Waiting on the Gallows

By: El Chacal

Disclaimer: Aside from the original character I'm introducing, everything pertaining to SVU belongs to Dick Wolf. No infringements of any kind are intended in any way. Don't sue.

Despite my age and the experiences of my life thus far, I find myself incapable of recalling a precedent occurrence in which an assistant district attorney left the chambers of a judge on the verge of tears.

That day happened to be today.

After the blonde woman left the building in a hurry, I was soon called in.

Judge Elizabeth Donnelly seemed imposing, though I tried my best to be as polite as I could, considering the way the blonde left her chambers.

"Your Honor, I'm quite certain that this is not a social call and I'm certain that I've walked the line as far as being an assistant district attorney is concerned, but why have you called me here, so far from Coney Island?" I could have started with a chirpy pleasantry, but the expression on Judge Donnelly's face silenced that attempt. It became as clear as the look on her face that her meeting with the other woman had been less than pleasant.

"Tomorrow evening, there will be a hearing held with the Bar Association of the state of New York. The committee, involving myself and District Attorney Jack McCoy, will convene to assess the actions of ADA Casey Novak."

"Your Honor, would this Ms. Novak be the same woman who had just left here moments ago?"

"One and the same." She took a breath to calm herself before continuing. "I've spoken with DA McCoy along with his colleagues Mr. Cutter and Ms. Rubirosa, who seemed to have recommended you to me."

"If you may permit me to ask, Your Honor, what kind of recommendation did Ms. Rubirosa give in my behalf?"

"Ms. Rubirosa has suggested that, in the event that Novak is censured, then you will take her place as interim assistant district attorney for the 1-6 precinct's special victim's unit."

I'm pretty certain that, after the cases I've worked on over on Coney Island, while more low-key and low-profile, there had been nothing left to surprise me.

I stand corrected.

"Your Honor, I have never envisioned the launch of my career to be on the crest of another's destruction. Nor have I ever dared to entertain the notion that the longevity of this opportunity would be in parallel opposition to the longevity of Novak's castigation."

"Regardless of what you hoped for, the present conditions are what they are and can not be changed to sate your conscience. I'm not enjoying it at all in any sense of the term but this is what needs to be done, considering what she has done recently. For now, I suggest you get set up here in Manhattan and get acquainted with Captain Donald Cragen and his unit."

"When is the hearing set for tomorrow night?"

"The hearing is at 8 o'clock." Donnelly replied, writing down the address on paper and handed it to him.

"Thank you, Your Honor. I'll look forward to meeting Jack 'Hang 'Em High' McCoy." I try to show that I'm at least enthusiastic over the situation before me.

Leaving the room, I felt my blood run cold.

I always wanted to move up in the world. I just never wanted it to be a trade between my life and the life of someone else, that's all.

Then my cell phone goes off.

It's my cousin.

Detective Chester Lake has been arrested for murder.

What a day.

A/n: this is the opening piece of something that struck me today. This chapter is done in the perspective of my original character. Before I go further, he is not going to be a Mary Sue character. He's going to have flaws like anyone else. He'll also be bizarre in a way. If this has peaked your interests, please reply with a review. It helps to see what I'm doing right and where I can improve. The next chapter will sway from his perspective to Casey's.