Chapter Text
As Annie Edison walked through the court room she felt a lot of eyes on her, she swore to say the truth and nothing but the truth and entered the witness box. Her eyes instantly focused on the man sitted on the left side of the room, he was an average looking man with brown hair and brown eyes. While he didn’t look special It had taken her FBI unit 4 months to locate him; the prime suspect on a series of small bank robberies that had left many people wounded and some killed.That day she was going to testify about the autopsies she performed on the bodies found on the crime scenes. These proved that their killer must have had a physique similar to the man in question. So that was what she did when the prosecutor asked her.
“Four of the victims were strangulated. According to the marks on their necks we believe that the killer used a garrote wire, furthermore he would have had to be at least 6 feet tall because of the angle of the marks and in order to carry the victim over his back he would have considerable strength which would be represented in his or her body with big muscles” she explained to the audience.
“Would you consider Mr. Blum to have these characteristics?” the prosecutor asked
“Objection your honor. He is leading.” Said the defense attorney
Annie looked at the man in chains again. He certainly matched the profile made from the data of the autopsies and various witness reports. The neck marks made great evidence against him, circumstantial evidence but evidence nonetheless.
She went back to a few nights ago when she did the autopsies, they weren’t her first autopsies and wouldn’t be the last, still it was hard to forget about what she saw. Her actual first “autopsy” was in Greendale Community College on an older than herself medical dummy, all part of their prestigious CSI Miami 101 classes. Greendale. She had a lot of sleepless nights studying or just trying to forget what she saw in the day working as a forensic for the FBI, but lately what was keeping her up were those memories. Moments that seemed a life time ago.
How much time has passed? 7 or maybe 8 years?. That seemed right. Of course they all agreed to keep in touch and they managed at first but then they just drifted apart.The last time she texted to Shirley was 6 months ago when she posted a picture of the graduation of one of her boys and Annie wanted to congratulate her. Abed found success in Hollywood working with Troy on a remake of the Inspector something show they loved, it kept them busy, so she hadn’t talked to them since last Christmas. Pierce was dead. The last time she heard from Britta was in the form of a wedding invitation 3 years ago, she married that Subway guy, every member of their little group went to the event. Annie couldn't find the time to go, Britta was probably still mad with her for that. As the blonde put it then: "Come on Annie! Even Jeff came".
Jeff…..Jeff Winger, she usually forgets about him when thinking about her old study group, it was more like she purposely blurred him from as many memories as she could. After she left she never heard anything from him again, not even a text asking if her plane didn't fall from the skies. He dropped her on the airport, hugged her goodbye and that was it.
"You know this would be the series finale moment where the male protagonist runs through the entire airport in order to tell the female protagonist he loves her and asks her to stay with him. Like Ross and Rachel." She remembers Abed said as she looked to the entrance of the airport. "It is very cliché, I hope Jeff knows better than that". Abed finished.
He did know better than that.
That was the last time she saw Jeff Winger. 8 years ago. Annie thought he was probably still teaching Law at Greendale if what he did could be considered teaching. He would still be flirting and hooking up with 20-year olds, one girl after the other. Jeff Winger would never settle down.
While that trip through memory lane was fun she still questioned herself, why was she thinking about this now?, she literally was under oath. She should be focused on the upcoming questions from the defense.
That was it, no more daydreaming. Then she focused her gaze on the defense attorney, it was easy to figure out why all the sudden memories from Greendale resurfaced. Speaking of the devil, there was Jeff Winger, glancing at some papers on the desk before him, just some few steps from her. She felt proud at being mostly right about his current appearance, he had a few more wrinkles on his face and more greys on his hair but besides that he looked the same. Had he realized it was her yet? Sure Annie had shorter hair and looked older but could he really don’t recognize her?.
“Does the defense have any questions for the witness?” the judge pronounced
“Yes, you honor, just give me a second” Jeff said while looking at some papers on his table. “Miss Edis………”
As fast as lighting he lifted his head and saw her. Directly in the eyes. Annie saw the emotions going through his face. He froze, and Jeff Winger never froze.
“Mr. Winger?, we are waiting.” Said the judge after a few seconds that seemed like ages.
He closed his eyes for a second, breathed in and out, only then he went back to his normal self.
“Sorry you honor. The defense wants to ask for an intermission before questioning the witness.”
“I’ll allow it”
After the judge said that she realized what expression her face had, how she wasn't breathing and how fast her heart was beating. What the hell was Jeff doing here? How was he a lawyer again? And most importantly why was he defending a murderer?