Chapter 3

Emmett walked into the court room, knowing that at any moment he would finally see Elle. He'd gone to wait for her last night, ready to tell her that he was falling in love with her. Ready to take a step into the unknown. He'd been so afraid because he had no idea if she returned the feelings. Aside from his feelings, she had become his best friend – the person he saw the most and looked forward to spending all his time with. He didn't want to lose that. And… he had no idea if she had ever really moved on from Warner. He wasn't sure if she was still expecting her romantic happy ending with her ex-boyfriend. She'd always been upfront about her romantic dreams. In fact, her honesty about it had taken him aback at first. But… it had never turned him off. He'd always been drawn to her; her energy, her charm, her boundless generosity to her friends – him included…

And her honesty had actually been refreshing. Too many people said one thing and meant another. With Elle, she told him at all points what she was feeling in regards to Warner. But recently, something had shifted between them. There was a charge, an electricity… a chemistry. And he swore she'd felt it too. Suddenly, she had not talked about her ex nearly as much – but she had also stepped back from letting him know about all the contents of her heart. He hoped it was because maybe she was beginning to feel the same way that he felt…

He'd started on the mission to help her just to show her how interesting Law could be. And to show her that with hard work, she could make a difference and excel. But somewhere along the lines…

Somewhere along the lines, at some blurry space of time between late night study sessions and mid-day coffee breaks after class where she avoided any subject to do with Law and drilled him about his personal life, while talking about her parents, her college life, Malibu, her dog… always a lot of talk about that Bruiser, he realized that he was not spending time with her as any kind of tutor or teaching assistant. It was not part of the job anymore. It was just all about her. She felt like home to him and he waited at her door last night, ready to finally tell her that.

But today – today was a nightmare. Vivienne's words had felt like ice inside. The boss he'd respected and even hoped to be like – at least on the professional front – had taken advantage of her. And at a moment when she was finally confident that she had what it takes to be a successful lawyer. In one moment, this man shattered her confidence and sent her running. The thought of her leaving – going back home – hurt to think about. But what hurt even more was her belief that not telling him what happened was somehow best for him.

He realized in a flash that while he'd let her in – probably let her in more than anyone ever before – and showed her in a lot of small ways how much she mattered to him, and how much her friendship meant – he'd also failed to really convey his thoughts about her.

When she'd kept the alibi, his first reaction was anger. At her. He'd admitted, during that moment of anger, that he was hoping to impress Callahan and become Associate. He hadn't seen her integrity for what it was then – and he'd even held it against her, out loud, putting priority on his own aspirations. And his goals were important to him – of course they were! But… she was the most important…

But he'd left so much unsaid.

He'd never told her how much he admired her for keeping the alibi. He'd lamented in rare moments – especially early on – about it being unfair he was spending every night trying to help her and she wasn't being serious enough about her studies.

And when her world crashed down, she'd gone off on her own.

Anger still coursed through his veins at his boss – his former boss. Vivienne said he kissed her and fired her. He'd been expecting her to sleep with him. He didn't get what he wanted and he fired her. Made her feel like that's all she had ever been for the team.

But Emmett knew how much more she'd really been. He didn't know what he'd say when he saw her, or when he would even have the opportunity to talk to her. All he knew was that there was a lot that she needed to know. He was just incredibly grateful she hadn't left. The very thought of her leaving him left an empty, awful feeling inside.

Brooke smiled at him and he snapped out of his reveries long enough to remember there was an important case to worry about for the immediate time being.

"You okay?" he asked Brooke. "Are you sure about this? About not having Callahan represent you? I mean… he's the best at—"

"He's not the best," Brooke said quickly. "He hasn't helped me at all, and you have. Elle has. He doesn't believe I'm innocent really. He doesn't trust me, and I do not trust him. Plus, what he did to Elle makes him probably the biggest scumbag I know—"

"Agreed," Emmett breathed.

"It's a no-brainer."

Emmett smiled at Brooke as the plan to fire Callahan when Elle arrived firmly slid into place. He jumped when he heard the door to the courtroom open and he saw her standing there with Vivienne. His breath caught and his heart began pounding a staccato rhythm in his chest. She was here. For nearly two days, he'd been dying to see her, talk to her – tell her everything. Now, she was here. And… wearing pink.

She had shed the navy, the professional look – she'd gone back to her old style and it made him smile. This was the Elle Woods he knew. Full of confidence, carrying her dog, decked out in more shades of pink than most people knew existed, and smiling with all the sweetness, vulnerability and hope in the world.

She hadn't noticed him yet, and he did not try to get her attention. The big moment was almost here. He opened the Supreme Judicial Court law guide to the page he'd been going over for the past twenty minutes and reviewed it once more, knowing his moment to stand beside her and support her was coming soon.

He snuck out the side door, his book opened. Callahan was entering and Emmett wanted to let Brooke say her peace and only enter when it was time. It took everything in him to ignore his former boss and not pin him to the wall, anger boiling over, letting him know just what he now really thought of the prestigious Boston lawyer.

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Elle entered the courtroom after the worst night of her life, feeling, somehow, on top of the world. Of all people, Vivienne was by her side, along with Paulette. In the space of a half hour, she seemed to have become a friend. She wanted Elle to be true to herself, wear her own style – the same style she'd made fun of months earlier – and win the case. She believed that she, Elle, could win this case for Brooke.

Elle looked around, briefly wondering where Emmett was. She didn't see him and was nervous actually to see him. She didn't know how much he knew, or how he felt about everything. After all, Callahan had been his big break. Elle was well aware of that. But they were friends. She knew that, too, with certainty. She hoped for his support, but also understood if he chose to stay on his current career track that he'd worked so hard for.

Her curiosity about Emmett's whereabouts turned to nervous anxiety in a quick moment when she saw Callahan approach her and Brooke. Her blood turned cold just seeing him again. The last time she had seen him up close, he'd kissed her, made disgusting insinuations, hit on her – and then fired her. She'd slapped him. Upon noticing Elle, he stopped in his tracks, grimacing in an evil way before snidely walking up to Brooke.

"Well," Callahan said to his client. "You got your way. Miss Woods is here after all – can we get on with this now, or do you actually want to go to prison?"

Brooke laughed with disgust and shook her head. "As a matter of fact, I have no desire or intention to go to prison for a crime I didn't commit. So from this point forward, I will only have representation that trusts me and will really fight for me."

"That's nice," Callahan said quickly. "Can I tell them that we are ready to proceed, then?"

"Oh, you're fired," Brooke said, a big smile on her face. She then looked right at Elle. "I have new representation."

Callahan's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline practically. "Sure," he said, coolly, when he recovered from her shocking words. "I'll tell the judge we are—"

"Did you hear me?" Brooke repeated. "I said you're fired."

"That's absurd," Callahan retorted. "Elle's just a law student. She can't represent you."

And then Elle heard the sweetest voice break into the conversation, rushing in from just outside the courtroom, a book in hand.

"Actually, she can represent Brooke, your honor. Rule 3.03 of the Supreme Judicial Court states that a law student, Miss Elle Woods," he added, looking at Elle, their eyes locking quickly. Her breath caught at the intensity she found there, in his very serious gaze. "Can represent a defendant in criminal proceedings," he finished, turning back to the judge as Callahan approached.

"Only if she has a licensed attorney to supervise, and without me she does not."

"Yes she does," Emmett said quickly, without a moment of hesitation. Her heart hammered in her chest. What was he doing? "I'm licensed, your honor," he said quietly. "I'll gladly supervise."

"Oh, like hell you will," Callahan said, the bully in him coming out without reservation now. He was letting the world see what Elle had seen only too clearly last night. "You work for me, remember?"

"No," Emmett said, correcting him. Emmett… he was… her heart raced as reality sunk in. He was giving it all up for her. "I work for myself," he said confidently, taking a step toward Callahan until their faces were inches apart. His glare was filled with anger. Hate. Defensiveness. "And I don't have to hit on interns, professor," he added, looking like he wanted to say more. But… he'd just said it all, hadn't he? He had quit his job without, it seemed, a moment's hesitation. He'd just told off one of Boston's most prestigious lawyers. And he'd just put a huge criminal case in the hands of her – a law student. The faith that showed…

She instantly realized that last night, she should have gone to him, confided in him. Let him in. He was on her side. Of course he was on her side. She should have known that without needing any proof.

She could not let him down. Or Brooke!

Or herself.

Emmett walked straight to Brooke and shook her hand, initiating their new partnership and she heard him release a deep breath. That was a huge move and clearly hadn't been easy.

She turned toward him tentatively as Callahan approached. If she didn't already know, her own feelings shifted clearly into focus…

"Enjoy prison, Miss Windham," Callahan said, sounding childish and petty.

"Yeah, thanks!" Brooke said, and some of Elle's nerves instantly fell away. Brooke was clearly confident in this new arrangement and that faith – the faith of so many people around her, really – even Vivienne – was enough to assure her that she could do this.

Finally, Emmett turned to look at her, and their eyes locked.

"Thank you, Emmett," Elle said quietly, taking a step toward her best friend. "I know how important your job was. I can't even begin to-"

"It was never more important than you," he said quietly, his voice tight. "I'm just sorry that I didn't make it clear to you, that you didn't think you could come to me…"

He handed her the case file and stepped close so that no one could hear them. "We will talk later, but right now – a murder trial needs your attention." He smiled, squeezing her hand lightly. "You can do this."

She smiled and called up Brooke's step-daughter Chutney to the stand. Her nerves were nearly overwhelming her, but Emmett's words… and his actions, propelled her to begin questioning the young woman.

And as the woman got to talking, Elle felt more confident. And suddenly she had a breakthrough…

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She did it. Emmett was overcome with pride and happiness as Elle's line of questioning burst the whole case open. The real murderer was this quirky, curly-haired young woman. Brooke was proven innocent. And… they'd won!

He knew they would, but still….

It all felt even more victorious knowing that Callahan was out and had nothing to do with it. He was the lead lawyer now and Elle had had the opportunity to do it herself. No one could take any credit for Elle's breakthrough in the case. Brooke was free because of Elle. And Brooke had clearly known that Elle was the key all along, hence her insistence that court would not take place without the law student.

Elle was swarmed by people congratulating her. Brooke had nearly knocked her over with the hug she gave her, and he could hear her telling Elle that she knew she could do it. He also thought he overheard something about liposuction – and he smiled inwardly at what was most likely her own slip about her well-protected alibi.

Thank God Elle hadn't left. None of this would have happened without her…

At that thought, she was finally in front of him, beaming up at him. He hugged her tightly, feeling every emotion course through him. Love. Protection. Pride. He rested his forehead against hers.

"You were amazing," he whispered.

"Emmett," she said, pulling back to look at him. "I couldn't have done this without you. Not any of it. I mean it. Thank you."

He smiled. "It was my pleasure," he said.

She laughed and slapped his arm in a jokey manner. "I'm sure you had better things to do than review first year law homework and spend all your time with a student, but—"

"Elle—"

She looked up at him, her smile disappearing at his tone.

"I was exactly where I wanted to be. Just like I am right now."

Tears filled her eyes and she looked overcome. "Emmett, I –"

"Elle!" Warner said, running over to her. She turned to him, smiling.

"Hi, Warner."

"You were incredible in there," he said. "Um… can we talk?"

Emmett took a step back, prepared to give Elle some time alone with her ex, as much as he worried about what exactly Warner wanted.

"I wish you well, Warner," Elle said, and Emmett looked up, surprised. "But I don't think there's much for us to talk about. Anyway, I was in the middle of a conversation with Emmett."

Warner looked at Emmett, clearly puzzled, and then back at Elle. "But… I wanted to… can we just talk for one moment?"

Elle touched Warner's arm gently. "I think enough has been said, Warner. Really."

With one more look at Emmett, Warner walked away, shaking his head.

Elle looked at Emmett. "Now, where were we?" she asked coyly, smiling at him.

"We were just about to go to your dorm," he said quietly. "I believe you have some unpacking to do…"

The weight of the words caused his heart to lurch – just how close he'd come to losing her. She had almost left… "I thought maybe you could use an extra set of hands."

She instantly looked a mixture of emotions, nodding. "I think that's a good idea."

The walk to her dorm was mostly quiet, as they relived the moments from today's exciting trial and a few people that passed congratulated her on the victory. Once they were there, though, Emmett saw the closed door that he stood outside of the night before and remembered how confused and concerned he'd been while waiting for her.

When she opened the door, he stepped inside and saw boxes everywhere, some half-filled already. He suddenly felt a swirl of emotions at the sight, and shook his head, trying to keep those many emotions in check.

"You were really going to leave?" he asked, his voice a little thicker than usual. "Without saying goodbye?"

She wouldn't look at him – almost looked like she had expected the question once the evidence of her exit plan was laid out before them. She bent down next to a box and began pulling shoes out. All pink.

"Emmett, I didn't want to. You were the best part about this place. I just thought…" she finally looked up at him, a tear slipping down her cheek. ""You've worked hard your whole life, Emmett. And look how far you've come. No one has ever really looked out for you," she said desperately. "I was trying to."

He took a deep breath and bent down before her, catching her gaze with his own. She needed to see how much he meant these words. "What he did was despicable, Elle," he said quietly. "I will always want to know if something like that happens. And you… Elle, don't you know…"

She bowed her head, breaking their gaze as more tears slipped out.

"I know I was just someone you tutored. A friend, but – sort of a waste of your time, too. You wanted to be Associate, you wanted –"

"You don't know what I wanted because I never told you," Emmett finally said. "And I'm sorry for that. I get it, Elle. I told you about my upbringing, about the chip on my shoulder, my goals for my mom – and I, at one time, made it seem like my potential to be Associate somehow was more important than your integrity – the very integrity that won this case. But Elle. Somewhere along the lines, between late night study sessions and watching movies on my couch, you became the most important person to me. You became my best friend. And you became a hell of a lot more important than any job. Ever. And… please know that I could never work for a man who would treat anyone like that. Especially you. You didn't deserve that. When I heard—"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you last night," Elle whispered.

"I know why you didn't now, and yet I'm still so confused as to how you could ever have thought my work – or a potential career path with Callahan – was more important than you. Elle, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. I've spent years inside the hallowed halls or Harvard Law. And I've never felt more at home than I have in these past months, with you. You taught me to believe in myself. You taught me how to find a balance between work and fun. And I only ever really have fun when I'm with you. You're everything to me, Elle. I… I love you."

Elle's breath caught and she looked up at him, shock written on her face.

"And if you'd left, I don't know what I would have done." He looked around once more at the boxes scattered around her floor. "It would've destroyed me, I think."

"You love me?" Elle finally asked, her shining eyes full of – something. Maybe hope. Or maybe she was unsure how to break it to him that she didn't feel the same way about him… He took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for anything she had to say about his feelings. He did it. He laid it all out on the line for her. And he was well aware that by doing so, he might lose the very relationship he just proclaimed was the most important one in his life.

"Yes," he simply said, closing his eyes. And when he opened them again…

She smiled. "Emmett, I've been in love with you for a long time. I didn't know it exactly, but I've just had this feeling. I think of you all the time – even when you're not around and even when I'm not studying. I think about stories you've told me about growing up. I think about jokes we've told each other and I laugh, even when you're not there to share the memory," she said all in a rush. "I thought it was just friendship, but then… slowly I realized it was friendship and love. Attraction. The whole shebang. Last night, all I wanted to do was keep you out of my mess. I realized how much I really loved you, how proud I am of all you've done. I just didn't want any part in bringing you backwards. You deserve so much more than that. You deserve the best, Emmett," she finished in a whisper.

"You are the best," he said, very seriously, his heart thudding. He lifted his right hand and gently touched her cheek, searching her eyes. "I have never met anyone like you, little miss Woods Comma Elle."

She smiled at her best friend and touched his hand with her own. "Likewise."

And then slowly he leaned in and captured her lips, finally, with his own.

Last night it had all felt like the end.

But for them – it was just the beginning.