----Chapter 2: First Day

"Here we are," Amy announced, as she pulled up in her reserved parking space at the courthouse. "Ready for a tour?" she asked Nikki, as they both got out.
"Ready as I'll ever be."
"Good morning, Amy," a familiar voice came up behind them. "Who's your friend?"
It was Donna. "Donna, this is Nikki Harrison," Amy introduced them. Nikki and Donna briefly exchanged glances and hellos before Donna began her usual gossip. This time, however, gossip included Amy, so Donna quickly jumped right in.
"So, how's the boyfriend?"
"What have you heard?"
"Just that David faked the murder of his wife to get over his heartbreak of their divorce."
"And who spread it?"
"Don't even go there, Judge Gray. I would never spread a rumor about you or anyone affiliated with you. Not unless you asked me to."
"Uh-huh, sure."
"Well, everyone knows the rumor. See for yourself." They had just entered "Gossip Central," the cafeteria. Sure enough, all Amy, Donna, and Nikki heard was talk of David. That is, until they saw Amy come in. Spotting Bruce, she hightailed over to the table he had waiting for them. He seemed surprised to see Nikki in David's place.
"Is it safe to say that you are cheating on McClaren, Amy? With another woman?"
"Yeah. No, really, this is Nikki Harrison, the new judge for criminal court. She's staying with us."
"Oh, really.....nice to meet you, Nikki. Anyway, so, Amy, did you hear the news? McClaren's gone and faked his wife's murder."
"Yeah, Donna beat you to it."
"So, where is McClaren, anyway?"
"He's taken Victor over to his aunt's for the weekend and will come later." Downing the rest of her coffee, Amy finally noticed Nikki. "Hey, come on, Nik, tour time."
"Nice to meet you guys," Nikki called as Amy pulled her to the hallway.

Amy had just finished giving Nikki the basic run around and shown Nikki to her office when Abner made his presence known. "Hello, Judge Gray," he said in that mocking tone of his, "I'm surprised to see you. David's taken the morning off. I thought you'd be a no-show, too."
"Not everything involving David has me in it. He's taken his son to see his aunt."
"Oh, really," nodding to Nikki, "I'll take over now. After all, she does work for me."
Amy took this as a sign to leave the room. She knew that today's docket involved several cases and that she must get a move on. "See you later, Nikki.....Abner."
"Bye, Judge Gray, say hi to McClaren, and tell him to stop by work occasionally. We really miss him," Abner added snidely.
Amy ignored the comment. Lately, more and more coworkers and colleagues were making rude jokes about them being together all the time. But, she couldn't help it. She loved him. Some force was pulling them together. And, she had a feeling that he loved her, too.

While Amy was off in her own courtroom, Nikki, on the other hand, had gotten her robe on and was standing just outside of the her courtroom. She must have looked nervous, because Abner reassured her, before pushing her into the door. "All rise, court is now is session. Judge Gr---Harrison presiding."
"Thank you," Nikki said as she sat down, motioning for everyone to follow her. Looking up, she saw only one lawyer, instead of two. "Where is the state's attorney?"
"He called from the road. Traffic, most likely." At the very moment, none other than David McClaren entered the court.
"Excuse me, Your Honor,....traffic was horrible today. I....." he said, without looking up.
"Yes, the CSO informed me already of your absence. Sit down, so we can begin."
He looked up, shocked. Amy subbing in criminal court today? Wouldn't she have told him? "Yes, Your Honor."