The courthouse of dade county the following week was anything but just. Horatio, in desperation of trying to keep Arya out of court, had tried harder than anyone on the team to try to find the killer. The team tried and worked like they were possessed. But their labors were not rewarded and that balmy morning, a little girl, was lead to the courtroom in handcuffs. A suspect in the murders of her own family.
Horatio growled pacing outside the room waiting. The previous night uniforms had taken Arya away from him. They arrested her. Just for court day. He growled again looking for his team. Before they drove her off he promised that they all would be there for her. To testify on her behalf. It was almost time for them to lead her in. And he wanted the entire team there for her so she wouldn't walk in alone. Sighing in relief he saw the familiar dark mane of Tim. He walked up panting and picking at his suit but smiled nervously at Horatio. "The others are behind me." Horatio nodded as the rest gathered around the doors. Calleigh sighed. "The media is going nuts. They're having a field day with this H." Eric growled shaking his head. "How could they think she did this? It's insane!" Horatio raised his hands and quieted them. "I know it is Eric. But we can't let her know that. You all have to give me your word that you will be strong for her. After this we have to find the real murderer." Slowly they all nodded and relaxed a little. A front for their little Arya. Soon the sound of shackles filled the space and there was Arya. In a jumpsuit too big for her and handcuffs. Her face was calm but everything else wasn't. She was back in her shell and Horatio cursed the world for it. Her eyes darted and filled with tears until she saw them. She rushed to them and attached herself to Horatio's legs as much as her cuffs would allow. Horatio held her tight as the others surrounded them. Tim held onto her and swore for them all. "We're here squirt. You're gonna be fine." Arya swallowed back a whimper and took a breath that rattled her bones. "Ok..." The uniforms escorting her grabbed her arms and pulled her back to them. "Sorry sir. We need her under control." Arya shook trying to hide her pain. Alexx, who had just shown growled. "Baby you're ok." Then she addressed the uniforms. "You'll rip her stitches!" Instantly put in their place the uniforms nodded and lead her in. As they walked in Arya spared a glance at the team. And then at Horatio. Their eyes met and hers calmed. But as she turned away from his face she descended into hell.
Horatio shifted in his seat. It wasn't time for her to be on the stand yet but so far the team had gone up in her defense. Tim was on the stand now trying to control his anger as he defended her. One emotional slip could sign Arya's sentence. Across the room Horatio caught the smug smile of Rick. He, had gone up and basically asked them to put Arya in jail. Horatio knew Rick was behind this. He was sickened. He knew Rick hated him and wanted him gone but to put a little girl away to do it? He never knew Rick would go so low. But now he did. What little patience Horatio had for Rick was now gone. Tim got down and he judge called for Horatio to come up. He did and swore to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help him god. So help me god indeed. Horatio sat down and waited for his questions. The counselor tapped the wood in front of Horatio. "Sir. You are the lieutenant over this case correct?" Horatio nodded. The counselor continued. "And upon finding the dead, you realized that there was one person missing." He nodded again. "Can you point that person out for the court?" Horatio looked at Arya. "That's her your honor..." Still there was no mercy from the counsellor. "Your evidence does it say she did it?" He shook his head. "No."
"Are you sure? Or did you overlook evidence in hope of saving that little killer!" Horatio growled. "No. There's no evidence of her being anything but a victim. Defense wounds on her prove they were not self inflicted, as knives often cut the perpetrator, they are from defending herself." The counselor turned away. "No further questions." Horatio got down and walked back to his seat. He wanted so badly to hug or kiss Arya, do something to reassure her but if he did his testimony would mean nothing.
Arya swallowed as she was shackled into the stand. She stood, unable to see over the stand if she sat. The judge nodded to the counselor. "Counselor Russell you may proceed." That only made Arya more scared. She was taken from her HC. Handcuffed and shoved in a cell. And she didn't get any sleep. Not to mention that they kept talking about her family. That just made her memories worse. She couldn't even see or be near her HC. Or Speed. Russell tapped the stand again and leaned in close to her. "Why'd you do it?" Arya shook her head looking down. Still the big man pressed on. "At least tell us what happened." Arya jerked back as if she was slapped. Horatio winced and held onto an agitated Speed. "P-please...don't make me tell it.." Russell sighed. "Why don't I tell you what happened." By now Arya was shedding silent tears. "Your mommy and daddy were sleeping in the den with your brothers. And maybe they got you in trouble which is why you were upstairs or otherwise not with them." Arya shook her head but he didn't stop. "So you were angry at mommy and daddy. And you went down and got a big knife from the kitchen.-" Horatio jumped up with Speed. "Your honor I object!" The judge banged his gavel. "Sit down. Counselor enough." Russell held his hand up. "I will be done after this. But please let me finish." The judge sighed having no other choice and nodded with reservation. Russell pounced on the bench and her emotions. "And after that you stabbed them all in their sleep! And got bloody trying to prove your innocence! No further questions your honor!" Russell whirled around and paced away from Arya. All eyes were on her. She looked at Horatio and silently willed him to let her speak. Horatio nodded and slowly sat down pulling Speed with him. Arya banged her little fists on the bench. She was shaking so hard anyone could see. But she dare not let this big man lie about her. "Let. Me. Talk." Her voice shook with tears but a fierce determination to have her say. "I didn't take my bubbies and mommy and daddy away!I can't. My bubbies are bigger and are on a wresling team. They played hard with me and would hurt me if they forgot I am littler. Mommy...my mommy..." Here she choked on tears and couldn't continue. She took a breath. "And my daddy... I'm not let to hold real skissors... Cuts my food. I don't even know how to hold that...thing right. I did not do it. And you are a big meanie if you say I did!" Arya bowed her head and tears fell like rain down onto the wood.
Speed had had enough. Standing with the team he walked to her defense attorney. And began to chew his ass for letting this happen. Horatio shooed half the others to Speed and took the other half with him to the counsellor. Horatio growled at the counsellor. "This court is adjourned. Now." Both the counsellor and defense got the message. Horatio snarled eyes going black with anger. He growled lowly at Russell and pushed into his personal space. Making the man cower and back up a step. "Go on." Russell pulled at his collar and cleared his throat. "Your honor...I think we should adjourn.." With one look at Horatio's angry face the judge got the reason why. "Ok we will reconvene when there is new evidence. For now she is out of custody but we will keep an eye on her." The gavel banged and she was freed. Horatio waited with baited breath. She shook stepping down from the stand. Speed stood next to Horatio and Frank pointed her to them. (He was allowed to free her). Slowly she made her way to Horatio trying to focus on the team and not the tiny flashbacks in her head. She looked up at Horatio and whimpered. "HC...Timmy..." She raised her arms silently begging. Horatio felt tears sting his eyes as he bent and held the little girl in his arms. She clung to him for dear life and began to soak his shirt. Horatio pulled her to him as much as she would go and left the courtroom. Calleigh bumped the men and followed close behind. They walked after them and found Horatio rocking her in a secluded hallway, away from eyes. Speed looked at Calleigh. "Cover us." Calleigh got Eric and Frank and nodded blocking the view of the hallway. Speed sat down next to Horatio and little Arya. "Your safe now squirt.." With a cry Arya pulled Tim close to her. He wrapped his arms around her where Horatio's weren't and hugged her to. Together Horatio and Tim just rocked her holding her, a protector and brother team. She whimpered. "I didn't do it..." Horatio nodded and kissed her head making a solemn vow to her and the team. "I know sweetheart and we'll get the bad guy who did this. I swear." Arya calmed a little and looked around at the others. Calleigh, Eric, Alexx, Tim, and Frank. Her eyes settled on Horatio. Her guardian Horatio. Her HC. "Ok... I.. I trust you." She put her head down on Horatio's chest and held onto him letting herself relax. Horatio choked up. She trusted him. He made another silent vow. He would keep his promise to her and would never fail her. Ever.