AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you so much for the reviews on last chapter you guys!
Reviews make me so happy because they let me know if I'm keep you guys out
there entertained. If I don't get any reviews that's when I go and get sad.
Well, there's important stuff in this chapter, people. Just letting you
know. PLEASE REVIEW when you're finished!!!!!
"How you feelin'?" Jax whispered in Skye's ear as he sat down behind her in the courtroom early the next morning.
She turned around and smiled. "I'm okay," she replied.
"Good," Jax glanced around the room noting the same people were there from yesterday. "Have you talked to Dawne yet?"
Skye shook her head. "I called once yesterday -so did Collin- but they haven't been able to locate her. Their schedules are always messed up when they come back from a long break."
"Right," he nodded. He looked up as the door to the side of the Judge's stand opened and Judge Miller walked in. "I'll talk to you after, good luck." She smiled, unable to say more for the security guard was requesting that they all rise.
"You may be seated," Judge Miller told the group as he sat down. He set his file down and looked up to survey the courtroom. "Mr. Griffin, where is your client?"
"Ummm, he's running late sir," Mark Griffin lied with a small smile. "He should be here any moment."
"Where is he?" Skye heard Alexis mumble to herself.
Judge Miller pursed his lips as he thought. "I'll give Mr. Bryant ten minutes. If he's not here by then we'll begin."
"Yes your honor," Mark Griffin gave a small nod and sat down. He straightened his papers nervously and shifted in his chair more than once. It was the first time Skye'd seen him with all his walls down. It was somewhat amusing.
She sat back in her chair and relaxed as best she could as the minutes past. Judge Miller sat in his honorary seat flipping through the file Alexis had given him earlier, as the rest of the audience sat in bored silence.
Skye couldn't take the heat any longer. She grabbed one of Alexis' files and began to fan herself furiously. ::Is it hot in here or is it just me?:: she wondered as she took a deep breath and fanned herself faster.
"Skye, are you okay?" Collin asked from behind her.
She turned around and frowned. "I'm fine, it's just really hot."
His brows furrowed as he leaned forward in his seat. ::How is she hot?:: he wondered ::When I'm freezing.:: He glanced over at Jax, he looked perfectly comfortable. So did AJ, Ned and Alan. "You're just nervous," he whispered back.
She shrugged, "Maybe."
He shrugged back and sat back in his seat, signaling an end to the conversation. She faced forward again and glanced at her watch. Trystan was nearly thirty minutes late! They'd been instructed to be there at 10:40 in the morning, court started and 11, and it was now 11:07 AM. She smiled to herself, wondering if he'd chickened out.
She sighed. That would never happen. Once Trystan decided he wanted something, he went for it. Nothing could stand in his way. That was what was bothering her. He wouldn't just give up like this, he would fight until he got what he wanted. She'd begun to worry when the Judge looked up and cleared his throat.
He banged his gavel once. It was so loud in the silent room that it echoed several times over. "Custody case 109 is back in session. Trystan Bryant versus Antoinette Chandler-Quartermaine."
He leaned back in his seat and eyed Skye for a few seconds before turning his attention to Mark Griffin. "Due to recent events and newfound information I have come to my conclusion. I have here Ms. Quartermaine's medical records; they show that she was, in fact, physically abused on numerous occasions and that Mr. Bryant raped her, which resulted in a child," he paused and surveyed the crowd. "I am also aware of Ms. Quartermaine's drinking habits which I was recently informed of."
Skye looked down at her hands and bit her lip. Tears formed in her eyes but she held them back. ::I will not cry, I will not cry, I will not cry:: she chanted over and over in her mind. She forced herself to look back up and meet the Judge's gaze.
"Under the circumstances I have decided that it would be in the best interest of the child to remain with her mother-"
The courtroom erupted in applause and shots of joy at this. Skye relaxed immediately and fell back into her chair with relief. She looked over at Alexis who closed the file sitting in front of her and relaxed as well.
"Damn, I ::am:: good," she heard Alexis say over the shouts.
Someone was patting her on the shoulder, but she was too overcome to realize it. Tears swam into her eyes again and she smiled broadly.
The judge banged is gavel twice, silencing the crowd, but the excitement still hung in the air. "There is one condition," he told the room. He looked directly at Skye, stretching out the silence. "Ms. Quartermaine, you must agree to join AA and continue with your sobriety, do you accept."
Skye bit her lip to stop the tears, but they spilled over anyway. "I-I accept," she nodded, her eyes shining with happiness and tears. She covered her mouth with her hand as the Judge smiled and banged his gavel once declaring the court was adjourned.
Skye stood along with everyone else as the judge left the room and immediately it was filled with voices again. Skye turned around to the group behind her and immediately found Collin. She wrapped her arms tight around him. "Oh God, I thought- I thought-" she began.
"Shhh, it's okay," he cooed and stroked her back gently. "You've got Dawne, that's all that matters."
Skye pulled away and looked at Collin, her eyes shinning with the tears that coursed down her cheeks silently. "I'm just so happy I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll go out to lunch with us to celebrate," Alan replied beaming. He turned to the crowd. "Everyone, everyone's invited to lunch at the PC Grille."
"Yes, it's on me," Jax agreed and turned back to Skye. "Congratulations, I knew you could do it."
Skye smiled and hugged him then pulled away and turned to Alexis. "Actually Alexis is the one who did it," she smiled at Alexis. "Thank you," she said and pulled Alexis into a tight hug.
Alexis was flustered, she'd never imagined she'd be held so closely by a woman who up until a week ago she'd hated with everything she had in her. Awkwardly she patted Skye on the back a few times. "Uh, you're welcome?"
Skye pulled away and nodded as she wiped away a few tears. She turned to her father, "Let's go, shall we?"
"Absolutely," he smiled and offered her his arm on the other side of the fence blocking the audience from the courtroom floor and walked her to the gate. He opened it for her and she stepped through never removing her arm from her father's.
"Congratulations," Carly said as they reached her.
Skye smiled. "Come to lunch with us, all of you," she added looking behind Carly to Courtney and Jason.
"Uh, I don't know-" Carly began looking at the Quartermaines.
"Don't worry, we won't bite," Skye laughed and shook her head. "No fighting today. Invite Sonny, and Michael too."
Carly smiled. "Okay, we'll be there then."
Skye nodded and smiled as her father led her out of the courthouse, and into the Quartermaine limo. The Quartermaines and Alexis piled into their limo while Carly, Jason and Courtney got into Sonny's. Collin offered to catch a ride with Jax since the limo was a bit crowded with the five Quartermaines and Alexis. Secretly Skye knew the two were conspiring something. Everyone finally agreed to meet at the Grille at noon, in thirty- five minutes.
* * * * *
Skye dropped her fork on to her plate and sighed. "I'm done," she told no one in particular.
"You eat like a bird," Collin answered from across the table as he stuffed another bite of steak in his mouth.
"Collin's right," Jax said from beside her. "You gotta eat more... I like my women with some meat on their bones," he added with a wink.
"Oh is that right?" she teased.
"Here, have some mashed potatoes," Collin picked up his plate and offered her the pile of food.
"No thanks," she shook her head, "I don't eat Carbs."
He nodded. "Oh, is that why you ate every single crouton in that salad? And the bread sticks, might I add?"
She looked down at the salad she'd just finished and realized he was right. "Damn," she frowned. "Pass me some of those then," she smiled as he scooped a large portion of the still steamy potatoes onto a clean plate. She turned back to Jax ready to finish the conversation they'd begun. "So, you want me fatter humm?"
"No," he shook his head.
"That's what you're suggesting," she raised her eyebrows.
"I'm just saying you ::could:: eat a little more," he answered growing a bit uncomfortable.
"So I'm too skinny, is that it?" she fought not to smile. She was having way too much fun and he looked so uncomfortable.
Jax opened his mouth to reply but Collin cut him off. "Just give up, you'll never beat her."
Jax laughed at Collin as a cell phone rang. Immediately everyone at the huge table checked their cell phone. "It's mine!" Skye exclaimed as she flipped it open. "Skye Quartermaine," she said into the mouthpiece, her normal greeting.
"Bonjour Mme Quartermaine," Madam Beauchamp's voice greeted her.
"Bonjour Madam Beauchamp," Skye returned and smiled at Collin. "What can I do for you?" she asked, continuing in French.
"Ms. Quartermaine-" Madam Beauchamp began again. Skye was suddenly wary. If Madam Beauchamp had suddenly reverted back to addressing her by her title instead of her first name, she knew it couldn't be good. "-I thought I made it perfectly clear that your daughter was to return no later than nine PM Sunday night."
Skye had begun to stand, intending to find a more private place to speak with Madam Beauchamp, but she froze half standing. "I'm afraid I don't understand," Skye answered after a short pause.
"I really hate to do this Ms. Quartermaine," Madam Beauchamp replied sounding genuinely regretful. "Because Dawne failed to return to the school on time I'm afraid she won't be aloud to return for the rest of the year."
Skye stared directly at Collin as she spoke, and he stared back listening to her intently. "M-may I speak with her please?" Skye asked hopefully.
"Speak with her-?" Madam Beauchamp repeated and suddenly went silent. "My God," she whispered. "She's not with you is she Skye?"
Skye dropped the phone in shock. "Skye?" Collin asked standing up, he reached out to her. "What's wrong?"
"Jax?" she asked him in a dazed whisper. "Catch me."
He didn't have time to think as Skye fell backwards in a dead faint. He pushed back his chair so fast it fell over and he caught her just before she hit the floor. "Skye! Skye!" he exclaimed cradling her in his lap. Alan and Monica jumped up and rushed over to the pair as Collin grabbed the phone out of Skye's plate of mashed potatoes.
"Hello?" Collin said into the phone as he wiped the potatoes off the phone and prayed it still worked.
"What happened to Skye?" he heard Madam Beauchamp's voice answer him.
"Madam Beauchamp, what did you tell her?" he asked in his native tongue.
"Dawne hasn't returned to school," she answered sounding extremely worried. "What happened to Skye"
"She's not at school?" Collin repeated. "How can that be? I put her on the plane myself!"
"Oh dear," Madam Beauchamp answered. "You don't think she's been kidnapped do you?"
"Madam Beauchamp, that's exactly what I think," Collin answered as he watched Alan take a glass of water and toss it on his daughter. The technique worked, Skye sat up gasping. "Madam Beauchamp, I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't contact the police about this."
"Of course not," she answered. "Collin dear, hurry, I don't want to know what that sick man has done to poor Dawne."
"Yes Madam," he answered and flipped the phone shut. He looked back over at his best friend and found her crying hysterically into Jax's shoulder. Nearly everyone in their dinner party was crowded around Skye.
"Collin, what's going on?" Jason asked him walking up to him. He watched his sister with worried interest, it was overwhelming to see her break down twice in a two day period. He'd always thought she was simply a cold, vindictive bitch, it was unnerving to see that she really did feel.
"That @#%$ bastard," Collin growled. "I'll @#%$ kill him! I'll @#%$ ::kill:: him!"
"He's got her," Skye cried into Jax's shoulder. "That monster's got my baby!"
Jax looked up at him with venom in his eyes. Collin nodded, understanding what Jax was telling him with that one look. He didn't take his gaze off of Skye as he spoke. "Jason, have you ever made a threat you weren't willing to go through with?"
Jason didn't hesitate. "No."
"Good," Collin nodded and turned to him. "That's what I was hoping you'd say."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, I know it's not really long or anything, but some major stuff happens (don't hurt me!). Like I said, this is the chapter that it starts to take off, the climax I guess you would say. Only a couple more chapters to go, I'm excited about finishing this, hope you guys are too. Well, please don't forget to review. It helps me think because it boosts my ego as well as makes me want to continue so I'll get more reviews (I'm sure you know exactly what I mean). Oh, quick question, does anyone know what Mike's last name is (Courtney and Sonny's dad)? PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!
"How you feelin'?" Jax whispered in Skye's ear as he sat down behind her in the courtroom early the next morning.
She turned around and smiled. "I'm okay," she replied.
"Good," Jax glanced around the room noting the same people were there from yesterday. "Have you talked to Dawne yet?"
Skye shook her head. "I called once yesterday -so did Collin- but they haven't been able to locate her. Their schedules are always messed up when they come back from a long break."
"Right," he nodded. He looked up as the door to the side of the Judge's stand opened and Judge Miller walked in. "I'll talk to you after, good luck." She smiled, unable to say more for the security guard was requesting that they all rise.
"You may be seated," Judge Miller told the group as he sat down. He set his file down and looked up to survey the courtroom. "Mr. Griffin, where is your client?"
"Ummm, he's running late sir," Mark Griffin lied with a small smile. "He should be here any moment."
"Where is he?" Skye heard Alexis mumble to herself.
Judge Miller pursed his lips as he thought. "I'll give Mr. Bryant ten minutes. If he's not here by then we'll begin."
"Yes your honor," Mark Griffin gave a small nod and sat down. He straightened his papers nervously and shifted in his chair more than once. It was the first time Skye'd seen him with all his walls down. It was somewhat amusing.
She sat back in her chair and relaxed as best she could as the minutes past. Judge Miller sat in his honorary seat flipping through the file Alexis had given him earlier, as the rest of the audience sat in bored silence.
Skye couldn't take the heat any longer. She grabbed one of Alexis' files and began to fan herself furiously. ::Is it hot in here or is it just me?:: she wondered as she took a deep breath and fanned herself faster.
"Skye, are you okay?" Collin asked from behind her.
She turned around and frowned. "I'm fine, it's just really hot."
His brows furrowed as he leaned forward in his seat. ::How is she hot?:: he wondered ::When I'm freezing.:: He glanced over at Jax, he looked perfectly comfortable. So did AJ, Ned and Alan. "You're just nervous," he whispered back.
She shrugged, "Maybe."
He shrugged back and sat back in his seat, signaling an end to the conversation. She faced forward again and glanced at her watch. Trystan was nearly thirty minutes late! They'd been instructed to be there at 10:40 in the morning, court started and 11, and it was now 11:07 AM. She smiled to herself, wondering if he'd chickened out.
She sighed. That would never happen. Once Trystan decided he wanted something, he went for it. Nothing could stand in his way. That was what was bothering her. He wouldn't just give up like this, he would fight until he got what he wanted. She'd begun to worry when the Judge looked up and cleared his throat.
He banged his gavel once. It was so loud in the silent room that it echoed several times over. "Custody case 109 is back in session. Trystan Bryant versus Antoinette Chandler-Quartermaine."
He leaned back in his seat and eyed Skye for a few seconds before turning his attention to Mark Griffin. "Due to recent events and newfound information I have come to my conclusion. I have here Ms. Quartermaine's medical records; they show that she was, in fact, physically abused on numerous occasions and that Mr. Bryant raped her, which resulted in a child," he paused and surveyed the crowd. "I am also aware of Ms. Quartermaine's drinking habits which I was recently informed of."
Skye looked down at her hands and bit her lip. Tears formed in her eyes but she held them back. ::I will not cry, I will not cry, I will not cry:: she chanted over and over in her mind. She forced herself to look back up and meet the Judge's gaze.
"Under the circumstances I have decided that it would be in the best interest of the child to remain with her mother-"
The courtroom erupted in applause and shots of joy at this. Skye relaxed immediately and fell back into her chair with relief. She looked over at Alexis who closed the file sitting in front of her and relaxed as well.
"Damn, I ::am:: good," she heard Alexis say over the shouts.
Someone was patting her on the shoulder, but she was too overcome to realize it. Tears swam into her eyes again and she smiled broadly.
The judge banged is gavel twice, silencing the crowd, but the excitement still hung in the air. "There is one condition," he told the room. He looked directly at Skye, stretching out the silence. "Ms. Quartermaine, you must agree to join AA and continue with your sobriety, do you accept."
Skye bit her lip to stop the tears, but they spilled over anyway. "I-I accept," she nodded, her eyes shining with happiness and tears. She covered her mouth with her hand as the Judge smiled and banged his gavel once declaring the court was adjourned.
Skye stood along with everyone else as the judge left the room and immediately it was filled with voices again. Skye turned around to the group behind her and immediately found Collin. She wrapped her arms tight around him. "Oh God, I thought- I thought-" she began.
"Shhh, it's okay," he cooed and stroked her back gently. "You've got Dawne, that's all that matters."
Skye pulled away and looked at Collin, her eyes shinning with the tears that coursed down her cheeks silently. "I'm just so happy I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll go out to lunch with us to celebrate," Alan replied beaming. He turned to the crowd. "Everyone, everyone's invited to lunch at the PC Grille."
"Yes, it's on me," Jax agreed and turned back to Skye. "Congratulations, I knew you could do it."
Skye smiled and hugged him then pulled away and turned to Alexis. "Actually Alexis is the one who did it," she smiled at Alexis. "Thank you," she said and pulled Alexis into a tight hug.
Alexis was flustered, she'd never imagined she'd be held so closely by a woman who up until a week ago she'd hated with everything she had in her. Awkwardly she patted Skye on the back a few times. "Uh, you're welcome?"
Skye pulled away and nodded as she wiped away a few tears. She turned to her father, "Let's go, shall we?"
"Absolutely," he smiled and offered her his arm on the other side of the fence blocking the audience from the courtroom floor and walked her to the gate. He opened it for her and she stepped through never removing her arm from her father's.
"Congratulations," Carly said as they reached her.
Skye smiled. "Come to lunch with us, all of you," she added looking behind Carly to Courtney and Jason.
"Uh, I don't know-" Carly began looking at the Quartermaines.
"Don't worry, we won't bite," Skye laughed and shook her head. "No fighting today. Invite Sonny, and Michael too."
Carly smiled. "Okay, we'll be there then."
Skye nodded and smiled as her father led her out of the courthouse, and into the Quartermaine limo. The Quartermaines and Alexis piled into their limo while Carly, Jason and Courtney got into Sonny's. Collin offered to catch a ride with Jax since the limo was a bit crowded with the five Quartermaines and Alexis. Secretly Skye knew the two were conspiring something. Everyone finally agreed to meet at the Grille at noon, in thirty- five minutes.
* * * * *
Skye dropped her fork on to her plate and sighed. "I'm done," she told no one in particular.
"You eat like a bird," Collin answered from across the table as he stuffed another bite of steak in his mouth.
"Collin's right," Jax said from beside her. "You gotta eat more... I like my women with some meat on their bones," he added with a wink.
"Oh is that right?" she teased.
"Here, have some mashed potatoes," Collin picked up his plate and offered her the pile of food.
"No thanks," she shook her head, "I don't eat Carbs."
He nodded. "Oh, is that why you ate every single crouton in that salad? And the bread sticks, might I add?"
She looked down at the salad she'd just finished and realized he was right. "Damn," she frowned. "Pass me some of those then," she smiled as he scooped a large portion of the still steamy potatoes onto a clean plate. She turned back to Jax ready to finish the conversation they'd begun. "So, you want me fatter humm?"
"No," he shook his head.
"That's what you're suggesting," she raised her eyebrows.
"I'm just saying you ::could:: eat a little more," he answered growing a bit uncomfortable.
"So I'm too skinny, is that it?" she fought not to smile. She was having way too much fun and he looked so uncomfortable.
Jax opened his mouth to reply but Collin cut him off. "Just give up, you'll never beat her."
Jax laughed at Collin as a cell phone rang. Immediately everyone at the huge table checked their cell phone. "It's mine!" Skye exclaimed as she flipped it open. "Skye Quartermaine," she said into the mouthpiece, her normal greeting.
"Bonjour Mme Quartermaine," Madam Beauchamp's voice greeted her.
"Bonjour Madam Beauchamp," Skye returned and smiled at Collin. "What can I do for you?" she asked, continuing in French.
"Ms. Quartermaine-" Madam Beauchamp began again. Skye was suddenly wary. If Madam Beauchamp had suddenly reverted back to addressing her by her title instead of her first name, she knew it couldn't be good. "-I thought I made it perfectly clear that your daughter was to return no later than nine PM Sunday night."
Skye had begun to stand, intending to find a more private place to speak with Madam Beauchamp, but she froze half standing. "I'm afraid I don't understand," Skye answered after a short pause.
"I really hate to do this Ms. Quartermaine," Madam Beauchamp replied sounding genuinely regretful. "Because Dawne failed to return to the school on time I'm afraid she won't be aloud to return for the rest of the year."
Skye stared directly at Collin as she spoke, and he stared back listening to her intently. "M-may I speak with her please?" Skye asked hopefully.
"Speak with her-?" Madam Beauchamp repeated and suddenly went silent. "My God," she whispered. "She's not with you is she Skye?"
Skye dropped the phone in shock. "Skye?" Collin asked standing up, he reached out to her. "What's wrong?"
"Jax?" she asked him in a dazed whisper. "Catch me."
He didn't have time to think as Skye fell backwards in a dead faint. He pushed back his chair so fast it fell over and he caught her just before she hit the floor. "Skye! Skye!" he exclaimed cradling her in his lap. Alan and Monica jumped up and rushed over to the pair as Collin grabbed the phone out of Skye's plate of mashed potatoes.
"Hello?" Collin said into the phone as he wiped the potatoes off the phone and prayed it still worked.
"What happened to Skye?" he heard Madam Beauchamp's voice answer him.
"Madam Beauchamp, what did you tell her?" he asked in his native tongue.
"Dawne hasn't returned to school," she answered sounding extremely worried. "What happened to Skye"
"She's not at school?" Collin repeated. "How can that be? I put her on the plane myself!"
"Oh dear," Madam Beauchamp answered. "You don't think she's been kidnapped do you?"
"Madam Beauchamp, that's exactly what I think," Collin answered as he watched Alan take a glass of water and toss it on his daughter. The technique worked, Skye sat up gasping. "Madam Beauchamp, I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't contact the police about this."
"Of course not," she answered. "Collin dear, hurry, I don't want to know what that sick man has done to poor Dawne."
"Yes Madam," he answered and flipped the phone shut. He looked back over at his best friend and found her crying hysterically into Jax's shoulder. Nearly everyone in their dinner party was crowded around Skye.
"Collin, what's going on?" Jason asked him walking up to him. He watched his sister with worried interest, it was overwhelming to see her break down twice in a two day period. He'd always thought she was simply a cold, vindictive bitch, it was unnerving to see that she really did feel.
"That @#%$ bastard," Collin growled. "I'll @#%$ kill him! I'll @#%$ ::kill:: him!"
"He's got her," Skye cried into Jax's shoulder. "That monster's got my baby!"
Jax looked up at him with venom in his eyes. Collin nodded, understanding what Jax was telling him with that one look. He didn't take his gaze off of Skye as he spoke. "Jason, have you ever made a threat you weren't willing to go through with?"
Jason didn't hesitate. "No."
"Good," Collin nodded and turned to him. "That's what I was hoping you'd say."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, I know it's not really long or anything, but some major stuff happens (don't hurt me!). Like I said, this is the chapter that it starts to take off, the climax I guess you would say. Only a couple more chapters to go, I'm excited about finishing this, hope you guys are too. Well, please don't forget to review. It helps me think because it boosts my ego as well as makes me want to continue so I'll get more reviews (I'm sure you know exactly what I mean). Oh, quick question, does anyone know what Mike's last name is (Courtney and Sonny's dad)? PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!
