Rick walked in to the den to wake Drew and started laughing. Drew was laying on his stomach and Jake was laying on the pillow beside his head with his little paws and head draped over Drew's face like he was protecting him. Rick reached out and petted him giving him a good scratch behind the ears. "You're a good boy Jake. Can you wake Drew up for me?"

Jake turned his little head to the side and perked his ears up.

"Wake him up! Come on boy you can do it!"

The more he spoke the more excited Jack got and he finally started growling and ruffing which caused Drew to rouse enough to turn over flipping Jace off his head and onto his back wedged between Drew and the sofa with all four paws stuck in the air. He took out his phone and snapped a picture then sat down beside him and rubbed his chest. "Babe? Hey?"

"Hum?" He stretched and Jake gave him and upside down lick in the ear. "Hey, no ear licking mutt," his voice was still sleep muffled as he picked Jake up and put him on his chest.

"Afternoon," Rick smiled and kissed his head. "How do you feel?"

"Massive headache and I'm sore as hell but I'll live."

"We have to be at the Center in a couple hours for some appointments. You going to make it?"

"Yes," he sat up letting Jake slip to his lap and he hugged Rick. "Want to stay right here," he said into his shoulder then kissed his neck. "But work calls," he sighed putting Jake down and heading to the shower. The hot water felt good to his sore body. Falling from the top of an elevator not on his to do again list any time soon. He got dressed tossed back a few Tylenol and they left for the Center.

When they arrived the office was buzzing with people. "Hello Mr. Alister, Mr. Lincoln," the receptionist Sandy smiled. She handed each of them some messages, "Mr. Alister there is someone here to see you he's in your office. It's a Ms. Biggs."

They looked at each other and headed to his office. She was sitting in a chair waiting for them. "Ms. Biggs? Is there a verdict? I thought there was still another week of questioning?"

"Your mother's trial isn't over but I have some news about your father and Colonel Jefferies (AKA Colonel Affliction).

Rick and Drew sat down. "What kind of news?" Rick asked putting a supportive arm around Drew.

"Your father has pled guilty to all charges and agreed to testify against your mother and Colonel Jefferies."

"Why would he do that?" Drew asked.

"He said he knew his life was over now and he just wanted to get it over with. You have enough proof to put him away for life and he didn't see the point in trying to fight it. "

The news was great. It meant one less time Drew would have to go through the hell of a trial questing again. "So what does that mean?"

"It means the judge sentenced him to the maximum of the law for the crimes he committed against you. He got 30 years and an additional 40 for crimes committed against the other victims. All to be served consecutively and without the possibility of parole." With his father's age it was the same as a life sentence.

"How did Candy and Cara take it?" he was worried.

"Candy was really happy. Cara was upset and angry," Ms. Biggs explained.

He knew Cara would be upset and there would be ramifications but he was so relieved right now he didn't care. He put his head in his hands and laughed. "He's in jail right now?"

"Yes."

"He can't touch me again?"

"No," Rick pulled him against his chest and held him. "You are finally safe."

"There is news on Colonel Jefferies as well. I'm afraid there will be no trial for him," Ms. Biggs explained.

"What?" Rick asked.

"Why?" Drew was stunned. "He was as bad as my father!"

She held up her hand to calm him. "The Colonel was killed today while awaiting trial in prison. Sex offenders are major targets in prison and with the heinous things he'd done even though we kept him in solitary he had to shower and transfer place to place. Someone made a shank and stabbed him multiple times. He bled out before the paramedics could arrive."

He fell back against the chair, he couldn't catch his breath. Was it really happening? Were the monsters really gone? He felt Rick's arms around him and he finally was able to breath. Now all they had to do was make sure his mother paid. They took a while to soak in their victories before their meetings.

They were sitting at the large table when someone knocked. "Enter," Rick said.

"Hi. I'm looking for Dr. Alister?"

"Come on in Zach," Drew smiled. "Have a seat buddy. Good to see you again Mr. Franks," Drew said as he shook their hands. "How's the arm?"

"Great, everyone loves the cast! It was so cool that you took the time to do the cool design."

"Glad to do it. Zach this is my husband Rick he helps run everything here."

"Hi Rick," he shook his hand. "Are you a doctor like Dr. Alister?"

"No I work with your dad at the SWATT School."

"You know my dad?"

Mr. Franks laughed, "That's why I took you to Drew when you broke your arm. I knew he was a good doctor because I had met him through Rick."

"Do you know why we asked you here Zach?" Drew asked.

"No Sir."

"I got your letter about wanting to volunteer with me and I have given it some serious thought. How about we start you out here at the Center and if things go ok then we will try maybe getting you a volunteer position at the hospital. That will be a little tricky with your age but we will work on getting it approved. If you and your dad are ok with it then I will put you to work today for a while."

"Sounds great to me," Mr. Franks approved.

"Really?" Zach beamed!

"Rick or I one can drop him off at home before I go to work at the hospital so you won't have to get back out Mr. Franks." They said their goodbyes and when Mr. Franks left they got to work. Drew taught Zach how to file, answer phones and took him with them when they went to see some of the soldiers who came in for therapy. He was really good with the soldiers and Drew thought he might have found the perfect thing for him to do.