Ten o'clock the next morning Emma, her parents, and Killian are sitting in the stuffy and fluorescent lit courtroom. Half the town showed up to watch. Not that surprising this was the most exciting thing to happen in this town since Cindy got knocked up and had a shotgun wedding. Emma pulls at her skirt, then adjusts her glasses for the millionth time since they arrived. Emma is in a pencil skirt with a pale blue button up blouse. Mary Margaret swept her hair into a bun. Her heels tap on the cool linoleum tile. Killian grasps her hand and gives her a reassuring smile. She gives him a small smile in return and squeezes his hand.
She remembers their night together and can't help to smile. It was wonderful waking up in his arms this morning. All other morning pale in comparison to this one. Her attention is snapped back to the courtroom by the sound of the door opening and Neal walking escorted by two bailiffs. Her whole body tenses. She can sense Killian sitting up straighter. She looks down the row and notices her parents whispering.
Neal smirks at her and her brow furrows in response. Why is he so smug? He is in deep shit. There is no way out of this for him. She stares ahead and doesn't look at him. The court proceedings Emma tunes them out. Killian is called to the stand first and tells them everything. Emma looks at him, but doesn't comprehend the words he says. She can't handle this right now. Killian finishes his questions and returns to his spot on the bench next to Emma. Eventually she is called to the stand. She takes a deep breath and Killian gives her hand a squeeze. She stands up. Her heels click across the linoleum as she walks to the witness stand. She places her hand on the bible and promises to tell the whole truth and nothing truth. Glinda stands up and Emma adjusts her glasses.
"Now, Emma would you tell the court about the events of November 11?" Glinda asks. Emma nods.
"Neal and I," she is cut off by Neal coughing. She gives him the death glare.
"We stole from a jewelry store and returned to his apartment," Emma had to stop. She took a couple deep breaths. Neal was staring right at her and it made her hairs stand on end.
"As soon as we got there he made advances toward me. I told him I wasn't ready and to stop, but he di-didn't," tears spring to Emma's eyes. Everyone in the courtroom is surprisingly quiet. There is no whispering. She looks at the people assembled there and can see the pity in their eyes. This is why she didn't tell anyone about this. Pity. It was the last thing she needed from these people. She continues on.
"He hit me and t-tied me to the bed," the tears flow down her cheeks and she can see pity in Glinda's eyes.
"Take your time there's no rush," Glinda says with a reassuring smile. Emma nods and wipes her tears away. She can't look at Killian or she will have a meltdown. He's her rock, but she knows he will pity her and she doesn't want that. She takes a breath and continues on.
"He ripped my-" She stops she has to. Talking with Glinda was so easy. Sitting in this chair in front of everyone is so terrifying. She can feel all eyes on her. She has to move on. She can't be the victim any longer. She sits up in her seat and marches on.
"He ripped my shirt off and was about to do the same to my pants when the cops lights flashed outside his apartment. He got scared by the lights and ran off. He left me tied to the bed. I later found out he left town," she releases a breath after she finishes. Glinda gives her a warm smile.
"Thank you Emma. Now on the defendant's return what occurred?"
"He showed up at my house several times and one time he entered my house and beat me up," She says with a blank face. Showing emotion was too difficult.
"Thank you. We have evidence from the hospital of the injuries that the defendant gave Miss Swan. Now on the night of the football game what happened?"
"I went to the bathroom and when I left he grabbed me and threatened me with a knife. He forced me toward he car and made me drive to an abandoned warehouse. There I vomited and passed out. When I woke I was duct taped to a chair. Once again he beat me up," Emma says as she fiddles with her hands. Now that she has her grip she is able to tell the court everything without a tear or stammer. Emma finishes. The tension in her shoulders releases. Glinda is done questioning her. Emma finally allows herself to look at Killian. He looks just upset as she does by this. They didn't enjoy reliving all the hell the had gone past couple of days had been rough on them. She breaks away from his gaze and returns her attention to Glinda.
"There is more evidence from the hospital about injuries from the night in question. I have no more questions for the witness," Glinda says. Neal's lawyer is a middle eastern man with an impressive beard. He has a very serious look on his face. His name is Mr. Jafar. He stands and sternly looks at Emma.
"Now, young lady you wouldn't be making all this up for attention would you?" He asks condescendingly. Emma's jaw drops. Gasps and whispering comes from the gallery. The gossiping never stops in a small town.
"No, of course not," she states shocked he would even ask such a ridiculous question. Glinda stands up.
"Objection! The prosecution has provided evidence of injuries proving that these events happened," Glinda shouts.
"That is a wild accusation that has no place in my court room. The question will be struck from the record," the judge says sternly. The defense lawyer just nods. He turns his attention back to Emma.
"Now, is it true you shot my client?"
"Yes, he was trespassing and beating Killian. I was defending Killian and myself. I knew he would come after me after he finished with Killian. He would've killed both of us," Emma's voice cracks.
"You didn't have another reason? Perhaps revenge?" He asks as he slowly moves closer to the witness stand.
"No," Emma plainly states.
"Are you sure?" He asks her rather aggressively. Emma shrinks in her seat. Glinda stand up once again.
"Objection! Badgering the witness. Miss Swan is clearly frightened," Glinda protests.
"Sustained. Mr. Jafar, you are on thin ice I suggest you watch your line of questioning or you will be found in contempt," the judge orders.
"In fact your honor I have no more questions for the witness," He says. He turns back to his side of the courtroom and takes a seat.
"Young lady you may step down from the witness stand," The judge tells Emma kindly. She nods and stands up. She walks over to her family and Killian. She nearly collapses onto the bench. Her parents don't notice, but Killian does.
"You alright, love?" Killian whispers, so only she can hear. She nods.
"Yeah, I am just glad that I don't have to do that again," Emma says as she adjusts her glasses. Killian puts an arm around her shoulder and kisses her head.
"I understand what you mean," he says with a sigh. She leans against him.
The judge sends the jury away, along with Neal. Glinda comes over to them.
"Emma you did a great job. I am sorry Mr. Bridge was such an ass. I didn't quite understand he tactic there. Public defenders aren't that smart sometimes," she says with an eye roll.
"When do you think the jury will return?" David asks.
"Well I feel very strongly about our case. I don't understand the point of pleading not guilty, but I am not his lawyer. It should be soon the evidence was overwhelming. You can go home. I'll call when the verdict comes in," Glinda says with a reassuring smile. They all nod and begin to gather their things. A clerk goes up to the judge.
"Mrs. Stone, Mr. Jafar. It looks like we already have a verdict," the judge says. Emma glances at her phone. Ten minutes. That is either a very good or a very bad sign. No one moves as the jury files back in. The jury representative stands.
"On the charge of sexual assault, assault, breaking and entering, kidnapping, and assault with a deadly weapon how do you find the defendant?" the judge asks.
"Guilty across the board," the representative states. Emma lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Her mom and dad cheer. Glinda has a smug grin across her face and reaches across the aisle to shake Mr. Jafar's hand. he looks less than amused by the verdict. Killian looks like he just won the lottery. Emma stands there in relief. He will go away for such a long time and she will never see him again. She is rid of him. He won't haunt her anymore. Her eyes find Neal's he looks like a lost puppy. The bailiffs begin to take him away. Did he really think he would win? How? Oh well what's done is done. Killian swoops her in his arms and spins her in a circle. She smiles, she can't help it. Killian has brought her nothing, but happiness.