"I have some good news, Hanson."

Three days after he had his blood test, he was called in Fuller's office for 'some good news'. He knew full well it wasn't about his test because it wasn't due yet - and neither would his captain even know about it.

Fuller seemed to be thrilled about the news and didn't even ask him to sit down.

"We found James Harding, Damien and Stephen."

He felt his jaw drop in shock. He couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe how it was possible for them to find the men so fast - and how they even found them in the first place.

"How?"

"They matched your description of the warehouse and found the men staying there," his captain replied. "Also, they were able to gather enough evidence from the warehouse to present to the court."

He felt himself drift off in a daze and had to lean his back against the wall for support. "It's really happening... putting them back to jail I mean."

"Where they belong, Hanson."

He wished he could feel happy with the news but he still couldn't shake off the fact he would still have to wait for the results of his test. He was also afraid the men would come back and kill him.

"Did you read my report?" he questioned Fuller.

"No, I promised myself I would only see if I have your permission."

He saw that Fuller looked somewhat eager so he decided to give it to him. "You can have it," he said. "What I didn't tell you, is that they made me change my feelings towards prison by subjecting me to things inmates usually experience when they are in there."

Fuller sighed in despair and closed his eyes for a mere second. "Now I know why you were feeling bad about sending those kids to jail," he said sadly. "Do you still feel the same?"

"For one thing, I do believe kids become more messed up coming out than going in. But then again, I don't want to live in fear knowing James and his men would be walking the streets."

"I believe they would serve a prison setence of around twenty years, so it's worth fighting for, Hanson."

As long as fighting for justice in court isn't going to be the only thing I'm going to fight, he thought sadly.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He couldn't take it anymore. Seven days had passed and he still hadn't heard anything back from the results. They didn't exactly say they would contact him if was found negative but it didn't make him feel any better. He couldn't rest until he heard them say it. He was sat on the couch in Doug's living room early that morning. While Doug was taking the shower, he tried to muster enough courage to call the clinic. When he dialled the number, he was so anxious, the joints in his fingers turned white from gripping the phone reciever so tightly.

"Bridgestone clinic, how can we help you?"

He heard a young woman's voice sounded calm and friendly but not enough to lessen the trembles emerging from his body. "Hi, I'm Tom, Thomas Hanson and I'm wondering if you got the results of my blood test yet which was done seven days ago?" he asked shakily.

"I'll go check for you. What was your name again?"

After telling her his name, she left to check the records, leaving him amidst in deathly silence. He couldn't handle the silence. His heart hammered against his chest and he found himself struggling to regulate his breathing because he had no idea if his life was going to be destroyed in the matter of minutes.

"Hey pig cop, I bet you enjoyed that didn't you?" James teased.

He felt sickened and ashamed. He was raped the second time by James and his men. After they raped him, they left him lying on the floor naked as the cold water splattered all over his body. He didn't mind the fact it was cold because it managed to numb the physical pain a little.

James knelt down and cocked his head to the side so that their eyes met. His eyes glittered maliciously. "Did you know that one of us has AIDS?"

He cried in panicked gasps. He was terrified. He didn't think how worse it could get.

"You just have to guess." James smirked at the horror surrounding his face. "Come on, guess... Guess which one of us infected you with AIDS?" He then threw back his head and laughed.

He could still hear that laugh echoing through his ears. The laugh which knew he managed to destory him completely.

Suddenly James ghostly laugh was cut short.

"You are all clear Mr. Hanson. You are not HIV positive."

Tears of happiness instantly leaked from his eyes and he could hear himself laughing. He asked her to say it again to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

I'm not HIV positive.

I don't have AIDS.

I'm not going to die.

Knowing he was clear made him feel stronger because he knew they didn't have their last laugh after all. And now he wanted nothing more but to throw them back to jail where they belonged.

When Doug walked into the room fully dressed with his hair dripping wet, he stood up from the couch revealing the tears of happiness streaked upon his face.

Doug looked at him worriedly. "Are you okay?"

He didn't care how shameful his secret was because he felt too happy. "I was crying from happiness you doofus," he laughed.

Doug looked at him questionly so he explained. "I had a HIV test seven days ago and I found out just now that I've come back clear."

"H...HIV test?" Doug gasped with wide-eyes. "It didn't cross my mind you had to have one.."

"Yeah, I mean...you can catch things from being -" He paused because he couldn't say it.

Doug surfaced a pitying look. "Is that why you've been really quiet thse past few days and refused to talk to us?"

He nodded. "Yeah, it was because I was scared."

"I don't blame you," Doug told him softly. "I would be scared as well - pertified in fact."

"I know, but I'm clear," he smiled. "And I would really like if we went out for pizza or something to celebrate."

Doug laughed in relief. "Great idea."

He almost had all the pieces he identified with the man he knew very well once - and it felt good. They went out and had a pizza like old times and he was able to laugh again - for real.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"This is it, Hanson," Fuller said proudly.

He was now dressed for court in a black suit and red tie. He felt so nervous, he felt like throwing up. It was like stage fright, but worse. He imagined everyone would be looking at him and judging him while he would have to tell them all the torture and personal hell he went through.

All his loved ones were there while he waited for his turn to sit in court. Even his mom was there. She took him aside and told him through tears that she knew her husband, his father, was watching over him and was proud of him. He was stunned because his mother hadn't mentioned his dad for years because she struggled with her own grief. He had always thought that his father was always watching over him and hoped he was proud. Hearing his mother say those words, made him feel closer to her and he imagined it wouldn't be all that bad if they saw each other more often.

There was also one other person who was special to him that appeared amongst his loved ones.

Laura.

He couldn't believe his eyes. She was stood there in a navy coloured dress, with her hair neatly tied back. She lookied happier, brighter and somehow free like a bird. And no wonder she did, because he heard she managed to have Mr. Woodstock charged and arrested for rape and he was now behind bars. He wanted to congratulate her since he heard the news but he couldn't find the time.

She flew into him and put her arms around his neck for a hug. "I'm so proud of you!" she cried happily

"I'm proud of you too." He hugged back. "Are you doing ok?"

She withdrew from the hug and showed him a smile. "Yes," she replied. "I moved school but I don't mind because I made lots of friends already. It's better than having the whole school knowing, so I'm glad I left."

"I'm glad to hear you're doing okay," he smiled. "How did you find me though?"

"I still had Judy's number so I phoned her and she told me where you were."

He turned around and smiled at Judy. "Thanks Jude"

"No problem," she beamed.

"I came here to thank you," Laura told him. "I wouldn't have gotten this far if it wasn't for you..."

"Tom Hanson to the stand please!" a voice erupted through the doors.

He hated being called so soon because he wanted more time with Laura. But he had no choice, so he gave her an quick hug before leaving to take the stand.

It all went by in a blur. He told them his harrowing story and all the details that he felt ashamed and embarrassed about. While he talked, he noticed some people's faces looked shocked including Doug, Judy, Harry and Fuller who was sitting amongst the crowd. Laura wasn't there which was fortunate because he didn't think she handle hearing all the gruelling details. People he knew certainly couldn't take it either. They had no choice but to listen to every single detail of his nightmares.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After he shared his account and answered questions the best he could, it was over. Done. All he had to do, was be there at the end for the verdict. But first, James and his men had to be questioned.

Fortunately, he was allowed to leave the court room to avoid facing them. He knew they would have given him the 'I'll kill you' look which wouldn't have been easy to take. He didn't want to grant them the opportunity to either.

While they were being questioned, he hid away in a private room. It was quiet and all he did, was sit at the round table holding a cup of water taken from the water dispenser. After a few minutes, Doug passed by and slipped into the room. He looked pale and he was surprised to find there were tears in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry..." Doug said softly.

"Don't be."

"But I was there, Tom!" he started to sob. "I was there when they took you! If only I hadn't stormed off, ranting and saying shit to you, this whole thing wouldn't have happened!"

He swiftly got up on his feet and gave his friend a hug. "It's not your fault!" he reassured him. "I deserved whatever shit you said about me then because I was being an asshole." He let go from the hold and gave him a smile. But he didn't mirror a smile back.

"But you didn't deserve to be beaten, raped and tortured by those men for three months!" Doug cried.

"Well you didn't do it, did you?" he pointed out. "So it wasn't your fault."

"But I was there!"

"Doug, we can't change the past," he said as gently as he could. "I was going to say it was my fault at first for being a prick in the first place back there but in the end, it was no one's fault," he said. "It wasn't even my fault for busting James in the first place. He just happened to be some guy who wanted revenge and no one could prevent him from doing so."

Doug calmed down then wiped his tears. "Yeah, that makes sense..." he sniffed.

"Well, I'm sorry you had to hear all those details whilst I was on the stand," he apologised. "I imagine it wasn't easy for you, or anyone to listen to."

Doug shook his head in agreement. "You're really brave, Tom."

He didn't argue. In fact, he agreed. He managed to stand up to all those people and shed his secrets that consumed him for too long.

And he felt better. Stronger.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He won.

James and his men were sent to jail for kidnapping, assault, and four counts of rape and had gone behind bars for over twenty years.

Like Laura, he felt as free as a bird. He couldn't feel any shackles or restraints holding him down any more and he felt even more ready to move on and look forward to the future.

It felt good to get rid of those secrets and was surprised to find that his nightmares began to diminish over time. Who knew some smart ass named Dr. Adams with those ridiculous facial expressions would be right?

After a long day of work at Jump Street, he caught up with Doug when it was time go home.

His friend was just about to get into his yellow truck when he called him.

"Hey Doug!"

Doug turned around in surprise. "Yeah?"

"Do you still want to go on that vacation?"

Doug's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What vacation?"

"The one we both planned, remember?" he said then grinned. "London."

Doug didn't say a word.

All he did, was go up to him and enclosed him in a tight hug.

He knew then, things were going to be okay.

THE END

sorry it ended so fast! I'm just no good at writing court stuff.

However, I hope you enjoyed it and you'll be getting more stories from me because I love writing Jump Street fanfiction. The next one I'll write will have lots of humor and not as depressing ;)