the heiress ( law & order: svu fanfiction )

chapter seven

Chapter Seven - God Save the Girl

Sitting in the courtroom once again, Maddie could feel the panic rushing through her, turning her blood cold.

If there was ever a time she wished her parents could be here for her, it was now. Everything about this situation was messed up, but if her parents were here, maybe she would be able to make sense of it all.

Not to say that her friends and Amanda didn't try to help her, but the never-ending ache in Maddie's heart for her parents only grew stronger the closer they got to the trial.

"Maddie?" Barba's voice broke her out of her haze.

Shaking her head, Maddie looked up at him, her blue eyes dull from exhaustion and worry. "Sorry, Mr. Barba, what was the question?" She asked.

Barba nodded. "It's alright; I asked if you had been attending your therapy sessions and had your psychological evaluation as per Judge Barth's orders?"

Maddie nodded a few times. "Yes, sir. The psychiatrist I saw put me on a few different medications. One to help me sleep, one to help with my depression, and one for anxiety." She explained, keeping her eyes focused on him instead of Daniel who's eyes hadn't left her since he was ushered into the courtroom.

"And how are you reacting to the medications, Ms. Campbell?" Barba asked, taking a glance over towards Rita and Daniel.

It unnerved him to see Daniel so focused on Maddie, so he made a point of stepping right in his line of sight.

"The doctor said that I was reacting well to the medications, I feel okay, better than I did before." Maddie gave him a small smile.

Barba returned the smile. "That's good to hear, Maddie." He turned towards Judge Barth and nodded. "Nothing further, your Honour."

When he sat down, Maddie could feel her heartbeat pick up as she looked towards Rita and Daniel. Breathe. Breathe.

"I'm glad to hear that you're doing well, Maddie. You look like you're doing well. I just have a few more questions for you, alright?" Rita looked at the younger woman who nodded a few times.

Barba leaned back in his chair, watching Maddie as Rita paced the floor. "So, your evaluation went well. Did the psychiatrist ask about what happened the night you were raped?" She asked.

Maddie could feel herself tense as the words hit her ears.

"Objection your Honour." Barba started to get up, when Maddie turned to Judge Barth.

"Wait, I'd... I'd like to answer." Maddie looked between the judge and Barba, who raised a brow.

Judge Barth nodded once. "Very well, the witness may answer."

Maddie drew a deep breath, and she could see Amanda bring her folded hands up in front of her mouth as she watched.

"Yes, he did. He asked me how I was doing, if I was sore or if the trauma had driven me to thoughts of self-harm or suicide. He was very concerned about what I was going through, and I'm grateful that he even took the time to ask. Most people have a tendency to blame the victim, but he took the time instead of asking me what I was wearing, or if I had been drinking." Maddie pointed out, keeping her face and tone as neutral as possible.

Barba couldn't help the smirk that spread across his face as Rita looked between Maddie and Judge Barth. "Nothing further, your Honour."

"Alright, we will be taking a short recess, just a reminder to the jury to not discuss the case outside of the courtroom or you will be removed from the jury." Judge Barth dropped her gavel twice, and Maddie let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.