14. Cross

AN: Can someone PLEASE tell me if my Wattpad covers are changing to other images? I noticed it on my phone on the app but on the website on my laptop they are fine. I think something is either up with my phone or the app because it won't let me post anything on the app. Nothing is syncing either. If anyone has any ideas, PLEASE let me know.

The perps are denied bail and have to stay at Riker's. Good. Ashley feels a lot better about that too.

Court is in 8 days. But in 3 I'm getting my cast off. When that day comes up, Ashley and Jordyn stay with me. I'm in and out and then I'm in physical therapy. It's not like I can't walk after two days, though. I did walk around with the cast on, anyways.

I'm still a little iffy if I walk long distances. But from my seat next to my mom to the seat on the stands, I'm fine.

I didn't expect Ashley to be given such leniency in questioning. But I did expect them to not take it easy on me.

When Casey's done questioning me, I wipe my eye in preparation for them to bring up all my supposed mistakes.

"So, you were at the store, not too far from your house?" the attorney asks me.

"No."

"Who's house were you supposed to be at?"

"I chose to be at Amanda Rollins's house."

"Chose? Why?"

"Because I wanted to."

"You don't like your home? Or, from what I've been told, you had some mental troubles dealing-"

"Objection!" Casey interrupts. "Relevance?"

"Keep yourself on track, Mr.Davis."

"Alright, so you were not at your own home for whatever reason and then were out of the house you wanted to be in anyways. Do you make a habit of being out so late?"

I roll my eyes. "No."

"Then why were you?"

"Because Amanda needed things from the store."

"And you had a broken ankle at the time. Actually, you just got a cast taken off. Your foot was originally in a boot. Hurt yourself walking to the store?"

"Those two-" I point, "-took it off! Not my fault."

"Still. Why did Detective Rollins send a hurt teenager instead of going herself?"

"Objection! Detective Rollins is not being questioned here!"

"Overruled. Answer the question Miss Benson."

Casey gives a look of annoyance toward the other attorney and sits.

"I was allowed to walk around in my boot. And it was supposed to come off soon anyways," I say with minor attitude.

"Answer the question. Why didn't Detective Rollins go?"

"Because she asked me to. And I gladly went. I don't like being in an apartment all day." I lean back in the seat, showing how ridiculous I think his questions are.

"But she knew you were hurt."

"And I didn't care."

"Seems like you don't even care about this trial," he accuses.

"I don't care about these questions you're asking me."

I glance to my left and Casey has raised eyebrows. But she's hiding a smirk.

"Why is that?"

"Because they're ridiculous. You're implying that if I wasn't hurt I wouldn't have been a target and a victim. Which is untrue and you know it."

More eyebrows are raised. Ashley' s gone white at back-talk. She only does that when it scares her. Nobody seems offended by my claims, though.

"You may as well take over ADA Novak's job, huh? You have the mouth for it," Davis comments.

"And that matters...why?"

"It doesn't, I-"

"Just like everything else you brought up."

Casey barely holds in a laugh at that.

"Are you even upset about what supposedly happened to you, Miss Benson?"

"Yes, I am." I reply with no attitude this time.

"Then why are you sitting here-"

"Like I just said: what you're asking me about is ridiculous."

*Olivia's POV*

Ellie goes up and I keep squeezing Elliot's hand tighter, fearing for her to completely bust on the stands. She's fine, just like Ashley is, for the most part. But when Ellie's cross examination starts, I can barely keep it together. It's not completely right to talk back to an attorney on the stands like that but if she fights back anyone would expect some sass.

"You may as well take over ADA Novak's job, huh? You have the mouth for it," Davis says.

"And that matters...why?" Ellie asks with one raised eyebrow.

"It doesn't, I-"

"Just like everything else you brought up." She looks away and rolls her eyes.

"And you thought she couldn't handle it," Elliot whispers in my ear. I don't reply, but I know he's right.

"Are you even upset about what supposedly happened to you, Miss Benson?" Davis asks.

"Yes, I am," Ellie says seriously. Is this guy serious?

"Then why are you sitting here-"

"Like I just said: what you're asking me about is ridiculous."

She's not upset or confused or nervous about this cross examination. That makes Davis look bad and he knows it.

Within 5 minutes, Ellie has shut this case herself. Without even really trying.

"Nothing further," Davis says, looking down.

"You can step down, Miss Benson."

~*~*~*~*~*~

..."Guilty."

I can finally breathe. All 5 men get charged with all the rape, assault, and kidnap charges. All are going away for life.

I get to go home and not be so scared. The first night, sleeping is kind of hard, but I get through it. I find it harder to normally talk to people like Mom or Amanda because they think I'm not okay. And maybe I'm not, for now. But I'll adjust. I do it all the time.

*Olivia's POV*

Ellie seems fine at first, but I can tell she isn't after maybe a month. She's unfocused, has more than a few sleepless nights, and is eating smaller portions. I did the same thing after I was raped.

She spends all her free time at Amanda's, and of course Amanda is oblivious to it.

One night, I go to pick her up and she's sitting, reading a book. I take the opportunity to talk to Amanda. I pull her into the hallway.

"She seems off to me," I say. "You don't notice that?"

"No, not really. She comes over to help me with whatever because she's bored at home. Whenever I eat, she does sometimes. I thought it just looked like a little in comparison. I eat everything now," Amanda explains.

"Those two need a lot," I comment, smiling. She's at 17 weeks now and definitely is showing. "How ya feeling?"

"Terrified. To be honest."

I smile. "It's definitely a lot. You have a support system though. Especially my daughter."

She lifts the corner of her mouth a little. "I really haven't noticed anything different about her. She's quiet sometimes but I figured that would go away once she feels better."

"I don't know," I say. "Maybe I'm overreacting."

"Have you brought up taking her to a psychiatrist?" Amanda asks.

"Yeah. Last time I did she yelled at me."

"When was that?"

"Just before we caught the perps."

"That was forever ago! Ask her again."

"What is she gets upset again! I know she doesn't want to."

"How often do either of you admit to how you're feeling?" Amanda asks me.

"Next to never," I admit.

Amanda lifts her eyebrows to finish her point.

When we leave, I decide to ask Ellie in the car. I turn the key and wait for when I'm driving to bring up the idea.

"Hey, so I know you weren't in love with the idea last time, but now that the excitement has died down, what would you think about...maybe...seeing someone to talk to? You don't even have to go more than once."

I look over at her and she is staring out the window, not wanting to see my face.

I see her shrug, which is a definite yes, even though she says , "Sure. Whatever."