Count Down discussion

Court trials, jury duty, important documents, etc.

Emily fiddled with the edge of her blouse as she waited with her mother and Jamie for Jeff's case number to be called. She didn't want to be here. She wished that she could just forget that the whole thing had even happened but no one would let her. It had been hard these past few days with Jamie. She was afraid to get to close but she craved his touch now more then ever. He was the only thing that made this whole thing bearable but she couldn't bring herself to go to far.
((I'm sorry. My computer decided to freeze on me >.<))

Jamie took Emily's fidgeting hands, tilting her chin up gently to look towards him. "Everything's gonna be alright, okay?" He said softly, kissing her cheek gently as he ruffled her hair. He hadnt dared to kiss her lips, or hug her from behind, fearing what kind of memories it'd trigger for Emily. Her bruises had healed nicely, only a few green-black spots remaining. He was anxious for the court day to be over, disgusted that they were even bothering with a trail. Emily had obviously been raped, there wasnt much to it. They had stayed an extra week and a half for the trial, having moved in to the little guest room. He didnt like being away from home for long, but figured that schoolwork and Paul would all solve itself.

Emily glanced up at Jamie startled, not realizing that anyone had noticed her fidgeting. She smiled sheepishly and nodded. "I know. I'm just..." She shrugged. She didn't know why she had to come and give a statement. Didn't they realize how much it hurt to even think about it let alone talk about it. Emily leaned against Jamie's side, needing to feel the comfort of his arms like she used to. She knew that Jamie was being patient with her but she didn't know how long he would continue being so. She trusted him to keep his promise but she couldn't help that niggling feeling of doubt that crept into her thoughts when she least expected it.

Jamie wrapped his arms around her waist protectively, resting his head on top of hers. "I know," he murmured, not even bothering to ask what Emily was thinking. He wanted her to forget, for her Togo back to normal and relax. It was what was best for her. "Thy called us," he breathed, catching sight of an orange jumpsuit and a pair of officers escorting the fat beer guy man. He felt such hatred and boiling anger, but tried to contain it. He wouldn't lose his cool in front of Emily. "Lets go," he encouraged, taking Shannon's arm as well.

Emily heard the case number being called and stood shakily, Jamie's arm wrapped around her waist. She glanced over at her mother to gauge her reaction but she seemed like the same strong willed woman that she had grown up with. Emily wished she could be as strong as her mom. It seemed like this whole ordeal didn't faze her and that's how Emily wanted to feel, but her emotions kept coming to the forefront of her mind. They walked to the room where Jeff's trial was being held and the moment that she saw him sitting there in his orange jumpsuit, flashbacks of that night plagued her mind. "Jamie." She whispered, trying to back away towards the door. "I don't think I can do this."

Jamie caught Emily's arm, glancing bck around the court room. "Baby, you just gotta say a few words... Come on, you can do it, I'll be right next to you," he promised, whispering gently to Emily. The fear inside her eyes tore him apart, having never seen Emily so distraught. He had never thought that his very own Emily would experience the very thing he tried to prevent when he went on his missions. Hesitating, Jamie looked back to Emily. "We don't have to do this, but I want Jeff behind bars for good," he murmured encouragingly.

Emily swallowed and nodded, letting Jamie pull her towards their seats. She couldn't break down. Not yet. She didn't want Jeff to see how much he had affected her. Glancing over at him again, she saw that he was staring right at her with a self-satisfied smirk on his face. Emily felt a cold chill roll down the length of her spine and pressed her side closer to Jamie. She could do this. She would show Jeff that he couldn't affect her anymore.

Jamie was a bit furious with how things were going during the trial, the jury having been very stubborn seeming indeed. When the verdict was read, as only a fine, he was outraged. "What! How could you!" Jamie stood up abruptly, arguing loudly with the judge. He slammed his gavel down on his block, peering at him angrily for disrupting his court. Jamie sullenly bit his tongue, grabbing Emily and Shannon before ducking out of the warm courtroom. He loosened his tie angrily, slapping it over his shoulder in a mood. We're they crazy?

Emily followed Jamie in shock. How could this be happening? Didn't they realize that Jeff would come after them again? Didn't they realize that he should be behind bars for what he had done to her and her mother? Tear filled her eyes and she could so nothing to stop them from spilling over. "Why, Jamie? Why would they give him the smallest sentence they could?" She asked, hiccuping. She collapsed onto a bench, hunching her shoulders forward and sobbed.

Jamie scowled, unable to think straight. He would have thought that San Fran would be stricter on their rules due to safer city rates, but apparently not. "I don't know, Emily! But I'm taking you home, and your mother, away from- from him!" Jamie spat, bristling. He was more angry than he had ever been, his neat hair having even tousled from running a hand through it so many times in frustration. It was unbelieveable.

Emily covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking. This couldn't be happening. After all that she had gone through, Jeff was going free. She glanced up at Jamie through her tear filled eyes. He looked so angry and on the edge. Emily wished that she could feel anger instead of fear but she couldn't manage it. She couldn't bring herself to be angry when all she wanted to do was wallow in self pity.