuries.

There were cuts and lacerations across her face and gleaming metal holding her shattered jaw together. There was a dark purple and yellow bruise hand shaped bruise on Leah's throat and Esme wished Riley was alive so she could kill him again. The vampire peeled back the covers slowly, dreading what she'd see. Leah's hospital gown had ridden up to show her ribs which were wrapped tightly, the area surrounding it looked terribly battered and sore. She looked over Leah once more and brushed her finger gently across an unmarred patch of skin.

Emmett stepped behind his mother, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "She's going to be okay, Esme. I mean just look at how the other guy ended up."

"Yes," Esme said and nodded, sniffling. She couldn't hold back her sobs anymore and turned, burying her face into Emmett's chest. He held her tightly, rubbing her back in firm, soothing circles until her cries tapered off.

Esme lifted her head and turned to face Leah once more. "She's one of the most obstinate young women I've ever met." She began but let the sentence hang in the silent room.

"And you love her." Emmett finished for her.

"With all that I am." Esme admitted.

"This is just more incentive for us to take Victoria out," Emmet said with determination and smacked his palm with his fist.

They heard people outside jump at the sudden loud bang.

"Emmett!" Esme said quickly.

"Sorry," He whispered contritely.

"It's fine." Esme said and continued to watch over Leah. All of a sudden, she smelled a tantalizing aroma of toasted sugar and apricots. A hungry purr bubbled up Esme's throat before the door opened to reveal a tall, curvy Latina with silky black hair.

The doctor had an easy going smile as she spoke. "Ah, so you're the two people that have the whole hospital buzzing." She began flipping through her chart, completely unaware of the danger she'd just placed herself in.

Emmett saw his mother's bloodlust and subtly shifted closer to her. "Stop breathing." He hissed lowly and was relieved when Esme complied.

Esme took a few moments to compose herself before speaking. "Yes, my name is Esme Cullen and this is my son Emmett. We've come to see about transferring Leah to Forks Community Hospital," She said in a businesslike tone.

"Leah? Is that her name?" Dr. Torres asked, making a note on the chart. At Esme's nod, she continued, "Leah was just admitted not even three hours ago, as her primary physician on her case I advise against you moving her."

Esme tried to concentrate on what Dr. Torres was saying and not on how much she longed to sink her teeth into the woman's jugular. It was difficult with the cloying scent weaving a spell around her. While talking it felt as though she could taste the woman's essence on her tongue and she wanted more. She cleared her throat. "I appreciate your concern but she needs to be cared for by a doctor that's familiar with her family history and allergies."

"I can promise you," Dr. Torres trailed off and studied the two vampire's closely. "Are you even family?"

"Yeah, we are," Emmett said at once and Esme couldn't help cracking a proud smile.

"These are the papers that have been prepared for her release and transfer." Esme said, reaching into her purse, for the paperwork.

Emmett gently laid his hand on Esme's wrist and grabbed the papers, holding them out to Dr. Torres so his mother wouldn't have to get any closer to the other woman.

Callie looked at the papers with a scowl. There were already signed by the Chief. "So all this was really just a formality?" She asked tightly upset at having such and interesting patient stolen from her.

"We're sorry, Doc," Emmett said sincerely. "I'm sure you're great at what you do, but her mother wants the switch."

"Wait," Callie said, looking at the papers again. "Cullen? Your husband is Dr. Carlisle Cullen?"

"Yes," Esme said with a tight smile. She needed to get out of this room for a few minutes and into the wide open air. She was formulating an excuse in her head and almost missed Dr. Torres' next words.

"Wow. He came to speak at my graduation." Callie gushed. "I'd love to meet him."

"I'm sure he'd be flattered. We'll exchange numbers." Esme said.

Callie smiled widely and a drop of blood descended from her nose. Then another. "Oh, damn it!" she said, clutching her nose to stem the bleeding.

A low, nearly inaudible sound rumbled in Esme's chest as she took a menancing step forward, her teeth bared.

Emmett glanced at his mother in shock. Her eyes were coal black. He was certain his were as well but he tamped down his own bloodlust and decided to help his mother. Quick as lightning, his arm shot out and he pulled her close to him, holding her tight against his chest. She struggled in his arms as the doctor turned around eying the scene curiously.

"She's more than a little upset about what happened to Leah," He said by way of explanation. "Esme." he whispered too low for the doctor to hear. "You have to stop breathing."

"It didn't help. I want her blood, Emmett." Esme all but growled to him in the same low register. "Let me go. I want her blood."

"No, you don't," he shushed her gently. "You don't want to hurt her. You're better than that," he said.

"I never understood how difficult it was for Edward to be around Bella. Even after her birthday party I never knew," she sobbed quietly into his chest. The burning in her throat was so painful she could hardly stand it anymore. It was like she was newborn all over again. All she wanted to do was tear open Dr. Torres' carotid artery.

"Mé?" Leah groaned from the bed and just like that, Esme's cloud of bloodlust dissipated.

Esme was by Leah's bedside in an instant. "You know one day we've got to stop meeting like this.

Leah smiled widely, showing the metal wiring in her mouth and winced. She shook in silent laughter and groaned. "Can't. Laugh." She wheezed through gritted teeth.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart." Esme sent at once.

"It's okay." Leah looked up at her with adoring eyes.

"With as much sedative they pumped into her system she really shouldn't be awake so soon," Dr. Torres mumbled to herself before speaking at a normal tone. "Hello, Leah. My name is Callie Torres and I'm the primary physician on your case."

"How long until I can leave?" Leah thought until she realized no one would be able to hear except Esme. She took a deep breath and tried again. "How…long…until…I…leave?" she forced out slowly.

"You really shouldn't try and talk with your jaw wired shut. Somehow I knew you would be a difficult patient," Callie said with a chuckle, touching her newly bandaged nose lightly.

"Oh, shit!" Leah slurred quickly, spittle dribbled through the wires. "I did that?"

"It's nothing." Dr. Torres waved her hand dismissively to ease Leah's worries. "It's just a hazard of the job I'm afraid." She gave a small smile. "Well, I'm off to gather your release papers and double check that you don't have to talk with the cops before being transferred to Forks." The doctor, placed the forms inside Leah's chart and walked out of the room.

Leah looked a little confused at the word 'transfer.' She turned her attention to Esme and opened her mouth but the metal holding her jaw together was still tight and uncomfortable. "I suppose you have something to do with this?"

Esme nodded with a grin. "Your mother insisted."

"I'm so dead aren't I?" Leah groaned out in her head.

Esme's mouth quirked up in a smile. "I'll protect you." She replied and frowned. "Don't use all your energy to talk to me. You really should rest."

Emmett smiled softly at the loving looks passing between Esme and Leah. He knew he was missing out on some sort of silent communication but the looks they were giving each other spoke volumes.

Dr. Torres came back into the room with a nurse and the tall blond doctor from the elevator earlier. The nurse came forward and filled a syringe from two different bottles. He noted that it was a high dosage as the nurse then turned to inject the liquid into Leah's IV.

"What's that?" The female wolf asked at once.

"It's a cocktail of heavy sedatives to ease your transport from here to Forks."

"Right," Leah said, her speech beginning to become a slow drawl.

"You're going to feel a fuzzy sensation in your head before you get drowsy."

Leah moaned out in protest as she reached out to stop the medicine slowly creeping into her system. Her hands felt heavy and disconnected from her body. She felt guilty when she caught sight of a barely there wince from Dr. Torres. "Sor…Doc." She slurred out before darkness claimed her.

-x-

A cold, clammy hand held tight to Leah's eyelid and pried it open, allowing a bright light to assault her pupils. "Shut off the sun," Leah garbled through her wired teeth. Her voice thick with medicated sleep.

"Welcome back." Carlisle appeared over her with a bright but Leah perceived could have been a somewhat evil smile.

"Oh no. Not you," Leah moaned.

"Not me? I'd like to know what other doctor would be taking over your care with better credentials." Carlisle asked, looking at her with a raised eyebrow as he pocketed his penlight.

Leah rolled her eyes. "How'd they even convince you to take me back in after all this?"

"Your mother appealed to my better nature," Carlisle said calmly with a shrug as if it was just as easy as that.

Leah groaned in pain as she got up from the bed, her ribs protesting. "Hey, don't let me inconvenience you. I'm leaving." She began to limp from the room.

"And where will you go? Back to your hotel room where Victoria has no doubt tracked your scent?" Carlisle stood, walking behind her.

Leah paused in her exit, she honestly hadn't thought of that.

"You've killed her top lackey and injured her. She'll be out for blood. It would be pure foolishness to go back now." Carlisle finished, coming to stand in her path.

"Get out of my way," Leah said, shoving him aside as she hobbled slowly toward the door.

Carlisle watched her lean heavily against the door frame before he spoke, "If you're going to be Esme's mate you can't think for just yourself anymore. If you're still planning to go running off half-cocked after all those factors I may as well save Victoria the trouble and end you now."

Leah whirled around with a snarl, her fists clenched at her side. "I'd like to see you try."

"The condition you're in now shows that you're not at all ready to face a vampire one on one. It'll be an easy kill," Carlisle said with an unimpressed sniff as he came closer to Leah.

"It wasn't so easy for Victoria." Leah growled deeply and threatening.

"Her arrogance was her downfall and so will yours be." Carlisle leaned forward and pressed a finger firmly against Leah's bandaged ribs.

The wolf hissed in pain as her knees buckled. She was saved by a pair of arms holding her securely around the waist. The comforting scent of lilies and nutmeg settled upon her and she relaxed instantly.

"Let's get you back into bed," Esme said softly, leading the younger woman to the bed. Her lips were pinched into a grim line. She gave Leah some pain pills and kissed her forehead tenderly. "Sleep well and heal, sweetheart," she whispered as the wolf all but passed out from exhaustion. Esme turned with a glare. She pointed to the hallway and stomped out, knowing Carlisle was following her steps.

"You think what I did was wrong," Carlisle said without preamble, following Esme out of the bedroom.

"I think what you did was completely uncalled for!" She hissed at a very low decibel so as not to wake Leah.

"She needed to know that there are consequences to every action she takes."

"She is not a child Carlisle!" Esme spat in annoyance. "She's perfectly capable of making levelheaded decisions."

"I've seen no evidence of this yet." Carlisle countered smoothly as he ticked off the reasons on his fingers. "Fighting two vampires on her own, challenging the Alpha of her pack while ill, and ignoring her imprint and as a result hurting the very one she swears she's only trying to protect." He said, his eyes softening. "She's hurt you time and time again by only thinking of herself."

"That's what this is really about, isn't it? Her hurting me. Carlisle, I've made peace with it and accepted her apology. It's not your place to make her pay the penalty for her 'crimes' against me," Esme said, stepping closer to her ex-husband. "Not anymore."

"I cannot and will not ever forgive her for hurting you." Carlisle confessed, looking away. He glanced at her again and lifted his arms instinctively to draw her closer, but only held air as Esme quickly stepped out of his reach.

The caramel haired vampire hugged herself tightly. "I think its best if I take over Leah's care from now on," she said avoiding his eyes.

Carlisle lowered his arms slowly to his side. "I think that's best as well," He agreed. "I'll let Mrs. Clearwater know after I finish hunting," he said and then he was gone.

Esme looked down at the living room at her children. There was no hiding the fact that they heard the entire conversation. "Let me know when the Clearwaters arrive," she said calmly and retreated to her bedroom.

-x-

"Esme!" Leah shot up in bed, her body drenched with sweat. "Oh my God, Esme," She whispered, tears shimmering in her eyes. She was enveloped in a hug by a firm and simultaneously soft body.

"It's okay. It was just a dream." The voice cooed soothingly. Spicy nutmeg settled in Leah's nose and she instantly calmed. Esme held Leah tight, caressing her back lightly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Leah shook her head in the negative. "No, I don't. It's just a dream like you said. What I really want is to take out that red-headed bitch." She declared with a low growl, wincing as the action pulled at the metal in her mouth.

"Leah Clearwater!"

The female wolf cringed. "Sorry, Ma!" she replied automatically.

Esme chuckled lightly. "Your mother's downstairs by the way." She reported with a smirk.

"Yeah, thank you. I hadn't noticed," Leah replied sarcastically.

"She's worried about you. So are your brother and Jacob."

"Jake's down there?"

Esme nodded. "They want to know what happened to you and so do we when you're finally up to it."

Leah yawned, or attempted to when her mouth pulled at the metal clamping her teeth together. "How long was I out?" she asked curiously.

"Only a couple of hours this time." Esme told her with a small smile.

"I thought it would have been longer considering," Leah said through gritted teeth. She felt the metal creak when she flexed her jaw. "I must be healing quicker than before."

"Be careful," Esme said quickly, placing a gentle hand against her mate's cheek. "You're going to hurt yourself further if you keep forcing the metal.

"How long do I have to keep this in?" Leah huffed in frustration but leaned into the soft touch with a tiny smile.

"I'd say at the rate you're currently healing about four days seeing as you can move your jaw a bit with minimal pain but I'm going to keep them on for a week to be certain." Esme answered tenderly, stroking the young woman's chin.

"Hooray," Leah said in a bored tone. "To answer your earlier question, yeah I guess I'm up to talking about the fight. No time like the present as they say."

"Indeed," Esme intoned, standing to help Leah out of bed.

As soon as they appeared on the landing, they were assaulted by numerous questions.

Seth stood at once, looking up at his sister. "Lee, are you okay?"

"How'd you do it?" Jacob asked still amazed at Leah being alive after this whole ordeal.

"What happened?" Was all Alice wanted to know as her vision only gave her bits and pieces of the fight. Bella just stood at her side in silence.

"I couldn't even get close to her." Emmett added in jealousy.

"What were you thinking!?" Sue all but screeched at her daughter.

"Do you think you're Superwoman?" Rosalie asked with a quirk of her eyebrow.

"What happened?" the petite vampire asked again in annoyance.

"Why did you feel the need to prove yourself?" Carlisle asked softly.

"How did you meet Riley?" Bree asked as the question suddenly occurred to her.

"What the hell happened?" Alice demanded, fuming. Bella just gripped her hand in comfort, hoping it would calm her for long enough for her question to be answered.

"Hey!" Leah stuck her middle finger and thumb in her mouth, preparing to whistle, when her hands brushed over the unforgiving metal. She dropped her hands and sighed, looking at Esme helplessly.

"Pipe down!" Esme yelled suddenly, the sound cutting across the den, silencing everyone.

"Yeah," Leah agreed, rubbing her temples firmly. "You're making my head hurt," She grumbled darkly.

"Ask your questions one at a time," Esme intoned her normally kind voice. When she saw everyone once again opened their mouths to ask a barrage of questions her right hand shot up. "Wait! How about we let Leah tell what happened and then you can ask whatever remaining questions you have?"

"Lee's mouth's wired closed and she's not supposed to be talking. How can she even tell us?" Seth asked curiously.

"Tell them I'll think my story and then Edward will repeat it." Leah sent mentally to Esme.

"She said she'll think her story and Edward will repeat what she says," Esme explained. Everyone stopped and looked at Esme with surprised, imploring eyes.

"H-how did you hear Leah's thoughts?" Bella asked the question everyone was thinking.

"Leah and Esme have a mental rapport," Edward said by way of explanation.

"Of course they do," Rosalie said with a roll of her eyes. "This just gets odder and odder. They can talk telepathically blah, blah. Let's move on with Leah's heroic tales of stupidity."

"Oh thank you, your highness, may I?" Leah growled through the metal, holding her teeth closed.

"Leah, don't hurt yourself." Esme admonished her quickly.

"It's too late for that." Leah reached up, rubbing her sore jaw with a small grimace. "Just give me a few seconds to gather my thoughts and I'll tell you my story." She breathed in deeply and turned to Esme with an apology gleaming in her eyes. "It all started after my boss asked me to grab a case of liquor from downstairs…"

"That was pretty badass!" Emmett exclaimed after the story's conclusion, pumping his fist into the air.

"It was also incredibly foolish." Edward tacked on. "We could have been retrieving your body from the morgue if it had gone any differently."

"I'm here now aren't I?" Leah huffed, annoyed.

"Yes, you are. Now act like you want to be here," Carlisle countered.

"Everything can't be settled with a well-timed speech of morals, Dr. Goldilocks," Leah snarled coolly.

"Both of you stop this right now!" Sue said sternly. "We have a far more important matter than the both of you acting like children.

"She is a child," Carlisle responded at once.

"What's your excuse?" Sue asked with a single eyebrow raised. Silence reign in the room for several tense seconds as Carlisle stood with his eyes locked with Sue's.

"Schooled." Seth coughed into his hand not so quietly. He and Jake chuckled but quickly sobered when they saw Sue's look was now being directed at them. "Now does anyone have any suggestions as to how we'll deal with Victoria and her personal vendetta against Bella?"

"We may." Alice said. "After Esme, Emmett, and Edward left for Seattle, I had a vision of Victoria. Nice scar you gave her by the way." She said to Leah and continued. "She's going to train her army and set up shop in Seattle then she's…" the pixie like vampire trailed off with a glazed look in her eyes. "The Volturi," she whispered gravelly.

Leah's forehead furrowed. "What's your vampire government got to do with anything?"

"The army must have attracted the attention of the Volturi." Edward guessed aloud.

"They have." Alice confirmed. "The Volturi are coming to assess the situation and then they're going to come here for an update on Bella." She finished with a dismayed expression on her face.

"So what can we do?"

"We need to go into Seattle and take care of the army," Carlisle spoke calmly. "If they come to Forks, not only will they possibly go trekking through the more wooded areas, possibly La Push but they absolutely won't hesitate to kill any wolf they find."

"Hold on. They'll go tramping through our land and then attack us for just occupying it?" Leah growled agitatedly. "Déjà vu anyone?"

"The Volturi has had an ongoing war with werewolves."

Leah's brow furrowed lightly in confusion. "Why?" she thought locking eyes with Edward.

"Werewolves are uncontrollable, unstoppable forces of nature. During a full moon a single werewolf at full strength can take on ten of some of the strongest vampires at once without breaking a sweat."

"We phase at will though, the moon has never ruled us."

"We know that you're not werewolves but the Volturi won't care to examine the particulars of how you exist."

"So the summary is once again thanks to Bella Swan we're facing certain death?"

"That's not fair, Leah," Edward said at once.

"No! I'm tired of her life interfering with mine."

"Our lives are intertwined now. You have to let go of your animosity."

Leah growled lowly, attempting to grind her teeth together, the metal whining in protest. "Fine, just keep her out of my way." She stormed off going back inside the bedroom.

Esme turned to follow but was stopped by Sue.

"It's okay. I've got this one," Sue said, coming up the stairs.

Esme looked ready to protest but changed her mind and instead said, "You remember which door it is?"

"Yes, I do. Thank you." Sue nodded to Esme and patted her hand lightly.

Esme gave a small smile, looking longingly at the closed door Leah disappeared behind.

Sue didn't bother to knock once coming to Esme's bedroom.

"What do you want?" Leah asked in a defeated tone through her wire when she saw her mother come through the door.

"What is happening with you lately, Leah? I've never seen you so stubbornly pig-headed before you started phasing. I know I've taught you better than this."

"Better than what?" Leah asked.

"Better than being a complete brat. That is not the mate that Esme neither needs nor deserves." Sue's eyed her daughter with a stern expression.

"We did imprint," Leah defended weakly.

"So that means she's supposed to just take you as you are?" Sue asked with disbelief. "Imprinting is only step one of a mated pair. You need to decide what kind of person you want to be with Esme and her family and whether you like it or not that includes Bella Swan. If you don't get over whatever this vendetta is with her, you could cause the very rift that you fought so hard to avoid." She held Leah's head in her hands peering into her daughter's eyes. "Don't let your bitter anger hold you back from happiness."

Sue dropped her daughter's hand abruptly when her eyes flashed bright topaz and she intoned in her an eerie voice. "I won't."

-End of Chapter Fourteen-

The mystery is solved! It twas Riley that caught Leah unawares. How do you like how I handled his death? I thought it was very fitting. Also, Esme found her singer. How do you think this will affect our favorite maternal vampire?

Any concerns, questions, or comments with this chapter? Tell me in a review or PM!

I know. I know. It's been a very looong time since I've updated but I promise you I've been writing this whole time. This fic is nearly finished and I've got a few side projects in other fandoms that I've been playing around with, so I'd call my productivity a win!

I've gotten so many reviews, follows, and faves in response for the last chapter I don't even know where to begin to express my thanks. I'm working on getting them all answered so expect emails and PMs as soon as this chapter goes live on the site.

I hope you continue to read and enjoy the rest of the chapters! Thank you all so much for the support.

Until next time!

~MC