Surprise!

Joe, Oscar and Rhi's Attorney POV

I'm standing just inside the hospital doors watching the scene unfold outside. It looks like a duel in the street between the good guy, Rhi, and the bad guy, Veronica. It's a good thing they don't have guns to draw. I know I need to step in so Rhi doesn't say something before I get the chance to handle the legal matter first. I already know what's going to happen when Rhi gets a chance to speak her mind and Oscar was right when he said she'd enjoy this immensely. The MPs are here because this is a legal matter and there need to be witnesses to that fact. The others were called because we're all prepared to act as a buffer between the two. If we weren't here, the verbal rumble would turn into a physical one and I'm sure more than words would be thrown.

I'm carrying one of the most important folders I've ever carried. Just the knowledge of what's inside gives me satisfaction that this is finally over. Well, almost. I still need to cover the distance between the three of us and hand over the documents. She has no idea what's coming. Serves the bitch right to have the rug pulled out from under her. I've never liked her and could see through her lies. We all could. Poor Oscar did what he could to stay with her because of Rhi. She is his everything. He's done everything for her, to protect her from harm and heartbreak and secure a future for her so she didn't have to worry about money or anything. While it was impossible to protect her from getting hurt and having her heart broken, he was able to secure a comfortable and worry-free future for her.

He was dedicated to his career, climbing the ladder and was able to follow his dreams, even when Rhi came into his life. There wasn't anything that could keep him away from her, not even her evil mother. The sacrifices he made gave him the power in the relationship. I think Veronica believes that she's convinced everyone that she's innocent in this whole mess. However, Oscar has controlled things completely and it's been like a huge chess game. All these years he's been placing pieces in strategic locations getting ready to take down the queen. Queen bitch that is. Veronica claimed, "Check" when they divorced by getting financial support from Oscar even when she was remarried. In my opinion, if you looked at it in a fucked up technical sense, she basically sold Rhi to Oscar. That's definitely high up on the list of one of the most fucked up things I've ever heard of. Interestingly enough, Oscar is getting ready to claim, "Check mate." I've got it in my hand and it's perfect, I wish Oscar was here to witness it. He's been through so much the past few weeks, the stress from tests, not knowing what the problem is, handling all his responsibilities at work and raising Rhi, all while dealing with that viper. His family, friends and coworkers stepped in a long time ago to help him raise Rhi, in a sense. We took care of her when he couldn't, or when we wanted to give him a break. She's something else, a real character. For her age she's one of the smartest and mature kid I've ever known. She's got an amazing sense of humor and really loves people. However, if you do something to cause harm to family or friends watch out. She'll forgive, often quicker than one would thing, but she won't forget. It's best to not get on her bad side because paybacks are a bitch and the one Veronica is about to get is the biggest one ever.

Walking through the doorway I hear some of what is being said between the two. Stepping next to Rhi I place my hand on her shoulder giving a slight squeeze to calm her down so she waits for me to handle the important part. She turns her head and glances down at my hand on her shoulder then looks up at me making eye contact. With a slight nod of her head she concedes and I give her a knowing smile, nod and give her a wink.

Turning my eyes to her mother I try my best to sound pleasant, biting back the hostile words that I've been wanting to say since I met her. "Veronica. What a pleasure to see you. I'm happy you're here. You've made this much easier on me." The irritation quite obvious in my tone.

She looks at me confused, I would presume, considering what has taken place before we came here. Apparently when she was provided with the legal documents stripping her of all access to the base and all military benefits. She's basically been locked out completely.

"What are you talking about Joe?" She huffs, irritated.

I make a point to look her in the eye. "It's Mr. Watson to you. Need I remind you we are NOT on personal terms nor are we friends?" My voice dripping with disdain.

Rhi snickers and smirks. I glance at her and my lips twitch a little from me holding back a smile.

"Watch yourself you little brat!" Veronica snaps, glaring at Rhi.

I take a step closer to her and get into her face. It seems she needs a little reminding of who she is. "YOU watch it, Mrs. Whitmore." I growl out. I'm quite satisfied with the reaction that appears on her face. Taking this opportunity, I shuffle the paperwork in my hands and offer them to her.

Confusion mars her face once again. "What's this?" She glances from the paperwork to me. I guess she's expecting me to explain them to her so she doesn't have to read them herself. Self-entitled bitch.

Rolling my eyes at her I chuckle. "You've got the papers and two eyes. I presume you know how to read?" If looks could kill I'd be dead on the spot.

Rhi and I watch silently, watching her flip through the first couple of pages. I know what's in the documents and how the information is set up. Rhi only knows part of the information in there. In just a few more moments and a few more flips of the pages and…

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" She exclaims, her voice full of rage. Her head snaps up and she glares at me.

BINGO! She's found the answer! Took her long enough. Hell, maybe she can't read that well. Either that or the big words stumped her. I should've brought a dictionary to help out.

I can't help the smile that breaks out on my face. Looking at Rhi I smile widely and wink at her. The legal part is done. Now I get to unleash the hounds. I'll start off….

"It's all there in black and white, signed by judges and notarized. All legal and tied up nice and neat." I tell her calmly and enunciate clearly so she can't misunderstand my words.

Her face has turned a dangerous shade of red, indicating her rage. If she's not careful she's going to have a heart attack or create an aneurysm or stroke out. That would be a perfect punctuation for this.

"FIVE FUCKING DOLLARS?! IMPOSSIBLE! There's no way this is legal. I'm going to have my attorney get on this right away and rip this to shreds." She threatens the obvious legal outcome. Then continues, "As a matter of fact…" Rhi and I watch silently as she proceeds to do what she said her attorney is going to do, rips the documents to shreds.

"You can tear it up as many times as you want, I've got an endless supply of the legal documents. Which, by the way, have been filed with all the courts, in all the jurisdictions, and provided ALL parties with the same documents. You can't fight this. You can't contest this. There is no changing it. In ANY court. The matter is done and closed." I can't keep the satisfaction from infiltrating my voice. Nor can I prevent the smug look that plasters itself on my face.

Glancing at Rhi I hold my hand out and motion for her to take over. The smile that appears on her face is indescribable and matches the sparkle in her eyes. The evil smile and look in her eyes is unmistakably prominent and I really wish Oscar was here to witness what's about to happen. Luckily, there are other friends and coworkers here and I've got one of them recording the whole interaction, for legal reasons, so she can't make up some story about not receiving the documents or whatever story she'll concoct. Ok, maybe not completely for legal reasons, more for showing Oscar and everyone else to enjoy. Hell, I might just serve popcorn and beer and we can all watch it on the theater screen in my basement.