I was entirely focused on his face. The moment he answered the phone and listened to the first sentences spoken on the other side, he stood and removed himself from my space.

His eyes briefly lifted to mine, his expression stern. I wanted to know what was being said instantly, I knew it was about me. Leaning against the back of the couch, my eyes on every movement he made, he turned, his back to me, hiding every clue from me.

I groaned and threw my head back, rubbing my face with my hands. I could feel my heart race, my stomach shift uncomfortably. We had been waiting for this moment, we knew it was coming, we knew it was inevitable, but when it actually came, I felt unprepared. The last few weeks had been stress-free, calm, and now that was about to twist into the complete opposite.

My head was back, my eyes closed as I tried to calm myself. Caught off guard I jumped when I felt Dawson kiss my forehead, his body leaning over me, close. I could feel his breath against my neck, snuggled in as he apologised.

"Trey accepted a plea deal" He began "He's flipping on his half brother Wyatt for a lesser sentence.."

I turned my head slightly to look at his face, shocked. It was his own brother, and he was turning on him, just like that?

"What will the sentence be?"

"20 years, parole possibility in 15, they're seeking life without parole for Wyatt, he's fighting it to the end.. a date has been set for his trial.."

I nodded.

"Monday morning, 8am"

I nodded again "Okay"

"You're going to do fine, it'll be over soon"

I hoped he was right. It felt like the beginning, and in a sense it was. If Wyatt was willing to fight against the charges despite the evidence, despite me and now his own brother, what else was he willing to do? His gang ties would tighten, they would be targeting me now more than ever. I thought about Trey, what did his betrayal mean for his own life? Would he now be targeted as I was for being a snitch, a rat, a traitor? I doubted the police would protect him the way they had for me.

"The trial, will I be able to go?" I asked as Dawson rounded the lounge, sitting beside me again, his arm behind me

"What do you mean?" He hadn't understood

"I know that as the main witness I have to testify, but I want to be there, for all the parts in between, from start to end.."

He seemed surprised, his eyes searching my face "We would have to consult with Bryce, he would have to consult with the judge who would decide if the other testimony in the case would affect your own"

I was afraid of Wyatt, and I knew attending court meant that I would have to see him everyday. But I wasn't just a witness, I was a victim. I hoped that being there, seeing him, facing the horror in such a controlled environment would give me not only some kind of closure, but some kind of strength, a confidence to take him on without fear.

"Bryce has also warned that there may be a possibility that I'm called to testify.." Dawson added

Now I was confused "Why?"

"The phone call threat you received, the incident with the man who broke into your home, the one I shot.. defence is claiming these were men working within another rival gang.."

"So they're going to say Wyatt is being framed by another gang?"

"I can't say too much about it.. but yes"

I wondered how they were going to prove it, there was already so much working against Wyatt, including his own brother. Continuously telling myself there was no way he would get away with it, was a lot harder than it should have been. A small, but nagging part of me worried that somehow he would manipulate the system, it had happened before, who was to say he hadn't bribed a single juror who persuaded the others of his innocence?

I tried not to think about the possibilities and leaned my head back, closing my eyes again.

"It'll be fine" Dawson assured me, his fingers brushing gently over my hairline

I was thankful fate had intertwined Dawson James and I together for the terrifying experience I was enduring. I couldn't have imagined feeling as comfortable and as safe with anyone else. Our closeness was a bonus, I hadn't expected to develop feelings for him, not a single other in my position would have. My situation was unique and I took comfort in knowing that I had gained something real from it.

Opening my eyes, I turned my head. He was facing forward, watching the television, his arm still remaining draped around my neck. His fingers traced invisible lines against my bare shoulder. It felt like a dream and my skin shivered at the reality of the moment. We hadn't known each other long, but it had felt like a lifetime.

"I think I'm going to start looking for a new apartment" I told him, my thoughts speaking aloud

He glanced toward me "For what reason?"

I shrugged "I don't know if it will be good for my.. mental health to sleep in a bed where I was attacked.." I began "I think I'll feel better in something with a more stern security system, I just.. I need something new, something fresh, somewhere I can feel safe again"

"I can understand that" He nodded, his eyes narrow on the tv, unfocused as though he was within deep thought

"You okay?" I tilted my head in his direction

His eyes met mine, and this time his body turned toward me "What if.. I.. or we.." He started, seemingly nervous as he stumbled for the right words "What if you stayed with me for a little while, until you find something suitable.."

I was taken aback. Dawson and I had been living together for weeks, we had gotten on well, we had formed a routine, a bond, a setting that in any normal situation would be considered just that, normal. Would living together while home again be different? What aspects of our relationship would change? I tried to decide whether it was a good idea or not. There were many sides to the argument that were up for genuine debate.

"It's just an idea, you can think about it, let me know what you decide when you're ready" His lips lifted into a somewhat sheepish smile

He tried to act casual about it, looking back to the tv as though the conversation was over. I however continued to overthink the request. Yes, it was too soon, yes it was rushed, but if it didn't work, it didn't work, it would be fine. If I had stayed with Dawson, I knew regardless of where we were, I would be safe.

Turning to face Dawson, I narrowed my eyes with curiosity "Where do you live?"

He took in my attentive expression, muting the tv before angling himself toward me again "Rochester Avenue, second floor of the Tempe apartment complex"

"Do you know your neighbours well?" I quizzed

"Well enough" He shrugged "I'm at the end of the hall, so I have one set of neighbours, Zane and Lori are married, just had their first baby, their cat Felix hisses at me at the door every time Lori brings me her Turkish Baklava.." He revealed freely

"I take it you aren't a cat guy then?"

He scrunched his nose a little "No, not really, my dad bred Shepard's when I was younger, that's what I'm used to"

I wanted to know more about him, everything I could. If I was going to temporarily move in with him, I wanted to know what to expect, I wanted to know everything I could about who he was, his world.

I leaned my head on my hand, and as I searched his face, my mind became darker

"Can I ask you something?"

He nodded

"If something happens to me.." I started, knowing it were a possibility

He shook his head instantly, but I continued "I want to be next to my mum and dad, I don't want a big send off, I just.. I don't want people that I haven't spoken to in over a year to be there, pretend they care.. Camille, Isaiah, you.." I shrugged "That's fine, throw a white rose in with my cheap coffin, my parents wedding rings are in a small box in my closet, I want those with me too.."

Dawson's jaw tightened when his fingers moved to my face, running along my hair "We don't need to discuss this"

"Everyone should discuss it with someone at some point.. it'll happen sooner or later, and for my current position sooner seems a lot more possible than what it normally would" I justified

"We can discuss it later then Jasmine, we don't need to think about that kind of thing now, because it isn't going to happen"

I rolled my eyes "Wyatt could have someone watching us right now, the moment I fall asleep or step outside I could be dead.."

"Stop" He forced, this time holding my face firmly in his palm, his eyes unblinking on mine "No more"

"Fine, but I've said what I said, if it happens, that's what I want" I gave up

"That's fine" Dawson's lips slightly cracked, lifting at the ends, his face nearing mine

"Fine" I snapped back, leaning into him until our lips met

When we pulled apart, our foreheads leaned on one another "I don't know if this is the right time to tell you.." I mumbled quietly "But.. I'm a cat person.."

Chuckling, Dawson threw his head back "Oh great"

"I tried to adopt one once but my landlord wouldn't allow it.." I continued

When he pulled himself back up, he shook his head, amused "What a shame"

"It was actually"

Kissing my forehead, he slumped back down, pulling me with him until I was lying on his chest, his arm around me, bundled together on the couch. The mood had lightened and when we returned our attention back to the television, I felt a little less panicked about court. Dawson was my breath of fresh air, with him beside me, I felt stronger, braver, he was keeping me sane, keeping me grounded.

Saturday afternoon Bryce had called Dawson. With the short notice we had been given of the upcoming court date, Bryce felt that it would be beneficial to meet before 8am Monday morning. It was still uncertain as to when I would actually testify, but I needed to be ready, I needed to know what to expect.

Much to everyone's dismay, Sunday afternoon we had organised a meeting at the police station. Bryce would go over my statements, he would prepare me for whatever was to come. He would also let me know if I would be permitted to sit through the entire trial, the chosen judge having made his decision.

We tried to act as casual as we could Sunday morning, sleeping in, taking our time, pretending as though the impending week would not be harsh and complicated.

"I've been meaning to ask.." I began as we sat at the dining table together eating a late breakfast "June, did she get into trouble for what happened?"

Dawson hesitated, then shrugged "She did the wrong thing"

Guilt pained me "She didn't know that was going to happen.."

"But she knew it could, she knew the risks and she took them anyway without consulting anyone"

I gave a sigh and dropped my fork "She didn't.. she didn't lose her job did she?.."

"No" He shook his head "She's behind a desk for the next few weeks, that's all"

I resumed eating my stack of pancakes "She did a nice thing for me, even if it ended the way it did.."

Dawson released a small grumble in response, agreeing to disagree.