Caroline swallowed hard as she entered the courtroom. She'd been dreading this day, had been dreading it as soon as that prosecutor had called her and her lawyer to prepare her to testify.

This wasn't just another hearing, this was the real deal, the trial that would determine whether Kevin would finally be out of her hair for a good long time. Probably not long enough, in her estimation, but long enough for Caroline to rebuild her life without having to constantly look over her shoulder.

Celia was right beside her as they took their seats, squeezing her hand. "You don't worry 'bout a thing, got it? I'm right here. You start gettin' scared, you look right at me."

"I will." Caroline nodded, feeling a little more resolute.

Celia smiled warmly. "You're doin' the right thing. I know it's hard, but you're doin' it."

Caroline couldn't help laughing nervously. "I know. I know."

Her lawyer entered, taking up the seat on the other side of her, placing a hand between her shoulders. "How're you holdin' up?"

"So far, so good." Caroline answered. "We'll see how I do once I get up there."

"You're gonna be just fine." Her lawyer assured her. "Don't let him or that lawyer of his scare you. He can't hurt you here."

Caroline nodded, taking a breath and exhaling it to steady her nerves. It was just as well that Greg and her mother hadn't been able to come. She didn't think she'd be able to recount all of what Kevin had done to her in front of them. Even though logically she knew she had nothing to be ashamed of, those feelings still stuck with her.

"All rise." Caroline rose to her feet along with everyone else in the courtroom as the judge took her seat behind the bench. She nodded to the crowd. "Be seated."

Caroline took her seat along with everyone else, listening as the proceedings started. She had to admit a lot of the legal language went over her head, but she followed most of it. The lawyers made their opening arguments, and soon the proceedings started in earnest.

They seemed to pass in a blur. The officer that had spoken to Caroline that night testified, photographs were shown. All of it felt as if it had happened to someone else. It seemed strange that it felt as if it had happened so long ago, and yet as if it had happened yesterday.

Someone called her name, pulling her out of her thoughts as she rose from her seat. Celia squeezed her hand one last time as she passed by. "Remember, right at me if you get nervous."

"I will." Caroline said to assure Celia as much as to assure herself.

She walked down the aisle, looking straight ahead as she stepped up to the stand and placed her hand on the Bible that the bailiff held. "Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do." Caroline answered firmly.

"Please be seated." The judge instructed.

The prosecutor approached her, a reassuring smile on his face. "Would you please recount the events of the day in question?"

Caroline closed her eyes, allowing the memories she had managed to push aside for so long to come forward. It was as if she were reliving it all over again, the fear, the pain, the rage, the violence.

She opened her eyes, swallowing hard before finding Celia. Celia nodded, her expression solemn and resolute. Finally, Caroline nodded firmly and started telling it all, how Kevin had shown up at her mother's house after spending the night in jail, how he'd started out so sweet and concerned, how quickly it had escalated to screaming, cursing, and finally, how he had gotten a good hold around her neck.

"He told me…'by the time I'm through with you, ain't no other man gonna want you but me'."

A murmur went through the courtroom, and it was soon quiet again as Caroline continued. Somehow, she managed to get it all out, though her stomach was churning so badly she thought she was going to throw up.

"Thank you." The prosecutor told her before turning to the judge. "No further questions."

Kevin's lawyer rose, and Caroline forced herself to settle down, glancing at Celia before glancing back at the lawyer. Her lawyer had warned her about the kinds of tactics he would use to trip her up, to make it look as if it was just a lover's spat, nothing more.

As expected, he peppered her with questions, and she managed to hold her ground, even as she could feel her own temper rising. She wouldn't rise to the bait, oh no. He was going to have to do better than that if he thought she would fall for his tactics.

She briefly glanced over at Kevin. His face was expressionless, but Caroline knew that was just the calm before the storm, before his temper got the better of him and he lashed out. But she wouldn't have to bear the brunt of his anger anymore, and that alone was worth going through this.

"No further questions." The defense lawyer finished, returning to his side of the courtroom.

"You may step down." The judge told her.

Caroline wasn't entirely sure her legs would hold her as she rose from her seat and stepped down, starting back to where Celia and her lawyer sat. It was only when she sat down that the sense of relief washed over her, and she leaned against Celia with a heavy sigh.

"You did great." Celia assured her with an arm around her.

Caroline could only nod, exhaustion starting to take over now. She barely listened to the rest of the proceedings, and finally the judge called a recess.

The prosecutor approached Caroline. "You don't need to hang around if you don't want to. Really appreciate your testimony. I know it wasn't easy."

"I really don't want to." Caroline let out a rueful laugh.

"Let's get you on out of here, then." Celia told her.

They left the courtroom, meeting her lawyer right outside. She gave Caroline a tight hug. "You're a very brave woman. Never forget that."

Caroline didn't feel particularly brave right now but returned the hug. "Thank you."

"I'll keep you updated." Her lawyer told her. "Won't be long and this'll be all behind you."

They separated, and she and Celia left the courthouse to get into Celia's vehicle. "She's right, you know." Celia told her.

Caroline blinked hard, already feeling the tears forming. "Don't feel too brave right now."

"Hell, sis, you've already done the hard part." Celia replied. "You were brave when it mattered. If you need to fall apart, you go right on ahead."

That was all Caroline needed. She let Celia pull her in close, and it seemed that everything that had been building up over these last few months, the anxiety, the fear, came rushing out of her.

It had already been a hard road, and it sure didn't feel like it was getting any easier.

Finally, when she was all cried out, she let out a long sigh. "Can't wait 'til this is all over."

"Me neither." Celia responded. "You've been doin' so good, though."

"Have I?"

"'Course you have." Celia told her firmly. "You're not just goin' back to college, but you're killin' it. And you're helpin' out at the café and takin' care of Kieran. Hell, you're even makin' a little time for Greg. You're doin' just fine. Better than fine."

"Then why don't it feel like it?" Caroline asked quietly. "Still feel like I'm lookin' over my shoulder all the time. I don't know if I'm ever gonna get over that."

"Well, maybe the state'll help buy you some time." Celia offered. "Give you a couple years and you'll be on your own two feet, and if that man does show back up, you'll tell him to go to hell."

Caroline couldn't help laughing at that, hugging Celia tightly. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Me too, sis." Celia hugged her in response.

Caroline felt a lot better by the time they returned to the house, and after Celia pulled in, she gave her another quick hug. "I sure appreciate you comin' with me."

"I'm always here for you." Celia replied as she responded in kind. "Now then, I'll see you Sunday, same as usual."

"Of course." Caroline answered. "And we've gotta start figurin' out Christmas plans, too."

"Lord, don't remind me." Celia sighed. "Rob's mama wants to get together, and you know Mama'll wanna make a big fuss now that we're all here in the same place. I swear, sometimes I think things were easier before."

"Maybe." Caroline conceded. "Wasn't better, though."

Celia seemed somewhat chastened, and she nodded. "You're right, I know that. We'll get it figured out. I'll see you Sunday."

With that, Caroline climbed out and trotted up the steps into the house. Kieran immediately flung himself at her wrapping his arms around her legs before he started chattering on about everything that had gone on while she was gone.

"Sounds like y'all had a real excitin' mornin'." Caroline commented to her mother when she managed to extricate herself from Kieran's grasp.

Her mother merely waved a hand. "Everythin's excitin' when you're four. How'd things go?"

Caroline took a seat at the table and opened her textbook and her workbook. "'Bout as well as can be expected, I s'pose."

She felt a kiss land on top of her head. "Well, all I can say is that you're one brave soul. I would've been scared to death."

Caroline was already tired of hearing how brave and strong she was. She just wanted it all done and over with. "I didn't have much of a choice, Mama."

"Of course you had a choice." Her mother took a seat at the table with her. "They probably could've nailed him without you testifyin', but you did it anyway."

"I ain't gonna believe it 'til it's all said and done." Caroline told her. "And maybe not even then."

"Ain't no easy thing, that's for sure." Her mother observed. "But you've come an awful long way, and I'm proud of you."

"I appreciate that." Caroline managed to smile at that. "Now, I do need to get this done before class."

"Right." Her mother rose from the table with a smile. "Almost finals time, ain't it?"

"Mm-hmm." Caroline was already absorbed in her work again, writing down the numbers and punching the totals into her calculator. She was looking forward to next semester, when she'd start learning to do all of this on the computer.

For a moment, she let her mind drift, allowing herself to think about her future, imagining her and Kieran in their own place, supported by her and her alone. It wouldn't be fancy, but it would do. And it would be a lot more peaceful without Kevin around.

Of course, if things continued with Greg…well, she didn't want to think too much about that. Dinner and a movie and a few kisses were fine, but that didn't mean Caroline was in any rush for it to go any further than that. Not that she would object, necessarily, but it would be nice to be able to do this all on her own without depending on someone else.

She realized that she'd made a mistake while her mind had been wandering, and she shook her head with a sigh as she erased it and put the correct numbers in. If she didn't concentrate on this, the future she was thinking about wasn't going to happen. Better to concentrate on this and not think too much about what lay ahead. She didn't have that much control over it anyway.

# # #

Rob couldn't help smiling to himself as he pulled into his driveway next to Celia's vehicle. He'd been busy all morning with all the repair and maintenance jobs that were coming his way as people were trying to squeeze them in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was keeping him running, but he didn't mind. He enjoyed doing it, and he was doing well enough that he was considering making a full-time business out of it.

After some discussion with his shrink at the VA, he had decided against trying to get back into EMS, even as an instructor. Helping out at the one accident he had encountered had kept him on edge for weeks afterward, enough that both Celia and Greg had expressed concern, though in markedly different ways.

Regardless, that wasn't a path he was going to take, not now.

He climbed down from the truck and started toward the house, the dogs greeting him as soon as he walked in. "Alright, alright. What'd y'all do with Celia, huh?"

He scratched both their heads and went off in search of Celia. She was on the couch, her feet tucked under her, thoroughly engrossed in whatever she was watching.

"Must be somethin' good on." He commented casually as he took a seat next to her and stretched out his arm across the back of the couch and propped up his leg on the coffee table.

"Oh, just some movie." Celia answered, shifting so that she moved a little closer. "You must've had a busy mornin'."

"You're not kiddin'." Rob told her. "I swear these folks put off everythin' right up 'til they realize folks are comin' to visit for Christmas. Good for business, though. How's Caroline doin'?"

Celia let out a little sigh. "Poor girl was about scared to death, but she did good up there."

"Man, I don't know if I could've done it." Rob shook his head, wrapping an arm around Celia's shoulders. "Tell you what, that son of bitch had better make himself scarce once he gets out."

"I don't think he has too many friends left around here anyway." Celia answered, laying her head on Rob's shoulder. "Long as he leaves Caroline alone, that's all I care about. She's been through enough."

They spent a better part of the rest of the day watching movies and talking. It wasn't until the daylight started to fade that Rob started thinking about what to do for dinner. Celia's head was in his lap, and he ran his hand through her hair. "Startin' to think 'bout doin' somethin' for dinner."

Celia shifted so that she was looking up at him. "You thinkin' you wanna stay here or go out? Caroline said that Mexican place she and Greg went to was real good."

Rob was still more than a little self-conscious about going out in public. Outside of town, he knew his appearance made people uncomfortable, and he wasn't sure he wanted to subject himself or Celia to that.

Still, the prospect of taking his girlfriend out for dinner held some appeal. "Ain't far, right?"

"Right." Celia pushed herself up to a sitting position. "Just the next town over."

"Well, hell, what're we waitin' for?"

Soon they were on their way, pulling into the parking lot and climbing down from Rob's truck. "Smells good."

"Sure does." Celia reached out to Rob as they met in front of the truck, and he took her outstretched hand as they started toward the door.

As soon as they walked in, the waitress greeted them, her eyes going wide briefly before her expression smoothed out. "Evenin'. Two?"

"Yes, ma'am." Rob answered, that edgy feeling creeping in.

"Right this way."

Celia squeezed his hand as they followed the waitress to their table. "I'll bring y'all some chips and salsa. Y'all want anythin' else right now?"

They both ordered drinks to go with, and the waitress breezed away, leaving them to look over the menu. Celia glanced over at him. "You doin' alright?"

"'Course." Rob answered. "Still get some funny looks, that's all. Part of why I holed myself up at home for so long. Used to have a hard time dealin' with it. Still do sometimes."

Celia smiled, reaching across and placing one hand over his. "Well, if it matters, you look just fine to me."

"It matters, girl." Rob was surprised by the rough tone in his voice, betraying his emotion. "It sure as hell matters."

Celia let her hand drift across his as she pulled back, and soon the waitress returned with their drinks and to take their order. She was just as quickly gone again, and they both reached for the basket of chips.

"Been doin' some thinkin'." Rob told her.

Celia paused, her brows wrinkling slightly. "Oh? About what?"

"Well, you remember how I was thinkin' 'bout doin' EMS again?"

Her expression smoothed out. "I do."

"Got to talkin' to that shrink at the VA." Rob told her. "Kinda decided against it. You know, seein' how I was havin' a hard time after stoppin' to help out that one time. Don't see any point in beatin' my head against that wall."

Celia nodded, looking thoughtful. "Makes sense. In a way it's too bad. You would've been good at it."

"Sure, maybe." Rob shrugged. "But it ain't worth it if I'm just gonna be on edge all the time. I'd just as soon keep on doin' what I'm doin'. It's goin' well enough that I can make a pretty decent livin' off it, and hell, I s'pose I could take some classes at the community college to improve myself, right?"

Celia smiled widely at that. "And I know someone who can help you do the books here in a couple years."

Rob couldn't help laughing a little at that. "Be a hell of a thing, huh? Make it into a family business."

Celia regarded him with a curious expression. "You don't say."

Rob realized he was getting a little ahead of himself. "Well now, I don't mean right now. But, you know, maybe in time…ah hell, I don't know what I'm sayin'. Just runnin' my mouth, I guess."

"No, I get what you're sayin'." Celia replied. "S'pose we're both gettin' a little carried away."

"Hard not to." Rob responded. "Been a long damned time since I thought about havin' any kind of future."

The waitress brought their food, and they soon settled into more casual conversation while sharing bites with each other. Rob couldn't remember a time when he felt so relaxed and comfortable. It was a far cry from his life before this, when he had accepted that he would be by himself, just him and the dogs.

This was a hell of a lot better. Now all he had to do and try to make it last.

Finally, they finished their meals, and Rob paid the check before they left the restaurant and returned to the truck. "Man, you almost had to roll me outta there." Rob told her.

Celia laughed at that. "It was awfully good. I'm stuffed."

They climbed into the truck for the drive back as they continued their casual conversation. Rob couldn't help but marvel at how simple it seemed, how easy and comfortable things were between them.

It wouldn't always be so, he knew that. He had a lot of problems that he was still trying to get a grip on. But he was getting better, and while he probably wouldn't ever get entirely over those problems, he was learning to manage them.

Maybe he never would have if not for Celia. He didn't really know. There was no point in wondering, he supposed.

He pulled into the driveway and shut off the truck. "Are you stayin' tonight?"

"Do you want me to?" Celia asked.

"I always want you to, girl." Rob laughed. "Do you wanna stay?"

Celia paused for a moment, clearly pretending to think about it before leaning over and kissing him lightly. "Yes, I wanna stay."

That was all Rob needed to hear. They quickly climbed down from the truck and made their way into the house, and as soon as Celia closed the door, Rob caught her and pulled her in close, leaning down and kissing her hard, his hands almost automatically sliding under her shirt.

Somehow they managed to make it to the bedroom, clothing falling away until there was nothing between them. For the moment, Rob forgot all about the pain and the scars and the missing leg, caught up in the intense pleasure they were giving each other.

Afterward, Celia curled up against him, and he kissed the top of her head. "You have any idea what you do to me?"

Celia laughed softly. "Think I have some idea."

Rob shifted a little so that he faced her. "I know we said we're gettin' a little ahead of ourselves but…ah hell, girl. Forget it."

"I will not." Celia laid a hand on his chest. "Now then, what're you tryin' to say?"

Rob collected his scattered thoughts. "All I'm tryin' to say is…if you ever get tired of livin' in that apartment, or, if maybe you don't wanna reup your lease when it comes up…maybe we could see about gettin' our own place together."

Celia was silent for a long moment, and Rob found himself dreading her response. "Well, what's wrong with this one?"

Rob's relief was nearly instant. "Ain't nothin' wrong with it. A little small for two people and…well, I know we ain't really talked about kids and stuff, but…it's kinda small for that."

"Have to admit I ain't thought much about havin' kids." Celia replied. "Mostly just because I hadn't met the right guy to have kids with."

"Well now, we ain't gotta decide that right now." Rob assured her quickly. "Ain't even figured out our livin' situation. Or much of anythin' else."

Celia kissed him softly. "There ain't no hurry. Although you might make a pretty good dad someday."

"And I'll bet you'd make a good mama." Rob told her, that emotion surging again. "S'pose we're gettin' ahead of ourselves again."

"I don't know." Celia replied. "Nothin' wrong with talkin' about it."

"You're right." Rob agreed.

It wasn't long before Celia fell asleep, her breath soft and even as she was curled against him. Rob could only wonder at it all. That he was even thinking about this blew his mind.

And maybe, someday, they would do more than just talk about it.