A Fine Romance

Chapter 10

"Can you tell me what these injuries are from?" Samantha Jackson asked the forensic expert Olivia Benson.
"Yes, these are conducive with a very brutal attack. It looks like whoever did this punched the victim repeatedly hard and fast."
The photographs being shown were the evidence of Rileys bruises and marks. Riley still couldn't look at them. She sat with her head in her hands so she didn't have to look.
The next slide was even worse. It was a picture of Rileys inner thighs.
Olivia Benson explained that these bruises and marks were from the use of force to get in between Rileys legs. She said that the predator had to press his knees right up against the thighs to get these sorts of marks.
The worst was yet to come. Riley needed to leave before she had another anxiety attack. A bailiff escorted her to the ladies' room along with Kelly.
"This next photo will be very harrowing for some people to witness." Mrs Jackson said to the jury and people in the gallery.
The gasps and murmurs of disgust rippled throughout the courtroom.
"Miss Benson, can you explain what injuries were incurred in this picture, please?"
Benson took a deep breath and looked at the harrowing photos.
"Well, the only time I see these types of injury is when the victim has been violently sexually assaulted. It could be with an object or a hand or a different body part."
"Can you elaborate on the body part?" Samantha Jackson asked.
"Possibly a penis. The forensic evidence suggests this, too."
"Oh, it does?"
"Yes. There was semen inside the vaginal canal and all over the outer tissue and skin of the genitals." Benson answered.
"Did you test the semen samples DNA?"
"We did."
"Who's DNA did you test it against?"
"Mr Richardsons." Olivia Benson answered.
"What was the result?" Mrs Jackson asked.
"They were a match." There were some gasps from the gallery.
"Order, Order." Judge Hudson said, banging his gavel.
"Could these types of injuries be caused by consensual intercourse?" Samantha asked.
"No, even if someone did this as a role play, there are rules and safe words."
"Ok, thank you, Miss Benson. You may step down." Samantha walked back to her desk. She sat down and spoke to the court.
"The prosecution rests your honour."
"Thank you, Mrs Jackson. The court is adjourned until 9.30 am. tomorrow morning. We will hear closing arguments and send the jury to deliberate." Hudson stood up and left.
Riley stood up and spoke with Samantha.
"What do you think our chances are?" Riley asked.
"I can't say. I don't want to say it's good because if he's found not guilty, then I will not have done my job as your lawyer by giving you false hope." Riley nodded in understanding.
She thanked Mrs Jackson for her honesty and went home with her family.

"What a day!" Riley said, sat on Linda's couch with Brendon.
"Yea." Brendon agreed, putting an arm around Rileys shoulders. Riley laid her head on his shoulder. Brendon kissed Rileys forehead.
"What shall we do about dinner?" Brendon asked. "Shall I cook?"
"Yea. I'm not sure what supplies there are, though." Brendon got up and went to have a look in the fridge.
"Stir fry?" Riley heard from the kitchen.
"Sounds good, Bren." Riley got up and went to have a shower whilst Brendon cooked. Riley had her shower and brushed her long auburn hair out. She could smell the food that Brendon was cooking. Her tummy started to grumble. Riley didn't realise how hungry she was.
Riley walked into the kitchen where Brendon was just about to dish the food out. Riley sat at the dinner table. Brendon had set 2 places and lit some candles. It looked very romantic.
Brendon brought their food over. He placed the plate in front of Riley.
"Brendon, this smells gorgeous." Riley said, smiling at him.
They had a toast to celebrate Riley giving her testimony.
As they ate and talked, Riley could feel herself unwinding.
They finished eating and went over to the couch with their wine.
"Thank you for this, Bren." Riley said. "I really needed it. I hadn't realised how wound up and stressed I am. "
"Riley, we are friends. I care about you." Brendon said, and he started to massage Rileys shoulders. Riley groaned as her knots were unwinding.
"Bren, that's so good." She said.
Brendon continued until Riley said she felt good.
Riley turned back around and looked at Brendon. She smiled and hugged him. She kissed him on the cheek. Brendon hugged Riley back and inhaled her scent.
"You smell so good, Riley." He said in her ear. They pulled away from each other and just stared into one another's eyes. They both went to lean in. The gap was getting less and less when Linda and Spencer arrived home. Riley pulled back first.
"Hey guys, you both OK?" Linda asked, not realising that she had interrupted a moment.
They both answered Linda with a nod and started to clear the dinner dishes. Brendon scraped, and Riley put them in the dishwasher. After they had finished, Brendon joined Linda and Spencer in the living room. Riley took a deep breath and went to her bedroom. She got into bed and put Greys Anatomy on. Riley looked at the time. It was only 7 pm.
She was watching her second episode of the evening when Brendon came through.
"Hey Ry, you ok?" He asked, getting on the bed with her. Riley nodded in response and carried on watching Greys. Then Brendon started watching it with her. He curled up next to Riley and put an arm around her waist. She tensed a little but soon relaxed. Brendon kissed the top of Rileys head. Riley turned around to look at Brendon. She wasn't expecting what she got, though. His eyes were so full of love. He cupped Rileys face with his palm and kissed her gently on the lips. Riley wanted more, so she kissed him back a little harder this time.
"Riley..." He whispered her name.
"Bren...." She whispered back and stroked his head.
"Riley, I am so in love with you. I don't want to rush anything with you, but I want you to eventually be my girlfriend. "
"Brendon, I feel exactly the same way about you. You have been brilliant through all of this. Anyone else could have easily just left." Riley looked at Brendon with so much love for him.
"Come here," Brendon kissed Riley again. Riley moaned into the kiss as Brendons tongue brushed against hers.
After their little make-out session, they fell asleep in each other's arms.