Disclaimer: I own nothing.

– – –

Tara entered her apartment and found Denise inside with pizza and pop—water, for herself, of course. She grinned widely and removed her coat and scarf, tossing them on the arm of the couch. She would hang them up later, but for now she had a blonde to greet and words weren't how she planned to do it. It'd been a long day, and she just wanted to curl into bed with her and do something. Hell, it didn't even matter what they did.

Tara greeted her with a kiss. "How did you get in here?"

"I had the super let me in. I may have lied and said I was a potential roommate and wanted to look over the apartment. I must have an honest face, because she let me in here without even questioning me."

"Or Lilly told her about you. She chatters to anybody who will listen, and the super is one of those people." She hoped anyway. If not, she needed to talk to her super about letting people into her apartment when she wasn't home. She didn't want to come home and discovered she'd been robbed because her super let just anybody waltz through here. She had nothing of real value but still. She really liked her couch.

"That could have been it too." She gestured to the white and red pizza box laid out on the coffee table. "I wanted to cook, but my session ran late, so I figured pizza would do."

"It smells great." She met her eyes. "Why don't we take this to the bedroom? I assure you it's nice and comfy."

"You eat in your bed?"

"Of course."

She smirked and drew Tara closer. "But I have other plans for your bed tonight, and I'd rather not crumbs and sauce intervene."

"I suppose the couch will just have to do."

"I suppose so." She kissed her tenderly and smiled, stroking her cheek. "I know we were just together last night and this morning, but...it's good to see you."

Tara nodded. "I know what you mean. It's nice coming home to someone."

She stepped back and grabbed a couple plates from the kitchen and pursed her lips, her curiosity getting the better of her. "When was the last time you had someone to come home to?"

"I haven't had someone to come home to ever really." She kicked off her shoes and plopped onto the couch. "I mean...there was one woman I lived for a little bit, but...it's been so a while since then."

"You lived with someone?" She set the plates down and opened the lid, revealing the delicious meal they were about to ingest. "Who was she?"

"Alicia." She folded her legs underneath her and accepted the plate with the slice of pizza on it from her girlfriend. "She was my last serious relationship."

"Oh? Well, what happened?"

"We...fell out of sync." She shrugged a shoulder, trying to play it causal.

"How long were you two together?"

"Uhh, I dunno. Like three years or so."

Her brows shot up to her hairline. "Three years?"

"Yeah, I guess it was a long time." She sheepishly smiled. "I don't believe in "the one" or anything like that, but I figured Alicia was it for me. We met and hit it off right away. She was so beautiful and called me out on my bullshit. She was one hell of a woman."

"You loved her?"

She nodded. "I really did. She was the opposite of me in nearly every way, and people said it'd be the end of us. We were too different. She was the type to follow and do whatever she was told if she believed in the cause enough, and that's not who I am. She could be ruthless, relentless, and she always made me feel safe, that was for sure." She sighed and tucked loose hair behind her ear. "She had such passion, and I admired her for it. She would go on rants and raves about this and that, and she really wanted to make a change. She did, in a way."

"Passion isn't always a good thing," Denise commented.

"True."

Denise could see she wasn't going to say more, so she changed the topic. "Why did you break up?"

"We grew apart. The job pulled me in one direction, and her passion pulled her in another. We fought all the time, she'd say I didn't support her or have faith in her, and she'd end up in tears, screaming at me. I couldn't even fight back. I was too exhausted from work to fight." She began to lose her appetite at the memories flooding her mind. "Eventually...it came down to her or the job. We were having a good time, enjoying dinner, and my phone rang. She wouldn't let me answer, just thew the ultimatum at me, but I couldn't ignore the Captain. I couldn't ignore my training, and I told her we could talk about it later.

"But she didn't want to talk about it anymore. She told me to answer the phone, that it was okay, and I thought she meant me answering the phone. I thought she meant going to the crime scene and doing my job." She lowered her eyes. "She really meant...it was okay for me to choose the job over her, and by the time I got home that morning, she was gone."

"Oh, God."

"She made me realize then that I probably won't..." She trailed off, not wanting to let Denise know about her reservations on relationship as a cop. "Uh, never mind."

"You can tell me."

She blew out air. "We had a lot of plans, you know? We used to talk about getting married and adopting kids and moving into a bigger place to raise our family and to grow old. We used to talk about it all the time in the beginning, but near the end we stopped. We pressed pause on that part of relationship, and once we broke up, I figured I wouldn't have that. I'd just have Meg and Nate. I'd just be Aunt Tara."

"You want kids?"

"Just one," she murmured. "Maybe two, but I dunno. It's been a while since I've even thought about it."

"Hmm."

"Why do you ask? You don't want kids?"

"I've never thought about it," she admitted. "I don't really have time for relationships, and the ones I've been in typically didn't last long enough to even consider adoption and marriage and living together."

"So I have more experience than you? Granted she did leave me, but still."

"So it seems." Denise bit into her pizza.

Tara met her eyes. "I hope this one has a better chance than that one."

Denise flushed. "Me too."

– – –

"How are you feeling today, Meghan?" Eric smiled warmly at the young girl, finding his seat and motioning for her to sit too.

"I'm okay."

"All right." He leaned back. "So, how did you sleep?"

"Eh." She shrugged a shoulder. "Mom won't let me take the pills they prescribed me to help me sleep, so...I don't really."

"Why won't she let you take the medication?"

"She thinks I'm an addict." She ran her eyes around his office, finding degrees and pictures on the walls. "It's not like I took those pills willingly. I did at first, but only one or two."

"Why'd you take them?"

Her eyes found his, and she sighed. "I don't know."

"You do know."

"Okay, so everyone else was taking them, and I didn't want to be left out. Bandwagon."

"You took the pills, because you didn't want to feel like you do."

She shifted in her seat. "Like what? What do you think I'm feeling?"

"I'd say you have high anxiety, which is why you're picking at the hole in your jeans, and I'd say you feel an overwhelming sadness. I suspect you don't know why either."

"Well, it could be my rape or my kidnapping or my memories of being held in a dingy little house plaguing my waking hours." She shrugged. "I mean—and I'm just spit balling here—but I think it could be one of those."

"You felt like this even before all of that." He noticed she paled. "You're not the type to hide behind sarcasm. Don't channel your aunt. Tell me about you. Be you."

"Why?" Her voice was hoarse, and tears sprang up behind misty eyes. "I suck. I'm a stupid girl who was nearly prostituted out!"

"You don't suck."

"You don't know me!" Meghan erupted. "You don't know the first damn thing about me, so don't pretend you do! I'm a moron! I let those things that happened at that house happen, because I'm so stupid! I caused my mother and aunt so much pain and worry. If I had been killed or—or sold...my mom would never have recovered."

"A lot of people were worried about you, because they care about you."

"Well, they shouldn't. I'm just an idiot who got what she deserved."

"You didn't deserve what happened to you."

"You don't know that I didn't," she retorted.

"What could you have possibly done in your fourteen years of life to deserve being kidnapped, starved, drugged and repeatedly raped?"

She was silent.

"You want to blame yourself," he inquired, "why? Is someone blaming you?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "People say things."

"What people?"

"The girls I got to school with. I went with my mom to get my missed work and the work for the next couple of weeks, and I heard the girls talking about it. They said I should be grateful. I lost my virginity to a hot guy, that they wished they were so lucky." She rolled her eyes, a tear slipping free. "It wasn't like they think. I don't know what they're watching, but they're wrong to wish that, to think that!"

"They are."

"But how can I tell them that? How can I make them understand any of it when I initiated it? I wanted it?" She buried her face in her hands. "I want to testify against him, but it doesn't look good. Mom won't say it, but I know. I was drunk and high and asked for it."

"You were drunk and high and unable to consent, and on top of that, you're a minor—fourteen years old—you can't give consent. He supplied the booze and the pills; he's the one to blame here, Meghan, not you."

She peeked at him without saying a word.

"You can't hold yourself responsible. You were lured in by predators. You were selected by body type and age, and they seduced you and the other girls. None of you are to blame. You could have done things differently, like tell your mother about Malick, but that's all. They would have persuade you, had you gone willingly or ran. They had you in their cross hairs, and...they pulled the trigger. It's not on you."

"So even if I told my mom or backed off, they still would have come after me?"

"Yes. That's how they operate. They find their targets and close in. Willing or not, they would have taken you and done what they did, perhas even worse as you would have resisted." He searched her eyes. "There's nothing to blame yourself for."

"There's plenty to blame myself for," she argued.

"Well, it's a good thing we have half an hour left and Thursday." He smiled. "I'll prove just how wrong you are."

She faintly returned his smile. "Good luck."

––

Tara spoke with Lilly the following week, the trial was starting on Thursday, and she'd just learned that Meghan was going to testify against the young asshole. She didn't know what she going to say to try and deter Lilly, but she learned that this was something Meghan needed to do for herself, for her recovery. She didn't approve, not one single bit, because the defense was going to tear into her. They were going to chew her up and spit her back out. Tara wasn't sure she would be there to witness it and not want to punch the little weasel out. She might have to call Denise on the day to come and keep her calm.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Tara looked over her niece who was about to do a mock testimony with Barba, and somehow Meghan looked even younger. Lilly had clipped her hair back out of her face, braiding it down the back, and she wore this little blue pant suit. She looked all ready for Halloween as a business woman, and it was adorable. It would make the jurors feel dreadful for her should the defense tear into her like Tara knew they would.

"I'm sure." Meghan nodded. "I need to do this."

"I'm going to be right here."

"I know." She smiled and hugged her aunt tightly. "You and Mom both."

"Yeah." She smoothed her hair down. "And on the day you'll have me and Noah and Beth and Denise and Mom. We'll be here for you. Hell, even my whole squad will be here for you, kid."

"I know." She squeezed her. "I'm ready."

"Okay. If you want to stop, just let us know."

She nodded.

"It'll be rough in there, kid, and during you won't be able to stop, so be really sure you want to do this."

"I know, Tara, but I do."

"Tough little cookie." She released her. "Go on now. I'll wait out here, and Lilly's inside."

She nodded and pushed open the door, finding her mom and Barba speaking. She inhaled, praying this breath would give her the strength to see this through, and she joined them. Lilly smiled encouragingly at her, and Barba smiled as a hello.

"You must be Meghan. I've heard a lot about you." He held his hand out for her to shake, and she did. "Good handshake. Firm."

She laughed a little. "Thanks, I guess."

He pulled her closer and led her over to the stand where she'd be sitting and questioned tomorrow. "Are you ready for this?"

She felt her knees trembling. "Y—yeah."

"That's not too assured."

"I'm a little nervous."

"That's okay. Everyone is." He had let go of her hand and met her eyes. "The trick is to just be honest and say your part. It doesn't matter how many times he asks you the question or how many ways, just tell your part honestly. You can't go wrong with the truth."

She nodded. "Right."

"Get up there, and we'll go over it until you're confident."

She nodded again and took the stand, sitting down and resting her hands in her lap.

"Speak clearly and loud enough for everyone to hear you." He approached the bench and winked at her, and she smiled a little. "Now, state your name."

––

It took a full two and half weeks for these fuckers to go to trail due to the severity of the charges and how odd they were pinned to each creep. It gave Tara a headache to think over what man was charged with what, and she was just glad for this day to finally be here. They'd waited along enough, and these assholes needed to be brought to justice before Tara played on her urge to knock the teeth down the throat of one cocky ass blonde.

Meghan testified against the asshole whose name Tara refused to linger on once she learned it. The defense had been brutal, causing several of the girls who were behind Tara and Lilly to bust out into the tears at their memories, and Tara could see it weighed on him. She understood it was just his job. He was hired to defend this man, but good God. She had tell Denise to keep her hand and yank her down if she tried anything, and she'd never been more grateful to be surrounded by family and her team. Lilly had her other hand, and she told her the same, though Noah was on the other side with the same instructions for Lilly. They probably should have put Sasha between them. Mama Michonne and Rosita were ready to jump the man with Lilly and Tara for the panic attack he'd given Meghan in having her recall the events at the house. She struggled through it, but she managed.

Now it was time for the big finish. Lilly held Meghan close, Tara couldn't be sure who was holding the other one's hand tighter, her or Denise, and they all said a silent prayer that the jury wouldn't be fooled by his baby face, money and silver tongue. The other men had gone down for their crimes, and now it was his turn. Please don't let that damned mask win!

"We find the defendant not guilty on the charge of kidnapping," the female announced.

Meghan's heart dropped, and she hugged her mom tighter.

"We find the defendant guilty on the charge of rape—"

There was a loud cry from multiple parents who had been to all the trials for these fuckers, Lilly and Meghan both turned to hug Tara, and Tara pulled Denise in to it, refusing to be the only one crushed by this group hug, and Michonne and Rosita listened for the other charges he was found guilty on. Noah held his breathe until the judge said how long this asshole would be locked away, and when it left his lips, his heart nearly stopped. Justice had been rightly served in a rape case. He'd rarely seen that happen, but hot damn, it just did.

Meghan wriggled free from the group hug to approach the girls who had come to her trial, and she apologized for her behavior at the house. Lilly and Tara watched the girls speak for a short time, ending with a brief hug, and Meghan waved as they departed. Lilly wrapped her arms around her brave little girl, Tara thanked her team for being there for Meghan, and they headed out to grab a celebratory dinner.

Tara stopped and glanced back. "I'll catch up in a second."

Denise nodded. "Okay."

Tara caught Barba before he headed out and held her hand out. "Thank you for taking this case and for fighting for these girls and my niece."

He smiled somewhat and shook her hand. "It's my pleasure." His eyes moved to the blonde waiting for her, and he picked up his briefcase. "Take care of her, okay?"

"I will."

– – –

Dinner had been great. Meghan was smiling the entire time, Lilly had lost a weight off her shoulders, and they opened a couple bottles of wine. Meg and Nate had their pop, though Meghan seemed grateful to have cola, and Nate was pestering his mom for "the red" stuff she was drinking. He wanted to know if it was blood. Apparently his grandfather told him wine was blood, and you have to drink it to become an adult. The poor kid did not want to grow up now, but that was good. Staying young was good. Well, for some people.

"So," Denise leaned toward Meghan while Tara and Noah and Lilly lightly argued over the bill, "how are you feeling?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure. I'm happy he was found guilty and will be locked up for a long time, but... I dunno. I guess I expected to feel...better about having beaten him or something." She traced a line in the precipitation on her glass with her fingertip. "I still feel the same, though."

"It'll take time for you to find yourself feeling "normal", but it'll happen." Denise smiled heartedly at the young girl. "Don't be so hard on yourself. Healing takes time."

"How much time?" She peeked at the woman sheepishly. "I feel like I should be better now. I feel like Mom wants me to wake up and be okay again, but I don't know what okay is. I don't know if I will ever feel or be okay in the way I used to be again, and I'm scared."

"Why are you scared?"

"I'm scared I'll lose my friends. After what happened...nobody's visited or called me. I've tried to chat with a few via text, but no one replies. I'm like a leper or something."

"Your mom asked your friends to give you some space is all. She was just trying to keep them from asking you about the kidnapping and assault. She's trying to protect you."

"She always is." She smiled faintly. "Do you think Carl will still be my friend? And Andre? I mean, will they only stick around 'cause their mom works with my aunt?"

"I think Carl and Andre will want their friend to be okay," Denise replied. "And I think they'll be your friends, no matter who your aunt or their mom works with."

Her smile widened. "Really?"

"Really. I've met them, and they're good kids. They'd probably be calling you twenty-four seven if their mom allowed them to."

She nodded. "Thank you, Denise."

"It's the truth. You don't need to thank me."

Tara smiled at the sight of Meghan and Denise chatting softly, and she decided to let Lilly and Noah continue to argue while she paid for dinner. They could make it up to her with great birthday gifts. It was too good of a night to argue, even playfully, so she was paying. Then she was going to walk Lilly and Meghan to their car and say good night. She only hoped Denise didn't have plans on saying good night just yet.

"You're underhanded," Lilly mused on the walk back to the car. "I should have known you were up to something. You were being too quiet."

Tara set her hand over her own chest. "It's not my fault you and Noah aren't mature enough to let me pay the bill without using dirty tactics."

"Uh-huh." Lilly rolled her eyes and stopped by the car. "Well, thank you. It was a good night."

"Thank Denise. She suggested the place." Tara smiled sweetly at her girlfriend.

"Actually, I would like to have you over for lunch tomorrow," Lilly remarked. "Just you, not Tara."

"Why?" Tara narrowed her eyes.

"It doesn't concern you." Lilly smirked. "I just want to have lunch with her. Can you make it?"

"Yeah, I should have some time on my hands tomorrow around one." Denise nodded.

"Great."

"Don't trust her alone with Denise," Meghan whispered. "She's going to Dad-talk her."

"I know, kid." Tara tossed an arm around her shoulder. "There's no avoiding it, I'm afraid. Just wait till you find a boyfriend."

"I think I'm off dating for the rest of my teenage life."

"Good. I can't legally run background checks on all the little immature teenagers you might date." Tara smacked a loud kiss to her temple, Meghan groaned and tried to escape, but Tara wouldn't let her. "You're my most precious niece. I'd have to kill them."

"I'm your only niece."

"So?" She freed the girl and smirked. "Still my favorite."

Meghan smiled and hugged her tightly. "I love you, Aunt Tara."

"I love you too, kid." She squeezed her and kissed the top of her head. "You get some sleep tonight, okay?"

"I'll try."

Tara released her and smiled. "Good night, kid."

"Good night." She turned to say goodbye to Denise while her mom pulled Tara aside.

"What's up?" Tara studied her sister.

"Nothing." She embraced her. "Thank you for being here today."

"Of course. I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"I know." She stepped back. "Now, get home safe, okay?"

"You too." She narrowed her eyes. "And don't Dad my girlfriend tomorrow, okay?"

She sucked air through her teeth. "I can't promise I won't. Sorry, kid."

"Get out of here." Tara playfully pushed Lilly toward her car. "Good night."

"Night."

They watched Lilly and Meghan drive off, Tara stood there for a moment, processing the events of the day, and Denise exhaled beside her, a puff of white chasing her breath. They ambled toward Tara's car, and Denise looped her arm through her girlfriend's, enjoying the first silence of the day. It was silence while the jury was in deliberation, but it was a compressing silence, not like this. Serene. Hopeful. Warm. It was nice.

"All right," Tara broke the silence, shifting to face her girlfriend beside her car, "one question."

"And what would that question be, detective?" Denise cocked her head to the side, thoroughly amused by Tara's expression and tone.

"It's a very complex question. You might have to think on it." She wrapped her arms around Denise and smiled gently. "I'm not sure you can handle it, to be frank."

"Oh, well now I have to know what the question is."

"Okay." She sighed dramatically. "I think you can handle it. Maybe."

"Just lay it on me."

She nodded once. "Your place or mine?"

"Wow, that's a tough question. You were right. I can't handle it." She laughed through her words, and her hands found Tara's weather-chilled cheeks. "But I'm definitely leaning towards your place."

"Mine, huh?" Tara leaned closer. "Why mine?"

"Because," Denise whispered, "it's closer."

Tara bobbed her head. "That's a good point."

"I know." She kissed her. "I make many good points. Remind me tell you about them."

"I'm sure I'll be far too distracted to even speak."

"I'm sure you will be too." Denise kissed her once more. "Let's get out of here before we break any laws."

"As you wish." Tara unlocked her car, and Denise rolled her eyes, smiling. "Your chariot awaits you."

"My chariots needs some color then."

"Hey, don't insult the car. It can hear you." She patted the window. "It's okay. She didn't mean it."

"Yes, I did," Denise whispered at the car before stepping off the sidewalk to walk around to the passenger seat.

"Okay, if it doesn't start," Tara opened her door and jokingly glared at her, "we know who's to blame."

They climbed inside, Tara flicked on the heat at the feel of Denise's cold hands moments ago, and she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. Denise looked over at the sound of it, and Tara dug it out, seeing it was Espinosa.

"What is it?" Denise searched her face. "Is it a case?"

"No." She texted back and set her phone down. "She wanted to see how Meghan was doing. She couldn't make the trial or dinner."

She nodded. "You seem close."

"Me and Rosita?"

"No, you and your whole team. I knew you all were close, having worked with Sasha and being friends with Rosita, but seeing it and being around it really shows how much. It's incredible." She reached over and grasped Tara's hand. "It's reassuring too."

"Reassuring?"

"I know they'll have your back through anything. It doesn't make me worry any less, but I know I don't have to worry about you ever going in alone."

Tara brushed her thumb over Denise's knuckles. "I know dating a cop isn't easy, and I can't say I'll be okay, but I'll always do everything I can to come back to you and my family."

A light pink burned against those honey freckles, and Denise grinned broadly. "Well, that's good to know." She laced her fingers through Tara's. "And I'm always going to be here for you, Tara, no matter what happens."

"I know, and even if you tried to leave, I'm a cop. I can track your ass down." She smirked.

"You're lucky I like you and your sarcasm." She pulled her hand free to buckle herself in.

"You're the lucky one to have all of this." She waved a hand over herself, grinning like a goof.

Denise giggled. "Shut up and take me home."

"I thought we were going back to my place." She paused in reaching for the steering wheel.

"I meant your place." She moved blonde hair from her face, not seeing the tender affection in Tara's eyes.

"Okay." Tara's goofy grin melted down into a barely there smile she'd only given once before in her life, and she knew what she'd told Lilly the other week had been accurate. She could really love her. "Let's go home."