A/N: Ok, well I obviously didn't update yesterday like I said I would, but, here I am now!!

Enjoy.

Bella.

The second day of court.

And, I was absolutely dreading it. What if we were thrown in jail? What if Jacob came after us again? What if the case gets dismissed? A million questions filled my head, I tried to shake my head to clear them, but I'm a worry-wart. That's what I do. I worry.

"You ready?" Edward asked me, running a hand through my hair. We were all sleeping over at the Cullen's house, so we didn't have to make any stops along the way.

"Hmmm… No." I rolled back over and hid my head in the pillow. I heard him chuckle lightly.

"You have to get and get ready; we have to be there by nine, love." Edward murmured softly, almost lulling me back to sleep.

I groaned. "Fine. What time is it now?"

"It's seven thirty," He answered walking into the bathroom.

I nodded. "Ok, well here's to another fabulous day in court," I said sarcastically, earning one of his melodic laughs.

It was eight forty-five when we made it through the court room doors. Mr. Legal was already seated in his seat.

"Hello Mr. Legal," I told him, squeezing his shoulder. He looked up and his eyes looked blood shot. "Are you alright?"

He nodded slowly. "Yes, sorry. I was trying to find everything I could about Jacob." He told me while Edward and I took our seats next to him.

"Don't strain yourself, Frank. Please," I told him and he waved a hand as if dismissing it.

"Don't worry. I have all I need,"

I wasn't sure what he meant by that, I just hoped it was something good.

Rosalie.

"Ok, we have Ms. Hale and Mr. Hale testifieng today is that correct?" Judge Bloom asked Bella's lawyer, Frank.

"Yes, sir that is correct," Frank told the judge. Judge Bloom nodded.

"Alright you make call up your witness,"

"Ms. Hale?" He turned toward me and motioned me to take a seat at the stand with his hand.

I nodded, and made my way up there.

"Thank you Ms. Hale. I understand your name is Rosalie?" Frank asked me, even though he already knew that, I knew he was just trying to professional.

"Yes sir," I answered him.

"Well.. Rosalie, will you please tell the jury your relationship to the plaintiff and the defendant?"

I nodded. "I don't know the plaintiff and I plan not to," I said simply while the jury nodded. "The defendants are Bella Swan, and Edward Cullen. Bella is my soon to be sister-in-law. And Edward is like my little brother," I smiled towards them, earning their grins in return.

"Thank you, Rosalie," Frank told me. "Now, where were you the nights that both of them were injured by supposedly Mr. Black?"

"With Bella? I didn't know hardly anything about it. My fiancé Emmett, just told me that she would be alright, but he didn't want me to see her like that. I went to the hospital, but wasn't aloud in her room. With Edward, I had no idea," I answered truthfully. I don't know why I was let out of the circle, when it came to these things.

"I see, now, when was the first time that you heard of Mr. Black?" Frank asked, walking toward the jury.

"The night when Emmett and I were talking Bella home to live with us since their… Parent's…died," I mumbled softly not wanting to bring up the memory of their parents to them, but when I looked at Bella, she gave me a reassuring smile.

"And, what did she say to you?"

"She said, 'Rosalie, I'm going to say good bye to my boyfriend Jacob,' And, I teased her about having a boyfriend, and that was it," I shrugged.

"So, they were dating?" Frank asked.

I nodded I felt like I was doing that a lot. "Yes, but when she came back, she looked so sad, I asked what was wrong… But all she told me was that she's still upset over losing her parents. But, I didn't buy it… And I didn't push it any further," My eyes started to tear, I had to grind my teeth together so I would stop the tears from coming.

I don't know what made me so emotional was… Maybe it was the idea of Bella getting hurt, worse. Or could have died. Ok… getting ahead of myself now.

"Well… why didn't you push the subject?" Frank asked, the jury were all leaning over in their seats to get a better look over at us.

"Because, I thought that everyone had their different ways of mourning," I replied. Frank smiled to me.

"Thank you Rosalie. That is all," I stayed seated because I knew that Jeff, Jacob's lawyer was going to question me next. Yes, I have watched Law & Order, I know how these things go.

"Well… Hello, Rosalie," Jeff smiled sickly sweet to me. I rolled my eyes at him. He leaned toward me, getting the wrong empression. I made my engagement ring evident and he quickly fumbled away.

"How are you?" He asked me, looking at me with disgusting eyes. I knew I appealed to most men, since I got to 9th grade, when puberty started to take it's full effect. I don't want to sound conceited but I was often reminded by it when my dad's friends started to hit on me, when I was only fourteen.

"I'm fine, and yourself?" I asked, not really caring to hear the answer, just so we could get this over with.

"I'm good. Now," He whispered, I grimaced. But, he still couldn't take a hint.

"That's great," I hope he would hear that my voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"Your fiancé is a lucky man," He said looked me up and down. I couldn't help the shudder that ripped through my spin at the way he looked at me.

"Your honor! I object!" Franks voice carried through out the room at a high volume. "He is treating my witness like a piece of meat, and is tap dancing around the subject!" I will have to thank Frank for that one later.

The judge banged the gavel. "Thank you. Mr. Allen, please move along… Unless you want me to dismiss this case, I will gladly do so," Judge Bloom threatened, while Jeff nodded.

"Yes your honor," He stepped away from me, leaving me with a wink. I held back the shudder that was begging to be shown.

"So, my client and Mr. Legal's client were dating?" He asked walking toward the jury.

"Yes, from what I've heard,"

"What does that mean? 'From what I've heard,' are you lying?" How dare he accuse me of lying.

I made an effort to calm myself.

"No, I'm not lying… why would I lie about that?"

"Wow, I'm the one that is suppose to be asking the questions… isn't that right?" His smile was begging for me to talk back, or say something that was out of line. He was begging for a reaction.

"Than go on," I said in a monotone voice. "Ask your questions,"

"Let's not get feisty, darling…" Jeff bit his lip. I couldn't hide the outrage that I'm sure was not evident on my face.

"Ask your stupid questions, before I sue you for sexual harassment," I warned in a low voice.

He nodded. "Alright-y than… is that your fiancé?" He pointed to Emmett, who looked like he was about to pounce on Jeff.

"Yes, and if you don't leave me alone I will let him—"

"Nothing further your honor," Jeff cut me off and dismissed me off the stand. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop the threat that was on the tip of my tongue.

I walked back over to Emmett over quickly, just wanting him to hold me in his arms, with them protecting me. Forever.

I sat down next to him and his hands went around me at once. "Don't listen to him. I will kick his—"

"Shhh…" I interrupted him. "Don't talk, just hold me," I buried my face in his shoulder blade. I sighed a contented sigh, and I could feel him smiling into my hair.

"Don't leave me," He pleaded, I could hear the emotion and passion lacing his voice. I looked up at him and smiled.

"Never,"

Jasper.

I looked over at my sister, who was currently being held by my soon-to-be-brother-in-law. I watched as he held onto her, never wanting to let go. I was glad to see my sister happy and safe with someone she loves. I could feel the love, and passion dancing in their eyes as they looked at each other, and I could feel it also, radiating off of them.

I looked down at Alice who had her head on my shoulder. She was tired. She didn't get much sleep last night…

"Our next witness is Jasper Hale," Franks voice pulled me from my thoughts of last night.

I kissed Alice's spiky hair, and walked to the stand. After I made my promise to the bailiff to say anything and nothing but the truth, I took my seat.

"Mr. Hale, can I call you Jasper?" Frank asked and I nodded. "Can you please tell the jury your relationship with the—"

I cut him off.

"I know, I've heard you say that many times before. Yes I will tell the jury how I know the plaintiff and defendant," I said lazily, my southern accent more pronounced.

"Thank you,"

"Plaintiff… Unfortunately I know him and what he did… but I have to relationship with him. Nor will I ever." I said in a strong, voice. It was laced with hatred. "As for the defendant's… they are my best friends," I said with a smile to Edward and Bella, they looked at each at back at me, with a smile full of love.

"Ok… Thank you Jasper," Judge Bloom said.

"Yes, sir." I answered.

"Where were you when your girlfriend… Alice was injured by Mr. Black?" Frank asked me, and the jury leaned forward anticipating my answer.

"Well…" My voice came out sounding weak, I tried to clear it, but the images of Alice bleeding, hurting, still filled my mind.

"Jasper, are you alright?" Frank asked placing a hand on my shoulder. I nodded.

"Yes sir," I said, rubbing my eyes, than launched into my story about Jacob, and what I saw. I told him, the judge, and the jury what I saw. What happened, and what I did.

"I told Edward to get away, as I called the ambulance, but, he wouldn't listen and when Jacob came after him full speed, Edward had nothing to do but defend himself." I told them how Edward cried, and just kept a blank look on his face all the way to the hospital.

"… He really loves her. He would do anything for her," I finished my story. I looked away from my hands as they fumbled together, to look at the jury. They seemed speechless… Like, someone came by and streaked in front of them.

And no, I didn't tell them about the time I had to streak…

"W-well," Frank cleared his throat. "Thank you Jasper. Nothing further,"

Jeff took a sip of water, and glanced at Jacob, telling him something. I watched Jacob's facial expressions, and when he caught me looking… he glared. I scowled at him and felt a rumbling sound rising deep in my chest.

He looked at me and his eyes widened with fear. He looked back over at his lawyer and shook his head. His lawyer looked puzzled, but didn't argue with whatever Jacob told him.

"No interrogations from me, your honor," Jeff told him. Whispers began to fill the room as to why he would request that. As they started to get louder, Judge Bloom commanded everyone to be silent. I walked back over to my seat, and swung an arm lazily over Alice's shoulders.

"What happened, back there?" She asked as her brow started to furrow.

I shrugged. "Don't know, don't really care," The corners of her mouth turned up into a smile.

I kissed her forehead and whispered sweet nothings into her ear.

"Love you; I can't wait for this to be over…" She grumbled.

Me too.

Emmett.

Could this get anymore boring? I mean, really. They have to entertain us somehow. I've watched Law & Order with Rosalie, and they are more interesting than this. And, when was I going to be called to the stand? I want to get yelled at, and I want to talk back.

That would be sweet.

"The last witness on our list is, Emmett Swan," Yes! Finally!

After I kissed Rosalie lightly on her plump lips, I walked up to the stand. When the bailiff told me to repeat after him, I tried, but it took us three times until I could remember everything he was saying.

That was fun, until I heard Bella start laughing. I turned and glared at her, but she didn't look phased by it. All she did was arch an eyebrow… Thanks for ruining my fun, sis.

"Mr. Swan—"

I cut Frank off.

"That was my father, please call me Emmett," I smiled a huge grin. But, the thought of my parents hurt a little bit, and I tried not to show it.

"Emmett, will you please tell the jury how you know the plaintiff and the defendant?"

I cleared my throat, and motioned for Frank to come closer, he stepped a closer, confusion filling his eyes. "Which one is the defendant?" I thought I asked in a whisper, until I heard the jury laugh.

Even the judge cracked a smile.

Frank smiled. "The defended is Edward and Bella,"

"Oh," I dragged out the word, as realization donned on me. "Eddie is my friend, and Belly is my sister," I looked over at them to see them shaking there heads, earning a few more laughs from the jury.

"And, what about the plaintiff?" Frank asked. I looked over at Jacob to see him looking at me with narrowed eyes. Oh, so he wanted to play that game did he?

"The plaintiff… Jacob…? Eh… Isn't worth my breath," Judge Bloom chuckled at my answer. Everyone started at him, confused.

"Finally! A unique answer," He shook his head.

Frank smiled but went back to his business stance. "Can you tell me the first time that you heard about Jacob Black?"

"Edward called me when Bella got stabbed…" I continued on with my story, telling him when I got to the hospital, what happened at the hospital, and what happened with Edward.

"He came in from an empty space of the hospital, bleeding. I didn't know what to do so I took him to Carlisle. But, every time I asked Edward who did this all he would say was 'Jacob,'"

"So, you just assumed that it was Mr. Black?"

I nodded. "Who else could it be? He said he wanted to come after Edward or something like that,"

"I see. Thank you Emmett." I nodded to Frank. "I have one more question. Do you believe that Edward and Bella harassed Jacob?"

What? They were too nice to do anything like that. "Nope," I answered popping the 'p'. "They wouldn't,"

"Thank you, Emmett." Frank said and walked back to his seat next to Bella.

"Mr. Swan," Jeff said, with a sigh. "Why would you make up some ludicrous lies? Why would anyone of you make up these lies?!" He shouted. The jury looked scared. Some were even cowering in their seats.

Judge Bloom banged the gavel. "Mr. Allen, control yourself!"

"I'm sorry, your honor. But, I cannot let this go on any longer!" He shouted again.

"Another outburst Mr. Allen and I will dismiss this case," Judge Bloom said in a strong, fierce voice.

"Forgive me your honor, it won't happen again." Ok… bipolar much? (A/N: I'm sorry if that offended anyone.)

"Can I sit down now?" I asked the judge. And, he nodded, he looked a little stressed. But, too bad, it wasn't my fault.

I offered my fist to him in a fist pound. But, he left me hanging. "Ok, ok, yeah," I grumbled to myself back to my seat next to Rosalie.

She slapped my head. "You idiot! You could have ruined it for us," She whispered harshly, I winced at the menacing sound in her voice.

"Don't be so mean to me," I pouted, while she rolled her eyes.

"He right, Rosalie," Carlisle stepped in. "We are all stressed, don't take it out on him. He was just trying to be nice." Rosalie nodded, and shrunk back in his seat.

"Are there anymore people testifying?" The judge asked once more. Everyone was silent.

"Ok, we will meet back in a few hours, and have the jury's decision," We all made our way out and into the waiting room.

"Thank you for everything," Bella told us, her words dripping with sincerity and love.

"No problem," I said and pushed everyone out of the way so I could hug my baby sister. "I love you," I told her and set her down. She looked a little dizzy.

"Way to knock the breath out of her," Jasper said shaking his head.

Bella laughed. "It's ok. I will get him later."

Bella.

We all ate some sandwiches, but didn't feel like eating that much. We were all anxious to find out the verdict.

"You make come back in, the jury has a verdict," The bailiff told us. We all walked as swiftly as we could into the court room.

"Bella." Frank called my name, I turned toward him. "If we don't win, I'm sorry. But, it has been a pleasure working for you. You have a bright future ahead of you, and a great family. And… soon a family of your own." He winked toward Edward.

I blushed. "Thank you, Mr. Legal." I hugged him as tightly as I could.

"Order!" The judge yelled. Our heads snapped up to look at him. "Our jury has a verdict." He gestured to them.

A small balding lanky man stood up. He looked nervous, and was sweating bullets. "W-we," He stuttered, "We find the defendants… Guilty,"

The word hung in the air, until Jacob's cheers rung in our ears.

"See I told you! You can never win Bella! Never!" Jacob laughed.

Wait… how could this happen? Jacob didn't even have anyone here, as a witness. This can't be happening.

My heart dropped to my stomach. I could hear the blood pounding in my ears. But, I couldn't feel anything. I felt numb. I looked over at Edward to see him watching me with worried eyes.

"Bella.. I—" Edward held out his arms to me. But I refused them; I could see the heartbreak in his eyes.

"No… No…" I whispered and I started to back away from him.

"Bella?" His voice, that use to be sweet as honey, was now strained. I just kept walking away.

"Don't—don't touch me." I couldn't feel anything. And, I didn't want to.

"Bella?" Esme's sweet voice was hurt, I could hear as she tried to put comfort into it.

"No." My answer was final. I looked at all of them, to see them watching me with different expressions shining in their eyes.

Emmett-confused.

Rosalie-Mad.

Alice-remorseful.

Jasper-overwhelmed.

Carlisle-surprised.

Esme-shocked.

And Edward. Oh, his expression was the worst of all. Hurt. Betrayed. Upset. So many expressions playing across his face, and his eyes were the darkest shade of green I had ever seen.

But, I didn't care. I didn't care about anything. We were going to jail—for harassment? No.

I looked over at Jacob to see him approaching me. But, this time, instead of hiding behind someone, or moving away. I stayed absolutely still.

"See… I told you. You can never win," He started to twirl my hair around his fingers. I didn't slap his hand away, or push him away like I should have. I just let him.

Before I could say anything. Before anyone could say anything. A petite woman busted through the court room doors.

"Your honor!" She shouted. "My name is Sheryl Records. I am the lawyer for Mr. and Mrs. Stanley," It was silent, until mine and Jacob's gasps filled the air.

"What?" We said simultaneously.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley—Diana and John—came following behind her.

"You!" Jacob's voice was scared, as he screamed it at Mrs. Stanley. Jacob stepped away from me, and toward the judge.

"Don't—don't listen to them. They will lie! They are liars!" He shouted at Judge Bloom.

Mrs. Stanley, Diana, walked over to me. "Bella?" I nodded, she wrapped her arms around me, but I didn't return the hug. Everything was happening so fast. I couldn't comprehend it all. It took everything I had to not pass out.

"Bella, who are these people?" Carlisle asked me, I looked over at him to see him walking toward me. I stepped away.

"My old best friend's parents," I answered him, trying to keep my voice even.

"What do you mean old best friend?"

"Jessica. She use to be my old best friend, until… I found her and Jacob kissing." I told him and everyone looked confused, even her parents.

"Bella. Can you start at the beginning please?" Frank asked, I nodded, still a little disorientated.

"Jacob and I were together, but he cheated on me with Jessica,"

"Don't finish that story Bella!" Jacob roared. I ignored him and went on with it.

"I walked into his house, the night I was going to leave to go to Forks. There they were together, kissing. I broke up with him, told Jessica I didn't want to see her again. Jacob slapped me for yelling at her and—"

I stopped. Flashbacks of what Jacob told Alice and I were rushing through my head just then.

-Flashback-

"She walked into the woods, trying to go home. I followed her." He bent down so now he was inches from my face. "I grabbed my pocketknife, just like the one I am holding here." He took his pocketknife out from his back pocket.

"I stabbed her. I stabbed her hard, in the throat," He whispered, and grabbed my throat again. "I left her body there. When the cops questioned me, they let me go, because I'm a good boy." He laughed again.

-End of flashback-

I gasped, and fell to my knees.

"No. No. No. NO." And, so I started to cry. I sobbed until my throat hurt, and was dry.

Jasper, Emmett and Edward came over to me.

"Are you alright?" Jasper asked, frantically.

"What happened? Are you hurt?" Emmett said, just as frantic.

"Bella, listen to me. Are you ok? Talk to us." Edward commanded looking straight into my eyes. "Please."

"Alice," I called and she walked over to me.

"Yes?"

"Do you remember what Jacob said to us the night… the night that he… kidnapped us?" My voice was hardly audible, but somehow, she heard it.

"Bella, he said many things to us," Alice said, breathing out a heavy sigh.

"No." I said frustrated. "What he said about a girl named Jessica…?"

"No.. I don't—"She stopped short, and looked off into the distance. Remembering.

Everyone was watching us closely. Jacob was trying to think of something to do, how to get away from us, but all exits were blocked with security guards.

"Oh, God." Alice whispered.

"What is it?" Jasper asked her, grabbing onto her waist.

"He killed her?" She whispered to me and all I could do was nod.

"I knew it was him," Mrs. Stanley grumbled, trying to fight back the tears.

"Shut up! All of shut up!" Jacob screamed. His face was red, and his eyes were twitching. "Don't talk! I swear I will kill you all!"

Then, the security guards rushed over to him and held him down. I watched as Jacob struggled in their arms. Still screaming his threats at Alice, Mrs. Stanley, and I.

They took Jacob to the corner of the room, they had to wrestle a bit to get him out of the door way. But the judge called him back.

"NO! Wait—our jury has a new verdict," We all turned our heads to the jury. Everyone wearing a different expression.

"We find the defendant's… Innocent," Said the same lanky man. "But, as for the plaintiff…" he handed a folder to the judge. None of us knew what was going on, we all just stood there, motionless.

"The plaintiff," Judge Bloom hesitated. "Is sentenced to… Death row."

"Oh my God, death row?" I heard my own voice say.

"NO! You can't you don't have any proof! You can't!" Jacob hissed at the judge.

"Actually, sir. We do…" Mr. Stanley said. Then, I remembered that he was a detective. He use to work with my father at the police station. And, that's how Jessica and I met, through our dad's.

"You see, we searched your house—"

"You need a warrant!" Jacob argued, once again. Mr. Stanley barked a humorless laugh.

"I have one right here, signed by your roommate, the one who pays for where you live. Now, if you would let me finish. We found a shirt with blood stains on it, at the bottom of your closet. We tested to see whose blood it was, and found that it was my daughter's. We didn't know if it was your shirt, until we found your name written inside of it, and a strip of your hair on it. Lucky huh?

"We were going to arrest you sooner, but you have been M.I.A. for about a year now. Now, we finally have you. Take 'em away boys,"

We were all in shock. A minute ago, we were about to go to jail for harassment, now Jacob's on Death Row?

"No, please! You have got to believe me! This isn't my fault!"

"Yeah, yeah, we've heard enough of you excuses for one day Mr. Black," One of the security guards said. Jacob growled at him. "Ohhh… Scary," He said, sarcastically.

"Bella! You will not forget this! You love me! You always said you did!" Jacob yelled as they tried to take him out the doors. "This is all your fault! See you in hell!" He screamed at me before the doors shut on his face.

I stood there, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. And, that's the last time, I will ever see Jacob Black, again.

Emmett's booming voice, broke the silence. "What a change of events huh? Finally! I'm done with all of this Jacob mess!"

"Oh, please," I said feigning to be mad, while he laughed. "I can't believe it. I'm free!" I yelled. I now noticed that we were the last ones in the court room. The judge and the jury were gone. So was Frank.

"Where's Frank?" I asked.

"He left. He said to say goodbye and something about 'everything worked the way he planned'..?" Edward said, running a hand through his hair. He looked at me and I could still see the hurt, still shining in his eyes.

"Oh, Edward," I cried as I ran over to him. He caught me in his arms easily and swung me around. "I'm… So… Sorry," I said between kisses, and I laid them upon his face.

"So your not angry with me anymore?" He asked shyly. I shook my head, and kissed him forcefully. "I'll take that as a yes,"

"You better," I laughed as he kissed my noise. "I love you," He smiled my crooked smile.

"Not as much as I love you," He bent down, to place a kiss softly on my lips.

Finally, I was done with the Jacob drama.

A/N: NO! IT'S NOT OVER YET!! Maybe only three more chapters…?? Unless you want a sequel… *hint hint*

I hope you liked the chapter.. Now this has to be my longest one yet. 14 pages!! oh yeah, and M.I.A. (i'm not talking 'bout the singer haha) is Missing In Action

I hope you liked it… tell me your thoughts… REVIEW!!

-&- Pixie Hollow.