The Trial of Willow Rosenberg
Parts 5 & 6

By Sam James

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Previously on the Trial of Willow Rosenberg: Willow has been put on trial for the murder of Warren Means. Refusing to let Lilah Morgan be her lawyer, Willow chose to represent herself. While she was able to get the testimony of Buffy and Anya off the record, Xander's stuck. And Willow does not know that the prosecuting attorney, Carlos Columbia, has accepted the help of Wolfram and Hart. But she does have a trick up her sleeve.

Lilah Morgan spared her companion a quick glance as the wizard collapsed. Clearly, Wolfram and Hart standards were not what they had been back before Dru and Darla visited that wine cellar. She considered demanding making a big disruption, demanding an ambulance, as a way of temporarily stopping the trial and get Wolfram and Hart to send someone else who might be able to figure out what magic Willow had just done. But, there was no way of knowing if that would take longer than simply waiting for the wizard to recover. Besides, Lilah realized, she did not want to leave the room and miss part of trial.

In the front of the courtroom, having taken the oath to tell the truth, Sergeant Gary Ravitch sat down in the witness box. Carlos Columbia opened with some standard questions, how long he had been on the force, what training he had received, and what his record was. At one point, Ravitch tried speaking, could not, blushed, swallowed, and then continued. Lilah Morgan, having positioned herself where she could see Willow's face in a reflection, noted her quick smile.

"At the time of his death, Warren Means was wanted by the police," the prosecuting attorney stated. "Could you tell me why?"

"Warren had continued to bother his ex-girlfriend, Kristina Constantine, after they broke up," said the policeman. "He was wanted for questioning after her suspicious death two months ago. Then, he and two friends attempted to rob an armored truck. His two companions were caught but he escaped. Then he attempted to murder a young woman in Sunnydale, a Miss Buffy Summers. He severely injured her and did kill another woman in Summers' house, a Tara Maclay."

"What is the relationship of those two women to the defendant?"

"Buffy Summers was Willow's long-time friend. Tara was her lover."

"So when did you suspect the defendant in Mr. Means' death?"

"We had three witnesses to that death. Mr. Alexander Harris, a Miss Anya

Jenkins, and Miss Summers herself. All, separately, fingered Miss Rosenberg as having killed him. Several policemen, including myself, identified her as the woman who attacked the police station where Mr. Means' partners-in-crime were being held. And..." Here, Officer Ravitch tried to say something, stopped, tried to talk again and stopped.

Carlos Columbia looked at his witness funny. "Are you alright?" he asked.

Gary Ravitch shook his head but said, "I'm fine." Lilah looked and saw Willow suppressing a giggle and then slipping her resolve face on.

"So what did you do after the witnesses reported a murder?" Carlos decided to continue despite the mixed signals.

"We sent a forensics team into the forest where we were told the death had taken place."

Carlos leaned forward. This was the crucial question; the one that Lilah Morgan and the Wolfram & Hart cash set up. "What did forensics find?"

Officer Ravitch started to say something that came out "Mmmruf" and then blurted out, "Nothing, they found nothing."

Columbia was shocked. "Nothing?"

"Oh, there were some traces of blood on the ground, but animals and nature do a good job cleaning up and we had a big storm and earthquake between the reported murder time and when we were able to send people to check the site. We could tell that someone had run through the area in an awful hurry but that was it."

Carlos Columbia was still surprised. "That wasn't what you told me before."

Ravitch tried not to say something but some strange form of mental pressure forced him to say, "I was lying before. I took money to give you false testimony."

Pandemonium broke out in the courtroom. The noise was enough to wake the dead, or at least the comatose, as Lilah found out when her wizard companion stirred. "Truth spell?" she asked, barely giving him time to open his mouth and taste the air with his quick tongue.

"Worse," the demon wizard said. "Geas spell. It activated when he swore to tell the truth."

"Can you break it?"

The wizard shook his head. "He voluntarily accepted it by swearing on a holy object. That gives it ten times normal strength. Perhaps, if I had supplies and could destroy that Bible, but from here, I would not even budge it."

While the two were conversing, Judge Bone gradually recovered control of his courtroom through liberal use of his gavel. Then he asked, "Mr. Columbia, can you tell me why I shouldn't charge your witness with perjury?"

"Your honor, he hasn't committed perjury under oath, merely lied in his previous statement to me. And if he engaged in conspiracy to commit perjury, why is he telling it to us now?"

"Good question," the judge muttered. As one they turned to Willow who was clearly enjoying the discomfort of those who had put her own trial. Although his suspicions were growing, the judge motioned for Carlos to continue questioning the witness.

"Was I involved in this bribery attempt?" Carlos asked.

"No."

"Are you lying now?"

"No, I am telling the truth."

Carlos glanced at the jury with eyes long practiced in at reading the faces of jurors. Not surprising, they were deeply suspicious. So, he quickly wrapped up the policeman's testimony, just getting on the record that Willow was seen at the police station shortly after the time reported for the murder, that she had somehow, Ravitch was not clear on how, subdued several officers, and that when she left, Andrew and Jonathan were missing. Then Carlos sat down and shuddered as he mentally drew up a list of questions he would have asked if he was the defense attorney. Although he hoped that the young woman's inexperience would help him here, Willow's first question dashed his hopes.

"You say you took money to lie on the stand, what were you supposed to lie about?"

Again, the officer tried to speak and then felt words come out despite his own will. "I was told to make up false evidence about the forensics, say that we had found remnants of the body and the weapon you used to kill Mr. Means, and that you attacked the police station with a gun and broke his partners out of prison."

"Any of that true?" Willow put in.

"None."

"So, aside from the testimony of the witnesses who have appeared before this court, what evidence is there that I murdered Warren?"

"None."

"What evidence is there that Warren was murdered?"

"None."

Willow turned to face the jury. Her eyes radiated exasperated disbelief. "Is there even any evidence that Warren is dead?"

"Objection!" Carlos shouted.

"Overruled," Judge Bone said. "I kinda want to hear the answer to this one."

"Just that we can't find him," Officer Ravitch was no longer even trying to control his answers.

"Now, is there any reason why a murder and robbery suspect might hide from the police?" Willow asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Objection!"

"Sustained," said the Judge.

"Sorry, is there any reason other than his death why Warren Means might hide from the police?"

Officer Ravitch shrugged and gave her what she clearly wanted. "He's a murder and robbery suspect."

"Thank you," Willow said politely. "Now you said I attacked a police station but that you were lying about the gun." Carlos considered objecting but decided he was better off silent. "What exactly did you see me do?"

"I saw you point your hand at the cells and the cinder blocks flew off."

"But did I have any sort of machine or explosive with me?"

"No," the officer admitted.

"Then for all you know, I just happened to see the blocks move and so was pointing to draw everyone's attention to it." Willow said.

"Objection," Carlos said. "That calls for speculation on the part of the witness."

Willow turned to the Judge, "The witness is an experienced police officer who..."

"Nevertheless, sustained," said Judge Bone. "Move on."

"Alright," Willow said, turning back to the witness. "Now, you said you took money to lie about me. Who else do you know did the same?"

"Officer Krumkey, Officer Tracey, Officer Bridges, and Detective Stone," Gary Ravitch stated. "We met afterwards to make sure this wasn't a trap and that our stories all agreed." Carlos Columbia mentally tore up his witness list; these were all the names Lilah Morgan had given him.

"Thank you for being so cooperative," Willow smiled and sat down.

"Next witness for the Prosecution?" Judge Bone looked at the ambitious district attorney.

"Umm," he thought quickly. He couldn't possibly use any of the policemen Ravitch had named. "I'd like to request a recess."

Judge Bone motioned him over. "I've given you all the breaks I can on this one. And so far you've given me a girl who suffering from delusions of being a superslayer, another girl who thinks she's over a thousand years old, a Jesus wannabe who left his bride at the alter because he was seeing visions, and now a cop who admits to being on the take. Oddly enough, my patience is over. Now, do you have anyone normal and credible to put on the stand? It's time to fish or cut bait."

Red-faced from the judge's chewing out, Carlos shook his head.

"Miss Rosenberg," Judge Bone said. "You can begin your defense now."

Willow rose, "I'd like to request that the case be dismissed for lack of evidence. The last witness clearly stated that there was no evidence that Warren is even dead."

Carlos shot to his feet, "You have the testimony of three eyewitnesses that..." he stopped, recognizing the trap Willow had put him in by pulling Buffy and Anya's testimony off the record. He stared at Willow in horrified admiration. Why the murderess may very well have pulled it off and get to go home scott free right then and there. "Her guilt or innocence should be a matter for a jury to decide."

Judge Bone looked at him. "Normally, I would agree with you on that. But nothing about this case has been normal. I need to think this over. I'll give my decision first thing in the morning. Miss Rosenberg, I suggest that you prepare your first witnesses just in case."

"Prepare to defend what exactly?" Willow asked. "A charge of witchcraft?"

Judge Bone ignored her, although he sympathized. He didn't see how even experienced litigates could defend against a charge of murder-by-magic without making the whole thing into a circus. "Court adjourned until tomorrow."

As the courtroom emptied, Lilah Morgan turned to her companion. "Very skillful use of getting maximum effect from a simple..." she waved her hand.

"Anything you can do about that in the future?"

The bearded demon sighed. "I am afraid I have failed you. You saw what happened when our magics clashed. And that was with a simple spell when she did not expect me. I am sure next time she will be forewarned."

"Very well, you are dismissed. You will be paid according to your effect - nothing." The demon strode out, anger straightening his back. He's lucky I don't just have him shot if he's so worthless, Lilah thought before remembering that he still had his uses even if he was not in Willow's league. Ah well, plans within plans. She reached into her purse and pulled out a cell phone and dialed her employers. "Hello, this is Lilah. I need some knick-knacks tonight. Five will do the job nicely and quickly." She looked again at the courtroom, walked over and pulled the window's blinds shut. No letting the sunlight in for tomorrow. She walked out of the courtroom humming to herself. Knick nack padywack. Throw the dogs a bone.

Only half of Judge Bone's attention was on the road as he automatically drove his blue Toyota home from the courtroom. The other half of his mind was still in the courtroom, focused on the case and the dilemma it presented him. More, and more he was convinced that Willow was in fact guilty, but the prosecutor had completely failed to explain how. Instead, he was diverted down a sideshow of slayers, demons, vampires, witches, and magic. He heaved a sigh. Magic just would not work in a courtroom explanation. If a witch could kill with a spell, how could you prove anything? Illusions, false evidence, altered memories could all be conjured up with a wave of the hand. Could a spell cast in New York strike down a person in California? And how could you prove it? Why, the law would be reduced to tossing people into the water and see if they floated.

The judge parked his car in the driveway and got out. Lost in speculation, he didn't notice the five burly men moving toward him, blocking his access to the house.

"Are you Judge Bone?" one of them asked.

"Yes, I am," the judge replied. "Courtroom hours are nine to five, I don't do business in the street." He took another step, but the men did not move out of his way. Instead, they... they... they changed. Their foreheads grew more protruded and wrinkly. And their mouths opened, opened wider than humanly possible, with more and sharper teeth.

"Oh, you will," one of them said. "You're gonna acquire a change of mind about a lot of things." The others laughed. "And a loss of soul..."

Suddenly, one of the five attackers vanished in a puff of what looked like smoke, or maybe dust. Standing in his place was a blond girl wearing black leggings and a tan coat. "But a judge is a former lawyer," the girl said. "Do they get their souls back when they become judges?" Judge Bone recognized the voice. It was the first witness in the case, the one who claimed to be a vampire slayer. He looked again at the beings holding him prisoner and at the pile of dust. Maybe 'claimed' was an inaccurate term.

"Slayer!" hissed one of the creatures that the judge was forced to recognize had to be vampires. Real vampires.

"Slayees," mocked Buffy as she lashed out with a kick, knocking one of the vampires into the judge's car. A black haired man came charging out of the night, catching another vampire by surprise and knocking him over and quickly staking him.

"Xander, protect the judge," Buffy yelled as she punched another vampire. Xander pulled out two crosses from his under his coat and gave one to the judge. Buffy used one vampire for leverage, jumping over it to summersault in the air and appear before another vampire, staking it. The remaining two were quickly subdued through a combination of quick jabs and kicks. Buffy immediately staked one and punched the other one hard to the ground.

Buffy reached down and pulled the last vampire up by his shirt. "This is Mr. Pointy," she said, holding up her stake. "I'm gonna ask some questions and if Mr. Pointy doesn't like the answers..."

"Poof," put in Xander.

"Who sent you here and why?" Buffy asked, brandishing Mr. Pointy at the vamp's chest.

"Master said to come," the vampire said hesitantly. "All of us were to sire the judge, so he would rise quick, and then do the Master's bidding at his trial."

Buffy and Xander exchanged a look. "Does this Master have a name?"

"Only Master, he..." in mid-sentence, hoping to catch the slayer by surprise, the vampire tore his shirt out of the slayer's grasp and began to run. Buffy simply reached into her jacket, pulled out a throwing stake and threw it right into his heart.

"Vampires?" the Judge got out. "Those were vampires? Vampires are real?"

"Yup," Xander said. "Real, live, well undead anyway, vampires."

Buffy looked around, she did not see any more vampires but thought it best not to take chances. "We need to get inside so you'll be safe. Then we need to talk."

"We can't really do that you know," the judge had only partially recovered. "You're witnesses in my case. I can't have out-of-courtroom contact with you that might cause a mistrial."

Buffy sighed. "In case you didn't notice, we just saved your life. I don't think talking to you will put you more in our debt. Besides, I'm off the case because someone didn't believe I was a vampire slayer." She gestured with her stake at the piles of dust. "Change your mind?"

The three entered the Judge's house. The decoration was male austere, although clean and neat, the place was obviously lacking a woman's touch. The judge led them down a hallway lined with bookcases to a living room whose cream white walls were broken by framed paintings done in Impressionistic style.

The Judge barely waited for Xander and Buffy to settle down before he began asking questions. The two Sunnydale residents, repeated the now familiar litany of vampires being real, magic being real, and demons being real.

"But how did you know they'd attack me?" the judge asked.

"We didn't," Xander replied. "Willow thought that someone seems to be determined to make her lose the case, with bribing witnesses and such, and that you'd be the next target since the prosecution can't put up any more witnesses."

"But why?"

"We've made a lot of enemies over the years," Buffy said. "Baddies who've tried to destroy the world that we've stopped. Demons, magic users and the like. And Willow's been helping with all that. Something may have realized that I'd be less effective with her locked up."

"It could even be one of the good guys," Xander said. "If they think Willow's too dangerous after what she did when Tara died."

"Then everything said in the trial..." the judge asked.

"Was completely true," Buffy answered.

"Then Willow really is a witch? And you did see her commit murder through magical means?"

"I'm afraid so," said Buffy.

"That's why she never actually denied anything in her opening statement. Why she insisted on defending herself..."

"Yeah, Mr. Judge," said Xander. "Let's talk about that. She's defending herself and I don't like what it's doing to her."

"How so?" the judge asked.

"Willow's always been good at justifying her actions, even when she's wrong," admitted her lifelong friend. "But she had been upset at what she did and remorseful about the whole thing with Andrew and Jonathan and even somewhat with Warren. But now that she's in court, it's all defense and denial. She's like pretending that she never did anything wrong, even making use of her friends to present this false front. That's bad for her and for the whole world if she feels there's no need to learn how to control her scary side."

The judge squirmed uncomfortably. "This is exactly the sort of conversation I'm not supposed to have with a witness."

"Xander, go by the door and watch for more vamps," ordered Buffy. "I was kicked out of the witness box so the Judge and I can safely have a little chat.

She was such a little thing, the Judge thought. But he was not in the least surprised when both Xander and himself obeyed the slayer's orders.

Lilah Morgan's phone rang at her office at Wolfram and Hart. Although it was late, Lilah had not left. She was expecting this call. "Lilah Morgan," she said.

"Knick knack paddywack," the gavely voice on the phone declared.

"Throw the dogs Judge Bone" she replied. "How did it go?"

"You deceived me legalist," the voice said. "You said nothing about the slayer being there."

"I did not know," Lilah's thoughts were bubbling. How did the witch anticipate her? How much did she know? "Were they able to complete the mission?"

"They're dust," the master vamp replied. "You cost me five of my best children. I expect you'll provide me with adequate replacements."

"Of course," Lilah answered, frowning. The costs of the operation were adding up. And the next move was the witch's. Actually, she reconsidered, the next move was Judge Bone's.

 If you like my stories and want to encourage me to write more or just comment, please send feedback to [email protected]

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