Thank you to all who have read and reviewed on this story, you are the reason I do this!

I am sorry that the last few chapters were so long in coming, life got crazy…but in the best possible way! I fell in love with the most amazing woman and have never been happier. I am back now to another of my loves, writing. I am going to try and post more (on my other stories and possibly a few new ones) and for those who care to know, I am also working on a novel.

Thank you all again, you have no idea how much it means to me to have the support, encouragement and feedback from you all. Truly, thank you!

Here it is, the final chapter. It has been a long journey, which is now at an end.

Fear Itself

Chapter Fifty-Six - Verdict

Spencer's POV

I woke up to the sun blinding me and Ashley clinging to my body like I was going to run away. I chuckled a little and lightly tickled her gently to loosen her vice-like grip. She moaned in her sleep and released me in order to roll away from my tickling fingers.

I planted a light kiss to her forehead before extracting myself from the bed and slipping a robe over my very naked body. I walked to the wardrobe to plan what I would wear to what I hoped was the last day I would spend in a court room for the rest of my life.

I was trying to decide between two shirts, a very challenging task, when I felt arms snake their way around my waist. Sneaky Ashley, I hadn't even heard her get up. I yelped in surprise and spun around to find her grinning adorably at me with her messy curls all over the place. I smiled lovingly and dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose.

"Good morning Brown," I purred.

Ashley beamed, "Good morning Blue. You alright this morning?" she asked gently.

I nodded, "Yeah I am, there is nothing I can do to change the outcome of today. It is going to happen and there is nothing I can do about it. What will be, will be. All I can control is how I react to all this and I am choosing to be strong."

Ashley kissed me and replied, "I am so proud of you Sweetheart. It really is almost over you know."

I nodded and kissed her again before we both started getting ready.

We both dressed carefully and ate (well I was forced to eat) a big breakfast, before it was time to head to the court for the last time. I scoped up my bag and locked my front door behind us and then grabbed Ashley's hand as we walked down the stairs to her car. We climbed in and were on our way.

I felt my nerves returning as we drove the familiar route to the court house and couldn't stop the staccato beat my fingernails were making on the dashboard. Ashley was far too kind to tell me to stop it, but I did see her glance sideways from time to time. The relentless tapping would have driven me crazy had it not been me doing it.

We parked the car in the same underground car park we always used when attending our days in court and there I took a minute to collect myself. After a few deep breaths and internal pep talks, I straightened my shirt and swung my bag on to my shoulder, ready to face whatever was going to happen.

As soon as we arrived at the doors to the court we were surrounded by reporters and cameras all flashing away or yelling questions at us. They pushed and shoved at us roughly, all desperate to get their story at any cost. I sighed wearily and clung to Ashley, feeling immense relief when we were flanked by our loved ones and some security personnel that the label had organised. We were escorted inside and taken directly into the all too familiar court room to await the commencement of the final day of this trial.

I took my usual seat between Ashley and my Dad and let out a deep breath. I smiled gratefully at the people there to support me and laughed when Julian pulled a face at me, my laughter was of course his intention. Julian was a joker like that.

I blew him a kiss and smiled over at Kate as she sat next to Glen's Kate behind my mother. Mom flashed me a loving smile, which I returned before I settled back in my seat, taking Ashley's hand in my own to give it a loving squeeze. Ashley smiled over at me and squeezed my hand back. I was about to say something, I can't actually remember what, when the doors opened and Tom was dragged in by the guards.

And when I say dragged in, I mean literally dragged in. Tom was slumped in their beefy arms like a giant sack of shit and refused to walk. The big, burly guards dumped him unceremoniously into his seat and glared hatefully at him. Tom just slumped there, not moving or acknowledging their angry stares. It was actually like watching an over-sized child having a tantrum. It was pathetic.

I stared at him curiously, this was a side of Tom I had never seen and it disgusted me. He was a foul, sorry excuse for a man. He was childish and arrogant and he deserved the massive bitch-slap karma had coming his way.

Tom was soon joined by a shabby, but relieved looking Mr. Farmer, who was probably as relieved to see the end of this trial as I was. He sat at the table with Tom, but as far to the side as he could. He even refused to look at Tom and I didn't see him speak to his client at all.

I heard the door opening again and saw Mr. and Mrs. Brooks walk slowly into the room, both looked as though they had aged ten years since I last saw them, only days earlier. You couldn't help but feel for them a little…ok so a very tiny little bit. I saw Mr. Brooks hesitate beside the row of seats behind Tom where they usually sit. He turned to his wife and muttered something before turning on his heel and taking a seat on my side of the court room, a few rows back from my family and friends.

It was abundantly clear what Mr. Brooks' feelings were. Moving to sit on the side of prosecution sent a clear signal to the court and to Tom that his father had completely abandoned him. Mrs. Brooks looked torn between her son and her husband before starting to cry and moving to sit next to her husband, who instantly wrapped his arms around her.

I sighed and turned my face to the front of the court room, listening to the sounds of people taking their seats and having their whispered conversations. The voices all melded together into a din of noise, but that was ok, I kind of liked it.

I looked up and smiled at Felicity as she hurried in and took her seat behind the prosecution's table. She flashed me a million dollar grin and sat proudly in her seat, straightening out her very stylish black power suit. She was an impressive woman and I hoped that, despite the circumstances of our meeting, I would stay in touch with her following the conclusion of the trial.

I was starting to get a little impatient when the bailiff stepped forward and asked us all to stand up. Judge Kramer stepped out and took her seat, the rest of the court following suit. Her steel grey hair was perfectly styled, while her black gown flowed elegantly over her petite frame. She adjusted her steel frame glasses and shuffled her papers while surveying the court. I kept my eyes on her as the jury was brought in, I could have sworn she was looking at me too.

After some spiel from the bailiff it was time for the moment I had been waiting for throughout this case. It was time for the verdict.

The bailiff turned to Tom and Mr. Farmer and said, "Will the defendant please stand."

Tom stayed slumped in his seat, despite Mr. Farmer's harshly whispered orders to stand. I believe the exact words used by the defense lawyer were, "Get your stupid, lazy ass up you jackass." I guess Mr. Farmer's feelings for his client were now abundantly clear. I don't blame the little, shabby lawyer in the slightest.

The same guards who had dragged Tom into the court room moved to his side and yanked him roughly into a standing position, keeping a painfully tight grip on his arms as they stood one on each side of him.

Tom just glared defiantly at the Judge, the arrogance on his face making me want to slap him silly.

I leaned forward in my seat, one hand gripping Ashley's while the other was held tight in my father's loving grasp. The silence in the court room was deafening as everyone waited on baited breath.

Judge Kramer turned to the jury foreperson and asked solemnly, "Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?"

The foreperson rose to her feet and said in a loud, clear voice that set my heart pounding in anticipation, "We have your Honour." The foreperson turned to face the court briefly, her eyes catching mine while her expression stayed unreadable.

Judge Kramer nodded and asked, "For the charges of attempted rape, assault and unlawful harassment how do you find the defendant?"

The foreperson locked her eyes on Judge Kramer's briefly before turning to look at me. She took a deep breath and said with her head held high, "The jury finds the defendant, Thomas Eugene William Brooks…guilty of all charges!"

There was an almighty roar of rage as Tom fought to tear himself from the grasps of the guards. He screamed like a deranged, rabid animal and struggled in their impenetrable holds. I heard the sounds of a half scream followed by guttural sobbing behind me and turned to see Mrs. Brooks slumped against her husband as she sobbed brokenly into his chest. Mr. Brooks caught my eye and flashed me a sad smile, right before the first of many tears trickled down his face.

I was dumbfounded, never in my wildest thoughts had I ever expected to see Mr. William Brooks cry! I guess there really was a heart in the old man afterall.

I heard cheers and clapping and congratulations from all those around me, but I sat still, silent, taking it all in.

The guards wrestled Tom into submission and forced him to stand still. Judge Kramer fixed her ice blue eyes on him and practically snarled, "Thomas Eugene William Brooks, you have been found guilty of the charges against you and it is the decision of this court that you will serve a jail term of 15 years, with a no parole period of 8 years."

Tom launched himself forward while screaming, "You fucking stupid bitch, you fucking dirty slut! You can't do this, you fucking troll! I will get out of this, you'll see! I'll appeal and make you look like the fucking joke that you are! No fucking, whimpering, weak woman will fuck me up!"

Tom spun around, causing the guards to stagger, but not lose their grip. He locked his eyes on me and spat violently on the ground, "You're a whore Spencer, you and your fucking filthy dyke have ruined my life. Don't think I will ever forget, I will make sure you fucking pay for this! You will never be free of me you fucking pathetic, little bitch. You are going to spend the rest of your miserable life looking over your shoulder for me and one day I'll be there to pay you back for all you've cost me! Mark my words Spencer Carlin, you will pay for what you have cost me!"

I rose to my feet and stepped forward until I was leaning against the barrier that separated the front of the court from the audience seats. I sneered at Tom and said disdainfully, "I am in no way afraid of you Tom. You have no power over me any more. I will walk out of this court today and you will cease to exist to me. You will be relegated to my past and to me it will be like you are dead. I will not look over my shoulder for you, I will not fear you. You are nothing to me Tom, you are nothing."

I laughed and shook my head, "You are less than nothing Tom."

Tom snarled and attempted to get at me, obviously being restrained by the guards. I laughed softly and shook my head as they hand cuffed his wrists behind his back. I felt a presence beside me and turned to find Ashley at my side. She leaned in and kissed my cheek before turning to face Tom and smirking smugly as she said in a fake friendly tone, "a word of advice Tom, when it comes to shower time…don't drop the soap."

Tom roared and kicked as the guards dragged him out of the room on the Judge's insistence. He was off to prison, and I could finally close that period of my life. I turned to face Ashley only to be pulled into her arms. She kissed my cheek and murmured, "Let's get you out of here."

I nodded and followed everyone out. I slumped limply against the wall outside of the court room, a shocked numbness settling over my body. I looked around me at my friends and family as they hugged and celebrated and then raised my eyes to meet Ashley's. I found her standing beside me with a heart melting smile full of pure love, relief and happiness.

She stepped closer to me and tilted her head as she murmured, "So what now Blue?"

I pondered the question for a moment and felt a soft smile break out on my face. I took a step closer to her and let out a little chuckle before I took her hand and said, "Well now I get to really live and I get to do that with you."

Ashley beamed her truly gorgeous, nose crinkling smile. I tugged her forward and wrapped my arms around her before capturing her lips in a heated kiss that held all the promise of the future.

It was over, the past could now be laid to rest and I could finally really move onto a wonderful, full and amazing life with the woman who not only gave me hope, but saved my life

Ashley Davies, you are my heart and soul, my inspiration and my redemption, my hope and my future, my love and my life. I am so glad to be on this journey with you.

The only thing to fear is fear itself, and now I have no more fear of the past and no more fear of the future. Now I am truly free.

The below line was suggested by Your Restless Lover in a previous review, thank you!

- "a word of advice Tom, when it comes to shower time…don't drop the soap."

So that's it folks, hope you liked it!