Culture Aftershock

by jtrue

A sequel to Culture Shock. Emmett McCarty's Emirati partner Nasir has a new job and a green card, but will their lives together be as easy as they think? And what will happen to Seth and Garrett? SLASH LEMONS MA

48. Chapter 48: Asylum

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

I promised a more regular posting schedule and here's a new chappy. No lemony goodness in this one. It might even be a little tear jerking.

James' story is on its way. An original about Tony and Dane is on its way. A series starring Milan and his fellow waiters is on its way.

A GIANT smooch to my twin little sister. Can't wait for more Errors!

How fun was World Cup? As a gay man, I don't get sports, as an almost completely general rule. When anyone at work mentions American football, and we have many straight guys who live and breathe it, or any other American sport, my comment is always the same, "I don't follow the tennis." But, European football I LOVE. And when Germany won, as you might well imagine, I had a pretty happy German on my hands. (and in my mouth)

As ever, big hugs and much fondness to my girls, Maureen, Rebecca, Kate and Miss Pauline.

The FF witch hunt appears to be over. I will continue to post here and move to AO3 as and when I have to. When/if I am forced to complete the relocation you can find me at - archiveofourown ~dot~ org. Then just do a search for Jtrue.

Anyone who has not read the incredible Equal & Opposite, or is not now reading the brilliance that is Errors & Omissions, or Enticements & Obstructions, all by OhJasperMyJasper, should go do so right now. Here is how you find them since the FF witch hunt removed Liz from this site - ohjaspermyjasper ~dot~ blogspot ~dot~ com.

WARNING:

This story is intended for an adult audience! There is crude speech, hate speech and adult sexual subject matter of a homosexual nature. If you are under 18 stop reading now!

AU/AH/OC

All character names from Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. The similarities end there.

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Chapter 48: Asylum

The largest Federal Building in Seattle was located downtown at 2nd Avenue and Madison Street, within easy walking distance from the building where they lived. Garrett wore a black pinstripe suit with a solid gray vest, white shirt and red silk tie. Nasir was dressed similarly in a dark blue three piece pinstripe suit with a white collared pale blue shirt and a nearly identical red silk tie. Emmett wore dress pants, shirt and tie. Even Seth wore dress pants and a white tux shirt with his pipestone Eagle bolo tie. Edward had parked in his space in their building and stood with them on the sidewalk outside the Federal Building. He was dressed the same as Emmett, though his sleeves were rolled up.

Emmett held his husband's hand as they stood outside on that sunny, crisp, late fall Wednesday. He told himself that there was nothing to worry about. If Nasir was not granted asylum, as would almost certainly be the case in this Immigration Court, he still had the Green Card Loews Corporation arranged for him, and they knew that they could, and would, appeal to the US District Court.

They didn't wait long. A black Bentley Flying Spur pulled up to the curb before them. Their attorney emerged from the rear of the car dressed entirely in black, as usual, suit, shirt and tie. The only hint of color was the elaborate, gold V medallion he wore. His long, straight, raven hair laid over his shoulders and was nearly as silken and lustrous as Seth's.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Aro greeted them. He shook Emmett and Nasir's hands while his assistant walked around the car from the other side. "Thank you, Jane," Aro accepted his briefcase from her. "You remember my associate, Jane."

"Yes," Nasir answered with a nod to her. The young blonde woman wore a dark skirt suit and her hair up.

"Shall we go inside?" Aro gestured and set off toward the entrance.

Like any high security US Government building, it was not unlike clearing security at an airport. They had to show their driver's licences. They all had to remove their shoes and belts, and surrender their keys and cell phones. Aro and Jane's briefcases were examined carefully. Finally clear to proceed to the elevators, they ascended to the 25th floor of the 35 story building.

The 25th floor was a zoo. Clearly most of the foot traffic in and out of this building was to and from here. Aro knew where he was going and had such an aura about him that people just seemed to naturally move out of his way as he led them through the throng.

"Here we are," Aro stopped at the third set of double doors. "Jane," he gestured. Without a word, she pulled open the right door and proceeded inside on her own.

IMMIGRATION

COURT

Carlo E. DeFonso

Judge

was printed on a big bronze plaque beside the doors.

"Jane is presenting our Notice of Appearance to the Judge's clerk now," Aro informed. "We then have no way of knowing when we will be called. It could be ten minutes, or three hours. Shall we go in and sit down?" he held the door for them.

Within was little better than outside. The courtroom was packed and people seemed to mill about everywhere. The judge sat at a well raised bench at the head of the room with clerk, bailiff and court reporter seated around him. The five tiered gallery formed an arena around the court floor. Aro led them to seats up in the gallery and Jane joined them.

Garrett's father had been right. This looked very like a courtroom. The judge looked very like a judge. A lay person would never be able to tell the difference. Had Garrett's father not explained it the way he had, they would never have known this was not a real court, but a function of the Justice Department. Most of the faces in the courtroom were Asian. A few were Hispanic. Like Emmett, Garrett, Edward, Aro and Jane, there were a few other caucasians, mostly attorneys and loved ones. There was only one Arab in this courtroom and it only made Emmett need to hold his husband's hand tighter.

They watched the black robe wearing judge take long pauses to scribble on his papers. Carlo DeFonso seemed a man of ill humor. He cut no one an ounce of slack. None of the cases that came up before theirs were remotely similar. Most people were in the country illegally and had been caught for one reason or another. It seemed drunk driving was what brought most people to the attention of the authorities. Emmett's heart sank when the judge ruled that removing a man from his US citizen spouse and children, and leaving them with no means of support, did not constitute extreme and exceptional hardship. If this judge was not moved by breaking up a family, by the wife and children present in the courtroom, he was not going to be moved by Emmett and Nasir's relationship and almost certainly not by Nasir's situation.

After each case was decided the judge scribbled and handed a folder back to his clerk in exchange for another one. It was over two hours when their case was called, during which none of them noticed that Aro Volturi had not moved in his chair in the slightest.

"Qasimi, nine seven four," the judge called when he opened Nasir's folder on his desk.

"Nasir," Aro rose and gestured.

Emmett rose with Nasir and gave him a quick, tight hug. "Ana b'hebbak," Emmett whispered into his husband's ear.

"Ana b'hebbak, il zawji," Nasir drank in strength from his big, strong husband. Then he quickly moved to follow Aro and Jane down onto the courtroom floor.

"Should we get closer?" Seth leaned forward in his chair.

"Yeah, can we get closer?" Emmett agreed.

"Down there," Seth pointed. "C'mon," he rose and led the way.

"Aro Volturi of Volturi, Velosi and Van Tassel for Nasir al Qasimi, Your Honor," Aro walked out first.

"This is Nasir al Qasimi?" the judge pointed.

"Answer the judge, Nasir," Aro prompted while Jane set up the defense table to Aro's liking.

"I am Nasir al Qasimi," Nasir stated.

"You have retained counsel and this is your attorney?" the judge asked.

"Yes, Your Honor," Nasir answered.

"And you understand what is happening here today?" the judge continued.

"I do," Nasir affirmed.

"These proceedings will take place in English," the judge stated. "Do you have sufficient understanding of English, or do you need an interpreter?"

"I speak and understand English, Your Honor," Nasir was clear.

"Very well," the judge was satisfied with his preliminary procedural questions. Aro turned and gestured for Nasir to sit at their table. Jane was already seated in the middle chair. Aro took the first chair and Nasir sat down on the other side of Jane.

"For the government?" the judge asked.

"Duane Browning, Assistant US Attorney for the United States, Your Honor," the attractive blonde man took the prosecution table. He was very handsome in a two piece gray suit.

"This is Holder v Nasir al Qasimi," the judge read for the record. "Counsel, does your client wish to designate a Country of Removal?"

"We do not, Your Honor," Aro rose to answer.

"Mr. Qasimi is a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, is that correct?" Judge DeFonso made no attempt to hide his boredom.

"He is, Your Honor," Aro confirmed.

"The Court finds the United Arab Emirates as the Country of Removal," the judge scribbled. "State your client's intention for the record, Counsel."

"Your Honor, Mr. al Qasimi stipulates to Removability and petitions the Court for Asylum in the United States," Aro stated.

Close by in the gallery, Emmett sat with Seth and Edward at his sides and each held one of his hands. Garrett sat calmly on the other side of Seth with his arm about his husband's shoulders.

"What forms of relief does Mr. Qasimi seek?" the judge deliberately continued to speak Nasir's last name improperly.

"Your Honor, Mr. al Qasimi seeks Asylum, Withholding of Removal and protection under the United Nations Convention Against Torture," Aro answered.

"Has he had his fingerprints taken?" the judge asked as he flipped through the pages in the file.

"He has, Your Honor," Duane confirmed.

"Government is satisfied?" the judge seemed barely interested.

"Mr. al Qasimi has passed the FBI background check, Your Honor," Duane confirmed.

"Okay, I see it now," the judge briefly looked over the document. "Fine," he closed the file. "This a hearing on the merits. Let's get to it. Make your opening statements."

"Thank you, Your Honor," Duane stepped out from behind the prosecution table. "The United States will prove that Mr. al Qasimi, a wealthy man from the United Arab Emirates, is in the United States, and has remained in the United States, for one reason, and one reason only. And that is, to have sexual relations with his homosexual lover."

In the gallery, Seth squeezed Emmett's hand in anger. "That fuck," he muttered.

"The United States will prove that there is no justification for fear of persecution in the United Arab Emirates," Duane continued. "Mr. al Qasimi has come and gone from his home country many times, for years. Mr. al Qasimi owns property. Mr. al Qasimi is not a burden on society. He may even be a contributing member of it, but does this give him the right to remain for as long as he wishes? It does not, Your Honor. Mr. al Qasimi is not above the law, as people in his social and income bracket may like to believe. He has overstayed his Visa and he must leave," Duane spread his arms. "It's just as simple as that. If Mr. al Qasimi should choose Voluntary Departure, he would, in the fullness of time, be free to apply for another Visa to return to the United States," he made his barely veiled threat. "Otherwise, at the conclusion of these proceedings and after Mr. al Qasimi has been Removed, he will never be able to return. Thank you, Your Honor," Duane returned to his seat at his table.

"Counsel, would your client like to add Voluntary Departure to the list of relief he seeks?" the judge asked with a tone of warning.

Aro rose. "Under no circumstances, Your Honor."

"Very well. Proceed," the judge directed.

"Thank you, Your Honor," Aro stepped out from behind the defense table and paused. "I must wonder if my esteemed colleague would characterize a man's wife as his heterosexual lover, with equal disdain," he gestured and a laugh passed through the gallery.

"Just make your statement, Counsel," the judge directed, clearly annoyed.

"I shall," Aro continued out from his table. "Mr. al Qasimi was a respected, well connected businessman, indeed an executive with an international company headquartered in the Emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. He travelled the world conducting the business of the company he worked for. That business brought him repeatedly to the United States. Until the fateful day, just this past June, when the Managing Director of that company discovered something about Mr. al Qasimi that he did not like. And that is that Mr. al Qasimi is gay. Mr. al Qasimi's B-1 Visa would still be valid today, were it not cancelled by the very company who arranged for it, and fired Mr. al Qasimi that very day. The crime of being a homosexual is punishable by death in the United Arab Emirates, for those who live long enough to go to trial. Do not let opposing counsel tell you that Mr. al Qasimi need not fear. A family servant who was mistaken for Mr. al Qasimi has already been killed, by a man described as a family friend, no less. I shall prove, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Mr. al Qasimi has a very real and legitimate fear of torture and death, should his asylum be denied and he be Removed to his home country. I must thank my colleague for noting that Mr. al Qasimi is a productive member of society. He intends to pursue full citizenship and live out his days in safety, with his life partner, as a contributing member of society. I thank the Court," Aro smiled and returned to his table.

"Call your first witness," Judge DeFonso leaned back in his tall, black leather chair.

Duane stood. "United States calls Nasir al Qasimi, Your Honor."

It was a bold move, but one Aro had been expecting. He smiled and looked to Nasir who wore fear clearly on his face. "Go ahead. It'll be just fine," Aro assured. Nasir rose and walked out from the table. The bailiff rose to intercept him.

"Raise your right hand," the big, burly and none too friendly bailiff commanded. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

"I absolutely do," Nasir affirmed.

"Sit down," the bailiff pointed to the witness chair at the side of the judge. Nasir seated himself in the small metal chair tucked into the blonde wood alcove at the side of the judge's bench. The bailiff moved a floor standing microphone close to him.

"State your name for the record," the judge directed.

"My name is Nasir bin Omar al Qasimi," Nasir did as he was told.

"Mr. al Qasimi," Duane walked out. "Are you a citizen or national of the United States?"

"I am not," Nasir answered.

"Are you a citizen of the United Arab Emirates?" Duane questioned.

"I am," Nasir confirmed.

"And were you born there?" Duane continued.

"I was," Nasir answered.

"Defense is willing to stipulate these facts," Aro spoke from his chair.

"Is Defense willing to stipulate that Mr. al Qasimi," Duane quickly walked back to his table to check his facts, "entered the United States at Seattle as a non immigrant B-1 on June the twenty fifth of this year? That less than one week later, Mr. al Qasimi was informed by agents of USCIS that his B-1 status had been revoked, and that he had forty eight hours to leave the United States?"

"Defense stipulates," Aro answered.

"And that Mr. al Qasimi subsequently did not depart the United States, has overstayed his Visa, became Out of Status, and is therefore subject to Removal?" Duane pressed.

"Defense stipulates," Aro repeated.

"Thank you," Duane nodded. "Now, Mr. al Qasimi," he walked back out from behind his table, "how many times have you entered the United States?"

"Oh, fifteen to twenty times it must be," Nasir answered.

"Well," Duane stepped back again to check. "Would seventeen times sound accurate?"

"It does," Nasir agreed.

"And how many of those times did you travel back to the United Arab Emirates?" Duane asked.

"Perhaps nine or ten times," Nasir considered. "Probably half."

"Nine or ten times is more than half," Duane pointed out. "Which is it?"

"I cannot say with exact certainty," Nasir spread his hands. "Probably nine or ten."

"Okay," Duane nodded. "Nine or ten times. So after the first, the second, the third, even the seventh, eighth and ninth times you entered the United States, you didn't apply for Asylum any of those times."

"Well, no," Nasir agreed.

"But now, after the tenth time you flew back and forth between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, now, suddenly, you apply for Asylum in the United States and you would like this Court to believe that circumstances are suddenly so dire, that you fear for your life," Duane concluded.

"Yes! Now they know!" Nasir stressed.

"They know," Duane repeated.

"Yes," Nasir affirmed.

"What do they know?" Duane seized.

"That I am gay," Nasir explained.

"Well, that's a pretty significant fact, I would say. How did they not know that about you before?" Duane carefully phrased his question.

"I hid my true nature from everyone," Nasir revealed.

"Who is everyone?" Duane pressed.

"My friends and family, business associates, everyone," Nasir spread his hands.

"I see," the attractive blonde attorney nodded. "Are there other gay people in your country, in the United Arab Emirates, Nasir?" Duane employed the disarming tactic of using Nasir's first name with a friendly tone as he stepped closer.

"Yes. There must be," Nasir answered honestly.

"There must be," Duane repeated. "It stands to reason, doesn't it?"

"Yes," Nasir agreed.

"Okay," Duane nodded. "What was the name of the United Arab Emirates based company that you worked for?"

"Jumeirah Construction Group," Nasir answered.

"And what is the title of the head of that company?" Duane asked.

"The Managing Director," Nasir continued to answer.

"And what is the Managing Director's name?" Duane pressed.

"Omar bin Hamdan al Qasimi," Nasir revealed.

"I note the similarities in the last name. Is he a relative?" Duane stood close to Nasir.

"He is my father," Nasir stated.

"Did your father dismiss you and have your Visa cancelled?" Duane sounded like he was deeply concerned.

"He did," Nasir confirmed.

"Why did he do that? Do you know?" Duane continued.

"I do. He wants me to come home," Nasir answered honestly.

"And do you believe, do you expect this Court to believe, that your own father wants to harm you?" Duane reached his point.

"He wants me to be married," Nasir dropped his gaze.

In the gallery, Seth could hardly contain himself. "Why isn't our attorney doing anything?!"

"Patience, Sweetness," Garrett rubbed Seth shoulder in an attempt to calm him. "Now is not the time. He will."

"Your father wants you to come home and get married," Duane repeated loudly. "Well, surely that's what any parent wants for their children," he concluded. "Do you have a fiancée in the United Arab Emirates?"

"I did," Nasir admitted.

"You did, but now you don't?" Duane pressed.

"It was a very important family. I am sure they will not have me now that they know I am gay," Nasir answered honestly.

"Have any of these trips back home to the United Arab Emirates taken place since you became engaged?" Duane asked.

"One. The very last time," Nasir stated.

"Did anyone know that you were gay on that trip home?" Duane questioned.

"They found out then," Nasir explained.

"And were you harmed in any way?" Duane continued.

"No, but...," Nasir tried to elaborate.

"Did anyone threaten you?" Duane charged ahead.

"Not then," Nasir answered.

"So you have applied for Asylum in the United States, from your home country where you claim you fear for your life, and yet you have been there, where everyone knows about you, and not only were you entirely unharmed, but you were not even threatened with harm. I have no further questions for this witness at this time, Your Honor," Duane walked back to his table.

"Cross?" the judge asked.

"Thank you, Your Honor," Aro rose and walked out from behind his table. "Nasir, you are a homosexual, are you not?"

"I am," Nasir nodded.

"Are you in a relationship?" Aro continued. "Do you have a partner?"

"I do," Nasir smiled at Emmett and took strength from the smile his husband returned.

"How would you describe your relationship with your partner?" Aro asked.

"Very loving. He is my life," Nasir stated.

"How long have you and your partner been together?" Aro went on.

"Nearly two years," Nasir answered.

"Are you registered as Domestic Partners in the State of Washington?" Aro added.

"Yes," Nasir confirmed.

"And when did you and your partner register with the State of Washington?" Aro pressed.

"June of last year. I cannot say the exact date. I have a card from the state in my wallet," Nasir reached into his jacket pocket.

"No need to produce it," Aro held up a hand. "Is it a monogamous, faithful relationship that the two of you have?"

"Yes, completely," Nasir nodded.

"And is your partner present in this courtroom?" Aro looked around the gallery.

"He is," Nasir looked at Emmett again.

"Could you point him out for us, please," Aro directed.

"He is sitting right there, with our closest friends," Nasir pointed.

"What is his name?" Aro looked over at Emmett.

"His name is Emmett," Nasir gave a smile that no one in the court could mistake.

"Do you and Emmett own property together, commingle your funds?" Aro asked.

"Yes and we do," Nasir answered.

"Nasir, I have four documents I would like for you to identify," Aro simply held out his hand and Jane rose to place the papers in it. He walked over to the witness box. "What is this document?" Aro handed the first one to Nasir.

"It is the deed to our Seattle home," Nasir answered.

"And whose names are on this deed?" Aro asked.

"Emmett's and mine," Nasir answered.

"Defense Exhibit A, Your Honor," Aro handed it up to the judge. "Now, Nasir, the second document?"

"This is the deed to our New York home," Nasir informed.

"The names on this deed?" Aro continued.

"Emmett's and mine," Nasir said again.

"Defense Exhibit B, Your Honor," Aro handed this up as well.

"And this one?" Aro handed over a third paper.

"This is a statement of our joint checking account," Nasir stated.

"A joint account in whose names?" Aro asked.

"Emmett's and mine," Nasir handed it back.

"Defense Exhibit C, Your Honor," Aro passed it up.

"Now, lastly, Nasir," Aro presented the final document.

"This is our joint investment account statement," Nasir informed.

"Again, in both Emmett's name and your own?" Aro finished.

"Yes," Nasir confirmed.

"If it please the Court, Defense Exhibit D," Aro handed it up and turned away. "Now, Nasir, has Emmett ever been to the United Arab Emirates with you?" he changed tactics.

"Yes, twice," Nasir answered.

"When you took him that first time, where did you stay?" Aro clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace.

"At my family compound," Nasir asked.

"So, you really did take him home," Aro concluded.

"I did," Nasir confirmed.

"What did your family think of him?" Aro went on.

"Oh! My family was not there. I would never have been able to have Emmett with me if my family were home," Nasir stated.

"But, why is that?" Aro questioned.

"Because they would have seen the way I look at him. They would have known," Nasir's certainty was clear. "I would not have been able to hide that from them."

"So, with your family not home, you must have shared a room," Aro turned and paced back.

"Oh, no," Nasir shook his head. "I stayed in my section of the compound and he stayed in a guest room."

"Was it so dangerous, with your family not at home?" Aro paused to spread his hands.

"My family have servants who would have seen us," Nasir explained. "They would have known."

"Would it matter if servants know?" Aro took up pacing again.

"Very much it would. They could well tell my family," Nasir stated.

"And would that have been so bad?" Aro mused.

"Very," Nasir nodded.

"Why? What happens to homosexuals in the United Arab Emirates, Nasir?" Aro set the stage.

"We are taken into the desert," Nasir answered simply.

"What does it mean to be taken into the desert?" Aro stopped and spread his hands again. "By whom and to what end?"

"We are taken into the desert by whomever has learned what we are," Nasir elaborated. "It is usually three or four or five men who take us, and we do not come back."

"Do you mean to say that homosexuals are killed, simply for being who they are, in the United Arab Emirates?" Aro was the picture of shocked and appalled.

"That is exactly what I am saying," Nasir confirmed.

"But, who would do such a thing?!" Aro performed.

"More often than not, it is our own family," Nasir spoke with regret.

"Has your own family ever threatened to do such a thing to you?" Aro questioned.

"Yes," Nasir answered.

"We shall come back to that point," Aro held up a finger. "Nasir, would you, or men in your position, be able to seek protection against such violence from the authorities?"

"No," Nasir shook his head.

"But, why would that be?" Aro wondered aloud. "The United Arab Emirates is a civilized country, isn't it? It is not a place of lawlessness and mob rule, surely."

Duane took to his feet. "Objection, Your Honor."

"Just ask questions, Counsel," the judge made no attempt to hide his irritation.

"Certainly, Your Honor. How would you describe the United Arab Emirates, Nasir?" Aro bid.

"It is normally a very peaceful and safe place," Nasir explained. "There is very little crime."

"Really? Why is that?" Aro prompted.

"I am sure it is because punishments are so severe," Nasir answered. "If a person even lives to be prosecuted. Rapists, child abusers, thieves and gay people are routinely taken into the desert and killed by people who know them and know of their crime."

"By people who know them and know of their crime," Aro parroted. "But, rapists, child abusers and thieves are criminals. Any reasonable person would agree," Aro spread his hands and looked around the courtroom. "Why should homosexuals be listed among such company?"

"It is also a crime to be a homosexual in the Emirates," Nasir answered. "It is the same as being a rapist."

Jane rose from the table and placed a booklet in Aro's hand.

"Nasir, I have here a document in it's original Arabic," Aro approached Nasir and handed it to him. "Are you able to read and translate it for us?"

"I am," Nasir took it and opened the booklet from the back.

"What is it you have there?" Aro clasped his hands behind his back.

"This is Article Three Five Four of the Federal Penal Code of the United Arab Emirates," Nasir answered.

"And what does Article Three Five Four of the Federal Penal Code of the United Arab Emirates state?" Aro asked.

"Whoever commits rape on a female or sodomy with a male shall be punished by death, even if the sodomy be between consenting adults," Nasir translated.

"Defense Exhibit E, Your Honor, in the original Arabic, with certified English translation by Court approved translator attached," Aro took the booklet from Nasir and handed it up to the trier of fact.

"So then, Nasir, if you went to the authorities for protection from men who wish to commit violence upon your person for simply being who you are, what would happen?" Aro asked.

"I would not be a victim, I would be a criminal," Nasir explained.

"Indeed," Aro nodded. "What would the authorities do?"

"They would almost certainly do nothing at all," Nasir stated. "Rapists, child abusers and homosexuals who are taken into the desert and killed are seen as getting no more than they deserve, and the men who did it are seen as doing the Emir a favor."

"So, not only are men murdered for the crime of being a homosexual in the United Arab Emirates, but the murderers make no attempt to hide the fact that they have committed a murder?" Aro seized on this point.

"They are often thanked and congratulated for being real men and not tolerating such things in their family, community, tribe and Emirate," Nasir stated with surety.

"Your Honor, I should like to read from Defense Exhibit F," Aro walked back to his table where Jane had the folder ready for him. "For the record, this is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Directive for Protection Policy on Refugee Status and Claims Relating to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, particularly, section seventeen, wherein it states: Criminal laws prohibiting same sex consensual relations between adults have been found to be both discriminatory and to constitute a violation of the right to privacy. The very existence of such laws, irrespective of whether they are enforced and the severity of the penalties they impose, may have far reaching effects on LGBT persons' enjoyment of their fundamental human rights.

"Where harsh punishments are imposed that do not conform to international human rights standards, such as the death penalty or severe corporal punishment, including flogging, their persecutory character is particularly evident. A substantive body of international and national jurisprudence affirms that consensual homosexual conduct is not to be criminalized.

"It must further be noted that criminal sanctions for homosexual activity also impede the access of LGBT persons to State protection. An applicant is therefore considered to have established a valid claim where the State condones or tolerates discriminatory practices or harm perpetrated against him or her, or where the State is unable to protect him or her effectively against such harm.

"And from section twenty three, wherein it states: Persecution may be perpetrated either by State actors, for example through the criminalization of consensual sexual relations between persons of the same sex, through physical or sexual violence, or degrading treatment inflicted by those under their direct control, or by non State actors, private actors. A refugee claim is considered established and valid where the State is unwilling or unable to protect against violations committed by State or non State actors. Instances where a State's inaction may be persecutory include failure of the police to respond to requests for assistance and refusal by the authorities to investigate, prosecute or punish individuals inflicting harm on LGBT persons. Non State actors, whether family members, neighbors, work colleagues, or strangers can either be directly involved in persecutory acts, including through physical abuse and forced marriage, or indirectly by exposing the individual concerned to harm, for example, by reporting his or her conduct or sexual orientation to the authorities," Aro finished, closed the folder, and walked it up to the judge.

"Your Honor," Aro handed it over. "Now, Nasir, you testified earlier that you have travelled home to the United Arab Emirates and back to the United States multiple times. Tell us again how you were able to do that without fear."

"No one knew about me at that time. I was able to hide my true nature," Nasir reiterated.

"And how were you able to do that?" Aro asked.

"It was not terribly difficult at the time. Men and women do not socialize together in the Emirates," Nasir answered. "Such things as girlfriends do not exist there. As a single man, I was expected to only ever be in the company of other men."

"But these are heterosexual men," Aro clarified.

"Yes," Nasir confirmed. "Friends and family. The same men who would take me into the desert if they knew about me."

"Even in their company, it must have been a solitary and lonely life for you," Aro nodded.

"Objection," Duane was quickly on his feet again. "Leading."

"Oh, do, please, allow me to rephrase," Aro gestured. "What was that life like for you, Nasir?"

"Lonely and solitary," Nasir stated.

"And were you, all that time, celibate?" Aro queried.

"No. I had encounters with other gay men, mostly on business trips abroad," Nasir answered.

"These encounters on business trips were prior to Emmett?" Aro asked.

"Oh, yes," Nasir nodded. "There has only been Emmett since the day I met him."

"And were any of those encounters prior to Emmett meaningful?" Aro wondered.

"No. They were encounters that were purely sexual and lasted no more than one night, if that. They were meaningless and fleeting," Nasir informed.

"I see. Why could you not simply continue to do that, fly in and out, I mean?" Aro prompted.

"For two reasons," Nasir outlined. "I fell in love with him," he pointed to Emmett with a warm and genuine smile. "And my father arranged a marriage for me."

"Let's address your first point first," Aro clasped his hands behind his back again. "You fell in love with Emmett. You don't want to leave him, do you?"

"Not ever," Nasir affirmed.

"But could Emmett return to the United Arab Emirates with you and live with you, just as you do here?" Aro gestured.

"No," Nasir shook his head. "We could not live together in the Emirates as a couple. Men my age must be married. Especially an Emirati man."

"I see. So, if you were to return to the United Arab Emirates together, you could not be together at all," Aro concluded.

"Yes," Nasir affirmed. "Correct."

"Now, I should like to address your second point. You testified that your father arranged a marriage for you," Aro reminded.

"He did. It took me by surprise," Nasir was sincere. "I had gone back to Sharjah for my older brother's wedding."

"Explain what Sharjah is for the Court," Aro interrupted.

"Sharjah is the name of the Emirate I am from," Nasir explained.

"One of the Emirates that constitutes the United Arab Emirates," Aro clarified.

"Yes. It is a Federation of seven Emirates," Nasir elaborated.

"Thank you. Go on," Aro prompted.

"I was there for my brother's wedding and my father also announced that he had arranged a marriage for me, and introduced me to my betrothed," Nasir informed.

"You had not met this woman before?" Aro was aghast.

"Not as an adult. Once, when we were small children," Nasir answered.

"Did your brother know his wife?" Aro enquired.

"Not before he married her," Nasir stated.

"His marriage was arranged by your father as well?" Aro asked.

"It was," Nasir confirmed.

"Why would your father do that?" Aro queried.

"It is the way of things," Nasir informed. "Marriages are arranged by the fathers."

"This is a common practice in the United Arab Emirates then?" Aro concluded. "No person chooses his or her own spouse? No person chooses who they will marry and spend the rest of their life with?"

"It would be exceptionally rare for that to happen anywhere in the Arab world, Sir," Nasir stated.

"So, here you are, a gay man in love with your partner Emmett, and had a marriage arranged for you by your father to a woman you did not know," Aro summarized. "How did you reconcile those opposing and conflicting facts?"

"That was the second time I took Emmett to the Emirates with me," Nasir revealed.

"Tell the Court about that," Aro bid.

"It was a very difficult time. How do you explain to your American partner, the man you love with your whole being, that you must be married?" Nasir posed. "We knew that we did not want to be parted and I knew that I could not refuse my father. I could never tell him that I do not wish to be married to this woman, or any woman, because I am gay. We enlisted the help of my sister and she went to see my betrothed."

"Your sister knows about you? She knows of Emmett and who he is to you?" Aro asked.

"She does and she is very supportive. She is also very much alone in this," Nasir stated.

"What did you do?" Aro prompted.

"I took Emmett to meet with my betrothed. I thought if the three of us could sit down together, though this is a highly unusual thing," Nasir admitted. "It is not at all the norm for a man to meet with the woman he is to marry before they are married, let alone to be a gay man and bring his partner. I thought if we three could speak together, get to know each other and understand each other and the situation, that we could come to some agreement on what we would do and how we would do it."

"And did you?" Aro asked.

"We very much did not. Dimah...," Nasir continued.

"Dimah?" Aro interrupted.

"Dimah is her name, the woman I was to marry. Dimah bint Mohammed al Gargawi," Nasir explained.

"Thank you. Go on," Aro directed.

"Dimah very much did not understand and became outraged. She called her brothers and we had to flee, Emmett, my sister and I. We were very lucky, I was very lucky, that they were not at home at the time," Nasir raised his eyebrows.

"How so?" Aro prompted.

"They came after us," Nasir answered. "My sister had the presence of mind for us to switch cars on the desert road. She and our family driver took the car Emmett and I were in, and we took theirs. Faraj al Gargawi found the car my sister and our driver were in and forced them off the road. A man named Asim al Suwaidi, who was the driver of a second vehicle, and a close friend of Dimah's older brother Faraj, pulled our family driver out from behind the wheel, put him face down in the sand at the side of the car, and shot him in the back of the head."

"Nasir! Do you mean to say that your family driver was murdered, executed in cold blood?!" Aro was shocked and horrified.

"He was," Nasir confirmed.

"Whatever for?" Aro spread his arms.

"He was mistaken for me," Nasir dropped his bomb. "I have never met Asim. He did not know it was not me until it was too late."

"That's outrageous!" Aro gestured.

"Objection," Duane protested wearily.

"I do beg the Court's pardon," Aro appeared genuinely conciliatory. "Nasir, what happened to the man who executed your family driver, thinking it was you?"

"Nothing," Nasir gave a shrug.

"Nothing?" Aro feigned puzzlement. "He was not prosecuted for murder? Was he not even arrested?"

"No," Nasir confirmed.

"How could this be?!" Aro was shocked again.

"Faraj and Dimah are the children of Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah al Gargawi," Nasir explained. "He is the Minister of Cabinet Affairs to the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the Emirates. He is a very powerful man. What Asim did was done in the quest to restore the Sheikh's family honor after I sullied it. That the wrong man was killed in that process is a small detail, a minor inconvenience. Blood money was paid to my father for the loss of his driver."

"You are telling this Court that the gunman, Asim, was not prosecuted or even arrested, because the killing of the wrong man in the quest to murder a homosexual, simply for being a homosexual, is seen as a matter of no consequence at all?" Aro leaned toward Nasir. "Or of so little consequence that a gift of some money sets it right?"

"That is exactly what I am saying, for that is exactly what happened," Nasir stated firmly.

"It boggles the mind!" Aro was amazed.

"Your Honor," Duane took to his feet again.

"I'll draw my own conclusions if you don't mind, Counsel," the judge warned.

"Of course, Your Honor," Aro agreed. "Nasir, you testified that members of your own family threatened your life as well. Who threatened you?"

"My older brother," Nasir answered. The way Nasir spoke and his demeanor made it clear that he was still afraid of his brother to this day.

In the gallery, Emmett held Seth and Edward's hands tighter. He would have given anything to be able to hold his husband at that moment. And all three men with him knew it. Garrett sat close enough to Seth to be able to reach Emmett and put his hand on the bigger man's back in silent support.

"What did he say?" Aro prompted.

"He told me that our father demanded that I come home and get married, and be a man," Nasir relayed, "but that if I did, he would take me into the desert himself."

"Take you into the desert," Aro repeated. "And what did he mean by that exactly?"

"That he and his friends would kill me," Nasir answered.

"Is there any shadow of a doubt in your mind that your brother can, and will, carry out this threat?" Aro asked.

"None whatsoever," Nasir stated with conviction.

"I have no further questions for this witness, Your Honor," Aro spread his arms and smiled before he returned to his seat.

"Re direct?" the judge asked.

"Yes, Your Honor," Duane was quickly on his feet. He remained at his place at his table and held a pen on his large legal notepad. "Mr. al Qasimi, you testified that fathers arrange marriages."

"Yes, they do," Nasir stated.

"That fact is not in dispute. It sounds like a very patriarchal system," Duane observed.

"It very much is," Nasir confirmed.

"Who then is in charge, as it were, in your family, your father or your brother?" Duane asked.

"My father would be," Nasir answered.

"You testified that your father wants you to come home and get married," Duane repeated. "Were those not your exact words?"

"Yes," Nasir nodded.

"Well, if your father wants you to get married, I think we can conclude that he doesn't want to hurt you," Duane stated.

"Objection," Aro rose. "Would Counsel like to question his witness?"

"Do you think, do you have fear, Mr. al Qasimi, that your father wants to hurt you, or see you harmed in any way?" Duane asked.

"No," Nasir admitted.

"Now, you said that your brother wants to 'take you into the desert' as you put it," Duane went on. "For what, to go camping perhaps?"

"No, Sir, to kill me," Nasir stated.

"I see. Did he say that? Did your brother, your own brother, who has known you all of your life, who watched you grow from a boy into a man, say those words to you? Did your own brother say to you that he wanted to kill you?" Duane questioned.

"He did not have to," Nasir spread his hands.

"So, your brother did not actually say that he wanted to kill you," Duane pressed.

"When an Emirati man tells another Emirati man that he will take him into the desert, the meaning is well understood," Nasir stated.

"Okay," Duane nodded. "Have you ever been taken in the desert?"

"I would not be sitting here if I had," Nasir answered.

"Have you yourself ever taken someone into the desert?" Duane continued.

"I have not," Nasir shook his head.

"Has anyone that you know ever been taken into the desert?" Duane went on.

"Not someone that I knew personally," Nasir admitted.

"So you would like this Court to believe that you know what happens without any doubt, though you have not seen it, participated in it, or know of anyone who has had this done to them?" Duane concluded.

"Yes!" Nasir insisted.

"Mr. al Qasimi, you testified that there are other gay people in your country," Duane folded his arms across his chest. "What happens to them? Is every single gay man killed?"

"If they were discovered, they would be," Nasir affirmed.

"Oh, if they were discovered," Duane seized on that point. "How do they avoid detection?"

"When their marriage is arranged, they get married," Nasir answered. "They go outside of their marriages to have dalliances with other men."

"I see. And why can't you do that?" Duane wondered. "Your father has arranged your marriage. What would prevent you from doing that exact same thing?"

"I have a partner," Nasir gestured toward his husband. "I do not want to see him occasionally. He is my partner in life. I want to sleep beside him, not a woman I do not know! Would any of you forsake the person you love for nine days out of ten and sleep beside someone you do not even know?! And what would Emmett do? What would I say he is doing there? He cannot gain employment on his own. Everyone would know who he is. They already do! They would kill him first!"

"Your Honor," Duane complained.

"Mr. Qasimi, compose yourself. Answer the questions put to you calmly," the judge ordered.

"Alright," Nasir held up his hands and forced himself to calm down. "Alright."

In the gallery, Seth could hardly contain himself. He saw the tear roll down his best friend's face. "That fuck!" Seth seethed under his breath.

"Mr. al Qasimi, how many men have been prosecuted and put to death for the crime of being a homosexual in the United Arab Emirates?" Duane changed course. "Do you know?"

"I do not," Nasir admitted.

"Would it surprise you to learn that there are none?" Duane asked.

"We do not typically live that long," Nasir pointed out.

"I researched this, and I could not find a single case of a homosexual having been executed, or even tried for that crime in the United Arab Emirates," Duane stated. "Yet you claim to also fear exactly that."

Aro stood up and spread his hands. "Are we making closing statements?"

"Mr. al Qasimi, this driver that you claim was killed...," Duane forged ahead.

"His name was Pankaj and he was killed," Nasir stated.

"Death Certificate marked Defense Exhibit G, Your Honor," Aro rose and walked it up to the judge. "You will note the cause of death listed as single gunshot wound to the back of the head," he added as he returned to his seat.

"The United States is entirely willing to stipulate that a man died," Duane made no attempt to hide his irritation with his opposing counsel. "Did you see this man get shot, Mr. al Qasimi? Oh, that's right, you testified that you were in the other car. So we know that you were not there and did not see this man get shot, or by whom. Isn't it possible, Mr. al Qasimi, that this man died in nothing more than a robbery gone bad, sad as that is?"

"This happened right in front of my sister, so I very well know exactly what happened," Nasir asserted.

"Well, where is she? I don't see her name on the witness list," Duane gave faux confusion.

"She is pregnant with her first child and lives in the UK," Nasir advised. "I would not ask her to travel so far from home in her condition."

"I see," Duane nodded. "Nasir, I have one last question for you. Do you think you look gay?"

"Do I look gay?" Nasir was taken by surprise at this question.

"Yes. Do you think people can tell that you are gay just by looking at you?" Duane clarified. "You're a healthy, fit, athletic looking guy. You think you fit the stereotype?"

"I do not know," Nasir was honest. "What are you suggesting?" he furrowed his brow.

"I'm done with this witness, Your Honor," Duane sat down.

"Re cross?" the judge made no attempt to conceal his boredom.

"Absolutely," Aro rose. "Nasir, if you were to return to the United Arab Emirates and get married to a woman, as Counsel suggests you should, how would you feel?"

"This is the most terrible thing," Nasir was wide eyed. "It would be the worst existence I can think of. I would let my brother and his friends take me into the desert. I would go willingly. I would rather be dead than live like that."

In the gallery, Emmett closed his eyes. The very thought sent chills down his spine. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he held Seth and Edward's hands. The Green Card that his husband's job had obtained for him was a bright shining beacon in the darkness.

"Nasir, let's assume for a moment that you did just that," Aro posed. "Went back to the Emirates and married the woman your father told you to. You testified that other gay men have done that. How do they lead fulfilling lives?"

"They very much do not," Nasir stated. "The only respite from that terrible life is when they step outside their marriage to hook up with another man. That might satisfy a need for a night, but it is far from fulfilling."

"It even sounds dangerous," Aro observed.

"It is! Every time is a grave risk of being discovered," Nasir agreed.

"Outed as a gay man, you mean?" Aro asked.

"Yes," Nasir confirmed.

"Are there also legal ramifications for stepping outside your marriage for sexual gratification?" Aro enquired though he well knew the answer.

"Yes. It is forbidden," Nasir answered.

"Forbidden how, by whom?" Aro questioned. "Is it addressed in the Federal Penal Code of the United Arab Emirates?"

"Oh, no," Nasir shook his head.

"Perhaps it is left to the individual Emirate then?" Aro continued.

"No. The Emirates is a country based on Islam," Nasir explained. "It is the official religion. Anything not covered by man made laws, is covered by Sharia Law. That is how President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, the founder, wrote the constitution."

"I see. And what does Sharia Law state about being faithful to your spouse?" Aro asked.

"Sexual relations outside the bounds of marriage is forbidden and punishable by death," Nasir answered.

"Ah, so if you were to return to the United Arab Emirates and get married to save your life, then glibly cheat on your wife with other gay men as opposing counsel suggests you should, you would still be risking your life on two counts, risk of discovery as a homosexual, and an adulterer," Aro concluded.

"That is correct," Nasir affirmed.

"Your Honor," Aro walked back to his table where Jane already had the document ready for him, "I should like to read again from Defense Exhibit F, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Directive for Protection Policy on Refugee Status and Claims Relating to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, particularly, section three, wherein it states: It has been well established that sexual orientation can be viewed as both an innate and unchangeable characteristic. A characteristic that is so fundamental to human dignity that the person should not be compelled to forsake it. Requiring a person to conceal his or her sexual orientation and thereby to give up those characteristics, contradicts the very notion of 'particular social group' as one of the protected grounds of the Convention.

"And I continue in section twenty six, wherein it states: Being compelled to forsake or conceal one's sexual orientation, where this is instigated or condoned by the State, does amount to persecution. LGBT persons who live in fear of being publicly identified and who must conceal their their sexual orientation in order to avoid the severe consequences of such exposure, including the risk of incurring harsh criminal penalties, arbitrary house raids, dismissal from employment and societal disapproval, are considered to have establish a true and valid claim, as such action can not only be considered discriminatory and as violating the right to privacy, but also as infringing the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

"It goes on to state: LGBT persons may be unable to forge meaningful relationships, be forced into arranged marriages or experience extreme pressure to marry. A claim is considered to be valid where the fear that failure to marry will mark them out as LGBT in the public eye. Social, cultural and other restrictions which require them to marry a person of the opposite sex can have the effect of violating the right to marry with full and free consent, and the right to respect for private life. Such pressure to marry escalates beyond general societal expectations and does reach the threshold of persecution.

"Then section one, wherein it states: LGBT individuals may be subjected by State authorities, their families or communities to physical, sexual and verbal abuse and discrimination, because of who they are, or who they are perceived to be. This can be because of prevailing cultural and social norms, which result in intolerance and prejudice, or because of national laws, which reflect these attitudes. Where such acts of abuse and discrimination go unpunished and/or where LGBT orientation is criminalized, such individuals, if they seek asylum on these grounds, fall within the refugee definition of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

"And finally, Your Honor, from section thirty one, wherein it states: The question to be considered is whether the applicant has a well founded fear of being persecuted, rather than whether or not he or she could live in their country of origin without attracting adverse consequences. There is no duty to be discreet or to take certain steps to avoid persecution, such as living a life of isolation, or refraining from having intimate relationships. A requirement for discretion would furthermore imply that a person's sexual orientation is confined to a mere sexual act, thereby overlooking a range of behaviors and everyday activities otherwise affected by that person's sexual orientation. It would, in fact, amount to requiring the same submissive and compliant behaviour, the same denial of a fundamental human right, which the agents of persecution seek to achieve by their persecutory conduct," Aro closed the folder and walked out from behind his table again.

"Nasir," Aro clasped his hands behind his back again. "Have you ever been convicted of a crime, even a misdemeanor?"

"No," Nasir shook his head.

"Have you ever been accused of any crime?" Aro continued.

"No," Nasir repeated.

"Have you ever been arrested or taken into custody by any authority anywhere, for any reason at all?" Aro worked to establish that Nasir was unlike many cases that would come before this judge today.

"Never," Nasir stated.

"I have no further questions," Aro spread his hands and walked back to his chair.

"You may step down," the judge directed. "Call your next witness."

Duane stood up. "United States is finished, Your Honor."

"Defense?" the judge asked as Nasir walked back to his seat at the Defense table.

Aro leaned to reach past Jane and grip Nasir's shoulder. "You did very well," he then rose to address the court. "Defense calls Emmett McCarty to the stand."

In the gallery, Emmett gave Seth and Edward's hands a squeeze before he stood up. He looked to Garrett for a brief moment. While Seth was a major source of emotional support, Garrett was a very intelligent man and was a strong source of confidence. Garrett looked Emmett in the eye and gave him a smile and a nod. Emmett reached out and Garrett took his hand as he passed. That such a small thing could bolster Emmett so was nothing short of amazing and Emmett was very grateful. He made his way down onto the main floor and Aro gestured toward the witness box.

"Raise your right hand," the bailiff intercepted him. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

"I do," Emmett affirmed.

"Be seated," the bailiff commanded. He pushed the microphone back into place as soon as Emmett did so.

"State your name for the record," the judge directed.

"Emmett McCarty," Emmett obeyed.

"Emmett, are you a US citizen?" Aro began.

"I am," Emmett confirmed.

"And were you born in the United States?" Aro continued.

"Yes, Sir, I was," Emmett answered.

"Are you a homosexual?" Aro asked.

"United States stipulates," Duane tapped his pen on his legal pad.

"Well, congratulations, Emmett," Aro spread his arms. "You are officially recognized as a gay man by the United States Government."

"Just question your witness," the judge was annoyed.

"Indeed I shall," Aro nodded. "Emmett, do you have a domestic, life partner?"

"I sure do," Emmett confirmed.

"Is he present in this courtroom?" Aro asked.

"He was just sitting in this chair and now he's sitting right there, next to your associate," Emmett pointed to Nasir and it made them both smile.

"And you are registered as Domestic Partners with the State of Washington as of June of last year?" Aro added.

"Yes, Sir," Emmett happily confirmed.

"You love him very much, don't you?" Aro asked.

"Leading," Duane took to his feet.

"With all my heart, Sir," Emmett answered anyway.

"I'm going to ask you the same question I asked your partner," Aro wore a sly smile. "Is yours a monogamous, faithful relationship?"

"Absolutely it is. He's the love of my life, Sir," Emmett answered.

"Thank you. Now, Emmett, do you find your foreign born partner to be a burden to you in any way?" Aro went on.

"Well, he's not real handy in the kitchen. And he can't do laundry to save his life," Emmett smiled.

A chuckle went though the courtroom and Nasir hung his head. Aro had encouraged exactly this type of playful commentary when he prepped them. If they knew and accepted each other's faults it could only underscore how real and happy their relationship was.

"But, no, Sir. I don't find him a burden at all," Emmett stated.

"Does he contribute to your household in any way?" Aro prompted.

"He paid off the mortgage. I'd call that a pretty substantial contribution," Emmett revealed.

"That's right, you and Nasir own real estate, both here in Seattle and in Manhattan, isn't that correct?" Aro segued.

"Yes, Sir, we do," Emmett nodded.

"And what is the value of that real estate?" Aro asked.

"Oh, um, I don't really know," Emmett admitted.

"I should like to show you current appraisals for both your downtown Seattle condo and your apartment in Manhattan," Aro held out his hand and Jane placed them in it. He walked up to the witness box and handed them to Emmett. "What is that first one?"

"Our condo here," Emmett read.

"And the stated value?" Aro pressed.

"Oh, uh...," Emmett scanned the cover page, "Woah. Seven hundred ninety five thousand, nine hundred dollars. She said it was a good investment."

"You seem surprised," Aro observed.

"I bought it for less than a quarter of that," Emmett confessed.

"It was a good investment then. And the value of your second property?" Aro asked.

"Let's see," Emmett flipped the page. "The apartment in New York City is valued at twelve million, five hundred ninety nine thousand. Wow. I didn't know that," Emmett revealed.

"It has already been established by examination of the deeds to these properties that both you and Nasir, own them both jointly," Aro stated. "Is there a mortgage currently on either property?"

"No, not after Nasi paid off our condo," Emmett informed.

"You said Nasi, not Nasir," Aro observed.

"Oh, yeah. That's what I call him," Emmett gave a grin.

"How sweet," Aro smiled.

"Your Honor!" Duane whined as he stood up.

"Defense Exhibits G and H, Your Honor," Aro took them from Emmett and handed them up to the judge who gave Aro a dirty look as he took them. "Now, Emmett, I would like to show you copies of Defense Exhibits C and D," he held out his hand and again Jane placed the papers in it. "These are bank statements for your joint checking account and joint investment account. Will you read the current balances, as of this morning, for the Court, please."

"There's twelve thousand, three hundred seventy one dollars and twelve cents in the checking account and," Emmett flipped the page, "oh, wow, fifteen million, two hundred eighty thousand, three hundred eleven dollars and eighty eight cents in the investment account."

"You seem surprised by that as well," Aro observed.

"It's grown a bit. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. We do have a really good investment banker," Emmett smiled in Garrett's direction.

"So you both jointly own a portfolio, excluding automobiles and other assets, in excess of twenty eight million dollars," Aro concluded.

"I guess we do," Emmett admitted. It was a staggering sum and Emmett had no idea.

"Thank you. Now, Emmett, have you travelled with Nasir to the United Arab Emirates?" Aro changed gears.

"Yes, Sir, twice," Emmett answered.

"I should like you to think back to your first trip," Aro framed. "Where did you stay?"

"At his house," Emmett answered. "Or, I guess I should say his parents' house."

"Did you share a room with him like you do at home or would in any hotel?" Aro zeroed in.

"No," Emmett shook his head. "I wasn't able to do that."

"How did that make you feel?" Aro enquired.

"It bothered me a lot. That was the first time I ever experienced something like that, having to hide that way," Emmett revealed. "It makes you feel like you have something to be ashamed of when you didn't. I wasn't even in the same building in the compound. I had to wait and sneak across the courtyard to his rooms in the dead of night like some misbehaving teenager."

"I see," Aro nodded gravely. "Now, tell the Court what happened the second time Nasir took you to the United Arab Emirates."

"We stopped in London first to pick up his sister," Emmett began. "I have learned a great deal about Muslim people and customs as you can imagine, and as a Muslim woman she wouldn't travel like that unless in the company of her husband, father or brother, or if it were a large group of women. She would never travel alone, so we couldn't just meet her there."

"Tell us about that," Aro pressed. "You and Nasir went to her home to pick her up?"

"Not exactly," Emmett explained. "We did go to her house, but it was while her husband was at work. That's when I met her. She's super nice. I really like her. Our flight was the next day and her husband brought her to the airport. I had to hide so Sadiq, that's her husband's name, wouldn't see me and start asking questions."

"Of course. And what happened when you reached the United Arab Emirates?" Aro questioned.

"We flew into Dubai," Emmett relayed. "It's a fairly short drive from there to their parents' place in Sharjah. That's where we were going until we found out that their parents were home. Nasi thought they were at their place in California, but they were home, which meant that I couldn't stay there at all. It was just too dangerous. So I had to stay in a hotel, by myself."

"How did that make you feel?" Aro asked.

"I think that night was the most miserable I had ever been in my whole life," Emmett admitted. "I had to be stuck in a hotel like I'm some dirty secret. I was angry and sad and lonely and miserable."

"What happened the next day?" Aro moved ahead.

"We went to see Dimah and, wow, what a mistake that was!" Emmett expressed.

"How so?" Aro queried.

"I went there thinking that I had to find a way to come to terms with this woman," Emmett informed. "The two of us were about to become the three of us, and I'm sure this was going to be a complete shock to her, but we had to work something out. At first I thought she understood and was accepting, but clearly she didn't. A lot of what was said was in Arabic, so I didn't understand it, but all I know is that Dimah was on her cell and very suddenly Nasi and Samira were extremely afraid."

"Samira is your partner's sister?" Aro interrupted.

"Yes, sorry. That's her name. Samira," Emmett nodded.

"Please go on," Aro bid.

"When I say that they were afraid, I mean they were both terrified," Emmett relayed. He shook his head. The horror of it was clear on his face. "We ran out of there and jumped in the cars, and took off as fast as we could. I have been with this man for two years, or close to it, and I have never seen him afraid like that. It made me afraid."

"What did you do?" Aro asked.

"As soon as we were out on the desert road, Samira's driver pulled over. We stopped too and wondered what the hell they were doing because we had to get out of there. The Al Gargawi compound is out in the desert, like in the middle of nothing," Emmett explained. "Samira wanted us to change cars because Dimah's brothers and friends would be looking for the SUV we were driving. So we did that and headed straight for the airport, and got on the very first flight out of the country going anywhere."

"When did you learn the fate of the driver?" Aro questioned.

"When our flight made a stop in Mumbai," Emmett answered. "As soon as Nasi turned his phone on, it started to ring."

"Who was calling?" Aro pressed.

"His family," Emmett revealed. "Nasi had a bunch of messages, from his sister and his father, but mostly from his brother, screaming at the top of his lungs."

"What did they want?" Aro wondered.

"Samira called to tell him what happened to Pankaj, the driver, and to warn us to run as far and as fast as we could," Emmett revealed. "His father and brother demanded that he come home immediately."

"To what end?" Aro zeroed in on the point.

"They didn't say in their messages and Nasi didn't answer their calls or call them back, but he told me as we sat on that plane in India, that if he ever did go home, he would never get out alive," Emmett relayed. "That man is my partner and my life, and I know him better than anyone on this Earth. I know when he is afraid and that day I saw terror in his eyes. I will never forget it as long as I live."

"Indeed. Let us turn our thoughts to something more pleasant. We have seen how accepting Nasir's family is," Aro positioned. "Emmett, has your family met Nasir?"

"Oh, yes, Sir. My family loves Nasi," Emmett smiled at his husband.

"And how do you know that?" Aro enquired.

"Aside from the countless times they've said so?" Emmett countered.

"Aside from that, yes," Aro smiled.

"My mother insisted I bring him home for Christmas last year and everyone received him with open arms," Emmett stated.

"Who is everyone?" Aro asked.

"My mom, my grandmother, my brother and his wife," Emmett listed.

"Thank you. And where did you and Nasir stay when you took him home last Christmas?" Aro clasped his hands behind his back and took up his pacing again.

"At my mom's house, in my old room," Emmett answered.

"Nasir shared your room, and your bed, in your mother's house?" Aro pressed.

"Absolutely," Emmett confirmed. "Nasi is no less my partner than my brother's wife is his. My mother wouldn't expect Nasi not to sleep beside me any more than she would expect my brother's wife not to sleep beside him. That just wouldn't even occur to her."

"Total equality in your mother's house, then," Aro nodded.

"As it should be everywhere," Emmett stated.

"Indeed. How was that trip home for Christmas?" Aro prodded.

"It was the best ever," Emmett smiled. "Nasi helped me put up the tree. It was his first christmas tree and I'll never forget the smile on his face. He was like a kid. We took the snowmobiles out and I nearly froze him to death. My mom warmed him up with hot chocolate and a blanket by the fireplace."

"Emmett, I would like to turn again for a moment to Nasir's family. You have a relationship, such as it may be, with Nasir's sister, as you have both testified," Aro gestured in the direction of where Nasir sat.

"Yes, Sir," Emmett confirmed.

"Have you interacted with any other member of your life partner's family?" Aro posed.

"Yes. His older brother, Kasim," Emmett answered.

"And would you tell the Court about that encounter?" Aro bid.

"This was very shortly after we flew home from the Emirates the second time," Emmett explained. "I happened to answer the phone when the call came from the security door at the front of the building. It was Kasim and I was shocked. I didn't even know he knew where we lived. I buzzed him in, hoping for the best. Nasi has a great relationship with my family. I would have loved to be able to do the same with his. I thought that maybe, somehow, I could build a bridge, that if we could sit down and talk, that maybe Kasim would listen and try to understand."

"And did he?" Aro queried.

"The polar opposite," Emmett continued. "Nasi was upset as soon as I hung up the phone. He said it was a mistake to let his brother come up and he sure was right. I could see that Nasi was afraid and I did everything I could to reassure him. I answered the door and let Kasim in. And," he shook his head with a sigh, "it was all downhill from there."

"What did Kasim say?" Aro prompted.

"He ordered Nasi to go back to the Emirates with him that very day. He said this was their father's command, that he needed to go back and get married, and be a man, and never see me again," Emmett shook his head. "I have never witnessed such hate in anyone as I saw in Nasi's brother that day. He said that he wanted to take Nasi into the desert himself for what he had done and that if he did come home, he would do exactly that."

"And what did he mean by that?" Aro asked.

"That he was going to kill Nasi," Emmett stated.

"Are you certain of that?" Aro wondered.

"There was absolutely no possibility of misinterpreting Kasim's meaning that day," Emmett stressed. "If he could have murdered Nasi on the spot, I have no doubt that he would have. Had I not been there, he likely would have tried."

"And if Nasir should return to the United Arab Emirates," Aro turned to look at Nasir as he posed the question, "what do you think would happen to him?"

"I would never see him again. No one would," the horror of that possibility was plain on Emmett's face.

"There is no doubt in your mind?" Aro asked.

"None whatsoever," Emmett shook his head. "And please don't let that happen," he looked up at the judge. "Please don't do that," Emmett implored.

"I have no further questions for this witness, Your Honor," Aro turned and returned to his seat.

"Cross?" the judge asked.

"Most definitely," Duane rose from his chair and walked out from behind his table. "Mr. McCarty, you like having Nasir around, don't you?"

"Well, obviously," Emmett could not imagine the question. "I love him."

"Of course you do," Duane nodded as he stood before Emmett. "What do you do for a living, Mr. McCarty?"

"I'm an industrial designer," Emmett revealed. "I design commercial kitchens."

"Like hotel and restaurant kitchens," Duane surmised.

"Exactly," Emmett nodded.

"How does that pay?" Duane queried.

"I do okay," Emmett was vague.

"You must make millions," Duane gestured.

"Oh, no!" Emmett laughed. "Hardly. The guy who owns the firm probably does, but I sure don't."

"But, I don't understand," Duane pretended to be perplexed. "You testified that you and Nasir have a net worth in excess of twenty eight million dollars. Where did that money come from?"

"Oh, that's all Nasi," Emmett stated.

"So, if Nasir is sent back to the United Arab Emirates, he would take all of that with him," Duane concluded.

"He wouldn't actually," Emmett countered. "If he were sent back, he would have access to his family's money, though he wouldn't live long enough to make use of it," his face darkened and his hands curled into fists as he leaned forward. "Are you trying to suggest that I am with him because of his money?!"

"Bailiff," the judge gestured. The big and decidedly unpleasant uniformed man moved to stand beside the witness box. He said nothing, but kept one hand on the holster of his sidearm. Emmett made eye contact with the armed officer and slowly turned his head as the man walked past him. He resolved to show them that this flagrant intimidation tactic would not work on him.

"I would never suggest such a thing," Duane held up his hands and gave a patronizing smile.

"Though you just did," Aro pointed out from his seat at his table.

"Let Counsel question his witness," the judge warned. Aro held up his right hand and inclined his head with a smile.

In the gallery, Seth sat with Garrett and Edward close at his sides. He closed his eyes and bowed his head as he leaned forward and curled his hands into claws. "That, fuck," Seth seethed ever so quietly. Edward put his arm around Seth's shoulders while Garrett rubbed Seth's back. They felt exactly the same way.

"Thank you, Your Honor," Duane nodded. "Mr. McCarty, I'd like to ask you a little bit about your trip home last christmas. It sure sounded like fun."

"It was," Emmett confirmed.

"Was that Mr. al Qasimi's first christmas, like, ever?" Duane made his point.

"It was his first christmas," Emmett confirmed.

"You testified that he helped to put up the tree. How did he do at that task?" Duane questioned.

"It was his first time," Emmett worked to contain his anger.

"Yes, you testified to that," Duane nodded. "You also testified that you took out snowmobiles, but that Mr. al Qasimi nearly froze to death. Why was he more affected by the cold temperature than the rest of you?"

"He wasn't dressed properly," Emmett attempted to deflect.

"He wasn't dressed properly?" Duane repeated. "He wasn't dressed like the rest of you?"

"Not exactly," Emmett answered.

"What do you mean not exactly?" Duane pressed.

"I mean, we were all wearing different things," Emmett evaded.

"Different like how?" Duane badgered. "You were all dressed for snowmobiling or your weren't."

"Well, let me give you an example," Emmett saw his opportunity. "My sister-in-law was wearing a bra, but Nasi, my brother and I, weren't."

"Okay," Duane nodded as a chuckle went through the courtroom. "I'd like to ask a few questions about your most recent trip to Mr. al Qasimi's homeland. You testified that you met with Mr. al Qasimi's fiancée at her home. Is that correct?"

"It is," Emmett stated.

"Do you speak Arabic, Mr. McCarty?" Duane asked.

"I know a few words and phrases that Nasi taught me," Emmett informed.

"Can you carry on a conversation in Arabic?" Duane pressed.

"Oh, no," Emmett shook his head.

"You testified that much of what was said at the home of Mr. al Qasimi's fiancée that day was in Arabic," Duane reminded. "Were you able to follow it? Could you understand the meaning of any of the words as they were spoken?"

"No, not at all," Emmett admitted.

"Then, how can you know what was said?" Duane spread his hands. "Might they just as easily have been saying they'd like lamb for lunch?"

"When's the last time a lamb kabab scared you damn near out of your mind?" Emmett countered.

"Your Honor," Duane complained.

"This Court has had all the sarcasm out of you it is going to take, Mr. McCarty," the judge dictated. "Answer the questions put to you directly and succinctly."

"Yes, Sir," Emmett worked to hide his contempt.

"How can you know what was said in the home of Mr. al Qasimi's fiancée that day, Mr. McCarty?" Duane asked again.

"Nasi and Samira told me what happened, and I can't think of one reason why they would want to mislead me," Emmett answered slowly and carefully.

"Perhaps others have a more creative imagination," Duane baited.

"Does Counsel have a question?" Aro spread his hands as he rose.

"Just question your damn witness!" the judge barked.

"Very sorry, Your Honor," Duane wasn't. "Mr. McCarty, the driver that was killed. Did you witness this event?"

"I did not," Emmett admitted.

"So you have no way of knowing that it wasn't anything more than a robbery gone bad," Duane concluded.

"Except that it happened right in front of Nasi's sister," Emmett reminded.

"Mr. McCarty, I'd like to ask you about Mr. al Qasimi's brother," Duane prefaced. "What was his name again?"

"Kasim," Emmett answered.

"Kasim al Qasimi?" Duane asked.

"Yes," Emmett confirmed.

"You testified that he came to your home," Duane gestured with the pen he still had in his hand.

"Because he did," Emmett stated.

"That fact is not in dispute," Duane gave a dismissive wave. "Kasim was pretty angry that day, wasn't he?"

"I would say enraged," Emmett estimated.

"What was the source of his rage? Was it because his brother informed his fiancée that he preferred men and introduced her to one, thereby upsetting both families?" Duane posed.

"It didn't go quite like that," Emmett protested.

"That's what it sounded like to me," Duane looked around the courtroom. "How was it different?"

"He told her that I'm his partner and that he loves me, and that we wanted to find a way to make this whole thing work for everyone," Emmett began.

"Sounds like we're splitting hairs," Duane dismissed. "Mr. McCarty, you testified that Kasim threatened his brother, Nasir, is that correct?"

"It is," Emmett stated.

"What did he say exactly?" Duane pressed.

"He said that one way or another Nasi would have to return to the Emirates, and on that day he would take Nasi into the desert himself," Emmett relayed.

"So Kasim didn't actually threaten his brother," Duane concluded.

"That was very much a threat, Sir," Emmett strongly disagreed.

"Well, how do we know that?" Duane wondered. "What if I said to you that I wanted to take you to the lake? What does that mean?"

"I have no idea what that means. You'd have to tell me what that means," Emmett was taken off guard.

"It might mean anything," Duane gave a shrug. "Could mean I want to take you swimming, or fishing, or boating. The point is there's no way to know."

"There's very little swimming, or fishing, or boating in the Arabian Desert, Sir," Emmett pointed out.

"Mr. McCarty, I will not warn you again," the judge pointed with his gavel.

"We have no way of knowing what 'take you into the desert' is really supposed to mean, do we, Mr. McCarty?" Duane stuck his hands in his pants pockets.

"Except that it's a common expression used and understood by every man in the Emirates," Emmett inadvertently stepped onto a mine.

"How many men from the Emirates do you know, Mr. McCarty?" Duane wore a smug grin.

Emmett was taken by surprise by this question. He only knew Nasir, Sadiq and Kasim. He had no meaningful interaction with any others. "Three," Emmett admitted.

"How many men live in the United Arab Emirates, Mr. McCarty?" Duane asked.

"I have no idea," Emmett slumped in his chair.

"You think it's more than three?" Duane smiled.

"It's obviously more than three," Emmett agreed.

"I'd say quite a few more than three," Duane nodded. He turned toward the judge. "I have no further questions for this witness at this time, Your Honor."

"Re cross?" the judge asked.

"I have just a few questions for you, Emmett," Aro rose from his chair and came out from behind the defense table. "Did you know the value of the real estate you and Nasir jointly own before you saw the appraisals on the stand here today?"

"No," Emmett shook his head.

"Did you know the value of your joint bank accounts before you saw the statements on the stand here today?" Aro asked further.

"Yes and no," Emmett answered.

"Explain," Aro bid.

"I knew more or less what was in our checking account, because I pay our bills for the most part," Emmett detailed. "I have nothing to do with the investment account. Nasi handles that. I remember signing a signature card for the bank when it was set up, but that was the last I ever heard it mentioned and I never ask about it."

"Why don't you ask about it?" Aro wondered.

"I don't care about it. As far as I'm concerned, that's his money. All I care about is him," Emmett stated.

"Thank you," Aro switched gears. "You testified that you did not witness the execution of the family driver, and that you learned of it when Nasir heard the voicemail his sister left, during your layover in Mumbai. How much time had passed between when you saw the driver alive and well, and when Nasir heard his sister's voicemail?"

"Oh, it's only like a two and a half hour flight from Dubai to Mumbai," Emmett recalled. "So about three hours, give or take a few minutes."

"It would be a remarkable coincidence indeed then, if the driver fell victim to a robbery gone bad, as Counsel suggests," Aro gestured to Duane, "in so small a space of time, during which you and Nasir fled for your very lives, and he was behind the wheel of the vehicle Nasir had just been driving."

"Oh, objection!" Duane didn't even bother to stand up.

"I have no further questions," Aro walked back to his seat.

"Neither do I," Duane waved.

"Witness is excused," the judge didn't even bother to look in Emmett's direction. Emmett stood up and walked away from the witness box. He deliberately went around Nasir's end of the table on his way back to the small gate in the bar. No one in the courtroom missed the two men reach out to each other and look into each other's eyes. Emmett and Nasir clasped hands for a very brief moment as Emmett passed silently by. Much was conveyed in that simple, short, physical contact. Emmett was sorry for the gaffes he made during his testimony and Nasir was equally sorry for ever having to put him through this in the first place. More than anything, they both knew how much they were loved.

"Call your next witness, Counsel," the judge commanded.

"Defense rests, Your Honor," Aro rose to advise.

"Make your closing," the judge leaned back in his chair, clearly relieved.

"Your Honor," Duane rose and walked out from behind his table. "This is a case where a wealthy man from the Middle East came to the United States and found himself a well built, good looking guy," he gestured to where Emmett once again sat between Seth and Edward. "And now he doesn't want to go home. It's really just that simple. His American partner now has wealth himself that he otherwise would never have known. He doesn't want to lose that. Who would? They've been together for a while. They may well love each other. But, Your Honor, none of these are compelling reasons to grant Asylum, or even Withholding of Removal. Mr. al Qasimi has come and gone from the United States to his homeland many times. We've seen no evidence of violence, nor even of any threat of violence.

"Do they treat gay people poorly in the United Arab Emirates? Do they look down on homosexuality? That may well be, and it's unfortunate. Should the United States welcome every person in the world who faces any type of discrimination at home? Your Honor, in Holder v Rivera-Barrientos the Court held that a particular social group which is not socially visible, is not sufficient grounds to grant Asylum in the United States. The Court held that there are two necessary conditions for Asylum or Withholding of Removal. One, that citizens of the applicant's country would consider individuals with the pertinent trait to constitute a distinct social group, and Two, that the applicant's community is capable of identifying an individual as belonging to this group.

"What we must ask ourselves is: do citizens of the United Arab Emirates consider homosexuals to be a distinct group of people? The answer is, quite clearly, yes, they do. However," Duane made his point with a raised finger, "Mr. al Qasimi's homosexuality is not evident," he turned and gestured toward Nasir. "We need but to look at him. He looks like any other man from his country."

Up in his big, comfortable chair, behind his bench, Carlo DeFonso cracked a smile for the first time.

"For these reasons the United States petitions the Court to Deny Asylum, Deny Withholding of Removal, and Deny relief under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, for which no case has been made here today at all. Thank you, Your Honor," Duane returned to his seat.

"Your Honor," Aro rose, "when the Court held that an applicant's homosexuality had to be socially visible to make a compelling case for Asylum, the Court erred. The United Nations International Convention on the Status and Treatment of Refugees, of which the United States is a signatory, and excerpts of which I have read into evidence, states in section after section, that a person should not be compelled to hide, or take specific steps in order to avoid persecution, such as forced marriage. And how would the government like to suggest that Mr. al Qasimi does hide who he is? His family already know. That train, Your Honor, has left the station.

"The Convention specifically takes note of the definition of sexual orientation. It is a person's capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to, and intimate and sexual relations with, either a person of the same gender, or the opposite gender. I have read from the section where being compelled to forsake or conceal one's sexual orientation is clearly defined as persecution. And I also point out that the Convention holds that having found past persecution, an applicant is entitled to a presumption of future persecution.

"Mr. al Qasimi is already known as a gay man in the United Arab Emirates. It would certainly not be a secret should he be forced to return. Courts have previously found that the applicant should then relocate within his home country under such circumstances. I ask the Court, then what? It would be unheard of for a man of Mr. al Qasimi's age to remain unmarried. The Emirates is a country of close community, tribal and family ties. Where should he say his family has gone if he is relocated? For what reason will he say he remains unmarried? For that matter, what should he even say his name is? Mr. al Qasimi's last name easily identifies him as being from the Emirate of Sharjah. He certainly couldn't stay there and he wouldn't fit in anywhere else."

"Further, multiple trips to the Emirates, no matter how many in number they may be, is not evidence to conclude Mr. al Qasimi will not face persecution. The Ninth Circuit held in Sedano v Holder that the existence of return trips cannot rebut the presumption of future persecution. Your Honor, I recently attended a conference in Berlin. My wife chose not to accompany me. I did not engage in any emotional, affectional, intimate or sexual relations, profound or otherwise, with anyone while I was there. Why? Because a man is capable of doing that for a short time. Because the separation from my life partner was a temporary one. The emotional, foundational bedrock of my life was here, as Mr. al Qasimi's is here," Aro gestured to where Emmett was seated in the gallery. "He did not engage in any type of intimate relations with anyone on his trips there, any more than I did on my trip. As any of us would do when our partner in life is waiting for us at home. But to send him there for good, where he would face certain discrimination, certain persecution, certain violence, certain to be discovered for who he is by those who do not already know, or forced into marriage with a woman he does not know and is not capable of loving on any profound level, is not only quite clearly morally wrong, but flies in the face of every United Nations Convention and mandate of the treatment of Refugees where sexual orientation is at issue.

"The question before this Court is a simple one. Does Mr. al Qasimi have a well founded fear of facing persecution should he be returned to the United Arab Emirates? I have shown that not only does he have a well founded fear of facing persecution, he has a well founded fear of facing certain violence and death. The Court's choice for Mr. al Qasimi is equally simple. Life or death, Your Honor. It is just that simple, for sending Nasir al Qasimi back to the Emirates would be nothing short of a death sentence, and I thank the Court," Aro returned to his seat.

The judge sat up in his tall chair and slid closer to his bench. "Alright, let's put this to bed."

"This isn't gonna be good," Seth spoke softly and slowly shook his head where he sat between Emmett and his husband.

"Mr. Qasimi, this is not a matter of a political opinion that is on record," the judge began. "It is not about the color of your skin that you cannot change. It is not about a disagreement with a religious authority or how you choose to worship. It is not about where you were born or to whom. This is about your behavior. The fact of the matter is, you can hide."

Aro turned his head and shared a smile with Jane as the judge spoke. He didn't think this judge would do the right thing, but he didn't think the man would make it this easy. Aro had to restrain himself from laughing out loud as the judge continued to step in it.

"We all have choices to make in our lives. You have a choice to make, Mr. Qasimi. You can choose to behave like a respectable member of society, or not. But the consequences of that choice are yours, and yours alone," the judge lectured. "I Find that Mr. Qasimi's application for Asylum, Withholding of Removal and protection under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, was made in a timely manner. I also Find that, while Mr. Qasimi's family may well be upset with him and have just cause to be, nothing I have heard here today satisfies me that it rises to the level of Persecution. Therefore, Asylum in the United States is Denied. I further Find that, while Mr. Qasimi is a homosexual, he is not visibly so. He thus does not qualify as a member of any particular social group. Therefore, Withholding of Removal is Denied. I additionally Find that there has been no evidence presented whatever that the government of the United Arab Emirates conducts or colludes in any way with anything remotely resembling torture. There is no evidence to support the conclusion that the government of the United Arab Emirates is either unable or unwilling to offer protection to homosexuals. I have heard nothing to satisfy me that any attempt was ever made to seek protection from the State. Therefore, protection under the United Nations Convention Against Torture is Denied.

"I am Ordering that Mr. Qasimi be Removed from the United States to the Country of Removal on record, that being the United Arab Emirates, at a date not to exceed thirty days from today. You do, of course, have the right to appeal and have twenty one days to file your appeal, should you choose to undertake that endeavor," the judge paused to scribble in Nasir's file before he picked up his gavel and struck the sounding block on his bench.

Emmett was on his feet instantly. He simply couldn't get to Nasir fast enough. Seth was right with him and Garrett and Edward were close behind. They met Nasir and his attorneys at the gates of the bar.

"Outside," Aro put a hand on Nasir and Emmett's shoulders as they came together. He would not have emotions, whatever they may be, disturb the court.

"Let's get out of here," Garrett agreed with a hand on his husband's shoulder and Edward's arm.

With Garrett's astute help, Aro herded his clients out of the courtroom and into the wide, but still fairly crowded outer corridor.

"C'mere!," Emmett pulled Nasir into his arms before they were even clear of the doors. "God, that was just awful."

Nasir closed his eyes and clung tightly to his big, strong husband. Garrett and Edward placed their hands on the men's backs to show their solidarity while Seth threw his arms as far as he could around them both.

"You can finally be rid of me," Nasir spoke his jest softly.

"Oh, don't even say that!" Emmett tightened his arms around the man he loved even more. "That's not funny at all!"

"No one wants to be rid of you!" Seth was as upset by that as his best friend was.

"You're mine, Nasi, forever and ever and ever," Emmett held his head against Nasir's.

"That is all I want," Nasir expressed.

"I, for one, am quite glad that's over," Garrett commented.

"The government's attorney was just doing his job, I'm sure, but fuck did he piss me off," Edward shared.

"He pissed you off! Where the fuck is that asshole anyway?" Seth looked around.

"We are not going to engage the Assistant US Attorney," Aro began to herd his group toward the exit and the elevators. "Jane," he turned to his assistant once he got them all walking.

"Sir?" Jane was ever attentive.

"I want Nasir's appeal filed today and be sure to fax a copy directly to Judge Jameson's chambers," Aro directed.

"Grounds that he misapplied the law?" Jane asked.

"Misapplied the law, is biased, and failed to consider evidence," Aro listed. "This is precisely what I expected would happen here today," he tried to reassure his clients. "But all the pertinent evidence is now on the record. I have every confidence that we shall prevail at appeal. And do remember that Judge Jameson retained jurisdiction when he issued your original Withholding Order. We need only wait until he has room for us on his docket."

They arrived at the elevators and were finally able to get onto the third one that arrived, so large was the departing crowd. Jane sent the text so Aro wouldn't have to be burdened to do it himself, and his chauffeur driven Bentley was waiting at the curb for him when they emerged from the building. Emmett held Nasir's hand tightly and had not let go since the moment they broke their hug in front of the courtroom doors.

"Gentlemen, put your minds at rest," Aro gestured. "Everything is proceeding exactly as we knew it would. The filing of the appeal will place everything on hold again until Judge Jameson has time for us. We'll get plenty of notice when that happens and Jane will be in touch, just as she was this time. Enjoy the rest of your day and do not worry. Leave everything to me."

"Thank you," Emmett offered his hand. "Sorry I screwed up in there."

"You didn't at all," Aro assured. "You made the Assistant US Attorney look like an ass. I shall never be able to look at a lamb kabab the same way again," he made everyone laugh and successfully lightened the mood.

"The club is just two blocks over," Garrett gestured across the intersection. "Would we all like some lunch? Mr. Volturi, would you and Jane like to join us?" he offered.

"Is that the Rainier Club?" Aro asked. From where they were standing and the direction Garrett had indicated, that could only be what he meant.

"Yuk," Seth muttered as he looked away.

"My partners and I are members. We may see you there," Aro smiled. "Shall we, Jane?" he gestured toward their waiting car. The driver opened Aro's door and rather than getting in before her boss, Jane walked quickly around the back of the car and got in on the driver's side herself. The driver returned to the wheel and the big car whisked them away.

"Is there someplace else you'd rather go, Sweetness?" Garrett ran a hand down the back of his husband's head.

"No. We're all dressed for it. We might as well go to the club," Seth took Garrett's hand and started off.

"C'mon, Eddie," Emmett reached out to Edward. "Thanks for being here today," he continued to hold his husband's hand as he slipped his free arm around Edward's shoulders.

"This was an important day," Edward put his arm around Emmett's waist. "I wanted to be here with you guys."

"And we appreciate it," Emmett grabbed Edward's head and pulled it close to give him a kiss on his temple.

"Yes, it means very much to me," Nasir added.

"I stood up with you at your wedding," Edward pointed out. "I'm not gonna leave you hangin' on a day like today."

Arm in arm, Nasir, Emmett and Edward walked down the street behind Seth and Garrett.