Black Tie Event

Chapter Thirty Six

A/N: So here's my warning to you all that this chapter  contributes very little to the overall plot. I just wanted to break up all the trial drama with some...well, whatever. I don't know where I'm going here. I just wanted to set that disclaimer in place so you know what you're getting yourselves into. Lol! So on a different note, I've noticed that I'm getting the same three comments in different forms: "OMG CARRIE'S SO HAAAWT." "NOT GUILTY WHAAAAT?!" and "THREESOME THREESOME THREESOME!" And that's not me making fun of you guys (not much anyway ;*). I laugh sooo hard reading the stuff you guys write. And I love you all. But today I was talking to my girlfriend just about life in general and I decided to ask, "God, what's the big deal with threesomes anyway?" To which she replied, and I quote:

"Well. They're just fucking hot."

So there you have it, straight from the genius mouth of Abs. I guess you guys aren't so insane after all.

Anywaaaaaaaays, that was a long, aimless author's note. Enjoy!

Xoxoxoxo
- Railene

***

 "Congratulations, Lucy," I tried to encourage after the trial had ended. Nobody really knew what to say - whether to be happy or sad, upbeat or solemn, placated or indignant. They were going to jail, and that was a triumph; the fact that Lucy had testified and faced her attackers at all was a triumph. But they would get out someday, and the thought vexed us all, whether we would outwardly say it or not. It was the elephant in the courtroom, so to speak.

"That means they'll get out," was the first thing she said, exhaling in mortal fear that made me ache for her.

"Not for a long time," I promised.

"When?"

We all looked up at Carrie then, who had the best chance of giving us a definitive answer. 

"Twenty five, easy. The medical records make it a brutal felony rape, and a repeated one. I'll let you know after sentencing."

"That means that they'll come back."

"Lucy, those men are in their forties," Allison reminded her. "They'll be pushing seventy by the time they see daylight again."

I shuddered at the thought. "And I'll be at least fifty seven."

"Let's see if you're still busting down doors at that age," Carrie noted, making a face at the defense attorney who was just now walking by and catching an earful of the shit she was stirring up. She looked her in the eye and made sure to add, "I'm sorry. Damaging property."

"You proud of yourself, Everett?"

"Very much so."

"You put up a good fight," she admitted. "Too bad it wasn't enough."

"It was enough for me," she stated firmly, trying to exude self satisfaction.

"Really? The way you brought out the big guns today, I would have thought you were going for the clean sweep."

"I couldn't expect to be so lucky," Carrie admitted. "Days like today are what I live for."

"And why is that?"

"I put your four zoo animals in the cages where they belong. I'll sleep well tonight."

"Glad to hear it," the other lawyer threw out passive-aggressively. "Rest up for sentencing."

The rest of the GFPD showed up then, sauntering in from the courtroom and all training their eyes on Grace, who I purposely held a little closer to me as a protective measure, knowing firsthand that you couldn't trust these guys.