Kaelyn didn't understand how a simple criminal case could become so complicated in a short amount of time. At first, things didn't seem so confusing when she had researched exactly what the case was about. However, gathering evidence and talking with Lincoln Burrows' last lawyer had been a complete joke. Useful information had coincidently been evading her and Kaelyn barely had anything to create a good defense. Every case had its roadblocks, she knew, but these obstacles seemed planned.

It wasn't until she had been attacked twice within twenty minutes that Kaelyn realized that this case was bigger than she expected. Being nearly killed by a completely stranger was terrifying, but when Nate Ritter held that gun to her face, words couldn't describe how betrayed she felt. Nevertheless, although she wouldn't admit it, Kaelyn still loved Nate and could eventually forgive him for his momentary lapse of judgment. In fact, she could almost thank him because now she knew that she was digging in forbidden territory. Someone was angry that Lincoln Burrows' case was being brought back and Kaelyn had new evidence to use against the accusers. The only problem was convincing Nate to testify that he had been asked to kill her because of this specific case. Nate was embarrassed by his rash actions, though. Would he really want to announce to the court that he had attacked Kaelyn, or that he had shot and killed her assaulter? Without Nate's testimony, however, Lincoln could be considered as good as dead.

"He owes me," Kaelyn thought solemnly, drinking the last of her mocha while she walked down the icy Chicago sidewalks, "Nate is going to testify."

She knew Nate would obviously be in danger for murdering someone, but it had all been in self-defense. Kaelyn was a damn good lawyer, and she would never allow Nate to go back to jail. He didn't deserve it.

Tossing the empty cup in the trashcan, Kaelyn looked up at the apartment building hesitantly. An argument would ensue, no doubt, but she would win Nate over. After what he had done, Nate had no choice but to help her. It was either that, or he go to jail for murder. Kaelyn wasn't about to defend two innocent, murder suspects.

After a steady climb to the second story, Kaelyn entered her apartment, finding Nate asleep on the couch. It was still early, and Kaelyn always left to get a morning coffee so she wasn't surprised to see the blue-eyed beauty dozing. Best to ask him now or she would never be able to bring herself to ask him again.

"Ritter," she murmured, referring to him by his last name, "Wake up."

"Mm!" The brunette protested, moaning into his pillow.

"I said get up!" Kaelyn demanded this time, roughly hitting the ex-con on the shoulder to awaken him.

Jerking in surprise, Nate sat up and stared at the lawyer with his wide, blue eyes. He relaxed as soon as he saw who it was, laying back against the couch. "What's the idea, huh? I was having a good dream."

"I need to talk to you," Kaelyn sat at the end of the couch, "It's about the Burrows' case."

He groaned, rolling on to his side with his back to her, "You woke me up for that?"

"This is serious, Nate," she grabbed his foot and shook it a little, "His time is running out. The trial is in a few weeks."

"Your point?"

"Ritter, I need you to testify for me. You met with the people that want Lincoln dead, and you know exactly who they are—"

Nate held his hand up to stop her, "No way, Kaelyn. I'm on parole and if anyone finds out that I killed a man, its death row for me, too."

"It was self-defense, Ritter! Besides, you aren't the one on trial, remember?" she shot back anxiously, "Don't do this… You need to do what's right and show the court that you're a changed man."

Roughly, Nate pulled away from her and stood, glaring down at the lawyer. "They already think that I killed my brother. I don't need to give them reason to believe that I'm a cold-blooded killer after all."

"And they won't think that you're a killer because no one is going to be asking you questions about that," Kaelyn paused for a moment to think, then continued, "You're a witness and you aren't on trial."

He gave her a skeptical expression.

"Just tell the truth, Nate," she urged him.

After a long pause, he held up his index finger and shook it as he spoke, "All right… I'm trusting you."