Leah Clearwater Pov

*Flashback*

16 years ago

Tossing and turning all night.

It makes no sense to be so sleepy, yet not able to shut my eyes.

With Daniel sound asleep beside me, I glanced over at the clock on my night stand.

It ticked 7:00am. I've been awake for three hours now.

Suddenly there was a knock on the bedroom door, and I looked over.

"Come in." I whispered.

I only expected it to be Aiden.

"Morning." She whispered, opening the door.

"Sorry to wake you, but I was hoping to borrow your car." She says wearing a light blue sweatsuit I bought her years ago. She was losing weight. Tiny thing is going to be carried by the La Push wind one day.

I narrowed my eyes. She never eats these days. Must be the stress of all things Nahuel. "Have you eaten breakfast?

"Not yet. Would you like me to make you something?" She asked sweetly.

I ignored that. "Where are you going so early?"

"Um, to find Noah. I honestly think I should at least consider working with him, and perhaps go to him before it's too late." She says. I can easily tell she was lying.

"Too late for what?" I asked.

"Not sure. Whatever he thinks is going on with the vampires, and what they may or may not be planning."

I rolled my eyes, I preferred her to stay out of it. "Be careful, Aiden. The keys are on my dresser." I said pointing across the room. "Just make sure you're back before lunch time."

"Thank you, and don't worry I will. I'm only going to Forks." She stated, and I nodded still not believing her completely. "Just in case you go back to sleep, I already took the dogs out. Now they're back in the basement. Did you know that the door is broken?"

I sighed. "Yes, I saw the back door and the basement after everybody went to sleep. Not to mention Daniel told me what happened."

"What do you mean? What happened?" She asked.

I rolled my eyes, waving my hand. "Long story. Jacob will fix it later. Just make sure you bring my car back." I said, climbing out of bed.

"Okay."

"Another thing... just remember, the first sight of danger make sure you inform the Pack and the Cullen's." I said slowly following her out the bedroom, and into the hall. "Nauhel can be anywhere and we don't need him manipulating you."

"Okay, I understand." She says.

In the living room, I was surprised to see Jacob wasn't asleep on the couch. "Where's Jacob?"

"He's outside on the porch." Aiden said, walking towards the door.

I wonder why he's up early and not at work.

I exhaled moving towards the kitchen, then paused glancing at the back at the front door.

I should go out front to talk with Jacob, since the kids were asleep and Aiden was leaving.

Who knows, maybe he's calmer than he was last night.

"Bye." Aiden says.

"Bye."

Slowly moving through the living room I paused at the steps, glancing out onto the porch.

There sitting on the top step was Jacob, fully dressed as if he was getting ready to leave.

Opening the door, I quickly walked out just as Aiden drove down the driveway.

Moving towards the steps, Jacob glanced back for a second to look at me then turned his head.

I took a seat right beside him. "Just getting back?" I asked low, looking at the car keys in his hands that he was playing with.

"Yeah." He answered with a normal tone.

All signs of irritation and anger are gone from last night. Thank Goodness.

"Where did you go?" I ask.

"To the shop."

I nodded looking over towards the woods. Bad vibes or not, just knowing us sitting here is somehow going to lead into some type of argument.

"Remember that moment years ago when I came back? Our first night together, that next morning?" I ask, looking at him already knowing what he was going to say.

"What about it?" He mumbled not looking my way.

"We spoke about us, and Sam." I say.

Jacob didn't say anything in reply; he just stared down at his hands emotionless.

"I had a dream that I was alone, and everyone was gone. I panicked because it was reality back then. It was always, but with you and Sam it was different. Pack or no pack. That night, admitting that I loved you was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."

"You've told me this before." He mumbled.

"I know, but sometimes you forget things about us."

"Leah. I remember everything we ever did, everything we ever said. I can't forget." He kinda snapped glaring at me. "It's kind of hard to." He mumbled and I turned my head to keep from looking him in the eyes.

If he remembers everything, why is it so hard for him to understand where I'm coming from? Or that my needs are just as important as his.

"Good, I guess." I stated.

"No, it's not. On days like this… it's not." He whispered, and I looked over as he lowered his head.

He's more upset than I thought.

"Jacob, maybe we need a break."

"What?" He said fast, keeping his eyes off me.

"We have to decide on how this is going to work. When we were at the cabin… Why did you change your mind about moving away?" I asked.

I knew it was because of Sam.

He took a second, obviously thinking, then glared at me. "Because I realized you were lying when you said I had nothing to worry about when it came to Sam." He stated.

I slowly closed my eyes, then reopened them to look at him. "I would never lie about that."

"Why did you change your mind when I agreed?" He ignored what I just said.

"I haven't. I still want it. Permanently, leaving is what's best for us. When can you find a nice cozy home on Makah Reservation together. You don't have to feel threatened by Sam, I promise you."

"Do all your decisions revolve around Sam?" He said as a question instead of an aiming slur.

"No." I admitted looking over at him.

Jacob just nodded his head, still keeping his glare off of me.

"Meeting up with him that day was nothing. I just needed someone to talk to. A friend."

"Then you should've come to me!"

"You wouldn't have listened."

"You didn't try?" He says.

"I always try. I try more than you know. You never want to hear it. Sam just understood."

"Understood what?" He yelled.

"Me! What I need. My need to get out, my need to do something different. Instead of fixing cars day and night, I want to find something that I'm passionate about." I stated. "Sam, just has this thing of me helping him do charities and it's different." I said, shrugging my shoulders. "I care about Sam, not in the way you and everyone thinks but he just has always been a good friend towards me. Regardless of how you feel about him. I know it's a betrayal in your eyes, and I'm sorry but I needed his help. Believe it or not Elena, Rebecca, and Adam cannot be my only friends. Sam's the only person I can talk to at the moment." I admitted.

"You have me." He clarified.

"You are not enough." I replied too fast, and instantly regretted it.

Jacob's facial expression didn't change at my words. "I mean... you are, but you just don't get it. You can't see how things are from where I stand. You know no one will ever mean as much as you do to me. Ever." I admit it honestly.

"So you want a break because of Sam." He said with his fist balled.

"No. I just see that we need one right now. We're fighting and disagreeing way too much and it's hurting the boys." I noted.

"So what if we take a break, and then later am I supposed to forget that you ran off with Sam? Sneaking off with him?"

"No." I shook my head. "I'm sorry about having to do that." I admitted.

"Am I supposed to forget that you needed him? That you didn't care at all about how I would feel about it?" He says.

"No. I'm not asking anything of you, Jacob. You have a right to be angry. I just want you to know why I did it and that I don't doubt us, at the same time I can't reject that I need a change between us." I stated. "I want to be comfortable with you knowing who you are to me, but that you can't be everything to me all the time, because when you leave each morning... I'm alone."

Jacob didn't say a word.

"I don't want you to feel like I can't talk to you at all, but we disagree on so much lately. I hated it and I mean I know how bad it looks and you should be pissed at me, though I don't want you to feel like you're losing me."

Jacob sighed getting ready to stand up, but I grabbed his arm.

"Jacob. Everything you said yesterday was right in some ways. To say for the past couple weeks maybe I have been bossy, and irritable. This thing with the council has always been a headache, and the boys… not to sound like a broken record but it's a little tiring. Sam saw that, and with the idea of a job and maybe finishing school….. I don't want to continue doing things that make me unhappy. I don't want you to think that he had some influence over me either because that wasn't it."

"Yeah, I got it. He inspired you." He snapped. "Just stop!" I flinched back realizing how pathetic I sounded.

Jacob shook his head in frustration, turning his body back away from me. I had to change the subject off of me.

"I'll consider allowing Joshua to start school. You've always been right when it comes to Josh, he talks to you more. I see that now. He shouldn't have to play last when it comes to Daniel and Caleb. They all should be equal. I can't call myself a good person let alone a good parent if I catered to favorites. It's not right." I admitted thinking of Joshua. "And who knows, maybe this will stop him from throwing tantrums every day. Just how you're listening to me right now, it doesn't hurt to try and listen to him for once. Maybe he does deserve to at least try out the normal thing in time." I stated.

"I'm finding it hard to believe this right now." He glared at me, clearly trying not to show any signs of irritation.

"Believe what?"

"You." He retorted humorously.

I bit my lip, looking down at my hands. How can I blame him?

"I'm just tired of fighting everyone. All I know is I don't need any more reasons for you or anyone else to hate me. I know when half of the time I'm wrong but don't admit it because I want to be right. So maybe I can say and do stuff that absolutely makes no sense, though now you know it's not you or anyone else -It's me. I'm working on myself, alright. So if the plan is to let Josh go to school on Makah Reservation- then, fine." I said looking at him in his eyes as mine began to water. "It's something you both want so I'm alright with it, plus we'll be closer to Jeremiah."

Not saying anything, Jacob turned his head to stare out towards the woods.

Not seeming pissed or confused, his facial expression just appeared blank.

Seconds past and I waited for him to say something. He didn't.

Eventually… He agrees.. I'm hoping.

"Did you forget about Josh's friend Shane? Did you forget my auto shop? You do know moving doesn't fix anything? It doesn't help anyone." He says too calmly.

"It will. We'll get a fresh start. Do you really want Joshua, Daniel, and Caleb to go through what we did? In case you haven't noticed they're getting older and just last night a leech practically blew through our back door, and if Chaske and Keusch didn't warn you, you guys wouldn't have noticed. The dogs have better vamp-guards than us. Besides, Josh can meet up with Shane anytime."

"I honestly don't think that leaving right now will make you happy." He says.

"You sound like Sam." I muttered and he gave me a death glare.

"You believe it won't. I think it will." I stated. "There are millions of reasons to leave here, Number one is the parasite problem."

"Actually, number one is your unhappiness. You want your break? You got it." He says.

I sighed, running my hands through my hair.

"I know what we have here, and I also know how better it could be without the drama. The wolves, the hybrids, the vampires, Sam…. It's all drama. I rather deal with the drama of forgetting to pick up dish washing liquid than having to deal with my kids turning into some gigantic dog. I didn't want it for myself and I don't want it for them. If you love me you will think about this, you'll think about us." I stated.

Jacob rolled his eyes knowing I was giving him my pity-love card.

All I can think of right now is Jeremiah words in my ear, telling me how I should always put my family ahead of myself. I can't leave to go anywhere without Jacob. Nothing in the world could make me not want him with me. I love him, but we fight almost every night now.

The boy's wellbeing is my number one, always then it's myself. Jacob has to see this.

"Our family isn't safe here, we need a change. I don't want to be alone in this. We don't even have to move too far, down the Bay. Somewhere familiar yet leech-free. Leaving has been at the top of my list of priorities for forever, though right now our family is number one."

"Yeah? What about Aiden? Since you can't be without me and the kids. What about her? Where does your precious lamb fit into all this priority crap?" He spat glaringly at me.

"She doesn't." I retorted.

He laughed un-amused.

"I'm serious, Jacob." I stated.

"You must be." He said, narrowing his eyes.

"She's been lying to me lately. Little white lies, yet still it was never like this before." I say thinking of Aiden and me.

"Doesn't feel good when it's happening to you, huh?" He stated, and it was clear that I was doing the same thing with him.

"Yeah." I agreed. "Maybe it was a mistake taking her in." I said looking away. "It's all Nahuel ever planned. He has gotten to her somehow. If we leave, she doesn't come with us. If we're going to protect the kids, she's not included." I stated.

I have to prove to Jacob that he and the kids are my number one, even if I'm asking for a small break from him right now.

"Aiden probably has good intentions, as it seems but things are tricky." I say, glaring deep into those dark brown eyes of his.

"Wow. Unbelievable. You're serious aren't you?" He was shocked.

"You were right yesterday. I was being biased, I always put Aiden ahead of you and everybody. I didn't stop to think. I don't want to lose you because of it. I want to make everything right, even if it has to start with the kids. I never lied about anything with Aiden. There wasn't anything much to tell other than her receiving phone calls and stupid messages from her siblings. When she told me that Rylan came to our house, I realized how vulnerable we are against them. All of them. They can come in and kill us just as fast as anything. At first I did tell her that I didn't mind her talking with them, for what reason I don't know. Noah and Ryan are her blood." I said, shrugging my shoulders. "Honestly, she hasn't been giving me the whole truth about what's really going on. Either way…. If we leave. We're better off. I haven't even bothered to talk with her yet but if we move, it'll just be us."

Jacob snorted. "You're serious about this moving thing? Like this year? This moment? After your stupid so-called break?"

"Alright, we won't have to take a break. Whatever you're comfortable with we'll do, just as long as we agree." I say.

"Jeez," He said, shaking his head. "This is hard to wrap my head around. Can't believe you're serious about this." He mumbled merely to himself.

"Why wouldn't I be? I know all I do is talk about it but I'm serious. Something's got to give and you need to make a choice." I stated.

"So what's your plan? Do you even have one? And Aiden…. How do you know that when you tell her we're leaving without her that she won't just turn on you? How do you know she isn't going to just say… alright… then a couple days later just snap?"

"Because I won't just drop her, I'll help her find a nice apartment and a good job. She'll be alright." I stated.

Jacob laughed without humor, looking away. "If you say so."

"Isn't this what you wanted all along? Is it for her to be gone?"

"No. I wanted it to be just us. But it's never been just us. From the very beginning it was Sam and everyone else then she came. There has never been an us!" He yelled glaring at me.

I looked out towards the woods. He was right. From the second I moved back to La Push it hasn't.

"Well...if you weren't bent on trapping me into having Joshua then things would be different... or did you forget about that little pregnancy-plot you sprong on me." I stated.

Jacob stood up fast, and I looked up as he turned to face me.

"Yeah, well... if we didn't have Josh you would have ran again without a second thought."

I snorted in disbelief.

Yet, he knew me even back then. "Perhaps, that's true. So, what's your answer?" I asked.

He paused.

"I don't know yet. I can't sum up a bunch of solutions to a problem that only you're suffering from. I'll let you know." He said walking towards the front door.

I turned my head back towards the woods.

That was better than a complete no.

Jacob slammed the door shut behind him and I felt much better getting everything off my chest. We needed that talk.

*End of Flashback*

Haylie Laskes Pov

*Flashback*

16 Years Ago

"I can't wait to go back to school. At first I was a little worried, but now I'm like what the heck." Claire said, spinning in the chair behind the desk.

I just glared out of the auto garage at Adam who was talking to the new wolf Cole, he looked as if he was in trouble.

"I'm thinking maybe I should ask Jacob if I can work here after school, so I can be closer to Quil." She said, I rolled my eyes.

"Claire, you're his imprint. How close can you get? Seriously if you get any closer ...you'll be conjoined." I retorted leaning up against the front desk waiting for Sue to call and tell me that she's done cooking. I love her food.

"Don't snip at me because you're jealous, it's not my fault that I was lucky with someone to love me unlike everyone else." She retorted.

I laughed.

"Sure, Claire. As if you're the only person in the world who was imprinted on."

"I know I'm not, but maybe if you weren't so pessimistic then maybe you could imprint on someone." I turned halfway to shoot her an evil glare.

"It's not a choice! Who are you, to call me pessimistic? I'm not pessimistic." I almost yelled.

"Yes, you are Haylie." She stated.

"If I'm pessimistic, then you're a spoiled brat." I spat, turning to glare back down towards the driveway where Adam was still talking to Cole.

"Why are you still here anyway, weren't you supposed to leave like an hour ago?" She asked and I saw Embry walking up the driveway to the garage.

"No. Stop talking, and get out of that chair before someone sees you." I said fast moving towards the back of the desk.

Claire huffed getting up, and walking around the desk as I took her seat. Jacob made it clear that if he, Adam, or Embry wasn't around that no one should be horsing around. Claire being in the shop without Quil will definitely be horsing around in his book.

When the door slammed, Claire and I both jumped.

"Someone's mad." Claire mumbled.

Embry has been irritable for some time now.

"Right, come on. I'll walk you home." I say to Claire. Walking her to Sam's house helps me to keep avoiding Embry after our break up.

*One Hour Later*

After walking Claire home to Sam's, I thought long and hard about Aiden and how hard it must be for her to choose between her brothers and Leah's family.

If my mother was alive I'm actually uncertain if I would choose her over my father's vampire world. I may still prefer living here with the pack.

Walking quickly through the brushes towards Sue's house, I suddenly heard footsteps moving towards me.

I stopped in place to focus on what directions the noise was coming from.

The footsteps slowed down and I zoomed my sight through the trees, ahead of me. Waiting for whoever it was to show themselves.

Stepping from behind a tree, I stared ahead at his white skin, light brown eyes and long brown wavy hair.

Noah.

"Hi." He smiled nicely showing his purely white teeth.

I narrowed my eyes. What the heck is he doing here?

No doubt Aiden is who he's looking for.

When I saw him yesterday, my first thought was…. Hmm… Cute… Why does he keep showing up?

It never took long to sense he wasn't fully human… just a hybrid.

To me he doesn't look anything like Renesmee or Nahuel.

Looking at him now, he appeared to have changed his clothes.

His long wavy brown hair was out hanging down his shoulders.

Why is he so damn tall?

"What do you want?" I say, eyeing him. "Come to stalk Aiden?"

"I'm not here to stir up trouble. I was just… passing by." He said low.

"Ah… Okay…."

"Actually…. I was doing more than passing by. I spoke to Aiden this morning, she says you were upset about your father leaving." He retorted, taking a step towards me nervously. "You must be close to him." He said and I narrowed my eyes as I had no idea what to do, but to walk around him as if he was never here.

"So what?" I say. "Why do you care? You don't know me or my father."

"I don't wish to come off as a bad guy, Haylie."

"You do know that the Pack is out running around?" I stated.

"Yes," He smiled amused. "I'm aware."

"So you expect me to believe you just came to check on me? Are you toying with me?"

"No."

"Are you baiting the Pack to go after you?" I ask.

"No." He answered again.

"Uh huh…" I mumbled lifting an eyebrow at him. "Then what?"

"Cautious I see. Are you going to report me if you don't like my answer?" He said jokingly.

I snorted. "I'm not La Push police so…."

"Yes I see, however I thought I would explain myself before you call your.. boyfriend." He said awkwardly scratching his hair.

I rolled my eyes. "I don't have one anymore."

"What about an Alpha?" He asked.

"I don't have an Alpha… Not really. Jacob was the only one I called Alpha. Sam sometimes asks for my help, but he doesn't order me to do anything."

"I understand." He nodded.

"Right… well since you mean no harm then I guess you can continue on your way." I said getting ready to take a step towards him.

"Wait, Haylie." He said as if we were long time friends and I glared at him in shock. "If you can help me, maybe I can help you." He said taking a step towards me.

"Help me with what?" I asked.

"The vampires. Nahuel. I cross him from time to time. Anything you need, I can help." He said desperately, holding out his hands.

I snorted. What is with him? It's like some mental light flicked on, and all he can think of is getting into Aiden and everyone she knows good-graces.

"How do you know if I want any help from you? Is it because of Aiden? Because I'm finding it hard to believe that you're suddenly trying to stop Nahuel. Aiden doesn't trust you."

"She trusts you." He said though it wasn't really a statement nor question.

"Who knows what goes on in Aiden's head other than rainbows and flowers. I'm seriously doubting you'll find help here with any problem." I stated. "You don't know Aiden, and you definitely don't know me."

"I know a lot of things." He smirked.

"Obviously not, or you would've foreseen that neither Aiden or I can help you with anything. It's suicide over here in these parts." I mocked.

"I disagree, and I'm sure you'll come in handy against them."

I snorted. "How would you know? You never saw me in my wolf-form." I say.

"Who says that I haven't? Do you not think it's impossible to have seen or watched Aiden, without watching the ones she's close with first?"

"Wow. Stalker much." I stated.

"I've seen you as much as I've seen Aiden. You're mostly on the cliffs, Alone… Or following behind your former boyfriend. How long were you two together?" He asked and I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.

"You already know the answer to that. Mr. I know it all."

He laughed amused. "True. You deserve much better."

I sighed. "You know if Aiden didn't want anything to do with you before, What makes you think she'd changed her mind now?" I asked.

He smirked. "Aiden…. is a huge part of my curiosity about La Push. It seems the more I try to get to know her, the more entertaining the people around her become. Including you. Sadly, Aiden doesn't feel comfortable being here."

"I know, the wolves never gave her a warm welcome. Only person who is ever nice to her is Damon." I say.

Aide's crush developed on Damon years ago while he was dating a wolf named Lizzie, but when Lizzie moved away Damon was heartbroken. Aiden befriended him.

"Yet, I assume Leah Clearwater isn't interested in a future as one would think." Noah hinted. "When Aiden finds out, I know she will need someone to turn to. I'm hoping she can trust in me before that upsetting day happens."

"So you have two agendas?" I ask. I had no idea what upsetting news he speaks of, but he wants to protect Aiden from it.

"I surely mentioned that yesterday." He nods.

"Oh-Right. How can I forget.." I rolled my eyes. "By the way… Aiden is a big girl, she'll continue doing fine with or without you. I get your one and the same, but come on. Do you seriously think things will switch that fast?"

"Truly, I don't know?" He mumbled.

"Somehow, I don't see that." I stated. "If you seriously want help, you're going to have to do better than… The big-bad vampires are plotting something, I can feel it." I said mocking what he said to me and Aiden yesterday.

He laughed, taking a step towards me. "What if I told you that Joham has the ability to block-out anyone's memory? He's the power behind the Russian Coven."

I bit down on my lip. "Ahh, then I'd say…. Anything else?"

"Plenty, however I can't find that out without Aiden's help." He says.

"Does Aiden know about Joham's special power?" I ask.

"Don't see why she wouldn't."

"Then why is it that you know and no one else?"

"Because I'm Mr. know it all." He smirked.

I snorted. "Well duh, on that part." I stated.

"Will you mention this conversation to Aiden?" He asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, not sure what he wanted my answer to be.

"You have nothing else better to do." He states as if he knows me.

"Oh really?" I mumbled.

"Unless you prefer to start your gossip mill on Aiden's brother's misleading news."

"Shows how much you know, I no longer gossip and I'm pretty sure your news on the Russian Coven is more accurate than anything Aiden has found out from Nahuel."

"I see." He mumbled nodding his head looking away. "Aiden would rather speak with Nahuel than to me."

"Maybe she's trying to protect you." I suggested.

"I'm older. It's for me to protect her."

"Yeah well…. I'm sure Aiden can protect herself." I said then hurried to move past him towards the trees.

"Wait!" He said fast. "Can I ask you a favor?"

I paused, taking a deep breath. "What would that be?"

"Aiden, Can you talk to her for me? It would really mean a lot to me." He spoke.

I slowly turned half-way to face him. "Why? What's in it for me?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Anything you ask. Just as long as a good word is in my favor." He smiled.

I snorted. "I don't know you so, no good words will probably come to mind."

"Pretty please? You… can just give me the benefit of the doubt."

"And then what?" I say.

"Maybe she'll come around, and try to learn to trust in me." He said hopeful.

I sighed looking around the woods. I wasn't sure.

"You won't regret it." Noah started smiling.

"It's odd that you have in your head that Aiden's unhappy. Why would I gift-wrap her to you? I'm not even sure about you myself."

"You have good intentions, Haylie. You seemed pretty sure when you defended my visit yesterday against Embry Call's doubt. Do it for the same reason you would want someone to plead with for the sake of your father. All I want is to connect with Aiden as you want to connect with him, Right?" He stated.

"What the - How do you know about my dad?" I mumbled astonished.

"I'm an excellent listener when I want to be." He says, though not in a gloating kind of way, but as if he was remorseful.

Suddenly a cell phone rang and I reached into my pocket for mine, though it wasn't vibrating.

Glaring back into his direction, he stared down in his hand.

Not bothering to answer it he hit a button and lifted his head up back to me.

"Rather you talk to Aiden or not, I will return." Noah says, but before I could say anything back he turned so swiftly in the direction of First Beach and was gone.

I sighed.

Great, another visit from Noah Cullen. One more pop-u like this, and he'll owe me a date.

I wonder if Aiden's aware that her half-hybrid-brother is not only stalking her, but me as well.

*End of Flashback*