AUTHOR'S POV 

~one week later~

Laurent has been all smiles this past week and for great reasons. Detective Marteau called to inform him of Samuel's arrest and at first he really thought he was dreaming. It wasn't until the detective went into detail about what they found in his apartment and the fact that Samuel ran from them confirming that it was real. Samuel has a hearing today and although Laurent won't be in attendance so he can stay with Larry he's expecting the detective to call him with the victory they've all been waiting for...a victory he knows is in large part because of his bup. Larry pushed past his fear and allowed his mind to go back to that night and the end result was the detectives catching him. Laurent couldn't be more proud and every moment he gets the chance he gazes at his love with that pride beautifully evident on his face. The icing on the cake is that Larry's recovery has been much better and going faster than expected. In fact, the doctor is releasing him in a couple of days. While Laurent is great his love doesn't have to be in a hospital too much longer he's worried how Larry will react once he walks into their home. Larry has been so brave, so strong and insisted that they don't move because they didn't want to give his attacker power but anyone would be cautious about returning to a scene of a crime...particularly a crime that involved them. In anticipation of him coming home Laurent decided that since they're not going to move then he wants to do something that will make it easier for him. He hasn't told Larry of his plans yet and as he's sitting next to his bed watching him eat he decides he will soon. He's sure Larry won't mind or be upset and if anything, Larry will know it's out of love. As Laurent watches him he notices that Larry's bites of food are not as slow as they were and each meal he's eating more than before which is wonderful to witness. The bruises on his face are close to being gone forever and Laurent is also sure he's getting that "bup glow" back. In between bites Larry glances over at Laurent and they sweetly smile at each other...with a little blushing from Larry at the way Laurent looks at him. Laurent gets a sweet chuckle from it and in a sweet voice...

Laurent: *smile* "What"?

Larry: *smile* "You know what. When you look at me like that".

Laurent: "I can't look at my love any other way". 

Larry blushes again and shyly nods causing another soft chuckle from Laurent. He loves the fact that he can make Larry feel this way...but since Larry is almost finished Laurent will have to tell him of his plans as they will require that they be a part for a few hours. He hasn't left Larry's side since the incident and he vowed he won't leave him unless it's necessary but with his plans and Larry coming home soon he will need to. Larry takes his last bite so Laurent takes the tray away and places it on the table to be collected from the staff then comes back to his seat... 

Laurent: "Bup, I have to tell you something". 

Larry: "What's wrong"?

Laurent: "Oh nothing is wrong. I didn't mean it like that. I just have to go home".

In a soft, innocent voice...

Larry: "You're leaving me"? 

Laurent's heart nearly drops at the tone of Larry's voice as well as the look of worry in his eyes...

Laurent: "Just for a little bit my love but the cop will be outside of your room. I wouldn't leave unless someone's with you".  

Larry: "I know but...why are you going home baby"?

Laurent: "Well since you will be there soon I need to take care of some things and make sure everything is ready for you".

Larry: "Like what"?

Laurent takes in a soft breath as he proceeds to finally tell Larry what his plans are...

Laurent: "I was thinking I should change the bedrooms. The other rooms just as big so we will still have plenty of space". *pause* "I just don't want you to walk in there, sleep in there and it be too much for you bup".

 Larry: "Thank you for thinking of me baby but you don't have to do that". 

Laurent: "Are you sure"?

Larry: *nods* "Yes. I understand why you want to but I'll be oki. Yeah it be hard at first but you be by my side so knowing you're there make it better to deal for that". 

Laurent: *smile* "Yes I will be". *pause* "Oki. So we'll stay in us room. I still have to go and clean up the mess the police make but I won't be away too long oki"?

Larry: "Oki baby but will you try and come back fast"?

Laurent: "Of course my love. I'll come back to you so fast". *pause* "It will be like I never left". 

Laurent's soft tone covers Larry like a blanket so he allows his body to relax while smiling sweetly and nodding in response...

Laurent: "You need anything first"?

Larry: "I'll take some more water". 

Laurent smiles and winks his eye then heads over to pour his love a glass of water. He takes over then makes sure he's comfortable in bed then takes Larry's hand in his, bends down to kiss his forehead and look him in the eyes...

Laurent: "It's almost over bup. He will be in prison, you're getting better every day so everything will be oki". 

Larry: "Oki baby. I love you". 

Laurent: "I love you more". *pause* "I'll tell your nurse to check on you while I'm away". 

Laurent can't leave before he takes Larry's hand which is still in his to lift it up and place a kiss on the back of it before leaving the room. He takes one more look back just to be sure that his love isn't afraid or nervous then steps out of the room. The police officer on post greets him to which Laurent greets him in return but makes sure to speak with him...

Laurent: "I have to leave for a little bit but I won't be away long". 

Officer: "Yes sir. I'll stay right here". 

Laurent: "Thank you". 

Officer: "No problem". 

Next stop, the nurse's station and just to make sure the cop does what he's supposed to do he has an additional request...

Nurse: *smile* "How can I help you"?

Laurent: "Yeah I just told the cop watching bup's room that I will be away for a little bit. Please check on him and I'll be back soon". 

Nurse: "I certainly will, Mr. Bourgeois". 

Laurent: "Thank you so much". 

Nurse: "You're very welcome". 

Laurent won't even waste a millisecond leaving because the quicker he does the quicker he can get back to Larry. He's relieved that he talked to him about his plans and even though Larry didn't agree with switching bedrooms Laurent still thinks it's a good idea. Of course he won't pressure him into doing anything he doesn't want to do, he just feels deep down within him that at some point their bedroom will haunt him. He realizes that can happen no matter where they sleep due to the magnitude of it all but to actually be in the same room again there's a greater likelihood of it. On the flip side, Larry working through it just adds to the proud husband Laurent is. Now in the car he drives out of the hospital parking lot with a smile on his face reflecting that...

~meanwhile~

Detective Marteau and Detective Vincent are waiting in the courtroom for Samuel's hearing to begin. Since arresting him they've been waiting for this, especially detective Marteau, and the days were just going by so slowly. He's also kept in touch with Laurent and there's no possible way to describe the feeling in his heart hearing the relief as well as the joy in Laurent's voice when he told him the great news. He also called him the second he learned of the hearing and he understands why Laurent can't be here today though he knows he wants to be so he can witness justice being served. The next best thing is receiving a call that he's not only been found guilty but to know that he'll be receiving punishment. He smiles to himself and out of his peripheral his partner sees it and turns to him...

Vincent: *smile* "I already know what you're thinking. You always get like this when the bad guy gets punished". 

Marteau: *chuckles* "You know me well partner". 

Vincent: "Yes I do and I'm right there with you buddy". 

Detective Marteau sees something from the bottom of his eyes and when he drops his head he notices it's his partners fist so he smiles and connects his for a fist bump. Then they put their focus on court. The cases being presented before the judge today are a combination of things but of course they all have one thing in common. Each one involves the criminals wreaking havoc on the lives of innocent people, whether it's theft or assault and battery charges, they're all getting the punishment they deserve. The detectives aren't even over these cases but they still get satisfaction out of watching them particularly knowing what's about to happen. Detective Vincent looks at his watch as if he's anxious for this to move along. That's when they hear a voice behind them...

"Detectives".

They turn around and are greeted by the prosecuting attorney who has several wins under her belt. She also has a look on her face as if she's more than ready to do this. They stand up and shake her hand as they speak...

Vincent: "Mrs. Monet. Pleasure to see you again". 

Monet: *smile* "Likewise detective". *nods* "Detective Marteau". 

Marteau: *smile* "Hi. I can see you're ready to do this". 

Monet: "I'm always ready to put a criminal behind bars". 

Vincent: "Do you know who's representing him"?

Monet: "I think he has a public defender but I'm not worried regardless of who it is. The evidence is solid which is a guaranteed conviction". 

Marteau: *nods* "I agree". 

Monet: "Well I better get in place. I'll see you two afterwards". 

Marteau: "Sure. We're ready to see you in action". 

She smiles as she walks away and no sooner than her briefcase is on the floor the side door opens and in walks Samuel Picard clothed in jail attire with no emotion on his face whatsoever. It's almost pleasing to him. Then again, he is a serial criminal so being in a courtroom is second nature to him. He takes his place beside his attorney who they don't recognize as they do most attorneys whether they're for the prosecution or the defense. Perhaps she's new which also means her experience in court is minimal but overall she looks confident and just as ready to proceed as the prosecuting attorney. They hear for everyone to rise so the judge can come out and take his place on the bench. When he calls for everyone to sit the detectives look over at Samuel as they do who's already looking at them. He flashes them an evil smirk and they would love nothing more than to walk over there and wipe it clean off his face. He attacked and nearly killed someone yet he's sitting there arrogant as all hell which only infuriates them. They look at the judge and now the anticipation couldn't be higher. Now, the hearing is officially underway...

Judge: "Samuel Picard. You are being charged with burglary, assault and battery as well as attempted murder". *pause* "Mrs. Bouvet, how does your client wish to plead"?

Bouvet: "Not guilty your honor". 

Judge: "Mrs. Monet". 

Monet: "Your honor the defendant is without question guilty of this crime. We have the black leather gloves that the victim described him wearing which were found at Mr. Picard's place of residence upon a search. We also have a positive identification of the defendant by the victim and Mr. Picard also has no alibi during the time of the crime". 

Bouvet: "Your honor many blue-collar workers wear gloves for their jobs or whatever the case may be. That isn't sufficient evidence and I move to strike it. We also we cannot be sure that the victim positively identified him as we don't know what state he could have been in". 

Naturally everything the defending attorney said causes the detectives to look at each other with worry. They were under the assumption that this attorney is new and if she is she certainly isn't showing that because even they have to admit that she's creating that reasonable doubt that defending attorneys are required to prove. They look at the prosecutor sure that she's going to interject with something strong...but the defending attorney jumps back in with something no one in the court room sees coming...

Bouvet: "And your honor I will like to strike the search warrant as well. The detectives received permission from my client's girlfriend but I have a copy here of the lease to that residence".

The judicial officer comes over to take the copy from her and bring over to the judge. As he scans it she goes into her defense of that...

Bouvet: "As you can see Samuel Picard is the only name on the lease, therefore, Sheila Martel didn't have the authority to give consent to a search". 

Monet: *sigh* "Your honor, what the defending attorney is doing is suggesting is without question a stretch. The detectives had more than enough probable cause to go after the defendant so the lack of authorization should not hold any stake here. It shouldn't and doesn't matter who was there to let them in". 

Monet: "Yes it does your honor and may I also remind the court that the best evidence counselor presented are leather gloves but that doesn't prove anything". 

Bouvet: "Again, the victim identified them". 

Monet: "Again, that doesn't make my client guilty and if they're allowed as evidence then any and everyone who owns a black pair of leather gloves will be suspected of crimes going forth".

Judge: "Was forensic analysis conducted on the gloves"? 

Monet: "There was your honor however the results were inconclusive but that doesn't mean the defendant isn't guilty. He's a career criminal so knowing what detectives look for when investigating a crime he could have easily washed away evidence to cover his tracks but as I stated, he doesn't have an alibi for the time of the crime and he was positively identified so counselor stating that her client was falsely identified is preposterous". 

The defending attorney is ready to interject but is quickly stopped by the raised hand of the judge. The courtroom is now silenced as he leans back in his chair...his eyes lowered and his mind clearly deep in thought about the case presented to him. The detectives look at each other with wide eyes, nervous wide eyes, because the fact that he's so quiet coupled with a look on his face that just can't be read makes it difficult to be anything but nervous. They simply can't fathom the judge actually letting this guy off. The fact that he's taking so long to even speak is telling and as such it's doing more than words ever could. They watch him take a deep breath in and now it's the moment of truth...

Judge: "I agree with the defense Mrs. Monet. I'm striking the search warrant because without forensic evidence on the gloves tying the defendant to the crime I don't have reason to find him guilty". *slams gavel* "Case dismissed".

Vincent: "What"?!

The judge hears the outburst and slams his gavel again to bring order back to the court. He looks at the judge and nods in understanding then looks over at Samuel who's being escorted away...but not without another evil smirk at them and it practically lights a fire on the inside of him. So much so that he's tempted to run over and beat him to a pulp because if there's one thing he detests more than a criminal is a cocky criminal but he calms himself down to look over at his partner who's gazing at the ground in disbelief...

Vincent: "How the hell he could he get off"?

Marteau: "I...I don't know". *sigh* "I can't believe this". 

Vincent: "This is ridiculous". 

Detective Vincent looks up again and sees the prosecutor stepping away from the table and walking in their direction so he walks at a fast pace to catch her before she leaves...

Vincent: "This doesn't make any sense". 

Monet: "I'm sorry detective. I was sure we would still get a conviction. I knew the lack of DNA would be difficult to get around but everything else was solid. Or so I thought". 

Vincent: "No it was solid. He attacked Mr. Bourgeois and he cleaned those gloves when he came home". *pause* "I guess he's smarter than I care to give him credit for". *sigh* "We'll just have to get him some other way". 

Monet: "That won't be possible detective". 

He looks at her strangely and he's ready to ask her why. Then it comes to him...

Vincent: "Double jeopardy". 

Monet: *nods* "Unfortunately". 

Vincent: "So a week in jail is all he gets for this and he's free to hurt someone else".

Monet: "I'm so sorry detective". 

Vincent: "It's not your fault. Thank you for everything you did". 

Monet: "You're welcome".

He shakes her hand and says goodbye then goes back over to his partner who hasn't even gotten up from his seat yet due to his shock. Unable to stomach another moment in here...and the fact that there are some people waiting to hear what happened...

Vincent: "Let's get out of here and get to the hospital". 

Marteau: *nods* "I'm right behind you". 

With the courtroom nearly empty now detective Marteau sadly stands up and follows his partner so they can give this devastating news to the Bourgeois men...

*****

Laurent wasn't gone long as he promised and since being back he and Larry have been enjoying some beautiful quality time together. Laurent's heart jumped when Larry was able to laugh without pain shooting through his body. In between he's been thinking about the hearing. All they're waiting for is that phone call telling them how long Samuel will be in prison. Neither of them are expecting to get news in person...and the opposite news at that. They're in the middle of a hearty laugh when they hear a knock on the door prompting Laurent to turn his head and greet, "hey detectives. Come in". Larry and Laurent immediately take notice of the downtrodden looks on their faces and they've gone from laughing to looking extremely confused with nervousness also leaping on the inside of them. Laurent feels Larry squeeze his hand so Laurent places his free hand on top to soothe him. He gulps then asks... 

Laurent: "So? What happened in court today"?

*brief pause*

Marteau: "Samuel got off". 

The shock waves are so strong Larry can't even respond. His head just goes down and there's instant sadness on it so Laurent responds for them... 

Laurent: "What"?!

Vincent: "Yes sir. We're very sorry". 

Laurent: "I don't understand. How"?

Vincent: "It was a combination of things. The DNA analysis on the gloves being inconclusive was part of it but the defense also said her client was falsely identified. The kicker was the judge agreeing to strike the search warrant because the defense attorney showed that the girl who let us in to conduct the search doesn't live there according to the lease so she didn't have the authority to allow us in". 

Larry's head is still down but he chimes in with a voice matching that of his solemn expression... 

Larry: "I was wrong". 

Laurent: "No bup. You picked the right person so don't even think for that oki"?

Larry finds it impossible to nod in agreement. He just keeps his head down and Laurent is fighting back tears seeing him like this. He's also angry, extremely angry, and knowing that his love hasn't received justice and that creep is back out on the streets takes his emotion from angry to infuriated...

Marteau: "Mr. Bourgeois, we're very sorry. The prosecution laid out a great case. Everyone involved knows he's guilty so as far as I'm concerned he got off on a technicality".

Laurent: "Now bup doesn't get justice because of that and to make it worse, he knows what he did to him. He knows"!!  

Detective Vincent can't help but think about the cocky, evil smirks on Samuel's face so he responds as such...

Vincent: "Yes he does". 

Laurent: "There's nothing else you can do"?

Vincent: "I'm afraid not". 

Laurent blows out a sigh that's beyond frustration. He looks back at his loves devastated face and he can feel angry tears building. He appreciates the detectives delivering this news in person but they just need to be together in a time like this...

Laurent: "Detectives thank you for coming but we're really upset right now so we just need to be alone". 

Vincent: "We understand and again, we're very sorry". 

Laurent: "Thank you". 

The detectives give them a look of empathy and although they're upset too, seeing their faces at this news also devastates them...just as much as hearing the case get dismissed. They couldn't possibly tell them about double jeopardy playing a role in this and that even if incriminating evidence came to the surface he couldn't be placed on trial again for this crime. Of course, telling them this would be more than they can handle right now as they already have to adjust to the fact that he's a free man. With sadness filling each step as they walk away they turn back to give them one final look when they're at the opening of the door before leaving for good. Now it's just Larry and Laurent but silence has fallen. This deafening silence goes on for several moments before Larry can muster up the strength to say anything...and when he does... 

Larry: "This is not fair baby".  

Laurent: "No it's not fair bup". 

Larry: "He's going to walk around like he didn't do anything. He will hurt someone else like he hurt me". 

There's no way Laurent can respond to that. Well, not verbally. With such a sad tone and knowing that even though he told Larry this isn't his fault he's still sure Larry is internally blaming himself. He's out of his chair within seconds and walking around to the other side of the bed to climb in with him. He delicately places Larry's head on his chest and just...holds him. They were so excited, so optimistic about the hearing coming out in their favor and Larry coming home so they can continue on with their lives with Samuel behind bars...now this. Laurent is certain there's still something they can do but aren't telling them for whatever reason. He doesn't exactly know what but there has to be something. They can't just let him walk away like this. If all options are exhausted, well then, Laurent may not have a choice but to seek justice on his own. For now the love of his life is shaken, saddened and any other emotion that can be expected so he holds him tighter yet as gently as he can while whispering he loves him and assuring him that they will get through this together... 

~day of Larry's release~

It's been a couple of days since the detectives came to break the news and the shock still hasn't worn off. In fact, it's the very reason they haven't spoken much about it. They've just gone on with Larry's last days here as normal. Laurent helping his love whenever he needs and ordering his meals but today he finally goes home. Release forms have been signed, Larry's things are all packed and he's all dressed and ready to go. They're just waiting for a wheelchair to be brought to help Larry out though he is walking much better. Even now there aren't too many words spoken...primarily for Laurent because he just doesn't know what to say. A reason for that is because they'll be home soon and it was different when they thought the outcome of the trial would be different. Now Laurent is unsure how Larry will react to being home again. The wheelchair finally arrives and as always the nurse is pleasant to them. Laurent helps bup in and with the duffle bags on each shoulder he takes a look around the room to make sure he didn't forget anything then begins pushing him out...eventually on their way home to try and live life with the unknown of what's to come....

-------------------------------- 

A/N: I know loves. You waited for an update all this time only for him to walk away. It sucks. Please share your thoughts as to what you think will happen from here and I'll be replying very soon. Love you guys...