Chapter 35: Court Appearance
Buffy and William were subpoenaed after all.
It had been three months and they were trying to get ready for their wedding and didn't want to have to deal with Angel issues but they came as requested.
Each had to stand in front of the court after listening to their recorded messages and state that permission was given to use the recorded messages, it was indeed their voice as well as the whole truth.
Buffy tried not to look at Angel the whole time she was on the stand but at times had looked up when asked a question.
She shook in fear as she noticed Angel glaring at her.
It made her feel very uneasy and she kept praying that her time would be over soon.
But she did well and held her ground repeating what the judge asked her to repeat.
As she stepped down she almost collapsed from shaking so bad and William was allowed to carry her back to her seat in the audience where he quietly held her until she calmed down.
They still had one more part in the court case that they had to play.
They had to do the same with the statements about the injuries both had sustained by Angel and his men.
Buffy was so nervous as she went home that night knowing that she would be called back the next day to do the same thing with images of her back then battered body being plastered on the large screen.
She didn't want to stand in front of Angel again.
He still scared her so much. She couldn't seem to forget what might have happened to her if Anya hadn't of read the newspaper that day or if Xander hadn't of called William.
She cried in William's arms the minute they hit their hotel room and William held her tight feeling helpless as he watched her cry herself into a fitful state of sleeping.
He watched her sleep as he continued to held her tight and fell asleep himself dreading the next day's court appearance.
Buffy wore a beautiful red dress that William had picked out for her and her favorite earrings and necklace that she had often said made her feel special and like a princess.
He had hoped it would help her feel better and respond better to the appearance.
Buffy was called first this time.
As images of her bruised body was shown on the screen and his abuse was described, Buffy sank lower and lower into the chair.
She watched Angel glare more and more towards her.
Buffy whimpered out the responses, gripping the stand in front of her with all her strength turning her hands and knuckles white.
She silently prayed for strength before finally turning towards William who smiled at her and whispered, "You are doing just fine pet. Just keep going."
Buffy felt a little braver and gave William a smile before turning to the judge and in a braver voice replied to his questions.
After a horrifying hour on the stand, Buffy was asked to step down and Doctor Ben took the stand.
Buffy clung to William knowing his turn would be next and wanting to settle down before he left her to go on the stand.
Just as she was about to feel better, William was requested up on the stand and he took off his duster and covered Buffy up with it and the judge smiled at what a sweet gesture that was and William took the stand.
He was clear and strong as he talked.
He explained where his injuries was, how he got them, identified three men on the screen that were his victims and clearly identified Angel as the person he hit.
He stated in a clear fashion when asked, that he was angry after hearing the abuse Angel had put Buffy through and was not thinking clearly.
He apologized for the results of his disorderly conduct but not for protecting his woman.
The juries started talking among themselves but the judge called for order again in her court and William was asked to step down.
He immediately picked up Buffy and set her in his lap to comfort her for a few minutes knowing it might be another day before they hear the results.
Again Doctor Ben was called to the stand and William cuddled Buffy close hoping to make her feel better.
As expected, the court was adjourned until the next morning when sentencing would take place.