"Major Alenko," started the prosecution representative "You first met Commander Shepard when you were both assigned to the SSV Normandy SR1 under the command of the, then, Captain Anderson— correct?"

"Yes," Kaidan replied, trying hard not to fidget in his seat under the gaze of the hearing's entire audience— except Shepard, who stared at the floor as she had done since the start.

"And you continued to serve with Shepard after she assumed command of the ship?"

"Yes,"

"Remaining there through the pursuit of the rogue Spectre, Saren?"

"Yes,"

Am I actually going to get to say more than one word at a time?

"When did you cease to serve under her?"

"When the SR1 was destroyed by a Collector vessel."

"During which the Commander disappeared."

"During which she was killed whilst saving a crew member." Kaidan insisted with a frown.

"So you believe the defendant's claims that she was somehow… resurrected?" the prosecutor waved dismissively.

"Yes,"

"And how would you explain that?"

"I doubt that anyone outside of Cerberus has any real idea of what they are capable of."

"Ah yes, Cerberus… what was your initial reaction to Shepard's involvement with the terrorist group?"

Kaidan shifted, despite himself.

"My initial reaction was shock, but—"

"Because of the atrocities the group has been responsible for?"

"Because she was alive." Kaidan tried hard to keep his voice calm.

"And her Cerberus membership?"

"She wasn't a member. Shepard acted to defend human colonies."

"Against the supposed 'Reaper Threat'?"

"Yes."

"If you have such faith in Shepard's claims, why did you remain with the Alliance instead of joining her in her noble fight?"

Because I'm an idiot who can't see what's right in front of him.

"Objection" called Shepard's defense representative, to his immense relief. "This is irrelevant."

"No further questions."

Time for the defense.

—

"Major Alenko, you've now served the Alliance for almost a decade, is that correct?"

"Yes,"

"And, in that time, you've established a impressive record and numerous commendations, with several promotions and recent years."

Kaidan said nothing, unable to endorse praise he didn't feel he'd earned. Thankfully, she continued.

"It's clear that you're a prime example of an Alliance marine."

"Objection— where is this going?"

"I'm establishing that the Major's assessment of the defendant's character carries weight."

Mercifully, the point was allowed and she promptly continued.

"Would you say that you came to know Shepard well during your time on the SR1?"

You have no idea.

"Yes I would."

"And how would you describe her?"

Kaidan took a breath.

"The best soldier I've had the privilege to serve with."

"Shepard's record speaks for itself," she said with a slight smile. "How would you describe her on a more personal level?" A part of Kaidan began to worry that the truth about their relationship had been discovered, but this was her defense after all. He pushed it aside.

"Dedicated, fair, intelligent, compassionate…" He didn't mention her beauty, the dry wit and sarcasm that gave way to goofy smiles, the sultry way her eyes glinted in private moments, the feel of her lips on his neck… "Shepard always went out of her way for her crew" he continued quickly. "She's an expert combatant, but if there's a peaceful way to resolve a situation she'll find it, when no one else would be able to. There were multiple situations on the SR1 where any other officer would have taken the easy route and gone in guns blazing, but Shepard found a non—violent way."

"So it's fair to say that you respect her?"

"Yes." His gaze slipped to Shepard for the first time since his testimony had begun and found her looking at him, eyes finally pulled from the floor. The anger of the previous night was absent, but she looked away before he could gage what had replaced it.

"So— based on your experiences with her and your judgment as a decorated marine— what do make of the allegations against Commander Shepard?"

Kaidan paused, desperate not to stumble over such important words.

"Shepard has proven her dedication to the Alliance—and to Galactic Peace— countless times. She's saved the Galaxy twice. I can see how this may look bad—" There was a quiet snort of derision from the prosecution. "—but I know that no one else could have come close to handling the situation she was in… or made the calls she was forced to make because no one else would— or could. I know that Shepard acted in the defense of those who couldn't defend themselves."

The defense representative smiled a little at him.

"Thank you Major Alenko, that will be all."

—

The hearing ended for the day an hour or so after he left the stand. Shepard's head had hung, if possible, even lower than before after the brief period she had watched him. The axe was due to fall the next day in the final stage of the trial. Kaidan didn't think for a second that the Alliance would turn Shepard over to Hegemony, but beyond that… he wasn't so sure what would happen.

He was approaching her quarters once again; though Anderson had provided access, Kaidan doubted Shepard would want to see him. But he'd spent so long not trying— and, for all he knew, he wouldn't even be able to do that after the impending verdict.

The Lieutenant/bodyguard had also been at the hearing that day; he'd been called to give testify regarding her behaviour during her incarceration. According to him, she'd been no trouble whatsoever— that certainly didn't sound like her, but whether Vega was glossing over the facts or Shepard truly had slipped that far into herself, Kaidan wasn't sure.

He could only assume that his account of Shepard's character had endeared him somewhat to the lieutenant, because the hulking hostility of the night before had been replaced with a sad sort of wariness.

"Major," he nodded, before shooting a quick halfhearted salute. Kaidan returned the nod grimly.

"How is she?"

Vega exhaled slowly.

"Hard to say…" he sighed, glancing at the sealed door behind him. "She's not angry anymore if that's what you she wasn't angry before you showed up last time either."

Kaidan stifled a wince; at any other time, words like that from a subordinate would have been grounds for a sharp dressing down, but he knew he'd earned it.

"I didn't… It's complicated…" Kaidan trailed off.

"Always is with Shepard,"

Kaidan said nothing— he'd expected anger from the lieutenant, not this apparent olive branch. He must have been silent for a while, because Vega cleared his throat and gestured to the pass in Kaidan's hand. He handed it over, beginning to panic about what he was going to say to Shepard.

The lieutenant handed the OSD back to him.

"Good luck Major," something in his tone seemed to implore sensitivity; it seemed Shepard had not lost her effortless ability to draw the loyalty of those around her.

"Thanks," he muttered, taking a deep breath before knocking.

Here we go.

—

Not really sure how this went.

I know bugger all about military hearings- or even regular trials. So, yeah, you'll have to forgive all of that I'm afraid.

One more (probably seriously emotional) chapter to follow. Hope this was tolerable! Thanks for reading.