Niles thought they were in the clear for a while, when not even a week later, he got a summons for a court appearance.

He stared at the unassuming little letter in his hands, and his heart sank. What would he tell Ashton? What would he... do with Ashton? He would have to leave the faerie for two, probably three days while he appeared in court to provide his professional opinion on the long-term effects of Ashton's injuries.

Apparently, back when Ashton was rescued and his captor first arrested, Ashton had been able to identify his captor for the police at the hospital, going so far as to point out his picture, tell them his name, and confirm that the man in their custody was, in fact, responsible for all his injuries.

Despite all this, court proceedings were slow, especially since the court determined that it would be cruel to make Ashton come into the same court as his captor and provide testimony. Without the victim as a witness, everything dragged on. And now they wanted Niles to testify?

He immediately called Dr. Jones. The ELCoF was sure to have kept her in the loop about this.

"Hi, Niles," she said. "What can I do for you?"

"A court summons," Niles got out. "Why do I have a court summons?"

Dr. Jones sighed over the phone. "They need your expert testimony on Ashton's well-being and health after captivity," she answered. "They want you on the stand to describe his injuries and explain how his quality of life, health, and mental well-being have all been impacted. The judge and jury need all that information to provide an accurate ruling."

"But... me?" Niles said. "How can I possibly go on the stand and look that monster in the eye without being biased?"

Dr. Jones was silent, and Niles continued. "I see the effects of his actions every damn day," he ground out through clenched teeth. "Ashton's whole life has been shattered. And now he's left trying to pick up the pieces of something that he didn't break in the first place. Do you really expect me to be in the same room as the man who did that to him? To Ashton?"

"I'm sorry, Niles," Dr. Jones offered. "But think of it this way: your expert testimony will be a key witness in this case."

At Niles' silence, she went on. "I know you've only ever thought about helping Ashton on the medical side of things. But this will help him in the long run. And if your witness helps lock this guy up, then it will protect other faeries as well."

Niles rubbed his eyes in frustration, but he knew she was right. Now all that was left to do was pack for the trip and tell Ashton.

***

Niles had no idea how to broach the topic with Ashton. Since it had to do with the faerie's kidnapper, Niles was dead set on not bringing Ashton with him. Which meant... he had to leave Ashton with someone. And he knew that Ashton would not like that.

He sat down at his office desk, where Ashton was busy rolling tiny, faerie-sized bandages for Niles.

"Ash," he began, and the faerie turned to look at him expectantly. Niles fell silent at the questioning look in his green eyes. The dead-eyed stares had long been replaced by cautious curiosity, and Niles hated the thought of darkening those bright eyes with hard news.

"I... have to go away for a few days," he continued. "I... have a case that needs my attention a few towns over."

Ashton tilted his head to the side, long, soft curls brushing past his shoulder. "Oh," he said. "When are we going?"

Niles winced inwardly at the innocent question.

"No, buddy," he managed. "Just me. You're staying here."

Ashton's brows furrowed in confusion. "I have a friend who can come stay with you," Niles explained. "His name is Will. He's a human, and he's a lawyer, like Lucy. They work together."

At the mention of another human, Ashton flinched, and Niles hurried to try to ease his fears.

"Don't worry, Will is amazing. He's respectful and kind, and he knows how to interact with faeries. He won't hurt you."

Ashton did not look convinced. "Why can't I go with you? he asked, and Niles bit his lip.

"It... it's a bit of a sensitive case," he finally managed.

"I'll be good," Ashton continued, an earnest look on his small, angular face. He grabbed Niles' finger. "Please... please don't leave me behind."

Niles couldn't take it anymore. "Ash, buddy, it has to do with your case."

Ashton blinked. "What?"

"I have to give my professional opinion in court and testify about how your captivity affected you," Niles said. Ashton froze, Niles' finger still in his grasp. Niles gently rubbed his arm with his thumb.

"Will..." the faerie swallowed. "Will you have to see... him?"

Niles nodded. "That's why I didn't want to bring you."

He paused as he studied Ashton's still frame. No. It wasn't fair to make the decision to leave Ashton without consulting the faerie himself. Even if it was to protect him.

"You can come if you want," Niles offered. "And you can talk to the judge yourself and provide your own personal testimony. But I thought it might be a bit much for you. I'm sorry. I should have at least given you the option."

Ashton looked down at the desk, and Niles wondered what he was thinking. "Do you want to come?" he asked tentatively.

Ashton immediately shook his head. He was so still that Niles worried he had completely shut down.

"Is there... anything you want me to say for you? While I'm there?" Niles asked.

Ashton was silent for so long that Niles thought that maybe he hadn't heard him. He was just about to repeat his question when Ashton finally spoke.

"I hate him," he whispered. Tears pooled in his eyes, and he brushed them away brusquely. "I hate him so much."

Niles was shocked at the sheer loathing that dripped from Ashton's voice. He had never expected Ashton's voice to be capable of sounding like that. Ashton didn't say anything else, so Niles just scooped him up and held him close.

"I know," Niles murmured. "I hate him, too." He stroked the faerie's hair softly. "He's going to be in jail for a very, very long time. You'll never see or hear of him ever again."

Niles felt Ashton nod against his chest, and they sat like that for a while.

"I'll call you every day I'm away," Niles told him. "And Will won't bother you, I promise. You don't have to come out or talk to him at all. I mean, you can if you want to. In fact, I think you'll really like him. But you don't have to if it scares you. Ok?"

Ashton nodded again, and Niles just held him quietly.

***

Will came over the next day to meet Ashton. Niles was nervous introducing the two of them, as Ashton had spent the whole morning looking utterly betrayed at the thought of being left with another human.

Now that they were meeting face to face, Niles watched Ashton carefully for his reaction. He had rounded his shoulders in on himself protectively, and he was staring at Will with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. The faerie sidled closer to Niles, and Niles put his hand around him reassuringly.

Will sat down at the desk, keeping his distance from Ashton. He was younger than Niles, having graduated from law school only a year before. Despite being around the same age as Ashton, he was baby-faced and smiled a lot; a marked difference from the harsh-looking water sprite. 

"It's nice to meet you," Will said. Ashton said nothing.

Niles winced, but he knew Will wouldn't take it personally. Will was too friendly and earnest for that. He was honest to a fault and cared deeply about the treatment of faeries. He was one of the few humans that Niles could trust a skittish faerie like Ashton to wholeheartedly.

"Ashton, this is Will," Niles said. Ashton pressed himself further into Niles' hands, looking out at Will distrustfully. "I've already told him what our normal schedule is like. He's mostly just here to get you food and keep you safe in case there's an emergency. You can go about our usual routine if you want. Will won't bother you."

Ashton didn't acknowledge what he said, and Niles tried not to sigh. This was the best he could do for Ashton, given the circumstances. It's not like he wanted to leave, either.

***

Niles left a week later, and he video called as soon as he reached his hotel room. Will picked up on the first ring.

"How is he?" Niles asked immediately, and Will laughed, brown eyes crinkling.

"Here, let me put Ashton on the phone for you," Will said. "I'm sure he'll feel a lot better after seeing you and hearing your voice."

Will propped the phone up on Niles' desk in the bedroom, the camera faced the opening of Ashton's cat carrier. Niles saw Will's finger tap the side of the carrier quietly.

"Ashton," he heard Will call from offscreen. "Niles is on the phone. I'll leave it here for you."

Niles heard Will's footsteps retreat from the desk and then it was quiet. A faint rustling came from the carrier, and then he saw Ashton's small face poke cautiously out of the shadows. He glanced towards the door and then at the phone, his face noticeably relaxing in relief as he caught sight of Niles.

Niles smiled and waved at him as Ashton crept towards the phone. The faerie mostly disappeared from view, and Niles realized that he must be pressed up against the screen.

"Move back a little, buddy," he instructed. "I can't see you."

Ashton shuffled back into view, and Niles smiled again.

"It's good to see you," he said, even though it had only been a few hours since he left. "How are you doing?"

Ashton rubbed his arm and glanced towards the bedroom door again. "Fine," he finally answered.

Niles raised an eyebrow. Ashton's timidity was a bit odd. "What's the matter?" he asked.

Ashton shook his head, though he still looked nervous. "Nothing. I'm fine."

"How's Will treating you? Niles asked next, and Ashton shrugged.

"He's nice," he offered.

"And?" Niles prompted.

Ashton bit his lip. "When are you coming back again?" he whispered.

"Day after tomorrow," Niles replied. "Think you can hold out that long?"

Ashton's face dropped, but he nodded. "Can you call again before then?" His hazel eyes were already anxious.

"Sure, bud. But really, what's wrong? Did something happen? You look nervous."

Ashton shook his head again. "Is it Will?" Niles pressed.

Ashton's shoulders drooped. "He's not you," he managed. "I just... want you here. With me. I just need you here."

Niles didn't know what to say to that. He just stared at the still faerie. Ashton was staring at the desk now, loose waves falling around his face and across his stiff shoulders. 

"I'll be back soon, Ash," Niles promised. "Just hold on for two more days, ok?"

***

The next two days were... tense to say the least.

Luckily, Will never bothered him. He never touched him or even stayed in the same room as him. But just his presence in the house set Ashton on edge. His body remained tensed up and poised to listen for even the slightest sound, smallest footstep, lightest breath from Will.

The human's unfamiliar scent filled the house, and it was all Ashton could do to bury his face in his blankets and desperately try to remember what Niles smelled like. He hadn't felt this unsafe in a long time. He didn't even dare to sleep, only getting a few hours of rest when his body passed out from the strain of breathless listening and waiting.

Niles, Ashton caught himself thinking nearly every minute of every day. He missed the human's quiet voice, his warm laugh, and his gentle hands. When are you coming home?

***

The two days were hard for Niles, too, as all he could think about was his clingy little patient back home. Poor Ashton. Niles couldn't get the image of his nervous and lonely face out of his head. And he found himself missing the little thing as well.

As for the court case... Niles was surprised to see that the defendant wasn't anything special. He looked almost... normal. You'd never expect someone like him to be capable of the cruel acts he'd performed on Ashton. Except... for his eyes. They were a shocking blue, and there was a searing intensity behind them, like he wanted to peel your flesh from its bones just to stare at your heart beating underneath.

Sometimes he'd appear bored and disinterested; other times he'd fidget and let his eyes roam around the room. But most unsettling of all was when he'd simply stare straight at you, eyes boring a hole into your skull as he smiled emptily.

He seemed amused at Niles' professional testimony, almost pleased at Niles' description of the abused and battered faerie. Niles tried not to look at him during the proceedings, but he found his eyes drawn back to him over and over again, and he had to fight to keep his voice steady.

As Niles left the stand and let his eyes drift once more to the defendant, they locked eyes, and Ashton's captor grinned. And suddenly, all Niles could see was Ashton, alone and shrinking away from those piercing eyes and empty smile.

Niles breathing quickened, and he turned himself away with effort, clenching his fists. It was all he could do to not leap over the bench and kill the man himself for the still-lingering horrors he had inflicted on Ashton.

The trial was coming to a close, only a few more dates set for the last witness testimonies and closing arguments before the jury would deliberate on a ruling. But Niles wasn't going to be involved in the trial after this. No, it was much better for him to be home, with Ashton. He had done his part in ensuring the kidnapper was brought to justice. Now he could just focus on nursing Ashton back to health.

***

Niles all but ran to his front door and hurriedly let himself inside. He was a bit later than expected, having dropped the clothes he had worn in court off at the dry cleaners. He figured he had been too far away from Ashton's kidnapper to have picked up his scent, but he didn't want to risk it.

He quite literally ran into Will in the foyer, and his friend had to steady him before he fell over.

"How'd he do?" Niles asked breathlessly, and Will bit his lip. "Umm... maybe you should just see for yourself."

Niles followed him into the bedroom, feeling confused and growing concerned by Will's answer. Will had placed Ashton's carrier on the desk, and he gestured to it. Niles looked at him briefly before stepping past him and ducking his head down to look inside. Ashton had squinched himself into the farthest corner and sat curled up with his face pressed up against the wall.

"Ashton...?" Niles breathed, alarmed.

Ashton's head whipped around at the sound of Niles' voice, and his face flooded with relief. He stumbled to his feet and half tripped towards Niles, who hurriedly put his hand into the carrier to catch him. Ashton stretched his arms out and wrapped them around Niles' thumb, sagging against the palm of his hand until Niles closed his fingers around him and carried him out. He brought Ashton close to his chest and turned back towards Will.

"Was he like this the whole time?" he asked, keeping his voice low. Ashton pressed his face against Niles' thumb, and Niles glanced down at him briefly.

Will ran his hand through his brown hair. "I mean, he came out to use the bathroom or eat, but yeah. Otherwise, he wouldn't move from the corner of his carrier."

Niles nodded. He had expected Ashton to be thrown off by his absence, but not like this. Ashton had been doing so well the last couple of months that Niles was surprised to see the reappearance of behavior from his first month with Niles. "That's ok, thank you for looking after him the last few days."

Will left, and Niles was alone with Ashton. He carried him into the living room and collapsed on the couch, keeping his hand curled close to his chest.

Oh, Ashton, Niles thought. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the cushions. What are we going to do if I can't leave you alone with anyone?

He looked back down at Ashton, who was still clinging to his thumb. He frowned. This wasn't like Ashton at all. He tapped Ashton gently on the head with his free hand.

"Hey, Ash," he said lightly. "What's gotten into you?"

Ashton shook his head and didn't answer. Niles tried to move his thumb, but Ashton just clutched at it tighter.

"Ok, it's ok," Niles finally relented. "I'm here. I'm back. You're ok."

They sat like that for so long that Niles thought that Ashton had fallen asleep, but when he looked down at him, Ashton's eyes were wide open, staring at nothing in particular.

Niles groaned inwardly. Oh, you poor thing, he thought to himself. I didn't mean to traumatize you.

Niles lay down on the couch and stared up at the ceiling. Underneath his hand, Ashton stirred and shifted into a more comfortable position, finally letting go of his thumb to grip Niles' shirt.

"There we go," Niles murmured, patting him softly. "You're alright. You did so well."

***

It's not that Ashton disliked the Will human. Will had actually been really nice. Ashton liked that he was quiet and left him alone. No, Will hadn't done anything wrong. Ashton just didn't like humans in general. So being around one who wasn't Niles terrified him. And it didn't help that his dreams the last few days were just of Niles leaving. It was terrible waking up from those and remembering that they had already happened in real life.

He hadn't slept the night before, so he was dozing off when Niles got back. But as soon as he heard Niles call his name, he had woken up with a jolt. Just seeing the human's familiar, worried face brought tears of relief to his eyes. He had never been so happy to see anyone in his life, human or faerie.

He stretched out underneath Niles' hand and tightened his grip on his shirt. Niles' heart thumped beneath him, and he counted the beats, slipping into a relaxed doze as he breathed in Niles' familiar scent. Finally, he thought, relieved. The tenseness he had been carrying in his shoulders all week finally started to relax at the feeling of Niles' warm fingers around him. This was the safest he'd felt in days.

"I'm sorry, Ash," he heard Niles murmur. "I won't leave you like that again, ok?"

Ashton liked the feeling of the vibrations from Niles' voice, and he snuggled closer.

How could I have ever been afraid of Niles? Ashton marveled to himself, remembering how off he had felt the whole time the human was gone. Niles' hands only mean safety and comfort. That's all they're capable of.

__________________________________________________________________

A/N: I absolutely do not know how criminal court cases work. Nor was I invested enough to do more than a couple quick Google searches. So, if this whole chapter is unrealistic, that's my bad. 

Feel free to comment or ask questions if you want. See you in the next part, along with some other familiar faces!