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Chapter Four-Hundred-Eighty-Seven


“What now?” Ellie asked Kevin who now stood holding her and she looked around curiously.


“Now we relax for thirty minutes,” Kevin answered. “Do you need to use the potty?”


“No,” Ellie shook her head.


“Are you sure? Because once it starts again you’ll have to wait until it is over.”


“I’m sure,” Ellie insisted.


“All right, well I do,” Kevin informed her. “So why don’t you go see Ashley?” he added after looking around to see who is available and saw that everybody minus Nick and Ashley were gone. Ashley turned slightly in her seat then and reached back for Ellie and Kevin handed her over.


“Be good honey,” He reminded Ellie sternly and then turned and walked away.


“You did really well up there Ellie,” Ashley told her after getting her situated in her lap and Ellie smiled some at the compliment. “Thank you. How come Kota an’ Sarah didn’t get to come?”

“They didn’t really want to,” Nick answered. “Kota never would’ve been able to sit through this.”


“Not that they don’t love you and send you their support or anything, trials are just not for children…I know you yourself would be squirming about and restless by now if this didn’t mean so much to you,” Ashley quickly added in case she takes offence. She knows the girls just made up because of their fight about Sean, so she felt the need to make things clear.


“I think it’s kind of exciting,” Ellie insisted. “I can’t waits until I’m a cop like Elliot an’ can come to these all the times.” Ashley giggled some.


“Yeah a little cop in the making would think so.”


“Just wait until you get there and have dealt with enough creeps to last you a lifetime, you will be wishing you were five years old again” Detective Stabler spoke up while leaning against one of the chairs from the row behind them and grinning down at Ellie. “Take your time kiddo, childhood is the best years of your life, take it from an adult who’s been there.”


“But you likes being a cop,” Ellie pointed out.


“You are right I do…but being a cop isn’t always cookies and cake my dear, I have my fair share of bad days just like the rest of the world.”


“He’s right,” Detective Benson added while suddenly joining them. “Being a cop can be pretty tough Ellie, you’ll come to know that in time.”


“Then why do it’s?”


“Because despite how hard it can be sometimes, it can also be very rewarding” Detective Stabler replied. He moved so that he was standing behind Ashley and he leaned over the chair and hugged her from behind. “At the end of the day when you manage to save someone’s life it makes all of the struggles that you went through to get there worth it.”


“An’ that’s why I wanna become a cop. I wanna saves people like you.”


“Like me huh?” Detective Stabler asked as his heart melted at her words.


“Uh-huhs. Anybody who would gets shot in the butt just to save somebody’s life must be pretty awesome.” Detective’s Stabler and Benson, Nick, and Ashley all laughed and he leaned over and gently ruffled Ellie’s hair.


“Well, I will teach you everything I know kid, but you have to promise me that you won’t grow up too fast okay?”


“Kay, it’s a deal.”


“Good,” Detective Stabler grinned and planted his lips against her cheek in a soft kiss making her beam even more. She sat there quietly as he started talking to Nick about some things then until her attention slowly began to go elsewhere. She remembered the President and her eyes ventured over in that direction only to find him sitting there looking at her in curiosity. She quickly averted her eyes away from him and looked down at her hands concentrating on the pink fingernails Kristin had painted for her. She sat there quietly minding her own business, until a few moments later one of the men in the black suits that were guarding him approached them and Detective Stabler, Nick, and Ashley all eyed him curiously.


“The president has requested to have a chat with the child, would that be okay?”


“With me?” Ellie asked in astonishment, her voice coming out in a small squeak.


“Yes ma’am if you would like,” The secret service guy answered and Detective Stabler smiled some.


“I think she would like that an awful lot, as she’s been waiting a very long time to talk to him.”


“Can Elliot come withs me?” She asked feeling slightly nervous and Detective Stabler squeezed her hand gently.


“I can’t sweetie Nick and I have to discuss something very important. Maybe Ashley could take you over there though?” he asked, wanting to have a moment alone with Nick without Ashley present anyway. Ashley looked at Nick skeptically, as she’d been kind of dreading on even the thought of leaving Nick’s side with Sean just right across the way. On top of that, there is no one Sean wants dead more than Ashley, and he doesn’t care who is in the way. The thought of bringing that kind of danger near the President makes her nervous. Nick cupped her face in his hand when he noticed and delicately caressed it.


“Go on beautiful, I will be right here.” He gazed into her eyes and when he picked up on the gist of her fears he gently rested his forehead against hers and spoke quietly so that no one from across the room would pick up on what he is saying.


“He’s not going to hurt you in this court room with it heavily guarded like this and Ellie present. You know that baby.”


“Kay,” Ashley whispered and he brushed his lips lightly over hers. “I love you,” She told him between kisses.


“I love you more,” He told her and she scoffed at him, making him grin mischievously. She got up with Ellie in her arms then and she followed the President’s Secret Service guy to where he was sitting. When they approached them, President Bush grinned some.


“Hello Ellie,” he greeted her and she rested her head upon Ashley’s shoulder, suddenly becoming really shy.


“Hi, Mr. President…”


“How are you? And you must be Ashley,” he said acknowledging her too and Ashley smiled slightly and nodded while sitting in one of the chairs.


“I’m doing okay,” Ellie answered truthfully.


“I got your letter awhile back ago.”


“Really?” Ellie asked with a little bit of excitement now.


“Mhm”


“You didn’t writes back,” Ellie told him in a slightly accusing tone though she tried to be respectful all the same. This is the President after all.


“Well you took me off guard, that’s all. It’s not every day that the President gets a letter from a little girl that is filled with so much compassion.”


“What does compassion mean?” Ellie wanted to know and she looked up at Ashley for the answer.


“With so much feeling and emotions in it,” Ashley explained in words that she would understand better.


“You showed so much love and forgiveness for a father that’s done so many bad things I didn’t even know how to respond. So I decided to show up instead” The president explained and Ellie smiled slightly.


“Sarah wrote it’s for me. I don’ts know how to write well yet, but I’m learning. She’s really good withs words.”


“I see…well Sarah must be a very bright little girl. I’m sorry that I didn’t get to meet her too.”


“Are you here to saves my daddy Mr. President?” Ellie wanted to know, cutting right to the chase. She watched as emotion suddenly filled his eyes at the topic and hurried on. “He’s my daddy…he may not have been good at’s it, but he tried very hard in the end. If it were your daddy wouldn’t you want to saves him too?”


“I would like to…but it’s not only the matter of whether or not he was a good father honey; there are a lot of other things to consider too. I know you love him, there is no doubt in my mind after the letter I read and the little time you got to spend with him earlier that I witnessed…and that’s extraordinary but what you need to understand is that for awhile he was considered the most dangerous man on the streets.”


“But he’s not on the streets anymore Mr. President,” Ellie argued as tears suddenly sprang to her eyes. “He’s in jail an’ won’t hurt anybody anymore’s…”


“But he’s done a lot of unforgivable things Ellie. If we let him go unpunished bad guys on the streets are going to think they’ll get away with it too.”


“He wouldn’ts have to go unpunished,” Ellie insisted while rubbing at her watery eyes only to have them cloud up all over again. “Isn’t being locked up punishment enough’s?” President Bush sat there quietly gazing at her as he fought back the wave of emotion in him. It is just amazing how loyal she is to this man. He’s never known such a brilliant child before.


“What do you have to say about this Ashley?” He asked after a long moment, turning his attention on her. “He is your attacker after all.” Ashley opened her mouth to respond when a voice from behind her interrupted her.


“I’m sorry to interrupt, but it’s time to get them back to their seat Mr. President,” Detective Stabler said while gently massaging Ashley’s shoulders. “She’s next on the stand though, so you will get to hear her opinion in a moment anyway.”


“I am?” Ashley asked while looking up at him in surprise and he nodded. “That is if you are comfortable with it. I was just asking Nick if he thinks you might be up for it emotionally after yesterday’s trial and he said to ask you.”


“I promised Ellie I would help her,” Ashley insisted and Detective Stabler nodded.


“Okay well I will need you to come sit down then, it’s about to start.” Ashley nodded and they allowed Ellie to say her goodbyes to the President before Detective Stabler walked them back to their seats again and Ellie was handed over to Kevin. Ellie rubbed at her teary eyes, not feeling too re-assured by the President's words. Once everyone was seated, and Judge Reinhold was back, Casey continued on. "The prosecution would like to call Ashley Mortenson to the stand," she stated firmly. All eyes went in Ashley's direction, as she stood tall and walked up to the stand, trying hard not to appear intimidated at all. She was quickly sworn in, and the questioning began.


"Now, Ashley, you were tortured and brutalized by someone here in this courtroom today," Casey began. "Would you please state his name?" Ashley kept her eyes locked with Nick's as she spoke.


"Sean Ellerbee, and Trevor Adams."


"And we heard yesterday just all what they did to you and your family, as well as many innocent people, correct?" Casey continued.


"Yes," Ashley replied.


"Then do you care to tell the court just why you are here today to defend the very man who destroyed your family?" Casey demanded. Ashley turned her gaze on Casey then.


"Because I promised his little girl that I would, and unlike him, believe it or not, I try my hardest not to break any promise I've made her."


"And why would you even make such a promise?"


"Because I've seen firsthand just how much Ellie loves him, and how much he loves her, though he tries to deny it," Ashley explained. "The bond between them is greater than anyone can imagine. They don't even have to see one another, to know the other is near. And she is the reason why he wouldn't kill me - because she was cuffed to me and he didn't want to hurt her or for her to see any of it. He did his very best to shield her from all the violence, though he, himself is a violent man."


"Is that so?" Casey countered.


"Yes, that is so," Ashley answered. "Other than trying to destroy mine and Kori's lives, his number one concern was to keep Ellie safe, and to get her to safety. He doesn't want her to be like him at all, and keeps telling her so. He even gave her to Kevin, because he wants better for her. He wants her to be able to love and be happy, and have the wonderful childhood he never had."


"So you are doing this for Elenore, and Elenore alone, am I hearing you correctly?" Casey prodded.


"Yes," Ashley answered. "I'm not here to defend his actions, I am here to play advocate for his daughter – the very best part of him there is. And if he were to be sentenced to death, a very large part of her would die off with him. All I want is for his little girl to be happy, because she shouldn't have to suffer for his mistakes. Why punish a five-year-old for loving her father? I know I still love mine very much, though he's no longer with us..." She trailed off then, as she felt herself choke up a little bit. The court was silent for a few moments, with the exception of the occasional sniffle from Ellie, whom was still trying to keep her tears at bay.


"The prosecution rests for now," Casey stated.


"Does the defense have any questions?" Judge Reinhold asked Scott Meyer.


"And what would you like to happen should my client be granted his life?" Scott asked.


"He can live in a cell for the rest of his life," Ashley answered. "With Trevor, but not because he wants to, but because it'll make Ellie happy. Ellie wants him to be happy, and I want for her to be happy and carefree. She's carried this burden of worrying about him for far too long now."


"That is all your Honour," Scott stated, resuming his seat.



“You may take your seat Miss Mortenson," Judge Reinhold stated. "We will now take this time for the jury to deliberate their decision, unless anyone else would like to have their say."


"I would, your Honour," Jerald piped up then. He'd decided to suck it up and do it for his niece. Finally, everyone had finished having their say, when Ellie's little voice rang out suddenly.


"Waits! I forgots to tells you something!" Ellie exclaimed, standing on one of the bench seats.


"You may come back up here, child," Judge Reinhold nodded. Ellie made her way back up to the stand, by herself this time. Soon as she was sworn in, she immediately spoke.


"I forgots to tells you 'bout the promise Daddy Sean mades me make," she told them. "It's important."


"And what promise would that be?" Judge Reinhold queried.


"To become the best damn cop I can be, so I can puts bad guy’s likes him away," Ellie stated proudly, as Kevin groaned at her use of language. "I'm gonna grows up to be a cop just likes Elliot an' I'm gonna gets to works with him lots! I wants to help kids whose mommies and daddies are mean to them, by bringing them justice. I wants to help makes a difference. And my Daddy Sean mades me promise that I woulds. An' I know how important promises are to him, 'cause Daddy Kevy feels the same way 'bout promises."


"Is that all?" Judge Reinhold questioned.


"Yes, I thinks so, Mr. Judge," Ellie nodded, before hopping down and running back to Elliot who stood waiting for her at the little gateway. Judge Reinhold gave a small chuckle, cleared his throat, and then continued on.


"We will now call a recess," Judge Reinhold stated. "It seems there is a meeting to be had in my office, before the jury is allowed to go discuss anything.” He stood then and made eye contact with the President who also stood and with his secret service trailing behind him he made his way to the Judge’s office where he met with both the judge and Lawyers to discuss the matter at hand. As soon as the door was closed Ellie stared at it with mixed emotions. Panic, fear, despair, impatience…you name it she was feeling it. She rubbed at her watery eyes and slid down from Detective Stabler’s arms and she ran straight for Sean not bothering to ask for permission this time. She crawled into his lap and much to her pleasure he wound his arms around her in a somewhat protective hold while she clung to him. She would whip her handcuffs out and handcuff herself to him if there weren’t a dozen people in the room who could get her un-handcuffed faster then she could say Cowabunga. Kevin eyed Detective Stabler warily and Detective Stabler shrugged.


“Just let her be. If being with him will calm her nerves by all means…” Kristin who sensed Kevin’s jealousy slid her arms around his waist from behind and rested her chin on his shoulder.


“You get her for the rest of her life, just remember that. He gave her to you,” she whispered reassuringly. “And she’s crazy about you.”

“She just needs closure, she just needs to say bye, bro” Jerald added gently as he had heard Kristin’s whispered words.


“For our raising her sake let’s all hope she is just saying bye for now and then later will be writing and receiving letters,” Kevin replied and then after watching Sean be a father for the first time in his life and trying to soothe their little girl, he turned and looked at Ashley who had instantly curled up into Nick’s lap so he was cradling her as soon as the judge called a recess and disappeared in his office. Looking at her, he can see that defending the man who murdered her parents was very hard for her. He went over and sat in her empty chair beside Nick and he slid his arms around her and hugged her too while kissing her cheek.


“Thank you sweetie…I know that must’ve been very painful for you.”


“I knew it had to be done for Ellie’s sake.”


“You have the most caring soul that I know…I love Ellie very much, she is my world…there is not much I wouldn’t do for her. But if put in your shoes I don’t know if I would have the heart to defend him.”


“You would if you knew it was for that sweet little girl over there,” Ashley insisted. “Ellie may be a lot of things, but one thing for sure is that you can’t get away with not loving her, it just doesn’t happen. Not even Sean could do it.” Kevin hugged her tighter and as he was doing that, Nick swept her hair off her forehead before leaning forward and planting a kiss on it and she sat there, feeling completely content with both men holding her.


“Why didn’t AJ and Kori come this time? They were stuck to your side like glue during the hearing yesterday, I was so sure they would be here again today” Jerald spoke up.


“I don’t know they were both in the middle of a heated discussion with Momma Denise in the cafeteria this morning so we left without them.” Kevin looked at Nick with an arched eyebrow then as her eyes were closed and Nick nodded, the AJ will kill me the moment he gets me alone, I’m sure of it – and if not AJ, then Kori. look clear in his eyes. Kevin shook his head and muttered “Oh boy…” under his breath and when Ashley opened her eyes and looked at him curiously, he gave her an uncharacteristic goofy grin that she would normally see from AJ or Nick. Or even Brian…but not Kevin usually, unless he was high on the drug called Kristin. She narrowed her eyes and shifted her gaze from Nick and Kevin making it very clear that she is onto them but didn’t say anything otherwise. They all sat and waited for a good ten minutes more, until suddenly the judge, President, and Lawyers came back out. Everybody watched as the judge returned to his seat.


“The Jury may now go and discuss their decision,” he announced and Ellie and the rest of the Backstreet Clan watched nervously as the Jury left the room while also eyeing the President, Judge, and Lawyers for any clues as to what was said in the other room. No such luck, they were all still stuck in suspense and Ellie didn’t know how much more of it she could take before falling apart.
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