Chapter 18

The next two days went by in a blur in Brian's house. Justin hardly left his room and shut himself away, shutting Brian out who was beyond worried. All Brian could do was call all the friends he could think of and ask them for their help, getting them to write character reference letters. In the end he hadn't nearly gotten as many people to agree to write one as he had wished for, but at least some had agreed: Emmett, Ted and Lindsay among them. He himself had also written one and had been present as Justin had met with Melanie twice, trying to set up a strategy for the trial.

Melanie bluntly told them that things looked dire and she didn't have much hope to get Justin out of this mess without at least some prison time, seeing how his previous record was far from empty and how the judge who would sit over this trial was known as a strict one. She also clearly told them that the fact that a sick man had been hurt made an acquittal even less likely, because old, sick people caused stronger reactions in people, judges included.

None of that helped to improve Brian's or Justin's mood and Brian got more and more worried by the minute the more he saw Justin draw back into himself and shut him out, even refusing to talk to him at all at times.

As Brian looked at his watch and knew that it was time to leave for court, he sighed deeply, hoping against hope that the day wouldn't end in a disaster. He slowly made his way over to his guestroom, knocked on the door twice before he opened the door and found Justin sitting dressed and apparently ready, deep in thought on his bed.

“We should leave now, Justin,” he said silently and watched as the young man got up from the bed as if in trance, walked past him, but still didn't say a single word.

He stayed quiet the whole way to the courthouse and all Brian could do was look over at him every once in a while in worry.

When they entered the courthouse, they immediately saw Melanie and walked over to her and she gave them some last minute instructions which they both listened to silently. They then followed her inside the room where the trial would take place and Brian also saw that Michael had already arrived and seemed to be in an intense discussion with his lawyer who seemed quite angry about something. Brian couldn't really hear what their discussion was about and quite frankly he didn't care and he only nodded back curtly at Michael in greeting when the other man looked up and looked over at them from sad, tired eyes.

Brian chose to ignore Michael for the time being and concentrated on Justin instead who had visibly gotten paler and had started shaking slightly as he saw the two police officers waiting next to a side door, looming over them like a prophecy that waited to come true.

Brian turned to the younger man and took his hand in his, watching as Justin's eyes slowly averted their attention from the officers and to him, looking at him fearfully.

“It's going to be okay, Justin. Whatever happens, it's going to be okay and we're going to deal with it together. I promise!” Brian told him, watching the emotions on Justin's face which went from being scared to outright fear and in the end settled on a hopelessness that Brian hated seeing there.

“You're going to make it through this, Justin! You are so strong and...this isn't going to change that! You're going to be alright,” Brian whispered as he pulled Justin close and hugged him tight, feeling relieved when he felt Justin hug back, at least showing some sort of reaction to anything Brian had said.

“Thank you,” the blond whispered, before he followed Melanie and sat down in the place she pointed at at her side. Brian settled on the bench behind them, throwing another glance at Michael, who was still in a discussion with his lawyer. Brian wondered what that was all about, but in the end decided that he didn't care enough to waste more time on whatever was going on there..

A few seconds after he had turned his eyes away from them, the judge entered the room and Brian felt a queasy feeling take hold of his stomach, knowing that this was it. He prayed to all the deities he could think of, praying for a good outcome.

The judge started speaking in a quiet voice, telling them all why they were there, giving a short overview of the charges against Justin before he checked that everyone who was needed to be there was indeed there, nodding in satisfaction when he could confirm that.

He turned towards Michael's lawyer with a frown as he saw the man clearing his throat before he started to speak to the assembled people.

“Your honour, it looks like we'll have to go back on the charge of assault,” he said, making everyone in the room frown in confusion.

“And why would that be so?” The judge asked, clearly impatient, obviously having expected to get this trial done in a couple of minutes. The evidence was clear, there were several witnesses who had seen the assault and police had found the drugs.

“My client, the accuser in this case, and the other witnesses have taken back their testimonies and refuse to say anything more about the alleged assault. As they were the only witnesses and the victim has by now passed away, there is no way to keep up the charge and I ask the court to withdraw the assault charge,” he calmly exclaimed.

Brian couldn't help himself and he just gasped at what he was hearing. He looked over at Michael in astonishment who just looked ahead, not looking back at Brian. Brian had expected a lot of things, but never in a million years had he expected Michael to go back on the charges. The other witnesses like Debbie yes, after all Michael had told him that she thought it best to let everything rest now that Justin was doing better, but Michael. No way. Michael had told him as much just two days ago, but apparently he had changed his mind. Brian just looked at his friend in utter shock and surprise, not even noticing that Justin was wearing the same expression as his eyes went from Michael to Brian and back.

“In fact my client has written a letter of character reference about the accused's character, begging your honour to take it into consideration as you come to your decision,” the lawyer went on as he held up a written document and moved over to the bench, handing it to the judge who had beckoned him forward to give him the document.

Brian couldn't help but gasp once more as he saw the written document and this time Michael apparently heard him and turned around, looking at him from sad eyes, yet his face wore a small smile. Brian suddenly understood what the discussion between Michael and his lawyer had been about. Michael had done a 180° turn and had completely destroyed the lawyer's case since the assault charge had been the one that had the most likely chance of getting Justin a prison term. Of course the lawyer would be unhappy about that and Brian still had a hard time wrapping his head around what Michael had done, yet he hoped that Michael had seen the gratitude on his face before he turned around once more.

The judge took everything into consideration before he nodded, looking at both lawyers. “The assault charge will be withdrawn and we'll only litigate about the charges of DUI and drug possession.”

He then turned to Melanie, a question in his eyes. “I assume you won't have any objections about that?”

“No, your honour. We agree with the prosecution to withdraw the assault charge.”

The judge nodded, before he continued with his normal proceedings. “How does the accused plead to the DUI and drug possession charges?”

“Guilty, your honour,” Melanie said. She had talked to Brian and Justin in recent days and had told them that pleading guilty and admitting Justin's guilt was the only thing they could do. Justin had been caught driving under the influence of several drugs and he had been caught with drugs in his possession. The results of the blood test done at the police station left no doubt and pleading not guilty would have been ridiculous in light of the evidence presented against Justin, which both Brian and Justin had to agree with. There was no way out of those charges, no matter how they tried to spin it.

The judge and lawyers went over the evidence in the following minutes, before the judge turned to Melanie once more.

“Is there anything the accused wants to say in his defense?”

“We would like your honour to know that my client has turned his life around in recent months. He has been through a drug withdrawal and has been clean for more than two months now. He has left his old social environment and has returned to a better environment. He has a permanent address and is working on turning his life around. He has a good social prognosis and we would like your honour to kindly take that into your consideration when you come to a decision, as well as these letters of character reference that have been written in favour of my client,” she said before she was beckoned towards the judge's bench and handed over the letters to him. When she arrived back in her place at Justin's side, the judge turned towards them with a frown.

“Why wasn't I informed that the accused has been to rehab and has completed it?”

“My client hasn't been to a rehab facility, your honour. He has detoxed at a private home with the help of a friend, however the result is the same. He hasn't taken any drugs in more than two months and is trying to rebuild his life.”

The judge nodded before he looked at everyone in the room. “Very well, very well. I will now retreat and will take a look at everything I've been presented with before I'll announce the court's decision tomorrow morning at 9. Have a good day,” he finished before taking the file of the case and leaving the room.

Melanie immediately turned to Justin who still looked beyond shocked at everything that had happened, going over what had just taken place with him. Brian watched them and knew that they would still be some minutes. He slowly got up from his seat, still having a hard time wrapping his head around everything he had just watched, not quite sure what to make of it. When he saw Michael say goodbye to his lawyer and saw him on his way out to leave the room, Brian went after him, calling out for him.

“Michael!”

Michael stopped and turned around to look at Brian. “Brian.”

“Why did you do that?” Brian asked, trying to put his confusion into words as he looked at Michael intently.

“I guess you're right. This was doing more harm than good and...everyone deserves a second chance, right?” Michael answered calmly.

Brian looked at him and could only nod dumbly before he just couldn't help himself and went over and hugged his friend tightly. “Thank you! Thank you so much!” He whispered over and over again as he felt Michael's arms go around his own body as well.

“I am sorry I couldn't do more to help, Brian, but the DUI and drug possession were out of my control,” Michael whispered and Brian was surprised to hear the coldness in his voice gone and to hear real sadness in it.

“I know,” Brian replied, pulling his friend closer. “But thank you so much for doing this! God...thank you!” Brian could only repeat, not knowing what else there was to say.

After several more seconds Michael pulled back slightly and looked at Brian, a small smile on his face. “I should go now,” he said and clapped Brian's back before he turned around and left, making Brian look after him in astonishment and also relief. Maybe there was still a chance for Justin and Michael to work this out and become friends again one day. He knew that there was still a long way ahead and it would be far into the future, but he had a feeling that an important step in the right direction had been taken that day and he couldn't help but feel grateful for it.

He waited a couple more minutes until Justin and Melanie were done talking and then walked over to Justin's side. He saw that there was still a look of shock and slight confusion on Justin's face and couldn't help but smile at that as Melanie bade them goodbye and left them alone.

“Are you okay, Justin?” Brian asked in a concerned voice, the smile still in place though, which made for quite a comical mixture of emotions.

“Yeah,” Justin breathed out as he looked up at Brian. “How did you get him to do that?”

“I didn't,” Brian just said, confusing Justin even more.

“But...why...why did he do that?”

“I told you that he was your friend and...it was about time that he remembered it,” Brian replied before leading Justin out of the building. “Let's get out of here, okay?”

Justin nodded, though it was still obvious to Brian that he was thinking about what Michael had done.

“Don't wrack your brains about it, Justin. He's half Italian, half drag queen. We're not supposed to understand his behaviour,” Brian joked and he was glad when he got a smile from Justin in return.

The rest of the day was spent at Brian's house in silence, because Justin was still very nervous about the judge's decision, Michael's help or not, and he chose to retreat to his room once they arrived back home, only coming down for dinner which was eaten in near complete silence if it hadn't been for Brian's attempts to keep a conversation going. In the end Brian just stopped trying, knowing that there was probably too much going through Justin's head and understanding about his nervousness. He felt just as nervous himself and allowed Justin his silence and just hoped that it would be over tomorrow. He hoped that thanks to Michael's help all this would have a good ending after all.

Unlike Justin, Brian felt slightly more optimistic after that day's events and he just hoped that the judge would take Michael's help as a sign that Justin deserved a second chance. After all it was pretty telling if the one who had pressed the charges suddenly wrote a letter of character reference for the accused. That had to impress the judge, right?

So when he got up the next morning, he felt more optimistic than he had done in recent days ever since Michael had called and had informed him of the arrest warrant. He wasn't surprised however that the same couldn't be said for Justin, who looked as if he had had a nearly sleepless night. He looked beyond exhausted and was very pale, refusing breakfast which worried Brian greatly, even though he knew that if he had been in Justin's shoes, he probably wouldn't have been able to eat anything either.

They made their way back to the courthouse and went into the same room as the day before, settling in their places. Brian squeezed Justin's shoulder in support and comfort, but stopped when he saw the door to the room open and saw Michael enter. He let go off Justin's shoulder, who seemed to be so deep in thought that he apparently hadn't noticed anyway and watched open-mouthed as his friend came into the room.

Brian hadn't expected Michael to show up. After all he had done his part the day before and why would he come in to hear the sentence? But apparently he cared or was just curious and he looked over at Brian insecurely, obviously not sure if Brian wanted him to be there or not and Brian could see the relief on Michael's face as he nodded at him and pointed to the place next to him, urging him to sit down there. He was glad for Michael being there and didn't care about what had happened before. All he cared about was the sentencing ahead of them and for his part he was glad to see his best friend there.

Michael sat down next to Brian and Brian took his hand, squeezing slightly, trying to make him see that everything was okay between them and that there were no hard feelings. Michael smiled at Brian gratefully before he spoke.

“Are you okay?”

Brian nodded and was about to say more when the judge entered the room and effectively silenced him. He turned away from Michael and towards the judge, but smiled slightly when he felt Michael hold his hand in support.

Michael might not care about Justin as much as Brian cared, but Brian was touched that his friend cared enough about him to still show up and support them and that he forgot about his personal feelings towards Justin and just tried to be a friend for Brian.

The judge sat down in his place and looked at everyone in the room before he started speaking. “We have gathered here today for the sentencing in the case against Mr. Taylor and I can inform both parties that I have come to a decision.”

He opened his file and looked at the topmost piece of paper as he continued. “I find the accused guilty of the charges against him,” he started which so far wasn't really surprising to anyone. Justin had pleaded guilty, the evidence was watertight and this had been expected. Everyone just waited for the sentence, wanting to know how harsh it would be.

“I hereby sentence you to 9 months under arrest. In light of your recent drug withdrawal, however, the sentence will be suspended and you will be released on probation,” the judge declared, making everyone gasp at first at the nine months and then immediately sigh in relief when he declared that the sentence was suspended and Justin wouldn't have to go to prison.

Brian felt relief flood through him and he wasn't surprised to see Justin's hands fly to his mouth as he started shaking, obviously crying in relief. Brian wanted nothing more than to take him in his arms, but he knew that he couldn't as the judge was still talking.

“I further sentence you to 300 hours of community service and you will have to enrol in an outpatient rehab programme to help you stay on track,” the judge ended before he looked at Justin's crying form, a stern look in his eyes.

“Make no mistake, Mr. Taylor. Next time I see you in my court, you will go to prison! This is your very last chance and I hope that you will realise that. I was inclined to send you to prison for your repeated drug offences, but I took into consideration that you seem to have gone through a drug withdrawal and are intent to stay clean. It looks like you might have pulled yourself together and therefore I ordered the enrolment in an outpatient rehab programme to help you stay on track.”

All Justin could do was nod at the judge as he watched him close the file and slowly get up, addressing him once more in a stern, yet warm voice.

“And you should thank your friends, Mr. Taylor. Especially Mr. Kinney and Mr. Novotny seem to think very highly of you and their passionate portrayals and defence of your character made me go against my better judgement and made me decide to grant you one last chance. Don't disappoint them!” He said before he left the room, leaving a crying Justin and a very surprised Brian behind.

Brian knew what he had written in favour of Justin's character, but to hear that Michael had apparently written something just as passionate in defence of Justin's character surprised him greatly and he couldn't help but look at his friend in awe. “Michael?”

There was a gentle smile on Michael's face as well as a slight blush. “Well...that went okay, right?”

Brian nodded dumbly before Michael nodded in Justin's direction who was still sitting in his place, looking pretty dumbfounded. “Go to him.”

Brian nodded once more before he got up and made his way over to Justin's side, engulfing the crying man in a tight hug.

“I told you it would be okay!”

Justin sobbed hard and his crying only got harder as he hid his head in Brian's shirt, the whole emotional stress of the last days finally falling from him and leaving his exhausted body. Brian could only imagine what thoughts must have gone through Justin's head and how panicked he must have been and he just decided to give him the time that he needed, allowing him this release.

“It's okay...everything's over. Everything's over,” Brian repeated over and over, holding the crying man close who just nodded into his shoulder.

“Thank you,” Justin managed to whisper after several minutes, still holding onto Brian as if he was a lifeline, as he fought to get some control over his emotions.

It took him several minutes, minutes in which Brian just held onto him tightly before Justin pulled back slightly and looked at Brian from glassy eyes. “Thank you for everything!”

“You're welcome, Justin. More than welcome!” Brian told him, smiling at him gently before he let go of Justin and allowed him to wipe away his tears.

As Justin looked back up, his eyes widened as he saw Michael standing a few feet away from them, who was looking over with a warm expression on his face. It almost seemed as if Justin only noticed Michael's presence then and he looked slightly insecure as he moved away from Brian and slowly made his way over to where Michael stood. Brian followed close behind.

Justin looked at Michael from his tear-covered face, not quite sure what to say to him, in the end settling on the most important thing.

“Thank you, Michael...I...I can never thank you enough,” he whispered and he was genuinely surprised when he heard Michael's response which was spoken in a voice totally void of the familiar coldness and filled with a certain warmth and kindness as he looked at Justin from sad eyes.

“Don't make me regret doing this.”

Justin shook his head slowly, new tears coming. “I won't...”

“Okay,” Michael just gave back before he looked at both Brian and Justin. “I guess I'll see you around.” He then turned around and left, leaving Justin and Brian to look after him, still trying to process everything that had happened.