A/N Love to betas mac and jkane180, and I wouldn't have been able to write this chapter without lizconno's help with the American justice system. She's so randomly awesome.
Facebook Status: Okay, I'm an idiot. I just figured out my iPhone 4 plays video. Need a firmware update RTFN!
Oh my god, I totally fucked Edward's brains out all night.
Except for the fact that I'm lying, and I didn't. Also, I'm a complete asshole because I fell asleep on the goddamn sofa before we could properly make-out or even cuddle.
I stretched, locking my jaw to suppress a yawn. My back ached from sleep, but the green eyes that greeted me when I opened mine instantly chased the pain, and I mean all the pain, away. My fingers found their way to his face, and I rubbed the shadow of stubble over his jaw, feeling my eyes narrow as he openly gaped.
"You're staring at me," I whispered, blowing dragon fire breath all over his face. My hand flew to my mouth, and I mumbled out an apology into my palm, sitting.
"Yeah." He grabbed my wrist and pulled my hand away from my face. "I missed looking at you . . . I don't know, like I thought maybe I'd never see you again. Can I kiss you?"
I shook my head. "My breath smells like ass."
"Uh, unless your mouth was literally on another dude's ass, I don't give a fuck." He smiled sheepishly. "I was kinda sorta stalking your Facebook while you were away."
"Oh! The ass to mouth comment. Uh, long story involving The Human Centipede."
"Ew."
"Yeah. Double ew."
He lowered his face to mine, but I lost my nerve, turning my head at the last second and offering him my cheek. He'd think I was gross if he had a whiff.
"Bella," he whined. "I really don't care about your breath."
I snaked my arms around his neck, burying my fossilized mouth into his chest. "lllmmmm rmm ermm," I told him.
"Sure, except I have no idea what you just said."
"Upstairs, please," I huffed out. "And do you have a toothbrush I can borrow?"
"Of course. Unless you want to brush your teeth with my cock." His face reddened. "Shit. Fuck. I didn't just say that. I only thought it."
I couldn't stop laughing. Seriously, my ribs nearly broke under the strain of my answering guffaw. "You're so fucking smooth." I ran my hand over the front of his pants, grazing his Waterpik. "You want a BJ, huh? Yeah, I can do that for you." I dropped to my knees and tugged at the drawstrings of his waistband, tufts of reddish-brown hair popping of his boxers. "I missed little Sex-hair," I confessed, kissing his navel, feeling the muscles spasm as he took a sharp intake of air.
"I do- fuck, yeah. I want you to . . . just . . . let's talk first, okay?" He fisted my hair, making no attempt to move.
"Okay. Let's talk." My lips made a farting sound as I sucked his shaft through his thin cotton pants. "I have so much to say right now."
"We should go to my room. Aww, fuck, yeah." He panted, pushing my face away from his dick. A dark spot suddenly blossomed over the material covering his crotch as he wheezed out a string of expletives.
"Uh . . . did you just . . . I mean, I know I'm good and stuff but-"
"I haven't been able to jack off since you broke up with me," he rushed out. "I mean, I've barely gotten wood at all. And then you're here, and your mouth is so . . . I'm a little mortified."
My chest felt heavy, but it wasn't with the usual ennui. Like the Grinch, I swear, my heart grew three sizes. I opened my mouth to speak, but my throat tightened around a sob. On shaking legs, I stood and collapsed into Edward's torso.
"Hey, are you okay?"
I nodded, tears sliding down my cheeks. I felt oddly light - like I could float upstairs and into Edward's bed.
"You need to know something," I managed to say. "You need to know I love you. I'm so in love with you, Edward." Grabbing handfuls of his shirt, I pulled him fast against me, his arms tightening. I wiped my nose against his bicep. "I'm not leaving you. I'm never going anywhere without you . . . as long as you'll have me, I mean."
"I'll always have you. Do you have any idea how much you mean to me?"
"Are you trying to get me to suck your dick again?"
He laughed. "I always want you to suck my dick. But even if you didn't want to blow me ever again, it wouldn't matter. You make me want to be a better man."
"I loved that line when Jack Nicholson said it too."
"Pardon?"
"The 'better man' line is from As Good As it Gets."
He shook his head emphatically. "No. No way."
"People who speak in metaphors should shampoo my crotch."
"What?"
I sighed. "It's a great fucking movie filled with one-liners like that. And you quoted it. Good for you. Can we make love now? How long do you need before all systems are go?"
"My head is spinning."
"I have that effect on people." I grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward the stairs. "Are your parents home?"
"My mother is." He raised an eyebrow, and I smiled what I hoped was an enigmatic grin like Mona Lisa. It probably wasn't though. It probably was a grimace. Yep, I bet I looked like I was suppressing a belch. Actually, I kind of needed to fart. Were we at that point in our relationship yet?
"We'll have to be quiet, then." I giggled, wanting to sway my hips as he followed me up the stairs. The problem was I needed to clench because Edward was face-level with my ass, and I couldn't exactly let one rip.
"Oh, god," he groaned, grabbing my backside. "I want you so bad . . . you have no fucking clue."
"Please let go of my butt," I hissed.
"Why? Are you not ready? There's no rush, pretty girl. I love you; I'd be happy to just hold and kiss-"
"I have to fart." My face exploded in fire as I unclenched and squeaked out the gas I'd been holding onto for dear life. "I'm so sorry."
He laughed, and I burst out into tears.
"Oh, sweetie, no." His mouth pressed to mine. I was about to push him away, but I didn't want him to fall down the stairs and break something . . . like the hard-on he had reacquired. It pushed into my hip, thumping against me like the tail of a frisky dog.
"I'm so fucking embarrassed."
"It's just gas." He shrugged. "I had a premature ejaculation a few minutes ago. That was pretty humiliating too. You don't think less of me for it."
"Yeah, I totally do," I blubbered.
"Huh?"
"You're hardly a man at all."
His mouth opened and closed a few times like a spastic guppy.
"I'm kidding." I snickered and then farted again. "Fuck."
"I'm so horny right now." He grabbed my tits. "Is this okay?"
"Don't make me laugh! My sphincter belches every time I do." Tears, mostly of mirth, streamed down my cheeks.
We managed to make it to his bedroom without my falling down the stairs or shitting my pants. These were both good things. I felt hopeful and inexplicably happy as I pushed open the door, my fingers entwined with his.
"Do you want to talk?" he asked, embracing me from behind. I felt him hunch over me, breathing hot air onto my neck. He licked and kissed along my pulse point, and my heart and clit throbbed in response.
"Talk? No, Sex-hair. I want you. I want to-" I nearly told him to fuck me, but that wasn't what I wanted at all. I wanted to make love. There was a difference between fucking and loving someone. Together, we'd figure out how to love each other physically. "I want to go slowly. Do you think you could make love to me slowly?"
His brow furrowed. "Was that another crack at my manhood? I swear, it was just pent-up lust. I'll last longer this time. And we can do it as many times as you want-"
"No, Edward. I mean . . . you know how sex is weird for me, right? Can we do it slowly. Like, not like two horny teenagers but like two people who are in love."
"Bella," he moaned, his breath hot in my ear. "I love you so much. Every time I kiss or touch or fuck you, I'm loving you. Every time we fight and cry and laugh, I'm loving you too. I'm always loving you." He turned me around and placed an open-mouthed kiss on my lips. "But dude, we are two horny teenagers. Sometimes I'm going to come too quickly. Sometimes I'm going to beg you to blow me; it's who I am. But even when I'm coming in your mouth or finger fucking you in my car during lunch break, I'm doing it while desperately and completely in love with you."
-({})-
My phone still buzzed insistently as I pulled into my driveway. The firmware probably wanted to be updated. Shit, I'd put off syncing my phone into iTunes for too long - I'd plug it into my laptop before passing out for another few hours.
"Bells?" Charlie yelled before I even had the front door open. "Where the fuck have you been?"
"Watch your fucking mouth." I giggled. My body felt so light, unburdened by the weight and darkness I'd grown accustomed to. I practically skipped past the kitchen and into the front room where Charlie sat with an attractive redhead. His face, grey and ashen, told the story of another sleepless night.
"You weren't in your room when I checked last night. Can't you answer your phone?"
"Sorry, Dad. I spent the night with Edward." I didn't see any point in lying. "Who's the dame?"
"Siobhan," she said pleasantly, standing to offer her hand. I shook it, careful not to cut myself on her red-talon nails.
"Uh, hi." My eyes sought out my father's. He evaded my gaze.
"She's the lawyer," he explained, fidgeting with his holster. His gun never seemed to leave his hip anymore.
"The one I was supposed to see in Arizona?" Huh. Shouldn't she have gone with us to speak with the police? I hadn't thought to ask Charlie about that at the time; my mind had been a muddled mess.
"You left Phoenix before we could meet." Her lips spread into a smile, lipstick caking in the corners of her mouth.
"Sorry." I looked at my scuffed nails and bit back a cuticle. "So, are you my lawyer? Like, does there have to be a trial? I really don't want to go to trial." Okay, I knew I sounded petulant, but the thought of speaking about what happened in front of all those people - in front of Phil - made me want to claw out of my own skin. Fingers of panic wrapped around my neck, tightening my airway.
She frowned. "Yes, likely there will be a trial. Let me explain-"
"Can't the police just investigate him or whatever? I mean, I already swore out my complaint!" Tears burned my eyes, but I wouldn't let them fall. My jaw clenched, and I ground my teeth together, breathing . . . just breathing.
"No, Bella. As the plaintiff, you must testify - the burden of proof is your responsibility."
"Burden," I choked out. "I won't do it. I'm fucking done. It's in the cops hands now."
"I don't believe we're talking about the same thing. Did your father speak to you about the civil suit?"
"What the fuck is a civil suit? There's nothing fucking civil about being raped. I'm talking about getting Phil's ass thrown in jail. You don't need me for that shit. Wait, are you the DA? I'm fucking confused."
She shook her head, placing her hand on my shoulder, and I flinched. "I'm afraid you'll have no choice in the matter. You'll likely be subpoenaed to testify, and if you don't cooperate you can be found in contempt of court."
"Like, I'll go to jail?"
She nodded, and I wanted to clock her.
"Dad . . . did you know about this?"
"I- I mean, I knew you'd have to testify. Jeez, Bells . . . I thought you'd know-"
"Is there anything I can do to get out of it?" I begged Siobhan. "Can you talk to the cops and tell them I changed my mind?"
She threw Charlie a bewildered look. "I don't get involved with the police, sweetheart. I thought your father explained why I'm here."
"He didn't." I dug my nails into my hair and clawed at my scalp. "He didn't say anything."
"I'm not a criminal lawyer. Like I said, I'm here to talk to you about filing a civil suit to recoup damages."
"I don't- I mean, a what?"
"Bella," Charlie said carefully. "Phil will pay for what he did to you. Now, the DA will take care of the criminal investigation and trial. Siobhan is here to talk about the, uh, financial stuff."
"Money," I said coldly. "You want Phil to pay us money, Dad?"
"Not us. You."
"That seems . . . well, that seems weird." I looked back and forth between them - the two adults in the room - waiting for reason to set in. "Wouldn't that make me like, I dunno, a whore?"
Charlie dropped his mug unto the floor. Miraculously it didn't break; he kind of did, though. He buried his face into his hands and made a terrible honking sob.
"Not at all," Siobhan said calmly, disregarding my father. "He owes a debt to society for breaking the law, Bella. He'll go to prison for it. But what about what he owes to you? Therapy can be expensive."
"Dad?" I ignored her and knelt beside him. "I love you, okay? Don't cry."
"Siobhan c-can help. School and doctors . . . I want y-you to have the best; I can't pay for the best." His deep tenor broke under the strain he bore. The words sounded like they were spoken by a young boy.
"Don't cry, Dad. If you think this is a good idea . . . I'll think about it, okay?"
"I don't know what to think," he blubbered. "He needs to pay . . . I want him to pay."
"Okay. He'll pay." My gut churned. It didn't feel right. "Is there any way at all to avoid a trial? Not for the civil suit - I mean the criminal thingy."
"Only if he pleads guilty. He'd be sentenced without a trial."
I nodded. "So I just need him to plead guilty to . . . something."
"It's unlikely he'll plead guilty with such little evidence," she said softly. "It's not my intention to upset you, Bella, but you need to face reality. Rape is a serious charge."
"Yeah . . . and right now it's just my word against his." My voice sounded sadder than I'd intended.
"You'll make a great witness," Siobhan encouraged me. "Just be honest, and don't hide your emotions. Any jury would be moved by you." She touched the back of my hair - it made me think of Renee, how she'd stroke my hair when I was a little girl . . . before she hated me.
"I'm really," I paused, trying to find the right word before I settled on, "tired."
Siobhan nodded, and my father managed to compose himself, standing up and smoothing the sleeves of his shirt over his arms. "Go to sleep, Bells. We can talk more later tonight or tomorrow. Uh, you know - when you're ready."
I didn't look back at them as I ran up the stairs to my room. The first thing I did upon entering was plug my phone into my iMac. Before I could even load iTunes, my clever fucker of a phone found the application and began syncing.
While it chugged along, I updated my Facebook status and checked my email. Jake had been trying to reach me. I typed out a quick message indicating that I was fine, and I missed him. I mean, I loved Jake - he'd always have a big, bloody chunk of my heart, but I didn't have time to deal with him at the moment.
He replied by pinging me on gchat.
SPlathisdead - omg, did you not read my status? Only ping for porn!
jblack180 - I haz pr0n
SPlathisdead - FUQ
jblack180 - r u ok?
SPlathisdead - Yeeessss! Now leave me alone. I want to go to sleep.
jblack180 - in the middle of the afternoon?
SPlathisdead - *shrugs* I was up all night fucking :P
jblack180 - Ha! Samsies!
SPlathisdead - You dog! Leah? Woot!
jblack180 - I will neither confirm nor deny.
SPlathisdead - that's awesome. I'm happy for you! :D
jblack180 - will you call me? I want to make sure you're okay.
SPlathisdead - I will. Not now tho. Love you, Jake.
jblack180 - love you more.
SPlathisdead - TTYL
I felt like a bit of a shit for being so short with him. I mean, we used to talk about everything. I couldn't do it anymore - Jake could no longer be my secret-keeper. It hurt him too much.
iTunes beeped, and I opened the dialogue box prompting me to sync video with my phone.
Video?
An old AVI file had found its way into my library when I downloaded the new version of iTunes. Without a second thought, I clicked the file and a scream caught in my throat.
Me. Naked and crying. Phil's hulking form bent over me.
"Don't . . . please, don't," the younger version of myself pleaded.
He ignored her.
A/N - So there's one more chapter of Tomato and then an epi. This story was never meant to be courtroom drama so I hope I didn't mislead anyone. I might write an outtake or two for fandom causes. A reviewer mentioned a Dr. Banner outtake which sounds like fun!
I'm working on original fiction and looking for pre-readers. If you're interested, please PM or email me. The story is a dark comedy/fantasy satire.
Thank you for buzzing my husband's pants with the last chapter. Please review me and buzz mine? I'll do my best to answer any questions. If you're on twitter, lemme know your twittername so I can bug you.