A/N: Hey, what a week! So happy for Team GB coming 2nd place in the medals table and especially the Women's Hockey Gold ! Netherlands were a well-deserved Silver WB79, so congrats on that. Also Bronze for your guys prooffice, so good results! Librarybook, you have one of the fastest hockey teams out there, so no doubt NZ will be back with a vengeance next time! Yes, emj137, I'm dreading the weekend TV schedule already! Argh!

Over 800 reviews for this fic now - well done to qtjen for being the number 800 :-) and thanks for each and every one of those. Thanks for your kind words Sugarlandaddict23, phatomframefta5, Sennag, Shaster, JessTerr, candyhunter, Tiff3rn33 and all of the guests who left a few words. The rage has died down now, so I have a new chapter for you guys and the next is close to being finished too. I'm pacing you though ;-) Since it is a Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK, I might post it later this weekend if I get a chance.

Very tenuously linked to just having the Olympics in Rio...have any of you seen the Brazilian web series 'Red' on Vimeo? There were 2 series (6 episodes in each I think?) on there, but all episodes might not be there any more, so maybe try YouTube if you haven't heard of it - don't think I can post any weblinks on here. It's about 2 actresses who fall for each other while filming a show and it's really well acted on a budget. They are crowd funding a 3rd series right now I think, but please have a look. It's good!

Piper was a little sore the next morning from her first time stretching her legs with Pete, but she didn't want to let him down when he showed up at 6:30 again on Tuesday. They walked briskly to the park and stretched before Piper insisted Pete ran properly while she went at a much lighter pace with her headphones in. She could feel tightness in her calves and the intercostal muscles between her ribs were also a little inflamed from the unexpected exertion yesterday. Despite that, it was good to get out and breathe in the cold morning air as she jogged slowly around the park, her high pony swinging from side to side as she moved. She was going to the court later that morning to see whether Darryl would enter a guilty plea and really wanted to take her mind off it until she absolutely had to face it. Despite reassuring Polly that she would be fine and didn't need her to be there, she was nervous about it. If he entered a guilty plea, she wouldn't need to go on the stand at all and it would all be over quickly. If he had the audacity to submit a not guilty…..well, that was a whole different thing. She listened to some music on her headphones until Pete caught her and joined her for a warm down before they headed back.

"How's the legs sport?"

"Sore. I really wanted to be able to work my muscles today you know. I just needed to burn off a bit of the tension before I go to this God damned court hearing later."

"Man, that sucks. Are you nervous?"

"Massively. It will be quick apparently, but it's such a big day because it determines how long this will be hanging around my neck. Like it hasn't already been hanging around for too long." Piper grumbled as they waited at a crossing.

"Surely there's too much evidence against him for it to be anything other than guilty though, right? He'd have to be mad to think he could get away with it at this point."

"I hope you're right."

They approached Piper's house and Pete gave her a quick hug.

"Listen, if you're sore tomorrow we can take a break for a day you know. Let your legs rest a bit?" He offered as she started walking backwards to his car.

"No, I'd like to keep going. It gives me something to focus on and I like to feel my muscles ache a little."

"Well, if your legs are aching, maybe we could head to my gym instead and you can do some upper body work or something? It would give your legs a breather, but you're still getting the work out."

"I'd love to, but I can't afford gym membership on top of my other bills at the moment."

"I've got some free passes for being a gold member, you can use one of them for a month trial if you want? They'll even do you a work out programme as part of the induction. Anyway, I'll come round tomorrow at the same time and we can see how you feel OK?" Pete waved as he jogged back to his car.

Steve texted her to say he'd be in court from about 10am and would she have time for a catch up afterwards as he's staying in the city overnight. She replied to say she'd see him soon and yes, she had no plans tonight before heading for the shower.

Standing in front of her mirror in what was really the business suit she wore for important work presentations, she put her earrings in and applied some light make up. A little extra around her eyes to hide the dark circles from the last few sleepless night and she was ready to go. Subconsciously finding things to do that would stall the trip to the gallows, she plugged her phone in to charge the 10% it had dropped since she already charged it this morning and checked to see if there were any messages. There was a voicemail from her Dad, saying he was sorry he couldn't be there with her and another from Cal. They must have left them both last night when her phone was dead. Texts wishing her luck came through from Nicky and Polly as well as one from Alex.

'Hey, thinking of you today. I'm right where I said I would be if you need anything. X'

Piper smiled. Knowing Alex hadn't left and she was still in the city had lifted a weight off her shoulders and she already felt more positive about the court visit as a result of their conversation last night. She hadn't really had time to dwell on what happened yesterday because she'd been so exhausted when she got home, but there was a lot to think on when she had the head space. Hopefully, that could start after the guilty plea today.

XXXXX

She met her Lawyer outside the court room and they had a quick conversation about what would happen today and he reassured her that she could hang in the back row if she wanted to or not even go in. Piper knew that she needed to face this head on and deal with the Bogeyman if she was ever going to put this behind her. Steve tapped her shoulder as she stood in front of the door, preparing herself to go in with a few stern words of inner monologue about staring the bad guy down.

"Hey, I'm happy to see you!" Steve hugged her tightly, gently swaying them both from side to side as he gripped her back with his palms.

"Me too! It's all so formal with all the legal people everywhere. Are you here on your own?"

"Yeah, I had a late shift last night, so set off really early this morning. How about you? Any fan club here for moral support?" He looked around behind her for anyone lurking uncomfortably as he held her for longer than needed.

"No. We'd better go in I think." Piper nodded towards the door and Steve offered his arm to her as he pushed the door open for both of them.

Everyone took their places and Piper shivered at how familiar the set up was to her. She wasn't used to sitting in the gallery, but her stomach flipped when she recognised the door where the person on trial was going to come from as she'd walked through a very similar door herself. Steve must have felt her tense up next to him as he moved to hold her hand as they sat close to each other. He squeezed her hand lightly as the door at the back opened and Darryl was led through by two security staff, handcuffed and in a smart navy suit. He looked like he was about to give a Best Man's speech at a wedding and not about to go on trial for rape and attempted rape. There wasn't a bit of remorse or shame in his demeanour and Piper felt angry at how little he seemed to be affected by all of this. He was led to a seat next to his legal team, thankfully facing away from them now. Piper couldn't decide whether she had wanted Darryl to see her in the crown or not when he first walked through the door, but she felt better for being able to bore her hate-filled eyes through the back of his shiny head as everyone waited for the Judge to arrive. After a few minutes of quiet chatter, someone stood and told everyone to stand for the arrival of the Judge, seating themselves just as quickly when she sat down.

"It's a woman. That has to be a good thing for a rape trial right?" Steve leaned in and whispered to her.

"I don't know if it will make a difference for the plea. Will it be the same one if it goes to trial?" Piper whispered back, before someone in the row in front turned to scowl at them. Piper mouthed an apology as the legal talk in the background introduced the powers of the court… yada yada.

Eventually, their ears pricked up when they asked the defendant to stand for the charges to be read. Two counts of rape, one of attempted rape and one indecent assault. They couldn't see his face as the charges were read out, but the next words spoken by the Judge were to ask how the defendant would plead. Piper held her breath for the longest time. She didn't even remember taking a breath to hold, she just stopped breathing completely for fear of the change in C02 levels in the room changing the plea to something negative. Darryl's Lawyer leaned in to whisper something in his ear before Darryl cleared his throat and entered his plea.

"Not guilty Your Honour."

XXXXX

The court room was practically empty by the time Steve got anything more than a vacant stare into space from Piper.

"Come on Piper, they'll be locking us in here if we don't get out of this place." Steve meant it as a joke, but Piper's head spun around to face him quickly and he immediately realised his mistake.

"Bad choice of words. Sorry, that was stupid. Let's get some air." He guided her up from the seats and out of the main court room into the corridor. Piper's Lawyer was talking to someone else in a suit outside and called them over.

"Piper. This is David Sinclair, he'll be the main Prosecutor on the case now we're going to trial."

The tall, grey haired man held his hand out to shake her hand and introduced himself to Steve too.

"Nice to meet you both. We weren't expecting them to go down this route. The evidence against him is robust, so I really think he is taking a big risk here. We have a strong case Piper, we just need to make sure we're watertight on the finer details now as they must think they have something to chink our armour….."

Piper couldn't listen to any more and pulled herself free of Steve's arm on her back, muttering something about needing the bathroom before running down the corridor. She leaned over the sink and waited for the bile to rise high enough that she could be sick and be rid of the overwhelming nausea, but it wouldn't come. She was sweating and her heart was pumping furiously, not sure where to direct the adrenaline filled blood first. She pulled her phone out and called Polly, not knowing what to do. No answer. Feeling faint, she went to sit in one of the stalls, so at least she wouldn't look like a complete freak to anyone who might walk into the bathroom and find her crawling around on the floor. She fumbled around with her phone to try and swipe the screen to scroll through her contacts. The first name to flash up at the start of the alphabet was the person she wanted to talk to the most. She hit the call button and brought the phone to her ear before she'd even thought about what she might say. Her heart beat seemed to steady just from the ringing sound of Alex's phone and Piper closed her eyes to focus on it.

"Hey, is everything OK?" Alex answered, concern evident in her voice.

"He's pleaded not guilty." Piper choked on any words that might have furnished further details.

"Shit, I'm sorry Pipes."

"I'll have to go through a trial."

"Yeah."

"I….don't think I can."

"You might not need to take the stand yet. They've got a shitload of evidence against him, so he might change his plea before it gets that far."

"What if he doesn't?"

"Then you take the stand and make sure you put the nail in that fucker's coffin."

"What if I'm the chink in the defence's armour? What if my past comes back to bite me and he gets off because of it?"

"You're getting way ahead of yourself here Piper. You're just one piece of the jigsaw. The whole case doesn't hinge on you taking the stand. You're not on trial here."

"I am though aren't I?"

"Nope. Sorry Pipes, but you're ensemble cast in this show. You'll be credited with a guest appearance if it makes you feel any better."

"Asshole." Piper smiled.

"Hey, I'm just managing your expectations. Where are you?"

"Sitting on the bathroom floor in a stall at the courthouse."

"What?! Why are you sitting on the floor?"

"I felt a bit sick."

Alex could tell something was off with the way Piper was speaking on the call and her breathing wasn't right.

"Ew, do you even realise what germs you're sitting in right now?"

"I hadn't thought about that actually."

"There will be piss splashback from half a dozen incontinent old women who've been drinking too much tea before watching their delinquent nephew get off with a fine for smoking dope in the Target parking lot."

"That's a very specific kind of pee threat you're alerting me to there."

"It's not as bad as the new law grad who's shooting diarrhoea into the bowl before her very first court appearance. Do you want me to continue? Are you standing up yet?"

"I'm standing now, yes. And no to continuing. I've heard enough about the bathroom habits of the ladies in court for today."

"Well, feel free to tune in for another instalment if you feel yourself drawn to the germ infested floor of another public restroom won't you?"

"I will, now I know what channel you're on."

"Please wash your hands thoroughly after this broadcast and also your phone. Wash everything."

"OK, I will."

"You OK?"

"Yeah, better."

"Good, because I've got a sudden urge to go clean my bathroom right now."

"I won't keep you then. Bye Alex."

"See you Pipes."

Piper was touching up her make-up in the mirror when Steve popped his head through the door.

"Psst. Everything OK?"

"Yeah, sorry." Piper chuckled at Steve's embarrassment at looking into the ladies room. "I took my time to make sure the legal people were done talking by the time I got back. Are they gone? Is it safe to come out?"

"Yeah, I definitely took a bullet for you with that. I have no idea what half of it meant, but basically it means there will be another day in court in 3-4 weeks to start going through the evidence. I'll wait outside for you. I feel a bit nervous about perving in the ladies room when every person coming in here has probably got the power to arrest me for it."

XXXXX

Piper invited Steve around to her place for dinner and a drink and they sat talking about his job and some of the interesting cases he's got involved with since he graduated. He was clearly loving his work and Piper enjoyed seeing his enthusiasm and relaxed into the sofa as he talked about some of his research projects. She was exhausted from not sleeping well for the past few nights and Steve's familiar voice was so relaxing that it lulled her to sleep as she sat against the sofa. Steve gently woke her up with his hand on her shoulder.

"Hey sleepy head. My cab is here, so I'm going to head back to my hotel now Piper."

"Oh. OK. Sorry, I was just resting my eyes."

Steve chuckled as he put his jacket on. "Yeah, right. Thanks for a lovely dinner. You make awesome pasta." He winked as he leaned down to give her a hug.

"I haven't been shopping! Make me feel guilty why don't you?!" Piper swatted his arm playfully before rising and seeing him out of the door. She was exhausted and quickly in bed after getting washed in the bathroom.

XXXXX

On Wednesday morning, Piper found herself signing up to a month long membership of the gym the Pete was already a member of. After signing her forms to join, she changed and waved goodbye to Pete as she got taken on an induction of the gym by one of the instructors, Jess. She was a tall African-American who seemed to be built of pure muscle as she demonstrated the equipment for Piper to understand the correct technique before the blonde tried it for herself.

"What are your aims then Piper? What is it you're wanting to achieve from joining the gym?" Jess asked when they were walking to the free weights section.

"Um…I don't really know. I like to run usually, but my legs have been a bit achy doing it on consecutive days, so I guess I just wanted to break it up so it wasn't all leg work. Maybe something to tone up more all over. What do you do to look so ripped?" Piper gestured up and down Jess's body.

"I work here and I'm on the equipment A LOT." Jess laughed as she altered the weights for the machine Piper would be using for working her triceps.

"OK. I'm not saying my goal is a body like yours. I don't have the dedication for that, I'll be honest."

Jess raised her eyebrow, unsure if there was an innuendo in there.

"Oh, I didn't mean like your body IS my goal." Piper stammered.

"You have a lot to say about my body for someone who just met me an hour ago Piper."

Piper flushed crimson and took a breath before Jess stopped her.

"As entertaining as it is to watch you digging a virtual hole there, it's not a virtual work out you're paying me for this morning. Come on, let me show you how to use this for your arms." Jess moved to stand in front of the machine and gripped the hand piece to pull the weights down slowly with her arm.

XXXXX

Getting in to the store, Piper told Polly about what happened at court the previous day (except the part about calling Alex) and her best friend shared her dismay at the fact the guy hadn't said he was guilty from the start.

"Fucking creep."

"Yeah, I know. So, we've got a few weeks before it all starts for real."

"How was Steve? Still pining after you with his gorgeous brown eyes?"

Piper rolled her eyes and scoffed. "No. He's great, really loving his job back home. I can't see him ever leaving that place."

"Does he know you're single?"

"No. And I don't want you telling him."

"Why? Afraid he might get on bended knee? Your parents would LOVE that."

"Precisely why it is NEVER going to happen."

"Is that the only reason it won't happen?"

"You know the reason."

"I do. I'm just messing with you. Did you see her yesterday?"

"Yeah. She's at home."

"So she sent you a letter and gave me the whole speech about needing space and she didn't even leave her apartment?!"

"Pretty much."

"What the Hell was all that about then?"

"It's complicated. I sort of understand though now. We're not on the same page, but I think we might be reading the same book at least. She was breaking up for the right reasons, but there isn't a good way to do that I guess. Reasoned discussion isn't my strong point at the best of times and I think she was trying to avoid another case of emotional chaos-itis. She's supposed to be heading to London for work, but she wants some sort of confirmation from me that I'm OK with it I think. I don't know Pol…..I was so upset with her leaving when I got that letter and the relief I felt when I saw her in her apartment was like a wave washing over me. To know that she's really not going to be here is a bit strange, but I'd at least know she was coming back…. I have to let her go don't I?"

"It's not like you'd be on your own."

"I know." Piper sighed. "How was it yesterday with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum?"

"They were OK. Brooke is a bit annoying with her political activism stories. Tricia is a bit like a hyperactive puppy. But they got on with some of the shitty stuff I hate doing. It smells lemony fresh out on the shop floor now."

"Oh good. I do like lemons."

It was the middle of the morning when Piper answered the phone to Lorna.

"Hey Piper. How are you?"

"I'm fine thanks. Wait. Was that a general greeting 'how are you?' or a 'how are you since Alex dumped you?' I forget everyone knows."

"Er…both?" Lorna was caught out by the question.

"Let's pretend it's the first. The answer is quicker, so I'm fine thanks. How are you?"

"I'm great. I wanted to ask you a favour actually."

"Does it involve finding work for more random employees that you can't actually employ yet?"

"No, it definitely doesn't." Lorna laughed. "I wanted to check you'd be OK with Tricia leaving a bit earlier tonight. She has an appointment at 4pm. Would you mind?"

"Not at all. Fine with us"

"Great! I'll pick her up at about 3:15 then. I'll see you later."

Piper put the phone down and walked into the store room, where Tricia was studiously undertaking a stock count on the floor.

"Hey, you doing OK in here?" Piper asked when she thought the counting of the sea kelp soaps was finished.

"Sure am. You've got loads of these back here, but none out there in the shop. You do know people can't buy them when they can't see them right?"

"Yes I do. They are in here because they aren't the current season of stock."

"Sea kelp has a season?"

"Yes, it's Autumn."

"Seriously?!" Tricia looked like she just found out Barack Obama had just been filling in as President because the real guy who won the votes had holiday booked when he had to take office.

"Yes, seriously. Anyway, I came in here to tell you that it's OK for you to leave early for your appointment later."

"Appointment?"

"Yes. Lorna Morello called to say you have an appointment at 4pm and she's coming to pick you up at 3:15. You don't know about it?" Piper was puzzled.

"Oh! It's a group meeting, not really an 'appointment'. But yeah, cool. Thanks."

"Group meeting?"

"Yeah, part of my rehab." Tricia avoided Piper's eyes as she spoke, clearly embarrassed at talking about it.

"You're in rehab? Like drugs rehab?" Tricia sensed Piper's voiced raised towards the end of the sentence and tried to make light of it.

"I'm clean yo. This is just to make sure I stay that way." She shrugged and opened a new box to start counting.

"Right. Well, you can go to your meeting. Just….don't you dare bring that stuff here."

"I won't! I'm clean man!"

Piper went out into the store and waved at Polly to come into the back office. Closing the door behind them, she started whisper-shouting.

"Did you know tattoo girl in there is a junkie?!"

"Is she?"

"Yes!"

"How do you know? Is she doing drugs in here?" Polly was wide eyed as she whisper-shouted back.

"No. Lorna said she has to leave early to go to a meeting later. Tattoo girl says she's clean…but…I don't know Pol. I don't think we should have someone working in here who's been involved with drugs."

Polly raised here eyebrows, the irony of what she just said was completely lost on Piper.

"Piper….she said she's clean, right? Has she done anything to make you think otherwise?"

"No….Not yet anyway, but I've got my eye on her. Drugs make people do strange things."

"Oh yes, that's for sure."

"What does that mean?"

"You have to ask?"

"Yes, apparently I do."

"Drugs made you slide all the way along the Kinsey Scale and carry drug money across international borders." Polly crossed her arms.

"Yes! I didn't TAKE them Polly – and don't make out like I skip around on the spectrum of gayness."

"No, you just enabled people like her to get drugs and become addicted."

"Alright fine. But I'm watching her. One slip up and I will call Nicky."

"OK." Polly shrugged.

XXXXX

Lorna arrived just after 3pm and bought a couple of gift packs for her family when Tricia told her about the special offers that they had in the store. Lorna said Tricia could get a quick smoke outside before they set off when Piper said she wanted a quick word with her.

"Why didn't you tell us she was in rehab for drugs Lorna?" Piper and Polly were in the main store while Brooke took out the trash in the back.

"Um…I didn't think about it to be honest." Lorna was worried she was going to get caught in something Alex had or hadn't said to Piper when she agreed to take these girls on for them.

"It seems strange that you only said it was an appointment and I only got told today. Surely, she would know about these appointments sooner than the same day?" Piper had her arms crossed over her chest.

"Well, it is an appointment. But she needed a sponsor to attend and we were trying to find one. She only got one confirmed today, so she can go to the meeting tonight. Why? Is there a problem?"

Polly cut in. "No. There isn't a problem. We just would have liked to know sooner is all."

"Who is her sponsor?" Piper asked.

"Why? Does it matter?" Lorna seemed defensive.

"Not really. I just think you're doing a lot for someone who just started work for you yesterday. There have to be better quality candidates out there who would snap your arm off to work for you. Why are you busting a gut for a waster junkie?"

Lorna was a bit surprised by the force of Piper's accusatory tone and decided to pause for thought before replying. She didn't want to be on the receiving end of a Chapman rant and risk the girls being kicked out of PoPi over a misunderstanding. When she replied, her tone was gentle and honest.

"Because everybody deserves a second chance Piper. Especially when they try to change and be a better person, learn from their mistakes. I'm her sponsor. I've never done it before, but someone gave me a second chance once and it changed my life."