The young cop hesitated, but agreed. He saw that Justin was a changed man an dperhaps he was only trying to protect his friends. Still, he had ot obey orders. When he got off the phone, he took a deep breath. "I really don't want to say this but, Justin, you have to go to the jail over night and be put on probation until trial."

Peter shouted, "No, you can't! He's innocent!"
After he said that, he could see the sadness in the cop's eyes. So, he quieted down a little. "Do you have to?"
The cop swallowed, "Unfortunately."
He walked over to Justin and pulled him up. "Come on."
Peter watched Justin obey, trying to fight tears. He had to fight a few himself. He rushed to Miley, who was crying. Putting an around around her , he said, "He will be out soon. It's just overnight." Who am I convincing? Me or Miley? He let her rest her head on his shoulder and he stroked her hair.

Miley sobbed into Peter's shoulder, grateful for his strength and touch. She hoped her brother would be okay. She wondered why they couldn't just believe that he's innocent. Everyone said the same thing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Justin let himself be led into the cop car. He didn't blame the cop. He had to do his job and make sure he was truly innocent. He didn't look at anyone when he was led out of the room because it was too sad. Now, he slumped back into his seat, ready for the long night."

The other young cop, who was not as understanding, asked the cheif. "Should we cut his hair and put him in prison clothes when we get there even though it's overnight?"

Justin sighed and gave into fatigue, not waiting for the answer. He did not want them to cut it, but was sure it would grow back if they did. He closed his eyes and fell asleep, trying not to worry about waking up with less hair.

"Um no" said the Chief "If we did that then he was proved not guilty he'd sue the pants off of us" Kevin sat next to Justin and tried to fall asleep like Justin but unlike him he could not.

Ally peered at her fingernail and scraped something off. "Uh, whatever Stacey," she said. "So anyway, yeah!" she enthused. "Can't wait for the trial huh?" she dropped to a whisper, even though it was totally not needed.

----------

"He WHAT?" squeaked Johny, spinning out of his chair, stumbling along the way. "Justin WHAT?" he repeated to his cousin, just as the phones connected.

----------------

Meghan yawned and closed the stall door as Clifford grabbed a chain and began to flip it through the air. "No!" Meghan dove for it, then considering it a lost cause, called Jen to see what she was up to.

Peter took a deep breath and answered, "Johnny, it was an accident. Justin feels really bad. He was trying to protect others, just wasn't thinking clearly. Come on man, you know how that is." He was nto trying to justify what his cousin did, he just wanted Johnny to know Justin was sorry and it was an accident. Yes, Justin should have just let the thug go into the police station. The evidence against the thug would have been more obvious.
~~~~~~
Maralyn sobbed, as Miley, Jen and Ryan helped her out the door. She knew Justin's past was bad but never thought he would make such a stupid move that would cause someone to die. He should have let the thug go into the police office. She remebered looking into his eyes, seeing how sorry he was. She wished she could hold his hand and kiss his tears.

Jen slipped an arm around Maralyn and tried to comfort her. "Don't worry, God's here with us. It'll alright."

Maralyn let out a cry, as tears streamed down ehr cheeks. "What if our baby has to go wihtout his father? You know what I was like before I met him? I retreated into my own corner avoiding almost anyone until he showed up! He brought joy and laughter into my life.." Sje sniffed and let out another cry. Why did this happen?" SHe cried harder. "Why?" She shreiked, "I want my husband!"

Jen suddenly pulled away and stood in front of Maralyn with her hands on her shoulders. "Maralyn, you have to stop! Crying isn't going to help, you need to be strong. Trust God, Maralyn, and pray. He'll see you through, I promise." Jen hugged Maralyn.

Maralyn sniffed. "When I was a little girl I was always taught that God works out for those who love Him. What about Peter? He loved God and was nothing but kind towards you adn yet he is not allowed to see you and his hair gets pulled out! What about Miley? SHe loves God and forgives others all the time. Yet, some jerk threatens her and bullies her into takign her dress back! What about Justin? HE loves God, yet God did not stop him from Killing that man. He raised all those other people form teh dead! Why not that thug, just so that Justin doesn't have to go to jail! What about me and my baby?" Miley asked, "Jen, can I have a word with you? In private?"

"Of course." Jen's eyes were misted with tears. She understood Maralyn's pain. It's hurt to know someone you loved was suffering.

Maralyn walked over to a chair, lowered her head and started sobbing. Everytime she stopped, she would think of Justin and start crying again. She wondered how this could be happening to her and what should could have possibly done to deserve this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter was still waiting for Johnny to respond, when he saw Maralyn sobbing. He wished he could comfort her, but no words could do justice to what just happened. So, he stayed on the phone, waiting for his cousin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
MIley siad, "I know you are trying to help, but she needs time to vent and it's okay if she cries. Imagine if thsi were Peter. How would you be feeling right now?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Justin twist and turned in his sleep, when he finally woke up. He turned to Kevin. "Who were those guys we killed? Better tell them your in the Military."

"And how will that help things?" He asked "It'll just make the army look bad, and I have no clue who those guys were" he added with a shrug.

Justin said, "Then they would know it was self defense if they knew you were in the army." Justin sighed, running ahand nervously through his hair. "I was stupid anyway. I should ahve let the thug come into the police station. Then, the evidence that we was trying to hurt you and Nate would be there and the police would know we were only defending ourselves. My big mouth really didn't help matters at all before then." He looked out the window. "I hate to admit this but I am scared. And I hate what I did, even if it was self defense. I should have handled it differently."

Kevin turned to Justin "Sometimes instinct over rules what the mind is telling you" he said thoughtfuly "And when that happens its because your instinct is usualy correct, trust me theres been plenty of times where I'v relied on instict alone and done things that the mind say's you can't"

Chrissa fiddled with her hair impatiently. Why wasn't Ryan home yet? She checked her watch. He'd been gone for a while. Chrissa turned the TV off and texted him, asking where he was. She knew she was being overprotective again, but it annoyed her for him to be gone so long without at least texting or calling her.

Still with the others, Ryan had totally forgotten about Chrissa at the house, or at least until he received a text from her. He could almost hear the annoyance in her voice as he read the text message. He texted back: sry 4 worrying u. i'll b back soon. He put his phone back in his pocket and looked at Miley. She looked exhausted.

Confused, Justin asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MIley left Jen to rush to Ryan's side. SHe gave him a hug. "This is awful."