"The Trial of Marian Madden"
"Cru, I don't think I can thank you enough for this," Regina said, standing in a dressing room as her sorority sister made a few last minute adjustments.
Cru smiled. "If you thought I was going to let one of my dearest friends walk down the aisle in a dress designed by anyone else, that blow to your head did more damage than I thought."
Regina's smile fell as she reached for the back of her head. She had pinned her hair into a bun so she couldn't feel the light scar that was still there. A sick feeling filled her as she flashed back to the dark club, trying to fight off Marian as she grew weaker.
"Regina? Sweetheart, come back. You are in a dressing room and you are safe," her mother's voice said, breaking her trance.
Cora stood in front of her, hands on Regina's arms. She rubbed them as she studied Regina with concern. "How long have the flashes been going on?"
"Not long," Regina admitted. "They just started up again, what with Mal preparing me for the trial."
"Have you talked to someone?"
Regina almost laughed; it was just such a Cora thing to ask. She shook her head. "But I have an appointment with Archie tomorrow. He's agreed to see me for as long as I need."
"Good." Cora hugged her, holding her close. "I have a feeling things might get worse before they get better."
Cru came up behind them, looking repentant. "I'm sorry, Regina. You know me. My mouth works faster than my brain and sometimes, people get hurt. I didn't mean for it to be you."
"That's okay. How can I be mad at you after you designed this beautiful wedding gown for me to wear when I marry Robin?" Regina smiled, motioning to the gown.
It was an ivory sheath dress made of chiffon. Lace cap sleeves covered her shoulders, leading to a V-neck line. The Chantilly lace continued down to her bodice before ending at the waistline, where a silver ribbon was wrapped. From there, the chiffon was seen in the skirt that flowed down to the floor.
"It is absolutely beautiful, Cru," Cora said, feeling the skirt's flowing material.
Cru nodded. "Regina had a large role in designing it to make sure it was her dream dress. After all, she's marrying her dream guy and living in her dream house. She deserved it."
Regina hugged her. "You're amazing. I love it."
"Then let's go show your bridesmaids," she suggested. "And then you can see what I designed for them."
Cru guided them out of the dressing room and to the waiting area the store had given them. She had called in a favor and the owner had gladly closed for the morning to give Regina and her party a private session. Her bridesmaids lounged on the couch, sipping mimosas with the exception of Lily, who was drinking orange juice from her flute.
They all wore silver chartreuse dresses with thick straps that also formed a V-neckline, much like her dress. Yet theirs dipped into a cowl in the back. Ruche covered the bodice before the high waist gave way to the ankle length skirt. It was all simple yet elegant—just as Regina wanted. Her bridesmaids should also be comfortable in the warm June sun as well in them.
Lily saw her first, her golden brown eyes growing wide. "Auntie Regina, you look amazing!"
"Thank you," Regina replied, giving her a little twirl.
"Robin is going to be drooling when he sees you in that," Ruby said, lounging on the couch with her mimosa. "Too bad that's probably the one dress he'll really want off you."
Regina caught Mal's eye and motioned to her cousin's drink. "Can you take that away from her? I think she's had enough."
"I'm fine," Ruby argued, clutching her flute closer as she batted Mal's hand away. "And I mean it. You look downright sexy in that. Sorry, Uncle Henry."
"I'm used to you by now, Ruby." Henry stood, approaching Regina. His eyes shone with his unshed tears. "Everyone is right, though. You look beautiful. Just like a queen."
Regina hugged her father. "I love you, Daddy."
Cru cleared her throat. "So, what do you think of the bridesmaids' dresses?"
"I think they're perfect. And they look amazing on everybody. You've really outdone yourself, Cru," she replied, taking her friend's hand.
"Well, I'm glad everything fits. We'll make the necessary adjustments and I need everyone to keep the weight they are now. Don't diet, just maintain," Cru instructed, looking at each bridesmaid.
Mary Margaret blanched and twisted her ring around her finger as she stepped closer to them. "Regina, can I speak with you and Cru for a moment? Alone?"
Regina nodded, leading her two friends back into the dressing room. She had a sneaking suspicion about what Mary Margaret wanted to talk about with them. Her assistant had been feeling off for the past couple weeks and had to go home early a few days. She had insisted it was a bug she couldn't kick but Regina wasn't fooled. All she could do was wait for Mary Margaret to confide in her.
Now, she fidgeted with her dress as she stared at Regina and Cru. "I didn't want to say anything in front of the others because we're not ready to announce it yet…but I'm pregnant."
Joy flooded through Regina and she threw her arms around her friend. "Congrats! You and David are going to be great parents."
"Thanks. It's just…I'm due in early August. So I'm probably going to be huge by the time your wedding comes along," Mary Margaret said, looking uncertain.
"Oh. Do you feel uncomfortable remaining in the wedding party then?" Regina asked, worried. While she was certain she could easily slide Mal into Mary Margaret's spot, she really wanted her by her side when she married Robin. She had been one of their earliest cheerleaders after all.
Mary Margaret shook her head. "I want to be one of your bridesmaids. I just didn't know if you wanted someone who wouldn't look they she was smuggling a watermelon under her dress."
"You don't know you'll get that big," Regina said. "And Cru can do wonders, right?"
Cru nodded. "I can adjust your dress to flatter even the biggest baby bump. We might need to change your material. Chiffon might be more forgiving than chartreuse."
Regina hugged Mary Margaret again. "It will all work out. And you let me know if you need anything at work—if you have to head home if you're sick, if you just need to run to the bathroom. Whatever it is, don't worry about asking or not asking. If you need to sprint to the bathroom, sprint there. I won't care."
"Thanks, Regina. And yes, you can tell Robin. But just him for now, got it?" She gave Regina a stern look.
Nodding, Regina squeezed her hand. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. Now, go get changed and I'll take everyone out for lunch."
Before they parted ways at the restaurant, Mal called Regina over for a private conversation. Regina followed her, a knot forming in her stomach. "Is this about the trial?"
"Yes," she replied. "I got word that your case is to start next week. Jury selection will be later this week and I think they are hoping to begin opening statements a week from this Monday."
Regina's stomach flipped. "So we're really doing this? She's not going to take a plea deal?"
"I'm afraid not. The prosecutor will prep you and Robin as well, but I want you both to remember what we practiced. Call me if you need any help," Mal said, squeezing her hand.
"We will. Thank you so much." Regina hugged her friend.
Lily bounded up to them and hugged Regina as well. "You'll be great, Auntie Regina. I just know it."
Regina kissed the girl's head. "Thank you so much. You've got this bridesmaid thing down."
"Easiest job ever," Lily replied before letting go. "See you soon, Auntie Regina."
Mal nodded. "See you soon."
Nodding, Regina headed back to her car. Dread filled her and weighted her down with every step.
She was not looking forward to the trial.
At all.
"No. Stop...please..."
Robin opened his eyes, taking in the dark bedroom. Moonlight still streamed in through the gap in the curtains. He glanced over at his clock, noting that it was almost two-thirty in the morning. What had woken him up?
"Why are you doing this?" Regina's arm collided with his chest as she squirmed under the blankets, her voice getting louder though she remained asleep.
Sitting up, Robin shook her shoulder. "Regina, wake up."
"No!" she shouted, sitting up with her eyes wide open. She was breathing heavily and he rubbed her back.
Regina blinked a few times before looking at him. "I'm home?" she asked.
"Yes and you're safe," he assured her, rubbing her arm as Cora had told him to do. "Do you want a glass of water?"
She nodded and he climbed out of bed, padding into their bathroom. Robin filled up a Dixie cup with cold water before returning to the bed. Regina sat on the edge, staring at the floor until he held out the cup to her. When she took it, he could see tear tracks down her cheeks even before he turned on the lamp.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Robin asked, kneeling in front of her.
She shrugged after taking a sip. "It's the usual. Marian coming out of nowhere at the bar and attacking me. I try to fight her off but I can't. Then I wake up."
He rubbed her legs. "This is because of the trial, isn't it?"
"Yes," she said. "I'm going to have to relive it on the stand and so Archie said I might have nightmares about it."
Robin climbed back into bed and wrapped his arm around her. He kissed the top of her head. "I'm glad you're talking to him. It helps."
"I know. My mother is psychologist," she said, chuckling as she rubbed his knee.
"It'll be over soon. If Marian doesn't take a plea, she's going to be convicted. There's no way she can get out of this, fancy lawyer or not. The evidence is stacked against her."
Regina shrugged. "We don't know that for sure. Someone could feel for her on that jury and hang it. Or convince the others to let her walk."
He laid them back down, letting her curl up against him as she rested her head on his chest. Robin ran his fingers through her hair. "You need to stay positive, lovely."
She nodded. "I'll try. Can you just hold me for now?"
"Of course," he replied. "It's my favorite thing to do."
Robin sat there, combing out every knot in her hair with his fingers as she laid in his arms. He hated seeing her in such pain and prayed that he was right, that the trial would end it once and for all.
He also hoped it would get Marian out of their life for good as well. She had haunted them for over a year and he just wanted her specter gone. Then they could focus on their upcoming wedding and their lives together.
"I love you," she said, voice strained. He knew she was trying not to cry.
Robin reached for the tissue box as he said: "I love you too."
She pulled out a few tissues, using one to blow her nose. "I hate feeling like this."
"Like what?"
"Weak," she said. "And scared. And just plain tired."
"You are not weak. And it's okay to be scared. And I'm tired as well. I just want Marian out of our lives."
She nodded. "Why is she so fixated on me? On us?"
"You're asking the wrong person, lovely," he replied. "That's something to talk about with your mother."
"She's salivating at the chance that Marian might testify. Then she's going to analyze her."
Robin laughed. "I'd love to hear what she has to say."
"Even after how much what happened with your parents hurt you?" Regina lifted her head, looking concerned for him despite her own red rimmed eyes.
He nodded. "I don't think this one will hurt as much. In fact, I think it will explain a lot once Cora figures out what's going on in Marian's head. So this trial is definitely a good thing if you ask me."
"Eternal optimist." Regina glanced over at the clock and groaned. "It's almost three in the morning and I don't think I'll be able to get anymore sleep."
"Then call out in the morning," he said. "I'll do the same and we'll spend the day together. How does that sound?"
"Do you think that's wise? We might have to take a lot of days with the trial coming up."
He nodded. "So we need a day to do nothing and just be with each other."
She cupped his cheek as she grinned. "You have the best ideas."
"I have my moments," he replied. "Want to go downstairs and have some ice cream?"
"I have a wedding dress to fit into in six months!"
"A little ice cream won't hurt."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "You, sir, are bad for my diet."
"You don't need one." He kissed her nose before climbing out of bed. Robin held out his hand to her, wiggling his fingers. "You coming?"
"Oh, fuck it. Let's go have some ice cream." She took his hand, letting him pull her out of bed.
They curled up on the floor of their living room, backs against their couch and the carton of chocolate ice cream between them. Robin's mp3 player was still plugged into the sound system and he put it on shuffle so they had some music playing while they indulged.
"I'm going to hate myself in the morning, but this is so good." Regina licked her spoon and Robin's mind short circuited.
He scooped up another spoonful of ice cream and held it out for her. "Milady?"
She smiled before closing her lips around the spoon, sucking the ice cream off as sensually as she could.
Robin swallowed. "Your mouth is sin."
"Is it?" She propped her elbow on the couch and rested her head on her hand. "Any other ideas how I could sin with it?"
He hummed. "Why don't I put the ice cream away and then we can go back to the bedroom so I can show you my ideas?"
Neither thought about the trial for the rest of the night.
Regina stood in front of her mirror, smoothing out her black pencil skirt. She had paired it with a crème satin shirt, a bow resting on the neckline. Her hair was pulled into a bun and she turned to Robin. "How do I look?"
"Beautiful, professional and successful," he replied, buttoning the cuffs of his shirt. "The jury is going to love you."
She pressed her hand to her stomach, trying to calm her nerves. "You think so? You don't think I might intimidate them?"
Robin wrapped his arm around her from behind, kissing the side of her head. "You're the victim, lovely. And they are going to see that. Trust me."
"What if they don't? What if Marian presents more sympathetic than me?" She turned in his arms, looking to him for comfort. "What if they decide I deserved it?"
He tilted her head up, forcing her to look into his eyes. "You didn't deserve it. Marian was wrong. You just tell the jury what happened and I'm sure they'll agree with you."
"You really think so?" she asked.
"Absolutely." He leaned down, giving her a sweet kiss. It was a quick one and when he pulled away, he bopped her nose with his.
She smiled, straightening his silk lavender tie. "You look like you stepped off the pages of GQ."
"Why, thank you," he said. "You set the bar quite high for fashion and I strive to reach it."
"You don't have to do that. I found you sexy in whatever you wear—especially a tight t-shirt and a pair of jeans." She dropped her voice and pressed herself against him.
He swallowed before shaking his head. "You can't start this now. We need to drive over to the courthouse. Can't be late, remember?"
She nodded, pulling away from him. "Right, right. I'm ready. Are you?"
"Almost. Just have to get my suit jacket." He caught her left hand, kissing right by her engagement ring. "It's going to be okay, lovely. You'll see."
"And you'll be right there with me?" she asked him, feeling more vulnerable than ever.
Robin nodded. "Always. Until the very end."
Regina was surprised by the number of people who had shown up to support her. She knew Mal, Cru and Ursula were going to be called as witnesses to Marian's attack, but she hadn't expected them to show up for the opening arguments. "We're here for you," Ursula assured her.
"Thank you," she said, hugging her friends. It was a bit of stretch, but the four of them made it work.
"Let's head inside, love," Robin said, placing on hand on the small of her back while reaching for the door leading into the courtroom with the other.
Inside, she saw John and Tuck sitting with Will and Ana. Mary Margaret and David were there as well, sitting with Ruby and Belle. August and Archie were sitting in the row behind them. Regina frowned, crossing her arms. "Is anybody back at work?"
"Zelena?" August offered, trying not to laugh.
Mary Margaret shrugged. "Gold was okay with us coming to support you, though he warned us we all couldn't show up every day."
"Well, I am glad you're all here," Regina said, squeezing her assistant and friend's hand. Mary Margaret squeezed it back.
Robin guided her to the front row where her parents sat with Granny. They all slid down, allowing the two of them to sit on the end. Cora leaned over and squeezed Regina's hand. "Are you okay?"
"I'm scared," Regina admitted. "I don't know how this is going to turn out."
She glanced over to the defendant's table. Marian sat there in a crisp navy blue pantsuit, her dark hair falling around her face in loose curls. She wore what appeared to be very expensive jewelry and looked like a lawyer, not a perpetrator.
The real lawyer sat next to her, a tall man with graying blond hair and a smug look on his face. He wore an expensive blue suit, almost matching his client, and had a laptop open on the table. Mal leaned forward. "That's Dimitri Hades. He's one of the best defense attorneys in Avalon."
"Great. How screwed am I?" Regina whispered to her.
Mal patted her shoulder. "Don't focus on that. Just do as we practiced and you'll be fine."
Regina nodded, watching as the Assistant District Attorneys handling her case entered the courtroom. Both were relatively young but eager to make names for themselves. Elsa Arendale had spent the most time with Regina, going over her testimony backwards and forwards until they were both satisfied with it. Meanwhile, Merle Lyndon had worked with Robin and a few other witnesses. Robin had assured her that the young attorney would do a good job.
Both looked much like they always did whenever Regina saw them. Elsa wore a pale blue skirt suit with a white shirt under her jacket. Her light blonde hair was pulled back into an elaborate French braid. Beside her, Merle wore a charcoal gray suit and light blue shirt that both complemented his dark complexion. His dark hair was cut short to his head but still curly and he scanned the room with bright brown eyes, taking everything in.
Regina then glanced over to see who was sitting behind the defense's table. She recognized Marian's parents from her wedding as well as Marian's soon-to-be ex-husband, James. His presence surprised her a bit since she had always believed it was a bad breakup. There wasn't much of anyone else and she momentarily felt bad for Marian.
The door opened and Regina looked over her shoulder, not surprised to see Susan Locksley walk in. Their eyes met and the older woman looked away, no doubt out of guilt. Robin hadn't spoken with his parents since that summer and Regina wondered if it affected Susan at all. But she figured it hadn't as Susan took a seat next to Marian's parents.
Beside her, Robin tensed up. She squeezed his hand in response. "We knew she was going to come," she whispered. "Just ignore her."
"I'm trying, lovely," he whispered back as the judge's clerk entered the room.
The woman looked over the courtroom and nodded. "All rise for the Honorable Judge Tice," she instructed.
Everyone there stood as the judge entered. He was an older man with gray hair and wise eyes, dark robe billowing with his every move. Judge Tice took his seat, looking at the attorneys. "Counsellors, approach so we can deal with a few matters before the jury is brought in."
Regina watched as the three lawyers approached the bench, talking with the judge in low tones. Hades argued about something but Judge Tice shook his head, noting something to his clerk. She jotted it down as the conference ended and the lawyers returned to their respective tables.
Judge Tice turned to the court office. "You can bring in the jury now. We're ready for them."
The court officer disappeared into the hall and a few minutes later returned, the twelve members of the jury behind him. Once again, everyone stood and waited for the jury to file into their proper seats before the judge ordered everyone to be seated.
Once the jury was seated comfortably, Judge Tice talked to them for about a half hour. He told them about what would happen during the trial and that they needed to listen to all the evidence presented to them. The jury was warned against going online to do their own research and was told to keep an open mind throughout the proceedings. He then leaned back in his chair and turned to the prosecutors' table. "Is the state ready with its opening statement?"
"We are, Your Honor." Elsa stood from the table and moved to a podium set up in front of the jury. She paused for a moment before starting: "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. First, the state wants to thank you for fulfilling your civic duty and trusts you will render a fair and just verdict in this case.
"Our legal system acknowledges that there are actions so heinous, they are considered to be against all the people of the state. Yet there is one specific victim in this case. Her name is Regina Mills and you will hear from her later today. I just want to take this time to introduce her to you."
Elsa glanced over at Regina before continuing. "She grew up in Lake Nostos and moved to Avalon after graduating college, when she took a job with Gold and Associates, the well-known advertising firm. She is now a senior associate and has overseen many campaigns. You've probably seen some of her work and never realized it.
"Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her friends. That's what she was doing when the defendant attacked her," Elsa said, pointing to Marian. "Ms. Mills was out in a bar, having a drink and dancing to a local band. She was getting ready to head home to her boyfriend when Dr. Madden swung a beer bottle at her and then proceeded to assault her with her hands."
Stepping from behind the podium, Ela clasped her hands behind her back as she detailed all of Regina's injuries. Regina tightened her grip on Robin's hand, trembling as she recalled the pain in her head and how sore her body had been for days following the attack. A few tears trickled down her cheeks and Robin kissed the side of her head. "It's okay, lovely. You're safe here," he whispered.
Elsa returned to the podium, wrapping up her argument. "Dr. Madden and Ms. Mills are connected by the same person—Robin Locksley. He is currently Ms. Mills' fiancé and was Dr. Madden's longtime boyfriend. No doubt the defense is going to paint Dr. Madden as a woman wronged in love but it is important to note that her relationship with Mr. Locksley was over long before he even met Ms. Mills. The state is going to prove that Dr. Madden had suffered some serious setbacks in her life, got drunk, blamed her problems on Ms. Mills and therefore attacked her. She has no other excuse. Thank you."
As she took her seat, Judge Tice looked up at the clock. "Let's take a ten-minute recess before the defense's open. Court officer, escort the jury out."
"All rise," the clerk ordered. Regina rose to her feet, leaning on Robin as her knees shook. She watched the jury file out before plopping back down on the bench.
Robin sat down next to her and held her. "You're doing good."
"No, I'm not," she sighed. "And that was Elsa's opening statement. She's on my side. What am I going to do when Hades speaks?"
"You're going to hold my hand as tight as possible and you're going to keep your head held high. You are the victim, not Marian," Robin reminded her.
Henry patted her leg. "And you can hold my hand as well."
"You are strong, Regina," Cora reminded her. "You are made of steel."
"You are a Warrior Queen," Mal added, squeezing her shoulder as Cru and Ursula nodded.
The clerk stood up again. "All rise—jury entering."
Robin helped Regina stand as the twelve people with excellent poker faces trooped into the jury box. As they took their seats, everyone in the galley took theirs and waited to hear what Hades would have to say.
"Mr. Hades," Judge Tice said, looking at the defense lawyer. "Are you ready to proceed with your opening or are you going to wait until the state rests its case?"
Hades stood. "No, Your Honor, I'm ready now. Thank you."
Regina held her breath as he approached the podium, smiling at the jury. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I know we're getting close to lunch, so I'll do my best to keep my opening brief.
"Marian Madden worked hard her whole life. And for the most part, she led a life that most would call charmed. She excelled at her studies, she had loving parents, many friends and she found the love of her life at a young age. Marian and Robin Locksley lived in Nottingham and were almost destined to be together. They were happy and when Marian chose to study medicine in the States, Robin followed her rather than be apart from her.
"Marian excelled in her studies and was accepted to Avalon Mercy's resident program, one of the best in the country. From there, she then was accepted into its renowned neurology fellowship and when she finished, the hospital hired her. And while she was forging her career in medicine, Robin had gone back to school and gotten his MBA. He started up a landscaping business and it was thriving."
Hades moved away from the podium, eyes still locked with the jury. "Yet they forgot to take care of their relationship. And soon, they were like strangers to each other. So Robin decided it was best for them to break up."
Robin was the one who squeezed her hand this time and Regina could feel the anger radiating off him. Had Marian told Hades these lies about their relationship or was he just twisted the truth to make her seem more sympathetic to the jury?
"Marian was heartbroken," Hades continued, "but she moved on. She met James and thought they were in love. They got married and that's when Marian learned Robin had also moved on. She briefly met Regina Mills then but her excellent gut instincts that helped her as a doctor told her that Regina was not to be trusted."
She replayed the moment she met Marian in the bathroom at the wedding, trying to figure out what had happened that would make the other woman so suspicious. Regina recalled the look she almost called jealousy that had flashed in Marian's eyes and how cold the woman had seen to her. It had unnerved her then and upset her now. Marian's problem was that Robin had moved on and so she didn't like Regina for that reason.
Hades now moved into what appeared to be justifications for Marian's poor decisions. "After the honeymoon, Marian soon realized that what she had with James wasn't as strong or true as what she had had with Robin. They fought and she finally had to admit she made a mistake in marrying him. And yes, she started to check up on Robin and saw that he was still in a relationship with Regina.
"She also reached out to Robin when they ran into each other at the hospital where Marian worked. They went out for drinks as friends and Marian remembered how great it was to have Robin in her life. On one of their outings, Robin discovered Regina meeting with her ex-girlfriend. Marian thought he would leave her after such a betrayal, but Robin said he couldn't see her instead because it upset Regina. He was choosing her."
Regina frowned at the creative revision at what had happened a year prior. Yes, she had been caught out with Graham but she never demanded Robin stop seeing Marian. He had chosen her because he loved her and Marian's own actions drove him to end their friendship.
"Marian recalled that strange feeling she had had when she first met Regina. So she did something she knew was wrong and against medical ethics, but she looked up Ms. Mills' medical file. And she discovered that she has a serious condition that Robin ought to know. So she reached out and told him. When he rebuffed her, she decided to reach out to his parents in hopes that they would be able to talk sense to him. He didn't listen to them either and Regina filed a complaint against Marian. The hospital suspended and ultimately fired Marian, despite her acclaimed career.
"So, yes, she decided to go to a bar one night in May. Yes, she decided to go alone. She wasn't going for a social outing, like Ms. Mills and her friends. Marian wanted to brood over how bad her life had gotten—no job, in the middle of a divorce, an entire ocean away from her parents, and the one friend who had always been there for her wasn't taking her calls. And then she saw the reason why."
Taking a deep breath, Regina squeezed Robin's hand and took her mother's. It was time to hear what reason Marian was going with to explain her vicious attack on Regina away.
"After a tense conversation with Regina where she and her friends threatened Marian, she retreated to the bar. Not long after that, she saw Regina flirting with a man at the bar. They then started to dance together and even shared a kiss. Marian knew everything she had suspected about Regina was right and that Robin didn't know he was seeing a cheater. So Marian confronted her and when Regina grew belligerent, she was forced to defend herself. And we will prove all of that throughout the course of this trial—that Marian Madden is the true victim, not Regina Mills. Thank you."
Hades returned to his seat as Judge Tice checked the clock. "Okay, folks, I'm going to call lunch. Prosecutors, is your first witness ready to go after that?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Merle said, standing.
"Good," the judge replied. "Then we'll meet back here at two. Have a good lunch, everyone."
Regina stepped out of the courtroom, almost near tears from how angry she was. "Hearing that story, even I thought I was a bitch. And I know most of it has been twisted to suit Marian's needs."
"Don't worry, Regina," Elsa said, hurrying after them. "Merle and I have prepped you and the witnesses. Everything is going to show that Marian was the aggressor not you. Her actions that night are ultimately on trial, not your relationship with Robin."
"Then why does it feel that way?" Regina asked, wanting to punch something.
Robin wrapped his arm around her. "Because that's what Marian wants. She wants someone—in this case, the jury—to tell her that she was wronged and that I should be with her."
Cora hummed. "Well, I think she's in for a rather rude awakening."
"She is," Elsa agreed. She squeezed Regina's shoulder. "Look, we have an hour for lunch. There are some great places around here. You all go out to eat and don't think about the trial. Everything will be fine."
Though Regina wanted to go back in and strangle Marian with her bare hands, she let Robin guide her back toward the elevators as their small party followed. "Mulan lives around here and suggested a nice bistro about a block away," Robin said. "Let's go there and just relax. I think we all need it."
When they returned to the courthouse after lunch, Regina felt even more nervous despite having spent the past hour discussing pleasant things with her loved ones. Yet not even they could calm her down or make testifying any less terrifying.
The jury filed back into the room and Judge Tice turned to Elsa and Merle. "Prosecutors, call your first witness."
Merle stood this time and nodded. "The state calls Regina Mills."
With one last squeeze of Robin's hand, she stood and moved beyond the bar. The court officer met her and escorted her to the witness stand. He instructed her to face the clerk and Regina did so as the clerk stood.
"Raise your right hand please," the clerk said. When she saw that Regina had done so, she continued: "Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"
"I do," she said, taking her seat. She then stated her name and address for the record before the questioning started.
Merle gave her a reassuring smile. "Ms. Mills, can you tell us what happened on the evening of May fourth last year?"
Regina took a deep breath and recounted the events that led up to Marian's attack. She addressed the jury, doing her best to make eye contact as well as speak slowly and clearly—just as Mal had taught her.
"Your Honor, I would like to play a part of the Rabbit Hole's security video from that night," Merle requested. "It's been entered as prosecution's exhibit A."
Judge Tice nodded and Merle set up a TV, pressing play and the security footage appeared on the screen. Regina saw herself walk into frame, her cell phone in hand.
"Can you walk us through what's happening, Regina?" Merle asked.
She nodded. "I'm answering a text from Robin and Marian comes up to me, accusing me of cheating on Robin. I tell her she's drunk and then ask her if she has a ride home."
As the jurors watched Regina and Marian talk on the screen, she narrating their conversation as best she could remember it. Then she watched as she turned her back on Marian and as the doctor grabbed a nearby empty bottle, whacking it over Regina's head. She winced, rubbing the spot as she felt a phantom pain.
The attack unfolded on the screen and Regina glanced over at the jury. A few had their hands over their mouths, but most looked horrified. One or two met her eyes, sympathy in them. That was a good thing, Regina reminded herself.
"Do you recall going to the hospital, Ms. Mills?" Merle asked once he turned off the video.
She shook her head. "I was knocked unconscious. When I came to, I was already in the emergency room. I required several stitches and they instructed Robin to monitor me for a concussion."
He asked a few more questions about her recovery before turning to Judge Tice. "I have no more questions, Your Honor."
"Okay." The judge looked at the clock. "I'm going to dismiss the jury for the day. Everyone report here tomorrow at ten o'clock and defense can cross examine the witness. Have a good afternoon."
The jury filled out and Regina was allowed to step down from the witness stand. Hades and Marian were deep in conversation as she passed, but she couldn't make out what they were saying. She was just focused on Robin, who wrapped his arm around her the moment she was past the bar again.
He kissed her forehead. "You did wonderful," he murmured to her.
"That was easy," she whispered back. "Tomorrow is going to be hard. Hades gets to ask questions."
"You'll be fine. Don't let him get to you," Mal said, squeezing her shoulder. "Now, go home and get plenty of rest. You want all your strength."
"Don't worry. I'll make sure she does nothing but relax tonight." Robin held her closer.
Cru smirked. "I'm sure you'll relax her all right."
"I was going to say that!" Ruby exclaimed, glaring at Cru.
Robin rolled his eyes. "With that, I think it's time to leave. See everyone tomorrow, if you can make it."
"Thank you for coming," Regina said, leaning against him. "Your support means the world to me. I love all of you."
"And we love you," Mary Margaret replied as everyone nodded. A warm feeling engulfed Regina and she blinked back tears as Robin guided her to their car.
Regina had changed straight from the outfit she had worn to court into her pajamas and Robin did the same. He kissed her forehead. "Why don't you just climb into bed and I'll make us something to eat?"
"I may be tired from the trial but I'm not sick. I can hang around downstairs," she said, wrapping her arms around him.
He smiled, kissing the tip of her nose. "I know you're not sick. But the bed is way more comfortable than our couch. And you know it."
"You've got me there. Okay." She gave him a quick kiss before diving into bed. "Don't take too long."
"I won't." Robin left the room and she head him head downstairs.
Regina pulled the blankets around her legs and reached for the remote. She turned on the TV and began channel surfing, hoping to find something that could take her mind off the trial for a few hours. Yet every channel was showing Law & Order, CSI or many, many other shows like them.
Just her luck.
She turned off the TV and threw the remote down as Robin returned with a tray. Two bowls with steam rising off it rested on it. "I made us some vegetable soup. Should warm us right up after this winter chill."
"I half expected you to say you had mac and cheese in there," she said, laughing.
"I considered it," he admitted as he set the tray down across her lap. "But then I figured you'd then remind me you have a wedding dress to fit into…"
Regina sighed, thinking of the beautiful gown Cru was making final adjustments to. "I do."
He nodded. "And even though I could tell you that you look beautiful until I'm blue in the face, I know this is important to you. So no mac and cheese. But there will be wine. I'll be right back with it."
She blew on her soup and started to eat as Robin returned with her wine and his beer. He handed both to her before climbing into bed himself. "Who needs a dinner table anyway?"
"We do," she replied. "But this is a nice change of pace."
Robin reached for the remote, turning on a basketball game but muting it so they could still talk. "You okay?"
"Not really, no," she admitted. "I don't know what Hades is going to ask me tomorrow and that frightens me."
"Mal and the prosecutors told you he can only ask you questions about your testimony today."
"But he's going to go try to push Marian's crazy theory that I'm a serial cheater who doesn't deserve you and she was trying to protect you," Regina said, taking a sip of her wine.
Robin nodded. "Most likely. But just answer his questions honestly and calmly. The jury will see you're telling the truth."
"I hope so," she replied. "But I wasn't lying when I said I was almost convinced she was just defending the man she loved from a serial cheater. Hades is really convincing…or maybe she really does love you."
"Marian doesn't love me. She did when we were younger, I know that. But now…I don't know. I think she wants to possess me. That I represent the time in her life when everything worked and if she has me again, she'll have that again."
She chuckled. "Have you been talking to my mother?"
"Maybe," he replied before sighing. "Actually, it was Archie. He's been really helpful."
"I'm glad to hear that." Regina wiped her mouth before finishing her wine. "What do you think about what he said?"
Robin hummed. "I thought it was a lovely fairy tale. But ours is the real love story. Our relationship is good and healthy and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."
"Neither would I." She moved closer to him, wrapping herself around his arm as she rested her cheek against his shoulder.
Robin turned off the TV, smiling down at her. "Are you done, milady?"
"Yes, I am. Why?"
"Because I am going to take these bowls down to the sink, wash them out, put them in the dishwasher and you are going to take a nice long soak in the tub. Then we are going to turn in for the night so you can get plenty of sleep before facing Hades." He kissed her nose before taking their empty dishes.
Regina watched him leave, a goofy smile on her face. Once again, she thanked whatever deity above sent him her way. She knew she was truly blessed to be loved by Robin Locksley.
No wonder Marian wanted to believe she was still so blessed as well so bad.
Regina wished she didn't feel so nervous, like her skin was crawling and her stomach was tied up in knots. She knew her hand shook as she sipped the water left for her by the court officer as the jury was led in. All the while, she pointedly avoided looking at Hades.
Judge Tice welcomed the jury before addressing Hades: "Are you ready for cross-examination, counselor?"
"I am, Your Honor," Hades said. He entered Regina's frame of vision, buttoning his black suit jacket with one hand while carrying a notepad with the other. Stopping at the podium, he gave her a smile that seemed genuine but failed to put her at ease. "Good morning, Miss Mills."
"Good morning," she said.
Hades glanced down at his notepad. "Can you explain why you and your friends went drinking on the night of May fourth?"
"We were having a girls' night out," Regina replied.
"And how often do you have these?"
Regina shrugged. "A couple times a year. Cru lives in New York City and Mal lives in Portland, so they're not too far away. But Ursula lives out in California. So whenever she comes back to the East Coast, we all meet up here to spend some time together."
"In a bar? Why not a nice restaurant where you could talk?" Hades asked.
Mal had asked her a similar question during their prep sessions. Regina had been hesitant to answer, not wanting to come off bitchy or paint Cru in a bad light. But Mal had then pointed out it was the truth, something even Cru would say. "Don't worry about her. Worry about the truth," she had advised.
With that in mind, Regina answered his question. "Mal, Ursula and I would've liked that. Cru, though, is used to a different lifestyle and that doesn't appeal to her. So I suggested the bar crawl as a compromise between going to a club or going to dinner. We could all still get drinks, chat a bit and Cru could dance and flirt. We all agreed it was for the best."
Hades nodded. "What number bar was the Rabbit Hole on this crawl?"
"Third," Regina answered. "And ultimately last."
"So you probably weren't very drunk but past tipsy. Is that a fair assumption?"
Regina bit her lip as she recalled that night and how much she had had to drink at the other two bars. "Yes," she decided, "that would be a fair assumption."
Hades nodded. "Would you consider yourself an angry drunk?"
"No, I'm usually a happy one," she replied.
"Yet you got into two fights at the Rabbit Hole." Hades held up two fingers to punctuate his point.
Judge Tice frowned. "Is there a question there, Counselor?"
"Apologies, Your Honor," Hades replied. "Miss Mills, if you're not an angry drunk, then why did you start two different fights?"
"Objection to wording!" Merle stood up, glaring at Hades.
"Sustained," Judge Tice ruled. He glared at Hades. "Be careful, Counselor."
Hades nodded. "Apologies once again, Your Honor. Miss Mills, you were in two fights at the Rabbit Hole, were you not?"
"Yes, I was," she replied.
"Did you start these fights?"
"No, I did not."
He paused, thinking it over. "So you just so happened to end up in two fights with two different people but didn't start them?"
"Correct," she replied. "The first was with your usual drunken creep who can't take no for an answer and thinks that just by complimenting you, you should have sex with him. Many women who go out have experienced that jerk and have had to fight to get away from him. And the second was instigated by Dr. Madden. She accused me of cheating on Robin, I told her she was drunk and then offered to take her home. Then she hit me with a beer bottle."
"Did you say anything else to my client before she hit you? Something that might have provoked her?" Hades asked.
"When I told her I would take her home, she thought I meant my apartment and she said then she could tell Robin about my supposed cheating. I told her that even if she weren't drunk, he wouldn't believe her because her credibility with him was nonexistent."
"Do you think that's what set Dr. Madden off?" he asked.
"Objection," Merle interjected. "Calls for speculation on the witness' part."
Judge Tice nodded. "Sustained."
Hades looked back at his notepad before saying, "Miss Mills, what about your earlier conversation with Dr. Madden?"
"She accused me of ruining her life," Regina said. "She blamed me for everything that had gone wrong, said she needed Robin back in her life and then threatened me."
"Threatened you…how?" Hades asked.
"Dr. Madden said I needed to watch myself. At that point my friends returned to our table and made it clear that Marian needed to back off."
"So, do you think that may have threatened her?" Hades asked.
Merle stood again. "Objection. Calls for speculation on the witness' part…again."
"Sustained," Judge Tice said, growing impatient. "These sound more like questions for your own client, should you be putting her on the stand."
Hades nodded. "I have no more questions for this witness then."
"Redirect?" Judge Tice asked Merle. When he shook his head, the judge looked at her. "You may step down, Miss Mills. And we'll take a ten-minute break."
The jury was escorted out as she returned to the gallery, hugging Robin once she was past the bar. Merle and Elsa leaned over to talk to her. "You did a great job," he assured her.
"He was trying to make it look like I go out drinking and picking fights," she replied as Robin rubbed her back.
Elsa nodded. "It's because Marian is claiming self-defense. They have to show you were a threat to her."
"Which you weren't. I think the jury is seeing that she was definitely the threat." Merle patted her hand. "Don't worry. It will work out."
The prosecution's case moved quickly and was pretty straightforward after that. Mal, Cru and Ursula were all called to testify. They each backed up Regina's story of a girls' night out that had ended terribly at the Rabbit Hole after Regina was first threatened by Marian, accosted by the drunken lout and then attacked by Marian. Hades tried to paint Regina as an unstable drunk who posed a threat but each of her friends shut that theory down.
"Trust me, darling, that while Regina can hold her own in a verbal spar match and maybe bruise a person's ego, she's not going to be the first to swing a punch. Only if she has to defend herself, really," Cru had said. "Me on the other hand, I have no such qualms about hitting first."
And while Hades had also tried to convince the jury that maybe the three were supporting Regina's story out of sorority loyalty, the prosecution then brought in witnesses not attached to her. The bartender who had been working that night confirmed the drunk had come on to Regina and she had told him to leave her alone. And the bouncer spoke of how Cru had taken down the drunk before he was tossed out. He also spoke about having to pull Marian off an unconscious Regina, which was repeated by a few patrons who had agreed to give witness statements and testify.
When the state rested their case, Regina felt they had done a good job showing that she was the victim and that Marian wasn't trying to defend herself. "I don't understand why she doesn't just take a plea agreement," she said once she was back at home. "Why chance a harsher sentence?"
Robin came out of the kitchen, sighing. "This is classic Marian. If she thinks she's been wronged, she'll go to extremes to be vindicated. She wants a jury to say that she was wronged and she was right to attack you."
"Good Lord. Then what's her attorney going to do to us when we're on the stand?" she asked, curling against him as he plopped down on the couch next to her.
He kissed the top of her head. "To be honest, he's probably going to try to paint us in terrible lights. I want you to remember two things. One, I love you with every fiber of my being and two, that I know you. Nothing Hades tries to say about you will change either of those things."
Tears pricked her eyes as she sat up, kneeling next to him. She laid a hand against his cheeks, staring right into his eyes. "I love you with everything I am. And I know you wouldn't want to get back together with Marian even if she was the last woman on Earth."
"We'll be fine," he replied. "Even if by some miracle Marian wins, that's not going to change us. We're rock solid."
She kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. They fell back against the couch and Robin adjusted himself into a more comfort position. Regina remained lying on top of him, her ear pressed to his chest in order to listen to his heartbeat. She let its steady rhythm imprint on her mind so that she could remember it throughout the second part of the trial, knowing it would calm her.
A/N: And that's only part one of the trial! This was getting so long, I had to make the decision to split it. So we'll hear more about Marian's defense in the next chapter. And Cora will finally get to analyze her.
This is a bit dialogue heavy, which I'm afraid went with the fact it's mostly the trial. And the next part will probably be dialogue heavy too, but I'm hoping to work in some more romantic Outlaw Queen moments because I am definitely a romance writer, not a crime writer.
If it all works out, September will most likely have two updates since I really have the rest of the year planned out.
I'll be doing a live reading this Friday, September 2nd around 4 PM New York time. There is still a poll running on my Twitter about which unpublished chapter I'll be reading—including the next chapter of this. So drop by my Twitter and vote if you can!
Happy Tuesday, everyone!
-Mac