A/N. Today I woke up to my three-year-old nephew singing 'Yellow Submarine' by the Beatles. I have the greatest niece and nephew ever. I still don't own anything though. Darn!

James sank back into the uncomfortable leather couch and buried his face into his hands. Silently, he ordered himself to stop shaking so uncontrollably but his body ignored the instructions from his brain. It was ridiculous because he should have been taking the short break that had been given to them, to collect himself again. But seeing Andrew again for the first time after the shooting had stolen all rationality from him. His friends sensed his deep fear but to James' relief, they didn't press him for details. Instead, they spoke with their actions and stuck as close to him as possible.

"How are you boys holding up?" Ron asked as casually as if they weren't in the courthouse testifying against a seventeen-year-old killer.

Since James apparently had no control over his body, he couldn't hold back the disgusted scoff. It came out more like a pathetic whimper though and he cleared his throat. "How do you think we're holding up?"

Ron smiled apologetically and didn't answer because of course there was nothing he could say to comfort them. But then he did something unexpected. "Logan, I have a serious question for you."

James stiffened at the name of one of his best friends. He didn't dare look at Logan, too afraid that he would break. Please don't ask him if-

"Do you think you'll be okay up on the witness stand when we come back from break?"

No! James screamed in his mind. He didn't want any of them leaving his side. What if Andrew pulled out a gun and shot them? The idea was absurd of course but James couldn't help himself. He began to silently beg for Logan to say that, no he absolutely was not okay with testifying and he'd much rather move back to their small Minnesota town and be a bunch of nobodies. They were safer that way.

Logan didn't pick up on the brainwaves that James stupidly tried to send his way. Out of the corner of his eye, James saw Logan nod and then heard him speak. "Sure." His tone, to James' surprise was natural and his voice was completely calm and steady. There was no trace of inner nerves or fear. James turned his head to see Logan full on and again, there was no tension whatsoever. Logan was relaxed.

Ron nodded, relieved. "Okay. I think it might be best if the jury hears a testimony from a victim as soon as possible. Andrew's lawyer will probably want to cross-examine you though. Are you going to be okay with that?"

"Absolutely." Logan said firmly. "It won't be a problem at all."

"Great." Ron smiled. "You're a brave kid, Logan Mitchell. All of you are."

I'm not. James almost said the words out loud but he was stopped by a knock at the door. A strange guy poked his head in and looked at Mr. Lewis. "We're about to get started again."

Then they were being ushered back into the courtroom, back into their personal hell hole. James didn't know how his legs held him until they got back to their seats. Logan sat down next to him and James wondered how everyone would react if he picked his friend up and ran away. Surely Kendall and Carlos would be right behind them. He was too late though.

"Logan Mitchell to the stand."

James couldn't help it. His hand shot and and wrapped around Logan's wrist, desperate enough to hold tightly but careful enough to make sure he didn't touch the palms of Logan's hands because they were still sore. The contact was brief, lasting only a second before Logan gently shook him off and walked slowly to the witness stand.

James watched as Logan was sworn in and sat in the witness chair. He looked even smaller now that he was further away. He felt Kendall and Carlos on either side of him trying to relax. They were probably better off than he was.

"Logan, I have a somewhat personal question for you." Ron began. "Were you ever bullied in school? Maybe when you were younger?"

Logan nodded. "Yes I was."

"How often?"

A small frown crossed Logan's face but he wasn't afraid. He just looked hurt. "Every day."

There was a quiet murmur in the crowd after Logan's words and Ron waited patiently until it died down. "How young were you when it first started and when did it stop?"

"I was in kindergarten when it first started and. . ." Logan paused as if to make sure everyone was listening. "It never stopped."

For the smallest amount of time James' fear was replaced by a searing anger for everyone who had hurt any of his friends. Logan and Carlos had been the obvious targets because they were smaller and Kendall and James couldn't protect them all the time.

Even Ron looked surprised, or maybe he was just a good actor, hamming it up for the crowd. "Why do you think that is?"

"I was always smaller than most kids my age." A small smile found it's way onto Logan's face. "I'm smart too so I always had people either calling me a geek or threatening me to do their homework."

"What if you didn't comply with their demands?"

Logan shrugged. "I got pushed around a few times and once some guy managed to give me a black eye. That was in ninth grade. My best friends always took good care of me though so that's why it was a little more than bearable."

Ron nodded. "I see." He paused and seemed to take great consideration in his next question. "Did you ever think about revenge?"

"I did more than think about it." Logan told the jury honestly. "But it was mostly small things. Harmless pranks like gluing a bully's book to his desk or spraying his locker with perfume. Sometimes when we were taking tests in the classroom and someone asked me for a answer, I'd give them the wrong one."

Ron chuckled softly, acknowledging that Logan's "revenge" was indeed harmless. "But you never thought of bigger revenge?"

"Never." Logan shook his head. "I tried not to think much about any of it to be honest with you. I tried to focus on the good things in my life and not get too hung up on the bad things. Besides, the bad things in life make the good things worthwhile."

Ron's next question caught even Logan off guard and made James cringe. "Is it true you were diagnosed with cancer last year?"

Logan blinked at his lawyer in surprise but recovered quickly. "Yes. Acute myelogenous leukemia."

"Did everyone at school know that you were so sick?"

"Yes." Logan whispered at first, then repeated himself so everyone could hear him. "Yes. I had to drop out a week or so into my senior year because it was too much for me to handle."

Ron nodded. "So this was your second attempt at graduating from high school. I imagine the shooting put things on hold."

"Of course they did." Logan replied. "I was injured and then when the school opened again, it was too hard for me and my friends. We're homeschooling ourselves now and I think we can graduate this year."

"Good, good. I'm glad to hear that." Ron smiled easily. Then his smile faded and he was serious once again. "Can I ask you to give a brief retelling of what happened to you on September 14th?"

At last, Logan looked frightened. Vulnerable. It killed James to see. He remembered the haunted look in Logan's eyes that had lingered for weeks after they got home from the hospital until his breakdown that made James think they had lost him forever. But Logan was different now. He was stronger.

"I was in a study hall with one of my best friends, James Diamond. I was across the room from James when Andrew first shot Sean Williams after Sean knocked his backpack over. Then he fired the fun again and the bullet hit my foot. I couldn't walk at all so James. . ." Logan's voice wobbled and broke but he kept going. "James carried me out and into another room. We thought we would be safe there while we waited for the police. But Andrew found us."

"Found you." Ron repeated. "Do you think he was looking for you or James specifically?"

Logan nodded. "I do."

"So you think that Andrew knew exactly what he was doing."

Logan's face darkened just slightly. "I know Andrew knew what he was doing." He stated calmly.

"Go on with what happened next." Ron quickly encouraged before Andrew's lawyer could object to Logan's bold statement.

"Andrew tried to shoot me again but James shoved me out of the way and got shot instead." Logan spat out the words as quickly as possible while somehow remaining perfectly coherent.

"He tried to shoot you twice then." Ron looked at Logan for clarification. "Both you and James nearly died correct, Logan?"

Logan swallowed hard. "Yes. That's correct."

"Thank you, Logan." Ron's voice had softened, as if he was apologizing for what was to come. "I think that's all the questions I have to ask you for now." He glanced toward the defense table. "Your witness." He said to Brian Jacobs.

Andrew's lawyer stood up and walked quickly over to Logan. "Mr. Lewis did a very fine job of questioning you, Logan." The man acknowledged the other lawyer by tilting his head in the direction of the prosecution's table. "We now know that you were bullied and that you had cancer." He paused. "We also know that you, Logan Mitchell, are a liar."

"Objection!" Ron burst out before Logan had time to react. "Just what exactly are you accusing him of?"

Brian smirked. "I'm accusing him of lying and if you'll allow me to continue your Honor, I think you'll understand."

The judge nodded. "I'll allow it. But tread carefully."

"Of course. Thank you." Brain turned back to Logan who looked shaken. "Logan, you told your own lawyer that you never even thought of, and I quote, "bigger revenge.""

"That's right." Logan's voice shook slightly.

"Then let me ask you a question." Brian leaned closer to Logan. "Why did you shoot Andrew?"

The reaction he got from the crowd was so loud that the judge had to call for order several times before Mr. Jacobs could begin again. "Andrew's kneecap was completely shattered and it's unlikely he'll ever walk very well again. Do you deny that you shot him, Logan?"

James held his breath until he felt dizzy and Kendall nudged him. He waited for Logan's reply.

He expected Logan to be even more shaken but to James' surprise, Logan wasn't bothered more at all. In fact, he seemed calmer. "No. I don't deny that I shot him. I'm also not claiming temporary insanity. I know I shot him. He shot me and my best friend and twelve other people. He had to be stopped." He didn't wait for Brain to try and interrupt him but kept talking. "I didn't shoot him fatally either. I shot him so that he would stop trying to kill other people."

Brain looked furious that Logan had refused to crack under the pressure. "No further questions." He snarled. He spun around to face the judge as Logan rose from his seat to return to his friends. "Your Honor, I'd like to call James Diamond to the stand."

Even Logan, after his calm testimony, faltered slightly on his way back at Mr. Jacobs' words. James nearly choked on the sudden intake of air his lungs were forced under when he gasped aloud.

"James Diamond to the stand."

James' legs obeyed the orders and they carried him all the way to the stand where he was sworn in. They gave out just in time for James to collapse into the chair. He couldn't move except for the constant trembling throughout his entire body and he couldn't think at all. He couldn't tear his eyes off of Mr. Jacobs who stared back at him with a piercing gaze.

Just then, someone sneezed loudly and James jumped so high he almost fell out of his chair. He turned his head to see where the loud sneeze had come from and immediately, his eyes found Logan. Look at us, not him. James nodded and felt himself relax a little.

"James," Mr. Jacobs' voice tore that calm to pieces instantly. "Did you ever talk to Andrew?"

James knew what was coming. "No sir."

"Did you ever bully him?"

"No sir. Never."

"Did you see him get bullied?"

"Yes sir."

"Often?"

"Yes sir." As predictable as the conversation was, James' heart sank lower and lower after every question.

Brian Jacobs paused, making sure all eyes were on him. "Did you ever do anything to stop the other students from bullying Andrew?"

"No sir."

"No further questions." Mr. Jacobs turned on his heel. "Your witness."

James was sure he was having another panic attack and from the worried looks he was getting from his friends, he knew that they thought the same thing. He tried and failed miserably to take deep, calming breaths.

"James, are you okay?"

James turned pleading eyes on his lawyer, his friend. "Can. . . can I have a glass of water?" He asked faintly.

"Certainly." Ron nodded.

A glass of water appeared in front of James as if by magic. Maybe he was worse off than he originally thought he was. "Thanks." He managed weakly. It was a wonder James didn't drop the glass of water or choke when he took a small sip. The liquid soothed him enough so that he could focus. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, James. This was a traumatizing event for everyone involved. Take your time." Ron's patience was never ending as he waited for James to nod. "All right then." He took a step closer to James and opened his mouth to ask his first question.

James never heard his question because it was lost in the sudden sound of something he never though he'd have to hear again. The screams followed soon after the gun was fired.

A/N. I don't know about you but I have deja vu or however you spell it. Madame Cliffhanger strikes again! And the best/worst part is, I'm not sure how long you'll have to wait. It could be a few days. We'll see. Review?