-Court day, Lou's POV—

I woke to my stomach churning. I wanted to throw up. I knew I had to go to court today and see my step-father. Hopefully I could get away from the man that has caused me problems since the day my mother passed away. I could only hope though. I looked at the clock on the wall across from my bed and noticed that it was only 6 in the morning. I decided to get up out of bed since it was no use in trying to go back to sleep. I needed to be in court by 10 anyways. I walked out the room and down the hall to the stairs. I noticed that the kitchen light was on. I sighed and walked the rest of the way to the kitchen. Dean was sitting at the island with a cup of steaming hot coffee in hand.

"Couldn't sleep?" I asked as I walked over to the coffee pot. I poured myself a cup before turning around.

"Nah," he said drinking some of the coffee in front of him. "Your lawyer should be here in about 8 minutes. He called last night and said that he was meeting here to go over everything."

"Did he say if he had the paper work from the hospital?" I asked hopeful.

"No, he only said that you and John needed to be up so he could go over stuff." He stood up and started walking towards the stairs that went downstairs.

"Where are you going?"

"Train some more. I can't sleep so might as well do something useful."

"Can I come?"

"Why not, you need to train too." He said walking on down the stairs.

I followed him. Once we got down there I went over to the wall and started my stretches. I stretched every piece of muscle I could. After 30 minutes of stretching and getting warmed up Dean climbed into the ring. I slid in after him. We began mock wrestling each other. In the end Dean taught me how to use a sleeper hold correctly, how to take a proper bump when someone clotheslined you, how to take a punch and how to do a spear. I learned a lot in an hour.

We were interrupted when John came down the stairs with some guy in a suit. The guy looked like he was in his 40's. John smiled a little when he saw that Dean and I were trying to catch our breaths. I was on my knees and Dean was sitting on the top turnbuckle. We both were sweating like crazy.

"Lou, you need to come here." John said with a smile. "Did you learn some stuff?" He asked when I rolled out of the ring. I nodded my head and grabbed a towel. I threw one to Dean before putting my around the back of my neck. "Lou, this is Andrew Hamilton, he's your lawyer for today. Vince sent him."

"Hello Mr. Hamilton." I said nodding towards him. "I would shake your hand, but it's all sweaty." I said laughing a little.

"That's quiet alright." He said with his own laugh. "Is there somewhere we could talk?" He asked glancing over at Dean before he looked back to John.

"Sure, right this way." John said motioning up the stairs. John nodded his head to Dean who nodded back.

I looked back to him and smiled a little. "Thanks Dean." I said as I followed John and Mr. Hamilton up the stairs to the kitchen. We went to John's office. Once we were inside John closed the door. I sat down in one of the chairs that were in front of his desk. Mr. Hamilton sat down beside me as John sat behind his desk.

"Ok, here is what I have." Mr. Hamilton said handing me a stack of papers. "The way it looks I can defiantly get you out of your home with your step-father. With the proper papers that I have received from Vince, I can get you emancipated also."

"You can?" I was totally shocked.

"Yes, but the court will want you to come back on regular intervals to make sure that you are still good. I mean this is an easy win for us."

"Thank you so much." I said jumping up and down. I hugged the lawyer before I ran and hugged John.

"Can I talk to you alone?" John asked Mr. Hamilton, John looked at me.

"Sure, I will see you in court, Lou." Mr. Hamilton stood and shook my hand. I smiled at him as I made my way out of the room.

"So, what's the verdict?" Dean asked. He was standing in the hallway with his foot propped up on the wall. Seth and Randy were standing there too.

"According to him, I will win." I said with a small smile.

"That's good." Seth said with a smile that matched my own.

"I heard about your match this morning." Randy said with a smile. "Care for some more learning?"

"Let's go." I said walking pass the three guys in the hall and back downstairs.

-Court House—

I stood looking at the door that I was supposed to be going in. I had nerves building up in my stomach that were making me want to run away. Everybody was here with me. John, Randy, Roman, Seth, and Dean had all came here with me. They were all dressed in their finest. I let out a sigh and looked down at the floor. I didn't want to be doing this at all.

"It's going to be ok." John whispered in my ear pushing me into the court room. "We are all here for you." He said sitting down behind me. I walked through the little gate to the other side. I took a seat next to Mr. Hamilton. I looked over at the other table and noticed that my step-dad was sitting there with his mouth hung opened. The judge came in not long after we all stood. Once he called for order the proceedings began. I barely heard the things that were being said. I sat there in a trance for the whole thing. Finally I was asked to show the court my scars. I froze.

"I can't." I whispered to the judge.

"Would it be better in private?" He asked me. I only nodded.

He called for a recess and motioned for me to come into his chambers. I was followed by my lawyer and my step-dad's lawyer. He asked me to show him the scars again and I did. I lifted up my shirt and showed him my stomach and my back. Then I showed him my arms and neck. Next was my legs. After he saw everything he needed to see I was dismissed. I walked out of his chamber and went directly to Dean. I wrapped myself in his embrace. He just stood there and held me tightly. Not long after I came out, my lawyer did too.

"Just a few more minutes." He said with a little smile. I nodded my head, which was still laying on Dean's chest.

"It's ok," Dean whispered in my hair. Everyone was staring at us. How we became so close, I have no Idea. "Lou, let's go." He said when the court was called back in.

I took my seat back and watched as the court was brought back in session. I listened this time. After the judge called for order, I listen with interest.

"Now, on the matter of the assault charges to Ms. Pamperman, I hereby state that you pay $500 . I also hereby state that you are emancipated from your Mr. Kyle Kanbridge." I looked down. "As for the other order of business, on the record of child abuse." The judge looked over at Kyle. "Mr. Kanbridge I hereby find you guilty in the first degree and shall honor you with 10 years in federal prison with the possibility of parole in 5." The judge banged his mallet.

Everybody stood up. I watched as the cops went over and handcuffed my step-dad. His face was dark. His eyes looked like they were about to jump over the table and punch me. Mr. Hamilton put his hand on my shoulder. I felt him squeeze it making me smile just a little. I looked over at him and all the people that were behind me. Randy pulled me into a hug.

"Let's go pay that fine." He said leading me out of the room.