Sabrina stood. "The defense calls Carol Marcus."

There was a buzz in the gallery and an officer went out of the court. Carol was brought in a moment later. She looked like she could murder Jim right then. Jim stared at her just as hard.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"I do." Carol sat stiffly in the witness box.

"Ms. Marcus. You have a four year old with Captain Kirk, do you not?" Sabrina stood and walked up to her.

"Yes."

"You have tried once before to separate Captain Kirk and Commander Spock, by threatening to keep his son away from him because of their relationship, correct?"

Carol sat back. "I refuse to respond as my answer may incriminate me."

"And is this not the latest in your schemes to get back together with Captain Kirk, by accusing his husband of abuse?"

Carol blinked. "I refuse to – "

"A refusal can be just as damning, Ms. Marcus. Are you certain you don't wish to put your statement on the record?"

"You want my statement?" Carol leaned forward. "I think what they're doing is sick. It's sick and it's unnatural and I don't want my little boy growing up around it. I would be willing to take him back if he asked me the right way. But I'm not letting my little boy near that."

"You are aware, of course, of the language of the Parenting Act of 2018 which guarantees no parent can be kept from a child because of homosexuality?" Sabrina held up a padd. "I have it right here if you need to refresh yourself. That is why Captain Kirk is here, is it not? To see his son? He gave up the ship he had fought for in order to take a planetary position at your request."

Sabrina threw down the padd rather violently and it clattered on the desk. "In fact, he was willing to leave his husband before this Act was brought to his attention. He has done everything in his power to see his child. The only thing standing in the way is you."

"What am I supposed to say when my baby asks me questions? He's going to want to know things like why they sleep in the same bed and if they're going to make babies and oh God!" Carol threw her hands up.

Sabrina nodded slowly. "Defense exhibit B, Your Honor. This is the recording of Captain Kirk and Commander Spock meeting the young Marcus child. His face has been blurred and his name has been censored."

The judge made a motion with her hand and Sabrina played the disc. Jim sat still, wanting to vibrate with the anger he felt at his ex. At least she was just pleading out and not outright lying. If looks could kill, Carol would have been vaporized on her walk into the court. Jim heard David's laughter and looked back up. David was declaring he was going to tell everyone that Jim and Spock were his daddies. He watched as David pleaded with Sabrina to let him see his daddy. They hugged goodbye and the disc shut off.

"May I remind the court the child is four. Four and a half, he would tell you. Tell me, Ms. Marcus, do you approve of how Captain Kirk handled the baby question?" Sabrina walked back to the witness box.

"It was alright."

"And do you think Captain Kirk, in his infinite wisdom, can figure out how to explain to a four year old why he sleeps in the same bed with his husband?"

"Oh to hell with it!" Carol blew up, standing. "Fine. You win. You've humiliated me enough, Jim. You win."

"Did you ever, at any time, honestly believe Commander Spock was beating Captain Kirk?" Sabrina pressed.

"No."

"Are you willing to withdraw your complaint?"

"Yes."

"No further questions."

The prosecutor sighed. "No questions."

Sabrina nodded to the judge. "The defense rests, Your Honor."

The judge picked up her padd and stood. "I will return with my verdict. Court is in recess." She banged the gavel and left.

Jim got up and walked out of the courtroom. He wished he could talk to Spock, but Spock was spending all his extra energy trying to calm Jim down. He had his hands full as it was.

Jim went in the men's room and ran some cool water and splashed his face lightly. The door opened and he kept his eyes shut. With his luck it would be—

"James."

– his father-in-law. Great. Jim opened his eyes and turned to face the older man. "Yeah Dad?"

"Are you well, son?" Sarek had his hands clasped in front of him and had lowered his voice. Jim sighed.

"Yeah, I'm peachy. My husband had to admit to an ill-timed affair that could seriously jeopardize his career in Starfleet and my ex is out to get me because I'm a flaming queer. My day is going spectacular, how about you?" Jim groused.

Sarek took a small step forward and shook his head. "Spock knew what he was doing when he asked the lieutenant to testify on his behalf. He knew this information would come to light. And your former girlfriend has a vendetta against you, but she is not the whole world, child." Sarek held out a hand in a plea. "The people whose opinions matter the most all support you."

Jim swiped the rest of the moisture off his face and wiped his hand unceremoniously on the side of his leg. "I'm tired of fighting, Father. I'm tired of having to prove myself over and over again. That's one of the things I love most about your son. With Spock I'm just me. No expectations, no demands, just Jim." Jim felt wetness trickle down his cheek that hadn't been there before and swore softly, wiping at the trail.

"I understand more than you realize," Sarek said quietly. "I felt the same way about Amanda. I was not an ambassador or a member of the Clan of Surak or even a Vulcan. I was Sarek. And I was loved." Sarek sighed slightly. "No man could ask for more. You will survive this trial, son. You both will. And you will be stronger for having fought it."

Sarek made a sweeping gesture with his hand. "But now is the time to rest. When the trial is over, we will bring you back to the farmhouse and you will rest. No interviews, no calls, no contact but with your bondmate."

Jim gave a weak chuckle. "That sounds better than you can guess."

A green light sparked on in the bathroom ceiling. Sarek looked up. "Court has returned to session already?"

Jim felt his stomach drop. "I am just about ready to take up praying," he muttered as he walked out of the restroom.