DISClaimer: I'm not Stephenie Meyer. I make no profit from this.

Hope you enjoy this.

-x-

I didn't particularly want to, but I knew that the faster I fell asleep, the faster tomorrow would come and the faster my life would change.

-x-

-Leah-

I threw my stuff into the back of the Cadillac the Cullens had surprised us with last night.

"Leah!" I looked up at the house to see Seth standing there, leaning on the veranda, looking at me, with wide, sad eyes. "You're leaving without saying goodbye?" He sounded genuinely hurt, his hands curled around the wooden bar and he nearly wrenched it in two before I reached him, laying a hand on his shaking form.

"Don't get mad, Seth. I'm not going until I've said goodbye to you, and Mackenzie, and -"

"Then where were you going?"

"I was just putting our bags into the car, Seth." He shook his head and took a deep breath. "Seth, bro, don't worry." I smiled at him and he grinned back, though he looked like he was going to cry. "I'm not gonna leave you without saying goodbye. You're my brother."

I sighed and folded my arms, leaning on the barrier and looking up at him.

"I'm gonna miss you, Leah." He had to pull it again, and I know he did - he didn't want me going, I think, because he was scared I would get hurt again. "You know that, don't you?"

"I'll be on the other end of a cell phone, Seth. Don't worry about me. I'll be protected."

"Whatever you do?" He raised an eyebrow sceptically and I couldn't help but laugh. It seemed like I'd been doing that a lot lately, laughing.

"Whatever I do," I put my hand over my heart and saluted, "Wolves honour." He mimicked my movement and words, and the pair of us collapsed into giggles. I jumped up to balance on the pole and Seth grabbed my ankle, holding onto me so I couldn't fall.

"What's the time?" I asked as I looked down at him, he let me go to check his watch and I very nearly slipped, very nearly fell and broke something, but, of course, with lightning reactions, Seth had yanked me onto his shoulders.

And I screamed, attempting to kick his butt from here until next week.

Evan came running out of the door, clad in only a pair of jeans with soaking wet hair. And, instead of doing the gentlemanly thing of beating up my brother and helping me down, he stood in the doorway and burst out laughing.

"It's not-frickin'-funny-you-English-bastard-get-me-down-from-him-" I hit Seth's back again and he released me, muttering under his breath as he set me on my feet.

"Aww, I'm sorry, Leah, but that was just brilliant-"

"It's not funny, Evan-"

"Oh, come on, Leah-" I folded my arms and refused to let him touch me as he went to hug me. "I was only messing with you-" I poked my tongue out at him and he wrapped his arms around me. His body was a little damp from the shower, but he was cool and inviting and I let myself get all wrapped up in him as Seth stared at us and smiled.

"God. You two are sickening."

I spun out of Evan's grip to look at her, my fingers balling into fists as I felt a wave of rage engulf me. Seth took one look at me and shook his head. I returned the motion and focussed on the feeling of Evan's hand on my waist, his fingers lightly running through my hair. I took a long, deep breath and looked at his light smile, the smile that told me there was nothing to worry about. That he wasn't bothered about it, so why should I be?

I looked at her and forced a laugh from my lips. Stupidity, that's all it was.

"Well, at least you won't have to look at us for much longer." Evan grinned at me and kissed my cheek, "Two hours 'til lift off? Or three?"

"Two and a half." I turned and grinned at him, then looked at Seth and grinned at him, "Breakfast?"

"Indeed," he smiled at me and caught Mackenzie around the waist, sweeping her along into the kitchen. I looked over at Evan and he smiled at me wickedly, leaning in close so I could feel his lips against my ear as he spoke.

"We'd better go inside before she spits in our morning coffee." he laughed at his own little joke and I followed him into the hallway, closing the door behind me.

-Seth-

I actually felt as though I was going to cry. Leah was leaning in the window, looking at Evan in the driver's seat. He was smiling as she said something I couldn't hear, then he slapped his hand to his pocket, and swore loud enough for me to hear.

"Aw. Fuck." He was out of the car and in the house before I could blink, disappearing for a full five minutes and returning holding up a small book and wearing a huge grin.

"Hey, Seth…" He looked over at me, "We're gonna be going now." He half-smiled, "I guess… I should say thanks, and you're a really cool guy, and I'm really sorry that she's been so bitter towards me over the last month-" He jerked his thumb in the direction of the house, where Max was still asleep, sure she didn't want to see them say goodbye. "And yeah," He nodded, "Thanks, dude. Just thank you so much for everything you could have given me, and offered me and you've let me stay in your house and everything-"

"Dude." I grinned at him, pulled him into a man-hug and smiled, "You're welcome." There was a pause where I leaned towards him and looked him square in the eye as he went to go and join Leah, "Look after her, alright, Evan?"

"I will, Seth. I promise." He held out his hand and we shook firmly, parting as friends.

Leah bounded forward and kissed me on the cheek, grinning.

"I'll call you and email you and stuff." She nodded, "you're the best, Seth." I wrapped my arms around her and sighed as she let got of me. "Miss ya." She punched me in the arm and I felt it. It damn hurt.

She bolted across the lawn and left me standing on the grass as Evan gunned the engine and she waved vaguely out of the window. I stood, watching them, following them with my gaze as they disappeared down the street.

-x-

A/N: Please review and let me know how I did... :P

I'm really glad you all like it... so i'd appreciate more feedback...

And, ofcourse, this was totally pathetic – the space inbetween updates here was one where I should have been hung, drawn, quartered and a million other things.

However. This chapter (45) marks the introduction of the spinoff / sequel for the saga. It's time for All Roads Lead Back Home... The road trip story for Evan and Leah.

So go check that out, and i'll update again soon!

(We're back to Seth and Max again!)

Please review if you feel the love!

xxx