Dean's heart broke all over again for Rory. He had earnestly poured his heart out to her, and she had walked away. The next day, his mother came to visit, and he asked her to see if Rory would come see him again.

"Dean, Rory called the house this morning." his mom said quietly. "She requested that you stop contacting her, and I think it may be for the best, at least until the ruling on Monday."

"Mom, I can't stand her being mad at me. She can be with Jess, if it makes her happy. I don't care about that. I just want her forgiveness."

"The only way you'll ever get it is if you give her space."

"Okay." Dean nodded. "I can do that."

After some more visiting time, Mrs. Forrester left, and Dean returned to his cell. He prayed all weekend, reading his Bible, and waiting for what Monday would hold.

Monday morning, he again appeared before the judge. The judge felt it best to make a ruling, even though Jess's life still hung in the balance, because Dean couldn't be held any longer at the youth facility without a sentence. Mr. McCoy and the judge worked out an agreement, which Dean consented to. If Jess lived, Dean would serve one year in the youth facility and five in the adult prison. If Jess died, Dean would be immediately transferred to the adult facility and would serve eight to ten years there.

After the ruling, Dean was returned to his cell. Not five minutes later, he was brought out again to see a visitor. Dean was shocked when he saw Rory on the other side of the glass, waiting to see him. They sat down at a window, and each picked up the receiver on their end. "Why are you here?" Dean asked, honestly. She started to say something, but he quickly added, "I'm glad you came."

"What did the judge say?" she asked.

"Six years in prison if Jess makes it." Dean told her. "And...eight to ten if he doesn't."

"Ten years?"

"That's the maximum."

"And you'd be okay with that?"

"If that's what God wants to happen, sure."

"God?" Rory questioned. "What does God have to do with anything?"

"He has to do with everything."

"And all of that born-again stuff, you believe that?"

"Yes. And...I hope you will too."

"Why?" Rory asked.

"Because I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"Like...?"

"Like going to Hell."

"Why would I go to Hell? I'm a good person."

"I'm going to Heaven, Rory, and you and I both know that obviously, I'm not."

"That doesn't make sense!" Rory exclaimed.

"It does, Rory. It sounds high and mighty, but I've repented of my sins, and Jesus forgave me. He can do the same for you."

"I really don't need this." Rory stood to leave, but Dean's next words stopped her in her tracks.

"I know you, Rory. You really do need this. I may have messed up a lot of stuff, but in the two years we've known each other, I have never lied to you, and I wouldn't now. I love you, but I've learned that loving you means wanting the best for you, even if it doesn't include me. I want you to be happy, Rory, even if it means you being with Jess."

"I can't believe I'm saying this," Rory said, with tears in her eyes. "But...I forgive you. Will you forgive me for handling that whole situation with you and Jess so badly? I'm sorry that I hurt you."

"Of course I forgive you. Can I tell you what changed me?"

"Yes." Rory nodded, and Dean proceeded to tell her everything that had happened to him since the day he had changed all of their lives. After an hour of crying, praying, and talking, Dean led Rory to Christ, and she had never felt more loved than she did when she realized that she now belonged to Jesus.