It was late morning a few days later when Ashton's phone rang. Benny was calling to let her know that the jury had made their decision in Bull's case and would be delivering the verdict in an hour. They made plans to meet outside the courthouse and a few minutes later Ashton was heading out the door.
Ashton took the steps of the courthouse at a slight jog and found Benny talking with Chunk near one of the large columns. The trio walked into the building together and made their way to the courtroom after passing through security. Bull and Liberty were already seated as were Diana Lindsay, her assistant, and the corporate representative. Benny gestured to the row behind Bull. Ashton shook her head in dissent and whispered that she was going to stay in the back.
"You didn't have to stay back here," Ashton whispered to Chunk after he sat down next to her.
"The view's pretty much the same from back here and besides what kind of gentleman would I be if I left you back here alone?"
At the front of the courtroom, Benny leaned in and tapped Bull on the shoulder. He let the psychologist know that he and Chunk were there, and that Ashton had decided to be present when the decision was announced. Bull turned and looked towards the back to the room. Ashton's eyes met his briefly before court was called to order.
Chunk glanced over at Ashton as the judge looked at the verdict before passing it back to the jury foreman to read aloud. Her face remained stoic as she stared straight ahead. When it was announced that Bull was found to hold no liability in the case, the stylist watched as she visibly relaxed and smiled.
Once court was adjourned Chunk and Ashton walked out into the hallway and were soon joined by Benny. The lawyer's exuberance was readily apparent and Ashton watched as he and Chunk fist-bumped and embraced in a quick hug. Benny then pulled out his phone and sent a message to Marissa letting her know the good news.
"Party's on," he announced after reading the incoming message.
Ashton smiled and watched Bull and Liberty come through the courtroom doors; they were followed quickly by Diana Lindsay. Liberty headed over to where the trio stood followed closely by Bull who wore a huge smile. Before the psychologist to take two steps, Diana Lindsay grabbed his arm and held him back. Bull turned around with raised eyebrows as Ashton watched curiously, her grey eyes narrow. Her attention on her ex was short-lived as Benny immediately directed a question to her.
Ashton did her best to join the conversation but her eyes kept darting towards Bull. Benny whose back was towards Bull and Diana and thoroughly engrossed in congratulations Liberty didn't notice Ashton's distraction but Chunk had a clear view of the pair and followed her gaze. The lawyer and psychologist were carrying on a quiet dialogue as people filed around them. Diana Lindsay appeared to be doing most of the talking and Ashton watched as Bull gave her a slight negative shake of his head. The lawyer chuckled at his dissent and lightly ran a finger along his jaw. Her hand came to rest on Bull's lapel. Ashton bit down on the inside of her cheek even harder and slowly focused her attention back on Benny.
"There's a party at TAC. You're coming, right?" Benny asked Ashton. Liberty seconded the invitation while Chunk said nothing but wore a troubled expression.
"I'm going to pass," Ashton said, her eyes quickly glancing over a Bull before returning back to Benny.
"Ash," Benny protested.
"I've got a deadline looming, Benny. Tell Jason I said congratulations," she said and quickly walked off leaving her brother-in-law staring after her looking confused.
Ashton was in her bedroom hurriedly tossing clothes into a bag when she turned abruptly, thinking she heard the apartment door open. She hesitantly took a step towards the doorway trying to remember if she had put the lock on the door when she got home. The building had an excellent security system and there had never been any problems but Ashton always tried to be vigilant. Before she could decide on a plan of action, she found herself face to face with Bull.
"Goddammit Bull, you scared me! After deliberately being unavailable for I-don't-know-how-long, now is not the time to suddenly use your key. Can't you call?" Ashton muttered as the fear she initially felt turned into anger.
He watched her turn and walk back to her packing with patient curiosity. The fact that she had called him Bull did not go unnoticed. "I tried to call you. Sent a couple of texts, too. You didn't answer."
"My phone's in my bag…which is on the kitchen counter," she said after looking around the room.
"I thought you'd come to TAC with the rest of us after court. Benny said you weren't stopping by. You're packing a bag; there's a rental in your parking space. Looks more like a trip than a deadline. Where are you going?" he asked calmly.
"Home."
"Home? I thought we'd go together on Friday after lunch."
"Things change," she said while zipping up her travel bag and quickly walked out of the room bag in hand.
"Quince, Chunk told me what you, and he, thought you saw," Bull said as he followed her.
"I know what I saw and I don't have time to get into it," Ashton said.
"Ashton, you're upset over nothing. We need to discuss this," he said and watched her place her laptop in its bag. She picked up a notebook from the desk and stowed it along with the computer.
"Yes, we do – just not now. Alex called; my dad was taken to the hospital. I need to go."
"Is he okay?" Bull asked with genuine concern. "Why didn't you say something to Benny?"
"I didn't find out until I was on my way home and all I know is they're running tests."
"What about his party?"
"It's still on. You know dad," Ashton answered as she retrieved her purse from the kitchen.
"Are you okay to drive? I can get someone to take you."
"You can get someone to take me," she repeated quietly and let out a slow exhale. Ashton's eyes which had begun to soften turned flinty again before she replied, "I'm fine. It will give me time to process everything."
"Ashton, I think you've processed enough," he admonished and was met with a cool, piercing stare. After a few seconds, Bull took off his glasses and cocked his head slightly never breaking eye contact with her.
"Let me know when you get there," he said.
"Sure."
"Ash, I'm serious. I don't like you driving when you're upset."
"I'm fine. There's leftover primavera and rugelach in the fridge…feel free to help yourself. Stay as long as you like, just be sure to use your key and lock up when you go."
