A\N: This chapter is the start of the trial and where the real drama and suspense comes into play. In terms of the court case I don't have much law experience, just what I learnt in my high-school law classes and from watching TV shows and movies. I apologize if I got anything wrong in regards to that part part of the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, NBC or Global

Spoilers: None

Warnings: None

Chapter 9

Early January

"Aunt Gabby," Violet dragged her feet into the kitchen, "I don't feel well!"

Putting some pancakes out on the table for Violet Gabby lifted her head. Today would be Violet's first day back at school and she knew she'd be nervous, "Come here," She motioned and the girl dragged her feet over to her, "You didn't tell me this when I woke you up."

"I didn't know then."

Feeling her forehead she said, "You know it's not okay to lie Violet."

"I do feel sick!" She persisted again, "Really."

When she was in the hospital the doctor's had put Violet on a small doze of adolescent anti-depressants. The side effects, which Gabby had memorized, included feeling nauseous, something she knew that Violet got when she was stressed out.

Violet was still on the medication and took it every morning.

Lifting her up Gabby kissed her forehead and said, "I think you're nervous about today; kind of like your first day of school."

"Maybe."

"I know its scary but remember you have lots of friends that want to see you. You can spend all day playing with Annabelle and Uncle Matt and I will pick you up at the bus stop after school."

"But I'll miss you," She hugged her tightly.

"I'll miss you too sweetie but you need to get back to school. You're feeling better now and school is where you need to be. Now," She sat down on a chair with Violet in her lap, "We need to talk about something important. Do you remember when Uncle Matt and I told you that we needed to go to a place where people decide who children should live with.

"Uh-huh, you and Uncle Matt and Daddy are going there because you all want me to live with you!" She smiled brightly. She didn't really understand the process of the hearing and thought it was simply because so many people loved her that they had to go.

"Yes well that starts today. Now the lawyers who are helping me and Uncle Matt are going to try to make sure you don't have to come to one of these meetings but you might have to."

"Cool," She smiled, "Will I see Daddy?" She asked hopefully. She had missed him and since Gabby and Matt had lied and told her he'd gone back to Los Angles for a little while when in reality he'd just not been allowed to see her.

"Ah sweetheart it's not like that, this is official. It's really important, you'd be talking about things to a person called a judge and they'd decide who you get to live with."

"Oh okay."

Gabby could see she still didn't quite understand the situation but didn't really know how else to try and explain it to her. "Eat up and then we have to go. I need to take you to school and Javier and Rafael to Abuela and Abuelo's house." Over the holidays Violet had asked what she should call Antonio, Laura and Gabby's parents. The question although surprising all parties got good answers, Antonio and Laura told her she could call them 'uncle' and 'aunt' and Gabby's parents told her she could call them 'Abuelo and Abuela.'

"When's Aunt Leslie's baby going to come?" Violet asked as she took a bite out of her pancake.

"Not for a few more months the baby still has a lot of growing to do." She told her as she brought her medication over to her, "Here you go sweetie," She placed her medicine and glass or orange juice down on the table for her.

Violet took the pill and swallowed it with the juice and the finished eating her breakfast. While she was eating Gabby got her lunch ready and then did her hair. She also made sure Javier and Rafael had everything they would need for the day as she didn't know for sure what time she and Matt would be out of court. She was hoping it would be in time to get Violet off the bus but she couldn't be sure.

"Violet," Gabby handed her, her back pack, "If Uncle Matt and I are late getting out of this meeting I'm going to call the school and Abuela and Abuelo are going to come and pick you up alright?"

"But will you be at the meeting all night?"

"Oh no not that long we just might be picking you up around dinner time."

"I want to see Uncle Matt," She pouted.

"I know you do sweetheart and you will see him. Now we have to go alright," She double-checked she had everything before leaving the house, carrying Javier and Rafael and Violet walking behind.

Arriving at Violet's school Gabby parked in the parking lot, "Okay Violet you ready?" She turned in her seat and asked the six year old who was sitting in the van's second row of captains chairs.

"No! I don't want to go."

Dr. Soreli Violet's therapist had told Gabby and Matt that the first day of school would be emotionally tough so she had been prepared for a break down. She climbed out of the car and went around to other side of the car and opened the back door.

"Come on Violet," She reached encouraged, "I'm going to take you to your classroom. Just like on the first day."

She rubbed her eyes, "I don't want to go."

"Violet come here," Gabby told her; she wished she had time to spend talking to her but she didn't. Court started at ten and it was already almost nine o'clock. She still had a lot to do before going to the courthouse.

"Auntie Gabby," Violet sobbed into her shirt, "Please let me stay with you."

"Oh sweetheart," She rubbed her back, "I wish I could."

Since they only lived less then three blocks away from the school Annabelle's grandmother walked her to and from school every day.

"Grandma!" Annabelle jumped up and down as she saw Violet from the sidewalk. "It's Violet!"

Taking her granddaughter's shoulder gently but firmly Susan said, "Sweetheart I think Violet's sad. Look Ms. Dawson's holding her.

"Oh," She looked more closely at the scene, "Is she sad?"

"Yes I think she is. We can go over and say hi but don't run. It's slippery and you might fall." She explained as the sidewalk was covered with ice and wet snow.

"Okay," She continued to walk with her Grandma, once they got closer to Violet and Gabby, Gabby saw them and whispered something in Violet's ear, the girl turned around.

"Hi," She waved.

"Hi honey," Susan hated seeing any child upset and she especially felt bad for all that Violet had been as was going through, "You having a rough time?"

"Uh-huh," She nodded through her tears, "Daddy's going to be at the meeting," She hiccupped, "I can't go. And Uncle Matt and Aunt Gabby are going to be home really late and I miss Uncle Matt."

Looking at Susan Gabby mouthed, "Custody Hearing"

"Ah," She nodded her head, "Well now I don't know if this will make you feel better but why don't you come home with Annabelle tonight and we can go sledding and make hot chocolate what do you say?"

She perked up a little, "I'd like that."

Looking appreciatively at the older woman Gabby said, "Well then it's all settled. I'll just get Abuela to drop off your suitcase at Annabelle's house."

"Oh boy!" Annabelle smiled, "Lets go tell everyone!" She reached up to take her friend's hand.

Violet hesitated for a second. Looking up at Gabby she gave her a kiss on the cheek and said, "I love you."

"I love you too sweetheart, can you go with Annabelle now?"

"Okay," She let Gabby put her down and she took Annabelle's hand.

"I'll take them in, make sure they're all settled," Susan quickly told Gabby, "I'll tell the office about tonight too."

"Yeah, I'll call and tell them about the changes," She said watching the older woman hurry off to catch up with the girls. " At that moment she was thankful she and Matt had met with Violet's teacher the previous week to tell her about Violet's condition and what was going to happen regarding the custody trial.

The Family Law Courthouse was in downtown Chicago and since it was rush hour and she was already running late Gabriela arrived after the hearing had started. She went into the gallery and sat at the back making eye contact with Matt to let him know she was there.

At a fifteen minute break she met with Matt outside the courtroom, "You don't' have to be here Matt," She looked at his exhausted face. He had just come off a shift and the day before that had worked at a construction job almost all day.

"I want to be here," He said and he kissed her on the lips, "How was Violet this morning?"

"A little shaky but we saw Susan and Annabelle on our way in so that helped. Susan invited her over tonight after school."

"I'm glad Violet found a good friend," Matt stated.

"Me too," Gabby nodded in agreement as Mr. Begaly and two younger associates walked towards them.

"Mr. Casey, Ms. Dawson," He shook both their hands, "This is Henry Chang and Peter. Arshavin. They're two of my best Junior Associates and they'll be assisting me on this case."

"Very nice to meet you Ma'am, Sir," Henry Chang was the first to step forward to shake their hands, soon after Peter Arshavin did the same.

After the introductions had finished Mr. Begley began walking towards a more private section of the hallway, turning the corner he turned to Matt and Gabby and said, "This is going to be a judge only trial, which is usually the case in these proceedings. One thing I should warn you about now though is that Mr. Reynolds's lawyers are going to pretention the judge to take Violet's decision about where she's like to live into account.

Matt's eyes almost shot out of their sockets, "What? After everything she's been through?"

"Matt," Gabby took his hand in an effort to calm him.

"Yes, that and considering her age we should be able to argue against it, however I am not sure how easy that is going to be for you request she doesn't testify. I'm going to ask that it only be the judge in the courtroom with Violet and that no transcript be taken. Also, that no one couches Violet on what to say; that way it's far. That unfortunately is the best scenario we can hope for."

Gabby took a deep breath; she had feared that this is what would happen and one look at Matt showed he was thinking the same thing.

"Okay," Matt nodded, "But she might have a hard time understanding it fully."

"I'd like to meet her before she talks to the judge," Mr. Begaly said, "Maybe then we could go over it with her."

"That would be helpful," Matt told him.

"Okay, well hopefully we'll find out the date soon so you can make the arrangements to get Violet out of school; and if needed for you to take some time off work," Mr. Begaly spoke to them.

Gabby's cell vibrated she saw it was a text from Antonio. He had the results from his check on Jim and was outside of the courthouse, "Excuse me," She said and walked down the hallway and back out of the courthouse.

"Hey," She gave her brother a quick hug, "How're Laura and the twins doing?"

"Good," He smiled, "Laura's feeling better every day and most of the scarring had gone away. You guys should come over for dinner soon."

"Yeah, I'm sure Violet would love that. Thanks again for doing this," She thanked him.

"No problem," He handed over his findings, "I think you'll find this will help you." He kissed her on the cheek and then turned and walked away.

Walking back into the courthouse Gabby met back up with Matt and the lawyers, she said, "That was my brother, he's a detective he did some legal investigation on Jim Reynolds and his time in Los Angles. He said it might be able to help us," She handed Jim Begaly the file.

"Would he be able to testify if needed?"

"I'm sure he could."

"Good," He handed the file over to Peter Arshavin, "Go over this and highlight anything that we could use and makes notes too. Prepare to give it to me during lunch break today."

"Yes Sir," He nodded and walked off.

A clerk came out to tell them that the judge was ready to start and they all piled into the courtroom, Mr. Chang handing him a large file as they walked.

"Counselor's are you ready for the proceedings on whether Violet Casey should testify" The judge, Kate Atkinson asked.

"Yes Your Honor," Both Senior Lawyers said at roughly the same time

"Good," She looked at both of them, "Mr. Lagry, you may proceed,"

"Right," He nodded and stood, "The Plaintiff petitions the court that Violet Casey testify. Given that this is a custody case we believe that her word should be taken into consideration."

The judge nodded and accepted the motion that was handed to her by a clerk, "Does the defense have an objection to this?"

"Yes your honor we do."

Judge Atkinson lowered her glasses and looked at Mr., Begley, "Aright counselor what is it?"

"We believe that given the circumstances that Violet has been in these past few months it would be unwise to have her testify in front of everyone. However, if the Plaintiff agrees we would be willing you have her talk to just you, Your Honor. Of course we would also ask that she be given no preparation from either side. "

The lawyers at the plaintiff table were whispering in hushed tones and then one stood and said, "The plaintiff would like to point out to your honor that Mr. Begley's clients have right now court ordered sole custody of the child. We would we concerned your honor that this might give them a chance to maybe accidently say something to her.

"Your Honor my clients are respected members of this community, a fire-fighter and a EMT. As much as I'm sure they'd like to talk to Violet about what to say if Your Honor rules they can't I'm sure they will oblige."

The judge appeared to be thinking over the matter after awhile she banged her gravel and said, "The court rules in favour of the defense. I will set up a time for me to meet with this girl and talk to her. I will let both counsels know the arranged time. Now lets proceed…."

The rest of the morning consisted of small arguments from both sides on whether the current custody arrangements should be re-looked at, finally Judge Atkinson rules that it should not be and then she gave a two and a half hour lunch break.

The school bell rang at three thirty and children left their classrooms and hurried to get ready to leave for school. Chatting away Violet and Annabelle got on their coats, snow pants, hats and mitts and put on their backpacks and walked out to the pick-up and drop-off area.

For the most part Violet had an uneventful day with not a lot of drama. A lot of her classmates had asked her where she was but Gabby and Matt had anticipated that so they helped her decade what she could say. Gabby had packed her favourite pasta salad for lunch and given her two cookies instead of one. At afternoon recesses Diego, Annabelle and her had played catch with a ball and now she was going over to her best friend's house.

Annabelle's grandmother had brought Annabelle's sled with her when she picked Annabelle and Violet up and they had gone sledding right away. As the hill was close to the school the hill was already busy when they arrived.

"Lets go down together!" Violet said to Annabelle as her sled could hold two people.

"Yeah!" She agreed excitedly and they got on and pushed off and went flying down the hill. They landed in a pile of snow and burst into a fit of laughter.

"Lets go again!" Annabelle cheered and they happily ran back up to the top of the hill.

Later that night Annabelle and Violet were sitting at the kitchen table doing their homework when the apartment buzzer buzzed.

"Is that Uncle Matt and Auntie Gabby?" Violet asked hopefully as Annabelle's grandmother went to see.

The voices she hard told her it was and she squealed in joy. She packed up her school bag, "Thank you Ms. Camden," She looked at Annabelle's grandmother, "I had fun tobogganing."

"Oh you're very welcome sweetheart," Susan told the girl and opened the door when she heard a knock.

"Uncle Matt!" Violet went flying towards him and almost caused him to loose his balance, "I missed you!" She looked up at him, still holding on tightly.

Handing Rafael over to Gabby Matt lifted Violet up, "I misses you to sweetheart," He kissed her forehead and held on to her tightly, "Did you have a good day at school?"

"Yeah I did. Auntie Gabby made me my favourite lunch and she gave me two cookies."

"Well that was very nice of her. Now did you say thank you to Ms. Camden for letting you come over?"

"Yes," She smiled proud that she had remembered all by herself.

"Good girl."

"Thanks again for letting her stay here Susan," Gabby removed her hair from Rafael's grasp as she talked, "We really appreciate it."

"It's no problem at all; she's a very sweet girl and she and Annabelle play so nicely together."

"Annabelle's my best friend," She said.

"You're my best fried too Violet," Annabelle told her.

"Okay sweetie," Matt put Violet down, "Say goodbye to Annabelle you'll see her tomorrow."

"Bye Annabelle," She hugged her.

"Bye Violet," Annabelle hugged her back.

TBC

A\N: Violet talking to the judge will come in a few chapters but before that we'll learn more about the information Antonio gave Gabby and why it might put Violet at risk. Hope you liked the chapter and please remember to review :)