Conspiracy

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N:

Chapter 30 (Final Peace)

Rebecca's trial was first, and while she and Beck wanted to be at the hearing, neither of them felt like attending because of how personal it was. It was televised, as the trials were going to be high profile. Both of them hoped that it would go quickly, rather than the trials that lasted for weeks on end because someone kept paying lawyers to drag it on out.

They sat before the television in Beck's RV. His arm was around her shoulders and her legs were crossed. "With the women gone on their trips, Robbie's the best witness." She tucked her hair over her ear and pursed her lips as they led Rebecca up to give her testimony. "I'm sorry about your mom, Beck."

"Yet you keep bringing it up." She frowned and leaned her head against his shoulder. Her hand folded over his, squeezing gently. She was apologetic, but she didn't know what else to say while watching the woman take the stand. "I know she's going to be found guilty, I know she's going away. I'm watching this while I'm fairly certain Dad's not."

"Yeah, it is a bit much to expect him to watch." Even Beck watching was pushing it. The prosecutor was hitting Rebecca with everything, as though the woman hadn't already been reduced to a fit of tears.

"If she comes back with less than thirty years in this, I'll be surprised." He brought his right ankle to his left knee and his chest started to expand. "What do you think? Life?"

"I don't know." Part of her thought Rebecca would be given the lightest sentence. The woman was riddled with guilt, unless it was all a show, she showed remorse and acknowledged her guilt. "She's known about the crime, made steps to keep it hidden, and her greatest role was to serve as the hostage taker. It's possible she could be given life, but it's also possible she's given anywhere from thirty to sixty."

David took a plea deal to avoid a trial, though he was still all over the news. He pled guilty for a life sentence. Jade felt like he was getting off easy, but that was mainly because she didn't think he deserved to live another day. She'd end his life herself if she could.

"Everything they have on Lanie, they can't do anything about." She curled her arm around Beck and looked away from the screen. Legally Lanie couldn't be charged with anything until she was out of her coma, but since she was the ringleader, it made things all that more difficult.

"Are you really okay, Beck?"

"I will be," he replied. His shoulders dropped and his eyes moved onto her. "When all of this is said and done, I will be."

He would get his wish. After another two weeks, Lanie had awakened from her coma. She was hardly out of the hospital when the police placed her under arrest, not only for kidnapping and extortion, but murder as well.

Lanie's trial didn't last long with the evidence against her, and her own son's testimony. She was sentenced to death, much to Jade's pleasure. When it was all said and done, Sikowitz congratulated her and Beck's father agreed to let his son remain in Los Angeles for a time-but neither of these moments could compare to the greatest moment of all.

"I can't stop fidgeting." Holly paced around outside the airport terminal, wringing her hands and looking to Gary with an impatient look. "I haven't been away from my girls this long." Gary put his arms around his wife and pulled her into a hug, holding her close.

"Their flight should be coming in soon. Just relax, everything is okay."

Jade smiled at the two and looked towards the terminal. Beck placed an arm around her shoulders and shook his head gently. "I still can't believe everything that happened," he whispered, "Where is Mr. Sikowitz?"

"Working on his next case," Jade answered. He was a very busy man, and didn't want to overwhelm Tori and her sister once they returned from their trips. "He's going to see them later on, I think."

"They're on the same flight?"

"Yeah." Tori and Ian had been dropped off at the martial arts camp when Trina's trip was over. It was so the girls could be together on the plane ride back to California. "I think they just wanted to be together. It's been a long time."

"I can't say I blame them." Beck felt bad for the girls after having followed the trial. There was quite a bit that came up that stunned him, more than Jade anticipated, so she was glad when it was all over. "Maybe they can start working towards being happy-being alive."

"I hope so." She approached Gary and Holly with a smile and reached up, patting Holly's back. "So, what's next?" Gary looked to her, inhaling for a moment.

"My family wants to see them, so we'll be taking a trip to see the relatives. It should be interesting, I'm glad they understood why I couldn't tell them what was going on." Jade nodded once and glanced back to the terminal. "I can't wait to see my daughters either, knowing I can keep them safe now."

"It's a long time coming. I think you've all earned some happiness." As she said that, Beck called for their attention. She saw him point and followed his gesture.

Tori and Trina were making their way through the terminal. With them were Ian and Jason, both men had an arm around the girl they were with. Tori waved and Jade's heart jumped to her throat.

She didn't expect to see Trina and Jason together, but it was good nonetheless. She saw something starting, she just didn't think they would start a relationship while still at camp. Either way, It meant Jason had helped Trina through her troubles while at camp, and that was important.

"There they are." Gary dropped his arm down around Holly's waist and looked with pride at his two daughters. "And they're both with a man?" Jade smirked at him and watched Holly's head fall in an attempt to conceal the ever-growing grin on her face.

As Tori and Trina got closer, Jade could see the tears in their eyes. They had very little idea about the things that happened while they were away, since Jade couldn't tell them everything for legal reasons.

What they did know was they were free to be with their family and out of danger. What they did know was Lanie, David and Rebecca could no longer harm them, and that was all that really mattered.

The girls broke from Jason and Ian, both running full speed for their parents. Relief and shock sank into her heart as she watched them throw their arms around each other. Gary seemed like a giant, being able to wrap his arms protectively around all four of them. He kissed their heads and wept with the girls.

"You did a good thing," she heard Beck whisper. "I don't know how you did it, but you did it." Jade leaned into him and shrugged.

"I didn't do anything. I just helped Mr. Sikowitz-he deserves the praise." She couldn't have done anything without his help, but at the same time, she acknowledged where she was important in his investigation: He couldn't infiltrate or investigate David without tipping the man off.

"What do you think your next assignment with him will be?"

She pulled her head back, contemplating what investigations he had pending that he was going to let her do. The biggest reason he let her in on this investigation was because she'd already stumbled onto it and started looking into it herself. It was too dangerous for an intern to work, but she wasn't going to stop once she got started.

"Paperwork…Something tells me it's going to be paperwork for the next few years." Beck Laughed and hugged her with his right arm, then kissed the top of her head.

"At least it's safe."

"I'd like to do more, but he said there was already some issues with having me participate in this one investigation. The defense could have questioned if evidence obtained had been done so legally. They didn't."

"Was it?"

"Yes. I turned things into the police or those investigating it, as a citizen who uncovers something. Not to mention, some of what I found, he already had…like that picture." Beck cringed and turned his eyes over to Trina. The photograph had to be shown at one point, and he was present at the time that it was. "It's over now."

Tori separated from her family to glance at Jade. A smile spread across her face and she started to approach. Jade's arms fell to her sides and she held her breath, waiting nervously as the girl stopped before her.

"Thank you," Tori said. Her heart jumped to her throat and tears lined her eyes. "Thank you for not giving up on us, thank you for pursuing…even though I told you not to."

"I-" She stopped herself from explaining her cause and quickly cleared her throat. Her lips separated to release a soft exhale. In her mind, she thought for sure she could hear Tori's statement come out in a triumphant fanfare. "You're welcome."

She didn't know what would happen next, and she didn't expect that she would still be involved with this family. "What are you guys going to do?" Tori's brow furrowed and she looked over her shoulder.

"I think we're going to move in with Dad, but we're staying in town. You're welcome to come by on occasion. Once everyone gets settled, I think…" Tori swept her hair over her ear and took a deep breath. "I can't wait to meet our dad's family-our family." The girl laughed excitedly and Jade gave a fervent nod.

"I'm happy for you." This strange sense of serenity and peace after solving a case was amazing, and she wanted to feel it again. In her heart, she knew this was the career for her; to seek justice and pull criminals off the street.

She gave Tori one final hug and pat the girl on the back while looking out to Trina and the parents. "Go be with your family. Enjoy your life now." Tori stepped back. The girl sniffled once, then ran back to her sister and parents.

Beck put an arm around her shoulders and she looked up to him with a smile. "It feels great, Beck. Being a part of this process, knowing I helped."

"I'm sure you'll help many people." He gently kissed her forehead at her hairline and squeezed her shoulders with his arm. "I'm just glad it's over for now."

"Me too."

"What do you say we go have a drink with my cousin?" He smirked playfully and Jade grinned. Robbie had been granted immunity for testifying against his mother, Rebecca, and he would have testified against David. The video evidence from that puppet he had was enough to prove to the jury that he didn't come forward with the crimes because of duress, and further proof that all he had was knowledge of his mother's crimes and nothing more.

"Celebrate an end?"

"Yeah. I know things won't be normal for a while, but, we can at least work towards that now."

"I agree." For them that was true. When she looked one final time at the Richardson family, she couldn't help but feel they might be able to find out what a normal life was like. "Some people never have normal, they never know what it feels like to live a normal and happy life."

Beck followed her gaze, humming softly for a few seconds. "Now they can because of you and I guess Sikowitz. No doubt you're going to enjoy just doing paperwork for a while, right?"

"Oh definitely." She put up a hand and turned around. "I am done with dangerous situations until I've actually gotten through college."

"Aw, and here I thought my girlfriend might turn into Nancy Drew." Her eyes widened and she jabbed him playfully in the side with her elbow.

That's the end of the line. I hope you've enjoyed it, and thank you very much for all who gave your input and critique, I value it greatly and learn from it all.