The Power of Hope
Chapter Ten
By: Lily Handle
Author's Note: In this chapter, we get back to the trial, yay! And fluff, which I know was desperately missed in the last chapter, double yay!
Washington D.C. glowed below Michael Chandler, making him fidget on the inside. His parents had insisted the family stay in a downtown D.C. hotel for the duration of the trial, and he hadn't argued with them. Though his powers made him uncomfortable in the city, he wanted to be close to the trial. The whole family was dealing with it in their own way. His father was on the war path, cursing out the government, that McKenna guy and anyone else who said anything against Hope. His mother was silent, but there. She listened, to everyone and gave support in her silence. Thea, Mike shook his head, Thea was so up beat she made sugar look bitter. Was any of it helping? His mother's support, maybe, but the rest of it was having no effect on Hope. Last he heard from Hank she had retreated into herself even more. It disturbed him, no it terrified him. Hope had always been a little sensitive to things, hell she use to tear up at the sight of road kill, but he had thought her years as a doctor had toughed her. He had also counted on her experiences with the X-men to give her a tough shell. This trial was apparently too much for her. And what could he do? Nothing. Frustration welled in him every time he remembered that he had to leave everything in the hands of other people. Mike was a firm believer in that if he didn't do it himself, it was done wrong. He turned away from the window when a knock came at his door. He glanced out the peep-hole first, in case some very clever reporter had slipped past hotel security, but he saw only Thea's grin.
"Hey Mikey," She said sliding under his arm and slipping into his room when he opened the door.
"Come on in, Thea," Mike sighed, so much for an evening alone. "What can I do for you?"
"Just lookin' for a little company. Got anything to drink?" Thea asked, looking around his opulent hotel suite. Hers was probably an exact copy of his, but she looked around like it was a completely different planet. Thea's curiosity was going to be her down fall one of these days, he thought.
"How strong do you want it?" He asked, heading for the kitchen where there was a small bar, stocked with over priced alcohol and snacks.
"Nothin' too strong. Gotta wine of some sorts?"
"Chardonnay, fine by you?"
"Hit me," Thea sighed, "I don't like what the papers are saying about her."
"You can't control the papers, Thea," Mike said as he poured two glasses, "You know that. You've seen how Papa's been failin' at every turn to do just that. Better to just ignore 'em."
"Yeah, but its heart wrenchin' to see her torn apart like that every day. You know what the Times said about her today? That "she was a doctor who fell far from her oath," how cruel is that?"
Mike walked out of the kitchen and handed a glass to his youngest sister, "Hope's gotta lot of people looking out of her, you know. Those boys at the Institute havta be doin' somethin' like they did when she was kidnapped."
Thea rolled her eyes, "Yeah that ball of charm and hospitality Mr. Logan I really trust him."
Mike took a seat at the small table near the kitchen, "I do. He's a good man. Just a little odd." Odd was a poor word to use, but what other word was there? Mike had seen new footage of the man, tearing through cars and brick walls with those claws of him, and then he'd seen the man charm his mother in two seconds. Odd fit, but to Mike it didn't seem a strong enough word.
"A little? Have you talked with the man? He's more than a little odd. And you know what, I think he's sleepin' with Hope," Thea said, coming around the table and sitting down across from him.
Michael gagged on his wine, "What?"
Thea shrugged, "It's just a feelin' I have."
"Next time, keep you're feelin's to yourself Thea," Michael shook his head, "I don't wanna know about Hope's supposed sex life. She's my little sister for god's sake."
"Mike, we're both your little sister," Thea sighed, "And I never said they were sleepin' together, I just kinda get that impression."
"Thea…" Michael warned, but Thea just glared at him.
"Look, you haven't seen them together like I have."
"Or lord, Thea, you've seen them together?" Michael felt his stomach roll, "I like him, Thea, I don't wanna have to beat 'im up for sleepin' with Hope."
Thea rolled her eyes, "No I haven't seen them together, at least in the sense you mean. That's just wrong that you thought of that right off the bat, Mike."
"You're gonna spell out your whole theory to me ain't ya?" He said, resigned to listening to another one of his sister's odd-ball conspiracy theories. Mike was of the opinion that Thea had watched one too many X-files episodes.
"Mike, she's in the middle of a trial for her life, don't you think that ass McKenna might bring up a personal connection when he cross examines Mr. Logan? I mean how would it look?"
"It would look like McKenna's tryin' to find any little thing to make the jury hate her," Michael sighed again and pushed his wine away from him, "Thea, I'm glad you're lookin' out for Hope, but you're probably wrong. Hope ain't the type to go for men like Mr. Logan, and I'm pretty damn sure Mr. Logan ain't the type to go for Hope."
"But back when Hope was in the hospital, the one in Canada, I came to visit her. All on my own, mind you, so I don't have a witness, but I saw him standing by the side of her bed, holding her hand. He was lookin' at her and a look like that," Thea sighed, "He's sleepin' with her."
"One, since you don't have a witness I'm inclined to believe you're makin' that up," Michael held up a hand to keep Thea from interrupting him, "Two, if she was sleepin' with him, don't you think she'd have told you? Or mom? Hell even me? She never could keep her mouth shut when she had a new man in her life."
"Well, she's changed over the years," Thea muttered, taking a sip from her wine glass, "With findin' out she's…she's…"
"A mutant," Michael snapped, "It's not a sin to say it, Thea."
"I know, I know, it's just kinda weird and all."
"So, you don't like mutants, Thea? I didn't know you were a bigot." A cold ball of fear was forming in Michael's stomach, could his own sister hate what he was? But Thea didn't know about his abilities, only Hope did. Though he had seen his family accepted Hope for her abilities he couldn't bring himself to talk about his powers with them. So his fear turned to anger, trying to defend him from rejection.
Thea looked shocked, "Mike, I didn't mean it like that."
"Then what did ya mean, sis? Because to me it sounds like you've got a problem with mutants," He pushed himself to his feet, "Come on, Thea, what do you mean?"
"Well, okay, maybe it scares me Mike," Thea looked down at her hands wrapped around the stem of the wine glass, "If she's one of them, couldn't we be one too? If you read her work, it seems like the gene runs in the family and I don't think I could handle being a mutant."
Michael sighed, he certainly understood Thea's fears, "I'm sorry, I just over reacted. Look at what's happened to Hope, Thea, you got to see that what the government and public wants for mutants is wrong."
"You sound like an activist."
"Just standing up for family," Michael sighed and sat back down, "You sure he's sleepin' with her?"
"Well I haven't asked her yet, but I'm sure."
"Damn, gonna have to hurt him for that," He smiled and Thea laughed.
"Can you at least wait to see if I'm right?"
"Naw, rather get a crack at him when he's least expectin' it."
"You're horrible, Mike, just horrible."
"Love you too, baby sis."
"Dr. Anderson, what reason brought you to testify here today?" McKenna asked a fifty-something man with thinning salt and pepper hair and beard.
Anderson pushed his glasses up higher on the bridge of his nose, "I had a conversation with Dr. Clearwater on the autopsy finding of Mr. Wilson Trask."
"Why did Dr. Clearwater talk to you about this autopsy?"
"She wanted a second opinion on what could have caused what happened to Mr. Trask. Since I'm an known expert in forensic pathology and mutant genetics she thought it best to ask for my opinion."
"And did you look over Dr. Clearwater's report?"
"I did, yes."
"What did you conclude from looking at the report?"
"Based on the report, a large influx of Mr. Trask bio-electricity caused his heart to beat so fast it burst his blood vessels. This same influx of bio-electricity caused his nerve endings to shred and heat up to the point it liquefied his spinal column."
"How did you come up with this conclusion?"
"I know Dr. Chandler; I've heard her speak many times on what her powers are and how they affect other people. I knew from the police reports that she was the last person to come in contact with Mr. Trask. From that, and the autopsy report, I drew these conclusions."
"Thank you, I have no further questions for this witness," McKenna smiled charmingly at the jury and sat at his table, letting Murdock carefully get to his feet and approach Dr. Anderson.
"So, you based your conclusion all on what other people told you, isn't that correct Dr. Anderson?"
"I guess so."
"Did you conduct any experiments to support you or Dr. Clearwater's conclusion?"
"It would be impossible."
"Why is that?"
"Anyone trying to recreate the results would have to use a living subject; obviously one of the results in this case was death, so…"
"So definitively you can't say one way or another if what happened to Mr. Trask was caused by what you believe it was caused by?"
"I guess not…no."
"Dr. Anderson, when you arrived today, you were briefed by Mr. McKenna, correct?"
"Yes."
"And he told you how court would run, and procedural what not?"
"Again, yes."
"Did he tell you what questions he was going to ask you?"
"Yes, he did."
"And, one last question Dr. Anderson, why are you testifying today?"
"Mr. McKenna said if I didn't, I would be thrown in jail for obstruction of justice."
"I have no further questions, your honor."
"Mr. McKenna, any redirect?" The judge asked, one eyebrow raised.
"No your honor."
"Then we'll break for lunch and finish with your final witness."
Thea Chandler slipped quickly out of the courtroom, feeling a little suffocated by all the news lights and reporters. She was gleefully surprised when she saw Mr. Logan, standing off to the side of the hall. He was watching the people who poured out of the courtroom, while one eye was still watching the door. Guarding the door from the outside or are you looking for someone, Thea wondered. And she thought she knew just who he was looking for. Telling herself it was in Hope's best interest that she find out exactly what his intentions were, Thea sidled up to Logan, smiling brightly.
He glanced at her once, "Miss. Chandler." And then went back to watching the door. Logan was a man of few words, and even fewer emotions, Thea knew that. She hadn't seen him react to much these past few weeks, but that didn't stop Thea from trying to figure out what was going on.
"So…decided to come to court today, I see," She said casually while pretending to be interested in her manicure. She'd act casual, chat him up for a bit then pounce and maybe surprise an answer out of him. If that didn't work she'd charge like a Pamplona bull against that wall of silence of his until she got her answer.
He shrugged, "Just droppin' in on my way to talk with Colonel Fury."
"Some new information?" Thea perked up, almost forgetting her real objective, "I mean, shouldn't you tell Mr. Murdock?"
"Don't know if it'll lead anywhere."
"Oh, guess that's a step in the right direction though."
"Just trying to help," He glanced at her again; this time suspiciously, "Is there somethin' you want, Miss. Chandler?"
"Me? No, well not really," Thea squared her shoulders. Subtle wasn't getting her anywhere, so "Are you sleeping with my sister?"
"What?" He looked completely taken aback for a second and Thea plowed on with her traditional zeal and lack of finesse.
"Well, it's just that I've seen that look before and usually it means that you're either sleeping with the woman or thinking about it. I can't figure out which. With things the way they are I thought I'd just figure out what's going on between you and Hope."
"So, you thought you'd ask me?"
"I don't want to burden Hope," Thea smiled charmingly; "I know if you really care for Hope, you'll tell me."
"First off, that's one low blow. Second, whatever's between your sister and me is between your sister and me, it'll stay that way. Got it?"
"No," Now Thea was in a fightin' mood, that old Southern temper of hers merrily working its way to the surface, "Mr. Logan, I remember watchin' you, standin' by my sister's bed side and holdin' her hand. You're like a son to my father and a god send to my mother, and whatever you are to Hope, she's leanin' on you. She's lookin' to you to help her through this, so, Mr. Logan; I'll ask you again, what's going on between you and my sister?"
Logan growled at her, "Look you…"
"Logan, Thea, is something wrong?" Hope called, walking over to them and interrupting Logan's answer.
"We'll finish this later," Thea whispered out of the corner of her mouth.
"Forewarned is forearmed," He whispered back, before smiling slightly at Hope, "How you doin' Doc?"
"Doing well," She glanced curiously at him, "I thought you were watching the Institute."
"Gotta talk with Fury later, so McCoy's doing the watchin' today. I figured I stop in for a bit before I went to see him."
"Oh, I see."
"You got a good shark on your side, Doc," Logan looked beyond her to where Murdock was holding back the press with Maverick.
"Papa spares no expense," Thea chimed in, "When it comes to family."
"Logan, what's wrong?" Hope asked, noticing the narrow eyed glare Logan was shooting over her shoulder. She turned and saw it was Dr. Anderson who was walking towards them.
"What could he want?" Thea growled, stepping up to flank her sister.
"Thea…" Hope was about to scold her on the protective gesture when Logan pulled her behind him, "Logan!"
"What do ya want, sir?" Thea asked when Anderson reached them.
"I'd like to apologize," Dr. Anderson looked straight at Logan, "If I had known I would have to testify against you, Hope, I would have never indulged Dr. Clearwater."
"Logan," Hope pushed his arm out of the way and stepped out from behind him, "Shaun us a good friend of mine, he won't hurt me." Reluctantly Logan took a step back, but one would have to be blind to miss the warning in his eyes.
"Honestly, Hope," Dr. Anderson took her hands in his, "Mr. McKenna threatened all sorts of legal trouble if I didn't testify. He was ready to file a subpoena. I tried everything I could to keep you from looking bad, but I think I did more harm than good to you. I'm so, terribly sorry."
"It's alright, Shaun, I'm sure you did a fine job. Thank you for trying to protect me."
"I can't bear to think of how the scientific community is going to suffer because of this," He sighed, "Your work is so crucial to these times. If you're locked….well I'm sorry, Hope."
She flashed a weak smile, "I'm sure someone will pick up where I left off if worse come to worse. And it's not over yet, I won't let these Yankees…"
"Hope?"
"I think it would be best if you went about your business, Dr. Anderson," Logan said, placing a protective hand on Hope's shoulder, "Now."
"Yes, of, of course." Dr. Anderson glanced at Hope once more before releasing her hands and disappearing in the crowd. The man may not understand what had caused Hope's sudden freeze, but Logan hadn't missed it. Stryker had just walked in, heading for the courtroom. Logan took a quick glance at his watch and decided Fury could wait.
"Come on Doc, let's get back."
"But…"
"Hey, I'll be right behind you. You got nothin' to worry about."
Logan sat directly behind Hope, watching Stryker as he took the stand and was sworn in. He was not going to enjoy watching this, but he wasn't going to leave Hope.
"My name is William Stryker, S-T-R-Y-K-E-R." Logan glared hard at Stryker, waiting for whatever damaging testimony McKenna was going to try and slip in. Besides making Hope look like bad and maybe somehow make Trask look good, he couldn't think of anything else important that Stryker would know.
"How do you know Mr. Trask, Mr. Stryker?"
"I was involved with his plan to kidnap Dr. Chandler."
"So, you know exactly what Mr. Trask had planned for Dr. Chandler?"
"Yes, I do."
"Objection," Murdock called, "Anything this witness testifies to is hearsay, your honor."
"Actually, your honor, everything the witness says is a matter of government record, S.H.I.E.L.D. has Mr. Trask's plan on record."
"The prosecution should present the plans, not Mr. Stryker."
"As a co-conspirator, Mr. Stryker can testify to the plan, under mullioned," McKenna said through gritted teeth. Obviously he wanted to keep the fact that Stryker was more than just Trask drinking buddy quite. Not that it would sway the jury, Logan thought. Knowing that the jury was being paid off made it hard to sit and listen to the arguments, which was why he had chosen not to tell Hope about it. He had to leave her something to hold on to.
"Mr. McKenna's corrected, Mr. Murdock," the judge sighed, "Go on."
"Did he ever say he meant to harm Dr. Chandler?"
"No."
"What was he going to do with Dr. Chandler?"
"Trask was curious about what mutants could endure; he planed to…observe her over time."
"Did he ever threaten her life?"
"No. She would be useless to him dead."
"Was Dr. Chandler in any imminent danger of losing her life at any time she was with Mr. Trask?"
"No, like I said that would defeat his purpose for her."
"Thank you, Mr. Stryker. I'm done with this witness." Logan knew what that last question, McKenna had laid the foundation that would normally cause people to doubt Murdock's self-defense claim. If Hope wasn't in any imminent danger, she would have no right to kill Trask. Just wait, Logan thought, when he had his chance to speak, and go toe to toe with McKenna. He planned on knocking him down a few pegs.
"Mr. Murdock, would you like to cross examine in witness?" The judge asked while Murdock quickly looked through files.
"Actually, your honor if it's not too much trouble, I would like a minute to prepare before my cross."
"Of course, Mr. Murdock." A murmur spread through the court room. The reporters started taking notes, while the camera men tried to get a better angle on what Murdock was looking at. Even if they got a good angle it wouldn't tell them anything, Logan thought, it's in brail. It was a tense two minutes while Murdock shuffled through his notes, then got to his feet, announcing he was ready to proceed.
"Then by all means, please continue," The judge muttered sarcastically.
"Mr. Stryker, you are actually involved in another trail at this time, aren't you?"
"Objection, beyond the scope," McKenna called, not even bothering to get to his feet.
"It goes to credibility, your honor." Murdock said smoothly. He's got something up his sleeve, Logan thought, watching the casual way Murdock stood.
"This one you can't sneak in, Mr. Murdock. The objection is sustained."
"Well then, Mr. Stryker do you recognize this document?" Murdock asked handing over a typed report, which had been paper clipped to the back of a brail report.
"No."
"Can you read the top title, the one in bold font, please?"
"It says final forensic report on video cassette found in the home of Wilson Trask Jr."
"Could you please read the third paragraph, about the fifth sentence?"
"Umm… at the time the finger prints were first analyzed, they matched no known entry in the system. Later they were found to match one William Stryker."
"So," Murdock made his way back to the table where he picked up an evidence bag with a cassette in it, "This is the tape mention in the report, do you recognize it?"
"Not really, looks like every other tape I've seen."
"Well, Mr. Stryker, you're prints are on this tape. Do you know what is on this tape?"
"Uh, not without seeing it."
"Well, why don't we play it for you and the court then? Bailiff?"
"Objection your honor, I don't see where Mr. Murdock is going with this," McKenna said as the bailiff brought in a television on wheels, complete with VCR. Logan slowly smiled. He knew exactly what was on the tape Murdock was holding. This was going to be interesting. If the judge allowed Murdock to play the tape that was.
"It all goes to credibility your honor. Mr. Stryker said that Mr. Trask never threatened my client's life; I have evidence that says otherwise. The jury deserves to hear it."
"Sorry Mr. McKenna, your objection is over ruled. Go right ahead, Mr. Murdock." With help from the bailiff Murdock started the tape. While Logan could only see the back of the television he knew exactly what image had just appeared on the screen. It would be Trask smiling a polite smile and dressed in the business suit.
"If this video has gone off, then you've broken into my home," Trask said, "First I'd like to congratulate S.H.I.E.L.D. on moving so quickly, kudos for you, but you didn't move fast enough. I have your Dr. Chandler, if you're wondering, which of course you are, but you won't see her again." Logan could see how the camera angle would change and Hope would appear. She would be bounded and gagged, looking drugged out. Then the camera would move back to Trask, "I'm sending a message, S.H.I.E.L.D., a message my father believed in and taught me to believe in. Mutants are a scourge about this earth, a pox on the human population. The government is going to protect them; going to look out for them and the public, the public likes them. Mutants aren't heroes, they aren't revolutionary thinkers like the doctor there, they're monsters. Like my father I intend to protect the human race from them. Dr. Chandler will be used to send a message to every mutant out there, if you, S.H.I.E.L.D agents and Nick Fury, don't find her within the week, that message will be loud and clear. Good luck." The tape clicked off and the court was oddly silent. Murdock looked towards Stryker.
"Well, Mr. Stryker, recognize it now?"
Stryker was silent, then he looked right at Hope, "You're an evil bitch you know that?"
"Your honor!" Murdock yelled, outraged.
"You think you can get away with killing him just because you've got money and a fancy lawyer? Well, you know what? You're wrong! You're going to end up dead too, and you'll be sent straight to hell! Where you and all damn mutants belong!"
"Order! Order!"
"You killed him! You killed him! And you're going to pay!"
"Bailiff, remove Mr. Stryker from the courtroom!" The judge thundered.
"You'll all pay! Every fucking one of you!" Stryker called as he was dragged from the courtroom. Logan ignored the chaos that had erupted, and focused on Hope. She had turned her head away from Stryker when he had started yelling at her, and now she had silent tears rolling down her cheeks. One dripped from her face and fell right to the back of her scared hand. Logan was damn sure now that he should have killed Stryker when he had a chance.
"The prosecution rest, your honor," McKenna said, once order had been restored.
"The defense request a recess until tomorrow, your honor," Murdock said, "For obvious reasons." Logan didn't know how Murdock knew Hope needed a break, but he was grateful he did. The judge glanced towards Hope who was trying to regain her composer.
"So ordered. Court will recess until nine o'clock tomorrow. We're adjourned."
Late night sessions in the Danger Room took a large part of Logan's frustrations, but there was only so much satisfaction he could get from beating machinery. Stryker had set off a whole mess of questions in his head, and there was no one able to answer them. He had tried to push them away, and found that when he did they were replaced by image of Hope and the single tear that had landed on the back of her scared hand. He clenched his hands into fist and guilt and anger rose within him. She said it wasn't his fault, but he should have controlled himself better. She could have ended up with something worse than a scar. She had never healed it either. He was pretty sure she could have fixed the damage without going through reconstructive surgery, but she hadn't. Why was a question he planned on asking when he felt like she could talk about it. As he walked past her room to get to his he stopped to listen, just to check up on her. Through the door he could hear her tossing and turning, not sleeping well at all, but the worst of it was he could hear her whimpering. It was another nightmare. He eased the door to her room open and slipped inside. She was lying in the center of the bed, tangled in the sheets and her head was whipping back and forth on the pillows. He walked over to the side of the bed, settled down on the edge and held her arms down to keep her from lashing out at him when she woke.
"Come on Doc," He said quietly, giving her a slight shake, "You're okay, it's just a dream." She shook her head, twisting underneath his hold. "Come on, Doc, snap out of it. It's not real; it's just a dream, come on."
"No, no," She whimpered, "I didn't do anything wrong."
He shifted his grip to her shoulders and shook her harder, "Come back to me, Hope. Come on." Her eyes fluttered, she wasn't fighting him so much anymore, "That's it, nice and easy. Come on Hope, time to wake up. Don't let it take you, darlin', fight it off." Her eyes suddenly flew open, she gasped and tried to jerk up right, "Easy, easy, it's just me."
"Logan?" She blinked rapidly, clearing the panic from her eyes. He let go of her arms, so she could sit up and struggle her way out of the tangle of blankets. He scooted back to give her some room as she pulled her knees to her chest, wrapped her arms around them and dropped her head to her arms.
"Hey, its okay, Doc," He ran his hand over her hair, trying to be gentle, "It's just a nightmare, it's gone now."
"Oh, it'll be back, they always come back," She whispered, like she was still having the nightmare, "I was in court, I'm really starting to hate that place. Only this court had no doors, or no windows. It was empty too, well the jury was there." She paused to take a deep, shaking breath, "Except, the jury was Trask, and he was laughing at me. That stupid high-pitched laugh of his and I watched him read the guilty verdict. And I tried to run, but there was nowhere to go. I…I was trapped, then it started getting colder and colder and I was back in that fucking shed, and Trask was there, laughing at me. He started to get up…he…he said he'd kill me for…for…for killing him," She broke down, rocking back and forth, while trying to muffle her sobs.
"Hey, hey," He reached out, wrapped his arms around her and shifted her so she lying against his chest, "Easy now, Hope, you're okay. You're safe."
"When is this going to be over? It's not fair that he tried to take everything I've ever know from me, but now he's not even going to let me sleep!" Logan rocked her slowly back and forth, "Why won't he leave me alone? Why won't he just leave me alone?"
Logan reached up and used his thumb to wipe the tears from her cheek, "You're gonna be okay, Hope. You gotta stay strong, gotta fight back."
"How do you fight back against someone who's dead?" Hope curled herself tighter against him, and he held her tighter. The "what if's" of everything was running through Logan's head, what if he had made it in time to get his hands on Trask? Oh, he'd have killed Trask and he wouldn't have held back either. There wouldn't have been enough left of Trask to fill a matchbox, not after what he'd put Hope through. He had to turn up something on this whole mess and soon, she was crumbling fast.
"You can't out run the past, honey, you gotta learn how to roll through the punches," Logan said, "The shadows of it'll haunt you forever if you let them."
"Can't I just take a vacation for a while?" Hope asked, drawing back and wiping at her eyes while she looked at him, "I'm tired of rolling through the punches."
"You need some more rest, Doc, you should go back to sleep," He said softly, brushing a few stray strands of hair back from her face, "You'll feel better in the morning." Hope caught his hand, brought it to her cheek and sighed. She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. Logan gritted his teeth, trying to resist her.
"You make me feel better," she whispered, her words tugging at his gut and stirring desires that were more appropriate for another time.
"You don't need this right now," He said, even as he stroked his thumb over her cheek, brushing dangerously close to her lips.
"What I need is you, Logan." He drew a deep breath, "You can take away the nightmares for me." He couldn't leave her now, but there was no way he was going to take advantage of her.
"I won't go Hope." He laid her down, stretched out beside her, and held her close. With her head tucked against his shoulder, and her hands pinned between them she couldn't start anything, but still he knew she would feel safe like this.
"Logan, no, I want," She started, but Logan shhs her gently and kissed her cheek.
"Go to sleep, Hope."
She went still, and for a moment he thought he might have to explain, but softly she said, "Thank you." He lay there while she slowly drifted back to sleep in his arms.
"I promise, Hope, I'll be here and I won't let you go without a fight."
Author's Note: Regarding Dr. Anderson's testimony, its pseudo-science. Like most X-men science, it's based in reality, but tweaked. So, please, no comments on how wrong it is, I know it's wrong. I meant for it to be that way. And can you tell I'm getting lazy with these court scenes? Oh, and possibly the most important thing in all of this, FLUFF! Wonderful, beautiful, fluff!