Chapter 14

The conference room was set up to look as much like the Tribunal chambers as possible. For this rehearsal, Hansen, Oscar and Russ sat on one side, with two empty chairs where Michael and his attorney would be - and a space behind them where the judge would sit at his platform. Morrisey waited on the other side of the table with Mark, for Steve to bring Jaime in. Over by the far wall (where they would be during the actual Tribunal), Doctor Corinth sat with Rudy. He'd also (finally) been released from the hospital and was here at his own insistence, with special permission from his cardiologist.

''Is she ready for this?'' Morrisey wondered.

''I hope so,'' Mark told him. ''As ready as I can get her; we've talked about it, casually run through it...but this will be her first true test.''

''With the Tribunal tomorrow, it's the only 'test' she gets,'' the attorney noted. ''And while we have the recording - Marchetti's confession - we still have to have her testimony. And even if we don't call her, the Defense will.'' Somehow, for whatever their cruel, perverse reasoning might be, Michael and his lawyer intended to call Jaime for their side...if the Prosecution didn't call her first. Either way, she would be forced to take the stand.

Jaime's head was held high as she walked into the conference room on her husband's arm. If one looked closely at her face, she was clearly frightened but also doing her best to hide it.

''Mes. Austin,'' Hansen began (playing the part of the defense attorney for this practice session), ''isn't it true that three years ago you carried on an affair with the defendant while he was still acting as your doctor?''

Jaime faced him and looked him directly in the eyes. ''It was never a conventional 'affair', since we never slept together, but -''

''Stop,'' Morrisey told her. ''Never offer more information than the attorney asks you for. Try again, please.''

''We were together,'' Jaime responded, ''but no, it was never an 'affair'.''

Morrisey nodded...and smiled at her.

''Mrs. Austin, did you try to carry on this affair - to re-ignite it - when you kissed my client from your hospital bed, several weeks ago?''

''Yes. I mean, no!'' Jaime turned to Steve, trying to fight off her own tears. Steve gave her hand a reassuring squeeze...and she went on, carefully but firmly answering each of Hansen's (and then Morrisey's) questions and trying her best to steel herself for what she'd be facing the next morning.

That night, Jaime snuggled closer to Steve as he drew the covers around them and then took her into his arms. Their eyes met...and soon their bodies did too, clinging to each other as they slowly and very sweetly made love. Afterward, Steve cradled Jaime in his arms as she drifted off to sleep. His heart was breaking for her, knowing that wounds that had not yet fully healed would likely be ripped open and laid bare. This night, there were no nightmares. He only hoped tomorrow night would be the same.

The mood in the judge's chamber was somber. Jaime sat on the Prosecution's side of the table between Morrisey and Oscar (who were flanked by Hansen and Russ, respectively). They faced down Michael's team of attorney's and legal aides (on the other side of the table) and the judge's platform was at the head. By very special permission, Rudy, Mark and Doctor Corinth flanked the wall in their chairs at the other end of the table from the platform. All three were already eying Jaime closely. There could never be enough time to adequately prepare anyone for what Jaime was about to face, but along with Steve, Oscar and the Prosecutor, they'd done the best they could.

She was very pale and looked slightly lost without Steve's reassuring presence. (As a potential witness himself, Michael's team had demanded he not be allowed to be in the chamber...and their motion had been granted.) Mark thought to himself that Jaime's eyes reflected fear but also something else - determination. She was nobody's victim - not anymore - and today would be her chance to prove it, once and for all.

The bailiff announced Judge Rafferty...and all who were present rose and then sat down again together. Then...it was time. Jaime shuddered slightly, knowing what (and who) was coming next.

The side door opened and Michael was led in (in full shackles) between two armed and very burly-looking Officers of the Court. He struggled angrily, trying to shake them off and make his own way into the room but their grip on his arms was firm. They remained standing directly behind him after putting him in his chair - immediately across from Jaime. Jaime swallowed hard and steeled herself to look up and face him...and Michael's eyes were as cold and hard as they'd been in her nightmares - except now they were directly in front of her and very, very real. Michael's tongue lolled from his mouth as he very slowly (and tauntingly) licked his lips - lips that then twisted into a mocking sneer. For him, this was going to be fun.

END of EPISODE 14. Story continues with EPISODE 15, immediately to follow. (SEASON FINALE!)