Day in Court

The following day Xavier and Hawk were in the local courthouse. "Well all's well that ends well, sort of," Hawk sighed.

Xavier told him. "What I'm concerned about is Angelica however. And confronting Lina's parents."

"Oh for crying out loud Xavier will you knock it off," Hawk groaned. "You got at least two or three new students…Well one of them was an old student and a possible new instructor out of this! Don't begrudge us our one recruit."

"That's not what I meant," Xavier said. "The court case regarding Dr. Gombell and the others is already generating publicity. Especially after what happened with the reporters."

"It's a closed court," Hawk said. "And going public with this case is a blessing in disguise. Maybe some folks will think twice about mutant registration."

"Not necessarily," Xavier said. "I take it you didn't see this morning's paper. There are senators saying that mutant registration will prevent events like this from happening. And many people are believing it."

"Wonderful," Hawk sighed. "You might want to be here though. Moral support for the kid."

Angelica was waiting for them with her lawyer, Mr. Mulder. "Mr. Mulder has worked for the Joes before," Hawk explained. "For…unique cases."

"Working with mutants is nothing new," Mr. Mulder grinned. "Heck compared to Atlantean Law this should be easy."

"Atlantean?" Xavier blinked. "Oh you're the one who handled Shipwreck's divorce."

"Yes and today I'm helping Angelica," He nodded.

"I just hope I don't end up in jail," Angelica moaned.

"Don't worry," Mr. Mulder smiled. "It will be all right. First of all there were several tapes of the incident that show it was clearly self defense. The judge will see that you're innocent. Especially since I found some character witnesses for you."

"Character witnesses?" Angelica looked around and saw two people she knew walking towards them."

"Hey jailbird," Amber grinned. "Long time no see."

"Amber!" Angelica hugged her friend. "Oh it's so good to see you! Mr. Haller?" Angelica blinked at Amber's father. "But I thought…"

"That I'd be leading the charge against you?" He sighed. "A few days ago I would have. But you forget I was there that night too. I saw what happened. You were only trying to protect your father. Not to mention Amber would have my hide if I didn't help. Angelica I'm sorry, if I hadn't decided to bring up that mutant ban in schools…"
"No," Angelica told him. "Someone else would have done it anyway. It's not your fault."

"I should have done more," He sighed. "Maybe your father wouldn't have gotten hurt. And you wouldn't have been taken by those horrible people."

"You can blame Bonnie for that," Angelica said bitterly. "She's not here is she?"

"I don't think so," Amber sighed.

"Good. The last thing I need at my trial is Bonnie screaming about how much a menace to society I am. How did you hear about the other stuff?" Angelica asked.

"It was on the news," Mr. Haller told her. "Didn't you know?"

"I haven't exactly been watching a lot of TV these past few days," Angelica told him. "Wait…They didn't show…"

"You being carried by that hunky guy wearing only a lab coat?" Amber grinned. "Oh yeah!"

"Oh no…" Angelica moaned.

"Oh please," Amber waved. "Hey Paris Hilton made a fortune doing a lot worse and wearing a lot less!"

"Oh that makes me feel so much better," Angelica groaned. "I am never going home again! Not that I can go home again…"

"Three guesses who probably was responsible for that," Amber grunted.

"You don't know it was Bonnie," Her father said.

"I wouldn't put it past her!" Amber snapped. "Angelica what are you going to do?"

"I'm going into the Misfits," Angelica told them.

"They're drafting you into the army?" Amber gasped.

"It's not like that," Angelica said. "They have a program for mutants. I think they can help me."

"What about that other school?" Mr. Haller asked.

"Yeah well my lawyer said that I'd have a better chance of things going better if I went to a government agency rather than a non-affiliated school," Angelica said. "Besides they told me they had a strict non-experimentation policy. No dissecting mutants allowed."

"She'll be fine," Hawk told them. "I'm General Hawk of GI Joe. And this is Professor Charles Xavier from the Xavier Institute."

"We tend to assist each other from time to time," Xavier shook their hands. "Don't worry. Angelica will be in good hands."

"Well that's good to know," Amber said. "So how do you feel?"

"Truth? I'm scared as hell," Angelica gulped. "I'm facing a judge. Going into a mutant army program and custody of me is being transferred to someone I hardly even know!"

"Custody?" Amber asked.

"On top of everything my dad lost his job," Angelica sighed. "And he has to take a sick leave due to his head injury anyway. So the Joes are setting him up to live in a new city and when he gets better he gets a new job. But as the lovely lawyer explained to me the court doesn't see him fit to be the guardian of a mutant for reasons I won't get into."

"Man that sucks," Amber grumbled.

"Where's Aimee?" Angelica asked.

"Uh…" Amber fidgeted.

"Let me guess," Angelica sighed. "She doesn't want to see me any more?"

"The fire freaked her out," Amber said. "Even though it wasn't your fault! I can't believe this!"

"Unfortunately Amber when it comes to mutants, many people are quick to rely on their fears rather than trying acceptance," Xavier sighed. "Many children are disowned by their own parents when their mutant abilities are discovered."

"That's horrible," Mr. Haller said.

"That's why the Institute and the Misfits exist," Hawk told him. "To give mutants a new start in life. A place where they feel accepted and belong."

"We'd better get going," Mr. Mulder looked at his watch. "The hearing starts in ten minutes."

The next thirty minutes were the longest of Angelica's life. She stood before the judge as her lawyer presented evidence and arguments. The knot in her stomach grew tighter and tighter. It was all she could do not to run out of the court screaming. Finally the judge spoke to her.

"Ms. Jones after watching the tape and listening to the evidence there is no doubt in my mind that this incident was an accident," Judge Peterson told her. "It was clearly an attempt at self defense that backfired. Nevertheless you still have to answer for over ten thousand dollars worth of damage to property. However your lawyer tells me that funds have been arranged for payment."

"Payment?" Xavier whispered to Hawk.

"You're not the only one with access to a large bank account," Hawk grinned. "Let's just say a father of a friend is helping us out with this one."

"Therefore I am placing you on probation until you turn 18. I am transferring temporary custody to…" Judge Peterson looked at the file. "Ms. Krieger. Ms. Krieger are you willing to take responsibility for Ms. Jones?"

"I am sir," Cover Girl was dressed in a smart business suit.

"Good. Case dismissed," He pounded on his gavel. Cover Girl signed some forms and it was all over.

"Wow that was fast. So what happens now?" Angelica asked as they walked out of the courtroom.

"Now you need to go to see Judge Gate and tell her about your experiences with Dr. Gombell," Mulder told her. "Fortunately he's already pleaded guilty at his arraignment so it's likely you won't have to testify in person when his hearing comes up."

A loud scream interrupted them. "That's Lina!" Angelica ran over to the room to find out what was wrong.