The One Where Chandler is Wrongly Accused

By: Jana~

Chapter Three

*****

--It took forever for the public defender to finally arrive. The meeting was set for eight a.m., but she didn't arrive until after eleven. Chandler and Monica sat across from her, anxious as they watched her sift through paperwork, reading through his case file.

"I have to ask," she spoke up, "Why did you let them into your home?"

Chandler was shocked by the question. "They were Federal Agents! I thought I had to let them in!"

"Did they have a warrant?"

"An intent to investigate," Monica answered, "Is what they called it."

"Then you didn't have to talk to them."

"We didn't know that," Chandler sighed.

"Why did you sign this paper taking responsibility for images found on the computer?" the lawyer asked next.

"They told me to," Chandler replied. "They said if I didn't, they would bring in Monica, and all my friends, and interrogate them."

She shook her head, "This is actually typical, unfortunately." She sifted through more papers. "Because of the nature of the pictures, I do not have them here in this file. I have to go over to the police department to look at them."

"Ok," Chandler nodded.

"I won't know much till I can look at them, and I need to speak with a computer expert who can explain how these images could have found their way onto your computer. Other than by having you download them."

"They weren't even downloaded pictures!" Monica interjected. "They were in the web archive!"

The lawyer shook her head, "That's why I need to speak with a computer expert. I have no idea what that means."

"It means," Chandler explained, "They were supposedly viewed online, but never downloaded onto the actual computer."

"And most of the pictures they had were either banner ads or broken images. Like, as soon as they started to load, the 'x' was clicked," Monica added.

"Alright. I'll find out about that as well. And I'll find out where your computer is and look at it, too."

"How long is all this going to take?" Monica asked.

"We just want this to be over with," Chandler added.

"Well, unfortunately, it's not going to be over with quickly," the lawyer informed.

"What, are we talking years?" Monica asked.

The lawyer chuckled solemnly, "I sure hope not. But, realistically, you're looking at several months."

Monica put her face in her hands and sighed.

"So, what happens now?" Chandler asked as he placed his hand on his wife's knee supportively.

"Well," the lawyer replied, "We try to get enough counter evidence to prove the DA doesn't have a case. But, that's going to take a while." She grabbed a calendar and thumbed through it. "Let's have you come back in 6 weeks."

"What happens in 6 weeks?" Monica asked.

"Well, by then, hopefully we'll have enough evidence to have the case dismissed."

"Before it goes to trial?" Chandler asked to confirm.

The lawyer nodded. "Right."

"What if they don't dismiss it?"

"Then you go to trial."

Monica sighed and shook her head, her eyes downcast. "This is a nightmare."

"What happens if we do go to trial and I'm found guilty?"

"The maximum is one year, but you probably wouldn't get the maximum. You would probably get probation or at the worst, a few months on a weekend jail sentence."

Monica scowled, "Weekend jail?"

"Yeah," the lawyer explained, "You go to jail only on the weekends to serve your sentence."

Monica shook her head to help clear her thoughts. "Knowing what you know, having not been able to see the evidence yet, what are his chances of being found not guilty?"

"Well, I can't really guess on that, because it's up to a jury of your peers, but, the burden of proof is on them. The DA. They have to prove that Chandler went to these web sites with the intent of finding, downloading, and owning pictures he knew were of individuals under the age of 18."

"So, odds are in his favor?" Monica was desperate for some idea of what to expect.

"Well, in a way, but there's still no way of knowing for sure. And I can't promise you the outcome you're looking for, I can only promise to do my best to counter their claims and fight for you."

*****

--"She sounds like she knows what she's doing," Monica stated as she and Chandler walked through the door of their apartment.

He shrugged, "Yeah, I guess."

"You don't think so?"

"No, it's not that. It's just…"

"Just, what?"

"I don't want any of this to be happening, Mon." He sighed as he dropped his stressed body onto a diningroom chair. "I want my old life back."

"I know," she murmured softly as she rubbed his shoulders, kneading the knots that had formed in his neck and shoulder muscles. "We'll get through this though, Chandler. I know it's hard, but, try to think positive."

"I am… trying," he muttered as he enjoyed his wife's massage, briefly thinking how much better she was at it since Phoebe taught her how.

Monica wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her cheek against his. "Come to bed, sweetie. Let me help you feel better. If just for a little while."

He turned to face her, a slight smile on his face, "I love you."

"I know," she smiled, "I love you too." She kissed his lips softly. "Come to bed?"

He nodded, kissing her quick before standing and gathering her into his arms. "I'm sorry I've been so, anti-social, lately."

"You've had a lot on your mind," she whispered in his ear, "I understand. And I would take it all away if I could."

"I know you would."

"All the stress and worry and frustration, but, I can't," she added.

"I know. Just you being by my side is enough," he uttered sincerely. "Even though I don't always show how much your support means to me."

"I know how much it means to you." She kissed him tenderly, her fingers winding through his soft hair. She pulled back and smiled, "Let me make love to you," she purred. "Let me take away your concerns… even if only for a few hours."

"A few hours?" he grinned, "Sounds like a wonderful way to spend an evening."

She took his hand, kissed it, then led the way to their room.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Ok, so, I revamped and I'm re-posting this story, cause I'm going to be continuing it, and because of the excessive usage of my good friend, Mr. Ellipses!

I also wanted to add… this is based on my actual, real life nightmare. My husband was fired from his job for a different reason, before the feds came knocking on our door three days later, on that fateful day in October of 2001, but everything else actually happened as I have written it. Except for the changes needed to stay true to the characters, even the dialog is close to actual conversations had between myself, my husband, my family and friends, and the various agents, police officers, court employees and the public defenders defending my husband.

Our nightmare finally ended for us, 1 year and 10 months after it began, and the events leading up to, and including the final ruling will be in this story in the coming chapters.

Please review, and MTLBYAKY