5YL Let the Encore Commence
Part 27
Due to the respective tone Blaine had replied with, Judge Watkins had no issue with his response, turning his attention back to Mr. Jones, who after a moment said he had no further questions. Upon returning to the table, it was evident Kurt wasn't pleased, yet at that point he knew nothing good would come from pushing him further. Once he was seated, Judge Watkins looked back at Miss Strauss and asked if she'd care to redirect, which she did. "This situation has taken a bit of a toll on you, hasn't it Blaine?"
"It has, thankfully I have a very loving and understanding husband, family, and friends to help me through it."
"Yet you stated you're no longer surprised when Mr. Hummel lashes out at either you or your husband."
"Correct, but that doesn't mean his behavior doesn't impact us." Blaine said in response while gently rubbing the underside of his wedding ring. "I can't even count the number of times I've apologized to Sebastian for getting him involved in all this. Hell, after our first run-in with Kurt, I told Sebastian I'd understand if he wanted no part of a relationship with me any longer. I continued telling him that after each confrontation as it wasn't fair to him, as Kurt's main issues are with me, not him. I'm not saying the two don't have issues of their own, but they never would've been an issue of Sebastian and I weren't together."
"Clearly Sebastian understood that, given the two of you are now married."
"He does, just as he constantly reminds me this isn't my fault as after a while, there's only so much a person can take without believing they're at fault in some way."
"Hearsay." Mr. Jones stated as Kurt had been nudging him, although he had a good idea of how Judge Watkins would rule.
"Overruled, as Mr. Anderson-Smythe may speak of how his husband reacted to the matter at hand." Mr. Jones acknowledged him before taking his seat again, much to Kurt's disapproval. "Proceed Miss Strauss."
"Do you mind if I broach a sensitive subject with you?" Miss Strauss asked.
"Do I have much of a choice?" Blaine replied, and as he did, Xavier reached over and placed a hand over Sebastian's which sat on the arm rest.
"Not really, but I promise to handle this matter as delicately as possible." Blaine nodded, before taking a sip of water. "I need to ask you this, to further address the seriousness of Mr. Hummel's seemingly innocent in some's views, behavior." She then paused to allow Blaine to collect himself, knowing if she didn't handle this correctly, she was going to get more than an earful from the trio sitting behind her. "You see a therapist, don't you?"
"I do, it's not something I'm ashamed to admit as I've spoken about it before."
"What prompted you to see a therapist to begin with?"
"I went at my parents urging after initially leaving Kurt as I was, to put it mildly, a bit lost regarding who I was."
"Had you seen a therapist before this instance?"
"I had, I saw one for some time after the beating which landed me in the hospital." Blaine told her. "It's why they encouraged me to do so again as they knew it helped once before."
"Has it helped?"
"It has, but it took a lot of time and work on my part since ample damage had been done." Blaine replied which caused Burt to look over at Patrick whose sole focus was his son, knowing it wasn't easy for him to open up about this topic. "But thanks to lots of time and effort on my part, I've gotten control of my life for the most part once again."
"Most part?"
"Leading the witness your honor." Mr. Jones interjected.
"Sustained. Miss Strauss, you know better."
"Sorry your honor." She replied. "Blaine, what aspect of your life don't you have control over?"
"This part, because as much as everyone's tried, he's still injecting himself into my life, a place he has no right to be, especially after what he's done."
"Objection!" Mr. Jones exclaimed.
"Sustained, as Mr. Anderson-Smythe merely answered her question. Miss Strauss."
"That's all I have your honor, thank you Blaine."
Once he was excused, Blaine slowly made his way back to his seat and couldn't help but notice the way everyone was looking at him, including Kurt. After taking his seat, Sebastian leaned over to give him a kiss before taking ahold of his hand.
"Your honor, the defense would like a brief recess to reassess our position going forward given Blaine Anderson-Smythe's recent testimony." Mr. Jones said to him.
"Miss Strauss."
"I have no objections your honor."
"Very well, but it will be brief. Court is in recess for the next fifteen minutes."
"Your honor."
"That's all you get Mr. Jones, don't be greedy. Court is dismissed, everyone back in fifteen minutes."
After Judge Watkins left the courtroom, Sebastian pulled Blaine into a tight hug, before pressing another kiss atop his head. "Care to tell me what the hell that was about?" Xavier asked the instant Miss Strauss turned to face them.
"I'm sorry, to all of you." She said as she looked at all four of them. "But it was important to get Blaine up there without having planned for it."
"Why?" Sebastian asked, as he knew his husband well enough to know he was, off."
"To get his blunt thoughts on the situation." She told them. "And those blunt thoughts, garnered the reaction from Kurt I expected."
"So you put me on the stand to provoke him?" Blaine asked as Sebastian loosened his hold, albeit slightly.
"I wouldn't say to provoke him, but how the simplest of stances you may take, set him off."
"We could've told you that." Sebastian chimed in as Xavier set his hand on his shoulder.
"What are you setting up Miss Strauss that you needed his erratic behavior on display?" Xavier asked quietly as there were still a few reporters lingering, though they were by the doors, hoping to get a word from Blaine and/or Sebastian.
"I shouldn't say."
"But you have a good reason for putting Blaine on the spot the way you did."
"I do, and again I apologize for that Blaine, it's just…"
"You're doing your job, I get it." Blaine said before anyone else had the chance to.
"Thank you." Miss Strauss replied. "Now if the four of you will excuse me, I need to go speak with someone before court resumes."
Once she walked away, Sebastian released his hold, yet kept his arm securely around his waist. It only took one look to be exchanged between Sebastian and Xavier, for Blaine to stretch in order to kiss him on the cheek. "I don't know how you're so calm about all this B."
"I trust her, that's how." Blaine told him before glancing at his Dad, then Xavier. "Given how she's handled this entire situation, there's no reason why I shouldn't trust her now, simply because of what she happened."
"Blaine's right." Xavier stated. "Julia wouldn't have done something like that, without a good reason behind it. Call it a hunch, but I have a feeling whoever she went to go speak with plays a part in this. How are you feeling about all this?"
"Better than expected considering how it started." Blaine replied. "It felt really good getting some of that off my chest. I'm so sick of his crap, I just want it to end."
"As do we son." Patrick said to him. "He took what you had to say better than expected."
"Only because Carter clearly got in his face after he hit the table." Sebastian added. "I've seen the look on his face before on Hunter, it's not something you want to mess with."
"Not to mention, Burt's here with him and he tends to behave better when he's here, though that's not saying much." Blaine told them. "I need to take a page out of Miss Strauss' book, will you all excuse me."
"For?" Patrick asked.
"I need to call Jennifer and warn her about what's going on."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Sebastian asked.
"That won't be necessary, as the call will be quick."
"B."
"I will take Scott with me. I'll be right back." Blaine said before kissing him once more before heading out to make his call.
"You need to relax son." Xavier said to Sebastian who was looking between the doorway and the defense table.
"I will once we're on our way home, as I don't trust Hummel." Sebastian replied, before shooting a glare a Kurt who was watching them.
"What about his lawyer?" Patrick asked.
"I trust Carter, especially after the curve Hummel threw him previously. He won't use anything he tells him unless he has a chance checkout the information first." Sebastian said in response. "I'm uncomfortable about Hummel taking the stand in open court, especially since I'm here with Blaine."
"You're his husband, you're right where you're supposed to be." Patrick assured him.
"Not to mention, this involves you to son."
"I know that Dad, but, my presence makes an already stressful situation, more stressful. Let me guess, whatever that look earlier was about, dealt with me in some way."
"Blaine made it clear he's not going to put up with Kurt attempting to disparage you in any way." Xavier told him. "And if he tries on the stand, Miss Strauss or Judge Watkins will put an end to it."
"This isn't what I expecting coming into today."
"It's not what I expected either, but we need to trust Miss Strauss."
"Fine."
"Sebastian."
"Dad, I'll behave. I'm not going to risk doing anything which would paint Hummel as misunderstood in all this."
While they were speaking, Mr. Jones was attempting to prepare Kurt for any possible questions Miss Strauss might ask given what Blaine said. "Why is she bringing issues that were already settled when they divorced?" Burt asked.
"Because they weren't settled." Mr. Jones told him. "If they were settled, we wouldn't be here. In the grand scheme of things, this is a continuance of the divorce in a sense, with Sebastian added into the equation."
"No, it's not." Kurt said to him.
"Kurt, listen to him." Burt said in response.
"Thank you Mr. Hummel." Mr. Jones replied. "All of this started because you didn't abide by the terms of your divorce. Kurt, if you would simply leave them alone, this wouldn't be happening."
"This is only happening because Blaine's a celebrity."
"No, it's not." Mr. Jones told him. "This is happening because you not only violated a legally binding agreement, you didn't leave them alone after a temporary order of protection was put in place. Much as you want to blame them for all this, you put yourself in this situation."
"His expensive lawyers did this to me!" Once he replied, Burt sighed as he looked at the frustration on Mr. Jones face.
"While you might believe that to be true, right now, his lawyers aren't who you're dealing with." Mr. Jones told him. "You're dealing with an assistant District Attorney because of your blatant disregard of the order of protection."
"I didn't go near them!"
"Kurt, I went over the terms of the order of protection with you, it goes beyond coming in contact with them. Judge Watkins made sure the language of the gag order was echoed as well, since Sebastian wasn't fully protected by the divorce decree."
"Wait, how was he ever protected under that?" Burt asked.
"Blaine's lawyer made certain that anyone Blaine was involved with was covered to an extent." Mr. Jones told him. "It was an added addendum."
"He got it added after I saw him with the Meerkat." Kurt said in frustration.
"Will you please not call him that."
"Why?"
"Because the more you call him that, the larger the chance of you slipping on the stand. I'm pretty sure if you accidentally slip-up today, Judge Watkins will snap."
"Where do you think this is heading Mr. Jones, as this is more of a hearing than I expected?" Burt asked.
"I believe the ADA is reminding the court why the order is in place, and the effect Kurt's actions have on the Anderson-Smythes."
"But Sebastian hasn't testified."
"Do you really want him to after what Blaine had to say?"
"Good point."
"Thanks for the support Dad."
"Kurt, you barely kept it together when Blaine testified, I don't know if you could get through Sebastian doing so given how you feel about him."
"Your Dad has a point Kurt, having Sebastian up on that stand wouldn't bode well for you." Mr. Jones told him. "Now, do you remember what we talked about regarding you taking the stand?"
"That I'm to take responsibility for what I've done, and not blame them."
"Good. Also, stay calm, especially when Miss Strauss is questioning you." He told him. "Don't be surprised if she brings up Blaine's performances from the after party." Merely mentioning those performances, he saw a change in him. "Kurt, you need to keep yourself together."
"Or what?" Yet before he could get a response, the court room started to fill once again as the recess was close to being over. While he didn't get an answer, the looks on Mr. Jones face along with Burt's, spoke volumes regarding where this could go.
Knowing Judge Watkins was a stickler for time, Sebastian couldn't help but notice Miss Strauss was still speaking with a gentleman at the back of the gallery up until the last possible minute. Before taking her seat, she shot Blaine and Sebastian a wink, which had them exchanging a look prior to the bailiff returning. Once Judge Watkins took his seat, he looked at Miss Strauss. "Miss Strauss, do you have any other witnesses you'd care to call to the stand?"
"Not at this time your honor, but I reserve the right to call any rebuttal witnesses I deem necessary."
"Very well." Judge Watkins replied. "Mr. Jones, call your first witness."
"I call Kurt Hummel to the stand."
After Kurt was sworn in, Judge Watkins turned to look at him. "I expect you to behave appropriately Mr. Hummel. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir." Kurt replied as Mr. Jones walked towards him.
"Mr. Hummel, would you please tell the court why you reacted the way you did to Blaine's appearance last Monday?" Mr. Jones asked him.
"I wish I had a straight forward answer for you, but I don't." Kurt said in response. "It's frustrating to see someone who was once such a huge part your life, acting as though you never existed." Practically simultaneously Blaine and Sebastian rolled their eyes at his response. "Every aspect of Blaine's life now revolves around either his career or…" When he paused, Sebastian glanced over at his Dad whose attention was on Kurt. "…or his image, or his husband, which is a hard for me."
"How so?"
"When we were together, Blaine was focused on his music, yet he didn't seem to know how he wanted to implement it in his life." Again, Blaine rolled his eyes as he'd always wanted to perform. He then leant over towards Xavier and reminded him of the fact, which Xavier was aware of. "And now, he presents this image of someone I don't recognize." This time, Sebastian leant over and tapped his Dad on the shoulder, which in turn had him getting Miss Strauss' attention.
"Objection your honor, as Mr. Hummel is attempting to paint a picture which contradicts that which we know."
"I have to agree Miss Strauss. Mr. Jones, keep Mr. Hummel on track."
"Yes your honor." Mr. Jones replied. "Mr. Hummel, what specifically set you off?"
"Blaine's attitude."
"His attitude?"
"Yes, as he acts like he's better than everyone else." Kurt said in response. "And that's not even getting into how he acts like his husband is freaking perfect, when he's far from it! He's nothing more than…"
"Watch it Mr. Hummel." Judge Watkins stated. "You've already been warned."
"I'm…."
"Don't, as your apologies don't carry weight in this courtroom." He then turned his attention to Mr. Jones. "Mr. Jones, we've discussed this."
"I know your honor, and I'm sorry." Judge Watkins accepted his apology, before allowing him to continue, with the reminder to keep Kurt on track. "Mr. Hummel, why is it Blaine Anderson-Smythe's actions matter to you?"
"Because I know who he really is, and he's not the person he's projecting, yet everyone loves him."
"Objection your honor, as Mr. Hummel is merely stating his opinion regarding Blaine Anderson-Smythe, it's not fact." Miss Strauss stated.
"Your objection is noted, yet I acknowledge the fact his answer is merely his opinion." Content with his response, Miss Strauss sat back down.
"Mr. Hummel, given your tumultuous relationship your ex-husband why is it you haven't stopped following his career?"
"Seriously?" Kurt replied, to which Mr. Jones nodded. "It's impossible to ignore as he's freaking everywhere. There's rarely a place I go where I don't hear his music being played. And let's not forget, I couldn't even fulfill some of my community service at my old high school because of him."
"Why is that?"
"According to the former teacher I would've been working with, it wouldn't have been wise because his students adore Blaine's music and are often talking about him."
"So, would say it's a cumulative frustration with your ex-husband that causes you to act out the way you do?"
"That's good of an explanation as any."
"That's all I have right now for Mr. Hummel, but reserve the right to redirect."
"Very well, Miss Strauss."
"Good afternoon Mr. Hummel." She said to him as she approached the stand. "Would you please tell the court why you didn't refrain from watching the morning shows last week, knowing fully well Blaine Anderson-Smythe would be performing?"
"I didn't know which shows or when he'd be on." Kurt replied. "We have the television on at work to keep customers who are waiting occupied."
"I understand that Mr. Hummel, yet knowing these shows announce their guests early on, particularly big guests, why didn't you change the channel upon learning Blaine was going to be on?"
"Because our customers wanted to watch."
"Yet from the video we watched, the waiting room was empty when you got upset." She responded. "So again, why did you watch your ex-husband perform?"
"Just because there weren't people present when I got upset, doesn't mean they weren't there when the segment began." Kurt rudely replied. "Unfortunately, at the hint of Blaine performing people get upset if I attempt to change the channel."
"While that's a reasonable response as to why you didn't change the channel, why not refrain from the shows that week since you knew he was going to be on. There are other things which could be watched."
"Our customers prefer the morning shows, and thanks to you, I couldn't find out which show he was going to be on in advance."
"Couldn't you have taken the responsible approach and asked someone to look at the schedule for the week so you didn't risk seeing him?" Miss Strauss asked. "I'm sure there had to be at least one person who would've been willing to help you prepare for an appearance heavy week."
"I didn't think of that."
"Didn't think, or didn't care Mr. Hummel? As you've shown over and over again you can't seem to stay-away/ignore Blaine Anderson-Smythe."
"She's badgering the witness your honor!" Mr. Jones interjected as he saw Kurt start to fume.
"Miss Strauss."
"My apologies your honor." She replied before turning to get a piece of paper off the table, and as she did Blaine and Sebastian saw her look to the back of the gallery before turning back around. "Mr. Hummel, given what you were told during your previous appearance in this courtroom, don't you feel it's your responsibility to do your best to avoid appearances by Blaine Anderson-Smythe."
"Yes, but after the blackout that was put on my computer, it's hard to do."
"You said you have the morning shows on at the shop, correct?"
"Yes."
"Well, here is a list of when each of the morning shows, including those in syndication started promoting Blaine's appearances." She said as she handed him the list. "This is the list I submitted into evidence at the start of the hearing. According to that list Mr. Hummel, some of the shows actually started promoting Blaine's appearance over two weeks in advance. So again, how is it you didn't know he was going to be on that morning?"
"I don't pay close attention."
"Yet your focus sure was on your ex-husband that day, the same could be said for his performance on Thursday." Miss Strauss stated. "Your comments about his performance on Thursday, shows you paid close attention since you thought it was about you."
"It was."
"Blaine said it wasn't."
"I don't believe him."
"That's your opinion Mr. Hummel, but the final call on that is Judge Watkins and whether he believes Blaine. Personally Mr. Hummel, I wouldn't be claiming songs of that nature are about me, because they're basically saying said persons opinion doesn't matter." Stifled laughter could be heard throughout the gallery once she spoke, yet quieted down after a look from Judge Watkins. She then presented another piece of paper into evidence. "That there, is a list of every song Blaine has played during sound check over the last two years, per his tour manager Tess. She didn't have some of the earlier songs as she wasn't there for all his bar/club gigs early on as that isn't her specialty. By the time she came into the picture, it was pretty obvious these songs were the norm as Blaine performs numbers that not only help he and his band warm up, but let the sound techs account for all appropriate nuances." She then showed a copy of the list to Kurt. "Are any of these songs about you?"
"I, I don't know."
"Would it surprise you to know Blaine changes the lyrics in most of these songs?"
"Yes, as he rarely ever did that when we were together, he never even changed pronouns."
"A further reminder that you have no clue who Blaine Anderson-Smythe is now or for that matter, may never have known."
"We were married."
"Were, being the keyword there Mr. Hummel. And per court records, Blaine couldn't get away from you quick enough."
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"Mr. Hummel, I've seen the divorce records and know that from the moment Blaine left you he made it clear he no longer wanted any contact with you. Yet, you had trouble leaving him alone, going as far as to show up at NYADA when he had class."
"Objection your honor, what does this have to do with the case at hand?"
"Miss Strauss, Mr. Jones has a point."
"I'm showing that even back when Blaine Anderson initially left Mr. Hummel, he couldn't accept the fact he wanted nothing to do with him any longer. It was so bad that he made sure Mr. Hummel didn't know where he moved to, which wasn't easy since they shared mutual friends at the time."
"We're aware of that information already." Mr. Jones said in response.
"Do you know how he was finally stopped from harassing him, do you?" Mr. Jones shook his head. "NYADA security was brought in to keep him away, as he was a distraction to not only Blaine, but other students." Miss Strauss told him. "Essentially once Blaine started making a name for himself musically, the situation resumed, then evolved upon him learning he was involved with Sebastian, although they were divorced and he was entitled to date again."
"But what does that have to do with this situation?"
"It's establishing the fact that unless Blaine Anderson-Smythe flies completely under the radar, Mr. Hummel is incapable of leaving him alone." Miss Strauss replied. "And with that being impossible given the nature of his career, stringent measures need to be taken to protect the Anderson-Smythes since Mr. Hummel is incapable of following the order against him."
"Do you have more questions for Mr. Hummel?" Judge Watkins asked.
"I do."
"Then we will go forth, but don't rehash history we're aware of as it will already be taken into account. Do you understand Miss Strauss?"
"Yes your honor."
