Recovery

Recovery - Ch 20

Recovery - Ch 20

After they'd all sat back down, Judge Carlton looked over the people assembled then turned on his microphone, "the prosecution has made a motion that this courtroom be closed for the testimony of Dr. Lesley Webber..." he paused, knowing that Mr. Curtis, the defense attorney, was going to object to be sure that it was in the official court records.

"I object, your honor!" Mr. Curtis said, right on cue, "on the grounds that it's unfair and prejudicial to have the courtroom closed for Dr. Webber's testimony when it wasn't closed for Mr. McDermott's."

"Overruled," Judge Carlton responded, "will the bailiff please make sure the courtroom is cleared of all bystanders so we can resume?"

Lesley turned to watch all the people who had come to support her start to file out, Laura bent and kissed her cheek, as did Amy. Alice took Lesley's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze then took a hold of Amy's elbow to walk with her out the door. Steve, Audrey, Gail, Lee, Jessie, Ruby, Tiffany, Robert, Luke, etc. gave Lesley a smile and a nod before they left as well.

Finally, it was just Joe, Lesley, and Rick on their side; Lesley glanced at Joe then at Rick and sighed, "you need to leave too," she said softly.

Rick's eyes widened as he shot Joe a look and Joe nodded his head in agreement, "you gotta go to Rick."

Rick's face hardened as he set his jaw, "no. I'm not leaving..." he paused and took Lesley's hand, "I'm not leaving you."

"You have to," Lesley insisted.

"Is there a problem?" the judge asked, Rick looked up and caught the defense attorney's grin out of the corner of his eye. "I won't leave you," he said again.

Joe leaned closer and said in a low voice, "you've got to Rick. If you don't, you'll be held in contempt of court and that won't go over well."

"I'll be okay.... Rick.... please," Lesley said again.

Rick looked into her eyes and then at Joe, "can I have a minute to talk to Lesley?"

Joe looked from one to the other then swiveled around to address the judge, "your honor. I beg the court's pardon, but can my client have a minute to confer with Dr. Rick Webber?"

The judge looked a bit irritated but then nodded, "two minutes, no more. Then we are calling the jury in."

Joe nodded, "thank you," then turned to the couple, "make it quick."

Rick laid his hand on Lesley's arm, and they moved between the wall and the prosecution table. Rick had his back to the courtroom, blocking anyone's view of the two of them as he skimmed a hand down her arm, "I can't do this Lesley.... I can't leave you," he got out.

Lesley's eyes filled with tears when she looked up and saw the anguish in Rick's face, "you have to. I'll be okay.... I promise."

Rick leaned down to lay his forehead against hers, "I promised you that I wouldn't leave you and that's exactly what I'm doing."

Lesley shook her head, "no...no, you're not...." she paused to finger the double heart necklace he'd given her all those weeks ago at the cabin, "you'll be with me."

Joe approached the couple and laid a hand on each of their shoulders, "time's up. You've got to go Rick. I'll take care of Lesley.... I swear."

Rick reluctantly nodded then leaned down to kiss Lesley's cheek, "I love you and I'll be right outside," he whispered in her ear.

"I love you too," she whispered back. "Go," she said next and gave him a tiny shove in the direction of the door.

"Thank you," Lesley said to the judge when she'd moved back to her seat.