Author: Lauren
Title: TCOT Burning Verdict
An MM/ATC story for TCOT Weary Watchdog
Disclaimer: I'm only playing. I will put them back relatively unscathed.
Author's Notes:
This story has been finished for a long, long time, I just never posted it. Then, when I decided to go ahead and post, I kept hearing our dear Michelle's voice telling me it needed more romance. That girl, LOVED her P/D romance, so I added a bit more. Hope you enjoy!
This story takes place both during and after the credits of the episode TCOT Weary Watchdog (Season 6, Episode 9). If you have access to this episode, I would suggest watching it to better your understanding of the events that took place before the beginning of this story. Now on with the good stuff!
This is the EDITED, tamer version of this story. If you want the full, unabridged version, you'll have to read it over on AO3. ;)
EDIT: A number of you have asked about AO3. It is a fanfic site that allows for a broader, more mature style of stories than what is allowed here. Here is the link: /works/19023367/chapters/45178786#workskin
I am planning on removing all of my stories and revamping them a bit. When I started writing, I had no idea what I was doing. Lol. So, I want to make some adjustments, and I will be adding them back over a bit. As far as "As It Should Be," I am FINALLY going to finish it. I got to the point where I HATED the back story I gave that storyline, (and felt a bit responsible for all the 'Perry is a cheater' stories that followed), made some rewrites, lost them in a computer issue, and basically gave up on it. I had also planned on interweaving the story throughout the movies and somewhat overwhelmed myself with it. So, I will finish it as a stand-alone story and then write additional stories as time allows. My schedule is far lighter during the Summer, so my goal is to work on AISB and have it finished before school resumes.
Della could still smell the pungent, acrid smoke left behind by the burning paper as Perry led her from Andy's office. She could almost laugh at the thought of Hamilton's face when Perry set the dreaded judgment aflame…. almost. Exhaustion had overtaken her so deeply that it seemed to have settled into her bones. The funny thing was she hadn't worked half as much on this case as she did during most cases. Perry hadn't allowed her too. But the emotional whipping she had taken over the last few weeks had left her feeling battered and bruised. She hadn't even heard Paul as he bid them goodbye before heading off on yet another hot date with yet another tall, striking blonde.
Della glanced up at Perry and noticed his tense, chiseled from granite countenance had finally begun to soften, even if just a bit. She knew there were wounds on both sides that needed to be mended. Things that had been said, as well as some that had been left unsaid, all needed to be addressed, but as she felt Perry's hand move from the small of her back to her waist she knew that all would be okay. They just needed to recuperate in their own private sanctuary, a sanctuary that happened to be wherever it was, at whatever time, the two of them were alone in the sole presence of one another. Perry was pulling her closer, supporting her, and she was too tired to be shocked at his affectionate display. Her head lay softly on his shoulder as they walked. All too soon, they reached the area where Janet was awaiting them.
She barely heard the deep rumble of his voice beside her. "Do you want to invite Janet to dinner?"
Her responsive sigh was much more profound than she'd intended it to be and Mason raised a single questioning eyebrow. "I suppose we should," she replied. Della knew her reluctance toward propriety was very out of character for the unfailingly polite Miss Street. If she had been honest, what she would have said was that what she really wanted, really needed, was to go home and try to forget these past few weeks. To forget the tension and angry words between herself and Perry, forget that she was very nearly indicted on felony charges, forget that had that happened she would have most certainly have spent a year of her life in prison. No, she didn't want to go to dinner, but propriety won out as it always did with Della.
As soon as she saw Janet, she could tell that some of the initial elation over her acquittal had worn off. In its place was Janet's realization that her husband would have to face the consequences of his unsavory business dealings. This gave Della some hope that Janet wouldn't be in a celebratory mood. "Heavens, I'm behaving selfishly," she thought to herself. After hugging Janet and reassuring her that everything would be fine, she forced an inviting smile as Perry requested Janet join them.
Della felt only slightly guilty for her relief at Janet's polite refusal. After they left Janet, Perry led Della into the elevator. As Perry took her by the arm, their eyes met for a few brief seconds. To the common observer, Della Street looked as beautiful and radiant as she ever did, but Perry Mason could see the fatigue, the stress, and the slight stiffness in her body. The key, he knew, was not to look at the whole of her but to look into her eyes. He could always tell just how she was feeling by looking at her eyes.
Once the elevator door closed and they were alone, Perry wrapped his arm around her shoulders and turned her, pulling her into him. He could feel her warmth as she placed her head on his chest. Taking a deep breath, Della reached up to place a gentle hand on his cheek. Perry remembered her telling him once that the scent of him helped to relax her. He knew this was true as he felt some of the stiffness leave her body when she exhaled. "You know," he said softly, "since it's just the two of us we could forget about going out." Della lifted her head smiled at him, the first real smile he had seen in weeks. He continued. "Instead we could go back to your place, light a fire, I could cook us some steaks, and while I'm busy with dinner, you can take a long, hot bath." Her smile had turned into a grin. "Hmmm," he asked, running a soothing finger down her cheek, stopping just under her chin, "how does that sound?"
Before she could answer the elevator came to a stop, and she quickly stepped away from him, so as not to get caught in their embrace. Entering the garage level, they each nodded at passers-by as Perry placed his hand around her waist once again. At the moment, he didn't particularly care who thought what. Della glanced up at him and answered quietly, "It sounds like a plan, Counselor." Her soft, promising words no longer tinged with anger, sadness, or worry flowed over him, soothing his soul. He lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed the back of it, then softly brushed his lips over hers. A silent promise that everything would be okay.
Once Perry had settled Della into the car, she began thinking about the first fight they'd had after Andy arrested Janet. Scooting over and leaning into him, she rested her eyes as she felt his arm wrap around her, pulling her even closer. Thoughts of the things she had said to him that night and how she was going to apologize for them now drifted through her mind.
As soon as Andy had issued his warning and left with Janet, Della had taken the envelope containing the twenty-five thousand dollars and tossed it down on the table with a thud. Paul, sensing both their moods, beat a hasty retreat. Earlier in the evening, Della had tried to use her demure charm to ease his frustrations with her. She thought if she could get him alone and explain why she had done what she'd done, he would understand. He might even possibly admire her for her dedication to a friend. After all, he was the ever-noble Perry Mason. "Without question and without thanks," wasn't that it?
But as the night wore on, they both realized more and more the severity of the trouble she could be in, and now… Now Della turned glittering, angry eyes upon Perry, not to be unmet by the same in his. In that instant, both of them knew this was a fight neither of them would be backing down from anytime soon. Della's fury, held in check while others were present, unleashed itself. "How dare you reprimand me like that in front of Paul and Janet? How dare you speak like that to Janet? She was being blackmailed, Perry. She was upset and turned to me for help. She didn't realize she was putting me in jeopardy too. I don't need you treating me like a child who should know better!" Every angry sentence propelled her closer and closer to Perry.
Perry was quick to respond and with equal fervor. "Janet Brent knew exactly what she was doing, Della, and so did you! I wasn't treating you like a child. I was treating you like an intelligent, grown woman. A grown woman who should have known better than to agree to the things you agreed to tonight!" His eyes raked hungrily up and down the soft blue dress shot through with threads of silver and gold. A dress which showed the entire LAPD and God only knew who else just how much of a woman she was. Particularly Andy Anderson. Damn him if he didn't think Perry had noticed the way he'd leered at Della while being so smug and prickish. Perry had wanted nothing more than to knock the man on his pompous ass.
The mink stole she'd worn earlier had been a gift this past Christmas. The diamond drop earrings from her most recent birthday. At each celebration, she had modeled the presents for him and, much to his pleasure; each one had been accompanied only by a pair of impossibly high heels. Perry shook his head, determined his anger would not take second place to his desire no matter how much he wanted her. "Did you even bother to think about what you were doing or what the consequences could be?"
"I can't believe you would even ask that question." They had reached the point they were shouting. "You act as though I haven't worked in a law office my entire adult life. And I suppose the fact that I didn't know the man was dead, didn't know my actions involved anything illegal is a moot point. Not to mention, Mr. Mason, how many times have I ended up sitting at police headquarters after you involved me in one of your stunts? Huh? How many times could things have gone very wrong after you used me as some type of bait or decoy? You have certainly never thought twice about involving me in dicey situations when it was to your benefit or the benefit of one of your clients!"
Perry's quick intake of breath hissed through his teeth. It was true; he did involve her far more than he should. However, it was always under circumstances within his control. "You still should not have involved yourself," he shouted back at her before softening his tone just a touch, revealing his hurt that she hadn't come to him, and the pain her words had inflicted upon him.
"You should have come to me and told me what all of this was about, and I have hated every time I have involved you in a case or investigation that could go wrong. Every. Single. Time. However, I have also always analyzed every possible outcome, and never would I have let you do anything from which I couldn't save you." Perry raked both hands over his face and through his hair. His fears were now even more apparent. "You could be looking at serious jail time, Della. Burger will charge you as an accessory to murder; don't think for one second that he won't." Perry knew that Hamilton Burger would never waste an opportunity to put the great Perry Mason in his place. And what better way than through the one thing, the one person that would hurt him the most? "With the way things look right now, I don't know if I can save you! Add in the fact we are involved, and it will make it all the more difficult to handle. I just don't know what you were thinking!" His frustrations and fears were getting the better of him, and he knew it. He never shouted at her. Never.
His comments served to infuriate her even more. "So, it's okay for you to be willing to do anything for a friend but I can't? You can walk out on a limb for clients, hell, even for total strangers whenever the mood strikes you but I, the secretary slash lover, I must stay back and do only what I'm told? Only that from which you can 'save me'? Is that what you're saying? Because if it is, Perry Mason, then I..."
Perry interrupted her with a deep sigh while trying to regain the last threads of his patience. "No, Della, that is not what I'm saying, and you know it. I…"
"No, I do not know it," she interrupted angrily, her tone accentuating each word. "Let's get one thing clear. You may be able to make demands upon me professionally, but you do not get to control every personal decision I make. You are not my husband, we are not married, and you sure as hell are not my father. I do not appreciate nor will I allow you to stand there and tell me what I should or should not have done…nor do I need you shoving any more law books in my face and asking me if I know the ramifications of my actions." She paused momentarily, tears of anger, and frustration filling her eyes. "And I am so tired of having to be so damned perfect all the time." Della knew she had hit far below the belt. 'Unfair' didn't begin to describe what she had just said to him, and she watched as those deep, sea blue pools that always held such love and reverence for her, quickly clouded with hurt.
His voice was low, defeated. "You're right, Della. You are not my wife. We are not married." A hint of his anger returned, "And whose fault is that?" Perry looked at her, but she refused to meet his eyes. He sighed, "As far as my expecting you to be perfect, well, I… I don't even know what to say to that. Are we through here?" Della said nothing as she stared at the ground while some sickening combination of anger, guilt, fear, and self-recrimination settled itself deeply into the pit of her stomach.
He turned and left without another word. Della's tears became sobs as she sank into a chair, catching sight of the money still lying on the table. She looked at it ruefully. Earlier it had been representative of the enormity of his love for her, the sacrifice he was willing to make for her without hesitation, and now… now it was only a threat to their future.