Dean wasn't entirely sure how he managed to stay sane throughout the day while he and Sam waited for Bobby to come home. It was the first day of opening arguments in Caleb's trial, and while this was a rodeo he thought he was prepared for, he knew nothing could prepare him for the realization that Caleb was on trial for his life. Bobby checked in with them periodically throughout the day, but hadn't been able to give them a clear-cut explanation of what had happened during the proceedings, and what evidence both sides had presented. It was nerve-wracking for Dean, who was on edge the entire day as a result.

He couldn't even imagine what would happen if Caleb was convicted. He knew that Caleb would probably have to go to prison, likely for the rest of his life, but that was a thought that Dean couldn't even fathom, so he tried his hardest not to.

"Dean?"

"Yeah, Sam?" he asked, swiveling his head around to glance at his little brother, as he laid still on the sofa in the living room.

"Bobby's back."

"He is?"

"Yeah. He just pulled in."

Finally he would get the answers he had been craving to hear from the older hunter, as he and Sam beat a path to the back garage door where Bobby would walk in. As promised, he brought goodies home for dinner, but for once, Dean wasn't interested in the food.

"So what happened?" Dean asked quietly, not entirely sure he wanted to hear the answer, as he studied Bobby closely for his reaction.

"Well, both sides presented their arguments."

Sometimes, in major cases like this one, the opening arguments could encompass two or three days, but they had managed to finish it that day. It was a relief to Bobby, and he knew to Caleb, that they wouldn't have to sit through more drawn-out testimony from the prosecutor.

"And they're finished?" Dean prompted, exchanging uneasy looks with Sam.

It was a relief to have that part of the trial done with already, but it would only draw them closer to the conclusion, and Dean wasn't sure he would be able to accept whatever the jury came up with, especially if it was the worst possible outcome.

"They are. The prosecution took the longest, I would say, but that was because he kept rambling on about crap that didn't even matter," Bobby said, shaking his head in disgust. "Dawn kept hers simple and to the point, and from what I could tell from the jury, they were paying attention."

"To her?"

"Yes."

That was good; it showed the jury had already picked a tentative side they were interested in, and had showed that interest by paying special attention to her when she spoke. It wasn't enough to ease the crippling fears from Dean's mind. Far from it, but it was still a positive sign in the right direction.

"So what...what did the prosecutor come up with?" Dean asked, wrapping his arms around his chest. Partially to keep himself under control, partially to keep the pain that he could feel bubbling inside, under close wraps.

"Just the same junk we've been hearing all along," Bobby said. "That he caused those bruises, that there was evidence to support it-"

"And did he?" Dean prompted, shaking his head in astonishment. "Did he produce evidence?"

"No, but-"

"No," Dean said. "Of course he didn't! Because there isn't evidence!"

It made him so mad that a prosecutor, someone who was supposed to be good, someone who was supposed to defend the innocent and helpless, had gone after someone who was innocent and undeserving of the crap being piled on his shoulders.

"Dean," Bobby said calmly. "Just listen, okay? You wanted to know."

"I know," Dean said, feeling himself simmer down in the slightest. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. He said that he could prove there was evidence to support that the marks came from Caleb, but I don't think he'll prove anything. All he has are the bruises, and Caleb's own actions after the fact."

"You mean the-"

"When he allegedly 'kidnapped' you," Bobby said softly, using the term loosely.

"I can't believe this. What did Dawn say to dispute it?"

Her competing opening argument, would possibly be the one thing that would dispute the amount of evidence that the prosecution had against Caleb, and bring forth a peaceful resolution to a case that had haunted them for the past few months.

"There was no proof," Bobby said. "And that's what she said. If there was even a shred of doubt in their minds, they had to acquit him."

Dean nodded, scrubbing a hand over his face. "Yeah, and so what did she say about the kidnapping one?"

Bobby sighed, shaking his head. "There was nothing she could do to necessarily dispute the fact that he had taken you guys against their wishes, but she begged the jury to look past the crime and to look at the motives behind it."

"So what does that mean-" Dean demanded, feeling a sliver of panic creep into his heart again.

"It means we have to wait and see."


It had been such an emotionally exhausting day for Caleb. Having no choice but to sit and listen to what the prosecution had been saying about him, had been hard to bear. It was almost impossible to sit and listen to someone who did not know him from a hole in the wall. While he knew he was supposed to behave a certain way, he knew that would be something he would struggle with for the remainder of the trial. Not only was he on trial for his life, but the boys would be faced with losing yet another person in their lives. Looking at the clock outside his cell, his heart clenched when he remembered the nighttime routine he had with the boys. It hadn't been recognized in two months, and he sorely missed it.

Dawn told him after the hearing had concluded, that the basis for her defense would be that he hadn't caused the marks, that there had been no evidence to support what the prosecution was saying. While he tried to have the same confidence that she did in the matter, it was hard when, at every single turn, he had been shot down in some way. Having Bobby in the courtroom for moral support, had been good. It had been nice to look at someone who didn't view him as a monster or an abuser, and it had been nice to know that he wasn't alone.

Still, getting the chance to talk to the boys after he had gotten back to the jail, had been the icing on a cake that had tasted pretty bitter until right then. Leaning against the wall, he cradled the phone in his hand, and tried to plaster a smile on his face as he waited for Bobby to find Dean.

Hey, Dean said, as he finally came on the line. How did it go today?

"It went okay," Caleb replied truthfully. "They're saying a bunch of crap, but they have to actually have something to back it up."

No surprise there, Dean said with a scoff. Bobby said that Dawn had a really good opening?

"Yeah, she did. Mostly what the prosecutor did was strut around the room, and say that I was this horrible person who abused you and then tried to kidnap you, but he doesn't have any evidence except for the photographs."

Is she concerned about those?

"No," Caleb said, shaking his head. "They can't prove they came from me."

Is that her entire defense?

"Yeah, but it's a good one. The jury has an obligation to render a verdict based on beyond a reasonable doubt, and if there's doubt in their minds, they have to acquit. And she also wants me to take a lie detector test, and have a psyche exam. She thinks if there's literal proof of what she's saying, the jury will be even more inclined to acquit."

Of course, he doubted it would be that easy. It never was, but he had hope that the jury would be able to see past the wall of hatred and contempt the prosecution had for him, and focus on what Dawn was presenting to them.

You think it will be that easy? Dean asked, as though he had read his mind and what he was thinking.

"No," Caleb admitted, shaking his head. "Probably not, but in a few weeks, we'll know regardless."

I...I can't think about that right now. It's too depressing. Dean paused, and Caleb knew he was thinking up something else to say to him. How are you doing, Caleb? I mean, with the PTSD and stuff. Is it pretty unbearable? Or are you okay?

Caleb hesitated before answering. He had developed severe PTSD and anxiety after his last stint in jail for murder. Only right before he had been arrested for these latest charges, had he managed to turn a corner and have it not be so pressing and in his face all the time.

"I'm okay, Dean. I really am in regards to that. The...the anxiety is crap, but I think that's pretty normal. And, um, the hallucinations and nightmares haven't been too awful."

That's good. I just...I can't stand the thought of you not only being locked up, but then having to deal with your mind.

"Yeah," Caleb said softly, as he scrubbed a face over his hand. "I can understand that."

So when is the prosecution's case going to be over?

"Not for a little bit." He did not want to dwell on that if he could avoid it. "So what's new around there?"

Nothing. Sam really wants to go back to school still. There's this play they're holding auditions for, and he wants to be a part of it.

Caleb nodded. He knew how important school was for Sam, and he wanted that for him but not at the cost of their safety, and being able to remain in their custody. "So what does Bobby say about that?"

He's thinking about it. It's iffy, but he's considering it.

"What do you think about it?"

Caleb knew that Dean was bound to have opinions on going back to the place that had kick started their entire nightmare, and he was curious to hear his take on it.

I don't want to go back, Dean said without hesitation. Not when I'll have to face that principal every single day.

Caleb nodded, not able to deny the validity of Dean's statement. "Yeah, I can understand that."

The principal had been a good friend of Caleb's, and for him to start their nightmare, had been a bitter pill to swallow for him.

I want Sam to be able to see his friends and everything, but I just don't feel comfortable going back with the knowledge of what this man has done to us.

"Don't let that be a deciding factor," Caleb counseled. "He meant well in his own way, but I don't want you or Sam feeling like you can't go back because of where I am right now."

It's kind of hard right now to separate the two from each other. I want to see my friends, but I don't want to have to go to that place and know that you're...you're...stuck in a jail cell because of them.

"I know," Caleb said softly. "And you have no idea how much I wish I could ditch this place, and be back with you and Sam, where I belong, but for right now, this is our reality."

I know. It doesn't mean I have to like it or accept it.