Maddie's heartbeat thundered as she stood. Mr. Carrol put a hand on her shoulder before she approached the bailiff. Her knees threatened to give way as she raised her right hand; after reciting the oath, she dropped heavily into the wooden seat on the stand. Folding her hands in her lap, she scanned the faces in the courtroom, seeing a mix of pity and eager curiosity. Her eyes briefly caught the wild gaze of Lex Luthor, leaning forward on the table, his cuffed wrists shining. She swallowed and turned back to Mr. Carrol, seeking comfort in the small smile he offered her.

"Miss Brooks," Mr. Carrol started, leaning up against the plaintiff's table and crossing his arms over his chest. "We're going to walk through what happened. What were you doing out that night?"

"I was walk..." Maddie's voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. "I was walkin' home from work. It's only a few blocks from the bar to my apartment."

"You were alone?" Maddie nodded. "Yes or no? For the court reporter."

"Yes."

"What happened while you were walking home?"

"The streetlights went out, and some people grabbed me. They put somethin' over my face and I passed out."

Mr. Carrol hummed thoughtfully. "When did you wake up?"

"I… I don't know what time it was. It was dark, though."

"Where were you when you woke up?"

"I was in a barn." Maddie's eyes dropped to her lap. "I was tied to this… this chair."

"Who was there with you?"

Maddie hesitated. "Lex Luthor, and he was with a woman and two men."

"Have you met the defendant before this?"

"Once," she replied. "He visited the bar I work at once. I didn't know who he was at the time; he was wearing a wig."

Mr. Carrol tapped his chin a few times before continuing. "What did Lex do?"

"He told me he needed my help getting a hold of Superman. His idea was I would call for help, and he'd come to save me."

"Why would Lex need your help specifically?" Mr. Carrol started pacing back and forth, his hands shoved in his pockets. "Have you met Superman?"

"I have."

"When?"

"I was mugged walking home from work. He helped me home that night."

"I see," Mr. Carrol hummed again before quickly changing the subject. "What happened next, Maddie?"

"Um..." Maddie wrung her hands, staring at the skin as it started to get red and blotchy. "The woman pulled out a suitcase and tightened a strap around my arm and she gave me a shot of kryptonite."

"How did you know what it was?"

"I kind of put two-and-two together," she glanced up at Mr. Carrol. "A green liquid, him wantin' to hurt Superman… I had a feeling it was kryptonite."

"What happened when she gave you the injection? How did it make you feel?"

"It hurt, sir. It felt like I was on fire. It was all I could do to not scream."

"Why didn't you want to scream, Maddie?"

Maddie's eyes fell again. "I didn't want him to get hurt. I knew if I screamed, he'd come looking to help, and when he got there..."

"For those in the courtroom," Mr. Carrol announced loudly. "The only compound that exists on our planet that's toxic to Superman is kryptonite." He turned to face the jury. "Any exposure to it causes him to lose his invincibility. Maddie, please continue."

"Well, he waited for what seemed like hours before he told the woman to give me another injection. And… and she did. And they waited again, and I tried so hard not to shout." Maddie rubbed her forearm, a phantom pain burning her skin. "Then Luthor stood up and said he was tired of waitin'. And he… well, he shot me."

"He shot you?" Maddie nodded, her head drooping. "Then what?"

"Superman came," her voice sounded more like a whimper. "I-I couldn't stop from screamin'. I tried to get him to leave, but he wouldn't."

"Did he seem healthy when he arrived?"

"I didn't see anythin' wrong with him."

"How did he appear as time went on?"

"He didn't look well at all. He was gettin' weaker and feverish the longer he stayed by me."

"What did Lex do when Superman arrived?"

"He taunted him." Maddie stole a quick glance to the bald man rocking back and forth. "He talked about how Superman had ruined him, how he waited so long for his revenge… He was ravin'… I haven't heard anythin' like it."

"And then what?"

"I finally moved away from Superman, and I started to get really tired and I couldn't stay awake anymore. The next thing I know, I'm wakin' up in the hospital."

"Maddie, have you communicated with Superman since that night?"

"No." Maddie steeled her voice, trying to ensure the jury believed her. Of course, she had hardly left Clark's side since the night he stopped her from leaving, but Superman? She had hardly said a word.

"No further questions, your honor." Mr. Carrol tipped his head to the judge, and winked at Maddie as he took his seat again. His hand was still shaking as he took a sip of water and exhaled loudly.

"Thank you, sir." The judge turned his attention to the defense's table. "Defense, your witness."

Maddie's pulse started to flutter as Luther's lawyer rose to his feet, adjusting his cuff links. A smirk crossed his lips as he walked slowly towards the witness stand. Maddie swallowed, her nerves turning to fear the with every step.

"Miss Brooks," he started before pausing dramatically. "Have you ever been romantically involved with Superman?"

"No." Her answer was quick and confident, but the denial made her chest ache.

"LIAR!" Screeched Lex, struggling againt the grip of his legal team. His eyes bore into Maddie, his lips pulled back in a snarl. "YOU LYING BITCH!"

Maddie shrunk back in her seat as the courtroom was overtaken with chaos, the crowd chattering loudly as Lex sscreamed over them. The judge beat his gavel and shouted for order as a few uniformed officers moved to drag the raving man from the courtroom. As he disappeared from sight, the noise slowly decrescendoed and the judge glared at Lex's lawyer. "Any further questions?"

"Yes, your Honor." The lawyer stared Maddie down. "What is your relationship with Superman?"

"I have none," Maddie carefully articulated. She frantically looked towards Mr. Carrol, his brow furrowed as his hand drummed on the table in front of him.

"Counsel, do you have any questions that may help your client?" The judge's voice barely hid his irritation.

The lawyer held his gaze silently for a couple beats, almost leering as he watched Maddie squirm. She bit the inside of her cheek, struggling to keep the fear from her features. 'What do you know, you lunatic? What's your play' "No, your Honor," he finally said, walking back to his seat. "No further questions."

The judge narrowed his eyes suspiciously but gestured for Maddie to return to her seat. The entire courtroom was bewildered at the brief, bizarre interrogation; whispers buzzed through the room as Maddie stood. Her legs shook as she slowly descended from the stand; Mr. Carrol jumped from his seat and offered her his arm for support. She gratefully wrapped her hand around his elbow as they walked back to the table. She fell into her seat, leaning forward and resting her aching forehead in her sweaty palms. She closed her eyes, all her energy focused towards her breathing.

"Any other witnesses, counsel?" The judge asked, rubbing his brow.

"Your Honor," Mr. Carrol started dramatically. "I'd like to call Mr. Superman to the witness stand."