Hello, awesome readers!

I want to thank you all so much for bearing with me on getting out these final chapters of The Alias. My pesky personal life is getting in the way of writing and editing. So rude! ;)

We left off on the first day of the Volturi trial. I think it's pretty unanimous that we all want to see Aro go down.

Now, it's Bella's turn to testify. I think I'd be pretty nervous if I were her. Fingers crossed, she gets through this unscathed.

Let's see how it goes!

BPOV

Purse. Keys. Phone.

What am I missing?

I stand at my front door, scanning the room. My brain is all over the place, and I'm already jittery with nerves. It's ridiculous. I'm not even in the courthouse yet!

Shoes!

My black heels sit by the dining room table where I meant to sit and put them on. I'm running late, so I slip my feet in, not bothering with the mary jane straps, and hustle out the door. I can buckle them on the way.

I jump into my car and prop my phone onto my dash's magnetic holder. A text from Edward pops up on the screen, making me smile.

You're going to be great. Just take a breath and relax. Love you. -E

I suck air in and blow it out slowly, allowing my shoulders to drop and release some of the tension I'm holding onto.

I can do this.

I have to do this.

My GPS tells me it will take thirty minutes to get to the courthouse, that is, until the traffic pattern turns red fifteen minutes into my drive. I arrive in the parking garage two minutes before I am supposed to check in with Eleazar, so I have to rush toward the building, texting him that I am, in fact, here.

"Bella!" He greets me after I make it through security. "I was worried you decided not to testify."

Pausing to catch my breath, I give him a weak smile. "No! I'm just a little frazzled."

"I'm joking." He winks. "Follow me. You will wait in a side room until I call you in. That shouldn't take long, though. We finished up with Felix yesterday, so you're up next."

"Oh. Good." I bite my lip as I let him lead me down a long wood-paneled hall. Peeking into an open courtroom door, I debate whether I just want to get my testimony out of the way or if it's a better idea to try and settle my anxiety first. I should have had one of my colleagues at the hospital write me a prescription for Ativan.

The room Eleazar ushers me into houses a couple of tables and chairs. There is a coffee machine brewing on a counter, and it reminds me of the breakroom in the hospital. The familiarity is somewhat comforting.

"Take a few minutes to relax," Eleazar says, patting my shoulder. "Help yourself to some coffee. Is there anything else you need while you're waiting?"

I hold up an old dog-eared copy of a John Grisham novel. "No, I'm preparing with this."

He laughs and shakes his head. "I hope this trial goes smoother than one in a crime mystery. I know we spoke last night, but do you have any last-minute questions? Anything you want to review with me?"

"I think I've gone over every possible question so many times that I could answer them in my sleep."

"That's what I like to hear. Just remember, when you're on the stand, all you have to do is tell the truth. The recording you took will do most of the talking for you."

"Got it."

He sends me a genuine smile, "Great. Then I'll see you in there."

"Looking forward to it."

I sigh when the door shuts behind him and run my fingers over the corner of my book. It was silly of me to think I could read- that some crime novel would teach me anything about testifying in federal court. My stomach twists and the aroma of cheap coffee makes me queasy. Closing my eyes, I lean my forehead against my palm and remind myself why I am doing this.

Edward.

According to him, I am the key witness- an upstanding citizen that got pulled into the fire by no fault of my own. I will put the nail in the coffin for Aro Volturi, and when I finish, Edward will lower him into the grave.

Then we get to start anew. My lips tick up into a smile as I remember what that means.

My residency finishes in a few weeks, and while saying goodbye to working with Jessica and Angela will be bittersweet, I know I found lifelong friends in those two.

Thanks to Carlisle Cullen, I also found a perfect position at a family practice outside of Seattle. When the trial is over, Edward will take his new job as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Seattle field office, and we will start a new chapter in our lives- a chapter that involves family and a life free of secret identities and danger lurking around every corner.

Our new lives will start with Alice's wedding over memorial day. Somehow she roped me into being a bridesmaid in the over-the-top affair. I can handle the sage green floor-length dress I am supposed to wear and the matching jewelry, but when she decided she wanted to bring bridesmaid hats back into fashion, Emmett's wife, Rose, and I both vetoed the idea. I have come to love Rose. She's the only other person I know who can rein Alice in.

"Miss Swan?" I jump as a man in a suit, who I recognize as an associate of Eleazar, enters through the door. "The court is ready for you. You can leave your belongings. This room will be locked until we return."

I nod and stand, brushing my hand over my skirt to smooth out any wrinkles before following him into the hallway.

"How are you feeling?" He asks.

"A little nauseous."

He chuckles, "You'll be fine. You've got nothing to hide. Trust me. You're way ahead of most of our witnesses."

We pause halfway down the hall and wait behind a thick wooden doorway for a minute until it opens to reveal a uniformed bailiff who motions me forward.

I pull in a sharp breath as I step into the courtroom. My heart begins to pound, and my body feels disconnected from my brain. The experience is surreal. No matter how much I practiced and prepped, nothing could have prepared me for this moment.

The bailiff goes through the motion of swearing me in, and I don't take my eyes off him. I focus on the mundane task while I will my heart rate to slow.

When he steps away, I can't stop myself from gazing across the room. The jury sits to my left, and the judge, who I recognize from the artist renderings on TV, sits to my right. I spot Aro and recoil slightly. His beady eyes laser in on me, but he looks gaunt and frail, nothing like the mob boss who orchestrated my abduction months ago.

As Eleazar stands, my eyes shoot over his shoulder to the one person I am most desperately seeking. Edward smiles reassuringly and mouths, "you got this." I pinch my eyes shut and repeat his mantra in my head.

I got this.

Eleazar steps from behind his table and sends me a slight nod. He's ready to begin, and whether I am ready or not is now irrelevant. It's time. "Miss Swan, thank you for joining us. Can you please explain how you know the defendant, Aro Volturi?"

"Yes. Aro orchestrated my kidnapping last November twenty-ninth."

I keep my focus trained on Eleazar as he slowly paces the polished floor, his shoes clicking against the ground as he walks. "And can you please explain to the court what happened that day?"

"I was at breakfast with my boyfriend, Edward Cullen. Two men, Caius Vincini and Felix Marks, joined our table."

Eleazar interrupts me, and I pause to let him speak. He warned me he would need to do this. "Did you know these men before they appeared at your table?"

"No. Edward did, but I did not."

"Please continue."

"The men began to harass us. They accused Edward of taking information from them that would lead to their arrests. Then they demanded we leave the breakfast diner and come with them."

"Did you do so?"

"They produced weapons and held us at gunpoint, so we had no choice."

Eleazar pauses, sending me a small smile. My nerves settle a bit. I'm doing well. "Where did they take you?"

"First, we were forced to climb into a delivery van. There were no windows in the back, so no one outside the vehicle could see us. They confiscated our phones and bound our hands. After driving for a while, we arrived at a nondescript warehouse where we were pulled from the van and taken inside."

"Was anyone else in the warehouse?"

"Yes. Aro Volturi." I glance at Aro, who sneers in my direction. I want to roll my eyes at his attempt to intimidate me. Now that my heart isn't beating out of my chest, testifying against him isn't as daunting.

"What happened when you entered the warehouse?"

"Edward asked Aro to release me. Aro refused. He said I had 'seen too much.'"

"Please continue."

"Aro and Edward argued. Aro believed that Edward had given information about him to the FBI. Edward said it could have been any number of people, including Felix, who was there. Aro said that Edward could be right and that he could no longer trust anyone. Then he ordered Edward to shoot and kill Felix."

"What did Edward do?"

"He refused until Aro ordered Caius to hold a gun to my head and threatened to kill me. Then Edward shot Felix in an attempt to save me."

"Did Aro let you go?"

"No. Aro would not let me go, so Edward aimed his gun at Caius. Caius turned and shot at Edward, but he missed. When he turned to face away from me, I saw an opportunity and pulled pepper spray from my pocket and sprayed Caius in the face. In the commotion that followed, I was able to run and escape the warehouse."

The sound of whispers and the reporter's pen's scrawling across their notebooks fills the courtroom. So maybe I am a little badass. I catch Edward trying to hide his smile behind his fist.

"Miss Swan, you say you had pepper spray? Where were you keeping it?"

"I had on a hooded sweatshirt. It was in my pocket."

"Did you have anything else in your pocket?"

I can't hold back my grin as my eyes dart to Aro. "Yes. I am a doctor. I had my transcription recorder in my pocket. When Caius and Felix showed up at the diner, I knew something was wrong, so I pushed the record button. And before I left the warehouse, I dropped the device on the floor."

As I speak, Eleazar returns to the prosecution's table and lifts a bag holding my transcription device. "Your honor, I would like to present exhibit F."

After confirming with me that the device he holds is, in fact, my belonging, he submits it to the judge. The anticipation in the courtroom is palpable as he sets up the device on the speaker and pushes play.

The reporters in the back rows lean in as if inching forward in their seats will allow them to hear the drama on the recording more clearly. I'm fascinated by the looks on the juror's faces. Some are impressively passé, while others can't stop themselves from shooting a glare or two in Aro's direction.

But the reporters and jurors don't hold my attention for long. My gaze falls on Edward, who leans his elbows on his knees and bows his head. He flinches when the sound of his gun going off fills the room. Mike is next to him and leans in, muttering something only loud enough for Edward to hear. Edward nods and takes a deep breath before straightening. His eyes meet mine, and I return the small smile he sends me.

Thick silence fills the courtroom when the recording on my transcription device ends. Eleazar has a flair for the dramatic and allows the spectators and jury to ruminate over what they have heard. I fidget in my seat, ready to be released.

"No more questions, your honor," he finally says before returning to his seat behind his large oak desktop.

I'm about to stand up when movement from the defense table catches my eye.

I forgot about cross-examination.

Biting my lip, I sink back into my chair. How on Earth did I forget about this part? Oh yeah, probably because Edward and Eleazar told me there was a good chance the defense would not cross-examine me. After all, what could Aro's attorney have on me?

Aro's Lawyer, Marcus Vitale, slowly unfolds his lanky frame out of his chair, his old joints protesting with the movement. Edward warned me that Marcus is still mentally sharp despite his physical appearance. If I slip up or misspeak, he will catch me.

Just tell the truth, Bella. You got this. I square my shoulders in preparation.

Marcus clears his throat before he begins. "Miss Swan, in your testimony, you mentioned a man named Edward Cullen. How do you know Edward?"

My eyes dart to Edward, who's watching with furrowed brows. I imagine he's working to puzzle through Marcus's line of questioning. "He's my boyfriend."

"Is he here today? In this room?" I hate the sleazy grin that stretches across Marcus's thin lips.

"Yes," I mutter.

"Can you please point him out?"

I hesitate, glancing to Eleazar, who nods briefly before I lift my finger to point to Edward."

Marcus takes a few shuffling steps and adjusts his suit jacket, buttoning the front. "Please let the record show that Miss Swan indicated the same man who previous witnesses pointed out as 'Tony Masen.'"

I swallow hard and force myself to sit still. I can't allow Marcus to see that he's making me nervous, and I absolutely can't let the jury see it.

"Miss Swan, are you aware of any other names your boyfriend goes by?"

"Y-yes," I cough to cover my stutter. "He used the name Tony Masen as an alias, but it was because-"

"Please, Miss Swan. Only answer the question I have asked," Marcus snaps. I look to Eleazar for guidance, but he's busy scribbling notes on a legal pad. "Now, had Edward Cullen ever mentioned Aro Volturi to you before the day you were abducted?"

"Yes." I fight to keep my voice above a whisper.

"And what did Edward tell you?"

"He told me that…." My eyes dart between Edward and Eleazar as I search my brain for the words Edward used regarding the Volturi organization the night before our kidnapping. "He told me that Aro was under investigation by the FBI."

"Was Mr. Cullen involved in the investigation?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"H-he was undercover in the FBI."

The reporters jump into action in the back of the room, taking notes as they glance toward Edward and back to me.

"So, Miss Swan, Mr. Cullen informed you about an ongoing investigation in which he was involved before your supposed kidnapping, am I correct?"

"Supposed?" I scoff, unable to help myself.

"Please answer the question."

I grit my teeth and spit out a "Yes." In my mind, I play through the various ways I would like to cause Marcus Vitale bodily harm.

"So, suffice it to say, when you chose to record your interaction with Mr. Volturi, you believed him to be a criminal your boyfriend was working against."

"Objection!" Eleazar shouts, and I jump in my seat. "Leading the witness."

Judge Jenks nods. "Sustained."

Marcus brushes off the interruption quickly, moving to his next question. "Why did you record your interaction with Aro Volturi, Miss Swan?"

"I- because-" Oh, God. Eleazar never prepared me for this.

"May I remind you that you are under oath?" Marcus raises his brows.

"I recorded the conversation because I was afraid of the men who appeared at our table in the diner. Yes, I knew what Edward was involved in, but at the time, I was frightened for my own personal safety. I had no idea we were about to be kidnapped."

"And why did you drop the recording device when you left the warehouse?"

"Because at that point, I was afraid for Edward."

Marcus sneers. It's not the answer he was looking for. "And a recording device would save him if he was in danger?"

"Objection!"

"Sustained." Judge Jenks peers over his bifocals at Marcus, his lips set in a firm line. "Mr. Vitale, do you have any further questions for Miss Swan?"

Marcus shoots an icy glare in my direction but shakes his head. "No, your honor."

"Wonderful. Miss. Swan, thank you. The court is adjourned for a short recess. We will return at ten thirty."

Judge Jenks bangs his gavel, and my hands shake as I climb down the few steps off the witness stand. Eleazar meets me at the bottom, chuckling.

"Great job, Bella."

I tuck my hair behind my ear, hoping the movement will settle the tremors. "What the hell were those questions about?"

"Marcus was trying to delegitimize the tape. The best defense Aro's team has come up with is that the charges are a setup, and Aro is the victim of crooked cops. He wanted you to say that Edward asked you to record his conversations with Aro's crew. That it was pre-planned."

"But Edward didn't ask me that. He didn't even know I was recording."

"Don't worry, Bella. The tape was submitted as evidence, and they didn't discredit you. Now, a certain federal agent is waiting his turn to speak with our star witness." Eleazar winks as he points over my shoulder to where Edward waits impatiently near the courtroom benches.

I thank Eleazar and rush toward Edward, flinging myself into his arms when I reach him. He holds me tight, squeezing my waist longer than necessary for the present environment.

"You were amazing," he murmurs into my hair.

I pull back so I can see him, "I was so nervous."

"You were perfect."

"Are you coming home tonight?" I'm tired of sleeping alone, and especially after today, I will need Edward wrapped around me, keeping me safe throughout the night.

I can feel his chest shake with laughter. "Nothing could keep me away."

"It's done. I actually did it," I grin, my nerves making way for relief.

"It's done."

"I never have to see Aro Volturi again."

"Lucky," Edward rolls his eyes toward his suspect. "Thank you, Bella. For agreeing to take the stand."

"For you, Edward, I'd do anything." I lean up and place a quick peck on his lips, unable to help myself.

A throat clears behind us, and I spin in Edward's arms to find an amused bailiff and trial lawyer watching us. "Miss Swan, I can take you to retrieve your personal items. You're free to go home."

"Oh, right." My face heats as I untangle myself from Edward. "I'll, um, see you tonight."

"Tonight," he promises as I turn to follow Eleazar's associate. "Oh, and Bella?" I pause, listening to whatever Edward needs to say. "Be ready because tonight, I want to thoroughly thank you."

I let out a breathy "Oh!" as the attorney beside me chuckles and motions me forward.

Due to Edward, and his naughty promises, I spend the entire drive home with my legs clenched together, wondering if that courthouse breakroom would have been a good place for a quickie.

A/N: Hmm... courthouse quickie... anyone getting any good LawyerWard story ideas?

Edward's testimony is up next. And Bella's got a little surprise for him that morning- okay, who are we kidding? Everyone knows it's not "little" ;)

Until next time (which I promise will be soon)!