"Confessions"
Disclaimer/Author's Note:
This chapter will skip ahead two weeks to the trial.
The Trial
This morning Kira awoke earlier than she had been with the help of an alarm clock. Today being as important as it was, she wanted to make sure everything went as perfect as possible. After showering, Kira dried her hair and chose a new style of outfit. Instead of her usual punky look, Kira chose a knee length loose black skirt and yellow V-neck blouse with a pair of black heels. As ten a.m. rolled around, Kira drove down to the court house where she was supposed to meet the others for Tommy's trial. That's right, today was the big day-the day they had all been waiting for. Especially Kira as over the past two weeks, she had been to visit Tommy several times and his attitude and been gradually deteriorating with each visit until there almost no trace of the old Tommy left-and to many it seemed there was no trace left. Yet, Kira knew the old Tommy was still in there waiting to come out. Pulling up to the local court house, Kira parked her truck and waited out front for the others to arrive. Which didn't take long as a couple of minutes after Kira had shown up, she saw Trent and Anton approaching her.
"Wow! You look great, Kira!" Trent complimented when he saw Kira's new style. Smiling slightly, Kira replied "Thanks, Trent. Hey, Anton." Smiling, Anton shook her hand as he replied "Hey, Kira." Seeing the worry in her eyes, Anton tried to comfort her and put her mind at ease. "Kira, don't worry. Everything's gonna be fine. Tommy's gonna be free before ya know it." Noticing what he was trying to do, Kira responded "The trial's not what I'm worried about. I have no doubt in my mind it'll turn out all right. Tommy's the one I'm worried about. You should have seen him when I went to visit him in prison. Each visit, it seemed the liveliness I loved so much about him seemed to diminish more and more." Understanding, Anton added "Don't worry. You and I both know Tommy. He's gonna be just fine." Trying to brush it off, Kira replied "Yeah, you're right. I just wanna get this overwith." With that, the others began to show up and the group went into the court room. As they took their seats, the group watched as the prosecution walked in with Clark in tow. Glaring at him, it was all Kira could do to contain herself and not attack her father. Then they proceeded to watch as the defense walked in with Tommy who looked completely different from when the teens had seen him last-dark and distant; like he wasn't even there at all. Also, Tommy appeared extremely emaciated. With that, the bailiff and the judge entered as the bailiff addressed the court room. "All rise." On his command, everyone in the court room stood as the judge took her seat and beckoned for everyone to be seated. As the trial began, both sides presented their case. Then, John called his first witness to the stand. "Your Honor, I would like to call Kira Ford to the stand." Approaching the stand, Kira was greeted by the bailiff who held a bible out in front of her as she placed her left hand on top of it and raised the right hand. The bailiff addressed her. "Ms. Ford, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?" Solemnly, Kira nodded and replied "I do." With that, Kira took the stand and answered all of the prosecution's questions with confidence. Then, it came time for John's questions. Having previously discussed them with him, Kira thought it would be a breeze and as far as the questions went, it was. But while she was testifying, Kira couldn't help but notice how Tommy seemed to be avoiding eye contact with her. Finally John finished with his questions and Kira took her seat once more. The rest of the interrogations went fairly smoothly as did the closing agruments. Finally, the judge addressed the court room. "The court is in reccess while the jury proceeds into deliberations." With that, the jury filed out of the court room as did the prosecution and John and Tommy. Watching Tommy walk right by her without even looking at her, Kira was beginning to wonder whether or not there was any of the old Tommy left. But, just before he left the court room, Kira managed to catch his eye, though she wished she hadn't. The look in his eyes was cold and dark and distant as well as pleading for someone to help him. Wanting more than anything to help him, Kira just turned away and left with the others. Outside the court room, Conner noticed Kira looking rather upset.
"Hey, you okay?" he asked her, concerned. Looking up at Conner, Kira replied "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just..." Half-smiling, Trent placed a gentle hand on her shoulder as he finished "...you're worried about Dr. Oliver." Eyebrows furrowed together, Kira asked "Yeah, how'd you know?" Cutting him off, Conner added "We can all see it in your eyes." Half-smiling, Kira added "Yeah, well...it's kinda hard not to. I mean did you see how emaciated he looked?" Frowning in resignation, Trent added "Yeah. I was just hoping it was just me, though." Understanding how he felt, Kira responded "I think we all did." After a solemn silence, Kira spoke up. "Well, listen...I think I'm gonna head on home. I'll see you guys later." As Kira walked off, they all said their goodbyes and Kira drove home. That night, Kira tried to relax and not worry too much about Tommy but found that to be impossible. Finally, night fell and she got ready for bed. Tonight she slept a little bit better knowing that this thing would all be over soon but still not quite as well as she would have had Tommy been there.
Around three o'clock in the morning, Kira had finally gotten to sleep when the phone rang. Picking it up, Kira groggily answered "Whoever the hell you are, you better have a damn good reason for waking me up at..." Checking the clock next to her bed, Kira continued "...Three o'clock in the morning." Listening to Kira's groggy greeting, the caller answered "Oh, believe me...I do..." Perking up slightly, Kira asked "Anton? No offense, but what the hell are you doing calling me at the three o'clock in the morning?" Smiling, he replied "Well, John just called...the jury came back with a verdict about an hour ago." Confused and still groggy, Kira asked "They deliberated 'till two in the morning?" Chuckling, Anton added "Apparently. John tells me they'll be reading the verdict in the court room at ten a.m. tomorrow morning." Relieved, Kira added "Great! You bet your ass I'll be there. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to try to get a little more sleep so I don't look like a total zombie in the court room..." Smiling, Anton added "Of course, I just thought you'd like to know there was a verdict." Smiling, Kira added "Yes and now I do so now I'm going back to sleep...if that's at all possible and I can still remember how to do that..." Chuckling, Anton added "Later, Kira." Smiling, Kira added "Later, Anton." With that, Kira hung up the phone and attempted to go back to sleep.
About five hours later, Kira awoke to the bright sunlight filing in between the cracks between her blinds. Getting up she ate what breakfast she could and showered. Dressing formally again, this time, Kira chose a yellow long sleeved blouse and an ankle length black skirt with the same black heels. When it came time to meet the others down at the court house, Kira grabbed the keys to her truck and drove back down there. This time, Trent and Anton were the first to arrive. As the others arrived, they took their usual seats near the front of the court room. The defense and prosecution had already filed into the court room. Somehow, Tommy looked even worse today than he had yesterday...if that was possible. It was almost as if he thought he didn't stand a chance and had given up all hope of being found innocent. Feeling the tears stinging her eyes as she felt her heart breaking with pain and sympathy towards him, it seemed like an eternity before the judge and jury re-entered the court room. As the judge-along with everyone else-took her seat, she addressed the jury. "Ms. Foreman, have you reached a verdict?" Standing, the foreman of the jury answered "Yes, Your Honor. We have." Calmly, the judge asked "Will the defendant please rise?" How can she be so calm about this?...Oh, right, she doesn't know Tommy. Especially the way I do...Kira thought to herself as John and Tommy stood for the reading of the verdict. Turning to the foreman, the judge added "Will the foreman please read the verdict?" Crossing her fingers, Kira was a nervous wreck, though she didn't know quite why. She knew that Tommy was innocent and that she had nothing to worry about, yet that didn't stop her. Her heart raced as the foreman read the verdict. "We the jury find the defendant, Thomas Sean Oliver,...not guilty." Sighing a sigh of immense relief as she listened to the verdict, Kira thought to herself YES! After hearing the verdict, the judge added "You're free to go, Mr. Oliver." Banging her gavel, the judge dismissed everyone else. Running up to him, Kira threw her arms around Tommy. Though she hadn't expected it, Tommy returned the embrace. "God, Tommy...I missed you so much!" Kira exclaimed as she let the tears flow now. Softly, Kira heard Tommy's voice tremble as he replied "I missed you, too, Kira. More than anything!" Pulling away from him, Kira could see tears streaming down his face. Reaching up to his face, Kira gently wiped away his tears. Smiling, she wrapped her arm around his waist as the group left the court house. Meeting back up at the café, Kira had noticed the liveliness returning to Tommy and the old Tommy returning. Smiling, he mentioned "Man, it's great to be back." Returning the smile, Kira took Tommy's hand as she told him "It's great to have you back, Tommy." Softly, Tommy gently kissed Kira's cheek. As all the others had to head home, Tommy turned to Kira. "What do you say you and I head on home as well. We haven't really gotten that much one-on-one time together today." Smiling as she gazed up into his once again soulful brown eyes, Kira replied "I'd like that." A smile creeping across his face, Tommy added "Great." With that, Kira lead him out to her truck and drove them home.
Once home, Kira and Tommy just sat together in the living room as Tommy held Kira in his arms as they watched the rain come pouring down outside the window. Smiling at the peaceful feeling these surroundings gave the both of them, Tommy asked Kira "You know what I missed the most while I was in prison?" Curious, Kira asked "No, what?" Caressing her cheek as he gently stroked a lock of her hair out of her face, Tommy smiled and added "The little things...This-just holding you in my arms-...your smile...the way your eyes and smile light up the room when you laugh...the comfort of your voice and your touch...The little things." Smiling, Kira commented "Well, you wanna know I missed the most?" Curoius, Tommy asked "Hm?" Continuing her story, Kira added "The little things...holding you...your smile...the way your eyes dance when you laugh...the comfort of your caress...The little things." Smiling, Tommy just drew Kira closer to him-the warmth of her body relaxing him and bringing him comfort he hadn't felt in weeks. Content, Tommy added "I'm glad to be home." Smiling as she nuzzled into his chest, Kira responded "I'm glad you're home, too." Wrapping them up in a warm blanket, Tommy just held Kira close as the night fell and they both fell asleep right where they were-content and together once more.