Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Nikki And Helen. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Cleanup Time - The Nikki Wade Retrial; Bad Girls Judge John Deed crossover fic
Topic Started: Aug 22 2007, 07:08 AM (13,907 Views)
LahbibLover
Member Avatar
I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
As usual Richard just a really great scene. Loved it from beginning to end. Looking forward to the rest of this wonderful story. :hug2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
richard
Member Avatar
Enhanced
That's absolutely brilliant feedback from all of you especially in finding the whole scene convincing. I'll post the next scene tomorrow.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Cassandra
Member Avatar

The Muppets!
Great update richard.

Very believable. And really good to see Nikki in action for a change! Look forward to the next scene! :)
Posted Image

You can't control destiny ... but YOU can control this storyline ... by writing a para!
HOTCHPOTCH - A Helen & Nikki Story with a difference B) (click to enter)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jeanna
Member Avatar
I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
Yes, definitely, to a sequel, Richard. I can't weigh in on the daily updates... as I've already read the rest of it. <G> I'll just say that the perfectly logical next step was the complete overturning of the (in my mind, wrongful) conviction that you've addressed here and it was ingenious to involve Judge Deed.
H&N Music Vid by me and ekny

Something To Talk About
YouTube

My BG Music Vids
On YouTube

My vids You Tube removed
Click Here
OR HERE

BAM for Beginners
BAM Channel
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
richard
Member Avatar
Enhanced
Great to see your feedback, Cassandra and Jeanna and I'm really glad that this part came over in the way I wanted- and I have thoughts on a sequel.

This next part has the verdict which is pretty well a declaration of war on the establishment. I hope the final encounter between Jo Mills and Frobisher has that same deadliness of feeling as Nikki or Helen with Fenner in the BG series. There is a reason (or purpose) to Nikki's absent mindedness as you will find. Enjoy.


......................................................................................................................



Scene Thirty

Charlie Deed was entering the next phase in her ‘hard up student’ period when she’d spent her way through the next chunk of her student loan. Being practically minded, she phoned her father up to meet up in town. Of course, her father would pay the bill. That was understood by both parties. She picked up her mobile and pressed the button and announced her purpose.
“Charlie, what brings you to these parts?” John asked affably enough though with a distracted edge to his tone of voice. The two other judges were waiting for him. Though she couldn’t pick a worse time to phone him, John knew that, in all fairness, he couldn’t expect her to keep track of what he did at work. In his private life, both of them knew that her interest in his movements would be actively unwelcome.
“Is there a problem, dad?”
“I’m just set to consider, along with your granddad and Monty, the verdict on a very tricky case. I’ve got the usual apparatchiks glaring at us and, most likely, the press outside.”
“That isn’t new,” Charlie announced with the candour of youth on her side.” Do you want to make it another time?”
“No, I want to meet you and, besides a meal which I’ll enjoy and no doubt pay for……”
“….it is in the contract, you know,” bantered Charlie.
“…we can have a chat about how you’re going on at university.”
John could almost hear the disconsolate droop of his daughter’s shoulders as he slipped in that one. Ah well, beggars can’t be choosers, she reasoned.
“Shall I come up to your chambers?”
“Make it the court room as I’m by no means certain exactly where I’ll be but the chances are that I’ll have finished by the time you get here.”
The cheek of it, Charlie exclaimed, knowing that he was probably right in his assessment of her scatty and disorganized nature. She agreed to it and hung up.


Seeing that John was finished, Joseph led the way back to his chambers, which had that atmosphere of old fashioned grandeur about it. There was a smile on his lips as he graciously gestured to Monty and John to take a seat. He led off the discussion without any hesitation.
“The first matter we should determine is, of course, which version of the events of that night should we accept? On the one hand, we have Ms Wade’s verbal evidence today and on the other, her statement to the police. This lies at the heart of the case.”
“I have absolutely no doubts upon the matter. Ms Wade’s verbal evidence was transparently honest and she stood up well to some hard questioning. As for the actions of the police, there is definitely a collection of rotten apples in the barrel. There is an absolutely clear picture of low level harassment of the club, DC Gossard’s actions which clearly make him a danger to any woman who crosses his path, example being Ms Howe who was raped by him and Ms Williams who he clearly attempted to rape. There has been systematic collusion by Gossard’s actions to exact their revenge in the initial questioning and in covering up for him. The picture is as clear as clear as can be, that the statement is not worth the paper it was written on.” pronounced Monty much to John’s amazement as the harder questions had come from him.
“My sentiments exactly,” rumbled Joseph Channing with great emphasis.” As for Jackson’s conduct of the first trial, well words fail me.”
“You have taken the words from right out of my mouth,” John said in a soft, unassuming tone of voice.
“Coming onto this appeal hearing itself, I am normally hesitant to opt for the extremes of leniency. I am mindful that such a judgment could easily be misquoted in future cases. There might be the situation where two people indulge in a minor spat, one person reaches for the nearest blunt instrument to hand and batters the other person to date. However, when I consider Jo Mills’ arguments in depth, I find them pretty compelling and I cannot see the join between the facts as she sets out and Ms Wade’s testimony,” Joseph Channing continued and two heads nodded as one.
“I really liked Ms Wade’s notion of the hypothetical rolling pin,” John chipped in.” That made the whole case crystal clear.”
“And you liked the look of her,” guffawed Monty to John’s smiling denial.
“Well, that’s settled. We squash the manslaughter conviction and wipe the slate clean.”
It was less of a question than a statement.
“After all, Ms Wade was subjected to a rigorous cross-examination and came up trumps. What the likes of Sir Ian and Houghton make of it is not our concern.”
“You know that Houghton really will be after our blood and try to restrict our powers,” John put in.” He has been planning this since it was leaked to the press some months ago.”
“Then we shall resist,” proclaimed Joseph Channing with zest and vigour, becoming visibly younger and cutting neatly through past dissension on the matter.“ Such opposition that has been mounted has been by John acting on his own. He cannot be allowed to shoulder this burden on his own. We must join in and recruit like minded judges to our cause.”
“You know, of course, that the three of us are probably not fated to sit together in future. It would be a pity as I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience,” Monty said slightly sorrowfully in a way that captured the spirit of the occasion.
“But it does not stop us having something of a celebration drink tonight while we watch the news.”
“Let’s go forward and deliver justice,” Joseph Channing urged, his face brightening,” and afterwards, come round to my chambers tonight at eight. The drinks are on me.”

Nikki had spent the lunchtime in a spare anteroom of the Court of Appeal. Jo Mills, Claire, Helen, Trisha and Sally Anne Howe kept her company. After they walked with her back to the court, she raised her spirits high and took her place in the witness stand. The court filled up at the appointed time and Nikki looked up at the three judges, trying to gauge the expressions on their faces. Contrasting with the keen level of anticipation, two stony faced men sat at the top of the gallery expecting the worst while Donald Frobisher and his solicitor had given up their case as lost.

“Nicola Wade, we have come to a unanimous and certain conclusion that the 3 year manslaughter charge that was imposed on you by Judge Huntley at the Court of Appeal on November 24th 2000 should be completely set aside and that nothing should replace it. To make it absolutely clear, we mean that your record is now as absolutely clean as mine or my fellow appeal judges. Judge Huntley has said that the case was ‘difficult and worrying’ but we are of the conclusion that the case was extremely simple and only became complicated by the cloud of obfuscation created by the initial police investigation which clouded the decision of the original court of appeal. We thank you for your helpful contribution to the court proceedings and conclude that you are a victim of injustice.
It is beyond our powers to take away the years you have spent in prison but what we can do is to wipe the slate clean. Nicola Wade, you are free to go.”

Nikki’s mind went blank. She couldn’t take it all in to begin with for several moments. As it started to dawn on her, she couldn’t believe her luck. She felt very strongly that she had lived this scene before except that neither Di Barker nor Fenner were there. This was the big difference. The front of the gallery cheered and clapped and cheered enthusiastically, Helen’s carrying tones clearly taking the lead. The judges smiled indulgently at such spontaneously informal expression of feelings. They almost felt like taking a bow as if at the conclusion of a grand theatrical performance.

“Thank you, thank you, for listening to me,”Nikki said in a low voice, looking up at the kindly expressions which now spread across the faces of the three robed figures. She couldn’t believe her good luck. She turned on her heel and stumbled out of the courtroom, reaching out for fresh air and comfort.

Sir Ian and Lawrence James couldn’t believe their bad luck. They shot out the back door, clattered down the staircase and raced to a quiet spot. Lawrence James took out his mobile, pressed the buttons and let Sir Ian phone through the bad news. From then on, it raced along the communication networks like wildfire where Neil Haughton picked up the phone, turned purple with fury, shouted inarticulately down the phone, threatened all and sundry and resolved that, come the BBC News, ITV News and Uncle Tom Cobley and all that ‘a spokesman from the Home Office was not available for comment.’ The government did not believe in confessing abject failure, as in intimate talks with some chat show host on prime time television. The establishment always fumed and sulked in private. What Neil Haughton did do was to pick up the phone and speak to George about the matter.

Helen led the way down the staircase to meet Nikki on the way out. She flung her arms round the other woman who was tearfully overcome by emotions of joy, incredulity and huge gratitude. A fleeting thought crossed her mind that she wished to thank them personally but wouldn’t get the chance. Fleeting thoughts of regret were briefly visible on Trisha’s face. Last time around, she had hugged Nikki and made all their plans for the future. She looked sideways to Sally Anne Howe who accompanied her and more generous feelings took charge. They had promised to remain friends so friends they would be at an emotional moment like this.

The four women looked around them and were dazed by the hurly burly in the foyer. Claire Walker greeted them, radiant with success.
“Even more success this time, Nikki.”
The two women hugged each other. This was a definite replay of the last appeal.
“Let’s catch up with Jo.”
“Isn’t she with that other barrister guy?” asked Nikki.
“Yes, and they’re not exactly the best of friends.”
They edged closer to hear what was going on.

As soon as Jo Mills saw Donald Frobisher’s scowling face, she knew immediately that there would be no generous praise from one member of the brethren to another. This was warfare.
“I suppose you think you’re the blue eyed girl around here,” he sneered.
“And just what is that supposed to mean?” Jo counter questioned sharply.
“In each case, the common factor is John Deed. That says it all, doesn’t it.”
“The trouble with you is that, with decent judges, the truth will out. First of all the Partridge case and now Nikki Wade’s reappeal. Thirty love to me.”
The man glared as Jo’s cutting remarks hit home. There was frustrated anger in his eyes.
“You’ll get your comeuppance, sooner or later, Mrs Mills.”
“Not at your hands, especially when you act as the establishment’s paid hack barrister. Just go and have a run round the park.”

After seeing the back of her enemy, she smiled broadly at the crowd of women paying obvious interest in the verbal scrap.
“Well, that’s par for the course for Donald Frobisher.”
“It has a very familiar feel to me when I was wing governor at Larkhall prison,” Helen said with feeling in her voice.

Jo’s mind jumped onwards to the next reel of the movie. She had seen the two men race out of the back of the court and suspected that some shenanigans would take place as this case had certainly kicked over an ants nest, politically speaking. She knew how fickle the press could be and they would be bound to crowd round outside..

“Nikki, just wait a moment before you go outside,” Jo called out in urgent tones.
“Why, what’s the problem?”
“Just this, Nikki. Just what points are you going to say?”
“Whatever comes into my mind. I find that works best for me.”
“Just don’t think that they’ll welcome you as the conquering heroine this time,” warned Jo.” I’ve got this a gut feeling that they’ll give you a hard time of it. Trust me.”
“Better to be safe than sorry,” chimed in Helen.
That pulled the other woman up short. She was going to let her emotions overrun with gratitude and say it like it was. Her thoughts raced at top speed to condense down the essence of the trial, opened the front door and blinked at the sunlight and an array of pressmen crowding round her. This was her first instinct that history wasn’t going to repeat itself.

Nikki saw the unsmiling faces in front of her and her guard was up straightaway. They wasted no time in launching their attack.

“Ms Wade, don’t you think that you’d been treated well enough last time you were in court?”
“Let’s deal about the facts. We’re talking about a policeman who’s trusted to stop crime who deliberately set out to rape my then girlfriend. He didn’t have to be there, he could have been out there solving real crimes. All I wanted to do was to pick her up from work like any couple would, straight or gay. I came into the room when he was on the point of raping her. He ignored me telling to get off her, ignored the bottle I broke over his head. I took the only action I knew to stop a crime from taking place. I was acting in the same way as the sort of ‘have a go hero’ that you people praise when a man and wife are involved. Three learned judges have considered that I had acted in defence of another and that my record should be wiped clean. They did the right thing.”
“That’s sounds all very fine but won’t it send out all the wrong signals to society?”
After Nikki’s first concentrated blast of logic at them, she had hit her stride right now and somehow regained that sharp clarity of thinking that she needed. These guys were animals in comparison with the judges who could only think in terms of press headlines, not seeing the reality that lay elsewhere. She calmly pushed back at the steamroller that would have otherwise have ridden clean over the top of her, and all on prime time television.

Jo, Claire, Helen Trisha and Sally Anne flanked her on either side and kept up the smiles for the TV cameras. In reality, they were jubilant at the fight Nikki was keeping up. In particular, Helen was mentally applauding her every inch of the way. In the depths of the offices of the Lord Chancellor’s Department, the video machine recorded the interview for when Sir Ian and Lawrence James finally got back to the office. They weren’t looking forward to telling their masters the bad news as it looked like a PR disaster for the government. Somehow, they had lost their grip on the situation.

Finally, the last question was asked, the last flashbulb died out and the press started to file away. They really weren’t sure just what their respective editorial angles would make of all this. It didn’t do much for traditional law and order values. Outside the Court of Appeal, Nikki drew a huge breath of relief and all the other women praised her for her steadfastness. She automatically had a craving for a cigarette but she felt there was something strangely missing. A sudden thought crossed her mind and she put her hand over her mouth.
“Oh my god, I’ve left my handbag somewhere. I must have left it in the witness stand.”
A burst of affectionate laughter greeted this most apologetic announcement. Helen put her arm round her shoulders. A slight attack of absent-mindedness was perfectly understandable after the gruelling onslaught she had endured.
“Tell you what, Nikki. There’s a Starbucks round the corner that I went with Sally Anne after the last appeal. The place is friendly enough. We’ll go over there. You go left and it’s left again and fifty yards down on the right hand of the street,” Claire suggested.
“I could do with something alcoholic,” muttered Trisha under her breath. “Still I suppose it will have to do.”

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Emms
Member Avatar
G2 landing
Yes! *fist in the air* That was so satisfying!! *does a little dance*

Brillant chapter, Richard! :D
I registered at G Wing and all I got was this lousy tshirt.

“After my time at Larkhall, I deserve to take it easy for a long, long while. I’ve been there, done it, and worn the bloody T-shirt..."~ Helen in: Unfinished Business by Richard

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
zena
No Avatar
I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
Finally the right solution yeh Great chapter Richard. :clap :clap :clap
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
LahbibLover
Member Avatar
I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
I feel so much better now that Nikki has a clean slate. I just never did like how the original turned out so I'm happy you fixed it Richard. :clap :hug2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
richard
Member Avatar
Enhanced
That feedback is so good, everyone and I'm really glad that you all got so much satisfaction from it. This next part is something that I wanted to work at where, for a brief period, Nikki enters John's world and her compassionate nature comes to the fore and shows how similar yet different they are. It also shows payback atime at Larkhall. Enjoy.


......................................................................................................................


Scene Thirty-One

Nikki’s sole intention was to slip into the courtroom, find someone to explain her purpose, grab the bag and run. As it happened, she walked into a verbal tornado and, for once, she was incidental to the proceedings.
“You have caused the government intense political embarrassment but I suppose that is what you have conspired at all along.”
“You must know that this judgment will have grave consequences,” chimed in Lawrence James after his boss had impotently sneered his loathing of John.
“Neil is frightfully upset by the news. He will be pilloried in the House of Commons as a weak kneed minister. It is so unfair as he has dedicated his career to resisting the rising tide of crime on the streets. It is so unfair,” added George in her aristocratic drawl to the general uproar.
“One at a time” John protested, putting up his hands in front of his face. “You Ian and you Lawrence are PR men. You both know how to sell refrigerators to Eskimoes. That’s what you’re both good at. What the gutter press has to say is not my concern.”
His casual remarks set off a positive volcano of abuse. George got in first, wagging her finger at John as she stormed in anger at him.
“You know, John, you can be so maddeningly blasé. You don’t care what damage you do to others. That’s typical of you. You think that you are the only one capable of dispensing justice. Well, let me tell you that your so called talents are considerably overrated.”
Nikki stood fascinated at the scene in front of her. John Deed was not wearing his judicial robes of office but wearing an open necked white shirt and it struck her that the distance between the natural man and his position was not that great. Right from when she first took notice of Helen, Nikki had observed the same interesting interrelationship in Helen. It also intrigued and amused her to see this private insight into the world of the powerful, one that you didn’t read in the papers.
“Let me assure you, you will pay for this,” yelled Sir Ian furiously.
Nikki was delighted to see John laugh in the faces of the three antagonists with a healthy openness of spirit.
“Lets get a few facts straight. Joseph, Monty and Joseph were in full agreement with the verdict. There was a sense of splendid teamwork amongst us and I would be only too happy to work with them again.”
“If it lies with me, you will never get that chance ever again,” Sir Ian retorted in icy tones.
“Somehow, you must have got round Daddy,” George observed sulkily. She was clearly nettled at the uncomfortable truth that John boldly laid bare.
“Oh, so that is it. When those in high places conspire and connive their way for their own selfish ends, that is the ‘due process of government,’ acting for the ‘higher good.’ You really don’t like it when others outside your corrupt circle have different ideas. You really hate independence of thought and want to stamp it out. As for you, George, I’m disgusted at the way that you’ll sell yourself for money and will do the bidding of Lover Boy, that prize specimen of arrogant ignorance and the biggest threat to civil liberties that I’ve ever known.”
Nikki’s emotions soared to hear John’s ringing denunciation and the intensity of his beliefs that chimed in with hers. Jo Mills was perfectly correct in her character analysis of him.
“I wish in hell that that troublemaking lesbian was still stuck in prison. We could all sleep easier in bed,” George retorted scornfully.
“Hey, don’t I get a look in here,” Nikki called out.” In case you didn’t know, I am that ‘troublemaking lesbian’ who’s only come to collect her handbag.”
The four of them turned round like marionettes and stared at Nikki. They were totally bemused at her intervention, except John who grinned openly .
“I apologise for my bad manners in not acknowledging you earlier, Nikki. This is my ex-wife, George Channing, who shares the bed of the present Home Secretary, Neil Haughton. On my right is Sir Ian Rochester, Permanent Secretary in the Lord Chancellor. Beside him is his minion and chief bag carrier, Lawrence James.”
Nikki walked forward and offered to shake hands with the other three who pointedly refused to acknowledge her. She only smiled at their petulance, which amused John. This confrontation promised to be interesting.
“You said that you’d sleep comfortably if I were in prison. Do you really know what goes on in prison? You’re only the girlfriend of the Home Secretary. Why should you know what goes on in prisons?”
“Of course I don’t know directly,” George replied in her best patronising tones.” If women like you didn’t go round committing crimes, life would be much easier for all of us.”
“If I had had a rolling pin to hand, I would have only knocked DC Gossard unconscious and if the police had done their job properly, then it would have been Gossard who would have done time. Women need to be protected from animals like him.”
George’s mouth opened in shock at Nikki’s unexpectedly quiet and deadly tone of voice and that well-aimed thrust. Unknown to Nikki, George couldn’t help but think of her daughter Charlie and her concealed worries about her carefree daughter. She coloured and shut up.
“It’s all your fault that all this trouble has happened,” Sir Ian rounded on Nikki. She took fire at once and let him have it with both barrels.
“Me? All I ever did was to go and pick up my girlfriend from work and all this shit happens to me. It’s not my fault, the court said so today. After all, you’ve both been here, you should know.”
“Come on, George. It’s not worth prolonging this unseemly row. Let’s go and meet Neil.”
With an attempt at dignity, the two men slunk off, George walking a few paces behind them. The atmosphere immediately lightened and Nikki felt relaxed, even in this courtroom.

A number of miles away, out of the city center, behind the grey stone walls of Larkhall prison, the prisoners were watching TV as a period of mild distraction. Sunshine or grey skies meant little to them except when they got out into the exercise yard. It was the same as any other day. The only difference between weekends and weekends was that Karen Betts wasn’t at work unless something exceptional came up. Otherwise, they were all shut away inside the same drab painted walls.
“Hey, ain’t it Eastenders on the telly tonight,” Tina asked in her
“That pile of shite,” Denny retorted contemptuously.” Ain’t things bad enough that you want to watch more of it.”
“I’ll watch it like, ‘cos I feel dead sad for some of the women as they’ve got it worse than what I have,”
At that moment, the news flashed up on the screen and the women argued amongst themselves without any real enthusiasm. Yvonne wasn’t bothered one way or the other so that there was no real direction in the arguing. Fenner stood by contemptuously until his face suddenly turned crimson red and Bodybag opened and closed her mouth, unable to get the words out.
“Hey, girls, shut up, the lot of you, it’s Nikki back on the news,” Yvonne called out in her penetrating yell which stopped the arguments stone dead. Sure enough, the familiar face was set centre stage and eventually her words could be heard.

“….was grateful for the original hearing setting me free but the 3 year sentence hasn’t done proper justice. What’s more important is that any woman, gay or straight, facing a policeman who is a rapist, won’t be defenceless where the law is concerned.”
“Is that wanting to have your cake and eating it?”
“In life, surely both go together. In my case, the judges accepted that the danger was immediate.”
“But won’t this lead to lynch law? Women waving knives around because they’re feeling oppressed.”
“So you’re not questioning that women get raped and anyone who defends them gets a life sentence as I did? How just is that? I think you’d better get your values straight.”
The camera panned backwards a bit and the full crowd could be seen. Julie Johnson’s sharp eyes noticed another familiar figure next to her and, on the other side, two other women who looked equally pleased.
“Hey, that’s Miss Stewart next to her. Ah, bless her,” Julie Johnson called out.
“Yeah, that’s her. She looks dead happy and all.”
“That’s enough,” yelled Fenner, purple with rage.” It’s the end of association time.”
“You need to get some glasses, Mr. Fenner, you’re getting old” Yvonne taunted him,” or is it to do with the fact that Nikki has well and truly stuffed that raping bastard of a copper who must be turning in his grave. Reminds me like someone else I know. Hello, Miss Stewart.”
It was too much for the pair of them as Yvonne waved at the screen at her old wing governor. Fenner couldn’t believe that his arch enemies had come back to haunt him. He grabbed Bodybag’s arm and whirled them both away from the sound of the TV. A hail of cheers and catcalls accompanied them as they fled the scene. Karen Betts leaned against the prison walls, smirked slightly and pretended to notice what had been going on. It was nice to see both Nikki and Helen doing so well. To jeers from the audience, the scene faded as the voice over cut from that topic to the latest on some air headed celebrity. It didn’t matter as the prisoners had drunk of that precious spoonful of liberty.

“Well, Nikki, the forces of reaction have come a complete cropper,” John said to Nikki with great satisfaction.
“I was starting to enjoy the argument,” Nikki replied impishly.
“I was going to come to your assistance but it seems that my client has done the job very effectively,” broke in an amused female tone of voice from behind her while John laughed heartily. It was Jo Mills of course. With her was a slim, fresh faced, casually dressed woman with a curly mop of hair.
“Hi dad. We heard the argument a mile away. Is it the usual?”
“The only difference is that I have had the very able assistance of Nikki Wade, who I, Joseph and Monty have been honoured to hear her appeal in a landmark case. This has also finally given her the justice she deserves. Nikki, this is my daughter Charlie who is down from university and who has come to sting me for a meal.”
Nikki instantly felt the sense of closeness between father and daughter. She could feel the glow between them.
“I’ve just remembered, Jo. I hope you don’t mind me asking but what about my passport application? I thought I’d mention it while I remembered it.”
“You fill in a fresh application form and send it to me. I’ll write a covering letter. I think that, after the events of today, you’ll find that they won’t dare to refuse you. Forget all the bluff and bluster that I overheard. Both battles were fought today and won today.”
“You are receiving excellent legal advice, Nikki,” John said gravely, with twinkling eyes.
“I hope you haven’t forgotten about our dinner date,” persisted Charlie.
“You wouldn’t mind if I have a private chat with you, Nikki. I get the feeling that both of us would find it productive.”
“Yeah, judge,” Nikki said, a slight smile on her lips. Somehow she knew that this promised to be an interesting experience that wouldn’t come her way every day. “I can’t be too long as I’ve got my girlfriend waiting for me and my friends at the local Starbucks.”
“So long as you don’t forget the time, dad,” replied Charlie with a warning look in her eye.
“I’ll take Charlie off your hands for a while. We’ll be in the pub round the corner. Don’t be late as I need to get away and take it easy at home. I’m tired,” put in Jo Mills, the peacemaker.
“You have my word on it,” John said earnestly, faced with the repeated female nagging. While John’s choice of female companion was curious, the air of relaxation that flowed between them felt mellow.
“If I don’t get to see you later, I’m more grateful than I can put into words what you’ve done for me today,” Nikki said, her voice shaking with emotion.
“It was both a pleasure and an honour,” Jo said, firmly shaking her hand. She smiled with both her lips and her brown eyes.

“Do you mind if we sit here and talk down here. There’s plenty of space, plenty of seats.”
“That sound fine, John. I wanted to ask you a number of questions. For a start, how did you become the rebel that you obviously are? I’ve never before thought of judges as rebels?” Nikki said lightly in her best interview manner.
“I have long been regarded as an outsider in legal circles, partly because of my origin as a ‘baker’s boy’ and partly as I do not accept that the rich and powerful are outside the law. I have been content to seek strength within myself and carry on fighting. I think that you understand this very well, Nikki.”
There was an intensity of empathy in Nikki’s eyes and on her expressive face. She knew. She understood. This man was speaking as if every word was written on her soul.
“By a curious process which I don’t fully understand, those who opposed me once have come to understand me. It is a strange feeling for a loner to discover that he, or she, is no longer alone.”
“A feeling that makes you feel whole if you let it. It takes away all the feelings of pain and hurt. You have to give into your feelings and don’t block them out.” Nikki said with great intensity.
“You’re theoretically right but I have trouble in handling feelings when I have to wrestle with fine points of law I have to deal with.”
“Of course you have feelings, John. I can see them in you a mile away. It’s what makes you human.”
John smiled at Nikki’s words. They reminded him of what Jo had told him on occasions. He was moved by her intensity of feelings and admired the way that her feelings drove that considerable intellect but feared that he could not be like her. He wished that he could.
“Jo Mills has often said those very words to me. The problem is that I can’t make them feel real to me.”
“Then what is it, John, that makes you feel intensely?”
“I don’t know,” John said unsteadily. “The feeling that I have of uniting that precision of law with the feeling of doing good in the world, of doing the right thing.”
“You sound rather like Helen,” Nikki said with all the affection in the world. It made him feel both gratified and uncomfortable.
“I’m sure that you have done so much good in the world. I suspect that you are also a womanizer. For once in my life, I can’t judge you or criticize you. It’s just the way you are. It’s a shame that you can’t feel as much as you should.”
“What makes me feel sad is that I come across good people in the world, those I really admire but I have to move on to the next case. I can’t make human connections properly.”
Nikki’s large heart went out to him as he tried to speak in a detached way but his voice broke under the weight of emotion. She wished that she could mend that join in his personality and make him whole but she knew that it was beyond her powers.
“Whatever happens in this world, just think of us and know how fondly we feel for you, what you’re doing and you give us that bit of hope. That is more priceless than you know. Of course, if you do find the time to call in, you’ll always be welcome.”
The softness and gentleness with which Nikki let those words slide across his consciousness in almost a tone of maternal comforting almost made him break down.
“You’d better catch up with your friends, Nikki, especially Helen. From what I’ve heard, she is very special.”
“She is,” murmured Nikki dreamily.
“You’re fortunate.”
“You’re sure you’ll be all right, John,” asked Nikki, her voice laden with concern for him. She didn’t doubt the sincerity of the sentiment in the clipped tone in his reply.
“Quite sure, Nikki” John replied, a tight smile fastened to his face which did not deceive her.” I’m going out with my daughter for a meal and later, I have a celebration due with my two other judges with a bottle of malt whisky. That will see me through the night.”
The confident tone in John’s voice didn’t fool Nikki. There was an obvious gap in his life.
“Well, you make sure you look after yourself.” Nikki said before slowly turning away. There was still a faint smile on John’s lips. Her final words felt inadequate but there was nothing more she could do, Nikki reasoned to herself and, yes her true love was waiting for her.


Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
LahbibLover
Member Avatar
I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
Another great scene which left me very satisfied with the out come. The banter between Nikki and John was wonderful and getting justice out of a corrupt system really felt great since it seems to happen less and less in real life. As usual your writing is splendid. :hug2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
richard
Member Avatar
Enhanced
Hi Brenda(Lahbiblover). i'm really glad that you were able to understand the whole mix of feelings in the last scene. This next one moves on and does a nice little explanation of the way Helen works unobtrusively in this fic.

........................................................................................................................

Scene Thirty-Two

“I’ve never been embarrassed in all my life,”Trisha was saying.” The thought of standing up in front of three middle aged straight men looking me over like that.”
From Helen and Sally Anne’s patient manner, Nikki suspected that this was not the first time that Trisha had said these words. This sounds like a stuck record repeating the same track over and over again.
“Hey, don’t knock it Trisha, it did the trick.”
“This is what we keep saying,” put in Helen.
“Look here, Trish. That bastard of a barrister was making out that you are some kind of butch dyke and therefore, Gossard could not have tried to rape you. The chance dropped into our hands to counter that one by showing that even an evil misogynist rapist straight guy might find a femme attractive, even if he is a total moron and completely misreading the signs. What better way could there be for you to stand up and show the judges what you’re like?”
“You mean they’ll know how a pervert feels,” shot back Trisha, slightly angry at Nikki’s ill-advised final words. Helen realized that Trisha was as sensitive as Nikki in hearing the absolute worst night of her life being raked over.
“Please, Trisha, don’t go off on one. Those guys are decent, right. They believed me when others didn’t. They went out on a limb on that one. What they do have in common with Gossard is that they are straight guys. We needed that connection. Without that we’d have been struggling.”
“They’re probably dried up inside, haven’t got it up for years,” sniffed Trisha.
“Then why were you getting so hot and bothered,” jumped in Nikki with irrefutable logic.
“That still doesn’t do anything to make me feel less embarrassed,” sulked Trisha.
Nikki had had enough. A wave of absolute tiredness broke over her. She could hardly keep her lids open as the combination of the very bright and early start and the rigours of the morning caught up with her.
“You’ll excuse me, Trisha but I’m tired. You might be best to take your girlfriend someplace else and leave Helen and I in peace.”
“Actually, I’m just Trisha’s friend,” broke in Sally-Ann rather nervously.
“Hey now, don’t get worried. We just naturally assumed,” intervened Helen, the peacemaker.
“I suppose you’re all terrifically experienced. All this is new to me.”
“Hey now, Sally Anne. Before I fell for Nikki, I’d got myself engaged to a man and I’d had a number of boyfriends before him. Nikki is my first and only love.. I know very well that it isn’t easy to unlearn everything you ever learnt about relationships and learn how to love a woman. It’s a life changing experience. Your head goes in really strange places, believe me.”
“What say that you let Helen talk with you for a bit, Sally. I’ve been up since the crack of dawn and I’ve been in the hot seat all morning, not to mention explaining myself at length to three very sharp judges. I really want to just chill out on my own for a bit and I suggest that you do the same, Trisha. I can see that this trial has brought out unpleasant memories that you would sooner forget about. You need your own space and work it out of your system. This will help all of us,” Nikki broke in, her voice sounding tired but persuasive. She heard the edginess in Sally Anne’s voice and who better than Helen to talk to her in a quiet corner of the cafe?
“That’s a great idea. Come on, Sally Ann, you need someone to talk things over, somebody who’s been through it. I’m not here to sell you anything but just to help you straighten your head if I can. Believe you me, you’re lucky to get that outside input. I never got it when I really could have done with it. It would have saved a lot of pain.”

Sally Ann Howe acceded to the suggestion. There was something comforting and reassuring about Helen. In the meantime, Nikki lay back in her chair. A wave of tiredness washed over her and she wished that she could settle off to sleep. The vague sounds of conversation made for peaceful background sounds but she couldn’t quite drift off. She remained suspended for ages in that strange zone between sleep and awakeness and lost track of time. It was annoying but she realized after a while that fighting it wouldn’t work. This was the best that she could do and resigned herself to this fate. Everything felt dreamy around her. At least she could let herself go, after being in a constant state of razor sharp awareness while the situation shifted unpredictably around her. Above all, she was with people that she was comfortable with. She smiled at the thought and her eyelids parted slightly. Appearing from out of her scrambled visual perceptions, Helen’s face was suspended above her. Making an effort to wake up, she realized that it was Helen. Sally Anne and Trisha
“You look so peaceful,” she murmured.
“I’ve tried nodding off but that hasn’t worked.”
“What about a strong cup of coffee?”
Nikki nodded instant agreement. It might do the trick. It was then that a stream of worries came flooding into her mind and had to be articulated. Perhaps it was that period of imperfect rest that had given her perspective after all these months of rushing around.
“I’ve been thinking, darling. Everything that’s been going on has been about me, my problems and I’ve been the one shooting my mouth off as per usual, in court, to the press. It’s all been about me.”
“So someone has had to front this appeal,” Helen answered in her usual incisive fashion. “Last time, it was me getting Claire involved with your appeal, dealing with the correspondence, pushing for the appeal, while the trial was fought over your head by Marian. This time you’ve been much more involved. It’s what you can do best. If it ever makes you feel any better, if I have any big problems, I know that you’ll be in there pitching in for me. I know how bossy, dominant and organized I can be. I don’t have to prove it. I know also that we’re equals in every respect and that’s what makes life so good.”
A wide smile spread across Nikki’s face as she marveled that the crystal-clear way that Helen expressed everything. She reached her arms upwards out for Helen and drew her down to a gentle embrace. Trisha looked down fondly at the two women, admiring Helen’s compassionate, unselfish intelligence. She had got it right that time when Helen had first come into her club in search of Nikki. The two women were made for each other.
“If it helps, Sally Anne and I will get in four coffees. Right?”
When she returned with the tray of coffee, Trisha coughed nervously, something strange for a self possessed woman. It had the effect of drawing everyone’s attention to her.

“Guys, I just want to apologise for being so ratty earlier on. I was being a complete selfish bitch and I’m asking everyone to forgive me. I’ve already spoken to Sally in private.”
Everyone chorussed their forgiveness and understanding, knowing what Trisha had been going through. Sally Anne looked wistfully at Trisha thinking how pretty she was at moments like this.
“I thought I’d say it in actions but I know that words are called for. I’ll serve. I’ll be mother.”
The other three women let Trisha do what she felt she needed to and the mood relaxed. The afternoon meandered along in a state of pure contentment and companionship. It was a perfect afternoon. With all these various distractions, time had crawled on by the time the four of them were ready to move elsewhere. Helen’s mobile rang and to her intense astonishment, it was the long neglected number on her mobile that responded. Other than that, cards at Christmas and birthdays marked the most formal expression of their kinship with her father.
“I’ve just been watching the news and I wanted to check and see if that was indeed you standing next to that notorious lesbian who took the life of a policemen. He’s an upholder of law and order. I remember reading the original account of it in the Daily Mail.”
“It was, of course, a pleasant and welcome surprise to hear from you about us,” Helen shot back with only half concealed sarcasm. Her anger was instantly aroused by her father’s tone of cold disapproval.
“I couldn’t believe I’ve just seen you on the television,” he said weakly.
“That’s perfectly reasonable as Nikki and I are living together,” Helen cut back, in full fighting form. Nikki watched, open mouthed at Helen’s startling ability to announce the truth in ringing tones.
“So what happened to your fiancée, Sean I think that’s his name?”
“He became history, a long long time ago.” He hadn’t known of the existence of Thomas Waugh.”You’ve always wanted me to settle down and so I have, with Nikki Wade.”
There was an audible gasp on the other end of the phone. He had not really bargained for this and the weak reply was the best answer that he could make.
“What will my congregation think? ”
“Tell them that her father’s a high ranking Naval officer.”
Nikki grinned openly at Helen’s adroit use of social conventions against her father. It was typical of her fighting spirit and ingenious mind.
“But she’s a convicted criminal.”
“Well, she’s got herself unconvicted by the laws of the land. Her record is as clean as mine or yours.”
“Legally but morally. She’s still committed a sin and has placed herself beyond the Lord’s mercy.”
“Come on,” Helen shouted down the phone to her father,” the bloody English law is more forgiving of Nikki than you are but then again, that’s just typical of you. It’s only that miserable Puritanism of yours which can’t let you understand or to take any pleasure in life.”
Helen was glad that the phone went dead after that final outburst. She would rather that he cut off the call. That spelled his retreat and gave her the moral high ground. She was oblivious that her carrying voice resounded round the café and the other three women were equally relaxed about it. After all, there was a time and place for everything.

“That was my father in case no one figured it,” Helen announced laconically. Trisha expressed her real sympathy as parental disapproval ran through the histories of the majority of the women who had ever come to her club.
“Now that matter is done and dusted, let’s get going to your club, Trisha. It feels the best place to be,” Helen spoke briskly with the air of someone who had disposed of a nuisance interruption, shortly and sharply. Everyone fell in behind her natural sense of authority.



Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Cassandra
Member Avatar

The Muppets!
Result! Great to see Nikki getting complete justice for a change .... and a shakeup for the establishment too. Nikki acquitted herself well ... first against the bloodthirsty press ... then back at the courtroom. Loved the dialogue between Nikki and John Deed. As you said similar yet different personailities! Helen too did her bit, standing up for Nikki against her father.

Great writing Richard! I'll be sorry to see this story end. :)
Posted Image

You can't control destiny ... but YOU can control this storyline ... by writing a para!
HOTCHPOTCH - A Helen & Nikki Story with a difference B) (click to enter)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Emms
Member Avatar
G2 landing
Richard, great update. I was so exhausted for Nikki...I bet she's ready to go home and sleep for a couple of days lol

Great post trial scene. I enjoyed the exchange between Trish, Nikki, Helen and Sally Anne. Well done.
I registered at G Wing and all I got was this lousy tshirt.

“After my time at Larkhall, I deserve to take it easy for a long, long while. I’ve been there, done it, and worn the bloody T-shirt..."~ Helen in: Unfinished Business by Richard

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
richard
Member Avatar
Enhanced
You both have incredible empathy for the last couple of scenes, Cassandra and Emms and, yes, I am getting sorry to get to the end of this fic as I enjoyed so much writing this fic and was dying to lead readers through to the trial scene. The good news is that I have started doing some preliminary writing and planning for a sequel. There are quite a few loose ends left over and the combination of characters is so good to work with if I can work out a way to keep them in the same fic.

I'll put up the last scene on Monday.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
LahbibLover
Member Avatar
I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
Another really good read. Really loved the Helen and Nikki scene when Nikki focuses and sees Helens face. Also, really felt the part where Nikki couldn't quite go to sleep and was in a kind of limbo state. Loved everything about Helen in this scene. I just want to pinch her cute little dimples. You really have these characters down pat, Richard. I also hate that this story is drawing to an end but look forward to your next story. :hug2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Fully Featured & Customizable Free Forums
Learn More · Register for Free
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · R / 18 rated On Going Stories · Next Topic »
Add Reply