Title: Partners Author: Allison Dexter Author's Note: This is my first “Practice.” Bobby and Lindsay have been together for a while and are becoming comfortable with their arrangement. This time again they decided to not tell everyone at the firm. Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. They belong David Kelly and all of that other legal stuff. Partners Papers are thrown all over the wood floor. Lindsay is sitting Indian style in sweat pants looking over a paper. “Okay so what you are saying is that we are going to plead innocent, but she was caught with the drugs?” Lindsay shouts as she writes something down on a legal pad. “She wasn’t taking them. There was no trace of drugs in her system. She is a good student.” Bobby shouts from another room. “But she was caught with cocaine in her possession. Being a good student has nothing to do with it.” Lindsay shouts as she reaches over for another paper. “But she didn’t even know that they were illegal drugs.” Bobby says as he comes into the room holding two coffee mugs and hands one to Lindsay. “Here is your tea.” “Thanks. Okay granted she was stupid and naive, maybe we can get her less time. But I don’t think that a jury is going to go for innocent.” “Maybe not, but I think that we should at least try for it. She really is innocent.” Bobby says as he sits down next to Lindsay. “Would you just trust me for a little bit.” As he leans over kisses her neck. “Bobby. Trust you, I think all I do is trust you. Anyway I need to get going, it’s getting late.” Lindsay says as she gets up. Bobby holds her hand as she gets up and won’t let her go. “Bobby I really need to go. Helen is starting to wonder where I am all the time.” “You could just tell her the truth.” Bobby says as he continues to hold her hand and slowly starts to increase his strength and pulls Lindsay back down. But instead of next to him, he pulls her so that she is sitting on him. “I thought that we had decided not to tell anyone.” “I think that you decided that and I just agreed.” “I thought that you had agreed. If you didn’t agree why didn’t you tell me.” Lindsay is settling herself into his lap. “I think I agreed because we were in the same position and I was kind of not able to not agree.” “Oh, so you couldn’t disagree, huh. “ Lindsay starts to kiss Bobby. “Well then you will have a hard time disagreeing with this,” she bends over and whispers into his ear, “I really need to go to my place tonight.” She gets up and grabs her stuff. “But why?” Bobby pouts. “Because I just do, okay.” She leans over and kisses his forehead. “Good-night, sleep tight.” “Your cruel you know that.” “I know, good night.” Lindsay opens the door. Bobby gets up and walks over to her. “Okay you win. But you know this weekend I get you all to myself.” “Agreed.” “Good, now get out of here. Goodnight.” He kisses her. She leaves. *** Bobby walks into his office the next morning. Lucy is on the phone and everyone is already in except. Damn it, he hates when Lindsay doesn’t stay at his place. His first thought is always if she’s in or not. And today she isn’t in yet. “Do I have any messages, Lucy?” “No, but the D.A has scheduled an appointment for you at 4:00” “Good, thanks” Bobby walks into his office. He hangs his coat up and sees that Lindsay has just walked in the door. Bobby shrugs, he is actually relieved. “What do you think could have happened to her?” He says to himself quietly and laughs. Lindsay smiles as she walks to her desk. “You okay Lindsay” Rebecca walks up to her desk. “Huh, Oh yeah I am fine. My stomach is just a little upset.” Lindsay mumbles. “Calm down, calm down. I can’t understand you. Your who? Who do you want to talk to? Okay, okay calm down.” Lucy shouts. Both Lindsay and Rebecca start to walk over. Lucy runs into Bobby’s office. “Bobby, phone. She says she’s your sister.” Bobby looks up a Lucy a little shocked. He picks up the phone. “Sarah, honey. Calm down I can’t understand you. Calm down, where are you? Which one? Okay, I will be right there. Calm down, everything is going to be okay. I coming right now.” Bobby writes something on a pad and then rips it off the tablet. He grabs his coat and walks out of his office. He walks to the office and door and realizes that everyone is staring at him. “I will be back in a little while. Lucy reschedule my meeting with the DA. Lindsay could you come with me. Thanks.” Lindsay grabs her coat and walks towards Bobby. He leads her out and closes the door. *** Bobby didn’t talk the whole way to the hospital. Lindsay didn’t ask because she knew that he didn’t want to talk. He was concentrating on getting there. When they walked into the hospital, he went straight to the emergency room. “I am looking for Sarah Donnell.” Bobby told the nurse at the front desk. He hadn’t even noticed that Lindsay was in tow. Her eyes widened as she figured out who they were seeing. She had never met Sarah, in fact, she had barely heard about her. Sarah was Bobby’s younger sister, a year or two younger than Lindsay. When their mother died, Sarah left Boston. Bobby hadn’t heard from her since then. “Follow me,” The nurse said as she started leading them down a hallway. She pointed towards a door. Two cops were stationed outside. Lindsay thanked the nurse. Bobby walked into the hospital room. He stopped at the door. What Lindsay saw scared her? This woman was sitting up having her face sewn up. She wasn’t saying anything. Her long black hair was matted with blood. The blood seemed to flow from her hair to her chest. So much blood. Her arms were bruised and by the way she was sitting, Lindsay knew that she was bruised on her chest also. Sarah didn’t recognize that anyone had walked into the room until the nurse was done with her stitches. “See, perfect. You will have your beautiful face back in no time.” The nurse smiled as she said this and held up the mirror to Sarah. Sarah didn’t look at it. “Well, trust me. Okay well that is it for me. Let’s get you back in the bed. I think that there are some people here to see you.” The nurse helped Sarah into bed and then quietly walked out. Bobby just stood there. He didn’t know what to do or what to say. He was faintly aware of Lindsay’s hand on his back. She was gently pushing him forward. His legs finally moved and he walked to the side of the bed. He gently placed a kiss on Sarah’s forehead. “Hi, honey” Sarah didn’t say anything. She just starred at her older brother. “Do you want to tell me about?” The door opened and the detective walked into the room. “How is she doing? The nurse said that she will be good to go in a day.” “What? A day, where is she going?” Bobby was confused. His sister was sitting in front of him badly beaten and some cop was talking about taking her away. “Sorry, Mr. Donnell but we have to book her.” “I killed him.” Sarah whispered. Her voice was so little. Bobby had all he could do to not pick her up in a ball and hold her tightly. “You killed who?” Bobby asked tentatively as though he was afraid that his words might break her. “Andrew Cox, her boyfriend.” The detective piped in. “Apparently the two had gotten into a fight and things got physical and she shot him four times.” Lindsay eyes widened. Four times, Shit. “Thank you sir. But we would like to talk to Ms. Donnell in private.” “Are you her council?” The detective asked. “Yes, I mean for now we are.” Lindsay answered quickly, checking herself. The detective got the message and left the room. Bobby gave Lindsay a quick smile and she got his message. “I am going to go talk to the Doctor.” And with that Lindsay slipped out the door. Bobby just sat there and hugged his sister. So many questions were running through his head. But he knew that now was not the right time to find the answers. All he could do was hold her and hope that Lindsay was finding the information that they needed. Lindsay left the room. She looked down the hallway. “Where to begin?” She mumbled to herself. A doctor saw her and walked towards her. “Are you Ms. Donnell’s attorneys? “ The doctor asked. “Yes, are you her doctor?” “Yes, well I was her doctor, Dr. John Ford.” “What do you, Dr. Ford, mean was?” “I mean I was her doctor the last time she was here.” “She was here before.” “Yes, only in worse condition.” “I don’t understand.” “She was admitted to emergency two weeks ago. She had three broken ribs, which probably are still not healed. She also had some internal damages. She was unconscious. Her head was swollen. We had to drill a small hole into her skull to relieve some of the pressure. “ “What? Was she in a car accident?” “No, her boyfriend brought her in.” “You mean he did that too her.” “That was our assumption. When Ms Donnell regained consciousness though, she wouldn’t say. She told me though that she was scared. I tried to get her to press charges, but she refused. I am sorry what was your name?” “Sorry, Lindsay Dole.” “Ms. Dole she has been in here four other times with similar injuries.” “So you are saying that it is your professional opinion that her boyfriend was physically abusing her and her life was being threatened.” “Yes.” “Is it your professional opinion that she had reason to believe that her life was being threatened?” “Yes, she had every reason to believe that. If he had brought her in last time an hour later, she would have severe brain damage. Yes, I have reason to believe that she was in fear for her life.” “Thank-you. That actually is really helpful. Would you be willing to testify in court if we ask?” “Of course. She was a sweet girl. If she would have mentioned before that she had family in town, I would’ve called them before. She was probably too ashamed.” “Thank-you. Could I have your name and phone number?” Lindsay started to ask, until she realized that her paper and pen were in the room. “Um, instead do you have a card?” “Actually I do, here you go.” Dr Ford hands her his card. “If you have any questions here is my home number.” “Thanks. Umm, do you think that I could see her records?” “That is confidential, but if she gives you her permission than you are more than welcome.” “Would you have written your suspicion about the abuse in her chart?” “Of course.” “Good, thanks again. I will definitely get back in touch with you.” “I hope she comes out of this okay.” “Thanks.” Lindsay smiles. She hesitantly walks back into the room. Bobby was still holding Sarah. Lindsay attempts to enter quietly and not interrupt them. She reaches down for her bag. Unfortunately, she wasn’t as quiet as she thought that she was. Bobby looked up and gave her a weak smile. “Did you find out anything?” “Yeah, I’ll talk to you later about it. You stay with her and I will go see what I can work out.” “Thanks.” Lindsay walked out and went to find the detective in charge. “Sarah, honey, you are going to have to tell me what happened?” Bobby broke the silence. “I just want to go home.” “Honey, who hurt you?” Sarah turned her face away from Bobby. “Who was that woman?” Sarah asked. “Lindsay Dole, one of my associates, and you are trying to dodge from my question.” “She seems nice.” “Honey, who did this to you?” “Nothing, it was stupid. We got into a fight and things just got a little too serious. “ Sarah said avoiding Bobby’s eyes. “Who did you get into the fight with?” “Andrew” “Sarah, I need you to tell me what happened.” “Why?” Sarah looked up at him with her big brown eyes. He could swear that she looked five. Bobby could hardly believe that he was talking to her about this. “Because I can’t help you if I don’t know what happened.” “I shot him. He got mad and he always scares me when he is mad. So I ran into the bedroom and grabbed his gun.” “Why did he have a gun?” “It was his from work.” “What kind of work did this guy do?” “He was a cop.” “A cop. You’re telling me that you shot a cop.” “Bobby, I killed him.” “Did you tell the police that?” Sarah only shook her head. “Good, don’t. I need to talk to Lindsay. I promise I will take care of you honey.” Bobby hugged her. “Bobby, I am really tired.” “I will let you sleep, okay.” “Thanks.” Bobby got up and kissed his sister’s forehead and tucked the blankets around her. And went to go find Lindsay. *** After talking to the police officers, she realized that she hadn’t eaten all day. So she decided to head down the cafeteria and grab some food, while she collected her thoughts. “Hungry” a familiar voice came behind her as she sat down with her tray of food. “I guess you could say that.” Bobby sat down in the sit opposite of her. “She shot a police officer.” Bobby whispered. “I know.” “You know when she was seven, she came home from school one day in tears. Some boys were killing insects. She thought it was so cruel. She buried them all and said a prayer over their bodies. One of the nuns had caught her and yelled at her. She couldn’t understand why nobody cared about the insect’s feelings. Lindsay, she couldn’t kill someone.” “Bobby, tell me about her. I mean what do you know about her life now.” “What do you mean?” “Did you know that she was back living in Boston?” “No. The last time I saw her was at my mother’s funeral. And that was five years ago. Gosh five years ago. I can’t believe it has been that long.” “What was she like?” “She was always really sweet and really clingy. She and my mom really got along well. When she got sick, Sarah left school to help her out. No matter what we all said she was determined to help out. When mom died, Sarah changed. She used to talk all the time. She was a fighter, like my mom. That girl in that bed upstairs is not the sister I remember. She was never that weak or vulnerable. She looked like she would brake if I touched her.” “Did she tell you anything?” “She said that she and this guy had gotten into a fight and that he always scared her when he was angry. She got his gun and shot him. He was a cop, Lindsay.” “He was a good cop, Bobby. He was about to make detective. I talked with the detective and he said that this guy was really liked. “ “Shit, why would she have shot him? Linds, what could have scared her so much? What is that?” Bobby laughed as he noticing what Lindsay was eating. “What?” Lindsay looked down at her fork. “I thought you were on diet.” “It is carrot cake, that has carrots in it. Meaning that is good for you. Do you think I need to diet?” “No, I don’t but you were the one who refused to eat half of your dinner last night because you thought that you were gaining too much weight.” “I am gaining to much, but I am really hungry. Bobby my appetite is being so finicky this week.” “What do you mean?” “I mean that food either makes me nauseous or I am starving. Anyway, about this guy. I talked to one of the doctors here who saw Sarah when she was admitted before.” “She was admitted to the hospital, when?” “Two weeks ago.” “What!” Bobby screamed. “Shh. Bobby she was in rather serious condition. This doctor assumed or at least was suspicious about her injuries. He thinks that she was beat up. “ “What you mean that she was attacked?” “Kinda, but the doctor assumes that she was beaten by her boyfriend. Bobby he thinks that she was being abused by this guy. She had been in four other times in similar conditions.” “What?” Bobby could only stare at her. “This is going to be tough. Bobby her boyfriend was a cop. He was a well-liked cop. They are not going to go easy on her. I was going to go get some of her records and talk to Helen, see if she can help. Maybe we can work out some kind of deal quickly and quietly.” Lindsay was watching Bobby as he thought about everything she said. He looked as if he had just been hit by a truck. “Are you okay? I think that Eugene would be our best bet.” “What?” “Bobby you weren’t thinking that you would try this.’’ “No, I mean I guess I just thought that. I don’t Lindsay. Do you think that you could represent her?” “I really think that Eugene would be better. But thank you.” Bobby just smiled at her and took her hand into his. “I really would rather that you represented her. Not knocking Eugene. Its just, Lindsay, I have never seen my sister look that fragile. I think that she would feel more comfortable with you representing her, plus juries tend to like you.” “Bobby, I just don’t know. I mean, what if I lost? What if I get your sister sent to jail? You would hate me” “I wouldn’t hate you. I couldn’t hate you.” He kisses the palm of her hand. “You say that now.” Lindsay laughs. “I will always say that. “ Bobby smiles as he looks into her eyes. “Okay we are getting off track here. You are going to go back and stay with you sister and I am going to the courthouse.” “Okay” They both get up and walked out. Bobby stops and turns to Lindsay. “Thank you” “For what?” “For being Lindsay Dole, for holding my hand, for being here.” He hugs her. “Your welcome, now go and be with your sister. I have a feeling that she could use a good hug.” “Yes, ma’am. Lindsay?” “Yes.” “I love you.” “I know. Now go.” Lindsay watches him walk down the hall towards the elevators. Then turns to leave and see Helen. *** “Okay here is the deal. They are out for blood. She killed a cop and in their eyes he was a good guy. In fact, they think that she was a little weird. Apparently this guy would come in saying that she kept hurting herself. It really doesn’t look good. I am totally on your side with this one. He seems like an absolute jerk. The problem is that every single character witness we will put up will say that he is a god.” Helen was trying to sound as calm and patient as she could. She was really glad that Lindsay approached her and not Bobby. This was hard enough to say to Lindsay. “Okay so if we can get her to say that he beat her up?” “It is still him against her.” “I know. This really sucks you know. Why couldn’t she have come to Bobby or something? You should have seen her Helen. She looked so small and fragile.” Lindsay paused for a moment. “Helen did Bobby every showed you pictures of his mother before she died?” “No” “The pictures that Bobby has in his apartment are when she wasn’t sick. She was the strong tall woman. But when she was sick, she was fragile looking. Helen, Sarah looked like that picture.” “How is Bobby doing?” “Actually surprisingly well. I think that he is mostly in shock about it all. I don’t know. I really don’t know much about his sister.” “I know that he sometimes used to think that you reminded him of her.” “Oh, that is kind of incestual.” “No, not like that. Just in how he sometimes acted towards you and how he got protective. It seemed like a sweet notion. He just said that there were things that you did that reminded him of her.” “Really, he never told me any of that. I really need to get going and see what he is up to.” “Hey Lindsay, are you feeling better?” “What do you mean? Oh my stomach, yeah I guess. I must have eaten something last night that just didn’t agree with me.” “You sure because you seem to be getting sick every morning this week. I am actually a little worried. Maybe you have some stomach flu or an ulcer or something like that.” “No really I am fine. It’s not anything serious because it goes away after a while. I don’t know but I am fine now.” “Okay just let me know if I can help any more.” “Oh yeah, don’t put me on the stand for saying this, but some of the guys were saying that they were going to really stick it to Sarah hard since she was Bobby’s sister, and you know how much they love Bobby and your firm.” “Wow, Great thanks. I will be leaving on that cheery note.” “Lindsay, I am telling you because I think that you should know what you are up against. Are you going to take the case?” “I would rather that anyone would handle it but me. I just don’t think that it would be a good idea and maybe it is not even a good idea for our firm to handle it. We probably should get outside council.” “Maybe. But Lindsay I think that if anyone could get her off, you could.” “Thanks.” Lindsay gets up. “I will probably be in late tonight.” “Okay, tell Bobby that I said hi and give him a hug.” Helen smiled as Lindsay left. *** When Lindsay pulled up to the hospital, an Ambulance was pulling in. She just sat there in her car starring at the sirens. No matter how hard she tried to pull her thoughts together, she couldn’t. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Why would she just stay there and let some guy beat her up? It just didn’t make sense. Her thoughts were interrupted when the ambulance left. A nurse wheeled a new mother and baby out of the doors. A car pulled up and a nervous father got out and opened the door and began putting his baby into the car seat. Lindsay couldn’t help but smile. He was so cute; he looked so proud. The mother was beaming. She had this smile on her face; this was her family that she had created. A tear started streaming down her cheek. The passenger’s door opened, Lindsay almost jumped out of her skin. “Hey. Sorry. Did I scare you?” Bobby said as he sank into the passenger’s seat. “No, I just like to get a good scare every once and a while.” Lindsay answered him. “Sorry,” Bobby kissed her cheek. “I saw you sitting in your car and I thought that I would come and join you. I didn’t realize that you were deep in thought.” “Apology accepted.” Lindsay smiled at him. Her eyes then went back to watching the new family preparing for their departure. “What were you thinking about?” Bobby asked as he finally saw what she was looking at. “Nothing, just thinking.” “About?” Lindsay didn’t respond. “Lindsay what are you thinking?” The car finally left the entrance. Lindsay turned to Bobby and started smiling with the thoughts that were going on in her head. That smile stopped when she looked at Bobby. He looked tired. “How is Sarah?” “She is okay. My dad is sitting with her now. Lindsay seriously what were you thinking?” “Nothing, really at least not something that can’t wait. How are you?” “Tired, hungry.” He picked up Lindsay’s hand and kissed it. “Promise me you’ll tell me about.” “Promise. Do you want to go get something to eat?” “Not really, the doctor’s want to keep her another night.” “Good, we will work on getting her bail tomorrow. Let’s go back to your place and I will cook you something and then put you to bed.” “That’s sounds nice. My father said that he was going to sit with her tonight. I was actually going to go back to the office when I saw your car.” “Good, so leave your car here and I will bring you back tomorrow morning.” “Okay.” With that Lindsay started the car and Bobby buckled up. They pulled out and left the hospital parking lot. *** Bobby and Lindsay both lay in each other’s arms. They hadn’t said much all night. Lindsay knew that he just needed somebody to hold on to. He just laid there, one hand was wrapped around Lindsay’s waist, and the other was stroking her hair. She just held on to him and laid her head on his chest. She liked to listen to him breath. It was so calming. Suddenly, a wave of nausea came over her and she ran to the bathroom. Bobby followed. He kneeled down beside her and stroked her back. When she finished getting sick, she just sat there. Bobby went to the sink and got her some water and handed it to her. Then he got up and grabbed some boxers and a shirt. He gave the shirt to Lindsay and sat down beside her. “You want to talk.” Bobby asked as he brushed her hair out of her face. “No.” Lindsay replied. “I wish you would go see a doctor. I am starting to worry about you. You hardly ever eat and then you get sick all of the time.” “I’m fine, just some bug or something.” “Do you want to tell me what you were thinking about yesterday?” “Not really.” “So you are just going to leave me sitting here worrying about you?” “You shouldn’t be worrying about me I am fine. You should be worrying about your sister.” “Do you really think that they are going to go down hard on her?” “I think that the cops want to do that and I think that we may have pissed off the DAs office one too many times. “ “She’s in trouble.” “Yeah.” Lindsay moved over to Bobby and put her arms around him. “I just don’t understand how could she stay with him. I didn’t even know that she was in Boston. I saw her medical reports, did I tell you?” Lindsay shakes her head. “She almost died. The skin that surrounds her brain and her skull were bruised. Her brain literally was swollen. They had to drill a hole through her skull in order to relieve the pressure.” “I know.” “How could he have done that to her? How could she have stayed with him? Why didn’t she call?” “I don’t know. Bobby, I have been trying to understand it all day. Bobby she must have been scared. Here is this cop whom she is dating that is beating her up. Who is she going to go to?” “Me.” “I know.” “When she was little she always would run to me when somebody hurt her. I was her big brother. I was supposed to protect her. I am supposed to protect her.” “I know that Bobby. You are protecting her now. That is what you need to worry about. We will do whatever we have to in order to do that, okay.” Lindsay says as she kisses his check. “Thank you. Lindsay, I really need you to be her attorney.” “Why?” Lindsay asked. “Because I trust you. If you are defending her, I will feel safe. I know that you will do anything to get her out and that you won’t stop fighting. I love that about you.” “You love that, I thought that you hated it.” “No, I love it. Lindsay looking at you tonight. How could he have done it? What could have made him so angry that he could hurt the woman that he loved?” “I don’t know.” “I will never hurt you.” Bobby said as tears started rolling down his face. He held Lindsay’s face with his hands. “I will do everything in my power not to let you get hurt. I will protect you. I will never let you hurt. You can always count on me, remember that please. Remember that I will always be there for you. No matter how bad it is, no matter where we are in our lives, I will be there. I love you, Lindsay Dole and I will do everything in my power to protect you. You are what keeps me sane you know that.” Lindsay started crying too. “Bobby, I know that. You know that I know that. Everytime you hold my hand or place your hand on my back or on my knee, I feel your strength. I know that you love me. I love you.” Lindsay pulled back. Bobby felt as if a limb had just been taken off. “What? What is wrong, Lindsay? You are really scaring me.” “I am sorry Bobby. I am sorry. I never planned it.” “You are sorry, sorry for what. You have done nothing wrong.” “I am pregnant.” Lindsay stated simply as she looked up at his face for a reaction. “Your pregnant. You are pregnant with a baby.” Bobby asked in a numbing state of shock. “Yes.” Lindsay answered as she placed her hands on the sides of his face. “With my baby, our baby.” Lindsay nodded. “You are pregnant with our baby. We made a baby, Lindsay. How, we have always been so careful?” “Nothing’s full proof.” A large smile suddenly spread across Bobby’s face. “And that is why you are sick? You are sick because of the baby. There is a baby in here.” Bobby said as he placed a hand on Lindsay’s stomach. “What are you thinking?” “I am thinking, I am thinking that,” Bobby’s eyes shifted from Lindsay’s stomach to her face, “I am thinking that I love you.” “You’re happy?” “Are you?” “I don’t really know. I mean, the timing is really off. I’m just starting to figure my life out, I don’t know if I am ready for this. I mean a baby, Bobby. A little person that I am responsible for. . . I just don’t know what to think. Part of me is happy, another part of me is angry, and then there is this part of me that is scared to death.” As Lindsay said this she stared at the floor, not wanting to meet Bobby’s eyes. “Hey Lindsay, listen to me,” Bobby took her chin in his eyes and moved Lindsay’s face so that she had to look at him, “The timing is really off and I am not sure that you and I as a couple are ready for this. I know that. I know that I am a workaholic who can’t discuss his feelings very well. This is really big, I know that too. But I can’t think of anyone else who I would like to be the mother of my child. I love you and what ever you decide you know that I am here for you.” “I know that its just that . . .” “Shh, let’s not talk anymore. It is three o’clock in the morning and you and I am both really tired. I don’t think that we can come to really any decisions tonight. Okay?” “Okay.” And with that Bobby helped Lindsay get up and they both crawled into bed. “What time are you going to visit Sarah tomorrow?” “The doctor said that he is going to release her in the morning so I thought that I should probably be there for that. The bail hearing is at 2:00, right?” “Yeah and hopefully I can talk them into allowing bail. After what Helen told me I don’t how willing they are going to be to compromise. But since it is her first offense, the judge hopefully will be reasonable.” “Good. So does this mean that you are going to take her case?” “Bobby, I will be part of her team but if I would really rather if Eugene or Eleanor first chaired. I don’t want to be the lawyer responsible if something should happen and we lose the case. Plus I think everyone already has problems with us, you wanting me to be first chair would only add to their doubts.” “I really don’t think they would have a problem with. . . “ Before Bobby could finish his sentence Lindsay gave him a look and with that, “okay so maybe they would have a small problem with it. But I really hate that we have to tiptoe around like we are doing something wrong. We are not and my personal feelings for you have never interfered with my professional feelings. Lindsay you are a good lawyer. The sooner you start to realize that and accept it the better. I have never given you a case for any other reason than that.” “Bobby so you are saying that your personal feelings have absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you want me to defend your sister?” “Okay so maybe they do a little bit. I trust you Lindsay. I feel confident that you will do everything you can to help my sister. That is why I want you on the case. If I have to take second chair I will. Plus you were the second chair on the Pearson case and look how you took it over.” “Very funny. Weren’t you saying something about getting some sleep?” “Yes, I think that I was.” “Goodnight.” Lindsay kissed his forehead and turned over. “Goodnight.” Bobby kissed her should and wrapped his hands around her waist. Lindsay noticed that his hands were holding her stomach almost as if he wanted to feel the baby. Lindsay had to do all that she could so that she wouldn’t start crying. *** “So what is going on with Bobby’s sister?” Eleanor asked as soon as they sat down for their morning meeting. “Um, as far as I know she is still in the hospital but they plan on releasing her this morning. She has a bail hearing at 2:00, which I will be doing. But I think that Bobby wants either you or Eugene to first chair. He hasn’t told me which, so you will have to fight that out with him.” Lindsay answered cautiously. It was beginning to become very difficult for her to hide that most of her information came from their midnight talks in bed. “So how is she?” Rebecca added. “Physically she looks pretty good considering. Emotionally however, I have no idea where she is. I think that she is in shock mostly. Getting arrested is going to be really hard for her. From what I have been told she is not conscious of what the consequences might be. Sorry this is so vague, but I really don’t know anymore.” Suddenly a wave of nausiousness overcame her. She then excused herself quickly to the bathroom and threw up what little breakfast Bobby had managed to get her to eat. Her head started spinning. She just knelt there staring at the toilet bowl. There was a knock at the stall. “What?” Lindsay answered. “Um Bobby is on the phone. He wants to speak to you. I brought your cell phone if you want. I can have him call you on that, if you want.” Lucy replied hesitantly. “That would be great.” Lucy slid the phone underneath the bottom of the stall. “Hey Lucy, thank you.” “Sure, anytime.” Lucy walked out of the bathroom. Within a second Lindsay’s cell phone rang. “Hello” Lindsay answered knowing exactly who it was. “Are you okay?” Bobby’s voice was concerned. A wave of nausea overcame her again, luckily she managed to control it. “Yeah I am fine. I am getting used to toilet bowls. I really think that they are unappreciated.” Lindsay quipped. “Sorry, honey.” Bobby answered. Lindsay smiled at his statement. He had never called her ‘honey.’ “How are you?” “Tired. Sarah is on her way to the courthouse. I was going to come in and talk to Eugene to help out, before I go and see her. My dad is going to be with her.” “Eugene. Okay. How is she?” “Not good. I don’t think that she was really prepared to be arrested for murder. No matter how many times we talked to her about. It just never sunk in.” “I was worried about that. How is your father?” “You mean beside from the fact that he is beating himself up for not being there for her.” “Yeah, besides that.” “Scared.” “That is understandable.” Another wave of nausea was coming over Lindsay and she could tell that she was not going to be able to control it. “Um Bobby, I really need to go.” She then hung up. Not really caring how he would react. *** Bobby came into the office about thirty minutes later from his phone conversation with Lindsay. When she hung up on him so abruptly he wanted to call her back right away. He decided however, that under the circumstances it wouldn’t be such a good idea. When he walked in she was sitting at her desk working, so he decided not to bother her. “Eugene can I talk to you in my office.” “How is your sister, Bobby?” Eugene asked as he walked into his office and closed the door. “She is okay, a little shaken. She was taken to the courthouse this morning. Lindsay is going to the bail hearing at 2:00. I want you to go with her. I want you to first chair this case.” “This case, Bobby are you okay. DO you think that we really should be defending her?” “I am fine. Yes I want this firm to defend her and I want you to stop thinking of her as my sister. I need you to treat her as any other client. You do anything, anything to get her off.” “Bobby I am a little worried that you are too close.” “I am and that is why I am not on the case. Between you and me, Lindsay feels the same way. Which is why she is not first chairing? She thinks that she is too close to me to defend Sarah properly. I don’t agree. I want this case to be close. I need to know, I need to see that she is getting the best defense team that she can. I think that you are the best defense team.” “Okay. I understand. There is one rule that I would like to make. You are giving Lindsay and I the case. It is our case, not yours. We decide what is the best course of action. You have no impute. I want you to be Sarah’s brother in the case, not our boss.” “Okay.” Eugene starts to leave. “Eugene, thanks.” “Don’t start thanking me yet.” Bobby follows him out. “I am going to the court house. I will see you two there.” With that Bobby leaves. “Lindsay can I see what you have so far.” Eugene asked walking towards his office. Lindsay followed. *** “So what does this mean?” Sarah asks looking up at Bobby. “It means that you got bail. I will go pay it and then you will come home with me.” Bobby answered. “Sarah, Eugene and I would like to talk to you.” Lindsay asked. “Okay.” Sarah replied. “Good, how about we come over tonight. So that you are comfortable and have had a time to rest.” *** Title: Partners - continued Author: Allison Dexter Author's Note: This is my first “Practice.” Bobby and Lindsay have been together for a while and are becoming comfortable with their arrangement. This time again they decided to not tell everyone at the firm. Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. They belong David Kelly and all of that other legal stuff. *** The doorbell rings. Sarah is sitting on the couch next to her father. Bobby gets up and gets the door. Lindsay and Eugene are standing there, quietly talking to one another. The conversation stops as soon as the door opens. “Hi. So how are we all doing tonight?” Lindsay says as she enters and waves to Sarah and Mr. Donnell. The whole situation is a little tense; they were obviously having a deep conversation that they had interrupted. Lindsay’s stomach growls loudly as she walks towards the couch. Bobby smiles at the noise and nods as Lindsay walks over to the kitchen. She opens the refrigerator and grabs some cold pasta. “Does anyone want anything? Eugene?” “No thanks” Eugene answers. This is the first time that he has spoken since coming in the door. He is already planted in a chair and has started pulling out papers. The tension has not fazed him. He however does notice the ease at which Lindsay finds her way through Bobby’s kitchen. He returns himself to the situation at hand. This is a business trip after all. Lindsay and he had decided that he is going to be the one who questions Sarah. She needs to toughen up. It was a mutual decision. However, Eugene wonders if Lindsay is a little scared about dealing with Sarah. He understands that she doesn't want to get emotionally involved and that the distance is harder for her to create. “So how are you doing, Sarah?” “Fine.” Sarah answers timidly. She looks at Bobby. She thought that Lindsay would be the one who she was going to be talking to. “That’s good. There are a couple of things that we want to go over with you, before we even get started. First I need you to understand that Lindsay and I are your lawyers, not Bobby. If you have questions you ask us. Okay.” Sarah nods in agreement. “Okay, second, I am going to tell you what our original game plan is. We want to go for self-defense, which is going to be tough. You shot him five times at point blank range. That does not look like self defense to an outside observer. So we are going to need a lot of help from you to prove it, okay. We want you to talk to a psychiatrist so that they can determine your mental state. Okay. Lindsay and also decided that you will be dealing with me. On the stand, Lindsay may question you. But I am going to be the one to prepare. The reasoning is simple, you killed a man and you need to understand that. I can not be soft with you because the prosecutor won’t be. The sooner you get used to it, the better you will be both in the juries’ eyes and for your own emotional stability. I will not be easy on you. Understand that. But do not think that I am against you or don’t believe you because I do, okay?” With that Eugene finished. He looked up at Lindsay who had been carefully taking in the whole situation. She came and sat down in a chair opposite of Eugene and pulled out a notepad. Sarah looked tentatively at her brother and her father to see what their reaction is. Her father looked at Bobby who nodded at Sarah. He agreed with their approach. “Okay.” Sarah whispered. “Good. Now I want you to tell me about your relationship with Andrew Cox.” And so the interrogation or interview however you choose to perceive it began. Eugene grilled her for intimate details of their relationship. He questioned everything. Sarah was on the verge of tears several times throughout the night. She never let go of her father’s hand. At one point Lindsay looked down at her watch and saw that it was 11:30. She motioned to Eugene that they should wrap it up. Thirty minutes later Eugene said, “Thanks Sarah. I think that we have done enough for tonight. Tomorrow we are going to look into the psychiatrist. I need you to think about everything we talked about tonight. I need you to remember as much as you can, Okay. I know that this is hard, but we really need to get this stuff out of your head while it is still is fresh, Okay. Good. Now go and get a good night’s sleep. And we will see you tomorrow.” Eugene got up and started collecting his papers. Lindsay got up and went to the bathroom. We she returned both Eugene and Bobby’s father had left. Sarah was talking to her brother. “Hi, how are you doing?” Lindsay started. This was where she was going to come in the case. She was going to play the cheerleader and the shoulder to lean on with Sarah. “You did really well tonight. Everything you said fits self-defense. It is a perfect example of an abusive relationship, okay. And that is a good thing.” “Thanks, I think. I am really wiped. I think I am going to get ready for bed.” Sarah turns to Bobby, “Are you sure I can sleep in your bed? Because I am fine with the couch.” “Never. Plus I have slept on the couch plenty of times and I am actually quite comfortable. You go to bed and have a good night’s sleep.” With that Bobby hugs his sister and kisses the top of her head. Sarah heads towards the bedroom and closes the door. As soon as the door closes, Bobby sits down on the couch and puts his head between his knees. Lindsay goes to him and kisses his head. Bobby looks up at her. Tears are in his eyes; the confusion, frustration, and anger are evident. He reaches up to Lindsay and falls down to the floor, so that they are both kneeling. He wraps his arms around her waist and puts his head on her stomach. Lindsay simply holds his head and kisses him. She knows that he needs to let this out. They sit there for several minutes, as Bobby silently cries. He rubs Lindsay’s abdomen with his thumps. “Thank you.” The first words that Bobby utters out of his mouth. “Your welcome.” Lindsay answers. She is not quite sure what he talking about. But she knows what she wants it to be about. Everything became clear. She no longer questioned anything. She is no longer afraid of her future. She is having a baby, with this man who is crouched beneath her. This mans who is trying desperately to hear his child within her. She starts to cry at the revelation and the revelation of all that has happened. “She is going to be okay, you know. She got the bad guy.” Bobby looks up at her and smiles. He then moves up to kiss her. The two kiss. “I love you.” Bobby whispers. “I know.” Lindsay whispers back. The two stay locked in each other’s arms. *** In the middle of the night Bobby wakes up. He is entangled with Lindsay on the couch. He starts to gently caress her face. She wakes up with his touch. Her eyes open and see Bobby staring at her with wonderment. She smiles and kisses his lips. “Do you think it is a boy or a girl?” Bobby asks. “I think it a little early to know.” Lindsay giggles at the innocence of his question. “If it is a girl can we name her after my mother.” “If it is a girl, I am sure Mackenzie Dillion would be a very good name.” Lindsay smiles. Bobby smiles back and squeezes her. “You are my family, you know.” “No, but I do now” “And once you are part of the Dillion family you never can leave, you’re stuck. Do you think you can handle that?” “I think I can. Do you think you can?” Lindsay looks into his blue eyes as she waits for the answer. “I have never known anyone like you. You are so true to yourself and to everyone else around you. It’s amazing you know. You’re amazing. You fascinate me. Everything you do, everything movement that you make. It’s amazing. I know that I will never meet anyone like you. You are perfect and the imperfections that you do have are wonderful. I don’t think I could ever get tired of you or that I will ever want anyone else other than you. I don’t think that I ever realized what I wanted until I met you. And then when I was without you I realized that you are all that I will ever need. Yes, I can stick with you forever.” “Good.” Lindsay smiles and tries to hold back the tears. She turns her head away from him and squeezes his hand. He squeezes back. They fall back asleep. *** *** “Congratulations, it’s a girl!” The doctor exclaimed happily as he places the crying newborn into her mother’s arms.