Disclaimer-I don't own NCIS

A/N-So, I hope this is alright, thanks to LeftMyHeartInParis, TeamCarisleandEsme8, and RhizOneill

enjoy

The trial – day 3

Today was the day she had been dreading, it was today that would push her limits. Testifying on Monday although it had been hard she had managed because she knew there was substantial evidence to back up her testimony. Yet today was the attempted murder change, and in that room it had been her and him, alone. What had been said no one else had heard, and that, that was what scared her. She awoke before Jethro, still curled up to him she smiled softly before she let her mind replay over the events of that morning nearly two weeks ago. She allowed herself for the first time to remember exactly what he had said. She just hoped, with everything inside that the fingerprints they had found would be enough when put with her testimony to send her down. But none of that faltered the fact she was absolutely terrified at the thought of what today would bring.

At 07 00 Jethro began to wake, and she smiled at him. Softly she kissed him before getting up and saying she was off for a shower. Jethro knew this trial was affecting her, although she was still the Jenny he loved, she was different, more withdrawn. And it was making him realise just how much of a strain on her this trial was taking. Jenny had been in England about three months now, and he didn't know how he would live without her. They'd all become so accustomed to having her bubbly person around. Abby loved her like she was her mum, it was strange but Jenny was the one who would look out for them all. Tobias was like her brother, he was the uncle to the rest of them. Things had changed since she came, she had changed. Jenny had become a part of them all, she'd wound her way into his heart. He'd gone back to being the man he was when Shannon was still around. Someone he hadn't been in a long time.

Whilst Jenny was in the shower he made the bed before going back downstairs to put on a pot of coffee, And Smiled at ducky. The older man was sat reading the paper with a cup of tea in hand. He'd never known Ducky much before, but now he seemed like a father figure, he was always there for Jenny, but in a strange way Jethro knew he was there for him too.

When he returned upstairs Jenny was sat on the bed in a pencil skirt and blazer with a white pin strip and pale pink blouse. The window was open as it finally looked like summer had come. She smiled great fully to her boyfriend and accepted the coffee whilst he went to get ready. Jethro in some ways had nearly moved in, since the accident they'd become inseparable. Jenny was brought out of her world by a beep from her laptop. She pulled it on her bed and opened an e-mail from Catherine.

Heyy :D

Sooo… if I'm honest I don't have much to say. I just wanted to know how u are I suppose. Uni is well over. I quit Jenny. I don't know why I just couldn't take it anymore. I didn't enjoy Sociology any more, learning was always more your thing. Anyway, so now I dance. Got this job at a better club, he gives me more hours but I'm still goldilocks. Before you ask I am no stripper, just a dancer! Don't go mad with me Jenny, I screwed up I suppose, but it's my life!

Cath 3

Jenny sighed, she knew it wouldn't be long until her friend quit. But she couldn't judge her. So with a smile she clicked reply.

Heya ;-)

The trial is what it is, hard. Day 3, oh joy! But it's gonna be tough today. I, I don't know what I can say. But, me and Jethro are good, he's here for me, and that's…that's what makes me carry on.

Babe, I wouldn't judge you, you have to do what is right for you. And if dancing is what you love then go for it Goldylocks. I miss ya Cath, and I know you said you'd come here but I've been thinking maybe I should visit LV, I haven't been over in a while and my dad's mate mark said he'll fly me for free, so I might come see ya soon.

I miss ya cath, keep dancingggg!

J. xx

She hit send with a sight before putting away her laptop and doing her hair. She tied it up in a bun before applying a little mascara and her heels. As she walked down the hall Jethro came out of the bathroom so she swayed her hips a little more. They joined Ducky in the kitchen, Jethro made some toast for him whilst she grabbed a yogurt and a refill of coffee.

"I was talking to Catherine earlier, I was thinking of going to visit when this things all over. I think I need to get away. We have a three week break from Uni in September, thought I might go then." Jenny said in a light hearted tone.

"I think that sounds like a good idea my dear."

"Yeah Jen." Said Jethro with a smile. He would miss her but he knew she was gonna need to get away.

"I'll ring Mark at the weekend, see if he has any flight to LV in those weeks."

The conversation was light; Jenny stomach was in knots by the time they left. And as soon as they were at the court room she was hurried off by her solicitor. Jenny wasn't the only one nervous though, Ducky and Jethro had seen the effect of the first part of the trial on her, and the second everyone knew was to be the harder part. They were both just nervous in case this proved too much for the red head. So as the pair took their seats in the courtroom they waited for their girl to make the stand.

"Today we will be dealing with the charge of attempted murder on Miss Jenifer Shepard. Mr Benoit, how do you plea to the charge?" questioned the judge.

"Innocent." He replied with a smirk.

"Prosecution please take the stand."

Jenny's solicitor stood up. "The charge facing Mr Benoit is not a light hearted one. Jennifer Shepard is a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her and yet was threatened and nearly taken away from her by this man. Miss Shepard, please talk us through the events of that morning."

Jenny took a deep breath. "I woke up at 0700 and Mr Benoit was stood in my room. He…the first thing he said was that 'I was more of a fighter that my father' I questioned him as to what he meant, he replied by saying they were 'acquaintances'. I noticed he was French, I told him my father was a good man in French, he replied also in French and said: it was a matter of opinion. I replied saying I did not understand-"

"In French?"

"Yes. We then went to English, he told me my father had been a traitor. That he'd offered my father a bribe and then shot him. The last thing I remember him saying was 'You on the other hand are a fighter. Now you know, it's over. Au revoir ma belle petite, bien dormir' " she flashed back to the night, the heartbeat monitor rising, then blackness, his fading figure and face. "He injected me, then…I … looked at the heart rate monitor, it rose…then….it was fuzz, blurry. I…he left I think. But I remember his face. He smelt of cigars and expensive liquor. His accent was strong but his French sounded almost like he was native English. I guess he must have been speaking English consecutively for a long time."

"Miss Shepard, I understand that this is hard, but this man, are you saying he admitted to the murder of your father?" questioned the judge.

"Yes your honour, I am."

There was a moment of discussion between the judge and another woman before he stood up. "The accusations of the murder of Jasper Sheppard are to be classed as irrelevant to this case and there for must not bias the decision of the jury." Stated the judge.

"Miss Sheppard, you were brutally attacked, and for that I am sorry. That is all your honour." The defence then stood up.

"Miss Sheppard, you say you spoke French with my client did you not?"

"I did yes."

"And, is it a language you are confident at speaking."

"It is yes."

"How long have you spoken it?"

"Nearing 12 years, my house maid would teach me it as a child."

"So, the chance of you becoming confused with the words my client said is possible."

"No, I could have this very conversation in French at this minute and I would understand it no less than I currently do."

"Very well. But at the time you had only just awakened, you had many injuries you must have been out of it."

"Sir, if you are implying that I miss heard what Mr Benoit said to me you would be wrong. I understood him clearly. As for anything he implicated himself, he said that in English."

The solicitor was taken aback. "Very well. At the time you allege my client f being in your room, you say there were no other witnesses'."

"Correct."

"So it is your word against his."

"your honour this line of questioning is an insult to the testimony of my client." Stated the prosecution.

"Very well, change your line of questioning." Stated the judge.

"Yes your honour. I only have one more question. For Miss Sheppard, how clearly do you remember the events of that morning."

"Crystal."

With that he sat down, and Jenny left the stand. The forensics once more appeared to show their evidence and by the end it seemed as though the defence had no rope remaining.

"Tomorrow we will have the defence present their evidence and hear the testimony from Mr Benoit. Court will re-join at 1930 hours tomorrow. Dismissed."

With that everyone left. As Jenny left the court house she waited for no one. She just walked. She walked and walked until she found the gym she was signed up at. She walked in; changed into the kit she kept in her locker and quickly found the punch bag. She was stressed, and upset. Mentioning her father's death had thrown her. Now all she wanted to do was run and hide. She was wearing her running leggings and a cropped purple sports top. He gloved fists hit the punch bag with force. Every ounce of pain, upset and anger that had been building up inside her was currently being let out through her fists. She attempted to kick as well but the searing pain in her ribs stopped her. With each punch her ribs hurt, but for now she allowed that pain to remind her she was alive, she was sick of playing numb. He arms moved faster, her fits hit harder as the tears flowed down her face. Jenny in that moment she let spare for the area around her was glad no one else was here. But as she let the sobs take over she felt familiar arms slowly stop her firsts and she sank into him. This time she let her sobs fill the room. Jethro held her, and had the worse feeling that she was hurting and he could do nothing to help because this was her fight, he was merely a spectator…

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xxx