Do not own.

I wanted to follow her, but what good would it do? Instead, I stayed behind, pacing in front of the building. I couldn't figure out what my next step needed to be, but I knew I had to do something. I couldn't just let her walk away. Besides the fact that I needed her, she belonged here—as much by my side as she in a courtroom practicing law.

Bu Do not own. t it was already obvious that she wouldn't listen to me. Maybe if someone else told her…someone whose confidence she had needed to work for almost as much as, she had though, Callahan's.

"Warner!"

"What about him?"

I spun on my heels. It was Vivian. I knew she didn't like Elle, but if she knew the whole story…it may have been wishful thinking because of what I needed at that moment, or it may have been Elle's influence manifesting in me, but I couldn't bring myself to believe that she would just let Callahan get away with this- I mean, didn't some kind of woman's code apply in this sort of situation?

"I need him to get Elle back."

"What are you talking about?"

"She left. She's headed back to California because…because she thinks she doesn't belong at Harvard. She needs someone to remind her that she does belong here…and she won't listen to me."

"Well, Warner wouldn't tell her that."

"Why not? Does he still not realize how good she is?"

"Oh, he thinks he knows that—He thinks she's sleeping with Callahan. He thinks that's how she got the internship."

I froze. "What?" I didn't know who I was angrier with. No matter the neighborhood I had grown up, I had never been a fighter, but at that moment I was so pissed…they both deserved to be punched in the gut. If either had shown up then I would have sent a right hook flying.

"I know, right?"

I wasn't sure exactly what she meant by that, but I was shaking with fury.

"You're wrong. She didn't. She wouldn't. And she wouldn't need to. She's worked her ass off to get this far and she's deserved everything she's gotten—except what that creep-" It took serious self-control to rein my title for Callahan in to "creep". "-did to her and this stupid reputation…"

"I know."

I did a double take. "You—"

"I know. I heard the conversation. I saw her slap him."

That was news to me. I couldn't help but grin as I silently celebrated her small victory.

That's my girl.
"So, then…you know she belongs here."

Vivian sighed grudgingly. "Yes. She belongs here. She's got the makings of a good lawyer."

"A great one," Emmett corrected.

"What do you want me to do about it? Go tell her?"

"She needs you to." I need you to. "If you go now, you should be able to catch her. She's probably stopping at Hair Affair to say good-bye to Paulette. She'll listen to you, because she knows you didn't like her at first…plus, you're another woman, so you're not biased." I was babbling now. Part of me was hoping she didn't notice how desperate I was…but most of me didn't care. "Will you-?"

She nodded. "Yes. We'll see you in court. You should call Brooke Wyndym and fill her in. Be prepared to fight Callahan for this one."

I sighed in relief. "Thanks, Vivian."

She shrugged. "Don't really have a choice, do I? We won't win the case without her, I'm sure."

"Thanks all the same."

When she had left, I leaned back against the building and looked to the skies. I wasn't usually a prayer either, but this was crucial, and I felt helpless, even though I felt better about the situation now.

Plus, I supposed some thanks were in order.