Disclaimer: I'm running out of interesting disclaimers. But I still don't own RENT.

A/N: This chapter should help you understand what is happening with Joanne. Thanks to all who reviewed, I will be continuing for now. This should be a pretty long chapter, and it might be the last one depending on the feedback I get.

And just a warning, I know very little about how trials go, so please forgive me. And yes, Joanne could have represented herself, but then she couldn't question herself, so I made her get a lawyer.

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The Trial

A few days later there was a call at the loft that changed the three roommates' lives. Maureen needed to testify against Joanne, and she needed to testify that day. A lawyer had already been hired for her at no cost. All she had to do was show up.

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Maureen bit her lip and looked at Mark and Roger, clearly terrified that she had to see Joanne again. "I should go change" she murmured, looking at her jeans and t shirt. Both men nodded and watched her walk off.

About twenty minutes later they were at the courthouse. Roger and Mark had changed into some nicer clothes, and Maureen was wearing a skirt. Yes, Maureen Johnson owned a skirt. "Don't worry, you'll be fine…" Mark said reassuringly, squeezing her shoulder. Roger nodded in agreement. "Just answer their questions and tell them exactly what happened." He added as they walked in. The trio went into the courtroom and Maureen was sworn in under oath. The two blondes sat in the rows behind the stands, watching her carefully.

"Ms. Jefferson, how do you plead?" Her lawyer stood up. "My client pleads not guilty" The judge nodded. "Thank you. You may be seated"

Joanne wasn't representing herself for the trial, which Maureen found odd. Then again, everything was odd about this whole case. She sighed, going to sit at the witness stand.

Joanne's lawyer walked over to question Maureen. "You were in a relationship with my client, Ms. Jefferson, at the time of the alleged assault, correct?" Maureen nodded. "Yes, I was."

The man nodded. "Did my client even threaten to hurt you during your relationship?" Maureen shook her head. "No, she didn't."

The questioning went on for a bit before he went, "No further questions." Maureen's lawyer came up and asked her to tell the jury what happened that night. She bit her lip and told the story. By the time she finished, she was in tears. Her lawyer nodded. "No further questions." He said and walked away. You may step down." The judge said. Maureen got off of the witness stand Joanne was brought up.

Both lawyers cross-examined her and then told her to step down. The jury deliberated for a while and then everyone was called back in.

"Has the jury reached a decision?" The judge asked, looking over at the group of people. "We have, Your Honor." was the reply. The judge nodded. "How do you find the defendant?"

"We find the defendant, Joanne Jefferson, guilty of the assault and battery of Maureen Johnson." The judge nodded. "Ms. Jefferson will be sent to the New York Correctional Facility for six months and will receive anger management counseling. Court's adjourned."

Maureen looked over at Mark and Roger, a look of relief on her face. Just then Joanne passed by. "I'll get you for this, you little bitch" she hissed as she was dragged off. Maureen's face fell, looking away from her two friends. She got up and walked over to them. "Let's go…" she said quietly. "I want to go home."

"Okay" Mark said softly, squeezing her hand as Roger wrapped his arm around her shoulders. They got a cab and went home, not saying a word.

Maureen looked at both of them when they got back. "I want to go bed…would you lay with me?" It was common for Maureen to ask one of them to stay with her until she fell asleep, it made her feel safer.

"You want both of us?" Mark asked uneasily, remembering the last time they all fell asleep together. She nodded. "Please…I mean you don't have to but…" she trailed off.

Roger looked over at Mark. "We will" he said firmly, giving him a look. Mark nodded quickly. "Uh yeah…we will." She smiled at both of them. "Thanks guys…it means a lot to know that you care about me so much." They both mumbled their thanks and they all went to her room.

Maureen sighed as she laid down, resting her head on Roger's chest and closing her eyes. Mark smiled slightly, wrapping his arm around her waist and looking over at Roger, who was looking back at him.

"I love you guys…" she murmured, shifting slightly. "I love you too" they both replied. Roger kissed her forehead and Mark kissed her cheek as she drifted off to sleep, safe in their arms.

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A/N: I'm pretty sure this will be the last chapter, but I won't change the status until I hear your feedback.