Chapter 9- Real
The week of the divorce proceedings had arrived at needless to say, Emma was a nervous fucking wreck. Her lawyer, Albert Spencer was the best Storybrooke had to offer and he had spent many hours collect her statements, pictures of her previous injuries, and statements from her friends, neighbors and employers in Boston. He also collected statements from her family and friends in Storybrooke who witnessed things when she would come home. She wanted Walsh to call into court, she didn't want to see him, she didn't want to talk to him or anything; she just wanted to be free.
Emma hadn't talked to Walsh since that day in the station when she put a restraining order on him. His friends found out her new number somehow, and had tried to contact her, but she knew it was him on the other end of the phone, so she never answered. Killian had answered once, and the friend hung up right away without a word. Killian had been such an unwavering support for her through all of this; no matter how stressful it had been on her; he was her rock.
So here she was, day of the court date sitting outside the room and staring at her hands. She was dressed in a grey suit with a black shirt and black heels. Her hair was slicked back in a low ponytail and her bangs swept across her forehead. All of her papers were stacked neatly next to her and she was waiting for her father to show up, and for Killian to get there.
"Emma!" Her head snapped up and she looked at the unruly mess of dark hair and blue jeans coming at her. He had on nice jeans, a black button up shirt and a red and black vest over top with his black boots. She stood and launched herself into Killian's arms.
"Shh," He whispered. "It's alright Love, I'm here."
Emma took a step back and looked up at him. "You changed?"
"Aye. I'm not going to wear my bloody work clothes into a courtroom."
"Do you have to go back to work after?"
"No, my love. I am here for you. Liam has it covered."
"Thank you, babe."
Killian kissed her on the forehead. "Anything for you love."
"Em!" another voice sounded behind her; it was her father.
"Hey dad." Emma hugged her father tightly. He was dressed in a red button up and his leather jacket. He couldn't be the bailiff for this case since it was Emma and he was her father; it was a conflict of interest.
"Killian." David nodded and extended his hand. Killian shook it and nodded at him. "Emma have you seen him yet?"
Emma shook her head, "No, not yet."
"With any luck She won't have to." Albert Spencer sounded above them. David turned and shook his hand as did Killian. "Now, Mrs. Oz, I would like to discuss a few things before we begin."
"Of course." Emma responded, gathering up her things.
"Don't worry Em, we will be sitting right behind the plaintiff table." David reminded her.
Emma nodded and followed Albert to a private room. She stopped and turned back to look at Killian.
He smiled at her and nodded, "Don't fret my love. I will be right here."
She nodded and followed her lawyer the rest of the way down the hallway.
Killian and David looked at each other and sighed.
"I don't bloody like this."
"I know, I don't like it either." David agreed.
Killian reached in his jacket and pulled out his flask, taking a quick swig from it.
"What is that?" David asked.
"Rum."
David took it from his hand and took a swig for himself and handed the flask back to Killian.
"Really mate?" Killian asked with a raised eyebrow.
David shrugged, "I'm off duty."
Killian laughed and shook his head, following David as they made their way into the courtroom.
The courtroom wasn't full, but there were a lot of people there to support Emma. On the plaintiff side of the room was Killian, David, Jefferson, Ruby, Granny, Regina, Robin, Will, Liam and Elsa. The rest of Emma's family was unable to make it due to school; which Emma was ok with. She didn't want Neal seeing this anyway. Albert and Emma made their way into the courtroom and took their seats at the plaintiff table. Emma smiled at Killian and her friends before sitting down and tried to relax.
"It will be ok Emma." Albert leaned over to her, "Let me do the talking."
Emma nodded and took a deep breath. They still had about ten minutes before court started. She felt her phone vibrate and she pulled it out to check it.
Killian: You ok love?
Emma: Yeah, just want this to be over with.
Killian: I have rum, want a nip?
Emma: Lol, really babe?
Killian: Hey your father had some.
Emma: I'm fine, I promise.
Killian: ok, I love you.
Emma: I love you too, behave.
She shut her phone off and put it back in her purse and waited. At the defendants table, a lawyer from Boston was waiting. Emma had recognized him from a few perps she had caught and the trials she had attended, but there still was no sign of Walsh.
Two minutes.
The bailiff and the court clerk entered the room and Emma felt the knots in her stomach tightened. The bailiff was Graham which settled her nerves a little, but not enough to really help.
30 seconds still no Walsh.
"All rise!" Graham called out. "The Honorable Judge Archibald Hopper residing."
Archie entered from his chambers and took his place on the stand. He had been friends with her parents for years, in a small town like Storybrooke that was bound to happen.
"Good afternoon everyone." Archie addressed the court. "We are here for the divorce proceedings of Emma Nolan-Oz filing against Walsh Oz." Archie looked over at the defendants table, and disappointment crossed his face. "Mr. Smith, Where is your client?"
"He should be here any minute your honor. If we could just postpone…"
Archie held his hand up, stopping him. "No that is not an option. He has a month's notice and has no excuse not to be here. We will continue on."
"Yes, Your honor."
"Mr. Spencer? You have the floor"
"Thank you, your honor. My client…"
At that moment the door slammed open and in staggered a man a little taller than Emma with blonde shaggy hair and a pointed nose, and eyes that sent shivers up her spine. It was a face that reminded you of a rat. It was Walsh. His suit was disheveled, and he was obviously intoxicated. Emma's mouth went dry and she started to shake.
"Well," Walsh slurred as he walked through the courtroom. "There's the cunt that I married."
Killian balled his fist and his eyes flashed with anger. David elbowed him and shook his head, looking just as angry.
"Mr. Oz!" Archie's voice boomed. "You will make no more comments like that or you will be held on contempt of court!"
"It won't happen again your honor." Mr. Smith groveled as he led Walsh to the defendant table.
"Now," Archie continued. "Mr. Spencer, if you would continue please."
"Thank you, your honor. As I was saying, my client has suffered severe mental and physical abuse due to Mr. Oz. If you review the packet, I provided you it has sufficient evidence of eye witness statements and picture proof of the abuse he had inflicted on her. Even seeing him caused her to start shaking. He caused her extreme trauma."
Archie looked over the packet and grew visibly uncomfortable at the pictures her lawyer had provided. "Thank you, Mr. Spencer. Mr. Smith you have the floor."
"Thank you, your honor. My client denies ever having struck or inflicted any abuse on Mrs. Nolan-Oz. She made it up and fabricated it herself. The only reason she left my client was to pursue further adultery."
"Further adultery?" Killian whispered to David, "When did she commit adultery in the first place?"
"She never did." David whispered back.
Emma wanted to cry, she never cheated on Walsh, not once. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of her being upset, so she remained silent.
Finally, Archie spoke, "Where is your proof Mr. Smith?"
"We have no hard proof your honor…"
"Just look at her," Walsh interjected. "She's fucking guilty!"
"Mr. Smith keep your client under control!" Archie turned his attention to Emma, who was visibly very uncomfortable. "Mr. Spencer, what are your client's requests for the divorce?"
"Your honor, my client would like the money equivalent of the money she spent on the furniture and nothing more. The proof of receipts she provided me with are in the packet. She also would like to keep the restraining order on Mr. Oz for the time being, due to threatening behavior."
"When was this threatening behavior?"
"In May, Mr. Oz assaulted my client in her home in Boston. She returned to Storybrooke in fear for her safety and Mr. Oz called her and threatened to beat her into submission."
"Bullshit!" Walsh cried out.
"Mr. Spencer," Archie continued. "Were there any witnesses to this conversation?"
"Yes, your honor. My client's father Sheriff David Nolan."
"Sheriff Nolan," Archie addressed, "Could you approach the bench please?"
David nodded, and walked up to the witness stand and sat down.
"In your own words, tell me about the phone call. I have both statements from each party, but I want to hear from you."
"Yes, your honor." David replied. He recollected the phone call, and it matched Emma's story verbatim. "Walsh told her I will make you one, and that is where the phone call ended." He concluded.
"Thank you, Sheriff. You may step down."
Archie called up a few more witnesses for their statements, and the recollection of events. Emma sat stone faced when Walsh took the stand and called her a lying cheating whore, and that she deserved to be beaten into submission. Inside, she was crying and just wanted this to be over. Finally, after an eternity, Archie spoke.
"Well, after extensive review of the evidence, I rule that Mr. Oz must pay 30,000 dollars to Mrs. Nolan-Oz for the furniture she paid for and for the irreversible damage he has caused her. This divorce is finalized. Court is adjourned." he slammed the gavel.
Emma couldn't believe it was finally over. She went around the table to thank Archie herself when an angry voice caught her attention.
"You stupid bitch!" Walsh ran at her with his fist balled up.
Everything happened so fast. Walsh moved to strike Emma as Killian jumped over the railing and ran to her, picking her up and placing his body in front of her. Graham and David grabbed Walsh and took him to the ground.
"You will pay for this, you dumb cunt! You cost me everything! I will make you pay if it is the last thing I do! "
Killian stood in front of her, blocking Emma from his view.
"Come on Walsh." David grunted at they picked him up, "It's jail time for you."
Killian held Emma to his chest as he swiveled his position, blocking her from any view of him. She was shaking and doing her best to keep it together. Killian took a step back and looked her over, searching for signs on injury.
"Are you alright love? Did he hurt you?"
Emma shook her head no. "You got to me before he did."
Archie approached the couple, and put his hand on Emma's shoulder, "Emma are you ok?"
Emma faced Archie and nodded, not leaving Killian's side.
"Good. If you need anything, let me know."
"Archie, you just gave my freedom back. That is the best thing I can ask for."
Archie smiled, and walked back to his chambers.
"Killian?" Emma turned and looked at her handsome man.
"Yes love?"
"Get me the hell out of here."
Killian smiled and took Emma by the hand and led her out of the courtroom.
Killian's jeep was parked next to Emma's bug as they walked to the parking lot behind the courthouse. It was a chilly, fall day and rain was drizzling down now. Killian walked with Emma tucked under his arm trying to block her from the rain as much as possible.
"You want to follow me to Elsa's and then we can meet everyone at The Rabbit Hole for darts?" Emma asked, looking up at him from his arm.
Killian looked down at her, concern crossing his brow. "Are you sure you are up for that love?"
Emma nodded and smiled, "Yeah, it will take my mind off the day. Plus, we need to celebrate. I am officially a divorced woman."
He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Aye, love. That alone is a victory."
They reached her car and she pulled him into her by his collar and kissed him thoroughly.
"Follow me?" Emma asked with a smile.
"Always love."
They reached Elsa and Liam's about fifteen minutes later. Killian followed her inside and as she went to change, he sat and talked to Liam about the day, and how the case went. They both were worried about Walsh, and what he might be planning. They look of hatred in Walsh's eyes stuck with Killian, but he would do whatever he could to protect Emma.
She finished changing and the two couples headed out to play darts, Killian and Emma in her bug, and Liam and Elsa in Liam's truck.
It had been a hell of a day, and this is exactly what she needed. Time with her wonderful man, and time with her friends to unwind. She was worried though, Walsh in town even in the jail made her uneasy. She knew her father wouldn't be able to hold Walsh for long on contempt of court and his threat kept ringing in her head.
That was a problem for tomorrow, tonight, she had Killian and that was all she needed.