The shuttle took Captain Almeida and Lieutenant Stewart across the short distance to Capella early for the Monday session with Adjudicator Fontaine, while the Qatar remained in orbit around the space station, freeing up the docking bays for ships that needed them. Both men wore their dark navy-blue dress uniforms, with all the medals and decorations to which they were entitled. If ever there was a time to parade Stewart's professional standing, this was it.

Michael Banner was on board the shuttle too. Apparently he had business to conduct at the hospital. The Lieutenant studiously avoided meeting his gaze. He wanted Banner to stay away from him, protect himself.

Major Tremblay met them at Patrol headquarters and they followed him to the small courtroom which had been set aside for the hearing. Captain Martinez and Captain Lang were already there, seated on one side of the room, while the newcomers sat opposite. Stewart looked around, curious as to where the Adjudicator would sit.

As if his thoughts had conjured him up, Major Fontaine entered the court followed by a court recorder, and both men took a seat in between the two parties, making a semi circle. The Major was a medium-sized man in his mid-fifties, with short black hair just beginning to grey on the temples, and an impassive expression. He stared coolly at all the participants as Captain Martinez stood and made the introductions.

Stewart thought his gaze rested an extra minute on Captain Almeida and hoped it was because he was impressed that he was there, giving him his support.

"Thank you, Captain Martinez." Major Fontaine had an unexpectedly deep voice. "I have read both parties' submissions. I have some questions, but before I proceed, is there any new information that I should be informed of?"

The session proceeded unevenly as Captain Martinez went through the evidence and the Major continued to clarify various points. This time Stewart found he was able to meet Robin's accusing gaze when their eyes met across the room occasionally. He tried to project sympathetic concern, avoiding getting drawn into any challenging or defensive posturing. He tried to project confidence. He was certain he would be acquitted when Max regained his senses.

~~~

Michael Banner had received permission from Dr. Patel to visit Max while he was at the hospital. He went quietly into the cubicle. Max lay there silently as before, the white bedspread which covered him rising and falling gently with his breathing. Banner checked the monitors ‒ nothing had really changed since his last visit.

He was wondering why he had come. Had he really expected Max would suddenly wake up because he was needed? He was wasting time, prevaricating. He knew what he had to do ‒ he had to go to Patrol headquarters and tell Adjudicator Fontaine and Captain Martinez that he had been Alan's companion that night.

He would say they had simply gone there for a drink and a chat. They might suspect his sexuality but they wouldn't be able to prove anything. After all, if someone asked him whether he and Alan had a sexual relationship he would be able to say 'no' in all honesty.

He looked down at Max one last time. "I have to go. They're charging Alan with attacking you, right now. I have to go and tell them he was with me." He clasped Max's hand lightly for a second and left.

"Wait..." The word was so faint that Banner didn't hear it.

Banner made it to the courtroom just as the session was winding to a close. Major Fontaine was about to set the date for the next hearing and announce his decision as to whether or not Lieutenant Stewart needed to be detained on Capella.

Everyone turned to watch in surprise as Banner entered the room, looking self-conscious but determined. He caught Alan giving him a very slight shake of the head, but he knew he was doing the right thing. He jumped in before Major Fontaine could open his mouth to order him out.

"Sir, Major, I'm Michael Banner, a medic on the Qatar. I apologise for interrupting but I have some information which affects this case."

"Yes, Medic Banner?" The Major gave him permission to speak, watching him curiously.

"I was with Lieutenant Stewart at the Sahara on the night of the assault, from about 22:00 until 22:23 when he left to investigate a disturbance in the back of the club."

There was a rush of voices as several people tried to speak at once.

"Why didn't you come forward before?" Captain Martinez was seriously annoyed.

"I don't believe you! You're lying to protect him." That was Captain Lang.

"Silence! Let me ask the questions," that was Major Fontaine's deep tones, drowning out the rest. He waited until everyone else was quiet.

"Now, let me get this straight. Captain Lang states that he saw his son leave the barroom with a man he identifies as Lieutenant Stewart at around 21:50 hours. And you're telling us that Lieutenant Stewart was with you from 22:00 hours that same night?"

"Yes, Major." It was obvious to everyone that Alan Stewart could not have been in two places at once.

"He's lying!" Captain Lang doggedly insisted.

Fontaine regarded Banner closely. "Why have you waited so long before coming forward with this?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but I was worried about my career. I'm a Medic on the Qatar, which is a P112 type vessel." Major Fontaine looked uncomprehending as Banner attempted to explain.

"I don't know if you're familiar with Exemption Rule 158A, sir, but it precludes homosexuals from serving as a Medic on a P112. I was frightened that if people found out I had been with Lieutenant Stewart in the Sahara they would make assumptions about me and I'd risk losing my job." Banner kept his eyes on the Major, not looking at either his Captain or First Officer.

"I didn't expect that Private Lang would be unconscious for so long and unable to tell everyone what really happened. I was hoping my testimony wouldn't be needed, but given the circumstances, I decided I couldn't keep quiet any longer."

"He's lying to protect him, they're probably sleeping together," Lang accused, sneering.

"Captain Lang, please be silent or I'll have to ask you to leave!" Fontaine growled, but turned apologetically to Banner. "I'm sorry I have to ask you this, Medic Banner, but do you and Lieutenant Stewart have a sexual relationship?"

Stewart noticed Captain Almeida next to him was holding his breath.

"No, sir, we do not." Banner's answer was confidently decisive.

"But I bet you want to, though," muttered Lang vindictively under his breath. Banner looked at him consideringly for a long moment and suddenly a lot of things that had been bothering him fell into place. He turned back to Major Fontaine, leaving Lang unanswered.

The Major was looking at Lieutenant Stewart. "Lieutenant, is this true? Were you with Medic Banner that night as he says?"

"Yes, sir. I was sitting at a table and he joined me around 22:00 hours. We went into a cubicle to talk privately and that's where we were when we heard the disturbance from the room behind us. I went to investigate as I explained earlier and as far as I know, Medic Banner left the Sahara."

"Did you hear Private Lang call out?" Fontaine asked Banner.

"Not exactly, sir. That is, I heard a cry but I can't say I recognised the voice or distinguished any words." Banner was regretful.

"May I speak, Major?" Lang had finally got himself under some semblance of control. Fontaine nodded his permission and he continued. "I think it's important for us to know if Medic Banner is homosexual or not."

Lang felt a bitter satisfaction at the fierce glare Stewart gave him. At last, he'd finally gotten under his skin. Serve him right. Let him watch someone he cared for suffer.

Before anyone else could speak, Captain Almeida stepped in, addressing the Major. "Sir, I really don't think that's relevant to the proceedings. Surely it's a matter for me to address as Captain of the Qatar."

Banner gave up a silent thank you of gratitude to his Captain. But Lang wasn't finished.

"I think it's a matter of integrity, sir," Lang argued persuasively. "If he is homosexual, he's obviously got where he is today by lying or at least skirting the truth. I'd like to hear him answer the question openly and repeat his evidence under oath."

Banner felt the colour draining from his face at the personal attack. He flicked a quick glance at Captain Lang and met his eyes for a second, what had he ever done to the Captain? He looked as if he hated him. He shifted his focus back to Fontaine, not daring to look at any one else.

Fontaine rubbed the side of his nose. "He's got a point," he said to Captain Almeida. He considered for a moment as everyone else waited silently.

"Are you willing to answer questions under oath, Medic Banner?" he asked eventually.

Banner swallowed. "Yes, sir, I'll answer your questions." He put a slight emphasis on 'your'. There was no way he was going to answer anything Lang directed at him.

Banner took the oath in a steady voice. He repeated his evidence about the time he had arrived at the Sahara and his meeting with Stewart and answered several clarifying questions Martinez directed at him through the Major. He thought he might just get away without answering any personal questions when Fontaine asked, "Do you, or have you ever, had a sexual relationship with Lieutenant Stewart?"

"No, sir." Banner replied, his heart sinking.

"But you are homosexual?" Fontaine wasn't going to let it go this time. Lang's words about integrity had struck home, and besides, he was doing Captain Almeida a favour; he'd have no problems dismissing the young man now.

Banner hesitated. He could refuse to answer he supposed, but ... suddenly he felt he'd had enough of all the lies and deception. He could see this question hanging over him for the rest of his life if he stayed a Medic, threatening exposure every time he was interested in someone. His sexuality wasn't going to change, so maybe it was time to change his career. It had already cost him his self respect once, he didn't want to let that happen again.

And above all, he wanted Alan. He wanted Alan to pursue him, flirt with him, make another pass or two, or three, and that just wasn't going to happen the way things were now. He made up his mind and straightened his shoulders.

But before he could speak, Captain Martinez' wristcom beeped at him urgently, followed a second later by Captain Lang's.

"It must be the hospital!" Martinez explained hastily to an irritated Major Fontaine. "They're the only ones I've given access to interrupt me today."

Robin Lang sat frozen, staring at his wristcom, too afraid to answer it.