Chapter10

"Order!!" Judge Lakin called, banging on the desk. "This is October 15th, at 3:17 p.m., Sydney McConnel and Alyssa Jackson versus The Backstreet Boys..." AJ squirmed in his seat as Sydney walked in, hands cuffed behind her back. Alyssa walked in, no cuffs, behind Sydney. Sydney looked around the room, eyes settling on AJ. She smiled radiantly. AJ grinned. There was that smile he'd been missing. She looked beautiful... Nick elbowed AJ.

"Why is one girl cuffed and the other isnt?" he whispered. "Because Syd's a bad girl." AJ said with an evil gleam in his eyes. Nick rolled his eyes and turned back to pay attention to the judge.

"Mr. Mclean?" the judge called. AJ looked up, noticing everyone was looking at him. "Would you please take a seat up here?" The judge pointed to the witness chair. AJ walked up, Sydney gasped. He looked so handsome... "Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?" "I do." "Mr. McLean, first off, is there anything you would like to say to Ms. McConnel?"

"Yes sir, there is..." AJ leaned over so he could look at Sydney. He smiled. Then leaned into the microph one. "Hey baby..." His voice came out in barely a whisper. Sydney blushed and waved. "Is that all?" "No sir." AJ leaned back into the mic. "How are they treatin' you, Syd? You doin' alright? Those handcuffs dont look too comfortable. What do you think Alyssa? Do they look good to you?" His voice took on a bitter edge, not feeling it was fair for Sydney to be treated rougher than Alyssa.

"Thats enough Mr. McLean." The judge stated in his no-nonsense tone."Would you please, in your own words, describe your relationship with Ms. McConnel?" "The relationship I have with SYDNEY isnt nearly what I'd like it to be... and if you ship her off to jail- it wont ever be what I want it to be." The room gasped. Sydney's eyes flew open.

"Sydney is a beautiful woman. She treated me in ways every man fantasizes about being treated by the woman they love. Only once in a lifetime does a man get the opportunity I got." "And what opportunity is that?" "To love and be loved by a creature as magnificent as she is. To be ALLOWED to touch and kiss and hold a woman as beautiful as she is. Need more details or is that answer satisfactory?"

This was obviously NOT what the judge had been expecting, he sat, eyes wide, mouth open, face confused. Trying to figure out what to do. Sydney sat there, tears in her eyes, a smile on her face, and her hands itching to touch him... "Mr. McLean, are you saying you have no problem with this woman and what she did?" The judge asked bewildered. "Yes sir. The only problem I have ever had with this woman is lack of self control." The courtroom laughed. Even the judge smiled.

"Can we have Ms. McConnel up here please?" the judge asked. Sydney stood up, walked towards the seat. AJ stood up, and brushed the guard away as he helped her up, then returned to his seat after gently running his hand along her cheek. "Ms.McConnel-what is going on?" the judge asked bluntly.

"Sir, I love AJ, and now I see that he loves me. The only problem that exists is that everyone is trying to find fault with that. Can you find fault with love? Can you? What are you going to do? Put me in jail because I made love to a man I love? If you do that to me- do you have idea how many other people you'll have to put away??"

The judge nearly choked on a sip of coffee he had just taken. "The problem is that you and Ms. Jackson KIDNAPPED Mr. McLean and Mr. Littrell." "Sir, with all due respect, do you have nay idea how stupid that sounds? Me, and Alyssa, kidnapped 2 full grown men..." The courtroom laughed.

"Ms. McConnel, you may step down." The judge said with frustration. He then turned to face the courtroom. "Will someone please explain? Neither of the women seem to have actually done anything wrong. None of the gentlemen seem to be in any hurry to press charges. This is just a big waste of time. If you decide later on in life to press charges and are willing to follow through- gimme a call. This session ajourned."

The jury dispersed rapidly, and Sydney ran to AJ's waiting arms. "Jesus, I missed you AJ..." Sydney said between kisses. AJ's arms tightened around her in response as he kissed her deeply. "I love you so much Sydney. Is that possible? We barely know each other still, but... I'm willing to take the risk..." AJ whispered raspily as they two kissed again.

"Alyssa! Wait up." Brian called out as he ran down the steps of the courthouse. He grabbed her arm and spun her around. Seeing her beautiful face again, he took her face in his hands and kissed her. "Dont ever walk away from me again...ever." They embraced, Alyssa crying tears of joy."I promise." She whispered. "I promise."