A hushed murmur ran through the crowd as Bianca walked to the front of the court room.

"Your honour." said Jackson, giving his niece a welcoming grin. "This is Bianca Montgomery, my key witness…"

The judge looked at the young lady slowly making her way to towards him, swinging carefully between her crutches. She looked dishevelled and he could see the marks on her face still visible days after the assault.

The judge also couldn't help notice the look of affection that passed from Marissa to Bianca; or the smile that suddenly graced Bianca's lips when she spotted her girlfriend in the crowd.

"You're here. You're safe." cried Marissa, rushing forward to engulf Bianca in a hug. "I've been so worried."

Marissa buried her head briefly in Bianca's neck before pulling back to stroke her un-bruised cheek.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm getting better by the second."

Bianca's smile got broader as she pulled Marissa closer and leant in to plant a gentle kiss on Marissa's lips.

The judge gave a less than discrete cough to protest this display of affection.

Bianca turned to face him but she didn't take her arm away from Marissa's waist.

"I'm here to testify." said Bianca. "I'm sorry I'm late."

The judge sighed and turned to the witness still sat in the stand.

"Are you finished with your questioning of Mr Chandler?" he asked addressing Jackson.

"Oh he's done." said Jackson confidently.

JR was staring at Bianca, his frustration finding a focus once more.

"You ruined everything." he cried. "Look at this. Look what you've done to me, to my family! I hope you are happy!"

"You did this all on your own JR." said Bianca calmly.

"Like hell. You had it in for me right from the beginning!" JR retorted. He looked about ready to leap from the stand and strike her. Bianca would have taken a step back from the ferocity on his voice, had Marissa's arm not been wrapped around her waist.

"You leave her alone!" cried Marissa pointing angrily at JR. "This is about us, not her!"

"You lay another finger on her and you will be more than sorry." cried Reggie, jumping up from his seat to join them.

"That goes triple for me." said Krystal also stood glaring back at JR her hands on her hips.

The judge banged his gavel on the desk.

"Order, order; I will have order in this court room. Everyone retake your seats," He bellowed, "Except you Miss Montgomery." He added in a more gentle tone before turning towards the defence council. "And Mr McCoy, please control your client."

Mr McCoy look frustrated.

"Your honour, my client is understandable upset. He has admitted his illness but rather than receiving the treatment and understanding he needs, my colleague here rolls out a string of trumped up charges. And now he conveniently produces his 'surprise' key witness. And this whole display of Sapphic affection feels like a set up just to provoke him." He added waving toward Bianca and Marissa, now returned to her seat. "This whole thing stinks your honour, and I hope you have the sense to see it."

"Oh I see everything Mr McCoy, don't doubt that." said Judge Marshall cryptically.

…

"May I ask what detained you young lady?" The judge asked now addressing Bianca.

"It is a long story, your honour." said Bianca, "There was a fallen tree and… a baby."

The judge waved away the explanation now he knew it was going to be complicated.

"Well you are here now, so we may as well hear what you have to say. Mr McCoy do you have any more witnesses?"

"No, your honour."

"Well then Miss Montgomery, please take the stand."

…