Kevin was wide awake now. The redhead sat up and wrapped his arms around Edd. Pulling him close he said, "shit babe, I forgot."

"I-its ok" Edd said weakly as he lay his head on Kevin's shoulder.

Kevin felt his heart drop at the raventte's tone. His boyfriend was breaking before his eyes. Turning to kiss the top of Edd's head, he said, "I know you're hurting babe. I'm right here."

Emotion washed over Edd as he buried his face into Kevin's neck and broke down. Months of hertache flew from his eyes. Between choking sobs he whispered, "I k-know, I'm just a-afraid."

Kevin lifted Edd's to look at him. His beloved dorks face was streaked with pain. Kissing the tears away he whispered "we will get through this Edd. I'm not leaving your side. I promise. I love you."

"I love you too Kev." Edd's eyes still shone with tears, but they had slowed considerably. I don't know if I can do this he thought grimly.

The look on Edd's face did nothing to ease Kevin's worry. "What's going on in that pretty little head" he asked quietly.

"Nothing, I-I'll be ok" Edd tried a weak smile. Kevin wasn't buying it but he didn't want to make things worse. Sighing, he hugged Edd tighter, holding him until his boyfriend fell into an uneasy sleep. Kevin held him until the sun came up.

...

Kevin turned the alarm off. Edd blinked his eyes open and stared up into Kevin's green eyes. Leaning down to kiss his dork, he said "morning babe. How are you feeling?"

"I'm o-ok"

Kevin eyed him with worry, "are you sure?"

Edd's face dropped. Sighing he said, "honestly? No. I'm not, I'm t-terrified." The jock felt helpless as he looked at Edd's sullen eyes. dammit he thought as he got up. Holding his hand out Kevin said, "come on babe, let's get some coffee ok?"

Edd nodded, grabbed his hand and said hazely, "ok."

The two headed downstairs where Kevin made coffee and pancakes. Fixing Edd a plate he sat across from him. The raventte sipped his coffee but didn't touch his food.

"Babe," Kevin said worried, "You need to eat."

Edd blankly picked his fork. He only ate a few bites before placing it back on the table. Staring at his hands the raventte said, "I'm sorry, I guess I just am not hungry."

Kevin reached across the table and took hold of Edd's hand. Sighing he said, "I'm just worried about you."

"Please don't, I'll be fine."

*beep beep*

Kevin was about to speak when his phone went off. Opening the text, he let out his breath.

"The trial starts at ten."

...

After cleaning up the kitchen the boys headed upstairs to change. Edd didn't say much on the way to the courthouse. The look on his face was one of despair the broke Kevin's heart. The redhead hoped to God that his dad would go easy on him. The elder Barr was ferocious in the courtroom. Everyone knew it.

Pulling into the parking lot, Kevin cut off the engine. Looking at his boyfriend, he said quietly "are you ready?"

"No" Edd said unbuckling his seatbelt, "but let's get it over with." Edd got out of his car. Kevin followed him up the steps. They were greeted by Matthew Barr.

The public defender looked at his son with concern in his eyes. why did he have to get this case? he thought as the teens walked up.

"Hey boys," Mathew said, trying not to sound worried. Edd looked like he could burst into tears at any moment. Mathew felt for the boy his son cared for so deeply. The genius was a good kid, who had been through too much.

"uh hey dad," Kevin said as he rubbed his neck. Edd nodded in acknowledgment.

Mr. Barr looked at the two with sympathy. Placing a hand on either boys shoulder he said, "it's going to be ok." Glancing at his watch he continued, "I've got to go. I'll see you inside." He turned and went inside.

Kevin grabbed Edd's hand. Squeezing gently he said, "we'll get through this, babe."

Edd looked into Kevin's green eyes. Whispering he said, "I'd rather be in class."

"I know, me too."

Edd smiled slightly at Kevin's remark. Sighing he said, "I suppose we better head in."

"Yeah." The two walked into the courthouse hand in hand.

...

It was another twenty-five minutes before Nikolas was escorted into the room sporting metal brackets and an orange jumpsuit. Kevin tensed up as the man was lead down the aisle. Edd gripped his hand tight as his assailant smiled broadly on passing. The jock wanted to jump up and deck him, but he knew it would only end badly for him.

When everyone had finally arrived, the bailiff said, "everyone rise for the honorable Judge John Garrett."

Paleing at the name, Kevin and Edd stood up, along with everyone else. A burly man in judge robes entered the courtroom, sat down and said commanding, "You may be seated."

Green eyes met blue in slight terror. The look exchanged between the two said it all. this was Mike's dad.

They zoned out as they clung to each other. Neither teen knew how bad the tables would turn.

Judge Garrett looked over his papers. He had just heard the charges. "How do you plead?"

With a smile Nikolas said sweetly, "not guilty your honor."

"Ok defense call your first witness."

Mathew Barr stood, "the defense calls Eddward Marion Vincent to the stand."

Edd let the breath he didn't know he was holding out as he stood. Walking to the witness box he placed his hand on the bible. The bailiff said, "state your name."

"Eddward Marion Vincent"

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?"

"I do"

"You may be seated." Edd complied, his body shaking.

"Eddward, can you please tell the court how you met Mr. Rainer please?"

Taking a deep breath he looked at Mr Barr. "I met Nikolas four and a half months ago at Cal-Tech. I was in a summer engineering program. He was dating Jasmine Murray."

"How did you meet Ms. Murray?" Mathew asked.

"She was also in the summer program."

"Is it safe to say you and Ms. Murray became friends?"

"Yes."

"And when did you first come in contact with Mr. Rainer?"

Edd took another deep breath. Releasing it he said, "I didn't meet him face to face until after Jasmine died. She talked about him occasionally. I overheard a few heated phone conversations, but that was it."

Sympathy filled Mr. Barry's eyes, but the professional in him never strayed as he spoke. "And how long after Ms. Murray's death did you see the defendant?"

"Two days. He was waiting for me outside my dorm building one morning."

"Tell the court what happened please."

Edd tried to stay in control as he answered, "I was walking to class when I heard somone call me from behind. I recognized the voice slightly, but I didn't realize until I turned that it was Nikolas. He asked me how I was. I blamed him for Jazz's death. He told me she deserved it. He wanted to put it behind us. When I told him no, he swung and hit me." Edd willed the tears to stay put as he looked at his hands. "The next thing I knew I was waking up in my dorm again. Nikolas was standing over me."

"What happened next" Mathew said, his heart wrenching.

"I-I tried to get past him and out the door. He pushed me back down on my bed, and" not now he thought as he wiped a tear off his cheek. The raventte continued, "he then leaned over and kissed me. He told me he was sorry. That i deserved it for not knowing my place. He said it was my fault that Jazz was dead. H-he was holding me down so I couldn't move." Edd paused to catch his breath.

Before he could speak again Mr. Barr injected, "how long did Mr. Rainer stay in your room?"

"About ten minutes after I awoke. After he told me Jasmine's death was on me he let go of my wrists, kissed me again and left."

The elder redheaded's mind was reeling. Keeping his composure however, he continued in his questioning. "When did you see the defendant next?"

"The following day. He continued following me around campus. Whenever I said something about leaving me alone, another physical attack would happen. I couldn't hide from him. It seemed he was everywhere."

"How long did the stalking last?"

"Until the day I returned home."

"Did it ever escalate?"

"Y-yes"

"What happened?"

Edd looked away from his boyfriend's father as he answered, "Nikolas would make sexual advances are me whenever we were alone. He always grabbed me, kissed me and then he would slap me before he left. I didn't know what to do. I signed up for a boxing class in town, hoping it may help. But he followed me there as well."

"Why didn't you call the police or talk to campus security?"

Edd looked at Mr. Barr saying simply, "I was afraid."

"I see. Now after you left the program, did you see Nikolas again before the day in question?"

"No, I did not."

"What happened that day?"

"After I pushed him away from me, he told me he missed me. I tried to leave the house but he grabbed a hold of my arm and flung me across the room. As I lay underneath him, h-he tried undressing me when I resisted, he began to slap and punch me. I t-tried to get him off of me but I couldn't."

"What happened next."

Glancing at Kevin in the crowd. The redhead's reassuring smile gave him the strength to continue. "The next thing I knew Kevin was pulling Nikolas off of me."

"And then what happened?"

"Kevin began to strike him. I-I stopped him before something worse happened. The police arrived minutes later."

"Did anything else happen?"

"No."

"No more questions your honor."

The judge waved Edd off as he said, "you may be seated. Let's take a ten minute recess."

Edd made his way back to Kevin. The redhead hugged him close as he spoke. "You did great. Why don't we get some air?"

"That would be nice, t-thank you."

"Of course babe."

Kevin led Edd to the door. On the way they almost ran smack into Barbara Vincent, her face was streaked with mascara and tears.

"M-mother what are you doing here?" Edd asked as he stared at her.

The woman stifled a sob as she spoke, "M-mathew filled me in on what happened. Why didn't you tell me son?"

Kevin was angry. how dare she actually like this after yesterday. Before he got to tell her off however, Edd put his defenses up and said, "You never bother to pay attention before. I didn't want to botheryou with my problems." Edd pushed past her.

His mother was crushed. Reaching for his hand, she said, "I'm sorry Eddward, I'm trying. I really am. You're my son and I llove you. Please, please just talk to me." Her eyes pleaded. She knew she screwed up last night and his whole life basically, but she only wanted to protect him. why couldn't Edd see that?

Edd looked at the woman who had given him birth. Cursing the tears falling down his face he said, "I can't talk to you, not now. I don't know when I will be able to. I have a lot on my plate at the moment. As you can see." The raventte gestured around the room. With that he turned and walked away. Kevin shot Barbara a look and followed his boyfriend.

...

Kevin found Edd sitting on the courthouse steps, staring blankly ahead. Sitting down next to him, the redhead rubbed circles on his back, trying to comfort him. Speaking quietly he said, "I can't believe my dad told her about the trial. Doesn't he know what happened between you two?"

"Not unless you told him."

"What do you mean?"

"Except for Ed, Eddy and you, no one knows about my home life. It's always been that way."

"I didn't know, I'm sorry."

Resting his head on Kevin's shoulder, Edd said, "don't be, it's not your fault."

"I know but still."

Edd checked the time, they had two minutes. Sighing he said, "we should get back in there."

"Ok. Are you going to be ok?"

Forcing a smile Edd said, "yeah, I'll be fine. Just got get through today. That's all."

The two stood and headed back in.

...

Kevin was called to witness next. After being sworn in, his father looked at him, worry in his eyes.

"Tell the court what happened on the night in question please."

"I had just dropped Edd off at home. I was outside smoking a cigarette when I heard a loud crash. I ran over and threw open the front door."

"What did you see?"

"I saw Nikolas on top of Edd. He was holding his hands down with one hand and slapping him with the other. Edd was kicking and screaming but he couldn't move. Nikolas said how he thought it was hot that Edd was stronger and I flipped out. I pulled him off of him and threw him across the room."

Mathew knew where this was going, his son had always had a terrible temper. Still he had to ask, "what happened next?"

Narrowing his eyes at the sandy haired man seated at the table, Kevin answered, "before he managed to get up on tackled him and punched him, repeatedly."

"Why did you tackle him?"

"Are you kidding me? He was attacking Edd! I couldn't stand there and let it happen!"

"You must be close then," Mr. Barr didn't want to go down this road of questioning but he had no choice. If he had any hope of getting the best possible outcome for the boys, he had to establish the guidelines of their relationship. Bring sympathy to the jurors.

Kevin was getting pissed. He knew his father had to have a reason but he couldn't see it. "Of course we are."

"What's you relationship with Mr. Vincent?"

Staring his father down, Kevin said, "he's my boyfriend."

"Were you two dating at the time of the incident?"

"Yes. That's why I got so angry. He couldn't take a hint. Nikolas had him pinned. I simply moved him for Edd."

"I see." Mathew couldn't think of anything else that would be beneficial so he said, "no more questions."

Judge Garrett dismissed Kevin. As the redhead returned to his seat, he said, "Does the defense have any more witnesses?"

"No your honor."

"Well then, I think the jury has a job to do. We recess in till tomorrow morning at ten A.M. Next case."

As the jury left, another group filed in. Mathew gathered his papers in his briefcase as Nikolas was lead out. The man stopped briefly next to Edd. With a sickly sweet voice he said, "nice to see you again, pumpkin." Before being led out.

Edd paled at his words. He wanted to run. why can't he just leave me alone he thought, spiraling.

The genius jumped as a strong hand fell on his shoulder. He turned to meet a pair of tired green eyes. Mr Barr looked at him and said, "it'll be ok son, I'm doing my best." With a nod in his sons direction, the elder Barr left.

Kevin laced his fingers in Edd's as he guided the boy out of the courthouse.

It was 12:30. Had they been in school it would have been lunch. Kevin wanted to get Edd to eat something. Walking towards the car he asked, "Do you want to get something to eat?"

Edd didn't reply but nodded weakly. I'll try he thought as his phone buzzed. Opening it he stopped.

"What is it D?"

A look of fear crept on his face as he handed Kevin his phone.

tell my dad I said hi faggot

END OF CHAPTER NINETEEN

sorry it took so long guys, I didn't get much service camping.

Hope y'all are still enjoying my tiny story! Thanks for all the feedback and favs! Love you 3