Author's note: Soo sorry, it's been so long. I sincerely apologize, and thank you all for you patience. Life has been crazy over the past few months but I promise to finish this story before the end of the year. I had doubts about this chapter, but I'm about as satisfied as I'll ever be with this chapter, so I figured I should post it before I lose my nerve. Standard disclaimer always applies.

P.S. - Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Kite, but he just fit a role so nicely into this story, so I figured, why not? It just so happens the role Kite fit, also happened to be a, not so good guy role. But I do really like Kite. I'm not sure about love, given the fact that he broke up with Lilly for such a stupid reason, but that's another story. Sorry, I'm starting to ramble. Anyways read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter 25-

If there was one thing Scotty Valens despised more than paperwork and IAB investigations, it was testifying in court. For one thing, testimony for one case alone, took the entire day. An entire day, which could be more productively spent, was wasted, sitting in court having to justify his every decision to a crowd of strangers. Plus, he spent more time waiting out in the hallways of the courthouse, than actually in the court, testifying. On top of that, he had to watch his every move and word, because the defense attorney would, no doubt, be observing his every move and breath, ready to pounce on the slightest hint of anything.

This time, it was taking a particularly long time for him to be called in. He'd been out in the hallway forever, and was beginning to get impatient. He paced in a circle, around and around, but eventually had to stop, because he was making himself dizzy. Just when he was about to go inside and inquire when they were going to call him, Lilly opened the doors and walked out of the courtroom, followed by Bell's assistant, who instantly motioned for Scotty to come inside. Bell's assistant stood by the open courtroom door, waiting to escort him inside. As he walked towards the open door, his eyes meet Lilly's for a fleeting second, just before he disappeared inside the courtroom. As he walked up to the stand, there were quiet mummers among the crowd. Scotty scanned the crowd of spectators, and the defense attorney's team, as he usually did, but this time, almost stopped cold in his tracks when he realized who the defense attorney was.

Kite.

He'd been one of their numerous prosecutors a long time ago, and, most importantly, Lilly's ex boyfriend. He struggled to continue walking normally to the stand, and not to show any signs of frustration, though he was about ready to explode. As he stood on the stand, with his right hand raised, the oath seemed to take forever, and the grin on Kite's face only seemed to get smugger by the second. It took all of his restraint to keep from getting up and wiping the smug grin off of Kit's face with his fist. Fortunately, Bell provided a momentary distraction, as he began to ask the standard questions of the events that transpired the day Lilly and Kat were taken hostage, although, Scotty still kept glancing occasionally at Kite. When it was time for the cross exam, Kite stood up slowly, deliberately, taking the time to button the top button of his suit jacket, as he slowly made his way towards Scotty. Scotty tried not to huff impatiently, as Kite finally asked, "Detective, is it true, that you and Detective Vera violated protocol in this incident?"

"If you're going by the textbook, yes we did." Scotty answered smoothly and clearly.

"What do you mean 'by the textbook'?"

"There's always a way "thing should be done". Steps that have to be taken, procedures that have to be followed, according to department policies. But it's another thing, when you're out there, and it's your friends, your co-workers, your people, in those situations. What are you going to do? Sit and wait for instructions from the department on how to proceed while they're in danger, or do something about it?"

"So you broke protocol because of personal connections?"

"I've worked with this team for seven years, so yeah, there are personal connections. These people are my second family."

"Your second family? That literally includes Detective Rush, correct? You know, since she is your live-in girlfriend?" Kite says smugly.

"Objection, Your Honor. Detective Valens just explained a completely logical process of thought, regarding why he violated procedure in this situation, and went into the building. This is an attack. Defense is badgering the Detective by attacking his personal life and character, both of which have nothing to do with this case." Bell says, standing up immediately.

"Sustained." The judge says, "Defense, move on."

And it goes on and on, for another forty minutes, an intense examination of every aspect of his actions that day. Kite keeps trying to weave doubt into his testimony, constantly bringing up his relationship with Lilly, in different ways, though each time; he is shut down by a swift objection from Bell. A few times, he really has to restraint himself from physically lashing out at Kite to get him to shut up. But the thought that gets him through, the thought that keeps him calm and going, is the thought of going home. Home to his son and daughter. Home to Lilly.