He paced the alleyway behind the courthouse glancing at his watch regularly while Livia's words repeated in his mind. He would have to sit on that witness stand and admit his love for Kendall… to save her from a life of crippling dependence he would have to overcome his own very instinctual need for privacy. Did Livia realize the magnitude of what she was asking? Did she have any idea how difficult it would be for him to lower all of his defenses and admit his feelings… especially to such a hostile crowd? In doing this he would be giving ammunition that his enemies could use against them… Kendall's enemies now, too… but at the same time he could be saving Kendall's life. If Erica prevailed, Kendall's life was over… although her heart would still be beating, she would have no life in the truest sense of the word.

He paused in his pacing and breathed deeply. Even as he had walked out of that courtroom he had known that he had no choice in the matter. He knew now why Livia had been so deliberately vague when discussing his testimony with him… she did not want him to have time or preparation for a rehearsed statement… she knew very well his ability to mask his true feelings… and she needed for him to be open – and vulnerable. If he was honest with himself, he had to admit that controlling his emotions was a comfortable way of managing his life, but admitting them in an open courtroom was not the fearful act that many might think it was. However, he was concerned that any admission of his love for Kendall might inadvertently cause her harm… and that he could not bear. Right now, it was necessary for her freedom and her recovery… but he would be held up to ridicule by her family for this admission… and he could not stand the thought that she might suffer pain, anger or embarrassment from his feelings for her. He could accept that she did not love him… he could even accept that his life would be lived without her… but he had hoped that she would at least remember their brief friendship and marriage with warmth and perhaps even tenderness. After today, though, if Erica prevailed he was afraid that she might use his feelings both as punishment and proof that Kendall was incapable of making decisions for herself… which meant that he had to overcome more than twenty years worth of defenses to persuade the judge to rule in Bianca's favor.

Zach shook his head and pulled his suit jacket tighter around him against a gust of wind. He had no choice. His own hopes and dreams were nothing more than uncomfortable baggage that he couldn't completely divest himself of… Kendall was all that mattered. He had to do everything in his power to free her from Erica's influence and control. His life did not matter. He had reached that decision while sitting in the waiting room during Kendall's surgery and bargaining with a ruthless universe for her life… he could not now back away and claim that the game was unfair. If he had to bare everything, he would do it with quiet dignity and with a depth of emotion that would surprise them all. To do any less would not honor the wife that he loved… and it would not honor the sacrifice of his own life. That he considered his life an unworthy substitute for Kendall's was not the point… it was all that he had to give for her and he would make that sacrifice worthy of her.

Having come to terms with a decision that had never been in doubt, he straightened his jacket, returned to the building and quietly entered the courtroom. He noted the relieved expressions on the faces of Bianca, Myrtle and even Livia… and was pleased that they at least realized the enormity of what they had asked him to do. He seated himself next to Myrtle and patted her hand gently.

"Are you quite alright?" she whispered to him.

Zach nodded his head without response before assisting her in rising as the judge re-entered the courtroom and called for Livia to make her case.

The testimony was very straightforward. Bianca was the first witness and she explained how and why she had changed her opinion of Zach and why she opposed her mother's petition to become Kendall's guardian. Myrtle's statement was brief, but it was helpful in that she was one person who had never doubted Zach's intentions toward Kendall… and she was the first person to openly mention Zach's love for Kendall. That statement was greeted by Erica and those surrounding her with gasps and exclamations which were quickly condemned by the judge. Inwardly Zach cringed at what he knew he could expect when his own testimony was finally called upon.

Each of Kendall's physicians and caregivers gave similar testimony. They praised Bianca and Zach for the way they treated Kendall and the unanimity of their decisions about her care. It became quite clear that Zach had never acted rashly or without consultation with both Bianca and Erica on Kendall's treatment. Zach was especially touched by the testimony of Shannon, who had been Kendall's nurse in the ICU. She made a point of mentioning the music that Zach had provided and the way he both read to her and talked to her… and gave him more credit for her waking from the coma than he felt he deserved. Livia also elicited testimony from the doctors and therapists on how detrimental the discontinuation of Kendall's therapy was to her prognosis. In all, they painted a picture of a woman who had the opportunity to recover and resume her life, but only if the interference of an overly protective parent was controlled. Livia had done her job extremely well.

As each witness testified, Zach counted down to the time that he would be asked to give his testimony. Even though his face was inscrutable, his emotions were in turmoil as to his ability to break the control that had been so ingrained into his public persona. He found himself wondering if it would be possible to give Livia what she was asking of him and hoping that his love for Kendall would be enough of a motivation.

The final witness before Zach was the psychiatrist that Dr. Donelson had recommended. Zach was particularly interested in her assessment of Kendall's mental and emotional well-being and put aside his own musings to pay closer attention. Once her credentials had been established, Livia began questioning the doctor… and also laying the groundwork for Zach's statement.

"How much time did you spend with Kendall Slater, doctor?" Livia asked.

"I visited with her on four separate occasions for a total of three hours," she answered.

"And on those occasions, who else was in the room?" Livia continued.

"When I first met Mrs. Slater I was accompanied by Dr. Donelson. Mrs. Slater was in the room alone, although I believe that her mother and sister were expected to join her for breakfast. On the next occasion, Mrs. Montgomery was present. During the last two visits there was no one else present," the psychiatrist replied.

"I see. Was there a reason for four visits rather than the one visit made by Dr. Weston?" Livia asked.

"The first time I visited, Mrs. Slater had just re-acquired her ability to speak and found communicating with me difficult. On the second occasion she refused to speak at all. I felt that direct communication with her was important in forming my opinion and made a third visit the next day in the early morning hours, before her mother arrived. During that visit she asked me to return, and I did."

"And what opinion did you form?" Livia asked.

"I cannot disagree with the assessment that Mrs. Slater is depressed, but that is to be expected considering her injuries. However, I did not find her so impaired that her wishes should be disregarded," was the reply.

"In what ways have her wishes been disregarded, doctor?"

The psychiatrist answered, "She has repeatedly requested information about her husband's absence. She also indicated to me that she wanted assistance from her speech therapist. And she mentioned a desire to see her niece… Miranda, I believe."

"What is your recommendation with regard to the petitions?" Livia queried.

The psychiatrist sighed, "It is clear to me that Mrs. Slater's best interests are served by her sister's guidance. Miss Bianca Montgomery has consistently made decisions that will assist her sister in recovering as much as physically possible. I also believe that the decision by Mrs. Erica Montgomery to remove Mr. Slater from the hospital and the decision-making process have been detrimental to her condition and perhaps even her prognosis. In reviewing Mrs. Slater's records I do not find that her husband's decisions were in any way harmful to her… and the care he exhibited was very much that of a loving and supportive spouse."

Livia smiled before responding, "A loving and supportive spouse? Would you please elaborate, doctor?"

"Mr. Slater essentially gave over his life to the care of his wife… he arranged for a room at the hospital, met with her physicians frequently and spent several hours each day with her – in any capacity that her caregivers recommended. His efforts to reach his wife during her coma were significant… providing her with music, reading to her and carrying on conversations with her were all beneficial. But it did not stop with that… as has already been testified, Mrs. Slater depended heavily on him while she was being weaned from the ventilator. Once she was breathing on her own, he continued to sit with her and encourage her in her therapy. She was responsive to him, no matter what form that response took. A stubborn nature will aid in recovery if it is nurtured… meek compliance will not. I believe that Mr. Slater recognized that and used it to his wife's advantage. In addition, Mrs. Slater's physicians and caregivers all speak very highly of her husband," the doctor replied.

"Have you ever spoken with Mr. Slater?" Livia responded.

"No, I have not. My observations are based on my review of the file and interviews with Mrs. Slater's caregivers," she answered honestly.

"Have you spoken with either of the petitioners?" Livia asked.

"Yes, I have spoken to them both," she answered.

"Thank you, Dr. Samuelson. I have no further questions," Livia finished.

Vera Childs rose and asked, "If you have never spoken with Mr. Slater, how can you form an accurate opinion of his motives? It seems to me that you are inferring rather a lot on a man you have never met."

The psychiatrist replied with a question of his own, "If your sole motive in directing someone's care was to seek financial gain, would you allow someone else to run your business and move into the hospital to sit with a coma patient?"

Ms. Childs turned to the judge, "Would you please direct the witness to answer my question, your honor?"

The judge looked sharply at the psychiatrist who responded, "As I stated before, my opinion is based on Mrs. Slater's medical records and interviews with her caregivers. I would, however, be more than happy to meet with Mr. Slater if you would like."

"That won't be necessary, thank you. I have nothing further," the attorney replied with an irritated edge to her voice.

After the psychiatrist left the witness stand, Livia rose from her seat and said, "I call Zach Slater as my final witness."