You are my life

Trial

(Piper's POV)

Alex flew in from Ohio last night and we spent hours prepping for the trial that would take place in a matter of hours. Alex was an intelligent woman so she was more than capable of retaining the information that she was required to. It was obvious she was putting in more of an effort than she needed to though which I was grateful for. I'd spent a year putting this together and it was my first trial so I really wanted to win. Maybe a lawyer was a good career choice for me since I hated losing.

I was on my way to the detention centre where they were holding Alex. My firm had arranged a car service so we could do some final prep on the way to the courthouse.
When I arrived it was pretty similar to when I visited McCullough.
"I'm here to collect Alex Vause for her trial. I'm her lawyer." I tell the officer at reception.
"Name?" She asked.
"Vause-Chapman." I tell her.
"Wait here, I'll go get Vause."
A few minutes later, she came back with Alex in handcuffs and we headed out to the car.

"Okay so I will ask the questions, you answer when you're spoken to. No matter what's said or what happens, you have to stay quiet and seated and for the love of God Alex don't perjure yourself." I tell her as I madly scribble last minute notes.
"Pipes. Chill. I've been to trial before. You'll be great. I know you will." She smiles reassuringly.

Getting to the courthouse, Alex and I sit at the prosecution table as the state's defence lawyer sits at the opposing defence table on the other side of the room. I could see Nicky, Red, Kreech, Boo, Tamika Ward and Badison in the gantry ready to give their testimonies.

"It's so weird being at this table." Alex muses.
Just as she says that, McCullough, Hellman and Hopper all come in dressed in orange jumpsuits. I must say that sight was very amusing. They were quickly followed by Linda who I would be suing as a lead figure of PolyCon and MCC.

"All rise." The bailiff said.
We rose for the judge who then sat and said,
"Okay. So I will be the presiding judge for the course of this trial of the state of New York versus let's see, Artesian McCullough, Greg Hellman, Rick Hopper and PolyCon representative, Linda Ferguson. Please be seated."
The courtroom sat.

"Councillor Vause-Chapman, would you like to give your opening argument?" The judge asks me.
"Yes your honour." I say and stand up to face the jury.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury. We are here today to shine light on the horrific misgivings of a system that is supposed to protect us. On the correctional officers using their position for their own gain. On their abuse of power. We are here to shine light on the abuse, the neglect, the coercion and frankly, the continuous gross acts of violence against inmates in womens' prisons. I myself, am a former inmate of Litchfield Penitentiary who served under these former COs so the evidence I give you today is cold hard fact straight from the source. The defence will try to tell you that they're inmates, who cares about their rights? I am here to tell you that they are still people. Our great nation has a human rights act and as citizens of the law the accused were required to adhere to this act but did they? No. My client and I are here today to provide you with rock solid evidence as to why you should see these people behind bars in exchange for my client's release due to her becoming a target of two out of the three former COs on trial here today. Thank you."
I say and go to sit back down next to Alex while the defence lawyer makes her opening argument.
"Wow Pipes. That was really powerful." Alex compliments.
"Thank you."

After the opening arguments were given, the judge asks me to call my first witness.
I called Tamika Ward.
"Miss Ward, did any of the COs here tell you that they were in love with my client?" I ask her.
She nods and says,
"Yes."
I give a brief nod.
"Is that CO in this room?" I ask her.
"Yes." She replies.
"Could you point to the CO?" I ask her.
She points at McCullough.
"Thank you. Now, did that CO have you transfer my client because of her feelings for her or because she wanted to avoid more scandal for your employers?" I ask.
"Both." She replies.
"Thank you. No further questions."

The defence then question Tamika but get nowhere. Alex smirks beside me and whispers,
"So far so good babe."

"Councillor Vause-Chapman would you like to call your second witness to the stand?" The judge asks me.
I nod,
"Yes your honour. I call Artesian McCullough to the stand."
Piper vs McCullough round 2.
I wasn't going to hold back with her. No chance in hell.
I was going in for the kill.
When McCullough was seated I walk back to the prosecution table and lift paperwork that detailed the Daya and Mendez situation and presented it to the judge.
"Your honour. Before I cross examine the defendant, I would like to put into evidence a previous case from Litchfield where an inmate had sexual intercourse with a CO and how the offending CO was arrested for rape, as by law, an inmate has no rights so sex with a CO is therefore rape." I begin.
"Thank you councillor."
I then go to question McCullough and oh boy, I was going to enjoy the hell out of this.

I don't beat about the bush.
I go straight for her.
"Do you have a crush on my client?" I ask her.
She sheepishly nods.
"Did you tell former Warden Ward that you were in love with my client?" I ask.
Again, she nods as she looks down at her hands.

(Alex's POV)

At this, I uncomfortably squirm in my seat, guilty that I'd made someone other than Piper fall for me when the same feelings would only ever be requited towards Piper on my end.
Seeing this play out was actually unnervingly arousing. I didn't envy or care about McCullough receiving Piper's wrath but seeing Piper like this was doing things to me.
Just as I was beginning to mentally strip Piper, an unwelcome redhead walked into the courtroom late.
Zelda.
Are you fucking kidding me?!
She obviously came to watch Piper in action because this case had actually drummed up some press considering who and what Piper was taking on.
Plus, Piper was back in town and clearly so was she, she's probably here for Piper seconds.
Over my dead body.
Piper didn't notice her because she was questioning McCullough. Neither did the defence lawyer because she was too focused on how to defend her clients.
I definitely fucking noticed though and I wasn't amused at all.
So did everyone else as heads turned to find out who the late comer was.
I was so pissed.
This woman had now re-inserted herself back into Piper's life. I wanted Piper to win more than ever now because my jealousy was raging. I needed to be there so this annoying redhead couldn't be.
I stared her down from head to toe with disapproval and a scowl.
Once she'd sat down she noticed me glaring at her and our eyes locked immediately into a rivalry.