With a splitting headache, Diana awoke a couple hours later to a bright room and a comfortable bed. She stared at the ceiling. "Where am I?" she rasped. Her voice was hoarse and scratchy and her neck and head cried out in pain.
"You are in Garrison General," Commander Hawks answered. "The judge called for a recess after Prince Andrew tried to kill you."
"Oh," she tried to touch her neck, but her hands were stopped, still trapped in handcuffs connected to the bed rails. "What?" she gasped.
"The prosecution doesn't want you to try and escape. Your doctor has you in a neck brace."
Diana swallowed painfully, "I understand," she whispered.
"Why didn't you defend yourself in the court room?" he asked, softly.
"To prove that he was out to get me and to prove his violent nature."
"A very risky point to make, Commander."
"It was worth it." Her words became harsher and more strained.
"Don't talk anymore, just rest. I am finishing up some last minute details on your defense." Diana tried to nod, closing her eyes.
Much later, she was awakened by a nurse. "Good morning, my name is Ally." She smiled. "I was asked to wake you and help you to the bathroom." Ally noted, with concern at the look of disorientation in Diana's eyes.
"All right," Diana whispered. The female guard unlocked the handcuffs.
"Don't try anything," the guard leered.
"I won't," Her voice was still weak, but Diana met her stare boldly. She wondered why it was taking two guards to remove the handcuffs, not realizing the blow gave her double vision.
Finally free, Diana slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed. The room wavered. Undaunted, Diana stood up. The room tipped violently. She stumbled. Ally quickly caught her. "Easy now, let's sit you back down." Ally looked to the guard. "We need Dr. Abraham."
"All right." Grudgingly, the guard nodded to the other one at the door. "Go get the doctor."
"Yes, Ma'am," she saluted, and quickly left the room. A few minutes later, Dr. Abraham rushed in.
Diana hissed sharply while Dr. Abraham examined the back of her head. "How many fingers am I holding up?" he asked her, holding two in front of her.
"Four." She answered unsteadily.
"I want another head CT immediately." He proclaimed.
"Yes, Doctor." Ally went to the phone on the wall and dialed down to radiology. A minute later, she hung up. "They will be ready for us in five minutes."
Diana closed her eyes sleepily and raised her arms so the guard could replace the handcuffs. The sound of them closing crashed in her ears, making her wince.
Ally covered Diana, and prepared her for transport. Soon two orderlies knocked on the door to take her to radiology. The two guards followed along while Diana faded in and out of consciousness.
Worriedly, Dr. Abraham compared the two CT scans results, while beside him stood the top brain surgeon in the country Dr. Hoszaki. Both could see the marked changes of her latest scan. "A subdural hematoma," Dr. Hoszaki pointed with his pen. "Is the patient stable?"
"Yes, she is being prepped for surgery."
"Then I had better scrub up then." He turned to leave.
Meanwhile, the courtroom was filling up. Only then did Commander Hawks receive the news. The Judge Advocate quickly noticed that Diana was missing. "Where is Commander Kincaid?"
Hawks stood. "She was rushed into surgery fifteen minutes ago."
"Are you able to continue?" the judge asked.
"Yes, your honor, I can." Hawks' face was determined.
"Commander Briggs, do you have any objections to continuing on without the defendant present?"
"I have no objections." He stood.
"Very well, today we will continue. Tomorrow Commander Kincaid will join us via video screen if she is able. Agreed?"
"Yes, sir." The counselors sat down and readied their papers. When Commander Briggs was finished, he stood. "We would like to call Lt. Tsuyoshi Garrett to the stand."
On Arus…
"Hunk, you must stay calm," Keith coached as he straightened Hunk's collar. "Try not to look at Diana too much. Keep eye contact with Commander Briggs."
"Thirty seconds until the connection is complete. Keith, clear out," Pidge declared.
Hunk appeared on the large video screen. He fidgeted under their scrutiny.
"How long have you known Commander Kincaid?"
"We met at the Academy." Hunk answered simply.
"Did your relationship begin then?"
"No, sir, we had a few classes together. She tutored me in one. But our courses of study separated us. I only barely saw her again at graduation. Then I didn't see her again until about a year ago when she arrived on Arus to fly Black lion when Keith was injured."
"Keith?" Commander Briggs questioned, "Not Commander Kogane? How long have you been on a first name basis with your commanding officer?"
"I don't remember, Sir."
"So how long have you been a relationship with Commander Kincaid?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Um, what do you mean by that?" Hunk asked, confused. "We do not have time for personal romantic relationships on Arus. We are on duty 24/7. We can be called into battle without a moment's notice."
"Do you leave the castle?"
"Not very often, unless you count when we're flying in a lion."
"Just what exactly do you do in the free time that you are given?"
"Sleep mostly, or work in my workshop. Sometimes the whole team will gather in the recreation room and we'll watch a movie, and we do a lot of practicing."
"Did you and the Commander ever do any activities alone?"
"Commander Kincaid," the words felt foreign on his tongue. "Taught me how to waltz."
"Is that when you fell in love with her?"
"No, sir," Hunk answered blandly, but his eyes were simmering coals.
"How would you describe your relationship with the Commander?"
"In the air and in battle she's a commanding officer. I obey her orders without question. On our down time, she's a friend."
"A friend with benefits?" he asked.
"Objection!" Commander Hawks stood abruptly. "Prosecution has yet to establish if a relationship actually exists."
"Sustained," The Judge Advocate turned to Hunk, "Do not answer that question." He brought his attention to Commander Briggs, "Do you have any other questions for this witness?"
"I have nothing further at this time, your honor."
"Good, we will take a short recess and the defense may question Lt. Garrett."
Hunk nervously watched the courtroom empty. Soon Hawks was the only one in the courtroom. "Where is Diana?" Hunk asked softly.
Hawks approached the video screen. "She's in the hospital." He answered simply.
"Is she all right?" Hunk pressed.
"I don't know."
"Will you find out for –us?"
"All right," Hawks pulled his communicator from his pocket and dialed the hospital. "I am checking on Diana Kincaid…Yes, I'll hold…Diana Kincaid…yes…Oh all right, thank you." He switched off the communicator. Looking up to Hunk he reported, "She still is in surgery. There is no news to report."
"Surgery? What for?" Hunk demanded.
"A subdural hematoma."
The prosecution accumulated a long list of witnesses. Every commanding officer that Diana pissed off to half a dozen disgruntled ex-boyfriends.
The more she listened to the proceedings, despite her dizziness that any movement gave her, the more uneasy she became. Will the Judge Advocate and the panel see past all of this grand standing?
Dr. Abraham interrupted her thoughts as her screen went black and her room silent. "That is enough. Your heart is racing, your blood pressure is through the roof and your intracranial pressure is spiking. You need to rest." He captured her attention.
"Thank you," she murmured softly. "You have been taking extraordinary care of me."
"You are welcome. I knew your parents." He spoke quietly. Your mother and I went through training together. She was a very talented doctor."
"Is that why you are keeping me out of the stockade infirmary?"
"You do not deserve the treatment you are receiving from Galaxy Garrison. You are a decorated hero. But you are only human. They are making you into a martyr. Love chooses to find you even if it is the middle of a bloody war. I will keep you here as long as I can."
After five long days, the prosecution called its last witness, Prince Andrew's Sergeant-in Arms. "You were the one who informed the prince about Commander Kincaid and Lt. Garrett's impropriety, correct?"
"Yes, I was," he answered.
"Tell the court how you came by this knowledge?"
A castle maid told me."
"Objection!" Hawks flew out of his chair. "Hearsay."
"Sustained. Commander Briggs, cease and desist this line of questioning. This panel will not listen to idle gossip and tall tales spread by others. We want facts. We are not a tabloid."
"Yes, your honor," Commander Briggs bowed his head in defeat. "I have no further questions for this witness." He returned to his seat.
"I hereby strike any and all testimony from this witness from the record. Commander Briggs, call your next witness."
"The Prosecution rests your honor."
"That being said, this court will adjourn for the weekend and the defense will begin on Monday."
"Thank you, your honor."
On Arus…
Lance moved restlessly. He paced in front of Keith's desk as Keith tried in vain to complete his weekly reports. "Lance, stop," Keith left his chair and stopped Lance in mid step.
"I can't. The more I think about it, the more agitated I get."
"Thinking about what?" Keith gripped his shoulders.
"Diana's court martial," Lance raked his fingers through his auburn hair. "She and Hunk are not even in a relationship yet and she is being prosecuted for it. What would happen if Garrison got a whiff of us?"
"I shudder to think what might happen." Keith whispered solemnly. "And that's why we must be extra careful. No one can know. It would be the end of both of our careers."
"I know," Lance whispered, caressing Keith's soft cheek.
Keith leaned into Lance's hand. "I hope Diana and Hunk can survive this."
"It's tearing him up. He still isn't eating or sleeping like he should, he doesn't even laugh or joke around any more. His whole world has crashed around his ears."
"Let's go check on him." Keith suggested.
"Okay," Lance took back his hand and they left Keith's office together. They did not have to search for Hunk. It had become well known that he was holed up in his workshop.
Keith entered his code and the door opened. "At least he is not locking us out this time."
The work shop was dim and silent. Scents of sandalwood, cinnamon, heather and candle wax assaulted their noses.
Lance crashed into Keith's back as he stopped short. Near the nose of a newly built sleek black fighter, Hunk was seated cross-legged in a circle of candles. His eyes were closed and in his hands that rested lightly on his knees lay Diana's treasured katana.
"Hunk?" Keith knelt beside him.
"It is taking all the strength I have not to jump in that fighter and take off on a rescue mission."
"That would not be a good idea. Remember, she still recovering from brain surgery. She can't fly yet. She might not survive the trip."
"That is the ONLY thing that is stopping me. I know she's receiving excellent medical care. I asked Pidge to hack into the hospital's main frame."
"I know, he told me."
"What will happen if she's convicted?" Hunk asked sadly.
"Worse case would be a bad conduct discharge, forfeiture of all pay, and prison for two years."
"And her metal and honors mean nothing? Just thrown away like yesterday's trash?" Hunk's desperation ripped Keith's heart out.
"Don't give up hope yet. Commander Hawks is an excellent lawyer. The defense will begin on Monday."
"Thanks, Keith."
Keith touched Hunk's shoulder. "Anytime. Come on, let's go get some dinner."
The prosecutor's case had Diana worried her about the Article 134 verdict. She stared at the ceiling. What will happen to Tsuyoshi if I get convicted? She thought fearfully. Sleep continued to elude her.
Monday morning found her with dark circles marring her beautiful face. As she dress she did her best to hide the circles. But the concern could not be erased from her eyes.
"Good morning, Commander," Hawks greeted, entering her small room.
"Morning," she turned to face him.
"You look dreadful," he observed, frankly. "Are you sure you are up going to court today?"
"I am not sure of anything, thank you," she spoke softly.
"When was the last time you slept?"
"Not since the prosecution started."
"You act worried."
"Shouldn't I be?" she asked, defensively.
"I would be worried if you weren't. But I know what I am doing."
Commander Hawks' first witness was Keith whose solemn tone moved a few members of the panel. Hawks also called upon Coran, Nanny and Allura. But he refused to allow Diana to take the stand.
"Why won't you put me on the stand?" she asked, one day during their lunch break.
"You are not ready. You are still recovering."
"That is bull. You just don't think I can make a convincing argument." Her eyes blazed as she rubbed her temples.
"Headache?" Hawks asked worriedly.
"Yeah," she conceded.
"How long have you had it?"
"All morning, why?" she noted his concern.
"What about your vision?" He asked, digging his communicator out of his pocket.
"A little hazy and blurry." She answered quietly, not looking at him.
"Damn it, you should have told me sooner." He exploded as he called for a medical transport to take her back to the hospital.
"I just figured it for stress."
Within minutes a medivac whisked her away. Hawks contacted Dr. Abraham and advised him of the situation.
Diana rushed through the emergency room and to the first available CT which revealed a resurfacing of her hematoma. Once again, a team rushed her into surgery.
After Diana left, Commander Hawks made his way to the Judge's chambers.
Hawks soldiered on for another two hours before the Judge Advocate adjourned for the day. Packing quickly, he headed for Garrison General. The base was alive with afternoon traffic. Eric Hawks grew impatient waiting in the long line of unmoving cars.
Slowly, one by one, his line began to move. After a grueling forty-five minutes, he finally completed the normally twenty minute drive. Carefully locking his vehicle, he crossed the parking lot swiftly.
Eric nodded to the receptionist on his way to the Neurological intensive care unit. The elevator's bell was extremely loud in the quiet hall as the doors opened.
"Hi, Dad," A young voice greeted him, breaking through his thoughts. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Hello, Ally. I am checking on Commander Kincaid." He replied. "How is your mother and her new husband?
"Mom and Dan are fine. Commander Kincaid is still in surgery, but her room is all prepped." She answered. "But that is all I can tell you."
"Thank you," he sighed. "Dr. Abraham asked me to come by. He needed a word, but he is still in surgery."
"We can go get a cup of coffee while you wait. I'm on a break until Commander Kincaid comes out of surgery. I am her one-on-one nurse."
"Really?" he smiled "I am her council."
"What did she do?" Ally asked softly, as they sat down with their coffee.
"Well, she decked a prince who was groping her, and then he accused her of fraternization."
"I like her. She is full of fire and very determined, but she holds herself with dignity."
"Yes, she does." He agreed taking a sip of coffee.
"Will you win?" she inquired tentatively.
"I hope I can. Commander Briggs has been treating this like a witch hunt."
"How awful." She gasped.
Dr. Abraham interrupted their conversation.
"Good afternoon, Doctor." Ally stood.
"Diana will be transferred to her room in a little while. She is in recovery."
"Thank you," Ally took her cup to the dish rack, and left the cafeteria quietly. "See you later, Dad."
"Yes, dear." He smiled. When they were alone, Dr. Abraham sat down in front of Eric. "How is she?" he asked softly.
"I think we got it this time, but only time will tell."
"I did get us a little more of that. I was awarded a continuance to give Diana some time to heal."
"I am going to keep her in the NICU as long as I can. Also I am keeping those guards at bay. I have barred them from the floor."
"Nice work, Doctor."