Disclaimer: same as chapter 1

Author's Note: Sorry its so short, it was longer but I decided to cut it in half as I couldn't think of a good chapter title. Should be up soon and please review.

Burton entered the court room and took his place nervously beside Christine.

"Custody hearing for Christine Fulton," the judge was saying, Burton recognized her Judge Damsen, nice enough woman.

"Is that Burton Fallin representing the girl?" Damsen looked down smiling but surprised.

"Errr... Yes, your honour," he replied feeling awkward, her grin widened as she laughed softly.

"Glad to hear he's doing okay," shaking herself she seemed to remember why they were all here, "anyway what do social services recommend?"

"Both are good choices with solid homes, we recommend the grandparents though as they have a slightly higher income," Natalie Bedford replied as she stood.

"Uh-huh, what about Christine?" Burton stood up clearing his throat while Natalie sat.

"She would rather go with her uncle," he sat back down.

"Social services have no objections?"

"None,"

"Fine, I grant permanent custody to-"

"Wait! We ask that the custody is only temporary, incase her father gets back on his feet," he glanced at Christine and she smiled at him. The Judge looked curiously at him for a minute, then abruptly banged the gavel.

"Very well, temporary custody of Christine Fulton goes to her uncle William Gunther,"

"Thank you," Christine whispered to him as she ran to a youngish brown haired man and a petite woman beside him, Burton presumed her uncle and aunt. Natalie motioned for him to come closer to her.

"You're gonna have to talk to her father about this you know,"

"I know,"

"You are and your going to have to look more into the abuse," she smiled suddenly, "it was nice of you to try get her what she wanted. You never know," Burton nodded feeling awkward for some reason, like he'd stepped into someone else's private world. But on the other hand it was better than rotting away at home.

"Yeah, I should be getting back to Nick though,"

"Of course, I'll give you a lift if you like,"

"Sure Thad be great," he followed her out to her car and left for the hospital chatting easily with her. Burton, not for the first time, felt sad at the fact he found it easier to talk to a woman he barely knew than his own son, that was going to change he decided. Life was short, he and Nick didn't have forever to work through their problems. Burton vowed he'd improve this odd rift he'd always seemed to have with his son.

"We're here," Natalie announced suddenly as she pulled up next to the hospital.

"Thanks for the lift,"

"Thanks for filling in, there's much more cases than lawyers, especially with all this! And know Kate and Nick are off with Lulu too, what's going on with those two anyway? It's a good thing your working there,"

"It's only temporary,"

"Oh, right of course, even temporarily its good. Tell Nick that social services says hi," she smiled again as he got out of the car.

"I will, nice meeting you,"

"Nice meeting you too," she drove off leaving Burton alone with his thoughts as he trudged along to Nick's room. He felt thrilled that he'd be working again, temporarily of course He reminded himself firmly.

Author's Note: Now you've read please review, you know you want to, its so easy, just press the button...