Title: I've Got You
Pairing: Winnie/Spike
Genre: Multi-genre fic angst, drama, hurt/comfort, friendship, family, and eventually romance
Rating: T, mainly due to the subject matter at the beginning.
Summary: Winnie turns to Spike after the unthinkable happens to her. Will this lead to more than friendship down the road?
A/N: Hello everyone its been a while and I would like to take this time to announce that despite what it may have appeared like this story and I have not completely disappeared off the face of the earth. We both just got buried under a pile of stress due to the craziness of real life. I'm finally emerging though and as a result so is this story hopefully updates will get get back to somewhat of a regular posting schedule. One two times a week is the goal and hopefully I can stick with it. Anyways before I rattle on anymore I just want to thank everyone for the great reviews on the last chapter. Now for another chapter at last. Enjoy and as always leave a review so that I know what you think.
Chapter 12:
Winnie remained a bundle of nerves the following day and evening in anticipation of the hearing that Friday despite all of Spike's best efforts to ease her worries and take her mind off of it. It was still weighing heavily on her this morning. freshly out of the shower she was now trying to choose what outfit to wear from what Jules had brought over to her the night before. She'd actually intended to go into her apartment last night herself but had literally had a panic attack as she was getting out of Jules car so Jules had offered to do it. Knowing barely a week after the attack it was way to soon for Winnie despite how brave she was trying to be the smaller woman had ordered Winnie to stay put and Sam to stay with her. A few minutes later she had emerged with the outfits that Winnie was now finally trying to decide between. What the hell did you wear in a situation like this anyways? It wasn't everyday you found yourself going to court to face the man who had just recently attacked you a little over a week ago. Shaking her head she finally decided on keeping it a little more casual and comfortable so the suit was definitely out. With that in mind she slipped on her always faithful black dress slacks, a loose fitting green tank, and topped it off by buttoning up the matching cardigan.
A few minutes later she looked at herself in the mirror. She'd pinned a few just a few pieces of her curls back and kept her make up to a minimum. as a result you could still see the fading bruise that decorated her face and neck. Calling it good she slipped on a pair of dressy flats and opened Spike's bedroom door just as he was about to knock.
"Morning," She greeted softly.
He replied with the same greeting before adding, "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be," She answered.
Spike nodded and pulled her into his arms whispering, "Everything's going to be fine. Just look at me the whole time. "
Winnie nodded against before pulling away with a small brave smile on her face.
Spike returned her smile with one his own before the two of them grabbed jackets and headed out the door. 20 minutes later Spike pulled up in front of the courthouse and Winnie had to take a deep breath before she nodded and the two of them made their way inside. Once inside the two of them were greeted by the prosecutor and the ADA that were presenting her case as well as Detective Adams.
After chatting for a couple minutes and going over what was going to take place inside the courtroom Winnie excused herself. She just needed a few moments to collect herself and get rid of the nerves that were threatening to get the best of her. Once alone in the ladies restroom she gave herself what felt like the one millionth pep talk. Reminding herself all she had to do was recount her story the same way she had several times already. That all she had to do was calmly answer the defense's questions even if they were just like the questions that upset her the night of the attack.
With that in mind she made her way out and was barely twenty feet away from the restroom when she sensed someone behind her. She knew it was him before he spoke.
"Winnie," She heard him start to say as she stiffened up and became still with fear.
"You aren't supposed to be anywhere near me," She quietly. "There's a restraining order remember?"
Josh shook his head cockily as Winnie forced herself to turn around and face him.
"We need to talk." He continued.
"No we don't." Winnie bluntly argued.
"Yeah actually we do," He said as he daringly took a step closer to her.
Winnie backed up and almost jumped when she felt an arm come around her. Then Spike was standing in front of her shielding her from Josh.
"If you know what's good for you'll walk away now." She heard Spike say menacingly.
"What are you her protector now," Josh scoffed, "Or you the reason she really broke up with me? Did she fight you as much as me when you were getting in her pants?"
Winnie felt Spike tense up and knew if he could he'd tear Josh a part limb for limb. "Again I repeat you need to to walk away now." Spike ordered. "You've already stamped your ticket back to jail. Let's not make it any worse."
Josh just laughed before doing just that walk away. Once he was gone. "You okay, did he hurt you," Spike asked looking her over.
"I'm. I'm okay," Winnie answered shakily. "I just want to go get this over with so we can go home and I can fall apart in your arms because that's all I want to do right now."
Spike nodded and pulled her close, "Okay lets do that I've got you, remember that. And I'll be there later okay, sweetheart."
Winnie nodded against him then pulled away and gathered herself. Holding his hand they made their way back to the entrance of the courtroom where Spike informed everyone what had just taken place. They all nodded before they were called into the courtroom.
