The source of my strength

Put it all on the line

A/N: First trial day of this case! Apollo and Hugh find themselves facing off against Robin. And Robin still seems gripped by a sickness... It's time for mystery!

Chapter 23: Put it all on the line

September 25, 2029

District Courthouse

The judge, face obscured by shadow, nevertheless glared down at Robin. "Do you understand the charges being raised against you?"

"I understand them!" Robin shouted from the defendant's chair. "But I don't understand why they're being brought up now!"

"But you don't deny that you committed these crimes," Logan said smugly from the prosector's bench. "Face it. You can't run from your guilt anymore."

"My guilt?" Robin turned to the defense's bench, only to find no one there. Next she desperately looked the the Judge. "Just what do you want from me?"

The judge leaned forward, and Robin found herself staring right into her own face.

"You know exactly what I mean, don't y-o-u?"

Robin jerked herself awake from her napping spot, a couch in the Prosecutor's lobby. That nightmare was a recurring one, but it was a first time it had been so clear. Robin could only begin to guess what had caused it. It might have been returning to an empty home yesterday. Just as likely it was the anticipation of today's trial.

When she first looked over the paperwork for today's trial it made the prosecutor want to laugh. Not only did the defense consist of her best friend Hugh and Apollo, but it was to be held in courtroom number four.

Courtroom number four, where her friendship with Hugh and Juniper had been placed to the ultimate test. Where Robin's life had been changed forever, and also where an explosion had almost taken Juniper away forever....

It was almost as if her entire life up until now had been preparing her for this case, for this trial today.

Robin fiercely gripped her proof of friendship. Once again, her bonds were being hacked away, and she could actually lose a lot of precious people this time. But she was far too committed to this trial to just stop. She would just have to take this head on, as she always did.

Juniper Woods sat in a chair in the witness waiting lobby, accompanied by Detective Marsh but effectively alone with her thoughts. She had spent the night at Athena and Ema's place- returning home was too painful a prospect right now. Thankfully Ema and her sister Lana had been very accommodating. Even more painful was the fact that she had yet to see Robin again. The last time had been after Juniper had left Robin's office after their fight, and it was Detective Marsh had showed up to escort her to the courthouse this morning.

Two things kept Juniper going right now- the first being the hope that as desolate as everything was things could only get better, and the second her resolve to guide this case to the best of her ability. All her memories, her feelings, would be laid bare on the witness stand today. Juniper was determined to do this, even if it was on her own.

September 25, 2029

District Courthouse, Defendant Lobby #5

9:30 a.m.

In the lobby three men stood in a circle in the middle of the room: Hugh, Apollo, and Logan.

"Well Hugh, today's going to be the first time you officially stand in court as a defense attorney. How do you feel?"

"A lot like I'm about to be sick, actually." Indeed, Hugh was looking rather green.

"Don't worry, that's normal," Apollo said, while hoping Hugh wasn't about to throw up.