If you asked me a year ago if I'd ever write anything other than an Edward and Bella story, I probably would've laughed at you. After hearing the Britney Spear's song, Criminal, I challenged myself to write a drabble about her irrational love for a bad boy using Twilight's other characters and, in the end, I was left yearning for more from Victoria "Tori" and James. I can honestly say I've fallen in love with these two along the way and writing about them has opened my eyes to the lesser-known love stories throughout the Twi-universe. I hope you'll give them a chance to prove there's more to their characters than the evil facades they were given in Twilight.

Chapter one is a repost; new chapters will start posting bi-weekly.

There aren't enough words to thank Ladysharkey1, Jessypt and Tanglingshad0ws for what they've done for me. It's their encouragement and excitement that gave me the confidence to expand Criminal into a full-length story. This story is dedicated to you amazing ladies! xoxoxo

SM owns Twilight, I'm just giving her secondary characters the chance at lead roles. This disclaimer applies to every chapter and will not be stated again.

Chapter One -Trepidation

He is a hustler, he's no good at all

He is a loser, he's a bum, bum, bum, bum

He lies, he bluffs, he's unreliable

He is a sucker with a gun, gun, gun, gun

I know you told me I should stay away

I know you said he's just a dog astray

He is a bad boy with a tainted heart

And even I know this ain't smart

August, 2011

The sound of the closet door closing jolts me from restless sleep. I squint through one eye, already knowing the cause of it and why.

He has somewhere to be, and I've run out of time once again to convince him otherwise.

But mama I'm in love with a criminal

And this type of love isn't rational, it's physical

Mama please don't cry, I will be alright

All reason aside I just can't deny, I love the guy

I've given up everything to be with James. My family took one look at him and couldn't get past the hard exterior he uses to shield the man I see inside.

Peter and Charlotte attempted to have a meaningful conversation with James, but when his nerves got the best of him, it ended horribly. My parents looked at me with blazing eyes, silently asking what in the hell I was thinking bringing a man like that home. In the meantime, James sat beside me, full of shame, knowing they'd never believe he was good enough for me.

And on paper, he wasn't.

My parents were adamant I needed to separate myself from him for my safety, but I refused. I love James more than my own life, and since the day I met him, I've always felt safe and protected in his presence. As time passed and he let me into his heart, I saw his potential.

Too bad he doesn't see himself as clearly as I do.

He is a villain by the devil's law

He is a killer just for fun, fun, fun, fun

That man's a snitch and unpredictable

He's got no conscience, he got none, none, none, none

A-All I know, should let go, but no

'Cause he is a bad boy with a tainted heart

And even I know this ain't smart

I've never doubted how truly dangerous James is. I've seen the group of thugs he works with and have listened to him exchange "battle" stories with great pride amongst his friends.

My mind is constantly trying to convince me to run away as fast as I can, to never look back at the man who wants people to believe he doesn't give a shit about his life, but, my heart keeps my feet in place. It has cemented me to his side and continues to encourage me to show him how the quality of his life could be so much better if he would change his lifestyle. I express my feelings for him by showering him with the love he has desperately craved for years. Without being told, I know the lack of attention and love from his parents is what got him into the situation he feels bound to in the first place.

Can't he see I have enough love to fill the voids? How much better he'd feel about himself if he just left all this behind?

But mama I'm in love with a criminal

And this type of love isn't rational, it's physical

Mama please don't cry, I will be alright

All reason aside I just can't deny, I love the guy

I stay as still as I possibly can, not wanting him to know I'm awake. I knew it was a bad idea to spend the night, but I needed more time with him. I always do.

It's clear James is on edge as he starts to dress; he keeps fidgeting and pulling on the sleeves of his shirt as if they aren't long enough to cover his ink.

As much as I hate to witness him struggling, I can't help but wonder if there's hope for him; maybe he won't go through with this assignment after all.

Several minutes pass, and my eyes never leave his chest. I watch as his body begins to shake, and he takes in deep breaths. Tears begin to well in my eyes. He's not going to bow out. It's not his style.

James rests his head against the dresser for several minutes then reaches down to open the drawer I won't go near.

And he's got my name

Tattooed on his arm

His lucky charm

So I guess it's OK

He's with me

And I hear people talk (people talk)

Try to make remarks

Keep us apart

But I don't even hear

I don't care

He turns his body in the direction of the bed, and I snap my eyes closed, hoping he didn't catch me watching him.

I can hear the long strides he takes in his steel-toed boots as they connect with the hardwood floors. I know he isn't headed out the door just yet.

As he nears the bed I will myself to get my feelings under control, because I can't have him worried about me when he has a job to do.

The bed dips down, and shaky hands find the bare skin of my back.

"Tori," he whispers in my ear. "I know you're awake."

I swallow the lump in my throat as I try to answer him, but I can't. Opening my eyes is acknowledgement enough.

James' eyes look deep into mine, and I do the same to his.

I can see deeper into his soul than I ever have before, and it's confirmation that I'm right… he doesn't want to go through with this.

Fear, sadness, anger, disappointment, confidence, love and hope are radiating from his ice blue eyes. I close mine again, unable to watch the war raging inside him.

"Baby, I know this is hard for you to understand, but this is something I have to do," he says, his voice raspy as he sighs.

I nod my head. What else can I do? No words need to be said. James is going to do what he wants. What he feels he needs to do.

"I uhhh… I love you, Tori. If something goes wrong just remember that won't ever change, and the boys will take care of you," he says, attempting to keep his composure.

I can't help but think about what his boys would have to say if they saw him being so vulnerable.

I remain silent, still unable to speak.

"Come on, open your eyes." Frustration is oozing from his voice at this point, breaking me down. "I need to know you're okay, baby. I can't leave with us like this."

When I open my eyes, the tears I've been holding fall without permission. James wipes them away, and then leans in to kiss my forehead, brushing his lips along my cheek along the way. I can feel his shaky breath caressing my skin as he continues until he reaches my lips.

"I love you," I manage to get out as sobs take over my body.

I've been in love with a criminal for months, so why's it so hard now? It's not the first time I knew where he was going or what he'd be doing when he got there. But this will be the first time I'm here to witness him transform from the man I love to someone I wish I didn't know.

He pulls my body to his and holds me tightly until I'm able to calm myself down.

"It should be quick, and then I'll be back." James pauses before adding, "I hope you'll be here, but I understand if you'd rather go back to your place."

I place a kiss on his lips without answering. I love him as he is. Nothing will change this, but, at the moment, I'm not sure if I have enough strength to pretend to be okay.

James walks out the door, tucking his gun in the back of his jeans while I say a silent prayer he'll return to me.

Look for weekly teasers through The Fictionator and TwiSherry's pic-tease.

See you on Wednesday when we'll find out if James makes it home to Tori… or if she's stays there waiting for him.

Thanks for reading!

Jadsmama