Authors note: This chapter contains mentions of molestation.
/\/\/\/\
Lorelai got up the next morning and headed to the Rossi house early. She knocked on the door. Dave opened the door.
"I thought I'd come and try and talk to her now," Lorelai said
Dave nodded and let her in. "She's in her room."
Lorelai went and knocked. "Hey, Jules. It's Lorelai." She said
Jules opened the door. "Hi. What are you doing here?"
"Wanted to come and talk to you," Lorelai said
Jules sighed and let Lorelai in her room
Lorelai went in and sat on her desk chair.
"I think I know what you want to talk about," Jules said
"Oh?" Lorelai asked
"My dad asked you to come and talk to me because of what I saw on the news," Jules said
"Yes. And I should have come talk to you sooner. I know you were in that home and that you too could have been molested." Lorelai said
Jules looked at her. "You going to tell my dad?" she asked fear in her eyes.
"I think he kind of already knows. By the way, you have been acting," Lorelai said.
Jules nodded. "He angry I lied to him?"
"I don't think so. He's just concerned." Lorelai said
"Do I need to tell the police and the court?" Jules asked
"Nope. Not if you don't want to." Lorelai said
"Really?" Jules said
"Really. I'm the only one who has come forward and I do not doubt that you me and the one other person I know about are not the only victims." Lorelai said.
"Wait. It's you who is telling the court?" Jules asked
"Yes," Lorelai said
"Is she there?" Jules asked
Lorelai nodded.
"Is it hard to see her?" Jules asked
"Yes," Lorelai said. "Did you see her on the news? Well, you wouldn't recognize her. She changed her look." Lorelai said
"Really? What does she look like now?" Jules asked
Lorelai took a breath. "She changed her look. To look like Jessica…"
Jules's eyes went big. "Why?"
Lorelai wasn't sure if she should tell her this. She knew Dave wouldn't.
"Please tell me…" Jules said
"So that I would think she was Jessica when she abducted me…" Lorelai said
Jules gasped. "When were you abducted?! Why didn't daddy tell me?!"
"He was protecting you. It was a few weeks ago. I'm okay. She didn't hurt me too badly. And I knew she couldn't be Jessica." Lorelai said. "You have to understand Jules. You are still young. No not a little girl anymore but parents. They don't tell their kids things that they don't need to know. You have already been through so much. You don't need anything else added on if it can be avoided." She added
Jules nodded. "My dad going to be mad at you for telling me?"
Lorelai shrugged and smiled. "I can handle it if he is. It won't be the first time he's angry with me."
Jules smiled a bit.
"I won't tell your dad anything we talked about. But I think you should. I know it's hard to talk to a dad about that. But he loves you and he knows the home we lived in was horrible. And he knows the kinds of things that happen in homes where there is abuse because he sees it in the job we do. You can trust him with these things. And he will never force you to go to the police or testify in court. That is a decision you get to make. No matter what he will support you. And so will I." Lorelai said.
"You said there was someone else who you know was molested… Who?" Jules asked
She has chosen not to come forward and like I will keep your name secret I'm keeping her name secret." Lorelai said
Jules nodded. "Will me telling help her get more time in jail?"
"It could yes," Lorelai said. "But you should not feel forced to talk because of that."
"Will she ever get out and be able to come after me?" Jules asked
"Yes. Even if she gets the full amount of time, she could still get out of jail alive. But that doesn't mean she would be able to find you. It will be a long time, and you will have grown up. You could be married and have kids by that time." Lorelai said
Jules nodded. "I want to tell. But I'm scared."
"You can tell. When -you are ready. Not before." Lorelai said
Jules nodded. "Can I come to court and watch?"
"That's up to your dad," Lorelai said.
"Can you tell him I want to? And convince him to let me?" Jules asked
"Tell you what. You ask him. And if he says no I will talk to him." Lorelai said
Dave knocked on the door. "We have to get going or we will be late for court." He pointed out
"Dad. Can I come to court and watch?" Jules asked
"No," Dave said.
"Why?" Jules asked
"You're too young. You don't need to be there." Dave said
"But I could tell the courts the truth… That she…" Jules said
Dave took a breath. "Did she molest you?
Jules nodded.
Dave went and wrapped her in a hug, and she cried softly.
When she was calm Lorelai looked at Dave. "Look. I don't want to overstep here. But I don't think it's fair that she went through that and is forced to testify if she wants to see the court case. I get you are trying to protect her. But why does Rachel get the right to be in court and watch when as far as I know she wasn't a victim of hers but Jules who was doesn't get to just because she's twelve?"
Dave raised an eyebrow but listened to what Lorelai had to say.
"And you can be angry at me all you want. But I stand by what I said." Lorelai added
"You need to change if you are coming to court," Dave told her.
Jules looked up at him.
"You don't need to testify if you don't want to. You can come and watch." Dave said.
He and Lorelai left the room to let Jules change.
"I need to head out or I really will be late," Lorelai said
"Okay. Thank you for your help." Dave said
"Always," Lorelai said before she left and went to the courthouse. It was the second day of the trial and Lorelai was even more nervous now.
/\/\/\/\
She got to the courthouse just in time. She apologized to the lawyer for cutting it so close.
The lawyer looked at her. "The judge might be forced to declare a mistrial."
"What? Why?" Lorelai asked
"A second victim has been discovered and apparently the law firm defending Miss Lines is connected to that victim." The lawyer said
Lorelai took a breath. "I see…"
"I had a feeling you knew…" The lawyer said, "Do you not realize what this could do to the case?"
"How is it might place to tell?" Lorelai said
"If you get up on that stand and are asked if you knew that the law firm had one of her victims working there and you have to say yes it's going to make it look like you are good a lying." The lawyer said.
"I didn't deny knowing about another victim. I told the truth. That giving their name in open court would likely do her some damage." Lorelai said
"Yes. You did. That might be the only thing to save this case." The lawyer said. "Know about any other victims?"
Lorelai took a breath. "No." she lied. She was not going to risk Jules getting put in the way of the fire.
The lawyer nodded. "Okay. Well, the law firm that is representing her has decided to drop her as a client. She has a new lawyer from a new law firm, and you will be back up on the stand."
Lorelai nodded.
"And Becca is going to be up on the stand for us as well." The lawyer said
Lorelai nodded. "Okay." She looked and saw Becca. Becca looked at her she was upset.
Lorelai mouthed "Thank You"
Becca smiled a bit and nodded
Court was started and Becca was called to the stand
Becca hadn't told Derek about what had happened so when she saw the look of shock on his face it almost broke her, but she took a breath and she was sworn in.
She was questioned. And they went at her, hard, but Becca kept her composure and answered the questions she was asked perfectly. Then it came time for Lorelai to get back up on the stand.
She was asked a few questions that she had already been asked and she re-answered.
"So, you knew Miss Morgan was someone claiming to be a victim? That she worked at the law firm that was representing Miss Lines? And you didn't tell the court?" The lawyer asked.
"Yes." She said before she could defend her actions the lawyer asked another question.
"Do you know any other supposed victims?" The lawyer asked
Lorelai took a breath. She might have been willing to lie to her lawyer but was she willing to lie on the stand and perjure herself? And she wouldn't get away with it. Because Dave knew she did, and he would not keep her secret. She looked at her lawyer apologizing with her eyes before answering the question.
"Yes," Lorelai said.
"Didn't you say in open court before that you only knew of -one victim?" The lawyer asked
"At that point in time, I did only know of one," Lorelai said
"And why do these supposed victims come to you and not the police?" The lawyer asked
"Becca and I have been best friends since we were small children. She confided in me the way any best friend does. And I was the perceived oldest in that foster home for many years. Because of the abuse at the hands of our foster mother myself and Miss Morgan felt it was important to protect the other girls in that home and because of that we became like parents to those girls. So, the other victim that confided in me knew that she could tell me, and I would keep her confidence." Lorelai said
"So that means you won't give her name." The lawyer said. "So, no way to verify. I see." The lawyer said
"Objection." The prosecution lawyer said. "Where was the question in that?"
"Sustained." The judge said
"Will you give us the name of this supposed victim?" The lawyer asked
"No. I will not give you the name of the other victim that I know of." Lorelai said
"Exactly." The lawyer said. She went over to the table and picked up a piece of paper. "I would like this added into evidence. It's a sworn statement from someone who has told us that Mrs. Hotchner Reid was caught with a fake ID. Three times while already an FBI agent."
"Objection. That is not pertinent to this case." The prosecution lawyer said. She was aware of that situation but didn't think it would be brought up.
"It is proof that she was willing to break the law and lie to drink." The defense lawyer said
The judge took a breath. "I will allow it."
Lorelai took a breath and looked out at her dad.
Her dad nodded silently telling her she could do it.
"Why should we believe you when you lied numerous times about your age?" The lawyer asked
"Because I was a teenager. I made some bad decisions yes. But that doesn't mean I would lie about this. We all make stupid decisions as a teenager. I'm not that stupid kid anymore." Lorelai said
"But you got away with it. Three times. You could think you would get away with this right?" The lawyer asked.
Lorelai let out a huffed laugh. "You think I got away with that? I assure you I didn't. Just like everything else in life there were and are consequences that I am still dealing with because of those choices."
"What you got grounded? Those aren't legal ramifications." The lawyer said
"I was a teenager. I got dealt with the same way any other teenager would have. And more because I was a teenager but yes I was an Agent already at that point." Lorelai said.
"How old were you the last time you got a fake ID?" The lawyer asked
Lorelai took a breath. "I was twenty."
"Twenty is not a teenager." The lawyer said
"Objection. Twenty is barely not a teenager and as she has said while yes that was a crime she was young and stupid. She isn't that girl anymore." Her lawyer said
"She is twenty-two which means it's been just two years. People don't change that much in two years." The defense lawyer said
The judge looked at Lorelai. "She's right. Two years is not that long. Why should the court believe you?"
"Because. Getting a fake ID at any point yes is wrong. And drinking underage and such is wrong. And against the law. The charges for that are far less than the charges if I were lying right now. And yes two years isn't that long but a lot has changed for me in that time. I'm not a child anymore. I wouldn't get a fake ID for any reason anymore and that man who was selling the IDs I was part of the team that brought him down and made sure he couldn't do it anymore. I have changed despite the time being short." Lorelai said
The judge nodded. "Move on counselor."
"Done with this witness." The defense lawyer said
The prosecution lawyer got up. "Just one question. Why didn't you tell the court about Miss Morgan? Or won't you tell about this other victim?"
"Because it was not my place. As a victim of every kind of abuse, there is I -know how hard it is to talk about it. And having to get up in court and talk about it. It wouldn't have been fair for me to give her name. She had to decide for herself when she was ready to tell people. And the same goes for any other victims." Lorelai said
The lawyer nodded and sat back down
Lorelai was told she could step down and she did and went and sat down. The lawyer whispered to her. "Do not lie to me again."
Lorelai nodded.
"Who is this other victim?" The lawyer asked
"I will not tell you," Lorelai said
The lawyer shook her head.
The rest of the case was done. After closing arguments, the jury was given instructions and sent for deliberation to start.
The court was cleared. Lorelai went and gave Becca a tight hug.
Becca hugged her. "Who else did she molest?"
"I'm not telling -anyone that," Lorelai told her friend
Becca felt a hand on her shoulder. She knew it was her dad. She took a breath and pulled apart from the hug with Lorelai and turned around and was pulled into a tight hug. "You could have told me," Derek told Becca.
"I know. I'm sorry." Becca said
"It's okay. I'm not angry. Just wish I had known. I could have helped you. So, you didn't have to deal with it the way you did." Derek said
"Put it together I guess that means," Becca said.
"Yup," Derek said. He looked up at Lorelai. "Thank you for helping her."
"Not something I need to be thanked for. I will always help my family." Lorelai said
Derek nodded.
Aaron went over to them. "Lorelai. Can I talk to you please?"
Lorelai went with him, and they went outside for some air while they waited and to talk more privately.
"You okay? That line of questioning came as a shock." He said
Lorelai nodded. "I knew it would bite me in the ass at some point."
"You handled it well," Aaron said
"I hope so," Lorelai said
"I understand you want to protect the victims. And I get why you aren't giving names. But I have been told you have been lying to the lawyer?" He asked
"You my boss or father here?" She asked
He smiled a bit. "You know I can't keep the two apart very well."
Lorelai chuckled a bit. "You finally admit it."
"Very funny. So, no more lying." He said
Lorelai nodded. "She just. She's really pushy about getting names. And I will not throw another victim to the flames."
"You could have told her the truth and still kept the name to yourself." He said
"That's what I did when it came to Becca. And she pushed and pushed. I didn't want to go through that again." Lorelai said
"Why didn't you tell me she was putting that pressure on you?" He asked
"Because I handled it," Lorelai said
Aaron nodded. "Having to lie. Doesn't sound like it's being handled very well."
Lorelai looked down.
Aaron took a breath. "I'm sorry. I know you are dealing with a lot. I'm not angry. I'm just concerned."
Lorelai looked back up at him. "I get that. I do. I just. My brain is making me retreat into old habits because of having to relive that trauma."
"That's not abnormal given this situation. So, I will remind you. You don't have to do these things alone. You have me and your entire family. Who have your back." Aaron said
Lorelai smiled and nodded. "Thank you."
Jules came over to them. "Lorelai. Can I talk to you?"
Lorelai smiled at her a bit. "Sure" She looked at her dad. Aaron kissed her head before he went.
"Is it too late to tell the court?" Jules asked
"Well. For this trial. Yes. But you can still report it to the police or the FBI." Lorelai said
"Well, I told you… Your FBI." Jules said
"Yes. But I listened as a friend, not as an Agent. But if you want me to make a report about it. I can." Lorelai said
Jules nodded
"When I do. It's going to let a lot of people know. Your sure?" Lorelai asked
Jules nodded.
"Okay. I will do that tomorrow." Lorelai said. "You will have to talk to me and another agent about it. We will have to ask you some questions."
Jules nodded.
"And if you want your dad there he can be there, but he doesn't have to be. That's up to you." Lorelai said
"Will he be mad if he's not there?" Jules asked
"If you don't want him there I will handle it. No matter what I won't let him be angry with you." Lorelai said
Jules nodded. "Okay."
"You are very brave. To come forward." Lorelai said
"Really?" Jules asked
"Yes. It's not an easy thing." Lorelai told her
"So. It's normal that I'm scared?" Jules asked
"Completely. I was scared to come forward. So was Becca. And there is no way we are the only three victims. Meaning others are too afraid to come forward right now. And that's okay. No one should be forced to talk about it if they don't want to." Lorelai said
"Was Rachel?" Jules asked
"I don't know. She hasn't said so. But that's not a question to ask anyone. Okay? If they are not ready we don't talk about it." Lorelai said
Jules nodded. "I didn't really understand is she going to jail?"
"That's what the jury is deciding now. It's up to the Jury. Those were the people sitting off to the side. They have to decide if the prosecution. That's the lawyer on our side has proven with the evidence given that she is guilty." Lorelai said
"So, they might not believe she did it?" Jules asked
"It's possible. But she wasn't just being charged with the molestation. She was being charged with my abduction and someone else's abduction as well." Lorelai said "And there is a lot of evidence of that. I do think that she will be charged with those crimes for sure. But the more crimes. The longer she will be in prison." Lorelai said
Jules nodded. "The other side's lawyer was mean to you and Becca…"
"That's what the defense lawyer does. They try to pick at the witnesses to try and make them crack. If they are lying. But Becca and I told the truth. And we were prepared for them to come at us like that." Lorelai told her.
Jules nodded. "You wouldn't lie."
"Not when in a courtroom like that no. That is against the law. To lie to the court. I would be in a lot of trouble. I don't have to answer a question if I don't want to. For the most part but if I answer with a lie and get caught. You can get charged with a crime. Go to jail. I would lose my job. It would be bad. Which is why when I was asked if I knew any other victim I had to say yes. But I didn't have to give a name." Lorelai said
"Can you be forced to tell the name?" Jules asked
"If a judge decided I had to yes. But this judge won't make me." Lorelai said
Jules nodded
Dave came over. "Come on. We are all going to get food."
The two girls got up and the group went to get food.
Lorelai didn't eat much as she was nervous.
Spencer noticed and put a hand on her knee under the table.
Lorelai looked up at him.
"I'm proud of you." He said softly
"Thanks." She said
"I get you're probably not hungry. But you need to eat something." He said
"I can't. I feel sick to my stomach. If she doesn't get charged for the molestation. It will be because of me…" Lorelai said
"No. You did everything right. You took a lot of pressure, and you didn't break. You are the reason she was charged with it and the reason that Becca ended up coming forward. Theo told me that Becca saw how much you were willing to sacrifice for her and she couldn't let you do it. You gave her the strength to come forward." Spencer told her.
Lorelai nodded a bit.
"And no matter what. This family. We all know you are telling the truth." Spencer said
Lorelai nodded.
They finished eating. Lorelai got hers to go. As they were heading out Lorelai got a text from the lawyer.
"The jury has decided. We need to head back." She told the group.
They all went back to the courthouse. It wasn't far from where they went to eat.
Once everyone was back the judge called the Jury in and looked at them.
"Jury foreperson, have you reached a verdict?" The judge asked
"Yes, your honor." The juror said
"And it's unanimous?" The judge asked
"Yes, your honor." The juror said
"On the count of the abduction of Lennox Black how do you find the defendant?" the judge asked
"Guilty," The juror said.
"On the count of the abduction of Lorelai Hotchner Reid how do you find the defendant?" the judge asked
"Guilty," The juror said.
"On the two counts of molestation, how do you find the defendant?" The judge asked
"Guilty," The juror said.
There was an audible excitement in the courtroom.
The judge finished what she had to do before releasing the jury and setting a date for the sentencing hearing.
Lorelai let tears fall. Spencer wrapped her in a hug. "It's over. You did it."
Lorelai nodded.
Becca came over. "Thank you."
Lorelai got up and hugged Becca. "No Thank you. If it wasn't for you I don't think they would have believed me."
Becca shrugged.
"So. Does this mean you are going to be okay?" Lorelai asked
Becca took her away from the group. "Yeah. I'm in AA."
Lorelai nodded. "I'm glad. That you're getting help, that is. Not that you needed to."
Becca nodded. "I got some testing done. I do have the genetic."
"Sorry," Lorelai said.
"Thanks. But nothing about this is your fault." Becca said
"Doesn't mean I can't be sorry it is happening to you," Lorelai said.
"Well. I mean. I should have seen it coming. My bio-father was an alcoholic. Just hid it well. And Kevin. And my biological mother." Becca said
Lorelai nodded. "But you are going to be better than them. Because you are going to get help."
"Kevin is getting help too. He has been going to AA in prison." Becca said
"Good for him," Lorelai said a tone in her voice.
Becca raised an eyebrow. "You not ready to forgive him I take it."
"I won't ever forgive him," Lorelai said
"That's your choice. But he was drunk and high. For years. He didn't know what he was doing." Becca said
"I know you are not trying to defend him. To me." Lorelai said
"Okay. I'm sorry. I'll stop." Becca said
Everyone came out of the courtroom and Teddy went over to the two of them.
"Ready Becs?" Teddy asked
Becca smiled a bit. "Yes."
Becca hugged Lorelai and got up and went with Teddy.
Spencer came over and sat next to her. "You okay?"
"Just glad this is over," Lorelai said. "For now."
"For now?" Spencer asked
"There are other victims. And if they choose to come forward." Lorelai said
"We will deal with that when and if it happens," Spencer said
"It will happen. Someone already wants to come forward." Lorelai said
Spencer nodded. "Who?"
"I won't say," Lorelai said
Spencer nodded. "Okay. But right now, all you have to do is go home. And know you are safe and loved."
Lorelai nodded and got up. Spencer got up as well and the two of them went home. Lorelai went and found Hailey playing with the sitter.
When Hailey saw her. Her eyes lit up. "Mama!"
Lorelai gasped. "Has she said that before?" She asked the sitter
"No." The sitter said.
"Spencer. Come here." Lorelai called out
Spencer came. "What?"
Lorelai picked up Hailey. "Can you say that again? Mama." Lorelai said
Hailey babbled.
"She said her first word?" Spencer asked
"I- I think so. She said, Mama. But maybe it's just babbling." Lorelai said
"Mama," Hailey said again.
Lorelai smiled. "That's right. Mama. That's me."
Spencer kissed Hailey's head.
The sitter excused herself letting them have their moment as a family.
Spencer wrapped his arms around his two girls and help them close. Enjoying this perfect moment on an otherwise crappy day.
Authors Note: This is going to be the last chapter in this story. For now. I might come back to this story in the future. But I have been working on this story for almost a year at this point and it's time to move on to the next story. It will be another criminal minds story.
Thank you to everyone who has read/reviewed this series. I truly enjoyed writing it.