AN

Short chapter this week as we move the trial along. Apologies for the late posting, I'm sick as a dog AGAIN and just didnt have the energy to do any proof reading yesterday. I hope you enjoy this chapter, theres a few more based on the trial then we will be moving on with the story.

Just as an FYI, im not a lawyer, i know nothing about legal proceedings and everything i have written is based off of tv shows and research online. There was a review about the VIS being read out at the end of a trial, this may be correct, im not too sure but remember this is a fan fic so there is some artistic lisence involved haha.

As always, thanks for reading and please feel free to leave a review, even if its in a foreign language, i read/translate all of my reviews and I cant get enough of them.

AL xxx

-oOo-

Almost sensing Callie's turmoil, Arizona laid her hand in the centre of Callie's upper back and began running soft circles over the blouse covered skin. Turning in her seat, she met cerulean eyes and couldn't help but melt a little at the care and concern in them. Fuck Earl, she could do this, she would do this, she would do anything in her power to put this animal away for as long as possible if not for herself but for her little girl. No way was she going to subject her unborn child to Earl and his abusive ways. She just needed to be strong for a little while longer then when all this was over and done with, she could fall apart... just as long as Earl got his just deserts.

She gave Arizona a soft nod of appreciation before turning back to the proceedings and focused on what the defence attorney was saying,

"... and gentlemen, I ask that you quash this trial before it even begins. Mr Thompson is the victim of Mrs Thompsons sadistic story telling and should be released from remand immediately, Thankyou"

Callie's stomach flipped at the thought of the jury eating up Earls claims, that she could be capable of wanting him to lay his hands on her, that she was capable of wanting to have sex with a man who beat her senseless on a whim. A ball of fury started to burn in her stomach at the implications the defence lawyer had made and it grew by the second. The more she thought about it the angrier she became and so she focussed her attention on the floor in front of the large wooden desk she was sitting at, not wanting anyone to see the anger in her eyes and mistake it for her being angry that Earl was innocent and she was pissed that her story wouldn't be believed. She didn't want to add any fuel to that fire, no she couldn't do anything to give the jury or Judge Rinder any opportunity to believe that crock of shit.

She was disturbed from her thoughts by John standing and making his way into the centre of the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, your honour. Having heard the story the defence has spun about my client I am appalled beyond measure. I am here today to provide you with the evidence that will not only prove undoubtedly in your minds that Mr Thompson is an abusive rapist but also that he left MISS TORRES for dead in an alleyway. Had it not been for the discovery of her body by an innocent bystander then this case today could very easily have been a murder trial. But I digress, I have no need for fancy speeches to try and convince you of Mr Thompsons guilt, I will allow the facts and evidence do that for itself" and with that said John returned to his seat, smiling softly at Callie as he did. He was still torn about withholding some of the evidence from Callie but he was determined that they were going to win this case, he just hoped Callie would forgive him for not being so forthcoming with all the facts.

"Right well, both sides have very different opinions on how this case should proceed, however I would like to see the evidence Mr Shaw claims he has, as well as hear the witness testimonies. Let's move this trial along and have the first witness for the defence" Judge Rinder spoke and Callie sighed a breath of relief, at least the judge was willing to hear their evidence, that was a step in the right direction.

Hearing a commotion to the side of her she glanced in the direction of it and saw Earl and his lawyer in a heated discussion, she could see from the anger in Earl's eyes that he was furious that Callie's case was going to be heard. He caught her eyes and gave her a deathly glare before smiling sadistically at her.

The court heard character statements from Earl's mother, boss and two friends. None of them had anything of substance to say other than that Earl was of good character, had never been in trouble with the law, he was a good son, a good employee and a good friend. When questioned about their relationship with Callie, Earl's mother had said that once Callie had tied Earl down into marriage, she went cold on everybody, refused Earl to see his mother and the very few times she allowed Earl to visit his mother that Callie had stayed away, and rightly so or Mrs Thompson senior would have given the little madam a piece of her mind at stopping her son from visiting with her more frequently. His two friends had commented on how they had never even met Callie, she seemed to be a recluse that never went out and had issues with Earl joining them in outings with their families or around to watch a game.

Finally with the defences witnesses out of the way it was time for John to start with the prosecution's witnesses. First Carlos entered the room with a kind smile towards his daughter. He told the courts of how he had met Earl, of the shot gun wedding and his concerns, then of Callie's disappearance for over three years. He explained that he had looked everywhere for his daughter but to no avail could he find her even hiring a private investigator to find her. He explained that within weeks of Callie going missing they received notification that a restraining order had been placed against them, they continued to look for her.

After Carlos was finished Lucia entered and gave her statement much the same as her husbands, only with a few more tears. After Lucia's statement the judge called a recess for lunch. It was nearing one o'clock so after a few words with John about how the trial was going and some words of encouragement to Callie, the two women exited the courtroom to expectant faces.

Carlos announced that he would be treating everyone to lunch and so they made their way to a little Italian restaurant around the corner from the court house. As the large group sat awaiting their drinks order to arrive Callie glanced at the faces surrounding her and couldn't help but smile. Here she was sitting with her family and friends, safe and healthy, carrying a precious life within her whilst Earl was sat in a dingy cell probably eating a sandwich with a bottle of water on his own.

Not long after the drinks arrived, their food arrived and the conversation continued, it was as if everyone had a secret pact not to mention the court case and to do everything they could to cheer the younger Latina up and it was working. As Callie entered the court house after recess she was in much higher spirits. Arizona laced their fingers together and squeezed them supportively and Callie couldn't contain her smile. For the first time since this all started she was finally starting to believe that they could win this trial, that Earl was going to get what was coming to him and be locked up behind bars for a very long time.