Sorry it's been so long since an update!

Chapter 22

Adam tossed on the couch. Down the hall, he could hear Jess roll over in his bed. He scrubbed a hand through his hair and reminded himself again why he was on the couch…because Jess needed space. She needed to figure her life out without him or Jay, or anyone, trying to push her towards what they wanted for her.
And right now what he wanted for her was keeping him awake.

He got up and checked the door again. No one in the hallway, he locked it back up. He crossed to the window and scanned the street and sidewalks below. Nothing out of the ordinary.

As soon as the sun came up, he would find Danny, the little weasel, and get him to the courthouse to testify. No way was the loser skipping out on the trial just because Jess hadn't sold enough product to keep him and his supplier happy. And as soon as the trial was over, and Danny had given the eyewitness account of the murders, Adam was going to wring his scrawny, rotten, lying, worthless—

"Adam?" Jess' voice was soft, but it was enough to jolt him out of his thoughts.

"Hey, darlin'," he said, crossing to her. "You having trouble sleeping? You OK?" He quickly scanned her, looking for tremors, pallor, clamminess that would tattle of a nightmare. Or worse, her need for drugs.

"I couldn't sleep. I was thinking," she started. She pressed her lips together and glanced down, drawing in a breath. "I want to go to the trial."

Adam tried to keep his face neutral. He held back the instant refusal he wanted to say. "You don't have to. You aren't going to be called as a witness."

Jess' delicate jaw set and she met his eyes. "I need to be there. I need to…to face what I ran from. The shooting, the violence," her voice trailed off. She took a steadying breath. "Danny." She couldn't hide the fear that flashed when she said his name and her hand started to reach up toward the cut on her face before she caught herself and gripped her hands together.

"Adam," she said softly, "I can't keep running. I need to get back to living life." She ducked her head and Adam almost missed her next words. "I like you. I want to try for something normal. Something with you."

While Jess kept her gaze averted, Adam did nothing to hold back the grin that split his face. "I like your plan. Something with you sounds alright."

She met his eyes and hope had the corners of her mouth lifting.

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Jess wanted to run. She reminded herself again that wasn't an option. Not anymore.

She climbed the steps to the courthouse before she could turn back. Pushing through the doors, she got in line for the metal detectors. Her inner monologue continued until she got to the other side, reminding herself she could do this. It wouldn't be hard, she just had to sit in a courtroom.
And see the two men who had gunned down two others right next to her. And see Danny on the stand while trying not to remember how he had landed a blow on the side of her head, followed by his supplier slamming her into the wall.

She couldn't do this.

She stopped in the cavernous hallway and closed her eyes. The inner debate warred.

She had to do this.

Shutting down the thoughts, she moved quickly to the right courtroom. She edged along the back wall and slid into a seat in the far corner. As far from the table the defendants would sit at as possible. Hopefully far from Danny.

The door opened and Jess risked a look, her heart rate picking up. A middle aged woman in a pantsuit came in with a briefcase.

Jess rubbed her clammy palms on her jeans and tried to calm her nerves. The door opened again and an older man with a mustache walked through. He worked with Jay. Alfred? Jess quickly looked away and ducked her head.

"Hey, Al," a familiar voice said.

Alvin. That was his name. One of the detectives that worked with her brother. And the voice belonged to Erin. Jess' heart sped up again, leaping into her throat with its bounding this time.

She had convinced herself she had the strength to face Danny and the dealers. But not her brother's coworkers. And definitely not Jay.

"Is Jay coming?" Al asked quietly as they walked past Jess without a glance.
Jess could hear the wry smile in Erin's voice. "Voight has him at his desk today. He didn't want him anywhere near the guys who threatened Jess."

Letting out a small sigh of relief, Jess wiped her palms again as Erin and Al sat several rows in front of her. A raspy voice had her spine stiffening again.

"Ruzek and Atwater are outside with Danny. Nothing's going to blow this case." Hank Voight took the seat next to Erin and glanced around the courtroom. He paused when he saw Jess in the back, and his eyes narrowed at the cuts and bruise on Jess' face. Without taking his eyes of Jess, he said to Erin, "We're going to make sure these punks get locked up and Danny gets the message. No one messes with Halstead's sister."

Jess wanted to believe him. She felt uneasy with his direct gaze and closed her eyes with relief when he turned back around. Her palms were dry now, though. She didn't mind the security Sargeant Voight brought with his presence.

Around her, people started to stand and Jess got to her feet as the judge walked into the courtroom.

The doors opened one more time and Danny came in, framed by Adam and his partner. Danny's eyes widened when he saw Jess and Adam gave him a rough shove forward to keep walking. For Jess, Adam had a discreet wink.

Feeling like a bashful schoolgirl, instead of the drug addicted homeless wreck she was, Jess felt her cheeks warm. She sat when everyone else did and squared her shoulders. She was ready to face whatever came her way. She drew in a slow breath and exhaled. She hoped she could do it without the pills.

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