Dr Archie Hopper was a sweet man or so it seemed with curly red hair and round glasses. He met with Lacey in the living room the following day at 1pm sharp. Lacey only hoped she could make a good impression as she had with the Sheriff.
"So, Lacey. You know why I'm here I presume?"
"To help determine if I was rightfully locked up and can be safely let out in society?" she said.
"Yes, that's correct," said Archie. "Now I'm going to ask you some questions and I'd appreciate it if you could answer truthfully. We can take things at whatever pace you wish and you don't have to disclose anything you don't feel comfortable speaking about."
"Understood," said Lacey straightening in her seat.
"The file on you said that you were locked up because of delusions and hallucinations that made you a danger to yourself and others. Have you ever had any such feelings or experiences? Such as having a difficult time telling fiction from reality?"
"No. I've never hallucinated anything. When I was in the asylum, they would give me strange drugs that would make me feel almost out of my mind," she took a deep breath forcing herself to continue. "But that was the only thing close to that I've ever experienced. I've certainly not had any episodes of delusions or hallucinations since being off the drugs and living with Mr. Gold."
"What about before that?" asked Archie. Lacey shrugged.
"I don't remember anything before that I didn't even know my name until the nurses at the asylum told me it. But surely if I suffered from these things I would still be having symptoms. Otherwise, they would have been taking steps to have me freed naturally?" Archie nodded.
"It is strange. And speaking from my own recollections I don't recall you ever demonstrating any symptoms of this sort."
"Fae and Mr. Gold also agree that it wasn't in character for me." she added. Archie made a note.
"And you haven't had thoughts of harming others or self-harm?"
"Absolutely not. I'm just glad to be out of there and all I want now is to live a free and normal life minding my own business." Archie made another note.
"What about Mr. Gold what's going on there? If you don't mind me asking."
"He's been kind enough to offer his protection until I'm in the clear. We've become friends but that's all we are at the moment."
"Right. And you feel safe here?" asked Archie.
"Yes, I do," replied Lacey firmly.
"What about your father?" Lacey paused.
"I'd rather not talk about that. But I don't want to hurt him."
"Alright, then why don't we move on to what you've been doing lately." Lacey nodded and began to describe her routine.
OUAT
Doctor Hopper left and Lacey felt it had been a successful conversation. Certainly, she didn't think that she'd come off as mad or dangerous.
"You really think we'll succeed?" she asked Robert nervously over dinner. Robert gave her a comforting smile.
"I have no doubt of it. As I mentioned to the Sheriff, I have a way with the courts. I've no doubt Hopper will give you a clean bill of health and that should be enough. But if it isn't I have my own ways of...convincing people."
"You won't hurt anyone will you?" asked Lacey. Robert shook his head.
"I wouldn't have to. There are other ways besides physical force. I set that fire to make Emma Swan into a hero. It all depends on the circumstance." The way he spoke reminded Lacey of a puppet master. Pulling the strings to make others dance to his will. His gaze softened.
"Trust me."
"I trust you. I just hope you are right." replied Lacey.
OUAT
Robert informed her a few days later that Hopper had completed his write up and that a date for a hearing at been set for the following week. Lacey felt herself full of both excitement and anticipation. If things went poorly there was no way out that she could see. In the days leading up she tried to keep herself distracted for the most part with her books.
Robert did coach her a little on what she might be asked and need to say to the judge but stated as he lawyer he'd be the only handling most of the talking. Lacey figured this was best considering he understood the system better than she did.
The day before the hearing Fae came over to help her figure out what to wear.
"Presentation says a lot about a person."
"You mean the image I portray is going to influence what the judge thinks of me?" suggested Lacey.
"Exactly," said Fae. "People judge others based on their looks but you can use that to your advantage. For instance, what would you say about me?" Lacey surveyed the way her, well she supposed she could call her a friend, was dressed.
Fae stood there with her long blond hair pulled back in a sleek and simple bun, she wore a plain white top with a pale blue blazer that was trimmed on the edges and pockets with white. Underneath was a pair of nice jeans and paired with black flats.
"You're professional but you also don't have a lot of time to spend putting yourself together so you wear things that are easy. You don't look particularly threatening but I also wouldn't say an exact push over."
"Very good. Now for you we are going for completely innocent and harmless, victim. You shouldn't look like you could hurt a fly."
Lacey felt Fae was right in this and moved to her closet she didn't have a large amount of clothes, though Robert had promised shopping would be one of the first things she could do as soon as she was free however she did find a fairly suitable button down pale blue dress with cap sleeves that flared out and came to her knee.
"What about this?" she suggested holding it up. Fae grinned.
"Brilliant, now for the hair."
"Thank you for helping with this,"
"You're welcome." she said as Lacey sat in front of a vanity table and let Fae play with her hair, trying out different styles.
"I can see why we were friends. I was lucky to have you," Lacey told her it was fun having a female friend. Someone she could laugh and talk with in a girly way. Fae's smile softened.
"Believe it or not I'm the lucky one. Now let's see how it looks with it partially pulled back..."
OUAT
The day of the hearing found Lacey mounting the Storybrooke Courthouse steps clutching Robert's arm nervously.
"Everything will be fine," he told her his voice calm and soothing.
"Right. Just fine." said Lacey. As they reached the top of the steps the sound of a motor was heard and they turned to see a yellow Volkswagen pull up. The door opened and the Sheriff stepped out, striding up the stairs with a confidence Lacey envied.
"Hello Lacey, Gold," she said the latter part more stiffly.
"Good morning," said Lacey.
"You've got nothing to worry about, we've got this in hand and you have the most deviously reliable lawyer in the town." said the Sheriff shooting Robert a slightly distasteful look.
"Do my ears deceive me or was that almost a compliment?" asked Robert.
"Shut up and let's get Lacey free." scoffed Emma stalking into the courthouse.
"Must you aggravate her?" asked Lacey though she didn't think the Sheriff minded as much as she pretended.
"I aggravate everyone, I might as well enjoy it," said Robert with a shrug.
"Not me," said Lacey surprising herself a little. Robert shot her a small smile.
"Well, you have always been the exception." Once again Lacey felt that strange pull towards him.
They entered the building and were directed to a small courtroom the only people present were Themselves, Emma, and Archie. Or that was the case until they heard the door open and Regina stalked in. Immediately Robert was up and out of his seat crossing to intercept the woman.
OUAT
Rumple hadn't expected Regina to turn up at the hearing. Under the terms of his demands, she couldn't interfere to trying and get Belle shut up again either by her own hand or through others. He'd also told her to stay away however he supposed that phrase was relative. Regina did keep a good six feet at least from Belle, partially because he'd intercepted her.
"What exactly are you doing here?" he asked softly and dangerously.
"Simply here to make sure justice is done," said Regina with a smirk.
"Last I checked that was the judge's job." said Emma coming to join him.
"I'm entitled to go where I wish Miss Swan. You're the ones wanting to let an allegedly dangerous person back out on the streets." she shrugged and stalked over to a seat in the audience.
"Do you think she has something up her sleeve?" asked Emma.
"Believe me Sheriff. I'm the one with the cards this round," he replied moving back to Belle who was looking more than a little intimidated by Regina. If he had to guess Regina was playing mind games and trying to throw Belle off her game. To make her seem unstable. It was the most the woman could do within the confines of Rumple's demands.
"She's here Robert," whispered Belle.
"I know. But you can't let her beat you. You are far stronger than she could ever be. And as a wise woman once said. "Do the brave thing and bravery will follow." Belle met his gaze looking slightly reassured.
"All rise!" said the bailiff. They did so as Judge Plume, formerly King Tristan entered the room. He was a man with salt and pepper grey hair, blue eyes, and a strong jaw. He was actually the father-in-law of Belle's friend Elisa. Apparently, Regina hadn't been too angered by the man so he'd ended up as a judge of middling power.
"Right, so today we're hearing the case of one Lacey French. Would her lawyer please speak first?" Gold stood.
"Your honor my client has been wrongfully imprisoned in Storybrooke asylum for many years. We request that the court give an order stating her status as a free woman for several reasons. Firstly, she is not insane as the testimony of Doctor Hopper here will confirm. Secondly her original admittance was not even entirely legal. We have evidence proving that the doctor listed on file as having examined her does not in fact appear to exist."
"How did this happen then?" asked the Judge.
"Technically we can't explain that without indulging in speculation and I know the court prefers fact." said Rumple smoothly. Unfortunately, they didn't have anything linking the actual culprits aside from the one careless confession from Moe to Emma. But the man would likely deny it if they tried to bring him in.
"Right then. Archie what's your assessment of Miss French." Archie stood clearing his throat.
"I umm...spoke with Miss French at length. Throughout the entire discussion she appeared calm and sane in my professional opinion. She expressed no desires to harm herself or another which would justify her being locked up. The only thing out of the ordinary is a case of amnesia she seems to have developed but that does not make her dangerous. My official recommendation is that she be released and given the chance to adjust to society again. I would suggest due to the trauma of the situation and her current amnesia that she have weekly counseling sessions with myself but that is as far as I would go."
Judge Plume turned to Belle who looked like the most innocent sole on earth in her pale blue dress and flats with her long hair hanging down except for being pulled up on the sides by two barrettes.
"Miss French?" Belle looked nervous but she caught his eye and then took a deep breath before smiling sweetly.
"Yes, Your Honor?" she asked.
"Do you confirm everything Doctor Hopper has said?"
"I do." she said firmly.
"And would you be willing to attend the recommended counseling sessions?" Belle raised her head a little starting to sound more confident.
"I would. All I want is to live a normal life again. I'm sure Dr. Hopper will be a great help in assisting me getting acclimatized again." The judge nodded looking over the papers in front of him.
"Well, I'm not sure why such an awful miscarriage of justice occurred. I'm certainly sorry it did happen my dear girl. I see no reason to keep you detained. This court declares Lacey French sane and free although it does request, she attend weekly sessions with Doctor Archie Hopper for the duration of six months.
"We are most grateful Your Honor," said Rumple politely.
"Yes, thank you so much sir," said Belle who was now beaming. Archie also looked happy and even the savior had cracked a smile. The only person who appeared sour was Regina whose face was twisted in disappointment. Turning on her heel she stormed out of the courtroom. Rumple smirked.
"Well that's all court is adjourned!" said the Judge banging his gavel before leaving the bench.
Author's Note: So! Belle is free and now we have a bit more mobility. I admit I am have in a schoch of writers block (I know where I want to go but getting the pieces in order is a challenge) but I'm trying to keep to my update a week schedule. Also, a family member recently got sick so it's possible my writing time may get temporarily cut down. No certainties and this isn't going on hiatus but just a warning if I do end up falling a little off schedule. Thanks to everyone reading if you like the story PLEASE leave a note in the comments (I'm also open to suggestions)! Comments do also help fuel my writing fervor. Until next time!