Chapter 2.

"Breakfast was good, breakfast burritos are the perfect hangover food. Thought Cassandra. Sometimes all you need is a good meal to help bring your A-game. She decided it was time to get herself together and face the world.

"I need need to get a new apartment arranged. Somewhere out of that hell hole." Cassandra stated.

"We can contact HQ and they can sort it out." Dredd always knew what to do.

"Perfect. This place doesn't seem like a total shit hole." She implied to Dredd.

"It's a lot closer to HQ as well." Dredd was starting to see the Judge that looked ready to clear a room of perps earlier. Had she decided to stay and be a Judge?

"You've made a decision then."

"Yeah, I'm going to clean up this town." Judge Anderson was back.

"Ambitious, you might need backup." Dredd was back to business.

Cassandra stopped walking and turned to Dredd facing him. She stuck out her hand.

"Partners?"

Dredd took her hand and shook it.

"Partners." Dredd was always ready to dispense Justice. Anderson and Dredd would make a great team.

They continued walking back toward Joe's apartment. Neither of them said a word. The gears were ticking overtime. That tends to happen when you're a Judge.

Later on, using Dredd's computer, Cassandra contacted the Chief Justice. It was time to officially become a Judge of Mega City 1.

The Holo-display activated and a bust of the Chief Justice appeared.

"Anderson. I was expecting a call from you... How did it go up there yesterday?"

"Nothing I wasn't prepared for, Sir." Cassandra was all business now.

"That's great to hear. We thought you would do well. I take it you want to be a Judge? It was more rhetorical but had a serious note as well.

"Yes Sir."

"Excellent, You can return to duty once you've fully healed." The Chief was pleased. Anderson is a prime candidate for being a Judge. Her strong psychic abilities will serve her well.

Cassandra had one last thing to ask the chief.

"If that's all Anderson, I'll leave you to your day." The Chief Justice almost ended the transmission.

"Actually Sir, there is." Cassandra hoped the Chief agree with her.

"Well then let's hear it."

"Judge Dredd and I work very well together, Sir. My abilities combined with his experience make us a force to be reckoned with." Cassandra hoped she wasn't too bold but she needed to get her point across.

The chief Justice nodded her head and spoke.

"I agree. Judge Dredd told me what happened yesterday. What you two did alone would probably be impossible with any other Judges. It was your first day out as well. You did good, Anderson."

Cassandra's heart dropped. She didn't expect Dredd to speak so highly of her. She basically walked away after Peach Tree's opened back up.

"Thank you, Sir. I won't let you down! Cassandra said excitedly."

"Get some rest, Anderson. You're going to need it."

With that the Chief ended the transmission and it was quiet once more.

Cassandra was left alone, facing the wall behind the computer terminal. She sat there for a moment contemplating everything. She was a Judge now. Dredd would be her partner. They would be a wrecking ball to the criminal world. For the first time in a long time, Cassandra smiled whole heartedly. She still had some demons to exercise, but for the time being, Cassandra was content with herself.

"I take it that things went well?" For a big person, Dredd could be a quiet walker. So lost in her mind, Cassandra didn't notice Dredd sneak up on her.

"Jesus Christ man! You can't sneak up on people like that. Cassandra's heart was racing with adrenaline.

"Old habits die hard." In the field you had to be quiet sometimes. Any noise in a risky situation could mean death.

"Besides, can't you tell when someone is close by?"

"Only when I'm concentrating. I'm getting better at it. It's not as easy as turning on a light."

"Might want to get better at it. We may need that one day." Mega-City 1 was full of surprises. If you let your guard down, it wouldn't be hard for a perp to flank you, or get blindsided by an unknown element.

"I'll get right on that." Cassandra rolled her eyes and got up. She walked past a mirror and turned around. She remembered that she needed a new wardrobe. It was time to go shopping. Something she hated to do.

Cassandra turned to Dredd.

"I need new clothes. Where's the closest shop around here?

"There's a mall on levels 20-25. You'll have to figure it out from there."

Cassandra looked in the mirror again. She obviously looked like a young person that's been out all night. Wrinkled clothes, bags under her eyes. She smelled of burrito and stale alcohol.

"Mind if I use your shower?" She turned to Dredd.

"Go ahead. I got some clothes you can wear. But it's no Sun dress."

"Do I look like the type of chick that wears dresses? Cassandra had her moments of femininity but they were few and far between. Besides wearing basic eyeliner and lip gloss, she was a practical person.

Dredd just shrugged his shoulders and walked to his bedroom. He returned with some gray sweatpants and a navy t-shirt.

"These should fit you."

The clothes would swallow her up but it beats smelling like booze and sweat.

"Thank you." She took the clothes and headed toward the bathroom. Dredd's was bigger but not by much. At least she could stretch more while in the shower. The water felt nice. There hsn't been a time where a shower didn't make her feel better. She let the spray massage her face. Feeling much better, Cassandra walked out and started drying off. She wiped the mirror and got a look at herself. The 'lost' look in her face was gone. Staring back was a face of determination, with a hint of torment. The face of a Judge.

Cassandra dressed and walked out. Dredd was on the computer looking up something.

"There's some shops on level 23 you might want to check out."

She walked closer and noticed that Dredd was looking up the directory of the Megablock.

"Cool deal. I'm off to it then." Cassandra grabbed her I.D., stuck it in the never-ending pocket of Dredd's sweatpants. She got to the door when she heard Dredd speak.

"Wait." Dredd got up and walked to his bedroom. He came back with a small holdup pistol and handed it to Cassandra.

"Just in case you decide to take out some perps."

"Right." She took the pistol and put it in her other pocket. Dredd's building was more secure than others but criminals could be bold. A young woman was a tempting target to the scum of MegaCity 1. Dredd knew she could handle herself, but you could never be too careful Judges were allowed to carry concealed weapons. Cassandra wouldn't get any flak if she flashed her I.D. at some rent-a-cop.

"Anything else?"

"Nope." Dredd walked back and sat down at his computer. "Have fun."

Cassandra rolled her eyes again and left. The auto locking door sealing itself when she closed it.

A couple hours later she returned with bags in hand. The thieves took everything she owned so everything had to be replaced. Tossing the bags down, she slumped down on the couch. Dredd saw all the bags on the floor.

"i thought you hated to shop?" Raspy voice filled the room.

"Having everything stolen from you gives you motivation, I suppose." Cassandra picked up one bag to examine it's contents. She took out a pair of jeans, plain black t-shirt, and underwear.

"Time to feel like Cassandra once more." She headed toward the bathroom to change.

After a few minutes she emerged looking like a new person. Albeit a plain looking person but that was a good thing. It's never a good idea to bring attention to yourself on the streets. Wealthy looking people are prime targets for mugging and kid-napping. Beautiful women have it even worse.

"Has H.Q. called yet about my new apartment?"

"Yes, they did." Dredd turned around and handed her a piece of paper

Cassandra unfolded it and read the scripture. 'Appt 127-11'

"I hear the view is nice." Dredd had a monotone voice but you could tell he was sarcastic.

"I'm sure." Cassandra looked at the note once more time. "I'm going to check it out. Want to come?"

Dredd just waved his hand and resumed his work on the terminal. He was off duty but there was work to be done. Drug busting and judging criminals was nothing compared to the paperwork that was required.

"Suit yourself." Cassandra gathered up her bags and headed out the door.

'Ding' the elevator doors opened on floor 127. Cassandra made her way down the hall scanning each door for 11. She passed by 7, then 9, and finally stopped at 11. The door lock was different. Instead of a key card, you just had to scan your thumb. She hoped it was more secure. Considering that many Judges lived on this block, there wasn't much to worry about. Most people tried to stay away from Judges as much as possible. Fearing that looking at them would earn them a sentence in the Iso-Cubes.

It was fine with Cassandra.

The door lock beeped twice and she turned the handle. The door was heavy and required more force to open than her previous abode.

The inside was nicer as well. She had a small living room with a couch, coffee table, and computer terminal. There was a small kitchen with everything needed to prepare and cook food. The bedroom was connected through the living room, with the bathroom inside it and to the left.

It looked like Dredd's place but slightly different.

Cassandra put her belongings in the provided dresser drawer and set up the bathroom to her liking. Satisfied she returned to the living room and dropped down on the couch. Content with her knew place and situation, she relaxed and dosed off.

The Lawgiver was heavy in her hands. Barrel smoking as she fired a couple shots at a perp. One shot connected with his head and a brilliant pink mist exploded from the back. Bits of skull and brain collided and stuck to a wall. It looked like some fancy abstract art. But the canvass was a peeling wall, The Lawgiver was the palette, and the 9mm slug was the brush.

Anderson heard a click, indicating she was out of ammo. She reached down and grabbed her last magazine. The perps were "uncooperative," as Dredd would put it. She concentrated and found the last guy. He had a hostage, but was wounded. Anderson was a better shot than she previous thought.

She walked out of the room and followed the blood trails. Anderson raised her weapon and proceeded to track down her target. The bloody footprints were getting closer to each other now. Anderson's bullet finally doing the intended effect.

There was muttering followed by someone shushing them to be quiet. It was too late though. Anderson had her target in sight.

"You've got nowhere to go. Give up and you'll get 50 years in the cubes." Anderson was calm and cool. Never once letting her guard down."

"Oh really now!?" The perp was in pain and scared. He held the gun to the hostages head. "How about you let me walk away. The girl comes with me, as insurance."

The hostage was terrified. Anderson concentrated and heard the girl's thoughts. She wanted her dad. She went deeper and got more info. Her mother was killed during a block war. Her dad worked for the custodians of the megablock they were in.

"Just let the girl go. She doesn't deserve this." Anderson hoped he would listen. She reached out to feel the perps mood. His name was David.

"How do I know you just won't shoot me? David tightened his grip on the girl and pressed his pistol into her neck.

"I'm a Judge. I'm here to uphold the law and serve justice." It was true. Though not everyone trusted the Judges.

Anderson held her ground and waited for David to respond.

"Tell that to the guys down the hall!" He was getting agitated again.

"They knew what they were getting themselves into. They chose to defy a Judge by shooting at me. Attempting to murder a Judge is an automatic life sentence, or death." Maybe she could talk him out of this. She hated to kill people but her job demanded that she did.

"Please let the girl go." She pleaded with David.

She reached out again to sense his thoughts. He was thinking about giving up.

"We can end this peacefully or the easy way." Anderson's gaze was unwavering. She held her stance and kept the Lawgiver trained on Davids head. Any wrong move and she would paint the walls with the inside of his skull.

"The easy way huh?" David was letting his guard down.

"Your choice. Let the girl go and we'll talk." Maybe this will end on a good note.

She reached out again and felt for David's mind. He was scared but felt like he wanted to give up. He was thinking about her offer. 50 years in the cubes or death. He didn't want to die but 50 years is a long time. He would probably die in prison. Anderson sensed his anxiety.

"If you cooperate and behave, I may be able to reduce it to 40. 35 if you let her go right now."

35 is certainly better than 50, but thats still a long time.

"35 years you say."

"Let the girl go, and you'll get 35. failure to comply means death, David. Don't make me kill you."

Anderson gripped the Lawgiver even more. She was prepared to dispense justice at a moments notice.

David thought it over real quick.

"Okay, you win Judge."He still held onto the girl.

"Put your gun down and the girl's free. Anderson lowered her gun enough to convince David.

Suddenly, Anderson sensed something in David's mind. He wasn't sincere in his agreement. How did she not see this. She was a Psi after all.

The worst thing that could happen, did happen.

Anderson was caught off guard and didn't see the gun rise to the girl's head.

"Fuck you Judge, I'll keep my freedom. Click... bang.

The girl dropped to the ground, motionless.

"NOOOOOOO!" Anderson screamed. She raised her gun. Unloaded her lawgiver into David. Walking closer with each shot. Each bullet painted a different picture on the old deteriorating wall.

David was dead but that didn't matter. Anderson fired until she was out of ammo. She continued pulling the trigger long after the clip was empty. She tossed her gun and dropped down to the mangled body, she hit it, again and again. She wailed on it until her hands were bloody.

"Daddy..." Anderson turned around with fright. In front of her was the little girl. Her white dress stained with crimson.

"Help me find my daddy, he's worried about me." Cassandra just sat there in shock. She couldn't find the words to reply. She closed her eyes hoping it was all a dream. Until the girl pleaded again.

"We got to find daddy... I'm scared. Anderson was in panic mode. Her self control failing. She got up and began to run. Running was all she could do. The little girl called out to her but Anderson didn't stop. Eventually the girl faded away. Anderson stopped running and tried to catch her breath. She took deep breathes and fell to the floor. Sobbing took over, she pulled and hugged her knees to herself. Eventually she stopped. She opened her eyes to look around. Gone was the dilapidated megablock and instead was the interior of a court room. The Hall of Justice.

"Cassandra Anderson, do you have anything to say before the verdict is read? The chief Judge spoke to her.

Anderson was confused. Verdict for what. She stayed quiet.

"Very well. The Chief Judge read the datapad in her hand. The jury find the defendant Cassandra Anderson, guilty of aiding and abetting a felon.

"What?" Anderson didn't know what was happening.

"On the counts of failure to uphold the law, guilty.

"There has to be a mistake. I didn't do anything wrong! Anderson pleaded with the Chief judge.

The judge continued to read the pad. "Punishment for these crimes is death. May the punishment be swift." The judge hit the table with her gavel and court was dismissed.

"I'm innocent! This is all a mistake!" Anderson closed her eyes again.

She opened them and she was in a dark room. In front of her was Dredd. With his Lawgiver pointed at her head.

"Dr.. Dredd? What are you doing.? Cassandra was so confused.

"Upholding the law. Do you have any last words, Anderson?"

Don't do this Joe, there has to be a mistake..." She hung her head down in defeat.

"That's what they all say."

Click, bang.

Cassandra woke up in a cold sweat, pulse racing. It had all been a dream. She got up and went to the bathroom. She rinsed her face with cold water, trying to clear her head. Yes, she had demons to exercise. But that wasn't going to stop her. She was a Judge of MegaCity 1 and would act accordingly. She turned the water off and dried her face.

She turned the light off and went back to the living room. Cassandra put on a pair of shoes and walked out the door. Maybe a walk would clear her head.

Cassandra walked nowhere in particular.

**So here it is, my masterpiece so far. I'm pleased with how the dream sequence turned out. This is the longest chapter yet and I only want them to get longer. Please let me know what you think in the reviews. Any constructive criticism is appreciated :)**