Heyyyy youuuu guysssssssssss! So a couple quick things before you read on. This is kind of like my 'in-between-chapter.' So it's a little smaller than the others, but it's still one of my favorites so far!
You have to remember, this whole part of the story is italicized because it's not the courtroom dialogue. If it's not happening in the courtroom, then it's italicized. I just like it that way. :)
Disclaimer: I don't own New Girl.
xoxo
Nick and Schmidt sat outside the courtroom on a nearby bench. Jess took Cece by the hand before turning to Nick and saying, "Nick, were gonna run to the girls' room, I'll be right back. I have a few ideas for Schmidts hearing. I'll explain when I get back." she smiled, showing him her perfect teeth and she was glowing. But her smile wasn't reaching her eyes.
Of course, she was just as nervous as he was. He smiled back and watched her and Cece go towards the bathroom. Nick turned his attention to Schmidt.
"Schmidt," Nick said quietly, grabbing the back of Schmidts neck to pull him to Nicks forehead. "You need to know, this is very very important, we are lying in the court of law." he gritted through his teeth. "This is going against everything I've spent the last 6 years going to Law School for." he said.
"Nick, do you think I'm an idiot?" Schmidt replied, pushing Nick away from him.
"Well yes. Yes, actually yeah. Completely with all my heart, yes I do."
"OKAY!" Schmidt said loudly. "I get it, you think I'm going to blow your cover. But I won't Nick. You're my number one." he smiled.
"I'm your NUMBER ONE?" Nick said, looking confused. "Can't you just say I'm your closest friend or something? You freak me out when you say that sentimental crap."
"You're hurting my feelings, Nick."
"Alright Schmitty, I'm sorry. I really am. I trust you, but we only have one hour left to put our story together. And put it together PERFECTLY." he said.
"I know Nick, but we can do this. I know we can! You're a lawyer, you're used to lying by now, right? I haven't seen your back sweat in ages." Schmidt grinned, patting Nick on the back.
"I'm getting better, but this is something else Schmidt. Something else entirely. My career is on the line. Jess deserves to win this. She really does. I have to win this for her. I.. I mean.." Nick stammered. He pressed his fingers to his forehead and closed his eyes, sighing. " I think I love her, Schmidt."
"Nick, she's Loft 4D family. We all love her."
"No Schmidt. I love her. I'm in love with her."
The look on Schmidts face started to make Nick worry. He looked surprised, shocked, scared, excited, and surprisingly, he looked kind of annoyed.
"BLECH! NICK! Are you serious?! I knew you guys were diddlin' and fiddlin' but LOVE? I mean, I didn't actually think this thing you guys had..."
"DIDDLIN' AND FIDDLIN'?!" Nick interrupted. "You would describe me and Jess' relationship as 'diddlin' and fiddlin'? Those two words literally make me want to vomit." Nick said. "Schmidt, listen to me for a second." he said quietly, suddenly getting serious. "Whether were friends, in love, or just 'diddlin and fiddlin'... You know just as much as I do that she deserves this win. And if you listen to my plan, and learn the story from beginning to end, we just might have a chance. Promise me Schmidt, we'll do this my way?" he asked.
Schmidt had never seen this side of Nick before. Never had he asked so earnestly for his help and he knew he couldn't fail him. Or Jess. He owed it to the both of them. Nick loved her, and if Nick loved her then she was worth saving. Schmidt firmly placed his hand on Nicks shoulder and looked him dead in the eye. "You got it Nicholas. Whatever you need, you got it."
"This is it, Cece, were going down. All that hard work Nick put into this case... How did those guys get pictures of us? UGH! I feel so violated. And also pissed as all hell!" she said flailing her arms around.
"God, you even sound like Nick, Jess." Cece said calmly before walking up to Jess and grabbing her on the arms. "Jess, stop freaking out. Were all going to be okay. You and Nick are going to be okay. You're doing GREAT up there, you need to know that. You're thinking on the fly and at this point, were too far in to go back. We need to think of a believable story and quick. Everyone needs to know every detail. Who knows? I could be called to the stand too. We need to grab Winston and explain the whole story we come up with to him too. Okay? Were all going to be okay." she repeated, rubbing her arms comfortingly. "We all love you Jess. Especially Nick. He's going to protect you."
"Nick doesn't love me Cece, maybe be as a close friend but were not in love or anything." Jess said.
"Regardless, love is love. And love is going to be what get's us through this thing. I have my faith in him, okay? You have to also. Put your faith in him, Jess." she said before letting her go.
"Cece..." Jess sniffled. "How are you so god damn good at being supportive?" she laughed. The small laugh felt good, but the motion brought a shaking in her bones and she felt herself shiver, before letting out a small cry. Shit, she was going to cry. She didn't want to, but it was just her and Cece and she felt no judgment. She needed this moment. She let herself cry openly and searched for Cece to hold her. Cece brought her arms around to engulf Jess into her embrace. She felt cared for and warmth radiating off of her body. She didn't want Nick to see her like this. She wanted Nick to know she had no doubts in him; that they were going to win this case. But she could admit to herself that she was scared. Hell, she was terrified.
"Shhh.. shh.." hushed Cece. "It's going to be okay, Jess. I promise. Nothing is going to happen to you."
"To me?" Jess murmured against Ceces shoulder. "I don't care what happens to me. What about Nick? This is his career..." she whispered.
Jess heard the door open slowly, almost silently. She looked up to see Nicks face, set with worry. "Nick," she said so softly he almost didn't hear it.
"Hey guys. Jess... Hey Jess, woah, hey..." he said pulling her to him. He gave Cece a wry smile and she returned it by patting him on the back, leaving with a smile. "Jess, talk to me. What's going on?"
"What's going on?" she said incredulously. "Nick, I'm putting you at so much risk here! Look how selfish I'm being. I couldn't possibly ask you to do this for me. I want to get out of this. I want to get you out of this. This is my mess and I put all of it on your shoulders... And I.. I couldn't even ask..." she began to cry a little harder. Nick pushed her body as close to his as possible. He used one hand to smooth her hair while the other rubbed her back. She slipped her arms around his waist and tried to calm her broken sobs.
Nick felt his heart break. How could she think about him at this point? All he could think about was failing her and all she could think about was his job. He brought one hand to her face and held her chin so that she had to look directly into his eyes. He brushed a tear away before saying, "Don't think about that Jess. This job isn't my first priority anymore. That kinda flew out the window when I met you." He searched her eyes for understanding. "You're my priority now. My first priority. I don't care what happens between this moment and the end of this case as long as you don't get hurt. I knew I was taking a risk when I said I would represent you in court but I didn't care. Because I'm pretty sure I loved you then. Just as much as I do now." he said.
Jess looked at him for what seemed like forever. "You love me? Like... as in... you're IN love with me?"
"Schmidt would refer to it as 'diddlin and fiddlin..."
"Okay, ew..." she said.
"...but yeah, Jess. I'm really in love with you. Like, completely and totally all head over heels and stuff." he smiled. She could tell he was trying so hard to lighten the mood and she couldn't help but grin back at him.
"I love you too Nick. And thank you. For everything you've done for me." she said.
"I'm glad we got all that outta the way. Now, I got my story together. It's pretty much perfect. So, let's go kick some ass Jessica Day."
"You got it Nick."
He pressed a kiss to her lips and her body quivered, syncing perfectly with his, they felt only each other. And all the doubt she felt only minutes before vanished into thin air.
