So here it is - no prizes for guessing what it is...
February 27th 2014 : The Verdict
It was just before 11.00am - 10.57am to be precise - as the jury walked out. Some left the room - the judge, the lawyers, Hunter - but in the gallery, no-one moved. Something told them that it would be pretty pointless to do so. They would be back very soon. This was not going to be one of those cases in which the jury debated for days on end, sequestered away in a hotel room. Yet as they waited, each minute seemed to take forever. "Do you think it would be wrong of us to summon up one of the boys and send them to the jury room?" Rachel thought out loud.
"I don't think that you can hold a séance in a court of law, Rachel," said Sebastian in a curt tone, gesturing with his head towards Flint and Beats, who were giving her a confused look.
"We've already been in Rach," said Finn's voice all of a sudden, "and there wasn't much to see - they were drinking coffee and eating blueberry muffins. I think they might have made their minds up already."
"Though if they have and don't come back in the next three minutes, Sue will kill them," said Kurt, materialising at Finn's side. "She's got a bet on with the rest of the press pack that they'll have a verdict in less than 30 minutes, and it's 11.24 now…"
At that, there was a sudden flurry of activity. "We have a verdict," said the guard on the door to the corridor. This was it. The moment when justice was done. All awaited it impatiently, apart from Sue - she was too busy collecting her winnings from the other journalists before they ran off.
The judge was the last person to return. She settled in her seat, and then called for the foreperson of the jury to deliver their verdict.
"On the charge of the Murder in the First Degree of Finn Hudson, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
"On the charge of the Murder in the First Degree of Kurt Elizabeth Hummel, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
"On the charge of the Attempted Murder in the First Degree of Blaine Devon Anderson, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
"And those are the verdicts of you all?"
"Yes ma'am. 100% unanimous."
As the first verdict was given, both Carole and Rachel had burst into tears, partly of grief but mainly of delight. He had died nearly a year ago now, and for so much of that time, they had thought they had lost a son, a soulmate, in a tragic accident. Now they knew differently. Now they had justice for him. He had died a terrible death by being what everyone had taught him to be - an honest, decent human being, dedicated to telling the truth. Nearby, Puck and Quinn were equally satisfied. His death had brought them back together. Puck like that, and the fact it had also given him a new purpose in life. But they both missed him, so much, and would gladly give up all that they now had to have him back. Nothing could bring him back - getting him justice helped.
As the second verdict was given, Burt smiled. He missed his son each and every day. As Carole had said just after Finn died, each morning he woke up, and for just a second, he thought it was all a dream. He had lost his only son, but had gained two new ones - Cooper and Rory. They could never replace Finn and Kurt, nor would they ever try to. They made him feel he was still a dad. That one day, a young child would still call him Gramps. Mercedes was also smiling, happy that her boo had got the justice that he deserved. He hadn't needed or deserved to be caught up in all of this, but if it had been Blaine killed and not him - well their positions would probably just have ended up swapped.
The final verdict gave Cooper and Sam a sense of peace for the first time in months. The fact that the judge had recognised Hunter's role in Blaine's death was appreciated and welcome. The verdict wasn't going to bring him back. The physical presence was never going to be there again for either of them. The whole sorry story had brought Cooper decent 'parents' who cared in Burt and Carole; a new 'little brother' in the shape of Sam; and it seemed, a chance of love with Grace Duval. He would still trade it all in to have Blaine there by his side. Sam had gained a share in a loft; money that he would use to pay himself and his siblings through college; and a place at NYADA, something that was beyond his wildest dreams. But like Cooper….
He looked around him, at the deep hug that Santana was giving Brittany; at the fist bumps that Artie and Kitty were giving to the nearest Warblers; at the reunited Mike and Tina; and at the looks of sheer relief on the faces of Nick, Jeff, Trent and Sebastian, now that their tormentor was going to get the punishment he richly deserved. Sam was satisfied, but oh, how he wished that he could turn the clock back to the start of the school year in 2012. Rewrite everything and start again. He wished he had the ability to ensure that Hunter Clarington had never gone to Dalton; and thus keep everyone alive and safe, as they so richly deserved to be…
They were all brought back from their thoughts by the judge. "Before I pass sentence, I would like to give the opportunity to those family members and friends of the victims of his crimes, who have not been called as witnesses in this case, to speak in front of this court. I would like to set on record the impact that these murders have had on the lives of those that are left behind. I am sure that there are things that you wish to be heard. Mr Clarington will not be in the dock - he will be removed to the cells once again to await sentencing. If anyone does wish to speak, could they make themselves known to the clerk during the lunch recess. This court will reconvene at 1pm."
With a bang of her gavel, she rose and departed the court, as people in the gallery began to decide if they wished to speak up.
