Imagining Tigers

Chapter 7:

A.N.: So here is the next chapter. Thank you so much for all the reviews, it makes me really happy that people like my story. Also, something I forgot to mention on the last chapter is that the parts that are in italics are obviously flashbacks, and it's the same in this chapter too.

Her blue eyes were staring back at me, like she was daring me to say the wrong thing. I kept my face blank though. I honestly thought Brittany had a shady past. Apparently not. But I said I wouldn't judge her. That's why I tried to block out my feelings and focused instead on my job.

"And Sam knows you're a prostitute?" I asked her. She eyed me for a few seconds, eyes still daring.

"I fucking was a prostitute!" She then exclaimed. I was shocked by her outburst but I hid it. I noticed that she got angry again, her arms crossed, as if she was shielding herself from me. I stared at her for long moments and she stared back, like we were having a silent conversation with our eyes. But the messages she was sending me were confusing. It was like she wanted me to not accept her but pleading at the same time for me to understand.

"You said you were?" I asked her after a while for confirmation. She nodded.

"I was a prostitute until I moved in New York from Chicago with my sister, nine years ago." She said angrily, not looking at me. The weight in my chest lightened at this new information. So, that was why she was so guarded and untrusting towards people. I was sure the blonde had her reasons for doing that. I just knew that she didn't become a prostitute because she liked it. And I just couldn't bring myself to look at her differently. She was still perfect in my eyes.

"Brittany…" I trailed off sighing. She looked at me and I continued."Why are you so aggressive towards me?" I wondered and she looked away again.

"I just didn't want you to find out like that." She said. I tilted my head to the side.

"I'm sorry about that but I'm here to help you, ok? I know about being exposed and I hate that he's using this against you to take your daughter away from you. It's unfair." I said softly and when she looked at me again, her face softened and I continued."I'm definitely not judging you, I don't even know your reasons. So please, I'm asking you to be calm with me about this. I'm on your side." She nodded hesitantly at me. "Ok. So, what about your sister?" I asked her.

"What about her?" She frowned.

"Can I talk to her?" I dared to ask.

"No!" Brittany shouted as she stood up."She doesn't know what I've been doing! It's been nine years, you can't tell her now!" She exclaimed pointing her finger at me.

"Brittany, calm down." I told her and gesture for her to sit down again. When she did I continued."How can she not know? You lived together in Chicago, right?" I asked.

"Yeah, but…" She trailed off. I waited for her to continue."But we never talked about it. I mean, I brought the money home and that was it. Maybe she had her suspicions but she never said anything." She said and shrugged. I wondered why Brittany had to bring the money home. What about her parents? But I didn't think she'd want to tell me so I changed the subject.

"Ok. So, what is Sam's relationship with Alice?" I asked.

"They don't have a relationship. I haven't spoken to him in three years. And he hasn't seen Ali since she was born. Actually he only saw her once, when he acknowledged paternity." She frowned again. So this was why Brittany didn't want Ali meeting new people without her. Or maybe because she was protecting her from old clients. And she was one of those people who never asked for help. So she probably was pregnant and all alone, I couldn't imagine how difficult that could've been for her.

…

"Proceed to the cross examination, Ms. Lopez." The judge said.

"Thank you, your honor."I said as I stood up and made my way towards the stand. "Mr. Evans, you acknowledged paternity just after the child's birth." I half-stated half-asked with a strong voice.

"Yes."

"Since your child was born, have you ever given any amount of money to her mother for the child?" I asked him.

"No, I haven't." Sam shook his head.

"Since you knew the child was yours and since you acknowledged paternity, why haven't you ever paid for her?" I asked him and he looked away. There was a silence and when he didn't answer I continued. "What was your relationship with your child as a father? Did you contact her, did you take care of her? In other words, was your relationship with your child the relationship that a parent should have with their child?" I asked him. I thought the way I looked at him made him uncomfortable.

"No." He answered looking away again.

"No." I echoed and nodded my head."Why didn't you contact her?" I wondered.

"Because her mother was in the middle." Sam answered still not looking at me.

"What do you mean?" I wondered, feigning interest like I didn't know."Did she prevent you from seeing her?" I asked.

"No, but…" He trailed off and shifted uncomfortably.

…

"Sugar doesn't know about Sam?" I asked and she shook her head 'no'. I frowned."How is that even possible?" I wondered.

"We weren't really showing that we were together. I think he was ashamed of me, like I had a big neon sign on my forehead saying 'whore'." She said frowning. I frowned too. What an asshole, I thought. Brittany was perfect in my eyes and I didn't even know the reason why she started having sex for money.

…

"But what?" I prompted.

"Her mother is a prostitute." He finally let out frowning."And I don't want to have anything to do with her." He stated strongly.

"You should mind your words, Mr. Evans." I told him calmly but warningly."She is a prostitute or she was?" I asked him.

"Isn't it the same thing?" Sam shrugged with a sarcastic smile.

"No, it's not. There's a big difference." I answered immediately, shaking my head."Well?" I prompted him and arched an eyebrow.

"Who knows? Maybe she still is." He said and shrugged again. I could imagine Brittany's clenched fist and flared nostrils but I didn't turn to look at her.

"The word 'maybe' can't stand in court." I told him firmly."Is she or is she not?" I asked again with arched eyebrows.

"I don't know." He said irritated and looked away.

"You don't know."I echoed his words again and nodded."Well, I am telling you that the fact you didn't have any contact with your child because you didn't know where she was is not valid."I stated looking directly at him with a not so friendly look and he looked away again." And if you really wanted to, you could learn from the mother herself." I said and Sam nodded hesitantly.

"Yes." He said. There was a brief silence.

"Tell me something, Mr. Evans." I started again and stepped even closer. "If you were to see your child today, would you recognize her?" I asked.

"No." He said, looking guilty.

"No." I echoed and looked at the jury."He wouldn't recognize her, although his child is three years old." I stated. I turned back to him. "Mr. Evans, after three years away from your child, why did you decide to claim her custody now?" I asked him.

"To protect her from her mother." He said, looking unsure. I nodded like I knew he was going to say this.

"And I am telling you that the reason you are here today is because your wife is infertile." I told him. I knew if I turned around I would see Brittany's eyes comically wide. I didn't say that to her beforehand because I didn't want her to go find Sam before this trial and do something reckless, like kill him. I just hoped she would be calm in court.

"N-no." He chuckled nervously. "No, that is not the reason." He said shakily. I made my point so I quickly changed the subject.

"Do you know if your child had any health problems?" I asked him.

"No." He said, frowning in question.

"I am telling you that if you really cared you would learn that your child had a heart problem a few months after she was born." I told him and tried to ignore the image of Brittany's sad expression that was on her face when she told me this.

"This is the first time I've heard about this."Sam shrugged.

"I am telling you that you didn't know because you didn't want to have any relationship or contact with your child all this time." I stated. Sam was looking around nervously.

"No, it's not like that." He said shakily and shook his head. I turned to the judge.

"I don't have any more questions, your honor. Thank you." I said and went back to my sit. Brittany threw me a glare but I ignored her. I'd deal with her later. At the moment I wanted to do my job right. And I was doing a pretty good job if you go by Sam's intimidated look on his face.

"Is there re-examination?" The judge asked Blaine.

"No, your honor." Blaine replied.

"You can go, witness." The judge told Sam and he left the stand."Do you have any other witnesses Mr. Anderson?" She asked Blaine. He stood up.

"I have the witness Finn Hudson." He said.

"I'm calling the witness Finn Hudson." The judge said. A tall man stood up and stepped on the stand."Proceed to the examination of the witness, Mr. Anderson." The judge said.

"What is your name?" Blaine asked.

"Finn Hudson."

"Do you know Brittany Pierce?" He then asked.

"Yes." Finn said. I turned to look at Brittany and she looked at me too.

…

"So, when was the last time you had sex with someone in exchange for money?" I asked Brittany. I thought this was an uncomfortable subject, judging from Brittany's shifting at every question, but we powered through it.

"I really don't remember."She said."It was nine years ago though."

"Are you sure?" I asked her and she frowned.

"Yes, I'm sure."She said irritated."I have a kid and I don't even need the money!" She protested.

"So, the last time was in Chicago?" I asked, ignoring her irritation.

"Yes." She said in a strong voice.

"Brittany, I'm asking you again. Are you sure?" I asked and looked at her pointedly."You haven't found yourself in any situations that could be misunderstood?"

"What are you talking about?" She frowned."One night stands?" She wondered and I shrugged. Brittany shrugged too."Uh, no." She shook her head slowly, looking around uncomfortably and I found it weird.

"Are you sure?" I asked her again.

"Yes!"She exclaimed."The last time I had sex with someone was with Sam almost four years ago, ok?" She asked exasperated and blushed embarrassed. Oh, wow! Four years. I didn't want to make her more uncomfortable so I let it go, doing my best to get those disturbing images out of my head.

…

"How do you know her?" Blaine asked.

"Back from Chicago. She's a known prostitute, I've known her for years." Finn said. I hoped Brittany would stay calm. This trial was definitely testing her limits.

"When did you see Brittany for the last time?" Blaine asked.

"Two weeks ago." Finn said and Brittany shook her head.

"Where did you meet?"

"At her apartment." Every time Finn spoke, Brittany's anger was more evident, I just hoped she could keep her composure.

"At her apartment." Blaine echoed, feigning interest. "Why did you meet at her apartment?" He then asked.

"We had sexual intercourse." Finn stated confidently.

"That's bullshit!" Brittany finally exploded as expected, standing up beside me."He's lying, I don't even know the guy!" She exclaimed pointing at Finn. I grabbed her arm and tugged her down, mouthing 'Ali' at her and ignoring the buzzing that our skin to skin contact caused me. She huffed and sat back again in defeat while the judge was ordering quiet.

"Continue, Mr. Anderson." The judge said.

"After the last time you saw Brittany Pierce, two weeks ago, did you see her again?" Blaine asked.

"No." Finn said."She told me to meet again but I didn't go." He added. I turned in time to catch Brittany's eye and I sent her a warning look. She shook her head and leaned back in her chair.

"I don't have any more questions, your honor. Thank you." Blaine said and took his sit.

"Proceed to the cross examination, Ms. Lopez." The judge told me and I stood up.

"Thank you, your honor." I told her while walking towards the stand. I turned to Finn."Do you still stand by what you said earlier, that you and Ms. Brittany Pierce had sexual intercourse in exchange for money, two weeks ago?" I asked him. I hoped Brittany could keep her composure.

"Yes." Finn answered.

"And this happened at the apartment she's living in." I half-stated half -asked.

"Yes."

"What is the address?" I asked him.

"33, St. Michael's Street." He said.

"The floor?" I asked and he looked around nervously.

"I don't remember." He replied.

"Before that time, have you visited her?" I asked.

"No."

"After?"

"No."

"So, the one and only time you met her was two weeks ago." I said.

"Yes." Finn said."She told me to go again but I didn't."

"And I am telling you that everything you said here today is a lie." I told him firmly.

"I said the truth." He said, frowning at me.

"The first time you're seeing Ms. Brittany Pierce is here, today." I said and pointed at her."And you've never met her before."

"No, it's not like this. I've known her for years." Finn stated stubbornly. I turned back to the judge.

"I don't have any more questions, your honor. Thank you." I said and took my sit again.

"Is there re-examination, Mr. Anderson?" The judge asked.

"No, your honor." Blaine said.

"You can go, witness."The judge said. She turned to look at me."How many witnesses do you have, Ms. Lopez?" She asked me.

"Three, your honor." I said.

"Proceed with the first witness." The judge said. I stood up.

"I call the witness Brittany Pierce." I said and glanced at Brittany and sent her a pleading look to cooperate with me. She nodded her head and I watched as she stood up and went to the stand.

"Proceed with the examination of the witness."The judge said again. I nodded and made my way towards Brittany.

"What is your name?" I asked her.

"Brittany Pierce."

"Do you work?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

…

"So, are you a math teacher?" I asked.

"No." Brittany shook her head. I frowned in confusion.

"But you said you are a mathematician." I said and she chuckled.

"I am." She shrugged. I frowned again.

"Brittany, you're not helping me." I said and she sighed.

"I own that dance studio."She said. I stared at her."It's mine." She told me again.

"I don't understand. You were a prostitute because you needed the money and then you own a big dance studio?" I asked frowning. Brittany sighed again.

"I created a website a really long time ago when I was studying maths and I was solving exercises for students for money. Now it's a really big one, like there are a hundred people working on my website so I bought the dance studio." She shrugged. Definitely a genius, I thought."But we can't tell them that." She added.

"Why?" I asked.

"Not a good idea." She mumbled looking around and I got the message. The website is illegal.

…

"I own a dance studio." Brittany said.

"Where did you work before?" I asked.

"I was…" She trailed off and looked around. When she looked at me again I nodded reassuringly."I was a prostitute, in Chicago."

"You said 'was'." I stated.

"Yes." She nodded.

"Did you stop working as a prostitute?"

"Yes. Nine years ago, when I left Chicago." She answered.

"And since then, have you ever worked as a prostitute again?" I asked.

"No. Never." Brittany shook her head.

"Why?" I asked her.

"Because I wanted a better life." She said frowning. I could see the fire in her eyes. I nodded.

"Was your child born in a legal marriage?" I asked her then.

"No." She sighed."She was born from my relationship with Sam Evans." She said.

"Sam Evans is the father of this child?"

"Yes."

"Did he acknowledge paternity?"

"Yes. Just after the child's birth." Brittany said.

"Did the father keep in touch with the child all this time?" I asked.

"No." She shook her head.

"Did he show any interest?" I asked.

"No." She said again."I just got a notice that he claims Alice's custody." She frowned, anger evident in her eyes but she kept her composure. I could tell that she didn't want to answer these questions but she had to.

"Did he ever give to you any amount of money for the child?"

"No." She said, closed to exasperated."He had no communication with us." She was still frowning. I nodded.

"Do you have anything else to tell us?" I asked her knowingly.

"Yes." She nodded with determination.

"We hear you." I told her and nodded encouragingly. She turned to the jury.

"I am not a prostitute." She stated. There was a brief silence."This chapter closed for me a really long time ago." She said.

"I don't have any more questions, your honor. Thank you." I said and nodded my head at Brittany, letting her know that she did well.

"Proceed to the cross examination, Mr. Anderson." The judge said as I was getting my sit again. Blaine stood up.

"Thank you, your honor." He said and walked to Brittany."You say you are not a prostitute." He addressed Brittany and she nodded narrowing her eyes."You mean officially." He stated and I frowned."But you can probably be secretly. For example, to have some clients that you are visiting secretly, without being seen by anyone." He said, a little too cockily.

"Objection, your honor." I spoke up before Brittany could punch the guy."Mr. Anderson, instead of examining the witness, is accusing her." I said.

"Sustained." The judge said to me and then turned to Blaine."Mr. Anderson, please restrict yourself to your questions and stop drawing your own conclusions." She said. Blaine sucked his lips and nodded.

"I apologize." He said and turned to Brittany again."Why did you deny giving the custody to the father?" He asked."If you love your child, then you'd want the best for her. You have criminal records, so you are not the best for your child." He finished. Brittany's face contorted in anger and her fist clenched. This was definitely a sensitive subject for her but I didn't want her temper to get the best of her and do something she'd later regret.

"Objection, your honor." I spoke up once again."Mr. Anderson is trying to sow doubts in our minds." I said.

"Sustained." The judge said."Continue, Mr. Anderson."

"Do you know Mr. Finn Hudson?" Blaine asked irritated.

"No. This is the first time I see him." Brittany said shaking her head.

"And I am telling you that you know him."He said."And that he visited you at your apartment, two weeks ago." He added."And you had sexual intercourse in exchange for money." He finished. Brittany frowned in anger.

"No." She shook her head."He's lying. He never came to my apartment." She said.

"I don't have any more questions, your honor. Thank you." Blaine said and sat down.

"Is there re-examination, Ms. Lopez?" The judge asked me.

"No, your honor." I answered.

"You can go, witness." The judge said to Brittany. She made her way to my side again looking at me not so softly and I was looking back at her with the same look." I call the witness Mr. Ronald Carter." The judge said. An old man with white hair and beard made his way to the stand.

A.N.: So, what do you think about this chapter?