The Greatest Sacrifice

[suzannelgnz]

I wasn't expecting a twist like that....I hope that Rachel gets the help she needs to get off the charges.

Can't wait for the next update

[charmed60]

Thank you all again for your wonderful comments Red Ranger, Zetti, Carina and Suzanne! Zetti please don't apologise; any comment you can do I'm extremely grateful for but knowing that you're reading it and enjoying it is enough for me This next chapter was quite difficult to write so I hope I've done it realistically to any law buffs out there!

***Again mentions of sexual abuse in this chapter to please read with caution***

“Mr Holden” a police officer called, “the bail papers are here for you to sign if you still want to.”

“Yeah of course I do” Tony quickly replied, picking up a pen as he began reading through the questions.

“You understand that if Miss Armstrong leaves the country at all, you’ll lose the bail you’re putting on your property which means you’ll lose your home.” The officer’s eyes narrowed as he kept his hand over the bail papers.

“That won’t be a problem” Tony seethed. “I trust Rachel wholeheartedly, she wouldn’t do that.”

“So did Superintendent Reynolds…and look where that got him” he spat back, his voice a tiny haunting whisper.

“Listen here…don’t you dare…”

“Tony, just leave it” Martha warned. She understood now why Jack knew he couldn’t intervene at work, they were all defending their colleague and treating Rachel like she was a criminal. It left a nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach as she wondered whether Rachel was going to get a fair trial or whether the legal system would defend their own.

*******

“I can’t believe he’s dead” Rachel whispered lifelessly as Jack entered the minute interviewing room his fellow officers had used to question her previously. It felt like they were never going to stop interrogating her and she could tell that they didn’t believe her story one bit.

“Because of me…two little girls are going to grow up without their Daddy” she choked back a sob as Jack sat down next to her and placed his hand reassuringly over hers.

“Because of you, those two girls and their Mum have been spared a lifetime of pain and suffering” Jack explained, squeezing her hand as a tear trickled down her cheek.

“It doesn’t make it right” she nodded, wiping the tear with the back of her hand. “That wasn’t my decision to make.”

“You were protecting yourself Rach, it was your only choice” Jack reasoned.

“I should have let him do it” she mused, her eyes glazed over as she stared at the wall opposite her.

“What Rach…” Jack gasped, “you did the right thing.”

“No I didn’t. I shouldn’t have fought him off I should have just…let him… I could have avoided all of this” she frantically reasoned, her heart plummeting at the thought of having to stand in a court and relive the experience in front of a room full of strangers. “I killed him” her voice strangled before she broke down, the palm of her hands stuck to her forehead as she nestled her head into her arms and rocked back and forward.

“Rach” Jack soothed, his eyebrow furrowing in concern as he placed a hand on her back before moving towards the door, knowing he wasn’t the best person to deal with

this.

“Dad” he called over, noticing a smile he had on his face dissipate quickly. “I think she needs you.”

Tony nodded knowingly and pushed open the door, his heart dropping violently to the bottom of his chest at the sight of Rachel so distraught. He ran forward and sat down on the bench next to her, wrapping her fragile body in his arms.

“Shh it’s going to be okay” he soothed as he let her nestle her head into his shoulder, her sobs becoming soft whimpers as he stroked her face gently. He didn’t know what to say to her, what he could say. He knew he couldn’t promise her anything and as much as he could keep telling her that it wasn’t her fault and she did the right thing; he knew she would still blame herself. And so instead he said no words and just hoped that him being there would be enough to comfort her. She didn’t deserve this , she’d been through enough. It had to be over soon. Didn’t it?

********

“Doctor Armstrong, you first met Superintendent Paul Reynolds when his wife Lucy Reynolds was admitted into the A&E department of Northern Districts Hospital for a cut to the head is that correct?”

“Erm yes sort of…” Rachel stuttered as she pulled the sleeves of her suit jacket over her wrists in nerves. The trial had come round quickly and Morag had been fantastic in helping her prepare for the questions she might be asked but she still couldn’t help the anxiousness she was experiencing. She felt so exposed, seated high up in a court room full of strangers, scrutinizing her every word. Her only comfort was seeing Tony, Leah, Jack and Martha seated to the right of her, encouraging her on when she felt like it had become too much.

“What exactly do you mean by sort of Doctor Armstrong?” the prying lawyer questioned; an excited glint in her eye as if Rachel had just slipped up and confessed to a crime.

“I’ve seen him around the hospital on a few occasions but I hadn’t actually spoken to him before the time you just mentioned.” She breathed deeply. Perhaps it would have been easier to just say yes to her question but she was so afraid that if she wasn’t explicitly accurate then they would assume she was lying about everything.

“You didn’t like Superintendent Reynolds very much did you?” She narrowed her eyes as she looked up at Rachel, her eyes flitting from her and the case file in her hands.

“I suspected that he was hurting his wife” Rachel replied defensively.

“Yet your colleague who also looked after Mrs Reynolds claims that he saw no reason to suspect Superintendent Reynolds of domestic abuse, it’s written here in the hospital records.” She picked up the file and handed it to the jury; a slight sense of satisfaction at the pink blush that had appeared on Rachel’s cheeks.

“No he didn’t but I know that he was; she admitted it to me on a later occasion” Rachel interjected, desperate for the jury not to be fooled.

“Did she ever say the words ‘my husband hits me?’”

“Well no…” Rachel admitted.

“Did Mrs Reynolds ever specifically say that her Superintendent Reynolds was the one who had caused the injuries…”

“Not exactly” Rachel breathed nervously.

“Then how exactly did she admit it to you Doctor Armstrong?” the lawyer shrieked, moving closer towards her.

“She didn’t need to say it” Rachel stuttered. “She came for me to help, she was so afraid that her whole body was shaking. She had bruises all over her abdomen and when I asked her to talk to me about her husband she told me that he’d be angry if she was late home.”

“He’d be…angry” the lawyer laughed. “Angry” she again repeated, turning to face the jury. “I don’t think being angry equals the sign of an abusive partner do you?”

“N,not always” she agreed, her fingernails digging into her hands. “But when I found her bleeding at home, when she had her miscarriage; she kept telling me that he’d done it again. That it was happening all over again.”

“Perhaps she was referring to the miscarriage” the lawyer shrugged.

“She wasn’t” Rachel bit back in frustration. “I just know she wasn’t, she told me he’d done it.”

“Yet the police report which Mrs Reynolds filed claims that, in her own words; she fell down the stairs. That’s quite a different story to the one you’re telling isn’t it Doctor Armstrong.”

Rachel hesitated, tears of frustration brimming. Everything she said was being turned around and used against her.

“Why don’t we talk about the night of the incident” the lawyer continued, referring back to her notes. “You claim that Superintendent Reynolds had followed you to your car and tried to rape you is that correct?”

“Yes” Rachel sighed, closing her eyes in shame.

“How did you know?” she quickly questioned; her eyes boring into her.

Rachel felt her whole body shrink in size; moving her arms across her chest as a way of subconsciously protecting herself.

“I don’t understand what you mean” she replied, looking over at Tony. He smiled nervously and nodded in encouragement.

“What exactly did Superintendent Reynolds do to you that gave you the impression he was trying to rape you.” Rachel froze. Morag had warned her they would ask her for the details but a part of her had been praying that they wouldn’t.

“I just knew” she replied, a single tear escaping for her eye and dropping onto her hand which was resting across her lap. “I heard his belt…he was undoing it.” She cringed at the thought of the people she loved having to hear this story. She was so ashamed.

“Well perhaps his belt was simply being knocked while you were attacking him.”

“I wasn’t attacking him, he was attacking me” Rachel cried.

“If you didn’t see him undoing his belt then there is no way you can claim that that is what he was doing Doctor Armstrong.”

“Yes I can” she replied, her voice increasing in pitch as she became distressed. “I know that’s what he was doing, I know what it feels like and sounds like…”

“How Doctor Armstrong” the determined lawyer raised her voice.

“Because it’s happened to me before” Rachel screamed; her emotions high as the questioning and the flashbacks that came with it became too much for her.

“What’s happened to you before…”

“I’ve been raped okay” Rachel shrieked, sobbing as the deathly silence she feared became a reality. Echoes of her cries radiated around the room and she hesitantly turned towards Tony; more tears trickling as his pale, shocked face stared back at her. “I’m so sorry” she whispered, “I didn’t mean for you to find out like this.” She turned away from him, no longer able to look at his horrified expression and buried her hands in her face, finally succumbing to the tears she’d been repressing and keeping hidden for years.

“I think it’s time for a recession; Miss Bellingham, you might want to speak to your client” the judge coolly offered.

“Yes thank you” Morag stuttered, gathering her files together as she walked towards the stand and persuaded Rachel to follow her.

Preview:

Tony reacts to Rachel's shock confession

A last minute attender at the court gives Rachel hope

[Zetti]

Wow. I loved the way you described her actions when she was on the stand. The way she was trying to show the jury that all she did was what she thought was right.

That reveal was a bit of whoa moment but I look forward to finding out about it in your next chapter

x

[HighwayUnicorn]

Poor Rachel. & admitting it there as well! I suppose at least now, Tony knows.

Such an emotional chapter.

Well done & beautifully written as always.

Love Carina xxx

[Red Ranger 1]

Wow.I love the way that Rachel was trying to think of a way she could have done something different, even to the irrational extent of thinking being raped would have been better.She really had a hard time of it in court, hope things go better for her soon.

[Sabrina]

I loved those chapters.

- I think getting away really helped Rachel. I loved how Rachel sent a copy of the photo to Leah. Oh no, poor Rachel. I hope Morag is able to help her.

- Poor Rachel It must have been so hard for her having to admit she was raped especially since Tony didn't know.

Looking forward to the next chapter.

[Barbara]

Those were two amazing chapters Laura!

#77: Aw Tony and Rachel are thinking of maybe starting a family someday. That would be great!

I loved the banter between the girls and the boys. I would have loved more scenes like those on the show. That’s exactly what Rachel needed to make her feel better.

I loved those parts:

“Aww they look so cute” she laughed at the sight of Tony and Jack sprawled across two deck chairs which were surrounded by beer bottles. They had sand stuck to their face and spread through their hair and both had their heads hanging sleepily in a similar fashion.

“Oh thanks, although maybe I should make him suffer to teach him never to drink that much again” Martha teased as she took a picture of them on her mobile phone. “I’m so gonna be able to use that as blackmail one day.”

“Oh I look forward to that” she beamed, safe in the knowledge that she also had a picture of them both.

“Can you two stop being gushy, I already feel sick as it is” Jack weakly moaned, holding his head as he tried to turn over whilst dizziness swept through him.

“Ugh I am so glad Martha hasn’t seen me like this.”

“Actually she has” Rachel grinned, amused at the way his hair lay flat against his head, covering his forehead. “She has photographic proof.”

“What?” Jack shrieked, “please tell me you’re joking” he almost slurred. Rachel shook her head.

“Don’t let her get away with that mate” Tony advised, pointing his hand towards the door as he instructed him to find her phone and delete the evidence. As Jack stumbled into the house Rachel looked down at Tony; a mischievous smirk on her face.

“What are you grinning at?” he queried, suspicious of her expression.

“Hmm nothing” she shrugged, “just that he can delete it off of Martha’s phone but…I’ve got one of mine to.” The corner of her lips rose as she waved her phone in front of Tony’s face; pulling it away as he tried to take it off of her.

“Rach” he warned, trying to be serious “just give me the phone.”

“Nope” she grinned, “gotta catch me first.”

“Damn it” Martha gasped, trying to catch her breath. “I can’t believe they got rid of them.”

“Don’t worry” Rachel sang, grinning mischievously. “I sent Leah a copy earlier so she’s keeping it safe for us.”

Too bad the fun part didn’t last for long. Rachel is in big trouble now! I could almost feel Tony’s pain when he couldn’t tell her. And Rachel didn’t notice anything and sounded so happy and in love. The arrest must have been a real shock!

I’m so glad to know Morag is on our way to the Bay!

#82: I’m wondering the same thing as Martha. I’m really hoping Rachel will have a fair trial. From seeing the judge at work, it doesn't look like it. I felt so sorry for Rachel and on top of it all, she had to tell about her rape in front of everyone.

I'm so hoping the last minute attender will be Mrs Reynolds and she'll tell the judge all the things her husband did to her. Maybe her story would help Rachel’s case.

More please.

[charmed60]

Wow so many reviews That makes me so happy, thank you Zetti, Carina, Red Ranger, Sabrina and Barbara (I love how you pick out your favourite bits; it really makes me smile thank you ) Sorry for the delay, my life is getting swiftly busy again but here's an update:

“You really should have told me about…your previous situation” Morag chose her words carefully as she placed a mug of steaming hot tea in front of a tearful Rachel.

“I know I’m sorry” she apologised, letting the heat from the mug comfort her for just a second. “I just didn’t think I’d have to talk about it that’s all, I didn’t intend to. She just got to me.”

“That’s her job Rachel” Morag animatedly replied “she will work out what your weaknesses are and use them against you. If I’m going to help you, you need to start being honest with me. We can then get your side of your story across before she can twist it and manipulate it completely.”

“Well you’ve heard my big secret now so…” Rachel snapped back, wincing at her own words. “I’m sorry, I know you’re just trying to help me.”

“That I am” she smiled before turning her head at the knock on the door. Whilst Morag engaged in quiet whispers Rachel winced as images of Tony’s horrified expression bore into her mind. The realisation that he knew made her feel sick to the stomach.

“I’ll give you two some space” Morag suddenly spoke up, moving out of the door as Tony stepped inside. Rachel’s stomach turned. The colour drained from her face as he forced a smile; slowly and cautiously stepping towards her.

“You must hate me” she choked, her eyes focused on the cold, hard floor as he sat down carefully next to her.

“How could I hate you” he questioned, his eyebrow creasing in confusion as he placed his hand tenderly over hers. “I just really wish you felt like you could have talked to me.” Rachel forced herself to look up at him and was surprised to see how bloodshot his eyes were, tears blurring his vision.

“It wasn’t you” she promised, squeezing his hand. “I’ve never told anybody, not a soul; I didn’t want to. I just wanted to forget it ever happened and….move on I guess.” A tear trickled down her cheek as she quickly looked away.

“It breaks my heart that you went through that on your own” he soothed, running a hand over her back as his bottom lip trembled. “And to think that the guy who did that to you is running around; living his life. It makes me sick.”

“It was a long time ago” she whispered.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he offered.

“He was my brother’s best friend, I trusted him” she meekly sobbed, surprised at her willingness to talk about it. Before the thought of telling him, telling anyone would have caused her chest to tighten and the desire to run away would overwhelm her. “I tried to stop it…but I couldn’t. I was too weak.”

“And that’s why you fought so hard to protect Lucy? To be there for her because no-one was there for you?” he nodded, fighting the urge to cry. Rachel was so strong; it was one of the things that first attracted him to her. He never thought in a million years that she would be hiding a secret so chilling; he always thought rape victims would be broken shells of human beings, shying away from society and any human contact. He was wrong.

“I guess” she shrugged, allowing herself to rest her head on his shoulder. “I never really thought about it like that; I just knew I wanted to get her out of that life.”

“You did” he whispered, kissing the top of her head and interlinking his fingers with hers. “I’m proud of you, you’re going to get through this and it’ll all be over soon.”

“Sorry to interrupt” Morag stormed through the door, adjusting her wig. “I’ve just received some very good news that I think you might be interested in hearing.”

“Well what is it?” Rachel replied, a slight smile on her face.

“Lucy Reynolds has just arrived in court; says she wants to testify for you. Apparently a certain brunette woman approached her and convinced her it was the right thing to do.”

“That’s fantastic” Tony beamed; kissing Rachel’s forehead “See it’s going to be okay. I wonder who it was?”

“Leah” Rachel smirked, shaking her head.

“I don’t want to know who it was” Morag flung her hands over her ears. “If it gets out that a relation and/or friend of yours spoke to her I’d have to throw out her statement.”

“My lips are sealed” Rachel winced, a feeling of slight joy and hope beginning to ignite in her heart. “It’s going to be hard for her, I hope she’s okay.”

“Don’t you worry about her” Tony warned, wrapping his arms around her and squeezing her tightly. “She’s obviously realised how much you did for her and the court will see that. They won’t be able to find you guilty now” he smiled, closing his eyes in relief.

******

Lucy stepped up to the stand, her legs almost buckling beneath her as she gripped the wooden chair and slowly eased herself onto it. She looked around at the people in the room; their eyes boring into her and her heart began to palpitate. She avoided Rachel’s gaze. For now.

“Mrs Reynolds” Morag began, mulling every word she planned to say over in her head; she didn’t want to miss this golden opportunity. “This must be a very difficult position to be in and I want to give my condolences for the death of your husband.”

“Thank you” Lucy muttered timidly, clearing her throat.

“You first met Doctor Armstrong when you were admitted to Northern Districts Hospital on the 14th of March is that correct?”

“I believe that was the right date yes” Lucy nodded, breathing deeply in order to calm her nerves.

“And what did you make of her, of Doctor Armstrong?” Morag smiled, holding her head up confidently.

“She seemed nice” Lucy vaguely replied; her mind and her heart battling with each other.

“You formed quite a close bond didn’t you; to the point that you felt you could trust her would that be correct Mrs Reynolds?”

Lucy nodded, her mouth going dry. Images of her husband kept seeping into her mind; the kind, gentle man he’d once been before she’d become pregnant with their first child. That’s where it had began. And her daughter, her beautiful girls. She wanted to keep them shielded from this; it wasn’t fair on them. They were so young, so innocent.

“You must have trusted her to go back to her, to confide in her” Morag re-questioned; slightly dubious as to why Lucy was hesitating so much with her answers. This wasn’t how they’d planned it.

“She’s a very good Doctor” Lucy stumbled, “she goes to extra lengths to protect her patients.”

“Which is what she did for you isn’t it Mrs Reynolds; even risking her own life to help you get out of a life of daily domestic abuse.” Morag cast her eyes over the jury; a tactic she used to alert them to important words she was saying.

Lucy squeezed her eyes tightly shut. Shame filled every fibre of her body, humiliation waving over her. All she could see were her girls frightened faces. But they were too young to understand; they still missed their Dad terribly, especially Evie. “When’s Daddy coming home? I miss him” her youngest would ask. Every single day. Lucy had done everything she could to make sure they never saw anything he’d done to her. She wanted them to grow up like every little girl should; knowing their Mummy and Daddy loved each other and loved them.

“That’s what she believed” Lucy began, hating herself for every word she was saying. But she knew it was the right thing for her girls; she never wanted them to know what their Dad was really like. “But she was wrong.”

“I’m sorry” Morag stumbled, her breaths becoming more rapid as beads of sweat formed on her head. “You must have misunderstood my question. Mrs Reynolds, let me put this another way. Could you please tell the court what your husband did to you which caused Doctor Armstrong to become concerned for your safety.”

“My husband never laid a finger on me” Lucy forced out, trying not to let the sight of Rachel dropping her hands on the table distract her. “I never told her he did such things, she must have got things wrong. He was a good man and wouldn’t have hurt me or my children.”

“Lucy, why are you doing this” Rachel sobbed, her hand flinging to her mouth as the judge ordered her to be silent. She looked over towards Tony seeking some sort of support but he looked just as worried as she did.

“I’ve said all I have to say, I’d like to leave now” Lucy begged, pulling herself up from the chair and walking towards the entrance to the door. She forced herself to look at Rachel, hoping that she would understand why she had to do it. Why she had to lie. Any mother would have done the same, she was sure of that. But seeing Rachel’s pale complexion and blotchy bloodshot eyes reminded her too much of the haunting face she saw every time she looked in the mirror. Part of her wanted to turn around and say she’d made a mistake; to tell them all the truth about the vile man her husband was and how her life was so much better now that he was gone. How Rachel had given her a chance of a new life. But for some reason her legs never stopped walking and it was only when she’d left the court and was walking down the stairs towards her car that she realised it was too late.

*******

“So I think I’ve finally found the bassinet I want to get” Martha beamed as she quickly swallowed her food; excited at the thought of her impending purchase. “It’s so beautiful; it’s this dark wooden oak sleigh cot which doesn’t exactly go with our bedroom furniture but it’s so gorgeous I couldn’t resist. We can just change our wardrobe and units to match” she shrugged.

“That sounds cheap” Jack exclaimed, his eyebrows raised as he stabbed his fork into a piece of pasta.

“Oh don’t be so hard up” Martha teased, “you’ll love it; I want you to come and see it next week with me before I put the deposit down. Rach you’ll have to come with us to, I want a girls opinion you know what men’s taste is like.”

“That sounds nice” Rachel hesitantly replied, sliding her fork around the hardly touched plate. “Maybe you could show me a picture?” She didn’t expect to be around to see the cot. She was going to miss out on so much.

“Sure” Martha nodded, forcing a smile. “Are you not hungry? The food’s okay isn’t it?”

“Oh it’s fine, it’s more than fine, it’s lovely. I’m really grateful, I’m sorry I’m just….I’m just tired” she rambled. She could feel her bottom lip begin to tremble and so stood up and collected her plate.

“Well you’ve got a big day tomorrow” Jack nodded sympathetically, quickly catching her knife as it began to slide from the dish.

“I hope you don’t mind if I go to bed” she stuttered, smiling gratefully as they all shook their head.

“Sleep well” Martha smiled, wincing as she walked away and they heard the soft close of her bedroom door. “I’m so sorry Tony I shouldn’t have rambled on about the baby I just thought she might want her mind taken off of tomorrow.”

“Oh don’t worry love I’m sure she’s just nervous about tomorrow; I’ll go and check on her. And thank you for the beautiful dinner.” He squeezed her shoulder and moved towards Rachel’s room, taking a deep breath as he knocked gently on the wooden door.

“You okay sweetheart?” he whispered when he found her sitting on the edge of her bed; staring into the darkness of the room.

“I’m really sorry, Martha must think I’m really rude” she apologised, her voice wavering.

“Of course she doesn’t, she understands” he reassured, running his hand over her back.

“I know that she was trying to be nice with the food and everything but…I just feel like it’s a goodbye dinner. And I’m not ready to say goodbye to you all yet.” A single tear trickled slowly down her cheek which she tried to wipe away before he could see it.

“Please don’t say that” Tony begged, clutching her hand tightly. “You’re going to be fine, they’re going to find you not guilty and you’re going to come home and it will all be over tomorrow.”

“You don’t really believe that” Rachel replied, trying to savour the feel of Tony’s fingers interlaced with hers. She knew it could be years before she felt it again.

“Yes I do” he promised. “How can they find you guilty Rach, you were defending yourself.”

“You heard what the lawyer said. She accused me of using Reynolds as some sort of revenge for my apparently suppressed emotional trauma from when Henk raped me. And with Lucy totally denying everything that happened and painting him out to be this perfect husband; why would they believe my story? How else could I prove that that’s not what happened?” Tears began flowing freely from Rachel’s eyes as her frustration heightened and her regret at not being able to defend herself better took its toll.

“Come here” he soothed, wrapping his arms around her in the hope that he could somehow take some of her pain away. But he knew it was useless. “You have just got to trust that these people saw through Lucy’s statement and Morag gave a really good defence for you.”

“You will stay with me tonight won’t you? I want to spend my last night with you” she begged, touching his cheeks with her fingertips. As much as she knew he was trying to convince her she’d be okay, deep down she knew she wouldn’t. She saw the jury’s eyes when they’d watch Lucy on the stand; they had sympathy for her. They hadn’t looked at Rachel in the same way.

“Of course I’ll stay, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. But Rach please, you’ve got to be positive; you’re going to be fine.”

“Okay” she smiled forcefully, “I promise, I will.” Deep down she knew she couldn’t but she realised she had to force herself to, for Tony’s sake. It wasn’t fair on him for her to be so negative when he was doing everything he could to raise her spirits.

“Good” he smiled, his eyes relaxing slightly as he breathed a silent sigh of relief. “I love you” he whispered as he leant down and kissed her softly. She wrapped her arms around his back as they both fell back onto the bed; desperate to be as close as possible to each other. Just in case.

Preview:

The jury deliver their verdict

[HighwayUnicorn]

I feel so sorry for Rachel ... glad that Tony understands & that he's there for her.

But I do also feel sorry for Lucy, even though she lied. She must feel awful but it must be difficult for her as well to admit what her husband did to her.

I hope everyone gets through this though.

I look forward to the next chapter & until then, I will be praying that the verdict is 'not guilty.' Update soon.

Love Carina xxx

[Zetti]

Wow... Lucy.. I was glad that she turned up but then she left..

I loved Martha trying to make Rachel feel better..

The verdict.... I hope the verdict like Carina is not guilty.

Looking forward to more