** Relief After The Verdict **

[Before the trial]

"And which side of the line was I on?" she asked not knowing now why she
needed to know the answer with everything that had happened between them
since then, but she did.

His amber eyes caught hers. "I trusted you with me life-- my future, my
past. I agreed to do more than father a child on you, Leigh. I agreed to
*be* a father, a dad, to your child. Our child. Can you even ask?"

She swallowed hard and licked dry lips. "And which side am I on now?" she
asked, a slight quaver on her voice.

He closed the distance between them, leaned down and kissed her, gently and
quickly, breaking before she could either respond or pull away. "The same
side," he answered.

His answer confused her more then anything. Was he telling her he wanted to
get back with her. To start over what they had once shared... or was he
leaving the choice up to her? It wasn't an easy choice to make. She'd been
hurt to deeply by his sleeping with Norin at the time when she had thought
they'd had an understanding..... and then by Gerald's death and later rebirth.

She wanted to ask him but just then Troy choice that time to tell her the
trial was about to start and she knew time for unraveling the confusion had
for now run out. Later after the verdict was given, she knew she'd have to
rethink part of her life. But now the important thing was to have Tair'n
proven innocent of the crimes against him. 

He saw by the look in her eyes that she had received the same message.

"I'm sorry," he said simply. "I truly never intended to hurt you. Can you
believe me?"

"I do believe you Tair'n..." and she did knowing him the way she did. "But
I'm going to need time to think about what you've said... I ... love you...
I always will because of what we shared and because of Vena... but I just
don't know what I'm going to do..... I need time to think about it..."

"I am sorry Leigh."

"I know that Tai..." she reached out and gave him a hard hug before
releasing him. "It's time... Let's not keep them waiting. The sooner this is
over the sooner you can start over with your son and our daughter, for I do
believe they will find you innocent and then we can put all this behind us
and get on with what's important for our children."

[The Trail]

Leigh said there hardly daring to breath as T'rell sat behind the judges
table ready to pass the verdict on Tair'n. Without knowing it she reached
for and held on to the hand of the man sitting beside her.

She was praying all the hard work M'naten and Sharees had done over the last
few days would make everyone see that Tair'n wasn't the kind of monster who
would abuse his own son the way some bastard had abused Cal'an.  

Though she knew what they had once shared was over, she still cared deeply
for the trouble Wingleader. He had given her a beautiful daughter to love
and for that she would always love him. Now though the verdict *had* to come
out in his favor or he would have to leave and Cal'an and Ravena would both
lose out on the knowing of their father. For the kids sake as well as her
own and Tair'n's she prated as never before for things to come out right.

Did they have a second chance at love... Was she strong enough to try? She
just didn't know. The whole thing scared her. She didn't want to be hurt
again, but she knew she would always love him. Maybe not as deeply as she
once had, but he had been her first true love and one never forgot how it
felt to be in love the first time. No matter how many times Troy had flown
to mate, the mating with the males rider that had followed had never
compared to what it had felt like making *love* to Tair'n. For, for her it
had truly been making love... Not the lustily hot sex that came from her
dragons urges.

Then there had been Gerald... the tender loving Bard... she had loved him
very deeply and it had nearly destroyed her when he had died. His rebirth
and returning to her had only been a cruel trick of the gods to show her
that she was only flesh and blood and their plaything to toy with as their
will to amuse themselves from time to time.

Were those same gods playing their evil tricks on her now? Giving her what
she wanted... only to take it away from her at some other time? Well she
wouldn't be their play thing now. She'd think it over and come up with a
decision herself.

She loved Tair'n, but was that enough of a reason to put her heart on the
line a second time. Damn she wished she knew what to do.

She was no closer to reaching a decision when T'rell began to speak and she
forced her mind back to listen as T'rell began to speak.

"Does anyone have any further argument they would like to present that might
have a bearing on this case?"  He waited a moment, and when no one said
anything, he nodded and  continued, "I've heard a lot of evidence during the
course of this trial," he said, "Regarding Tair'n's character and whether or
not he was capable of committing the crime he's accused of." He stood up and
walked in front of the bench, his hands behind his back. "And after hearing
it all, I don't
know any more about whether he was or not."  He made eye contact with the
Alpha Wingleader, who was seated nearby. "Right after it happened, I had
some strong opinions of my own. I suspect that many others did too, either
on one side or the other."

Leigh knew she herself had never wavered in her opinion of Tair'n's
innocence. She had never once even for a moment thought him guilty of such a
dastardly crime against the child.

"But the key to this whole thing is whether or not it can be proven beyond a
reasonable doubt that he *did* do it," T'rell continued. "And it's pretty
clear that the evidence which our former rider Martyn found - and which
M'naten and Sharees presented during the trial -doesn't prove that. If
anything, it proves that there was someone else in the area who could have
committed the crime...and, in the case of the wine bottle, at the very least
tampered with evidence at the scene without reporting it to anyone."

"So...it is the finding of this court that there is insufficient evidence to
establish that Wingleader Tair'n was not responsible for the assault on his
son Cal'an," he said, walking back behind the judge's bench and picking up the
gavel. He rapped it once on the table. "The verdict is Not Guilty."

Leigh wanted to cheer but knew it would be unbecoming of her position, so
she just smiled foolishly and squeezed harder on the hand which she had been
clinging to as a lifeline.

He quickly held up a hand to forestall the inevitable reaction from the
onlookers. "At the same time, this means that there is, quite possibly,
still a dangerous child molester on the loose in the warren. I'm entering
into the record a formal recommendation that this matter not be
dropped...that the investigation into this matter continue."

He rapped the gavel on the table one last time. "This court is adjourned,"
he said.

Now cheers did erupt in the court. Happy cries supporting Tair'n could be
heard thought out the room and it gladden Leigh to know that so many people
had been there to support him. 

Slowly she got up and as if in a daze walked over to the table where a
stunned Tair'n sat next to R'ven and his defenders. 

She saw him look up and she smiled warmly. 

"I knew things would work out for you," she told him and reached out to give
him a brief hug. "I knew they would have to find you not guilty of the crimes."

"I'm glad you were so assured," he gave her that little boy charmer of a
smile that only he could do so well. But this time she noticed something of
the charm was missing. He really had been worried about the out come. Not
that she blamed him.

The others at the table as if sensing their need to be alone to talk drifted
away as Leigh took the seat R'ven had vacated for her.

"I think there is someone who is waiting to hear the news," Leigh commented
softly. "Cal'an is at my parents home right now and if you would like me too..."

"No... I want to tell him myself," Tair'n told her. "I need to see him and
find out if he..."

"Cal'an never believed what others said about you... Not really," she
assured him. "He's been as worried as the rest of us over how this would
come out."

"But Leigh... what would he have thought if the evidence had shown I was
guilty?"

"It didn't Tair'n... so don't even think about what ifs now. Just be
thankful that the evidence did prove you innocent and enjoy the time you
have with him now. I think the rest of your lives is time enough to get to
know each other again... don't you? He needs you just as much as you need
him right now."

"And Vena?" he asked since Leigh hadn't mentioned their daughter.

"Needs her father just as much as Cal'an does," Leigh patted his hand where
it rested on the table. "She is one lucky little girl who will grow up
knowing she is loved by both her parents. But I think Cal'an needs you more
right now and if you'd like... I'll go with you to my folks home when you
tell him the good news."

"No... I think it's something I'd rather do alone... But thank you for the
offer," he told her and moved to get up.

"Okay... they're expecting you," she said. "Troy told Banta and father knows
you're coming... but they won't say anything to Cal'an until you get
there..... Troy also told Jadain not to say anything even though she knows
how badly he wants Cal'an to feel better."

"Thanks," he lean down and gave her a brief heartfelt hug then release her
and walked away.

She sat there for a few seconds more, until her brother came over and touch
her on the arm.

"It's over Jays..." he told her. "Why don't you go on home and rest for a
while."

She stood up and faced him not bothering to hide her relieve. "Yes it's over
and now everyone knows Tair'n is innocent. But I can't go home right now.
I've got a desk full of paper work facing me when I get back to the office."

"It'll wait," he assured her. "By the way... did D'Altar tell you I asked
him to fill in as my patrol partner now that D'vaiy has transferred back home?"

"No he didn't, but I'm sure he'll do well in the roll," she grinned,
thinking of the newest member of their Warren. "It's good that you're giving
him the chance to prove himself. I'm sure he's happy about the trust you're
showing him."

"I'm sure he'll do a good job too or I wouldn't have asked," Ja'ks chuckled,
amused and pleased by the way his sister's eyes lit up at the mention of the
mans name. Now if she could only come to see what a good man D'Altar was...
but he knew better then to press the man on his sister. She wouldn't thank
him for trying to play the match maker. The man was on his own, but Ja'ks
has seen the look in the rider's face when his sister's name had come up and
figured he could do his own courting. If he'd a mind too... which Ja'ks
personally thought he did.

D'Altar didn't seem to him like the kind of man who would take advantage of
Jay's being the Warrenlady. If D'Altar truly cared about her... and again
Ja'ks thought that the man did, he'd be a stable influence in Jay's life...
One that would let her do her duty, but be there to support her and not try
to rule her thoughts.

He liked Tair'n, and thought the man a great Wingleader and fighter, but
Ja'ks never thought he was what Leigh needed in her life. Maybe this time...
if she was smart enough... she would see that D'Altar was just what she did
need. 

But who knew with women. He'd stand back and let her make her own decisions.
He was after all only her little brother... what did he know?"

"Speaking of D'Altar. Where did he go?" Leigh asked suddenly looking around
and not finding the man among those still lingering in the hall.

"I saw him leave a short time ago," Ja'ks told her. "We have a patrol to fly
in a bit so maybe he's getting ready to go."

"Maybe... that's it," Leigh murmured and waved to her brother. "I'll see you
tonight at dinner, but now I've really got to get to that paper work. Lord
Gossimor and his family will be here in a few days for the trade talks and I
really must have something set down on paper for them to see."

"See you at dinner then....." her brother said and walked away. Leigh turned
then and started walking towards the door leading outside. She really didn't
want to go on to her office, but what she'd said to Ja'ks was true. She did
have a mountain of paper work to go over before Gossimor and his family arrived.

What she really wanted to do though was to go with Tair'n when he went to
see Cal'an. Not that she didn't trust him to handle the telling very well,
but so that she could be there for him if needed. 

She spotted Somi as she was about to exit the hall and turned back to have a
brief talk with the woman.

"I know what you did wasn't easy," she started when she was in front of the
woman. "But I want you to know you id a find job and if I ever need to have
someone fill in the roll again, I might just be asking you to do so."

"But I lost," Somi replied with a supercilious grin.

"Only because the evidence they presented was strong enough to show Tair'n
was innocent," Leigh reminded her. "But you put up a convincing defense to
the contrary. You'd have made a good prosecutor if you hadn't joined with
your dragon. We could use someone like you if their ever comes a need again.
Think about it."

Leigh left her then and resumed her walk back to her office.

She thought about that talk she'd had with Tair'n before the trail had
started, and wondered what if anything was he telling her. She believed he
was sorry for hurting her... she really was and having him *say* it meant
the world to her... 

Still... she just couldn't bring herself to hope that things between them
could be fixed that easily. She had trusted him once and though some
miscommunications, that trust had been dashed to ashes and beyond when she
had found out Tair'n had freely slept with that bitch Norin. Could she give
up her heart again and live with the hope that it would never happen again? 

No... not yet... it was too soon to. The wounds inflected upon her heart
were still to new and fresh. Maybe time would heal the rip, but for now she
would do better keeping her heart to herself and giving freely of her love
to those she knew needed it the most.

Jadain and Ravena.

For now she would hide her own feelings of loneliness and concentrate on
them. They needed and wanted her love and she had plenty to give them.

Still... it would be so nice to have someone in her life... someone who she
could give her love too who would in return love only her... someone who
could love her the way her father loved her mother... 

"Jayleigh?" She heard her name called and turned to see D'Altar step away
from the wall against which he had been standing and come towards her.

"Oh! Hello D'Altar. I wondered where you'd got to," she smiled a little.

"I just wanted to get some fresh air. How is Tair'n feeling?"

"Relieved mostly," she smiled warmly. "I think he's finally believing in
what others already knew. That he couldn't have harmed his own child in the
manner someone hurt the boy. He really does love his son."

"And your daughter?" the man beside her commented, more of a question. "I'm
sure you're relieved about the verdict too."

"Yes... though I think I'm more relieved about him being found innocent for
her sake then mine," she went on when she saw the slight confusion in his
eyes. He did have nice eyes, Leigh thought as she went on. "Jadain's father
(and the mention of the man was said with heated anger in her tone) Never
did have much to do with him, until he thought he could use Jadain's
telepathic talent to his advantage."

"Your son is telepathic?" D'Altar asked, though she didn't know why it
should surprise him. Everyone knew didn't they?

But then she remembered the man beside her was new around here.

"Yes he is. T'rell is helping with his training so he can grow up and use
the ability for the good of the Warren... Not in the way his father had
planned for him too,, but that's another story. Maybe I'll tell you about it
some other time. Right now I'm more concerned about my daughter. With Tair'n
having been found innocent of the crimes against him, he can now stay here
and be part of her life... which I know he wants to be. And I know she won't
have to suffer the lack of a father like her brother did."

"How does your son feel about Tair'n being Ravena's father?"

"Jadain loves Tair'n in his own way," she grinned. "You see he and Tair'n's
son Cal'an are the best of friends and Tair'n has always treated Jadain as
part of the family. Now having a sister between them the bond is even stronger."

D'Altar listened to Jayleigh speak about her feelings concerning the
Wingleader as they walked around the Warren. He was genuinely sympathetic
towards her, but couldn't help being jealous of the deep feelings they had
shared. Perhaps they still did. It was hard for him to know, since he
doubted Jayleigh really knew herself.

"I hear Ja'ks has asked you to be his patrol partner?" she asked him
reaching for something to talk about since she didn't want to head back to
her office just then.

"Yes. I am very honored that Ja'ks would choose me. I will protect him with
my life."

"I'm sure you will protect each other and the Warren very well." She
returned and believed him when he said he would keep her brother safe. Not
that Ja'ks took chances when they weren't needed, but still having someone
watch his back meant a lot to her. She only had one brother, and as far as
brothers went... she liked hers a lot.

"With my life's blood, Jayleigh."

"You really are a serious young man, aren't you?" she smiled.

"Yes I am. Sometimes," he added. "I haven't had many opportunities to laugh
in recent years. I still kept up the harp, though."

Someone else she knew had played the harp... played it just for her in
fact... she pushed the memories away. She didn't need the reminder right now
and it wasn't D'Alatar's fault his offer made her feel sad.

"You play beautifully," she told him, not wanting the past to get in the way
of her new friendship with this man. In her position she didn't make many
true friends and she wanted this one to be a true friend, not just someone
she nodded hello to as they past on the green, or in the dining hall. Hell
even her brother liked him. That had to count for something of his
character. Didn't it?

"We have so few Harper's here these days. I'd love to hear you play
sometime." She went on, meaning it.

"Really? Well I am sure we can arrange something," he smiled, blushing a
little. "I have not played for anyone for a long time. Perhaps we can make
it tonight?"

"I'd like to, but I have such a lot to do..." and she did. Though she would
have liked to have taken him up on his offer... the trade talks couldn't be
put off and unless she opened the file with the contract inside... Nothing
would be ready for the good Lord to sign when he and his family arrived.

"In that case I insist. I will come over to your office, where you will be
incarcerating yourself this evening, with something to eat, which you
probably would not have otherwise." He laughed as she looked aghast. She
started laughing too.

"OK, you're right and you win!"

Soon, the pair parted with D'Altar going to look for Ja'ks. They were due to
fly their inaugural patrol as partners. 
Jayleigh wondered over to her office and couldn't help but wish the day
would move along a bit quicker.

<<Troy my love... will you please ask Reggie's rider to meet with me in my
office as soon as she can?">> Leigh asked, remembering her promise to the
young Queenrider that she would be able to help this time with the talks.

Now seemed as good a time as any to find out how much Mari's reading of the
Gossimor file had stayed with her.

She was already seated with the file open before her when Mari knocked on
the door.

"Come in my dear... I thought we'd take the time to see what you've learned
about Lord Gossimor and his family before they arrive."

Mari took the chair in front of Leigh's desk and began to speak.

"Well I know Lord Gossimor has always been fair to the Warren when it comes
to his duties," the younger woman started. "He and his family have always
supported the Warren in time of need, and have never scrimped on the tithes
the send us. I know from talking to some of his villagers a man who listens
to their problems and tries to help come up with a solution to their
problems in such a way that everyone is happy... and his son Matroy is a lot
like his father. In fact his wife is much loved by the people living around
their township because she's always going around helping where she can and
not at all stuck up like some of the ladies we can both mention."

Mari gave a little smile as she said this. Leigh had a feeling she knew who
Mari was referring to, a rider here in the Warren who was the daughter of a
Lord... and tried to act upon her title whenever she could. But Leigh
brushed the little bitch from her mind and nodded back to the woman before her.

"Yes well you seem to have their characters down pretty good," she said and
smiled kindly at the girl. "Now... we need to go over the reports of what's
needed so we have some idea what to include in the contracts."

"Well we could really use a bigger shipment of beef stock this time around
if we can get it," Mari started in then got up. "Let me get the file I
started from my office and I'll be better able to give you the figures and
lists of other supplies we'll be needing."

She was back within minutes and as they talked Mari showed her that she had
taken Leigh seriously, when Leigh had asked her to look over the files of
the Gossimor's. The Warrenlady was impressed with the thought and amount of
time that had gone into the writing of the reports Mari was sharing with her.

"You've done a wonderful job Mari," she said when their talk had finally
come to and end. "I can see how much time you spent working on it and assure
you this time I'll be happy to have you sit in on the talks when Lord
Gossimor and his family arrive."

[Tag Diane... want to add any more to their talks... say something about the
files she'd put together or what supplies were needed.]]

After Mari had left her office to go back to her own, another knock sounded
at the door and Leigh looked up to see a wary looking T'rell enter at her
bidding. His ever present mug of coffee filled his right hand.

"I was going to have Troy as Flerrion to see if you were available," she
grinned as he took the chair Mari had just vacated. "But as you are here now
I won't have too."

"You wanted to see me?" he asked, frowning slightly while wondering what she
was about to lay on him this time.

"Yes I did," she nodded. "I wanted to thank you for filling in as the judge
in the trial. I know it wasn't an easy thing for you to do."

[tag John... does he want to tell her all about it??? <grin>]]

As T'rell was leaving he nearly knocked into the man entering the office
with a basket in one hand and a harp in the other.

"Oops sorry I should have looked where I was going," the man said with a smile.

"T'rell have you met D'Altar?" Leigh asked. "He new to the Warren and Ja'ks
has just asked him to fill in as his Wingsecond now that D'aivy has
transferred out of Daere. He's ... ah... kindly offered to see that I don't
starve tonight while I'm here slaving over paper work."

[[tag's to Peter and John to make their intros.....]]

============ 

nrpg: Okay this is getting a bit too long now... Peter you can go on with
the music as it were if you have time... or I can in a few days. I'll also
try to get out something for Ja'ks..... we have to come up with something
fun for them to do.......

Coz..... maybe they can have their talk the next morning at breakfast...
Leigh will be having hers at the families table in the dining hall...

*****Submitted by: ******

Jayleigh & Viktroy, Warrenlady
Ja'ks & Sprarroe, Beta Wingleader
Daere Warren

Aka
Barbara