Wow, this took forever and I'm still not finished! Here's part 7 of
Secrets. E-mail me and tell me what you think!

Title: Secrets, part 7
Author: Alison
Disclaimer: See part 1

************************************

Bobby woke at the sound of the alarm and wordlessly, he and Lindsay got
up and went about getting ready for the day. They spoke only when
necessary and in monosyllables.

"Coffee?"
"Please."

Lindsay flicked throough the newspaper to see if anything had been
written about the trial. A small article mentioned the days proceedings
and she read it disinterestedly.
"What does it say?" asked Bobby, leaning over her shoulder.
"It calls you ruthless."
"Really?"
"Uh huh. It says that 'the prosecution appears  to be waiting in
suspense for  unorthodox tactics by ruthless defense attorney, Bobby
Donnell, from Donnell, Young, Dole and Frutt. A firm known for its
manipulation of the law."
"That's  libelous."
"Almost."
"Anyhting else?"
"Not really. Nothing that we don't know already."
"Are you ready, then?"
"Yep. Let's go."

They picked up their briefcases and hurred out of the apartment. Bobby
was soon on his way to the courthouse, whilie Lindsay, Ellenor and Jmmy
prepared for the trial the next day. Jimmy was still intent on proving
his theory that LAnce was "in cahoots" with Franklin and was
responsible for the murders of Sid Rogers and Franklin himself. Ellenor
and Lindsay humored the idea and left him to it. He felt that he was
close to figuring ou the truth. His favorite theory was that Franklin
and Lance were somehow using the gangs for their own benefit and  Lance
got greedy and hired Sid to kill frankliin. Maybe Sid threatened to
tell and Lance had to kill him too. Lindsay had laughed when he shared
this theory with her. She suggested he become a novelist t "put John
Grisham to shame". She wouldn't laugh when he found out the thruth
though, He just jad to find it.

***

"Amanda, tell us in your own words what happened the night that your
fiancee was murdered."

The friends had testified charmingly that Amanda was an upstanding
citizen who loved her fiancee very much. She was very much against any
type of uneccessary harm to human life, she cetainly couldn't have
killed her fiancee. Her priest told the jury that she was a regular
volunteer at the parish. "No sir!" he said vehemently at the suggestion
she could have been responsible for her fiancee's death. Helen decided
not to cross examine this witness. She had too much negative history
with dealing with priests in murder cases.

"Well," Amanda said tearfully. "I have to be honest. We had a huge
fight that day...I mean we often fought, but this was much bigger than
usual. The stupid thing is I can't remember what it was about." The
jury nodded sympathetically, remembering their own fights which started
about some minor detail and exploded into a major argument.
"I left my apartment straight after the fight."
"What time was that?"
"About midday. I went shopping. I always shop when I'm upset. Whn I got
home, the door was unlocked. I thought he would have gone to work, but
I realized then that he mustn't have. When I walked in, the TV was on
really loud, but he wasn't there. I finally found him in the kitchen..
He...uh...had a knife in his chest." Amanda began to cry. "I've never
seen anyone dead before."
"Take your time."
She sniffed back her tears and slpwly continued.
"I didn't know what to do, but I called the police and they took
forever to come. I was so scared."
"In that time, what did you do?"
"I poured myself a drink and waited for them to come."
"A drink of what?"
"Tequila. I was shaking so hard that I spilled some on the rug."
"How much did you drink?"
"I don't know. The police said my blood alcohol level was 0.13. But I
can't remember drinking that much. I was really scared."
"They arrested you straight away?"
"Yes. They said I must have done it. My neighbor told them that she
heard us arguing. They wouldn't listen to me, they kept on yelling and
yelling."

The jury continued to look sympathetic. Helen was worried that by cross
examining Amanda, she would make the jury even more sympathetic to the
girl. But it was a risk she had to take.

"Amanda, who could have done this to your fiancee?" Bobby asked gently.
"I don't know!" She sobbed. "The police said that I must know, but I
don't!"
"Did he have nay enemies."
"Not that I knew of. He didn't say much about his work."
"Thanks you. That's all."
Helen stood and studied Amanda carefully.
"Your argument that day - you don't remember what it was about?"
"No."
"I find that strange. If it wass unusual to have a big fight, you'd
think you'd rememer it."
"Well I don't."
"Is it true that you were having an affair with another man?"
Yes."
"Are you still seeing this man?"
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I didn't love my fiancee."
"Did your fiancee find out about this affair?"
"Yes," she lowered her eyes and Bobby had the urge to cover his. He
mentally willed her to be strong.
"Could that be what the fight was about?"
"No! I don't remember what the fight was about."
"Sure," Helen said sarcastically.
"Objection," Bobby yelled.
"Withdrawn. Ms. Derry, you said you called the police. How long id you
wait before calling them?"
"I don't know!"
Just a guess. Approximately how much time passed between you seeing his
body and calling the police?"
"I don't know!"
Helen indicated to the bailiff to bring out the TV. He rolled it out in
front of the jury. Bobby stood, alarmed.
"Your Honor, approach?"
"Okay."
He rushed to the front bench where Helen joined him.
"I ahve no idea what she's about to show. We weren't given any video
tapes."
"Its the surveillance tape of teh defendant arriving in her apartment
building. We gave you a copy."
"That's a lie. We had no idea this tape existed."
"Lets go to chambers."

***

"This is a blatant attempt on the part of the DA's office to sneak this
into evidence. Why weren't we given a copy?"
"Is this true?" The judge asked Helen.
"No! We gave them a copy of the tape! They must have lost it!"
"You think we'd be that negligent as to lose a vital piece of evidence
before we watched it?"
"You're negligent enough to represent a woman you used to sleep with!"
"I regret a lot of my past relationships." He said pointedly. Helen
stood openmouthed at this insult. The judge took teh opportunity to
butt in.
"That's enough! They didn't get a copy, so you can't introduce it into
evidence. Lets go."

The jury watched as a furious Helen and a triumphant Bobby walked back
into the courtroom. THe bailiff rolled away the TV and Helen fumed that
the jury was able to see the obvious victory for the defense in this
argument. She collected herself and looked back at Amanda, now more
determined than ever to brak the innocent facade. She spent the next
hour asking for small details of the day of the murder. Did she buy
anyhting when she went shopping, where was the proof of purchase. Helen
knew full well that there wasn't any proof. Amanda had claimed to pay
cash for everything and had "lost" the receipts.

"Where did you put what you purchased?"
"I put it away."
"So you saw that your fiancee was dead and proceeded to hang up the
clothes and find places for the candles?"
"Yes. I didn't know what else to do!"
"Did you do this before or after you called the police?"
"After!"

Helen continued to drill her for detail. It was Bobby's turn to fume at
her tactics. He hoped the jury would be able to see this "fishing
expidition" for what it really was. Helen was trying to rattle Amanda
so that she could be caught lying or at least get angry enough to look
like she could have committed murder. Finally Helen paused from the
tirade and poured herself a glass of water. When she began to speak
again, the judge stopped her.

"Ms. Gamble, how long do ou wish to continue cross-examination?"
"Another hour, your Honor."
"I'd like to adjourn for the day and continue this tomorrow."
"I object to that!" she cried.
"Approach." The judge ordered.
Helen and Bobby again hurried to the front bench.
"If we adjourn now the jury will forget all they've heard so far! I
have a right to continue until I'm finished."
"Ms. Gamble, I seriously doubt that the jury was even listening for the
last 2 hours."
"That's my concern, not yours."
"You have half an hour. If you aren't finishedby then, I'll cut you off
and you won't be questioning her tomorrow."
"You can't do that!"
"I just did!"

Helen once again stood in front of Amanda.

"Ms. Derry, do you drink Tequila often?"
"Not often, no."
"How often?"
"Once a month."
"So why was you reaction to the murder to head to teh tequila?"
"I thought it would calm me down."
"Uh huh. So you poured yourself a drink after you called the police?"
"Yes."
You said you spilled some on the rug?"
"Yes."
"Did you spill any anywhere else?"
"Maybe. I don't know."
"We found some near the body in teh kitchen. If you were so scared, why
did you go back in to have another look?"
"I wanted to make sure that there was noone waiting for me in there.
Anyway, the alcohol may have been spilled another night."
"Uh huh. Somewhere here you have lied to us. You just told me that you
didn't drink often, now you are saying that you could have spilled the
drink on a previous night. You also claim that you were so scared, you
didn't know what to do. But you went back in for another look at the
body. Are you lying to us Ms. Derry?"
"No!" Amanda cried, oanic stricken.
"Were you celebrating the death of your fiancee with a drink?"
"No!" Amanda shrieked.
"No more questions."

Helen sat down, exhausted by the effort. Amanda was sobbing in the
witness chair, the sobs increasing as Bobby declined to re-question her
and as the judge adjourned for teh day. Bobby sat dejected at teh
defense table watching as people filed out of teh courtroom. Eugene and
Rebecca left quietly, greeting Lindsay on the way out. Lindsay had come
into the room halfway through Helen's cross examination of Amanda.

"Hey." Lindsay greeted Bobby softly as she sat beside him at the table.
"Hey."
"Do you want to get some dinner before we go back to the office?"
"Not yet," he sighed and loked at her lovingly. "That was a disaster,
Linsday"
"I know, I saw. she looked really guilty up there."
"Are you pleased?"
"No! Why would I be pleased?"
"You never liked her."
"No, but she doesn't deserve to go to jail, no matter what her history."
"How could Helen do that?"
"I bet she's wondering the same thing." Lindsay comforted him. He
sighed agin and started collecting papers that were scattered over the
table. He smiled at Lindsay, glad taht things were finally back to
normal between them.
"Lets go."

He took her hand and they strolled out of teh courthouse, each lost in
thought. It was a quiet taxi ride that took them back to the office for
a night of strategising. It was time to forget all about the day's
problems and concentrate on rectifying them tomorrow. The next day was
hinting to be an exciting time for the whole firm.

END PART 7

Hey guys,

I've finished Part Four of Unmerry Christmas.  Parts 1
& 2 can be found at the fanfic website, and Part 3 can
be found at the Yahoo! club.  I thought I'd post Part
4 here to make it easier for you!!  ENJOY!!

THE PRACTICE - "An Unmerry Christmas"
By Kristy (fbiagent_99@...)

Authors Note:  This story was written in response to
the Christmas challenge posted at the
fanfic site.  Sorry it's a little late!

Summary:  It's been a year since Bobby and Lindsay's
reunion at the Christmas Party.  But
this year will they have a merry Christmas?

Disclaimer:  None of the characters etc described in
this fanfic belong to me, that honor
goes to the multi-talented David Kelley.  They are
being used for entertainment purposes
only.

"AN UNMERRY CHRISTMAS" - PART FOUR
By Kristy (FBIAgent)

Steven Donnell and Lindsay Dole sat side by side in
the hospital waiting room.  It had
been over two hours since Bobby had been rushed into
surgery, and there was still no
news.  All they knew was that Bobby had a blood clot
in his brain, and it could very well
kill him.

"Mr. Donnell? Ms. Dole?"

Lindsay looked up to see Doctor Sullivan walking
towards them.  She stood up, and Steven
did the same.  They both looked eagerly at the doctor,
desperate to just hear some news,
whether it was good or bad.

"I have some news."

"Good or bad?"

"Well, right now it seems to be good.  Bobby has come
out of surgery.  We believe we have
successfully removed the blood clot from his brain,
but we still have to wait and see.
The next 24 hours are vital.  We won't know the full
extent of his condition until he
regains consciousness."

"So he will wake up?"

"Yes.  When I don't know.  What Bobby needs most right
now is his friends and family to be
there for him.  I'd like to make sure that someone is
there in the room with him at all
times, so he's not alone when he wakes up."

"Don't worry, I am never going to leave him again."

"Can I see my son?"

"Follow me."

Steven and Lindsay followed Doctor Sullivan to the
intensive care unit.  Bobby looked much
the same as he had when they last saw him.  He had a
bandage wrapped around his head, and
a cast on his left arm.  Many of his cuts and bruises
were beginning to heel.  Lindsay sat
down in the chair beside the bed, and took Bobby's
hand in hers.

"Bobby?  It's me Lindsay.  I'm right here .. I'll be
right here until you wake up.  I
promise I won't leave you again.  I'm here."

Steven stood next to Lindsay and placed his hand on
her shoulder.  He leant down closer to
Bobby.

"This is a good lady you've got here son.  It's about
time for you to wake up so you can
tell her how much you love her."

Lindsay looked at Steven and smiled.  He patted
Bobby's hand lovingly, and then stood up
straight again.

"Steven?"

"Yes?"

"Would you mind calling the office and letting Rebecca
know that he is out of surgery. I
am sure they'll all want to come in.

"No problem."

"Thank you."

Steven turned and left the room, leaving Bobby and
Lindsay alone.

"Bobby.  We're alone now.  The doctor said that you
need to wake up, so that you can get
better.  But I need you to wake up, Bobby.  I love you
so much, and I can't go on without
you in my life.  I remember my mother used to talk to
me about everyone in this world having
a soul mate.  And if you ever met that person, never
let go of them.  Well you're my soul
mate Bobby, and I'm not willing to let go of you."

She sat there in silence, praying that Bobby would
open his eyes, and let her know that
everything was going to be fine.

"Lindsay?"

She turned and saw Steven standing in the doorway,
holding two cups of coffee.

"The others are out in the waiting room, they'd like
to see you.  I'll stay here with
Bobby."

Lindsay looked back at Bobby, still clasping his hand
in hers.  She was reluctant to leave
him after what had happened.  She looked back at
Steven.

"I'm sorry, I just can't leave him."

"I understand.  I'll send the others in."

"Thank you."

Steven handed her the cup of coffee, and then turned
and left the room once more.  Moments
later he returned with Ellenor, Rebecca and Eugene.
They all said hello to Lindsay, and
then stood around the bed, looking down at Bobby.

He looked so helpless, lying there hooked up to a
bunch of machines, with a bandage around
his head and a cast on his arm.  They all wanted
nothing more than to see him dressed once
again in his grey suit, standing in front of a jury,
blue eyes blazing with emotion as he
pleaded his client's case.  That was the Bobby they
knew and loved, and that was the Bobby
who they wanted back.

ONE HOUR LATER ..

Lindsay still sat in the chair by Bobby's bedside.
Ellenor and Rebecca were sitting outside
in the waiting room.  Eugene had gone back to the
office for a meeting with a client.  And
Steven was exhausted, he had gone home to get some
sleep.  But Lindsay still sat there, not
willing to leave the side of the man who she loved.

"Bobby?  I'm still here.  I'm not leaving here until
you open your eyes and look at me.  I
love you so much, you know that.  I just want you to
please wake up so I can tell you that.
Please come back to me."

Lindsay began to cry once more, and she put her head
in her hands.  She then heard a soft
groan.  She looked at Bobby .. who groaned once more.
His eyes fluttered open and he
blinked a few times.

"Bobby?  Oh my God!  You're awake?"

Bobby looked over at Lindsay.  He had a look of
confusion on his face.

"Bobby?  How are you feeling?"

He shook his head a little and blinked again a couple
of times.  He then opened his mouth
to speak, and said three words that Lindsay was not
expecting to hear.

"Who are you?"

END OF PART FOUR

__________________________________________________
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Deb
-----------
"Brotherly Love -- Part 2"

	 Bobby didn't sleep well that night. Thoughts of his brother and having to
defend him prevented even the possibility of a good night's rest. I've defended
more heinous criminals, Bobby thought. I can defend Jack too.

At 6:30, he showered and dressed. At 7:00, he woke Lindsay with a kiss.
"Morning, sweetheart. I'll make us bacon and eggs for breakfast. Please get up."

	 "OK," she squeaked and rolled over onto her left side.

	 "Orange, apple or grapefruit juice?"

	 "Grapefruit."

	 Over their breakfast, Bobby told Lindsay about the murder. "I'm going to meet
with Jack this morning, not that I care if he gets life." He took a bite of
bacon.

	 "Bobby, do you really dislike your brother all that much?"

	 "Yea, I do, Lindsay. Jack blew his family off. Nineteen years and not a word
from him. He deserves whatever he gets."

	 "I guess you won't ask him to be your best man then."

	 For the first time in 24 hours, Bobby laughed. "You got that right!" He kissed
Lindsay. "Thanks, honey, I needed that."

	 Bobby and Lindsay were first into the office that morning. Bobby made a pot of
coffee then left a yellow Post-It Note on Eugene's personal computer.

Eugene--
See me ASAP about a murder case.
	                  --BD

Twenty minutes later Eugene knocked on Bobby open office door. "Hey, Bobby. What
murder case is this?"

"My brother, the guy you met yesterday, is the prime suspect in the murder of an
abusive ex-husband. Jack's in custody. He shot his girlfriend's ex-husband with
Audrey's gun." Bobby took a drink of coffee then explained the rest. "Bottom
line is Jack confessed to me, but not to the cops or the DA. I think we have a
decent case, if we can prove that he was truly protecting his girlfriend. I'd
like you to first chair, Eugene. I'll second. Maybe we can garner a little
sympathy from the jury since he's my brother. Sound good?"

"I'm down," Eugene said confidently.

"Thanks. Do you have time to meet with Jack this morning? He's being arraigned
at noon. I'd like to go with you."

"Sure, but I need to be in appellate court at 2:30."

"That'll work. You take the arraignment, though."

"OK."




Noon. The court administrator called, "Case 45342, Commonwealth vs. John F.
Donnell. The defendant is charged with second degree murder."
Eugene stood. "Eugene Young for the defendant, Judge. Waive reading. We enter a
plea of not guilty, and we request no bail as this is Mr. Donnell's first
offense."

The DA stood. "Adam Dawson for the Commonwealth. Oppose bail, Your Honor. We
view the defendant as a flight risk."

"Bail denied," Judge Camp ordered.

"PC hearing, Your Honor," Eugene requested.

"Granted. I'll schedule it for 2:00 tomorrow." Gavel. "Next case."
Eugene left to grab lunch then his appeal hearing. Bobby joined Jack, albeit
outside his cell. "What happens now?" Jack asked.

"The probable cause hearing determines if a crime was really committed. If there
is insufficient evidence, the case is dismissed. Otherwise, there will be a
trial."

"Dad came to see me this morning."

Bobby snapped, "Spare me your reunion story. I'm not interested. I'll see you at
the hearing tomorrow." Bobby returned to his office.



That afternoon, Bobby read the letter that Lucy had typed for him when the
intercom sounded. "Yea?"

"Your father is on the line."

"Thanks." He pressed the flashing button. "Hi, Dad."

"Bobby, what's the deal with Jack?"

"We have our strategies, Dad."

"You gotta get him off, Bobby. He's your brother."

"Like that matters. Jack never considered the family."

"Bobby," Stephen Donnell said firmly, "You do this for me, understand? You do
all you can to get your brother off!"

"I will, Dad, but you need to know that Jack could well be guilty."

"You don't say that, Robert, not to me. Ever! Jack couldn't kill anyone."

"I'm just being honest with you."

"You just do your job."

Bobby just rolled his eyes. Why the hell, he wondered, did that bastard have to
come home?




Despite their best efforts, Eugene and Bobby lost the probable cause hearing.
Jack would be tried for murder in the second degree three weeks later. As a
bailiff escorted Jack back to his cell, Bobby and Eugene left the courtroom.
"Damn," Bobby muttered under his breath.

"Hey, we did our best, man," Eugene assured him.

Bobby put his hand on his colleague's shoulder. I know we did, Eugene. I meant
that now I have to tell my father that we lost. He's not going to take it well.
For Jack, I could give a damn."

"I've never seen you so cold hearted before."

"You never met my brother before. I hate him, and frankly I don't give a rat's
ass if he goes to prison."

On the morning that Jack's trial began, he met with his lawyers in a conference
room. "We don't want you to take the stand," Eugene explained. "Our case is
shaky at best. Your prints are on the gun, and Audrey is scheduled to testify
against you. We don't want you admitting any guilt."

"I understand."

Bobby said, "I'll open, then Adam Dawson, the DA, will open. He's very good,
Jack. He'll try to trick you any way that he--"

The conference room door opened. Stephen Donnell, in his best navy suit, entered
the conference room. "Sorry to barge in," he said.

Bobby assured him, "It's all right, Dad."

Putting a hand on Jack's shoulder, Stephen asked "You ok, son?"
Jack nodded. "I'm fine, all things considered.

"Bobby, how do things look?" Stephen asked.

"Pretty dicey. The evidence is against us, but Eugene and I will do all we can."

"That's good, very good. I'll leave you guys to plan then."

"See you later, Dad," Stephen patted his younger son's shoulder and left the
conference room.

"Dad never changes, does he?" Jack asked.

"Like you'd know," Bobby snarled.

"Here we go again. 'I deserted the family so I'm damned to everlasting
hellfire'. I am so sick of your self-righteous sermonizing."

Bobby shouted, "You aren't the victim here, Jack! Dad is! And Mom! For 19 years
they never knew if you were dead or alive or in the middle of Central Park
whacked out on crack."

"I had problems, Bobby."

"You could have confided in us, asked for help. That's what family's for, you
idiot!" Nastily he said, "But you had to leave town and break your parents'
hearts. And mine." Bobby shook his head. In a professional tone, he said, "We
need to focus on the trial here, not our family problems."

"Exactly," Eugene agreed.

Jack said nothing for a moment. "All I can say is I'm sorry, Bobby."

Bobby sighed. He didn't believe Jack for a minute.




The morning session did not go well for the defense. Over their deli sandwiches,
in a conference room over the lunch recess, Bobby reviewed the culpatory
evidence list that the DA's office had provided them. Suddenly, he put his
turkey sandwich down. "I think I found something here. Look, Eugene. Read this.

Eugene put down his roast beef sandwich and read. "Yes! We got it! Way to go,
Bobby!"

After lunch, Bobby cross-examined Audrey Harrison. "Ms. Harrison, did the murder
weapon, the .38 Smith & Wesson, belong to you?"

"Yes. I bought it after my divorce in case my ex-husband came after me. I wanted
some protection."

"Have you ever handled the gun at all?"

"Yes. Often"

"So your finger prints would be on the gun?"

"Yes."

"Ms. Harrison, are you left handed or right handed?"

"Right handed."

"Thank you. No more questions, Your Honor." Bobby sat at the defense table.

"Mr. Dawson?" Judge Camp asked "Do you have any further questions?"

"No, Your Honor."

Bobby stood. "Judge, the defense calls John Donnell to the stand.

"Very well."

In the new navy suit that Bobby had bought him for trial, Jack took the stand
and was sworn in. "John," Bobby said, using his brother's Christian name. "Did
you ever handle Ms. Harrison's gun?"

"Yes, just one time, the night of the shooting."

"The ballistics report (Commonwealth's Exhibit B) indicates that the shooter was
right handed. "John, are you left handed or right handed?"
"I am left handed."

Lots of murmurs in the courtroom. Judge Camp gaveled. "Quiet!"

"That's all I have, Your Honor," Bobby said.

"Mr. Dawson?" The DA shook his head. The defendant may step down," the judge
said. The brothers returned to the defense table. "Very well. I will hear the
closing arguments."

Eugene closed first, Adam Dawson second. The jury left to deliberate."
In a conference room, Jack turned to Bobby. "Bobby, what you to think? Where are
we?"

Bobby replied, "You answer first, Eugene."

"I think we're just where we want to be. The left-handed angle probably won us
the verdict."

"Bobby?" Jack asked.

"I agree with Eugene. Reasonable doubt is on our side. We should know soon."

Twenty minutes later, a bailiff opened the conference room door. "Mr. Donnell,
the jury is back."

In the courtroom, the jury foreperson gave a bailiff the jury's written verdict.
The bailiff handed the report to Judge Camp, who read it and returned the paper.
"Madame Foreperson, what do you say?"

	 A heavy-set, red-haired woman in a too-snug green jacket replied, "In the case
of Commonwealth vs. John F. Donnell of murder in the second degree, we find the
defendant not guilty."

	 Jack reached out to hug Bobby but he withdrew on seeing how stoic his brother
remained. Instead, Jack offered his hand. They shook. "Thanks, Bobby. Thank you
very much."

	 "You're welcome. Good luck, Jack." Bobby packed up his briefcase, said good bye
to Eugene, and went home. He said nothing further to his brother or his father.
He just wanted to get away from the case, away from his brother. Now.

	 But Jack wouldn't go away that easily.

Premise: For this one, pretend that last season's season finale never
happened. At all. I know it's hard, but try to imagine that. If you can't do
that....well, I'll shoot you. No, I'm just kidding. Just pretend "Happily
Ever After" never happened. (Couldn't I have said that in an easier way?)

Disclaimer: The usual. I am not the genius that is DEK. If I were, well then
I'd be him. (You thought I had something funny to say, didn't you?)

     Rebecca Washington sat in her car, not wanting to believe her eyes. "It
can't be," she says to herself, staring at a very intimate couple on the
sidewalk in front of her. They were talking very closely. "What a dog,"
Rebecca whispers.
     The well-dressed dark-haired man starts to walk in Rebecca's direction.
Gasping, Rebecca ducks, but stops when the man turns back. "Emily!" He calls.
The woman turns. "Thanks." He kisses her cheek. Emily smiles. "For you, no
problem."
     Rebecca punches her steering wheel. "Ow," she calls, not realizing her
own strength. The man passes her car, whistling and walking with great speed.
She knew her eyes weren't fooling her. That was definitely Bobby Donnell.
**********
     "What the hell was he doing?" Rebecca is still in her car. "What the
hell..." She stops. "Do I tell her?" Rebecca bit her upper lip. Lindsay was
one of her best friends. "How do you tell a friend something like this?"
Rebecca wished she could disappear. "Why did I have to see that?" She starts
her car and heads toward the office. "He's gonna hear it." She is determined
to let Bobby feel the wrath of Rebecca Washington.
**********
     Rebecca breathes in deep and begins to opens the door to Donnell, Young,
Dole and Frutt. Suddenly she is face to face with Lindsay, who has her hand
on the other knob. "Whoa," Lindsay laughs. "Where's the fire, Bec?" Rebecca
smiles. "Sorry, Linds." Lindsay breezes past and Rebecca shuts the door. Lucy
Hatcher notices the pained look on Rebecca's face. Never one to stay out of
people's lives, Lucy forces the issue. "What's wrong?" she asks. Rebecca
sighs and plops down behind her desk. "I just saw..." "Bec?" She hears her
name.
     Bobby stands in his office doorway. "Can I talk to you?" "So, he did see
me," Rebecca thinks. "Great." Suddenly, she becomes deathly afraid of what
Bobby might say to her. She wheels. "Actually, I was just leaving. Sorry."
She grabs her stuff and bolts out of the office.
**********
     The cup of coffee Rebecca held seemed bottom-less and her swirling
thoughts had no end. It was 10:30 pm. She had been sitting at this bar for 4
hours, and she was not leaving until she figured out what to do.
     Someone taps her shoulder. She jumps. The smiling face of Ellenor Frutt
appears behind her. Bec forces a smile. "I thought I'd find you here. Lucy
said something was bothering you." Ellenor sits on the stool next to Rebecca.
"Spill it. Or do you want me to force it out of you. I have ways." Rebecca
smiles at this. "I don't know if I should tell you this...you have to promise
to keep this a secret." "Ooh, I like secrets," Ellenor giggles. "Ellenor, I'm
serious. I have a feeling this may be big." Ellenor's smile dies. "Well, tell
me." Bec sighs. "I guess it will be good to get this off my chest." She
pauses. "I saw Bobby talking to this woman this morning. They were standing
pretty close. Then I saw him kiss her." Ellenor almost falls off her stool.
"He did what?" "On the cheek. On the cheek." "What's the difference?" Ellenor
practically yells. "You know, I guess I should have expected this of him.
He's always been a womanizer, but I really thought Lindsay would be good for
him. I know I didn't always show it, but..." "Ellenor, maybe we're jumping to
conclusions here. But something tells me..."
     Out of the corner of her eye, Rebecca catches the familiar figure of
Lindsay Dole in the bar's doorway. She taps Ellenor. "Look."
     Obviously upset, Lindsay sinks into a stool at the opposite end of the
the bar and orders and drink. She buries her head in her hands.
     "She knows," Ellenor whispers. "Should we go over there?" Rebecca nods.
"Let's go."
     As the approach, Lindsay shoulders begin to shake and faint sobs can be
heard. Rebecca lovingly places her hand on Lindsay's shoulder. Slowly,
Lindsay looks up. She quickly wipes away the tears.
     "Hey guys. waht's up?" Ellenor smiles. "I know you don't want to be
bothered, but we can't sit by with you crying over here. Now, you're either
gonna tell us, or we're gonna sit here all night." Lindsay downs her drink in
one gulp. "Where do you want me to start?"

*****************************************
That's Part One. Part Two to follow soon. Or whenever my basketball coach
lets me exit the gym. Feedback is welcomed. E-Mail Jes7576132@....

HI GUYS I JUST HAD AN IDEA WHAT ABOUT WRITTING A STORY ABOUT KELLY AND DYLAN
AS BOBBY AND LINDSAYS KIDS IT COULD BE DYLANS FIRST CHRISTMAS AND A FIRM
REUNION  LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

This is the last part before I leave: I'll try to finish it in the next
week or so and beg the use of a computer somewhere! Enjoy!

Title: Secrets part 6
Author: Alison
Disclaimer: see part 1

*********************************

The week of the trial finally arrived, after much tension in the
office. The week had been filled with screams from Lucy, demands from
all the lawyers, countless discussions over strategies and arguments
between the divided lawyers over which case was more important.

"Neither case is more important. Jimmy, let Rebecca use the copier, you
can use it next." Bobby ordered, reinstating a sense of calm throughout
the office. The others were too busy to even notice the argument,
immersed in work. The past two days had seen work hours which started
at 5am and continued until midnight. They were all tired and stressed
and worried and again didn't notice the disruption of a pizza delivery.
"What's that smell?" Jimmy asked as Lucy handed over the money and took
the pizzas from the boy.
"Anchovies…I hate anchovies," Lindsay complained.
"Only one of them have anchovies," Lucy snapped.
"Who ordered the pizzas?" Bobby asked, emerging from his office.
"Me. You guys haven't eaten in days, I figured it was the least I could
do."
"Lucy, that is so nice!" Rebecca smiled.
"There's beer and wine and coke here as well, I bought them this
morning and put them on the office account."
"We don't have an account there," Bobby mumbled through a mouthful of
pizza.
"Now we do."
"Lucy!" They all cried.
"What, with the stress of your job, I'm surprised you don't have an
account at the liquor store. You should be thanking me."

They took their pizza and drinks back to their desks and continued
working. Revived and in higher spirits, Lindsay organized to have a
quick meeting with Ellenor and Jimmy to discuss finer details of the
trial. They met in the conference room and were soon interrupted by
Bobby, Eugene and Rebecca.
"We're kinda busy in here, can you meet somewhere else please?"
"There's nowhere else to meet," Eugene complained.
"We were here first!" Lindsay responded.
"We go to trial tomorrow, you still have two days."
"Our trial is much more complicated then yours."
"Oh don't give me that crap. All trials are complicated."
"That's enough!" Bobby ordered. In an effort to extinguish another
impending argument, he led his group to his office, leaving the others
in peace.

* * *

The first day of the trial began with the usual flurry of activity, all
the lawyers at DYD&F were spurred on by the anticipation of an exciting
battle. Lindsay, Ellenor and Jimmy helped wherever they could, all the
while knowing that that in two days, it would be their turn.
"All set?" Lindsay asked Bobby as he sat in his office, mentally
preparing himself for the trial.
"I hope so," Bobby replied, his mind already going over his arguments.
Lindsay saw that his mind was not on her and gave him a quick kiss.
"Good luck!" She said, when he didn't reply, she quietly left the room.
He was soon threading his way through reporters, shielding Amanda from
their prying cameras and questions. He ignored the, `Are you innocent'
questions and the `How do you think the trial will go?' questions, but
found it hard to block out the `Are you involved with the defendant?'
questions. Finally he snapped.
"I'm her lawyer!"
"But Mr. Donnell, is it true that you once dated?"
Bobby didn't answer, but pushed his way through the crowd, resolving
never to talk to the reporters again.

The opening arguments were short and sweet. Helen stood up and smiled
at the jury.
"I always feel excited to have a new jury in front of me, waiting to
serve justice. We have a simple case here; we have a dead man. His
fiancée, the defendant, was sleeping with another man. The man was
found in the defendant's apartment. All the evidence points to her and
only her." Helen glanced at Bobby, almost daring him to Plan B one of
the other witnesses. "All I ask of you is to carefully listen to the
evidence and serve justice as it should be served."
Bobby stood at the nod of the judge.
"When you read about murders in the newspaper or see the stories on the
news, isn't it always the spouse who did it? Usually one of them is
involved with another person, then something happens and one of them
ends up dead. Just because it seems to happen so often, does not mean
that it is the case here. Like the DA says, we want you to listen to
the evidence and serve justice."
He sat down, with the jury only distantly interested in the case.

Helen called the detective as the first witness and the trial began.

* * *

"Well?' Lindsay asked as the three lawyers arrived during the lunch
break.
"The jury's bored out of their mind with the forensics, but I think
we're doing ok. Eugene was great with the detective," Bobby answered.
"Who's up next?"
"A neighbor who heard arguing the night of the murder."
"Can you diffuse her testimony?"
"I think so. Eugene, Bec: Let's go to the conference room."
They followed him to discuss the afternoon ahead.
"I don't think we'll have time for more then two witnesses this
afternoon. I'm ready to cross the neighbor. Eugene, how are you on the
victim's mother?"
"All set."
"Great. Now tomorrow, they'll probably rest. I was thinking about
putting up Amanda's friend first."
"We could surprise everybody and put Amanda up there. She seems
innocent enough and it might be enough to convince the jury," Eugene
suggested.
"But what if she trips?" Bobby asked.
"Then we'll put the friends and experts up to prove she couldn't have
done it," Eugene replied.
"They'll seem like they're lying because their testimony would
contradict what she said," Rebecca argued. "Why don't we do what we
usually do and put up the friends, raise some doubt, then we'll put her
up to corroborate the story."
"I agree," nodded Bobby. "Then if necessary, we can out Lance up and
raise some real doubt."
"We can't plan B him, he has an alibi," Eugene pointed out.
"He was seen at a bar with some friends. They say that he stayed with
them for the night. But what if they're lying?"
"If they're lying now, they'll lie on the stand to protect him. Lets
just stick with the case and use him only as a last resort. Okay?"
"Okay, lets go."

* * *

The day went smoothly and as expected, the prosecution rested after the
testimony of the victim's mother, at this the judge adjourned for the
day. Both Helen and Bobby felt the trial was going well, but the drama
would happen the next day. It was another late night in the office, the
frenzy increased for Lindsay and the group with the thought that they
had just one day left and there was a sense of trepidation for Bobby as
he realized that the outcome of the trial depended on Amanda and her
friends. There was some detail he was sure he had missed: the trial
seemed too straightforward for a murder case. Oh well, he sighed, I
guess we'll find out tomorrow. He turned off the light and prepared to
go home

The message above (Secrets, part 5) is from me, its just from my family
e-mail address, hence the name "bteam". This installment is quite short
and I'll try to have the next one up tomorrow, but I go on holidays
tomorrow afternoon, so I may not be able to finish the fanfic. :~(

Merry Christmas!

Alison

Hi Melissa,

I am stuck with the work I have to leave done before I go on vacations this
Sunday, if I do not read all these by Sunday, I promise you I will once I am
back, by January 7th. It is a promise. I really want to read all this and
give you my feedback. So, just be patient on me, okay?

veronica

Sorry guys I am kind of lazy, but I will add all the new stories on the
page tomorrow.  I hope you are all having fun with this mailing list
and enjoying all the new fanfics.

Michal I love your Christmas story, I really enjoy the way you write
about my favourite couple...

Kristy, I was hoping you'd send the rest of the story before Monday,
but hey I'll just have post-pone my trip for the double dose...  :))

To all writers, I am so proud of you, you are all doing a great job
with all fanfics...  I am really enjoying them all...

Melly

THE PRACTICE - "An Unmerry Christmas"
By Kristy (fbiagent_99@...)

Authors Note:  This story was written in response to the Christmas
challenge posted at the
fanfic site.  Sorry it's a little late!

Summary:  It's been a year since Bobby and Lindsay's reunion at the
Christmas Party.  But
this year will they have a merry Christmas?

Disclaimer:  None of the characters etc described in this fanfic belong
to me, that honor
goes to the multi-talented David Kelley.  They are being used for
entertainment purposes
only.

"AN UNMERRY CHRISTMAS"
By Kristy (FBIAgent)

"Bobby Donnell."

"Bobby! Where the hell are you!  You were supposed to be at my
apartment twenty minutes
ago!"

"I know Linds, I'm sorry!  I'm just leaving the office now okay?"

"What's going on?"

"Look it's a long story.  I am rushing out the door right now .. I'll
be there soon."

"Okay."

Lindsay hung up the telephone, and sat on the couch.  It was two days
before Christmas and
also one year since her and Bobby had "officially" got back together at
the office party.
She remembered that night fondly .. one minute she was telling Bobby
that she thought they
should just be friends, and the next minute they were all over each
other.  Tonight for
their anniversary they were going out to dinner, and Bobby had said
he'd pick her up at 8pm.
It was now 8:20 ..

Bobby rushed out of the office and down to the street.  It was pouring
with rain.

"Oh this is just great."

He pulled his coat over his head, and made a mad dash for his car.  He
made it without
getting too soaked, and headed towards Lindsay's house.  Almost two
blocks away from
Lindsay's apartment, Bobby approached a set of traffic lights.  They
flashed green and he
drove on through .. there was a screech of tires and a loud crash, as a
truck ran a red
light and plowed into Bobby's car ...

Lindsay sat on the couch, growing more and more impatient.  She looked
at her watch, it was
after 9pm.  She was about to reach for the phone when it rang.

"Hello?"

"Is this Lindsay Dole?"

"Yes it is."

"Do you know a Mr. Bobby Donnell?"

"Yes I do.  What's going on?"

"I'm afraid that Mr. Donnell has been involved in a serious car
accident.  Please come down
to Boston Hospital as soon as possible."

"I'm on my way."

Lindsay grabbed her jacket and ran out the door.

BOSTOM MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, 9:20PM

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Bobby Donnell."

"Ms. Dole?"

Lindsay turned around and came face to face with a young female doctor.


"Yes."

"I'm Doctor Sullivan.  I treated Mr. Donnell when he arrived."

"What happened?"

"A truck ran a red light and smashed into his car."

"Is he going to be okay?"

"It's too soon to tell.  He suffered multiple injuries in the accident,
including severe
internal injuries, and head trauma.  We operated on him, but I'm afraid
he has slipped into
a coma."

Lindsay couldn't stop the tears that began to run down her cheeks.  She
wiped her eyes and
looked back at the doctor.

"Will he wake up?"

"I'm afraid it's just too soon to tell."

"Well can I see him?"

"Sure .. right this way."

Lindsay followed Doctor Sullivan down the hall to room 332.  Bobby lay
motionless on the
bed, hooked up to several machines.  He had a bandage wrapped around
his head, and a cast
on his left arm.  Lindsay also noted several cuts and bruises on his
body.  She continued to
cry as she sat down in a chair by the bed.  She took Bobby's right hand
in hers.  After a
moment she turned back to the doctor.

"Can he hear me?"

"It hasn't been proven, but I certainly believe so."

"I'd like to stay here with him."

"Okay, but just for a while."

"I'm not leaving him."

Doctor Sullivan nodded, and turned and left the room, leaving Lindsay
alone with Bobby.  She
held his hand tightly with hers, as tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

9:18am, THE NEXT MORNING

"Linds?"

Rebecca gently shook Lindsay on the shoulder, trying to wake her up.
She was asleep in a
chair by Bobby's bed, and she was still holding onto his hand.  She
lifted her head.

"Hey Bec."

"Were you here all night?"

"Yes."

"Hows he doing?"

"I don't know.  The doctor said last night that he suffered some
internal and head injuries.
He's in a coma .. and she doesn't know when or if he'll wake up."

"I'm so sorry, Linds."

"Who called you?"

"The hospital.  I was at the office first thing this morning when they
called.  I asked Lucy
to call Ellenor and Eugene.  They are both in court this morning, but
said they'd be by this
afternoon.  I couldn't get a hold of Jimmy."

Lindsay looked back at Bobby.  He still lay motionless, the only signs
of life the gentle
heaving of his chest as he breathed.  She began to cry.  Rebecca knelt
down and Lindsay
fell into her arms, crying.

"Come on Linds, he's gonna be okay."

"What if .."

"No, don't do that to yourself.  He's gonna be fine okay, he has to be."

"Lindsay?"

Lindsay pulled away from Bec as the doctor entered the room.

"Doctor Sullivan, these is Rebecca Washington.  She's a friend of
Bobby's."

"Nice to meet you."

The doctor walked over to the bed and checked on Bobby.  She then
looked at Lindsay and
Rebecca.

"No change I'm afraid.  We just have to be patient.  Listen, you've
been here all night.
Why don't you go home and get some proper rest."

"No, I'm not leaving him."

Lindsay made her way back to the bedside chair and sat down.  She once
again took Bobby's
hand in hers.

END PART 1

Title: The Reality of Dreams and Nightmares Part 11/??

Author: Emily Schmitt (me)(Sorry, I don't feel like being creative
today.)

Author's Note: See previous parts.

Disclaimer: Disclaimers from previous parts still stand.

--------------------------------------------------------

      The second Luke pushed Ellenor through the door, he dropped her
bags. Tears were coursing
down Ellenor's cheeks now. *This can't be happening to me... This can't
be real...*

      The apartment looked plain and empty. A small living room on
Ellenor's left held a few pieces
of drab, gray furniture, a stereo and a television. The living room
merged into the tiny dining
room on her right, which held a light-colored, cedar set of chairs and
a table. An arch led
forward from the dining room to a microscopic kitchen. Straight in
front of her was a short
hallway with three doors, she assumed to the bedroom, bathroom and a
closet. The entire place
looked simple, solid... Somehow not at all threatening.

      Trying to think of something, anything, she could do to help her
situation, Ellenor became
desperate. *I can either die of a gunshot wound or I can let him do
only-God-knows-what to me
while I'm still alive. I've gotta' fight. I've fought my entire life,
and I'm won't give up now.*
Thoughts burned in her mind of what she had to do and how she could do
it.

      Ellenor tried to slow her breathing and calm her nerves. Suddenly,
she was very glad for her
religious parents; her father helping her memorize prayers; her mother
reading her stories of the
great Judaic religious heroes; sitting for what seemed like days at the
temple services in her
synogogue... Now she grasped at her religion, hoping for strength,
calm, or maybe just solace
after her death. She prayed silently the prayer she had so often held
in her heart during
confrontations as a child. *Master of the world, Thou who created the
heavens and the earth and
the spirits of the air, stand by me now.*

      It was time to fight. Ellenor moved her elbow that was pressing
against Luke's side, pulling
it away from them both, ready to bring it back with a slamming force
into Luke's stomach. Before
she could, a tiny peice of metal caught the lights of Luke's apartment.
Ellenor felt a deep,
stinging burn as the needle stabbed through her clothes and into the
back of her arm. With a
smooth, sudden motion, Luke pulled away from her, making her lose her
balance and fall to her
hands and knees.

      Luke walked into the kitchen, ignoring Ellenor almost entirely as
she desperately tried to
swipe at his legs as he walked away. She heard him rummaging through a
drawer as she tried to get
up...and fell again. She felt more drunk than she ever had in college.
Her balance was thrown off
completely, the room seemed to tip under her when she moved. She was
light-headed, dizzy, almost
unable to put together coherant thoughts. Her vision blurred and the
apartment turned fuzzy, like
she was looking at it through an out-of-focus lens. Her head felt like
it tipped from side to side
too easily and all her other limbs were hard to control, barely
swinging in the general direction
she commanded them. Briefly, while she still could, she wondered what
Luke possibly could have
drugged her with that would take such great affect so soon.

      Luke came from the kitchen carrying a bundle of cloth tied with a
string. He set the package
down on the table and quickly side-stepped a wobbly Ellenor who had
just barely managed to stand
up. He came up behind her, fluidly pulled off her coat and let it sink
to the floor in a heap.
Ellenor vainly tried to make her arms fight him, but Luke only ended up
using one arm to steady
her as he undid the two buttons holding her cardigan around her, and
slid it off her shoulders.

      "It's okay, Sweetheart. It's not so bad..." Luke's voice seemed to
gurgle and distort as it
resonated through Ellenor's mind. He seized her firmly by her upper
arms, partially to command her
and partially to steady her, and slowly forced her to back up against
the wall. Ellenor sunk back,
glad for something to steady her other than her attacker, as Luke
walked back into the kitchen.
The gloomy gray wallpaper felt rough and brittle against her skin.

      *The door. Just get to the door...* Ellenor continued to lay her
weight against the wall as
she used every ounce of will in her to focus on putting one foot in
front of the other. It was so
close, but so incredibly far to walk in her state. It was amazing how
the fixture around the
doorknob looked just like a face, turning the knob itself into a
nose... She watched in horror as
the fixture's eyes turned to watch her. It's wide mouth gaped open into
a gummy grin and chuckled.


      "You can't reach me! You can't reach me!" it's screeching voice
sang.

      "Help!" Ellenor had meant it to be a scream, but she was only able
to mumble it. She wasn't
even sure if she had said 'help' at all, her voice was so distant.

      "Can't even scream! What a shame, what a shame..." The doorknob
said in a sing-song voice
before roaring with laughter.

      "Please... Help..." Ellenor reached for the doorknob, but her
fingers only grazed it as she
sank to the floor. The colors in the room pulsated, swam together in a
murky blur. "Help..." And
then her mind shut down as the room faded to black.

--------------------------------------------------------

      The room was illuminated by a bare red lightbulb hanging from the
ceiling. Ellenor's eyes
barely glimpsed her surroundings from under half-closed lids before she
sunk back into sleep.

--------------------------------------------------------

      Luke looked down at the woman he'd brought in from the street.
*She's beautiful. A little
large, but still beautiful.* Of course, they were all beautiful. Maybe
other people didn't think
they were, but he could always find something beautiful about them. It
was astounding how many
women could be turned down again and again simply because their nose
was too long or their hair
too thin, but if you took the time to look, you'd find they had the
most perfectly shaped toes or
full, muscular calves. There was always something beautiful about them.

      Luke knelt down beside his new sweetheart. He had moved her into
the bedroom as carefully as
he could and propped her against the wall in a sitting position. He
reached out and gently turned
her face towards him, his fingers burrowing into her hair as he did.
She was beautiful.

      The woman's hair was divine. In the light of his living room Luke
had seen that it was dark
brown, but now, under the red light, it looked jet black. It was so
long and thick and full... He
leaned over the woman and hid his face in her hair, inhaling deeply so
that he was consumed by its
intense scent. Mint... It reeked of mint in the most luscious way. The
scent was fresh and clean
and he almost had the urge to taste her hair, to see if its delectible
smell was really so
decieving.

      Luke's darling's lips unwittingly pouted during her slumber. He
cupped her cheek with his
hand and then traced his thumb over her full lower lip. He brought his
face to hers and his lips
to her mouth. He let only the very tip of his tongue peek out from his
mouth and ran it over her
lips before kissing her softly, sucking on her tempting, pouting lower
lip.

      The woman's eyelids dragged themselves up. Her eyes were glassy
and unfocused. Even so, Luke
couldn't help but admire their deep blue hue that looked almost purple
under the red light, as
well as the long, black lashes that fluttered around them, threatening
to conceal them and choke
them away.

      Luke pressed his lips against the silken skin of the woman's
forehead. "I'll be right back"

--------------------------------------------------------

      Ellenor didn't know if it was possible, but her eyeballs felt
swollen. It was a task to try
and stretch her eyelids up to look around the room, but even more of a
task to keep them from
being sucked back down.

      The room was a hazy, dusky red. Shadows swelled up around her.
Someone, something, stood over
her, watching her, scrutinizing her with glowing, neon-red eyes. It was
a monster. The skin of its
face was blackened and blistering; it peeled away from the monster's
lumpy, bulbous cheeks in
chunky flakes.

      The monster spoke to her in growling, moaning tongues, never
bringing an ounce of sense
through to her. Its dry, cracking lips burnt against her forehead. She
watched it pull away, its
forked tongue lolling out of its mouth as it turned and swaggered away
on reddish-black, hooves.

      As soon as the creature left, the shadows turned on her. Bulbous,
pulsating, fluidic black
faces threw gurgling laughs and shrieks at her. Their twisted, knobby
claws stretched out to her,
traced over her skin, scratched at her clothing. She tried to bat them
away, but they only laughed
harder. Ellenor finally just closed her eyes, unable to bear looking at
the shadows anymore,
hoping darkness would be forgiving. But she could still feel the
creatures creeping over her,
their talons tearing her skin.

      Beneath Ellenor's eyelids, bright lights flashed. With a
strobe-light effect, thoughts and
memories hurled themselves at her. She remembered part of them, bits
and peices, but they weren't
quite right. Something was distorted, or perhaps she wasn't recalling
some of the details.

      Ellenor saw herself with a series of people, familiar people. A
bald, hulking black man
turned to her, saying something about a trial. *What trial... Whose?
Maybe mine... Is that why I'm
here? Is this some sort of trial?* The man looked familiar...*So*
familiar, but she just couldn't
quite remember how she knew him, who he was.

      Ellenor's mind flashed through other people: a short girl with
dark red hair, who oozed with
well-meant criticizm; a short, stalky Italian asking her dozens of
questions; and then someone who
brought with him the seering, screaming memory of a name. *Bobby...
That's Bobby...* And then her
brain struck forward to someone with a gun, someone wanting to hurt
her. *I'm in trouble... Oh,
God, he's going to hurt me if I don't get out!*

      Ellenor felt something deep inside her brain smiling at her,
knowing she could remember. *The
needle... He drugged me! I'm hallucinating! It's not real, none of it's
real!* She forced her eyes
open and saw the demonic shadows again, felt their claws, but she knew
they weren't really there.
The drugs were wearing off and suddenly she could recognize the
hallucinations, even if she
couldn't stop them.

      And then *he* was back in the room, the man Ellenor had seen as
the commanding monster: Luke.
His burnt skin and flaming red eyes faded. Once again she saw his
nutty-blonde hair and rich brown
eyes. Still, he was just a monster, the only *real* one that had ever
been in the room.

      "Stop..." she groaned, trying rise to her feet.

      "Darling, you're feeling better." Luke smiled at her, delight
warming his face.

      "You'll never get away with this." Ellenor knew there was no
fighting at the moment. Her
injection may have been wearing off, but she was still dizzy and
unstable.

      "Hush, Sweetheart." Luke brought his hands from behind his back.
Intertwined with his fingers
was a length of thick nylon rope. "You're really making this harder
than it needs to be."

------------------------------------------End Part 11/??

      Dun dun duhhnnn! Okay, I finally got it out there, I know it's
been a while. Feedback is
appreciated and can be sent to ereich@.... Hope you enjoyed
it!

YOU COULD WRITE ABOUT THE KIDS KELLY AND DYLAN'S    FIRST CHRISTMAS  (THEY
WERE FROM AN EARLIER STORY) JUST A THOUGHT

hi everybody! i just logged in and i wanted to thank everybody who had
sent me feedbacks! it made my weekend (that and the fact that the
practice is on tonight at 11pm in israel). happy holidays to you all,
my e mail is always open and i read all the fanfic there is so i know
you all and i'd love to hear some ideas even if you're not writing
fanfic. michal...

A women walkied into DYDF.



Lucy: Can I help you?



Toni: I am looking for Lindsay Dole is she around?



Lucy: Yeah she is in Bobby's Office who can I say that is here?



Toni: Tell her that Toni is here.

Lucy walks into bobby's office and tells her that someone called tony
is there to see her.

She walks out of Bobby's Office.



Toni: Well Well I guess that some things never change hey do they Linds?



Lindsay: And what hasn't changed hey you sense of humor that you think
you have?



Toni: Nah your Tendency to come running when ever I am around.



Lindsay: Yeah and you'll always have a smart mouth.



Toni: We both know where I get that from?

They hug.



Toni: So are you going to introduce me or are you too chicken?



Lindsay: No Toni this are my work Collagues Eugen Young, Ellenor Frutt
Jimmy Berluti Rebecca Washington and Lucy Hathcher everyone this is my
Baby sister Antonia.



Toni: Nice too meet you all.



All: You too.



Bec: so what do you do?



Lindsay: She does Freelance work for some Company's.



Toni: So when do ig et to meet the guy that is finally gonna tie my
sister down hey?



Lindsay: follow me.



They walk into bobby's Office



Bobby: Hey what's up?



Lindsay: bobby this is my sister Anotonia Toni this is my fiancée Bobby
donnell.



Bobby: Nice too meet you I have been looking forward to meeting all of
your family.



Toni: You havne't meet my brothers yet have you?



Bobby: No Why?



Toni: You'll see.



Bobby: what is it?



Lindsay: Nothing they are not that bad.



Toni: Yah if you meet them one at a time they are harmless tbut all
togher they are are realy terrible and also very proctitive especially
now that you are marrying Lindsay they are gonna wann know everything
there is to know aobut you and more right down to the colour of your
underware.



Lindsay: Toni stop trying to scare him they are not that bad.



Toni: don't worry Bobby I was Kidding about the last part.



Bobby: I hope so.



Two days later Lindsay is a a Restrunt with Toni when she is shot.

An Hour later Bobby arrives so does the rest of Lindsay's family.



Melissa: What are you doing here?



Toni: I was with her when she was shot.



Melissa: Then this is your fault that she is in there.



Lucas: Mother



Melissa: She was the one that walked away from this Family Lucas not me.



Toni: Yeah I walked away I walked away from a mother that blamed me for
what happened and if I could do it again I would.



Melissa: You were there when it happened and nothing happened to you.



John: I think that is enough Melissa if it wasn't for the fact that
Toni was with Lindsay she may have not lived so let's leave it okay.



Toni: No Matter what I do you are still gonna to blame me aren't you
mother when something goes wrong aren't you mother well I am going and
I am not gonna put up with this and I don't have to.



John: Katie is waiting for you in the Nurses louange.



Toni: Thanks John Luc tell her that I will be by to see her before I
leave town.



Lucas: Sure thing.

Toni walks away after John telling her that he will meet her there.



Liucas: God moterh you so Inconcerible.



Melissa: Excuse me Luca I am your mother you should respect me.



Juliana: Why so you can try and turn us against Toni while you are here
trying to turn us aginst our own sister she is out there wondering why
she even bothers with you.



Allan: I think that that is enough.



Angela: Daddy they are right and you know it.

She walks into Lindsay room and picks up the chart and reads over it.



Angela: Well Linds guess that you lucky that I have some pull in this
hospital you should be staying here over night.



Lindsay: well I guess that I am realy lucky then.



Bobby: She will be resting that I can bet on.



Angela: I will get the nurse to bring the pappers in so that you can
leae.

She walks out of the Room.



Bobby: come on then let's get you home so that I know you can rest.



Lindsay: don't you have to get back to the office?



Bobby: Nah I got Lucy to clear my Calander so that I could be with you
and I am all yours.



Lindsay: I like the sound of that.



John: Hey what do you like the sound of hey Linds or don't I need to
take a guess?



Lindsay: Shut your face every last single one of you hang on there is
no Ray or lennie or Marcus here then you guys aren't in full force.



Billy: When did she get so cheacky and start getting smart to us?



Lindsay: The same day that I started doing things for myself and could
talk back to you guys.



John: Ouch that is bad linds but nah we are still here nad this is the
way that it goes.



Lindsay: Bobby these are my dopey brother John Grant Billy Thomas who
you know and Lucas dole guys this is my fiancée bobby Donnell.



Bobby: Nice to meet the three of you.



Lucas: You too.



Billy: Nice too see you again.



John: You look after her or you will have us to answer too.



Till next time think about what I can put in the one and then I can
write the next part I am getting stuck with it.

Email me at Apple_baby_us@...

Tittle: the star of christmas

Author: Michal, hashavit@...

Author's note: this is my response to Tracy's challenge. All you have to
know is that this is set after the first season (nor Helen or Lucy exist
yet, although I love them). I know christmas isn't my holiday, but it's
B&L's so I just hope you'll have as much fun reading it as I had writing
it!

Disclaimer: these beautiful characters aren't mine, they belong to the
amazing DEK.

*******

"sure, mom, no, I understand, it's a crazy time during the holidays.
Yeah, I know... it's my fault too, this case is taking up a lot of my
time... sure, no problem. But hey, you and dad have a great time, Call
me when you get back ok? By, love you..." Lindsay hung up the phone,
feeling disappointed. This year she wasn't coming home for the holidays.
She missed that time with her family. She was so caught up with work she
forgot about feeling happy. Lindsay looked at her tree with the
decorations on the side which she didn't got around to hang. Suddenly,
she felt longing and sadness, her eyes became filled with tears when the
door bell rang. Lindsay got up to open the door. Bobby stood there,
smiling. "merry christmas" "hwy. I thought you were working late"
Lindsay tried to sound casual and wiped her wet eyes. "I hate working
late during the season of miracles" Bobby flashed his adorable smile
again. "I guess it is a miracle if you stopped working" Lindsay smiled
back "come in, you must be freezing" she stepped back to let him in.
"hey, what's wrong?" Bobby asked, noticing that something was wrong.
"nothing" Lindsay tried to avoid the question, still standing next to
the door. "feeling blue?" Bobby had that worried look. "do we have to
talk about this?" she asked, almost desperately. "no, we don't" Bobby
raised his hand to stroke Lindsay's cheek and then her hair. "good" she
smiled a bit and then saw that passion in Bobby's eyes. He kissed her
hard on the lips, dropping his briefcase, closing the door with his leg,
wrapping his arms around her waist walking forward while Lindsay was
walking backward until they managed to get to Lindsay's room and bed.
Lindsay wanted to be taken away with his kisses, to feel him, and what
ever it was she was feeling, Bobby helped her forget...

*******

Lindsay was sitting on her couch, drinking chocolate milk under the
blanket. Bobby was in her bed. But she couldn't stay there with him.
Lately, she has been thinking about their relationship. There were
moments where she felt that they were connecting. Even the sex was so
much more than sex. She felt love in the soft touch of Bobby's hands on
her body. But the definition they gave their relationship or the "no
strings attached" rule they made...broke her heart. Lindsay wasn't
looking forward to the holidays, all it had installed for her was
loneliness. Or so she thought. "hey, can I join you?" Lindsay looked
back to see Bobby standing next to the couch. "sure you can" he sat next
to her and covered himself with the blanket. "so...you want to tell me
what's going on?" Bobby had this understanding look in his face.
"nothing. it's just the holidays getting me down..." Lindsay raised her
head from her warm cup and explained. "I'm not coming home for
christmas. My parents are going away on vacation and everybody else is
too busy so... we've decided to pass this year" "oh." "what are you
doing this christmas?" "oh nothing much, the usual, lunch with my dad"
"sounds nice" she sighed. "you know.. when I was a little girl my father
let me hang up our family star...this decoration we used to put on the
top of the tree and... we would put it up and wish what we wanted to
happen that year... but I guess that's just a little girls game, that's
over" as she kept talking, Lindsay felt her voice shaking with tears,
and Bobby's warm hand on hers. He wiped her tears with his thumb, and
then moved closer to kiss her softly on the lips. It wasn't that
passionate kiss like before. It was the most sweet and tender kiss
Lindsay has ever experienced...but then, like reality, Bobby's cell
phone woke them up and Bobby reached to it and answered firmly "Bobby
Donnell.. yeah Ellenor, sure. Right now? No that's ok. I was just on my
way out anyway... ok, I'll see you back at the office" Lindsay felt
disappointed. She knew Bobby had to lie on the telephone. But there was
something in their kiss...she wanted to believe that they were a couple.
Everyone of Bobby's actions has made believe that, but now she realized
she was just fooling herself. "listen, I have to go. Ellenor needs me on
the whily case and Eugene is nowhere to be seen..." Bobby got up and
quickly put his cloths on. "I'll see you later ok?" "sure" Lindsay
forced a smile to Bobby. He leaned towards her and kissed her shortly on
the lips. Before moving back he whispered "bye" and then hurried to the
door. Lindsay just sat on the couch, staring at him as he left. "I love
you" but Bobby was way gone...

*******

"Bobby, I'm packing up, you need anything?" Rebecca pocked her head in
Bobby's office before leaving. "no, that's ok, I'll see you tomorrow,
I'm leaving anyway once I'll finish this" "leaving where?" Rebecca now
looked curious and suspicious. "what? Home" Bobby got defensive. "a-ha,
at six o'clock?" "what?" "I don't know Bobby, you seem different lately,
happy... I might as well risk it and say inlove" it was sort of a half
question. "what are you talking about?" Bobby did his best to council
the truth. "nothing, I didn't say a thing..." Rebecca just smiled and
walked away, leaving Bobby to just stare at the door. Bobby was more
confused than ever. Rebecca just said outloud what he has been trying to
deny lately... to himself. Lindsay never seemed like she wanted to talk
about that subject. It was almost as if she was trying to avoid a
certain truth: The fact that neither of them felt happy with their
current status. They both wanted more, but were too scared to admit it,
and even more scared to talk about it.

*******

Lindsay got back at her apartment at around 7pm. She was exsausted. It
was a long and hard day but it was worth it. She won her big case and
was able to put behind her all of her thoughts. Lindsay threw her coat
and briefcase on the chair beside the naked tree. She didn't even get
the chance to sit back and relax before the doorbell rung. She opened it
to discover Bobby. "hey" he just entered and kissed her quickly on the
cheek. "I heard you deserve congratulations for the Robertson case"
"yeah, I guess so" Lindsay kept smiling and moved closer to Bobby.
"thanks" she wrapped her arms around his neck when he lifted her up and
spinned her around himself. Lindsay laughed, and felt happy. When Bobby
stopped spinning her she was hugging him tightly. He kissed her. First
softly while laying her on the couch, and then passionately as they
began undressing eachother. Lindsay felt how another situation between
them became about sex, and as much as she loved feeling Bobby's body
against hers she couldn't help but feel her heart being shattered into a
million pieces. Suddenly, without really realizing it , with that exact
fierce passion, she felt her sadness bring tears that broke free from
her eyes. "Bobby, no... stop it..."Lindsay stopped him , almost begging
, or crying. Bobby stopped kissing her and removed his hand from
underneath her blouse to discover her painful look. "Lindsay, what's the
matter?" Bobby asked, totally oblivious, yet concerned for her. "I don't
want to do this anymore, Bobby" Lindsay tried to sit back, as did Bobby,
and closed the buttons of her blouse. "Lindsay, I'm really not getting
what's going on in here" Bobby tried to make sense of what was
happening. "what's going on in here is that I'm sick of what we're doing
here. don't get me wrong Bobby, the sex is great but I need more than
that... and I can't do this anymore!" Lindsay got up from the couch, not
being the only one surprised by her words. Bobby was in total shock, and
as usual, being in a state like that made him speechless. That minute
his feelings were spoken out by somebody else, allowing him to face it,
but still not admitting it to himself, or right now- to Lindsay.
"Lindsay, I.. I don't know what to say..." Bobby tried at least get out
any words he was able to say. But that made it worse. "that's ok Bobby.
You've made it clear where you stand. Now we both know." Lindsay looked
deeply hurt, but her pride wasn't allowing her tears to break free from
her eyes again. She turned to her bedroom but Bobby grabbed her in his
arms "no, Lindsay, you're not walking away from this!" "Bobby leave me
alone!" Lindsay couldn't help the tears that were now striking down her
cheeks. "leave me alone!" she yelled and went to her bedroom, slamming
the door and collapsing on her bed in tears. Bobby hated to feel like
this. His lover, his LOVE was in her room, crying over him. He felt
frustrated for keeping his feelings bottled up inside. In a way he felt
relieved to know Lindsay felt the same way. But how was he going to tell
her his real feelings?

*******
"Lindsay, you're late" "I know, I'm sorry. I got caught up at the
courthouse. That DA Michael won't leave me alone" "well maybe you should
just say yes to a date already" "Rebecca..." Lindsay gave her a warning
look and then smiled. She just got back from the courthouse and was late
to the christmas party at the office. Everybody were in there. Including
Bobby who was talking to Eugene , but kept stealing glances at her.
Lindsay went to talk to Ellenor and Rebecca about the case she had won,
and everybody were so proud of her. It made her feel a little better.
"hey, Lindsay can I talk to you for a second?" Bobby almost sneaked
behind her. "sure, talk." Lindsay tried to sound as indifferent as
possible, especially since all their friends were in there. "in
private?" "hmm" Lindsay bit her lower lip, trying to decide. But she
didn't get the choice to do that. ellenor came up smiling. "oh Lindsay,
there's somebody here for you.." she had that teasing tone. "who?"
Lindsay had no idea. She turned around to see Michael talking to Rebecca
and then, looking at her. "Michael, hey" Lindsay felt a bit
uncomfortable. "what are you doing here?" "oh, I just came by to wish
you a merry christmas since you said no to a date" he was trying his
best to charm her when he came up to her and kissed her on the cheek.
Bobby stood on the side, watching them, getting ticked off. He couldn't
believe he was jealous. Although he knew this was about to happen if he
doesn't tell her how he feels. After all, "no strings attached" they
made that rule together. "hey Bobby, here's your beer" Jimmy came up to
Bobby and started talking to him. Bobby tried to focus on their
conversation but couldn't help but looking over Jimmy's shoulder to see
Lindsay talking to Michael. He was whispering something to her ear and
she began to laugh. Bobby felt good to see her laugh, but he felt bad
that he wasn't the one making her laugh... He was the one making her
cry, and that most of all broke his heart. The moment he saw the two of
them leave the office he followed to see what was happening. Bobby saw
that Lindsay was just walking him out to the elevator. He looked outside
to see them but Rebecca was blocking him. "Bobby! Will you leave those
two love birds alone" she smiled but he looked dead serious, or more
accurately furious. When Lindsay got back to the office and closed the
door, she saw Bobby standing near her desk. She just stood next to the
door staring at him. Their locked gazes were loved, but sad. "can we
talk now?" Bobby said quietly, looking at her, wishing that she'll say
yes. "well, what did he tell you?" Ellenor and Rebecca interrupted
looking at Lindsay with anticipation. Bobby lowered his head, surely
felt he was missing yet another opportunity with Lindsay. "hmm, listen,
I'll talk to you in ten minutes ok? I need something from Bobby's
office" Bobby now raised his head with a smile on his face, walking to
his office after Lindsay. After Lindsay got in, he also entered and
closed the door, leaning on it, looking deep into her eyes. "so... did
this guy asked you out?" he asked. "yes" Lindsay nodded, trying to read
his expression. "did you say yes?" Bobby gazed at her eyes, almost
afraid to hear the answer. "no" Lindsay stated simply. Bobby couldn't
help but sigh with relief. "good" "excuse me?" "good. I don't want you
going out with anybody else but me" "but we're not going out Bobby,
remember?" "NO" "what?" Lindsay didn't understand. "Lindsay, I want you
to be my date. Tonight. It's christmas eve and I want to spend it with
you...will you let me?" "a date?" "yeah. I'm sure you remember the
concept. Y'know, two people enjoying eachother's company... you want to
try it?" "ok" Lindsay smiled. "dinner at my place?" "sure. We'll cook it
together." Bobby regained his smile, glad to see hers too. "fine but
watch out Donnell I'm a great cook" "we'll just see about that" "oh
yeah?" Lindsay grinned at the challenge. "come on, let's go out there,
everybody wants to know what happened with Michael" she began to walk
towards the door. "just tell them you got a better offer" Bobby kissed
Lindsay's cheek and opened the door "after you" Lindsay smiled at that
and got out.

*******

"this is the last time I'm letting you into my kitchen" Lindsay laughed
at Bobby as he tried to cook some pasta. "come on, Lindsay, this is a
christmas eve dinner a-la Donnell" "yeah, pasta and fudge" "well, I've
always told you I'm original" "yeah, you have". Bobby and Lindsay spent
together christmas eve. Eating pasta, talking, laughing near the
fireplace, and decorating Lindsay's tree together. "I can't believe
you've waited so long to decorate your tree" "me neither. I guess I
wasn't in the spirit of the holidays" "and now?" Bobby glanced at
Lindsay. "now, with you?" she raised her head and smiled with joy.
"yes". "hold that thought" Bobby got up and went to take something from
his jacket. He stopped and looked at Lindsay, sitting peacefully,
finally decorating her tree. `I love her' he thought to himself. As he
walked quietly behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing
her long neck. Lindsay looked at the little box he held. "what's that?"
she turned to him as they were both sitting on her carpet cuddled up
next to her tree. "this is for you" "well, what is it?" Lindsay felt so
excited and opened the box. Inside she saw the most beautiful thing she
has ever seen. "Bobby..." "Lindsay. This is our special star. And every
christmas we'll put it on our tree and make our own wish for the new
year" Lindsay was shocked and happy. "so? What is you wish?" she asked,
both of them holding the star. "I wish that every christmas from now on,
we'll spend together" a tear of happiness slid on Lindsay's cheek as she
got up and put the star on the top of the tree. "come on, turn on the
light" Lindsay closed all the lights and turned the light of the tree.
She and Bobby stood up, looking at the tree, at their star. Lindsay
turned to Bobby and wrapped her arms around his neck. "merry christmas
Bobby" she moved close to kiss him a long sweet kiss. "merry christmas
Lindsay, I love you" Bobby laid her on the couch and kissed her
tenderly. "I love you too Bobby" Lindsay looked deep into his eyes and
as the clock rang midnight she whispered to his ear "make love to me" "I
thought you'd never ask" Bobby smiled and let them drown in their
passion, desire...and love.
Merry Christmas! THE END.

*******
I'd love to hear (in our case read) what you think! please e mail
me...Michal.

I hope this works, I'll post the fanfic on the page shortly.


"Brotherly Love -- Part 1"



		 That autumn Sunday, Lindsay decided to go shopping. Anything
to get away from Bobby's football party. She hated football as much as
he
loved it. "Sure you don't want to stay and watch the game?" Bobby
asked. "I
have some really good food here."

		 "No thanks, but save me some pasta salad. Shopping with
Helen for a bridesmaid dress is much more up my street. See you later."
She
kissed him.

		 "Bye." He tasted his homemade chili one last time. "Wooh!
That'll clear out everyone's sinuses!"
		 In addition to his chili, Bobby made pasta salad, a veggie
tray, and created a meat and cheese platter with fresh ham, turkey,
roast
beef, and Swiss and cheddar cheeses from his neighborhood meat market.
Eugene and Jimmy would bring beer, and Ellenor would bring some
munchies.
Rebecca promised to bake a dessert. They all loved Rebecca's baking.

		 "I'll warn you, troops," he said after his guests arrived.
"I got carried away with the chili powder. The chili is very spicy."

		 "The spicier the better," Eugene said as he ladled himself a
bowl. He sampled a spoonful. "Outstanding, Bobby! Tastes just like my
grandma's chili."

		 "Thanks."

		 "I'm going to watch the game." Eugene sat on the sofa near
Jimmy, who wore a Patriots jersey. Jimmy enjoyed a bowl of chili also,
having just finished a ham and cheese sandwich and a large helping of
pasta
salad. Jimmy lived for food.

	 The doorbell rang. "Somebody get that." Bobby called from the
kitchen as he carefully poured the chili into a large crock pot.

	 Jimmy put down his chili and went to the door. "Hey, Beck. Those
look good."

	 "Thanks." Rebecca went into the kitchen. "Bobby, open the refrige
for me?"

	 He did. "What kind of pies did you make? They look fantastic."

	 "A cherry pie and a banana cream pie."

	 "God, I love banana cream pie. Thanks, Beck. I'm not serving it,
however, until everyone is full. That way, I can have all of it."

	 "Selfish."

	 "When it comes to pie, damn right I'm selfish." Cheers from the
living room. "What?" Bobby asked.

	 Eugene replied, "Seventy two yard run, Patriots."

 	 Bobby asked, "Want a beer, Beck?"

	 "Sure."

	 Bobby poured both of them a Heineken. "Come on. Let's go watch the
game."

	 As Bobby passed the front door, the bell rang. Assuming it was his
father, he opened it. He stared a moment, not believing what he saw
before
him. "Jack?" he asked, uncertain.

	 "Hey, little brother."

	 John (a/k/a "Jack") Donnell was 13 months older than his brother. He
stood slightly shorter and slightly larger. He had the same black hair
and
blue eyes, but he lacked Bobby's fine features. Over 18 years before
Jack
had suddenly left Boston, and no one in the Donnell family had heard
from
him since.

		 Bobby glared at him. "What the hell do you want?"

		 "'The prodigal' returns and you act like this? Come on,
Bobby, we're family."

		 "Oh, so you do remember?" he snarled.

		 "Yes, I remember. So, can I come in?"

		 "Why?"

		 "Because I want to talk to you."

		 Bobby sighed. He wanted to slam the door in his brother's
face and get back to the football game. Instead, Bobby stepped aside to
let
him in. "Everyone," he said. "I'd like to introduce someone. This is my
brother, John. We call him 'Jack'"

		 Jack said charmingly, "Our parents were fanatical Kennedy
supporters, hence, John and Robert." Everyone laughed, except Bobby.
With
forced politeness, Bobby said, "Come on, Jack. Let's get you a beer."
Once
in the kitchen he demanded angrily. "What the hell are you doing here?"

		 "I wanted to reconcile, is that so hard to understand?"

		 "From someone who deserted his family almost 19 years ago,
yea, it is hard to understand."
		 "Hey, take it easy!"

		 "Take it easy, my ass, Jack! Do you have any idea how much
you've hurt Dad? Or Mom? We she was sick, she kept asking why you didn't
come see her. We lied and told her you were in the Peace Corps and we
couldn't contact you. You didn't even bother to come to her funeral. You
don't send Dad as much as a birthday card, let alone call him, and you
expect me to welcome you with open arms? Are you insane or just stupid?

		 "Bobby, I was smothering in Boston. I had to leave."

		 "You could have said good-bye. You could have kept in
touch."

		 "Yea, maybe."

		 "Maybe? You hurt us, Jack, don't you get that? How could you
do that to our parents? They gave us everything they could. How could
you
just walk out of their lives?"

		 "I had to."

		 "So that's your excuse?  You desert your family, then 19
years later you show up and explain it all away by saying 'I had to'.
Fine.
You're not welcome here, Jack. Call Dad. Maybe he'll be more accepting.
Leave my home before I call the police."

		 "I'm sorry you feel that way, Bobby."

		 "I'm not. Get out of here."

		 Jack left, closing the door behind him.

		 Bobby rested his hands on the kitchen counter top, trying to
calm down. He couldn't believe his intense, hateful anger he felt for
someone to whom he once was so very close. Minutes later, Bobby finally
relaxed enough to join his friends to watch the game.





		 Bobby was cleaning the kitchen when Lindsay came home.
"Lindsay?"

		 "It's me." She went to the kitchen. He poured the remaining
chili into a Rubbermaid container for their dinner the next evening.
"How
was the party?" she asked.

		 "Good. The Patriots won, 21 to 13."

		 "Then why do you look so angry?"

		 "Do I look angry?"

		 Lindsay rubbed his arm. "Yes. What happened?"

		 "My idiot brother stopped by."

		 "Brother? I didn't know you had a brother. You've never
mentioned him."

		 "I hate Jack so I don't talk about him, even to my Dad."

		 Lindsay poured them each a beer. Bobby put the remaining
pasta salad in the refrigerator as he asked, "How about burgers and
pasta
salad for dinner? I bought some ground sirloin at the meat market
yesterday
when I bought the sandwich stuff."

		 "Sure. Put cheese on mine, but don't change the subject.
Tell me about Jack." She sat at the oak kitchen table.

		 "Jack is 13 months older than I am. Growing up and even
through college (we both went to Boston University), we were extremely
close." Bobby sat and sipped his beer. "We could read each other's minds
practically. We played on the high school football, basketball, and
baseball
teams together. We even double dated.

		 "At BU Jack studied pre-med. I studied pre-law. After
graduation, I went on to Suffolk University, and Jack got a scholarship
to
BU's med school. Then half way through his second year, he suddenly left
Boston. Completely disappeared. No one in the family heard from him till
today.

		 "When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, I sent a letter
through a friend of Jack's who claimed he knew where Jack was. But Jack
never came home. The bastard didn't even show for her funeral. I'll
never
forgive him for that. Never. As far as I'm concerned -- and I know this
sounds cold -- I have no brother."

		 "Why did he come home?"

		 "I don't know and I don't care."

		 Lindsay looked at him. "That's very sad."

		 Bobby shook his head. "Honey, it doesn't matter. Jack is no
longer part of my life. I accepted that years ago." He sipped his beer.
"Did
you and Helen agree on a bridesmaid dress?"

		 "Yes, at Bloomingdales. Pale lavender silk. Very elegant."

		 "Good. One good thing happened today, other than the
Patriots beating the Bills." Bobby managed a slight smile.

		 Lindsay expounded on the bridesmaids dress and head piece,
but Bobby didn't listen. He thought about this estranged brother. Why
the
hell did Jack come back? He mulled that question over and over, but he
found
no answer.





		 On Tuesday, Bobby sat up till midnight, preparing for a rape
trial. When the words on his yellow legal pad began to blend together,
he
turned off his desk lamp and went to his bedroom. He got carefully into
bed
so as not to wake Lindsay. He fell asleep at once.

		 Two hours later the ringing telephone woke him. A light
sleeper, Bobby grabbed the handset on the first ring. "Hello," he
managed.

		 "Bobby, it's Jack. I have a very bad situation here. A
murder. Bobby, you have to help me. Please!"
		 "Where are you?"

		 "Three ten Commonwealth, Apt. 1B. Can you come over? Now?"

		 Bobby sighed. He knew he had to go and help his brother,
regardless of his personal feelings. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

		 "Thanks, Bobby."

		 In jeans and a navy rugby shirt, Bobby drove to his older
brother's apartment. Jack met him at the door. "Thanks for coming." He
said.

		 "What's up?" Bobby asked coldly. He was tired and cold. He
most certainly did not want to be there.
		 "Come on in."

		 Inside the apartment, a large, burly man lay dead on the
carpeting, a pool of blood surrounded his head, where he'd obviously
been
shot. A woman sat on the sofa, crying hysterically.

		 "Who are these people?" Bobby asked.

		 "This is Audrey Harrison, my girlfriend. We rented this
place the other day when we got here from Baltimore. She used to be
married
to this guy." Jack pointed to the dead man. "He's Wayne Harrison. He
lives
here in Boston."

		 "Jack, what the hell is going on here?"

		 "I shot him. I was in the other room when the doorbell rang
and Audrey let him in. He started yelling at her and hitting her. Then
he
started strangling her. As you can see, he's a big guy, and I couldn't
pull
him off of her so I grabbed Audrey's gun from the end table. I didn't
mean
to kill him. I just wanted to stop him from hurting her."

		 "Did you call the police?"

		 "No."

		 "Do it now. I'll stay here then I'll follow you to the
police station."

		 Ten minutes later, Bobby watched as his brother was
handcuffed and read his rights. "Jack, say nothing! I'll be there in a
minute."

		 In his silver Audi, Bobby followed the squad car. He paced
and waited impatiently while Jack was photographed and finger printed.
A cop
escorted them to a jail cell. "Call me when you're ready to go, Mr.
Donnell." He said then he left.

		 Bobby asked, "So this Wayne Harrison is Audrey's husband?"

		 "Ex-husband. They're divorced. He abused Audrey terribly,
even after their divorce. He broke her ribs once, she told me. That's
why
she bought the gun -- to protect herself from Wayne. I couldn't let him
keep
hurting her so I grabbed the .38 and shot him."

		 So it was you, not Audrey, who shot Harrison?"

		 "Yes, but I just meant to stop him, not kill him. Honest,
Bobby."

		 Bobby decided that his brother was telling the truth. "OK,
we may have a defense strategy here. Don't say anything to anyone else,
understand? If the DA's office contacts you, call me at once. I'll have
my
associate Eugene Young represent you. I'll second chair if needed. It's
better that way."

		 "OK, Bobby. Thanks. How do you think the old man will
react?"

		 "Not well. I didn't tell him you were back in Boston. He'll
be very surprised and probably pissed." Bobby sighed. "I'll call him
first
thing tomorrow and tell him everything. I don't want Dad hearing about
this
on the 6:00 news."

		 "Thanks."

		 Coldly, Bobby said, " That's for his sake, not yours, Jack.
Dad is the only reason I'm helping you. You need to get that. Guard!
Don't
mistake my help for forgiveness or brotherly affection. You will be
billed
at the same rate as my other clients. And I don't come cheap." The guard
opened the cell door and Bobby practically ran through it to get away.

		 Bobby felt guilty about hating the brother to whom he was
once so close, but he couldn't get away from Jack fast enough.

Part 2 to follow.

Hi all

I just wanted to pass on some ideas that Michal had in mind for our
Life's a gift story:
please pass my idea: lindsay's dean or colleague
will need a layer(maybe a murder trial) and slowly she'll realize that
she's meant to be a lawyer, not a teacher. for that we need people who
are good in court scenes(not me, maybe Tracy... like in 'plan b' in
shattered glass) mean while beautiful scenes between Bobby and Lindsay
and all the others could be about celebrating the holidays together.
thanks, Michal.


So who will write the next part????

Melly

Hi everyone,

Thanks to Melly, Rose and others who wished me a Happy
Birthday!  I had a okay day, but it was kind of a
bummer cause I had to go and sit an exam!  Doh!!  But
I had a good day.  I'm 20 now, so I am looking forward
to my 21st in 12 months!

I'm glad you enjoyed the conclusion of Lawyers Vs
Lovers.  I have started my next fic, and it is kind of
a sad one, but I hope you'll enjoy it.  I only have
one assignment left to do for Uni and then I am on
holidays! Yay!

Unfortunately Dylan did not show up on my doorstep
yesterday morning, because I believe he was still in
the US appearing on Rosie O'Donnell.  Mark Waugh
couldn't come either, cause he is in Brisbane.  Next
year I am expecting one of them to come visit me!

Bye all!

Love Kristy.

=====

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com

Hi everybody,
              Just thought I would say hi, now that there are more people who
have joined.  I love the new fanfics, Kristy-the ending is so sweet.
Anyway, this was really just for the sake of sending something.

Oooh and mt other reason was to say,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTY> I hope all your birthday wishes come true(I'm sure
Dylan McDermott will have a small amount of spare time in which to show up
at your house wearing a red ribbon)
And good luck with your exam.

Rose.

______________________________________________________

Don't worry, it takes a while to figure all those things out....  For
all of you this is how it works.  You can send an e-mail to
thepracticefanfiction@eGroups.com, and all members of this mailing
group will receive it.  Note also that the messages are archived on the
following web page:
http://www.egroups.com/group/thepracticefanfiction
You can use the page to post the messages as well...
I've posted also 2 new fanfics by our dear friend Kristy...  You can
read it them on the page if you haven't already...

Jilli I am so looking forward to you summary of the following ep...  I
can hardly wait to read it....

Melly

hi and sorry for posting all those messages. i posted them on the first
though and it acctually posted them on the second. maybe i just have to
be more patient. now that it acctually works, it's really cool. great
idea melly!

Jilli

I GOT ALL THREEE SO YOU MUST BE DOING SOME THING RIGHT

okay i just sent two message before this and it didn't work, i don't
think. so  i am trying to reply to a message instead of posting the
normal way. and sorry if my messages really do post. just ignore all of
them. bye again.

Jilli

hi, i just posted a message but i don't know if it worked 'cause i
don't see it on the message part. if it did work then pardon me, but if
it didn't, i doubt this will so it sorta defeats the point but anyway.
i just wanted to see if it was me or that specific message.
anyway............ bye

Jilli

hi! i just wanted to post a message on this NEW board. so now that i've
postedi guess i'll see you later!

Jilli

Hey guys,
Welcome all, I hope we'll have lots of fun on this mailing list...  So
all of you who have ideas for stories, I know some of you do, post them
here and hopefully someone will write a story about it...

Melly,
I guess it's back to books again....

Just thought i'd say Hi.  This is a Great idea Melly, although soon I will
be a member of so many The Practice clubs that it will take hours just to
check them all.  Not that I mind, I love discussing anything to do with the
practice.  Hope to see some interesting discussions starting here soon.

Rose

______________________________________________________

Hi Melly, well it seems as though I am one of the first to join the
list!! Another great idea that you've come up with!  I haven't written
any fanfics for a while I know, but I've been so busy with Uni and exam
preperation that I haven't had a chance to do much else!  In another
week, I'll be free to work on my sites and catch up with all the latest
news from the clubs and stuff.  Anyway, hope we get some good
discussions going here soon.  Bye!!  Kristy.