"...What are you doing here, kid?" Detective Badd stopped midway through the courtroom lobby as Bobby came racing towards him.
He'd made it, with moments to spare.
Breathless but relieved, Bobby's smile grew wider and he directed it squarely at the favorite of all his training officers. "Sir! I only... " He immediately realized he hadn't properly addressed Detective Badd and started over, this time with an enthusiastic salute. "Sir, I only want to audit the trial. I'm sure watching you and Mr. Faraday in court will be among the very best training I can receive!"
"Kid... when I said I was testifying in a trial this weekend, that wasn't open invitation for any of you lot to join."
"Please, Detective Badd!" Bobby was desperate; his clunky secondhand car had been giving him trouble since he'd driven home last night, and he'd woken up an hour early just to make sure it'd be running. Thank goodness, too, because he'd used that hour in its entirety to get it to start. He wasn't going to just turn around and leave now! "I have a tablet and everything, ready to take notes!" He showed off the notepad, already scribbled full with everything he'd jotted down during his month of training.
"You're not even sworn in yet, Fulbright." Detective Badd threw a quick glance over his shoulder, through the courtroom's open doors, likely worried that Mr. Faraday might be concerned what happened to his partner.
"I know, Sir, I do, and - "
"And it's a nice Saturday morning. Your day off... shouldn't a kid your age be out... I don't know. Not hanging around a courthouse, that's for sure."
"Justice never takes a day off! Please, Sir, I know I should have asked beforehand but I barely even slept last night. That's how excited I was - how excited I still am! " He knew what Detective Badd was getting at; here Bobby was, the youngest in his rookie class – still a teenager, even, for a few more months. For everyone else his age, summer meant chilling with friends down at the pool or sleeping off a wild night out or taking extra credit classes at the local community college.
Not Bobby Fulbright. He might not have had the badge yet to prove he was an officer of the law, but his heart had always worn that label. Every hour of the day, and every day of his life.
"The trial of State versus Peña will now reconvene!" The judge's booming voice echoed out into the lobby. One of the bailiffs guarding the door reached for the handle to push it closed, but instantly retracted when Detective Badd shot him a wordless warning.
With the same flinty glare, Detective Badd regarded Bobby, who didn't let his hopeful smile droop for even a split-second. He wanted to watch the trial so bad, and just as he opened his mouth to continue his protest, Detective Badd waved it off with a tired sigh.
"Sit in the gallery... keep your head down and mouth shut." Detective Badd paused to dig around in his jacket's inner pocket. "Here. This'll help." He tossed something tiny and thin at Bobby, who reflexively lifted his free hand to catch it.
A lollipop! The wrapper indicated it was a "mystery flavor", which made Bobby very happy... the suspense of it all! That was just like Detective Badd, and Bobby hadn't felt any more honored to receive candy in his whole life.
With no chance to unwrap it, Bobby followed Detective Badd into the courtroom, then branched away to find somewhere, anywhere to sit. The only place he could find with a decent view was in the second-to-last row, angled above the defense's bench.
The murmuring throughout the gallery swiftly extinguished when the judge pounded his gavel and called for order. Bobby listened intently as Mr. Faraday gave a summation of the previous day's proceedings – of, as far as Bobby could tell, undeniable proof that the defendant, Ms. Hallie Peña, was guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murdering her husband's mistress.
Bobby had his own little mystery to solve; namely, the flavor of the lollipop Detective Badd had given him. It was a bold red, and he could smell it before even sticking it in his mouth: strawberry. One of his favorites!
He enjoyed it for almost a full minute before a strong, clear female voice declared to one and all that "The defense is ready."
Bobby looked, really looked at the attorney behind the defense's bench, and that was all it took for the lollipop to fall from his gaping mouth, landing on the brand new pair of white boat shoes he'd bought with his first paycheck.
It was a price he was willing to pay in return for being able to witness that poised, confident stance; sharply tailored teal suit; eyes well-defined with dark liner, highlighting the fearlessness in them.
And her earrings. The scales swinging, glinting bright as she tucked a long strand of black hair behind her ear. They were so striking – she was so striking! – that Bobby was tempted to lower the sunglasses resting upon his forehead. Even though Gram always scolded him for wearing his sunglasses indoors, he couldn't help how blinded he suddenly was.
She'd always been an idea, a symbol, a representation of the path Bobby wanted his life to follow. Never in a thousand years did he believe he'd actually see her in person, or that she'd be so stunning.
Lady Justice.
Yup, welcome to my crack-pairing hell. Anyway, there actually is a purpose to this story; it leads up to the events of AAI-4, or, at least my take on it. updates for this will be kind of sporadic but I will say that I really really do enjoy planning and writing what I have so far, so who knows. Feedback is always appreciated, and thanks for reading!