Endless

8 Days Before

8 DAYS BEFORE

I sit in the court room. Hands folded neatly in my lap. The judge to my right and 12 jurers to my left, hanging on my every word. I am so nervous and tired as i look straight ahead, not daring a glance at the defences table.

Mike sits there, they caught him trying to skip town. This is his trial, i have testified twice already and there is another one tomorrow, but this one. This one is going to be the hardest, because he is a cop, because i know him and because he will know things the others don't. Things his lawyer can use against me.

I look at Barba who gives me a supportive nod, i look over his head and stare deeply into Liv's eyes, the most comforting thing in this whole room. She mouths "breathe" to me and i nod while taking a deep breath. I hear Mike's lawyer clear his throat as he moves towards me, willing me to look at him. I turn my head slightly to give him a shy sidewards glance.
Bad move.
He can now see how nervous i am, he will use that against me, and i am going to have to fight like hell to change his mind.

*        *        *

My nails are dug deeply into Elliot's leg as he sits beside me, she had turned towards Mike's lawyer. I watched her flinch, he smirked, seeing her weakness and knowing he can now use that against her. I just pray the jury noticed how uncomfortable she became, maybe that will work in her favour.

I feel Elliot's hand come down to cover mine, he moves his fingers in between mine to remove my hand from his leg.
"I know you are nervous, but i think you are drawing blood," he whispers into my ear.
I lean my cheek against his face as he places a soft kiss behind my ear, "sorry," i whisper back.
Peyton turns back to sitting up straight, her eyes never leaving mine as Mike's lawyer moves towards her.

"Hello Miss Symone, how are we today?" he drags out, softening his voice ever so slightly in an attempt to get her to trust him. She doesn't flinch, doesn't answer him.
"Counselor move on," the judge instructs. He nods in compliance before moving to lean against the railing in front of the witness stand.
"So Peyton, i understand you know the defendant is that correct?" he asks, simple enough.
"Yes." good girl short and sweet answers don't give him too much to work with.

*        *        *

"How well would you say you know the defendant?" this lawyers face is so close to mine, i can see him out of the corner of my eye as i continue to stare straight at Liv.
"I don't know," i watch Liv close her eyes, as i feel i have made a grave mistake.
"Well he is a detective is that correct?"
"Yes."
"He works for Sgt. Benson."
"He did."
"He was partnered with her boyfriend Mr. Stabler is -"
"Detective, and yes."
"Excuse me." Talking back is not something he expected, but he will not make a fool of me, i am the victim here.
"Detective Stabler," I spit out, turning for the first time to look him square in the eyes, I can see Elliot's smirk rise on his face at my answer. I feel stronger, like i can do this, "and yes he was his partner. For 3 years."

I chance a glance at Mike, as he sits at the defenses table. He smirks at me, he has a feeling he will walk free due to him being a declorated officer. That fires me up, and gives me a certain strength i haven't felt in days, heck years. He will spend the rest of his life behind bars and i am going to make sure that happens.
"Now the jury heard from Mr Willis yesterday, in which he stated you and he had a sexual relationship." I roll my eyes and set a smirk on my face as i lean back in my chair, "is that correct Miss Symone?"
"No it is not."
"So there was no sexual penetration?"
"Yes there was."
He smiles at me, "yet you just stated under oath that you did not have a sexual realtionship," he moves backwards turning himself towards the jury. "How can that be?" he asks in a smug tone as he turns back towards me.
"He raped me." I pause and narrow my eyes at him, "repeatedly."
"You mean when you found out he was married you regretted your sexual relationship," i see Barba getting ready to interject and i shake my head at him, he sits back down in his seat, unhappy. "and afterwards to save yourself the humiliation you cried rape. Isn't that right Miss Symone."
"No."
"No to your sexual relationship, or no to the rape."
"Objection, badgering your Honor," Barba shouts, his eyes silently telling me he is sorry.
"Withdrawn," he turns his back to me making his way back to the defenses table. I try to sit up a little straighter, be confident but it is hard. I stare at Liv, her eyes giving me the strength not to cry. "So Miss Symone what you are saying is that you and Mr Willis did not have sex?"
I narrow my eyes at Liv and smile.
"No we did not have sex."
"But according to evidence provided there was semen present, that matches Mr. Willis isn't that correct?"
I manage a small giggle.
"The evidence you are referring to cousellor, is a rape kit. Used to collect evidence to capture a persons rapist. This is taken once a person is forced to have sex with another person. They did not consent, they did not want it. They were forced."