*Trisha*

Thanks to Nate, and it isn't his fault, as well as the subject matter and the potential for dramatics, James is considered a high-profile defendant. A celebrity who is drawing in attention to the point the trial is going to be televised. This trial is going to attract a lot of viewers for the networks broadcasting it and, well, since it IS L.A. the court is allowing cameras in the room.

James hates attention on himself. He's a humble guy and doesn't want his life on TV. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a choice in the matter. So here we are, getting ready for trial, with the TV on broadcasting live in front of the courthouse like it has for weeks now.

"This is ridiculous."Nate huffs while watching the news as I tighten his tie. The courthouse is a zoo of reporters and fans now. "I don't even know how we are going to get through the front entrance."

Evan and five other hired bodyguards, along with police escorts, will keep Nate safe, but it stinks we don't have Paul. He's with Julia, of course.

"Remember. Say absolutely nothing." Addison reminds James. "Reporters will stick microphones right up in your faces. You have not one comment, understood?"

Addison is in her element and looks to be completely prepared and ready to fight. But from the looks of it on TV, so isn't Colton West. "James, you need to pull it together, sir."

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" Tears stream down Gallo's face while Casey buttons his shirt for him. My heart sinks for James. I've never seen him this nervous and there's nothing I can do to help him either. He doesn't really want help from me.

"Ativan. You both are going to need an Ativan before you enter the courthouse." Jonah holds a pill bottle up. "I'll give you each one dose about a half hour before you go in, ok?"

"I'm gonna throw up." James rushes to the guest bathroom in the hall.

"Shit." Nate swats me away and pulls his tie off to go help James, but Jonah beats him to it, so Nate stand in the doorway instead.

"This is all too much for him to process." Casey frowns. "His brain is still healing. He can't handle this type of stress."

Addison looks up from her compact where she was applying her bright red lipstick. "Showing a little remorse is ok in court, but he has to hold it together to get through this trial."

"He's trying! James isn't used to any of this. He's never done a thing wrong in his entire life. Now his future lies in the judge's hands." Casey says. She's right. And I think that is why we are all so in edge. This isn't something we have control over.

"Judge Capriotti is known to be a fair judge. He will show compassion towards James. But he will also show compassion towards Nadine Jones."

"Yeah, but you said yourself, this is also you against Colton West. You two and your fucking sideshow shit." Nate blurts out as Jonah helps James brush his teeth. "Look at this. The man can't even brush is goddamn teeth. Sorry James, but you can't. Are they going to have people in prison help him do this shit? C'mon. Addison. Let's be real. You and West need to get over yourselves and whatever behind the scenes drama you two have going on and look at this man for what he is now. A harmless individual who needs a full-time nurse to take care of him."

Addison ignores him and turns the TV up a little more. 

"Around the world citizens and fans of Nate Hollan are tuning in to this live trial where Judge Walter Capriotti along with twelve jurors are to be seated in what is considered a Reckless Driving criminal case like no other. An accident that took the life of Malcolm Jones. Mr. Jones was singer-songwriter and America's Heartthrob Nate Hollan's personal driver of over ten years. But it is not Nate Hollan at the prosecutor's table. In fact, Hollan is on the defendant's side. His good friend James Gallo, the driver who ran the red light at the intersection of Howarth and Grant Streets in the center of Los Angeles. The prosecution side? Malcolm Jones's niece, Nadine Jones from Phoenix, Arizona has come forward pressing charges against Gallo. But why did it take Ms. Jones months to come forward? We will find out live today starting at 2pm. Live coverage outside the courthouse, I'm Barbara Tingsley, reporting for FOX Channel 7 News. Back to you Caleb."

"We should probably head out." Addison turns off the television and we rush to get ready. This is it. This is the day we find out if James walks out with his freedom or in handcuffs.

*******

*James*

The courthouse is a zoo outside, but inside it is much calmer and the crowd is well maintained. We don't get escorted directly into the courtroom yet. We are sent to a holding room until the judge is ready for us. I sit on the sofa and pet Maggie. As much as she loves the attention, if I keep this up, she's going to be a hairless dog soon.

"Here." Jonah tries to hand me an Ativan, but my hands are so shaky that Jonah has to physically put it in my mouth. Lovely. 

"Ok. Let's go over the itinerary." Addison sits down and opens her briefcase. "I'll run down the steps in a trial, so you know what to expect, James. The jury has already been selected. Both me and Colton will give our opening statements which is just a short overview of the case. Next is the witness testimony. Thats where you all come in to testify and then cross-examined. Colton is brutal so make your answers short and sweet with no room for him to argue. After that is done, we will have our closing arguments, and the rest is up to the judge and jury. Be prepared to not have a verdict today. There is no time limit for deliberations so we could be looking at days, weeks or longer since this isn't a trial of guilty verses innocent. We know you were guilty. The crash happened because you ran a red light. What they are trying to figure out is your punishment."

I nod right as someone opens the door.

"It's time."

"Oh God." I mutter and look over to Nate. "I- I don't think I can do this."

Nate's eyes become glossy, and he gives me a slight nod. "You can. We are all right there with you. C'mon." He pulls me up and notices I'm shaking like a leaf. "The Ativan will kick in soon, ok?"

I nod and wipe my eyes. I don't have a choice. 

When we walk into the courtroom, we see it is packed. Not one empty seat. My sisters are here. Dr. Giovanni is here. My pastor is here. Cheryl and Al are both here. Lindsay is here. She gives me a weak smile and looks down at Maggie, but Maggie doesn't run to her owner like she usually would. She stays right by my side. This is a lot for the dog. An unfamiliar room with a bunch of people.  When I make eye contact with Jennie, she puts her hands together in the praying position and nods her head, letting me know they have been praying for me.

The courtroom looks like it would on TV. There's guards at the door. Cameras everywhere. An old heavy lady ready to type every word spoken. I follow Addison to the table we are supposed to be at and watch as twelve people filter in and sit down off to the right. The jurors. People of all colors, shapes and ages sit down and study me, the offender, with blank faces. These are the people who are going to judge me for my actions. These people who don't even know me are going to decide my fate.

"All rise." The bailiff announces.

Everyone in the room stands up.

"The Honorable Judge Walter Capriotti presiding." Everyone remains standing until the judge is seated.

 The bailiff announces the case being called, and now it is time for the opening statements from both attorneys. Colton West gives his speech in less than five minutes. He paints a picture of how Nadine has lost her uncle in a reckless driving accident that could have been prevented. A man dedicated to his job as Nate Hollan's personal driver for over ten years.

I swallow hard and am still shaking. The Ativan did nothing for my nerves.

"So, for those unfamiliar with the California laws," Colton looks at me with what looks to be a smirk."Reckless Driving that results in death is a criminal offense. Vehicular manslaughter." He looks to the jury. "Homicide. Homicide is a felony. Gross vehicular manslaughter is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for two years or more with a fine of up to $10,000. Mr. Gallo should be in jail. Miss Jones just wants justice for her uncle no longer with us, your honor."

I frown, and a tear rolls down my face. I don't even bother wiping it away at this point. Addison stands up and paints a completely different picture for the jury to digest.

"Here, we have a hard-working man who has never been in trouble with the law. A man who works long hours to provide for his sick mother and family. James Gallo is, WAS, a productive member of our society. A man who worked too many hours and then, yes, got behind the wheel and ran a red light. That is not what is in question today. We are aware of what was done. We are also aware that this was a car ACCIDENT. This man is not homicidal. He's not a murderer. He got into a car accident that then put him into the ICU. Put him into a coma. Brain surgery was needed, and this man is a miracle to be here with us today. James Gallo, as some of you may not notice from his outward appearance, is a severely disabled man from the crash. When Mr. Gallo woke up from his coma he could not talk, walk, or care for himself. Now, he is a man who needs 24/7 care from two nurses, both of whom are sitting behind me. He can not dress himself, shower himself, feed himself. He can't brush his teeth He cannot turn a doorknob, open a bottle of water or use a cell phone or remote control, never mind get behind the wheel to drive again for the rest of his lift. He has seizures when he is awake. Deadly seizures when he is asleep. His speech and thinking are both impaired, and he needs a medical alert dog at all times. Your honor, this man is suffering enough from the collision. A disabled man who does not belong in prison, nor can the state of California afford to accommodate James under the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA. So what we have here is not a case of innocent verses guilty. What we have is a case where people were in a car accident. One lost his life. Others, including Mr. Nate Hollan were injured, and the defendant, James Gallo, severely brain damaged that impacts his daily life for the rest of his life. This man does not belong in prison. Thank you, your honor."

The judge looks at Nadine, who sits in her chair without any expression to her face, and then the judge looks at me and frowns. He sees my tears, and I look away, embarrassed.

"We'll have a short 15-minute recess before we call witnesses to the stand and begin the direct and cross examinations."

The fifteen minutes go by quickly, and before I know it, we are back in the courtroom.

"Let's have the defense call up some witnesses from the list to talk about James Gallo's character to get a clearer picture. Then, we will pass it on to the medical team." The judge says, and Addison calls up my co-worker Al.  He works in the kitchen at the Marriott, and I would visit him daily and shoot the shit. He's a good man. Old as dirt but a good man. His wife had dementia, so we talked about my mom often and stuff. He'd give me free food leftover from the hotel's continental breakfast.

"Tell me a little about Mr. Gallo, sir. " Addison smiles at the old man.

"I think of Jamie like my own. He's got this big ol heart and bends over backwards for everyone around him. He's worked at the Marriott for quite a few years and never misses a day."

"And you work in the kitchen, correct? Can you tell me why James works so hard there?"

"I mean, after he lost his two-year-old son, Carter, from cancer. James buried himself in his job." Al gets a sympathetic look from a few of the jurors. "Those medical bills, they add up ma'am. Even after the baby died. Jamie worked hard to make ends meet. Then...His mother got sick...." Al pauses and looks at me with a slight frown and a nod. "There were times James would go days without food. His family always came first. Groceries weren't top priority, so if we had leftover food at the end of breakfast, I'd pack it up and give it to Jamie. It would get him through for a few meals, and I woulda had to throw it away anyway."

Cheryl is next, and she tells the world all the good qualities and characteristics I possess. Not that it matters. I killed a man with my car.

Next, they call up Trisha. She looks about as green as I do but gives me a sympathetic smile.

******

*Trisha*

I'm trying to remain calm here, but this is fucking intimidating as all hell. I introduce myself and how I know James and then Colton West gets right to it.

"Ms. Banks. Were you aware of the extended amount of hours Mr. Gallo was working at the time?" Colton paces back and forth with his folder but smiles brightly at me in a conniving manner.

"I was. He had been working doubles often. Any chance he could get." I answer.

"So you knew he was overtired when he got behind the wheel then..."

"Well.. I didn't think-

"Yes or no, Ms. Banks. Were you or were you not aware that Mr. Gallo was tired after his shift at work." Colton snaps before I can even finish my sentence. I furrow my brows at him.

"Yes. I knew he was tired." My voice remains steady, thank God.

"If you knew he was impaired due to his exhaustion..."

"Objection, your honor. Speculation. Ms. Banks never said she was aware he was impaired or exhausted." Addison bites back.

"Sustained. Mr. West, get to your point." Judge Capriotti says.

"Right. Trisha, why did you let James get behind the wheel and not offer to drive if you knew he was tired?"

"I, I'm not sure. I thought he was fine to drive." I look to Addison. I DID think he was fine to drive. But it all happened so fast.

"So running a red light is 'fine to drive'?"

Oh my God. My eyes widen and my eyes begin to fill up and my chin quivers. 

"Objection!"

"Sustained. Mr. West......" Capriotti glares at the lawyer now.

"Ms. Banks, at what point did you realize it was not safe to be in the vehicle with James Gallo behind the wheel?" Colton proceeds.

"Never. I felt safe. The crash happened so fast no one had time to think about anything."

"No further questions, your honor." Colton smirks but sits down. 

I leave the stand quickly feeling like I failed James. The guy didn't even let me finish a sentence. A tear escapes as I sit down next to Nate. But right as I sit down, they call Nate up to the stand, not missing a beat.

"Your honor, defense would like to call up Mr. Nathaniel Hollan to the stand."

All reporters and cameramen get ready to roll but Nate is good. He's used to all of this. He's media trained.

"Mr. Hollan, please state how you know Mr. Gallo?" Addison starts.

"We are good friends."

"You agree that James is a hard worker."

"I do. Which is why I opened my home for him to recover in."

"Not only that, James is such a good man, you decided to help him out further, correct? You paid off his mortgage, have hired a full-time nurse for his mother, helped his five sisters out financially, as well as provide two privates nurses to care for Mr. Gallo."

"Correct." Nate looks at the girls then back at the lawyer.

"And James needs these nurses to survive, does he not? Putting him in prison would be detrimental not only to his physical health but his mental stability as well."

"James cannot survive in jail, nor does he deserve to be sentenced to serve time. It was a car accident."

Colton steps up to the plate and I can tell Nate felt a shooting pain in his chest just from his eyes alone.

"Mr. Hollan. You're a well-known public figure, are you not?"

The judge rolls his eyes at Colton.

"Yes sir."

"Your life has been on display for over ten years. Correct?"

"Yes."

"So it's not shocking news that you and Mr. Gallo have not always been the closest of friends. Correct?"

Oh no. They are going there?! Nate's expression doesn't falter and there is no sign of surprise on his face. He's in his Media Mode.

"Your honor." Addison sighs, wondering where Colton is going with this, but the judge allows it.

"Not at first, no." Nate admits.

"As a matter of fact, Mr. Hollan. Mr. Gallo was sexually involved with your fiancé."

Nate shows emotion. Shit. He squints his eyes at the lawyer, and I tense up. This one caught Nate off guard.

"Yes or no, Mr. Hollan."

"Yes, James and my fiancé dated before." Nate's eyes don't leave the lawyer. He's trying to get back into his media trained mode but I can tell that question got to him.

"More than just dated. Miss Moretti has frequently gone back and forth between the two of you for almost nine months now, correct?"

"How does this pertain-" Nate starts and the judge glares at Colton. How does Colton know all this! Why is he even bringing this up!? I glance at Jonah and Casey who both look my way with a bit of apprehension in their eyes now.

"Get to the point, Mr. West."

"Why was James driving that day? Do you know where he was headed?"

"At the time, no I did not." Nate answers.

"But you do now."

"I do."

"Enlighten us." He smiles at Nate.

"He was coming to look for us."

"Us?"

"Me and Julia Moretti."

"Why?"

"We had turned off our phones for a weekend getaway. They got nervous they couldn't get ahold of us so decided to take a ride to the hotel we were staying in." He explains truthfully.

"If Mr. Gallo was no longer dating Julia Moretti, why would he care if she didn't answer her phone? Or, Mr. Hollan. Perhaps he was mad. Mad that Julia was with you. Maybe so mad he had a bit of road rage?"

"OBJECTION!" Addison shouts out. "Your honor may I approach the bench?" She is fuming. Judge Capriotti lets both lawyers up to where he sits so they can have a heated debate that none of us can hear.

"No further questions, your honor." Colton sits back down. 

The judge gives us another fifteen minute break before the medical teams are called up to the stand. Nate paces the small holding room now on edge like I am. That guy Colton is a piece of work.

"He was trying to make me say James had some kind of road rage! That he did this on purpose? Is he fucking kidding me right now?!"  Nate bursts. James has his head in his hands, and I sit next to him rubbing his back to calm him.

"He's playing the game, Nate. And he's winning." Addison crosses her arms.

"What? How?! The judge even sustained half his questions."

"But the seed is now planted. He's playing dirty. You can't unhear something. The jurors now know a little of the background between you two. The jurors heard road rage. That is going to stick."

This is NOT how today was supposed to go.

"So now what do we do?!" My voice cracks a little and everyone notices.

"We have to play his game."

*******