A/N

It has been a while since I updated so here you go. This story is hard for me to write, it's difficult and I'm not sure why. That's why there aren't many updates. But I'm not giving up. So, no more waiting.

I drove like a maniac on my way home. I was euphoric and my mood couldn't be broken by anything...anything except who was standing outside my house.

"What are you doing here?" I snarled at him.

"I just want you to know that Jay found out about you and Bella. I thought you should hear it before you go into work in the morning." James said smirking at me.

"You mean that Jay found out because you told him, correct?" I said through gritted teeth.

"Now Eddie, hasn't anyone ever told you not to assume things?" He countered.

"You can leave now James." He pulled himself of the wall he was leaning against and came face to face with me.

"I want her, I'm not giving up until I get her." With that he got in his car and drove off leaving me no time to say any more.

I walked upstairs and slammed my door shut once I was inside. I threw my keys at the table and stormed into my room. If I got fired, which I shouldn't, but if I did, I would be sure James was next.

When I got to work the next morning James pulled me to his office and I noticed James had a cocky expression on his face.

"Have a seat." Jay told me as he sat behind his desk. "Now, I am assuming, of course, that what I've heard is correct?"

"That depends, what did you hear?" I asked as I sat down.

"You and Bella. You are dating now correct?"

"Yes sir."

"Alright then. Get to work." I looked at Jay after he said that. "What?" He asked.

"You aren't firing me?"

"Are you kidding? And lose one of my best workers? No way in hell! I was just pulling you in here so James would get off my back. He has been complaining every day for two weeks now. Besides, there isn't a rule that states you can't date people within your division."

I looked at Jay in disbelief. I was more than relieved in what he was saying to me. He just pulled me in here so James would shut up. That's all.

"And Bella?" I asked.

"What about her?"

"She still keeps her job?" My worry coming back.

"Of course Edward. We've made even more money since she became your partner and with the two of you together you are unstoppable in the courtroom." Jay smacked me on the shoulder. "The only thing is if something happens between the two of you, and you end what you have, you better not bring that in the office." I nodded to Jay and he smiled. "Good day then."

"Good day to you too sir." I shook his hand and walked out of the door. James was standing by looking intently into my face. I just ignored him and walked into my office. Not moments later did Lauren come into my office with a paper.

"This is for you Edward." Lauren smiled seductively, or at least she tried to be seductive, she just looked like a pig in pain.

"Thanks." I grimaced at her but it was supposed to be a smile.

Bella and I had a new case. The girls name was Victoria. She was filing a suit against a man she dated, he beat and raped her and wants to get a restraining order and hopefully lock him up. We won't find out his name until we meet with her.

"Morning." I said as I walked into Bella's office.

"Morning." She turned and smiled to me.

"Did you see our new case?"

"I did. What day would be good for you?" She asked me.

"I can meet her today, I'm not really busy. What about you?" She shook her head at my question.

"I'll call her. What about meeting her for lunch?"

"Sounds good." I smiled widely at her and she grinned back. "You look beautiful today, as you always do." She blushed at my statement. I walked to her and rubbed my fingers along her cheek. I kissed her softly once and then returned to my office.

–

Lunch was only an hour away. Bella had called Victoria and she agreed to meet us, we were going to a new restaurant that had just opened up. I mentioned to Jay that Bella and I might be gone for the rest of the day while working on the case and he happily accepted it.

I was about to fill out a few more papers that we were bringing with us when I heard odd noises coming from Bella's office. I got up and looked through my door to see Bella's blinds shut. I walked the few steps to her door and opened it. I saw James facing Bella with his hand over her mouth as she was backed into a corner, things were scattered all across the floor.

I quickly made my way to them and shoved him as hard as I could into the wall and placed my hand around his throat. I knew I couldn't hit him at work, I would lose my job then.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I snarled through my gritted teeth. James just looked at me with a somewhat smug look. "Don't you dare ever even think about touching her again or I will rip your arms from your body to be sure you never will again. Am I clear?" I said in a deep voice, it was laced with hatred.

James pulled out of my grip, only because I loosened it, and walked out of the room. I turned immediately to Bella to be sure she was alright.

"Did he hurt you?" I quickly closed the distance between us and took her face in my hands gently.

"No. I just couldn't get away." Her eyes didn't meet mine.

"Did he touch you?"

"Not really. He tried, I kneed him. He tried to gripe onto the desk but fell and pulled off the papers instead. I tried to run around him to the door but he grabbed my ankle and I fell pulling down some things from my desk too."

"I heard. That's what made me come in here." I pulled her to me and wrapped my arms tightly around her. She was shaking slightly but not as bad as I expected. "Come on, let's get out of here."

I drove us to the new restaurant and pulled into a parking spot. I got out and opened the door for Bella. We quickly found the girl we were supposed to meet, it was hard to miss her. She had hair the color of fire, literally.

"Hello." She said shyly. "I'm Victoria." She stuck her hand out to shake my hand and I obliged. When she stuck her hand out for Bella, Bella pushed it away and pulled her into a hug.

"It's alright." Bella cooed and the girl immediately started crying. It was strange how women could always tell when another woman was upset and needed consoling. "We're here to help you. We will win this, we will do everything we can to be sure we do." Bella pulled back slightly and Victoria smiled at her. She wiped her eyes and looked at me sheepishly.

"Sorry." She said, her eyes averted to the ground.

"Don't be." I said gently. "Come on." I pulled the two women to the hostess. "Three." I said simply. The girl nodded and took us to our seats. After ordering our drinks and food I turned to Victoria. "Now. Why don't you tell us a little about yourself."

"Well, I moved here a year ago. I came here with my boyfriend at the time. I was actually from Canada. Once we moved here, things were great. He was kind and looked out for me, I thought I had everything set for me. I had a job as a writer and he actually became a lawyer believe it or not. After a year of dating...that's when he started to show a temper. Just recently. I tried to ignore it. I didn't want to think anything of it. It getting really bad, he started drinking and, that's when he started hitting me. One night he came home drunk, he had lipstick stains all over him. I accused him of sleeping with another woman, he yelled and hit me. He started to caress my body. I told him no, I didn't want to be with him anymore and that I was leaving. He wasn't having that. He grabbed my arms, tied me to the bed and beat and rapped me." She held her hands out and you could see the marks on her wrists that the ropes left. "I told you he was a lawyer, that's why I'm so afraid. He works for one of the best law firms in the city." I looked to her and then to Bella who had the same expression as I'm sure I wore.

"Can you tell us his name?" Bella asked softly.

"James."