Sorry it has taken so long to update. Life has been really hectic. But I hope to start getting chapters out regularly again. Thanks to blueyedauthor for the review. Please everyone keep them coming. I know this chapter isn't the greatest as far as plot but I promise the next one will make up for it.

The feeling inside the hospital room was strange. No one knew exactly what to say. Caleb lay on his bed with his head propped up on pillows. His eyes fluttered open at the sound of his family's feet on the floor.

"Hi." He said groggily. Kane walked to his side. Silent tears rolled down her cheek. Caleb looked up with a strange expression on his face. Soon everyone surrounded the bed. Kane was about to start apologizing and taking all the blame for his situation when Caleb began to say something.

"Relax Kandice. Look at it this way, now you'll be taller than me. And Carly gets free rides in my chair." The room erupted into laughter. At that moment Kane knew she would beat herself up over what happened but Caleb never would.

The next few weeks were slow in passing. Caleb spent many of his days either in a wheel chair or in therapy. He made it very clear he had no intentions of living the rest of his life in a wheel chair. Even if there was only a small chance he would walk, he would work his hardest to make it happen. Kane was at his side as much as possible. Almost to the point that it drove Caleb crazy. Finally, he told her to stop worrying. Though she listened and cut back her time with him, she still called.

"I'm nervous." Kane said to Don as they walked into the courthouse. three months had passed since the fateful day that landed her brother in a wheel chair. It was the first day of the trial. The first day of many the Axel family would have to relive one of the worse days of their lives.

"It ill be fine. Everything will be okay. You've spoken to juries hundreds of times before. We have an air tight case anyway."

"I'm not worried about me. It's my family. Dylan doesn't do well with public speaking. Caleb's only been out of the hospital for two days. Carly. She's only four. She doesn't deserve this. And my parents they have to sit back and watch it unfold."

"Kandice, your family is strong. They want to see Hobbs pay so they will do their best. The prosecutor has prepped them, even Carly. You saw her yesterday. They will be fine." Don did his best to reassure her.

"I know but."

"No buts. They want Hobbs to stay behind bars. With the evidence Mac and Stella collected and the testimony's it is a done deal. So just focus on your side of the story, everything else will take care of itself."

Kane smiled. "I don't know what I'd do without you." They shared a quick kiss then headed into the courthouse.

Both Kane's actual family and extended family waited outside the court room doors. Everyone from the lab was their along with the Axel's to show their support or provide testimony. After greeting everyone, it was time to head into the courtroom.

Don squeezed Kane's hand to remind her to breath as Hobbs, his brother, and two of his men, were escorted in. though they were in nice suits, their shackles clashed as they walked to their table. As Hobbs limped in, his eyes locked with Kane's. To her surprise all the fear and anxiety she had washed away. Like Don had said Hobbs was going to pay for what he's done. The judge soon entered and said a few words, then the trial began. Opening statements were made. Each side trying to bring sympathy for their clients. Once the prosecutor and defender were done, witnesses were called.

Mac was up first. He started with the call he received from Don saying one of his CSI's was being held hostage for two criminals and all evidence against them. He told the jury how he was able to save some of the original evidence by switching it out with fake evidence. His testimony ended with the evidence he collected that led him to the hideout used to hold Kane and her siblings.

Stella followed Mac and then several police officers on the scene. Don was last for the day. The defender tried to say Don shot Hobbs out of anger for hurting his girlfriend. But the prosecutor objected and reminded everyone that several eye witnesses said Don fired in self defense. Don also noted that he chose a wounding shot rather than a fatal one. All in all things were looking good for Kane and her family.

The next day was the Axel family's turn at the stand. Dylan was first. Though he hated speaking to crowds, he stayed strong and handled the pressure well. Carly was next. She cried a little at first when she told everyone how scared she was However her testimony ended in laughter. The entire room, except the defendants, laughed when Carly called Hobbs and his men "mean butt heads." Even the defense lawyer could not hide his smile as he objected to the name calling.

The room quickly settled to silence as Kane was called to the stand. Kane said the oath then took her seat. Her prosecutor was first, going through the questions they had already gone over. Several times she stared at Hobbs only to meet his cold eyes. The prosecutor finished his line of questioning. Now it was the defense lawyers turn. But Kane was ready. She answered his questions and made it perfectly clear for the jury that Hobbs was guilty. Eventually, the questioning was done for her and she was asked to take her seat.

Caleb was last. The prosecutor thought it best for the jury, to leave them remembering his brotherly choice to protect Dylan and Carly. And his heroic act of taking a bullet meant for his older sister. Of course the defense tried to downplay his actions as side effects of the drug he was under, but there was no denying Caleb was a hero. Next the defense lawyer called up a few people with testimonies that amounted to nothing. And it was later found out Hobbs and his men refused to speak. It was probably for the best considering their was so much stacked against them. Anything they said would be incriminating against them. By the end of the day the witnesses were done. No more evidence. No more testimony. Everything was up to the jury now.