******Author Note******
This chapter is for all of us who are victims of sexual assault and rape who never got to see the fucker get locked up.  And for those who did see justice served.  Know that you are not alone. And that there is always someone here who cares about you.
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You don't remember much about the questions. Because most of it was nothing but images playing out in your head as you talked about them. You described how you left the compartment after Keith's taunting towards you. Then you the defense class that lead to you ending up in medical the first time. And lastly you braced yourself as you started to talk about what had happened after you walked outside the skin of the ship and over to the hand railing that night.

".....that was the first time, that I had ever seen the sea turn blue like that from the bioluminescence."

"Did you hear him approach you?"

"No." You said as you shook your head. "There was so much going through my head that I guess I zoned out."

"When did you notice him?"

"When he grabbed me." You said as fought the chill that was trying to run down your spin.

"And where did he grab you?"

"He grabbed my wrist and my neck." You slowly responded as you suddenly felt like someone was grabbing you again.

You absently reached up and rubbed your neck. You had to remind yourself that no one was touching you. Because even though you knew that no one was even that close to you. It still felt like something was grabbing your neck.

"And it was at that point that you started to fight back?"

"Yes."

"But what happened when you did?"

"He turned me around and slammed me up against the wall." You said as you slightly dropped your head and shuddered as you felt yourself once again being pinned up against the cold steel wall.

You then told them about how he had restrained you as he felt you up. You don't remember actually saying the words since you were engulfed in the scene once again. The touch of his hands and his words were once again shaking you to the core. Which made you start to physically tremble.

But you had to tell them. Otherwise he could potentially walk away from this scot-free and could possible do it to someone else. Which the very thought of it made you infuriated and want to prevent that at all costs. So you continued to talk. Because they had to know the truth.

"When did you notice that someone else was there?"

"When he suddenly let me go."

"Did you see anything after that?"

"No. Not until my friend Chris approached me. It was too dark and I was too scared to look around."

Friend? Chris though as your words interrupted his train of thought as he sat there trying to control his temper as he listened to everything.

"Did you hear anything?"

"I heard them fighting. But I didn't actually see who it was with. Not until he came up to me to check on me. Then he picked me up and carried me to medical."

"At any point did you see the defendant after that?"

"No."

"Not even on your return trip?"

"No." You said as you looked back up at Mark and meet his eyes. "Not until now."

"Thank you." Mark said as he beamed at you before he turned around and looked at the defense team and nodded at the senior member.

But before any of them could moved. Ms. Sullivan quickly stood up and slowly started to walk over towards you. You couldn't help but to notice the taunting in her eyes as if she was a cat who had just corner a mouse. You couldn't help but tightly squeeze your hands together in your lap as you fought to keep from rubbing your hands raw.

"Miss (l/n), you told us before that you are trained in mixed martial arts." She asked in a cool demeanor as her eyes drilled straight into you.

"Yes."

"Then how is it that you weren't able to get out of his grip?"

"Because I panicked. If I hadn't, I might have been able to get out." You replied before you dropped your head as you felt your cheeks start to heat up. "But then again......"

"Then again what?" She sneered.

You then looked her straight in the eye. "Would you have been able to get out of someone's grip who was twice your size and had you pinned up against a wall?"

"That's not the point."

"Yes it is. If you can't move, then you can't get out. No one can unless you severely hurt yourself in the process. Plus......" You said before you dropped your head. "Plus I was petrified. He was going to rape me. He had even told me so. And there wasn't anything I could do to stop him."

You couldn't help the full body shiver that ran through you as you heard those words coming out of your own mouth. Instantly you felt that helplessness all over again. The fear had taken over completely and had prevented you from being able to do anything. Let alone try to figure out how to get out someone's vice grip hold.

"Then what about your friend Chris. How did he get him off of you?"

"Like I mentioned before. I don't know since I didn't see any of their fight. It was too dark and he was initially behind me."

"And the rest of the crew? Surely there was someone else there?"

"Not that late. Everyone but the watched standers was sleeping. It was around 1am after all."

"And what about your relationship with your friend Chris. I heard that the two of you are close. Some even said that you constantly in his arms. Did you perhaps have special relations with him while you were onboard?"

You quickly looked up at her in shock. "We're just friends."

"So then how do you explain how several people reported that you were practically falling all over him?'

"Because I did fall on him. Literally. The seas were rough and I lost my footing a couple times. And in the hallways we bumped into each other as I flew around a corner. I was headed to the galley when I ran into him as he was heading for his berthing?"

"And how do you know where his berthing is?"

"Because......" You started to say as you realized what she was trying to do, and you had fallen right into her trap.

You dropped your head as you continued. "Because I followed him there. But all I wanted to do was talk to him. We didn't do anything beyond that."

"Did you ever walk into the berthing?"

"Once." You said as you dropped your head further. "But that was to yell at him for ignoring me."

"And what did you do while you were in there?"

"Nothing. All I did was yell at him. But he ended up dragged me back out into the passageway. Then he scolded me. And that was the last time we talked. Until this week."

You could feel Ignis' eyes on you as you sat there. Which made you nervous. Because you hadn't really told him anything about Chris. At least not after he had hung up on you during your video conference on the ship. You had been afraid to bring it up in case he got upset again. Which was why Ignis hadn't really heard anything about him until the night before.

But as you looked up and met his eyes you felt slightly relieved as well as confused. Because he didn't look upset. In fact he looked relieved. As if you had just confirmed something for him. Which confused you since you had no idea what that could be.

"So you admit that you had been stalking him."

You quickly looked back at the attorney in shock. "I was not stalking him! Like I said, I just wanted to talk to him. But after that day, I left him alone. Would a stalker really do that?"

"Then why is it that several crew members have..."

"Objection!" Mark said as he stood up. "What does this have to do with the case?"

"Sustained." The judge said to Mark before she turned to the Ms. Sullivan. "Get to the point Ms. Sullivan."

"The point that I'm trying to make is that she was practically flaunting herself in front of everyone. So it would be easy for others to misread her."

"THAT'S FUCKING BULLSHIT! SHE'S NOT LIKE THAT!" Chris shouted as he quickly stood up as he temper took over.

"Mr. Turner!" The judge said as she looked at Chris as she gave him a firm look. "Need I remind you that you can go right back into the holding cell?"

Chris gritted his teeth as he stood still, but quiet. He knew that one more word and he would be right back where he had been earlier. And once was enough for him. And he knew that he wouldn't be much help if he was in the holding cell again. And he wanted to be more of a help then just someone on the sidelines.

"I understand your frustration. And it seems that you are fine with her behavior from then." The judge said before she turned back to true defense attorney. "So this will be removed from the records as it doesn't have any reason to be involved with this case Ms. Sullivan."

"But..." She tried to argue back.

"Or would you prefer if I had you removed from my courtroom for harassing the victim?"

"We apologise your honor." The senior defense attorney said as he quickly stood up. "We have no further questions."

She turned around and looked at the senior member who gave her a warning look before he sat back down in his chair. She slightly shook her head and walked back over to the table. You could clearly see that she was upset and even slightly embarrassed. You probable should have felt bad for her. But you were just relieved that she was done talking to you.

"Very well. I believe a brief recess is in order so that we can regain ourselves." The judge said as she slowly looked at both parties. "We shall convene in ten minutes."

Then with the drop of her gavel the whole room started to get up.

"You can step down dear." You heard someone say from beside you.

You looked over and saw the judge giving you a smile. "You did well young lady. You did very well."

You tried to smile back. But you seemed to be torn between fear and relief as you looked at her. And you didn't think that you would be able to get up after that. Especially since you just realized that your legs shaking.

"Thank you." You quietly said to her.

She gave you a slight nod. Then she stood up and walked away. You sat there for a moment as you tried to get your wits about yourself. Everything had happened so quickly. But it still left you with the of question about whether it was enough or not.

"Hey kiddo." You heard your dad say.

You looked up and saw everyone walking up you. Well everyone except Henry and Chris. Your heart started to pound when you looked at Ignis. But his smile back to you instantly calmed down all of your earlier fears.

"You did great up there." Tracy said with a smile as she walked up to you.

"Thanks." You replied as you gave her a half smile.

"You handled that brilliantly." Ignis said as he came around the back of the witness stand and reached out for your hand.

"Your not upset?" You asked nervously as you turned around and looked at him.

"Now why would I be upset with you?" he asked as he crouched down in front of you and grabbed both of you hands.

"Well, you know..." You said as you dropped you gaze. "....the whole Chris thing."

"How could I be upset when he had already told me about that." Ignis said as he reached up and cupped your chin. "And besides, I wasn't really much of a help during all of that."

You reached up and placed your hand on his. "It should have been me who told you about him."

"It doesn't matter who told me." Ignis said as he leaned in closer to you so that he was right in front of you. "What does matter is that you were finally able to tell your side of the story."

You looked up at him as tears started to form in your eyes. "I did. Didn't I?"

"You did." He quietly responded as he moved your hair behind your ear with one hand before he lifted your chin up so that you were looking at him. "And I couldn't be prouder of you."

You gave him a shy smile. "Thank you."

"Let's head outside for some fresh air." Your dad said as he turned around and started to walk out of the court room. "It's a bit stuffy in here."

After a quick, quiet breather outside, you found yourself back in the courtroom. Only this time you got to stay in your seat as you sat in between your dad and Ignis. Which was fine by you since you couldn't seem to stop shaking as you watched them swear in Keith so that he could take the stand. Ignis had his arm around you and was trying to comfort you as best as he could. But even he wasn't enough to keep you completely still.

"Mr. Williams, would you kindly describe your relationship to Ms. (l/n)."

"What is there to describe?" Keith said with a cocky tone. "She would have been with me instead of Chris had he hadn't interrupted us. Because no matter what she says. She liked it. Every bit of it. She showed me that by flirting with me during the meet and greet with the Navigation team."

You felt your heart skip. The fuck I was. I was trying to ignore him. But he kept staring at me.

"That wasn't how she describe it. But perhaps you might tell us your side of the story then." Ms. Sullivan said as she smiled sweetly at him before she turned around and gave you a quick glare before she turned back to face him after she got behind the podium once again.

"She's kidding herself is she through that I was badgering her in the classroom." Keith sneered as he looked at you. "She kept glancing at me the whole time out of the corner of her eye. Which told me that she wanted the attention. She was just playing hard to get. And it was obvious that she was interested in guys by the way she was falling all over Chris. So I figured that I would show her what a real man can do."

Keith then looked at you. "Because unlike him, I was more then willing to give her what she was looking for."

You felt your whole body shutter as he gave you a heated gaze before he looked back at the attorney. "He kept pushing her away. So I figured that I would be nice and approach her myself. So when I saw her walk away from the mess decks that night, I followed her."

He followed me? You thought to yourself as you felt your heart start to race.

"Did you think that it was odd that she walked outside when it was dark like that?"

"I was a bit concerned." Keith said in an innocent tone. "Especially after I saw her head out to the weather deck. Which is main reason that I followed her. I was concerned for her and I didn't want her to fall off the ship."

"Bullshit you did." You said under your breath. "Fucking asshole."

"So you were concerned about her?"

"Of course." He said with a sweet smile. "We can't have a special guest get hurt on our ship, now can we?"

"Then why did you grab her?"

"I thought that she was about to jump. The way that she was standing by the railing made me nervous so I grabbed her before she could."

"Did she try to fight you?"

"Maybe a bit. But I figured that I must have just spooked her. Which is why I turned her around against the wall. I didn't want her to hurt herself. She did anyway when she smacked her head against the wall."

"So she did that to herself?"

"Of course. Do I look like I would hurt anyone?" He asked as he gave her a sweet and innocent smile.

Suddenly you had to look away as you felt like you were going to throw up again from all of the lies and twists of the truth that he was spiting out at everyone. But then you felt Ignis tighten up his grip on you as he seemed to tense up. You looked up at Ignis and saw pure fury in his eyes as he stared daggers at Keith. You had never seen him that pissed before. But seeing that fury was both scary and reassuring. Because it showed you his support for you. But it also reminded you that you never wanted to be on the receiving end of that fury.

'Thank you Mr. Williams." Ms. Sullivan said as she gave Keith a wink before turning around and looking at Mark.

You couldn't help but to notice the slight scowl that she gave Mark as she walked past his table as he stood up. But Mark didn't seem to be fazed. He just stood up and started walking up to the stand. You couldn't help but to hold your breath as you tried to keep your heart from beating out of your chest as you waited to see what Mark wn noould ask.

"Mr. Williams, how long have you been on board the Atlantis?"

"I would say close to three years." Keith answered with a smug look.

"I see. And during those three years I would assume that your skipper would insist on some type of training to be conducted."

"Well yeah. He has us doing training all the time."

"Would any of that training include sexual harassment?"

Keith suddenly got very uncomfortable as he looked at Mark. "Sure, we've had that a time or two."

"Have you attended the training?"

Keith nervously looked down. "Of course."

"Bullshit." Chris growled under his breath. "That asshole always seems to be busy on those days."

"You and I both know that." Henry replied. "But don't worry. We're not the only ones. Bob and Alex know that too."

"Well knowing about it and doing something about it are two completely different things." Chris said as he sat back and crossed his arms.

"True." Henry quietly responded.

"During that training, have you ever seen yourself as the aggressor?"

"Of course not." Keith responded as he tried to look offended.

"Really?" Mark responded in surprise as he paused in mid-stride before he turned and started walking up to Keith. "Then I suppose that you think that it's perfectly okay for someone to restrain someone against their will?"

"I didn't say that." Keith quickly responded.

"But that's exactly what you did?" Returned.

"She did that to herself." Keith responded.

"She grabbed herself?"

"Well no..."

"Then how do you figure she did it to herself when you had her hand pinned against her back and her face against a wall?"

"Well she....." Keith started to say before Mark turned and looked right at his face.

"It seems rather impossible."

Keith sat back a bit. Mark slightly smiled before he walked over to the podium and started typing away at the computer that was there in front of the stand.

"Evidence shows that this incident occurred around 1am. And like she said, only the watch standers are typically up at that hour. But I don't recall seeing your name on the watch standers bill for that night." Mark said as he pulled up the navigation watchbill then walked over and started reading off names.

".....Steve......Sarah.......Chris." Mark said as he pointed them out one by one. "Strange. I don't see your name."

"I couldn't sleep. So I went to the messdecks to eat." Keith quickly chimed in.

"Really?" Mark asked as he turned and faced him. "I don't recall hearing your name among those who grabbed food that night either. We know that Chris had grabbed the food for the watch standers that had just relieved him. Apparently they had woken up late and had missed their chance to eat. But Chris had to asked the kitchen staff for bag dinners to take up to the bridge for them."

Keith dropped his head as a scowl came across his face. You could almost feel his temper rising as he started to stare holes into Mark. The sight made you very glad that it was Mark asking the questions and not you or even your dad. But then again, your dad could just lay him out again.

"So my question to you, is why were you up that night? You didn't have watch or anything? And clearly you really weren't hungry. Otherwise the kitchen staff would have marked down that you ate."

"Like I told you." Keith tried to say in a cool demeanor as he tried to hide his rising heart rate. "I couldn't sleep. So I went to the mess decks to grab some food."

"But you didn't eat. Did you?"

"No."

"Why not? That's what you went up there for?"

"Well I saw Chris there and decided to leave instead."

"Is that because of the prior fight the two of you had the galley the day before?"

Keith dropped his head as he responded. "I don't remember."

"I see." Mark said as he started to pace the floor in front of the stand again. "I'll tell you what I think happened. You walked onto the mess decks and saw the exchange between Chris and (y/n).  And you got pissed. But then when you watched her walk away, you decided to follow her."

"Perhaps."

"Perhaps?" Mark said as he quickly turned and got in Keith's face. "Admit it. You couldn't stand the fact that she wasn't interested in someone like you and that she was talking to him."

"I..."

"It pissed you off that she wouldn't even so much as give you a second thought. Except perhaps to avoid you at all costs."

"But she...."

"And the fact that she was talking to another person in your division was driving you crazy."

"I....."

"Not to mention that it was the one person on the ship that you can't stand."

Keith now was staring to glare at Mark as he stood back up and started walking back and forth in front of the stand. "Which is why you followed her down the hallway, down the ladder well, and outside so that you could take matters into your own hands."

Mark then wiped around and looked at him. "Tell the truth! You had full intentions of forcing her to have sex with you. Even if that meant raping her to get it! Because you couldn't stand the fact that she DIDNT'T WANT YOU!"

"THAT FUCKING WHORE GOT WHAT SHE DESERVED!" Keith shouted back at Mark as he quickly stood up. "And I would have done more if that fucking ASSHOLE hadn't fucking stopped me!"

The whole room froze as he looked at Keith as his temper took over.

"That fucking bitch was teasing everyone by the way that she was throwing herself at him in front of us. She was just asking for it. So I was going to give it to her. Is that wrong?"

"I've heard enough Mr. Williams." The judge said as she looked at him. "Your admission is proof enough to me. And your lack of remorse is quite frankly disturbing. For it seems that someone never attended his training as you said you did, if that is what you think. But perhaps a few years in prison might change your mind and help you see the true intent of your act. You may step down and grab your things. But you will not be leaving this courthouse."

The judge then nodded to the bailiffs in the room as Keith walked over to his seat. Then once Keith was with his attorneys, the judge made her verdict.

"Based on the evidence presented, the testimonies of the accused, the victim, and from the witnesses. I find Keith Williams guilty of sexual assault of a minor. And I sentence him with 6 years in prison with a chance of parole in 5 years. Which will begin immediately. We don't need people like you loose on our streets until you have truly learned the real meaning of sexual assault." She said in a steady but firm tone to him before she looked at you. "And I wish you luck in your future plans."

Then she spoke in general to the court. "I award the case in favor of the victim and for the accused to pay 50,000 gil to the victim for pain and suffering. Case closed."

And with the drop of her gavel it was done. But it was far from quiet as the whole room erupted. Keith started shouting at his attorneys as the bailiff came up to him and placed him in handcuffs. Where Chris, Henry, your dad, Tracy, and Mary all cheered. Korn nodded his approval and Ignis pulled you tightly into his arms.

But even with all of that going on, you couldn't seem to focus on anything as you sat there stunned. You could hear the excitement and the noise. But none of it registered. All you felt was numb. Sure it was over, but was this really going to solve the problem? And if so, then why did it feel like you just set yourself up for disaster.

"Hey?" You heard Ignis ask with a concerned tone. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." You said as you looked away from him. "I'm just tired is all."

"Are you sure?" He asked as he moved his hand across your face as he moved your hair away from your face and behind your ear only to lift your chin up so that he could see your face.

But you kept your eyes averted from him. Because you knew that if he looked in your eyes, he would see the truth. And the truth was something that you weren't quite prepared to face just yet. Which he could sense as he pulled you in closer.

"He can't touch you now." Ignis said in your ear as he held you close.

"Well.  Maybe not now. But what about in 5 years when he's eligible for parole?" You asked as you laid your head against his chest as you tightly gripped his shirt.

"Then he'll have a fight on his hands. Because I'm not going to let him get anywhere near you." Ignis said as he wrapped his arms tightly around you. "But we have 5 years until we have to worry about that. Right?"

"Yeah." You replied as you snuggled up closer to him.

"Hey kiddo." Your dad said as he came up and placed his hand on your back. "You did it. We got him this time. We won."

Instantly you felt tears starting to form in your eyes as you felt everything finally hitting you all at once. You had won. And now you had 5 years before you had to worry about him coming after you. Finally you could relax and not have to worry about the courtrooms, or judges or lawyers anymore. Because it was done. And as you looked up at your dad, you could see that he shared in your thoughts as he smiled back at you.

You then let go of Ignis and quickly threw your arms around your dad's neck. He wrapped his arms around you as he pulled you up closer to him. Then he slightly squeezed you tightly as you trembled in his arms as you sobbed. You don't know why you were crying. But you also didn't care. It was done. And now you could live again without fear of him coming after you. At least for a bit.

"Now we can hope that the next trial will go just as smoothly." Mark said with a smile as he walked up to the group.

"You consider that smooth?" Your dad asked as he slowly released you.

"As silk." He smiled right back at your dad. "I'm just glad that you weren't lying when you said that he's not the sharpest knife in the set. Otherwise that might not have worked."

"Why do you say that?" You asked as you looked at Mark.

"Not everyone is as easy to break as he was." Mark said with a slight smile. "Of course in his case, it was his own cockiness and his dimwitted attitude that was his downfall."

Everyone slightly laughed as they seemed to finally relax. You then finally released your dad and smiled at Mark. He gave you a curious look at first. Until you started to beam at him.

"Thank you." You said with a huge smile. "Thank you for everything."

"It was my pleasure young lady." Mark said as he slight bowed to you. "I love to put jerks like him away."

"I'm glad." You smiled back as Ignis grabbed your hand and kissed your head as your dad rubbed your back.

You then glanced over at Tracy and saw her give you a nervous smile. You couldn't help but to return the same nervous smile, because you knew that her trial was next. And based on her nervousness, you could tell that she was scared. But at the same time, she was more than ready for her trial to be over as well.

"Let's go grab some lunch before we have to return, shall we?" Korn said as he nodded away from the courtroom.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Then everyone turned away from the courtroom and headed outside. You had never been so relieved to be outside in all your life as you stepped out into the sunshine. It seemed as if the gods themselves were beaming their approval for you.

And after a quick break outside, you were back in the courtroom. But this time the tension didn't seem to be there as Tracy told everyone about what happened in the cave that day. Including how Bob had been shot and about a young smart detective by the name of RJ, who had lived and died as gave her help to clean up the harbor crime.

Tracy had been very descriptive of everything that had happened that day. And you can couldn't help but to get lost in her story. It was like something out of a murderer mystery novel. Except that it had actually happened to her. Pirates, loot, gun fight, the whole nine-yards.

By time she was done, the whole room was quiet for a moment. But then Camelia spoke and said that she wanted all charges dropped. And she gave Tracy a full pardon. Because now that she had heard the story, she knew that it hadn't been Tracy's fault. And that hiding the cave had indeed protected the citizens from another group rising up to continue the fight. And for that, she was grateful, and Tracy was free to go.  Much to everyone's relief.

******Author Note******
First off, I want to apologise that it took forever for this chapter. But I had to remember some of the common things that they say in court all the time. Plus, I had to make sure that the testimony and confession would make sense as well. I do hope that you enjoy the results.

Second, I want to thank everyone for their support and tons of comments. It makes the whole thing way more entertaining and fun for me. And it shows just by the numbers as the book hit 34k. Crazy right?  But I love it and I love all of you. And thank you very much. 🥰🥰

Now that the courts are done. It's time to finally head home. Well, after one more thing is taken care of that is. Be sure to keep an eye out for the next chapter to see what awaits our all star team.

Thanks for reading.  :)
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