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Judge Petrovsky checked her watch disapprovingly. In fifty-four seconds, Alex would be late for court. And then the judge could hold her in contempt. Ah, life was good.

But to her disappointment, several seconds later Alex rushed into the courtroom, slightly out of breath.

"You're late," snapped Judge Petrovsky, even though she technically wasn't.

Alex ran a hand through her slightly rumpled hair and checked her own watch. "Actually, I'm thirty-two seconds early."

Judge Petrovsky didn't know whether to laugh or lock her up for contempt. She decided not to do either, instead fixing the attorney with a disapproving glare and barked, "Call your first witness."

"Yes, about that . . ."

"Call your first witness!"

Alex cleared her throat. "The people call Detective Olivia Benson to the stand."

The look that passed between the two of them as the detective, limping slightly, sauntered up to the stand wasn't lost on Judge Petrovsky, and she had to suppress her smirk.

"So, Liv, what did the suspect –?" began Alex.

Judge Petrovsky looked down her nose at the ADA and interrupted her. "While you're in my courtroom, Ms. Cabot, please respect the rules of etiquette."

Alex blinked up at her in confusion, slightly more distracted today than usual. Generally, she was as sharp as they came.

Judge Petrovsky sighed. "That means referring to witnesses by their titles, not by intimate nicknames."

Alex seemed to realize her error and blushed. Well . . . that was new. "Right. So Detective Benson, what did the suspect have in his possession at the time of his arrest?"

"The victim's panties," replied the detective.

Another look passed between them and Alex took a deep breath to compose herself, but she couldn't quite suppress her smile that could only be described as predatory. The judge found slightly amusing, but this wasn't the right setting for that. Court was for professionals, not lovesick teenagers. "Is something funny, Ms. Cabot?" she snapped.

Alex's eyes went wide and she shook her head. "No, ma'am." But when she looked back at Olivia, she couldn't help but giggle.

Judge Petrovsky sighed and banged her gavel. "Ten minute recess so Ms. Cabot can get herself under control." She glared at the ADA, whose eyes were still fixed on Olivia, her baby blues dancing with mirth.

Olivia got up from the witness stand and started to walk over to Alex, both of them dissolving into giggles like schoolgirls as Alex leaned over to whisper something in Olivia's ear.

Judge Petrovsky glared at the pair of them to disguise the smile that was playing around her lips. "Alexandra," she called beckoning for the attorney to come over to her.

Alex sighed, and the judge narrowed her eyes at her, but then Alex complied. "Yes?"

"I'm sure Detective Benson can be . . . enticing . . . but if you want to spend your nights with her instead of a holding cell, then you'd better make getting to court on time a priority. And if you want to keep your job, you'd better learn to tone down the flirtation . . . just a bit."

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