2

Serena Southerlyn ducked into her office as quickly and quietly as possible, hoping not to attract any more attention. She had absolutely filled up her attention quotas at work for the entire month. In fact, she had retreated to her office for a chance to reset and collect herself without an audience.

She should have reconsidered footwear though, especially on a day where she needed to finish a task before another could be piled on, as the echoing of her beautiful heels broadcasted her exact location to anyone within earshot. And indeed, they did, as she could see the EADA look up and make a beeline for her.

Serena straightened her posture, closed the file on her desk, took a deep breath and prepared herself for the inevitable onslaught of questions as she removed the melting bag of ice from her head.

"What the hell happened to you?"

Jack McCoy was not known for his empathy, but still, he moved in closer to inspect the alarming condition of his second-chair.

His eyes went wide and he winced as he got a better look. "That's an impressive goose-egg there, counselor."

Serena tapped her fingers against the table in agitation. Any hopes she had for the ice returning her appearance back to normal had just been dashed.

The medic who had attended to her had said the ice would reduce some of the swelling and slow further bruising. So much for that, she thought.

"What color is it now?"

He could see her try and move both of her brows and wince. He cleared his throat. "Well, the color isn't great, but that's not the real problem. The real issue is that the bump is huge. Are you okay? Do you need to go to a doctor?"

"I'm fine. I'm more worried about court this afternoon than I am about myself."

Their current court case involved a homicide with a history of domestic violence. As a team they had decided that the next line of questioning would be better received from Serena.

She did not want to let him have this cross examination. It was a nearly childish notion considering what was at stake, but she had been up half the night preparing for it. She was more than ready, however her condition made her hesitate. "Do you think it'll be too distracting? Should you take the cross?"

"To be honest I just don't know." Jack said. "It might be." He perused her face, taking a step back to take in her appearance in total, and ended up shrugging at her with his patented wide-eyed look. "What happened?"

"Novak happened."

He turned slightly to hide his smirk, but she knew him well enough to know that the jackass was laughing.

Serena dabbed up the condensation from ice with a tissue. "You're looking at the aftermath of forehead meets coffee mug."

He stopped suppressing his laughter.

"What did you do to piss off the SVU, Serena?" He leaned on the corner of his desk, still shaking slightly from trying to hold down his laughing, "You should know better, they're feisty."

"Oh. Right. Yes. This is obviously my fault. I provoked them with my evil plans of minding my own business outside of Judge Bradley's chambers."

Walking behind them, she amended, but only in her head. She was merely walking behind Olivia and Novak. The combined physicality of the two as they practically power walked through the halls could cut a path in any crowd, even a busy courthouse. It should have been safe enough `to walk in their wake. She supposed she shouldn't have been so absorbed in the messages on her phone. She was not about to let Jack know that though, she definitely didn't want to give him that kind of ammunition.

She shook her head he was still looking at her, waiting for an explanation.

"Have you ever noticed just how much Novak gestures with her hands?" I said. "Never be behind that woman when she's pissed about a case."

"Ouch."

She gently probed the area around the goose egg. "I actually saw stars."

It had happened so fast that she was honestly bewildered to find herself on the floor. After she stopped seeing stars, she looked up to berate her attacker.

But Novak was upset and embarrassed enough as it was. She had gone completely pale - which seemed impossible on her already fair skin. She could only babble apologies. Her embarrassment only seemed to make her clumsier, because when she stood to get help, she knocked Serena's briefcase across the hall. They were unable to get anything truly comprehensible out of the woman after that… only 'forehead' 'swelling' 'ice' and 'medical attention.' However, for all of her mortification, Novak was able to arrange for a medic and ice faster than Serena thought possible.

"The ironic thing was that she looked like she was the one who was going to pass out," Serena said. She was thankful the mug was empty. She had been wearing her favorite suit and didn't think she could have suffered more indignity. Shaking her head she, finally, couldn't suppress a little laugh.

"Well, Lumpy," Jack said, bringing her out of her reverie. "We have to go prep our witness one final time."

Serena glared at him and his need of having a sarcastic remark at the ready as if his reputation were built on it.

"Would you prefer Ice Princess?" He continued with a pleased with himself smile.

The melting bag of ice was getting tiresome and was starting to drip again. Serena really felt as she had no other option but to throw it at him.

He didn't duck fast enough.