A/N: This is probably my last update for a while, I'm in an ass load of AP classes, so I don't have any time to write about non historical figures. Also shoutout to SVU in a Nutshell for giving Munch his business idea, you'll get it once you read.

Chapter XIV

1-6 Precinct SVU Squadroom

Friday, September 22nd, 2000

6:00 AM

I hadn't slept well the previous night. I suppose it was a combination of things: my apprehension about my upcoming surgery, my worry for Lily, her mother, and the little brother or sister her mother was carrying, and my undying passion to nail the sons of bitches who put them in this position. Today, I'd remedy at least one of these things.

My heels clack against the floors of the station as I strut into the squadroom. Today- the day I had to be in early and hadn't managed to get more than a few hours of sleep before- was the most put together I had been all week. I was back in my black skirt, panty hose, crisp white button down, and blazer, my face bore red lipstick and rosy cheeks, and my hair was neatly pinned into a tight roll vertically down the back of my head.

The only person who's arrival preceded mine was the captain.

"Alex, you're up early." He remarks, placing his bag down on his desk.

"Couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about what they did to Lily, and all the fallout it caused her, it makes my skin crawl."

"Of all the cases we've handled, this one bothers you?"

"They all bother me." I reply, hollowly.

"Not like this." His remark is true, I suppose, "Why? Why this one?"

I pause for a moment, racking my brain for an answer. Once I find it, I start to explain, not bothering to string the words together in my head first.

"I grew up in a very conservative household, I wasn't allowed to date, I couldn't wear shirts or dresses without at least cap sleeves, and god forbid anything came above my knee. No R rated movies, or PG-13 until I was at least sixteen, no staying out late, none of it." I say as I make coffee.

"You see yourself in her." He says

"That's the thing, I don't. I snuck around. She can't do that. Not with her father having eyes everywhere with those missionaries. She doesn't get to be normal."

Munch walked in before things got too deep, thankfully. Nothing ruins emotional moments quite like the arrival of the man who once declared that area 51 was a place where the government was working on developing mind control.

"Since when do you get here on time?" Cragan asks.

"Since I realized that I need to have a good work ethic if I ever plan to open my own business." He decaries.

"What?" Asks the man who is most definitely still his boss.

"I'm going to open up a convenience store!" His demeanor is abnormal for the usually irritable and sarcastic man.

"What?" I ask this time.

"I'm going to call it Munchies!" His plan is so stupid Cregan and I can't keep ourselves from laughing.

Fin walks in, "What's so funny?"

"John is going to open up a convenience store and call it 'Munchies'" The captain says in with a smile that means he knows this plan will never come to fruition.

The ex narc detective looks at his partner and says "Your bony ass will go outta business in a week! Assuming you don't get robbed, some patrol cop is just gonna sit in fronta your store and arrest half of your customers."

"Just because the name is slang for a common side effect of a drug, doesn't mean that my clientele is on drugs."

Stabler walks in having heard some of this. "What's going on?" He asks placing his fingers on the bridge of his nose.

"I have a clever business idea and these pessimists just want to ruin my dreams." He deadpans.

"A convenience store called Munchies isn't that clever and you're a pessimist."

"He's right. Stoners aren't that smart, especially when they're high, they'll start coming and some rookie gunning for a promotion will start arresting. You'll have no business."

"Alright, we've crushed Munch's dreams enough for one day, let's go get ready to crush the dreams of these two up and coming young men, shall we?" He gestures to the boys he'd been keeping on ice.

The group of giggling detectives disburse and I take my spot in observation. Olivia places her purse in her desk, the last to arrive, having gotten here seven minutes before the interrogation was set to begin. Fin and Stabler place Jorah in front of the glass in interrogation one. Liv and Munch place Malachi behind me in interrogation two.

"Did you see him do it?" Benson asks.

"No!" He rejects.

"Come on" Munch half whines.

I continue watching, splitting my attention between both of them. Then I hear two angry men bust into the squad room, I walk out seeing Sep Nelis yelling at Cregan, again. The man next to him appears to be an attorney.

"How dare you interview my clients without my being present?"

This is my cue, even though he's still looking at the captain.

"Your clients" I start with such emphasis my voice almost sounds like a growl, "were advised of their rights before they were questioned. They didn't ask for an attorney."

"Sir, why is your secretary yelling at me?" The attorney asks.

Cregan, being the gentleman that he is, steps back and let me have at it.

"ADA Alexandra Cabot" I say, in a tone that flashes me back to the first time Don and I met.

That was long enough ago, however, that I know that he's surprised I'm not biting the guy's head off.

"What? You're an assistant district attorney? I'd never allow my wife to do that, she should be at home and taking care of the house and the children."

His implication that I should be taking care of my kids cuts deep. It brings my mind back to my predicament, reminds me that I may never be able to have kids. Not that I'll let him see that. Now I do what the captain had in mind at first.

"You'd like that, that way you'd be able to win."

"Oh please, a judge is going to throw out anything they say. How long have you been holding them?"

"Jorah, we've had him for about" I look at my watch and do some hasty math " nineteen hours, Malachi he's been in custody for thirteen and a half. Also, Jorah confessed last night so good luck getting him out of this one."

"He was under duress!" The attorney snaps.

"I wish you would give me the courtesy of an introduction before claiming I allowed my detectives to violate the fifth amendment." I loudly shoot back.

"Maliachi told me what happened, Jorah was saving her mortal soul!" Mr. Niles shouts.

What he doesn't realize is that he just gave me my indictment for my charge on Malachi as an accessory after the fact.

"Cap, can you tell them I'm ready to arraign both of them?"

He does as I asked and I call Rossi, I want her to watch this.