Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in this fic. I appreciate your support and encouragement. I hope you enjoy this update.
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"I'm sorry, Miss…" the receptionist stated staring at Bonnie.
"Bennett, Bonnie Bennett," she supplied her with more information.
"Bonnie!
At the mere sound of Melissa's voice, Bonnie froze. The truth was, she had no interest in ever speaking to Melissa ever again—especially after what happened at her birthday party all of those years ago. "Bonnie, I had no idea that you were coming to visit, does your father know?" Melissa moved closer as the receptionist slowly retreated out of the suite.
"No, I thought I would surprise him. Is he in his office?" Bonnie stated without a hint of interest in engaging in anything further with Melissa.
"You know your father," Melissa threw her hands up helplessly leading Bonnie down the hallway towards the offices. Bonnie had visited her father's law offices about 5 times that she could count. She didn't make a habit of visiting him at work in DC and she was perfectly fine with never coming here again. As she moved through the hallway, she noticed that her father had expanded his associates. Offices were full with many attorneys of color working tirelessly to represent their clients. It was well past normal quitting time for most people, but Rudolph Hopkins and Jonah Martin required that you work until the job is done. Her father asked her many times to come work with for him, but she refused each time. She had no interest in moving to DC or being a part of his empire.
Bonnie stood in the doorway of Rudy's office watching him type away on his computer and he was focused. He looked the part of the partner in one of the top law firms and that was perhaps his best role to date. As he finished typing, he glanced over at the door casually and then again noticing Bonnie in the doorway, "Bonnie," he stood up, "what are you doing here?"
"I thought I would come for a visit because I don't expect you to come to Mystic Falls."
Rudy nodded somewhat guiltily motioning for Bonnie to take a seat, "So you just decided to drive to DC and visit your dear old dad out of the blue?"
"Melissa was oh so helpful when I came in," she remarked sarcastically.
"She's a good assistant," Rudy answered.
"You never stop do you?" Bonnie scoffed with her arms folded.
"Stop what?"
"Melissa!" Bonnie screeched, "you think it's a good idea to have her working here? You think it was a good thing that you actually had her move here from Mystic Falls after she helped to destroy our family! What kind of sense does that make!"
Rudy glanced towards the door, "Bonnie, lower your voice."
"Lower my voice? I'm sorry Daddy if my voice is raising a little high and shattering the whole persona you've built here for yourself."
"Bonnie, control yourself. Melissa is my assistant and that is all. Whatever occurred in the past is just that, the past."
"You think it's the past."
"It is!" he exploded, "I know I messed up! I know that I lost my family because of my decisions and I have lived with them for years Bonnie."
"And I've lived with them too!" Bonnie countered, "do you know who made me come here today…Kol."
Rudy rolled his eyes, "I don't want to hear anything about him."
"He's a jackass, that hasn't changed but he said that I had Daddy issues and I think he's right," Bonnie looked at Rudy, "I think what happened when I was younger did something to me. Not sure what exactly, but there has to be a reason why I fall for the men that I do…accept the things I do…keep trying with you, even."
"Bonnie, I love you. I know that you probably don't think I love you the way I should and that's probably true. But the truth is, life doesn't come with a manual Baby Girl and I do the best I can."
Bonnie rolled her eyes, "Why did you take Alan's side?"
"What do you mean?" Rudy asked, not anticipating that question from Bonnie at that moment.
"Alan consulted with you on that case. I am well aware that Briddle pays you for some consulting services at times. You knew what happened and you still took Alan's side, knowing that he was wrong and what he was doing was unethical."
He sighed, "ok, I wasn't taking Alan's side. I was taking your side. This case was designed for you to prove yourself and become partner. It was an easy win for you Bonnie. Tyler's ex-wife didn't have the power or influence to get anything close to what she was requesting. All you had to do was stand up in court and present your settlement. Sign off on the financial records and go with the flow."
"But he was hiding a child," Bonnie argued.
"Immaterial," Rudy flagged his hand.
Bonnie's eyes bugged out, "You would think that was immaterial," she mumbled.
Rudy sat back in his chair and sighed, "I'm going to assume that you came here to say something Bonnie. You drove hours without calling first and that means that you had something very important to say, so let's just say it."
"You ruined everything," Bonnie answered simply, "and after you ruined everything, you took off. You left. You left me and my mom behind to build a new life here in DC. You became a part time father and you know, for the longest time I convinced myself that it was ok. That the occasional calls were all you could do, that the birthdays that you missed after the whole Sweet Sixteen debacle happened because you were too busy. You had to build a career here, but you made every legal thing. My mock trial competitions, law school graduation, my first trial…you always made them. Then you were so helpful during the beginning of the Lockwood divorce case and as soon as it went wrong, you could only give me calls. I disappointed you and you acted accordingly, erasing me from your life just like you did before. "
"That's not what I'm doing at all."
"It sure seems like it," Bonnie challenged him, "I lost one of the biggest cases of my career in a spectacular fashion, I quit my job when I was so close to becoming partner and then I lost someone that meant a lot to me. My life fell apart and all you could do was call?" Bonnie's voice broke as she spoke, "I don't understand that."
Rudy took a deep breath and gazed over at Bonnie with regretful eyes, "I'm sorry. I just thought that whatever I would say wouldn't come out the right way and maybe I did withdraw a little because I wasn't sure how to be your father after everything that happened between me and your mother. I thought the law thing was a perfect way for us to bond again."
"And I guess it worked for awhile," Bonnie frowned.
"It did," he agreed, "I'm sorry Bonnie. You deserve so much more than I've given you."
Bonnie's eyes filled with tears as she found herself unable to speak. She nodded reaching over and taking a tissue from the Kleenex box on his desk.
"But we can work on this now. We can work on us outside of the law. How about I shut down and I take you to dinner. We can talk about us."
"That's what I want, we have to work some things out and I have the time," Bonnie stared back at him.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDB
"So is there a reason why you felt the need to bring the entire parental crew with you?" Damon asked as soon as Stefan joined him on the balcony with a beer in hand.
"Mother wanted to come. You know she's worried and oddly enough, Father wanted to come as well."
"So he can control the situation."
"Believe it or not Damon, he wants to see you get acquitted of this. He knows that you wouldn't do anything like what they are accusing you of."
"I may be a disappointment, but I'm not a murderer," Damon held up his finger and took a sip of his bourbon.
"No one believes that you murdered Olivia, not even Bonnie."
"What about Elena, she was less than happy to be in my presence."
"That's because she knows what happened between you and Bonnie, she's Bonnie's best friend. You didn't expect her to welcome you with open arms, did you?"
"Guess not," Damon snorted, "Bonnie took off."
Stefan's eyes widened, "What happened, what did you do?"
"I didn't do anything…" Damon protested, "lately. She's still hurt and angry about what happened with the Lockwood case and definitely about what happened between me and Olivia."
"Understandable."
"I didn't think or rather, I wasn't thinking rationally. I just knew that I was angry at her. I was furious with her, I loved her and I felt betrayed. I fell into my usual pattern."
"Have you apologized?" Stefan asked.
"Of course, but I don't think she cares much about the apologies anymore and I don't blame her. It was one thing when she knew on one level that me and Olivia were sleeping together, but she's reminded of it every time she works on my case and I think its torture for her."
"So what else can you do?"
Damon didn't really have an answer, so all he could at that moment was shrug and take a swig of his beer.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
Bonnie and Rudy sat in one Rudy's favorite steakhouses in DC. Bonnie could count on one hand how many times she and father dined in DC together. It was interesting to see the side glances that they were provided as they moved to their table. Bonnie shuddered—the onlookers probably thought she was his much younger girlfriend and that skeeved her out.
"What's that look for?" Rudy asked as they settled in their plush chairs and the waiter poured them glasses of Merlot.
"People probably think I'm your girlfriend," Bonnie whispered looking around.
"Would you like me to make an announcement that you're my daughter and not in a freaky way?" Rudy smirked at her.
Bonnie blanched, "God no!"
He chuckled, "You know, you sometimes remind me so much of your mother…and then other times, so much of Sheila."
"Well I'm a product of them."
"And what about me?" Rudy asked sipped his wine.
Bonnie thought for a moment, "I know that I came down on you about this earlier, but you gave me my legal mind. I like being an attorney. I like figuring out the legal puzzles and as much as it's been in doubt lately—I like to win. I love to win."
"So you do, that's been in you since a little girl. You wouldn't allow me to even beat you in Candyland, you would make me play over and over again until you won."
Bonnie laughed as a warm feeling came over her. She remembered those moments with her father. He would play Candyland over and over again until she won (because of course, Rudy believed in never allowing anyone to win—they had to earn it), "You did, you did."
"I should have realized sooner and been an adult about the situation long before everything went to hell. I always loved you Bonnie, I mean it when I say you are the best parts of me and Abby. I should have realized that even though I wasn't interested in being a husband anymore, that I could still be a father. I shortchanged you Bonnie and I'm sorry. I love you and you may be the one person in this world that I would move mountains for…hell, I'm pretty sure if you batted those eyes at me, I would commit a crime."
Bonnie laughed, "You would never."
"Ok, maybe not…but it would definitely be a test."
"Thanks Daddy…" Bonnie paused, "I need you help with the law right now."
Rudy raised an eyebrow, "And what about the law do you need assistance with?" Rudy asked, "the murder case that you took on for that opposing counsel?"
"Damon was more than that, but yes," Bonnie answered, "he's being framed or railroaded or something. I don't believe for one moment that he murdered Olivia Lockwood."
"Why?" Rudy asked simply, "and you have to tell me more than he told you that he was innocent because very few criminals will admit to being guilty, Bonnie."
"Damon and I were in a relationship and because of that, I don't for one second believe that he could murder anyone let alone Olivia."
"Uh, huh so other than what you feel in your heart—do you have any other evidence? DNA evidence? Video tape?" Rudy questioned.
Bonnie bit her lip. She had nothing. Nothing but Damon's word and she was pretty sure that her father would never approve of that being a basis for innocence. For the first time in her career, her being unsure about something stirred up her stomach and she felt nauseous.
"So is there anything to go on?" Rudy asked.
"He doesn't remember what happened that night? We have blood results pending to determine if something was put in his drink or something else occurred."
"And what happens next?"
"And if something did happen, that can help with an alibi."
"Or it could mean that he did kill her and it was so traumatic that he doesn't remember," Rudy suggested.
Bonnie leaned back in the chair defeated, "I don't know what to say Daddy."
"Did you check the autopsy report, there may be something there."
"Hmm, I did but maybe I should read it again. Maybe I'm missing something."
"Bonnie," Rudy rose from the other side of his desk and walked over to her, leaning casually against the cherry wood, "I know that you may doubt this, but I think you are a gifted attorney and you can win any case that you truly believe in. This thing with Damon? I believe that you will be able to get him acquitted, you just have to trust in your instincts."
Bonnie looked up at Rudy and smiled, "Thank you Daddy."
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
Bonnie sat on the balcony of Rudy's condo two days later. For years, she and her father had been dancing around each other. There were so many things that should be said, but just went without saying. She felt a lightness in her chest that she hadn't felt in years. Honesty worked wonders and that's why she was sitting on her father's condo, looking out at the Potomac River and looking down at her cell phone. There were at least three messages for Damon and she hadn't spoken to him since leaving Mystic Falls. Maybe it was the nicest thing she'd done, but she deserved to have this time with her father to work out their differences, "One man at a time," she mumbled before dialing Damon's phone number. She breathed out as she listened to the phone ring.
"Bonnie," Damon answered.
At some point, she wished that his voicemail would just come on and she could leave her message and move on, "Hi Damon," she smiled.
"Hello Bonnie, are you alright? I know that you went to DC to visit your father, but it seemed like it was sudden. Did something happen?"
"Well a lot happened, but I just needed to talk to my dad about a a few things. Some things that needed to be said a long time ago. I feel better now."
"That's good."
Bonnie stared at her hands for a moment, "Our conversation the other day got me thinking and it just wrecked me a little to be honest."
"I could tell and Bonnie, I'm sorry. If I could turn back time…"
"You can't and you shouldn't have to, what happened—happened. Many mistakes were made and you know what, because of those mistakes we just need to focus on what we are facing now. Your court case, but before that…I want to tell you something."
"What?" Damon asked.
"You have to promise me that you won't do anything stupid or illegal. I'm only telling you because honesty has been an issue here and I want to be honest with you."
She heard him take a breath, "Ok."
"Damon, promise me."
"I promise you Bonnie."
"The other day when you told me that you sent me a text before you received those messages, I started to think that who could have seen that text and delete it and send you those messages of the file."
"Ok, so you know who did it?"
Bonnie took a deep breath. She meant what she said to Damon, they didn't need anymore secrets, "Kol."
The line was silent for a few moments and Bonnie's antenna went up, "Damon."
"I'm here."
"Did you hear me?"
"Oh I heard you and it's a good thing that I have an excellent attorney right now because I'm going to kill that guy," Damon fumed, "he sent me those photos because what…he was jealous? He's an asshole? What?"
"All of the above?" Bonnie suggested.
"That asshole!" Damon raged, "he had to know what would happen or at the very least would could happen."
"He knew us better than we knew ourselves," Bonnie spoke up, "but you promised me that you wouldn't do anything and I am holding you to that, Damon."
"Bonnie…"
"Kol is still a cop Damon, you are still out on bail for Olivia's murder. You cannot touch Kol or they will throw you in jail, can you not please?"
"Fine…fine…but if he comes near me or you, I am pretty sure I will have a blackout and try to break his jaw."
"No need to do anything on my behalf, I've already spoken to Kol."
"You confronted him?"
"Of course I did. He came after me and he deserved to answer to me."
"What an asshole, is he the reason why you left town so suddenly."
"He was one of the catalysts."
"I was another one?"
"Our relationship or rather the end of it was ugly. It takes time to heal from that and I'm doing my best."
"I know you are, I'm sorry," Damon apologized.
"It's ok, look…I have to go. I will be back in Mystic Falls tomorrow. I also got an email that your lab results will be in tomorrow, so we will meet and discuss them tomorrow."
"Bonnie, if this is all too much for you, I understand."
"If what is all too much?"
"Me…this case…everything. I heard you a couple of days ago when you told me that my actions hurt you. I understand it and I get it. I fucked up and I made costly mistakes. I want us to be friends, but I know that this case is like picking a scab. What I'm saying is that, if you want to walk away from me and defending me—it's ok. I get it."
She hadn't expected him to give her this out. Were there times when she wanted to walk away just to avoid remembering and being faced with the Damon-Olivia relationship over and over again? Yes. But she believed in his innocence and he deserved the best representation and she was it, "Damon, I am your attorney. I signed up for it and I hated you a lot more then than I do now."
"Thanks," Damon chuckled.
"There's no need to give me a way out. It's ok. I want to be your attorney and I am going to make sure you are cleared of all charges."
"I believe you," Damon stated.
She smiled, "Good, so I will be home tomorrow and I will see you then."
"Yes, see you then…and Bonnie…"
"Yes?"
"Thank you, I don't deserve anything from you…but I'm grateful that you are willing to help me."
"I know, talk to you tomorrow," Bonnie stated ending the call.
"Hmm…sounds like you and that Salvatore guy are the closed case that you've made it out to be," Rudy stated walking onto the balcony.
"Daddy…"
"What? I thought we made some progress. I can't be a little curious about you and your friend?"
"Friend is being generous."
"Bonnie," Rudy leaned up against the railing, "I've read the coverage on this case. Every bit of evidence available points to your guy. After what happened with the Lockwood case, you shouldn't lift a finger to do anything for him. However, you see things a little differently than most and that's a good thing. However, I know that your guard is up now and you will not allow anyone to blindside you again…am I right?"
"You're right."
"And you're going to win this one, aren't you?" he asked.
"I am," Bonnie stated standing up to face Rudy.
"You are one of the best litigators I know, I know you got this. There is something out there and you will find it," Rudy held up his fist as Bonnie grinned bumping her fist up against it. Rudy brought her into a hug, "I know we have work to do, but I love you Baby Girl…you know that right?"
"I never doubted that," Bonnie held onto Rudy tightly.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
The phone call with Bonnie continued to linger in his mind. He hadn't realized how much he truly missed her voice until he heard it. When he told her that he would understand if she wanted to end her representation, a part of him prayed that she wouldn't agree. He loved her. Maybe he shouldn't admit it, maybe his actions a couple of weeks ago didn't display it, but he did. Bonnie was the closest he'd ever come to being in love with someone he considered his equal. His life was in turmoil, but even her presence made him feel as if things would be ok. Perhaps he was a fool to believe it, but he did.
"Well I finished lunch, how about you eat something Son," Lily emerged from the kitchen area and joined Damon in the living room.
"I will in a moment."
Lily took a deep breath. Damon had always been the son that didn't take things too seriously. He was unbelievably intelligent, a little reckless and very rebellious…a free spirit almost, but she loved that about him. Since she'd been in Mystic Falls, she's watched his entire personality change. It pained her. It stabbed at her heart and she, unfortunately, saw no end in sight, "Damon," she touched his hand, "I know things are difficult now…"
"I'm charged with murder mom. I haven't been out of this house in weeks. Not to a restaurant, not to a bar, not to my office. I'm a prisoner in my own home. I've lost clients. It's a good thing that I have savings and still my shares in the firm."
"Damon, we would never let you suffer financially."
"I know that, but I'm an attorney. My reputation, my freedom…it's all on the line here," Damon rubbed his hands over his face, "and Bonnie…"
"Bonnie, your attorney and the young woman who came to the gala?"
"Yes, we started a relationship a couple of months ago," Damon turned to Lily watching her eyes light up, even though she attempted to hide it, "don't get too excited, I messed it up and I think we are pretty much over for the foreseeable future."
"But she's defending you, she must still have some feelings for you…"
"She believes that I didn't commit murder, she doesn't necessarily believe that I am the man for her anymore and she's right. I'm not. I don't deserve her, because in true Damon fashion…she may have done something wrong, but I had to do something worse."
Lily sighed and lowered her voice, "Do you love her?"
Damon looked over at Lily, "If I say yes, will you control yourself and not start planning a wedding?"
"It sounds like you have a lot to make up for, so I will hold off on the wedding plans."
"That is best, concentrate on Stefan and Elena. They will be married with three kids by the time Bonnie looks at me in a loving way again."
"Maybe you should speak to your father about how to win a woman back after being a complete asshole," Lily stood up from the couch.
"Thanks," Damon sighed.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
After dinner with her father, Bonnie fired up her laptop and opened the file containing the case file for Olivia's murder. She looked at the crime photos again, hoping to see something she may have missed. A stray hair, pills, a fingerprint, something belonging to the person who committed the act. She knew that the person was a man and it had to be a man that would be able to get into Olivia's apartment. There was no forced entry.
Bonnie read the police report for the 100th time. The description of the apartment, the details surrounding the location of Olivia's body, Damon's behavior when they arrived…it was all there in black and white. Bonnie removed the report that listed all of the belongings that were taken in as evidence. Olivia's clothes, her shoes…her jewelry…wedding ring, diamond stud earrings, a white gold necklace…Bonnie focused on the list again. Something was missing. Bonnie sat back in the lounge chair that she was sitting in…something was definitely missing and it could actually be the one thing to lead her to the person who murdered Olivia.
"That smile on your face tells me that you've had a breakthrough," Rudy stated bringing Bonnie out a bowl of ice cream and handed it to her.
"Cookies and cream?" she peered down into the bowl allowing a smile to spread across her face.
"You may think that I forgot or didn't care, but I remember everything about my darling girl," Rudy smiled.
Bonnie moved her laptop to the side and took a spoonful of the ice cream, "This…is…amazing."
"I figured you would like it," Rudy winked, "I am sorry for everything that happened with Alan and the firm Bonnie. I just know that you deserve success and I wanted you to have it. I knew deep down that you would never go along with what Alan wanted you to. You are your mother's daughter and that's why you are a great attorney."
Bonnie focused on her ice cream swirling the spoon around before putting some in her mouth, "I'm going to win this one Daddy," Bonnie looked up at him with an assured look.
"I know you are and if you need my help or if you just want me to visit, I will be there," Rudy met Bonnie's eyes.
"I know," she nodded.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
The next afternoon, Damon entered the high-rise building that housed Bonnie's new office. When she left Briddle, she rented some office space in an office building in downtown Mystic Falls. He wasn't sure why he was surprised when she texted him and asked him to meet at this address. Ever since she left Briddle, he thought she worked out of her apartment—he had no reasoning behind it, it was just what he thought.
After signing in at the security desk, he pretended not to notice the stares and whispers. Previously to Olivia's death, stares and whispers actually made him grin. The women who looked at him with a face of appreciation always stroked his ego. Now? When someone stared and whispered when he walked passed them, he knew that they were gawking and whispering about the accused murderer in their presence, "Fuck my life," he mumbled as he stepped on the elevator and the doors closed. He watched the numbers rise and the more time he spent going over the way people looked at him, the more depressed he became. How was it that a couple of weeks ago, he was at the top of his game, one of the best attorneys around and all of that went up in smoke. Everything about his personal relationship with Olivia was a mistake. She was a sweet woman, but he never should have crossed the line.
The elevator chime brought him out of his thoughts and he stepped off onto the plush carpet to a collection of office doors on both sides. He proceeded down the hallway to the suite where Bonnie's office was located. He knocked on the door and within a few moments, the door opened and Bonnie was standing in front of him. It had been a couple of days since he laid eyes on her and she truly was the most amazing sight he'd seen in days. She was dressed in a black pants suit, a lacy red shirt under it and her hair was up in a tight bun. She was stunning and he couldn't deny that he had never been more attracted to her than that moment, "Hi," he managed to squeeze out.
"Hello," she answered turning around and walking through the suite to her office, "this is different for me, but you know what…I like it," she looked around with a small smile, "the only rules for this office are the ones that I make."
"Being a solo practitioner has its perks. It was the best decision I ever made," Damon smiled taking a seat in one of the office chairs, "I didn't expect you to be dressed like that, you just got back this morning, right?"
"I did. I actually have a motion hearing today," Bonnie replied, sitting behind her desk.
"Really?"
"Yes…so I looked over the lab results earlier."
"Before we get to that, how was your visit with your father?" Damon asked.
Bonnie stared at him for a moment. She hadn't expected him to ask or even care, "It was good. We worked some things out. I understand him better, he understands me better…we're in a better place. I'm in a better place than I was."
"I'm happy for you Bon. I know that was something that you needed to do for awhile now."
She shrugged, "I did. It's just interesting that Kol was the one who forced me to do it."
"Kol," Damon growled.
"Damon, remember what I said…"
"I do, that's why Kol Mikaelson is still walking around without any broken bones and the absence of a black eye."
Bonnie smirked, "The test results…let's talk about that, I read them…" she walked over to her desk and took a seat.
"And…?" Damon asked leaning forward.
A slight smile spread across Bonnie's face, "It's good news for us…well I hope it's good news, there were traces of Rohypnol found in your blood."
Damon blinked, "Someone roofied me?"
"Unless you decided to take Rohypnol yourself, yes," Bonnie replied.
"That's why I felt like I was hung over when I woke up on the floor and why I don't remember everything that happened that night."
"That is definitely the reason," Bonnie stated, "whomever killed Olivia wanted you incapacitated."
"But I had to have done something, I had bruises on my hands…"
"Maybe you fought the person before passing out."
Damon nodded as he felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. His mouth went dry and he gripped onto the chair, "Or I did it and just can't remember…I did it before I passed out…"
"Damon, I read the report…you can read it, the amount of Rohypnol in your system wouldn't exactly allow you to do much. The person who killed Olivia set you up and they may have done whatever they needed to in order to make you look guilty. This is good news Damon, its some of the best news we've had in this case yet."
Damon smiled, "You're right. This is good news."
"It is…and that's why I need you to keep that attitude, when I tell you this next part."
"What?"
"I made a motion to get this report entered into evidence for the trial and the DA is challenging its authenticity."
Damon's eyes went wide, "You have to be kidding me!" he stood up from the chair and began pacing the office, "they doubt the authenticity, they think I made up those results!"
"No, they think you paid a lab to say whatever you wanted."
"That's bullshit!" Damon exploded, "I can't believe this!"
"Damon…"
"My life has been in a steady downward spiral since that night! I can't work! I can't sleep! I'm losing everything!" Damon ran his hands through his hair, "this is so fucked up."
Bonnie stood up and walked over to face him, "I was able to get a hearing with Judge Poden about this. I have this. Trust me."
Damon stared down at her, "I'm sorry, I know you are doing everything you can."
"I believe you Damon. I am fighting for you, but I need you to keep the faith here…you understand."
He nodded, "I don't deserve your help and I don't take any of it for granted."
"I know," she looked into his eyes.
"What time is the hearing?"
"3:30 and I am going alone, I will come to your place and update when it's over."
"Ok…ok. Can I at least come to the courthouse?" he asked.
"Absolutely not," she shook her head.
"Ok," Damon cast his head down, "but I would be good."
"Liar," Bonnie laughed hitting him in the chest, he took her hand and caressed it softly with his thumb as her eyes met his, "Damon…"
"I really do appreciate everything you're doing Bonnie," he lowered his voice.
"I know."
There was a moment when the air changed around them as they both studied each other's faces, maybe waiting for the other one to make a move, "I…have to get to the courthouse," Bonnie slowly removed her hand from his, "I will see you later."
"Ok," Damon whispered hating that they weren't touching any longer.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
Bonnie stood outside of the Courtroom 606 waiting for Judge Poden's clerk to call her in. She wasn't exactly nervous, but there was something stirring in her stomach that told her that she was a little nervous. This was an easy hearing and she was confident that she would win, but she was also going up against one of her former colleagues and it set her on edge.
"Bonnie Bennett," Logan Fell called out from behind her.
"Shit," Bonnie mumbled plastering a smile on her face and turning around, "Logan, it's been a long time."
"Yes, it has."
"I'm surprised they sent you, I didn't think a measly motion hearing would warrant the great ADA Logan Fell's presence," Bonnie fake curtsied.
"Cute Bonnie, always being cute. This is an important case for the office and they would send the best."
"Still the same cocky bastard you were, when you were my supervisor, huh?"
"Same…no…better, yes."
"Oh yay," she rolled her eyes, "but can you tell me why you guys are fighting the test being introduced into the case file?"
"Because this is a high profile case. He was found with the victim, her blood was all over him, the weapon was wiped clean but we are pretty sure that he's the one who used it…he was sleeping with her, the list goes on and her family is pushing to have this handled and not cut any corners. So that means, there will be no deal Bonnie."
"We would never accept a deal," Bonnie countered.
Logan raised an eyebrow, "Confident, are you?"
"Aren't I always?"
"So do you think after your client starts serving his jail sentence, you will be ready to come back to the DA office?"
"You want someone like me at the DA's office? Did you hear that I spectacularly flubbed the Lockwood divorce case and now I'm defending the attorney who beat me."
"I know all of that, but I also know that you're a good trial attorney…mostly because you were trained by me."
"Oh shut up…" Bonnie laughed.
"But you are good and you were one of the best until that unfortunate night…"
"Yeah, well…I've moved on."
"So you have," Logan nodded.
"Counselors, Judge Poden is ready now," the court clerk announced opening the door to the courtroom.
"Logan, get ready to go back to the office and let them know they need a new game plan," Bonnie moved into the courtroom with Logan following behind her. She took her her position on the left side of the courtroom as Judge Poden looked over her glasses at the both of them.
"Miss Bennett, it's been a long time and you're on the opposite now," Judge Maggie Poden smiled down at her.
"It has been, but you know I've been spreading my wings."
"That's a good thing," Judge Poden stated turning to Logan, "and Mr. Fell, I'm surprised to see you. I guess this is an important motion hearing for you to be here."
"Well the Commonwealth takes this case very seriously, a woman was horribly murdered by her lover…an attorney…we take this very seriously," Logan made his impassioned speech and Bonnie did all she could not to roll her eyes.
"Uh, huh," Judge Poden remarked without an ounce of emotion, "you mind telling me exactly why you want to…" she lowered her head and read the paper, "suppress these laboratory results during the trial."
"Well your honor, we have no evidence that these test results are actually valid nor have they been authenticated," Logan explained.
"Really Logan?" Bonnie scoffed.
"Your Honor, Mr. Salvatore is very wealthy and he's an attorney. The laboratory report is from an independent lab that Mr. Salvatore could have paid enough money to in order to get whatever result he wanted."
"Your Honor, Mr. Fell is clearly reaching. The test results are valid and authenticated. In fact, the police failed to test Mr. Salvatore when they brought him into the station. He was sluggish, disoriented and appeared to not remember what occurred—it should have been clear to the trained professionals that he could have been drugged. However, Mr. Fell is correct. The results were tested by an independent lab that Mr. Salvatore paid for, but I anticipated that his wealth would be an argument used by the Commonwealth to suppress these results and that is why, I made sure that the sample was also sent to the Commonwealth's approved laboratory site and their results are right here," Bonnie removed a folder from her bag, "you will see your Honor…," Bonnie began as the clerk removed the folder from Bonnie's hand and handing it to Judge Poden, "that those results were authenticated and validated by the same laboratory that the Commonwealth uses for processing. Mr. Fell would you like a copy of the results?" Bonnie smiled over at Logan.
Bonnie could feel Logan wishing he had lasers for eyes as he stared back at her, "Yes," he stated through clenched teeth.
"Mr. Fell, does the Commonwealth have any additional arguments as to why these results should be suppressed?"
Logan thumbed through the folder that Bonnie handed him, "We have no more objections."
"Very well, the laboratory results will not be suppressed."
"And based on that ruling Your Honor, I would like to make a motion to drop all charges against Mr. Salvatore. It's clear that he could not have committed the crime he is accused of due to the amount of…"
"Miss Bennett, you got a small win today…take it," Judge Poden winked at her with a smile.
Bonnie nodded, "Thank you Your Honor…but you know I had to try," Bonnie smiled.
"Indeed. Now, if there is nothing else—we are adjourned," Judge Poden stood from her chair and walked towards her chambers.
"You know Logan, these lab results will blow a hole through your entire case," Bonnie smiled, "I suggest you go tell the MFPD to search for a new suspect and fast."
"Oh Bonnie, this is not over. Don't call victory just yet, you would be surprised how many every day citizens hate attorneys," Logan winked before walking past Bonnie and out of the courtroom.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
"So your attorney disappeared for three days with no contact and you're trusting her with your life?" Giuseppe shook his head as the Salvatore family gathered in Damon's living room, "I don't understand how you could do that?"
"Because she's good, I trust her and frankly, she's not required to be available to me 24/7. If I need her, I know how to find her," Damon sighed rubbing his eyes.
"Damon, I think you should let me call Martin. We can have him here in an hour and he can take over."
Damon stood up from the couch, walking over to Giuseppe and staring directly in the older man's eyes. He saw Stefan stand up from his chair watching the two men size each other up, "Stefan, stand down. Father, I've stated this before and I will say it again—Bonnie is my attorney. She will stay my attorney. She is doing everything that I want her to do. Leave it at that."
"It's your life," Giuseppe sighed shakings his head.
Damon opened his mouth to speak, but the doorbell ringing stopped him, "That's probably Bonnie, I will get it and Father, she is my attorney and she's my friend. You give her the respect that she deserves," Damon warned.
Giuseppe's eyebrows raised as he watched Damon head to the front door. Damon wasn't sure why his hand was shaking as he walked to the door. Maybe it was the fact that he knew that if those test results were suppressed, there was no way in hell Bonnie would get him acquitted of killing Olivia. When he opened the door, Bonnie stood there on the step with an unreadable look on her face. "Hey," she smiled.
"Hi…come in…the family's all here."
"Oh…are they?" Bonnie asked surprised.
"Yes, I think they came to support me," Damon rolled his eyes while they walked towards the living room, "but I'm pretty close to a nervous breakdown, so they are doing their usual job."
"It will be ok," she commented walking into the living room.
Bonnie took in Lily, Giuseppe and Stefan staring at her expectantly. She remembered Damon mentioning his family was there, but she didn't connect the dots until this minute. The way Giuseppe watched her basically sent a message that he was unimpressed. From Damon's description of him, she could tell that he was old school and old school usually meant sexist when it came to lawyers.
"Bonnie, it's so nice to see you again," Lily smiled warmly.
"You too Mrs. Salvatore…Mr. Salvatore," she turned to them both, "so umm…"
"I told them, so you can just let me have it. Am I winner today?"
Bonnie could feel the tension in the room and at that moment, she felt the weight of on her own shoulders, "Well we won the battle today," Bonnie answered.
Lily clasped her hands and grinned as Giuseppe nodded his approval. Damon looked down at Bonnie, "Thank you," he replied.
"It's what you pay me for," she shrugged, "the DA's office are ready for war, but so are we. If it comes to that."
Damon raised an eyebrow, "Umm…excuse us," he stated to Lily, Giuseppe and Stefan, "Bonnie, can you follow me for a minute…"
"Umm…sure," she followed him out of the living room to his office down the hallway.
Once they reached the office, which also made Bonnie shiver because she remembered the last time she was in here. Their clothes were all over the place and Damon was making her see stars. She shook her head to get the memory out, "This was one of my favorite places to be with you," Damon stated, "but I want to know what you meant out there?"
"What do you mean?"
"It it comes to that…what did that mean, Bonnie? I'm not taking a deal."
"I would never suggest you would. I meant, if this even goes to trial."
"It's going to trial, they wanted to suppress lab results for heavens sakes. Luke is camped out at the Plaza Condos to make sure that I am prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
"I mean, if the real killer is found. They will have to drop the charges against you."
"Bonnie, there is no one else. The Mystic Falls PD sure as hell ain't looking for anyone else."
"They don't need to, there are only two people it could possibly be anyway," Bonnie shrugged.
An eerie feeling climbed up Damon's back and stood on his shoulders as he stared back at Bonnie, "Bonnie."
"What?"
"Tell me you are not trying to find the real killer?" Damon studied her.
"What? Of course not!" she whispered.
Damon narrowed his eyes, "You did visit Tyler Lockwood."
"I did and I don't think he had anything to do with it," she shrugged, "look, they drugged you and whomever killed Olivia and framed you…they wanted to see you suffer for it. They are still around and they will slip up somehow."
"But promise me that you're not going to go around trying to find them. I have more faith in you than anyone else in this world. I know you will help me get acquitted in the courtroom."
"I promise," Bonnie smiled, "stop worrying."
"Right," Damon studied her face, but for some reason he couldn't shake the feeling that she was lying to him.
Damon's right not to trust Bonnie here…she has something up her sleeve.
Rudy and Bonnie are making some strides, but he still has a way to go—but it's a start.
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