A/N: THIS CHAPTER WILL SET THE PLOT FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER. MUCH THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE READ AND REVIEWED, PLEASE CONTINUE TO. YOU WOULD THINK AFTER ALL OF THIS TIME, I WOULD OWN AT LEAST ONE OF THEM, BUT SADLY THEY DON'T BELONG TO ME.

CHAPTER 29: THE TRUTH COMES OUT

Dinner that night consisted of Chinese takeout , the atmosphere was tense, the only sound in the room was Woody scraping his food against the plate. Jordan hadn't pushed the issue of his moodiness or early release from work, but she couldn't help but feel that he was hiding something from her; he had barely said two words all evening. "Are you gonna eat that or just push it around your plate?", she asked with a cautious chuckle; her weak attempt at humor failing miserably. "I'm not really hungry. I'm gonna go to bed.", Woody replied softly, as he started to clear the table. "I've got this Woods, you go rest.", she suggested, kissing the top of his head. "Thanks.", he whispered, retreating to the bedroom.

Jordan and Millie had just settled on the couch, after her feeding, when the doorbell rang. "Bug, what brings you here?", Jordan asked in a cheerful but surprised voice. "Oh..um..I was in the neighborhood and I thought I'd stop by. You know, to hold my little 'niece' without Nigel hovering around.", he chuckled, then held his arms out for Millie. "We just left the morgue a few hours ago Bug, did you miss us that much?", Jordan joked as they sat on the couch. They made small talk for a few minutes before Bug reveled the true purpose of his visit. "So where's Woody, isn't he home yet?", he asked, scanning the room. "Actually he came home a little early today. He went to bed, said he wasn't feeling well. But if you need to see him, I'll wake him.", Jordan offered, her curiosity getting the best of her. "No that's okay, I just have a question about a case we're working on. I can ask him later.", Bug answered, hesitantly.

Bug stayed for a little while before leaving for home. That night, for Jordan, kept getting stranger, and the phone call she had just received was the last straw. She entered the bedroom expecting Woody to be sound asleep, he wasn't. "What the hell is going on?", she asked in a firm but hushed tone, careful not to wake the now sleeping baby in her arms. "What do you mean?", Woody sighed. Jordan sat on the bed beside him. "Well first of all you came home early from work, you didn't eat dinner. Next Bug came over for an impromptu visit, he seemed worried about a case you're working on. Then I get a cryptic phone call from Sidney, asking how you're doing and to call him when you're feeling better, because he needs to talk to you about some case. So what's this case and why is it upsetting everyone?", she asked, her voice rising a bit.

Woody looked from a spot on the ceiling, down to the bed, his eyes never meeting Jordan's. "It's nothing, just a stupid case, don't worry about it.", he snapped. "Fine.", she replied hastily. "I'll put Millie in her crib tonight and sleep in the guest bedroom.", she added, rising quickly. "No stay Jo, I need you.", he whispered pleadingly, grabbing her free hand. Jordan nodded, taken aback by his demeanor. She placed Millie into the bassinet next to the bed and climbed in next to Woody. She snuggled in close, wrapping her arms around him tight. She pulled out her hand and ran her fingers through his hair. He grabbed her hand and kissed it gently, "I love you so much Jordan.", he whispered. "I love you too, Woody.", she replied confused and sad, a single tear making it's way down her cheek.

Woody had been plagued with nightmares all night, which wasn't all that unusual, given the time of year. That along with Millie's feedings, equaled no sleep for the Hoyt family. Luckily, Woody was off the next day, so resting wouldn't be a problem, that is after his therapy session. The only problem was that Jordan still did not know what was really bothering Woody. She wanted to ask him about this 'secret' case or the nightmares, but figured that was due to the fact that the second anniversary of his shooting was only about two weeks away. The day passed quickly, it was their turn to host the weekly Hoyt gathering, Jordan was tempted to cancel the dinner, but Woody wouldn't hear of it and in the end, Jordan figured it might cheer him up a little.

Woody's mood had lightened a little, after his therapy appointment. He helped Jordan with the cooking and cleaning and took care of Millie while she got ready. Cal and Colleen were the first to arrive, Jordan was just finishing up dinner. "Hey there little buddy.", Woody stated as Colleen handed Colin to him, then left to help Jordan in the kitchen. "Hey, you okay man? Jordan said you weren't..um...yourself.", Calvin asked, cradling Millie in one arm. "What am I, the hot topic of conversation?", Woody replied defensively. "No I was just...",Cal started to say as the doorbell rang. "I'm fine Calvin.", Woody stated, handing Colin to his brother, and wheeling over to answer the door.

Dolly and Nigel stood beaming in the doorway, "Hi guys, sorry were late.", Dolly said with a giddy laugh. "No you're just in time, dinner is served.", Jordan called from the doorway, and they all made their way to the dinning room. Both babies cooperated and let the adults eat without interruption. The guys were involved in a deep discussion on the upcoming baseball season while the ladies were admiring the 'friendship' ring that Nigel gave to Dolly that past weekend. "So how was your little trip to the vineyard?", Jordan asked Dolly with a wink. "It was magical, Nigel is such a gentleman.", Dolly replied with a giggle, then turned to face the rest of the table.

Dolly stood and tapped her wine glass with a spoon to get everyones attention. "Nigel and I have an announcement to make. He's asked me to move in with him...and I have accepted.", she stated proudly, slipping her hand in his, then looking over at Woody for his approval. He nodded slightly. The table broke out into cheers, the girls squeeled in delight, Cal gave Nigel a firm hand shake and a pat on the back. Woody gave Nigel a 'over-protective big brother' type look then broke out into a huge grin. "My cousin is an exceptional gir...woman, you've made the right choice.", Woody said, extending his hand to Nigel.

The room was so loud, no one heard the knocking on the door until the visitor started to pound. "I'll get it.", Cal offered, rising from his seat. "Hey Jordan, it's for you.", Cal called from the foyer. Jordan rushed through the kitchen to the door, a huge smile still gracing her face. She acknowledged the visitor, whom she recognized immediately, signed for the envelope and shut the door. Jordan opened the envelope and started to read the letter. A gasp escaped as she walked back into the dinning room, the smile she had was now replaced by confusion and shock.

"Woody is this why you've been so upset, why didn't you tell me about this?", Jordan rambled, still looking down at the papers in disbelief. "What is it Jordan?", Cal asked, standing next to his sister-in-law and looking down at what she was reading. "It's a summons to appear in court Monday, for the trial of Tommy Riggs.", Jordan whispered. "That makes sense Luv. You were the M.E. on call for the first shooting. The defense would have to call you.", Nigel explained in a comforting tone, knowing how sensitive they all were about this subject. Jordan shook her head, "No Nige, I'm being called as a witness for the prosecution. I'm being called up by the state, in defense of his brother...Wayne Riggs."