One in Ten Ch. 03

"Mr. Jensen – Israel, what was that about? I'm your lawyer, you can tell me," Capri touched my arm. I nearly jumped out of my skin.

"What are you doing with this case?" I countered.

"All I know is some rather frantic LOLE contacted the office. No one else wanted it, but since it was an official notification, it rolled all the way down the seniority chain into my lap," Capri informed me. "In case you are wondering, I am the junior lawyer. I couldn't pass this off to anyone else."

"Hmmm," I mused. "Thank you for your zealous representation, I guess."

"I swear by the Goddess, you would think those GED officers had never seen a lawyer before," she chuckled. "This was hardly a difficult case. Or 'is', as I don't believe this matter is over, despite the Mayor's assurances. So, back to my question, what's going on?"

"I need to get back to work," I evaded. Capri dutifully followed along, all the way to my cubicle.

"I'm not going to go away," she insisted. Since this was the first chance my co-workers had to interact with me since the press conference, there was double confusion.

Bethany came right at me.

"We need to talk," she hissed.

"Sure," I shrugged helplessly. "Oh, this is Capri O'Hara, my lawyer."

"Alone," Bethany demanded. I gave Capri an apologetic look then walked off a few steps with my current tormentor.

"You shouldn't have said anything about the children," she whispered. She meant my offspring. "I only told you because I thought you would be discreet. Now there is going to be a problem."

"Don't worry about it," I assured her. "They'll look at my public dating record and realize that over half of my sexual encounters were with you and you didn't get pregnant."

"I'm not sure exactly how many times we had sex but it had to be close to a hundred in just over two months. Then there was those forty sexual encounters over a fifty hour period that weekend. Since that weekend, I've had 27 bouts of intercourse," I related, "in a three year period. I exhausted my Mother's life insurance benefit buying out of sex at every opportunity."

"You might want to be more concerned at what other women are going to think about that," I told her, "when it becomes public knowledge."

"What do you mean?" she got pissed.

"I went from no recorded sex until I was eighteen, to a torrid affair with one woman – you," I outlined for her.

"Then I had one extensive sexual encounter were I am recorded as having sexual intercourse once every seventy minutes over a weekend. After that, I went on to having sex once every forty days," I stated. "Women who don't know us might assume something turned me off sex. A few reporters are going to question you about our relationship and that weekend at your sorority."

"Don't worry, though. They are women and I'm sure they will understand that whole sisterhood thing and how your sisters voted for you to share me with them because that's a perfectly normal and acceptable way for women to behave toward a man," I said patiently.

"You are twisting this all out of proportion," Bethany complained.

"Bethany, you are acting like you did something wrong," I sounded confused, but I wasn't. "Tell them exactly what happened and you'll do fine." Realistically, Bethany was going to suffer no public repercussions over this. She was too well connected. I could hope her society equals would be less forgiving over this embarrassment.

"Israel, I was being nice to you and this is how you repay me? You are a bastard," Bethany snarled.

"If you never want to talk to me again, I'll understand," I tried not to sound too hopeful.

"I'm definitely considering it," Bethany threatened. "Seriously, you've had one bad sexual encounter and you are letting it screw up your entire life. Oh, Francesca wants to see you too."

That's right. Being chained in a basement, constantly pumped up with drugs and repeatedly raped for almost three months was 'one bad sexual encounter'. I gave up on trying to explain anything to her. There was nothing in it for me save anger and I already had enough of that in spades. As I went to Ms. Silverhorn's office, Capri caught up but kept silent.

"Ms. Silverhorn?" I called out as I stuck my head into her office. Her eyes flashed from Capri then back to me.

"How did it go?" she asked.

"I'm going to Isobel's function Saturday night," I confessed.

The look she gave me was virtually unknown to me – she looked as if she'd let me down.

"I'll get through it," I told her confidently. "I always do."

"You shouldn't have to, Israel," Francesca responded. "Take the rest of the day and tomorrow off. We'll see you on Monday."

"Thanks," I said. I wanted to gain the self-worth that came from doing a job I had trained for, but I needed a break since my whole life had pretty much been spiraling down the toilet since Monday morning. I double-checked my desk before departing the office. No one said 'good-bye'. I couldn't blame them. After the press conference, I was toxic.

City Hall security tried to shanghai me as I tried to leave. Capri went after them like a weasel scenting blood. She threw so much legal code, precedent, and Supreme Court ruling at them, I think they released me just to shut her up. I couldn't even figure out why she was still with me – unless it was sex – shit.

"I've got it from here," I assure her.

"If you want me to go away, tell me what is going on. We can start with why those two GED detectives have it out for you, what in the hell was going on at that press conference and finish up with why the Mayor has a personal interest in what you are doing this weekend," Capri grilled me.

We were walking down to the Plaza metro station and I was contemplating what I was going to say to Capri when Capri's phone rang.

"Hello – yes, Mrs. Casey – but – I understand, but – I don't want to be reassigned – but," was Capri's side of the conversation. I didn't feel like eavesdropping but I was getting pissed.

I snatched the phone out of her hand.

"Who is this?" I snapped.

"Who is this?" the female on the other end regarded me.

"I'm Israel Jensen, Ms. O'Hara's client," I glared.

"I'm Deputy Public Defender Tamara Casey. My unit handles male-related cases," she explained in a thoroughly professional manner. "Since this case has merit, we are assigning a more senior member of the Public Defender's office to your case – someone with experience in these matters."

"Thank you, but no thank you," I replied. "You dumped this dog of a case in her lap. She clearly didn't want it, but she's done her job admirably. I'm keeping her."

"Oh...that's not your call to make, Mr. Jensen," she related. "It is the 'Public' Defender's' office and we assign cases to our court officers based on merit and experience."

"Now Tamara, we both know that's bullshit," I mocked her. "I don't know who has leaned on you and I don't care. Ms. Capri has faced down two GED sociopaths and kept me from my second security physical violation of the day. What I also know is that I'm heading home. If Ms. O'Hara is removed from my case, I'm not going home."

"I'm going down to Eloise Granger's desk at the Sentinel and relaying this entire conversation," I promised. "She's going to want to know why a lawyer who has done a bang-up job for me and who I have requested to stay on my case was removed." I had no clue how effective that threat could be. As far as I knew, Eloise would laugh in my face.

"Mr. Jensen, you have no idea what you are doing or the legal ramifications of your actions. If you are refusing the PDO's help, so be it," Mrs. Casey told me.

"I'm not refusing help, Mrs. Casey. I'm requesting that you not take Capri O'Hara off the case. Since it is painfully obvious that you attempted to give me the worst representation possible and that backfired in your face, I'm not going to take the chance that you replace her with someone less competent or with their own agenda."

"We are not a private law firm. We don't represent the public based on personal preference," Tamara countered. "If you want a choice, hire a private lawyer."

"With what? I'm damn near broke," I answered. "I'm the type of person you are supposed to represent."

"Then let us represent you," she treated me like a small child. Capri held up her tablet. On it were the words 'ask for a Change of Counsel hearing'. If I used those words, I'd get Capri in trouble. I had to think quickly to get my point across so it seemed like Tamara's suggestion.

"Listen, Tamara, Ms. O'Hara is my counsel of record, right?" I adlibbed. "Since that is the case, I want a judge's decision on whether or not I change my lawyer. What is it called?"

"It is a Change of Counsel hearing," Tamara snipped.

"Fine, before you replace Ms. O'Hara, I want one of those," I demanded.

"Very well – request noted. Give the phone back to Capri, please," Tamara sighed.

"Yes, Ma'am," Capri said after the phone returned to her grasp.

"No, Ma'am, I have no idea how Mr. Jensen developed his legal expertise. His juvenile records are sealed and he has no current legal complaints," Capri stated. "I was in the process of figuring out what the current problem is when you called. Yes, Mrs. Casey, I'll have a report as soon as possible – as soon as I know anything. Good-bye."

"You haven't done me any favors," Capri studied me.

"Lady, I'm herbicide to every blossoming career I come across," I noted. "Where do you want to go to hear my story?" It was an exhausting process that led us back to my place. I didn't want to go, but the taxi ride to my place after my date with Bethany had made going out to eat a financial impossibility.

(Later)

She sat in the chair that 'L'ed the sofa by the door while I sat on the carpet with my back to the wall opposite her. We went over my tale. Capri worked hard at not being judgmental over the crap I'd been through. Around five, while she was firing off a whole slew of information requests from a dozen agencies, I decided to make us some dinner.

I was cleaning up the place when Capri finally addressed me in a non-professional manner.

"You are awfully clean – almost OCD," she noted.

"It makes it easier to tell if someone has been in your place," I explained. "People can't resist the impulse to move a few minor things around in other people's dwellings."

"That sounds – careful," she stated.

"You can say it. It sounds paranoid," I allowed. "Its paranoid right up until you discover that a female college student has bribed a security guard to access your room because she wants a second date. When you realize your lock doesn't lock, you get worried fast."

The doorbell rang. I checked and it was Kuiko. I unlocked the door and invited her in over the intercom. I was more worn down that suffering a major attitude shift toward having people in my condo. Preparing my mind for Saturday night was making details once crucial to me have far less importance. Kuiko came breezing in then stopped suddenly when she saw Capri. She shot me a look caught between worried and fearing I'd been leading her along about the whole 'girls not wanted in my condo' thing.

"This is Capri O'Hara, my lawyer," I made introductions. "She's from the Public Defender's office."

"I'd ask you what the problem was, but I've seen you in action the past four days and I know it has to be something bad," Kuiko was clearly relieved. "Can I have a hug?"

"You have to ask permission to hug Israel?" Capri inquired suspiciously.

"How much does she know?" Kuiko asked me.

"She's my lawyer. She knows about me as much as any other person does," I answered.

"In that case, you must know he has proximity issues," Kuiko turned to Capri. "Haven't you tried to touch him yet?"

"No, I'm his lawyer," Capri regard Kuiko critically. "That would be unethical."

"Your loss," Kuiko grinned. "Israel, can I have that hug?"

"Sure," I gave in. I liked Kuiko but my ass still hurt so it was a close call. To her credit, Kuiko took her approach slowly and with care, resting her hands on my hips and making eye contact before pressing against me.

I gently wrapped her up in my arms, her head pressed against my chest. She was playing nice and still so I convinced my nerves to calm down and let my hands roam. Fear warred with primal instinct. Instinct won out. I stroked down her back ribs, over her lower back and rubbed her buttock. I finished that off by cupping that firm, tight flesh and giving it a squeeze.

Kuiko moaned against me, breathing heavily and kissing my chest lightly.

"Ummm – okay," I murmured. "Is that enough?"

"A few more seconds," she pleaded. I didn't stress the point. This was a big deal for me and Kuiko knew it. This wasn't trivial for either of us.

"Mmmm," Kuiko purred one final time before backing up. "Thank you Israel, that was nice."

She wasn't looking up and I knew why. Her face screamed for sex and she was mindful enough not to push me too far, too fast.

"That's some hug," Capri spoke up.

"He's our only guy," Kuiko bragged, "but he needs our patience. He gives us hugs to tide us over until he's ready."

"'Our only guy'?" Capri smirked. "He doesn't read as attached."

"No," I clarified. "She means I'm the only guy in a two block radius."

"That's not right," Capri muttered.

"Been there, done that, had this discussion before," I sighed. "With Steve gone, there are only eleven of us left."

"You misunderstand," Capri persisted. "This is illegal. The city can't leave this district so deprived."

Kuiko perked up, but I didn't.

"No other district will help this one out," I informed her. "They will use ten year old quotas to keep their men even though the city itself is understrength." Capri mulled that over. Since she didn't tell me I was wrong, she must have agreed.

Capri stayed behind when Kuiko and I went to the gym, saying she'd make a few more calls then let herself out. She was still there when we got back. I didn't call her on that, but I didn't call Kuiko on following me home, either. The conversation roamed all over the map so I was caught off-guard when Kuiko asked me if it was alright to talk about my 'dating' history.

I think my mouth must have dropped open at that request. Since I had never expected to be asked, I had no ready response. Reciprocity won out over a sense of degradation. If Kuiko was going to give me the consideration due all human beings, I had to reward her.

"Okay," I said. "Don't get too graphic though."

"Did you read about the girl with the three orgasms!" Kuiko uttered excitedly to a woman she barely knew – Capri.

"Yeah," Capri leaned forward intently, "I admit I thought it was total hysteria when I first read it. Come on, what guy does that?"

Mind you, I had no idea who they were talking about. I never, ever read my reviews. When I was with Bethany, I didn't care and afterwards, I didn't want to know because I found it defiled me all over again.

"Was it real?" Capri questioned me.

"I have no clue who you are talking about," I replied. Neither girl believed me. "Listen, I never read my reviews and I try not to remember names." Capri answered that by showing me a picture of the girl. Shit, I knew who she was. Kayla was one of the failings of my abstinence policy; namely that if I deny myself sex for four months, I get terribly sexually frustrated.

My look said it all – I had done the deed. I imagine there was a time when a guy would have given a knowing, triumphant smile over his conquest. That was not the look on my face. No, I was ashamed – almost despondent. I walked over to the far corner, put my back to the walls and sat down. I followed that up by pulling up my knees and resting my head on them.

"Israel, I'm sorry," Kuiko murmured.

"I asked for it," I reassured her.

"So it really happened?" Capri pressed. I took a deep breath.

"That's one of the conflicts of my existence," I explained.

"I don't want to have sex so I hold out as long as possible. When I do have sex, I don't want to treat the woman as if she's some faceless nonentity. I try my hardest to keep my lousy experiences from ruining the moment for the girl since I always chose them," I continued. "I don't aim for any set number of orgasms, merely to make her feel good and then...do what is required of me."

"Isn't refusing to give a woman a second chance with you rather cruel then?" Capri noted.

"Of all the crushing issues of my life, that's never been one of them," I confessed. "I wouldn't be with them at all if the law didn't require it. Making me give a repeat performance to a woman based on the fact that I gave our sex my all hardly seems fair."

"Have less impressive sex," Capri suggested.

"No!" Kuiko protested. "I've never had an orgasm and with my dating history, I'm never likely too. If that was a joke, it wasn't funny."

"Kuiko, you are high-strung," Capri grinned. "You might want to try yoga."

"I do yoga," Kuiko pouted then, "I can put my ankles behind my ears," she perked up and looked at me. Oh, God. "Want to see?" I resisted the urge to sob.

"Kuiko, I know you're putting a great deal of effort forth on my behalf," I pleaded, "but stop trying so hard. I swear I'm going to try and stay here as long as I can."

"If there is a chance to be had, you'll have the opportunity," I promised her. Instead of looking pleased, Kuiko looked disappointed.

"I went overboard again, right?" Kuiko muttered.

"Are you even wearing underwear?" Capri interrupted. "Showing a man your camel toe could be seen as a sign of desperation."

"Kuiko, it was a bit too much and Capri, I get to decide that, not you," I responded. "Kuiko's worked hard to live within my rather extreme limitations. Damn it, I know I'm fucked up and I barely make sense to any woman. I don't like being this way, but I can't push back the clock. Working with what I have is all I can do."

"See," Capri observed, "that little speech is why I can't tell how crazy you are. I know you are nuts, but there is barely rational and then there is the kind that puts you in the looney bin."

"You've been studying me," I put things together, "to see if the GED is right."

"Yes, pretty much," Capri acknowledged.

"I am required to give you the best legal defense possible and if you are insane, it is my responsibility to see you get the best help possible," Capri informed me.

"Wait," Kuiko stood up, "you've been preparing to have Israel taken away?" She was clearly becoming furious.

"Yes," Capri responded boldly. "If Israel needs more help than hugs can provide, someone needs to get him that kind of aid. Unlike you, I don't see him as a cock preparing to enter my pussy, but as a human being put under a great deal of stress."

"I know Israel needs help and it's our fault that he does," Kuiko growled.

"When has the criminal justice system handed out anything but pain to Israel?" Kuiko kept at it. "If you cared about him, how could you believe that putting him in any kind of cage, no matter how padded, would do him any good?"

"Are you willing to make that call after knowing him for four days?" Capri challenged her.

"No. I'm willing to let Israel make that call after knowing him for four days – five now," Kuiko replied. I was wondering how badly this was going to turn out then Capri grinned.

"Good answer," she told Kuiko. "The main thing is that we respect his wishes. I was worried when you came over. I wanted to know Mr. Jensen had a safe haven to fall back on because he sure runs the gauntlet at work."

"Ah – you were testing me?" Kuiko tilted her head in confusion.

"Kuiko, I was addressed or confronted by more city brass than even knew my name this afternoon in the process of defending Israel. I am most likely in the greatest post-Plague legal battle no one will ever hear about," Capri smiled. "I relish the contest. It makes all those long hours in law school worthwhile."