Huge thanks goes out to all the wonderful girls who have helped us with this story from the start: EdwardsFirstKiss, AWayWithWords, and LaPumuckl..

See you at the bottom.

What Do You Want From Me

Chapter 25

Edward POV

The last two weeks have slowly dragged by, and there is still no sign of Tony. Marcus says he's done this before, lie low for a few months and then resurfaces. I just wish that they'd find him, and soon.

The running groups are now established, and we have a few new people who haven't run before. For that reason we run twice a day. The morning group is mostly the slower ones, with a few of the football players coming along for support. Emmett takes the front, the football players are in the middle, and I am at the rear. Bella has been running along with Lauren and me, who is one of the new people who has joined.

In the evening, it is just Emmett, the football team, and me.

Bella's not doing so well, even with running and trying hard to act the way she normally does. She is still jumpy and I know she hasn't been sleeping. When I first found out, I told her to call me—wake me up—and then we could talk or even text. She was reluctant to do it at first, but I told her that part of being a couple is being there when the other person needs you. Right now, she needs me. When I told her this, I knew that we were crossing the line again. But the fact that I knew that she needed help, made me throw caution to the wind. I trust the Chief in that he gave me a safe way to communicate with Bella.

Little Bear is still not one hundred percent, and hasn't been out on a full walk yet. I know this is also adding to Bella's pain as she believes that she is the reason that Little Bear was shot.

She hasn't opened up at our PTSD group. I know the whole group is worried about her, they—like me—can see a hurt young girl who is in desperate need of help, but until she talks to someone, she's not going to get it. However, we've all made it clear that we are here for her.

There has only really been one big change; Cheney seems to be friendlier toward me. Now, he often acts as if we are long-time friends. It has me more on edge than his glaring and hatred. At least then, I knew where I stood. I don't understand his new friendly attitude, and it makes me feel as if I have to be even more on guard than before.

"Edward."

"Think of the devil and he's sure to appear," I mutter to myself as I turn to look at Cheney in the direction where he called my name.

"Can I speak with you?"

"Sure," I say with a fake smile, hoping he doesn't see my insincerity.

I follow him into his office and after we get there, he looks at me for a few seconds.

"I have asked Marcus if he would—after this guy is caught—re-look into what happened to my wife."

"W-h-a-t?" I stutter out unsure of what he means.

Cheney sighs a little. "There's still a part of me that thinks you are faking this nice guy persona, but the larger part of me thinks that just maybe I had it wrong in the beginning. So when he has time, he will look at the case and tell me what he thinks. I just wanted to let you know."

I swallow and nod at him.

"I hope to God that this is not just a game for you; that this is who you really are. If you were wrongly convicted, then I will do everything in my power to make it up to you."

"Okay," I whisper unsure what to think of this. "I had best get back to work."

I walk out of his office shaking my head. I let out a long breath again feeling unsure of this new personality he has toward me.

I shake off our talk and get on with my work.

~WDYWFM~

I am working outside of the school when I see Lauren.

She glances at me and then drops her head.

"Lauren," I say softly. "Is everything okay?" She gives me a weak smile and a nod.

"Are you sure?" I ask knowing that something isn't right.

"Everything is fine; Cheney requested that I go to his office," she says sounding a little pissed off but there seems to be a sense of dread in her eyes.

"Just agree with him, do as he asks, so that you can graduate."

She just looks at me for a few seconds and then rolls her eyes at me.

"He's not asking you to do something he shouldn't be, is he?" I ask her.

"No, nothing like that; don't worry. I had better get there."

"See you later."

She nods and walks away.

I sigh pulling at my hair, knowing that I am done, and I walk off to find Rose.

"Do you have a minute?" I ask standing at her door.

"Yeah, my next class is not due yet. Come on in."

I walk in taking a seat.

"It may not be you that I should go to, but I just saw Lauren, and she did not seem like herself."

"How do you mean?" Rose asks not seeming worried.

"I don't know; normally she's chatty and upbeat, but she looked as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders."

"Exams start in a few weeks; maybe she's just worried about them. She's quite bright and we expect straight A's from her."

I hum. "Maybe, but could you have a chat with her …" I shake my head. "Cheney can be an ass, and more so with exams. That's where she was heading."

"She's there fairly often," Rose sighs. "She needs to learn to pick her fights."

"I know, but it was almost as if she was defeated before she even got there. She didn't seem like herself."

Rose nods at me. "I'll speak to her; thanks for letting me know."

"Thanks," I say walking out of her class as the bell rings for the students to move to their next class.

I walk into the cafeteria and my eyes land on Bella. I give her a small smile which she returns. My eyes shift and I see that Lauren is sitting next to Bella, but she looks deep in thought.

"Hi," I say taking a seat at the teachers' table.

"How is the play coming along, Alice?" Cheney asks as he looks between Alice and me.

"The script, music, costumes, and backdrops are finished. We're casting parts tonight."

"Isn't that a little late, when is the show?"

"Everything is right on schedule; the show is in June. Everyone took part in writing the script and there isn't one person that attended that doesn't know it. We just need to pull it all together now."

Cheney nods at Alice. "I'll leave it for a few weeks then. I'll drop by to see how everything's going after that."

"So, who has the lead this year?" Emmett asks with a grin.

"That's top secret, and you'll find out by the end of the week," Alice snaps with a smile, and Emmett looks my way.

"It's not fair to let you know before they know," I say with a nod at the students.

"You're no fun," he pouts like a child having been told to stop jumping on their bed.

"We need to start making sure the students are ready for their exams. We're holding study groups, and reviewing the material for them. I also think we need to start testing them, making sure they're making their grades. If we can push them to get a better grade then we should," Cheney says to the entire table.

"My after-school stress club is about to start, too," Tia says as she looks solely at Cheney.

"Stress club?" he questions.

"Each year I hold group talks with Alice's, her husband Jasper's, and Rose's help. We make sure that none of the students are becoming overwhelmed by their upcoming exams."

"That sounds fine," Cheney says almost struggling to say the words. "But this is life, and it's full of deadlines and stress factors. As adults they will not have 'clubs' to attend when life gets stressful."

"Hence the fact we are teaching them these skills now, and it is something they can take with them to use in the future."

"Very well, but that's not going to get them a job. As long as we stay focused getting these kids to pass with straight A's, they'll be fine for whatever other activities like this that they wish to seek out."

Tia just looks at Cheney who sighs. "We are not grading these kids or any children on mental wellbeing, but on the academic levels which they achieve in our state testing. It's just the way it is, and testing is hugely important to not only the district but to me personally."

"I'm hoping by the time my James is at this level, we will make mental health a priority, too. We push children so hard sometimes, and let's face it, not everyone is good at testing," Alice says.

"Some children need to be pushed; if I had my way, school days would be longer, with more focus on teaching skills they can use in a job. I would also bring back corporal punishment," Cheney says.

Alice gasps as she just looks at him. "You would hit them?"

Cheney rolls his eyes at her in shock.

"Not all of them, but some need a good lashing to be honest. It's just like explaining to a child when they misbehave, without a sound spanking it tends to go in one ear and out the other. I believe giving them detention or suspension is seen more as a reward than a punishment because it gives them what they want; to be out of class. I think we need to show them who's the boss and make them knuckle down or else.

"If they're sent them home for bad behavior, they get what they want; slacking off all day, not coming to school, and not being held accountable for their poor choices. If it were up to me, they would not have it that easy. If they want to do bad things, then they—along with one of their parents—would come to school on Saturday. They'd spend the entire day with their parent and our staff making them do the work.

"They would learn fast that they do what is asked of them, not what they think they want to do. The next time they screw up, they are not welcomed back, and they can go be the low life delinquent, they are striving to be."

"He has a point, where most of our students are good, there are some that are trying hard to rule the school and make their teachers' and other students' lives hell," Emmett says as he looks around. "Look at all the shootings, and kids who are freaking out that we see almost daily on social media."

"It's not just kids," Tia quickly adds.

"I know, sometimes it feels as if the world is going to hell, but all I am saying is that he has a point. And so far, we've been very lucky."

Tia hums. "Well, keep in mind things are not always black and white. I had a teacher who hated me, and when I say hated, I mean pure unadulterated hatred. If she could have had a whipping strap, I am sure she would have used it on me, for anything she thought she could get away with. That's why we lost the ability to use corporal punishment, because mean people abused their power."

"There weren't many people who did things like that," Cheney quickly argues.

"I'm not saying there were, but just like any other place that deals with corruption, one bad apple ruins the bunch. Look at what happens in a situation where there is a bad police officer; it only takes one bad seed to make the whole department look sketchy. Not to mention, you never hear about all the good things people do. When there is one bad egg, it tarnishes every other good thing involved."

"Maybe the teachers should also wear body cameras, that way we can see if the student should be physically punished," Cheney says with a smile at Tia.

"It will still be abuse," she says softly. "There would be instances where the person in authority would say their camera didn't work, or was knocked out of sight. Some know what buttons to push so people lose it. I didn't grow up in this town, and the school I went to was classified as the worst school in Washington. That's not just for the low grades, but for student attendance as well.

"The kids I went to school with carried weapons, because they had to. Most of the teachers were okay and nice, and some sadly had to put on a hard front just to make it safely through the day. They knew there were students that you couldn't discipline because their parents would come to the school and threaten you.

"Then there were teachers like Mrs. Hill that just hated being a teacher. She was brought up that everything was handled with your fists.

"Some of the kids were beaten the night before, or saw their mom, or dad getting beaten. Many of the kids worried about where their next meal was coming from. The police were at their door to arrest one or both of their parents. Most only had a one- parent household. This type of school, which still exists today, is the true example of why corporal punishment would do no good, it would only add to the number of people the kids cannot trust."

Tia stops and stands up.

"What Charlie and Mary have built here works – they never give up on a child, and they never turn their back on them. They show them there is another way and that no matter what you're going through, they are here for support and help you deal with it. This school may not be the top school for grades, but for me this is the best school, and we need to roll out what we do everywhere. The academic results are only a portion of what each child should leave this school with when they graduate. I've got things to get ready. I'll see you all later," she says before walking away.

"I'm going to wash up before helping with lunch duty," I say getting up and walking out of the cafeteria.

I walk down the hallway but slow down when I see Bella.

"Is everything okay?" I ask as I stand near her at her locker.

"I'm fine; I'm just getting stressed with everything we need to study for."

"Just make sure you don't overload yourself, and have some faith in your knowledge."

Bella laughs a little. "My dad said, 'why study, if you don't know it after all this time, you'll never know it'."

I smile a little. "Seems like good advice."

Bella just hums a little. "How would you feel if I dropped Little Bear off with Esme this weekend? I want time to go over some of my history work, just to freshen up on my knowledge."

I nod at her. "Sure, as long as you take some time for yourself. Remember that things are easier when your mind is a little less occupied."

"That's sound advice," she smiles at me.

I wink and walk away from the locker. "Later, Bella," I say walking to my office for a few minutes before I need to head back to the lunch room.

~WDYWFM~

"Is everyone ready for our run?" Emmett asks loudly.

"Yeah," they all answer back.

Emmett gives me a nod and then sets the pace.

"How was your weekend?" I ask.

"Not too bad, my dad took me out to watch a movie," Bella answers with a smile.

I give a returning smile to her.

"What about your weekend, Lauren?" I ask but she doesn't seem to hear me.

"Lauren," Bella says as she touches Lauren's arm.

"Yeah?" Lauren asks sounding confused.

"Your weekend ... how was it? You went to Port Angeles again, didn't you?"

"Yeah, it was fine," Lauren shakes her head. "I wished my dad would take me out," she snorts. "I wish my dad would spare a minute to give me a freaking phone call, even if it was just to say 'hi, I still don't give a shit about you, but I thought I would let you know I'm still alive'."

I frown as I look at Lauren and then my eyes flicker to Bella who looks puzzled, too.

"I'm sorry, Lauren, maybe this weekend we could go to the movies ..." Bella trails off and shakes her head as she rolls her eyes. "That was a stupid thing to say and not any way of dealing with what you said, but I am here."

"I'm here, too, and I understand what you mean. My dad walked out on my mom and me without looking back. Like you, I don't even know if he's still alive. If you need someone to lean on, or talk to, then come to me," I tell her.

Lauren slows down and just looks at me, her eyes flashing with hurt and anger before she quickly masks it.

"Thanks," she says forcing a smile on her face, and then starts to run again a little faster.

"Something's not right," Bella whispers. "She's not doing any of her usual stuff. She hasn't even blogged in almost a week."

I just look at Bella but don't comment.

"Do you think she's been hurt?" Bella asks.

I shrug my shoulders. "I'm not sure; just be there for her, and make sure she knows that you are someone who she can talk to."

Bella nods at me. "This has been a really shitty start to the New Year."

"It can't get much worse," I grin at her. "When you're at rock bottom, there's no place to go but up."

"I know, you're right, I just wish we would've started to move up by now."

We loop back around dropping each of the kids off at their homes. When we get to Lauren's, her mother Tanya is just leaving. Tanya looks at me with a glare, apparently still very unhappy.

"Lauren, go get in and showered for school," she says with a snappy tone.

Lauren waves with her head down walking towards her mom.

"See you at school," Bella calls as Emmett starts to run.

A car door opens making both Lauren and Tanya look to the house next to them.

"Ben, do you have a second, I need a word," Tanya asks overly sweet.

Lauren shakes her head at her and pulls on her arm. Tanya hisses something at her and then moves away.

"Bella, Anna, come on," Emmett yells and the girls start to run.

I watch for a few seconds as Lauren seems to become more stressed.

Lauren is still on my mind when Emmett and I drop off the last of our runners.

"That was a good run," he says and I nod at him. "See you at school," he says as he starts to run back the way we came.

I just get home when my new cell dings.

~I am worried about L. I think something big is going on; and I can't get her to open up about it. I am even starting to think that T and C are having an affair.

I sigh as I reread Bella's text, to help keep who we are talking to hidden, we decided to only use the first letter of one of their names.

~I know something's worrying L, just hope she has someone to talk to. As for the affair, I'm not sure about that, but agree that something is up.~

I strip down getting into the shower, and when I get out, there is another text from Bella.

~She has agreed to come out with me this weekend, maybe she needs a break and space from here to think more clearly?~

~Even if she doesn't talk about what's on her mind, I hope the time off helps her xx I.M. & L.Y.

~I.M. & L.Y. too xx~

I can't help but smile when I read that she misses and loves me too.

~WDYWFM~

Throughout both last week and this one, Lauren seems to become more and more distant, so much so that other teachers are starting to pick up on it. Bella and her weekend out didn't seem to make any difference as she skipped school several days the following week. Lauren didn't even turn up for the play which seemed to surprise Alice, since for the first time she is one of the main characters, and has a small solo in the play.

I am cleaning up outside when I notice Lauren sitting alone on the bleachers. I look around not seeing anyone that could explain why she is out here alone. I can clearly see she is upset so I walk toward her.

"Shouldn't you be in class?" I ask light hearted, and Lauren turns to look at me.

I sit down a few seats away from her. "Is everything okay? I know I'm one of the last people that you want to talk to, but I can get someone if you need them?"

Lauren stands up and shakes her head at me. "I'm fine," she says softly.

"I don't believe you ... just know that there are many people you can speak to if you need to."

Lauren let out a snort. "Most people aren't fond of me, and wouldn't give me the time of day."

I go to open my mouth, but she holds up her hand stopping me.

"I know that it's my own fault."

"Lauren?" I question feeling that Bella may just be right and something has happened to Lauren.

"Miss Denali?" Cheney says making me jump and turn around to see him standing a few feet from us. "You should be in class."

"I was just going," Lauren says not like in her usual way.

"Come to my office," he adds making Lauren close her eyes as she nods at him.

I pull out my cell as they walk away from me.

~Hey, Chief, I think something's going on with Lauren and I've got a feeling that it's bad. Could you talk to her? I think she feels that no one will listen to what she has to say.~

It only takes a few minutes for a reply to come back.

~Bella's been saying the same thing. I tried to have a word with her on Sunday, but she didn't say much, which is not like her. I am keeping my eye on her and I will try again.

I've just finished working outside when I get a call to go to Cheney's office.

I walk into his office again leaving the door open as he stares at me and the door for a few seconds before he starts to talk.

"I thought we agreed that you weren't to be alone with any of the students."

"I was making sure she was alright, she looked upset," I reply with a calm voice.

"Did she say what was on her mind?"

I shake my head at him and he lets out a sigh.

"I'll make a call to see if the counselor could come up from Port Angeles to make an appointment with her."

"What's wrong with Jasper?" I ask and Cheney tilts his head at me.

"Nothing personal, but he is a private therapist, and this is a school counselor I'd be calling in."

I nod at him.

"Just watch your back; people in vulnerable places can make mistakes, and they can mistake kind actions for other types of affection."

"I know. I just wanted to make sure she knew that there are lots of people in this school that would speak to her. I was only offering to get Alice or even Bella to come and speak with her."

"She and Bella are friends?" he asks sounding a little stunned.

"Yes," I answer with a frown.

But he shakes his head with a smile. "I assumed that Bella just tolerated Lauren."

"I had best get back to work," I say not responding to what he suggested.

"Keep me posted," he says as my cell buzzes.

"Best answer that out of the sight of the students. I would like it to appear that I have my staff following the same rules that I expect of them."

I nod again walking out without looking at my cell.

When I get to my office, I pull out my cell.

~Why is today going so slowly, I wish I could just go home. I feel so tired. xx~

I frown a little. The Chief may not say it, and wherein Bella has texted a few times during the night, I don't think she's sleeping well.

~You need a good night's sleep. The day is almost over. xx~

~I wish I could sleep. I have so much on my mind with all these exams. Besides, I always sleep better when you are next to me.~

Before I can reply, I get another text from Bella.

~Sorry that wasn't fair to text, I just miss you so much.~

~I miss you, too, and I sleep better with you next to me, too. Not much longer. I. L.Y. xx~

The day seems to drag on, and I am happy when the last bell rings. I head up to see the students leave. Just as I head toward Rose, a yell from behind me makes my head snap around.

"Lauren!" is sharply yelled and I start to run to where there seems to be an argument or a fight happening.

"Move aside!" I yell making the other students part like the red sea.

I stand still for a few seconds feeling weird that Bella is standing in front of Eric who looks to have a bloody nose.

"Stay the hell away from me!" Lauren states with venom in her voice.

"Calm down, Lauren," Bella says softly.

"Fuck you; fuck him, and this fucking school!" Lauren yells.

"Lauren, take it easy, and come and tell us what happened," I say making her look my way. "Did he hurt you?" I question hoping that this guy is not the reason for Lauren's sudden change in attitude.

"Leave me alone, please," she begs me as the tears start to run down her face.

I stretch my arm out to her, but she turns and runs out of the school.

I look at Bella who's looking in the direction that Lauren ran.

"What happened?" Rose asks sounding just as stunned as the rest of us.

"Anyone that witnessed everything, stay here, the rest of you go home," she adds.

Most of the students clear the area leaving Eric, Bella, Anna, and Bree.

"What happened?" Rose asks more firmly.

"I only asked her out on a date," Eric stutters and Rose raises her brow at him.

"Anything else?"

He shakes his head at her.

"He asked her out," Bella says softly, "but I'm not sure if she was ignoring him, or didn't hear him. He reached out and grabbed her arm, and she just hit him. I don't think she realized what she did. She just said no and not to touch her again. Eric made a joke." As she says 'joke,' Bella glares at Eric. "About her being too touchy, and that she didn't mind boys touching her before. Lauren flipped out and started yelling as she hit him again, busting his nose. I stepped in front of him, hoping that I could calm her down."

"Right," Rose says as she rubs her head. "Eric, I need a wor—" Rose gets cut off by Cheney.

"If this claim is verified that you put your hands on her, I will have you in a three-day suspension so fast your head will spin."

"What ... but—" Eric tries to say but Cheney cuts him off.

"I don't care; go see the Nurse," Cheney snaps and then turns to Bella.

"If you have time, I need you to come with me and give a written statement." His eyes flicker to the other girls. "Do you two agree with what she said?"

Both Bree and Anna nod.

"Rose, take their statements, too. I'll ask Jessica to call Tanya and have her bring her daughter back to school, or at least bring her tomorrow, so that we can inform her of her suspension."

"You can't ..." I stutter but Cheney just looks at me, giving me a clear sign that says 'shut up'.

"Miss Swan," Cheney demands.

I pull out my cell as Bella walks away with Cheney.

"Edward," the Chief says on answering.

"There's a problem at school, and I could use your help."

"On the way, what happened?"

"Eric asked Lauren out and pulled her arm, she hit him and he made a rude comment, so she hit him harder and then freaked out. Chief, Cheney wants to suspend Lauren and you can't let that happen, there's something going on with her."

"I don't have a great rapport with Cheney, and my past influence is no longer effective, but I'll see what I can do."

I get on with my work still thinking about Lauren's outburst in my head. The Chief arrived fairly quickly followed by Tanya and Lauren. There was a part of me that wanted to go to her and see if she was okay, but the glare that I received from Tanya made me stay back. It's not too long before Lauren is sitting with Bella outside the office.

"Feeling better?" I ask.

Lauren just shakes her head.

"Don't let other people tell you who you are," I say.

Lauren just looks at me. "He may be right, and I am not worth anything but to be someone's bitch on the side, or an emotional punching bag."

My eyes flash to Bella, who's looking at Lauren.

"Who said that?" Bella and I ask at the same time.

Before Bella and I can press for more information, Tanya, Cheney, and the Chief walk out.

"You're leaving for three days, but it is off the record. Come on, honey, I'll take you home," Tanya says.

"You'll be lucky if I don't sue this school!" she adds on with a huff behind her.

"Miss Denali, you also have to see a counselor. Whatever is bothering you has to be dealt with. It is better to talk it over with someone, rather than acting like you did today. Remember, my door is always open if you need a chat," Cheney says in a voice that makes it sound as if he cares.

"See, baby, I told you he's a good guy. He'll make sure that Eric pays for what he said."

"Tanya, why don't you take Lauren home," the Chief says with a sigh.

"Don't tell me how to parent my child," Tanya snaps back at him but starts to walk away.

"Thank you for not suspending her," Bella says sounding upset.

"She won't get a second chance no matter what she is going through."

"I know and I agree," Bella responds.

"I'm glad to have your approval Miss Swan, now you are also free to go home."

~WDYWFM~

Despite the fact that Lauren should have returned to school at the end of last week, no one has seen her. So I am a little surprised when she walks into school. She keeps her head down and walks straight into Cheney's office.

I am outside repairing some of the benches, when a police car pulls up. I start to walk to it, but stop when I see that it's not the Chief but the cop that arrested Bella and me. He looks my way and then heads inside along with his female partner.

I can't help but wonder why the Port Angeles Police are here. I pull out my cell and call the Chief.

"Hi, Edward," he chuckles, "I hope everything is okay," he adds on lightly.

"I'm not sure ... the cop that arrested Bella and me, is at school." I shake my head and snort. "I just thought that it was odd that the Port Angeles Police were here. I always thought it was your crew that would come if there was a problem."

"That is how it's supposed to work. I'll pop by and see what's what."

I walk into the school, going more slowly than usual as I pass the main office.

"Oh," Cheney says as he walks out the door. "I was just coming to see you."

I tilt my head.

"Could you come in to my office?"

I nod and walk in with him. It's not until I am in his office with the two police officers looking at me with hard faces, that I start to panic that something's not right.

"Can you take a seat?" Cheney says softly.

"I would rather stand," I answer back.

"Sit down," is hissed by the ass that arrested me.

I just look at him. "Is there a problem?" I ask still not sitting.

"Lauren has made an allegation," Cheney says as he stares at me.

"Against who? So someone has hurt her?" I ask feeling bad for the girl.

"She claims that you and she are in a relationship, and you've been texting her. She's only seventeen, Edward."

"I haven't ... w-e a-r-e-n't," I stutter feeling as if I am being punched.

"She also claims that you've blackmailed her into the relationship," the female cop says and I just shake my head at her.

"Something is wrong with Lauren. I am not sure what it is, but she's not acting like her usual self, whatever she's going through ... this is just—" I stop and point around, "a made up story to cover it up."

"We should take this down to the station," the cop says, and makes his way to me pulling out handcuffs. "What is going on here?" the Chief says looking at us all.

"Hello, Chief Swan, I am Eva," the female cop says with a smile.

"That nice, but what's going on?" the Chief hisses.

"A female student—Lauren Denali—has claimed that Edward Masen blackmailed her into a sexual relationship. As she is seventeen, and a student at the school, we have to investigate this. At this point, Mr. Masen is facing one charge of statutory rape."

I feel faint and I bend over as I crash on the ground.

"This can't happen again. I didn't do anything. I never touched her, I swear," I say out loud and look up to the Chief. "I swear I haven't spoken to her outside of school and the running group. I don't know why ..." I state as I keep looking at the Chief.

"First, he will not be charged; you have to do—what is it called again—oh, that's it, an investigation."

"She said that you wouldn't believe her, and that's why she came to us," the ass-hat cop smirks. "In fact, she called and asked Marcus to come as well."

"Someone say my name?" Marcus says walking in.

"Yes, Sir. I was just about to arrest Edward Masen," the cocky dickwad cop answers.

"On what grounds?" Marcus asks. "We still have to prove this, so I will need a statement. I have Lauren's already." Marcus stops and just looks at me. "It was pretty bad, not pleasant, so I think you should seek legal advice before speaking to anyone."

I nod at him.

"Sorry, Edward, until this investigation is over and you are cleared, I have to put you on leave," Cheney states.

Again, I just nod.

"I didn't do anything. I have never had sex with anyone," I mutter, "I swear to you."

"It's not like you can prove you're a virgin," the asshole cop laughs while looking me in the face with a sneer.

The Chief helps me walk out as I feel that again, my life is spinning out of control. There is a voice in the back of my head yelling that I am again going to go back to prison for yet another crime that I did not commit. Hopefully, this time, it will be different as I have people—a lot of good people—that are in my corner. Mostly, I am just confused about what is going on and what happened to Lauren to make her do this.

A/N: Okay we knew something was up with Lauren, but who saw that happening? What do you suppose the deal is?