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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
- 49
- 50
- 51
“Equus”
Chapter 50

Despite his claims of being unable to stomach anything, Duo did manage to drink the tea Heero ordered and swallow a sandwich. Glancing at his watch, Heero knew they needed to be getting back to the court house. Reluctantly, the pair left the cozy cafe and made their way back to the court. Around them people were continuing on with their daily lives and Duo envied them that for the moment.
A soft sigh escaped Duo's mouth when they reached the steps of the building and entered.
“You okay?” Heero asked with concern.
“No, and I won't be until this is finished.”
“It will be over soon, Duo, then I will take you away for the weekend so we can forget all about this and get on with our lives.”
“Heero?”
“Hai?”
“How can you be so calm about all this? What I mean is that Stefan's lawyer is saying I cheated on you. How can you still want me knowing what happened and these allegations?” Duo asked as the walked along the hall towards the court room. It was something that was weighing heavily on his mind and he needed answers.
Pulling his lover into the same alcove as earlier, Heero rested a hand on Duo's shoulders. Using his fingers of his other hand, he gently pushed under Duo's chin until the vet was looking at him. He locked gazes and replied in a slow but firm tone. “Duo, I know none of what Bremner is saying is true. You were raped, you didn't cheat on me and I do not, nor will I ever doubt the love you have for me. You can try to push me away all you want, but I'm telling you now, there's no way I'm leaving you. I'll be here for you, whatever it takes we will work through this together. I love you with all my heart and soul and I know you return that love. There is no way you would have willingly allowed Stefan to touch you, you didn't cheat on me. That bastard is a thief, he stole something precious from us both, more so you and by going through this trial, despite the outcome, you will regain what he took and so will I.”
The words Heero spoke came from the heart and it was all Duo could do to stop from breaking down into a blubbering mess.
Running his thumb over Duo's lips, Heero continued on in a slightly softer tone. “As much as I wish this was all over too, it isn't and we both have to go back into that court room and face whatever Stefan and his lawyer throw at us. It won't be easy, he's going to try and make out that you seduced Stefan and whilst we both know that isn't true, we need to convince the judge of it. All you can do, Duo, is answer his questions with the truth. I promise you, regardless of what happens I'm here for you all the way.”
Duo wrapped his arms around Heero and hung on, drawing on his lover's strength to help him get through what he knew was going to be quite an ordeal.
“Okay, now?” Heero asked as he rubbed up and down Duo's back.
“Yeah, I'll be alright.” Duo took a deep breath and centered himself.
“Good. Come on then, we'd best be getting inside as it's almost time to resume.
*
Morris was already seated when they reentered the court room and the DA stood up to greet them. Taking their seats, Morris faced Duo to have a few words with the vet before things got started again. Stefan, the woman and his lawyer had yet to appear, but Duo knew they wouldn't be too far away.
“Bremner is going to try and discredit your testimony, Duo. He's going to try and twist things around, make out that it was you that came on to Mr. Graves. If I'm right in my assumptions based on his questioning so far, his defense in the matter is that you were the one to approach Mr. Graves, that you initiated sex and only cried rape when Heero here came onto the scene. He's using that along with the claim that Mr. Graves is straight and has a girlfriend so why would he want to come on to a gay man. Whilst we all know that isn't the truth, he will be doing his damnedest to make it sound that way. I will be following his questioning very carefully and I will be objecting to anything he brings up that isn't directly pertaining to the case. Try to keep your focus, don't let him get under your skin and if you wish, keep your eyes on me. If at any stage it starts to become to much for you to handle, you let me know and I'll call for a recess.” Morris paused for a moment. “Do you have any questions?”
“Not that I can think of right now,” Duo replied.
“Just tell the truth, Doctor Maxwell, tell the truth and you have nothing to be afraid of. I know the justice system doesn't always seem to work in favor of the victim, but I promise you, the truth will win out in the end.” Morris smiled at the vet in reassurance.
The court room door opened then to admit Bremner, Stefan and the girlfriend. Duo kept his eyes averted from the trio, he wanted nothing to do with any of them if he could help it.
*
“All rise.” Judge Harris entered the court room and nodded to everyone before taking his seat.
“This court is now in session,” the judge said with a bang of his gavel. “Doctor Maxwell, if you could return to the witness box, please?”
Duo stood up and made his way back to the witness box, his stomach churning.
“I will remind you that you are still under oath,” Harris stated and Duo nodded in the affirmative. “Bremner?”
“Thank you, your honor.” Bremner stood up and approached the witness box, Duo kept his face neutral and did what Morris had suggested and kept his eyes turned in the direction of the DA and his lover.
“Doctor Maxwell, you said earlier that you were concerned that my client was making advances towards you and yet you delayed in letting your partner know of this. Correct?”
“Yes.” Duo had decided to try and play the lawyer at his own game and answer with a simple yes or no wherever possible.
“Why did you delay if you were so concerned?”
“I wasn't completely certain that Mr. Graves was trying to come on to me or not.”
“Surely if someone is trying to make advances that are unwelcome you would know or not? Or was it that you wanted these supposed advances to continue?”
“No, that is not true. A lot of what Mr. Graves was doing could be interpreted in two ways and I wasn't completely sure if his intentions were innocent or not.” Duo could feel the bile rising.
“Are you sure it was Mr. Graves that was coming on to you and not the other way around? The delay in taking any action seems to be because you, in fact, were interested in Mr. Graves.”
“No,” Duo growled.
Bremner changed tactics. “Doctor Maxwell, I am not an authority on gay people, but I do believe that many men, and women too, enjoy a little bondage play at times, that many indulge in rough sex at some stage. Have you engaged in rough sex at any time?”
Duo felt sick.
“OBJECTION! What the witness does in his private sex life is of no concern here,” Morris snapped.
“Sustained. Bremner,” the judge warned.
“Tell me, Doctor Maxwell, why would a man who has a steady girlfriend want to engage in sex with another man?”
“I don't know. Maybe he's not as straight as he would have you believe,” Duo snapped.
Bremner walked away towards his desk, then turned and stared right at Duo. “Doctor Maxwell, you delayed in telling your partner of any suspicions as there were none to speak of. Mr. Graves made no attempts at all to come on to you, but in fact, you were the one to show an interest in my client. When that interest was not returned, you became worried that Mr. Graves might speak with your partner and let him know of your indiscretion, therefore, you decided to beat him to it and lied to your partner.”
“No!”
“Objection!”
“Bremner?” the judge warned.
“Your honor, I am simply trying to prove my client's innocence.”
“I will overrule the objection for the moment. I advise that you choose your words carefully, Bremner.”
Morris scowled and looked very annoyed. Duo's heart rate sped up and he broke into a cold sweat. Heero had to keep his clenched fists under the table and remind himself that a court room, complete with judge and bailiff, was not the place to commit murder.
Bremner casually walked back towards Duo, the vet unable to help the slight flinch as Bremner stopped right in front of him and blocked his view of Heero and Morris.
“Doctor Maxwell, let me tell you what happened on the day in question. When you got that phone call at the show to say an animal was injured, you returned to your practice to treat the horse. Once there you realized you were alone with Mr. Graves and seeing your chance, you took it. You're a good looking man, Doctor Maxwell, even a heterosexual male would have to admit that and as such, you used your charm and looks against my client. You seduced my client, persuaded him to have sex with you and asked him to tie you up as you liked it rough...”
“No...”
“Objection!”
“Given your cajoling and promises of a good time, you had my client restrain you and engage in sex. When you heard your partner approaching, you panicked and began to cry rape...”
“NO!”
“OBJECTION!”
“You were cheating on your lover and knew he wouldn't want you any more so you cried rape to protect yourself and save your own skin...”
“NO! That's not true!” Duo sobbed, unable to control his emotions any longer.
“OBJECTION! “
“Sustained! Bremner, that is enough!” Harris shouted and banged his gavel down hard several times.
Bremner fell quiet but gave Duo a look of smug satisfaction. “No further questions, your honor.”
“The witness is excused,” Harris stated and turned to Duo. “Are you okay?” Used to the emotion charged atmosphere of a court room in these types of circumstances, Harris had long learned to not let it affect him. As a judge he needed to remain impartial. People often tried to use the power of emotion to sway the judge in their favor and whilst there was no doubt that sometimes the emotion was genuine, unfortunately Harris had to detach himself from it all in order to make the best decision he could on whatever case he was presiding over at the time. It didn't mean he was heartless though.
“I need a moment, your honor. Thank you,” Duo replied honestly, keeping his eyes averted and head lowered.
Once the judge had announced that Duo was excused, both Morris and Heero were out of their seats and across the floor to Duo. Not giving a shit about anyone or anything, Heero stepped into the witness box and placed an arm around Duo's shoulders, assisting his lover to stand and helping him back to the desk; Morris followed on Duo's other side, ready to assist if needed.
With Duo sitting down, Morris passed him a glass of water.
Harris observed the room for a moment and came to a decision. “This court is adjourned. We will resume at ten o'clock tomorrow morning.” The gavel came down and Harris stood to leave.
“All rise,” said the bailiff.
Once Harris had departed, Bremner, Stefan and the woman all left, Stefan throwing a sneer in the direction of Heero and Duo as he passed. He quickened his step when Heero started to move in his direction, the hand of Morris on his arm the only thing that stopped him.
It took Duo a few more minutes to compose himself, the departure of Stefan helping a touch. Finally, he looked up at Heero. “Take me home?” he asked in a soft tone.
“Of course.”
“Doctor Maxwell, I'm so sorry you had to sit through that. I promise you now, once this court resumes tomorrow it is most likely that Bremner will have Mr. Graves take the stand and as soon as I have the chance to question him, I will be doing all I can to refute anything of what Bremner has implied.”
“Thank you,” Duo replied. “It's not your fault, I knew he would try something like this. It's like I've said all along, it's going to come down to his word against mine and who is going to accept the word of a self confessed gay man against that of a straight man?”
“Bias won't come into it with Harris as a judge,” Morris growled.
“Maybe, maybe not,” Duo shrugged, “I suppose we will find out the answer tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Morris for all you have done today, right now I'd like to go home.”
“Of course. I'll see you back here tomorrow for ten o'clock.” Morris shook hands with the pair and followed them out of the court room. While Heero and Duo turned left along the hall, Morris went to the right and back to his offices to work on his strategy for the cross examination the following day.
* * *
“Heero, I think you should stop now,” Duo said in a worried tone.
Heero grunted and slammed his fists a few more times into the punching bag before stepping back and shaking his head, flinging droplets of sweat from his skin. “Thanks,” he said and took the offered towel and bottle of water. Chugging the water down, he wiped the back of his hand across his mouth before taking a seat on one of the patio chairs beside Duo, towel running over his shoulders, chest and under his arms.
“I think you killed it,” Duo commented with a touch of his old humor returning.
“Hn,” Heero muttered and looked to where the punching bag hung. The leather was showing some serious signs of wear, the stitching stretched to the point of almost breaking in several spots.
“Feel better now?”
“Not as much as I would if it were Stefan hanging there,” Heero growled back. A gentle hand resting on his forearm had Heero's eyes turning to lock with his lover's violet.
“Somehow I don't think that committing murder will go down very well, and I really don’t want you to go to jail because of that bastard. He's not worth it, Heero.”
“I could still go to jail. Depending on the outcome of this case, I'll know soon enough about the one pending against me for assault.” Whilst Heero had declined to bring the topic up at all over the past couple of weeks, didn't mean he'd forgotten about it. Duo had enough on his mind to worry about without Heero's charges as well.
“I don't think those charges will stand,” Duo replied with more conviction than he felt.
“I guess we will find out soon enough,” Heero sighed.
They sat in silence for a while, watching the sun set behind the trees before Smokey reminded them that she wanted her dinner. Slowly the pair rose to their feet, Duo to start cooking dinner whilst Heero fed the cat and took his shower.
* * *
Heero wandered into the kitchen to find his lover sitting at the kitchen table nursing a strong cup of coffee. Shuffling across to the coffee machine, Heero poured himself a cup of the strong liquid, added milk and sugar before sinking into a seat opposite the vet. His eyes tracked to the clock and back to his lover. It was just after six in the morning and unusual for Duo to be up this early. The vet hadn't had a call out either which meant his partner had another reason for being up this early and Heero had a pretty good idea what that was.
“Couldn't sleep?” he asked. A pair of bleary, violet eyes looked back at him and Heero held the wince when he took in the pale skin and dark shadows beneath his lover's eyes.
“No,” Duo replied and took another sip of his coffee.
“Morris will nail that bastard today, Duo.”
“You don't know that for sure, Heero, but thanks.”
Unfortunately there wasn't anything that Heero could do or say to comfort his lover and he knew it. All he could hope for was to have this trial well and truly over with in as short a time possible. Then he could take Duo away and help the man to heal from his ordeal. Resting his hand atop of Duo's, Heero squeezed gently. “I'm gonna go get dressed and put the horses out.”
“Okay. I'll get breakfast on the go shortly.”
Standing up, Heero carried his mug in one hand, squeezing his partner's shoulder with the other as he passed by on his way back to the bedroom.
*
A shudder passed through Duo's body as he faced up to the court house once more. Inside his chest his heart rate increased and he broke out in a cold sweat. It was only Heero's hand resting at the small of his back that prevented him from turning around and walking away.
Morris met them just outside the court room and gave a tight smile. He could see the exhaustion written into every line of Duo's face. “Good morning, gentlemen,” he greeted. The greeting was returned and the three entered the court room. They were alone for the moment and Morris took the opportunity to speak with the pair.
“Mr. Graves will no doubt be on the stand today and I have a few questions of my own for him, one's I'm sure will go in our favor.”
“Good, it's about time we gave that bastard and his uppity lawyer a dose of their own medicine,” Heero muttered.
After exchanging a few more words, mainly clarification of some things Morris had noted down, Bremner had arrived. A couple of minutes later, Stefan and the same woman from the precious day entered and took their seats. Ten minutes later the bailiff stepped inside.
“All rise.”
Judge Harris entered and took his seat, dropping a folder to the desk in front of him and picking up his gavel. With a glance at both desks, he banged the gavel down. “This court is now in session. Bremner, please call your first witness.”
“The defense calls Marion Archer to the stand.”
Heero looked at Duo who returned the look with a slight shrug of his shoulders. He didn't know who she was either. Before they could ask Morris, the woman sitting beside Stefan got up and approached the witness box. She was sworn in by the bailiff and asked by Bremner to state her full name and occupation for the court. Once the formalities were over with, Bremner began his questioning.
“Miss. Archer, what is your relationship to Mr. Graves?”
“I'm his fianceé,” the woman replied promptly.
Heero raised an eyebrow. Stefan had never mentioned a fianceé before.
“How long have you known Mr. Graves for and how long have you been engaged?”
“Let me see,” Marion began and thought deeply.
Morris frowned. Surely the woman shouldn't need to think for this long to answer a simple question like that, he thought.
“We met about three years ago and started dating. Stefan proposed to me around six months ago, I think it was.”
“During the time you were dating and even these past months of your engagement, has Mr. Graves been unfaithful to you?”
“Not that I'm aware of,” she replied promptly.
“During your time together, has Mr. Graves shown any interest in another person, female or male?”
Marion shook her head. “No. Oh he's looked at other women, what man doesn't? But there's a difference between looking and touching. As for another man...” Marion made a great show of shuddering. “No, never. Stefan isn't one of those pansy people.”
“Objection!”
“Sustained. The witness will please refrain from using discriminatory terms.”
The woman looked to Bremner, confusion clearly written on her face. Morris scowled as alarm bells began to ring in the back of his head. There was a niggling thought there, one he wanted to investigate further but couldn't right now.
“To your knowledge, has Mr. Graves ever shown an interest in another man? Has he ever spoken to you about being with another man?”
“No, never. I can tell you now, Stefan isn't interested in another bloke, he's as straight as they come. Believe me, I know straight when I see it; and feel it,” she stated and gave Bremner a saucy smile and a wink.
Duo thought he was going to vomit and Heero wasn't much better. Even Harris looked a little uncomfortable.
“Miss. Archer. Did Mr. Graves ever speak to you about his horse, where he kept it or the people running the agistment center?”
“Yeah, he did. He said there was this guy there who had really long hair, so long that he could probably have passed for a girl.”
“Did Mr. Graves ever speak of any concerns he may have had?”
“He did tell me a few times he was a bit worried about the long haired guy, said he made advances towards him and no matter how many times Stefan told him he wasn't interested, the guy still kept on trying to get into his pants.”
“Did this worry you at all?”
“No, not really. Stefan can take care of himself.”
“Thank you, Miss. Archer. No further questions, your honor.” Bremner turned and walked back to the desk, a satisfied smile on his face.
“Morris?” asked the judge.
“Thank you, your honor.” Morris stood and walked towards the witness box in silence. He kept his eyes on the woman though, boring as deep into her eyes as he could get. He noted a flicker of nervousness there and a few drops of sweat beginning to form on her forehead. Deliberately keeping his silence a little longer, Morris made out he was thinking about the wording of his questions. Deciding he'd let her stew for long enough, he cleared his throat.
“Miss. Archer. You said you weren't really worried about your fianceé receiving attention from another man, correct?”
“Yes.”
“I have to say, I find that rather hard to believe. It's always been my experience that when a pair are engaged, they are quite protective of their partner and any type of outside advances from another person are met with hostility. Are you completely sure you weren't a little jealous or concerned?”
“Well, I was a bit worried when he first told me,” Marion amended.
“If you were worried, why didn't you attend the stables with Mr. Graves? Or ask him to move his horse to another property?”
“I didn't think it was bad enough to warrant that,” Marion said, a touch of nervousness coming into her voice.
“You didn't think it was bad enough?” Morris mused. “Miss. Archer, did you ever visit the Salsbury stables where Mr. Graves kept his horse?”
“Errr, no, I didn't.”
“Objection! This has nothing to do with the charges against my client,” Bremner stated.
“Morris? What is it you're driving at?” Harris asked.
“I'm only trying to establish the type of relationship this witness has with the accused, your honor.”
“Objection overruled for the moment. Proceed, Morris.”
“Thank you, your honor.” Morris turned back to the woman. “Miss. Archer, if you are Mr. Graves' fianceé, surely you wish to be a part of his life in every way and that would include his interest in his horse and show jumping, would it not?”
“I am his fianceé and I do take an interest in what he does,” the woman sniffed.
“Then why haven't you ever visited the Salsbury stables where he kept his horse? All the engaged couples I've ever known share the majority of things they enjoy together and support each other in their various hobbies or careers.”
“I'm not that keen on horses, okay?” Marion snapped.
“You're not that keen on horses? Yet you are engaged to a man who competes regularly in the showjumping world.”
“It's not a crime to be engaged to someone and not share all their interests,” Marion huffed, but she looked a little pale.
“No, it isn't,” Morris replied. He stared at the woman for a moment. “When is the wedding date?”
“I – I -”
“Objection!”
“Sustained.”
“No further questions, your honor,” Morris stated with a smirk at the woman before turning and walking back to his desk.
“Bremner? Do you wish to ask anything else?”
“No, your honor, not at this stage.”
“The witness is dismissed.”
“Your honor?” Morris said and faced the judge.
“Yes, Morris?”
“Could I possibly ask for a short recess?”
Harris frowned. “Why?”
“I possibly have some new information pertaining to this case, but I need to verify it first.”
Heero and Duo both looked at Morris with questions in their eyes. Neither man was aware of anything new and as cell phones or anything remotely connected to speaking with the 'outside' world were not permitted during the trial, they had no clue as to how Morris had suddenly come into new information. Unless he was psychic, Duo thought.
“I'll grant the recess. This court is adjourned for fifteen minutes.” Harris banged the gavel down.
“All rise.”
Once Harris had left the court room, Morris made a beeline for the witness room where he knew Sergeant Williams would be waiting. He ignored Heero and Duo's questions for the moment, promising them both he would fill them in as soon as he'd finished speaking with Williams.
Heero pulled his chair a little closer to Duo's as they waited. He glanced out the corner of his eye across to Stefan's desk and noted that Stefan, Marion and Bremner were all locked in deep discussion. He couldn't hear what they were saying though as their voices were low, but Bremner didn't look all that happy with the sudden halt to proceedings.
Five minutes later, Morris returned and slipped into his seat. Immediately Heero and Duo were demanding to know what was going on.
“Mr. Yuy, did Mr. Graves ever mention a fianceé, girlfriend or the like in all the time you've known him?” Morris asked.
“No, he never said anything at all about having a companion of either gender,” Heero replied.
“Mr. Morris, what is going on? What's this new information you said you have?” Duo questioned. He refused to get his hopes up.
“I've got this niggling feeling that all isn't right with that woman. I don't believe she is his fianceé. In fact, I'd put money on her being what we call a 'ring in'. I've just finished speaking with Sergeant Williams and given him all the information I have on her. I've asked him to see what he can find out about her, do some digging around and see exactly how long she has been with Mr. Graves.”
“If you're correct and she is a ring in, then this could blow Stefan's defense right out of the water,” Heero said as Morris' words hit home.
“Exactly,” Morris said with a smug smile. “I just hope that Williams can find something and get it to us before the end of this trial.”
~ * ~
tbc...
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Equus