Open Case File [COMPLETED]

It Happened One Day (Part 9)

By the time she stepped out of the bathroom, she felt her resolve hardening. After today it would be over. She could put this all behind her. She just needed to get through today.

Standing in the doorway to their hotel room - a necessity with Carter being one of the leading witnesses and needing constant protection - was a U. S. Marshal. When he saw Carter, he nodded.

"The cars are ready and waiting," he said.

Donovan studied Carter, reading the glint of determination in her eyes. His mouth curved at the edge.

"We're ready."

Holding out his hand, Carter took it, grateful that she wasn't alone in this. Though Captain, Maggie, Link and Maddy all offered to be there for the trial, Carter asked them not to. It was going to be difficult enough retelling all she went through, having the ones she loved forced to hear it would make it impossible.

In the lobby of the hotel, Carter found more U.S. Marshals waiting along with the two attorneys working the case. In the time they had been involved on the trial, Carter discovered the attorneys to be fierce, driven and dedicated to winning. It was a man and woman who made up the dynamic team and though they had never given any sign, Carter held no doubt they were a couple.

When Carter and Donovan approached the attorneys, Ezra and Liv stopped their conversation to greet them.

"How are you feeling?" Liv asked, her look direct but with a touch of sympathy.

"Fine," Carter said.

Though she liked this duo, she wasn't going to show them her weakness. Only Donovan could see that. To the world she would be strong and unaffected.

"Good," Ezra said, not one to remain on one topic long. "We've gone over everything about today you need to know. You've handled every counter argument we could throw at you well, I know you won't have a problem facing the prosecutor."

Beside Carter, Donovan cleared his throat, trying to cover up a laugh. Ezra's statement was putting it mildly. In the practice runs whenever Ezra or Liv had tried to trip Carter up she hadn't fallen for it, always remaining unfazed. At the sound, Liv smiled, clearly thinking what Donovan was. Ezra checked his watch and nodded.

"We need to be heading out, the trial starts in an hour."

All in agreement, the group headed out of the lobby and into the mild spring day. The clear blue sky overhead seemed to contrast the weight the day held. A caravan of three black SUVs lined the hotel drive.

Carter, Ezra, and Liv climbed into the back of the middle car while Donovan took the passenger seat. As the line of cars drove off, Carter stared out the window, breathing in slowly. After today it would all be over.

Next to her, Ezra and Liv talked with Donovan, speculating on every aspect of the trial. Carter didn't join in, instead watched the city pass by feeling the pressure in her chest grow with each second.

For the first time since being taken by the Castellos, she would be facing them again. Though she had worked through the ordeal, the thought of seeing them again pressed on her. Trying to keep her composure, she knotted her fingers together, the knuckles standing out.

"What do you think, Carter?"

The question pulled Carter from her thoughts and she looked over to see that both Liv and Ezra watched her. As she opened her mouth to respond, she froze, eyes glued on the front of the semi-truck charging towards them.

Before she could scream a warning, the truck slammed into the back of the SUV sending it spinning out of control.

Carter crashed into the door, knocking her head against the window. Her vision dimmed for a second, then cleared. Pain throbbed in her skull dulling her thoughts. Everything felt as if it were swaying around her. She pressed her hand to the headrest of Donovan's seat, trying to rebalance herself.