Three shots. Everyone ducked as Abi Glendon fired after the 'not guilty' verdict was called. As armed officers arrested the young woman no one spoke, no one at all. Kate's hands trembled as she asked herself why she ever believed her being lead on this case was a good idea.
"Are you okay?" Jake asked her concerned taking her hand, the scared look in her eyes was evident.
She nodded, still in shock. Looking over to the other side of court Mark Glendon's dead body lay in a pool of blood. She felt sick. Why had the jury found him not guilty? She was so stupid to believe she was good enough to take on this case. Now Abi, a bright young woman, would spend the best years of her life in prison.
He gently squeezed her hand, Kate had had enough for one week. He wished he'd convinced her to stop the case.
Everyone was asked to leave court, and each in turn would be called for a statement.
Kate stood outside alone, she'd disappeared from everyone wanting to be on her own and get some fresh air. Her hands were tremblingly still, she breathed deeply. If she didn't she was sure she'd have a panic attack.
"Tea. Three sugars." Ronnie said as him and Jake appeared by her side.
She gave him a half smile taking it, her hands warming around the cup. "Thanks Ron. I'm gonna need it."
"They'll need your statement when you're ready." Jake told her and she sighed.
Ronnie saw Joe so went to go and speak to him leaving the two lawyers together.
"Kate..." He put his hand on her arm.
"Don't, just don't. Abi killed him." She snapped. "...and it's all my fault."
Kate then walked away from him to go and find whatever police officer wanted her statement.
Jake looked at the ground, he didn't know how to help her. To say he was worried would've been an understatement.
XxX
Composing herself Kate walked into the pub a while later and just as she expected she found Jake. He saw her walk in and smiled reassuringly at her. She took her seat opposite him.
"I'm sorry..." She said. "For being such a bitch earlier."
"You weren't. You were just angry...and in shock..." He took her hand over the table.
"Still am." She bit her lip. "I can't believe I thought I could handle this case."
"Kate no one would've done a better job than you. No one could've known what it would turn into."
She gave him a small smile. "Thanks." Though she knew the case would stick with her a while, mainly because deep down she felt guilty herself, for not doing a good enough job forcing Abi to take the law into her own hands.
XxX
"Are you okay mate?" Joe asked Ronnie.
"Me? I'm fine."
Joe sighed. "Wes?"
Ronnie nodded. "And Henry. The teams falling apart son."
"Kate's not exactly taking of well. I saw her after she gave her statement. She was in tears, she was trying to hide it though." He paused. "I'm sure Jake will be there for her anyway."
Ronnie gave a small chuckle. "No doubt about that. Jake told me Kate's blaming herself for everything, for Wes and Henry...for Abi." He paused. "Louisa called me from the hospital. Henry will be out of theatre in an hour or so she thinks."
"I can't say I know everyone well but..."
Ronnie patted his shoulder. "I know son. You've settled in well. Just like Kate did...come on. You can buy me a coffee."
XxX
The water that ran over her skin in the shower she didn't register, it was like he couldn't take anything in anymore. After the days trauma who could blame her really? She could. She could blame herself. She knew she needed to sleep and put everything to the back of her mind but that was always easier said than done.
As she slowly dried her skin, cool droplets clung to her eyelashes and she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She had a sick feeling in her stomach. Pulling on leggings and a loose t-shirt she walked down stairs, she needed a glass of water. Jake was sat in the living room checking his messages.
She walked past him into the kitchen. The glass clinked against her teeth and yet she carried on sipping until she'd finished. Looking around the room she remembered she hadn't eaten since early that morning but there was a lump in her throat telling her even if she tried she wouldn't be able to swallow. Somedays she wondered why she ever became a lawyer at all.
She was so caught up in her thoughts she didn't hear Jake enter the kitchen. He slid his arms around her waist kissing the back of her neck. "Come to bed."
She turned her head slightly to look at him. "Okay." She decided he was right and let him lead her to the bedroom.
Jake turned off the light before getting in bed beside Kate. It had taken him a while to get her to calm down fully after what went down in court though he knew it would take longer before the team got back to normal. It had been one hell of a week.
Of cause that wasn't the only reason he had been worried about her, after Wes and Henry he hadn't even left her side for long. Then when Adam went after her and the shots in court...he'd been terrified of losing her. As she laid with her head in his chest he gently stroked her back. The case may be over but he knew the press would be a nightmare in the morning...and they'd find out how Henry's surgery went.
XxX
An: More soon, please review xxx
