His legs resembling the feel of Jell-O, Caleb allowed the guards to do what they had to do in order to transport him back to the courthouse. By his estimations, the jury had been in deliberations a few hours short of two days, and by courtroom standards, that was a long time to be deliberating a case like this. Still, as they finally loaded him into the back of the police car and began the (seemingly) long journey downtown to the courthouse, he couldn't help but let a little bit of doubt creep into his bloodstream. There was too much riding on this day to be a success, and all of his cynicism was starting to reappear with the knowledge that, within an hour, he would be learning his fate as the jury saw it.

Swallowing back the role of vomit that rose in his throat, he tried to draw breath through the panic that he was feeling, as the car finally turned and rolled into the underground parking garage where they usually took him in from. Closing his eyes briefly against the nausea, he tried not to let his feelings cloud his face as the guards opened the back door, and let him get out. As they led him into the building, through the elevator, and up to the third floor where the verdicts would be read, he imagined a miracle where he would be acquitted, and he would be able to walk out a free, liberated man.

And more importantly, be able to go back home and be with the boys. It wouldn't matter if he, technically, wasn't supposed to see them yet, or didn't have any custodial rights to them. It would be enough just to be with them, and be able to resume the incredible relationship the three (now the four of them) shared with one another.

Snapping back to his brutal reality when the guards stopped him outside the courtroom doors to undo his restraints, he tried to imagine a reality where he wouldn't have to walk with chains around his ankles, wrists and waist, and would be able to walk freely. Hopefully, after today, he would be able to do that again. Hopefully, the jury would see right through the prosecution's fanatical obsession with him, and see the motivation behind the alleged kidnapping, and how he would never dream of hurting either of the boys.

As the guards walked him into the semi-packed courtroom, his eyes automatically searched out Bobby in the throng of people. He wasn't hard to spot with the conspicuous trucker cap, and grizzled face, as he gave Caleb a small, encouraging smile, letting him know that he had his back through this. Nodding briefly to show his acknowledgment, he sank down into his seat next to Dawn. Instead of the usual, frantic note writing that she was usually doing right before a hearing, she was calm, composed, as she met his anxious glance with one of her own, quiet ones.

"Hi," she whispered. "Are you ready?"

"In how many ways can I answer no?"

He wasn't ready for this at all. He wasn't ready to hear which side won. He wasn't ready to hear that he might possibly go to jail for the rest of his life, and he wasn't prepared for an answer that might result in him losing the boys for good.

All of those clustered feelings contributed to his queasiness as they rose for the judge when he finally entered, and then again when the jury was called in. Swiping a hand over his face, he tried to draw an even breath as the judge discussed minor formalities associated with the reading of the verdicts, but for the most part, he tried to drown out anything that was not related to the conclusion of a hearing that had haunted him for weeks upon weeks.

"Does the State recognize the presence of the jury?" the judge asked, directing his attention to the stone-faced prosecutors.

"Yes."

"And does the defense?"

"Yes, we do," Dawn said, nodding.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the jury," the judge said, as he directly addressed the team of twelve men and women that had been given the impossible task of determining Caleb's guilt or innocence as it pertained to the charges against him. "Have you reached a verdict?"

"Yes," they all echoed.

The verbal confirmation only increased the insane pounding of Caleb's heart, as it thundered erratically against his ribcage.

"Would you hand the verdict form to the court deputy, please?"

Caleb and Dawn watched in complete silence as the bailiff walked foreword to the jury box, and retrieved the verdict statement from the foreperson. It was nerve-wracking to watch, as the bailiff handed the forms to the judge for his inspection, before he handed it down to the clerk to read aloud.

"Will the defendant please rise along with counsel?"

His legs resembling the feel of water, Caleb stood shakily along with Dawn. His mouth dry to the bone, he forced himself to stare at the jury, as he waited for the verdicts to be read.

"It's okay," Dawn whispered, seeing how terrified Caleb was.

"Madam Clerk, you may publish the verdicts."

Sparing one more glance at Bobby, Caleb closed his eyes, trying to gain control over himself before he lost it completely. Whatever these people decided, he would have no choice but to live with, and he wasn't sure he was ready for that.

"In the circuit court for the ninth judicial circuit, in Steele County Minnesota. State of Minnesota versus Caleb Rivers, case number 1992CF23009. As to the charge of first degree abuse of a child, verdict as to count one, we the jury find the defendant not guilty."

Caleb could feel himself relax in just the slightest.

So far so good.

"As to the charge of first degree abuse of a child, verdict as to count two, we the jury find the defendant not guilty. As to the charge of first degree neglect of a child, verdict as to count three, we the jury find the defendant not guilty."

Caleb had a hard time controlling his emotions, as he glanced briefly over at Bobby, who had the same look of incredulous relief on his face. For once, things were beginning to go his way, as he turned back to face the jury.

"We got this," Dawn whispered, reaching her hand down to hold his.

"I know," he whispered.

And for once, he really believed that, as he prepared himself to hear the publishing of the next two verdicts, although there was no doubt in his mind that it would be the exact same outcome, and he was feeling lightheaded from the sheer exultation at the fact that someone finally recognized the truth about him.

"As to the charge," the clerk said, as she read the next verdict. "Of first degree neglect of a child, verdict as to count four, we the jury find the defendant not guilty."

This was it, the final verdict, the one that had the potential of putting him behind bars for the rest of his life. As Dawn tightened her grip on his hand, he tried to keep his composure together for the split second it took for her to publish the final verdict.

"As to the charge of of first degree kidnapping of a child, verdict as to count five, we the jury find the defendant guilty."

For a second, Caleb could not breathe, he was in complete and utter shock that a jury had acquitted him of all the abuse and neglect charges, but had found him guilty on the most severe charge, the one that had the power of putting him in prison for life.

For a heartbreaking minute, he allowed himself to revel in the impossible notion that the jury had misspoken, that they hadn't just declared him guilty, as he was consciously aware of the hug that Dawn was trying to give him, no doubt to offer him as much comfort as she could, even though he was rapidly moving past the shock that had clouded his judgment, to absolute devastation.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, as he finally accepted the hug with trembling hands. "We'll figure this out, okay? It's not over, not by a long-shot."

"H-how?"

This was the charge that he had been most afraid of, and the one that he had been convicted on. Unless Dawn could pull a serious miracle and either reverse the decision, or get him off on a lighter sentence, he would be going to prison.

"I-"

She didn't get a chance to answer. The judge was calling everyone's attention again, and as they sat back down, Caleb could see the prosecutor's smug face, no doubt thrilled that he had managed to score a conviction on the one charge that he had gunned for the jury to find him guilty on. His arrogant behavior disgusted Caleb on the best of days, but now, on the worst of days, all Caleb could feel was a blind hatred for this man, who might have just doomed him to prison for life.

"A jury of your peers," the judge said, looking over at Caleb. "Has found you to be not guilty of four counts of first degree abuse and neglect charges. Therefore, I adjudge you to be not guilty. A jury of your peers has also found you to be guilty for the crime of first degree kidnapping of a child, therefore I adjudge you to be guilty."

Caleb nodded, not able to stop the single tear that ran down his cheek; it had been the outcome that he had been dreading having happen, and it had. Even if Dawn could pull off a miracle and have this somehow go away, how long would it take? How much longer would he have to sit and rot in a jail cell?

"Your Honor," Dawn said, standing up. "I was wondering if there was any way my client could possibly get out until sentencing-"

"No. He needs to be in custody until sentencing is resolved."

"Okay, is it possible to settle sentencing today, then?"

"The only time we have on the calender for sentencing, is January 18th."

"You're sure," Dawn said, "that he can't spend this time out under close supervision?"

"I'm sure, yes."

"Okay, thank you."


Immediately after the verdict and the sentencing date the judge had set, Caleb was transported back to the county jail that had been his home and bedroom for the last almost three months. With the possibility of spending an extended period of time behind bars, the jail had scheduled for him to be transferred to one of their longer term facilities in a detention center. A detention center was a step closer to prison. It meant the jail officials assumed that he would be in their system long-term, and that knowledge made him sick to his stomach, as he struggled to find some way to come to grips with his new reality, and found it impossible.

It had been the most horrible surprise of his life when the jury read the guilty verdict for the kidnapping charge. They obviously hadn't cared about the circumstances surrounding the alleged 'abduction' and had chosen the prosecution's skewed version of events over the facts of the case. Almost right after he had gotten back to the jail, Dawn came to see him. Even though he would have loved to have placed the blame on her for not mounting a strong enough defense when it concerned the kidnapping rap, he knew it wasn't her fault. She had done everything she could to make sure that the charges had gone away smoothly.

"Hi," she said, her usually resolute face, softening at the complete look of desolation on his face. "I know this is a stupid question, but how are you?"

"I can't even come up with the words," he confessed shakily. "I thought we were in the clear once they had acquitted me on the first four charges, and then when they said 'guilty' for kidnapping, I went blank."

Dawn nodded sympathetically. "Like I said back there, this isn't over yet."

"What does that mean?"

For months, all he had heard from her was that if he was convicted of the kidnapping charge, he would be facing a life sentence in the state prison for it. The idea that there could be another alternative, was slightly optimistic to him, as he tried to fixate on that possibility, and not the very real fear he had of going to prison.

"For some circumstances," she warned carefully, "the judge will impose probation instead of prison time."

"How long would I get probation?" he asked.

Not that it would matter; he would rather be home and have to answer to a probation office, then be stuck in a jail cell for years upon years. If there was a way out, he would gladly take it without a second thought.

"It varies depending on the circumstances, but more than likely, since this is a first, serious conviction on your record, the judge will want to go for the minimum sentence, which would be seven years."

"Seven years of probation?"

"Correct."

"Is the life sentence still on the table?"

Dawn nodded. "The judge has a certain set of guidelines that he has to follow when imposing a sentence, and that is one of the options on the plate."

"Dawn," he hesitated. "Do you think that I'll get life?"

"I...I highly doubt it. Whenever there's a serious conviction like this, the judge will consider mitigating factors.

"So for now-"

"For now, you'll be in custody until the sentencing hearing."

"Which is?"

"In two months."


Bobby almost dreaded going home and informing the boys, (especially Dean), of Caleb's conviction. When the jury had cleared him of the first several charges against him, Bobby had naturally assumed that they wouldn't have an issue with acquitting him of the kidnapping charge, but he had been wrong.

The idea that he would have to go home and inform Dean that the person he loved and adored, had been convicted of the bogus charge of kidnapping him, and would be facing a possible life sentence in the state prison, was horrifying to him.

As he turned into the driveway of their home, he paused, scrubbing a hand over his face as he tried to contemplate the impossible, unforgivable task ahead of him. It would be one thing to know that he had been convicted and would face sentencing, it would be another thing for the kids to realize that they would have to wait another possible two months to finally be able to be reunited with him.

"Hey," Bobby said, as he walked into the living room where the boys had been lounging on the sofa together.

Sam, not to his surprise, had a book firmly clasped in his hand, and Dean was playing a video game. Anything to get their minds off the verdict that had haunted their lives for the past several weeks.

"Hey," Dean said, hesitantly throwing his video game controller off to the side as he jumped to his feet. "What happened?"

"The jury-"

Right before he was about to announce the heartbreaking news, the phone rang. Giving the boys a look, he went into the kitchen where the phone was, to answer it.

"Hello?"

Hey, Caleb said, his exhausted voice coming over the other line. I figured you'd be back by now.

"Just walked in actually," Bobby said, keeping one eye on the boys and the other on the phone.

Did you tell them?

"Not yet."

Each second that went by that he didn't tell them, it increased his anxiety over having to be the one to do it. It broke his heart, knowing that the boys were getting closer and closer to losing yet another person in their lives.

Let me tell them. It might sound easier coming from me.

Even though Bobby had no idea how Caleb would possibly be able to muster up the courage to tell the boys of his conviction, when he could barely speak straight to Bobby without having to pause to collect himself.

"Are you sure you're up for that?"

No, but I need to tell them.

"Okay. Dean," Bobby said, glancing over at the stricken thirteen-year-old, who knew by now, that something was wrong, especially since Caleb hadn't come home with Bobby like he had anticipated. "It's for you."

"Who-who is it?" Dean asked, although a part of him knew, and he was dreading having to have more bad news pile down on his already crowded shoulders.

Bobby didn't answer as he held the phone out for him. "Here."

"Thanks." Taking a deep breath to collect himself, he paused before putting it up to his ear. "H-hello?"

Hey, dude, Caleb said.

"Where are you?" Dean asked, by way of greeting.

I need to talk to you and Sammy.

"About what?"

The verdict.