Len: Wow, congradulations if you even made it this far. I'm impressed.

Rea: BUSY SUMMER, BUSY SUMMER! I'm starting to hate it.....

Len: The second to last chapter of Criminal Fantasies!

Chapter Nine: Execution

"E-execution? Execution date?" Roxas asked. Axel nodded. "I never thought...you'd be..."

"Roxas, I'm taking the trial because of this. I've lost track of time. But Ansem came to me yesterday and announced that my execution would be carried out within the week. I had no idea it was so soon." Axel had been squatting, and now he sat on the floor with Roxas in front of him, still on the other side of the bars.

Seconds after, Roxas stood and corrected the problem. He opened the door and flung himself into Axel's arms and lap. Before his knew it, Axel was holding a sobbing blond in his arms tightly, stroking his hair.

"I never thought there would be an execution!" Roxas wailed, and Axel rocked him for a few seconds.

"Shhhh...shhh...it's alright Roxas. I'm not ready to die just yet. I have too much to live for...I can get a lighter sentence....or...."

"I don't want you to get a lighter sentence!" Roxas complained. "I want you to go free and come live with me!"

And that was that. Roxas often wondered later if Axel changed his mind before or after he cried in his arms, but never utilized the power of his tears again. Axel went for the retrial. His lawyer was called, and Roxas waited outside the door as they panned and set dates for what needed to happen, his eyes red from crying and his face puffy. He wouldn't face Axel the rest of the night on the basis that he looked unattractive. Axel only wanted to hold him.

"Your honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the people believe Axel to be a dangerouse, sly, uncontrolable person. In the past, Axel has murdered over 80 people. He is a pyromaniac and deserves nothing but the execution that has been postponed. However, the people will settle for life in prison." The man in the dark brown suit sat down.

Axel's lawyer stood. "Actually, your honor, first Mr. Axel would like to add that it was 91 people, not 84. And while this may add to his charge, I believe that this admission proves Axel's willingness to cooperate with the investigation of his previous behavior. And while Axel was a murderer five years ago at the age of eighteen, and did kill 91 people, not including the 5 guards later killed while on duty at Axel's cell, he is a changed man. I would also like to call the jury's attention and your attention, your honor, to the previous statements regarding Axel's abusive, drunk parents. If Mr. Axel should need anything, your honor, it is therapy. For we've seen what happens when people change. They can change for the worse, like Axel's previously good parents did when they lost their inheritance and began living on the streets and abusing their only child, or they can change for the better." He sat, and Axel stared straight ahead, not looking behind him for fear that he would see Roxas' worried face, and not looking at his lawyer in order to avoid a pat on the back.

It had been five days since Axel had spoken with Roxas at all. There was a brief period of silence and love-making before the trial began, but as it loomed near, more things were changed. Axel was still held in confinement, but it was at the State prison rather than Prison Oblivion. Roxas was unable to guard him.

There was a loud bang and Axel jumped. He looked at his lawyer, who replied that while he was dazing off into space the judge had dismissed them for the day. He stood and allowed the guards to cuff him, staring down. Roxas knew that he would not catch Axel's eye, but he stood looking at him for several moments before he departed the courthouse. He had asked for the time off, which was given to him by Ansem without hesitation.

Roxas had that figured out- obviously Ansem knew about him and Axel. And even if he didn't agree with it, he knew it was the only way Axel could have changed so much in so little time. Roxas shook his head as he hit the pavement outside the courthouse. One good thing about a secret relationship with Axel was that no one had bothered him at this public trial. The reporters harassed everyone on the case- except him. Roxas heaved a heavy sigh, looking up. He closed his eyes, but he had never attempted to pray before. He settled for "Excuse me- if...if there is someone, please-" before the door behind him burst open and people spilled out. He moved out of the way of the flood of bodies and went up on the curb on the other side of the street, where he began to walk home.

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

"Yes."

"Please sit, Mr. Roxas."

Roxas turned and walked up to the witness stand. He sat down slowly. For him it seemed to take a lifetime for him to reach his destination. He looked directly at Axel to make sure he wasn't dreaming. His heart started to pound, and he got a little horny, so it was definitely real. Of course...only Axel could have done that to a nightmare as well....He thought.

He was snapped out of his daydreams a little when the lawyer began to question him, but the surreal nature of the situation stayed with him. He took a deep breath.

"Mr. Roxas, how long have you been guard of Mr. Axel's cell?"

"Uh...over a year."

"And in that time, has Axel ever threatened you in any way?"

"Uh...yes, verbally. Maybe once?" Roxas said.

"And has he ever burned anything in your presence?"

"Uh...yes, he has. Something very small, though." Suddenly it seemed to Roxas that he wasn't helping the situation. In fact, he felt useless. Does everyone who does this feel like this when they are practically giving bad information to the enemy?

"And has Mr. Axel ever sexualy assalted you?"

"What?" Roxas asked. It was clearly a moment of panic, and the courthouse seemed too still for a moment as the man repeated the question. Roxas blinked twice and looked at Axel. Axel winked at him.

"Don't look at him, Mr. Roxas, look at me. He can't hurt you here." The lawyer reassured.

"He wouldn't hurt me." Roxas said, offended. What the hell am I saying?

"Please answer the question, Mr. Roxas."

"No." Roxas said. "He hasn't."

"Has he been flirtatious or otherwise insulting."

"Flirtatiousness isn't supposed to be insulting." Roxas said. "It's flattering- and yes."

"Very well. Mr. Roxas, do you and the defended have a....shall we say...? Relationship?"

It was quiet again. Axel nodded once at Roxas. "Yes." Roxas whispered, but from the noise it was obvious that everyone had heard quiet clearly.

The judge hammered on the wood and it became quiet. "Is this a sexual relationship, Mr. Roxas?"

"Yes." Roxas said, getting braver. And finally, he snapped out of the surreal and returned to solid ground.

The lawyer sat down. "No further questions." He said simply.

Axel's lawyer stood, and Roxas could see Axel telling him something quietly before he reached the bench.

"Mr. Roxas, have you been inside Mr. Axel's cell?"

"Yes." Roxas replied immediately.

"Without harm being caused to your person?"

"Yes."

"And did you know at the time what Mr. Axel has done to three previous lovers before he was sent to Prison Oblivion."

"No...."

"And even now, did you know that Mr. Axel has burned three people in the heat of passion to death?"

"I...didn't...know." Roxas said slowly.

"Who's idea was the retrial when it was first presented, Mr. Roxas?"

"It was mine."

"And did Mr. Axel agree to the trial?"

"No, sir. Not until he found out I would be without him soon." Roxas said. He forced his smile back as a murmur spread across the courtroom. That question had done it. They were winning.

"Thank you. No further questions."

Len: Thank you all for the support. I will be updating again soon...I hope. With the last chapter. We'll see.

Rea: One last thing- Len has a new Deviantart. I know, I know...I shouldn't post it up here...but I'm sure he wouldn't mind if some of his reviewers knew......there's a link on our profile! He's really branching out! Len's never done this before...making another account out of !