Part 2 Rating: PG 13 Summary: Holden is being tried for the murder of Dusty Donovan. Lily interrupts the proceedings. Characters: Luke, Noah, Holden, Bonnie, Lily, ADA Disclaimer: This site is no way associated with "As the World Turns", CBS, P&G, or Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann. This is not for profit. No copyright infringement is intended. Authors submit and write their own work.

Luke was at the courtroom waiting for his father to be brought in. Noah was there for support. The officer brought Holden in and led him to his seat. "Why do they have cuffs on him?"

Noah patted Luke's hand. "I'm sure that it's standard procedure."

The judge came in and everyone stood up. "Have a seat. I'm Judge O'Brien and I will be presiding over these proceedings. Is the defense ready for opening statements."

Bonnie stood up. "Yes, Your Honor."

The judge looked over to the prosecutor's table. "Are the prosecutors ready?"

Steve Ryan the ADA stood up. "The people are ready."

The judge nodded. "Good. Let's hear from the defense first."

Bonnie patted Holden on the hand. She got up from her chair and started to walk over to the jury, when Lily came walking in. "No. You must stop."

Everyone turned and looked at Lily. Luke looked at Noah. "What is she doing here?"

Lily ran up to the judge. "You can't do this. He didn't do anything. I did."

Luke stared at his mother with disbelief. "What?"

The judge banged his gavel and motioned for the bailiff. "Order in the court. Bailiff please remove this woman."

The officer walked up. Lilly walked over to the Judge's bench. "Your Honor. He's just trying to protect me."

Bonnie looked at Holden. "Is what she saying true?"

Holden shook his head. "She's sick Bonnie."

Bonnie frowned at Holden. "That would explain a lot. Why you didn't want to defend yourself."

Holden took Bonnie by the arm. "Bonnie don't do this. I can take this. She can't"

Bonnie stood up. "Your honor. In light of this new information. The defense would like to request a continuance."

Steve stood up and pointed at Lily. "How do we know that she isn't here just to try and confuse the jury?"

Lily looked at Steve. "I was at the hospital and out of my mind. I wandered out of my room. Holden found me in the stairwell and took me back to my room."

Steve looked at Lily. "So you say that you killed Dusty Donovan?"

Holden grabbed Bonnie by the arm. "Stop this now."

Bonnie interrupted Lily before she could speak. "Your Honor, You can't expect this woman to incriminate herself without an attorney present."

Judge O'Brien looked at Bonnie. "She came in here of her own free will."

Bonnie looked at Lily. "But she hasn't been well. You can't hold her responsible."

The judge looked at Lily. "Then why should we believe anything she says?"

Bonnie looked at the judge. "We should be able to verify if what she says is true. Let us have the time to check it out."

The judge looked down at his calendar. "Alright. I will grant a continuance of one week. We will reconvene on February 4th."

The judge got up to leave the courtroom. The bailiff announced. "All rise."

Holden whispered at Bonnie. "We can't do this."

Bonnie whispered back. "This might be your only chance. Lily wasn't in her right mind that night. No jury would convict her."

Holden looked over at Lily. "I hope you are right."

Luke came up behind his dad. "What does all this mean?"

Holden looked at Luke. "I don't want you to worry."

Luke looked at his father. "How could I not worry. First my Dad is accused of murder and he might get off, but only if my mother is charged."

Holden put his hand on his son's shoulder. "Your mother is not going to be charged."

Luke shook his head. "You can't promise that."

Holden nodded. "Yes I can. Now you get home and take care of your sisters and brother."

Luke didn't believe his father, but he didn't want to worry him any more. He nodded. "Okay."
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Luke was sitting in a conference room at the courthouse with his father. "Why do you think they wanted us to be here?"

Holden put his elbows on the table. "I'm not sure. Bonnie said that she was suppose to meet with the Judge."

Bonnie came walking through the door. "Hi Holden. Luke."

Holden looked at Bonnie. "So what's up?"

Bonnie sat down. "Well I have some great news. The prosecutor has decided to drop all charges against you."

Luke smiled at his father, but then turned and looked at Bonnie. "What about my mom."

Bonnie looked at Luke. "She's a little more complicated. She insists that she was with Dusty, but she doesn't remember everything. She remembers picking up the needle, but not using it."

Holden looked at Bonnie. "Well maybe Dusty was dead by the time she found him."

Bonnie shook her head. "We don't know that, but the good news is, the prosecutors are hesitant to pursue anything, because right now Lily is pretty sympathetic and they don't think they could win."

Luke was guardedly optimistic. "So they aren't going to charge her?"

Bonnie shrugged. "It's hard to say."

Holden was concerned. "So we sit around waiting for the other shoe to drop?"

Bonnie leaned forward on the table. "There's a little more than that. They have required that Lily be treated at a facility."

Holden was appalled. "A facility. Lily is not an addict. She was depressed and made a mistake. She didn't mean to take all those pills. I'm sure that she just couldn't help herself."

Luke put his hand on his father's. "Dad, if that's all they are asking. Even if it was by accident, Mom needs help."

Bonnie tried to explain further. "They want some type of punishment and this is what they know they can get. If Lily never remembers anything else, odds are against them ever prosecuting her, but in the mean time she will get the help that she needs."

Holden let out a sigh. "I guess there's no other way."

Bonnie put her papers in her briefcase. "I will arrange for your release and get things in motion for Lily's transfer."

Holden got up. "Can I be with her?"

Bonnie patted Holden on the arm. "I'll see what I can do."

Bonnie started to leave. Luke watched her. "Thanks Bonnie."
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Part 3