DISCLAIMER: I am not the owner of nor wish to appear to be the owner of FAKE and all related merchandise thereof.
WARNINGS: Formal Diana. Calmer J.J. With sprinklings of Lime here and there. The chapter(s) with Lemon will be labeled. This warning applies to the entire story not just this chapter!
AN: Okay, some SERIOUS SHIT went down with members of my family that had to be dealt with ASAP. So I am sorry that this chapter was so late, but I just want you to know that it wasn't due to laziness or some such jazz. Anyway, please enjoy and I am so sorry!
Drake pushed through the reporters with a scowl, grabbing J.J.'s hand in the process so not to lose him. They shut their ears to the frantic questions and ran full speed toward Darius' office. Once there Drake pounded on the door yelling through the dark wood, letting the Australian man that it was him and J.J. and not reporters. Darius opened the door then quickly locked it behind his guest backs.
" Damn! What the hell is going on here?" Drake sat in the chair in the opposite desk as J.J. sat on the floor. Chance came out from her resting place and moving closer to Darius plopped back down again.
Darius frowned, " That's all complements of your Lieutenant. There hasn't been a Court Marshal in years, let alone one about a same sex affair."
" Wow," J.J. spoke the words in awe, " So this is going to be on TV. God, Maclean isn't going to like that..."
Drake sat the laptop on the desk in front of him nodding in response to J.J.'s words then he looked up at Darius and said, " I have everything I need, but there is a problem..."
" What?" the man never stopped his typing and the computer voice speaking the words was starting to grind at Drake's nerves.
" I pulled phone records."
Darius' fingers stilled then and he looked in Drake's direction, " W-what...oh man..."
" Yeah," Drake worried his bottom lip, " so you think...by tomorrow?"
" Dammit Drake," Darius' dark brows creased together and J.J. looked up and over his shoulder at the outburst, " I said I would help! I didn't say I would bury myself!"
" Listen, listen!" Drake reached out and grabbed his friend's hands, " Listen! The stuff we have is huge, Darius. Huge. They will be so preoccupied with the findings that they wouldn't care if a routine security check was done. Plus, in a time of war more security checks are done anyway."
" That's not the problem," Darius sighed, irritated, " I can get in the system and import a recent check and I can cover my tracks. Only thing is I can't do it in one day, hell, less than one day."
" You can. I know you can," Drake's tone became darkly serious, " You have to."
Darius scowled and jerked his hands away, " I don't have to do shit!"
J.J. was up then stepping to the side of Darius and placing his hand on his shoulder. He spoke softly and honestly, " You told me that Drake was like a brother to you...that you cared for him. Did you lie to me? Because if you didn't you sure don't hold family in that high of a regard. You would let Drake fall, let him take all the blame?" J.J. dropped his hand, " Darius, I understand your dilemma. I really do. But if you can't do this, then let it because you gave it your all and failed then that you just didn't try at all. You would do that for a brother wouldn't you?"
Darius was pursing his lips. He knew that J.J. was right, but that still didn't mean he wasn't any less annoyed. The smaller man made a good point, but to try to make him feel guilty about wanting to watch out for his own back left a bad taste in his mouth. Darius clenched his jaw, Drake was one of the closest friends he had and it would be wrong to leave the man hanging.
Darius ran his hand over his face and sighing loudly spoke, " I can't do anything with you two hovering over me."
" Ah thanks Darius!" Drake leapt up from the chair.
" Whatever!" the man raised his hand and waved the others away, " Get out!"
Ryo stared at Dee's reflection from his place on the bed. Dee looked remarkable in his dress uniform, it was something about the sleek lines and that majestic cape. Ryo smiled gently when he saw Dee's emerald eyes scan his way.
" You're smiling, but your eyes look sad," Dee spoke with a sigh. Then he turned, fully facing Ryo, " Everything will be alright."
" You don't know that for sure," Ryo stood and walking over to his lover frowned, " Rose has pull."
" None of which he can use with reporters all around," Dee smirked then placed a chase kiss to Ryo's forehead, " Come on, we gotta go. Trial starts in an hour."
The two men left the room and made their way to the entrance of the ship. Bikky ran up beside them and panting asked, " Can I come too?"
Dee looked down at the teen and smiling nodded his head. Bikky smiled then the three of them rounded a corner and were met by the rest of the Bridge crew as well as a few other crew members that were friends with Dee. They stepped aside and let the men walk between them and ultimately Dee and Ryo were in the front with their friends and supporters to the side of them. They stepped off 'Glorious' and onto the dock, out into the bright sunny day.
The crew members effectively held the media at bay while still keeping a steady pace toward Headquarters. The reporters were desperately trying to get statements and take pictures of the two men. Ryo was careful not to look around, he was already nervous in front of all these people and cameras and he knew if he looked at them he would want to fall back and blend within the rest of the crew of 'Glorious'. Ryo didn't want to leave Dee's side, however, he wanted to show his lover that he supported him and was there for him. He wouldn't hide from the media, he wasn't ashamed to be with Dee.
A reporter, a tall woman with blond glossy hair, yelled out over the crowd. Her voice was crisp and strong, therefore her question was clearly heard over the ruckus, " Are the allegations true! Are you sleeping with a man!"
Dee looked in her direction and smiled, " Are you!"
The woman scowled at being ignored and gave up on asking any more questions.
The crew burst through the front doors of the Headquarters building and as the small, but formidable group rounded a corner Commander Reynolds walked up beside Dee then whispered, " Commander Spacey asked that I be here on her behalf. She is watching the trail from her hospital bed and she wishes you luck."
Dee nodded then sighing deeply entered the Judicial Hall. The few media that were allowed inside went instantly quiet at the entrance and watched as the crew of 'Glorious' took their seat and as the man on trail took his place behind a marble podium. This was a perfect case for the media a welcome change of pace in news days full of nothing but the G'nar war. The fact that Dee was exceptionally handsome helped also and the added taboo of him being a Lieutenant dallying with a lower ranking member was pure Hollywood. The reporters were practically foaming at the mouth with anticipation and listened to the Reading of the Case intently to make sure they hadn't missed any details.
Dee looked to his right, locking eyes with Rose seated at a marble table as his transgressions were read. Rose merely smirked relishing this moment. He had waited his whole life for an opportunity to finally hurt this man deeply and though he was pained that the ripple from the outcome of this case would hurt Ryo as well he still wasn't about to back down from this.
Finally the Reading of the Case was over and the reporters seemed to shift forward in their seats as three members of the United Earth Federation entered the room and sat down in their massive leather chairs behind a raised platform much like the ones used the Senate. Admiral Jenkins was in the middle along with Vice Admiral Smith on her right and Vice Admiral Greene on her left. Their presence was there for guidance and cumulation of facts as the Admiral deliberated for it was her decision alone what the punishment for the crime would be.
Admiral Jenkins spoke and despite her haggard appearance (the woman did not wear makeup nor did she care greatly about her white hair and as a result it was tangled and thinning) her tone left no doubt of her authority, " The case numbered Lay1455 will commence at this time of eleven hundred thirteen hours. Lieutenant Dee Laytner base ship the cargo vessel 'Glorious' TDY currently the war ship 'Stetson'. Lieutenant are you aware that the charges of Fraternization and Insubordination are up for question against you?"
" Yes Admiral," Dee's reply was calmly administered.
" Are you knowledgeable of what these terms mean?"
" Yes Admiral."
" Are you knowledgeable of what punishments could be handed down?"
" Yes Admiral."
" And do you understand that your guilt or innocence has not yet been determined and will not be until the end of all evidence presented?"
" Yes Admiral."
" Very good," she gave a curt nod, " Then I will proceed. Investigation of these charges was brought forth by Captain Berkely Rose. Captain Rose do you have anything to say before the presentation of evidence?"
J.J. scowled a bit and leaning over toward Ryo whispered hotly, " What 'evidence'?"
Ryo merely shrugged watching the Captain rise from his seat. Ryo shook his head, Rose was wearing the new dress uniform and it made Ryo wonder how long the uniforms had been available to the cargo crew and just not given to them.
Rose adjusted the top of his uniform then began to speak, " We all know that Lieutenant Laytner has a penchant for bending the rules, but it has never affected his duties nor has it raised serious questions about his integrity given his exceptional record."
Rose's discomfort about just giving Dee a compliment was clearly seen by Ryo though he doubted anyone else noticed.
Rose continued, " I feel that Lieutenant Laytner's...how should I say this...extracurricular activities, will someday put his crew, including his lover, in danger," Rose sat indicating he was through with his words.
Admiral Jenkins spoke, " Lieutenant Laytner, is there anything you wish to say?"
Dee shook his head, " No Admiral."
" Very well, I will now be hearing all evidence regarding this investigation. Captain Ro–"
Drake stood quickly and forced his nervousness to get under control. Everyone in the room looked over and the reporters trained their cameras and recorders on the man.
" I have a few things that need to be brought forward Admiral."
Dee turned around and looked at Ryo wide eyed, " What is he doing!" he shot out in a strained whisper. Ryo shrugged and furrowed his brow mouthing 'I don't know'. Then Dee turned to J.J. and hissed, " What the hell is he doing?"
J.J. looked frantic, " I don't know!" his whisper squeaked a bit and it was evident by his wide honest eyes that he really didn't have a clue.
Admiral Jenkins pursed her lips at the interruption and a long pause settled over the room. Drake was forcing himself to remain calm, he didn't tell J.J. of this new more reckless plan just in case it backfired. The way the tension in the room was now, he figured that was the direction it was going to go. He held his ground and continued to look into the Admiral's eyes. He watched as the woman sighed deeply before she spoke.
" State your rank, name, and ship."
" Ensign Drake Parker of the cargo vessel 'Glorious'."
The Admiral clenched her jaw and was about to speak when Rose jumped up and yelled, " This is nonsense! You can not let this man speak!"
Admiral Jenkins turned her head and glared, " Captain you can not tell me how to run my court room," she shook her head in disbelief. All of this was unorthodox and she wasn't going to let the young man speak, however, she wasn't too fond of Berkely Rose so she decided to listen to the Ensign after Rose's outburst. She turned her gaze to Dee, " Lieutenant Laytner, please have a seat, Ensign Parker, please," she held out her hand indicating the podium. Drake nodded then made his way quickly to stand behind the cold marble.
Drake took a deep breath then began, " As you stated earlier the guilt or innocence of Lieutenant Laytner has not been determined yet. Therefore I think the integrity of the one raising the charges should be in question as well," Drake paused a bit as the reporters and his fellow crew members let out a collective gasp, " I think that if Captain Rose's past actions are suspicious then the credibility of this case should be suspicious as well."
Now the room erupted into whispers and chatter as reporters hurriedly tried to transcript the young man's words. J.J. was tugging fiercely at Dee's collar whispering harshly 'Stop him! Stop him!'. Ryo had grown pale at Drake's words and he slowly glanced at the Captain. Berkely was glaring at Parker, his anger clearly evident, written all over his face and louder than if he was standing on the table top screaming his ire.
Admiral Jenkins lifted her hand and waited until the signal was recognized and the room stilled. She looked hard at Parker and stated, " Captain Rose has an impeccable record as an officer of the Federation and he is a respected Senator. I will advise you only once to be careful where you tread."
If Parker had any trace of nervousness it all dissipated after that statement. Hearing Rose being referred to as though they should be lucky he was their team made Drake sick to his stomach. This man had given away valuable information to the enemy and he had put the entire crew of 'Glorious' in danger. Drake steeled his resolve and in a resounding voice bellowed, " I know where I tread and I will have no mercy!"
AN: Again not my fault this is so late! And I think I lied the last chapter, I may have two or three more chapters up my sleeve. Anyway, I hope I didn't lose you all I know this chapter didn't tell you much of anything you didn't already know, but this is just a warm up to the fall out. If that made since...Haha! Thanks for sticking with me!