*Nate*

The hatred between Colton West and Addison Landry runs deep. Colton has only lost two cases in his career and both losses were to Addison who has a clean sheet. These two lawyers are desperate to stick it to the other person to win this case.

They both need to get over themselves and think of the health and well-being of James. Long gone are the days of me loathing the man. James is a good guy that has been through one storm after another yet does so with nothing but integrity. Every hand dealt to him he has taken in stride and stayed positive. Hate is not something I hold for Gallo anymore. This goes beyond Julia, now. Now, all I want to do is take care of him and make sure he stays healthy.

Because of the medical emergency, court was adjourned. Everyone was escorted out of the room during James's seizure. Out of respect, all cameras were turned off and reporters were forced to leave. Even the jury had to leave the courtroom.

"Do we need to call a rescue?" Judge Capriotti asks, now feeling overwhelmed with the medical situation he is not used to.

"No. He was fortunate to have his nurses right here. If he were in prison...." Dr. Giovanni starts but Colton West cuts him off.

"You're honor......" He squints at the doctor but Judge Capriotti ignores the lawyer.

"James, hey bud. You're ok." Jonah sits James up once he comes to, but James is still very much out of it and confused. His dog sits across his lap and licks his face.

"Mr. Gallo." Dr. Giovanni pulls out his cell phone and turns on the flashlight so he can examine James's pupils for proper dilation. "That could have been a bad one, son." He turns to Judge Capriotti. "This stress is too much on the man."

 Dr. Giovanni turns to both lawyers now. "Putting him up on the stand like that and stressing him out. Shame on you." He shakes his head and stands. "Medically speaking I am saying Mr. Gallo needs a break. This is all too much for a person WITHOUT any medical issues, never mind a person who has seizures from stress."

The judge nods and understands the anger coming from the doctor. He seems to be a fair judge that, unlike Landry and West, doesn't have any agenda or vendettas fogging his vision.

"Take Mr. Gallo home and be on standby. We will need to resume session, but I will let you know if James is required to take the stand." He turns to one of the guards. "Prepare for Mr. Hollan's exit out of the building. Make sure no reporters get to Mr. Gallo. We don't need this happening again."

********

*Julia*

"Evan, what's going on over there? They stopped filming the trial. Julia's freaking out." I hear Paul over the phone. In tears, I watch newscasters report outside of the courthouse speculating on what's going on inside. Everyone was evacuated. Everyone but James and the core group of people.

"Julia. Take a breath." Mike rubs my back while Jeremy pours me a glass of water.

"Oh good. I'll let her know." Paul hangs up and gives me a nod. "He's fine and they are already on their way home. They were escorted through a rear door while all the reporters were out front waiting. Nate said James had a seizure, so they are going home to clean him up and then coming here, ok? But he's fine, Moretti."

I exhale but then cry harder. I was so scared and thinking the worst. The only time James had a seizure like that was the very first time he had one. Because of me- when I told him I said yes to Nate's marriage proposal. He didn't shake or anything but had this vacant look in his eyes and then just collapsed.

Mike, being the one to be sitting next to me, is the one to wrap his arms around me and hide my face so I can cry. "They never should have put him on that stand for cross examination." He shakes his head.

Jeremy turns up the television now as they report court has been adjourned for the day due to James's medical emergency. Reporters are still waiting outside thinking they are coming out of the main entrance when they are probably almost home by now. But both Addison Landry and Colton West come out separately. Both with no comments as they get escorted into vehicles.

"So as you can see, the Jones Vs. Gallo Trial has been postponed due to a medical emergency with Mr. Gallo. We have no further information on his status though do know court is to resume at 9am tomorrow morning."

"Alright. Everyone is fine. Julia, come eat before they get here." Jeremy says in a bit of a demanding way. He knows once James arrives, he'll lose me, so he made a run down to the cafeteria and grabbed two trays of food for anyone hungry. He puts my food on a plate. A grilled cheese, cup of grapes and a salad. He knew I wasn't going to eat much so kept it simple.

Right as I finish eating there's a knock on my front door. Paul, being the bodyguard, is the one to answer it.

In walks Evan, Nate, James and the dog. Everyone else stayed at the apartment. I almost knock my drink over jumping up and bypass Nate to throw my arms around James. Nate will understand. I just watched my best friend have a fucking seizure on national television.

"Oh my God, are you ok??" I squeeze James tight and feel him wrap his arms around me and nod against my shoulder.

"I'm fine. Just have a tension headache now. That was all aired on tv, huh?" He asks embarrassed.

"No. They shut off all cameras as it happened. I knew it was a seizure from the expression on your face though. And then Maggie started barking." I cry into his chest.

"Babe, I'm ok." He whispers. "I'm just really tired, that's all. It was a long day."

I say nothing but take his hand and walk to my room so he can lay down and rest. I hate how tired and worn-down James looks. This fight is too much for him. I sit James down on my bed and help him take off his sneakers before he climbs under the covers.

"Will you lay with me? Just for a little while?" He asks with a slight smirk on his face. He knows I will. I always give in to James.

We lay facing each other with our foreheads almost touch and James closes his eyes. A tear rolls down his face and I swipe it away.

"I'm so tired." He says with his eyes still closed. "These seizures are more frequent and take a lot out of me."

"I know, sweetie." I kiss his lips and close my eyes with my hand still on his face. This is how we fall asleep.

*******

*Nate*

"Today was so fucking stressful." I say out of nowhere while watching the coverage on tv. Both Jeremy and Mike left once we all came back which is good, and Julia is in her bedroom with James doing God knows what. 

Actually, I'm going to check on that...

I get up and head to Julia's bedroom. They aren't fooling around like I thought. In fact, they are both facing each other sleeping. Julia's hand is on James's cheek but she's out like a light. This day was stressful all around. I can't imagine how Jules was feeling watching her best friend have a seizure in front of the world.

"What do you think is going to happen now?" Jonah asks when I walk back out to the living room.

"Unless we hear otherwise, I guess we try again tomorrow. Addison said the jurors are considered "Advisory?" She said they are involved in the sentencing process, but their decision is advisory. The judge has the right to disagree and overrule their decision. I just hope the lawyer did enough on her end."

"These lawyers.... they need to figure their shit out." Paul grumbles from the recliner.

"James can't go back up on that stand. He sure as hell can't go to jail with his medical condition." Evan chimes in, now feeling a little more comfortable around us all.

"I'm hoping after what the judge and jury witnessed today, they will figure out another punishment for him that doesn't involve jail time."

"But those two only care about winning." Jonah adds while letting Maggie out to the backyard. "Poor James."

"I know. It's been a terrible few day. Between James's encounter with his asshole father and all the stress from the trial. No wonder he is having seizures left and right. I feel like everything is completely out of our control."

"Because it is. For the first time, your money can't change things. It can't save him. You can't buy him out of it." Jonah says. He's absolutely right. At the end of the day, it will be all up to the judge. There is nothing more we can do to change anyone's mind. "We need to be prepared if he does end up having to serve time. For him. For Julia. For Trisha... For his mom and sisters. You saw how upset the girls were in court today."

I shove my palms into my eyes and rub them before sitting on the couch and dropping my head. I'm so exhausted and can't wrap my brain around it all. If James goes to prison for this, it will be devastating not only for him but for so many people who love him.

"How was Julia today?" I change topics and turn my attention over to Paul.

"Believe it or not, Moretti did ok, all things considered." He answers. "She pushes Donovan's buttons and is starting to become a little bold with her comments towards him, but I think it's because she's just had it. James is on trial for an accident and Jeremy never stepped foot into a courtroom for the things he did to her. She thinks about that a lot. Aside from that, she's been trying really hard, Nate."

I don't usually get much from Paul but lately he has been giving us more than just one sentence answers. I can tell he is proud of Julia holding it together today and wanted it known. Everyone is always focusing on her negatives and never the positives.

"Hey. Thanks for all you do around here, Paul. I know it's a lot and you didn't sign up for all this shit." I give him a weak smile and he nods in return.

Paul knows I couldn't do anything without his help. He is taking care of the person I love the most in this world, aside from my sister, of course, so I know she is safe while we focus on James.

We let James sleep for a few hours and head home around seven in the evening. As much as I want to spend the night with Julia, we have to be in court by nine in the morning, so it is easier to go home. Once back at the apartment Jonah helps James eat, shower and get ready for bed as both Casey and Trisha have fallen asleep on the couch while watching tv. Today took a toll on everyone.

I decompress by drawing a hot bath and to my surprise Julia texts me while I'm in the tub. I lean over and dry my hands so I can read her message.

[Hey. Sorry I didn't spend any time with you when you guys came.]

Wow. Julia is never the one to reach out to me. Half the time her phone is dead in a drawer somewhere. She's not the easiest to get ahold of these days for communication. She distances herself for a reason so the fact she actually made the effort to text me is huge.

[No worries, doll. James needed you. I'm glad he was able to rest a little.]

[Thanks for being by James's side through all this.]

Funny to think James and I once couldn't stand to be in the same room together and now I consider him like a brother. At first, I was helping him out for Julia. Now, whatever happens between me and Julia will not affect my relationship with James.

[Of course. Hate to break it to you, love. I'm invested now. I will always want to try to take care of Gallo and his family.]

To my surprise AGAIN, Julia actual calls me. Now THAT she never does.

"I wanted to hear your voice." She says sweetly. I can tell she is in bed and still pretty tired. I know that medication took a toll on her and soon she will feel the withdrawals if she isn't feeling it already.

"I miss you, Jules. Once this is over, I'll be able to spend more time with you, ok?"

"Yeah." She pauses. "Are you in the bath?"

She knows I am just by my tone of voice. I'm the calmest in warm water and am feeling pretty relaxed right now in the dark. As relaxed as anyone could be under these circumstances.

"Possibly." I chuckle. "When this is all over and James is free, and he WILL be free," I tell Julia but also try to convince myself, "I'm gonna ask if you can spend the weekend here with me so we can spend time together. Maybe right here in the bath."

"All weekend long?"

"All weekend long." I laugh.

******

"All rise!" The bailiff announces.

This morning has been insane. James is a ball of nerves, Julia apparently had a rough night sleeping and the rest of us are all high strung and on edge. The crowd outside the courthouse today was triple the amount of yesterday so more security and police needed to be called in.

I can tell Colton and Addison have already had words with each other and now giving each other little death looks all morning. The jury has entered the room which is full. Between the Gallo girls, reporters and cameramen, alongside our clan, we fill up the room. Nadine Jones looks well and refreshed as the rest of us look like walking zombies.

Judge Walter Capriotti enters the room, and we go through the morning routine before the trial begins. No one is sure what will happen after yesterday's medical emergency. Will the judge call James back up to the stand? Will we end here with closing arguments? Will we need a continuance? Nobody knows.

"As you all know, yesterday took a toll on Mr. Gallo's health." The judge begins talking and I feel my heartbeat pick up in pace. "Mr. West and Ms. Landry, I'm familiar with your history. I know you both want to win. What lawyer doesn't? But this isn't about winning or losing. Not this case. Because no one comes out a winner. Both the victim, Nadine Jones, as well as the offender, James Gallo have lost. Ms. Jones lost her uncle in a tragic accident and Mr. Gallo has lost his own life in more ways than one with his physical disabilities. Due to health concerns, I am not going to call Mr. Gallo back up to the stand."

I let out a breath but can tell James, who is sitting right in front of me is still holding his breath. Addison looks equally nervous which doesn't make me feel good about this.

"We are going to move this along for all involved. All evidence has been presented so we will now have our closing arguments before the jury takes the time needed to come to a verdict. Mr. West..."

Colton West seems cockier by the hour. He is fully prepared with his closing argument, and I can only hope Landry is prepared as well.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the court, I'm not here to persuade you to adopt my view of the case and the evidence. Like Judge Capriotti said, this isn't about evidence. We know James Gallo is guilty of Reckless Driving. He is responsible for the death of Malcolm Jones." Colton nods to Nadine while pacing the room.

"All Ms. Jones wants is to hold him accountable, like we would for any individual who has killed another human being. I'm here to secure her the compensation she deserves for the loss she's endured. This is the United States. We have rules and laws for a reason. We need to hold James Gallo accountable for his actions. Regardless of whatever hardships Mr. Gallo has now from the accident, he is alive. His actions did not kill him. They killed Mr. Jones. Nadine Jones is seeking punitive damages, non-economic damages." 

Colton looks me dead in the eyes. "This is not about Nate Hollan's money. This is about the intangible losses like pain, suffering and emotional distress. She lost her uncle and by law, James Gallo should be punished for his reckless driving. We need to deter similar behavior in the future. If we don't hold firm to our laws, if we don't have consequences, what is the point in having laws in the first place? The laws are set for a reason. James Gallo got behind the wheel impaired, injured himself and three others and killed a man. He should pay, just like anyone else who has been convicted of Vehicular Manslaughter. Because that's what this is. He ran a red light and killed a man. James Gallo needs to pay the price for his offense. Do what is right. Follow the law that has been put in place so this never happens again."

Shit.

Colton sits down with the same cocky look as Addison stands up.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. The prosecution is right." She begins with a sympathetic look.

What the fuck is she doing??

"This ISN'T a guilty or innocent plea. This isn't about evidence or who did what. James Gallo IS guilty." She gives James a slight nod like they have already talked about this or something. I'm not sure they have though.

"Mr. Gallo is guilty of working too many hours to help provide for his family financially. A man who never calls out of work, has never been in trouble with the law. He has a clean driving record. This is a man who was in a car accident. Yes. It took a life. It also altered the lives of all those involved in the collision. Nate Hollan alone, could have been sitting on the other side of the table, suing James Gallo for the damages and distress he endured. But he didn't. Instead, Mr. Hollan took James Gallo under his wing. He is providing for his family since James no longer can. He is paying out of his own pocket for the best medical treatments possible. Why? Because he sees that James is a hardworking, honest man of integrity who suffers daily due to his physical disabilities. This man cannot go to prison. Not only does the state of California not have the funds to pay for his medical accommodations in jail under the ADA laws, but Mr. Gallo is already paying the price." She points to James who has tears streaming down his face.

"Mr. Gallo is living in his own prison. First having to undergo brain surgery and then going into a coma. Having to relearn how to talk, walk, function as a now very disabled man. From the moment he wakes up and has to have someone else shower him and feed him, brush his teeth and care for him until the moment he falls asleep. He will never drive again. Never be able to tie his shoes or have the ability to make a meal for himself. His freedom has already been taken away. On top of those reminders of the collision he was in, he has seizures often to remind him. We saw firsthand the medical emergency in the form of a seizure he had yesterday due to stress. We ALL know prison is a stressful environment. There will not be any nurses right there to catch him when he falls." Addison turns to the jurors.

"This is a HUMAN BEING, ladies and gentlemen. A human who requires a nurse 24/7 along with a medical dog. This man deserves the medical care he needs. He will not get that in prison." She shakes her head and then hands James a tissue from the side table. But he can't grab it to wipe his own eyes even though he tries. It's noticed by the jury and everyone in the room and it was a fucking genius move on Addison's part. Absolutely genius. By the look on the judge's face, sympathy is being shown.

"Not only that, but evidence also proved Ms. Jones was never close to her uncle. She is sitting here in hopes to gain some of Nate Hollan's well earned money. No one would wait months and months to come forward the way Ms. Jones did. And then use her own father's death to her advantage when we later learned her father died THREE months after Malcolm Jones. She is not a woman mourning the loss of her uncle. This is a money hungry woman who doesn't care about anyone but herself. She comes here alone. James Gallo comes here with his entire family behind him. A family he can no longer support due to his disabilities. Do the HUMAN thing. Show compassion on James and his family. Like you would if this was one of YOUR family members who are now in his shoes. Would you want to see your son or daughter, or mother, go to prison for one car accident? No. No, you would not. So yes, do the right thing. Do what you would want others do for you. Show sympathy for this struggling man. Do not put him behind bars. James Gallo does not belong in prison."

********

*Julia*

"So now what happens??" I ask while watching the trial live on TV. My hands are beginning to shake, and it's noticed by both Paul and Jeremy. Mike is in the requires morning session. My body is withdrawing from the sedative shot and letting me know it wants its fix.

"Your hands..." Paul frowns and I clasp my hands together.

"I know. I'm trying not to think about it." I take a deep breath in.

"Now the Jury has to come up with a verdict. They are dismissed and will take as long as they need to reach a verdict. Could be hours. Why don't you go take a hot shower or bath and get ready for the day. You won't miss anything but reporters rehashing it all." Jeremy cleans up my breakfast I attempted to eat and starts doing my dishes.

I nod in agreement. Hot water always seems to help me with my withdrawals. I decide to pull a Nate and take a hot bath. Something I don't usually do, especially at ten in the morning but Jeremy is right. The deliberations could take all day. Or more than one day.

I lock my bathroom door. Once in the warmth of the water I close my eyes. All I can think about is what James must be going through in that head of his. His freedom... his life is in the hands of other people. A bunch of strangers. If they make the wrong decision, if he goes to prison, I don't think I'd be able to handle it. I know for certain he won't be able to survive in jail. The judge and jury MUST see this. Especially after yesterday.

After my long bath and get dressed in comfortable clothes. An oversized pink sweatshirt and black leggings. I put my hair in a braid and head back out to the living room to wait.

"Your morning meds. He had to go check on a patient." Paul hands me a tiny cup with all my pills.

"Oh, thank God. I thought he was staying the whole day or something." I sigh in relief.

"I'm sure he'll be back." Paul scoffs and pours me a cup of coffee and tops his off. My hands shake as I grasp the cup, and I roll my eyes.

"I can't believe I am going through this again." I curl up on the couch with my coffee and to my surprise, Paul sits next to me and puts his arm behind me on the back of the couch.

"Sorry about last night." I apologize to Paul for yet again, another rough night's sleep. Last night's dream was so vivid. Because it was real. Due to the accident being all over the news, and images that are new to me, memories have flooded my mind to haunt me at night. I don't remember much but my subconscious put together a very vivid dream of what happened, and I woke up shaking with cold sweats. I couldn't catch my breath and at one point, Paul was about to call Donovan. He was eventually able to calm me down to a whimper and I cried myself back to sleep with my bodyguard holding me. I'm a mess that Paul is getting used to now.

"Yeah Pal, you're getting Benadryl tonight." Paul says with his eyes glued to the TV.

"I can tell you right now my sleep tonight all depends on the verdict." A tear falls down my face as they show a picture of James on TV while reporters talk. We watch the news nonstop for hours. I swear I barely blinked. At one point I saw Paul starting to nod off hearing the same shit over and over again from the same damn reporters.

"I should be there with him." I say to myself. I should be there with my best friend who is going through one of the hardest seasons of his life right now. "Jesus Christ. I should be there with him!" I stand up and start to get in my own head. Where the hell did Nate put the Jeep keys when he dropped it off? I begin looking through the kitchen drawers in a panic with only one thing on my mind. Getting to that courthouse before they announce the verdict.

"What the hell are you looking for?" Paul snaps out of his short nap when he sees me rummaging around the kitchen.

"Where the hell did he put the car keys?" I'm deep in panic mode now.

"Julia, what's going on?" Paul stands up now wondering where my mind is at.

"The courthouse. We need to go to the courthouse. I should be there with James!" I turn back to looking around the apartment in a frantic way.

"You can't go there. Especially today. You know this." He walks over to me but I'm only paying attention to the task at hand.

"He needs me! Where the FUCK did Nate put the car keys!!" I pull out one of the kitchen drawers completely and slam it on the counter, throwing things out left and right.

"Julia! Shit. Knock it off." Paul starts picking up pens and small notepads left and right. "Look at me."

"Paul, we don't have fucking TIME for this!" I whip around to look at him. "I need your help!"

Paul stands in front of me with sad eyes as he shoves his hand in his pocket and pulls out the Jeep keys. I squint my eyes at my bodyguard as he shakes his head and puts the keys back in his pocket.

"Paul. We're wasting time. Give me the keys."

"I knew this would happen eventually." He mutters.

"Paul. Give. Me. The. Keys." I seethe, feeling my whole body tense up. There's a knock on the Avalon door but neither of us make an effort to open it. "I swear to God. Paul.... GIVE ME THE DAMN KEYS!"

I charge at him and try to get my hand into his pocket to retrieve the keys, but he wards me off. I'm crying now and doing whatever I can to get to the keys. But Paul is strong. He keeps his hand in his pocket and his other arm nudging me back as he heads to the door. I drop to my knees and cry in my hands.

"Paul! PLEASE!"

Paul answers the door and Mike walks in with two trays of food, immediately feeling the tension before fully into the apartment. I pay no attention to him.

"Um. Lunch?" He looks down at me and cocks a brow.

"Paul. Please. Just give me the keys." I scramble to my feet, almost knocking Mike over as he looks at the mess in the kitchen. I cling to Paul's arm, but he doesn't pull his hand out of his pocket. He is much bigger than me. I'm like the size of the man's arm.

"There's a reason Nate told me to hold on to them, Moretti. He knew eventually you would want to go to the courthouse. You can't. I'm here to make sure you can't."

"No, you're here to make sure I don't get fucking raped! Now give me the keys." I claw at his arm, drawing blood. I'm aware I'm out of control now but my one-track mind wants to get the keys so I can be with James.

"Shit." Mike goes right into bodyguard mode now and pulls me away, bear hugging me from behind to restrain me. "Julia. Stop. Calm down. Look what you did to him."

"I don't fucking care!" I turn around in Mike's arms and plead. "Mike, please! Take me to the courthouse. James can't do this alone." 

"He's not alone." He takes my face in both hands and looks down at me. "Everyone is there with him and he knows you are here and safe. Ok? You go there and they are gonna look at you like this and lock you up."

"You don't understand!"

"I do. You know I do. Shit." Mike's not looking at me now. His eyes are looking past me. I turn around to see everyone filing back into the courtroom. Oh God. It's happening now. "See? You don't even have time to get there. Go sit down. I mean it."

I stand and stare at the TV like nothing else is happening around me. Not Mike handing Paul a paper towel for the scrape on his arm. The scrape I gave him. Not Paul answering the door and letting Jeremy in. They must have fucking called him. I'm heaving and crying but staring at the screen at the same time.

"Julia. Sit. You're shaking."

Not only that. I'm a mess. Half my braid fell out in the struggle and tears stream down my face. I pull out my braid and stare at the screen, numb.

"What happened?" Jeremy asks Mike and Paul. Everyone is standing with their eyes focused on the TV.

"She was looking for her car keys. She wanted to go to the courthouse to be with Gallo." Paul says while turning the volume up, watching everyone enter the courtroom.

"You still have them, right?" Jeremy asks and Paul nods. What, everyone was in on this stupid game? I don't even care now. I cross my arms over my chest as my body shakes and I don't know if it is from detox or my nerves right now. I have a feeling it's from my nerves.

"You're breathing too heavy, Julia. Sit down." Jeremy tries to put a hand on my arm but I swat him away.

"Fuck off."

"Your Honor. We have reached a verdict." A short, chubby old man walks up and hands the judge an envelope before sitting back down. The camera zooms into silently crying James for a moment, then Nate who looks green and is holding his hand over his chest. Then pans out and focuses on the entire room as the Judge opens the envelope.

Judge Capriotti furrows his brows before reading. "The verdict in the case of Nadine Jones vs. James Gallo for reckless driving resulting in the death of Malcolm Jones is..." He shakes his head and glances at James before looking back down at the document.

"A fine of $1000.00, two points on your DMV driving record and following the laws of the state of California, a jail sentence of approximately one year for vehicular manslaughter."

******