Whenever I'm having a bad day I just look at all your sweet reviews! :) I love you all so much. Don't forget to let me know if there's anything you want to see here!
Teen Court for two years = I prob know more about law than the girl from legally blonde. I also know I never ever want to be a lawyer. I got too mad at stupid clients. Emergency Medicine ftw!
"Miss Holmes, if you will take the stand."
Sherlock leaned forward. He had not seen Lissie in nearly two months;would she be changed?
She rose and entered the little speaker's box, raising her right hand and going through all the formalities. She looked nice in a yellow shirtwaist dress, and she had straightened her hair. His sharp eyes found her rocking on her heels - a sure sign of nerves.
"May my client read her statement?" her attorney asked the judge. The judge nodded, an impressive figure in his white wig and robe. Everyone in the court leaned forward. Ordinarily, an attorney would question the client.
Lissie began , "Sherlock and I met under unusual circumstances. He was unaware of my existence until I was 15. When we met, things felt a bit awkward at first. How do you catch up on fifteen years?" She gave a wry smile. The jury laughed nervously.
"After spending a few nights at his flat, I was kidnapped by a madman. Sherlock rescued me. He gave me his coat to keep warm, carried me despite a broken shoulder, and ensured we both got out alive. He selected and enrolled me in my school (which I love), and took me to visit my mother's grave. I didn't appreciate what I had with Sherlock. I tried to do things my own way."
She looked up at the judge before continuing. "Things weren't perfect, and they certainly didn't go as planned. I'm sure others will tell you more about that. I'm here to tell you why I want Sherlock to be my guardian.
He loves me, and he understands me. Though I have only known him for a short time he's saved my life and cared for me in so many ways. He teaches me about his job, talks to me about current events..." She stopped reading off her paper and instead spoke simply.
"Your honor, I cannot imagine my life without him. To have found my father and never see him again would...be awful. I need Sherlock. The Houston's are kind but they are not and can never be as understanding as Sherlock."
She sat down. One of the jury members clapped, and Sherlock could see the Houston's attorney preparing to strike him from the list.
The judge intoned, "Thank you, Miss Holmes..." The legalities droned on, cold and flat, but the warmth of Lissie's speech nestled inside Sherlock and stayed there.
Lissie was dismissed, Lestrade testified.
Second day, Mr. Houston got up and blustered something. Ms. Houston cried and smeared her makeup, reapplying her lipstick in her compact.
Still Sherlock waited. Finally it was time for him to take the stand.
"Mr. Holmes. You want to be your daughter's legal guardian?"
"Yes, your honor." He was about to point out some deductions on the Houston's but he decided that might not be best. "I told her a few months ago that she was the best thing to ever happen to me. That still rings true."
"You honestly feel you're a suitable guardian?" The Houston's attorney put in snidely, tone implying much.
Sherlock rose. "Perhaps your clients do nor understand, sir, that love survives where snobbery and false piety do not."
The attorney bristled. "You are frequently in the newspapers for dangerous cases. Do you truly think your career is safe for children? Do you think of the danger-"
Mycroft leaned forward, but Lissie leapt up first, cutting the lawyer off."Objection, your honor. Badgering the person on stand, could also be a call for conclusions."
Sherlock watched in bemusement as his very proper brother awkwardly returned Lissie's discreet fist bump.
The judge passed a weary hand over his eyes. "You knowledge of the law is impressive, Miss Holmes,but you are not an attorney for this case. However, if the lawyer for Mr. Holmes would like to call this, I will acknowledge."
"Acknowledged. Would the attorney please change the line of questioning?"
The case wore on.
Eventually the jury retired for deliberation, and the Houstons, their family and friends left.
He sat there, feeling alone in the nearly empty courtroom, silent but for the court reporter's typing and the judge shuffling papers.
Lissie and the family she was currently with reappeared a few hours later, the Houston's shuffling in as well.
Now it was Lissie's turn to wait and observe. She saw Sherlock's fingers tapping into the railing of his viewing box and wondered if he was as nervous as she.
She managed to catch his eye, and gave a little wave. He winked.
The jury knocked, the judge gave the all rise, and Lissie suddenly found it hard to stand.
Her knees shook. How cliche that expression had always seemed! But now, as she tried to still her trembling body, she understood true fear.
Anyone interested in reading a 'The Other One' Sherrinford fic? I might post one, if you lovely people would read it?
