Running

Chapter 22

They arrived back in California a few days before the trial started. All of them needed some down time before the day was here.

They had parked the bus, and everyone was waiting around for a ride to the hotel. The guys were talking amongst themselves, except Vyla and Jim.

They were ballroom dancing. Jim was twirling her, and then dipping her backwards, making her laugh. He was humming a tune as they danced.

Corey laughed watching them. He smiled, seeing how happy she was. "Corey! We're practicing our wedding day dance." Jim yelled over to him.

Shaking his head laughing, he walked over to them. Jim dipped Vyla back again, then pulling her back up.

"Jim said there was a cancellation, so you're invited now." Vyla said jokingly.

"Wow! Hey thanks Jim for inviting me, you dick." Corey laughed.

Vyla let go of Jim and walked up to Corey. She kissed him on the mouth. "Asshole." Corey said laughing.

"Uh huh." She said grinning at him.

Arriving at their hotel, they finally entered their room. Tossing down their bags, Corey laid down on the bed, motioning for her to come lay with him. She snuggled in close to him, laying her head on his chest. His hand roamed up and down her back softly.

"This is nice." He said to her.

"Yeah, it is." She said.

She leaned up to stare in his eyes. "I've missed you." She said.

They hadn't had 'alone time, in a very long time. She had been too sore for a long time, and before that, well, they were never alone for very long.

He shook his head at her, "Not as much as I have missed you." He said, sitting up, as she laid back. She was mostly healed now. The bruises and cuts were gone, like it never happened. She still had some pain in her ribs, but not as bad as before.

He moved over her, laying half on her, their legs tangled together. Leaning down, he moved his mouth over hers, their lips parting, as their tounges met.

He moved his hand down to her hip, moving her clothes down, gently running his fingers over it, making her shudder.

She wrapped her leg around him more, pulling him closer to her.

He broke away from their kiss, dragging his lips to her neck, leaving featherlight kisses all over it. Her hands had moved up his shirt, running her nails softly down his sides gently, making him moan softly.

He unbuttoned her shirt, taking his time with each button, as he left long, slow kisses on the other side of her neck, making her gasp. With the last button undone, he removed her shirt, as she helped him with his.

He moved his way down her neck, dragging his mouth down her chest, moving her bra down, and sucking gently on her nipple. She arched under him, as his tounge moved more and more, making her moan.

Her hands moved to his belt, undoing it. She unbuttoned his jeans, slowly pulling the zipper down, then moving her hand down the front of his boxers. "Damn I've missed you." He groaned, feeling her touch him gently. She moved her hand down inside of his boxers, gripping him, as she moved her hand slowly, making him hiss.

He moved his mouth over hers. She grabbed his bottom lip with her teeth, gently pulling on it. He pulled back, trying to catch his breath, and said, "Ahh, god, that feels good." He said, as she worked her hand on him faster, he closed his eyes.

"I have to have you now. It's been way too long" He said in a husky, demanding voice. He pulled her clothes off as fast as he could, and ridding himself of his own, even faster.

He was on top of her, thrusting slowly into her, both of them moaning. Her hands moved down to his hips, her nails running over them gently. He thrust into her, trying to move slow.

She placed her hand on the side of his face, as he leaned into it, closing his eyes. Moving her hand, she placed them on his hips, leaning up to run her tounge across his chest, biting at it. "Fuck. Vy your making it hard for me to control myself." He said, almost panting.

She moaned louder, as he moved deeper into her. She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him into her harder. "Corey." She moaned, arching into him.

She started moving her hips, matching his thrusts. His fingers intertwined with hers, as he held them above her head. She moved under him more.

The air was hot in the room, as the heat between them built. Her skin felt like it was on fire. Her need for him growing more each second. She pulled him in harder with her legs, as he quickened his pace.

He let go of her hands, as she reached up nipping at his chest. She grabbed his shoulders, her nails digging in to him slightly. She arched her back off of the bed, as he felt her tighten hard around him, making him lose control.

He pulled away, as she rolled onto her side, with her back to him, both trying to catch their breath.

He moved closer to her, running his fingers down her arm lightly, then back up. He kissed her shoulder, as they lay quietly.

"Want to go on a date tonight? I thought about it, and, we never had a real date. Ever." He said, watching her as she turned to look at him.

She nodded and smiled, "Sure." She said, smirking at him.

He smirked, "Let's here the sarcastic comment you have." He said laughing.

"I was going to say, sure, but I don't fuck on the first date." She said laughing.

He laughed, "More like the second date, huh?" Referring to their second night, after they met.

"Uh huh." She said laughing.

She turned over to look at him. "When we get back to Iowa, will you go with me to Springfield? I wanted to visit my family's graves. I haven't been able to, and I need to. I also need to stop by and see my uncle." She said.

"Uncle?" He asked curiously. She hadn't mentioned an uncle before.

She nodded. "Tiny." She smirked. "That's what he goes by. He's real name is Robert. But I'll warn you, he's a little....different." She said.

"There is way more to this, isn't there?" Corey laughed.

"He's my dad's brother. Total polar opposites. Tiny spent a long time in prison. He, uh, was in a motorcycle gang a long time ago. Not sure anymore really. He owns a tattoo shop down in Springfield. He's a giant man. And he looks rather terrifying to be honest. But he has a heart of gold. At least towards me he does." She smiled.

"You're fucking killing me Vy." He grinned at her, laughing.

"He's going to kill me, huh?" He laughed.

"Nah. He may scare the shit out of you a little, so sorry about that in advance. He was my last hope had you not turned up the night that you did." She said quietly.

"Sure. I'll go. But your meeting my grandma then." He smiled.

"Sure if you want me to." She replied.

"Your uncle anything like you?" He asked.

She laughed loud. "You think I can be a sarcastic asshole? You think I have a temper? You haven't seen anything yet. I think that's why my dad used to get so pissed at me. I reminded him of his brother." She laughed.

"Fuck my life, I'm going to die." He laughed.

"He won't do anything to you. I'm not scared to get in his face. I've done it before." She grinned.

"This should be interesting. You know, on our way back, we can have the bus stop us off there, and rent a car. Maybe take our time coming back." He said.

"Let's see how I am after this and go from there, ok?" She said. He nodded.

There was a knock on their door. They looked at each other in surprise. He hoped up, throwing on his clothes, as she did the same. He answered it, while she continued getting dressed.

"Babe? These are for you." He said walking back in to the bedroom. He was holding a vase with a dozen tie dye roses. She looked at him confused. "Who the hell sent those, and how did they know we were here?" She asked.

"There's a card." He said, handing it to her as he set the flowers on the table by the bed.

She took the card from him and opened it. After reading it she laughed. He looked at her and she read it to him "Hey Ice Queen, hope these warm your cold dead heart. I'm kidding. Go kick ass in court. Munkey." She laughed. "He even put a queen card in there."

"Jesus." Corey laughed shaking his head. "That's fucking funny really. He was something else back in the day. You probably would of hated him actually." He grinned.

"Amazing what age will do to mellow someone out." She grinned. "How did he know we were here?" She eyed him up.

"I talked with him a week or so ago. He had heard what happened. He asked when the trial was, and where were staying. Said he might drop by. I wasn't expecting him to get my girlfriend flowers though." He smiled.

Her phone rang. She looked at it. Face time with Marilyn. Laughing, she answered. "Vyla! How are you doing?" He asked worried.

"Hey. I'm ok I guess. Thanks for the flowers. Sorry I haven't called. It's been kinda fucked up." She grinned.

"You are so welcome. And no worries. I was just calling to wish you luck. You remember our talk that day right?" He asked seriously.

Nodding and smiling, she said, "I do. I keep trying to remember that when I have a bad day." She started tearing up.

"Hey, none of that. Corey's taking care of you right? Remember what else we talked about if someone fucks with you right?" He said seriously.

"Yes I'm taking care of her." Corey laughed moving the phone to so he could see.

"Good. Anyway, I'm gonna go because you two have serious sex hair right now. But good luck and call me soon sweetie!" He waved and disconnected the call.

They laughed at him. "Your friends are so weird and I love them." She smiled.

"They love you too. Let's get ready. I'm starving." He said to her.


They had gone out to dinner, and were coming back from a walk on the beach. They had a nice time, both smiling and laughing as they walked into the hotel lobby.

As they walked to the elevator, a voice stopped her in her tracks. "Vyla? Vyla, is that you?"

Vyla slowly turned around to see Mason's mother standing there. "Mary." She said flatly.

"Vyla, why are you doing this to Mason?" Mary asked her.

Oh shit, here we go, Corey thought.

"Are you fucking kidding me Mary? He tried to kill me! He made my life a living hell, and you have the fucking balls to stand here and say this shit to me!" She yelled, moving closer to Mary.

Corey put a hand on her waist, to keep her from moving any closer to Mary. "Babe, let's go." Corey said quietly.

"You saw the shit he did Mary! You did nothing to help me!" She yelled.

"You always were selfish Vyla. You only thought of yourself!" Mary yelled back.

Corey pulled her into him this time, tightening his hold on her. "Vyla, let's go. Now." He said sternly, as he moved her away from Mary.

He pulled her into the elevator, as Mary stood on the other side. Before the doors closed, Vyla said, "Hey Mary? Fuck you!" Flipping her off.

She was shaking, the anger causing tears, and she was seeing red. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears, her breathing was heavy.

"Vy, look at me." Corey said, standing in front of her.

"I want off this elevator. I am going to kick the fucking shit out of that bitch!" She half yelled, looking past him.

"No. Please. You have to calm down. You can't do that and you know it, ok?" He said, in a calming voice.

She nodded, as the elevator stopped on their floor, letting them off. He pulled her by her hand down to their room. He swiped the key card, and opened the door, pulling her in inside the room.

She stood in the kitchen area, both of her hands leaning on the counter, looking down. Corey stepped back, giving her some room.

She grabbed the glass on the counter and threw it as hard as she could against the wall. It shattered, glass flying everywhere. "Fuck!" She yelled, as she cried.

Corey was already behind her, his arms wrapped around her, as they sank to the kitchen floor. "That fucking bitch!" She yelled between sobs.

"Shhh. I know, Vy." He said, holding on to her.

She calmed down after a while. He stood up, helping her up as he did. "I need a shower." She said pulling away from him.

She brushed past him, closing the bathroom door behind her. He stood running his hand through hair, walking to sit down on the bed.

He heard the water running, and laid back on the bed. He had a feeling that was Mason's mother. Of all the hotels in California, she picked the one they were staying at. He shook his head in disbelief.

He stood, walking to the bathroom to check on her. He heard the shower running, but there wasn't a sound from her. He opened the door, walking in. He could see her through the glass doors,sitting on the shower floor, head in her arms.

He stripped his clothes off, and opened the shower doors, getting in. Kneeling down, he gently grabbed her arm, pulling her up to him. "That's his mom, isn't it?" He asked her.

"Yes. The woman who stood by and did nothing." she said.

"She knew, and she never said anything to help you?" He asked.

"Yeah. She acted like everything was fine, even when I had black eyes or a busted nose." She said moving under the water.

She stood, leaning her head back, letting the water run over her face, her eyes closed, almost like she was trying to wash away her memories of all of it.

He moved to her, hugging her to his chest. She pulled back, looking at him and said, "I want this over."

He nodded. "I do too." He said quietly.

It was the day of the trial, and she barely slept the night before. She was dressed in a dark grey suit, with a light purple sleeveless dress shirt under it. She pulled her hair up, leaving a few small pieces around her face. She had on just enough make up to see, nothing flashy.

She walked out of the bathroom, turning to see Corey, dressed in a black suit. "Wow." They both said to each other as they stared. He walked up to her, his eyes never leaving hers, and kissed her hard.

"We have to leave, before that outfit is crumpled up on the floor." He said as he pulled away from her.

"Agreed." She said smiling.

"Wait, I got something for you." He said, pulling a box out of his bag. He handed it to her.

She opened it. It was a necklace, with a heart pendant, with diamonds around the heart. She looked at him, teary eyed. "Thank you." She whispered.

He placed his hand on the side of her face, pulling her to his lips, kissing her softly. "Since I won't be able to be on the stand with you, I thought you could have this." He said.

"Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me." She said, kissing his cheek.

"There is going to be a lot of press there. I'm sorry. I know this is hard enough for you. I wish this wasn't happening, but it is." He said quietly.

"I know. Me too." She said, as he put the necklace on her.

They pulled up to the courthouse, and saw the swarm of press outside. They all rode together in a limo. She gasped, the crowd was huge. There were cameras everywhere. People everywhere. The police trying to keep people back.

"I can't. I can't fucking do this." She said looking at Corey, terrified.

Sid moved over to sit on the other side of her. Grabbing her hand, he made her turn to him. He shook his head at her. "No. You're going in and you're doing this. We all are doing this. We have to. You know that." Sid said to her.

He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a gold bracelet. He handed it to her. She took it from him and looked at it. It was a cuff bangle bracelet, and it was engraved with 'Not all who wander are lost'. It had a diamond on each end of it.

"The guys and I got this for you." He said to her.

Tears ran down her cheeks. She hugged him. "Thank you."

Sid nodded and said, "Now get your ass up and let's get this over with, ok?" He smiled at her.

She nodded and grinned, "Ok. Let's go now, or I'm leaving."

The others got out, and she took a deep breath and got out out. Corey turned to Sid, "Thanks man. Seriously, thanks." Sid nodded as they got out.

Corey gripped her hand tightly as they made their way slowly to the courthouse, trying to ignore the questions being yelled at them. Making it to the doors, he pulled them open, and she almost fell inside.

She leaned against the wall, just inside the door, catching her breath. "Vy, you're alright, Ok?" Mick said to her. He had his hand on her shoulder. "Just a little longer. Everything is fine." He said not letting go of her. She nodded.

"Miss Jones?" They heard a voice ask.

They turned to see a young woman, who looked like she was in her early thirties. She was tall, long blond hair, dressed in an expensive suit. She was pretty, but had a presence of power.

Vyla nodded. "I'm Lydia Stone. I'm the prosecutor for this case. I need to go over some things in private before we go in. Please follow me." Lydia said.

Vyla followed her to a room, and the door shut. Leaving the guys to sit and wait.

"Glad you stepped up on that Sid. Pretty sure Jim would of had to carry her in otherwise." Shawn said.

"I already knew she was going to freeze. This shit is done after the trial. Yeah, she's going to need some time to deal with everything after this, but, once this is over, It's over. That fucker is done taking anything else from her." Sid said sternly. He could feel himself getting angry at Mason all over again.

"She may not bounce back as quick as we think she should though. She needs to actually deal with it. This is going to bring up everything she doesn't want to deal with. She may break this time. She hasn't dealt with what happened a month ago." Corey said, worried.

"She's not going to, man. She's tough as hell. She's gonna need a kick in the ass. We just need to be there to give it to her when she needs it." Jay said.

Vyla walked out of the room, with Lydia behind her. "It's time." Lydia said, leading them to the courtroom.