Disclaimer: None of the Benedicts/the Savant World belong to me – everything to Joss Stirling.

Chapter Sixteen

The last time I felt the unbearable urge to punch somebody, he turned out to be the love of my life. I sure as hell hope my instinct isn't failing again.

"Hello, gorgeous." A husky voice breathes into my ear and I instinctively back away. Against the wall. Smart move, dumbass Crystal.

I turn around to get a glimpse at the speaker and almost laugh out loud.

"So, what is a beautiful, young thing like you doing here alone?" Clearly this kid isn't much older than eighteen yet he still sees himself as charming enough to make a move on a 23-year old.

"I'm not alone. I'm married." I hold up my left hand and see a flicker of surprise on the guy's face before he smooths his expression back to cocky and confident.

"Who's the father?"

Seriously?! What kind of dickish parents let their jerk of a kid run around without a muzzle?

"Back off, kiddo. I'm here with my husband." As if summoned (which he kinda was) I feel Xav's strong arms wind themselves around my waist and I relax into his embrace.

"So what's the deal, Hodgson? Don't you think suing me is enough or do you really need hitting on my wife for your ego?"

I try to keep my face neutral but inside, I feel like vomiting all over this guy's upchuck-inducing Armani suit. So this is the asshole that is coming very close to ruining everything Xav and I have worked for.

"Whatever, Benedict. I don't need anything for my ego, I know that you're going down today." I disentangle myself from Xav's arms and stand straight, my 6 feet plus heels evidently intimidating the jerk and his 5'7'' slightly.

"Are you aware of the fact that you're ruining a man's career here? My husband has worked for this for half of his life and you think some Polo-shirt wearing dwee like you can take that away from him?"

Crystal. Xav's gentle chiding tone brings me back to the ground immediately and I give him a grateful nod.

He's not worth it, I know.

Yeah, that too but I was thinking more along the lines of you being insanely sexy when you yell at people who are not me and seeing you do that kind of stuff would be kinda a hindrance so…

Xav smirks at me and pulls me in by my hand.

"Calm down, Cupcake. We're gonna be okay. We can kick his ass another way." Xav whispers and very deliberately and slowly, lowers his mouth on mine in a reviving kiss, leaving me breathless and wanting more.

"… that Xavier Benedict is not guilty."

A breath I didn't realize I was holding escapes my mouth as I bury my head in my hands and let the tears that have been piling up over the last few weeks fall freely. I lift my head and my gaze meets Xav's equally tearful eyes. The room empties fairly quickly and the moment my eyes glimpse Xav talking to his attorneys at the end of the hall, I'm running.

Xav catches me as if he's done this a million times, whispering over and over in my mind.

It's over. We're fine. It's over.

"What a touching scene. Truly, I'm about to vomit."

I turn my head just enough to see Hodgson's smirking yet undeniably defeated face.

"What do you want?" Xav says tiredly.

"I actually wanted to talk to you, sweet cheeks" He gestures towards me, causing Xav's arm to cut off the blood circulation in my shoulders.

Gently, I pry Xav's hand off my arm and hold up mine as Dylan opens his mouth to say something.

"Listen, kiddo. If you ever try to make a move – a very lame one FYI – on me or if you ever try to do anything to hurt my husband again, I can assure you that you will be leaving with something far worse than a broken rib."

I struggle not to let Xav's mental images make me laugh and blush.

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my freaking –" I can hear Phoenix's exasperated shrieks from across the hall and have to smile slightly as she starts waddling towards us, with Yves supporting her every step of the way, yet stopping halfway to talk to Xav.

"Hey, Phee. How are you doing?" I ask and give her a hug, careful to let her bump breathe.

"I just heard the freakiest thing from good ol' Miss Blabbermouth, i.e. the asshole's mum. "

"And what's that?"

"You got freaking married?!" Phee's shriek nearly splits my eardrum and I am quick to cover her mouth with my hand.

"Promise to keep it a secret." I whisper desperately.

"How? When? Where? I had –"

"It was just the two of us. On Hawaii. On a beach. Three weeks ago."

Phee's eyes, that have been growing bigger and rounder with every sentence, fill with tears as she pulls me into another fierce hug.

"I'm just so happy for you guys. You deserve it more than anyone."

Now it's my eyes that are threatening to spill over so I quickly grab the sleeve of my cardigan to wipe at my face.

"Look" Phee gently nudges me and nods over to the corner where Xav and Yves are hugging, both sporting suspiciously red eyes. Phee and I make our way over to the brothers as they let go of each other and I take the opportunity.

"Listen Yves, we're really grateful for all the help and support you and Phee –"

"Shut up, big sis. You would've done the same for us." I pull Yves into a hug but not without expressing our thanks in his mind, where he can't reject it.

"So, Xav, huh? Phee tells me you guys have tied the knot. On Hawaii. On a beach. Congratulations, man!" Yves says and gives Xav a very masculine pat on the shoulder that looks like it would have dislocated mine.

"Yep" Xav grins like a Cheshire cat and gives me a chaste kiss on my forehead. "But you have to stay quiet about it. At least for a little bit. Okay?"

"Anything for my little brother, right?"

Finally, someone avenges all the hair ruffle attacks I have had to suffer from Xav.

So, you guys, I need your advice on the next chapter (the big P) – should she tell him scared or funny – I've already written both versions so as soon as I get a definite result (your opinions) I'll post the next chapter.

Please review! :)