A/N Okay, so I suck. I admit it. But I have returned finally. And will be beginning a schedule of regular updating! Woot.
Thanks to all Reviewers!
Dedication: To sparkreno for her review.
Disclaimer: I only own Sofia and the other characters who you don't recognize.
"All rise the Honorable Judge Santini presiding." The voice of the bailiff sounded through the courtroom.
"We are here today on the matter of the custody of Franklin and Joseph Russo, an emergency grant of custody was given to their grandfather Anthony Russo recently, as a result of what was deemed an unsafe home situation. Fenton and Laura Hardy recently filed a motion contesting the custody agreement." The judge said reading the petition in front of him. "We shall begin this hearing by having Franklin and Joseph testify. Franklin, please seat yourself on the witness stand."
"Mr. Tosino, you may question him, however remember this is a minor you are conversing with." The judge cautioned.
"Frank, that is what you prefer to be called, right?" Tosino asked smiling benevolently at the teenager.
"Yes." Frank replied simply.
"How many times would you say you've been kidnapped, Frank?"
"I'm not sure." The detective replied evasively.
"Could you provide us with a ball-park number?"
"Probably about a dozen times this year." Frank answered.
"We are entering into evidence the Bayport Police Records which show that Frank Hardy has been kidnapped a total of forty-seven times in his life including this last incident. They also show that his brother has been kidnapped fifty-one times." Tosino indicated providing the judge with the records. "How many times would you say you've been hospitalized as a result of an attack of some sort?" He directed this question.
"A few times." Frank answered.
"Define few, please." Tosino requested.
"I don't know, maybe fifteen times..." Frank guessed.
"We are entering into evidence the medical records of Frank and Joe Hardy, which indicate that Frank has been hospitalized as a result of an attack a total of sixty-five times, and Joe has been hospitalized a total of fifty-nine times."
"Tell me, Frank, after all of this, do you feel safe at your home?" Tosino asked.
Frank frowned, and looked around the courtroom, he saw his parents looking worried, he saw his brother looking enraged, and he spotted his grandfather staring passively at him, a single eyebrow raised as though asking him if he would like to be responsible for Sofia's death.
"Uh-" He glanced over at his parents again, he really didn't want to do this.
"It's okay, Frank," Tosino said in a sympathetic tone. "I know you don't want to hurt your parents, but this is about doing what is best for you and your brother."
"I feel safe at home." Frank answered. His grandfather sent him a warning look. "It's only uh, when I get kidnapped that I don't feel safe." He amended hastily.
"And, why would you say you get kidnapped most of the time?" Tosino said hastening to undo any damage Frank may have managed.
"Usually it's either for revenge on my dad, or to stop me and Joe from solving a case." Frank admitted, knowing that Tosino would probably just start entering police reports with their previous kidnapper's motives into evidence if he attempted to lie.
"You're telling me that your parents allow their teenage sons to attempt to track down criminals?" Tosino asked in an incredulous tone. Frank had to hand it to this guy, he was quite good.
"Yes, but we're good at it." Frank exclaimed.
Tosino waved this reply off. "We have no further questions for Frank, but we reserve the right to recall him."
The judge agreed and called on Cassidy to begin his questioning.
"Frank, have you ever felt neglected by your parents?" Fenton's lawyer questioned. Frank pondered the rules of testimony outlined for him by his grandfather, considering whether there were any rules specifically prohibiting him from answering this question truthfuly.
"No." Frank replied.
"Have your parents ever hurt you physically in any way?"
"No." The elder hardy brother emphasized vehemently.
"I understand that you were recently kidnapped, who kidnapped you?" The attorney inquired.
Frank looked across the court to his parents and sighed wishing that he could tell the truth, but knowing that any attempts to do so would have far reaching and negative consequences.
"Common criminals of some sort, I'm not sure of their names." Frank replied mechanically, causing his grandfather to glare at him silently warning him against deviating from the story.
"Is it true that you recently got married to a Sofia Siano?"
"Russo, now, and yes." Frank replied.
"Aren't you a little young to be getting married?" Cassidy asked.
"It's a family tradition for the heir to get married at the age of seventeen." Frank answered as he had been instructed to.
"Were you forced into this marriage?"
"No." Frank answered after a hesitating for a few moments. "Sofia and I are quite fond of each other." He continued, this at least was true, he did get along well with Sofia.
"No further questions, but we reserve the right to recall Frank to the stand." Cassidy said with a sigh.
"Very well. We will stop for a brief one hour recess." The judge said. "Then Joe will be called on to testify."
A/N This story will be updated every Friday in compliance with my new updating schedule. It would have been posted yesterday if my computer hadn't had a complete breakdown and not started working until this afternoon. Thus, this is one day late. Review!