Saving Us Both

Raiting NC -17

Author Rosemary

Feedback Okay

This is my first story ever.I would be happy to get any tips or let me know how I can improve or just say Stop writing .Theres no hope for you.


Disclaimer:Not mine They're Joss Whedons






Life was good for Willow Rosenburg. At the young age of twenty-two , the young attorney had built a reputation as one of the most promising up and comers in the State of Texas. Solo , she held a record of six to one judgements in her favor , and numerous victories as co-consel.in the firm that currently employeed her. She felt herself incredibly blessed that she had the good fortune to work side by side with her former teacher and mentor,Jenny Calander. She had addmired Jenny , not only because of her incredible knowledge and love of practicing law , but her dedication to helping those she felt needed and deserved representation beyond anything they would receive from any court appointed attorneys, but could never afford to hire.

Jenny often would represent them for little to no pay when she felt that they would not be represented properly or they were innocent of the crimes they had been accused of.Many of these cases were automatic appeals cases in which sentencing of capital punishment was given. She was one of the few people who believed no matter the crime , everyone deserved forgivness It was not up to us , but to God to make the dessisions of who lives or dies.
Willow remembered once that Jenny had said "If even one out of a thousand people exicuted were innocent , then the cost was to high. The scale can never again be balanced."

Sitting here now, the reallity of what was happening was hitting Willow full force.She drew in a deep breath , held it for a beat and exhaled. Only then could she find the strength to open her eyes again.She found the light that hit her eyes was far to bright , it stung them and she had to squint against the bright sun it till they adjusted.

Willow looked around at the faces of those who were in attendance. Most of them she recognized. Jennys family and friends , passing aquantences and coligues , and of corse the media.They wanted there pictures and film footage , heartbroken and distraught attendees be damned. This was the big story after all .
It horrified Willow. The heartlessness behind their actions vicious and cruel. The clicking their cameras , the sounds of their voices as they gave narratives to their film footage of a grieving mother and father, the sight of an inconsolable husband ,collapsed and broken, as they lowered the body of his beloved wife into the ground.All great stuff for the five oclock news.

Everyone deserves forgivness.That was Jennys belief.Willow wondered if ever she could forgive the woman her killed her dearest friend and mentor. Could she ever understand why the God Jenny believed in and turned to so often would allow this? and what of the person whom Jenny saved from death in the appeal hearing ? The one who killed the eight year old son of the mother who felt that someone had to die for his crime?
" If not the murderer himself , then the one who saw to it that his life was spared,Someone needs to pay"
Thats what she said outside the courthouse right before she emptied the chamber of the 45 into her back.How could she ever forgive them?
"I don't think I can" Willow said to herself in a whisper."But I have to try, It's what she would want."





THREE MONTHS LATER
"Hey,Willow,Giles wants you in his office"Andrew called out as he walked past her to the office break room, masking tape and black sharpie in hand,prepared to label all of his food and drink items in the fridge.

"You out of post its Andrew?"Willow asked as he past her.

"No,but apparently they don't stick to things in the refrigerator due to like condensation or something,,and some people have a hard time remembering what is theirs and whats not"he answer throwing a dirty look at Anya who was eating a moon pie and drinking a red bull that she claimed she thought she had brought in.

"Calm down you little monkey.If you're that pissed of about it sue me.Your an attorney right? Oh wait, I forgot,.You aren't an attorney are you? Its that pesky Bar exam that you cant seem to pass thats holding you back right? What is it now your fourth try? Well if its any consiltion I hear Guiness Book is looking for its 2008 entries.You might want to call them. I hear you get fifty dollars and a free copy of the edition your record is in."

Andrew stopped turn towards Giles office and yelled,"Mr. Giles.Anya is instigating animosity in the work place and Im getting ready to call HR on her, AGAIN!! "Then he turned glared at her with his arms folded across chest and continued on his way to the break room.

"Dear Lord would you two just please grow up.This is a law firm not a daycare."Giles yelled through the open door of his office as Willow stepped inside.


"Ah yes ,Willow,please come in and close the door behind you ."Giles said as he turned to her and placed his glasses back on his face .

"So,whats up Mr.Giles? Got something good for me? "She asked smiling and wiggling her eyebrows as she rolled back and forth on the balls of her feet.

"Well Willow,that would depend on your definition of good.Do you remember the case Jenny had right before she umm"his voice catching slightly on the last word ,he pause and once again removed his glasses and began to clean them, clearing his throat and trying to continue he went on, "well um , before?"

Willow knew that it was still very hard for Giles to think about work and what happened to Jenny .He had only come back about two weeks ago and she knew that he was still having a difficult time being at the office. Hell It was still hard for her and it been almost three months since she returned..

"Yes. I think that was the case where the girl shot her father and her brother.They where both Lawmen I beleive.The father died but the brother survived.Maclay I think was the name.Is that right?"Willow asked.

"Yes ,Tara Maclay to be exact.Her appeal hearing will be coming up in about four weeks time and Its clear that theres not a single court appointed attorney who will put any effort into trying to get this girls sentence reduced due to the nature of the murder and shooting. Jenny had a file on her case and I know from reading her notes on this one that she felt something was amiss here.Its quite clear that she doesn't, or um .. didn't I should say , feel that this woman was guilty..She had meet with her a number of times, and although this Tara insisted that she was guilty, went as far as brag to others that she did it. Jenny still didn't buy it.

I will tell you Willow, this is a case that looks like its a million to one to be given a reduction,mainly because Maclay has shown not a stich of remorse , and its her own brother that is the most damning witness.This is also Texas .and killing a officer of the law ? Here? Well I'm sure you know she has a snowballs chance in hell to win reduction let alone a new trial."

Giles turned then to his desk and picked up the file.He looked at the file in his hands for a long moment before he turned to Willow and handed it to her.
"Theres another reason shes unlikely to win any sort of leanensy.Shes a trouble maker.Spends 75% of her time in solitary.She attacks other inmates and the guards,refuses to obey orders and is almost daily caught with some form of contraband."

"Everyone deserves forgiveness....If even one innocent person..."

Willow remembered Jennys words.Maybe, just maybe this could help Willow to get over the anger of her death and find the forgiveness she needed to let go of the resentment.

Willow, I wont blame you if.."

He was cut off mid sentence

" Ill do it" Willow said "Ill do it for Jenny."

"Thank you Willow.Ill call Warden Summers and set up an appointment for you to go and meet with Miss Maclay"
With that Willow nodded to her boss and walked out with the case file in hand.

To be continued