The Way Things Could Be
Co Written By: Emaliar Malfoy and Bobcatwriter
Summary: Its Junior year! What could go wrong? Well if your Adam and Isabella Banks a lot! Follow Adam, Bella, and the rest of the ducks through the ups and downs of Junior year at Eden Hall and Lakeshore Academy. Will Adam graduate and finally be healed from the sins of the past? Read on and find out. Read The Way Things Are, The Way Things Were and The Way Things Should Be prior to reading this one. Please Read and Review.
Disclaimer: We don't own the Ducks and probably never will because they belong to Disney. However, Emaliar Malfoy does own Bella, Ollie, Seraphina, Alex, and Patrick "Paddy" Ridley. Bobcatwriter owns Annie, Mike, Travon, all the characters at Lakeshore Academy, Baby Hans, Paddy's family, The Lebrie Family, Reese, Mark, Judges Stone and Murray and a few of the other students and teachers from Eden Hall.
A/N: This is the sequel to the other Mighty Ducks story's: "The Way Things Are", "The Way Things Were", and "The Way Things Should be". We recommend you read those Three first. However, this can also be read as a stand-alone story. Please read and review.
Chapter 1:
Friday September 4th, 1998 Hennepin County Courthouse- Bella's POV
I paced back and forth in front of the Juvenile courtrooms. I could not help it; I was nervous. I was given the day off from school so that I could go to court. My American Government teacher thought it would be a great idea to bring the class which included Charlie to the courthouse to give a prime example of how the role of the judicial branch works in our government. Luckily, Coach Bombay told them no, it was just a preliminary hearing.
"Bella, relax it is going to be fine," Coach said to me. Oh, how many times have I heard that sentence out of someone's mouth over the last 10 days. Connie and Julie told me that I looked great and to knock them dead. Under the advice of Casey when we returned to Minnesota I took the rest of the money out of my savings account with Wells Fargo and went to another bank to open a new savings account that would be in my name only, with Casey's help of course. Once I explained what was happening with me filing for emancipation from my parents the banks completely understood and allowed me to sign the papers that I needed to sign. I was thankful that she came with me. Julie, Connie, and I moved into the girls dormitory Morgan Hall on August 23rd, we were ready to start our Junior year.
"We are ready for you now Bella," said a court secretary to me.
"All right, let's go, breathe you are going to be fine," Coach said.
Coach and I were sitting across from my parents at the plaintiff's table. My father had a smug smile on his face, I gulped. I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing. My mother's eyes were cold, like I was dead to her.
We were sitting for two or three minutes before we heard from the bailiff "ALL RISE."
Everyone stood up but me, "Bella stand up," Coach whispered to me, I quickly rose.
"Hennepin County Family court is now in session the Honorable Judge Stone presiding."
Judge Stone banged his gavel twice and then said, "Good Morning you may be seated.' He then took out a file folder and read, "Case number JA 10987456903 Case of Isabella Lillian Banks versus Phillip and Seraphina Banks, petition for emancipation of a minor. Who is representing the prosecution?" Asked Judge Stone.
Coach stood up and said, "Gordon A. Bombay."
"Are you ready Mr. Bombay?" Judge Stone asked.
"Yes, sir," Coach said.
"Very Good and the Defense?" Judge Stone asked.
"Phillip A. Banks, Attorney," my father said.
"And are you ready Mr. Banks?" Judge Stone asked.
"Yes Sir," my father said.
"Very Good, prosecution you may begin," Judge Stone said.
Coach stood up and said, "Thank you, your honor. The prosecution's case is simple. Isabella Banks wants emancipation from Phillip and Seraphina Banks because she has been abused and neglected by the Defense."
"OBJECTION," My Father said.
"Sit Down. Its opening statements, Mr. Banks you should know that. Proceed Mr. Bombay," Judge Stone said.
"Thank you. My client Ms. Isabella Banks has not received medical attention for her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and her Asperger's. The defense chose to ignore any of the problems that my client and her twin brother were exhibiting from the time that they were 5 years old. The defense also insisted that they play in competitive hockey programs from the age of 6 and had them train during the season and the off season that was in a way that was abusive to both my client and her brother's since they were 6 years old. On top of that the defense have at the age of fifteen, disowned Ms. Banks twin brother, because he wished to switch teams because he felt violated and abused by those that were his teammates at the time. The defense has also forbidden my client to see her twin brother, since he is no longer a part of the family since they have disowned him, Thank you." Coach said.
"Defense your statement?" Judge Stone asked.
My father stood up before he said, "Your Honor all of the charges against us are preposterous and ill fitting, we request that this case be dismissed."
"Ah Mr. Bombay you mentioned that Ms. Banks has two brothers. What are their names for the record?" Judge Stone asked.
"Adam Jonathan Banks and Oliver Phillip Banks," Coach said.
"I see and where are they this morning?" Judge Stone asked.
"They are both at Lakeshore Academy, near Periwinkle, California," Coach said.
"I see and what are they doing there?" Judge Stone asked.
"Adam is there for rehabilitation for his problems and Oliver is a staff member at the Academy."
"I see this is just a preliminary hearing. Prosecution you may call your witness," Judge Stone said.
"I call Ms. Isabella Lillian Banks to the Stand," Coach said.
I walked up to the witness stand. "Raise your right hand, Do you swear that the testimony that you are about to provide is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" The Bailiff said.
"I do," I said.
"You may be seated," Judge Stone said.
"Can you please state your name for the record?" Coach asked.
"Isabella Lillian Banks," I said.
"Very Good, Ms. Banks what is your date of birth and time of birth?" Coach asked.
"September 21st, 1982, 4:17 pm," I said.
"Good Ms. Banks could you please tell the court in detail why you are wishing to have emancipation from Phillip and Seraphina Banks?" Coach asked.
"I have felt abused and violated in not getting a choice of what I wanted to do with my own life. Plus, he has declined me the right to see my family members, including my brother, Adam. I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Asperger's syndrome when I was little. Phillip and Seraphina choose to ignore mine and my brother's diagnoses pretending that we were normal kids," I said.
"When were you diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Asperger's syndrome?" Coach asked.
"We were diagnosed when we were 5 years old. After the accident that Phillip Banks had," I said.
"You were forced to play at age 5, correct?" Coach asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Did you enjoy it?" Coach asked.
"Yes, at first," I said.
"What happened?" Coach asked.
"I was forced to play hockey or train for hockey every day of the year. Even when I was sick, there was no rest for sissy's Phillip reminded us repeatedly," I said.
"After this training regimen was instituted did you enjoy it then?" Coach asked.
"No. I was not allowed to hang out with my friends, goof around or have any kind of down time of my own," I said.
"Have you had contact with Adam Jonathan Banks?" Coach asked.
"Yes," I said.
"What is the relationship between Phillip, Seraphina and Adam?" Coach asked.
"There is none, Phillip disowned Adam," I said.
"When?" Coach asked.
"Our Freshman year at Eden Hall Academy," I said.
"Could you please be specific?" Coach asked.
"Had to have been late October, early November of 1996," I said.
"What had happened?" Coach asked.
"Adam and I were placed on the varsity hockey team. Both of us were not treated very well by the other players on the varsity team. Because people believed that we didn't belong there," I said.
"Belong there?" Coach asked.
"Belonged at Eden. We I mean Adam, I and the ducks were awarded scholarships to play hockey that had denied some of the then varsity players younger siblings there scholarships to play hockey," I said.
"I have a question: Who are the Ducks?" Judge Stone asked.
"They are my teammates, we have been playing together for the last 6 years since we were 9 years old in pee wee hockey," I said.
"Up until you were placed on the varsity team, you were a part of the duck's team?" Coach asked.
"Yes," I said.
"You said that you were seen as people that didn't belong there, what happened?" Coach asked.
"We were beaten, pranked on, teased, not trusted with anything. Basically, we were forced to act as slaves to the other members of the varsity team," I said.
"I see and did Phillip and Seraphina did anything to stop this aggressive behavior," Coach asked.
"NO, They ignored it. Told us to suck it up, that's life," I said.
"What about your coach did he do anything to stop this behavior?" Coach asked.
"No. I don't think that he was aware of what went on in the locker room," I said.
"The rest of the ducks where were they at the time?" Coach asked.
"There were on the Junior Varsity squad at Eden Hall," I said.
"Where your scholarships ever threatened to be taken," Coach asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Why?" Coach asked.
"The Junior Varsity team wasn't doing very well, I think they lost all of their games except for one, which ended in a tie," I said.
"How was your relationship with the ducks at the time," Coach asked.
"Estranged," I said.
"How so?" Coach asked.
"Well we were seen by them as preppy, cake eaters that exchanged money to play for varsity," I said.
"Did you exchange money to play for the varsity team at Eden Hall?" Coach asked.
"No, I and Adam did not. In fact, Adam went back to the Junior Varsity team just before our scholarships were reinstated," I said.
" Why did Adam choose to return to the junior varsity?" Coach asked.
"He needed his friends, and they needed his help to win," I said.
"Why did you choose to remain with the varsity?" Coach asked.
"I wasn't given a choice. I was taken by the varsity to give them a hope of winning and to please Phillip and Seraphina. Because I knew that they would be disappointed with Adam choosing to return to the Ducks, since Phillip thought of them as losers," I said.
"OBJECTION, irrelevant," My Father said.
"Objection overruled, you may proceed with the testimony," Judge Stone said.
"Ms. Banks could you kindly tell what you meant by the Ducks as losers?" Coach asked.
"Sure, when we were in peewee hockey the Ducks also known as District 5, were always at the bottom of the peewee hockey leagues," I said.
"Meaning they would?" Coach asked.
"Loose every game that they played. Also, they would switch coaches a lot. They would have a new coach every time there was a battle between teams," I said.
"Could you please elaborate? What do you mean? Court reporter what was the last line said?" Judge Stone asked.
"They would have a new coach every time there was a battle between teams," the Court Reporter said.
"Meaning that the coach would coach for 2 or 3 games and then he would be gone," I said.
"There was never a woman coaching the district 5?" Judge Stone asked.
"Not as far as I know," I said.
"You said that you and Adam were playing with the Ducks since you were 9 years old?" Coach asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Why starting at 9 were you playing with the Ducks you've said you have been playing since you were five years old?" Coach asked.
"Yes, Adam and I were on the Hawks peewee hockey team from 5 to 9. Then the league switched us to the Ducks because they had redrafted the lines and we didn't know," I said.
"Who was the head coach of the Ducks at that time?" Coach asked.
"That was you," I said.
"OBJECTION, tampering with the witness," Phillip said.
"Mr. Banks you are representing yourself and your wife in this case, against your teenage daughter. This isn't any more tampering with the witness then what you will be doing during your cross examination. Sit down, objection overruled," Judge Stone said.
"Could you please state who was the head coach of the Ducks at the time of your switch from the Hawks to the Ducks?" Coach asked.
"Yes, Gordon Bombay," I said.
"Who's idea between you and your brother was it to go and play for the ducks?" Coach asked.
"That was Adam's. He wanted to play hockey in fact we both wanted to play," I said.
"So, who's idea was it for you not to go and play for the ducks?" Coach asked.
"Our father Phillip Banks," I said.
"Because he called them losers, why?" Coach asked.
"I don't know why. I was told that he thought of them as losers," I said.
"OBJECTION IRRELEVANT," Phillip said.
"Objection overruled I want to hear this," Judge Stone said.
"Go on you were saying?" Coach asked.
"Well according to my brother Oliver, Phillip didn't want us playing for District Five because it reminded him of where he came from," I said.
"OBJECTION IRRELEVANT," Phillip said,
"Objection overruled. Mr. Bombay please get to your point," Judge Stone said.
"I am making one, your honor,' Coach said and then he turned to me, 'Where did Phillip Banks come from," Coach said.
"Apparently he grew up in a poor neighborhood. Being a part of the Minnesota North Stars and earning a million dollars a year with them, he didn't want the same things to happen to us that happened to him," I said.
"OBJECTION There is no law that says that the parents have to give the same things that they got while they were growing up," Phillip said.
"Objection sustained. Make your point Mr. Bombay," Judge Stone said.
"I am just getting to my point.' Coach said to the Judge and then he turned to me, 'Ms. Banks, would you kindly tell the court what happened after Adam rejoined the Ducks, freshman year?"
"They disowned him. Then when I asked for documents that proved my age, I was declined getting access to those documents," I said.
"I am confused can you back up and tell us the entire story, please," Judge Stone said.
I swallowed hard, "After Adam and I decided to go and play for the ducks in peewees. Phillip got angry about how we were forced to play for a losing team. Sent us to our room, we screamed and cried about this because all we wanted to do was play hockey. I took to drawing Adam he,' I said as I started to cry.
"It's okay Bella tell us what happened," Coach said.
I nodded before I was handed some tissues by Judge Stone, then I said; "Adam he,' I swallowed hard, 'he uh started to cut."
"Cut? As in himself?" Judge Stone asked.
I nodded.
"The Court Reporter cannot understand a nod," Judge Stone whispered to me.
"It's okay Bella. Tell the truth, you promised to tell the truth," Coach said.
"Yes, he started to cut himself. I don't know with what at first. I wasn't aware of what he used. When I did find out about his cutting a few years later, it was a razor blade. He threatened to take his life with a knife once," I said.
"And What exactly did Phillip and Seraphina do when Adam started to cut? Surely they would have recognized the wounds or seen them?" Coach asked.
"Nothing, they pretended that the wounds didn't exist," I said.
"How long had Adam been cutting? When you found out about the cutting?" Coach asked.
"Four years," I said.
"And in those four years, you must have seen Adam naked at least a handful of times," Coach asked.
"No," I whispered softly.
"I am sorry what was that," Coach asked.
"No, I never did. Us girls would have to go to another locker room to shower and change. Adam was usually the last one to shower and change. I think that he did that on purpose so that we would not see his cuts. I don't know why," I said.
"When did you find out about the cutting?" Coach asked.
"When Adam first attempted to take his life," I said.
"As in suicide?" Coach asked.
"Yes," I said.
"How many times had he tried to take his life," Coach asked.
"I don't know. I know of at least 5 times he tried to take his life by cutting and 1 time by starving himself to death," I said.
"Did Phillip and Seraphina do anything to intercede in this manner?" Coach asked.
"No, they disowned him. Said that he was a stranger to them. Forbid me to see him or have anything to do with him. Phillip threatened to have security remove Adam from the neighborhood when Adam came over last thanksgiving. I gave blood to Adam one time when he was in the hospital. At first Phillip said that I was not to receive the documents that I needed, to donate blood to Adam," I said.
"What kind of documents did you need to give blood to Adam," Coach asked.
"I needed two forms of identification that noted my date of birth and the time I was born. My birth certificate and passport provided those details, so I took them," I said.
"Took them? How?" Coach said.
"I had a friend break into the safe," I said.
"So, you had a friend force their way into a safe?" Judge Stone asked.
"He didn't force his way into the safe, he cracked the code," I said.
"Who was the person that cracked the code in the safe or I will bound you over to criminal court and you can spend the next 6 months to 5 years in prison," Judge Stone said.
"VINCENT MCGILL," I said as I closed my eyes.
No one said a word, for two or three minutes. I started to bawl on the stand, "I DIDN'T MEAN IT, I DIDN'T KNOW. I was just trying to save my brother. Because I love him. Even though my parents don't. I don't know what made them be so mean to him. But I wanted to protect him, look out for him, and love him because that is what families do. I should have the right to my documents, I asked for them first and I was declined. I don't think that it was fair that they withheld them from me," I then started to break down and cry heavily.
"I move to have the witness removed from the stand," Coach said.
"OBJECTION I HAVE YET TO CROSS EXAMINE THE WITNESS," Phillip yelled.
"OBJECTION SUSTAINED! ARE YOU DONE, MR. BOMBAY?" Judge Stone yelled.
"Yes, I am finished. Your Witness Councilor:" Coach said and then he sat down.
I got scared really scared.
"I just have two questions for you Ms. Banks. Did your mother and I provide everything that you needed from the time that you were born: Shelter, food, clothing, an education, toys, medical and dental visits, and anything else your heart desired?" Phillip asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Then why are we going through all of this? Because this is certainly a waste of time, energy, money, and the courts resources?" Phillip asked.
"Because you were violating child labor laws," I said.
"By making you play hockey. That is the worst argument I have ever heard in my life," Phillip said.
"Maybe I didn't want to spend every minute of my life playing hockey. I love the sport, yes but I know that I am not going to get past a certain level in playing hockey. I have known that since I was 10 years old. Besides, you didn't provide all the medical care that I and Adam required," I said.
"And what medical care was that?" Phillip asked.
"A Psychiatrist. You forced Adam, Oliver, and I into this life, maybe not all of us were cut out to spend all the waking hours eating, breathing, and playing hockey. You of ALL PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT," I yelled.
"Ms. Banks what are you talking about?" Judge Stone asked.
"I am talking about his forced retirement from the North Stars due to his knee blowing out because of the hit he took from a defensive player when Adam and I were just 18 months old. Not everyone plays hockey or any professional sport forever. At some point each person must step aside and let the next superstar have their turn," I said.
"I'm finished," Phillip said.
"Ms. Banks, I have a couple of questions for you. You said that you didn't receive the medical attention of a Psychiatrist. Are you currently seeing one?" Judge Stone asked.
"Yes, Dr. Alex Montgomery. I have been seeing her since Adam went to rehab in January. I see her once a week for an hour," I said.
"Are you prepared to accept the responsibilities of being an adult, such as the expenses of your education, food, shelter, clothing, Dr. Montgomery's fees, your Primary care Physician's fees and your dental fees," Judge Stone asked.
"I…. I think so," I said.
"This is not an I think so question, Isabella. You are asking to be an adult. How will you pay for you to live, do you have a job?" Judge Stone asked.
"No, I don't have a job," I said.
"I see and how do you pay for your education now, because going to Eden Hall certainly cannot be cheap," Judge Stone asked.
"I am on scholarship to play hockey, I have to maintain a B average, or I ride the pine pony, I only have time for a job in the summer, because hockey consumes my life from the start of school until the end of school," I said.
"I see and how do you pay for your shelter and food when you are not in school," Judge Stone asked.
"I'm going to stay at a friends or my boyfriend's house," I said.
"I see and how do you pay for your visits to your doctor's offices," Judge Stone asked.
"My savings account. I have saved nearly all of my allowance, birthday and Christmas money from the time I was about 5 years old," I said.
"That certainly can't last forever. I want you to keep something in mind before we proceed. If you decide that you want emancipation from your parents to do whatever you please, It will not get you the right to vote, drink, buy smokes and anything else that you must be of a certain age to do so. If you decide to go through with it and the court agrees it's in your best interest your allowance, birthday and Christmas money getting from your parents, ends. I want you to think long and hard about this," Judge Stone said.
"I will," I said.
"Good you may step down," Judge Stone said.
As soon as I got out of the witness stand and walked over to my chair at the prosecution's table I heard, "We are going to take an hour recess for lunch. Thank you, court is adjourned," Judge Stone said, and he banged his gavel twice.
I sighed heavily before I said, "I failed, didn't I?"
"No, not necessarily," Coach said.
"Maybe I should give up, drop all of this and go home like a whipped dog," I said.
"What would that show Adam? Remember you are fighting for him too," Coach said.
"You know Bella you can drop all of this now, and no one would be the wiser for it," Phillip said.
"Get out of here Phillip, before I pound you into the ground. That's witness tampering," Coach said.
"Like you did the first and second time. Oh no wait that wasn't you that pounded me into the ground the first time, whose secretary were you banging at the time, because I had forgotten or maybe it was a waitress," Phillip said and then he walked away.
"How your mother managed to stay with that man, is beyond me," Coach said infuriated while turning his wedding ring.
When we came back into session, I found out the steps that I needed to do to continue this process. I needed to get employment, I was going to need people to speak on my behalf, Adam and Oliver were going to be served a subpoena. That was not going to make Adam happy. And most important a court liaison was going to need to see me in my natural environment to determine what was the right steps for me. We were to reconvene in a month we had our next court date set for October 5th, 1998 at 9am, which Adam, Oliver, and all my witnesses were to appear before the court. After court Coach and I had gone back to Eden Hall. School had let out for the day; I quickly changed my clothes in my dorm room and met coach down at the library. The Ducks were doing their study hall like they are supposed to every school day after class unless there is a game that starts before 6:00 in the evening. Charlie ran up to me when he saw me in the library.
"Hey how did it go?" Charlie asked and then gave me a kiss on the temple.
"I don't want to talk about it, Charlie;" I said.
"So, did you get it are you emancipated? Charlie asked.
"Charlie it doesn't work that fast," Coach said.
"Well inquiring minds want to know," Charlie said.
"Charlie, we are busy! Leave us alone," I said.
"Come on Bella lets go to one of the private study room's then we don't have to air your dirty laundry to the ducks or the entire student body population at Eden Hall," Coach said.
"I am sorry Charlie," I said.
"Yeah," Charlie said.
I felt horrible. I deserved the worst girlfriend in the world trophy if there was one. We narrowed down who I wanted to have testify Adam, Oliver, Dr. Freeman for Adam's behalf, Dr. Montgomery, Charlie, Connie, Coach Orion, Casey, Vincent McGill, and Dean Buckley.
A/N: So, what do you think? Please be kind and leave a review! Thanks!