Chapter 14

Jeff woke to the sound of his cell phone ringing. Not wanting Jessica to wake, he quickly picked it up. He had to smile as he watched her sleeping peacefully. Remembering he had a phone call he gently got off the bed and headed into the bathroom to take it.

"Hello?" He said once he shut the door.

"Dude, are you guys still asleep?" Matt asked.

"Well obviously I'm not thanks to you. Jeez, you'd think you would have given us a little more time to sleep considering everything that happened. Not to mention we didn't get back till after four."

"I did wait. It's almost noon." Matt told him.

"Wow, I didn't realize it was that late. Look, let me get dressed and then you can come over. Give me about an hour." Jeff was going to hang up but stopped. "Bring some food with you will ya? I'm starved. Oh and how about you pay for it this time?"

"Maybe," Matt joked. "I'll see ya in a bit." Jeff hung up the phone right as Jessica entered the bathroom.

"You're awake?"

"Yea, it was lonely without you. Who was on the phone?" She asked giving him a kiss.

"Matt, he's coming over in a little while with breakfast."

"Good, all this drama has made me hungry. I feel like I haven't eaten in weeks."

"Well, you really haven't, at least not enough. It's time we get some meat on your bones."

"What you don't like the slimmer me?"

"I like the healthy you." He answered wrapping his arms around her waist. "Now give me another kiss then let me take a shower."

"Okay." She smiled and kissed him again. She went back into the bedroom and pulled out some clothes to wear for the day. She watched television while she waited making sure to avoid any news programs. She wanted to spend the morning Shane free. When Jeff was out it was her turn and it wasn't long before Matt was there with trays of food for all of them to eat.

"You know, you really have to cut down on your ordering." Jessica said as she grabbed some food.

"Hey no complaints here," Jeff piled his plate high. They all sat down and ate their breakfast talking in between bites and generally having an enjoyable meal.

"Man, I can't believe we ate it all." Jessica said placing her plate on the tray.

"Yeah, it's a good thing I ordered so much. I guess someone got there appetite back."

"Kinda." She smiled at him then walked over to the dresser. She grabbed Matt's keys; handing them back to him. "Sorry about that."

"Don't mention it. Really, I don't think I'd live it down if everyone found out you stole my car again."

"I only borrowed it besides, it's a rental."

"Which brings us to the topic of the day," He said standing up. "Miller called and wanted to know what are plans are. He's still hoping one of you wanted to speak at the sentencing. So do you guys want to go or do you want to get out of here?" Jessica and Jeff looked at each other.

"It's up to you" Jeff told her.

"No, it's up to both of us. I personally have nothing I want to say right now but if you need to then I understand." Jeff thought about what she just said and although he was grateful for her thinking of his needs, all he could think about was how much he thought she needed this. He knew she was avoiding the problem and if he continued to let her things would only get worse; she would get worse. Maybe if he went she would get the courage to speak as well.

"I think I want to. I have some things I need people to hear." He told her and at first she looked slightly alarmed but she recovered quickly not wanting to show it.

"Okay then, Matt call Miller. Let him know we're on our way. Excuse me a minute, I have to use the bathroom before we leave." She rushed out of the room.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Matt asked his brother.

"She needs to confront him. If we go she might change her mind."

"What if she doesn't? How are you going to make her do something she doesn't want to do?"

"I'll think of something." Jeff quietly said as Jessica came back out.

"Ready to go?" She asked them both.

"You sure you're okay with this?" Jeff came up to her.

"Yeah but just one thing. When we're done, can we get out of here? I really just want to go home."

"Absolutely, we can fly out today if you want."

"Thanks." They grabbed their things and hurried out the door arriving at the courthouse rather quickly. Already anticipating their arrival, Miller was outside waiting for them.

"Now, it took some work but I got permission for you guys to speak." He told them as he ushered them into the courthouse.

"Just Jeff's going to speak." Jessica reminded them.

"Why was it hard?" Jeff asked.

"Well, it's normally not procedure what with it being a plea. His sentence has already been agreed upon but at least you can be heard."

"Thanks. Can you guys give us a second?" He waited for them to walk away before taking Jessica's hand. "Thank you for coming with me. It's important that they know I'm not okay with this. I need this."

"I understand." She told him surprised by his confession. It dawned on her that Jeff was trying to start his healing. She only wished she was able to do the same but she didn't think she had the strength. She softly touched his cheek before they walked into the courtroom.

When they walked in there were whispers among the crowd. Vince and Linda turned to face them but Jessica ignored them both. Keeping her head up, she walked to the front and sat down at the opposite end of them. Matt and Jeff sat on both sides of her as Jeff never let go off her hand. She focused on the front of the courtroom aware that he had started to fidget.

"Are you okay?" She asked him.

"Yeah, I just didn't think I'd be nervous but I'm all right."

"You could do this." She reminded him as he smiled back. The judge came out and the room was called to order. Jessica couldn't focus on what was being said, worried about Jeff.

"Now I understand one of the victims would like to say something before I pass sentencing."

"Yes, your honor." The prosecutor said. He motioned for Jeff to come forward but he didn't move. Jessica looked at his panicked face.

"Honey, it's okay." Jessica told him softly. She wasn't used to seeing him like this. She had seen him angry before but not scared like this.

"I can't." He whispered his eyes full of fear. Jessica looked at him not sure what to do. A few moments ago he was talking about how important it was to him that they know they don't agree with the situation, how much he needed this and now he was unable to follow through. If neither of them said anything she knew he would regret it.

"Does the victim still wish to speak?" The judge asked impatiently. Jeff looked at her again and she took a deep breath not believing what she was about to do.

"It's okay." She told him. "I can do it for you." She rose from her seat.

"Dude, that was so wrong." Matt said quietly to his brother as Jessica walked up to the podium.

"I got her to speak didn't I?

What am I doing up here? Jessica thought to herself as she nodded to the judge. She wasn't ready and didn't know what to say. She looked back to Jeff who gave her a reassuring look. Suddenly his fear was gone and she realized she had been duped. She took a deep breath before starting.

"You'll have to bear with me. Originally I wasn't the one who was going to speak, Jeff was but that's not important. We both have the same opinion. When I first came back up here, I had such hopes for this trial. I needed, and Jeff needed closure; we need restitution for what Shane McMahon did to us. Now we all know that when I got here, I lost control and I apologize for that. But I don't think everyone here realizes why I did."

"For the past four years, Shane has been terrorizing me. I don't know if it's because in his twisted mind he really did love me or if I was just easy target because I was weak. He drove me to try to kill myself and even though the courts don't feel he was responsible for that, I do. To make matters worse he helped with my recovery bringing me back just so he can do it all over but again in the eyes of this court, that's not his fault."

"Shane McMahon tortured me. He kept me locked up in idealized fantasy where there was no escape. Then when I did attempt the impossible, I was beaten, I was shoved to the ground, and I was raped. To add one more measure, I was shot before finally being freed from that place. But him raping me, that affected me the most. The past two months have been nothing but a nightmare. I've replayed that moment over and over again. It consumed me but not anymore." She faced Shane. "I won't give you that satisfaction. It's over. I don't agree with the court's decision. I think this plea is a raw deal for Jeff and me but it's too late to change anything so I have to accept it and I will. I just hope that after I've shared this the world knows a little more about who you really are."

"I'm still standing and I'll continue to, because I'm in control now. When this is done and they cart you off, we're going to go home and we're going to live our lives, together. I guess the only solace I get in this whole thing is that in the end Jeff and I are still together. As hard as you tried, you didn't break that." The stone face that Shane had been giving her cracked and she smiled knowing she hit him where it counts.

"We love each other." She continued getting in another dig. "I could try and say that I hope you finally get the help you need but I know you. So enjoy your stay until you've convince them you're fine but I want you to know when you do finally con them into releasing you, it's not going to matter. You are out of my life. You are out of our lives." She took one last look at him and then thanked the judge before going back to her seat. Jeff stood up and hugged her proudly as they sat back down.

"Thank you Miss Murdock," The judge started. "And I want you to know that I understand your dissatisfaction with the outcome. Justice will be served under the circumstances. The defense will please rise for sentencing." They watched as Shane and his team of lawyers stood.

"The defendant will be remanded to a state run hospital for treatment until he is no longer a threat to himself or society. And Mr. McMahon, I want you to know that I will be watching your case very carefully. There will be no easy out and I am not a person to play your games with. I assure you that if you fake your treatment or try to deceive the courts in any way I will know and deal with it accordingly. This case is closed." The judge pounded her gavel before heading out of the courtroom.

Jessica watched as Shane hugged his parents before being led away. He took one last look toward her giving a menacing glare. She couldn't help but smile back as the officers came over and escorted him out of the room. She turned her smile to Jeff and hugged him.

"I'm proud of you." He told her.

"Yea, well you know I'm going to kill for that when we get home."

"Home, that sounds nice." He told her giving her a kiss. "What do you say we go back to the hotel, grab our things and catch the next plain out of here?"

"That's fine with me. I've had enough of this place."

"Shall we?" Jeff asked putting out his hand. She took and they turned to leave but Stephanie was standing right in front of them. Jessica tensed up for a moment not sure what her reaction would be. She didn't know if Steph even knew about her confrontation with Vince and Linda last night, but Jess was more fearful of what she would say about her speech today. While it hadn't changed the outcome of Shane's sentence, it hopefully let people know what kind of person he really was. Stephanie hugged her tightly and Jessica knew it was going to be okay.

"Are you okay?" Stephanie asked when they released each other.

"Yea." Jessica smiled at her. "For the first time in awhile I am."

"Good because you deserve it. I still can't believe you did it. What changed your mind? Last night you said you didn't want to do it."

"Yea, well I kind of got tricked into it." She pinched Jeff's arm.

"I'm glad he did." Stephanie said. "I mean look at you. You're smiling. You look happier than I can remember seeing for a long time."

"I know. I almost forgot what it felt like."

"So what's up next?"

"Next, we go home." Jeff said putting his arm around Jess.

"Yea." Jess agreed. "It's time I start doing what I just said I would, start living again."

"Good for you, for both of you." Her genuine smile caused Jeff to feel a twinge of guilt remembering how he yelled her.

"Look Steph, I'm sorry about last night." He started.

"Hey, don't worry about it. It's understandable."

"Thank you but it's still not excusable. I know you always have Jess' best interest at heart."

"Let's just say we start over again." She smiled at him then looked at her watch. "Well I hate to cut this short but I left Paul alone with the kids again and I should go rescue him. Call me as soon as you get home?"

"Of course." Jessica told her then gave her a hug. Surprisingly Jeff did the same thing and she couldn't have been prouder.

Watching Stephanie walk away, she was amazed at how good she was feeling. Maybe in the end, she did get the closure she had needed or at least part of it. Sensing a crowd of reporters building up, Jeff and Matt pulled her to towards the door. The throng of reporters made it difficult for them to get through. Questions were being thrown at her left and right. Determined to get her out, Matt pulled her arm harder and she bumped into someone. She was going to apologize but Vince grabbed her arm as well.

"What do you think you're doing?" She yelled at him.

"I needed to talk to you." Vince told her.

"I said all I needed to say last night."

"At least let me help you out of here." He insisted looking around the room. Of course, she thought to herself. He wants the publicity. Vince escorting her out would definitely make a clip on the evening news. All he was looking to do was repair the damage Jessica had done.

"I don't need your help. Nothing's changed and I meant what I said. So you can forget your good guy shot. I'm done." She pulled her arm free. "Now if you'll excuse me. I'm going home with my family." With that she took Jeff and Matt's hands and they left the courtroom together.