Chapter 4

The next day was when they got the call saying Dean and his buddies were being charged and it was going to trial. Within 3 weeks Rory got a court notice for her to attend and it was slated for 3 months from now. Chris called in a favour to one of his dad's old friends to get the trial moved up so Rory wouldn't have to relive everything just as it was settling down.

In the following weeks, Chris delivered and the trial was moved up to next month. Also during that time everyone was trying to help Rory deal with the outcome and giving her lots of emotional support.

1 Month Later

The trial was starting tomorrow and everyone could tell Rory was a bit on edge that day.

The next morning was the day that Rory was most nervous for, it was the day she had to retell the story of how everything began to unfold over the past month and a half almost 2 months since that shooting in Minneapolis.

While she was giving her testimony Logan and Finn were also called to the stand along side Rory for their accounts of the behind the scene things and also everything else that had taken place. They all recounted how everything had happened. How Logan had just sat down to watch his show when the special news report came on and saw Rory for the first time in a year and how he saw the guy at the back of the room and was just going on instinct and was hoping and praying she would have the same number and would pick up the phone. They then got into how she listened and was saved and how her boss and the security guards were saying she's the target and they would kidnap her and bring her to a secret location. Rory then told them she got away as quick as she could and packed as quick as she could once she made it to her hotel room, she then told them about calling Logan again and how it was fate that Finn was in town and would pick her up at the back and keep her safe. Before they continued the Judge asked how long they had all known each other and then derailed into the Rory, Logan and Life and Death Brigade saga of they were friends and that Rory and Logan dated seriously for many years until college graduation. Once the trip down memory lane was done they got back to how Finn and Logan got their best people checking things out and how Finn had secured the whole floor for them. The Judge said that they would convene in the morning and everyone was to get a good nights rest.

That night Rory was having trouble sleeping as everything that has happened kept replaying in her mind. She was tossing and turning and tried to think of other things but it wasn't helping.

Logan had been woken up by Rory's tossing and turning and was trying to sooth her to get her to go to sleep. Rory eventually fell asleep only to be woken up by the alarm for the morning going off.

They were back in court and finished up Rory's testimony when the judge said that they would look over the evidence before hearing Dean's side of the trial.

Everyone could tell Rory was really being affected by the trial. They had just let it go the first time when Rory seemed relatively unaffected by everything but now they knew they had to take a stand and talk with her.

They had all been discussing whether or not Rory was suffering from anxiety and depression. When they realized that Rory was suffering from neither, it was post traumatic stress disorder. Logan decided to have a talk with Rory before they went to bed and when he mentioned it, she finally just started crying saying she was fine before not really scared because him and Finn made her feel so safe and she knew that they wouldn't let anything happen to her. She also said that she wonders if its just the shock of it all wearing out and having to relive everything over again. Logan said it could be and that he thought she should go talk with someone about this and what she's going through, that they can help her deal with her emotions better. Rory agreed to give it a try but she said she didn't want to go while the trial was still going on. So, they made a deal, she would start to see someone now that they trial is on hold while they examine the evidence before continuing and would take a break during the resuming of the trial if it got to be too much.

The trial had resumed 2 weeks later and Rory was making progress with her therapy sessions.

Today was the day that they were finally going to hear Dean's side of the story. It wasn't off to a good start. Dean has said he wanted revenge for Rory making him leave his wife and how she humiliated him when she came out all dressed up in fancy clothes trying to prove that he's not good enough anymore. Also, he said that she's was always playing games wanting him to not and then wanting again for a little bit then on to the next guy. He was tired of it and wanted her to feel the same way and get pay back for what she's done to him.

The judge wasn't too fond of his story and need for revenge. She asked why it was her fault for him leaving his wife and wanted him to explain why he thought she always went to other men. He said that she was making the moves on him while he was still married and that she would only have sex with him if he left his wife for her, and he couldn't explain why she always went to the other guys. The judge had said she'd heard enough and was going to deliberate and come to an answer and to come back tomorrow morning for the answer.

Everyone was headed home when Rory said that she had an appointment to get to and would see everyone later.

Rory arrived at the therapist office and was called in 5 minutes later

"So, Rory how did everything go today? Was it any easier than the last time since we talked last? The therapist asked

"It was ok, I think it would have been easier if he wasn't telling lies, but you could tell even the judge wasn't baying what he was saying." Rory said

"Ahh, well that is never easy to hear, but it is good that the judge wasn't believing him. How was it seeing him for the first time since all of this happened?" The therapist asked

"Hard, harder than I thought it would be, but I think because I always want to forget that last part and just think of the sweet guy he was before hand, makes it harder for me to even comprehend that he's the one that did this." Rory said

"I totally understand where you're coming from. You hadn't really seen that side of him and probably for a very short time so you wouldn't have seen anything big or major. So, how have the nightmares and sleeping going?" The therapist asks

"Ok so far, I think the night after a day of trial is the worst but hopefully once the trial is over they won't be so frequent anymore." Rory said

"Yes, that is common, and I do hope that once the trial is over that things calm down for you a bit. Have you talked with Logan and your family about talking a trip somewhere to get away a little and try to relax?" The therapist asked

"No, we haven't really talked about it, but Logan did mention that he would love to have me in California when he goes back after the trial. The company he's with has been so good to both of us and it probably doesn't hurt that he's a partner in it so they've been really good and the thought of going to Palo Alto with Logan seems right. Like I'm getting a second chance to change my mind. I've been thinking about it a lot lately with everything and the trial. What would have happened if I had said yes to Logan the first time a year ago at graduation? Would this still of happened or would we still be fine and still act a little carefree?" Rory said

"Well, that's good that Logan has brought that up and has asked you to go with him, but that's the thing with what ifs. They are just that. We can't know if Dean would have still tried if you had originally said yes to Logan. All we can do now is focus on the present and the future." The therapist said

"I know, but its something I've been thinking about. I think I'm going to take Logan offer and go to Palo Alto with him when he goes back." Rory said

"Good choice, I recommend it. I'll also give you some recommendations for therapists down there and you always have my number to call if you need it." The therapist said

"Well, thank you again for all the help and I'll see you before I leave." Rory said

"Sounds good, take care and call if you need to." The therapist said

Rory gets back to the Hayden Mansion and goes and has a talk with Logan

"Hey, how did it go today?" Logan asked

"Good, we talked out a lot of things and I'm feeling good about a couple things we talked about." Rory said

"Well, good I'm glad and happy for you." Logan said

"Ya, I am too. So, we talked about me getting away and going somewhere to relax and destress and she agreed that it would make perfect sense for me to go with you back to Palo Alto." Rory said

"Really? Oh, you don't know how happy that makes me, I didn't really want to leave you but I have to get back to the guys some time soon and this just makes it even better." Logan said

"Good, I'm happy to be coming and getting away from everything." Rory -said

"Perfect, I can't wait." Logan said

"Me neither." Rory said and they both took their supper from the kitchen and decided to eat in the theatre room

It was the day of the verdict and you could tell it was going to be a long day

The judge entered and gave her opening remarks about the case, she went over some key evidence and ultimately decided that Dean and his buddies be sentenced to life in Federal Prison and that he and everyone involved must be at least 5 states away from Rory and that on the very impossible chance he gets out on a shortened sentence or parole he must still obey by the restraining order against him and be at least 5 states away from her at all times.