"This hearing is really taking it's toll on you both isn't it Roz?" Martin's tone was sympathetic as he patted her shoulder the next morning at the courthouse. "Even Frasier looks more worn out than usual this morning."
"Well you know, hard to sleep with all this going on." Roz said calmly trying not to blush.
Martin gave another sympathetic nod and went to sit down. As soon as he was gone Daphne, who had also been present started giggling.
"What?!"
"Oh yeah, you were up all night worrying?" Daphne continued laughing.
"I don't follow." Roz tried sound innocent. "There's a lot to think about with all this court mess."
"You may be able to fool some people, but I know that look of being kept up all night by one of the Crane brothers pretty well by now, see it almost every morning when I look into the mirror." Daphne continued to tease.
Roz couldn't refrain from blushing at that statement, which of course confirmed Daphne's suspicions.
They stood there in silence for a moment as Roz was trying to think of something else to say, while Daphne just kept flashing that all to knowing grin.
"Ready to go in?" Frasier suddenly said, seeming to appear out of nowhere. He had quietly slipped up behind Roz causing her to almost jump as she felt his hot breath on her ear.
"Oh yeah, sure." Roz was still jumpy as Daphne winked and then left them alone to go tend to Alice in one of the nearby rooms.
"Wait a minute Roz, what's wrong?" Frasier appeared concerned as he took her elbow to prevent her from leaving.
"Nothing." She said once again having adjusted her poker face, but it was still obvious something was weighing on her mind.
"I can tell something is troubling you. It's about last night isn't it?" Frasier was suddenly insecure.
"Last night? Of course not?" Roz laughed as she gave him a quick hug. "Well sorta, but not about you and me, just about people knowing now. Like Daphne was just saying, it's just weird having people know that we well...." her voice trailed off as Frasier started laughing.
"Roz we've been married for over a month now, people have figured something's been going on. And you heard them on the stand, half of them figured that something was going on long before." Frasier grinned as he pulled her close.
"I know, it's just before, well it wasn't going on, and now it is? Gee that made no sense" Roz started laughing also.
"Yes it did make sense, and I understand what you mean? It's one thing for people to accuse you of something you didn't do, but another..."
"Frasier, your making it sound like a crime." Roz playfully punched him.
"Only in the 48 regional states." Frasier's tone had gotten low and seductive as he began nuzzling her neck, the courthouse surroundings fading as they luxuriated in the feel of each others arms. They finally broke apart and looked up when interrupted by a rather insistent throat clearing as Niles tried to get their attention.
"Sorry to interrupt but court is starting in a few minutes." He looked a bit perplexed at what he had seen, but that was all he said as the three walked into the courtroom.
"Your honor, we realize this is a little unorthodox but we only have one witness left that we'd like to call." Holloway said as he approached the bench.
"We'd like to have the child in question to be able to tell the court who she would prefer to live with, so we'd like to call Alice Doyle to the stand." Holloway stated with a grand flourish.
"Absolutely not!" Roz jumped to her feet. "Counselor control your client." The judge commanded banging her gavel.
"Counselor, calling 3 year old children to the stand is not standard practice." The judge's face was stern as she turned back to Holloway.
"I must strenuously object your honor. My client has worked hard to keep this trial from affecting her daughter." Laura began her argument.
"Your honor, I do not intend to treat the child like a regular witness, just a simple question as to how she feels about where she should live. The child should have a say in this also I think." Holloway continued to argue, his voice rising.
"I'm inclined to allow it, with very strict guidelines of course." The judge said after a moment as she turned to face Laura and Roz. "Counselor, what do you and the child's mother have to say."
"Absolutely not your honor, we cannot allow..." Laura began before Roz took her arm to interrupt her.
"Wait a minute, we know what she'll say, this could be a good thing." Roz whispered into Laura's ear.
"But what if she says something else. It could be devastating to our case." Laura whispered back.
"I'm not worried about that, I know she'll say us, she barely knows Rick." Roz was confident.
Laura paused for a moment before rising and saying uncertainly. "We'll allow it your honor, as long as Mr. Holloway promises to follow the strictest guidelines of questioning a minor."
"Very well then, the court will take a 10 minute recess while the child is brought in and allowed to familiarize herself in the courtroom." The judge banged the gavel again and rose as Roz and Frasier went out to where Daphne was staying with Alice.
Alice looked small on the stand and very shy when court reconvened. She kept her gaze trained on her Mother for support, even though it had been well explained that she was just going to have to answer a couple questions.
"Hi Alice" The judge said in a voice so sweet it caused both attorney's to almost snicker at the complete change in the judges normal tone.
"Hello." Alice responded, her tone barely a whisper.
"Are you afraid?" The judge asked again.
"No, I'm ok." Alice said, relaxing somewhat.
"Mr. Holloway here would like to ask you a couple questions, is that ok?"
"OK." Alice agreed again as she peered over to the other table and at Rick, who waved at her and grinned.
"Hi Alice, how are you today?" Holloway approached the child, oozing charm from every pore. Roz wanted to jump up and hit him, but managed to refrain, just thinking of how much Alice's testimony could help.
"Alice I only have one little question for you. Would you rather go with your mommy *he points at Roz*, or your daddy *he pointed at Rick*"
"Ummmm..... him!" Alice said with very little hesitation as she
pointed at Rick. Frasier barely caught Roz as she fainted and was
heading for the floor.