Through Rivalry Comes Love

Chapter 42

Stefan didn't know if his hands had ever shaken so much in his entire life. He sat a few rows back in the court room, dressed in his expensive suit and a tie he hardly ever wore. Elena hadn't been out of the hospital but six days and here she was, sitting with her lawyer, waiting for the judge to hand down his ruling. They had been in court since early morning and it was nearing five in the evening. Stefan had insisted that Jenna, Alaric and Jeremy be there for Elena that day because she needed all the support she could have. But Stefan also knew that her family needed this for themselves too. He had paid for them to make another quick trip out to Seattle. The surprise on Elena's face told Stefan that he had done the right thing. Although Elena had insisted that she didn't need them there, she had wanted them there for the judge's ruling. She just didn't think she could ask that of them.

The prosecutor had been a real dick to Elena all day and Bonnie had to grab Stefan's arm when she had sensed Stefan was getting up to go and punch the guy out. Stefan thought the guy's points he made were invalid and that the suit and tie he was wearing was outdated. Basically, he hated the guy.

But Stefan was so proud of Elena. Even though she looked weak and tired to him, she had carried herself with such a professional presence, even when she was being attacked by the prosecutor. Elena had admitted to making a mistake, and her attorney assured everyone that Elena would make it right. She would pay money for loss and damages done to those who had been affected by the embezzling. She had made a public apology for playing a part in it. She didn't make excuses, nor did she cry. She was amazing.

She had done so well, yet Stefan couldn't read the look on the judge's face. If that judge took Elena away from him, for even a day, he knew he'd lose it. He couldn't put into words how much Elena meant to him.

Elena wouldn't turn around and look at Stefan, even while the judge was out deliberating. She barely heard anything her lawyer was saying to her. She felt numb, like the sentence had already been delivered and she was going away for a long time. She imagined having to hug Stefan one last time and how it would feel to be ripped from his arms. How he would want to come and visit her in prison and how she would refuse to see him, because it would destroy her to not be able to go home with him every time.

A hand on her shoulder made her jump and brought her out of her depressing thoughts. "I love you" Stefan whispered against her ear, kissing the side of her cheek. He wanted to remind her that he was there for her, thinking about her and praying like hell that things would go the way they were supposed to.

Elena sighed as she grabbed his hand and held onto it. Even she could feel his hand shaking and how nervous he was. "I love you too" she told him. What she wouldn't give for him to grab her and take her out of that courtroom. Maybe they would run away together, disappear and never look back.

Stefan kissed the top of her head one last time before the judge returned and Stefan had to go back to his seat. This time, Bonnie held his hand, and Stefan held Jenna's. They all held their breaths as the judge looked straight at Elena.

"While you may not have been solely responsible, it is clear to me that you have played a role in the embezzlement with the former CEO of Gregory's coffee" he began. Everyone on Elena's side felt as if they had been kicked in the stomach. Elena was going to be found guilty. "Therefore, I do find the defendant, guilty of fraud" he continued.

Stefan's eyes began to burn with tears that were surely going to fall. He couldn't lose Elena. He just couldn't. He watched Elena's head hang down, knowing she had realized what all of this meant. Bonnie was silently crying, and Damon was just staring ahead, like he hadn't heard the judge quite right.

"However" the judge stated, catching everyone's attention again. "You have shown this court that you are willing to make amends with those affected by the embezzling. I do believe that you have been honest and that you truly did not participate in the fraudulent act knowingly. Therefore, I order you to pay $50,000 in fines and complete six months of community service" he said. "Court is dismissed." With that, he banged his gavel and stood to leave.