Fanfic: The Trial of Ben Wyatt
Title: “The Trial of Ben Wyatt”
Pairing: Ben's POV, Ben/Leslie
Word Count: approx. 700
Summary: ‘The Trial of Leslie Knope’ from Ben’s POV.
He had not seen or heard from her since that morning, but he knew she could feel his presence through the wall.
All day Ben had sat on the bench outside Leslie’s trial waiting for the moment he could comfort her in whatever the out come. He had not seen or heard from her since that morning, but he knew she could feel his presence through the wall. He smiled encouragingly at all their friends as they would be called to the stand and be rewarded with tales of Leslie’s success when they came out.
From the moment they had told their friends, everyone had been so supportive of their relationship and the consequential looming scandal. He had not realized how important their approval was to him until he received their congratulatory high fives and hugs. It warmed his heart to know they all approved of him, the Human Disaster, with their fearless and amazing leader, Leslie Knope. There was no question that she was worth this nerve-racking effort for him, but it was now his goal to prove to himself and everyone that he was worth the backlash as well.
That’s why when he saw George “Something” walking down the hall and stop in front of the courtroom doors; he knew they were in deeper trouble then they thought. While there was no question they had broken Chris’s dating rule, Leslie would be able to show the committee that they had not broken any other ethics in the process. But Ben could not deny that they had bribed this man at the Lil Sebastian memorial and he knew Leslie would not be able to either. She was a good person, the best, and he knew she would face these consequences.
Ben suddenly could not help but pace the hallway outside the courtroom hoping and praying that Leslie would be able to come up with something to save them. But he knew in his heart that it was a lost cause. With the trial coming to an end soon, the rest of the Parks Department waited with him in the benches lining the hallway. One by one they all attempted to calm his nerves in their own unique and sometimes bizarre ways. Ben did not want to admit this, but their company and assistance was greatly needed. His patients had begun to disappear and he was turning manic. At one point he even attempted to burst into the courtroom, but an unflustered Ron pulled him back and sat him down a few steps from the door.
After what seemed like a lifetime George walked out with a smug smile. He was slowly followed by an unusually demur Chris, his head hanging low and an unnatural lull to his movements. Ben knew what that meant, Chris had finally found a charge that stuck to Leslie and now he felt guilt.
"We are taking a thirty minute break. You can all confer with Leslie for awhile now, well except Ben," Chris said in a somber voice. The Parks Department including Ann all slowly entered the courtroom, giving him warm sympathetic looks on the way in. Then it was just him and Chris left in the hallway.
There was no question now, they were going to fire Leslie and then fire him tomorrow. It was inconceivable. The first thing that made him fall hard for Leslie was not her beautiful smile, compassionate soul, positive personality or even her irrefutable talents but her unyielding need to make the people’s lives in Pawnee better. And she truly was succeeding in that effort everyday. So while he loved her very much and would do anything to be with her, he couldn’t take her away from Pawnee.
"Chris!" He called out as Chris began to walk towards his office. They had only spoken a handful of polite words all day, but Ben knew he had to say something. "I would like to request a meeting with you and the committee during this break."
It was now his turn to say screw it and go all in for this relationship. He would take the blame for the bribe and resign from his position. Sure it would hurt to not be doing something he truly loved, but knowing he was saving Leslie from the same pain made it hurt a lot less.
Author Note: After the last episode I wanted to write everything from Ben’s perspective, including a conversation with everyone in the Parks Department, Tammie2, Marlene and his full conversation with Chris…but I didn’t have time in the end. I hope you enjoyed this and I would love to hear your feedback. Thanks!
Happy Last Parks Day for 2011!!
Pairing: Ben's POV, Ben/Leslie
Word Count: approx. 700
Summary: ‘The Trial of Leslie Knope’ from Ben’s POV.
He had not seen or heard from her since that morning, but he knew she could feel his presence through the wall.
All day Ben had sat on the bench outside Leslie’s trial waiting for the moment he could comfort her in whatever the out come. He had not seen or heard from her since that morning, but he knew she could feel his presence through the wall. He smiled encouragingly at all their friends as they would be called to the stand and be rewarded with tales of Leslie’s success when they came out.
From the moment they had told their friends, everyone had been so supportive of their relationship and the consequential looming scandal. He had not realized how important their approval was to him until he received their congratulatory high fives and hugs. It warmed his heart to know they all approved of him, the Human Disaster, with their fearless and amazing leader, Leslie Knope. There was no question that she was worth this nerve-racking effort for him, but it was now his goal to prove to himself and everyone that he was worth the backlash as well.
That’s why when he saw George “Something” walking down the hall and stop in front of the courtroom doors; he knew they were in deeper trouble then they thought. While there was no question they had broken Chris’s dating rule, Leslie would be able to show the committee that they had not broken any other ethics in the process. But Ben could not deny that they had bribed this man at the Lil Sebastian memorial and he knew Leslie would not be able to either. She was a good person, the best, and he knew she would face these consequences.
Ben suddenly could not help but pace the hallway outside the courtroom hoping and praying that Leslie would be able to come up with something to save them. But he knew in his heart that it was a lost cause. With the trial coming to an end soon, the rest of the Parks Department waited with him in the benches lining the hallway. One by one they all attempted to calm his nerves in their own unique and sometimes bizarre ways. Ben did not want to admit this, but their company and assistance was greatly needed. His patients had begun to disappear and he was turning manic. At one point he even attempted to burst into the courtroom, but an unflustered Ron pulled him back and sat him down a few steps from the door.
After what seemed like a lifetime George walked out with a smug smile. He was slowly followed by an unusually demur Chris, his head hanging low and an unnatural lull to his movements. Ben knew what that meant, Chris had finally found a charge that stuck to Leslie and now he felt guilt.
"We are taking a thirty minute break. You can all confer with Leslie for awhile now, well except Ben," Chris said in a somber voice. The Parks Department including Ann all slowly entered the courtroom, giving him warm sympathetic looks on the way in. Then it was just him and Chris left in the hallway.
There was no question now, they were going to fire Leslie and then fire him tomorrow. It was inconceivable. The first thing that made him fall hard for Leslie was not her beautiful smile, compassionate soul, positive personality or even her irrefutable talents but her unyielding need to make the people’s lives in Pawnee better. And she truly was succeeding in that effort everyday. So while he loved her very much and would do anything to be with her, he couldn’t take her away from Pawnee.
"Chris!" He called out as Chris began to walk towards his office. They had only spoken a handful of polite words all day, but Ben knew he had to say something. "I would like to request a meeting with you and the committee during this break."
It was now his turn to say screw it and go all in for this relationship. He would take the blame for the bribe and resign from his position. Sure it would hurt to not be doing something he truly loved, but knowing he was saving Leslie from the same pain made it hurt a lot less.
Author Note: After the last episode I wanted to write everything from Ben’s perspective, including a conversation with everyone in the Parks Department, Tammie2, Marlene and his full conversation with Chris…but I didn’t have time in the end. I hope you enjoyed this and I would love to hear your feedback. Thanks!
Happy Last Parks Day for 2011!!