CHAPTER 42

END DAY TWO

The Doctor stood silently a moment, allowing the assembled observers time to take in the horror of what they had just seen. He looked over at Jason and did a double take when he saw tears streaming down his face. Even though he knew his horrible misjudgment had hurt his Alterran friend deeply, he never realized how just devastating it had been until that moment.

"My lord, one's view of events is entirely subjective," the Doctor said at last. "The charges, put simply, contend that Prince Jason single-handedly destroyed an entire civilization. The prosecution painted him as a monster, the worst villain to enter these halls. To my shame, I too, in my own arrogance, was too blind to see what he had been telling me the whole time. He put himself in peril on more than one occasion, saving my life at the risk of his own."

"Is the defense making its closing statement, Doctor?" Eustis asked sharply.

The Doctor cleared his throat. "No, my lord."

"Then I suggest we adjourn for the day." Eustis banged the gavel to make it official. He rose and quickly retired to his chambers, completely omitting his usual bow to the opposing councils. The assembled observers filed out in a daze, the image of Eldeberon's final moments having stunned all present.

The Doctor sat down and looked over at the Prince, who was in the process of wiping the tears from his face. "Jason, I don't have the words to express how genuinely sorry I am," he said in a quiet, earnest tone.

The Prince looked up sharply, a stunned look on his face. For the Doctor to actually admit to being at a loss for words was more amazing than the apology itself. "Doctor…"

"How could I've been so blind!" the Doctor said in an annoyed tone. "To believe you'd be capable of anything that—evil."

A stray tear rolled down Jason's face and he quickly brushed it away, discovering at the same time that he was trembling. "Doctor, I—we—were manipulated by an expert."

"No," the Doctor corrected sharply. "I was a blinkered, arrogant, close-minded fool!"

Jason gave a bittersweet laugh. "You think I'm going to argue with you?" he joked. "I seem to recall using similar adjectives myself once." Then in a serious tone, he said, "I just wish I knew the why in all this."

"As do I," the Doctor agreed. "I do have one 'why' you can answer for me. Why did you ever let me leave like that?"

The Alterran closed his eyes, recalling his state of mind at the time, how exhausted he had been both physically and mentally. "Doctor, by that point I was a battered mess. Don't forget, I was still recovering from nearly fifty hours in stasis. I could barely think straight. I thought you knew I'd purposely sent you to the Sanctuary. I mean, you didn't disagree when I mentioned it. I should've realized the Benefactor never—" Jason put a hand to his head. "God, I was so stupid!" He looked his friend in the eye. "I just figured you'd storm off, think about it, get even more furious, and come back demanding an explanation. At least by then you'd be a little more receptive." Pausing, he observed mildly, "I guess…I was wrong on that count."

"Actually, you were right," the Doctor replied startlingly. "But I got the message from Eustis before I could track you down."

Captain Reinhardt had come up quietly to return Jason to his cell. He decided not to interrupt and stepped back. When the Doctor finally noticed him, he snapped angrily, "Can't you wait even five minutes?"

The Prince put a restraining hand on his friend's arm. "Now, Doctor, don't take it out on the Captain just because you're mad at yourself," he reproved mildly. Then to Reinhardt, he said, "Just ignore him and carry on, Captain."

The Captain was taken aback by this exchange. After weeks of silence and indifference, the Prince was suddenly back in command of himself.

Jason stood up and held out his hands, remaining motionless as the shackles were fastened around his wrists, a chain wrapping around his waist to secure them into place. The power unit was activated and he stumbled on the step as he left the prisoner's dock. The Captain managed to catch him before he actually fell.

"Jason, are you alright?" the Doctor asked concernedly.

"I went too fast," Jason said as he regained his footing. "These things throw my balance off the first minute or so." He waited a moment to regain his equilibrium before walking from the courtroom, the Doctor following behind.

Since the beginning of the inquiry, the corridors were empty at the end of the day, but not on this occasion. There were small groups in huddled conversation lining the hall. The assembled Time Lords looked up and watched silently as the Alterran walked by, returning to their conversations after he had passed.

Jason threw a quick glance over his shoulder and the Doctor came up beside him. "I have half a mind to jump up and down and scream," he said once he was close. "Really give them something to talk about."

"While I appreciate the sentiment," the Doctor replied softly, "now is not the time."

"No, I suppose it's not. Some other…" Jason's voice trailed off as a sudden thought struck him and he stopped dead. "Some other…time," he said softly. "Time…" He caught his breath and spun around, looking back up the corridor to the courtroom.

"What've you remembered?" the Doctor asked knowingly.

"Is there any way I can get in to view the Matrix archive?" the Alterran asked startlingly.

The Doctor blinked, exchanging an astonished look with the Captain. "Possibly. Why?"

Jason's eyes were positively sparkling by this time. "Among other things, to see who the Good Samaritan was when Cardinal Wythe fell down the stairs."

"A long shot but… Why not?" the Doctor enthused. He turned on his heel, heading back in the direction of Eustis' office.

"Doctor!" Jason called in annoyance. The Time Lord turned around, seeing him holding out his shackled hands as far as he could. "Um…?"

The Doctor gave him an apologetic look. "Sorry. I'll let you know how it goes." So saying, he continued up the corridor, vanishing around a corner.

"Well, at least he didn't say later," the Prince sighed. He turned back to his escort. "Looks like it's just you and me again, Captain."

"Yes, your highness," Reinhardt replied with a smile.

Jason gave him a sideways glance as they started on their way again. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, sir."

"Don't give me that stoic routine. I'm Alterran. We invented it," Jason admonished mildly. "Come on, give."

Reinhardt gave a self-conscious half smile. "This is the first time I've heard you carry on a normal conversation since…" His voice trailed off and he gave Jason a guilty look.

"Since you arrested me," the Alterran prompted gently.

"Yes, sir," the officer replied regretfully. Reinhardt had the feeling that if the Alterran Prince were not his prisoner, he would very likely be his friend.

Jason nodded. "Yes, well. No offense, but the majority of Time Lords aren't exactly the most sterling conversationalists. Stoic is one thing, but cold detachment is definitely not my purview."

"No offense taken, sir," Reinhardt replied, admitting, "To be frank, I quite agree with you."

"Really?" came the astonished reply. "I'm not sure I have a comeback for that."

oOo END PART THREE oOo