5YL Let the Encore Commence
Part 26
Shortly after making their way inside the courtroom once the doors were opened, Miss Strauss made her way inside, promptly taking note of the additional attendants. After pleasantries were exchanged, Xavier relayed to her that Sebastian intended on joining them once he was done. Given the time his final started, there was a strong chance he was already on his way. With that said, she Miss Strauss called over the officers assigned and told them to allow Sebastian inside, even if the courtroom had been closed to others.
Since that matter was now taken care of, Blaine asked the question they were all curious about, why he needed to be there. In response, she clasped her hands before her before telling them his presence wasn't her request, it was Judge Watkins, garnering a look from Blaine. "You have no reason to be concerned."
"How can you be so sure?" Patrick asked.
"Because according to this court, he's done nothing wrong. Judge Watkins oversees Kurt's probation due to his violation of the order of protection." Miss Strauss told him.
"Still doesn't explain why my son has to be here, especially after the last time the two were in the courtroom together."
"Dad, I'm alright." Blaine assured him. "You're filling Bas's place really well as I know that moment still weighs heavily on him, which is why me being here is difficult for him."
"I certainly don't blame him." Xavier stated. "You did give us all a scare Blaine."
"All the more reason why it's important that I'm here, for the reasons I've stated previously to you both." He said while looking between his Dad and Xavier.
"I'm doing again, aren't I?" Patrick replied.
"You are, but after everything we've dealt with when it comes to Kurt, it's understandable." Seeing the frustration apparent on Patrick's face, then the look he threw towards the Hummels, Blaine knew his resentment hadn't dissipated. "Would you mind if I spoke with my Dad in private?"
"Not at all, just don't venture too far as you know Judge Watkins is a stickler for punctuality." Miss Strauss said, and with that the two headed off to the side. "Is everything alright?" She asked Xavier.
"Alright as can be given the history in play." Xavier told her before looking over at Kurt and wasn't surprised to see his focus was on Blaine and Patrick. The two got to speak for about ten minutes before being asked to take their seats, prior the bailiff making his way into the courtroom.
Upon retaking their seats once Judge Watkins made his way in, they saw him take an assessment of the gallery. "I want to remind the reporters present that you are in a courtroom and you will behavior appropriately. Should you not, I have no issue removing you or closing these proceedings to the public." Patrick turned to look at Blaine who had no reaction, simply sitting quietly between them. "With that stated, Miss Strauss, the floor is yours."
"Thank you, your honor." She said as she rose from her chair. "We're here before you once again as Kurt Hummel failed to heed your previous warnings regarding his behavior. Although his disapproval of Blaine Anderson-Smythe's actions wasn't made on social media, his reaction did make its way there. My office intends to present the video into evidence, along with introducing additional information pertaining to his actions."
Once she sat down, Judge Watkins turned his attention to Kurt. "Mr. Hummel, would you care to address your actions prior to Miss Strauss presenting her case against you?"
"He wishes to wait your honor." Carter said in response, to everyone's disbelief.
"Very well then, Miss Strauss, please proceed."
"Very well, your honor." She said upon standing once again. "As you're aware, last week Blaine Anderson-Smythe was heavily involved in the promotion for the movie Hidden Agendas which he wrote and performed not only the main theme, but a poignant action segment. The promotion also touched upon the fact Blaine is the brother of one of the stars, Cooper Anderson. On the first day of promotion together, Kurt Hummel had a less than exemplary response to it." She then picked up a tagged item off her table. "We'd like to submit the video of his reaction as evidence and that it be viewed as his reaction is difficult to put into context."
"Is it really necessary that we watch it your honor, as we've all seen the video?" Mr. Jones chimed in, knowing there was no way Kurt could explain away his behavior.
"Actually, I've only seen a portion of it." Judge Watkins stated. "I was shown enough as to determine if Mr. Hummel violated the structure of the order. Not only how it pertains to the order of protection, but the gag-order issued when he and Blaine Anderson divorced." Once he spoke, Carter sat back down as he turned his focus back to Miss Strauss. "Will you please describe what happened to garner this reaction from Mr. Hummel?"
"I will your honor, I'd also like to submit the official video of Blaine's performance that morning, so you can have full context. I highly recommend to the court, the performance/interview be watched first."
"Very well." Once Judge Watkins responded, he handed off the drives to his bailiff to set up. While this was occurring, Sebastian quietly made his way into the court room, a smile creeping to his face the instant he saw Patrick sitting beside Blaine. "Nice of you to join is Mr. Anderson-Smythe."
"My apologies for being late your honor."
"It's quite alright as I was informed, as was the ADA, about why you'd be late." Judge Watkins told him as Kurt glared at Sebastian. "Please take your seat Mr. Anderson-Smythe." Sebastian nodded, and made his way into the row as Patrick moved over one seat so he and Blaine could sit beside one another. It wasn't until he was settled, did Miss Strauss ask for the video be played.
With as self-conscious as Blaine was about watching himself on video, he wasn't surprised to feel Sebastian take ahold of his hand and give it a squeeze. As the segment played, it was impossible to ignore the frustration on Kurt's face or how he constantly whispered into Mr. Jones ear. No sooner was that segment played, the video of Kurt's reaction came across the screen, earning a few gasps from those in the gallery.
"Where did this video come from Miss Strauss?" Judge Watkins asked once it ended, and it was obvious he was less than pleased.
"It appeared on a vlog your honor. The vlogger, JBI happened to be at Hummel Tire and Lube, and caught Mr. Hummel's reaction to Blaine's appearance that day."
"Was Blaine's appearance touted Miss Strauss?"
"Yes your honor." She then handed the bailiff another piece of evidence. "Those pieces of paper give Blaine's schedule for that week, along with the publicity each of the shows had for that week. As you can see, they'd been hyping Blaine's upcoming appearance for over a week. It was impossible for Mr. Hummel to not be aware he was performing on these programs."
"I'd like to point out your honor, my client has been blocked from seeing a majority of that information."
"While that is understood, Mr. Hummel easily could've changed the channel." In that moment, Burt tapped Mr. Jones on the shoulder.
"Your honor, Burt Hummel would like you to know in that situation it was out of Kurt's hands as they had customers waiting who wanted to watch. As you may recall, for a time Blaine went to high school in Lima, so him being on television is a rather big deal."
"Under other circumstance, I might accept that as a reason, but this is not one of them." Judge Watkins stated. "While I'm less than thrilled that your client watched it, I'm more disturbed by his reaction."
"They taunted me!" Kurt blurted out, causing Mr. Jones to hang his head in frustration.
"And here I thought we could go one hearing without me having to remind you of the rules of this courtroom Mr. Hummel." Judge Watkins said as he sat a bit straighter in his seat. "You, are not to speak unless called upon. Should you have an issue, you address your attorney who will bring it to my attention, understood."
"But…"
"Let me make myself clear Mr. Hummel, should you speak out of turn once again, you will find yourself in contempt, as I'm done repeating myself on this matter when it comes to you." While Judge Watkins spoke, Blaine had to cover his mouth as he stifled his laughed because of what he'd early said to Kurt. When Sebastian cocked his head, Patrick whispered to him that they'd fill him in afterwards. Considering the look of amusement on Patrick's face, it was evident to Sebastian he'd missed quite a bit, even if he wasn't all that late. "Do you understand me Mr. Hummel?"
"Yes, your honor, I'm sorry for my outburst."
"We'll see about that." Judge Watkins said. "Please resume Miss Strauss."
"As you saw on the video, Mr. Hummel repetitively trashed not only Blaine Anderson-Smythe, but also his husband, Sebastian Anderson-Smythe who wasn't even present during the segment, he was in class. The language used my Mr. Hummel is in clear violation of the terms set forth by this court." Miss Strauss stated. "Furthermore, that was only one instance of Mr. Hummel reacting poorly during the press tour Blaine Anderson-Smythe was a part of." She then presented another stack of papers to the bailiff, all with marked as evidence. "Each of those pages is a statement from a party who heard Mr. Hummel speak poorly of Blaine Anderson-Smythe."
"Objection your honor, how did Miss Strauss come into this information." Mr. Jones interjected.
"Miss Strauss."
"Your honor, given the coverage these proceedings have garnered since they've begun, these parties reached out to not only my office, but the Columbus District Attorney as well. He in turn passed them onto me."
"Mr. Jones, would your client like to address these accusations?"
"Outside of offering up an apology for his behavior, he has nothing to say at this time." Again, his response caught everyone's attention as it was no secret he'd screwed up.
"Very well, Miss Strauss, anything else you'd care to present?"
"I'd like to call Blaine Anderson-Smythe to the stand." Instantly Blaine's grip on Sebastian's hand tightened, as he took a deep breath as being called caught him a bit off guard. After she looked back at him, Blaine slowly released Sebastian's hand as he rose to his feet before making his way to the stand. Upon being sworn in, Blaine took his seat. "As previously discussed, do you mind if I call you Blaine to make it easier to denote between you and your husband?"
"Not at all." Blaine replied, feeling his confidence returned after the brief bout of nerves.
"You had quite the week last week, didn't you?"
"That's one way to put it, as doing press for the movie was a bit different from what I'm used to."
"Was that because your brother was part of the process?"
"It was, as everyone seemed rather taken by us seemingly working together."
"Seemingly?"
"Yes, as while Cooper is in the movie, and I wrote music for it, we didn't work together, even if one of my songs played in the background of a big scene of his."
"Did you and Cooper discuss what would be talked about?"
"No, as each of our publicists covered those scenarios."
"So, the banter between you and your brother was completely off-hand."
"That would be correct, and anyone that knows my brother would tell you outside of when he's working off a script, you don't quite know what you're going to get." That response earned a bit of soft laughter from those in the gallery. "Don't get me wrong, I love my brother, and how free he is, but it can make for some interesting situations."
"Such as when he brought up your husband."
"Precisely, as Cooper knows I tend to keep my marriage out of the spotlight."
"Would you please tell us why given you and Sebastian are often photographed out and about together?" Miss Strauss asked, and as she did, Patrick slipped his arm around the back of Sebastian's seat as he looked on intently.
"Because I share so much of my life with the public, there are aspects of it I'm rather protective of, and that includes my marriage. Sebastian didn't choose to be in the spotlight, but my career has essentially thrust us both into it. So unless it's a necessity, I try to keep him out of things when I'm being interviewed."
"Though you have discussed him and your marriage on occasion."
"That's correct." Blaine replied. "From the moment Sebastian and I reconnected, our life has been a bit of a whirlwind. And outside of a few instances, we wouldn't change a moment of it as it reinforced how deeply we love and care for one another." From the way everyone looked at Kurt, it was clear they expected a reaction from him, yet he managed to refrain from responding.
"Would those instances involve your ex-husband?"
"Yes."
"Were you surprised by Mr. Hummel's reaction?"
"I'd say yes, but that would be a lie. It seems as anytime I have a notable appearance, he has something to say about it." Blaine told her. "I'm more surprised when I don't hear from our friends or lawyers, than when we do. Honestly, now there is very little he could do that would surprise me."
"Thank you Blaine. I'm done at this time your honor but reserve the right to redirect should it be necessary." After Judge Watkins acknowledged her, she went to take her seat and Mr. Jones rose from his.
"I only have a few questions for you." Mr. Jones told him as he approached. "How soon after your appearance on Monday did you hear about how my client reacted?"
"I'd yet to leave Rockefeller Center."
"Could you give me a time frame?"
"I heard about it once I got inside, so, from the time the segment ended to that point, it probably wasn't more than twenty minutes." Blaine told him. "From what I was told, his tantrum started during the interview portion, prior to us performing the second number from the film."
"Do you feel my client had a right to react?"
"Sure, but the context of his rant was uncalled for." Blaine replied. "All I did was my job, it's not my fault it has me in the public eye."
"Yet you discussed your husband, Sebastian."
"Very briefly. By my account, Cooper talked about him more than I did, and still it was very little."
"Did your brother have a good relationship with my client?"
"No."
"You answered that rather quickly."
"Because it's not something I needed to think about, Cooper doesn't like him, and the feeling was mutual. Which by all accounts is rather amusing given how Kurt reacted when he first found out Cooper was my brother." Once he spoke, Sebastian glanced at Patrick who smiled. "I will give Kurt credit for one thing, he encouraged me to fix the strained relationship I had with Cooper at the time. Though looking back, I have a feeling he probably regretted doing so given Cooper's feelings about him."
"So, your brother's dislike wasn't mild."
"No."
"And how does your brother feel about your current husband?" Once he asked the question, Miss Strauss looked back at Xavier who nodded, which she took as him not having an issue.
"He adores him."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, and if you don't believe me, you can ask my Dad since he's here." Blaine replied.
"That won't be necessary." Mr. Jones told him. "Keeping that in mind, do you believe your brother purposely brought up your husband to get a rise out of my client?"
"Objection your honor, Blaine can't speak of his brother's mindset at the time."
"Sustained. Mr. Jones, close as Blaine Anderson-Smythe may be to his brother, he cannot speak of his brother's mindset at the time."
"Yet you allowed him to answer pertaining his brother's feelings regarding not only my client, but his husband."
"Because that is something he's aware of. Speaking for why Cooper Anderson brought up Sebastian Anderson-Smythe during the segment, is different."
"Yes your honor." Mr. Jones replied, though he wasn't really surprised but he had to take the chance given some of the leniency Judge Watkins had shown throughout. "Did anything my client say in that recorded moment shock you?"
"No, as he's said everything in that video to our faces and then some."
"Would you clarify, and then some?"
"The insults in the video, were far kinder than other things he's called us to our faces, things I don't dignify repeating."
"Your honor, please instruct him to answer."
"Given Blaine's response, I'm going to accept his answer as some of Mr. Hummel's other transgressions against the Anderson-Smythes are on record and I agreed, those terms don't bare repeating."
"Your honor."
"Blaine Anderson-Smythe is not on trial here Mr. Jones."
"I'm sorry your honor." Mr. Jones told him, before looking over at Kurt who looked frustrated. "Blaine, I can call you Blaine, right?"
"You may."
"Do you feel it's fair that my client isn't allowed to react to things you do?"
"It's not my call."
"Your opinion then."
"Under normal circumstances, I'd say no, but in his case, it's warranted as he's shown he has no self-control when it comes to myself or my husband." Blaine had barely finished speaking and they all heard a loud bang on a table, drawing all eyes to Kurt.
"Control your client Mr. Jones or I will have him removed."
"Yes, your honor, may I have a moment with him?" Judge Watkins agreed, so he walked over to Kurt, who now had Burt leaning over the divide. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"I don't have to listen to his crap."
"Wrong, you do and you should." Mr. Jones said to him sternly. "Considering what Blaine said to you out in the hallway earlier, he's been kind by comparison. Has a word he's said been a lie?" When Kurt looked away from him, he looked at Burt. "That's what I thought. The more you act like a child, you're only strengthen the case against you. So, you're going to sit here, not say a word or do a damn thing."
"But…"
"Kurt, Judge Watkins has already warned you and you're damn lucky he didn't throw you out for what you just pulled."
"He can't kick me out of my own hearing."
"He can, and he has!"
"Listen to him Kurt, this isn't a game." Burt told him. "You're proving Blaine's point for him, that you act irrationally when it comes to them."
"Thanks for the support Dad."
"Mr. Jones." Judge Watkins said, earning him Carter's attention. "Are you done?"
"Yes, your honor." He told him before giving Kurt one last reminder before turning his attention back to Blaine. "Sorry for keeping you waiting Blaine."
"That's alright, his behavior is nothing new." Blaine said, causing Sebastian to suppress a chuckle.
"Keep your comments to yourself Mr. Anderson-Smythe." Judge Watkins said to him, which Blaine promptly apologized fir, yet got his point across nonetheless.
"Given my client's response, do you feel you should change how you behavior during events of this nature?"
"Not at all, otherwise I'm giving him underserved control over not only my life, but my marriage, something he should never have." Blaine said.
"Even if it would stop you from having to attend hearings of this nature."
"Correct, as I'm not the one with the issues, it's Kurt. Nothing he's done or said since this has begun surprises me given what I'd dealt with while married to him, and after I left him. For you to expect me or Sebastian for that matter to change how we behavior, when we're the victims here, is absurd. Ever since Sebastian and I got married, Kurt's behavior has only gotten worse."
"You're going off topic."
"I answered your question Mr. Jones." Blaine told him. "Although you've been filled in on the history, you weren't a part of the hell he put us through prior to the restraining order being put in place. So, you have no idea, how many things we've tried in hopes of getting him out of our lives once and for all. Yet look at where we are, back in court once again because he can't seem to understand what I do with my life is none of his damn business!" The more Blaine spoke, the coldness that was in his voice earlier was returning, something that all parties from earlier noticed.
"Did these feelings come into play when you submitted the song list for fans to choose from last Thursday morning? Songs which all struck a chord with my client"
"The songs we submitted, were chosen by myself and my band. They are songs in our repertoire, yet aren't part of our setlist for this summer which we didn't want to give away."
"You have a rather large repertoire though, so why those?"
"We enjoy playing them, simple as that. Plus we knew some of our fans had heard them before as we'd played them during sound check in the past."
"So, you weren't purposely trying to get under my client's skin, to garner a reaction from him?"
"If Kurt had an adverse reaction to those songs, that's on him."
"Yet it's no secret you often express yourself through your music."
"Correct."
"Yet, It's My Life and I Don't Care Anymore, were chosen by chance and you just so happened to change the lyrics in one of them."
"Again, not something I haven't done before. I play around with lyrics all the time, especially when certain songs strike a certain aspect of my life." Blaine told him. "If you'd like, my tour manager Tess could get you a list of every song I've played for sound check over the last couple years. And I bet if one searches the internet, there would be recordings of those songs with altered lyrics. You could also call my band or any of the techs that tour with me to confirm this."
"Not your bodyguard who is here with you today?"
"Sure, talk with Scott or Marcus, as I've got nothing to hide. Much as Kurt may want to believe everything is about him, it's not."
"Not used to getting so much attitude from you."
"It tends to happen when I'm forced to justify my actions and/or behavior, ask my Dad, it's something I've done my entire life."
"Frustrated as you may be, try and tone down the attitude Mr. Anderson-Smythe." Judge Watkins told him.
"Again, I'm sorry, truly, but after everything I've had to deal with in regard to my ex-husband, I have very little tolerance for his behavior. For too long I was blamed for his behavior, yet the only one responsible for his behavior is Kurt, and Kurt alone."
