Noelle's birthday came and went as well as graduation and John still hadn't heard from Noelle. Apparently the trial date kept getting pushed back, and everyone was getting aggrivated. Noelle left for college in New York, and John thought for sure she'd call him, but the call naver came. He sent her gifts for the special occasions and he'd get back a thank you note, but as far as talking to her it never happened. When John's birthday came up he was surprised to see a package at the arena for him, and was even more surprised when he saw it was from Noelle. She sent him a new Boston jersey, hat, and a New York university sweatshirt. The card said Happy Birthday to a really good friend, and may all your wishes come true. John had one wish but so far it wasn't coming true.

Randy caught up to John the weekend before the Pay per view event they were preparing for to work out together.

"Hey man have you heard from Noie?" John asked as he spoted Randy while he lifted weights.

"She called me the other day, and told me the court date is set in stone for next Tuesday. She's loving school, and she may even apply for an internship later on this semester."

"That's cool.I'm happy for her...I miss her."

Randy put the weights down,and turned to face John " I think she misses you too. She asks about you, and I tell her you ask about her too."

John nodded and switched positions with Randy.

After working out and showering they headed to get something to eat.When they were in the locker room dressing there was a knock on the door.

"Yeah!" Randy yelled putting his shirt on.

"Randy?"

"Noelle?" He came around the lockers and there standing in the flesh was his sister. "Oh My God what are you doing here?" He said grabbing her into a hug and swinging her around.

"Mom and I drove up for the event. I'm taking a temporary leave of absence till after the trial."

Randy put her down as John came out unnoticed.

Randy looked her over "You look great, and you cut your hair."

"Yeah. I needed a change." Noelle saw some movement and looked to see John.

John nodded in her direction " Hey Beautiful."

"Hi John."

Randy could feel the tension rising whether it was good or not he didn't know, but he wanted it to end.

"Does anyone else know your here?"

"I don't think so."

"Well lets go see everyone. They'll be happy to see you."

Noelle's eyes didn't leave John's the whole time Randy was escorting her out into the hall. John put his shirt on, and followed behind. They were walking down the hall when Carlito called out to them.

"Hey we heard Noelle was here." When he saw her step out from Randy's shadow he picked her up into a hug. "You look great."

"Thank you.Where is everyone?"

"Catering. Come on." When they entered the hall everyone was excited to see Noelle. Hunter gave her a hug and a kiss as did some of the others. They all asked how she liked school, and stayed off the subject of the trial.

"How long are you staying?" Trish asked as they all sat at a table.

"Till after the pay per view.We have to be back in Annapolis by tuesday."

"Are you..okay?" Lita asked not wanting to step on toes, or make her feel weird.

"I'm okay. I think. I'm trying not to think to much about it right now."

Randy put his arm around her to give her some reassurance. Noelle looked at him and smiled.

"I'm fine."

Noelle looked up at John and saw him looking at her. She looked away after a few seconds.

Lita saw this a smiled to herself while nudging Trish. "Why don't we have a girls night tonight?"

"Okay."

"So have you met anyone at school?" Trish asked watching John's face.

Noelle shook her head "No. Connor's turned into the intimidator. No procpects."

Lita laughed then got up with Trish, Maria, and Lillian. "Let's go get dressed up and go to a club. Dancing all night with no limits."

"I'm all for that." Noelle got up, and stepped over Randy's legs. "Tell Jenna and Dad I'll see them in the morning."

"Who are you staying with?" Randy asked.

Trish put her arm around Noelle "Me of course. Let's go."

The girls all left leaving the guys to themselves.

Randy saw John watching Noelle leave and felt sorry instantly for his friend.

"You okay man?"

John nodded. "She looks happy. That's all that matters to me."

"I think she's just good at putting on a mask for others to see. She's been doing it her whole life. Maybe she's not as happy as she looks."

Rey patted John on the shoulder. "I'm a firm believer of love, and if you sent it free and it doesn't come back then it was never yours, but if it come's back then it was meant to be."

"Thats poetic Rey."

"Yeah I didn't know you knew poetry let alone could spell it out." Adam said causing some chuckle.

Rey shrugged as a stage hand approached the table with a package.

"Randy this just came for your sister."

Randy took it "Thanks." He noticed there was no return address. "I better get this to her."

John stood up quick "I'll come with ya."

"I figured."

Hunter, Dave, Adam, John, and Randy all walked to Trish's room and knocked on the door.

Maria answered. "Hey guys. Couldn't wait till tomorrow to see us?" She let them in.

"I just got a package for Noie. Where is she?"

"She is here." Noelle came around the corner and John lost all his speaking skills. Noelle had all her curly hair up in a cute ponytail, she was wearing a jean mini skirt with a dressy pink tank top, and a jean half jacket, she was just putting on her brown sandals.

Randy handed her the package. She took it and openned it letting a tape fall into her hands.

"Trish do you have a V.C.R?"

Trish pointed to the television. Noelle walked over and put the tape in and pressed play.

Noelle appeared on the screen leaning against a wall. Dan came into fram with a hot fire poker. He pulled her forward and took the fire poker down her back. Her scream was piercing.

The tape switches to a different scene

"You think your so smart, don't you?" Dan said hitting her in the face.

"What did I do?" Noelle said in a light whisper.

"Oh my God! I'm gonna be sick.!" Noelle ran to the bathroom while Trish turn the tape off.

Randy took the tape out, and threw it at the wall. "That sick Bastard! He taped her !"

Maria picked the tape "Randy you need to give this to your mom to give to their lawyer. That's evidence."

John was furious he could hear Noelle getting sick, and grabbed a rag off the sink and knocked on the door before heading into the bathroom. He put the rag in cold water, and placed it on the back of her neck.

"I told you I was a whore." She said in gasps.

John shook his head. He walked out of the bathroom, and left the room completely. Hunter followed him. When he caught up with John, he found him in the gym killing a punch bag.

"Dude it's dead."

John turned startled at the sound. "Not yet he isn't but he will be when I get a hold of him."

"How are you gonna be there for Noelle if your in jail?"

"Because of this asshole I can't be with the girl that I love because she doesn't think she's anything more than a whore. He took everything from her. Her trust, her dignity, everything. I'm trying to help her but I'm getting no where."

"If you love her you'll take as long as you need to. Keep trying."

John nodded and punched at the bag once more causing it to fall off the chain it was hanging from. Hunter put his hand on John's shoulder and placed a firm grip.

"We'll help you, and Noelle get through this. Family sticks together. You can't give up on he now man."

John nodded and for the first time in years he actually cried. Hunter just let him, and didn't say anything everyone has to break down sometime.

Randy was sitting out in the hall by Trishes door with his head in his hands when John, and Hunter came acroos him a few hours later.

Randy looked up when he heard the footsteps. "Where were you guys?"

"John was blowing off some steam, I was lending some support."

"Where's Noie?" John asked.

Randy nodded his head to Trishes door. "We finally got her calmed down enough to sleep a bit. She's been throwing up for hours. I'm afraid to leave and something happen so I'm campping out."

John sat down beside him as did Hunter.

Hunter looked at his watch "Who wants first shift?"

Randy smirked he realized how lucky he was to have the friends he had.

It was gonna be a long couple days till the trial.

Noelle sat up on the couch in Trish's room as Trish handed her some hot tea to settle her stomach.

"Are you okay?"

Noelle shrugged her shoulders "I was. " She sipped at the tea "Why can't they leave me alone? I just want to be left alone. How could he tape all that stuff and me not know about it?" Noelle wipped at the tears coming down her face.

"He's a sick person with no compassion. He'll get what's coming to him on Tuesday."

"I don't think I can face him. "

"Your a strong person Noie. You know that. We'll be there for you, and when they take him and your mom to jail you wont ever have to look back again."

"It's not that easy to let things like this go. Trust me, I tried."

"It'll take time, but eventually it will happen." Trish took Noelle into a hug "I promise."