Survivor

Chapter Five

"Good lord," Quinn whispers, shaking her head as she reads over the statement. "This will turn any judge or jury." 

"She's really shaken up," Olivia responds, leaning against the table in the conference room that is empty except for them. "She wants this kept confidential."

"Of course."

"When do we know how William's pleading?" Olivia questions, not breaking eye contact with the lawyer in front of her.

"When we get a date for the hearing. If he pleads guilty, we get a preliminary hearing with just a judge to convince. We'll have testimonies and everything to determine the sentence. If he pleads not guilty, we get a preliminary to present the evidence, then a real court date with a full jury. That will drag on longer, probably over a few days. The jury decides if he's guilty or not, and if he is, he'll be sentenced."

"And if not?" Olivia finally drops her gaze, afraid to know the answer.

"I won't let that happen," Quinn says firmly. Olivia studies her again for a moment before nodding.

"Is that all you need for now? Because I-I have to um, go check on something."

The lawyer narrows her eyes in confusion at the agent, who is still shifting her weight and fidgeting nervously with her hands as she had been for the past half hour.

"That's all for now, but-"

"Thank you," Olivia interrupts, wasting no time in getting out of the conference room. She quickly makes her way through the confusing hospital halls and finds the women's room. It's empty, and she walks into the furthest stall, shutting the door behind her then sinking to the ground, back against the wall.

She closes her eyes, trying to control her breathing. Before she can stop them, a few tears escape and she stifles a sob. She hates that even all these years later, one man still has such a huge effect on her.

Meanwhile, Meredith lays in bed, zoned out from what's happening in the room around her. Her breathing is shallow, as she's sore from crying so much earlier, the pain from her broken rips never leaving. 

"Talk to us Mer, please," Derek pleads from his spot next to her bed. Cristina and Alex are standing next to each other on her other side, all trying to figure out what's happening inside her mind.

It's pretty obvious she has been crying. When Olivia left Meredith's room earlier, they had been the first to rush in. Derek knows how hard it can be for victims to go through their crimes in enough detail for the statements, but he's desperate for Meredith to say anything.

"What is wrong with you?" Meredith finally snaps, sending all three people into shock. "Can't you just leave me the hell alone? I think it's pretty obvious I don't want to talk about what just happened so get out!"

"Mer...you don't..."

"I do mean it, I'm not a child. Get out of my room!" She raises her voice, unable to control her anger. Derek blinks, staring at his maybe-girlfriend. He hasn't ever heard her speak to anyone the way she's speaking to them now before.

Cristina and Alex know better than to argue, so they duck their heads and leave the room. 

"What did I just say?" She growls, not looking at Derek who still hasn't moved.

"You can't just kick us all out, you're isolating yourself, Mer. We just want to help you," He tried.

"You want to help me? You should've helped me a week ago when you were a hundred feet away and that man attacked me. Get out." Her tone is cold and emotionless, refusing to look at him still.