Penultimate chapter – how exciting? Thank you for all the great comments and reviews, I do really appreciate them. I'll post the final final (short as anything) part before too long. So – 'ere iz le part de almost done!

- - -

Chapter TEN – Charge of the Law Brigade

"Mrs Ryan, Iris has been tremendously helpful." Said Elliot, returning the girl to her mother.

"How are you doing sweetheart?"

"Fine mom. Alex was really nice."

"The ADA?" Her mother leant forward, smiling knowingly. "Was he good looking?" She asked, remembering what Olivia had said. Her daughter gave her an odd look.

"It was a she... When will the trail be?" She said, turning to Elliot, leaving her mother looking quite confused.

"First there's an arraignment hearing, where he'll enter his plea, then you'll testify some time after that. We'll call you. Take care." He said, walking them out of the squad room.

"Hey Elliot, we have it!" Said Olivia, coming back in to the squad room – Alex close behind her brandishing the blue DNA warrant – the two of them interrupting Elliot's coffee making.

"That girl will do anything for you huh?" He asked Olivia, smiling. Olivia and Alex both blushed slightly, and gave the same sheepish smile. Elliot just rolled his eyes.

- - -

"A warrant." Said Alex, handing the blue folded paper to Wallace's lawyer. Elliot and Olivia came in behind her. "For your client's DNA."

The attorney sighed. "That was quick."

"We found the knife, the photos, the bloody clothes, the cocaine. We have fingerprints and your client was picked out of a line-up." Listed Alex, as Olivia took the swab and handed it to Elliot, who left to take it to the lab. Olivia sat down next to Alex.

"Do you even need the DNA..." said the attorney, dryly. Alex smiled.

"I like to be thorough"

"My client would like to deal. Can you take the death penalty off the table?"

"Why?" Said Alex, utterly astounded that this woman was even trying.

"My client's aunt was schizophrenic, my client may have a disposition to mental defect or disorder. To add to that, his mother was an ex-model turned manic depressive. It's entirely possible that Mr Wallace did these things because of a difficult relationship with the modelling industry as a whole."

"Then why become a model's assistant? How long were you planning this?" Asked Olivia, seeing the huge great big gaping hole in that argument.

"Don't answer that." Snapped his attorney.

"An alcoholic stays away from alcohol, your 'client' should have stayed away from the modelling industry if he had any resentment for it!" Said Olivia. Was this not clear to him? Obviously not. His attorney ignored her.

"A relative of a schizophrenic is eighteen times more likely to develop the disorder themselves." Said the attorney – enunciating so very clearly.

"Twist what you will and I'll see you at the arraignment." Said Alex, pleasantly, standing up to go.

"Bitch." Said Wallace. Alex didn't even blink.

"I've been called worse." She said, walking out of the room, Olivia right behind her.

- - -

"It doesn't bother you?" Asked Olivia, softly. She had followed Alex to the bathroom to try and get a minute with her. The bathrooms were empty and, like a pair of teenagers, the two had stolen a quick but deep kiss on entering.

"What?" Asked Alex, washing her hands and running her fingers through her hair.

"Scum like that calling you names, being abusive"

"Happens to you too." Alex pointed out. "Occupational hazard. 'Bitch' is a popular one. Listen, Cragen told me to take some time off after the trial."

"You should Alex, get a few days rest, It'll be-"

"He knows." Interrupted Alex, turning to look Olivia in the eyes. Olivia stood still for a minute, before sighing and rubbing her aching neck.

"Shit..." She murmured under her breath.

"And I think George does too, although that doesn't worry me"

"Why not?"

"Olivia, George and I are friends, we have lunch together sometimes. He talks about his partner a lot." It took Olivia a couple of seconds to understand the significance. "I know, I know, I wanted to keep it quiet just as much as you did, but it looks like it's seeping out."

"Well, so long as we're careful. I guess I don't mind the team knowing."

Alex sighed. "I wish I could say the same about my colleagues in the DA's office. There are a lot of very conservative judges. And I call in a lot of favours."

"I'll talk to Elliot. He can tell me what people know, or think they do, and he'll talk to Fin and Munch, keep it discrete. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you Liv. I hate doing this but, for the moment, I need to."

"S'fine." Olivia was about to say something else, but she didn't, and Alex didn't press her.

"Elliot looks a little bit like a penguin, don't you think?" Said Alex, suddenly. Olivia did a double take, then burst out laughing. "It just suddenly occurred to me..." Alex smiled. Olivia beamed back. Alex swooped in and kissed her swiftly. "Let's go."

- - -

"Docket number 269501, people versus Wallace. One count sexual misconduct, one count rape in the first degree, one count attempted sexual assault of a minor, two counts murder in the first degree. Defendant is Boyd Wallace, council for the defence Rebecca Finchley, Alex Cabot for the people." The court clerk read out the charges, Judge Cohen picked up the arraignment hearing file from his desk, opened it. He glanced at Alex and at Wallace's attorney.

"Miss Finchley, how does your client plead?"

"Not guilty your honour, by reason of mental disorder or defect."

"The people object, your honour. The defendant has been assessed by an FBI psychiatrist who found absolutely no sign that the defendant has any mental disorders, or that he lacked the capability to make a moral judgement while slaughtering two of his victims. He knew what he did was wrong but he went ahead and did it anyway" Added Alex for emphasis – earning a warning look from the judge in return.

"Is that true, Miss Finchley? Was the defendant assessed?"

"Yes your honour – but only very briefly and by only one psychiatrist, the defendant has a schizophrenic aunt, he is eighteen times more likely than the average person to develop the disorder!"

"Save it for the trial. Does your client wish to change his plea?"

Finchley leaned over to Wallace, they exchanged a few whispered words.

"No your honour."

"We'll talk in my chambers. You'll be seeking the death penalty, Miss Cabot?"

"Yes your honour."

"And bail?" He asked.

"Remand your honour. The defendant has no ties to the community, he knows and could target many other women. We believe him to be a flight risk-"

"My client has limited funds-"

"But enough, your honour. And the violent nature of the crimes speaks for itself."

"I'm inclined to agree. Defendant is to be remanded in custody pending trial. Council to chambers please."

- - -

The second the door was closed behind them, both Alex and Rebecca Finchley started to speak, but Judge Cohen held up a hand to stop them.

"I don't want to hear it. Miss Finchley, have your client assessed by more psychologists if you so wish. Miss Cabot, bring yours to testify for the prosecution. We shall let a jury decide. Clear?"

Alex nodded, as did Finchley.

- - -

"What did they say?" Asked Olivia, her and Elliot ambushing Alex the second she came out of judge's chambers.

"You lying in wait for me now?" Asked Alex, with a little smirk.

"Her idea." Said Elliot, pointing to Olivia. "What did the judge say?"

"He said we can fight it out in court."

"Bitch fight!" Teased Elliot. Alex shot him a look.

"Don't you start!"

"Miss Cabot. I don't think we've properly met." Alex turned around to find Rebecca Finchley standing behind her. The woman was tall, thin, with a face that was probably older than she actually was. She was holding out her hand. Alex didn't hesitate to shake it. She couldn't imagine why anyone would take the case – and try and fight it, but she had learnt long ago that a lawyer should not be judged by their actions in court. Miss Finchley was hanging on to a sinking ship, and Alex wanted her case/win ratio to come out on top. Might as well earn her paycheck.

"Miss Finchley. I'll see you in two days."

Finchley nodded and left.

"Two days?" Asked Olivia.

"That's when we start. I have plenty of time to prepare."

"You're not even remotely concerned?" Said Elliot, raising his brow in mild surprise.

"No," Said Alex, immediately. "I like a case I can win. Judge will ask for unanimous jury, so long as no one on that jury is schizophrenic or a failed model I should be fine. Dinner?" She added, suddenly, looking straight at Olivia. Elliot cleared his throat and made a quick excuse.

"Sure. Where?"

"In between your legs, detective" growled Alex, leading the way out of the courtroom.