Summary: After everything that happened, Dash still needed to do one last thing.
Characters: Dash x Danny x Kwan

Afterward 04

Dash breathed out in relief when he was finally free the leave the courtroom. He would prefer it if he never had to step foot in another courtroom ever again, but this was a case he wanted to see through to the end. Kwan and Danny offered to come with him, even though neither of them were requested to appear in court. Dash, for whatever reason, felt like this was something he needed to do by himself. His father never got the punishment he deserved for all the abuse he dished out, but there was a certain satisfaction in watching Bryce pay for his crimes.

Now, he looked forward to going home to relax with his boyfriends. He turned to walk down the hall toward the front entrance of the courthouse, but his path was blocked by a young man.

"Sorry." He shifted his weight, his gaze not quite meeting with Dash's. "You probably don't remember me."

Dash was ready to agree with the man, but after a moment, the memory made him snap his fingers. "You were there that night. You told us Sawyer's name."

"Right." He bowed his head with a slight smile. "So you did remember. Uh, James." He held out his hand. "I don't think we got properly introduced that night."

"Dash." He shook the man's hand. "Looks like your nose healed up right."

"Yeah." James rubbed at his nose. "So, I guess I was a bit rude to you that night. When you showed up looking for Sawyer, I wasn't completely convinced that you would find her. You seemed genuine about wanting to find her, but that didn't mean you would." He frowned, his gaze lowered. "Then we got the news about what happened to Sawyer. I didn't know her all that well, but I still felt like I had to come here and see her killer with my own eyes. I shouldn't be surprised that it was Bryce. Then I saw you, and I realized you had to have been the one to figure out what happened to her."

"It wasn't just me."

"Right. You were there with another guy. I want thank you, and him, for finding Sawyer and bringing her killer to justice."

"We didn't do it for thanks."

"Maybe not. But there will still be people who want to thank you."

A smirk curled the corner of Dash's mouth. "Smart boy."

"I did say I was going to Harvard, didn't I?" James smiled. "Well, I should probably be on my way. I promised to meet up with my girlfriend when this was over."

"You best not keep her waiting then." Dash grinned, thinking about getting back to his own romantic partners. "And keep up the good studying!"

"Of course." James waved before he walked off to the courthouse entrance.

Dash was ready to do the same, after giving James a few minutes to leave first.

"Um."

Dash stopped before he could take a step, nearly groaning out loud. Would he ever get to leave the courthouse and go back home? But he recognized the voice. Turning around, he put on a friendly smile. "Paige, what can I do for you?"

"Oh, I don't want to take up too much of your time." Paige chewed on her lip as she brushed back a lock of her hair. Since he last saw her, Paige had cut her hair. It was now chin length, and it was amazing how a simple thing could change someone's entire appearance. "I just wanted to say I was glad to see you today. When I had to take the stand, I was really nervous. I thought I would get all tongue tied and be unable to answer any of the questions, especially with Bryce there, glaring bloody murder at me. But then I saw you sitting there, and I remembered how you treated me at the park, and it was like I got this boost of confidence." She smiled brightly.

"Then I'm very glad I came." Dash's smile turned warm as he placed a hand on Paige's shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. "How have you been holding up?"

Her mood turned a little less sunny. "Better. I think." Paige frowned. "My parents want me to go to therapy. It's not my first choice of things, but," she shrugged, "Ms. Barnes is helping me identify signs of Bryce's manipulation and abuse. And," she hesitated, "I was thinking of starting up a group at my school. Mostly for other girls that have had similar experiences, but it would be open to others too. When you're in it, you can't always see the signs. A friend might be able to spot things better."

"That's good!" Dash smiled encouragingly. "And really brave of you."

"Thanks." Paige blushed lightly. "But I still feel guilty." She lowered her gaze, rubbing at her arm. "Sawyer lost her life just because she bumped into me, and I get to walk free like I have no part in her death."

"Hey," Dash placed both hands on her shoulders, "it wasn't your fault. But I know saying that won't make you feel any less guilty." He looked up and glanced around the hall. Two women stood a few feet down the hall from them, one of them folded into the other's embrace. He recognized them from the courtroom. "But maybe talking to Sawyer's parents will help ease some of that guilt you feel."

"I - I don't know." Paige glanced toward them, understandably hesitant about speaking to the two women.

"Later on, you're probably going to want to talk to them. Don't wait. Don't let the guilt eat you up. Talk to them now."

Paige twisted the hem of her shirt. "Will you go with me? Sorry." She bowed her head. "That's asking too much."

Dash shook his head with a kind smile. "If it'll help." Walking a step behind her, Dash followed Paige over to where Sawyer's parents stood, still grieving the loss of their daughter. He thought this talk would do a lot of good for all three of the women.

Kimera20: Thanks! 8D Mary's been waiting for these knuckle heads to find love! XD

YumiStar: Enjoy it while you can, boys! XD I'm sure there's another baddie just around the corner. Probably. At some point.

Kittalia Phantom: I'll see if I can work her in somehow.

vampygurl402: Hope you enjoyed the update!

Rosie dragoneel: Aw, thanks! 8D I'm glad you like it! I like to think with time and maturity (and Kwan talking some sense into him XD), Dash grows out of his bully phase.

Casper97: Aw thanks! 8D