Attacked-Ch 40
Over the next few days Derek and Penelope got all of her things moved into their home, now that she was all moved in she sighed happily as she looked around their bedroom, it looked amazing. Derek walked into the room and wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the side of her neck and said, "whatcha thinking about sweetness"?, she sighed happily as she relaxed into his arms and said, "just how good our stuff looks together handsome that's all".
He smiled and said, "our stuff looks good together because you and are look good together goddess", she glanced down at her watch and said, "I guess it's time for us to head out, court is due to start in a little over an hour". Derek said, "that it is gorgeous, that it is" as t hey turned around and walked hand-in-hand out of the room and down the stairs so they could head to the court house to join the others for Bryans trial.
When they walked into the courthouse a few minutes later they were met by the rest of the team, Fran, Sarah and Desi, everybody wanted to be there for Penelope today to show her support so that she would know that she wasn't alone. She smiled as they walked over to join the others, Hotch said, "are you ready for this"?, she said, "I am bossman, the sooner he is put in prison where he belongs the better it's going to be for me and everyone else that he victimized".
Dave looked down at his watch and said, "we better be heading in it's going to start soon", everybody nodded their heads yes in agreement as they turned around and walked over to the double doors. As they pushed them open and stepped inside they all walked to their seats, they took up two rows with everybody there, Penelope sighed as Derek intertwined fingers with her and said, "don't worry everything is going to be alright sweetness".
Penelope said, "of that I have no doubts sugar, no doubts at all", their attention then turned to the bailiff as he said, "all rise, Judge Karen Sands presiding", everybody stood up and watched as the judge stepped into the room. She walked up and sat down in her seat and then said, "please be seated" and everybody then sat down and their attention turned to Karen who said, "we are here today for the trial of Bryan Jennings, is the prosecution and defense both ready to move on"? Penelope watched as Bryan's attorney stood up and said, "Harold Leddings for the defendant your honor and yes we're ready to continue.
The prosecutor said, "Hillary Boyd for the prosecution and we are ready to continue to mam", Karen smiled and said, "good, good" as she looked down at the file in front of her she then looked at Bryan and said, "Mr. Jennings you are here for the assault and battery and rape of 11 women today is that right"?, Bryan said, "yes your honor that's correct' and Karen said, "I have already talked to 10 of your victims already because they didn't want to be in the court room with you".
Harold stood up and said, 'objection your honor, my client has the right to face his accusers", Karen said, "overruled, now sit down, those 10 brave women were assaulted, raped and left for dead I don't blame them for not wanting to be in the same room as their alleged attacker" and Hillary smiled as she watched Harold sit back down and lick his lips as he waited for the judge to continue.
Karen said, "alright we are ready to get started, we have two witnesses today Penelope Garcia and Bryan Jennings, so let's get this started, call your witness Mrs. Boyd" and Hillary nodded her head and stood as she said, "the prosecution calls Penelope Grace Garcia to the stand your honor".
The bailiff said, "Penelope Grace Garcia" and she stood up from her seat and made her way over to stand in front of the witness box and raised her hand as the bailiff said, "do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God"?, Penelope said, "I do" and the judge said, "you may be seated Ms. Garcia"/
Penelope sat down and looked at Hillary as she stepped closer to her, she said, "Penelope I'm going to ask you a few easy questions okay"? and Penelope said, "yes mam" and Hillary took a deep breath as she readied to start. She said, "did you know the defendant before you were attacked"?, Penelope said, "not at first but after I was assaulted I learned that we worked together at the FBI".
Hillary said, "was he ever assigned as one of your bodyguards"?, she said, "yes, both when I was in the hospital and after I was released and able to go to my temporary home with Dave and Fran Rossi". Hillary nodded her head and said, "alright Penelope I am going to ask you to tell in your own words what happened to you from the time you walked through the front door of your apartment until the defendant was arrested".
Penelope nodded her head yes and took a deep breath before she started telling detail by detail everything that had happened to her from that night up until Bryan was arrested, she had to stop a couple of times but was able to continue. Hillary said "I'm so sorry for what happened to you Penelope but I'm so glad that you were able to move on from your trauma and get back to your life" and Penelope smiled and said, "thank you".
Hillary then looked at Harold and said, "your witness" and Harold said, "Ms. Garcia I too am sorry that you were assaulted, no woman should have to go through that and I am also glad that you were able to move on and get closure but why are you demeaning my client, he didn't do anything to you, he never raped you".
Penelope took a deep breath and said, "your client, he did, he raped me, he stabbed me several times in the chest and stomach and then in the end when everything was said and done and he tried to attack me for a second time he confessed to me that he did rape me and he told me how easy it was to get not only the key to my house but get inside and the do what he did to me".
Harold and everybody in the court listened as she said, "when he raped me, he took away everything from me, my safety, my work, my life, my everything I thought my life was over but with the help of my amazing family, friends and my therapist I was able to move forward and get closure".
Harold said, "that's good but why aren't you telling everything Ms. Garcia"?, Penelope said, "what do you mean, of course I've told you everything" and Harold laughed and said, "you left out one important thing". Penelope said, " and what did I leave out"?, Harold said, "the fact that you are in love with my client" and Hillary stood up and said, "objection your honor" and Karen said, "on what grounds"? and Hillary said, "he's badgering the witness about being in love with her rapist, I think she's been through enough".
Karen said, "I agree, objection sustained" and Harold raised his hands and said, "no further questions" and then Karen looked at Penelope and said, "you may step down", she stood up and started walking back to her seat. She suddenly felt a little dizzy, everybody in their seats started looking funny to her and Karen said, "Ms. Garcia are you alright"?, Penelope tried to turn and look at her but was suddenly overtaken by darkness as her unconscious body hit the floor,.
Karen said, "bailiff get some help in here" and Derek, JJ and Emily ran to her, Derek said, "baby girl can you hear me"? she didn't respond and he raised her up and held her in his arms until the medics came in a few seconds later. Karen said, "remain seated, once Ms. Garcia has been taken care of by medics we will continue with the trial", everybody then watched as they were able to bring Penelope around.
They helped her up and Karen said, "are you alright Ms. Garcia"?, she said, "yes mam, sorry about the disruption" and Karen smiled and said, "it's no problem, the court is just glad that you are alright". Everybody then watched as Derek helped her back to her seat and then Karen said, defense call your next witness", Harold stood up and said, "we call Bryan Jennings to the stand" and everybody in the court room watched as he stood up and walked over to stand in front of the witness stand,
After he was sworn in he winked at Penelope and then took his seat, everybody sat there waiting for the questioning to begin, Derek reached over and intertwined fingers with Penelope and smiled. She smiled back at him and said "I'm alright angel fish I promise", he gently squeezed her hand and then turned his attention to the prosecutor as he started walking closer to his client so the questioning could begin.