"Fuck."I mumbled as I saw the press snapping pictures of Gerard and Lily. They were talking to them. I rushed up to them in time to hear someone with a microphone ask Gerard,"Why did you shoot Dean Smith?"

"Oh come on!"I groaned. Suddenly everyone was silent and staring at me. Cameras were facing me and suddenly I wasn't so confident in getting angry at them all.
"Continue?"The news person replied.

"Well um... I'm just saying... Thats one of the stupidest questions ever. He shot him because they were fighting and it was an accident. So what if he felt a little bit of satisfaction and closure afterwards. If this guy had tried to kill you, your boyfriend, and your boyfriends friends, AND had killed your Mum and pretended it was suicide wouldnt you be at least a little glad that the bastard is dead? Fuck me."I grabbed Gerard's hand and pulled him inside, with Lily following close behind. Stupid fuckers.

We were getting back just in time because as we sat down again, Gerard up front and Lily and I in the seats behind him, the judge was taking her seat also and the midget was sitting at his table next to Gerards.

"Alright everyone ready? Okay. Mr Clark? Are you ready to continue?"She turned to the midget who nodded and stood up.
"I call, Miss Danvers to the stand."He turned to face Lily and I who looked to our left to see that Claire wasn't sitting next to us.

"Uh- Claire? Claire where are you?!"Lily stood up immediately and started searching the room.
"Uhm can we postpone this?"I called then joined Lily.

"Frank I thought you fucking had her!"Lily yelled and socked me on the arm,"Claire?!"
"I thought you did! Fuck. Claire where are you?!"I screamed as Gerard got up and ran out of the courthouse. The room exploded into noise once more as Lily and I followed Gerard.

"Claire?!"Gerard yelled over the babble of the press. They must have been kept out of the actual court room.
"Claire?!"I yelled and went in the opposite direction to Gerard. Lily followed me.

"Claire?!"Lily yelled desperately behind me.
"We dont even know which way she went."I sighed, feeling the tears prick my eyes.
"I-its okay we- we're gonna find her okay?"Lily grabbed my hand and squeezed.

"Guys!"Gerard called behind us. We spun around to see him holding Claire in his arms and running to see us.
"Claire! Oh my fucking god Claire!"I yelled and started running as Lily followed with a sob.
"I'm sorry Frankie."Claire sniffed. She had been crying. A lot.

"Claire where on earth did you go?!"I grabbed her from Gerard and held her closely. She started crying on my shoulder as Lily hugged me and sandwiched Claire between us.
"Come on, we need to get back."Lily smiled as she moved away and let me walk.

When we got back everyone was waiting for us. It was dead quiet and extremely intimidating having everyone watch us as we walked back in.
"Okay Claire? That man over there wants to ask you a few questions and you just have to answer them as best you can okay?"I whispered in her ear. She nodded and stood there.

"I uh... think I need to walk her up."I smiled apologetically at everyone and took her hand. We walked in silence up to the stand where the man told her to repeat everything he said with the whole truth thing.
"Okay Claire? I'm just gonna be sitting over there, behind Gerard okay? Next to Lily where we were sitting before?"

She nodded so I gave her one last look before leaving her alone on the stand.
"Okay Claire. When the man came to take you to his house, what was he like?"The midget asked her kindly.
"He was nice."She said simply. I couldn't understand why they were even talking to her. She wasn't in the basement when it happened.

"Okay, and what about when you got to his house?"
"I dont know. I didnt see him. Vicky took me and Lily to our rooms and stuff. Then told us to come down for dinner later."Claire smiled. She had really liked Vicky which fucking sucked.

"Okay. What about when you went down for dinner? Then what happened?"The midget asked. Claire's face seemed to cloud over as she brought that thought to mind. This wasn't right. I felt Lily gripping my hand tightly.
"Vicky wasn't there. But the man was."Claire said quietly. She didnt want to talk about it. I had to restrain myself from going up there and holding her. She shouldn't be made to remember any of this.

"So what happened?"
"Me and Lily went down together and... the man was down there and he... He hit Lily and she fell over. Lily was crying and- I didnt cry though I was brave."Claire said. Good girl.
"Okay... then what?"The midget asked her. The fucking bastard.

"Then he um... I dont know what he did to Lily but it made her scream and bleed from her bum."Claire started to cry again. I started to stand but Lily yanked me down as Claire somehow got a hold of herself and wiped away the tears. This was the bravest I had ever seen her.

"Alright so later on... What did he do to you?"The midget asked her. Then Claire really started to cry. That was it.
I stood up and yelled,"I'm sorry but your honor, I dont see what this has to do with Deans death. She wasn't in the basement at all. This is just torture for the poor girl."

There was silence as Claire continued to cry quietly. Lily nudged me so immediately I rushed over to Claire. She grabbed me straight away and buried her head in my shoulder.
"I tried not to cry Frankie I really did."She sniffed quietly.
"I know kiddo, its okay. You can cry if you want to."I whispered as I stroked her hair.

I looked at the midget who was looking disgusted with himself. So he rightfully should be. I would probably shoot myself if I had to defend a man like Dean fucking Smith. Nobody was talking as I comforted Claire.
"Mr Clark, please dont waste time with things like this. Five minute break for Claire."She smiled down at me sadly as I picked Claire up and brought her to Lily where Gerard joined us.

"Hey Claire. You okay?"Gerard sighed as I put Claire down next to Lily. She nodded and pushed her face into Lily's arm.
"What do you think's gonna happen?"Someone said behind me.
"Mikey."Gerard looked over my shoulder, shocked.

"Hey. Sorry I'm late. I got caught up at work."Mikey looked guilty.
"Its okay. Where are the others?"Gerard glanced behind Mikey and must have spotted them because he nodded at them all.
"They've been here the whole time."Mikey said.

"Aye? How come they didnt say anything?"I asked and turned to see Bob, Ray and Pete sitting in the back row looking worried and scared.
"They did. They were one of the first few spectators here. They called when you guys walked in but you must no of heard them I guess."Mikey said as we all waved to them.

"Oh..."I muttered. We were all too focused on what we was happening.
"Alright everyone settle down."The judge called suddenly. That was five minutes? Mikey went to sit next to the others and Gerard went back to his lonely table. I sat down next to Lily and Claire silently. I knew I was next to be talked to and I had no idea what to say. Fan-fucking-tastic.

"Mr Clark if you would like to continue but with people that were actually present at the crime scene if you will."The judge said smartly.
"Yes your honor. I call Mr Iero to the stand."The midget stumbled over his feet as I glared at him.

I squeezed Lily's hand once before letting go and walking up to the stand. Once I was seated I blindly repeated what they told me to as I stared at Gerard. He was staring at his hands. I was desperate for him to look at me but he wouldn't look.

"Frank? Could you please answer my question?"The midget brought me out of my trance.
"Oh sorry uh what was it again? I wasn't listening."I smiled sheepishly and got a small laugh from the jury.

"Describe the fight to me."He said simply. Hardly a question.
"Okay uhm. When Gerard and I went to the back garden to go down to the basement we broke open the door and started going down. Then the wind blew the doors shut and made it completely dark cause the moonlight was gone. Gerard got scared cause he doesnt like the dark that much."The jury laughed slightly again but I barely noticed. I was staring at him and he still hadn't stopped staring at his hands.

"I called out to Lily to make sure she was down there and she answered me and then she started to say I needed to be quick cause she had no idea where Dean had gone and that he could be back soon but then she didnt get to finish what she was saying because he put his hand over her mouth and said that if we moved she would die. I dont know why he could see so well in the dark. He didnt have any night vision goggles on or anything. Th-then we asked him why he did what he did and- I dont have to repeat that do I? Its not exactly the nicest thing to hear about. Twice."I looked from the midget to the jury to the judge. Everyone nodded so I continued.

"Well you know the rest I guess. Gerard got angry at Dean for killing his mum and attacked him. Yes, Gerard started the fight but to be fair, Gerard has been through a lot. And hearing that his Mum hadn't actually killed herself, that in fact, she had been murdered by this lunatic who was trying to kill all of us. Its not the easiest thing to deal with. I dont actually understand properly why we have to see if Gerard is guilty. I dont think it was on purpose. Gerard hadn't set out to kill him at all. He was angry. Like you would punch someone at school for dissing you. So what if Gerard got a slight sense of satisfaction and some closure from pulling the trigger. Hell I would too if it was me. My point is, we shouldn't be accusing Gerard we should be thanking him."I sighed and sat back. Gerard was finally looking at me.

"No further questions."The midget said then went back to his table.
"Alright... Mr Way... Anything to say?"The judge looked at him. He turned around and looked at Claire and Lily. Then at his brother. Then at me then back to the judge.
"Yes please your honor."Gerard said quietly and got up.

"Frank you can go sit back down."The judge reminded me. I nodded and went back to Lily who moved Claire onto my lap and put her arm around my shoulder as Gerard moved to the middle of the room and stared at everyone hard. He stayed silent for a minute.
"Could everyone in the room please stand up for me?"Gerard asked loudly, his voice echoing out across the silent room.

Everyone stood up, including the judge.
"Now please sit back down if your mother is still alive."Gerard's eyes were closed. The majority of the room sat down. Claire and Lily stayed standing up next to me.
"Okay."Gerard opened his eyes to see the 4 or 5 people still standing up, including two people from the jury.
"Tell me how you lost your mums."Gerard said simply. He pointed to someone behind Lily.

I turned around and faced him along with everyone else in the room as he started stuttering.
"She uh- she uhm. We were told she killed herself b-but after this Dean guy was revealed we found out th-that he killed her."The man took a deep breath in and clenched his eyes shut for a second,"I know how you feel. Its not the greatest. And I thank you for getting rid of that bastard."The guy blinked then sat down quickly.
"Thank you. What about you?"Gerard pointed to someone at the back of the room.
"Gerard its me. You know my story."It was Mikey.

"Oh sorry bro. Sit down."Gerard smiled.
"Mr Way, what purpose does this have?"The midget asked exasperatedly. Gerard gave him a glare before turning to one of the people in the jury.
"You. Tell me."Gerard pointed to a young woman at the back.

"She uhm. She was in a car acccident. Someone was drunk driving and smashed into her side."The woman said quietly. She had tears running down her face.
"How long ago was this?"Gerard asked her softly.
"F-Four days ago!"The woman started sobbing hyterically. Someone standing next to her pulled her into a hug while muttering something into her hair.
"I'm so sorry for your loss. And I know this is a very painful time for you but- can you please try to explain what it feels like?"Gerard whispered.

"I uh- sure."The woman stood back up and looked around at everyone, wiping away tears from her eyes,"It is the single most painful thing to happen. When you find out that the one person that has always loved you, always cared for you, that fed you when you were little, bathed you, put you to bed, when you find out that that person is gone... I-it feels like your gut is being wrenched out and- and mutilated. It feels as if your heart is shattering into a million sharp pieces that make their way through all your organs and embed themselves in your stomach lining. And twist. It hurts so bad that you would do anything to try- to try to bring them back. Do anything to have them their to protect you again."The woman sniffed and sat down.

"Thank you very much. Now, everyone you can sit down."Gerard said to the remaining people still standing. Lily sat down next to me looking stony and cold. I put my arm around what felt like a tree she was so hard and cold. Unmoving. I wanted to talk to her but we couldn't right now because Gerard was starting to talk.

"If everyone that has a child could please stand up for me."Gerard said to the silent room. At that point the woman who lost her mum 4 days ago stood up and sobbed out,"I'm sorry I cant do this right now. You all know my thoughts so just take those into account later. I have to get home to my husband."She cried and left the room through a side door. Gerard stared after her confused until the person that was sitting next to her said,"Sally's son was in the car accident too."

Oh fuck. That woman had lost her mother and her child in one day. That would fucking suck. All I wanted to do was go hug her.
"Oh jesus... Okay um..."Gerard looked around the room to see 3 people standing up behind me.

"Right. You there. Whats your name?"Gerard asked the youngest looking guy. Seriously, he looked like he was fucking 15 or something.
"Uh- I'm Stanley."The guy stuttered.
"And how old are you?"Gerard asked him.
"I- I'm 18."Stanley said to a few gasps around the room.
"Right. Wow. 1 year older than me. Okay. How old is your child?"
"She is 8 months old."Stanley smiled slightly at the thought of his baby girl.

"How much do you love her?"Gerard asked him.
"Sorry? What?"Stanley gave Gerard a weird look.
"How much do you love her?"Gerard repeated.
"How mu- jesus. To the high fucking heavens and back? I- I would do anything for her. I would die for her. She is the single most important thing in my life."Stanley stared at Gerard as if he knew what he was getting at. I knew exactly what he was doing.

"Right. And what would you do if you found out that some guy had taken her. Saying he would take care of her and love her just as much as you but instead violated her. Beat her. Almost killed her."Gerard's voice had gone cold. It was hurting him to talk about this. Fuck it was getting me
"I would hunt him down and rip out his heart."Stanley whispered, closing his eyes.

"Why are you here today Stanley?"Gerard asked him curiously.
"B-Because I- I'm was in the orphanage with you. Just left the halfway house at the beginning of the year. Do you remember me?"Stanley opened his eyes and stared at Gerard.
"Fuck Stanley! Far out..."Gerard realised.
"Yeah... Do you remember Chloe?"Stanley asked softly.
"Uh yeah. How's she doing?"Gerard smiled slightly.
"She's dead. The bastard took her right after she gave birth."Stanley was crying now. This was fucking heartbreaking hearing all these stories. I glanced to the jury and saw there were three woman crying and two men looking like they were trying not to. The judge was also crying.

"Fuck man, I'm sorry."Gerard whispered.
"Dont be. You gave me my closure. Found the guy and killed him. Thank you. My baby girl is safe now."Stanley smiled thorugh tears and sat down. Gerard turned around and moved back up to the front.
"You can all sit down now..."Gerard closed his eyes and sighed. He rubbed his face hard then ran his fingers through his hair.

"When Frank woke me up and took the wood out of my back... We went upstairs to look for Lily and Claire. We found his study. Covered in newspaper clippings of all the woman and children he had killed. In the bookcase was everyone he had murdered. The last woman he had killed was my mother. I was 8. When I found out that she was gone... That Mikey and I were alone. I felt what that woman had. But worse because I couldn't understand why she had killed herself. Why she had abandoned her two boys... In that study. When I saw the picture of my mum in his book. Words talking about what he had done to her. How excited he was to kill her. How he actually killed her... It felt like I had lost her all over again. I felt everything that woman had felt. Again."Gerard was crying silent tears now.

He suddenly started moving from the spot he was standing on.
"How Stanley feels about his baby? Its how I feel about Frank. How I'm certain Frank feels about Lily and Claire. When someone is threatening their life right in front of your eyes, the same person who caused you all the grief twice. The person whos fault it is that you were in an orphanage for the rest of your childhood, the person whos fault it is that you are a messed up 17 year old, you lose control... Something takes over. It was as if a wall of pure anger and revenge had sliced my brain in half. Destroying most of my sanity. I panicked when we were fighting. He had me pinned and had the gun in my face. Then it was as if another 5 of those walls came down and stole the last sane thoguht in my head. Dont go too far. I grabbed the gun from him and we started fighting again. I managed to pin him down and had the gun pointing at him but he was strangling me. I didnt want to shoot him I swear but- I blacked out. My feelings took over. I knew he was dead when I could breathe again..."

Gerard had never talked about it like this. Not once. I had no idea. I realised I was crying and wiped away the tears with my free hand.
"I may have wanted to, in a big way, but I didn't mean to actually kill him. Only to seriously injure or maim."Gerard sighed. I snorted. He just quoted Dobby. Lily kicked my leg as a few people looked at me angrily. Oops.
"You have to understand... I had no control of myself. I- I go through these episodes sometimes. The doctors dont know what it is and neither do I... But when it happens... My vision fails me. It gets all jumpy and my memory does the same. Like I'm skipping through scenes in a movie. And then I forget a lot of things from the past as well. I dont know if this is what I was going through when I shot him because I have a pretty clear memory of that but... I dont know..."Gerard looked around at everyone then sat down silently.

No one spoke. No one moved. There was barely a breath. Then. Somewhere. In the back of the court room. Someone started clapping. Then someone else joined in. Then the whole room was clapping. What the fuck.
"Order! Order in the court!"The judge yelled suddenly and banged her hammer.

Everyone fell silent. I looked to Gerards back. He was shaking. He was either laughing or crying but I was pretty certain it was the latter.
"Ten minute break while the jury decides their verdict."The judge sighed. The courtroom exploded into a flurry of motion all except for Gerard.

-short time lapse-

"Gerard?"Mikey put his hand on Gerard's shoulder and made him jump and slap his hand away. Gerard saw that it was Mikey and looked ashamed.
"S-sorry Mikey."Gerard sniffed. Mikey nodded and sat down next to me. Lily, Claire, Mikey and I were sitting on the floor surrounding Gerard's table. Apologising to Mikey had been the first words he'd said since we'd gone on the break.

"I love you Mikey. You are one of the greatest people in the world and you've done a really good job with everything."Gerard whispered into his hands.
"What? No Gerard dont talk like that. It's going to be fine. You are innocent okay?"Mikey looked at me then grabbed Gerard by the shoulders, trying to shake him out of his... whatever it was he was doing.
"Lily... I dont really know you that well but- take care of Frank for me will you?"Gerard looked at her through tears. Lily just nodded silently.
"Lily! He isnt going to prison okay? Gerard stop this!"I growled.

"Frank..."Gerard turned to me and his face just- broke. Like literally. I was looking into his eyes and saw it all. His love for me, his protectiveness of me, his anger that this was happening, and the biggest thing of all, his fear of going to prison. Fucking everything he was feeling I saw for a split second in his eyes.
"Oh Gerard."I whispered and stood up to hug him. He stood up as well and fell into my arms. He was sobbing hysterically into my shoulder.

At that moment the judge came back in from whatever she was doing and so did the jury. Gerard looked up and we all realised that everyone was seated and staring at us.
"S-Sorry."I mumbled as I gave Gerard a quick kiss before leaving him to sit back down. I went back to my seat but this time Bob, Mikey, Ray and Pete were there with us. I smiled at them sadly as the judge started saying random court crap that I didnt understand. Then someone in the jury stood up and started talking. I wasnt paying attention. It was just stupid mumbo jumbo court shit. Or so I thought.