Disclaimer – I don't own NCIS
Authors note – I was going to do just one chapter for the trial, yet I ended up writing more than I expected for the first day so I figured I'd upload this as it is. : )
Thanks you to my reviewers, TeamCarisleandEsme8, Left my heart in Paris, and Guest xx
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The Trial – Day one
The week Jenny had had to recover had gone by faster than she'd expected. She'd spent the time relaxing, getting her strength back and just becoming herself again. Jethro had come around every evening, and most nights she'd fallen asleep curled to his side as much as her injuries would allow. The guys had come around on more than one occasion and they'd sat watching films. Her days had been filled with reading notes on her missed lectures and completing the essays and coursework she needed to do. So by the end of the week she was fully caught up and ready for the week ahead. DI Lewis had come around to talk her through the finer details of the trial. She was needed in court on the Monday and Wednesday, and the Friday if she wanted to know the result. But she'd requested to be in court every day. Somehow this felt like she was not only putting away the man who had caused her pain but her father too, and for that matter she did not want to miss a minute of his suffering. Jethro knew this week would be hard and so had requested leave which he'd been granted from his Army Prep.
On the Monday morning Jenny stood in her room looking in the mirror. Her solicitor had told her not to wear foundation or try and cover up her injuries as it would hopefully help the jury to further sympathise with her. So now she stood looking in the mirror. Kate had gone into town and picked up two suits for her to wear whilst testifying and she wore one now. The bottom was a pencil skirt that fell to just above her knees and was the right length to be appropriate. On top she wore a white open neck shirt and a black blazer. Her hair was natural curls that were down, except the top few layers which had been clipped back in a small ponytail. Her makeup was light, just mascara and lip gloss. Yet as she looked at herself she didn't feel strong and confident like he looked, she felt weak and nervous, because if she was honest, that was how she felt. All of this, the trial, the accident, it had made her not feel safe anywhere. Even now she'd gotten into the habit of watching her back, she wasn't paranoid, just more cautious than before.
There was a light knock on the door and she turned as it opened. Jenny smiled as she Saw Jethro stood there. He wasn't testifying but was wearing dark trousers and a shirt so he looked the part. As she looked at him she realised he was why she wasn't a crumbling mess on the floor at that very moment, he was what was keeping her up. "Since when did you knock?" she questioned with a small smile. Recently he had gotten into the habit of just walking into her room whenever he was over. And although it didn't annoy her so to speak it sometimes slightly bugged her. But him knocking was a sign he was respecting what she wanted today, respecting she was testifying because she needed to, and that she wasn't Shannon – she was her own person and she'd be safe.
"Figured I'd surprise you." He said smiling. But he got the response he wanted; she laughed a laugh that always lit up the room. "You look good." He said.
"I look ill! I know why I'm not allowed much makeup but I look a mess." She said huffing and pouting. "I'm scared Jethro."
He walked forward wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "I know you are Jen, I know you are." She relaxed in his arms; she hugged him tight as she fought away the tears. Then there was a light knock on her door and a cough. She looked to see Ducky and smiled.
"We need to be getting off my dear." He said smiling warmly at the pair.
"Thank you Ducky, we're coming now." So Jenny Grabbed her back and she and Jethro followed Ducky out hand in hand. The journey to the Courthouse was a quiet one. Jenny was taking a lot of interest in her nails until Jethro placed his and on her leg and squeezed before entangling it with hers. The small smile on her face was enough for him to know that he was doing the right things.
The trio arrived at the court house early and so sat waiting until the viewers went in and Jenny's solicitor took her away. She took the stand immediately. Jenny looked round at the sea of faces and it hit her just how important this was. Her solicitor gave her a comforting smile and nod. All she had to do was tell the truth, and then this would be over. With shaking hands she placed her right hand on the bible and with a stronger voice than she thought she could muster she said her oath. "I swear by almighty god to say the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." With that the bible was taken away and the trial began.
First up the prosecution presented their case to the court. "Two weeks ago Miss Shepard was walking the streets of Oxford at around 7om. It was not late, and dusk was just setting, yet the road was fully lit. She was on her way to a first Date with a L. J. Gibbs, not an unusual occurrence for an 18 year old woman. Yet as she walked down Oxford high street she stopped to cross the road. Yet after waiting for the all clear she crossed the road, only to be intentionally hit by a car, the driver Mr. Benoit. Miss Shepard was not dressed in dark clothing, the traffic lights were on red, yet he went driving full power and hit her. Then simply drove away." The court room was silent.
"Mr. Benoit, how do you plea to the accusation of pre-meditated hit and run?" questioned the Judge.
The French man stood up and looked directly in Jenny's eyes. "Innocent." He replied before sitting back down.
"Very well, today the prosecution will present their evidence with the defence having a chance to question any witnesses."
Jenny's solicitor stood up and walked towards her. "Miss Shepard, pleas talk us through your evening of the incident."
After taking a deep breath Jenny began. "I arrived home from Shopping with Kate, we'd gone into town so I could get a new dress. I then skyped my friend in Las Vegas and we talked whilst I got ready. Well she calmed any nerves. I got ready, did my hair and makeup then went out. I was dressed in blue and the streetlights were on. There was a breeze as I approached the Zebra crossing. I pressed the button and waited for the green man to appear. When it did I checked both ways before crossing. There was only one car that had stopped at the lights and it was a police car. I remember looking both ways and seeing nothing. Yet as it got to half way into the road I thought I saw some lights, yet as I looked there was a car coming towards me. I soon realised it had no intension of stopping and it instead sped up. The last thing I remember is trying to run out the way but I wasn't fast enough. "
"You were going on a date that night?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"And is this with the same man who is reported to have stayed with you every night in the hospital?"
"It is, yes."
"Well considering you never even made the first date he must be very loyal. When did you meet him."
"A few week after I moved to Oxford from DC."
"Now, am I right in saying you moved to Oxford following the death of your father."
"You are."
"Before his death he was accused of taking a bribe, from Mr. Benoit. How do we know this is not a revenge tactic?"
"I may not have positively identified him as the driver, but others did. My father's death was tragic, but he was cleared of all accusations before his death. I have no grudges to bear."
"Thank you Miss Shepard, that is all." Said the prosecution before sitting down. Then the defence stood up.
"As you said to my esteemed colleague here, you never positively identified the driver."
"No I didn't."
"So, it could have been any person, as far as you are concerned."
"Objection, your honour! My client had already clarified she didn't see the driver." Said the prosecution.
"Defence change you line of questioning." Stated the judge.
"Yes your honour. Now Miss Sheppard, your father was accused of taking a bribe from none other than Mr. Benoit. How do we know this is not a revenge technique like my esteemed colleague said? After all was it not the accusations that lead your father to taking his own life?"
"Those accusations broke my father, I am not denying that. But all charges were dropped and as I previously said I had no grudges to hold."
"That will be all." Stated the defence, they had been beaten. Jenny then left the stand. The police officer who had been at the stand gave his evidence, and then the forensics was shown. By the end the prosecution had build a wall that the defence knew they could not break down.
As the final testimony finished. The judge said: "The court will rejoin tomorrow morning at 09 00 hours to hear the defence." And then the court emptied. Jethro and Ducky went into the corridor to wait for Jenny, both with a massive feeling of pride inside them. Jenny left the courtroom and stood talking to her solicitor before she went into the corridor. Jenny walked over to the pair and was instantly hugged by a proud looking Ducky. Jethro hung back and let they have their moment before he hugged her and kissed her properly.
"I'm so proud of you Jen." She didn't reply, she simply kissed him again. Stage one was over, yet tomorrow would bring a whole new challenge.
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