Sally and Lightning got to court pretty early. Sense Sally needed to be there earlier anyway. No one could watch the kids, so they had to leave them with the sitter that the courthouse assigned. some places do this, not all, not commonly. i know. The couple made their way around the corner to enter the building when they were ambushed by cameras and microphones! The kids panicked and hid behind Sally with this!
Mr.McQueen! How do you feel about the re trial today? Lightning! Over here! Does this mean that you were never assaulted to begin with? Do you think you have a pretty good chance of winning for the second time? How is it being re married now?
Once that last question qas asked, it brought on a whole bunch of other questions! Lightning shook them away and ignored every single question about him, Sally, or the case and re trail. Then the patrol car pulled up with Cleo. Cleo and Dianna stepped out and sense Lightning was ignoring the press, they shot for Cleo.
Cleo, how do you feel about the re trial today? What makes you think you have the chance of taking Mr. McQueen back to court? Does this mean you plan to be released?
Lightning rolled his eyes as he heard the questions asked to Cleo, but then Cleo amswered them. "I.. It is such a delicate case.." She began to cry as she continued "It is so painful what happened to me.. But people are wrongly accused everyday.. And Mr. McQueen.. He.. He used his status as a celebrity to swoon the jury.. And we all know that celebrities do this so often.. As the case has happened for many young and famous sportsman.. Mr... McQueen.. Is getting away with.. with so much toward women and it's time we had enough.. We as women.. Take Miss Ramirez for example.. He basically brainwashed that poor girl.. And he used his persona to do it.."
Oh this enraged Lightning! "That.. Little.."-"Lightning.. Come on, let's just go sit down.." Sally muttered and pulled him along with the children. Cleo was just eating up the attention with the press. She was making Lightning look like the world's biggest and ugliest jerk. Trying to show the people the side to Lightning they don't see. And it was a lie!
Sally and Lightning and the kids walked in and for the moment, Sally had to part ways to see the judge and drop the kids off. "You don't speak to anyone about the case or anything. Okay?" Sally ordered. Lightning glared answering "This isn't my first rodeo Sal.." Sally snickered and patted his shoulder saying "I know. Go sit down.. I'll be there in a moment." And she walked away, taking the kids to their sitter. Lightning sighed and did as she said.
Entering the room and making his way down. "Lightning." Cruz. Lightning turned to his right to see her sitting there. "You're here early." He exclaimed. Cruz nodded explaining "Was nervous.. So.. just happened to be here a lot.. Earlier?.." She felt stupid and her face turned a littled red. Lightning sighed and nodded. "It'll be fine. You have nothing to worry about." he assured before making his way to his seat...
"All rise for the honorable judge Callie Mathews." The judge walked and entered and sat down at her seat. Lightning glanced across the room at Cleo. Cleo who looked and winked at Lightning. Lightning only glared at that woman. The hate burning hotter and hotter. "Alright. Let's get started. Miss Swwann, Miiisss... Mrs? McQueen?" Judge Mathews raised a brow and stared at Sally. "Please come up to the bench.." Dianna and Sally made their way up. Callie looked at Sally asking "Aren't you married to your client?.." Sally nodded and explained "Di.. Miss Swwann and I signed waivers.." Sally handed the waiver to the judge who looked over it. While Callie did, Dianna and Sally definitely glared at each other a little. "Alright." Said Callie. "Go take your seats with your clients." She ordered.
Once Sally and Dianna were seated the judge looked over the papers and read "This is a retrial of.. Previously found guilty of Rape and drug charges... Midd De Frank, how do you plead?" Dianna stood and spoke, "My client pleads not guilty." Callie glared a little towards Dianna then looked to Lightning and said "And you are being accused of false rape claim, lying to a court judge and stalking?.. How do you plead Mr. McMcQueen?" Lightning rose answering "Not guilty." Callie sighed and leaned back "Alright.. That'll be for the jury to decide. Dianna, go ahead." She ordered.
Dianna stood up and stepped forward announcing "I call Monty McQueen to the stand." Lightning looked at Sally who nodded and touched his hand briefly in support. "We don't have all day Mr. McQueen." Dianna growled. Lightning glared at her then made his way to the stand and took the oath. During this time, late, Jackson walked in and Dianna stared at him a moment. Jackson quietly walked to an empty seat and sat down. Dianna broke for a moment. Seeing him. Cleo faked a loud and awful cough, grabbing Dianna back!
Dianna shook her head slightly, in a means of forgforgetting she saw Jackson then looked to McQueen and began her questioning. "Weren't you and Miss De Frank in a public relationship?" Lightning sighed, leaned back and answered "Yes, but not at this time." "But you were?" she asked. Lightning glanced at Sally before answering "Yes." Dianna nodded then asked. "Did you show affection to Miss De Frank in public? Inappropriate affection?" Lightning glared answering "No." "What about at daycare?" Dianna snickered. "Didn't you kiss in front if children? YOUR children at daycare even?" Lightning's expression changed. "Well... Yes.." He muttered after realizing that he or rather she had kissed him there.
So Dianna asked "Well, isn't that inappropriate?" Lightning hesitated. "Well..." "OBJECTION!.." Sally yelled and stood up snapping "The type of affection that Mr.McQueen and Miss De Drank shared before the rape, has absolutely nothing to do with the allegations toward Miss De Frank OR Mr. McQueen!" Callie nodded and said "Sustained.. Dianna.. Move on please." Dianna immediately argued "Your honor, I have proof, a witness who can state that Mr. McQueen has shown very inappropriate behavior toward my client, Miss De Frank"-"I said move on." Callie repeated firmly. Dianna shot a meam glare towards Sally before continuing with Lightning.
Dianna went under her desk and dropped a box onto the table in front of the jury. She opened the box and placed each one in sight of the jury. They were sex toys, objects. Lightning immediately slapped his head with his palm and knew this couldn't be good and part of him was intrigued to hear what kind of case Cleo thought she really had. Dianna looked at the jury's slightly mortified faces and apologized "I am sorry.. I know some of these torture devices can be intimidating.. Mr.Mcqueen.." She then turned to him and asked. "You like to use these sorts of... Things, yes?" She asked. Lightning muttered a yes there quietly. "Can you identify this?" Dianna pointed to one of the toys. Lightning looked at it, he could, but didn't want to. Callie looked at Lightning and snapped "Go ahead." Kind of rudely.
Lightning sighed answering "That's a.. a um.. A plug." Dianna glared and placed it down and picked up another asking "And this one?" "That's.. Nipple clamps.." Dianna snickered and picked up another. Lightning sighed answering "A collar." Callie stepped in saying "You made your point Di.. Move along please." Dianna sighed and asked "Just one more. What's this do?" She picked up a small little stick, no bigger than a middle finger. Lightning frowned a little answering "It.. It just shocks a little bit from the end..." "Does this cause pain? Maybe bruising? Does it make scars or marks?" Dianna asked. Lightning glared a bit and defended as he answered "Sometimes yes, it can. But not if you know how to use it." "And you do?" Dianna asked.
Lightning hesitated. Callie saw the curiousity in the jury then ordered down toward Lightning, "Answer Mr. McQueen." Lightning glanced at the judge then back to Dianna answering "I.. Yes.. But.. It's just.. Like a form of foreplay." "So it's nothing more than a little fun game?" Dianna qsked rudely. "Um.." Lightning thought a moment. "Yes.." Dianna snickered replying "A game that hurts women." Lightning's brows lowered as he got defensive toward that remark. "What? No! Just.."-"Did you slap Miss De Frank? Hit her? Inflict some sort of pain for your own sexual pleasure?!" Dianna snapped! Lightning hesitated again. He was in a way, speachless.
Callie looked down and ordered "Answer." Lightning swallowed a little nervously before lowering his head and answering in a low and soft tone. "I guess.." Some of the jury gasped a little. Dianna smiled slightly before her next question. "Back to your relationship with Miss De Frank, didn't you have play dates with her and her children? Family dinners?" Lightning looked up at Dianna answering "Yes.." "And so you obviously thought pretty highly of Miss De Frank. I mean to introduce her to your children, take them to her home. You even played with her kids.." Dianna made it sound so disgusting. Lightning immediately defended himself "She was.. A rebound." "What about after prison? Did you not come and visit her often?" Dianna asked. Lightning nodded and explained "Yes, but only for information regarding a remote. I was trying to find a remote to give Jackson Storm his sight back." Dianna nodded and asked "What about phone calls?" "Yes, again.. To find the remote!" Lightning snapped rudely!
Dianna stepped up close and in his face beforr asking "And unconventional, tipped, private visits! Correct!?" "What?.." Lightning mumbled. Dianna smiled asking "Did you?" Lightning hesitated and glanced at the judge. Callie only ordered him to answer. So Lightning sighed answering "Um.. Yes.. There were a few.. But again! It was all to find that remote!" He hit the podium. Dianna only then asked "What about the conjugal visit!? Didn't you request a conjugal visit with Miss De Frank!?" Lightning froze and looked at Sally before answering that one. ".. Yes..." This made the jury really think. Dianna was very happy to say the least. "So why Mr. McQueen? Because that doesn't look like you were trying to find some remote.." Lightning looked at Dianna, no, glared at her with fury growing within.
Lightning growled answering "BECAUSE! That's how Cleo said she would give me the remote!" "A remote that you handed to Jackson?" "Yes!" "A remote that wasn't on Cleo's confiscated list from her cell because YOU had it all along." "What, no!" Dianna slammed her hands down in front of Lightning and asked "But it wasn't until Jackson Storm gave you ten million dollars that you even gave him the remote!" Lightning realized how that actuallydid kinda look like that and stuttered. "Well.. No.. But I"-"OBJECTION!" Sally shouted as she stood up! Callie immediately asked "On waht grounds Mrs. McQueen?" Sally paused and tried to come up with an answer because Dianna was rail roading her husband! Callie shook her head in disapproval then ordered Dianna to continue.
Dianna nodded once with a smile then asked. "You gave Storm the remote after he gave you millions of dollars, correct?" Lightning rudely explained "I gave Storm the remote after Cleo gave it to me. Or rather, once it was tskenfrom her cell." He hit the podium. Dianna shrugged and reminded "But there is no proof that Miss De Frann ever had it in her cell." "There is to! I tipped a guard to find it! He knows! HE found it!" The jury gasped. Lightning's eyes widened as he realized what he just blankly admitted. Sally slapped her own palm to her forehead and shook her head. What a dumb move! Dianna snickered replying "So.. You swayed a guard to find the remote in Miss De Frank's cell.. Just like you swayed the people and jury, that as you are the famous Lightning McQueen. You must be innocent.." Lightning frowned and really didn't know what to say after that dumb mistake.
Dianna walked over and pulled out a few letters and brought them to McQueen. "Reconize these?" She asked. Lightning glared and pushed them away answering "No." "You should.. You wrote them." Dianna reminded. Lightning pushed them further away snarling "I never wrote anything to Cleo!" At this moment, Jackson hunkered down in his seat. He was guilty of writing those letters. Dianna only asked "Will you read a paragraph from one of your letters?" "They aren't mine." Lightning growled. Dianna looked to the judge who motioned to continue. "Your name and address are on the envelopes.. Please read a paragraph." Dianna intstructed. Lightning sighed, picked one then cleared his throat before reading aloud, it did look familiar though.
I still keep your beautiful photo in my office. I stare at it even as I write this letter. I make sure to dust it and greet you every morning, as it gives me the feeling of caressing you like the days we shared before.. I even touch your nose with mine to spark that electricity we had together that sent my blood rushing whenever we did so...
"This doesn't even sound like me!" Lightning shouted! Dianna took the letters and placed them with the toys and showed the jurry, "The adress is his own, his own name, his stationary!" She pointed out. Lightning knew that they looked familiar! "Is it your love declaration to Miss De Frank." Dianna pointed out. Lightning immediately defended "I never wrote these! I would never say something like that to Cleo!" "But this is your stationary? Isn't it?" Dianna asked. Lightning stuttered over his words answering "Well.. Yes, but I didn't write these!" "Who else could have?" "I.. I.. I don't know.." Lightning mumbled. Dianna snickered and shook her head before asking "Who all had acess to your office?" Lightning thought a moment before answering. "Um.. Bobby and Heather Swift.. Cal Weathers.. Sally.. And me.." He frowned. "Are you accusing one of them?" Dianna asked. Lightning immediately snapped answering "No. But it wasn't ME!" "So why fake your name on the conjugal visit request?" Dianna slapped unexpectedly. Lightning stared wide eyed and taken surprise by the question. "I.. I.. Was embarrassed.." Was his answer.
Dianna rolled her eyes asking "Because you knew it was wrong! You knew it looked bad on your part, right!?" Lightning didn't even answer before Dianna announced she had no further questions. This had the jury really thinking and really judgeing. Lightning felt like he was done for. Sally stood up and approached him asking "Did you write these letters?" Lightning looked up at his love answering "No." Sally nodded. Because she believed him. Then Sally asked "Really think.. Could there have been anyone else who had access to your office?.." Lightning stared and thought a moment. He sighed and looked at the one other person he didn't mention. "... Cruz..." Cruz's eyes widened in a dead stare at Lightning.
Sally then turned to Judge Callie and explained "Your honor, the only reason Dianna Swwann knew of the conjugal visit and the fact that Lightni-Uh. Mc..Queen.." She blushed a bit there. "Requested under a false name was because at the time she was his lawyer. And Mr. McQueen confided in her as such. Miss Swwann is using this against him. It's like black mail your honor." Callie looked at Dianna asking "Is this true?" Dianna rose answering softly ".. Yes your honor.." Callie nodded then announced that the jury would disregard the conjugal request made by Lightning. Sally then had no further questions at this time and Lightning was sent to sit down next to her. Sally placed her hand on his knee under the table. In a means of support mostly.
Dianna stood and announced. "I'd like to call Cruz Ramirez to the stand." Everyone looked to Cruz who kinda awkwardly got up and walked up there and sat down. She tpok her oath so that then Dianna could begin her questioning. "How do you know Mr. McQueen?" Was the first question. Cruz glanced at Lightning before answering "I was..I met him after his accident a few years ago.. I was hired to help train him." Dianna nodded then asked "Did you and Mr. McQueen begin an affair at some point?" Cruz glanced at Lightning again before answering. ".. Um.. Yes.." "Can you identify most of these objects?" Dianna asked and pointed to the table of sex toys. Cruz looked down at them and nodded. Dianna points to one and Cruz answered "Cuffs.." Another, "Ball gag.." Dianna then smiled as she asked. "How do you know what these are?"
Cruz glanced at Lightning once again before answering "Um.. Mr. McQueen told them.. Er showed them.. To me.." Very softly, almost like she was embarrassed by this. Which she probably was a little bit. "Which of these objects has Mr. McQueen used on you?" Cruz stared at the table a moment before answering "Um.. Pretty much all of them In guess.." The jury looked surprised really. Dianna smiled. Lightning rubbed his eyes, his head. This was giving him a head ache having to hear this! Having to make Sally hear this! Dianna stepped closer to Cruz and kindly, gently asked "Was it painful? Maybe even.. Forceful.. At times?" Cruz shrugged answering "Sometimes.. But.. I did it willingly." She assured. Cruz wanted to make sure that was out there!
Dianna then asked "Did Mr. McQueen receive pleasure in harming you?" Cruz glanced at Lightning answering "um... I guess." "Can you.. Tell the jury the time he.. Used these? On you?" Dianna asked and held up one of the toys. Cruz hesitated then began "Um.. I.. He just.." She was embarrassed and red. Sally stood up calling "Your Honor"-"I know, I know. Sit down. Dianna, this seems a bit much, even for you. I'll allow it if Miss Ramirez feels she needs to speak about this encounter. But if she doesn't want to, move on." Callie ordered. Dianna nodded agreeing then asked Cruz "Would you like to tell rhe jury?" Cruz glanced at Lightning and shook her head answering quietly. "No... No, I wouldn't.." Dianna sighed, but had more questions for Cruz.
"Moving on..." She said then asked. "Was Mr. McQueen cruel at times? Cold?" Cruz shrugged answering "Yes.. No!.. No.." "But did he not manipulate you, a young woman, he lied, tricked, and deceived you into a full ledge affair?" Cruz frowned answering "Well... He didn't trick me.." Dianna was upset and asked "Didn't he promise to be with you?" Cruz shook her head. "Not.. really.." sheanswered. Dianna only snapped back reminding Cruz that she took an oath and had to be honest here. So Cruz corrected herself answering "At one point.. He did, yes.." Sally then stood up and objected! "Your honor, Cruz has absolutely nothing to do with Mr. McQueen and Miss De Frank's relationship. Cruz barely even knows her." Cruz rose her hand agreeing "That's true."
Callie glanced at Cruz then Dianna spoke up saying "Miss Ramirez is very relevant and proves that Mr. McQueen didn't just mistreat my client, but has a past of sexist, demeaning, sick relationships that he manipulates women into acts that they clearly do not want to do." Callie sighed and looked to Sally before saying "I'll allow it.. Continued Miss Swwann." Dianna smiled and kinda shot a mean girl smirk towards Sally before asking her next question to Cruz. "You have a son, yes?" Cruz nodded answering "Yes." "Is Mr. McQueen the father?" Dianna asked. Cruz glanced at Lightning answering "No." Lightning frowned a little toward Cruz. Dianna cocked her head a bit asking "But didn't you tell Mr. McQueen that he was the father?" Cruz's eyes began to gloss before she answered that. "Well... Yes. But.. I wasn't exactly sure who the.. Father.. Was.. at the time.." She admitted.
That made the jury judge her a little there. Dianna stepped closer to Cruz asking "Why not tell him that?" Cruz glanced at Lightning again then back to Dianna answering "Well, I was scared." Dianna raised a brow asking "Scared? Of Mr. McQueen?" "Well.." "Didn't he put out a restraining order against you?" Cruz hesitated answering, she nodded. "Why?" Asked Dianna. "Did you threaten him?" "No!" "Did you threaten to harm his children?" Cruz stood up shouting "No! Never!" "Sit down Ramirez." Callie ordered. Dianna then crossed her arms asking "Didn't Mr. McQueen drop the charges once you did what he wanted?" Cruz muttered "Um.. Yea.." Dianna paced and made it clear. "So.. Mr. McQueen.. Manipulated you, threatened your motherhood, almost taking your son away and.. Seemed to have no problem with any of this?" She asked.
Cruz frowned and looked at Lightning before answering "Yea.. Guess so.." "Didn't he fire you as well?" Dianna asked. Cruz sighed, but nodded. Dianna glanced at Cleo this time before continuing "Do you know Miss De Frank?" Cruz shook her head answering "Not really." "Has she ever harmed you?" "No." "Threatened you?" "No." "No further questions." Announced Dianna. It was now Sally's turn to question Cruz. Sally hesitated to even stand as she had ti think and prepare herself mentally. Telling herself to keep this professional and not to let this cause any sorts of drama. Sally took a deep breath before approaching Cruz and asking her. "When.. You and.." She paused. "When you and Mr. McQueen began his.. Affair.. Did you not do these acts out of love? You.. Loved Mr. McQueen, correct?" Cruz hesitated as she stared in fear at Sally.
"Yes.. I loved him." She answered softly. Lightning dropped his head on the table. He couldn't believe he had made Sally go through this! What an idiot! Sally then asked. "And didn't you lie about the father of the baby because you were yes, scared. But you weren't scared of Mr. McQueen himself, you were scared he would leave you and want nothing to do with you again?" Cruz nodded answering "Yes.. Exactly!.." Sally sigged then continued. "And wasn't the restraining order put out because you were acting wildly inappropriate towards Mr. McQueen and hos family?" Cruz hesitated answering that, but said "... Yea... I.. I think so.." Sally looked at the judge before announcing, "Nothing further.." Then sat down next to Lightning.
Lightning tried laying his hand on her knee, but Sally swatted him away in a rude, snappy way. Yeah, she was pretty pissed about having to speak and deal with Cruz.
so here is the start of it. i was going to write one long chapter but thought you guys needed a taste. i have it planned out, will post the rest of rhe courtroom drama Tomorrow.
and please., if you have any ideas for either sides to bring up or use against each other in court. feel free to say it. also..that review with the disturbing dream?.. Yeah.. part of me was like wow.. that does sound like an awesome night mare for the story then i was like.. woah.. r u okay?.. tbh sorry.. i wont be using that exaxtly there. thanks anyway...