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Date Posted: 16:13:23 05/03/02 Fri
Author: Repost Fairy
Author Host/IP: 64.193.19.25
Subject: Chapter 56
In reply to: Genevieve 's message, "Burden of Proof - Chapter 55 onwards..." on 16:10:02 05/03/02 Fri

~*~*~*~*~
Joe suppressed a yawn and wished, with no offence meant to Nikita, that he was a million miles away. “So, what happens now?”

Nikita gave him a distracted, tense smile, and he knew she was probably wishing the very same. “Well, Mr. Samuelle was rather confident that your former employer would have no interest whatsoever in agreeing to my request, but he would have gone back in there and discussed it with him anyway.” She raised her hand as though to run her fingers through her hair, then stopped as her fingers touched its formal style.

Shaking her head, she dropped her hand and gave him a half-hearted grin. “It’s not the end of the world if we don’t settle today. If they refuse, then the real negotiations start.”

“What do you mean?”

“The war of the written word,” she deadpanned, before giving him a brief smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “In other words, Mr. Samuelle and I will bombard each other with letters and faxes in an attempt to reach settlement before the matter goes to trial.”

Joe let out a quiet sigh. “So there’s still a chance we can sort this out without having to go to court?”

Nikita nodded. “Definitely.”

He felt the tension that had fused his spine together for the last two hours ease slightly. “That’s a relief.”

She looked at him quickly, and he saw both concern and guilt etched on her face. “I’m sorry.”

Joe shook his head. “Don’t be. Marina and I weren’t under any obligation to agree with your suggestion, and I know you would have done whatever we wanted. But we did agree with you, and even though it didn’t work, it was the right thing to do.” Trying not to think too hard about the three hundred and fifty thousand pounds he’d just turned down, Joe gave his solicitor a quick smile. “So, what do we do now?”

Nikita got to her feet. “I’ll just go and see if the other side has an answer yet.” She looked very unenthusiastic at the thought of returning to the mediation. As she walked toward the door of the little room into which they’d escaped, there was a knock from the other side, making them both jump slightly.

Nikita opened the door and grinned nervously at Kevin Green. “Well? I promise not to kill the messenger.”

Joe saw the mediator give Nikita a slow appreciative smile, as though unused to such casual banter, but unable to help being amused nevertheless. “I’m very pleased to hear that.”

Nikita sighed unhappily. “Ah. Right. No go?”

Kevin Green looked genuinely apologetic. “No, I’m afraid not. Mr. Vachek was quite adamant.”

Nikita hesitated, before asking in a casual tone, “Following his barrister’s advice?”

The mediator shook his head wearily. “No, quite the opposite, actually. Mr. Samuelle was of the opinion your condition should be met.”

Nikita said nothing in reply, but an odd, almost wistful look came into her eyes. Kevin Green turned to Joe. “I realise it’s not the result you were hoping for, Mr. Duskovic. However, if your unfair dismissal claim is upheld at the tribunal, Vachek Holdings may be found liable for a much higher sum than you rejected today.”

Joe glanced at Nikita. She looked as though she was already a million miles away. He cleared his throat and nodded at the mediator. “Thank you. Hopefully things won’t have to progress quite that far.”

Nikita suddenly seemed to snap back to attention. “Yes, I’m sure we’ll be able to prevent the matter from reaching that stage.” She bestowed a dazzling smile on Kevin Green, making him turn quite pink. “Thanks so much for all your assistance today.” She glanced toward the doorway, and her smile faltered slightly. “There’s no need for me to confer with Mr. Samuelle any further?”

Kevin Green gave her a look of perfect understanding. “No. In fact, I’ve just walked Mr. Samuelle and Mr. Vachek out.”

Looking almost as relieved as Joe felt, Nikita smiled gratefully. ”Thank you.”

The mediator started to leave, then turned back to face them. He glanced at both of them, his expression faintly sympathetic. “Good luck with your case.” He shook their hands, gave them both a polite smile, then walked out of the room, leaving his unspoken verbal postscript of ‘you’re going to need it’ lingering in the air.

Joe and Nikita looked at each other for a few seconds, and then simultaneously burst into completely inappropriate, rib-cracking, post-traumatic laughter. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Nikita got herself under some semblance of control, and shot him a grin. “God, let’s get out of here.”

The prospect of going home to his waiting wife had Joe rising eagerly to his feet. “Wonderful idea. But what if they’re still waiting to catch the elevator?”

Nikita snorted as she led the way across the hallway. “They don’t scare me.” She gave him a knowing wink. “Besides, I just heard the elevator bell go ‘ding’.” Suppressing their renewed laughter with an effort, they returned to the original meeting room to collect Nikita’s briefcase. After first scanning the reception area to make sure Salla Vachek and his barrister had indeed left, they crossed the foyer and caught the lift to the ground floor.

It seemed to take forever, stopping as it did on nearly every floor to admit and release passengers. Joe leaned against the back wall of the elevator, suddenly feeling very tired. His head was spinning. He’d never experienced anything like that in his whole life, and he never wanted to experience it again. How did Nikita do this sort of thing every day? Admittedly she didn’t attend mediations all the time, but still, it would be an exhausting way to earn a living. And yet, it didn’t seem to affect her. Well, he mused, thinking of how she and Vachek’s barrister had been staring at each other, perhaps some things affect her more than others. Joe smiled to himself. He’d definitely have to tell Marina about Michael Samuelle’s apparent interest in their solicitor.

The thought of his wife had him closing his eyes in quiet despair. Oh god, Marina…what will she say when I tell her what happened? He took a deep breath, his feeling of apprehension swiftly fading as he realised he already knew how Marina would react.

She would hug him, and tell him that he’d done the right thing. And then she would tell him she loved him.

Despite his weariness, Joe smiled. Nikita had been quite right. Some things really were more important than money.

~*~*~*~*~*~

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Replies:

  • Chapter 57 -- Repost Fairy, 16:15:44 05/03/02 Fri
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