"Wow. Just wow," Sarah smiled as she looked at Jay.

Jay fidgeted uncomfortably. "I don't look dumb?"

Sarah's face softened. "You look great," she took in the sight of her girlfriend standing in front of her in a skirt and smart white shirt. "I don't think I've ever seen you wear a skirt before."

"I don't expect you'll see it again," Jay grimaced. "I just... I don't want to embarrass your mom. She'll have enough to cope with."

"I don't think there's any need for you to dress up. But that's such a kind thought."

"I don't want to let either of you down," Jay said.

"You never have, and you never will. You know," Sarah's head tilted to one side as she looked closely. "I could get to like seeing you in a skirt."

"Don't get used to it," Jay said darkly. "I'll be back in my jeans as soon as possible."

"You look great whatever you wear. It's nice to see your legs though. You have great legs, have I ever told you that?"

"Many times," Jay kissed her softly. "So this is okay?"

"Very okay. Do you know what you're going to say to her?" Sarah looked a little tense.

"I don't know," Jay said. "I think I'll just see how it goes."

Sarah nodded. "Go with the flow. You're very good at finding the right thing to say. Just having someone there's gotta make it easier for her. God, this is so weird, huh? A few weeks ago, and mom and I weren't even speaking."

"I'm glad you are now. How about you?"

"I'm glad too. I hate how it happened, but it has made me think about what's important. And it's taught me the importance of forgiveness. Don't let me fuck up with our children, not like she has."

Jay smiled. "There's no chance that will ever happen. We'll do lots of things wrong, but nothing like that."

"I hope that's true," Sarah's voice was small. "I can get real snarky sometimes."

"Snarky's allowed. We all get snarky from time to time. I haven't seen it from you yet though," Jay smiled. "Is this something I have to look forward to?"

"Just you wait," Sarah said wryly.

Jay took her in her arms. "We can be snarky together," she said.

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Jay arrived at the courthouse 20 minutes early, and was startled to see Carolyn already seated in the waiting area.

"Jay?" Carolyn's voice was faint. "What are you doing here?"

"I talked to Sarah," Jay said, sitting on the chair next to her. "We realized having her here would just add to your stress. But we didn't want you to be alone. I can leave if you want?"

Carolyn looked startled. "I... I didn't expect... I thought...," she struggled to control herself.

"I don't want to make this any harder for you."

"It's not that," Carolyn said hastily. "I'm just surprised. And touched. And, if I'm honest, I'm relieved. I'm dreading this."

Jay nodded. "We thought you would be. I don't have to come in with you. You tell me what you'd like."

"Would you?"

"Of course, as long as I'm not intruding," she took her hand. "I know there will be some things you don't want me to tell Sarah, and I swear I won't. I want to protect her as much as you do."

"Mrs Lomas?" Caryn's head appeared round the corner.

"Actually I'm reverting to my maiden name," Carolyn said.

"I don't blame you," Caryn smiled. "It's good to meet you. I'm Caryn Wright, and I'm going to prosecute the hell out of that bastard."

Carolyn gave a weak smile. "Is it okay if I bring my... well, she's kind of my daughter-in-law. Outlaw, I suppose," she tried to laugh.

"Of course," Caryn said. She led them both along the corridor. "So you're a Cabot now, then?"

Carolyn nodded.

Caryn grinned. "Just please tell me you're not as awkward as Alex!"

"I thought you called her 'Teflon'?" Carolyn tried to match the banter.

Caryn winked. "Among other things," she said.

"Why Teflon?" Jay asked curiously.

"I heard Detective Munch call her that, and it suits her perfectly. Whatever she does, it never seems to stick."

"It?" Jay laughed. "I'll just guess what it is."

"Sh," Carolyn offered, causing Caryn to burst out laughing.

"I think I'm going to like you," Caryn said, showing her to a seat in her office.

"Will that help?" Carolyn's mood sobered.

"It won't hurt," Caryn replied. She took out a folder and flicked through it. "The first thing you should know is that his lawyer's already asking for a deal. He'll cough to assault and reckless endangerment if..."

"No!" Carolyn interjected.

Caryn smiled. "That's what I wanted to hear. My plan is to take this to court. It'll be harder on you, having to face his lawyer, and to see him sitting there in the court. But I am confident, very confident, that we'll get 25 years for the rape, and at least a further 20 for attempted murder. He left you on that roof to die. And," she lowered her voice, speaking as gently as she was able, "that was a brutal assault. He's trying to intimidate you into not testifying, but if you do, I'm sure, damned sure, that we'll win. If you think you can cope."

"I can cope," Carolyn said firmly.

"It won't be easy. But I'll coach you. And I know you likely won't want to discuss this in detail with your sister, but that hot cop she lives with will be able to give you advice too, if you want to talk to someone. We will get a conviction, if you can just hold firm."

"I'll be as firm as you need," Carolyn tried to stop her voice shaking.

"You'll have to commit to this. We're going to need a lot of preparation."

"I have nothing better to do. Bring it on."

Jay touched her arm briefly, and smiled encouragingly. "You're very brave," she whispered.

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"I wonder how they're getting along," Olivia mused.

"Caryn knows what she's doing. Maybe it's a good thing I'm not working right now," Alex replied. "It'll be easier for Carolyn to be open."

Olivia nodded. "How are you?"

"Anxious," Alex admitted. "I never thought it would be anyone I know. Or that he'd attack you too. It's like a nightmare."

"The worst is over, honey," Olivia's voice was soft. "Once the trial is finished... the trials... we can all go back to normal. Except now," she smiled, "now you have your sister back in your life. Some good has come of it all."

"Lily has an aunt," Alex smiled. "Isn't it time she woke up?"

"Are you missing her?"

"Yeah. Is that dumb? It is dumb. Considering how much time we spending wishing she'd sleep just a little longer," Alex laughed at herself.

"It's not dumb, sweetheart. I want to see her too. We promised Gracie we'd go over. If she doesn't wake up soon, I'll get her up."

"Let me?" Alex pleaded. "I love it when she's sleepy and snuggly."

"You want to hold our snuggly baby?" Olivia smiled.

"Yeah. I do. Can I go get her?"

"Of course you can. You're her mom too, you don't have to ask me."

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"Are you okay?" Jay took Carolyn's arm as they left the office.

Carolyn nodded.

"That was intense, huh?" Jay's voice was kind.

"Uh huh."

"You want to get some coffee?"

Carolyn shook her head. "Fuck coffee," she said, startling Jay with her language. "I need a drink."

Jay smiled. "I know just the place," she led her out of the courthouse. In a few minutes, they were in a quiet bar.

"Bourbon. No ice," Carolyn said to the bartender.

"Club soda for me," Jay said. "I'm driving," she said, apologetically.

Carolyn nodded. She picked up her glass and drained it in one. She nodded at the bartender, who poured her a second.

"You want to get a booth?" Jay asked.

Carolyn nodded. She picked up her glass from the bar, and followed Jay to a quiet corner. "You were so kind," she said. "I'm so sorry for ever judging you."

Jay smiled. "We're all learning. This is new to us all. I've never had much contact with any of my girlfriends' families. But then, I've never had a girlfriend like Sarah. With her, it's... it's real."

"You love her?"

"I do. I truly do. More than I ever knew I could."

"I'm so pleased," Carolyn said. "She needed to find someone after those terrible things I did. Someone to love her unconditionally for who she is. Someone who didn't want to mold her into something she could never be."

"I like her just as she is."

"I know. I can tell. And that makes me so happy," Carolyn sipped at her drink.

"How are you now?"

"Exhausted," Carolyn admitted. "This is my life, for the next couple of months, isn't it?"

"I think so."

"It'll be worth it. I want him to know that there are consequences. That he can't go around destroying people. I can't bear to think what this has done to Sarah. How is she Jay? Really, I mean? I can't imagine what it is to know something like that about her father."

"That's why you didn't want to pursue this to start with?"

Carolyn nodded. "I hate that she knows."

"She's okay. She really is. It was hard for her. Real hard. She thought she might inherit... she... being a rapist's daughter. She was scared. She didn't trust herself."

"Oh God," Carolyn paled.

"She's alright," Jay put a hand on her arm. "Truly." Jay took a deep breath. "I hate to betray a confidence, but I don't think Olivia will mind. Not in the circumstances. It's not like it's a secret."

Carolyn stared at her.

"Olivia's mother was raped. Olivia is the product of rape. She saw how upset Sarah was, so she told her. It was a very brave thing to do, but it enabled Sarah to see that she didn't have to follow in his footsteps. If someone like Olivia could have such a bad start and still end up so kind and compassionate, it could be alright."

"Oh poor Olivia," Carolyn said. "And still she works at SVU?"

"That's why she works there. She told Sarah she joined initially to try and find her mother's rapist, but it has become about so much more than that. She wants to be there, for the sake of all the victims she comes across."

"I suppose that's how she sees me," Carolyn said. "A victim."

"A recovering victim," Jay said gently. "You will recover, Carolyn. Things will get better."

"I hope so. I want to put all this behind me. I want to move on."

"And you will. You can get your life back. Believe me," Jay took a deep breath. "I know," she said, her gaze steady.

"Are you trying to tell me...?"

Jay nodded, furious as her voice shook. "I didn't want you to think you were alone in this."

"Are you okay?"

"I knew the day I met Sarah that I was going to be okay. And I am. She fixed me," Jay gave a small smile.

"What happened?"

"It doesn't matter. It was an old girlfriend."

"Is she in prison?"

"I didn't prosecute," Jay admitted, suddenly feeling shamefaced. "That's why I was so proud of you this morning, when you didn't take the deal."

"How long ago was it?"

"A little over two years."

"You could still prosecute," this time it was Carolyn's turn to speak gently.

Jay nodded. "Maybe. Right now, I'm more worried about you."

"You don't have to worry. I will be okay. I'm not going to let him win. And I've already taken too much from Sarah. I want her to know she comes first. She's the main reason I'm going through with this."

"She's very proud of you," Jay said.

"And I'm proud of her. And of her life choices. Somehow, even with us as examples, she's done everything right."

Jay nodded. "She's very special."

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Alex sat on Gracie's trampoline, a struggling Lily in her arms. "No," she laughed, talking to the infant. "I am not letting you go, Lily. We both know if I let go of you, you'll be off like a rocket, and you'll find that the ground is not nice and bouncy, not like this. Here," she set her on the surface of the trampoline, holding her between her legs, her arm firmly around her waist. "Let's bounce a little." She bounced gently, loving the giggles of delight that came from her daughter. She was so intent on ensuring that the child didn't escape that she didn't notice Olivia's expression as she watched them.

Olivia found herself intensely moved by the scene in front of her; her goddaughter, her lover and her precious child were playing together so sweetly. Gracie fought against her naturally wild instincts, and was being gentle and considerate. Alex was laughing, her face devoid of make-up, her beautiful soft hair loose around her shoulders. She wore an old t-shirt that hugged her in all the right places, and her favorite jeans, which were worn and soft. Olivia loved it when Alex was relaxed enough not to be 'perfect'. To her, those moments were when she really achieved perfection.

Alex glanced over, and saw Olivia's shining eyes. "Can you watch her?" she asked Gracie.

Gracie nodded enthusiastically. "I do this with Katie all the time," she said. "I'll be real careful, I promise."

"You're a good girl," Alex squeezed her hand affectionately. She climbed off the trampoline and approached Olivia. "Hey," she said softly. "Are you okay?"

Olivia nodded. "I'm in love," she said, in wonder. "I'm in love with the most wonderful woman in the world."

Alex grinned. "Where is she?" she demanded, mock-angrily. "I'll punch her out for muscling in on my woman!"

Olivia stood and faced Alex. She put one hand around her waist, using the other to cup the back of her head. She kissed her, relishing the feel of Alex in her arms. "You," she kissed her again, a shiver running down her spine as Alex's tongue slipped into her mouth. "You make me so happy."

"So why are you crying?" Alex spoke softly.

"Am I? It's you. I could look at you all day. You make everything right."

Alex shook her head. "Not me," she whispered, leaning in for another kiss. "It's you that does that. The world makes sense at last, when you're here."

"I never knew this was possible, Alexandra. This sort of joy."

Alex smiled. "I knew. The moment I saw you, I knew."