Judge Wayans had just walked out of his chambers and was surprised to see his courtroom was not empty.

"Mr. Speedle, court ended a few hours ago."

"I know." Tim muttered. "But I wanted to talk to you."

Wayans sighed and put his briefcase down.

"Tim, I like you. You know that. You're a good man."

"This isn't about liking and disliking. You heard what Horatio said. You heard what he played."

"Tim, we don't know what Anna saw."

"So you're saying she lied? Dammit don't you see what's been going on? They abuse her. I don't think they're having a good time sniffing sugar. Any dumbass could tell that they were doing cocaine." Tim snapped. "How long are you gonna drag this on? What the hell are you waiting for?"

"She's seven years old Tim!" Wayans exclaimed. "She could be making things up to stay away from your ex-wife."

"So?"

"Your ex-wife has filed numerous complaints about you over the past year. I want to make sure I look into everything before making a decision. I want to make sure I make the right decision."

"My ex-wife is a psycho. She was mad at me because I took Anna to Disney..."

"Tell this to everyone tomorrow in court. I have to get home. My daughter has a science project due in the morning."

"Yeah. You and Bradford both." Tim snarled. "You two are so happy that you've got your kids and I'm wondering if I'll ever see mine again. You don't get what I'm going through right now."

"Go home Tim. Get some sleep."

------------S/C----------

Anna sat up in bed that night and made a decision. She quietly snuck out of her room and headed downstairs. With one hand on the doorknob of the front door, Anna heard a voice behind her.

"Anna? What are you doing?"

She turned and saw Laurie coming out of the kitchen.

"I don't like it here. I wanna go home."

"I know you do sweetie but for now you're gonna be here so you're gonna have to follow my rules. So please, go back to bed."

"No." Anna crossed her arms over her chest. "You're not my mommy."

The next thing out of her mouth shocked her.

"Calleigh is." Anna turned around and tried to open the door but it was locked. She let out a cry of frustration and sat down on the cold, marble floor and cried. "I just want to go home."

Laurie walked over to the girl and pulled her into her arms.

"No!" Anna yanked herself out of Laurie's grasp. "Don't touch me. I want my daddy!"

----------S/C---------

"And why is that Ms. Olsen?" Evan asked, pacing the courtroom.

"Tim's an ass and he can't take care of himself let alone a child. My niece belongs with my sister." Stephanie said. Michelle smiled at her and then turned, giving Tim a sneer.

"Well since we've poked fun at Mr. Speedle, let's move on to Mrs. Clark. Is it true that your sister sees a therapist?"

"No."

"Odd. I spoke to the woman last night."

"Ms. Olsen," Wayans said, "You are under oath."

"Fine. Michelle did have a therapist but she doesn't see her anymore."

"Why did she start seeing her?" Evan asked.

"Things were rough. She had just split up with Tim and was trying to care for Anna."

"Do you think Michelle is a good mother?"

"I think she's wonderful."

Evan turned to Wayans.

"Just one more question your honor."

"Bradford, get on with it then." he said, a bored tone in his voice.

"Ms. Olsen, have you ever done drugs?"

"Your honor I object!" Cecilia screeched. "This has nothing to do Anna Speedle."

"Oh yes it does Cecilia." Evan growled.

"No it doesn't! If Ms. Olsen has a drug problem that doesn't relate to her niece!"

"Order!" Wayans roared. "Ever since this case has began this courtroom has become a circus! Now all of you be quiet or I'll throw you out of here! Bradford, if you have a point then get on with it!"

"I do have a point your honor!"

"Then Ms. Wilhelm, overruled!"

"Lt. Caine decided to have another talk with Anna. He asked if Stephanie was there the night Anna's mommy was acting 'funny.' She was. Ms. Olsen, why didn't you stop your brother-in-law from hitting your niece?"

"Because he didn't hit her." Stephanie spat venomously.

"So your niece made all of this up?"

"Yes! She's very creative and I'm sure she's crying to herself right now that she started this mess!"

"Would your niece have any reason to be afraid of her mother?"

"No! My sister loves that girl more than anything!"

"What about your brother-in-law?"

"Jack would not lay a hand on Anna." Stephanie said.

"Mr. Bradford are you done?" Wayans asked.

"Yes. But I'd like to call up Dr. Terri Anderson."

A tall redhead walked up to the stand and took Stephanie's place.

"How long ago did Mrs. Clark first start seeing you?" Evan asked.

"Your honor, this is a breach of doctor/patient confidentiality." Cecilia said.

"Ah, but Mrs. Clark doesn't see Dr. Anderson anymore so that wouldn't be a breach." Evan said.

"Go on Bradford. Dr. Anderson, please answer the question."

"She came to me about two months after her divorce was finalized." Terri said. "She said that she was sorry she had hurt Tim and wanted things back the way it used to be."

"Liar!" Michelle hissed.

"Mrs. Clark!" Wayans banged his gavel. "Dr. Anderson, continue."

"Soon Michelle said that she was depressed and had to find a way to not be. I suggested medication. She agreed but when she saw me the next time she..."

"She what?" Evan probed.

"She said that she had taken cocaine."

"I told you." Tim muttered.

"So then Mr. Speedle was right." Evan said. Tim shook his head.

"Evan, shush."

"Mr. Speedle," Wayans warned.

"Any dumbass could tell that Mrs. Clark was taking drugs." Evan finished.

"You said that?" Michelle asked, swerving towards Tim.

"Order!" Wayans yelled, banging his gavel. "Bradford, please continue."

"Do you think Anna would be better off without her mother?" Evan asked.

"I think she would be in better care with her father." Terri replied.

"Why didn't you ever report this to the police?"

"Doctor/patient confidentiality."

"Why not after she stopped seeing you?"

"On her last visit she said that I had helped her see that she had a good life and she stopped taking the cocaine. I figured that it wasn't a big deal anymore." Terri said.

"That's all." Evan said, sitting down.

"Ms. Wilhelm, any questions for the witness?" Wayans asked. Cecilia glanced at her notes and shook her head. She had not been ready to see this woman appear in the courtroom. "Do you have any more witnesses?"

"Yes I do." Evan raised his hand.

"He was talking to me." Cecilia said.

"Oh I'm sorry. I figured you didn't have any witnesses. Or do you have a bunch of druggies hiding somewhere, ready to defend her?"

"MR. BRADFORD!" Wayans yelled.

"You know what Evan, you're a real asshole."

"Takes one to know one Cecilia."

"ORDER! OR I WILL REMOVE ALL OF YOU FROM THIS COURTROOM!"

The room went silent.

"Ms. Wilhelm do you have any witnesses?" Wayans asked.

"Not at the moment. I'd like to call for a recess."

"I'd rather we call up the next witness. Well I have two actually." Evan said.

"Will it be short and sweet?" Wayans asked.

"Short and sweet." Evan promised.

"Then hurry up."

"I'd like for Calleigh Speedle to come up to the stand."

Calleigh walked up and sat down, waiting for Evan to begin.

"Mrs. Speedle, have you ever seen your husband get angry with your step-daughter?"

"No. Tim... Tim usually gives into her. She has him wrapped around her little finger."

The courtroom chuckled. Tim turned red.

"How frequently do you see Anna?"

"Well um... when I first met Anna, that was still when Michelle was living in Virginia so I saw her for the three weeks that Tim had her, everyday almost. After the third week Michelle had moved to Miami and we only spoke on the phone."

"When you were on the phone did Anna ever stress that something was wrong?"

"Verbally she didn't but I could tell in her tone that something was wrong."

"And you didn't check it out?"

Shamefully Calleigh shook her head.

"The restraining order wouldn't allow us near her."

"How did you come to get see her then?"

"Her teacher called, saying that there were bruises up and down her arms and that Anna was asking for me and Tim, not Michelle and Jack. Tim got the restraining order reversed and we were allowed to have her. Upon arriving at our residence, Anna... Anna pulled me up to her room and showed me that the bruises weren't on her arms, they were on her back, stomach, legs... everywhere." Calleigh said.

"What do you think of your husband as a father?"

"Oh Tim's wonderful."

"Do you think he was a good father before you married?"

"Yes. He would die for Anna. He loves her so much."

"Thank you Mrs. Speedle." Evan smiled. "I'm done with her Judge."

"Ms. Wilhelm?"

"No questions."

"The Mr. Bradford, call you next witness."

"Tim Speedle."

Michelle rolled her eyes as Tim walked over to the stand and sat down.

"Tim, do you think Michelle is a good mother?"

"I used to think she was but I guess she's proved me wrong."

"Did you know she was taking drugs?"

"No and if I had I would've had full custody for Anna a long time ago."

"Would you ever harm your daughter in anyway?"

"Never. I would never lay a finger on her or make her upset, well unless she didn't get a toy she wanted or something."

The courtroom laughed and Michelle rolled her eyes.