Jaden fell asleep the second that her head hit the pillow that night. The trial had been very stressful on her. The jury had come back with their verdict rather quickly then one had expected. Vincent Whitham was going away for a very long time. That had put Jaden's mind at peace. Now if her father was to share the same fate Vincent had then she had nothing to worry about. She would have several days to dwell on it for her father's trial was four days away. It would seem like the longest four days of her life

The Stabler family and Jaden entered the court room. Jaden never once let go of Andy's hand. She clung to him like he was her life force. Sitting down she could feel her nerves starting to get the better part of her. Andy took a hold of both her hands and looked into her eyes

"You can do this, we'll all be right here with you."

"What if he doesn't go to jail—I mean what if he tries to hurt Jamie or me?"

"You have nothing to worry about. Jaden, it's time that you let someone take care of you."

Jaden only offered a small smile as she laid her head on his shoulder. After her mother's passing she had taken on the role of mother to her young sister. She had never let anyone take care of her because she was far too busy taking care of Jamie to worry about herself. When Elliot and his family had taken them in it had baffled her why he would take them in. It was nice to have people that you could count on to be there for you when you needed them to be. It wasn't a long wait before court was in session.

"We call Jaden Scott to the stand." her heart felt like it had jumped into her throat.

Still Jaden felt uneasy sitting there with everyone just looking at her with intent. The questions Casey had asked were emotionally easier on her. Unfortunately when she was to be cross examined the next questions weren't going to be easy ones.

"Why didn't you just take your sister and leave?"

"My father said that if I tried that he'd make sure that Jamie knew what real pain was. I didn't have any place to go until I met Kathleen and her family. I never met a family more loving then them."

"Why didn't you go to the police?"

Jaden swallowed hard "We were taught that if we ever went to the police that Jamie and I would never see each other again. That they weren't to be trusted I wasn't going to let anything happen to her." she gave her father a cold look as she spoke again "I wasn't going to let what happened to me happen to my sister."

"What was so different about that night you left?"

"He had threatened to expose Jamie to what he had put me through for the last eight years!" her voice now shook with anger. Jaden stopped herself she couldn't believe that she had let her emotions run away with her like that.

There was a hush that fell over the court room. She had never told anyone just how long that it had been going on for, and her blurt out in court had stunned everyone.

"No further questions." the defense was not prepared for that.

"The witness may step down." even the judge sounded like she was affected.

"Court is in recess and will adjourn in fifteen minutes." it was clear that everyone needed a break especially Jaden.

Elliot had so badly wanted to strangle her father but kept his anger in tact. Jaden looked up at them tearfully. She was such a mess. Elliot stepped forward and pulled her in close to him. Inside she must be feeling so lost he thought to himself.

"You did great up there you want to get some fresh air?"

"Please. I'm sorry."

"For what?" What could she possibly sorry for?

"For saying cops couldn't be trusted, I know that's not true anymore."

"Come on we'll get you some air."

Moving away from Elliot she clung back to Andy. He placed his hand on the small of her back guiding her out of the court room. The two of them exited the building. Leaning against a wall she slid herself down into a sitting position.

"I don't know what came over me I can't believe I reacted like that."

"Listen I know you past isn't filled with happy memories, but that's in the past." kneeling in front of her he looked deep into her eyes and into her soul he knew she was dying inside "I'm not going anywhere no matter what happened to you it won't make me leave."

Jaden just fell into his protective arms. She never left so loved by the opposite sex as she did now. Love wasn't something she experienced at all. Andy just sat there comforting his girl. Tiny drops of rain began to fall from the sky and onto the ground. The sky that had once been a brilliant blue was now a dark grey. The rain bounced off the ground. Pulling himself off the ground he extended his hand outward to her she quickly grabbed on and the two ran back into the shelter of the building.

The trial quickly resumed after a fifteen minute recess. Jaden's questioning was over. But her reliving that night was far from being over. The next witness to be called to testify was Dr. Coleman.

"Dr. Coleman you were the one who examined Miss Scott the night detective Stabler brought her in is that right?" Casey asked.

"Yes that's correct."

"And what were your findings?"

"That Miss Scott had been exposed to prolonged abuse for a number of years. Both physical and sexual abuse."

"In your opinion how long would you say that she had been abused?"

"I'd say at least five years. There was scaring from pervious incidents."

"Nothing further." Casey took her seat she caught a glimpse of Jaden's face it was painted with a pained expression. She was doing the worst thing to a rape victim. Making her remember.

Jaden's father sat that his anger started to boil over. Clenching his hand into a fist he couldn't help it anymore. No one was going to tell him how he was to treat his family.

"She's my god dammed daughter and I'll treat her how I want!" his blow up had surprised everyone.

"I'd advise you to control your client." the judge warned.

His lawyer quietly advised Mr. Scott to keep it down or he would be found in contempt of court. Still he wasn't going to let someone tell him that he was in the wrong. Standing up Jaden's heart began to race. Taking a look around the court room Mr. Scott caught sight of his daughter. Pointing at her he began yelling at her.

"You brought this on yourself, you deserve everything that I gave you, you ungrateful slut!"

Jaden just sat there fear evident in her eyes. She feared that her father would try to attack her once again. His lawyer was trying his best to calm his client down. His efforts were completely hopeless nothing was going to stop him front ranting.

"Mr. Scott I warned you to control your self. Officers remove the defendant from the court." ordered the judge.

It took four court officers to haul him out of the court room. The jury was all stirred up. The event that had just unfolded before them mostly defiantly would have an impact on their decision. Sending the jury to go deliberate on his fate the judge dismissed court until a verdict had been reached.

Elliot decided that it be best for a change of scenery. Despite the rain they headed over to a near by diner for a little something to eat. Casey would call if and when a verdict was reached. Silently Jaden thanked Elliot for taking them out she didn't want to be there any longer.

"You okay?" Kathleen asked as the waitress placed the appropriate plates in front of their owners.

"Yeah, just a bit exhausted." she said placing an arm around her sister.

"Jaden I don't want to go back with daddy I wanna stay here with you."

"I don't think we have to worry, now eat up before your food gets cold."

Dinner was interrupted an hour after they sat down and started eating by Elliot's cell phone. Heading back to the court room she finally allowed Jamie to come in. Sitting her down on her lap she held her tight. She drew in a breath when they brought her father back into the court room. All of her pain and suffering came down to twelve men and women, to one moment. The bailiff was handed the verdict and handed it to the judge. Quickly reading it she handed it back to the bailiff to be read by a member of the jury.

"How does the jury find the defendant?"

"We the jury find the defendant guilty."

All of reality seemed to stop at one particular moment. Her father was finally going to stop inflicting pain on her. Kathleen grabbed her friend in a giant hug. Tears ready to fall in both girls' eyes. Turning to Andy she hugged him as they pulled apart they looked into each other's eyes. Wiping a stray tear from her eye he hugged her again. Jaime tried her best to understand what was going on. Tugging on her sister's coat she looked around at the people they all seemed happy. Bending down to her sister's height Jamie asked why everyone was so happy.

"We're going to be alright now." she picked her sister up and embraced her in a hug.

Things were going to start getting better for the both of them. They wouldn't have to worry about their father for quite a long time. They could start a new life one where Jaden's past would be just that past.

That night at the Stabler's residence Jamie sat in the front room drawing to her little hearts content. In the kitchen supper was just being served. Taking a seat at the table Jaden called Jamie to the table.

"One second I just wanna finish this." several second of digging through crayons could be heard. "Okay all done." she came running into the kitchen her drawing in hand.

Placing it in Jaden's lap a smile grew across her face. It was a picture of the two of them. Jaden had a skate board in her hand like the other drawings but the difference was she had no spots. Just a smile.