All of Jaden's mental and emotional preparations helped to slightly calm her nerves. She found herself finally able to face both men for what they truly were only to come to find out that her case would have to wait because one of Novack's other cases took an unexpected turn. They were now trying for an insanity plea. This meant unfortunalty Jaden would have to wait another two days before her trial would begin. All that waiting simply made Jaden go stir crazy. Deciding after being cooped up for one day she had to relieve her stress the only way she knew how. Skateboarding. Choosing to go alone Jaden headed straight for the nearest skate park where she joined the other riders. Some of which were more talented then her, mostly because they had more experience then her. But just setting foot on a board and forgetting about what happened to her and allowing herself to be a normal teenager was just what she needed. The stress of the upcoming trial had begun to plague her with headaches.

Jaden got so caught up she didn't realize just how long she had been skating for. Growing concerned that she hadn't yet returned Elliot and Kathleen decided to go in search of her. Jamie had fallen asleep while waiting for Jaden to come back. Arriving at the skate park they found Jaden still pouring her heart into her skating. It was the only way she felt really free. Elliot started to move forward but was stopped by Kathleen who shot her father a look that screamed 'wait, let her finish'. They wouldn't have to wait very long before she stopped, but not of her own accord. Hitting the rail just a bit too hard she lost her balance and went crashing to the ground. Luckily she was smart enough to wear a helmet or she might not have walked away with such minimal injuries. Kathleen and Elliot ran to her side easing her up ever so slightly. Inspecting herself she found that there were only a few scrapes and cuts. Shaking it off she momentarily let go of them but found herself soon regretting her actions. The way she landed she ended up twisting her ankle in the process.

"You okay?" Elliot placed a protective arm on her back incase she needed it again.

"Yeah I think that I twisted my ankle though." picking her board up she knew that it was going to bruise.

"Let's get some ice on that before it swells up." Elliot offered to carry her back since the walk wasn't that far. But Jaden being Jaden wanted to prove to herself that she was strong enough. She would accept no such help.

Limping back only two blocks she began wishing that she had taken him up on his offer but she had to prove to herself that she was strong, though there really wasn't any reason to do so.

"What happened?" Kathy came over to assist in helping Jaden to the couch.

Carefully sliding off her shoe Kathy was surprised that it had swelled up so fast. Surely walking two blocks didn't help it any. Setting a small bag of ice onto her ankle Jaden let a hiss out the second it hit the skin.

"It's just a skateboarding accident."

"Try to keep off of it for the night."

Jamie came running into the living room at the sound of her sister's voice. She had fallen asleep somewhere around eight. All she wanted to do was say good night.

"Aren't you supposed to be asleep?"

"I'm sorry I wanted to say good night." climbing up beside Jaden she noticed the bag of ice set on her ankle "Did Daddy do that?"

"No I fell of my board. I'm alright let's get you—" Jaden stopped mid sentence she knew Jamie had fallen back to sleep.

Moving to get up she stopped at Kathy's instructions. She carried the sleeping child and set her down on the bed in Maurine's old room.

"Kat are you gonna be there?"

"Believe me I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"It's just, that I'm not too sure how Jamie is going to react to it all."

"I'll take care of her. She asked to go?' Kathleen wasn't so sure that someone so young should be placed in such a setting.

"I figure that once she sees that he going to be put away things are going to be alright."

Jaden wouldn't allow Jamie to be in the court room until the verdict was to be delivered by the jury. Someone so young and innocent shouldn't have those images in their head.

"Thank you for being here. I don't think I've ever had friends like you, Bryan and Andy."

"Get some rest; you're going to need it."

Leaving Jaden for the night Kathleen retreated to her room for the rest of the night. Still rather nervous about going to trial Jaden decided to read the last little bit of "Dracula". Falling asleep after reading only seven pages the book slipped from her grasp landing on her stomach.

The Stabler house was dark save for the lamp that had been used by Jaden. All was quiet and peaceful. Each of the houses' occupants were safe and soundly sleeping. The front door opened with such incredible force that it broke clean off its hinges. Waking up Jaden was surprised but more so horrified to see her father standing there before her when he was supposed to be in custody. Surely they couldn't have let him go. Her father moved so quickly she didn't even have the chance to runaway. He had her pinned right where he wanted her.

"I'll make you sorry for what you've done to me!" in his raised hand was a knife, he plunged it towards her for the killing blow.

Jaden shot straight up her nightmare had been so vivid that it felt like it had happened. The door was still intact none of it had happened. Still she got up and made sure that the door was still locked. Sitting back down on the couch she could hear someone shuffle down the hallway. At first she thought that it was him but was relieved to find that it was Jamie who had Mr. Flopples by one arm.

"Jaden I can't sleep can I stay here with you?" she looked so cute standing there half asleep.

"Come on up. Did you have a nightmare?" if she did Jaden prayed that it wasn't like hers.

"No, I just can't sleep. Jaden?"

"How come Daddy doesn't love us?"

Jaden knew that eventually that this question would arise at some point. There was no quick answer for it. Jaden sat there wondering 'Did he ever love us?' sadly it seemed that he loved hurting them more. There was no way that he loved his daughters.

"I don't know sweetie—"

"Jaden I still love you even if he doesn't." that brought rears to Jaden's eyes. Her sister was such a good kid.

The two sisters lay on the couch Jaden with her ankle propped up by a pillow, and Jamie who cuddled close to her sister. Jamie felt a sense of protection wrapped in her sister's arms. Settling down Jaden let her tiredness sweep over he like a crashing wave.

Monday morning rolled around. Jamie was still cuddled into Jaden when everyone came down for breakfast. This was probably the biggest and most stressful day of Jaden's life. Shaking both girls awake Jaden shot up still jumpy from last night's eerie dream. She half expected to see her father staring at her but found herself looking into Kathy's face. Mentally slapping herself for being so silly Jaden moved off the couch and into the kitchen her ankle throbbing with each step that she took. Poking at the food on her plate like a little kid Jaden was far too nervous to eat. Her stomach was in knots.

"You gotta try to eat something." pressed Kathy.

"I don't think I could keep it down."

It wasn't much but at least she got something into her. As they drove to the court house Elliot looked into the rear view mirror Jaden looked as white as a sheet. Despite the age difference Jamie was trying her hardest to comfort her big sister.

"Is daddy going to be there?"

"Yeah, he'll be there."

"But he can't hurt either of you any more." interjected Elliot

Andrew Scott had done enough damage to last someone their life time. Jaden had been scarred for life whereas her sister was lucky that had hadn't been exposed to the horrors of the basement. If Jaden hadn't of mustered up the courage to say enough was enough she very well might have been exposed to it. Limping into the court room it all seemed like something from a movie. Casey quickly made sure that Jaden was ready for the hard hitting questions. There was no way in hell that Jaden was going to allow her sister be in the same room as she explained in detail what had happened to her. Both men were to be tried at the same time which put more stress on the jury. The moment that she had been dreading was finally here.

"We call Jaden Scott to the stand."