"But we have new information." Luke protested as he followed after Cook.

"Luke... everyday for the past 2 weeks you've came into my office and told me you've found new evidence, you have new information, that we're all on the wrong track."

"I know, but..."

"We've already started the trial Luke... Any information you have now will just have to wait and show itself at the appeal, providing there is one."

Cook attempted to walk away. Luke grabbed her by the arm. "What's more important to you, finding the real guy that did this, or following your little detective guide book?"

Cook's eyes focused strongly on his. "Go home Mr. Danes. We've nothing more to discuss."

(Courtroom 3 days later)

"Please stand for the honorable Judge Paul Cheney."

"You may be seated." The judge fiddled around with some papers, and then took a sip of water. Everyone in the courtroom waited impatiently for him to speak. Finally, he looked up from his papers. "Has the jury reached a verdict?" he asked.

"We have your honor." The leading juror answered while standing from his seat.

"Please inform the court." The judge replied.

Everyone became deathly silent. Lorelai and Rory were clutching onto each other. Sookie and Jackson had their hands locked. Luke sat firmly, yet awkwardly in his seat trying to not show any signs of emotions. Dean had his eyes closed breathing deeply, and Jess sat cooly with his arms crossed.

"We the jury find the defendant Jess Mariano guilty of murder."

A rush of gasps flew over the courtroom. Whispers broke lose, and sounds of crying became audible. Luke fought back the tears and it was the hardest battle of his life. Jess's body was shaking a little from the shock, he looked down and focused on a single tile of the floor. The room around him and the people in it became distant. How could this be? All the testimonies, all the witnesses, they were in Jess's favor.

"Order... Order." The judge proclaimed as he pounded his gavel. The courtroom reluctantly grew silent again. "Continue, please."

"We the jury find the defendant Dean Forester guilty of murder."

Faces froze. Mouths dropped. Tears fell. Hearts thumped. Both boys, guilty. Lorelai looked over at Rory who was crying silently. She glanced over at Luke who had his head buried in his hands. She suddenly felt nauseous as if she needed to puke. She heard the pounding of the gavel once again. She looked up and tried to focus on the judge.

"Mr. Mariano, please stand for your sentence."

Jess slowly and shakily stood to his feet.

"Mr. Mariano you are sentenced to 100 years in prison. Your sentence will take place immediately after you leave the courtroom today. You have no possibility of parole." The judge paused. "Mr. Forester, please stand."

Dean who was wiping away a few tears, stood to his feet.

"Mr. Forester, you are sentenced to 120 years in prison, no possibility of parole. Your sentence will be effective immediately after you leave court today. Court is dismissed." Cheney pounded the gavel one last time. Each thump driving a nail in Dean and Jess's hearts.

Luke quickly ran up to Jess before the police handcuffed him. "We'll appeal... Don't worry..." Luke blurted as they carried Jess out of the court. Jess looked back at him, and for the first time ever, Luke saw a frightened little boy. The saddest part being, this time... Jess wasn't guilty.

Luke closed the diner down for a few days. He was in no mood to work, and furthermore no condition. Lorelai hadn't been to the inn either. Rory was still going to school, since she had missed a couple of days to attend the trial. If it wasn't for that reason however, she would be laying in her bed refusing to face the cruel world that surrounded her.

Lorelai desperately wanted to call Luke, but she knew now wasn't the time. Then again, when would be? The pain he must be feeling had to be beyond Lorelai's understanding. She kept asking herself, what if it was Rory who had been sent to jail for 100 years? The thought alone was enough to break Lorelai's heart, she couldn't imagine it being the actual truth. Lorelai had hope for the appeal, but she knew it was slim. She felt like the innocense of Stars Hollow had been taken away. The storybook world in which they lived had been slammed shut, never to open again. She realized that things were bad, but when Rory came home with a black eye and busted lip she realized bad was an understatement.