A/N: Thanks for the reviews. We are closing in on the last few chapters of this story...
Chapter Twenty-one: Court
Tampa, FL
"Good morning, my name is Frank Gallagher and I am the prosecutor for the case of Quinn Gallagher vs. Nigel Tobin. On August sixth in two thousand and twelve Nigel Tobin raped Quinn Gallagher in the female toilets of the Rusty Bar. He had watched her walk into those bathrooms alone and locked the door to prevent her from escaping. He threatened to kill Quinn Gallagher, a young female who was enjoying a game of pool with her boyfriend and close friends before he violently assaulted her," Frank turned and pointed to Nigel as he spoke those words, slowly walking in front of the silent jury, "Ladies and Gentlemen – at the end of hearing this case, we ask for a verdict of guilty, plain and simple."
In her seat, Quinn smoothed the material of her grey business pants, biting on her lower lip. She knew in the row of seats in the public seating section behind her sat Jon, her heavily pregnant sister, her mother, Saraya, Joe, Colby and even William Regal himself.
"This case is about a man who thought he had the right to sexually attack an innocent woman. A man who destroyed a young woman's mental state of mind through his actions that she nearly lost her own life in the moments following the attack. A man, who years later, again tried to break her in her work place by attempting to get her alone once more – when she was injured and defenceless. This man will try to tell you he is mentally sick but Ladies and Gentlemen, I will show you and make you understand that he is fully aware of his actions and should he walk free, he will do it again."
Quinn kept her eyes focused on her father and refused to look at the opposite table where Nigel sat.
"The prosecution will present the following witnesses," continued Frank, "Quinn Gallagher – the victim of the rape. She will discuss the events of the night and what effect it has had on her life. Nigel Tobin – the assailant. In his own words, he will tell what he did to destroy Quinn's hopes and dreams. Officer Kenna Mack – she will be able to tell you about what state Miss Gallagher was found in after the rape. Nurse Mary Gardner – she will be able to tell you what state Miss Gallagher arrived at the hospital in. Jonathon Good – the boyfriend of Miss Gallagher who will discuss how Quinn was before the rape and after. William Regal – someone who worked closely with Quinn in her career and will tell you the effect it has had since. Doctor Jenny Lane – the psychologist who helped Quinn after the assault and can describe Quinn's mental state at various stages. Doctor Jordan Lang – the physio therapist who helped Quinn overcome physical damage sustained in the moments following the rape. Lastly, we will call on Doctor Jeremiah Jones – a government psychologist who will testify that Nigel Tobin is in no way mentally ill and was fully aware and in control of his deplorable actions."
Quinn saw movement out of the corner of her eyes from the defence table. She lifted her gaze to look at her father and couldn't help but admire how strong and stern he looked giving the opening statement of the case.
"Now, the defence will try to inform you that Miss Gallagher's accusations of rape came four years after the event but once you hear the evidence and hear what Miss Gallagher herself has to say and then I want you to ask yourself if you would have been able to come forward and tell the authorities. I can guarantee you will see the reasons why Miss Gallagher kept silent. Also, there are plenty of cases in which the victim resisted in reporting the crime for years longer – sometimes up to thirty years and yet the rapists were all convicted of their heinous crimes," Frank paused, turning to face the jury, his hands at his side as he looked at each member, "When the case is concluded we ask you find the defendant guilty of his crimes and locked away for the safety of not only Miss Gallagher, but also for the safety of your daughters, sisters, wives, aunts, mothers and grandmothers. Thank you."
Frank moved and sat down next to Quinn. He reached over and gently squeezed her hand to which Quinn responded with a soft smile.
The defence's opening statement was much like Frank had predicted. It was shorter then Frank's with them stating they would speak with Quinn, Nigel, Nigel's brother, the owner of the Rusty Bar, a counsellor of Nigel's and his doctor. They simply asked that Nigel to be allowed to walk free with Quinn offering a public apology for slandering his name. This caused plenty of displeased sentiment from behind Quinn.
"Let us begin with the first witness for the prosecution – Mr Gallagher, please call your first witness," ordered the female judge with grey eyes and dark hair pulled back in a tight bun.
"Thank you, your Honour. The prosecution calls Quinn Gallagher to the stand."
Quinn stood up, letting out a brush of nervous breath. She smoothed down her light blue blouse and walked over to the stand.
An officer stepped forward and Quinn placed her hand on the bible and held the other up.
"Do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"
"I do," nodded Quinn.
The officer nodded and allowed Quinn up to the stand where she sat nervously on the hard, wooden chair.
Frank walked forward and gave Quinn a soft smile, "Quinn, how often did you go to the Rusty Bar?"
"Once every couple of weeks. It was a fun place to shoot a game of pool with mates or gather to watch NFL games," answered Quinn.
"Would you say the staff at the Rusty Bar knew you?"
"A few of them did."
"Was Nigel Tobin one of them?"
"I wasn't familiar with him. The night he raped me was the first time I had met him."
"Could you point to Nigel Tobin for the court?"
Quinn sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly before she opened them and finally looked at Nigel. He sat in his seat with a smug look on his face. Quinn pointed to him, her eyes flaring with hate and anger, "That man there is Nigel Tobin."
"And what did Nigel do to you, Miss Gallagher?"
"He raped me."
"Can you describe for the court and jury the events of the sixth of August in two thousand and twelve?"
Quinn nodded, "Yes. I-I arrived at the Rusty Bar after training-"
"What were you training for?" interrupted Frank – he had warned Quinn the night before that he would cut in at times for her to clarify facts for the Jury and the Judge.
"I was signed to Florida Championship Wrestling – part of the World Wrestling Entertainment… I guess better known as the WWE," said Quinn.
"Thank you for clarifying that. Please continue."
"I arrived at the Rusty Bar after training. I got there about five-thirty. My boyfriend at the time – Jonathon Good – and my friends were already there. They'd finished before I had. I joined them at the pool table. We started playing a few rounds of pool. I didn't drink because I had driven to the Bar and figured there would be a few who would need a lift home later. Umm, at about eight-thirty that night I had needed to go to the bathroom. I told Jonathon where I was going-"
"Did anyone offer to go with you?" asked Frank.
"Yes. Jonathon said he would come with me and wait outside but I told him no."
"Why?"
"We were familiar with the security guards. I felt safe," said Quinn, twirling her engagement ring on her finger, "When I got to the bathroom there wasn't a line up so I went in and went to the bathroom," Quinn's voice faltered as she neared having to talk about what Nigel did to her.
"Take your time," reassured Frank.
Quinn nodded, "Umm, when I came out of the stall I-I saw Nigel standing in there. I remember telling him he was in the wrong bathroom but h-he said he was where he was meant to be."
"Did Nigel Tobin seem confused at all to you?"
"No. No, he was certain with what he was saying… it was terrifying. I remember my body just getting this-this complete rush of fear."
"What happened after Nigel Tobin told you he was where he was meant to be?"
Quinn swallowed a lump in her throat and licked her suddenly dry lips, "I tried to get to the bathroom door but h-he grabbed me. He slammed me against the door and put his b-body against mine," tears started to trickle down Quinn's face as she continued to talk, "He held me by my hair, pulling hard and he-he gripped me by my hip. He said to not scream because no one would hear me."
"Then what happened?" asked Frank standing still and look directly at Quinn.
"He reached around and undid my pants. I tried to fight… I swear I tried but he slammed my head against the tiles and I got dizzy. He-he pushed me to the ground and forced my pants down and undid his… I-I couldn't look at him but he grabbed my face and told me I had to look him in the eyes. He said I would never want anyone after him. He," Quinn swallowed a lump in her throat again and let out a shuddering breath, "He penetrated me forcefully… I remember crying from the pain and he kissed me… bit me… licked my face. He pulled at my hair, grabbed my breasts and I just wanted it to stop… I just wanted it to finish… i-it did. When he finished, he made me look at him and said that he would ruin me if I told anyone… then he left me."
"What did you do after Nigel Tobin left the bathroom?"
"I got dressed. I left the bathroom and I saw the pool table. Jonathon… everyone was still there and they were having a great time," Quinn shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks, "I couldn't bring myself to ruin their night. Jonathon would know something was wrong. They all would a-and I didn't want to drag them into it… I-I blamed myself for what happened. I saw myself as weak and stupid for not stopping it… so I went to the bar and brought a bottle of vodka. I drank a quarter of it in one go and got in my car and left the bar. I just left – sped out of there… I-I wasn't thinking straight. I just needed to get away from that bar and Nigel as quickly as I could. I kept drinking and driving and then everything hit me. I lost control of the car after I nearly hit a truck… and I crashed."
"What do you remember after the crash?"
"I woke up in hospital," said Quinn with a frown, "William Regal was there. He said everything would be okay."
"Was everything okay?"
"No."
"In the crash you sustained injuries. What were they?"
"Concussion, a fracture to my thoracic spine and a dislocation of the hip causing a break to my pelvis… along with multiple cuts and grazes," rattled off Quinn, "I had surgery on my spine to repair the damage and a joint replacement to my hip."
"What about mentally?"
Quinn hesitated in answering.
"Your Honour, the witness is taking too long in answering," spoke Nigel's lawyer.
"Miss Gallagher, answer the question," spoke the Judge.
"I was a mess. I pushed everyone away, I left the FCW and hid from the world. I was contemplating suicide every waking moment for the first two months."
"How long did it take for you to physically recover?"
"Two years. I had to learn to walk, rebuild my strength and fitness. Then I had to get back to wrestling training."
"Mentally?"
"It was a year before I really opened up to my psychologist. I had to rebuild my self-esteem, confidence, sense of self… it was a long process but I got there."
Frank nodded, "No more questions your Honour."
"Defence?"
Nigel's lawyer stood up in her pencil skirt and walked over.
"It took you four years to accuse Nigel Tobin of rape. Why?"
"I was terrified. I didn't know what else he was capable of and I didn't want to risk him hurting the people I loved."
"Yet, you are now putting your loved ones through a court case."
"Objection! Your Honour, that is a statement and not a question."
"Withdrawn," stated the lawyer, "Have you been declared mentally sane, Miss Gallagher?"
Quinn frowned, "I am completely sane."
"Your medical records show you suffer depression and anxiety. Are you on medication?"
"I was. I stopped the medication a year ago."
"So, you could have suffered a relapse being around your old friends?"
"No, I haven't."
"Perhaps the stress of your career as caused delusions?"
"It hasn't."
"Your character, Harley, is considered crazy. Perhaps that is who you really are."
"Objection! Your Honour, the defence is bullying the witness!"
"Mrs Suda! I suggest you either ask Miss Gallagher relevant questions or end your questioning," barked the Judge.
"My apologies. No more questions, Your Honour."
"Miss Gallagher, you may step down."
Quinn stood and left the witness stand quickly. She sat down at her table and grabbed her glass of water, gulping it down quickly. She would much prefer to be in a Hell in a Cell match then facing this court hearing.
"Court is adjourned for two hours!" said the Judge with a bang of the gavel.
Quinn breathed Jon's scent in deeply her face pressed against his chest. His arms her wrapped around her securely, with Quinn's around him also.
"You were amazing," murmured Jon, pressing a kiss to her hair, "Don't let that bitch of a lawyer make you think any different."
Quinn leaned back and looked at Jon, "I don't know if I can handle all of this. Being in the same room as him… looking at him… it makes me want to be sick."
"Just know I am right behind you. Everyone is," said Jon reassuringly, "He won't be able to touch you again, Quinn… and if he ever tries I will kill him myself."
Quinn hugged Jon tightly in response wanting today finished with.
"Court is back in session! Prosecution, present your next witness," ordered the Judge.
"The prosecution calls Nigel Tobin to the stand," spoke Frank calmly.
Quinn kept her eyes on the table as Nigel walked forward and was sworn in. Her father walked forward and Quinn was curious as to how her father was going to approach the questioning of Nigel. When Quinn had questioned him the night before he had been rather evasive in his answer.
The court room was silent with the tension building.
"Is it true you had just started working at the Rusty Bar?" asked Frank, not looking at Nigel.
"Yes."
"Isn't it true you were fired from your last job at Metro City Bar in Orlando?"
"Yes."
"And weren't you fired because of sexual harassment towards a co-worker?"
"Objection!" shouted Nigel's lawyer, "What does this have to do with the current case?"
"I am merely establishing the defendants past behaviours to show his current characteristics," replied Frank.
"Sustained. Answer the question Mr Tobin," said the Judge.
"Yes."
"I would like to submit a new piece of evidence, your Honour," said Frank walking over to the table Quinn sat behind. He picked up a manila folder and handed it to the officer, who gave it to the judge, "This evidence shows that Nigel Tobin was arrested for attempting to assault his former co-worker. It was settled outside of court between Nigel and his parents and the victim."
"Your Honour, I ask that this evidence not be allowed. It holds no relevance to the current matters," argued Nigel's lawyer.
"No relevance?" shot back Frank, "This evidence is showing your client is a danger to society and has attacked before! It is showing he will most likely attack again should he be freed!"
"The evidence is accepted," decided the Judge after reading over the documents, "Continue with your questioning Mr Gallagher."
Frank nodded, "After you were fired, is it true you followed your co-worker to her car?"
Nigel shifted in his seat, "Yes."
"And is it true you approached her without her knowledge?"
"Yes."
"So, is it true you entered the female bathroom at the Rusty Bar after witnessing Quinn Gallagher enter?"
Nigel glared at Frank.
"You are under oath, Mr Tobin, so I suggest you answer the question and answer honestly," warned the Judge.
"Yes."
"Is it true in the carpark of Metro City Bar, you pushed the victim against the side of her car, trapping her there with your body on her own?"
"Yes," snapped Nigel bitingly.
"So, it's true then that you pushed Quinn Gallagher on the bathroom door in the female toilets at the Rusty Bar, trapping her there also – against her will?"
Nigel was breathing harshly, "Yes!"
"So it's true that on both occasions you saw lone, innocent women and decided you would take from them what you wanted?" said Frank quickly.
"I-what-no!"
"No?"
"No!"
"Is it true you went into the women's bathroom at Rusty Bar on August the sixth two thousand and twelve?" demanded Frank, his speech picking up speed.
"Yes!"
"Is it is true you saw Quinn Gallagher walk in there alone?"
"I did!"
"Is it true you aggressively pushed Quinn Gallagher against the bathroom door?"
"Yes!"
"It's true that you locked the bathroom door?"
"Yes!"
"Isn't it true then that you removed her clothing and sexually forced yourself onto her without her consent?"
Nigel was breathing heavily.
"Answer the question!" demanded Frank.
Quinn's heart was racing. She clasped her hands together on her lap, looking at the table.
"Yes… Yes, I did."
A murmur rippled through the court room with the Judge banging her gavel to regain order.
"No further question's, Your Honour," stated Frank, walking away and sitting in his seat next to Quinn.
Nigel's lawyer stood up and walked forward, her hands clasped together at the front, "Did you see Quinn Gallagher arrive at the Rusty Bar?"
"Yes."
"Could you tell me how she seemed that night?"
"She was touching everyone. Smiling. Flirty."
Quinn frowned, trying to remember back to that night. Was she touching everyone and flirty?
"So she was drawing attention from other people at the bar?"
"Oh yeah. Lots of people were looking at her."
Quinn shifted in her seat and could hear Jon muttering harshly behind her.
"Did Quinn Gallagher interact with you prior to going to the bathroom?"
"She had smiled at me a few times."
Quinn brushed her hair from her face. She did recall smiling at a few people when we went to the bar to get rounds of drinks but she didn't even recall seeing Nigel at the bar.
"So Quinn Gallagher was flirting with you?"
"Yeah… yeah she was."
Quinn jumped as a scuffle broke out behind her. She turned to see Joe and Colby forcing Jon to sit down. Quinn glanced at her father and he gestured for Joe and Colby to take Jon out of the court room.
"Did Quinn Gallagher say no?"
"No she didn't."
"No further questions, Your Honour," said Nigel's lawyer.
The judge nodded and Nigel left the stand and returned to his seat.
"Court will reconvene tomorrow at nine in the morning. Dismissed!" stated the Judge with a bang of her gavel.
Quinn found Jon pacing outside the court room and hurried over to him. Joe and Colby moved away and Quinn wrapped her arms around Jon.
"He is a fucking liar!" hissed Jon, holding Quinn close to him, "A fucking scumbag… shit… Quinn, how are you?"
Quinn shook her head, "Fine, fine. You know we are going to hear him and his lawyer say horrible shit about me."
"Doesn't make it any easier to hear, especially when we were all having fun playing pool."
Quinn leaned up and pressed a kiss to Jon's lips, "I know. William is letting our bosses know about the court hearing tomorrow. My dad is pretty certain you'll be called up either tomorrow or Friday."
Jon gave a nod and Quinn stifled a yawn, "Come on. Let's go back to the hotel and try and relax for a bit. You've been amazingly strong today, babe."
Quinn smiled warmly at Jon and with their arms around each other they left the court house.
A/N: More of the court case in the next chapter! Review!