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Equus	By : Deb Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2855 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, it belongs to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. I do own the equines though, please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.

Chapter List
- 39
- 40
- 41
“Equus”
Chapter 40
The drive to the police station was made in silence. Duo was brooding in his seat while Heero drove and Heero didn't particularly want to start up a conversation in case he got his head bitten off again. Reaching the station, Heero managed to find a parking spot within the compound. Exiting the car they walked towards the main entry.
“Are you okay?” Heero asked, finally breaking their silence.
“No, but if I don't do this then it will be admitting defeat, won't it?” Duo answered honestly.
It took a moment for Heero to process the words and he did his best to give his partner a reassuring smile. “Duo, we will get through this. I admit, it won't be easy, but we will survive. I'm here for you, Duo, always.” Unsure of his lover's reaction, Heero gently placed his hand over Duo's uninjured one and gave a soft squeeze.
“I know you are, Heero and I really appreciate it, even if it doesn't seem like it.” Duo returned the smile with a rueful one of his own.
Pausing at the front door, Heero released Duo's hand. “Ready?”
Duo took a deep breath and nodded. “Let's get this over with.” With determination written in the lines of his face, Duo stepped inside the police station.
*
It took almost two hours for Duo to give his statement to Sergeant Williams. Heero had been taken to another room to give his version of the events to Constable Henry.
It had been two of the longest hours in Duo's life.
Williams was sympathetic, knowing the trauma suffered by the victim and he gently coaxed Duo through the entire process. Duo was grateful to the Sergeant for his professionalism and caring attitude. When Duo began to falter, Williams would suggest a couple of minutes break and discreetly offer the vet a glass of water and turn his attention to rereading or making notes whilst Duo recovered his composure. When Duo was in control again they would continue. Finally the ordeal was over and Duo slumped in his seat, the entire process had taken more out of him that he cared to admit.
Knowing how torn up the young man must be feeling, Williams brought Heero into the interview room to be with his partner and discreetly left them alone for a while to comfort each other. Returning, Williams brought Henry in with him along with a couple of mugs of coffee for the two young men. He was relieved to see that both were looking a bit better than when he'd left them.
Having passed the coffees over to the pair, Williams sat behind the desk once again, Henry pulling up another chair.
“Gentlemen, thank you both for giving your statements and agreeing to press charges. I'll give you both a brief outline as to what to expect and what the procedure is from here. We have a few other statements to take and all those statements will be processed to give an outline of what happened. Our forensics section is currently doing what it does best and analyzing what we call the 'hard' evidence. That evidence could be crucial in the case and in getting a conviction.”
“Once we have all the statements the case will be submitted to the court and a date set for a hearing.” Seeing the vet visibly pale at the knowledge that there would be a court hearing, he quickly continued. “The accused is charged with the offense and given a summons to attend court where the exact charges are read out to them. They are then asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. It has been my experience that the offenders usually plead not guilty when they are first charged but soon change it once they realize that everything is stacked against them. Should the accused decide to continue with a not guilty plea, then the case will be adjourned and a date set for it to go to trial where all the evidence will be presented. The court system does recognize that rape cases are a very sensitive issue, even more so when it is a male rape, but in either case, the hearing and if necessary the following trial are held in a closed court.”
“Closed court?” Duo questioned, still pale and visibly shaken by the officer's words.
“A closed court means no one other than the immediate and necessary persons are admitted. That usually consists of the judge, the accused, the victim, the defendant's legal representation if the matter has gone to trial, the police and the public prosecutor. Any witnesses that need to be called - should the case go to trial – are gathered in a waiting room to the side of the court. When summoned they enter, give their evidence and then leave.” The Sergeant looked to see how both men were taking the information. “It's a little more in depth than that, but that is a simplified version of what happens. Put bluntly, a closed court is just that; closed to anyone who is not directly involved in the case.”
That gave Duo a small measure of comfort.
“Thank you for explaining that, Sergeant.”
“You're welcome, Mr. Yuy, Doctor Maxwell. Do either of you have any questions?”
“Have you spoken with Ste- the accused as yet? Can you tell us if he's pleaded guilty or not guilty?”
“We will be going to the hospital this afternoon to take a statement and press the charges. Given that the accused required medical treatment last evening that would also require the use of drugs, we are unable to take a statement until we have been assured by the hospital staff that the drugs are completely out of the man's system. If we were to take a statement or ask for a plea whilst he's under the influence of those drugs the statement and plea would not be a valid one and accepted in the court.”
“I understand.” Heero could see how the law worked in that respect and it made perfect sense.
“Anything else I can help you with, gentlemen?” asked Williams.
“Actually, there is one thing.” Heero went on to explain about Stefan agisting his horse on Heero's property and under the circumstances he wanted the horse removed.
“You have three options available to you here and you can impose a time frame on them or not, whichever you prefer. The first is to tell the guy he can come back onto the property within that specified time period and remove his animal and belongings. The second option is to contact someone else who can act on the owner's behalf and remove the horse and all belongings. The third, and the one I would recommend, is that we, the police, accompany the man to your property and wait whilst he fetches his horse and belongings and once he's done that we escort him from your property. I say the last one is the better one as it means we can be there to prevent any further altercations from taking place or any interactions at all between yourselves and the accused and also to ensure he only removes what is lawfully his.”
“I see. That sounds like the best option to me. How do I go about advising him to remove the animal and his things?”
“That's the easy part,” Williams grinned. “I'll take you back out to the front counter and you can fill out the appropriate paperwork. Once that's done we can take it with us this afternoon when we go to the hospital to take his statement and serve the papers on him. We can also arrange a time that is convenient to both parties to escort him onto the property and off again.”
“Thank you, I think that should work.” Heero felt the relief wash over him. He really hadn't been looking forward to dealing with Stefan at all. He'd most likely end up throttling the life from the bastard if he had half the chance. With the police there to supervise things and keep the peace, Stefan would be on and off the property with minimal time and fuss. Heero knew he could speed up the removal by having all of Comet's rugs, bins, buckets and pretty well everything else all stacked and ready to go. All Stefan would need to do would be to check it was all there, pack it up and leave.
“If there's nothing else I think we should go and fill out that paperwork.” Williams stood and Constable Henry moved to open the door.
It didn't take Heero long to fill out the necessary paperwork and once it was all signed they were free to leave.
“I'll be in touch with you both once I have any further information regarding the case and also to arrange for the removal of the horse.”
“Thank you, officer.” Heero shook the Sergeant's hand, Duo following suit.
“Take me home, Heero, please,” Duo said in a voice so soft Heero almost missed the request. One look at his lover's pale face though had Heero convinced that Duo really needed some time to himself.
“Of course,” he replied and gently ushered his love to their waiting car.
* * *
“What do you think?” asked Henry as he entered the Sergeant's office after seeing the last of the 'witnesses' out.
“I'm pretty sure we have a cut and dried case here, but it also depends on what the forensic evidence says.”
“All the statements we have so far back up what Maxwell and Yuy have said.”
“That they do which is a good thing.” Williams shuffled the papers together and slipped them into a folder. “We really should pay a visit to the hospital now and get a statement from the accused and lay the charges against him. I'll also need to serve these other papers on him.”
“I'll let the Chief know where we're going.”
“Thanks.
*
“We have taken a blood sample and done the tests and I can assure you, officers, that there are no drugs present in his system that could possibly affect his memory in relation to giving his statement.”
“Thank you, doctor. May I have a copy of those results and a letter to confirm what you have just said, please?”
More than familiar with how the law worked and the procedures that needed to be followed, the doctor agreed. “I'll have them ready for you for when you leave.”
“Thank you, doctor. May we see the man now?”
“Certainly Sergeant. This way.”
Williams and Henry were ushered into the ward room where Stefan lay on the bed. His face was swollen, several small lacerations and bruising visible. Bandages were wrapped around his torso to support his cracked ribs and several small cuts and abrasions, not to mention bruises, were littered across the visible skin.
Noting the two policemen entering his room, Stefan winced as he tried to get a little more comfortable.
“Mr. Graves?” Williams asked.
“Yeah,” Stefan replied through a split and swollen lip. Both his eyes were blackened too and Williams wondered idly if that had been from Mr. Yuy or if it was from the surgery to straighten the guy's nose.
“I'm Sergeant Williams and this is Constable Henry. We are here to take a statement from you in relation to an incident at the Maxwell Veterinary Practice...”
As the officer spoke, Stefan did his best to scowl whilst his brain scrambled his thoughts.
Finished with his speech, Williams pulled up a chair and sat down. He nodded to Henry who remove a writing pad and pen. “Could you please state your full name and current residential address...”
The information was reluctantly given. Stefan waited whilst the officer went through the next part and then he began his recital of what happened.
“...He wanted it, he's been chasing me ever since I moved my horse to the agistment property.”
“Just the facts Mr. Graves,” Williams interrupted. “We are not interested in anything other than what occurred on the afternoon and evening of the offense.”
Stefan resigned himself to having to deal with just that and began to relate his call to Duo about Nataku getting hurt and his wait for the vet to get back to the surgery. “Once he'd finished treating the horse, I asked if there was anything else I could do to help. We were in the dispensary then and he turned around and started to come on to me. At first I was shocked, wondering just what the hell was going on, but then he got more forceful, demanding that I satisfy him.”
Williams kept his mouth shut, even though he was seething inside.
“I really wasn't interested in him that way, I mean I'm straight and well, guys just don't do it for me, but he was very insistent. He was all over me like a rash and in the end I gave in. He wanted me to tie him up, said he liked it rough so I grabbed the first thing I could find and tied his wrists with it. I didn't have a clue what to expect or what to do so he told me what he wanted. I'd just started to give him what he'd asked for when I heard the sounds of someone outside. Before I knew what was happening, he started to scream and yell. Next thing, Yuy was there and beating the crap out of me...”
Despite having to keep an open mind and not take sides when investigating a case, Williams couldn't help the rage that settled in his stomach. He could tell when someone was lying, it was an instinct he'd picked up over the years and fine tuned – right now he was positive that Graves was lying through his teeth. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything he could do about it.
“The next thing I remember is waking up here in the hospital emergency department,” Stefan concluded. “That reminds me, I want to press charges against Yuy for assault.”
Reminding himself that he was an officer of the law and as such bound by that law to uphold it, Williams was barely able to stop himself from adding a charge of police brutality to the mix. “I think we need to deal with one thing at a time,” he gritted out.
“That's fine for you to say, you're not the one lying here with a busted nose and cracked ribs,” Stefan snapped.
“Mr. Graves, once we have finished taking your statement in relation to this matter, we will proceed to fill out the paperwork for the other matter.”
“Fine.”
*
It was another hour before the officers were finished and leaving the hospital, both annoyed and upset with the way things had progressed.
“What do you think?” asked Henry once they were on their way back to the police station.
“It's going to be a difficult one,” Williams said in a grim tone.
“But he was lying through his teeth,” Henry protested.
“I know that and you know that, what it boils down to is getting a judge to know it too. At the end of the day it's going to be one man's word against the other's.”
“But we have the forensic evidence...”
“Yes, we do, but think about it, Henry, Maxwell said it was rape – and for the record I believe him – but Graves said Maxwell wanted it, wanted him to tie him up. A good lawyer would be able to twist things to appear that Maxwell did ask for this, and if he succeeds then all the evidence we have can easily be dismissed.”
“That's so unfair.”
“I know. What we really need is some form of indisputable evidence. It's a shame we didn't have an actual witness to the rape, someone who could refute Graves' statement.”
“Maxwell said this Graves had been trying to come on to him for a while now. I wonder if anyone else who keeps their horses at Yuy's place noticed anything along those lines.”
“Good point. Look, once we get back to the station start to type up Graves' statement, I'll need to go to the court house to lodge the case and get a date for the hearing. Once I know that I'll be able to find out who the prosecutor would be if this goes to a trial. I'll see if I can have a word with them and explain the case, that way not only will they be aware of the upcoming case ahead of time, but they might also be able to suggest something, an avenue we haven't thought of yet to back Maxwell's statement.”
“We also need to let Yuy know of the charges of assault Graves intends to file against him,” Henry reminded.
“Yeah. I'm proposing we hold off on that for a moment though. Oh, I'll file the complaint with the court, don't worry about that, but it will be pending the outcome of the rape case. If the rape case is dismissed, then the assault charges can be filed properly. If the case is upheld and Maxwell wins then I'd suggest that the assault charges against Yuy be dropped.”
“Sounds logical to me.”
“Good. Once I've been to the court house I'll swing by the station and pick you up to come out with me to the Maxwell place. We need to let Yuy know not only about the assault charges, but that Graves will be out in two days to collect his horse.”
“No problem.”
* * *
Having arrived back at the practice, Heero watched silently as Duo entered the cottage. He was really worried about his partner's state of mind and hoped that their appointment with the doctor that afternoon would help a little. He was at a complete loss how to help Duo, all he could do was offer his love and support, be there for Duo when he needed him. Grabbing the antibiotics and anti-inflammatories they'd picked up from the pharmacy on their way home, Heero followed his partner into the cottage.
Duo busied himself by making coffee for them both. He was unsettled from the earlier visit to the police station and needed something familiar to ground himself with. He glanced up when Heero placed a bottle and packet on the bench top by him.
“Your antibiotics and anti-inflammatories,” Heero informed.
“Thanks.” Duo picked up the bottle and packet and read the instructions on the labels. Removing two of the capsules from the blister pack and two of the anti-inflammatories, he grabbed a glass of water and took them.
“Do you want any painkillers?” Heero asked. ”I'm afraid Sally didn’t leave any strong ones for you so I guess it will have to be paracetamol.”
Duo shook his head. “I'm okay for the moment.” He passed a mug of coffee to Heero before picking up his own and setting it on the kitchen table and sitting down. He glanced at the clock and frowned. “Shouldn't you be doing something with the horses?”
“It won't hurt them to have a day off. You're more important to me than the horses,” Heero replied with a sincere smile.
Feeling warmed with Heero's words, Duo gave a shy smile. “Don't you need to give those that were at the show a little work though, take out the stiffness or something?”
“Normally I would, but they're out in the paddocks so I don't think it will hurt them not to have any other exercise for today.”
“I need to go up to the surgery and check on the others, also I need to log the details of Nataku's injuries and treatment into Nrobbuts' data base.”
“Would you like me to come with you?”
Knowing it would be difficult to fend off the questions that would be asked, Duo nodded. “Please. I don't think I could face Catherine and Hilde by myself. I know Zechs should be okay but the other two...” Duo went to shrug his shoulders and winced as pain lanced through his injured one. “Shit!” he gritted out. “Gotta remember not to do that.”
“I'll protect you from Mother Goose and Florence Nightingale,” Heero said with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood.
Duo shook his head and rolled his eyes. “We seriously need to work on your sense of humor, Heero.”
*
Morning consults had all but finished when Heero and Duo entered the vet practice. Zechs was in the reception area with Catherine, file in his hand and organizing a return appointment for a client; Hilde was still in consultation with another client. Both turned briefly to see who as walking down the hall towards the reception and once they spotted Heero and Duo, returned to the current situation.
Once the pair stepped into the reception area Catherine could sense something wasn't quite right. Zechs wished his client all the best and turned to put the file on top of the pile. As he did so he noticed that Duo seemed a little 'off'.
Hilde appeared with her client, chatting away in regards to the dog the client had brought in. She didn't spot Duo or Heero until she entered the reception area and once she did she frowned. Knowing better than to question the pair whilst there were clients still present, both vets and receptionist held their tongues for the moment.
The client paid their account and left, Catherine logging the details of payment onto the computer whilst Hilde followed the client to the door and closed it after they had left. Returning to the reception area after turning the sign around to 'closed', Hilde paused and gave both Heero and Duo a look up and down.
Duo was flicking through the filing cabinet, searching for Nataku's file so he could put the information into it regarding her treatment and had his back to the others; he didn't see the exchange of looks between them all.
Hilde's mouth was about to open when Heero looked straight at her and shook his head.
Locating the file, Duo managed to pull it free and turned around. He swallowed and looked at the others. “Heero will explain in a moment,” he managed to get out around a dry mouth. “Catherine, I need you to put the details of injury and treatment onto the data base for Nataku once I've noted it down in the file, please.”
“Sure, Duo.” Neither Catherine or Hilde were aware that Nataku had been injured, but Zechs knew, Duo had called him after all the previous day.
“Is she okay?” Zechs asked as he leaned against the bench.
“She will be. A cut to the fetlock area that required stitching and some wrenched muscles,” Duo replied. “I'll be back in a moment with this,” he said to Catherine and left the reception area to fill out the details in the file.
With Duo gone, the three narrowed in on Heero.
“Are you sure Nataku is okay?”
“What happened to Duo?”
“Are they both really all right?” were some of the questions that were fired off in rapid succession. Heero held up his hands in defense.
“Whoa, all of you. Please, if you will give me a minute, I'll explain everything that happened yesterday.” Taking a deep breath, Heero began a brief explanation of their call, Nataku's injury and Stefan's rape of Duo. He didn't go into details, the others didn't need to know all of that, or so he figured. It was enough that they knew what had happened. Finishing up, he eyed each one of them separately. “Duo is going through a really tough time right now, he has a lot to come to terms with and we would both appreciate it if you could all continue to support him where possible, but don't smother him. He needs your compassion and understanding, not your pity and over protectiveness.” He added the last bit and looked directly at Hilde and Catherine.
“In other words, help him out when he needs it but otherwise carry on as usual?” Zechs said. He could understand where Heero was coming from in that regard, if it had been himself in that situation he wouldn't appreciate the 'kid gloves' approach either.
“Hai.”
“I'd like to get my hands on that fucker,” Hilde snarled, shocking Catherine with the amount of venom in her tone.
“Heero already did that, Hilde.”
The four spun around to see Duo standing in the doorway, his head bent and eyes on the floor.
“Good for Heero. I'd still like to rip that asshole apart though.” Hilde walked over and gave Duo a hug. “Duo, we are here if and when you need us, just say the word.”
Catherine got up and also gave Duo a hug. “You know we will help you in any way we can,” she said softly.
Zechs simply met violet eyes with his own blue and nodded once.
Duo couldn't help the small smile from forming. It felt good to have the support of his friends.
* * *
“This looks like it,” Heero said and brought the car to a stop. He glanced at the number on the front gate and confirmed the address.
“Doesn't look like a doc's place,” Duo mused as he got out and stared at the building.
They were parked out the front of what looked for all the world like a normal, residential address. The house was built of red brick, several windows looking out to the street. A brick wall in-dispersed with railings surrounded the front of the property and behind it was a neatly manicured lawn with a flagstone path leading to the front door. A brass plate hung on the wall next to the doorbell, the words - 'Dr. Jamieson. M.D. Psy.D' clearly engraved onto the plate.
Heero pressed the small bell and waited. The sound of heels clicking grew louder and then the door was opened to reveal a short woman with a kindly smile. “May I help you?”
“Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell, we have an appointment to see Doctor Jamieson.”
“Ah, yes. Please, come in.” The woman opened the door wider and stepped to the side to allow the men to enter. Closing the door behind them, she turned and spoke again. “I'm Gwen Rhodes, Doctor J's secretary, receptionist and all round office worker. If you would follow me to the waiting room I'll let the doctor know you're here.”
Feeling a little more relaxed with the woman's attitude and friendly demeanor, the pair followed her along the hall and into what had once been a lounge room. They took a seat and gazed around whilst waiting for Gwen to return. It was obvious that the house had been completely refurbished and converted into a clinic of sorts. It still retained its 'homey' feel whilst serving the purpose the doctor required. It also managed to set Duo at ease a little more.
Gwen returned after a couple of minutes. “Doctor Jamieson will be with you in just a moment,” she advised and sat herself down behind a large desk to resume work at her computer.
Both men were contemplating looking through the magazines that were on offer when a door was heard opening just off the hallway and the sound of footsteps approached. Both Heero and Duo looked up as an older gentleman entered the waiting room.
“Doctor Maxwell? Mr. Yuy?” he said.
“I'm Doctor Maxwell,” Duo replied and stood up.
“I'm Mr. Yuy.” Heero also stood.
“A pleasure to meet you,” Jamieson said and offered his hand.
Duo took the offered hand and shook it, his brow furrowing a little at the feel of the doctor's hand in his own.
Heero also shook the doctor's hand and if he noticed anything different, he didn't let on. “Thank you for seeing us at such short notice,” he said politely.
“No problem at all. Now, Doctor Maxwell, if you would be so kind as to follow me we will get this session underway.” Jamieson turned and started to walk back up the hallway.
“Ummm...” Heero wasn't too sure what was happening here and looked to Duo and then to the doctor's retreating figure.
As if sensing Heero's confusion, Jamieson paused and turned around. “I will speak with Doctor Maxwell first, once we have finished with our consultation I'll call for you, Mr. Yuy.” Words said he continued on his way.
Duo gave a shake of his head and followed. Heero sat down again and wondered just exactly why Sally Po would have recommended such an obviously bizarre person as a counselor for them.
~ * ~
tbc...
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Equus