A/N

So, I won't make this a long drawn out note, here is a new chapter and as promised, it didn't take as long. But first, in case anyone had gotten confused or forgot, Bella, Edward, and Alice live in Phoenix. HUGE thank you to Azalea, my beta. You are so beyond fantastic, thank you for all your hard work!

A week had passed since Victoria had an appointment with Bella and I. We only had too talk to Laurent and fix a few more papers before we were ready. That would only take us two or three days so we were ahead of schedule. We already called the judge and got the appointment for the coming Friday, four days away.

Laurent was meeting us for lunch today and then tomorrow we would, hopefully, finish the papers and give ourselves two days to prepare for court instead of just one.

"These pictures should be enough evidence on the physical abuse. There are fifteen pictures and each is worse than the one before. How could the judge not see him as guilty, for that at least?" Bella asked me.

We had been working together for the past week non stop. We were determined to win this case, we had to get every ounce of evidence possible, and we were trying to do just that.

"And if that fails, if we could just talk Laurent into appearing, even if he wants to do it in private. If he could just testify then these two things alone would almost win the case."

"But what if it doesn't?" Bella asked as she stood to pace the room. She had been doing that a lot. She was putting her whole heart into this case. Part of it, I was sure, was because of what James did to her. The other part was seeing how desperate Victoria was.

"What do you mean 'what if it doesn't?' how could it not?"

"I don't know. What if James has a suitable presentation? What if it's good enough to get the judge to waver long enough to finally talk him into believing he isn't guilty?"

"We have much more proof than excuses that he could come up with. Even if he did have an excuse for Laurent he can't deny each and every picture." Bella wasn't satisfied with my statement. She just kept shaking her head.

"We need something else. Anything else. I just feel like we're over looking something. Something big." Seeing Bella like this made me understand why I cared about her so much. She wasn't satisfied if the smallest thing could be fixed if it meant that someone guilty would be locked up. Not even that, if she could just help someone. She was like this everyday. If there was anyone that needed her help, whether they asked her or not, she would help them if she knew they needed it. Just yesterday she gave a hobo $100. I started to get upset but I tried to remember, it was her money to do what she pleased with. I just didn't want her to give someone that much money who would probably just buy alcohol with it.

"It's time for lunch, Bella. We can talk more after ,we see if Laurent will testify." She nodded, I took her hand and led her to my car. I quickly drove to the restaurant that held one of our most crucial pieces of evidence yet.

"Reservations for Masen." I told the hostess, who didn't stop eyeing me. I rolled my eyes and felt Bella tighten her grip on my hand. I looked down at her and smiled, when I saw her glare at the hostess.

"Right this way Mr. Masen." The hostess said as she grabbed three menus. "Do you need an extra guest?" She pointed to the extra menu that was requested when I called.

"No thank you. My friend will have that spot."

"Oh, is this your friend?" The hostess pointed to Bella, she was about to snap our hostesses head off. I interjected before she could.

"No, she is much more than a friend. Thank you." I pulled a chair out for Bella, one that would keep her back turned to the obnoxious girl. I took the seat beside her so I too would be turned away. The girl stayed a few minutes, but walked away when she saw me press my lips to Bella's.

"What are we?" Bellas question through me off.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you said I was more than your friend...what does that mean?"

"Bella, I'm going to sound foolish but I have some of the deepest feelings for you that I've ever felt. Never has anyone made me feel the way you do. I know we've gone on dates but I want it to be official. That is, if you will have me." Bella nodded furiously and I pressed my lips to hers letting her feel what I felt at that moment. This woman was someone like I had never met. She was beyond beautiful, kind, caring, loving, sensitive, funny, selfless and so so much more. I knew I was in love with her. I couldn't doubt it. Not in my wildest dreams could I doubt it, but I couldn't tell her. At least, not yet. I will eventually.

"What took you so long?" Bella glared at me playfully, causing me to laugh. I kissed her softly one more time then pulled away. I placed my hand gently to her cheek and rubbed circles with my thumb.

"It did take a while, didn't it?" I asked her seriously. I wish I hadn't taken so long. To be honest, I wasn't sure if she wanted to be "official" or not. I felt like I was in high school again. It was rather silly but saying "will you go out with me?" didn't fit and wasn't good enough.

"It doesn't matter. All that matters now is that I am finally yours." I smiled widely and kissed her again. I couldn't help it. When she said things like this it was just a reaction.

"I cannot tell you how that makes me feel. And being yours...it's like no other." She smiled and was about to say something when we were interrupted.

"Mr. Masen? Miss Swan?" We turned our heads to the man in front of us. "Hi. I'm Laurent."

"Please, call me Edward." I stood and shook his hand. He extended his hand to Bella, but she pushed it away and gave him a hug. I smiled at her welcoming personality. She wanted people to feel comfortable around her.

"It's so nice to meet you, Laurent." Bella said as she took her seat.

"You too. I must say, I've only heard exceptional things about the two of you. You are very well known in this city." Bella blushed, but I just smiled.

"Thank you." The waitress came and got our orders. The food was brought shortly after. "Now tell us, how long have you known Victoria?"

"About three years now. I met her through James. He started dating her and brought her to meet me. He and I had been friends since high school."

"So, has he always been abusive?" I asked him.

"No, sir. It only happened with Victoria. I'm not sure what got into him. He was always really aggressive. He played football during school and he injured many players. Other than his temper, he really hasn't been abusive."

"Do you think that's just because you didn't see it before?" Bella inquired.

"Honestly, that is very possible. I never went to his house before, I was only around him at school or during football practice and games. As I said, he has always had a temper."

Bella hesitated and then asked, "When did you see him first hit Victoria? Was it before or after the rape?" I knew she wanted to get to the point. We didn't have time to waste.

"Both. He raped her many times. Not just once. I'm not sure why she stuck around, but she did. I only stayed to protect her, though it didn't do her much good. James is difficult to hold back once he sets his mind to something."

"Victoria told us. How long did he hit her before the rape?" Mine and Bella's questions grew into something deeper with each question we asked. Everything we asked of him would help us with the case.

"Can you sign this paper saying that what you have told us is the truth and that we have the right to use what you've said against James in court?" Bella was so professional, but she still tried to be kind.

Laurent signed the paper without hesitation. "I really want you guys to win this. I've hated seeing what he's done to her." His head dropped. "I'll do everything I can to help her win." That led me to my next question.

"Then will you appear in court and testify for her?" He looked up and into my eyes.

"Tell me when and I'll be there."

A/N

There you go :) Hope you all like it, it's a bit better than last chapter I hope! Now I have no clue what really goes on in a private court, if someone does please contact me by PMing me so I'll have an idea of what to write. I'll update as soon as that gets figured out because that will be the next chapter. No more waiting on finding out if James gets locked up or not!

PLEASE REVIEW!! It always keeps me writing :)