The Lawyer and the Criminal

Summary: Isabella Swan, criminal prosecutor, visits known criminal Paul Lahote with his lawyer. In a turn of events, she finds herself on the run with him.

Pairing: Bella/Paul

*All Human….I guess this still counts…she is with who in SM's world is a wolf…*

Warning: Mention of rape at the beginning. I would put an asterisk, but FFN formats it out.

"Ladies and gentlemen do not forget that this charming man you have before you, is not innocent. He's manipulative, cunning, and very smart. He raped 10 women state-wide, murdered 6 of them, and the other 4 are in the hospital in the ICU. This man is no chariot. He can charm you in his bed, but trust me, he won't let you leave. That is all I have Your Honor,"

The young woman sat down and watched the courtroom do its justice. "All rise," The Judge demanded. "Jury, what is your verdict?" A young woman cleared her throat gripping the little slip of paper in her hand tightly. "On 10 counts of sexual assault, we find the defendant guilty. On the count of 1st-degree murder, we find the defendant, James Haggerston, guilty," The gavel banged, and happy chatter surrounded the courtroom. Bella leaned over, shaking the defense's hand. "I guess you owe me dinner Steve," She smiled, grabbing her things, and headed for the door.

Steve Jackson was probably the best damn defense lawyer anyone could have, he and Isabella Swan at the top of the board. "Yeah, I know. What'll it be, Italian?" Bella smiled as he opened the door for her. "Sounds good," She murmured. "Hey, I could use your help on something though," Steve laid a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. She raised her brows, waiting for him to say what he needed. "After dinner, could you accompany me to a client of mine? I need to check up on him, and it would be great to have company,"

Bella nodded immediately, wracking her brain for his list of clients. "Which Client do…oh…that one. Lahote still giving you trouble Steve? Think he's getting mixed up in the big boys again?" Steve shrugged. "Not sure, but I think having a prosecutor in his presence might shake him up a bit. It's my yearly checkup on him. This is his last year, then he gets his record expunged next month. He's deserved it, but I can't take chances. Several officers have seen men around when he's not home. We need to assess the situation, you mind?"

Bella shook her head, shooting him a smile. "Of course not,"


Bella wrapped her jacket around her at the cold wind, her teeth chattering slightly. Steve knocked on the door, waiting patiently. "Sure it isn't too late? It's almost 9. You know your wife will be calling for you here shortly," Steve just waved his hand. "She's pregnant, and around this time, she'll be fussing at me," Bella laughed, shaking her head. "But you love her nonetheless," She stated, hearing his hum of confirmation.

The large brown door opened, and a man stuck his head out, chuckling as he shook his head. "Just couldn't stay away Steve?" He opened the door fully, and Bella had to stop herself from ogling at the man. She had never met Paul Lahote, just heard things, but the description and pictures did him no good. The man was like a model, a bronze, tall, muscular model. She snapped her eyes back on his face, hoping he didn't pay her much attention, and besides, he was a criminal. "You know me Paul. This is my colleague, Isabella Swan," Bella reached forward, shaking his hand. "Come in," Paul moved away from the door, and Bella walked in first, Steve right behind her, closing the door shut.

"Chilly out there," Paul stated, going towards the kitchen. Bella glanced around the pristine home in awe. It was a simple one-story, all areas of the home open, marble greeted her at every turn. "Wine?" Paul called out, and Bella shook her head as he looked at her. "No thanks. Just had dinner. So, you know why I'm here. Last one bud," Steve pulled out a piece of paper, with notes already written on it. "So, Paul, keeping your nose clean?" Paul just raised a brow. "Why would I fuck up now? Of course," Steve jotted down something, and Bella decided to sit in a nearby chair to wait.

She watched Paul closely, but not too close it was obvious. "Police have been seeing some strange men about. Look like they used to hang around your crew back in the day. Having any problems with people?"

Paul leaned against the island, holding his glass. "Yeah. They're some type of new mafia or some gang shit, I don't know. They've been trying to get me to join them for a minute now. I think one of your boys are in on it," Bella raised a brow leaning forward. "You do realize what you're saying. You're saying one of the good guys is a crook, one of us," Bella whispered. Paul's brown eyes glanced at her, nodding slowly. "I know, and it's not impossible. I only say that because one of them is always dressed a little too…formal, and carries a briefcase," Steve jotted what Paul said down anyway.

"Anyone carries a briefcase nowadays Pauly," Steve joked. Paul grunted. "I know what he looks like and I bet you I could point him out," Steve glanced up, a frown on his face. "You're serious," He whispered. Paul nodded, gulping back the little bit of liquid left in his glass. Bella glanced at Steve, who sighed heavily. "Shit Paul. Are you sure?" Paul nodded, pouring himself another glass.

"Does he look new…anyone that's been a lawyer for a while now? Defense, prosecutor?" Bella questioned. "He looked kind of new," Steve wrote something else down, before frowning. Bella pulled out her phone and accessed the employee database. She looked for the section of newly hired and found a few. She stood up, handing it over to Paul. Scroll, see if there's anyone you recognize," She looked over at Steve as he waited, looking more concerned by the second.

"This one," Steve stood, coming to stand next to Bella. Bella leaned over, brows rising in surprise. "That's the new guy. Edward Masen. He just transferred here from New York, Jesus. Are you positive this is the man you saw?" Steve wrote something else down before ripping the page out. He handed it to Bella. "Hold onto this real quick," Bella took back her phone and stared at the picture.

Suddenly, the sound of a window breaking had their attention. "Steve!" Bella dropped down to the floor, gasping at the red stain that was growing bigger by the second., soaking into his forest green shirt. Paul crouched low, looking around. Steve was gasping in shock, his blue eyes wide with fear. "It's going to be okay," Bella soothed, gripping his hands.

"Bella…" Steve gasped, looking around. "Get…note…away…" Paul glanced over at Bella, his eyes widening at the red dot on the back of her head. "Isabella, get down!" He lunged forward, tackling her over and to the side, merely seconds before the shot rang out, hitting the floor. He rolled over her as bullets rained through his home. "Follow me, and stay to the floor, got it?" He yelled, rolling off of her. "Take those off," He demanded, and Bella quickly flicked the heels off her feet, before rolling on her stomach. "Follow me, we're heading to my basement, there's a door that leads outside. We're making a run for the woods and there's a small garage out there. Ready?" Bella nodded quickly and Paul stood, yet crouched low, and Bella followed his movements, crawling behind him as he went to a green door. He pulled the knob, and pushed the door open, pulling Bella inside.

He pulled the door shut and pointed downstairs. "Find me a chair," Bella quickly ran down the stairs, and he could hear her rummaging through his things. "Here," She rushed up the stairs with it, and he took it from her, pushing it up against the door. "This won't hold long. Come with me," Paul grabbed her hand, leading her down the stairs. He opened the doors attached to the cellar, popping his head out briefly. "It's clear," He hoisted himself up and reached back down for her.

She grasped his hand, and he quickly pulled her up to the ground. "Come on, keep up," Bella stayed behind Paul as he ran across the backyard, clutching his hand as they raced into the woods. Bella's bare feet scraped against rocks and sticks, but she didn't let it slow her down. She could barely see, but she figured he must know where he's going. "Are these men of yours?" She gasped, ducking under a tree branch.

"No, I don't know how many times I have to say it lady, but I'm not in that life anymore. I wouldn't have ordered someone to kill two lawyers. I've changed. Now come on," He pulled on her hand, and Bella's feet barely hit the ground with each move of her legs. Feeling the struggle on his body, he stopped, panting heavily. Bella swallowed, her hands on her knees. "Why…are we stopping?" She rasped. "You can't keep up with me. Get on my back," Bella glanced at him incredulously. "What?" She asked, shaking her head. "That'll slow you down," She argued. Paul walked forward, and Bella swallowed again as with every breath, his chest moved up and down.

"I'm taller, so dragging you along is slow too, and so is talking. Just get on. Better than dying. They were going to shoot you, and I intervened. So right now we're in this together," He turned around and crouched low, and Bella hopped on, holding onto his neck tightly, her legs wrapping around his waist. He cupped his hands under her knees, and she could feel the sweat from his hands. She crossed her ankles in front of his body for extra support.

He jostled her really quick, before running in the same direction they were running in seconds prior. She had to admit that this was faster, and they were already gaining more ground. She could feel his pulse beneath her fingertips, and she held on tighter as he ran for what felt like forever. He slowed down to a stop in front of a small brown shed, and Bella slid down his back, taking a look around before walking closer to his side. "Shit," He cursed, pulling on the chain.

"You don't have the key?" She asked, running a hand through her hair. "No, I must've left it on the hook down in the basement. Fuck, fuck, fuck," Bella looked around on the ground, fingers combing through rocks. "Hey, will this work?" She asked, motioning towards what looked like a mini boulder. "It's perfect," He stated, and Bella placed it in his hand. She bit her lip as he hit it against the chain a few times. "Please…" She whispered, glancing behind her in panic.

"I got it!" The chain dropped to the ground in a heap, and Paull pulled the doors open. "Close them behind you," Bella did as told, and Paul pulled on a light string. "It's a 2014 Ford, inconspicuous enough that no one would follow us, at first. It runs good, and has a full tank," Bella nodded, and made her way to the passenger side. "Please tell me you have the keys to this at least," She said, opening the door and sliding inside. Paul opened the driver's side door, twirling the keyring on his finger. "Stay down, and hold on," He started the car, and Bella clicked on her seatbelt, scooting down in the seat. She let out a squeak as he pulled forward, busting through the doors. "What was the point of closing that then if you were going to drive through it?" She asked, glancing over at him. "If they're watching, they thought this was closed and we were still in the house," He slowed down along a narrow road, turning off the lights. "Okay, you're good," Bella slid back up in the seat, peering into the darkness.

"How can you see?" She questioned, trying to look into the darkness. "I carved out this path, so I know where I'm going. Goes out to the main road," He explained. "We need to call the police," She stated quietly, her mind now venturing to her friend. "Can't," He responded. Bella frowned, looking at him. "Those bullets…that hit, I think not only are you dealing with a lawyer who doesn't follow the rules, but a crooked cop," Bella let out a breath, looking out the window.

"So, no one is safe to talk to? If I could call one of my…" She trailed off as Paul interrupted her. "No, you won't know who is for you and who isn't. Too risky. I have an old contact that might be able to help. He knows some people on the force. He'd know if they were crooked. He's just a few hours out,"

Bella got comfortable and took off her jacket. She grabbed the yellow slip of folded paper, unraveling it. "Wait, Steve wrote down everything you said…this is proof, kind of…but it can't necessarily hold up in court without proof. Has Edward Masen asked you to meet anywhere?" Paul shook his head no, making a right onto the road.

Bella sighed, leaning into the seat. "Can you trust your connections?"


"Hey," Paul whispered, shaking Bella awake. "Hmmm," She hummed tiredly, swatting his hand away. "Isabella," He said, shaking her a little harder. Bella groaned, blinking her eyes open. "It's Bella," She grumbled, sitting up. It was still dark out, and she squinted her eyes a bit to see the building in front of her. "A restaurant? I think it's best we keep a low profile, don't you?"

Paul chuckled, looking in the direction of the restaurant. "This is low. Come on, Bella," Her name rolled off his tongue with humor, and Bella sat up rubbing her eyes. They stepped out of the van, and Bella wrapped her coat around her, waiting for Paul.

"Rosalin's?" She questioned, as he opened the door for her. "Thanks," She whispered, looking around. The place was empty, and Bella realized the place was obviously closed. "Italian," Paul whispered, heading to the back. Bella followed behind and stopped as he did.

Looking around him, Bella saw a man standing surprised. "Hey," Paul greeted. Bella jumped as the man punched Paul in the face, knocking him down to one knee. "Oh my god!" She gasped, rushing to help him up. "What the hell?" She snapped, helping him to his feet. The Italian man glanced at her confused. Taking a notice of the cut on her forehead, he turned his steel gaze to Paul. "Really Pauly? You get clean and do some stupid shit? You hitting women now too? I thought I taught you better than that!" Bella stood in front of Paul protectively, holding out her hand.

"Stop! He didn't hit me, and what the hell did you hit him for?" Paul moved her out of the way, pushing her to the side gently. "What stupid shit Manny?" Manny walked around a few chairs and pointed to the small television on the table. "You're all over the news Pauly! Injured a lawyer, kidnapped one?! What the hell is going on? You're lucky I don't call the police on your ass myself!" Bella moved around Paul, shaking her head. "No, that's wrong! Paul didn't kidnap me, he saved my life. My friend got shot…it came from the window…are the cops even looking?" She asked, shaking her head.

Paul glanced back at her, a brow raised. "I told you, there might be a crooked cop," Bella frowned, sighing heavily. "What does this mean?" Paul asked. "It means you're about to be wanted by every damn cop in the city," Bella whispered, glancing back at the tv.

AN: Sorry guys! For those following THAU (The Human Among Us-revised version) I will try to have a chapter up soon. School has been kicking my butt, but only a few more months and College is finished! Whoo-hoo!

Will be a part 2!