Disclaimer: I don't own Bones
Title: Never Again
Author: ReadingRed
Chapter Six: Trial
"Today we're here to do what's right. We're here to put a man who beat his stepson, who molested his stepson, who degraded his stepson, behind bars. The case has been proven. You know this man committed the acts he is accused of. Do the right thing, send this man to jail for the rest of his life. Vote guilty." Caroline Julian finished the closing argument.
The case had gone well and Booth was certain that the jury would come back with a guilty verdict.
It had been months since Gunter was arrested and Finn had come so far. His nightmares were few and far between, and physically he had recovered. Sweets had offered his services as a shrink in the days after they found out, and Finn still went to see him twice a week. More than anything else though, Booth and Parker moving in had helped Finnian recover.
Booth and Parker being with him along with Brennan and Benjamin kept Finnian from getting too wrapped up in his own mind. They all gave him a sense of normalcy that his life had been lacking for so long. Booth was the only male that Finnian trusted and his being there let Finn relax. With Booth in the house Finn was just a normal boy. He went to school, played with Parker and Benjamin, he acted like he used to before Brennan met Gunter. Booth prayed now that the jury would convict Gunter and they would never again have to see his face.
The opposing council got up and made their argument but there wasn't much to say. There was too much proof against Gunter, even his lawyer knew it was hopeless. The jury was released to make their ruling and the judge issued a recess until the jury could come back with their verdict.
Booth and Brennan got up from their seats. They had decided early in the trial that the boys didn't need to be there unless one of them was testifying or the jury was coming back with the verdict. Neither Brennan nor Booth wanted to make Finn listen to and relive all that was done to him, and as far as they were concerned Parker and Benjamin didn't need to know any of the gory details.
"Don't worry Bones, they'll convict him" Booth reassured Brennan. They were walking out of the courthouse. Booth put his hand on her lower back as they walked.
"I am certain that you are correct. The evidence was convincing. If the jury has any sense at all they will all find him guilty" Brennan said in her no nonsense tone.
Booth chuckled and together they left the building.
"What do ya say we grab the kids and go to the Diner?" Booth asked as they walked up the drive to their house.
"I think the boys would enjoy that immensely" Brennan said with a smile.
"Boys! We're home!" Booth yelled as he swung open the front door. The sound of three sets of running feet greeted them.
Cries of "Mom" "Booth" and "Dad" sprang from the lips of each boy. Finnian was in the lead the other two boys close on his heels. As he got nearer he took a running leap and crashed into Booth's waiting arms. Benjamin and Parker chose Brennan as their target. As a single unit the boys plowed into Brennan, nearly knocking her off her feet.
"Oomph" Brennan said as the boys impact knocked the breath out of her.
"Did you guys have a good day?" Booth asked looking down at the boys.
"Yes!" Yelled Finn
"Lisa let us make homemade playdoh. It was fun" said Parker. Benjamin nodded with a worried smile.
"Mom?" she knew what he was trying to ask.
"We don't know yet. The jury was released to make their decision, but it's looking good." She filled the boys in on the trial so far.
"Enough about the case, what do you boys say we go out to the Diner, and maybe get a movie?" Booth asked.
"Yes!" all three shouted.
The trial was reconvened the next day. It had only taken the jury two hours to make their decision. Booth, Brennan, and the boys were sitting behind Caroline waiting for the judge to ask for the verdict.
Finally Judge Mancillas said the words they had been waiting so long to hear.
"Madam Foreman, has the jury reached its verdict?" He white haired judge asked the young foreman. She stood before answering.
"We have your Honor."
"In the matter of the State vs. Gunter White, how does the jury find?"
"We find the defendant… guilty."
"On the charge of first degree sodomy, how does the jury find?"
"We find the defendant… guilty."
"On the charge of Second Degree Assault, how does the jury find?"
"We find the defendant… guilty."
"On the charge of Felony Menacing, how does the jury find?"
"We find the defendant… guilty."
Booth and Bones had to keep the boys from cheering. They led the boys out of the courtroom and once they were outside the boys let a yell. Booth picked up Finnian and swung him around cheerfully.
For the first time since this had all started they were happy.