Alyssa looked over her outfit choice for the trial. She was six months pregnant now and her bump was on full display. Rubbing her hands over her baby girl. Dean walked in and wrapped his arms around her, his hands shaping her bump.
"You ready?", he asked.
"No. Everything he did to me, was my secret. No one else knew the details and now, the world is going to know. Everyone is going to look at me differently.", she said.
He carefully spun her to face him.
"Not because they feel sorry for you, but because they wish they knew you then to help stop it. The twins wished they could have done more, Dwayne feels the same. No one will ever dare think you are weak", Dean said.
"What if they let him off? He's a good lawyer", she said.
"Don't you worry about that. There is enough evidence against him to put him away. He had my sister kidnapped and my daughter.", he reminded.
Alyssa nodded and placed her hand against the side of her bump.
"She's moving", she said with a smile.
Dean placed his hand and felt his daughter kick.
"She's letting you know everything is going to be okay", Dean said.
Alyssa nodded. He leaned down and kissed her bump.
"Be good, Elizabeth", he whispered.
He reached for her hand.
"Lets get this over with", Dean said.
Dolph was going to represent himself, while Dean and Alyssa looked for the best lawyers possible. Ones that didn't know Dolph. Her dad helped, screening each team. Finally landing on Lana and Rusev. They were good, her dad assured her.
Dean's mom was staying with their kids. Maddie hugged her parents before they left. Alyssa kissed Oliver and he smiled at her.
"Good luck", Dean's mom said.
Dean helped Aly into their car and he drove to the court house. Getting off, they made their way inside. Roman, Seth, Brie, and Nikki were waiting on them. They hugged. Nikki's bump also on full display.
"How's Logan?", Alyssa asked her.
"Kicking like crazy", Nikki said.
"Same here", Alyssa said.
They made their way into the room, sitting behind their team. Wade and Dean's sister Megan joined them a bit after they sat. Megan agreed to be a witness. Wade letting Dean know he would never let anything happen to Megan.
Dean wasn't okay at first with Wade asking his sister out, but Alyssa made a point. They weren't going to find anyone better than a detective to take care of Megan. Dean gave in.
Lana and Rusev had explained to Alyssa and Dean that they could charge Dolph with rape and physical abuse on Alyssa. If their witness held up, they were also going to charge him for all the murders he committed.
They hoped Summer didn't back out last second. Afraid of what Dolph would do to her. Dean squeezed her hand.
"Everything is going to be okay. He won't get away with this", Dean whispered.
Alyssa exhaled and nodded. Rusev and Lana guaranteed getting him for kidnapping Megan and Maddie. They watched the judge walk in and everyone sat.
"As I see here, Mr. Ziggler, you pleaded not guilty to the charges against you", the judge said.
Dolph nodded.
"You will also be representing yourself. Are you sure about this?", the judge asked him.
"Yes sir", Dolph replied.
The judge nodded.
"Let's get things started then, shall we? People have the floor", the judge said.
Lana stood.
"Thank you, your honor. The people call their first witness, Dwayne Johnson", she said.
Dwayne made his way to the stand, Alyssa watched as they swore him in.
"Officer Johnson, when you first met one of our victims, a Miss Alyssa Martinez, what was your impression of her?", Lana asked.
Dwayne smiled.
"She was talkative, super friendly with everyone, and always smiling. Did her job perfectly, laughed a lot during our breaks.", he answered.
"Was she dating anyone when you first met her?", Lana asked.
"No", he replied.
"Not till Mr. Ziggler?", she asked.
"A few months after she started the job and became my partner. I would say a month, maybe two", he said.
Lana nodded.
"How would you say from speaking to miss Martinez, do you think the relationship was going?", Lana asked.
"At first, everything was fine. She wasn't sure if she was sticking with him, but gave him a second date.", Dwayne said.
"You did invite them over for dinner at one point, yes?", Lana asked.
Dwayne nodded.
"I noticed Alyssa changing. Her mood was different and she was constantly getting a text message every few seconds. It worried me, especially after she told me it was him checking in", Dwayne said.
"How was he during dinner?", Lana asked.
"He was very controlling. I could tell from her position she was not comfortable.", Dwayne said.
"You and your wife work with domestic abuse victims, correct? So you would be able to tell if someone was a victim?", she asked.
Dwayne nodded.
"Yes. My wife is a counselor. She use to work with women who've wanted out of those relationships and helping them hide from their significant others who have harmed them", Dwayne explained.
"Did Alyssa ever ask for help?", Lana asked.
"Not in words. She was too afraid of Dolph. Brainwashed victims usually don't speak about it.", Dwayne said.
"When you say brainwashed?", Lana asked.
"He convinces his victim that it's her fault. That no one will believe them. Seeing as Mr. Ziggler's a lawyer. He could easily talk himself out of anything.", Dwayne said.
Lana nodded.
"Lets skip ahead a few months. Miss Martinez is still your partner. How has she changed?", she asked.
Dwayne swallows.
"She was skinnier, sometimes it looked like she hadn't slept in days. She had bruises on her wrists, not from his hands, but it looked like he used some sort of restraints. When any man, including our coworkers approached her, she was skittish. It wasn't the Aly we all knew", Dwayne said.
"You helped her get away? Find help?", Lana asked.
"My wife and I found her a safe place. One he couldn't find, and if he did, he couldn't get in. The only thing I regret, is not getting her help sooner. He hurt her, just like he hurt so many.", Dwayne said.
Lana nodded.
"That's all, your honor", Lana said, walking back to the desk and sitting beside Rusev.
Dolph stood and went to face Dwayne.
"Mr. Johnson, you accused me of putting my hands on Alyssa, but did you ever see me hit her? Yell at her?", Dolph asked.
"No, but...", Dolph cut him off.
"So then how do you know that I was the one hitting her? It could have been her dad", Dolph said.
"Because...", Dolph cut him off again.
"Because what? He's a judge? You knew him before meeting his daughter, how do we know you aren't protecting him?", Dolph asked quickly.
"Objection, if Mr. Ziggler is going to ask the witness questions, he should at least let him answer them", Rusev said, standing.
"Mr. Ziggler, let the witness answer the questions", the judge said.
Dolph nodded.
"Because she was terrified of you. You beat her and raped her. You were slowly killing my partner.", Dwayne said, his jaw clenching.
"Again, how do you know it was me? You never saw me hit her", Dolph argued again.
"Because there's proof, Dolph", Dwayne said.
"Yes, the proof. It was handed to me by the prosecutors", the judge said.
"No more questions", Dolph said, quickly making his way to his seat.
The judge lifted the disc and looked at the jury.
"We've gotten permission from the victim in this video to watch it. Did you?", the judge asked the jury.
One woman stood and glared at Dolph.
"We did, your honor", she answered.
The judge nodded.
"If both sides are done with the witness", the judge said.
"No further questions", Rusev said.
"No further questions", Dolph said.
The judge nodded and looked at Dwayne.
"You can step down now, officer Johnson", the judge said.
Dwayne nodded and did as he was told. The judge looked at the disc and shook his head. He explained what would be happening the next day. Asking Dolph again if he was sure he wanted to represent himself.
"I think we've all had enough for today. I haven't watched the videos for myself, but by the looks on the juries faces, it must have been horrible.", the judge said.
He rubbed his eyes.
"I'll see everyone tomorrow. I will also be watching the videos", the judge said.
He stood to leave and then everyone else followed. Dwayne went over to Alyssa and took her hands.
"He's not going to get away with this. They all saw the video, they know he's a monster", Dwayne said.
"Yeah.", Alyssa said, licking her lips.
Dean kissed the side of her head.
"I'm going to get her home to rest", he said.
Everyone nodded. Dolph had to wait till they left the courtroom first. He was out on probation and was forced to wear a ankle monitor by the courts.
Something told her not to, but she did it anyway. She turned to glance at Dolph and the look on his face was a scary one. She faced forward again and squeezed Dean's hand extra tight.
"You okay?", Dean whispered.
She exhaled, not wanting to give away how terrified she was of Dolph.
"I'm fine", she replied.
Dean nodded.