I'm just sick

Regina had been there during the trial as experts were brought in to conclude that James had a disassociation disorder. She beamed at how well Christopher had found his footing and figured a way to blame James's murderous tendencies on a disorder of the mind. She smirked to herself sleeping with Christopher prior to every court appearance loosened him up a bit to put on the best performance there was .

She could almost say her little affair with him made her feel accomplished in her drive to get James freed faster . She had plans for the big brute.

She needed him to get rid of a few lose ends if Roger didn't dance to the sound of her tune. She allowed him to do things because Ryder was a coward and Victoria a devoted whore. What could she expect from them two. Like two good little obedient servants to a tyrant. If Roger was going to use her mother and half brother against her she was going to build allies as well.

Roger unknowingly opened up a war in his own kingdom. Christopher and James were her start. Christopher can replace Roger in legal matters as well as lover matters . James can be her loyal bodyguard . She knew Victoria wouldn't leave without Ryder by her side so if she could rid the world of Roger she have two more allies to help her get back what was hers.

Sure she felt a tiny bit bad about tossing the Toosley's on the street after their force intrusion. But they sold her to their enemy. And for what ? To gang up on the Bruno and Grigori territory in the middle. She felt like she got the short end of the stick in the deal. No more. This isn't her playing a role as a character in her own life story. This was her keeping her friends close and her enemies closer.

Roger could damage her with the paternity of Alexander . He could drag her down in flames over that one miss calculation. After he took her mother as a forced lover and Victoria playing the satisfied participant it made her sick to her stomach. No like literally sick to her stomach as she ran out of the court room to throw up in the toilet in the court room bathroom.

Bethany walked into the room a moment later as a character witness. She clinched her palms in nervousness. As she took the stand against the defence. James glared at her the tension noticable as his nostrils flared.

" Can you state your full legal name for the court." Asked the prosecutor.

" Yes sir Bethany Bruno Grigorii." She said looking at James matching his glares at her. James stoped and smiled at her trying to throw her off her focus and became upset when it didn't work.

" You knew the victim and her son did you not?" Asked the prosecutor.

" Yes sir. Norma-Jean Barry and James Barry. I was their tenant ." She replied trying to steady her voice to speak clearly.

" I see . In the following days prior to the murder what was your role in their lives?" Asked the prosecutor.

" Objection your honor , alleged murder." Yelled Christopher.

" Over ruled. " The judge motioned to the prosecutor to retract his question as the prosecutor held his hand up in yeild.

" What was your role up to the alleged murder of Norma -jean Barry ?" He refrased it.

" We were close as can be. She had adopted me as her daughter and my daughter as her granddaughter. I helped her from time to time with complex task and she watched my daughter from time to time while I was at work." She explained looking ahead not wanting to see James's face or reaction.

" So you can say you were close. " He lead.

" Yes very close. My mother died when I was very young so me and my daughter never got to the point of a mother and grandmother relationship. Norma -jean was also my best friend." Bethany stifled a small cry holding back tears.

" I see. I'm sorry for your loss." Said the prosecutor facing James on purpose as he said this to see him clinching his fist in response." On the day of February fourteenth what happened that day?" He said as he turned to face Bethany.

" It was my daughters birthday. Norma-Jean was watching her while I was at work. When I came home James had pushed her down and she was very upset about it. We have a birthday game we play called got you . We take disposable camera and do candid photos when we hear her say got you your suppose to freeze for a pose. Simple fun it is. Well my daughter said it to James and caught him in Norma -jean purse. He ran out of the complex after that." She explained looking at the jury making sure she addressed them.

" Than what else did you do that day?" The prosecutor continued.

" Well we went for cake and to develop the photos . It's a tradition we do. Norma- jean then told my daughter she wanted to be her Grammy and gifted her a gift." Bethany said uncomfortable feeling like she was betraying the confidence of her friend talking about it in the open .

" What was the gift if I may ask?" Led the prosecutor as he looked at James in the corner of his eyes.

" The complex. She wanted us to have it . So we will always have a place to stay." Bethany said clearing her throat .

James rose up and screamed." That is my complex. You stole it you bitch. That was my mother you stole her too." He said moving towards her. The bailiffs grabbed James and cuffed him.

" Settle down Mr. Barry. Christopher control your client. Order order ." He demanded as the courtroom blew up in a frenzy.

Meanwhile Regina sat against the wall in the bathroom stall face covered in cold sweat. She didn't know why she felt this way she was fine a moment ago. She went to wash the vomit out of her mouth as she felt the vomit returning as she dove back in the bathroom stall.

" I'm sorry continue. Why would she give you such a valuable property was a family inheritance?" Said the prosecutor smirking at the outburst as it confirmed James was well within his mind of his present condition. The testimony of the condition they claimed as disassociation disorder as a character flaw was slowly crumbling before the jury.

" She said I was like family. She was afraid James would sell it if he got his hands on it to well dope himself up and drain all the money out of the complex." Bethany said it as Norma -jean said.

James moved as Christopher whispered to him .

" Than what happened? He prone Bethany to continue.

" We went to get the photos developed." She paused as the prosecutor held up the photo in question.

" You mean this photo ." He said showing the jury James in her purse half mad with pills and cash in hand .

" Yes sir. Then we came home to James tearing up the apartment. Norma-Jean told me and my daughter to go up to my apartment and to lock ourselves inside while she tried to handle James." She explained.

" But I take it you didn't stay in that apartment?" He mused.

" No sir. I couldn't leave her to handle him on her own." She said as painful memories made her hold her chest.

" Then what?" He said .

" He was yelling about pills and begging his mother for money. Norma-Jean looked like she was handling it than he spotted me and chased me up the stairs. I sat against the door to secure it from the inside." She said now holding her chest closing her eyes in distress.

" We can stop if it's too much." He said softly .

" No!" Shrieked Bethany." He banged and banged like forever in the door screaming for me to get out over and over. Then I assumed he hit his head on the door and I heard him fall against it." She said now opening her eyes brimming with tears knowing the truth Norma -jean hit him.

" So he knocked himself out . His rage was so heavy he knocked himself out." The prosecutor raised his arms as the crowd bursted out in laughter.

The hammer sounded to conclude the noise in the room.

" No further questions Miss Grigorii ." He said taking his seat smug look on his face .

Christopher talked hushed with his client as he looked visually upset .

" Your honor I would like to conclude tomorrow my client seems to be under severe distress and unable to continue after this testimony. Might I motion for an extension to counter this witness tomorrow?" Said Christopher as James was looking for Regina. She had been gone some time now .

" Yes yes yes. Councilors . Get your client together . We will continue tomorrow at nine A.M. court is dismissed." He said releasing the courtroom as whispers echoed the room.

Bethany exited through the back witness doors through the judges chamber to the parking lot . Regina stumbled in as Christopher came to her concerned. She held her hand afar to stop him from getting closer to her.

" It's fine . I must have ate something bad or caught a stomach virus " she said stepping back.

Christopher looked at her as the bailiffs took James to the cell holding area. He could return to work on the case later today but he had to get Regina settled at home. He got her a bottle of water and put her in the car as he drove her home.

Regina went home as he decided it be best for her to stay home and ride out her sickness.

Christopher looked concerned as he went to bring her soup and crackers . He had gotten used to going to her room before the court room appearance sure it was fun a quick one and the excitement of being caught any moment but it was the moments in her bed that made him more ready to do Regina's bidding.

He sat beside her bed and caressed her face to gently stir her as her eyes fluttered up . Golden brown a hint of amber in them . She looked a little bit more her skin color than yesterday.

" I brought you some substance, sweetheart." He said flattering her as she woke up . Regina appreciated his sweetness but it became rather annoying.at times. Sure the sleeping with Christopher was beneficial to the case. But right now she was fine. She pulled the soup to her mouth and sour vile smell washed over her stomach. She waved it away not wanting to throw in it away.

Christopher covered the food and handed her some ginger ale . She drank it slowly and ate some saltines.

" Are you sure you can't attend today. I'm rather use to your company in the court room and bedroom. " He added trying to be sweet yet detached.

" How sweet your priorities are in order. In my time of need." She spatted as she glared at him in contemplation .

" I was just joking with you my sweet heart. I didn't mean anything by it. You know you are more to me than that. I'm here right now checking on you and bringing you some food. They say you feed what you love." He said as he trailed off the last word as he spoke it. Was he falling in love with Regina or was it a silly ashing he thought. He cleared his throat awkwardly .

" So do I need to tell James you are unwell. He treats you like a beckon of hope ." He said as he looked at her trying to change her mood towards him.

" Do what you must. As you can see I'm not in the best condition to offer support right now. I'm sure in a couple of days I'll be fine. Go. " She demanded as she waved him off.

Christopher took that as a sign of dismissal. He got up and stood by the door frame." Perhaps I'll see you after today's litigations. To check up on you and bring more food." He said as he left the room headed to the front door.

Christopher showed up alone as James came in and glared at the empty seat. He looked at Christopher for confirmation.

" She is feeling sick still. She stayed home to get better." He said as James faced forward. Christopher pulled out his notebook of questions tapping the legal pad in anticipation. Usually Regina took that nervous feeling off of him. With his wife having a new baby she was more wrapped up in their lives lately.

Sarah was Christopher's best friend's sister. He remembered her hanging around him as teenagers. He really wasn't interested in her until she reached seventeen . He was in pre-law at the time and came to visit her brother at the same school. After that Sarah was his everything until recently. They had only been married six years .

Regina had a way to make a person rethink things. But at the same time she was unpredictable. He remembered seeing her kick out her parents. He knew she had a previous relationship with Roger . A lot of red flags but she so addictive and new to him.

Bethany took the stand as his muddled thoughts made him lost in his own thoughts . The judge came in and opened up the hearing Christopher mind snapped back as he was in the court room.

He stood up with his legal pad and looked at the first question trying to make it sound right in his head.

" Bethany you said your name was?" He said in a nervous tone.

" Yes." She said afraid where this was going?

" Then who is Lydia Walls?" He said looking at his legal pad.

Bethany took a deep breath to think. Her testimony relied on this. he was trying to discredit her .

" My personified name. I'm a well I was a book reviewer in my previous job. I used it to keep my name separated from work from home life." Fibbed Bethany knowing this would bite her in the butt one day. Only her and Norma -jean knew this name and James . Now the court.

" The car dealership you bought your car . The sales woman wasn't that also her name? That's the card you handed my client when you rented the apartment." Countered Christopher.

Bethany sucked in a breath . She knew this guy would figure that out. James sat smirking in his chair.

" Objection why is this relevant to the case." Said the prosecutor.

" Your honor I'm just trying to prove she is capable of idenity theft. That she came to the complex under false pretences ." Explained Christopher.

" I will allow it councilor. Tread carefully." Warned the judge.

" Yes I gave him that card. I kept it as a momento that the name I used as a personified name was also on the person who sold me the car name. It was a memory I kept as a coincidence. Writers use fake random names all the time. It was just amusing how I ran into the random name I was using." Lied Bethany determined not to blur the lines between this case and her running from her family.

" So what name did Norma -jean know you as?" He asked looking at the jury .

" Lydia at first . Until I explained to her my former job . When she wanted to give me the complex I told her my actual name. " She said as she heard how ridiculous the lie sounded . But only her and Norma -jean knew the truth of the actual memories.

" So did you coarse Mrs Barry into giving you the complex as a master plan in obtaining the complex the entire time." He accused.

" No she gave it to me free of her own free will." Replied Bethany.

" Do you have any witnesses to this gift?" He countered.

" Yes my seven year old daughter. She was there. She heard it all." She replied.

The jury broke out in whispers . Christopher's expression twisted in her answer . He was banking on no witnesses. James was ferious. That little girl was a thorn in his side . She was always where she shouldn't be he thought as he heard the testimony.

Meanwhile Bobby -Joe and Ruth-Anne was ready to go. They put on there spraying uniforms and wrapped some sprayers you could buy at any hardware store. They filled it with gasoline . They hailed the bus with the outfits on. They say in the back seat the container inside a backpack on their backs.

Outside the complex they moved inside as they both decided to go to the top to the bottom before lighting the place on fire. The daughter wasn't there she was at a court hearing all week . So now was a perfect time to enacted their plan. The tenants left the door cracked open as they would be gone a few hours.

" This outfit itches." Cried Ruth-Anne as she complained about the suit .

" We have to use it to get inside in case snoopers come around ." He explained.

" How about you go inside and I'll keep watch." She tried to say as she didn't want to carry the spray bottle around.

" Ruth-Anne either you help me or I won't split diddly doo with you. I'm tired of you being a over zealous pain in my butt. Help or go away empty handed " he raised his voice.

" Fine. It just smells. It clashes with my French perfume." She complained.

" You what else clashes with perfume. Poverty , no need to smell good if we are street bait." He said tired of her attitude.

Bobby-Joe swept the odd apartments and Ruth-Anne the even apartments . Both made sure to turn on stoves as the gas fumes sealed out on low. They got to the bottom as the tried opening the first two apartments. No use so they kicked the door down and doused the items. As they emptied the apartments one by one Ruth-Anne took valuables and things she took as her payment for having to work today.

Bobby -Joe tossed the canisters in the apartment he left and made sure all the windows were partially opened to let the air breath the fire as he dropped matches along the hallway to help ignite the flames as they rose. He flicked a match in Norma -jean old apartment and pulled off the suits and tossed it in the fire as he saw it starting .

Ruth-Anne sat on the sidewalk across from the building as she combed through her findings. Bobby -Joe yanked up his sister by the arm.

" What is this . We weren't supposed to take anything from the apartments. Are you trying to get us caught." He demanded .

" It's to hold us over until we get the money. We can pawn it and live off of it." She said making an excuse fully aware she was going to keep it for herself.

" Let's go." He yanked her and flames licked the side of the second floor windows and a pop boomed in the complex. They ran down the street not noticing the small close by business as witnesses .

They boarded a bus across town as they heard fire trucks sirens wailing as they stepped on. Bobby -Joe pulled the call chain as they stopping in front of a pawn shop. Ruth-Anne

Bobby -Joe grabbed the bag full of confiscated items as ruth-Anne protested ." Those are mine ."

" No they are not. We get rid of the items now unless your being your normal selfish self trying to ruin a good plan." He hissed as he whispered in her ear as a warning.

" Can't I keep one item." She said pleadingly.

" No." He said pouring out the contents as pearls, diamonds, emeralds , and rubies fell out on top . Gold chains and porcelain figurines in mint boxes . Ruth-Anne face twisted as she saw the pawn broker take the jewelry to the back and come back with cash.

" I can do twenty eight hundred." He said low balling the items.

" That highway robbery it's worth at least five thousand." Protested Bobby -Joe.

" I tell you what. I'll give you five thousand and a moment with your lady friend . That's my best offer . " He said.as he looked Ruth-anne up and down as he licked his lips.

" Eeehhhh ewwww that is gross. Bobby -Joe you can't be seriously considering this. I'm not for sale sir I am not part of the deal." Protested Ruth -Anne as she popped Bobby -Joe in the head as he glared at her embarrassed she did that to him during an negotiation .

" then three thousand without her company and it's a deal." Bobby -Joe negotiated sucking on his teeth.

" Considering I know this might be hot by the way you two are acting . I was merely offering one hot price for another. " He tried once more with the negotiations.

Bobby -Joe put his finger to his mouth considering it ." Absolutely not. He looks like I'll catch something from him just touching me. " Shouted Ruth -Anne as the man looked offended now.

I say you take your loot and try to find a better offer elsewhere." Bargained the pawn broker." Two thousand and not a penny more. " He said now offended.

" That's fine." He looked at Ruth-Anne as she scoffed watching her brother willing to sell her for some extra money. Unbelievable she thought even that was a new low for Bobby -Joe to use in negotiations.

" You got us into this. This price is on you." Stated Bobby -Joe always cleaning up her mess.

" You tried to sell me as part of the deal. This price is on you ." She growled

at Bobby -Joe made he just tried to do that to her .