"Well, kid, time to go." Tyran said to Danayal, who was not very eager to face the judge once more. But at least he would not be handcuffed this time, he thought....
They stepped onto the street and started to walk toward the courthouse. It took them half an hour to get there, but Tyran figured a walk would do Danayal some good. They were a bit too early, but Tyran entered the courthouse anyway. They were appointed to a waiting area and sat down. Danayal felt nauseous.
Jaya showed up not long after and sat beside Danayal taking his hand. "It's going be okay . . ." she tried to assure him.
"I'm scared, Jaya. What if they say I should be placed in a closed ward? What if they take me away from Tyran!" Danayal exclaimed as he trembled. He knew that was a good possibility.
"It won't happen . . . You've been doing well . . ." she said.
"And I'm here to vouch for that," Dominic added as he walked over to them. "I have all your test results . . ."
"And I'm here just for support," Alec replied. "Or in case Judge Macarroy decides he wants to ask me a few questions."
Danayal sighed; he heard his name and had to enter the room. Tyran followed, holding his hand.
Jaya was on his other side, though she knew being in court and being seen might not be the best thing for her. As she turned her head to see Alec, he merely nodded his approval, knowing what was on her mind . . . Not that she would have left for the world.
Danayal looked around the court room. He'd been in here before. He knew where his place would be. where the accused would have to sit. He felt a tad more certain of himself with the support of Tyran and his friends.
Tyran took his place beside Danayal at the accused's table and Jaya took a seat directly behind.
"This court session is now in order," the bailiff said. "The honorable Judge Samuel Macarroy will be presiding . . ." He went on. They all stood before the judge took his seat. Then they were all allowed to sit back down.
"The case is Danayal Bergman vs. the Federation and Serenity City. Docket F-SC-S-2253643
Danayal bit his lip. They'd forgotten his middle name. He wondered if he should tell them that, but decided not to. Tyran looked at the judge's table. He knew the judge from earlier court appearances, but this time it was not a closed juvenile court case. This was an adult case.
"Well," the judge began. "I was hoping not to see you again, Mr. Bergman . ." he replied. "At least until I could release you from your probation . . However, that won't be happening now."
Danayal stood up. "I am sorry, I just... was not thinking, sir..." Danayal peeped. He was literally trembling and more nervous than ever.
"Sit down, Danayal. First I need Dr. Sebastian to come forward."
Dom got to his feet and walked toward the judge. The bailiff took the PADD and handed it over. He then had Dominic take a seat in the witness chair.
"So I see that since the incident with finding drugs in his system, Mr. Bergman has been drug-free?" the judge asked.
Dominic nodded. "Yes, sir; he's made great strides in staying clean."
"And if I were to release his house arrest, what do you feel the outcome would be?"
Dominic paused and then looked at Danayal with a smile. "I think he'll continue to stay drug-free, your honor . . . I believe the boy has learned his lesson . . ."
"Thank you," he said. "You may sit back down . . ."
Dominic got up and walked back to his seat.
"Now I call Mr. Conklin to the stand," he said.
As Alec took his seat, he looked up to the judge with an utter calmness that most people didn't feel when they walked into the courtroom.
"Since you were initially the first person to bring his problems to our attention and I know that you have continued to remain close to Mr. Bergman's issues and life, I would like to hear from you what you think of what's happened."
"Well, your honor . . . Every one makes mistakes . . . Danayal's always been one to have to learn things the hard way; at least since I've known him."
A small chuckle and few smiles appeared in the courtroom.
"But he's a good kid," Alec continued. "I think this last incident has really scared the bejesus out of him . . . and I think he'll keep his nose clean."
"And do you see his addiction as being problematic in the future?" Judge Macarroy asked.
"Your honor, he's an addict . . . Realistically, this will be an issue for the rest of his life . . . What things depend on now is how well he can resist the urge."
"And do you believe he can?"
Alec looked at Danayal with a smile and nodded. "I think he can . . he's got lots of support around him."
The judge nodded his agreement and released Alec from the stand.
"I call Tyran to the stand."
Tyran got up, and walked to the stand taking a seat. He was glad his friends had backed him up, but he gave Danayal's courage the credit for that, knowing both Alec and Dom liked and maybe even loved Danayal, but they were ruthlessly honest.
"Now, Tyran . . . You being Mr. Bergman's foster father . . . what do you think about what happened?" the judge asked. "I just want your opinion. You don't have to worry about justifying it."
"I think he made an error in judgment. I believe he wasn't thinking. He was out with some new friends he'd made, but they were smoking pot. He probably thought smoking that one time wouldn't show... Or he silenced his own feelings to be a part of that group; he hasn't sought contact with them since this incident happened.
"So you feel that with this bad influence gone, he'll be back on the straight and narrow path?" the judge asked.
"Yes sir, he's made another new friend, who won't tolerate him walking from the straight and narrow." As he spoke, he smiled at River, who had snuck in.
The judge noticed the pretty, young dark-haired woman that Tyran had seen and smiled a bit, knowing what he had meant. "I see . . . and who is that other woman?" he asked. "With a hand on Mr. Bergman's shoulder?"
Jaya immediately looked up at the judge, knowing he'd meant her. Her green eyes grew wide with suddenly surprise. She wasn't used to being singled out anywhere, let alone a court room!
"My girlfriend and a friend of his - Jaya Bourne." He replied with a light smile. "When we wed I'll invite you." He joked and Danayal smiled.
The judge smiled and then quietly said to Tyran, "She's very attractive . . " but then he sat back up straight. "Is there anything else she could possible add?"
Tyran looked at her. He hoped she would say a good word for Danayal.
"I can, your honor, if you'd like me to speak on Danayal's behalf . ." she replied.
"Very well... Tyran, you may step down . . . Ms. Bourne, come and take the stand."
As they exchanged places, Jaya looked at the judge and waited for his questions.
"How long have you known Mr. Bergman?"
"Only a couple of months," she said. "But I plan to know him for much longer."
"So I gathered from Tyran," he smiled gently. "What can you tell me about Mr. Bergman?"
"He's a good young man," she replied. "His intentions are good . . I think having a lapse in judgment could happen to anyone . . . even to the best of us . . . I mean, I understand that he's had problems with drugs in the past, but I really do believe he's going to do his best to avoid them from now on . . and I think he's gaining enough confidence in himself that he doesn't have to go with the flow of others around him . . ."
"And how can you know this?" the judge asked. "Especially considering your limited time of knowing him?"
"I'm telepathic and empath," she replied. "I can sense him . . . his feelings . . . his thoughts . . . And I've had the chance to feel the changes within him."
"So you honestly believe this was an isolated occurrence?" he asked.
Jaya looked to Danayal and smiled with a nod. "I think so . . "
"Very well, thank you for your statements," the judge said as he excused her.
Danayal looked nervous again, because he hated to be questioned and knew the judge would call on him next. He wished he could crawl under his seat!
"Mr. Bergman, it's your turn to come take the stand . . ." the judge said.
"Come, Dan." Tyran pushed his fingers into Danayal's back forcing him to move.
Slowly, Danayal stood up and walked to the stand. As he took the seat, Judge Macarroy looked at him.
"I want you to tell me, in your own words, how this happened . . ." he said.
"I made a couple of friends who came to the bar, and after awhile they asked me to come with them, to their home; where they were having a party." He started, but his voice was very soft.
"Go on," the judge urged.
"Well it was fun. We drank a little and then when it was already late, they had cigarettes... filled with pot... and because I had finally invited, I didn't dare say no... I don't have many friends..."
"Well, it looks to me like you have many friends here in this courtroom," the judge replied.
"Older friends... No one of my age; at least then."
He nodded. "And what do you think about those friends of yours now?"
"I have not sought contact with them, after this happened."
"Do you intend to?" the judge asked seriously.
He shook his head. "No, your honor, I am not. They were never really my friends."
"Glad to hear that," he replied. "I hope you realize just how fortunate you are, Danayal . . . You have many people in this courtroom that love and care about you . . . and they've put their faith in you that from this time on you will improve your judgment."
"I will not touch drugs anymore, I promise." He said. "At least I try not to."
The judge nodded. "All right, go take a seat before I render my judgment."
Danayal stepped down and went back to his seat. He felt thankful for the help he'd gotten, and he hoped he would at least lose the wrist band holding the tracker.
"Danayal Xander Bergman," Judge Macarroy began. "Because of the testimony of those that care about you, the reports that I've received on your progress and your own testimony to me, I am going to lift the house arrest . . . Now, before you get all happy, I am still leaving the drug testing in place. You will report to Dr. Dominic Sebastian three times a week. But for now, your life is your own again. However, make no mistake . . . another screw up, and you'll find yourself in an in-patient drug treatment program so fast it will make your head spin. So keep your nose clean, Danayal. We'll revisit this case again in six months time providing nothing else happens. Case dismissed."
"So I lose the arm band?" He said because he hadn't understood what the man had meant. And he hated those tests, but he understood why. He just wasn't certain about the band that they had locked onto his wrist.
"See the bailiff, Danayal," the judge smiled. "He'll remove it for you . . We'll break for a ten minute recess and then I'll see the next case," he announced to the court room.
Everyone began getting up and exiting. The bailiff waited to help Danayal.
He unlocked the wrist band and Danayal looked relieved. He was a free man again! Free to go home! He felt so fantastic he wanted to sing!
"Now stay out of trouble," the bailiff said with a smile.
River came up behind him, kissed his cheek and embraced him.
"I knew it would all work out!" she grinned.
"Thanks for being there for me, all of you." He hugged River and kissed her. "I missed two friends though. Karissa and her sister Shara."
"Unfortunately work kept them away," Jaya said, not getting specific. "But Karissa left this note with us for you."
He took it and read the note.
Danayal, I'll just congratulate you instead of saying anything else. I know everything's going to work out for you, no matter what the judge decides. But I suspect he's going to see all the changes you've made in your life. Just know that Shara, the twins and myself have you in our thoughts. Enjoy the day! You deserve this.
Love,
Karissa
He smiled broadly; Tyran took the note and read it.
"They haven't forgotten you, and I'd better go open the bar... today's your day off. I've arranged that, so make good use of it." He walked off with a smile.
Danayal looked at River. "Can you spend today with me?"
Her smile was bright as she nodded. "I'd hoped you'd say that!" With that she kissed him again.
Jaya looked at Dominic and Alec with a knowing smile.
"Hey, why don't we go grab some lunch," Jaya said to the men. "We can leave these two alone."
"Sounds like a great idea to me," Alec replied. "Are either of you in the mood for steak?"
"I guess it's off to the Horseshoe," Dominic smiled.
"Splendid idea!" Jaya said looping her arm through Alec's offered arm. Together the three adults left the courthouse.
"Well, how about us going to have a good hot dog in the park, and then I'll show you my room?" He offered. "I have no money for an expensive or even cheap restaurant."
"That's all right," she smiled. "The park sounds good to me. Maybe I can chase you around the trees." A devilish smile crossed her face as a twinkle entered her eyes.
"Ah no, we're not with the twins, but I'll race ya..." He suddenly grinned and shot off.
With a laugh she ran after him. "I'll get you!"
Their laugh echoed out the door of the courthouse and into the street beyond.
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