Over the next two weeks, Leah made sure that she didn't phase. She didn't want to break her word to Nessie. Besides, the girl had a point. If Jake came back because he felt that he had to, she would always wonder if love had ever been part of the equation.

The family had been careful not to say anything about Nessie's trial when they knew Seth was close enough to hear it. But by their very silence had aroused a suspicion in the young man. He knew that something was up and he was determined to find out what it was.

The day of the trial dawned dark and gloomy. The family and Leah left early, leaving Seth asleep in the guest room.

When they arrived Emmett sat down in the back of the courtroom so as to make things more comfortable for his niece. Nessie saw what he did and walked back to him.

"Emmett?" He looked up at her. "Come sit with the family. I'm missing one person today. I don't want to be without two."

Emmett took the hand that she held out to him, careful not to make any sudden movements. He stood up and held out his arms. She stepped into them and he wrapped her up more gently than anyone who didn't know him would think him capable of.

The two walked up front and Emmett sat down next to Rose in the front row.

Not ten minutes after they left, Seth woke up. He had heard more than they thought he had. He made his way to the courthouse and sat down in the back of the courtroom.

Seth felt the whole world just disappear when he saw her. Her red hair was brilliant, gorgeous compared to the red-headed leech they'd torn apart to protect Bella. Her eyes called to him, the vibrant green sparkling with a love of life.

"Your name?"

"Officer Danielle Montgomery."

As the questioning continued, Seth just sat up straight and watched the young woman on the stand. Leah watched him watching her and rolled her eyes.

Emmett had also noticed Seth come in and sit in the back row. When he straightened up, Emmett was curious about his reaction. He turned to Leah. "What's with him?"

"He just imprinted. Apparently on the officer on the stand." Leah chuckled, even though she was thoroughly annoyed at her brother. He'd always made fun of the imprinted wolves with her. She'd counted on him not imprinting for a very long time.

Jasper had his hand over his mouth, trying to keep from chuckling at Seth's sudden emotional overload.

Nessie didn't move. She'd heard Leah comment and knew what was going on. Edward heard his daughter's thoughts and felt his dead heart break for her.

'Imprinting is so important. But Jake left me. He just walked away. It can't be that important if the wolf in question can just walk away from his imprint like that. Of course, I'm such a freak that it would be just like me to screw up something as important as an imprint.'

Bella could almost feel her daughter's pain and wanted nothing more than to wrap her up in her arms and shelter her from all of this. Of course, she also wanted to beat Jake for allowing Nessie to go through this without him.

Emmett got a good chuckle going just moments later when Officer Shaun Pelson took the stand. Leah's eyes were glued to his ice blue ones from the start. Thick black hair made her fingers itch to run through it.

Jasper knew immediately what had happened. He chuckled softly, sending a thought to Edward. 'Leah can't be so smug now. She imprinted too.'

Edward nodded, his thoughts more focused on the petite young woman directly in front of him. His daughter found herself not caring if they convicted her or not. After all, as far as she was concerned, her life was over anyway if she didn't have Jake.

As the trial continued, Nessie felt herself sinking deeper into her despair. She felt as if she'd been dropped into a deep pit with the bottom still dropping deeper and deeper.

Of course, it didn't take the jury long to reach a verdict of not guilty.

Everyone except Nessie let out a sigh of relief. Jasper noticed that she had sighed with resignation. He looked at Edward in alarm.

"Let's take her home," Carlisle said quietly. Edward led the way as they left the courtroom.

Shaun and Danielle stood on the steps of the courthouse, watching as the family led the youngest member out into the overcast day. The normally graceful Nessie stumbled several times, causing Emmett to pick her up. With her safely cradled in his strong arms, they finished the trip to the car.

"You'd think she'd be happier about the verdict," Shaun commented.

"Remember the big guy that came into the hospital with her mom and sister that night? He wasn't here."

"That's our cousin. He misinterpreted the whole situation and ran off. Poor Nessie's been a basket case ever since. She adores him." The two officers turned to see Leah and Seth right behind them. "Hi. I'm Seth Clearwater. This is my sister Leah."

"Danielle Montgomery. Shaun Pelson." Shaun was puzzled. Danielle had never just stared at a guy before.

"I wanted to thank you for being there that night. Nessie is a very sensitive girl. She's always been very sheltered. She's very special to her family."

Seth wanted to chuckle seeing Leah just staring at the man in front of her. He met Danielle's eyes and smiled at her.

"Maybe we'll see you around sometime." Danielle still hadn't said one single word. Shaun shook Seth's hand and kissed Leah's. "At least I hope so," he murmured, gazing straight into Leah's eyes.

Leah actually blushed at his open admiration. Seth actually did chuckle. He stepped up to the young woman he'd imprinted on and leaned in, kissing her cheek.

"I'll be around for a while. You can call me at this number if you want to," he whispered in her ear, pressing a slip of paper into her hand. "I'll be listening for the phone to ring. I hope it does."

Danielle blushed a shade of red that Seth had only seen on Bella when she was human. He chuckled deep in his chest. He stepped back for a moment and turned to face his sister.

"Leah, we need to get going. The Cullens will be wondering what happened to us." Leah nodded and whispered, "I'll see you around, Shaun." Then she followed her brother to the car.