"Well, I told you I'd support you and I am.." he said. "Karen, what YOU did, confronting your stepfather like that, that was guts, like A.J. said."
"I couldn't let you or the rest of the guys protect me any longer, he wanted to see me right? And that he did. You've done so much for me already, even putting your careers on the edge like that." Karen said. "That means so much to me."
"Anything for you.." he kissed her forehead. "Anything for you..." he repeated holding her tighter. "Now you need to rest up... go to sleep.." he whispered.
Karen looked at the bracelet that Brian had given her and closed her eyes.
Meanwhile, as the movie played in the entertainment room, it had turned into a make out fest. Howie and Kevin left to the kitchen. Dawn and Aaron had already escaped into the rec room to play N64. Theresa and Nick were kissing each other, 'I've wanted this to happen for a long time now.' Theresa thought to herself. 'And now it's coming true.' Noticing the other side of the couch was empty, Nick placed Theresa under him as they kissed. Amanda was on A.J.'s lap as they kissed heavily. Leigh Anne and Jordan had moved to the stetch out couch as they kissed each other. The movie continued to play, but no one wanted to watch, they were busy.
In the rec room, Dawn looked at Aaron, "Did you notice Theresa and Nick?"
"Yeah, they seem like they got together on their own." Aaron smiled.
"Yeah, it's weird. I'm happy for her, now we can all be happy and there'll be no fighting ever again." Dawn grinned.
"Well, after this whole thing passes, then we can be happy," Aaron assured.
Dawn sighed, "Yeah.."
"Are you ready to lose your title at Mario Kart???" Aaron challenged.
"No way! I'll be the champion always and forever," Dawn laughed.
The two played and no matter how hard Aaron concentrated he kept losing. Eventually the two ended up kissing each other for they hadn't seen each other in awhile.
In the entertainment room, Nick ran his fingers through her hair. Kissing Theresa made him feel different, he had no worries and no regrets. His mind was clear from all his problems.
The four days passed and court day came quickly. They all stayed at Brian's place not wanting to leave, even Jordan. They all grew closer and they were all a family now. Theresa and Nick finally made it official that they were seeing each other. Brian and Karen, on the other hand, didn't pursue much into their relationship just yet. They had the case on their minds, they just decided to take things slowly and take it one step at a time.
Everyone dressed appropriately as they headed to the courthouse. Jordan, Leigh Anne, Dawn and Aaron went in Jordan's car. Kevin and Howie went with A.J. and Amanda in Kevin's car. Brian, Karen, Nick and Theresa went together in Nick's car.
As they approached the courthouse they saw not only cameras and reporters swarming the place, but tonnes of supportive and angry fans. There were signs everywhere. One said, "The Backstreet Boys are only trying to help!" Another one said, "She Just wants attention." Another one said, "Backstreet Boys, we're behind you and Karen 100 %!!!" Lou Pearlman had already set up security and bodyguards to get them all in without any hassles. As they climbed out of their vehicles reporters started sticking microphones in their faces and asking questions. Questions came from all directions. "Karen, do you think you'll win this fight against your stepfather today?"
"Is it true that you guys kidnapped her from off the streets?"
"What do you think will happen now to the reputation of the Backstreet Boys?"
"Brian, you're taking the stand today, are you going to tell the truth?"
Karen couldn't stand the questions they were asking. They are all inappropriate. 'Now, I understand the way the Backstreet Boys feel when they are surrounded by fans and reporters.' They all ran up the stairs and into the courthouse. Security guards surrounded the doors not allowing anyone to get in.
As they walked into the courtroom, they met up with Mr. Crane, their lawyer. "Were you able to contact any of the people I gave you?" Karen asked.
"Yes, and some have agreed to co-operate, with these people and their stories, I feel we might have a chance, especially with one witness, but it's a surprise." Mr. Crane smiled. Karen was now relieved with some tension as she went to tell everyone the news.
They saw Nick's parents as they came up to wish them all luck. "Karen, I hope for the best for you, you are like a daughter to me." Jane said.
Just then, her stepfather came in the door. She quickly looked away. When Brian noticed this he went to give her a hug, making sure he wouldn't approach her. "I suggest we go take our seats now..." Brian said. Everyone nodded as the 5 Backstreet Boys and Karen sat on their side with Mr. Crane. The others sat right behind them.
"ALL RISE!"
"You may be seated..." Judge Foreman said. He looked around the room, "Well, we have Mr. Walsh and his lawyer, Mr. Spencer vs. the Backstreet Boys, Karen and Mr. Crane." He looked at the two sides. "Well, what we have here is Mr. Walsh sueing the Backstreet Boys for kidnapping his stepdaughter, who is a minor. And then the suit of rape and abuse. As you all know this is a difficult case here, so if everyone follows all instructions and answer all questions without hesitation, this case will be over in a breeze."
Everyone nodded their heads, Brian took Karen's hand to give her strength, he felt her hand shaking from being nervous.
"Well, shall we begin," Judge Foreman said. "Mr. Spencer, your first witness."
"Thank you," Mr. Spencer said standing up. "My first witness is Mrs. Trinket."
Karen looked at her stepfather, 'Mrs. Trinket?? My shrink?? What could she possibly do?'
"Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"
"I do." she said as she had her hand on a bible.
"Mrs.Trinket... You are the psychiatrist of Miss Karen Walsh here, are you not? and how long?" Mr. Spencer asked. Karen shuddered at the last name Walsh, her mother made her change it when she married that monster.
"Yes, for almost 2 1/2 years, until her mother remarried." she replied.
"Can you please tell us why Karen needed a psychiatrist?"
"Well, Miss Walsh here had to cope with the divorce of her parents and the death of her father. She was in deep depression, she was seeing things...."
"So would it be possible if Karen was vulnerable enough to go to her 'stepfather' for happiness?"
"Yes, it is possible."
"Brian? I didn't go to him for any kind of happiness.." Karen whispered.
"Don't worry.."
Mr. Spencer asked a few more questions. Then it was Mr.Crane's turn. "Miss Trinket, why did Karen stop going to you?"
"Well, when her mother remarried, they came and told me she was happy now and she didn't need a shrink anymore.."
"And did you believe them? After all, she was in a deep depression and she was seeing things, how could she heal and accept things so fast?"
"Well, yes I did and what else am I suppose to believe, yes I had my doubts on the fast recovery but her mother assured me her happiness."
"Was Karen with them when they told you she didn't need you anymore?"
"No."
"So how could you be so sure that she was alright?"
"Well, her mother was definately happy that she was married and I figured..."
"No further questions your honour." he interrupted.
Mr. Spencer called a few more witnesses. All saying Mr. Spencer was a good man, for taking Karen and her mother into his life. He was so much in love with them that he couldn't possibly hurt any of them. The case was obviously favoring Mr. Walsh at that point.
On the case of the Backstreet Boys, he got their ex-management, Donna and Johnny Wright. They said that the Boys weren't always on top of their game, they always had troubles bothering them. All they wanted was things for themselves and if they got it they'd take it immediately and would do anything it takes to make themselves happy whether it was a pretty girl or an expensive gift. They told the jury that they bought their way into getting what they want. Obviously they were still angry at the lawsuit before. Mr. Spencer and Mr. Walsh even got a few of the Backstreet Boys ex-girlfriends to testify against them.
Karen whispered to Mr. Crane, "He's winning isn't he?" She was worried.
"Don't worry, this isn't a bad case, he had so many witnesses and none of them proved anything. They are nothing compared to what I've got and I have half the witnesses he had, I'm postive will win this case now...." Mr. Crane said in a positive attitude and smiled.
It was time for Mr. Crane to call his witnesses. It had been a long 6 hours when it finally reached his turn. "Your honour I'd like to call upon Mrs. Tan."
They went through the bible thing and Mrs. Tan sat down. "Mrs. Tan, is it true that Karen was cut off from your family when your sister married Mr. Walsh?"
"Yes it is."
"Did you ever try calling to speak with your sister or neice?"
"Yes I have, but Mr. Walsh kept hanging up. He wouldn't let me talk to them."
"Do you know why?"
"No."
"Mrs. Tan, did Mr. Walsh tell you about your sister's death?"
"No, I found out from Karen, somehow she found a way to call me...I flew down for the autopsy. There were bruises and scars every inch of her body, but they said it was all caused by the car accident."
"Did Mr.Walsh know you were in town?"
"Yes, I showed up for her funeral with my other brothers and sisters. He knew Karen had called us."
"What else did you notice?"
"He wouldn't let Karen talk to us, if she tried to apporach us he would pull her into a corner and say something to her and she would run away and go to her room. I did notice some bruises and scars on her arms and face."
"No further questions, you honor."
Judge Foreman looked at Mr. Spencer, who had nothing to say. "Well, Mr. Crane, your next witness please."
"I'd like to call upon Mr. Brian Littrell."
"Brian please take the stand."
Brian got up and looked at Karen. She nodded and moved in next to Nick. He placed his hand on the bible. "Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"
"I do." he said as he sat down.
"Mr. Littrell," Mr. Crane started. "How did you find Karen?"
"A bunch of us were rollerblading one day and Nick accidently ran into her."
"What did you see?"
"A girl in torn up clothes with bruises and tear-stained cheeks."
"Did you try to talk to her?"
"Nick did but she ran away and everytime we tried to comfort her she would shrug us off."
"How did you get her stay at your house?"
"I ran into her at the beach a week later when I was jogging and I noticed she was wearing the same torn clothes and she was dirty and appeared to have been crying. We talked about what had happened to her and I asked her to come stay at my place, since she had no where else to go."
"What did you do after that?"
"We made her feel at home, treated her like one of us. She became happier and was smiling more than when we first met her."
"No further questions your honour," Mr. Crane said sitting down.
"Mr. Spencer," Judge Foreman said.
Mr. Spencer got up and paced around the room. He looked at Brian, "When you asked Karen to stay with you, did she immediately agree?"
"No, she was reluctant to say yes."
"So you pushed her telling her it was okay..?"
"No, I simply told her that it wouldn't be a problem..." Brian said protectively.
"So you pushed her?"
"I OBJECT YOUR HONOUR! He already answered the question." Mr. Crane said standing up.
"Mr. Spencer, please ask your next question." Judge Foreman said.
"Mr. Littrell, Karen obviously had no money and no clothes, how did she get all these clothes?"
"I bought them for her."
"You bought them for her?"
"Yes," Brian secured.
"Does she have a job to repay you?"
"No, but she's working on it...."
"So it was just a gift to her from you, to bribe her to stay?"
"Well, I wanted to make her feel at home, let her start a new life..."
"Answer the question.." Mr. Spencer pushed.
Brian looked at everyone else, "Yes.. but only.."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Littrell you can step down" Judge Foreman said. "Mr. Crane, next witness."
"I'd like to call upon Karen Walsh." Mr. Crane said looking at her.
Karen looked at the rest of the guys, they nodded. She got up and placed her hand on the bible. "Miss Walsh do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth."
"Yes, I do." She sat down looking at her stepfather, then at the boys. She was nervous, she didn't want to lose the boys.
"Karen, did the boys treat you badly in any way?"
"No, they were kind enough to take me in and help me change my life around."
"What do you mean by change your life around?"
"I became the girl I was suppose to be, I was able to share my feelings with others, I was never able to do that for a long time. I became more open and happier."
"So the boys didn't kidnap you?"
"No, it was my decision to stay with them and I'm glad I made that decision."
"Karen, please tell the jury what you told me? What your father did to you and your mother?"
"To make a long story short my mother married Mr. Walsh and every night he would fight with my mother and hurt her. He'd throw her against the walls and throw things at us, when my mom went to bed every night he would come into my room and make me have sex with him... he threatened to kill me if I said anything to anybody...." Karen started to cry.
"Okay, I think that's enough, sweetie. Your honor no further questions."
"Mr. Spencer?" asked Judge Foreman.
"Karen, tell the court room why Mr. Walsh took you and your mother into his home."
"Well, he said he loved my mother and wanted to help us out. He wanted us to be a family."
"So Mr. Walsh and your mother married and you guys were well off?"
"Yes, he gave me an education and food..."
"So, Mr. Walsh gave you the needs to survive when he could have left you guys on the side of the road to die, am I correct?"
"No, he loved my mother... he wanted to take care of her.."
"So are you saying Mr. Walsh loved you as if you were his own?"
"I don't know, he said he loved me but, then he raped me, I wasn't sure if that was love or not."
"Are you sure it was Mr. Walsh who raped you or were you just dreaming it since you were in deep depression and as Miss Trinket told us, you were seeing things, maybe you pictured Mr. Walsh raping you because you didn't want him to replace your father..."
"No!" Karen interrupted. "I didn't imagine him having sex with me...."
"..Miss Walsh.. could it have been possible for you to mix up another man as Mr.Walsh..."
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