A/N This chapter is the longest by far for this story....I'd like to thank H6p8gv, ILuvZacEfron, ICPinkFuzzyBunnies and L.T. Freak for reviewing and H6p8gv again for all his help with the story....I hope that you all enjoy!!!

As always I own nothing that you recognize...

3.

Healing and Trials

Over the next couple of days Link and Tracy adjusted to having two energetic puppies running around the house. They chewed on the couch cushions and ran up the stairs chasing each other. There were several occasions where they almost knocked over a pan in the kitchen or book from the table. Link had to place all the breakable and valuable items that were in their path on high shelves where Brian and Beebe couldn't get to them.

Link sighed as they came running down the stairs nearly missing Tracy They immediately started rolling around and nipping at each other playfully. "Beebe, Brian be careful!"

They looked at him but continued around the room.

"Trace, why don't you try? They won't listen to me."

She nodded. "Beebe, Brian!"

They halted and looked up at her. They wagged their tails before lying down.

A week later Amber and Corny returned home and went to see them.

"How are you guys?" Corny asked.

"We're doing alright," Tracy answered.

Beebe and Brian ran up to Corny and licked his hand they then turned to Amber and barked.

"Who do we have here?" Amber asked backing away slightly.

"Beebe and Brian. Don't worry they won't bite you," Link answered.

Tracy grinned. "We've had them for a week."

"And they're quite a handful at times," Link added.

"They chase each other all over the house and even sleep on the bed."

"And they resist when I try to move them though they let Trace do it."

"They like Tracy better?" Amber asked.

Tracy nodded. "Though I can't see anyone not liking Link."

"You do more than like me?"

She captured his lips. "I do love you."

"Love you too Trace."

Corny smiled at them then at Amber as he patted their heads. Amber was slightly hesitant but soon she was scratching Beebe's back.

"So when do you get the cast off?" Amber asked.

"A couple weeks I believe," Tracy answered.

"Bet that will be a relief," Corny added.

Tracy nodded. "It will."

"So Link how's it like being back on the show?" Amber inquired. Link had returned to hosting the show a week ago.

"Its nice but I miss Tracy not being there."

"I'll be back as soon as I can. I miss the show."

Link sighed. "Yeah but Corny is back."

"We can work something out and Tracy take your time and heal. You're job will still be there when you're ready," Corny told them.

Tracy hugged him. "Thank you Corny."

"So how was the honeymoon?" Link asked changing the subject.

"It was wonderful! I never wanted it to end," Amber answered.

The rest of the visit was spent talking about the places Amber and Corny visited in London. That evening Tracy and Link were on the couch listening to the radio. The puppies were sleeping nearby while Tracy laid her head on Link's shoulder. His arm was wrapped around her while the other held onto the other that rested on his chest.

"Talking to Corny and Amber earlier got me thinking about our honeymoon," she said.

Link nodded. "We had fun didn't we?"

"We did," Tracy answered. She leaned up and captured his lips. Link grazed her bottom lip asking for entrance which she quickly granted. Soon he was pulling her closer to him as her hands rested at the back of his neck keeping his face close to hers. He kissed down her chin and nibbled her neck receiving a giggle from her. She seized his lips again and they continued until the need for oxygen made them part. Their faces remained inches apart.

"Wow!" Link exclaimed.

"We needed that," Tracy said.

Link nodded. "It's been a while since we kissed like that."

"Too long," Tracy murmured before seizing his lips again.

The day came when Tracy would get her cast off. Edna drove her to the doctor's office. As soon as it was off the doctor looked over her leg one more time and gave her a cane to help her walk. He had her walk a bit before telling her to take an easy and loosen up the muscles. He then released her. When she came home after spending the afternoon with her mom she found two candles on the dining room table along with two place settings and a dish full of ziti. Link walked out of the kitchen with a couple bottles of coke.

"Linky what's all this?"

"I thought that since you got your cast off today that we should celebrate."

"He held her chair for her as she sat, "How do you feel with it off?" he asked once he was also seated.

"My leg feels almost naked without the cast."

He rubbed his hand on her thigh. "It doesn't feel any different to me."

She smiled as they started to eat. After they were finished he stood and went to the living room to turn the radio on. She blew out the candles as soft music filled the air. Link walked up to her and extended his hand.

"Would you dance with me?"

"I haven't danced in so long."

"It's just like riding a bike and I won't let anything happen to you."

She gazed into his eyes. "Alright."

She took his hand and stood. Link supported her as he encircled his arms around her waist and she wrapped hers around his shoulders. They started to sway back and forth slowly since Tracy was cautious after only having the cast off for an afternoon.

"See its not so bad is it?" he asked her.

She smiled up at him and he captured her lips in a tender kiss.

"You know I was thinking something earlier," she told him.

"What?"

"It seems like it has been a long time since we moved past second base."

Link grinned. "It has."

"I think we just might have to change that."

"We do?" he asked.

Tracy nodded as his lips crashed onto hers. He slowly led her upstairs. As soon as they got to the bedroom they kissed again. Link slid her blouse off and tossed it to the floor while she did the same to his shirt. She kissed along his jaw line gaining a quiet purring sound from Link. He unzipped her skirt as the made their way to the bed. She sat on the edge and helped free him of hi pants before lying back on the pillow. He followed hovering atop of her. He kissed her lips again before moving down her neck. He nibbled the soft skin there, receiving a giggle from Tracy. He moved back up her cheek and to her ear where he nibbled on that. She whimpered softly as he continued back down her face. He then placed butterfly kisses from her ears to her chin and back.

"Oh Linky," she said.

He captured her lips again before moving to her chest. His hand began moving down her leg. He smiled at her before placing kisses down her leg as his hands continued their movement. Tracy half giggled, half moaned at the tingling feeling he was giving her. He moved back up and seized her lips in a passionate kiss allowing their tongues to mingle. He then let his kisses travel down to her breasts where he lingered. Tracy arched her back as he unclasped her bra. He then nibbled on her breast emitting another soft whimper from Tracy. She cupped his cheek and brought his face to hers before seizing his lips. He grazed her bottom lip and she gladly gave him entrance deepening the kiss. She maneuvered so that she was on top. Their lips never parted. She kissed down his chin and neck. Continuing her ministrations she placed gentle kisses down his chest until she reached his waist. She helped discard of his underwear before Link turned her over again so that she was on the bottom. He helped her discard of her underwear before pulling the covers over them and French kissing her.

Spent they fell asleep in each others arms. The next morning Link awoke to find Tracy still asleep with her head on his shoulder. He tried to move his legs a bit but found that there was something heavy on them. He looked down at the bed and noticed Beebe and Brian lying on the bottom of the bed.

"Beebe, Brian do you have to sleep down there? I can't move my feet," he whispered towards the.

"What are they doing?" Tracy murmured as she began to stir.

"I can't move my feet. They're laying on them."

"Guys get down," she told them. Beebe and Brian looked at her then jumped down.

He kissed her lips softly as he stretched his legs. "You'll have to teach me how to do that."

"It's easy. You just have to be stern with them that's all," Tracy said kissing him again.

Two days later Tracy and Penny were having lunch at the diner.

"I was thinking of baking a couple cakes for the paramedics and doctors that took care of me and Link."

"I think that's a great idea Trace. What kind of cake?"

"An angel cake for the paramedics and chocolate cake for the doctors."

"Want any help?"

"I'd like that."

After they finished Tracy and Penny went to the house and baked. As they frosted the chocolate cake the phone rang.

"Hello," Penny said as she answered it. Tracy had frosting all over her hands.

"Hi Penny is Tracy there?" Link asked.

"She's right here. We were about to go to the hospital."

"Hospital!? Did something happen?" panic rang in his voice.

"No she decided to bake cakes for the doctors and paramedics."

Link sighed in relief. Penny handed the phone to Tracy. She had wiped her hands on a towel so they were clean. She talked to Link for a few minutes before hanging up. They finished the frosting and Penny drove to the hospital. Penny held the cake dish in her hands so Tracy could use the cane.

She walked up to the nurse. "Can we see Dr. Edwards and Roberts?"

The nurse looked up at them. "Is there anything wrong ma'am?"

Tracy shook her head. "No, I'd just like to thank them for taking such good care of me and my husband when we were here."

The nurse smiled. "Of course. I'll see if they're available." She called someone and a few minutes later the two doctors came to meet them.

"Good to see you looking so well Mrs. Larkin," Dr. Edwards told her. He looked to be in his early forties with light brown hair and a big grin along with blue eyes.

"Thank you. This is my friend Penny."

Dr. Edwards took the cake from her as he and Dr. Roberts shook hands with her. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise doctors," she said smiling.

Tracy smiled. "We just came by to give you a small token of thanks for all that you did for me and Link after the um.." her voice hitched at 'accident'.

"Accident," Penny finished.

"It was nothing. We were just doing our job," Dr. Roberts said. He was about the same age as Dr. Edwards and had dark hair and blue-green eyes.

"We are just happy that you two are healthy. You both are aren't you?" Dr. Edwards

asked.

"Yes as well as we can be," Tracy answered.

After another thank you Tracy and Penny bid them goodbye. Link wanted to go with Tracy to see the paramedics so Penny dropped her off at her home. When Link arrived home an hour later they went to the fire house that also housed the ambulances. Link noticed Jason and Stan and with Tracy walked over to them. He was holding the angel cake.

"Good to see the two of you," Jason said smiling.

"See you had nothing to worry about," Stan added looking at Link.

Link smiled and nodded.

Jason shook Tracy's hand. "By the way my name is Jason and this here is Stan. We weren't able to properly meet. I took care of you while Stan here cared for your husband."

Tracy smiled. "Nice to meet you both."

"We'd like to thank you for giving us such great care," she added motioning to the cake.

Jason took it and smiled. "No need to thank us ma'am."

"We also have a question. We'd like to thank the shopkeeper who called you but we don't know his name, do you by chance?" Link asked.

Stan nodded. "I know him. His name is John Stone."

"The owner of Stone's Keepsakes?" Tracy inquired.

Stan nodded. "The one and the same."

"Thank you again," Tracy said.

The next day Link got Mr. Stone's number and invited him to dinner. Tracy wore a simple blue dress and her hair resting on her shoulder. Link wore a nice blue suit. They met John Stone at Il Gioiello, a nice Italian restaurant. He was a portly man with a jovial face. He smiled upon seeing Link and Tracy.

"So nice to see the two of you. I was afraid that the young lady here wouldn't make it."

"I was too Mr. Stone," Link said.

He extended his hand. "Mr. Stone was my father, please call me John."

Link shook his hand. "I'm Link and this is my wife Tracy."

"Very nice to meet you," she told him.

"Likewise," he said as he kissed the back of her hand. She giggled.

They were shown to their table. Link held out Tracy's chair for her before sitting in his own. John ordered lasagna while Tracy ordered raviolis, Link ordered chicken parmagiana. They all ordered cokes to drink.

"So we wanted to thank you John for calling the ambulance and police," Link told him.

"I just wanted to help."

"We heard you saw the truck that hit us," Tracy said.

John nodded. "The police questioned me and I gave them a description. The guy goes on trial soon."

Tracy nodded. "Yeah, Link wants to testify."

"He's driven drunk before the police said so I think he should be locked up where he can't hurt anyone," Link said angrily.

"Just watch out for his lawyer. There will probably be questions like 'did you see the driver?' directed towards you."

Link looked at him. "Have you testified before John?"

"You seem knowledgeable," Tracy added.

"Once a long time ago," he answered his mind seemingly drifting to a memory.

The following week the trial began. The courtroom was small. The judge's bench and the witness stand sat on the far wall and there were two tables facing it. Behind the tables were rows of seats for people to sit on. There was also a place for the jurors to sit. For this trial there were twelve jurors. The trial was presided over by the Honorable Judge Donovan. He had silver hair and hardened brown eyes from the years of being on the bench. Tracy detected a sense of kindness in them though. He wore a long black robe. The prosecutor was Mr. Seth Hughes while Bill Swan, the defendant's, lawyer was Mr. Jacob White. Seth Hughes was about six feet with russet colored hair and hazel eyes. He wore a nice navy blue suit. Jacob White was shorter with blonde hair and blue-green eyes. He wore a gray suit. Tracy wore a green dress as she sat behind Mr. Hughes. Opening statements were said first.

"On the morning of February sixth this man (he pointed to the defendant) knowingly spent the previous night at Ted's Bar before driving home. Link and Tracy Larkin were driving to work. The defendant sideswiped their vehicle before taking off again," Seth Hughes said.

"Mr. Swan won't deny what Mr. Hughes has said, but he can't help his addiction to alcohol. It is a vicious disease with no cure," Jacob White countered.

The first witness was Link. He was wearing a nice blue suit. He walked up to the stand and was sworn in.

Seth Hughes stood next to him. "Mr. Larkin, would you in your own words tell us what happened on February the sixth."

He nodded. "My wife Tracy and I were headed to work at the WYZT studios when we felt a collision and were thrown forwards then backwards in our seats. Glass flew everywhere and I received several cuts. I closed my eyes for a moment then when I looked at Tracy she wasn't moving. She looked almost as if she was asleep. I tried to wake her up but got no reaction. Her leg was pinned. I tried to get out of the car and after a couple tries succeeded. I saw Mr. Stone before going to Tracy's side."

"Mr. Stone is the shopkeeper that called for help?'

"Yes."

"Please continue Mr. Larkin."

Link nodded as he looked straight at Tracy. "When I got to her door I wretched it open. She was so pale looking I got really scared. That's when I heard the ambulances. At the hospital Tracy was even told that she won't be able to have children from the injuries."

"I know that was difficult. Thank you Mr. Larkin," Seth said.

Next up was John Stone. He wore a nice tan suit. He was quickly sworn in.

Seth Hughes stood at his table and looked him straight in the eye. "Mr. Stone, you are the owner of Stone's Keepsakes on Main Street and you were the one that called the police and ambulance isn't that right?"

"Yes."

"That's a very nice thing that some people might not have done."

"I saw the accident and didn't want anyone to be killed. It's our civic duty to help our fellow man."

Seth smiled. "Can you describe the vehicles you saw?"

John nodded. "Mr. Larkin's car was a red Chevy while the other car that hit them was a green truck."

"Like this one?" Seth asked showing him a picture.

"Exhibit A your honor," he told the judge as he walked up to the stand.

Judge Donovan nodded.

"Yes," John answered.

"Now tell us what you saw."

"I saw the Chevy come up the street outside of my shop. The green truck came up a side street and hit into the passengers side. It then continued up the street. The driver was all over the road."

"And that's when I called for help."

"Thank you Mr. Stone."

"You're welcome." He left the stand and went to sit next to Link and Tracy. She gave him a small hug.

Jason Bell, the paramedic, went next. He wore a pinstripe suit.

"You were called to the scene of the accident is that right?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell us what you saw?"

"A red Chevy belonging to Mr. Larkin stopped in the road. The glass was all cracked and the passenger side had a huge dent in it. We knew that something big had to have caused it."

"Is this the car?' he asked showing a picture to him.

"Exhibit B your honor." The judge nodded.

"Yes."

Seth showed the jury the picture.

"Was it difficult to get the Larkin's out?"

"Mr. Larkin was already out. He was near his wife's door. We had to basically pull of the door and remove part of the dash to get Mrs. Larkin out."

"Was she conscious?"

"No sir."

"What did you do?"

"My colleagues convinced Mr. Larkin to get on the stretcher. They put a neck brace on him as precaution. We do that in every instance. Craig Love, the other paramedic working with me, and myself we carefully lifted Mrs. Larkin out and placed her on a stretcher. We placed a neck brace and leg brace on her. I checked her vitals and shone a light in her eye to see how dilated they were."

"Thank you Mr. Bell." He smiled at Tracy and Link on the way by. Tracy stopped him and gave him a hug before allowing him to leave.

Dr. Edwards went next. He wore a pair of black slacks, a deep green shirt and black jacket.

Seth looked through his notes before talking. "Dr. Edwards, you were the one who took care of Tracy Larkin when she came into the hospital on February sixth is that correct?"

"It is."

"And can you attest to the fact that she had multiple cuts and other injuries including a broken leg?"

"I can."

"And that she isn't able to bear children?'

He looked over to Tracy and frowned. "That's right."

"Are these the injuries?" Seth asked showing him some pictures of Tracy.

"Exhibit C your honor."

Judge Donovan nodded. "Proceed."

"Yes they are," Dr. Edwards told him. The jurors were then shown the pictures.

"How were these injuries sustained?"

"Broken glass from the car caused the cuts. Her leg was pinned between the dashboard and the seat. And the force of the car being hit propelled her in such a manner that she was injured in the lower stomach area causing irreparable damage."

"Tell me doctor have you ever heard of alcohol being a disease?'

"Yes."

"And what do you think about that?"

"It's hogwash. It is an addiction that under the right circumstances can be put under control."

"Thank you Dr. Edwards."

The court adjourned for the day. The following day Dr. Roberts was sworn in to attest to Link's injuries. He wore a suit similar to his colleagues but with a tan shirt. Tracy wore a blue dress while Link wore a pair of black slacks and a gray shirt since he was done testifying. They again sat behind Seth Hughes. Seth wore a gray suit that day while Jacob White wore a navy blue pinstripe suit.

"Doctor Roberts you treated Link Larkin on February the sixth is that right."

"Yes."

"And what were his injuries?"

"He had several cuts and bruises and a slight concussion."

"Why'd he fare better in the crash than his wife?"

"He fared better because it was her side that got hit by the truck."

"Exhibit D your honor," Seth said holding a few pictures in his hand.

Judge Donovan nodded again.

"Are these the injuries you speak of?" he asked handing the doctor the pictures.

"Yes."

The jurors were shown the pictures from the latest exhibit.

"Have you ever heard of alcohol being a disease?"

"Yes."

"And what are your thoughts on that?"

"I think one can control his or her intake of alcohol and it's not something like the polio where there's a vaccine."

"Thank you Dr. Roberts." Dr. Roberts nodded as he stepped off the stand.

Jacob White went next. He called the police officer who interviewed his client.

"Officer Conner you interviewed the defendant didn't you?"

"Yes." Officer Conner was a husky fellow with mousy black hair and brown eyes. He wore a nice green suit.

"Would you describe for the jury how the defendant was acting?"

"He seemed very out of touch with reality, like he was in his own little world."

"Was he drunk?"

"Yes."

"Do you think he was in touch with reality as you said at the time of the accident?"

"No, I don't think he was."

"Thank you Officer."

Seth stood to ask a couple of questions.

"Officer Conner have you seen cases like this where the driver is drunk?"

"Yes."

"You say that he was out of touch with reality?"

"Yes."

"Did he have some sense of what was happening?"

"He knew that he was in a police station and that we were talking about some kind of accident."

"So he was at least partially aware of his surroundings; some sense of reality?"

"Yes."

"Thank you Officer Conner."

Next Jacob called a doctor to talk about how alcohol is a disease.

"Dr. Burns you work for Baltimore Memorial is that correct?"

"Yes."

"And you've seen your fair share of cases involving alcohol?"

"That is correct."

"Would you say that in those cases the persons that have alcohol in their system were conscious of their actions but couldn't control themselves?"

"I would."

"You've met with my client is that correct?"

"That is correct."

"Does he fit any of the cases that you've seen?"

"He does."

"Would you please explain for the court?"

"When Mr. Swan drinks one drink it sets off a trigger and he has to have more. He can't control himself. He knows what he's doing is wrong but he just can't stop."

"Thank you doctor."

Seth stood from where he was sitting. "Good morning Doctor Burns. How long did you spend with Mr. Swan?"

"Two hours."

"And was he drunk at the time?"

"No."

"So how can state what you said earlier?"

"I was able to read a file that the police had on him."

"A file?"

"Yes."

"The file can only talk of his actions not his state of mind."

Next up was Bill Swan. He had a frown on his face as he went to the stand. Link snarled at him. Tracy rubbed his arm trying to soothe him.

Jacob stood. "Now Mr. Swan do you deny what happened that morning on February the sixth?"

"No."

"Why were you at the bar all night?"

"I had a tough day at work and decided to get one beer. But then one beer turned into two and so on and so forth. And before I knew it, it was morning so I decided to go home. I saw the Chevy but couldn't stop myself. I wasn't in my right mind you could say."

"Why'd you flee?"

"Like I said I wasn't in my right mind. I didn't fully realize what happened so I continued home."

"Thank you."

Seth cleared his throat. "Now Mr. Swan you've been arrested before for being drunk haven't you?"

"Yes."

"Even for a couple car accidents?"

"Yes, but none where anyone was really hurt."

"So why would you go to a bar when you clearly knew what could happen if you drank?"

"I guess I was thinking that I could hold my liquor and one beer wouldn't hurt."

"But it wasn't just one beer?"

"No."

"Are you sorry for what you did?"

"Yes." He looked towards Link and Tracy. "I'm really sorry for what happened. I didn't mean to injure you." It sounded very heartfelt.

Link and Tracy were still angry with him but knowing that he was sorry helped ease their anger a little.

"Thank you for your candidness Mr. Swan."

Bill Swan went to sit down while Judge Donovan issued instructions to the jurors. He then dismissed them to go deliberate. He also dismissed court for the day. The next day Tracy and Link along with the others were back in the courtroom. The foreperson stood to read the verdict.

"We find the defendant guilty," he told the judge.

Judge Donovan looked towards the jury. "I'd like to thank you for your service."

He then turned to Bill Swan who was standing next to his lawyer. "Bill Swan I sentence you to no more than eighteen months in state prison. Court adjourned."

"That seems like a long time," Tracy said to Seth Hughes.

Seth shrugged. "It's not that bad. He got that amount of time because he has priors."

"Thank you," Tracy told him.

"It was my pleasure. Take care of yourselves," he told them before leaving.

"We will," she called after him.

"Come on doll lets get out of here," Link said as he led Tracy out of the court.

"Yes please. Let's go take Beebe and Brian to the park."

"That's a wonderful idea Trace."

"And I was thinking that its time to go back to work," she added.

"When?"

"Next week. I'm going to call Corny tomorrow."

"As long as you feel up to it and don't over exert yourself," Link said concerned.

"I can't stay home forever Linky. Besides I feel stronger everyday. I won't overwork myself. You'll be there as will Corny and ma."

"True, we can all keep an eye on you."

Tracy leaned up and gave him a sweet kiss. "I love your magnificent eyes."

"Not as much as I adore yours," he told her.

She kissed him again. They got home and were greeted by two wagging tails. They hooked up their leashes and led them to the dog park which was next door to their house.

"Are you relieved that the trial is over?" Tracy asked as they walked.

"Very relieved. You?"

"Yes, I think the punishment was a little harsh."

"A little harsh!? Trace he almost killed you!"

"I know but he did apologize."

"And you can forgive him that easily?"

"No, I'm still angry but the fact that he did apologize did show me something."

Link tightened his jaw. "Bet his lawyer made him do it."

Tracy put her hand up to his cheek and he calmed. "Anyways do you still want to adopt?"

Link nodded. "Do you?"

Tracy nodded. They were stopped by a bush that the puppies were exploring.

"How do we go about doing that," Link asked.

Tracy smiled. "I was thinking that we could talk to our pastor. He might know where to go."

They started moving again. "Alright Trace. We can go tomorrow if you'd like."

"I'd like that."

TBC......