Chapter Two

Disclaimer: Still own nothing you recognize. Just Clarissa, Katie, Kaylin and Cristiana are mine. I also forgot to mention in my previous disclaimer, the story title doesn't belong to me either. It's actually a song title. The song is sung by Mallory Hope. It's a really good, but sad, song. If you've never heard it, feel free to check it out on YouTube.

Author's Note: I figure it's probably a good idea to mention that I am not a lawyer so all my 'info' came from google, or watching shows like "Cops" and "People's Court" "Judge Judy", etc on TV. So don't shoot me if there's something wrong in the early going of this story. On that note, enjoy chapter two. :)

Clarissa had just finished looking over the case file and eating her lunch when there was a knock on her office door. "Come in," she called as her assistant poked her head through the open door.

"Ms. Goodwin, there's a Mr. Good here to see you," she informed her.

"Thank you, Katie. Let him in, please." Katie nodded and stepped back out of the office for a moment before returning with Clarissa's newest client.

"Hello, Mr. Good," Clarissa greeted her new client with a smile. "Please, have a seat," she offered, motioning to two empty chairs on the opposite side of her desk. "Should we get right to it," she asked, as he nodded.

"Yes, please," he responded.

"Alright well, I think we should start out with you giving me your side of the story," she requested, as she neatly stacked the case file papers in front of her on her desk. "I read the police report, but it only gives the accusers account of what happened that night. Did the police not take a statement from you before arresting you," Clarissa asked. Jon shook his head.

"No, they just came to my apartment, threw cuffs around my wrists almost immediately after I opened my door, quickly read me my rights and hauled me off to jail for the night," he informed her. Clarissa made a quick note of that in a blank space on the case file. "Caused me a hell of a lot of trouble at work, too."

"Well, that was their first mistake. Let's see if we can find any others, shall we? Go ahead and give me your side of the story and I'll see if there's any way to poke holes in the accusers original story to help us find a way to win this case," Clarissa said.

"I was out with a bunch of my friends and my girlfriend. We were sitting at a table eating and having a few drinks. My girlfriend and I got up to go gamble a little bit when this guy recognized me. He asked me for an autograph. I told him I didn't have a sharpie or pen to sign anything, but if he had one, or could find one, I'd have no problem signing something for him. He didn't say anything to me after that. He just walked away. I figured he went to find a sharpie or pen and would find me if and/or when he found one. I mean, the establishment wasn't that big, so I figured it wasn't a big dead. About fifteen minutes later he came back over to me and proceeded to inform me it was rude of me not to sign an autograph for him. Knowing he was beyond drunk I just let it go and tried to walk away," Jon started out. "After roughly another fifteen minutes passed we had all finished our drinks at my table, so my girlfriend got up to get us another round of drinks and on her way back to the table with the drinks he pretended to bump into her causing the drinks to spill all over her shirt," he explained. "Now, I can admit I got pissed off and I did deck him. I know I was wrong for that, but everyone in that room could tell he purposely bumped into her, and it wasn't like a little tap. It was a forceful bump; almost like a shoulder tackle which is why the drinks spilled all over her shirt," he explained further. "To clarify, when I say the drinks got spilled, I don't mean they just splashed on her shirt, I mean he shoved into her hard enough there was nothing left in any of the cups; they were all completely dumped on her shirt, the tray she was carrying and the floor," Jon stressed, so Clarissa would see it wasn't just an innocent little shove. "But aside from the one punch I did not 'assault' him like the report indicates. I threw one punch that connected; more because he was completely drunk than because I have great aim. My aim is good, but it's not great; especially not after I've had some alcohol. Anyway, this was after I tried numerous times to avoid an altercation, but he just kept coming back," Jon explained even further. "If you have a problem with me, that's one thing, but when you start taking out the issues you have with me on my girlfriend or friends, that's where you cross the invisible line I have drawn," he said, finishing his entire side of the story.

"So you told him you had no problem signing something, but you had no utensil to do so, correct," Clarissa questioned. Jon nodded.

"Correct." Clarissa shook her head.

"That's not what he told the police. He said you just flat out refused to sign anything. Jon laughed humorlessly.

"I know, I've seen the report, but I have at least three witnesses that can testify to the contrary." Clarissa nodded.

"That's great, but will they be willing to testify in court on your behalf," she questioned. Jon nodded.

"Of course they will." Clarissa nodded.

"Are they aware you're being sued, and have they told you they would testify for you if you needed them to?" Jon nodded.

"Yes. Two are two of my best friends, the other is my girlfriend; all of whom were with me and saw the entire altercation as it took place. Hell, when I was arrested they were the ones that urged me to fight it. So yes, if need be, they'll have no problem testifying on my behalf." Clarissa nodded once again as she continued to make notations on the papers in front of her.

"Inform them they'll all be getting subpoenaed to appear in court on your behalf the day the case is tried." Jon nodded. "With that being said, I need all three's names and addresses so we can get the subpoenas out in the next day or two," she said, sliding a piece of paper over to Jon so he could write down all the information she would need.

After all the information was written down and placed securely inside the manila envelope that the case file was stored in, Clarissa moved to the next piece of business. "Do you want to file a counter suit? Technically, you could. From what you've said, he had you falsely arrested and fabricated his story, so it's up to you, but you do have the option," Clarissa explained. Jon thought about it for a few minutes before he shook his head.

"No. I just want this mess to be over with. As much as I would love to deck the guy again, I won't take any money from him. I have enough money to last me for quite a while anyway, given my profession, and all, so I don't need his." Clarissa nodded.

"Alright, well, I want to thank you for coming in today so we could get this ball rolling. I honestly believe we can beat this case, just based on what you told me today, and the fact you have eye witnesses. Do you know if the bartender saw any of this," Clarissa asked. Jon nodded.

"I'm fairly certain everybody in the bar saw it. It happened right smack dab in the middle of the establishment."

"Good, I think I'll subpoena the bar and have them send the bartender as a witness because while your friends are all great, an eye witness with no 'ties' to the defendant is always something that can put the case over the top and win it," she explained. Jon nodded.

"Okay, sounds good, and I'll let my friends know what's going on so they're not caught by surprise when the subpoenas arrive in the mail, or by marshal, whatever it is they do these days," Jon said as he stood to leave the office. Clarissa nodded.

"Good idea, and I'll keep in touch. If I need more information, I'll definitely let you know," she told him as she walked him to the door and opened it.

"Thank you, I don't usually keep my phone very close to me – I'm a technology illiterate – but in this case, I'll be sure to make sure it's as close to me as it can get for the time being," Jon admitted. Clarissa laughed.

"Sounds like a good plan. I'll be in touch, and it was nice meeting you, goodbye," Clarissa said as Jon exited the office.

"It was nice meeting you too, goodbye," Jon called over his shoulder.

Clarissa finished up a bunch more random things around her office, and having Katie draw up the subpoena's and get them enveloped and ready to be mailed the next day, Clarissa packed everything up and called it a day. She needed to pick Kaylin and Cristiana up from day care and school, and get home to get dinner on the table before giving Kaylin a bath and putting her to bed, having her usual evening chat before bed with Cristiana after her shower, and before she herself could fall into bed.