Disclaimer: Not ours just wish they were.
A/n We don't pretend to know about the court system. Any and all mistakes are ours and since this is an AU story, it's our little playground. Ours meaning Deanna and Margaret. This story is prompted by Christibabe who wanted a damn trial. Yada yada know Vinnie shouldn't be attorney. Get over it.
Presentation of Evidence.
Judge Sharpton hadn't been born yesterday; he knew what was coming up next for Morelli. All of his secrets were going to be ousted in front of the reporters and the family that had disowned him, but he also knew Stephanie needed time to get herself together and to keep her thoughts from running away from her. Everyone had joined them in the Judge's chambers, per Melissa's request.
They spent time in the corner huddled over Stephanie. Carlos holding her, Angie rubbing her back, Ella talking softly to her. Lester was nearby as support if need be. Right now, Stephanie needed all the support she could get. Edna was there also, just sitting quietly. Melissa said, 'Stephanie, just let your mind go blank and if you can't do that, focus on Carlos when you're on the stand, keep your focus on his eyes, you can get through this, I know you can. Just take deep breathes and I will be right by your side.' Stephanie nodded, letting her know she was listening, she had sunk into Angie's arms; the arms of her new mother, fitting perfectly, the mother and child.
It was the relationship she should have had with Helen Plum, all those years growing up, but never was given the chance. Always being told she was an 'embarrassment.' 'What person can't cook? My daughter, Stephanie can't, that's for sure. What husband would want you now Stephanie? Why can't you be like your sister Valerie? What will happen when you are old and all alone? No man will want you then. Look at Valerie, she gets A's, has her room cleaned all the time, helps cook and then look at yourself, being told you shouldn't be in Home Ec, was such a disappointing time for me to hear at the school parent conferences.' And Helen just kept on yapping at Stephanie.
And as the hits had kept on coming by Helen about Stephanie's life, she kept getting closer to her daddy, working on cars, going to sporting events, the fact that they had to lie to Helen was of no matter; let her believe she was going to the museum in the city, they had fun together.
Melissa went over to the family gathering to tell Stephanie and company that after Joe Juniak was done on the stand, Carlos would be next, going through the evidence that was found in California and how it was processed.
Then it would be Stephanie's turn, she estimated no more than one or two more days. For the trial. There were no plea deals offered and unless Vinnie put Joe on the stand to refute evidence; he wasn't taking the stand at all. (Thanks to reviewers that pointed that out in the last au of story)
Morelli was shifting in his chair, his eyes were fixated on the door to the Judge's chambers everyone went through, and he leaned over to ask Vinnie 'what is coming up next? Everyone seems to think Stephanie will testify against me? She can't and won't you know' he went on to tell Vinnie, raising his voice even more as he spoke, it had carried throughout the room.
'She knows she's my future wife, it's how my dad raised me, I know what I did was right, it's the Morelli way after all.'
Vinnie just looked at him and said, 'Jesus Christ Joe, maybe we should have you plead guilty due to mental insanity, what do you think about that?"
Morelli tried to stand up, arms outstretched, going for his attorney's throat, right in front of the court reporter, and the reporters were writing it down as well, scribbling furiously at what they were seeing in front of their eyes. Damn, too bad cameras weren't allowed in the courtroom, it would have been perfect.
Tank had clamped his big hands down on Joe's shoulders, keeping him place, Bobby had scooted Vinnie's chair over, away from his client, all while staying seated. He had also hit his cell phone for Carlos and Lester to come out to the courtroom ASAP!
'There seems to be a problem out there with Morelli, we need to move on it,' Carlos said as they practically sprinted for the door. Melissa was behind them in an instant, she had to find out if it pertained to Stephanie or not, instead of going to the defense side, she did something unusual, she had gone and talked to the reporters instead.
Ever since Melissa and Judge Sharpton hit town weeks ago, they were followed relentlessly by the press; there was no gag order in place, they simply didn't mention what they were doing in Trenton in the first place. It was understood by the press why there were in Trenton; after all these cases were what made Melissa's career in the first place, as well as the Judge's when he was district attorney in new York city.
That's how she found out Vinnie Plum had suggested Joe plead guilty by reason of mental defect or insanity and now almost being attacked by his client.
Everyone filed back in the courtroom, using the hallway entrance so they didn't have to see Morelli's face any more than necessary.
Carlos had to remain outside, so not to be influenced by Juniak's testimony. It was never a case of him being influenced by anything (except for his babe's beauty from within and what she showed the world) but not wanting to give Morelli a chance on appeal for a retrial. That wasn't going to happen on Carlos's watch.
Bit by bit Stephanie and Carlos were becoming a couple even starting therapy together. Ella was happy that he had joined Stephanie. He could truly understand what she was thinking this way. She still had single sessions, though they had become few and far between. Now she was afraid, those single sessions were going to be a lot more in the coming few weeks.
Stephanie and Carlos had breached the subject of intimacy in one of the sessions. It was something they were both concerned about. What would happen, would she have a flashback? Freak out? Start screaming? She loved Carlos and knew in her heart he wasn't Joe, but the mind is a different story all together.
Back in the court room. 'All rise' the bailiff said.
Then the gavel went down and 'the state calls Chief of Police, Joe Juniak to the stand.'
Morelli's face got paler as the Chief was sworn in, he reminded himself this is Stephanie's staunchest supporter and Juniak had made sure he had warrants, all the T's crossed and i's dotted for everything collected in California. 'No getting out of this one either', thought Joe.
He remembers being humiliated, his pubic hair plucked by the big guy standing behind him, you know the one; built like a Tank.
Joe was one to always push his luck in life and in everything he always did, which is why he brought his 'treasure' from Trenton with him to California. That damn duffel bag was going to haunt his ass. The spray paint was entered into evidence, his bloody shirt from where Stephanie scratched his face, the paper towel he used to wipe the blood off, even his shirt he wiped his semen on when he jacked off on the airplane bathroom, thinking of his 'cupcake' had been entered. Was nothing sacred anymore, he thought.
Morelli's mind wandered back to that magical night , drowning out Juniak's testimony about the rape kit and her condition, he thought of his daddy telling him over and over again, 'Joey when are you gonna learn, when a girl says NO, SHE REALLY WANTS YOU AND MEANS YES!'
All of a sudden, Morelli focused in on what was being said from the witness stand….'Stephanie also requested the shot to prevent pregnancy and had some blood drawn for diseases the accused might have had.' That sent him roaring loudly in his chair.
Morelli turned and fixed his glare on his 'cupcake' and sneered, 'YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE CARRYING OUR BABY! HOW COULD YOU!'
Stephanie collapsed into Angie's arms, with Ella (soon to be Juniak) stroking her arm. All she wanted was Carlos right now, his arms around her, holding her. He would make her world right again.
Everyone heard the banging of the gavel, turns out it was a short day after all.
Court was dismissed for the day.
The sins of the fathers are visited upon the children.