Disclaimer: The SWAT Kats are owned by Hanna Barbera and the Tremblay Brothers. I own the OCs.
Time for Artemis's trial to start. Eduardo is a very good lawyer. But even with all his experience, there are things even he can't control, as you will read.
Plus, things between Sean and Gregg have progressed.
The day Artemis dreaded finally was upon her. The first day of her trial. Even though Eduardo had told her there was nothing to worry about since her testimony during the Grand Jury was very damning to David and certain members of the Society, she was still facing three counts of Conspiracy to Murder, which meant she could still end up in prison, for a very long time if she was committed on those counts.
Roland was right beside her. He was equally as nervous because he didn't want to see his fiancée not being the care loving she-cat she had become. After she had finished fastening her light blue dress, he pulled her into a hug and said, "Mr. Valdez had already told you, you were coerced into committing those crimes. You were a minor, when kidnapped and.." he had to stop himself from saying both mentally and physically abused. Truth be told, he wanted to inflict the same amount of pain on those who hurt her. He had told his four closest friends at the dojo what happened to Artemis while she was behind those walls. And each one of them told Roland they would be willing to avenge the wrongs brought against Artemis with him, if he decided to go after them. He kissed her between her ears, then said, "I'll be right beside you, every step of the way. I love you, Artemis."
She wrapped her arms around his back, and whispered, "I love you too, Roland. Take me to Court, before I lose what courage I have left."
About an hour later. Artemis was sitting alone on the left side of the Defendant's Table. She kept looking back towards Roland, his mother, and Callista. Each one would giver her an encouraging smile. But deep down, Artemis knew she could be put behind bars, for a very long time.
On the other side of the Courtroom, sat the District Attorney. He was a middle aged tom with graying temples, wearing a dark gray suit, a light blue shirt, and dark blue tie. He stood up, crossed in front of both of the tables to stand in front of Artemis, and said, "You don't have to be nervous, Miss Hughes. The plea deal Mr. Valdez came up with was agreed to by the County and State. You should be sentenced to Probation, and possible Community Service. However, I'm going to recommend Time Served, based on everything you went through. I'm truly sorry, we couldn't do more for you."
"Thank you," she replied. "However, I fully expect to take whatever sentence the judge rules applicable."
"That's commendable of you and I for one respect you. There aren't many in your position who are ready to face their fate head on,"
Eduardo and Camille entered the Courtroom. Eduardo was dressed as flamboyant as ever, wearing a bright red suit and a red fedora. While Camille wore a respectable red dress but was tight to her form. Eduardo noticed the DA talking to his client without him being present and stormed up to the Defendant's table. He placed his briefcase down, and sternly said, "Councilman Brunswick! You know, very well you aren't supposed to be taking to my client, without me being present!"
"Councilman Valdez! If you were here, you could be comforting your client, instead of me. I was informing her of the possible sentence the judge was going to order, per our agreement." He answered.
Eduardo smiled, then said, "Good seeing you again, Paul."
"Good seeing you, my friend. Camille keeps getting better, and better looking every time I see her," Paul said.
"Si, she does. Do you have any idea, who will be presiding over this case?" Eduardo asked, setting down his fedora on the table.
"I have no idea. There was a scheduling change at the last minute and the judge who is familiar with the case was re-assigned," Paul answered.
"In that case, would the DA object to a Postponement on the grounds of, exploration?" Eduardo asked.
"Not at all," Paul answered, then turned to Artemis, and said, "You're in very good paws with Mr. Valdez as your attorney."
"I know I am," Artemis replied.
Paul returned to his seat, when the Bailiff entered the Courtroom and bellowed, "All rise. The honorable Judge Petersen presiding."
The judge entered through a door in the front of the room. He was short, balding, and showed every ounce of his age of 68. He sat down in a High Backed black leather chair, then said, "Please be seated."
Once the court was seated, Judge Petersen, said, "Will the Council, please approach the bench."
Eduardo and Paul look at each other, then rose and went to stand in front of the judge.
The judge cupped the mic in front of him, and said, "I've read the Plea agreement. You both agree to the terms?"
"The Prosecution has no objections, your honor," Paul answered.
"Neither does the Defense, your honor," Eduardo answered.
"Well, I do. What we have is a Murderess for Hire in my Court, and you two want me to let her go with Probation and Time Served? Not happening, councilors! Take your seats, we're going to be here, all day," Judge Petersen said.
"Your honor, I object!" Eduardo said. "We have a Plea Deal, signed by Judge Carrol! It's a Binding Document in the Court of Law! Even you can't override it!"
"Overruled! Now sit your tail down, Counselor!"
"Your honor, have you read the briefings, and the statements from the witnesses?" Paul asked. "The Defendant was taken against her will, coerced into committing crimes from all sorts of abuse, on top of those, she was a minor when she was taken. Frankly, the Courts have bigger fish to fry, than the Defendant," Paul stated.
"I have. The way I interpret them, the defendant might have been coerced into the first few crimes, but the rest were on her own volition," the judge answered.
"You can't be serious!?" Paul said, much louder than he should since this was supposed to be a Side Bar conversation. "That girl is barely an adult! She was sixteen when the abuse started, and probably was abused almost to the day she escaped! Her metal state during the time she spent behind those walls, should be called into question, not assume she was a willing participant!"
Paul's ranting caught the attention of Callista. From what Eduardo was allowed to tell her, Artemis had entered a Plea Bargain, almost guaranteeing her a Probationary sentence. She knew something was off, very off. She attempted to read the judge's mind, to find out what might be driving him to make the decisions he was making. But when she did, she saw in vivid detail, David wearing an outfit meant for golf, staring back at her and David handing over a very thick envelope to the judge, who placed it in his Golf Bag. She now knew, this judge was bribed by David to make sure Artemis never saw the light of day again. However, she had to wait for Eduardo to return from the bench, so she could somehow tell him the judge was on the take, without revealing what she could do.
Camille sensed her friend's frustration. She leaned over to the left to whisper into Callista's right ear, "Amice, quid tibi molestum est? (My friend, what is bothering you)"
Once again, Callista couldn't tell Camille she was a sorceress and read the mind of the corrupt judge. Instead, she answered, "Putavi, Eduardo Dianae casum in arto globo involutum habuisse? Valde confidebat, Artemis in probatione iudicatus esse et fortasse servitii Community. Sed hic iudex contra eam vendettam habere videtur, et cur scire libet. (I thought, Eduardo had Artemis' case, wrapped up in a tight ball? He was very confident, Artemis was going to be sentenced to Probation and maybe Community Service. But this judge seems to have a vendetta against her, and I'd like to know why.)"
"Velim etiam hoc scire. De casu minimo maritus meus mihi dixerat. Sed post tempus illud studiose distrahendum, non placet mihi figura, quae crimina commiserit. Nolo eam post repagula videre, quod vetulus quidam iudicis pedit, cimex caudam habet. (Yes, I would like to know this as well. My husband had told me very little about the case. But after spending time with her at the studio, she does not strike me as the type who would commit the crimes she is accused of. I don't want to see her behind bars, because some Old Fart of a judge, has a bug up his tail,)" Camille said.
Callista chuckled at Camille's statement. "I'll assume you have a spectacular way of getting your husband's attention?" She asked.
"Oh, yes I do! Us Latin She-Cats know how to grab hold of our tom's attention, and never let it go," Camille answered, and smirked, knowing exactly what to do. "Follow my lead, if you want to have some, real spicy fun."
Camille took a few cleansing breaths, then yelled almost at the top of her lungs, "How could you kiss my husband!? I thought you were my friend, and I come home to you in a passionate lip lock with my Eduardo? You Tramp!"
'Oh, she's good!' Callista thought. 'I can see why Eduardo was attracted to her.' She responded, "I wasn't the only one doing the kissing. Perhaps if you took better care of your husband, he wouldn't be looking for affection, from a much sleeker she-cat!"
The two's fake argument caught the attention of everyone in the Courtroom, especially Eduardo. He knew he never kissed Callista, he might have dreamed about it but never had done it.
"Is there a problem, Counselor?" The judge asked, clearly not thrilled with the outburst in his Courtroom.
"No, I think, your honor," Eduardo answered.
"You really kissed that gorgeous specimen, Eduardo? Lucky guy," Paul asked.
"No, I did not. Camille is my wife, and my life. I would never cheat on her. Not even with someone who looks like she came from the Heavens themselves," he replied, then said, "Please excuse me, while I diffuse the situation." And ran to his wife and Callista.
"Carissime, Camille. Quid in Kat nomen agatur? (My dearest, Camille. What in Kat's name is going on?)" Eduardo asked, completely confused as to why his wife and one of her best friends were fighting over something which never occurred.
Camille faced her husband, and answered without changing the heat in her voice, "Callista putat esse Dianae caput propter aliquam causam iudicem! Confido eam completley! (Callista thinks the judge is out for Artemis' head, for some reason! I trust her completley!)"
Eduardo's eyes shot to Callista, who simply nodded in acknowledgement, then back to his wife, and said, "Vide si Callista potest Ulixem inspicere suas allegationes, dum perseuerantiam obtinere conor, novis argumentis propositis. O, et cur nos accusas rem post tuum, mi charissime, habere? Scis me nunquam deviare. (See if Callista can have Ulysses look into her allogations, while I attempt to get a continuance, based on possible new evidence being presented. Oh, and why would you accuse us of having an affair behind your back, my dear? You know I would never stray.)"
Camille rested her weight on her right hip, and said, "Scio te nunquam errare, Eduardo. Sed prehendi te ad sectionem caudae eius, plus quam semel. Cum domum venimus, ostendam tibi quam cauda melior habeat. (I know you would never stray, Eduardo. However, I've caught you looking at her tail section, more than one time. When we get home, I'll show you which she-cat has the better tail!")
Eduardo gulped, fully knowing his wife could be a tigress in heat, when she wanted to. He returned to the bench, still wearing a heated expression on his face.
Paul leaned over to him, and asked, "Is everything alright?"
"Not quite, my friend. I'll discuss the matter with you later," Eduardo answered. Then said, "Your honor. I request a continuance, based on new evidence, which was brought to my attention."
This caught the judge by surprise, since there was already a Plea Bargain in place. So he could've figure out what new Evidence could be presented. "Counselor. This case is about to close, with me rendering a sentence for the defendant. What new evidence is there that hasn't been presented before the Grand Jury?"
"That, I can't say. I need to figure out if the evidence is credible, before presenting to the court," Eduardo answered.
"Exactly how much time do you need to process, this new piece of evidence?" The judge asked.
"No more than a week, your honor. If the Prosecution agrees?" Eduardo asked.
"I have no objections, your honor," Paul replied.
Since there wasn't an objection from the prosecution, the judge's paw was forced into granting the motion for a Continuance. "So moved! However, the defendant shall be remanded, until this court resumes," the judge ordered, and slammed his gavel down on the bench.
Artemis, Camille, and Callista gasped, while Roland balled his fists tightly as they rested on the railing separating him from Artemis.
"Eduardo! Do something! She doesn't belong behind bars!" Camille yelled at her husband.
"I will, my dear!" Eduardo said, completely frustrated with the Judge's order of Remand. He went to stand in front of Artemis, grasped her paws, and said, "Somehow, I'll get you out of there, hopefully by nightfall."
She leaned forward, kissed his right cheek, then said, "Its alright, Mr. Valdez. I didn't expect to be free, forever." She noticed two Enforcers coming towards her, then asked, "Can I kiss Roland before they take me away?"
He let go of her paws, and answered, "Si. I'll hold them off as long as possible."
She turned around and pulled Roland into a searing kiss, no one in the Courtroom would ever forget.
Roland's eyes flew open, briefly before closing as he gave into her kiss.
Camille smirked as she witnessed Roland's tail fur standing on end and Artemis' right paw grabbing Roland's backside. "Abi et doma illud tom, Artemis! (Go and tame that tom, Artemis!)," she said.
"Cari, non debent se gerere sicut sunt in foro legis.(Dear, they shouldn't be behaving as they are in a Court of Law," Eduardo stated.
Camille swung her head to the right to face her husband, and spat, "Tace, Eduardo! Iuvenes sunt, et amore. Quis scit, cum alias rursus desiderium suum exprimere poterit? (Shut up, Eduardo! They are young, and in love. Who knows when they will be able to express their desire for the other again!)"
The two Enforcers stood behind Eduardo, and one of them said, "I hate to do this, but the Judge's orders were clear. She needs to come with us."
Artemis broke the shared kiss, patted Roland's left cheek with her right paw, and said, "I understand." Shen very quickly kissed Roland again, and said, "Don't do anything stupid. Mr. Valdez will figure something out." She turned to face the two Enforcers, and said with her paws extended in front of her, "I'm ready."
One of the Enforcers withdrew a pair of Paw Cuffs, secured her wrists together, and lead her out of the Courtroom through a door in the front.
Roland slumped forward against the railing, pounded his left fist against the wooden structure, and cried. Completely distraught over the loss of Artemis.
His mother and Callista draped their arms over his shoulders, and his mother said, "She will be freed soon, Roland. I promise." She then lifted her head to Mr. Valdez, and said with a very determined look on her face, "You and Mr. Brunswick have a lot of work to do. I suggest you two get to it!"
"Si, ma'am," Eduardo said. Followed by grabbing his hat and Paul around the right arm, and saying, "We have a date with my wife, and a large pot of coffee."
After the two lawyers left the Courtroom, Camille turned to the group, and said, "My husband and Paul will not rest, until she is freed. That is something, I can promise." She quickly followed them out of the Courtroom.
Mark arrived at his old apartment he gave to his brother Sean after he married Lisa. He walked up to the Glass door and pressed the Doorbell for Sean's apartment. While waiting for his brother to respond, he heard a feminine voice, "Mark! How have you been?"
He looked over his right shoulder to see a Dark Brown furred she-cat with waist length jet black straight hair, dressed in a pair of skinny black jeans and a tight red t-shirt coming towards him. It didn't take him long to realize she was one of his ex-girlfriends. "Hey, Michelle, it's been a while."
He stepped away from the door and gave her a friendly hug.
She hugged him back, then looked up to his handsome face, and said, "You packed on even more muscle, since I saw you last. What have you been doing?"
"I'm now a lieutenant at the Enforcers. I guess all the time I spend at the Gym has done its job," he said, then let his eyes wander over her. "You haven't changed a bit."
"Thanks, Mark," she said. "A Lieutenant? Its seems like only a year ago you graduated the Academy and was a simple Patrol-Cat." She pawed his chest with her right paw, then said, "I regret breaking up with you, especially after seeing you now. If you want, can we try again?"
Mark gently took her paw in his, and said, "Michelle, I'm married, to the she-cat of my dreams. We have two kittens together, and I love them all. There's not a single minute I don't think about my family."
Michelle's face saddened as she took her paw back, then said, "My loss then. I should have tried harder when we were together."
"Hey, I don't regret what we had, Michelle," Mark said. "We shared two wonderful years together in college. Then you decided to have an affair with your ex. You broke my heart, Michelle. I tried to get over it. But in the end, you chose him over me."
"And I regret that choice," Michelle said. "Erik didn't' want a relationship, he only wanted me as a rebound, after he was dumped. Like a fool, I fell for his charms, instead of being in the arms of the tom I loved. Do you think, we could have ended up, together, Mark?"
"Possibly," he answered. "But after you broke up with me, I met Lisa. I knew from the moment I saw her on stage, she was the one for me."
"I can't say I'm happy for you, Mark. Seeing you today, has brought up all those feelings, I should have thrown away years ago," she said, then sealed her lips to his.
Mark felt her lips press against his. He let it linger for about three seconds, before he pushed her away.
"At least I got to kiss you, one last time. My number is still the same. Call me, if you want, bye," Michelle said, and walked away with her tail high in the air so Mark could get a good look at her butt in the tight material.
Mark watched her go, then returned to the front door of the building. He pushed the Doorbell button again and waited for Sean to let him into the building.
After about a minute, he heard a loud buzz and the front door opened a hair. Mark pushed the door open and entered the building, closing the door behind him. He walked up the four flights of stairs, turned right down the hall, and stoped in front of his old apartment. He knocked on the door, and waited for his brother to respond.
This didn't take long. Sean opened the door, wearing nothing but a pair of tight blue boxer-briefs, and said, "Hey Mark, come in."
Mark figured Sean had company, from the way he was dressed, or un-dressed in this case, and said, "I can come back later, if you're busy?"
"Nah, I'm not busy, come in. I found those documents you wanted and have them in a envelope for you," Sean said and stepped aside to allow Mark to enter the apartment.
Mark entered, then Sean closed the door. He faced his brother, and asked, "Can I get you anything?"
"I'm alright," Mark restored. "Ran into Michelle out front. Did you know she moved into the area?"
Sean left the door and went into the kitchen to get a glass of water. He was reaching up into the cabinet to the right of the sink, when he heard Mark's question. As he grabbed the glass from the middle shelf, he answered, "No. Is she still as good looking as when you were dating and sleeping with her?"
'Typical Sean' Mark thought and answered, "She still can turn the heads of toms, Sean."
"Who can turn the heads of toms?" Gregg asked. He was leaning against the bedroom door jam with his right leg crossed over his left, his arms crossed over his chest, and wearing nothing but a pair of black briefs.
Sean turned around to face Gregg, and answered, "Just discussing one of Mark's old flames."
Gregg left his spot and walked over to Sean. He pulled Sean into him, and said, "The only one I want to turn your head, is me, babe."
Mark heard the term on endearment leave Gregg's mouth, and questions starting forming in his mind. He knew Gregg was gay, so why is he here, basically naked? And why is Gregg calling Sean babe? "Am I missing something?" Mark asked.
"I believe you are, Mark," Sean responded. "Gregg moved in a few weeks ago, we're dating."
"Wait, what? Sean, you are the most she-catanizing tom out there! And now you expect me to believe you're gay?" Mark asked.
Sean kissed Gregg, then answered, "I'm not gay. I'm bi. As for when and why. Remember when I was dumped by Jasmine? You called Gregg to come and get me. When I woke up the next morning, Gregg was cooking breakfast, and I had a fist sized bruise on my face. We talked while we cooked. One thing led to another, and we kissed. We've been together ever since."
Mark had to sit down, after Sean's explanation. He flopped down on the couch, and said, "I'm not against you dating Gregg, Sean. I'm having a very hard time, seeing you dating a tom, considering ever since Middle School you had a different she-cat on your arm almost every other day."
Sean broke free from Gregg and sat down to the right of his brother. He took Mark's right paw in his, and said, "Maybe there was a reason I dated so many different she-cats, Mark." Sean looked at the floor between his legs, and said, "I loved Jasmine, I mean I really loved her. I was ready to place a ring on her finger and everything. Then, she started dating Marissa. The way she spoke about her and how her eyes lit up, I knew I lost her. Jasmine breaking up with me, hurt worse than Gregg's fist to my face for saying things to Sharon, I really shouldn't have."
Mark scowled at his brother, and asked, "What did you say to Sharon, to cause Gregg to take you down a peg or two?"
"I assume nothing good. I still have to apologize to her, when I get the backbone to do so," Sean answered.
"And I'll be right there with him," Gregg said as he reached over the back of the couch to put his paws on Sean's chest.
"Sharon is like family, and you know that, Sean. You had better apologize to her, and do it quickly. She wants to meet Raphael and Katherine. I plan on inviting her to the house. I better not hear from her, you didn't apologize, and I have to come and straighten you out," Mark said.
"You won't have to," Gregg stated. "He and I are heading to Charlie's this afternoon. Your brother will make amends with Sharon, or I will have to hit him again, and not sleep with him until he does."
"You would deny your Cuddle Kitten's affections?" Sean asked.
Mark's mouth dropped open as the term left his brother's mouth.
Gregg kissed Sean's left cheek, and answered, "You bet I will. I may care deeply for my Cuddle Kitten. However, you said some really nasty things to Sharon. Until you apologize to her, you're flying solo."
"I'll apologize to her, as soon as I see her. I really like holding you, nice and tight while we sleep, especially when we sleep fur to fur. You're really warm," Sean said.
Mark got up, went to the door, grabbing the envelope along the way, and said, "I really didn't need to hear any of this. I'll see you two later." He quickly left, slamming the door behind him.
Both Gregg and Sean shuttered as the door to their apartment slammed closed. Then Gregg asked, "Was it something we said?"
End of Chapter