Forever With You

Chapter Sixty-One

            Bridget looks on as witness after witness take the stand to lay the groundwork for the charges against Ferguson. Several times she catches herself blushing as she watches her wife go through the motions as if she had been doing this for years; her heart swelling with love and pride for her wife and the thoughts of their earlier conversation before court making her want her more and more by the minute.

By one o'clock, the judge calls for recess and Franky turns to look at her wife. She sees Bridget smile as their eyes meet before feeling Fessler nudge her arm. She frowns at Bridget, who nods before watching them leave the courtroom. She lets out a sigh and hears a light chuckle come from her side. "Still hasn't gotten old, eh?" Bridget turns and sees Red and Maxine standing beside her, a big grin on the face of Red. Bridget can't help but to blush. "I can't explain it." Bridget says in reply, her cheeks reddening. "She just makes me feel like a schoolgirl every time she looks at me." Maxine smiles and nudges Red. "Just wait until this one sees Allie on the outside." Red playfully punches her arm. "She won't have any room to talk." Red blushes as they continue making small talk during the recess.

Court reconvenes at two sharp, and a few more witnesses take the stand. Ferguson starts making a commotion at her table as she tires of the 'petty' testimonies of the pawns she used in Wentworth. "Control your client or she will be removed counselor." The judge states sternly as Franky takes a deep breath. She has saved the two main witnesses for the end of the day and checks the time before standing. "Your honor. We next call Lucy Gambaro to the stand." The judge nods and a member of the court staff rolls a screen next to the witness stand and places a keyboard near the seat.

After she is sworn in, she takes her seat and searches the crowd for Bridget, whom she smiles at while nodding her head. Franky follows her stare and clears her throat. "Ms. Gambaro, is it true that you initially were set to testify for the defendant?" Juice nods and types on the keyboard. "Yes." Appears in green letters on the tv monitor. Franky looks back at Juice after reading her comment. "And what made you change your mind?" A scowl forms on Juice's face before she begins typing. "She's a fucking c..." Franky interrupts her. "Please watch your language in court Ms. Gambaro." They both blush slightly and Juice nods before erasing the line. Ferguson just sneers from her seat. "We've had our issues in the past, but after her personal attack on me, and other's close to me, I've had a change of heart." Juice looks up at Franky and nods. Franky frowns slightly before continuing. "And could you tell the court what that attack was?" Juice scowls towards the Freak before typing, one letter at a time. "She snuck in when I was to get a tooth pulled and cut off my tongue. She thought I lagged about her supply of drugs..." Franky stops her. "Thank you. That must be a quite an adjustment to make, especially when in prison." Juice chuckles and sees Franky raise a hand a little saying she need not comment. Juice just nods and waits for the next question.

After another fifteen minutes of testimony, Ferguson's lawyer stands to cross examine. "Ms. Gambaro. Is it not true that you once did the dirty work for Ms. Ferguson and were part of her 'crew'?" Juice frowns and nods before typing. "After my attack, I had no choice but to work for her to get protection. Calling for help isn't always easy in the first place, but without a tongue..." The young attorney just nods. "And that 'personal' attack was the only thing that caused you to join the prosecution? It had nothing to do with the intended 'promise of a new tongue' for saving Ms. Westfall?" Franky turns to Fessler who just shrugs. Juice blushes before shaking her head no. "So, Ms. Doyle saying that as reciprocation had nothing to do with you being on the stand for her today?" Franky's hands clench as she takes a deep breath and holds it. "Ms. Westfall has been helping me get my things in order for a possible parole in the next year, not to mention some coping mechanisms for my temper and, um, current handicap." She types furiously. "Ah, I see." The lawyer adds...still trying to provoke Juice. "And I didn't know if I was her next target." Juice adds, not realizing just how much those words could help in the future. Ferguson scoffs at the added reply. "No further questions at this time your honor." The judge dismisses Juice, and the monitor and keyboard are moved back to the side of the room.

Franky can't help but to look back at her wife, who nods with confidence and a smile. Franky turns back to the judge and stands to call the next witness. "Your honor, we would like to call Kim Chang to the stand." The judge agrees and they wait as Kim is escorted in and given the oath. Ferguson is quick to whisper into her lawyers' ear who stands with an objection before Franky can begin her questioning. "Overruled" the judge says quickly. "But your honor..." The judge glares down at the young attorney. "Save it for your cross examination. I don't know what kind of game you and your client are playing here, but you are really trying my last nerve." Ferguson's attorney swallows hard while blushing.

Franky manages to get through her questioning with Kim with few interruptions from Ferguson and company. She is surprised how well Kim has composed herself, knowing she still has feelings for her and is in prison for her attack. To be quite honest, Franky is surprised that she is even testifying against the Freak to begin with, considering everything she did for her before Franky's parole. But she also didn't know about her weekly sessions with Bridget that started after their meeting and before Bridget's attack.

"Ms. Chang. Are you here today, testifying against Ms. Ferguson, whom you admittingly did dirty work for, in exchange for a lesser sentence for your attack on Ms. Doyle?" Franky quickly picks up a pen and scratches something on a pad for Fessler. 'She has someone inside.' Fessler raises an eyebrow. 'No, I didn't make an offer.' Franky adds to her note. Kim clears her throat as she looks back toward Bridget. Bridget barely nods and Kim returns her gaze on the attorney. "No. An offer was made, without the knowledge of Ms. Doyle, and I denied it without a second thought. I know what I did was wrong, and I let my personal feelings get in the way of things, and to control my actions. I am willing to serve the maximum time for those actions and am currently seeking help to deal with my issues." Franky looks back at Bridget with shock. Her only sign that Bridget saw her look, is the slight reddening of her cheeks. Franky turns back and listens to the continued questioning. "And what were those personal feelings?" Fessler stands. "Objection your honor. What bearing does this have on the case?" The judge nods and looks at the young attorney. "Sustained. Unless you have new evidence for this case, which considering the charges, this line of questioning isn't, I suggest you move on." The attorney blushes once again, fully regretting taking on this case, but needing the help Ferguson offered in exchange. "If you had been working for Ferguson all this time, why now testify against her?" Kim pauses, just long enough to grab everyone's attention. "This is my third time back in Wentworth, and second as a fellow inmate of Ferguson. The first time, she was Governor and seemed hellbent on getting at Fr... Ms. Doyle and offered me anything I wanted in exchange for my help. The second time, as a fellow inmate, once again she was hellbent on hurting Ms. Doyle and others that went against her way. She went as far as hot shotting friends of mine, killing another inmate to save face and handing out crippling punishment to anyone that went against her. But she kept giving me anything I wanted, and I was high the majority of the time, so I went along with her. The third time, I saw what she was doing before Ms. Doyle was reincarcerated. I saw what she did after...trying to tear apart her sanity and any hope she had left in life. It's no lie that I fell in love with Franky the first time I met her years ago. It's no secret that I broke parole to come back to her and was torn and willing to hurt her for not taking me back...but no one should be put through the emotional and physical torture that Ferguson handed out on a daily basis. She mentally abused me to stay on her side...feeding into my anger and pain. No one should have to deal with that, especially on the inside." Franky feels a tear slide down her cheek and quickly wipes it away. Fessler smiles, knowing fact that Franky knew none of what was just presented to the court. The attorney looks down at his hands briefly before looking up at the judge. "No further questions your honor."

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My apologies for the delay.  I stumbled upon how to approach court....but not later that evening LOL.  Will be writing the next chapter shortly after posting this one, so expect an update Wednesday.  

I'll be on vacation next week (starting the 8th), which could give me the potential of more frequent updates, unless my family time takes control.       

Franky learns something new during court as do we about Ferguson's attorney.  What else does the Freak have up her sleeve?

As usual, comments and feedback are greatly appreciated.  Don't be shy!  LOL  It all adds encouragement and stokes the fire.  

Until next time, stay safe!