The new D.A. was a pit bull, and Max decided that she actually liked her quite a bit. Even after she reviewed Max's earlier statement, Georgia grilled her for two hours, going over every little detail, until Max felt sick.
"Okay then," Georgia said when they finished. "I think I've got everything. You can go now."
"Thanks," Max said warily, throwing on her jacket. It had been eight weeks since that horrible night, and Max was starting to feel like her self again. The women in the support group were wonderful, and they gave her the courage to go on. She still shied away from physical contact somewhat, and this trial was wreaking havoc on her nerves. "I'll see you later."
"Good bye," Georgia said stiffly, turning back to her work.
Not like Littleton, Max thought climbing into her jeep. Catching sight of her reflection, she paused. She flipped the mirror down, and really gave herself a once over. Her had had grown out past her shoulders, but it looked limp and dead to her. And multicolored, with it dark red on the top and more of strawberry blond on the bottom. Pale, and Max wasn't sure of the last time she had worn make-up. Feeling the sudden desire to be attractive again she dialed the salon. Forgetting her problems for a minute she drove off.
1010101010
"The trial starts tomorrow. Is Max up for it?" Skeeter asked Kenny.
"She's doing good," Kenny replied, since that night when they had both cried on her porch, things had gotten progressively better. "She's antsy, wants to work, but I think that group she's going to is really helping."
"I miss her around here," Skeeter admitted. "How are you doing with it all?"
Kenny shrugged. "It sucks, but I'm not giving up on her. It would be too easy for us to have a calm, normal life together, but I can't imagine life without her."
"Go on home to her then," Skeeter said. "And give her a big hug for me."
1010101010101010
Max stood in her bathroom, and studied herself for the second time that day. She fingered her hair, which now hung right on her shoulders, and was the familiar dark cinnamon color. It felt soft between her hands, and she felt immediately better about her appearance after she fixed her hair. Nervously, she wondered how Kenny would react, knowing what happened last time she changed her hair. Applying a bit of lip gloss, Max felt confident about her physical self for the first time in months.
"Max," he called. "You home?"
Taking one last glance in the mirror, she called back. "I'm in the bathroom, hold on. Promise me you won't flip out."
Wondering what she could have possibly done that she thought might cause him to flip, Kenny wandered closer to the bathroom. "Why?"
"I know how you reacted last time."
"Last time? Now you're scaring me, Honey."
Max slowly opened the bathroom door, and peeked her head out. Kenny's astonished expression was all she had to see to know his reaction.
"Wow," he said lamely, not able to come up with some other word. "You look beautiful… you didn't look like this a few hours ago."
"Oh, so I was ugly," Max replied, stepping out of the bathroom towards him.
"No, you know what I mean. When did you do this?"
"After I met with Georgia, I saw my reflection and I didn't like it. So I had it cut, and finally had the color fixed. You're not going to break up with me again over it, are you?"
"I told you before that you could shave your head, and I'd still love you," Kenny replied mesmerized by her. "Wow."
Max felt like the most beautiful woman in the world when he looked at her like that, and she held out her hand to him. He clasped in between his, and pulled her into his arms. She laid her head on his chest, and he dropped a kiss on the top of her head. She tilted her face up towards him, and he held her tighter.
"That was from Skeeter," he said before kissing her. "And this is from me."
Max buried her fear of being touched, and just let herself sink into his strong arms.
10101010101010
They sat with Jimmy, Jill, Carter, and Wambaugh for the opening arguments the next morning. Max was surprised and gratified to know that Wambaugh wasn't defending Danny, as she had thought that he would take any case that came along. They had exchanged a look this morning, and he had said. "You know I've only rejected two clients in my career, Mrs. Ingram and Danny Shreve. I couldn't stomach defending them."
Danny stared at Max when he was brought into the courtroom, and he grinned at her. Max glared back at him, and he laughed bitterly. She felt Kenny squeeze her hand, as the proceedings began. Her stomach fluttered, as Georgia rose to make her opening argument.
"In the state of Wisconsin versus Danny Shreve," she began. "We intend to prove that Mr. Shreve committed four counts of first degree murder, five charges of kidnapping, and five charges of rape."
Georgia rattled through her opening argument, while Michael Edison made conspicuous notes onto a legal pad. He began his argument, after taking a survey of the players in the case.
"Your honor," he began. "I intend to prove that my client, Daniel Shreve, is innocent of the crimes he is accused of. I also must request that you remove yourself from this case, do to you personal involvement."
"How so?" Bone asked, keeping his temper in check, as he stared down at the beady little man.
"You knew all the victims, and one of them was dating a tenant in your home," Edison countered.
"Are you saying I cannot be objective?" Bone asked, not taking his eyes off of him.
"No, your honor," he insisted.
"Then you may continue."
101010101010
"The first day is over with at least," Jimmy said, as they filed out of the courtroom, but knowing tomorrow would be different. He glanced down the hall at Kenny and Max, and worried about putting Max on the stand. Jimmy also knew that if he said anything to her about it, she'd probably bite his head off. He knew that she wanted Danny locked up, most likely more then anyone else. She's been through a lot he mused, but recently he'd seen the familiar fire burning in her.
"Are you ready to go?" Jill asked, following his gaze.
"Just about," Jimmy said, gesturing down the hall. "I want to check up them. I know Max is nervous about tomorrow, and she has every right to be."
"She's doing great," Jill said. "Max is too stubborn to lay down and die."
"Sheriff," Georgia said stiffly. "I'd like to talk to you, and Deputy Stewart before you all leave for the day."
Jimmy motioned for his two deputies to join them, as Carter came out of the courtroom. Georgia nodded towards the new arrivals, feeling uncomfortable in this tightly knit group of friends.
"Deputy Stewart, I need to speak to you and Sheriff Brock for a moment. In private," Georgia said coolly.
Max shrugged. "Sure."
She and Jimmy filed into one of the conference rooms behind Georgia, and Max felt oddly like she was going to get a lecture. Georgia was brilliant in the courtroom today, but she was very cold towards the rest of them.
"I wanted to say that I know that this is a very personal case for all involved. You all knew the victims, and Deputy this man did you great harm," Georgia began. "I need to know that no ones personal feelings become apparent in the courtroom."
"You don't have to worry about that," Jimmy said, feeling his blood beginning to boil at this woman's attitude.
"This isn't the first time a personal case has gone to trial," Max said,. "This is Rome Wisconsin, believe me everything becomes personal at some point."
101010101010
Jill nodded towards the door where the others just filed in, before turning back to Kenny and Carter.
"How are you two doing?" she asked.
"Everyday it gets a little better," Carter replied. "But life just feels off. It's like someone cut off my hand. Even though it stopped bleeding and scarred over, I can't grow a new one."
Jill smiled sadly at his comment, and was glad that he was going on from the loss of Sue. She remembered when he had almost burned to death last year because of to many pills, wine, and him not really caring if he lived or died. It was great to see him out in the world of the living again.
"And you?" she said to Kenny.
"I'm thankful everyday that Max is okay," he said honestly. "Even she said that she hasn't been the easiest person to be around lately, but it's been good."
101010101010
"The prosecution would like to call Maxine Stewart to the stand," Georgia said the next morning.
Butterflies in her gut, Max slowly made her way to the stand. Going through the swearing in ritual was almost calming, any other case she thought. Just think like that, and tell them what happened.
Georgia smiled, as she approached and began her questioning. Max walked her through the kidnapping, and her conversations with Danny. Averting her eyes from Danny the whole time, she told how she picked the handcuff lock and their tangle in the woods. Trying to keep her voice level, but not able to she spoke of the rape.
"Liar! You wanted it," Danny raged from his seat, as he leapt up.
Max cringed visibly, at his outburst, as Judge Bone banged his gavel. "Order! One more outburst like that Dr. Shreve, and I'll have you removed from the courtroom. Do you understand?"
Danny nodded, his gaze still fixed on Max.
"Thank you, no more questions," Georgia said calmly, taking her seat.
Michael Edison, Danny's lawyer rose, and began asking the same questions that Georgia began with before veering off it a totally different direction.
"Tell me, Deputy," he said slowly. "Did you tell my client that you wanted to touch him?"
Max paused before answering. "I wanted him to uncuff me, so I could get away from him."
"That's not what I asked," he demanded. "Did you tell him you wanted to touch him. That you had been waiting for him?"
"Objection," Georgia said, "Relevance, your honor?"
"Over-ruled, the witness may answer," Henry replied.
"Yes," she whispered. "But"
"No more questions," he said.
"The witness may step down," Henry said. "Prosecution, you may call your next witness."
101010101010
Max buried her head in her hands, as she sat on the backstairs of the courthouse. She knew that her answer to the last question threw her whole testimony into question, and while she doubted it would it would effect the outcome of the case Max couldn't help feeling like she's let everyone down. She saw the shock on her friends faces when she answered, and she felt ashamed. Ashamed that she could have even said that to the man, and Max knew that he would have raped her whether she told him that or nor. Her whole focus had been on escaping at that point, she didn't really think of the consequences at that point. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, she heard the door open behind her.
"It's a good place to think," she heard Jimmy say. "I used to come out here all the time."
"It's also a nice place to hide. I didn't think anyone would look for me out here," Max replied, looking off into the countryside.
Jimmy studied his young deputy before settling down beside her. "I don't know many women who would have fought as hard as you did to get away. That's a good thing Max, and you're too good a cop to wallow in one bad answer to a shitty question during a testimony."
"I know," she said. "I didn't even think about what I was saying that night. I just wanted to get away from him, and I thought if he would just release my hands, it would give me a chance. The thought of touching then or ever, it makes me sick. He made it sound like I wanted Danny to rape me, and I really hope that the jury doesn't disregard the rest of my testimony because of the ending of it."
"They won't," Jimmy replied, believing that fully. "We've got enough evidence against this man to put him away for the rest of his life."
Max smiled at him, feeling a little bit better.
"Max," he continued, not sure if he should say it or not. "You've made me very proud these past few months. I want you to know that."
"Thanks," she said surprised. "That means a lot to me."
101010101010
They sat in silence that night, and Max knew that he was avoiding saying anything about her testimony this afternoon. Seeing his jaw set so stubbornly made her want to poke at him a bit. Not able to restrain herself, Max tossed her magazine on the table, and plopped down next to him on the couch.
"I know you want to say something," she said. "So go ahead."
Flipping off the T.V., Kenny turned to look at her without saying anything. He just studied her beautiful face that he had dreamed about every night since he had met her. He knew he was stupid to feel betrayed for what she had said on the stand, and Kenny even understood why she had done it. It still hurt to hear though, and it killed him to think of that man touching her. He had seen Max's expression when Danny yelled at her in the courtroom, and he knew how hard she fought to get away.
"Kenny?" she asked, breaking into his thoughts.
Sighing, but they had vowed to be truthful. "It's dumb Max, and I understand why you said those things to him."
"But?"
Kenny paused because he didn't want to hurt her, but he knew that she would keep pressing this until she got an answer. "He's sick, and he might have taken it as an invitation."
Max sat there and stared at him like she had never seen him before, how could he blame her for this? Like she wanted Danny to rape her? She stood up shakily, and pulled away from him.
"Hey, wait," Kenny said springing from the couch, cursing himself for saying it all wrong. "Max, please. Let me finish."
"Let you finish?" she said finding her voice. "Why? You think I wanted this? How could you?"
"I don't," he cried. "C'mon, let me start over, just listen."
Glaring at him, Max held her tongue feeling like he had just slapped her. He knew her better than that, Max thought, as she sat back on the couch.
"I know you didn't want it," Kenny said seeing the hurt on her face. "Hearing you say that today, it hurt. It shouldn't have, and I know what it took out of you to tell him that. Anyone who knows you understands, but when I think of him touching you… and him thinking you want him…"
Max wanted to stay mad at him, but his mangled words made sense to her. She knew how hard it was for him to say what he really felt, and they had been doing that a lot in the past few months.
"You know what my ideal wife is like," Kenny asked that fateful Valentines Day, "She looks great, we have good sex. She's a fantastic mother. She holds me when I cry, which is once a year tops. And when she wants to talk about something deep, she goes in the kitchen with her sister while I watch football. Never, in a million years, would you stand for it."
Smiling sadly at him, Max nodded. "Nope, I wouldn't."
"I have to be in control. I'm not when I'm with you."
"I know," she said quietly. "I don't know what he saw when he looked at me, and it's taken me awhile not to blame myself for him doing this to me. All I could think about was getting away from him."
"I'm not good at this," Kenny said softly. "You looked like you were ready to walk out."
"It was like a slap in the face," Max admitted. "That you would think that about me. You know me Kenny, better then anyone else."
He stroked her cheek, and replied. "I was so scared that I would lose you again, so soon after getting you back. I made myself a promise if you were okay."
"What was that?" Max asked curiously.
"Not yet," Kenny, vowing to wait to the trial was over to propose to her. Just get over this last hurdle he thought. A few more days. He kissed her on her forehead, and they sat there talking quietly.
101010101010
The two lawyers rested their cases three days later, with Edison insisting that if one woman claiming that she had told his client that she wanted to be with him, why couldn't the others have told him the same thing? Maybe they had tried to stab him too, and it was only self defense. Georgia countered that these women were raped after they were killed, and that Daniel Shreve had out weighed them by almost one hundred pounds. There was no possible way, she insisted, that these women had brought this upon themselves, and that if the jury didn't find Daniel Shreve guilty of his crimes, they would be doing all the victims a great injustice.
When the jury left to deliberate Max had felt like a huge burden had been lifted from her. Everything that could have been done had been, but knowing Rome as she did, she was waiting for the twist. Nothing was ever as it seemed in this town, and she'd seen more twists in court cases than she ever thought possible. Carter's grief over the loss of Sue was apparent to the jury, through his restrained testimony, and Danny's photographs of his crimes; they had him nailed. Max was positive, and she wanted Danny gone from her life. Her nightmares were less frequent, and she didn't cringe when someone touched her. Shooting Kenny a furtive glance, she knew that he missed their sex life, and even she was beginning to want it back again. The model of restraint, Max thought hiding a smile.
"What's so funny?" he asked catching her expression.
"Nothing," Max promised. "Just thinking about something."
"Now we wait," Carter said joining them. "Do you think it's going to be a long one?"
Max scooted over to make room for him. "In this town? Who knows?"
"Yeah," Carter agreed, settling down next to his two friends. "I want this bastard locked up forever. For Sue, Joey, Rachel and Rebecca. And you."
The three lapsed into silence in the deserted hallway, until the verdict came in a half hour later.
101010101010
"Please rise," the bailiff instructed for the third time that day, as Henry Bone entered the courtroom. "Be seated."
Bone regarded the occupants in the room with an expressionless gaze before turning to the jury. "Have you reached a verdict?"
The foreman stood as he replied. "Yes your honor."
The bailiff passed the verdict to Bone, who read in without expression, and handed it back to the jury.
"What say you?" Bone asked.
"On the first count of first degree murder, we find the defendant Daniel Shreve guilty. On the second count of first degree murder, we find the defendant guilty," the foreman went on, finding him guilty on all four counts of murder, five of kidnapping, and five of rape. A cheer went up in the courtroom, as Bone banged his gavel.
"Order!" he yelled. "Bailiff, take this man into custody. Sentencing is set for next Friday."
Danny stared at Max, and she could see the murder in his eyes. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, and the way he looked at her made Max want to crawl into a hole and hide.
"Get him out of here," Bone instructed, as the bailiff dragged him away.
Danny was dragged off, but Max could still feel his gaze burning into her. Trying to shake off the nagging feeling that this wasn't over yet, she turned to her celebrating friends. Protocol be damned, Max thought as she and Kenny wrapped their arms around each other.
101010101010
Kenny watched her sleep that night, after they had some celebratory drinks with their friends. It was bittersweet, he thought, they got the murderer, but the feeling of loss is still there. He felt slightly guilty about being as happy as he was then because of the sadness around him. Carter was still mourning, and Rachel's baby would never know her mother. It was senseless Kenny thought, as he ran his hand down Max's back.
It still scared him when he thought about how close he came to losing her in the last few months. Throwing back the covers, he set out to keep the promise he made to himself in the woods that night.
101010101010
Max woke up the next morning to an empty bed, and she heard Kenny clamoring around in the kitchen. Feeling lighter and freer than she had in months, she stretched out in his big bed. Danny was gone, and she had no doubts that he was going to be sentenced to life in prison. When she and Kenny got back to his place last night, slightly drunk, Max wanted to make love to him. She wanted to be with him again, but they didn't. Even in his half drunken state, he hadn't wanted to take advantage of her, and that morning Max felt grateful for that. And it made her want him to touch her even more. Hearing the crash in the kitchen, she smiled to herself, and tossing back the blankets.
Straightening out the tee-shirt of Kenny's she was wearing, she pulled her hair back and wandered out to see what exactly he was doing.
Stopping dead in her tracks she stared at him. "Are you cooking?"
Kenny tossed the charred contents of the pan into the trash. "Trying to. It didn't work so well."
Max tried not to wrinkle her nose at the smell. "Well,I can't do to much better."
Kenny had wanted this morning to be perfect for them, but his cooking skills left something to be desired. He fingered his grandmother's ring in his pocket, and wanted more then anything to give it to her. A proposal over cold cereal just didn't seem like something they could tell their kids about.
"How bout we go out?" Kenny asked, the thought of having kids throwing him for a second.
"Sure," she agreed. "Let me go get dressed."
101010101010
Danny paced in his holding cell that same morning. Edison was all set to appeal the case, and Danny wanted nothing more then to get out of this jail. He saw the looks of the passing deputies when they brought him his meals, and the media had crucified him. He would get out of here, and make the world understand what he did. He had to talk to Max first, Danny decided, and once she understood, so would everyone else. Turning back to his food, he began to plan.
101010101010
"Do think they're staring at us?" Max whispered feel conspicuous.
"You've been in the paper a lot lately," Kenny replied feeling the eyes upon them, as they climbed back into his truck. "Let's get out of here."
Thankful for the reprieve of the prying gazes upon her, Max gratefully sunk against the seat. Stomach still grumbling, she watched as Kenny pulled out of town. He gestured to the first fast food chain they came across, and Max nodded as they pulled into the drive in. Ordering a bag full of heart attack starters, Kenny parked the truck in Windsor Park.
"Hmm, this is nice," Max said settling onto the grass by the pond. "Last days of summer."
"Yeah," Kenny agreed, tossing her a breakfast sandwich, and plopping down next to her. "Private too."
"Fifteen minutes of fame," Max replied off handily. "Next week it'll be something else."
"It's Rome," Kenny said distantly, fiddling with the ring in his pocket, and being absolutely terrified with what he was supposed to do. Lapsing into silence they ate, as Max felt him stiffen beside her. Shooting him a sideways glance, she couldn't read his expression, but she could tell he was contemplating something. Swallowing the last of her food, she waited for him to come out with it. Glancing out at the calm water and nearly deserted park, Max felt like they were on their own oasis away from the world.
"Hey Max," he said trying to sound casual, as she turned to look at him. Pulling her to her feet with him, Kenny brushed her hair back from her face, and just looked at her for a minute. He could feel his heart beginning to pound harder, as he bent down onto one knee. "Max, I love you. I've never loved anyone the way I do you...Will you marry me?"
Max began to tremble, as Kenny proposed to her. She couldn't speak as he finished, and his beautiful words haunted her thoughts. He pulled a stunning square cut diamond ring out his pocket that she saw through the blur of tears. Sinking down onto the grass next to him because she didn't trust her legs to support her, Max struggled to reply.
"I, uh, oh Kenny," she stumbled over the words, as she tried to clear her head of her emotions, before continuing numbly. "You're asking me to marry you?"
Kenny studied her shocked expression and her tears, and brushed a few away. "Yeah, but if you don't want to… we can forget it."
Max shook her head. "I don't want to forget it… I, that was beautiful…. Yes."
"Yes?" Kenny asked feeling as shocked as Max did a few minutes ago. "Yes?"
Max nodded through her tears, as Kenny slipped the ring onto her finger. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him softly.