Episode 10 Chapter 1 The Last Day of Freedom

"Without you I am nothing," Riley's voice can be heard.

The Tree Hill residents are gathered for a funeral. Peyton holds Larry's hand as Grace's body is buried.

McKenzie leans on Julie's shoulder. She was a horrible mess.

Grace was gone.

The scene changes to three weeks later.

Riley and Ellie are standing in her bedroom kissing. Ellie pulls away. "I can't believe my life is about to be over." She rested her head on his shoulder.

"You are not going to jail Ellie."

"That is exactly where I am going to go…." Ellie had tears in her eyes. "I shouldn't have drank that night…I was so stupid."

"Everything is going to be okay Ellie. You are not going to jail. This was your first offense. The judge will give you community service or something."

Ellie shook her head. "My first offense was murder Riley…It wasn't like I stole from the library or something….I killed someone."

"You didn't mean to do it. It was an accident."

"It was an accident that could have been prevented…I don't want to leave you." She touched his face. "I love you with all of my heart. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. And I'm sorry that I ruined everything."

"This time tomorrow we will be talking about how you were so lucky because you got community service…You'll see." He wiped away her tears. "If anyone should go to jail it's Lucas. This is his fault not yours." He held her close to his body. Riley was not ready to lose her.

…

"Mick," Peyton sat down her drink. "You have to stop pacing back and forth like that. You are going to wear a whole into the floor."

"I can't believe my little girl might go to jail. She's too sweet Peyton. She won't make it in a place like that."

"She's not going to go to jail. Her lawyer seems to think he can get her community service."

"I should have never let this happen. Ellen would have never let something like this happen. She was always on the top of things. I should have known that something like this was about to happen."

"No one could have known…I'm almost positive the judge will give her community service and probation. Ellie is a wonderful girl and this was her first offense. Everything is going to be okay."

"It'll never be okay for your dad." Mick dropped his head. "He lost everything because of Ellie."

Peyton didn't say anything.

"How's he doing?"

"He's not doing well." She decided not to lie to him. "But he still has McKenzie and Julie and they are trying to help him the best that they can."

"They shouldn't have to help him. Grace shouldn't be dead." Mick felt so bad for Larry and his family, but he didn't want to lose his little girl.

…

Nathan walks into Lucas' house. "Hey Luke…I'm here to watch the kids for you."

"Thanks…I really want to be there for Ellie."

"What are you going to say?"

"I'm going to tell the judge that it was my fault, and Ellie shouldn't be sent to jail."

"You may have handed Ellie those car keys but you didn't know that she had been drinking. Riley and Ellie should have told you the truth. Ellie should have been responsible enough to admit what she had been doing. You are not to blame." Nathan tried to reassure him.

Lucas shook his head. He knew it was all his fault.

….

McKenzie is in her room sitting on her bed looking at pictures of her mom.

"Hi," Julie walked in. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine." McKenzie didn't even look up at her.

"I was thinking I could move back home for a while."

"You can't do that Julie. You have a husband and a child. They need you."

"My sister needs me more."

"I'll be fine." McKenzie looked up at her. "I'll be fine."

"Shutting yourself in your room isn't fine…You haven't even seen Ally in three weeks."

"My daughter is none of your business."

Julie sat down. "Mom wouldn't want you to shut yourself out like this."

McKenzie shrugged. "I'm fine…I promise."

"Are you going to the hearing today? The judge is going to sentence Ellie."

"No…I don't care what happens to her. She killed my mother."

"She's your best friend."

"Was…was my best friend. I don't have a best friend anymore."

Julie sighed.

"Just go home Julie…Take Stan and Randy and go home."

"I'm not leaving McKenzie…At least not yet."

…

Larry is sitting on his couch.

Peyton walks in. "Hey daddy…"

"Hi," he sighed.

"I was wondering if McKenzie was home."

"She's upstairs."

"She's here, but she's not really talking." Julie said as she walked downstairs. "Dad, have you seen Stan?"

"He took Randy to the park."

"Okay…great…that was probably a good idea. Are you ready to go to the courthouse?"

"Yeah almost…" He looked over at Peyton. "Are you going?"

"Yeah I am."

"But I guess you will be supporting Mick."

"Dad…"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

"It's okay. Can I talk to McKenzie?"

"Yeah sure…"

"Good Luck," Julie didn't think anyone would be able to get through to McKenzie.

The scene changed to Peyton walking into McKenzie's bedroom. "Hi…I hope it's okay that I'm here."

"Why are you here?"

"I was wondering if you were going to the trial."

"Why the hell would you care? Oh wait…it's your real dad's daughter that might go to jail. You don't really care that your adoptive dad's daughter lost her mother."

"I do care about you. But we both know that what happened that night was an accident."

"Ellie made a horrible mistake…and her horrible mistake cost me my mother."

"I'm sorry…I wish I could bring Grace back for you. I really do, but I can't. And I know that what Ellie did was awful, and she shouldn't have been drinking, but it happened. She is going to have to live with the fact that she killed someone for the rest of her life. Don't you think that is punishment enough?"

"I think you should get the hell out of my room." McKenzie stood up and walked to the door. "Now!"

Peyton walked out. She definitely didn't get anything accomplished.

…

Hunter is sitting in the kitchen with Brooke and Ally is in her high chair.

"What's on your mind?"

"I wish I could help McKenzie. She hasn't even called to check on Ally. I know she's hurting, but I also know that Ally misses her."

"You just have to give her time."

"I know." Hunter sighed. "I'm just worried."

"I know. Everyone deals with pain differently…When Chase died I was a mess but I got through it…It really just takes time."

Hunter nodded. "I'm going to help her…I have too."

…

Riley and Ellie walk into the courthouse. "Don't be nervous. I'm right here. You don't have to do this alone."

"I love you." She kissed his cheek.

"I love you too." He looked up and saw Lucas. He rolled his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to support Ellie."

"You shouldn't be here…This is all your fault anyways."

"Riley…I'm sorry, but the two of you should have told me the truth."

"I probably would have if you weren't such a damn hard ass." Riley shook his head and walked away. He really hated Lucas for what happened. It was his fault.

Lucas sighed. He really hoped Ellie didn't have to serve any jail time. Riley would never forgive him.

…..

The scene changes to everyone in the courtroom.

"I will let Miss Wolf friends and family speak on her behalf, and then the family of Mrs. Sawyer will also get a chance to speak…" the judge spoke.

Mick walked up to the stand. "Your honor I know what my daughter did was irresponsible and childish. I know that she can never take back what happened, but I also know that my daughter is an amazing young girl, and she would never intentionally hurt anyone. She will have to live with this for the rest of her life…please don't take her from me. She'll never do anything like this again. I promise you that." Mick stepped down.

Jason walked up. "My sister has always been the one trying to keep me out of trouble. I'm the bad one in the family. I'm the one that should be on trial not her. I've made tons of mistakes in my life…and it is not fair that she is paying for her very first mistake. Please…Please cut her some slack just this once. I'll make sure that it never happens again."

Riley walked up to the stand. "It was my fault that this happened. I knew that she had been drinking and I didn't stop her from getting behind the wheel of that car. It was my fault. I should have known better. I should have been more responsible. If anyone should be punished it is me. Don't punish her…punish me." Riley sighed. He had tears in his eyes. The realization that he might lose her was finally sinking in.

Lucas stood up, "I would like to say something too your honor."

"Go ahead," the judge motioned for him to come forward.

"Ellie is a wonderful girl that made a big mistake, but I also made a mistake that night. I thought that my son had been drinking and I gave his car keys to Ellie. I was the one that was wrong. Yes Ellie should have told me the truth, but I wasn't really listening to anything that anyone said….If anyone should pay it is me. If you have to punish someone don't punish someone with the rest of her life ahead of her. Ellie Wolf is going to do amazing things…I am sure of it." Lucas sat back down next to Peyton. She touched his hand to let him know that she supported him.

"Okay would anyone from Mrs. Sawyer's family like to speak?"

Larry stood up. "We believe that you will do what you have to do. Ellie may be a wonderful young woman but she still killed someone…my wife…And someone should pay for her death." Larry sat down.

"Well if no one else has any…"

"Wait," McKenzie walked into the courtroom. "I have something to say."

Ellie dropped her head. She was pretty sure whatever McKenzie had to say would land her in even more hot water.

…..

Alright so please let me know what you thought.

This episode may have six chapters instead of five.

I really hope you guys are going to like it.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been reviewing. You guys are awesome. I really appreciate all the support. I never thought this story would make it this far, but it has because of you guys. So thanks again, and I hope everyone is having an amazing weekend.