Note: Thanks to hisnhers for subscribing! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Since this is the season of giving, please leave a review! A question for my fellow Law & Order and CI fans, since the shows have been off the air for years now, what do you miss about them? I miss the banter between Connie and Cutter and Eames and Goren.

Connie had a smirk on her flawless face when she and Cutter entered the bullpen. Cutter was clearly annoyed before he updated Captain Ross and the detectives.

"We made deals with Eddie, Rodney and Jason but Maggie and Grant insist on going to trial," he told them.

Connie added, "Their lawyers hinted that they're going to plead not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect."

Nodding Barek said, "That's not surprising, when they go to trial Maggie and Lily's rapes become public and go on the legal record. No matter the outcome these five wealthy powerful men, who are also seen as pillars of the community will now be exposed as alleged rapists."

Elliot nodded, "So, Maggie and Grant don't care about going down as long as they get to drag Dreston and his buddies with them…I'm not broken up over that.."

Olivia said, "Yeah well, Maggie is a murderer and a rapist but she's also a victim, all she needs is to get one juror on her side to get a mistrial."

Captain Ross remarked, "Well that's gonna be left up to a jury to sort out. Detectives, you've already done your part and you did it well. Finish your paperwork and then take the rest of the night off."

An eager smile came to Thea's lips, "Paperwork and time off, what a perfect night!"

A hint of a smirk was on Captain Ross's mouth, "I wish some of my detectives had your zeal for paperwork, Detective Ma."

"Don't count on it." Logan casually told him before Ross shrugged and walked back to his office.

An amused expression formed on Lupo's face when he saw Thea's excited reaction.

Creasing his brows, Bernard uttered, "Oh, so you really are a full-on geek."

Thea quickly answered him with her hands on her hips, "Yes and I am damn proud to be one."

Lupo pointed at her, "There's nothing wrong with that and she's even doing the Wonder Woman pose."

She glanced down, "Huh, I didn't even notice that, but I am not spinning."

Munch chimed in, "I wouldn't mind twirling you around."

"I'll pass, partner, that'll give me less time to do my paperwork!" She rubbed her hands together.

Connie answered her mobile phone then addressed Cutter, "It's McCoy, he needs to see us. I'll see some of you next week at.."

Olivia answered, "My place."

Thea enthusiastically nodded, "Yep, Liv's hosting girls' night next week!"

"I am and don't forget to bring your coffee cake." Olivia told Thea.

"Oh I won't."

Connie grinned at her friends, "And I'll bring the empanadas. I'll see ya there."

Cutter jokingly asked her as they started to walk out, "Well that sounds like a real fun night, can I come?"

"Sorry Mike, it's girls' night, no boys allowed."

Logan said to Thea, "Hey Kid, I gotta talk to ya about something in private."

"All right, where to?"

"Just follow me.."

After everyone finished their paperwork, they began putting on their hats, coats, scarves and gloves. Thea walked over to Lupo holding a thick hardcover book.

"Hey Lupo, have you read this?" She held up the book.

He read the title, "The Long Halloween, can't say that I have."

"Then you can borrow my copy, here. It's one of my favorite Batman comic book series!" She smiled at him.

He was surprised and moved by her generosity, "Oh, Thea, you don't have to do that…"

"Lupo, I want you to take it and when you're done you can drop it off at the 1-6."

His head slightly leaned forward and grinned as he accepted the book from her, "OK, thanks."

"It's nothing… do you have plans for tonight? Munch and I are having dinner at my place."

"Uh, sort of. I have to make a quick stop and then I'm gonna spend some much needed time with Otto."

She put on her white knit cap with the Black Canary patch, "Well, I hope you two have a very nice evening."

"Likewise and that's…Black Canary, right?" He pointed at her cap.

She proudly said, "Correct! Goodnight Lupo and you too Bernard."

"Night Thea." He briefly smiled as he watched her and Munch walk out of the bullpen together.

"Goodnight Thea." Bernard nodded at her as he put on his black flat ivy cap. Shaking his head at Lupo, he said, "So that's it? You get a comic book from her but not her phone number? Oh Lupes, your game is weaker than I thought."

He rolled his eyes, "Thanks for the advice, Dr. Phil. Come on, I'll drop you off."

After leaving One Police Plaza, Elliot and Olivia went to Zari's; the former needed to purchase his Christmas presents for his daughters and according to Kathy, Zari's is their favorite clothes store.

He opened the store's glass door for her, "Thanks for doing this Liv. I'm not exactly fashionable."

She entered the store, "Yeah, I can't think of any teenage girl or young woman who wants her Dad buying her clothes. Although, I'm surprised you didn't ask Thea. She's friends with your girls, she has a sharp fashion sense and she's closer to their age."

"I thought about it but then I heard her and Munch making plans and I didn't wanna bother them. Besides, you've known my girls longer and you also have good taste."

Olivia's lips curved into a small grin, "Why thank you - and you are getting me dinner after we're done here."

He briefly smiled, "You're never one to pass up a free meal."

"El, everyone loves free food. This is cute; it would look great on Maureen, what's her size again?" Olivia picked up a dark blue dress.

Elliot looked at his phone, "She's a size 4 and that neckline is gonna make me lose even more hair."

"Oh come on, it's a square neck with long sleeves and the hemline ends just above the knee which is a tasteful length. Maureen's a beautiful, modern and single 24-year-old woman El, not some nun."

He countered, "And what's exactly wrong with her dressing like one of God's wives?"

She laughed and he smiled; after a moment she said, "Moving on, I still can't believe that Maggie and Grant wanna go to trial. I get what Barek said but…we have so much evidence against them!"

He shrugged as he followed her through an aisle, "It's their choice and like you said, all it takes is for one juror to see Maggie as a victim and she gets a mistrial. She and Grant think they have a real shot."

Nodding, Olivia commented, "I hope I'm wrong. My mother had her issues but she never encouraged me to get vengeance or to be an angry person like Maggie did with her sons. I suppose that makes me feel…grateful towards her."

He looked into her dark eyes, "Considering the circumstances and her alcoholism, she did a good job raising you, Liv. You turned out pretty damn well."

His compliment touched her heart and brought a smile to her stunning face, "Uh, thanks El. And you're not so bad yourself…"

They held each other's gaze until she cleared her throat and held up a red blouse, "So, this-this is perfect for Kathleen!"

He warily eyed the v-neck blouse, "Liv, what's wrong with turtlenecks?"

Her dark eyes teasingly rolled as she held back a laugh.

After dropping Bernard off at his apartment, Lupo drove to the Shaws' apartment to update them on the case. In their living room, Pamela and Ben listened to Lupo reveal the details of Jeff's attempted escape and the motive behind the rape and murder of Brie and the other victims. He saw shock, anger and despair on their faces.

Ben remarked, "It doesn't bring back our son but…but it brings us some comfort to know that he fought and tried to save himself and Brie. But Roger? We're friends. We've shared meals together, been to each other's homes, we've gone on fishing trips together. I had no idea that he could..that he was a monster. And him and his buddies, what they did to those girls…they're gonna continue to get away with it…"

Pamela wiped her eyes with tissue, "That's why Sarah hasn't returned my calls today. If I were her, I…I wouldn't know what to say. Her child is dead because her husband, the love of her life, is a rapist."

Lupo took a moment and told them, "So…for the next couple of days, the press and media will contact you both about the case and upcoming trial. If you have family or friends you can stay with who live outside of the city…"

Ben nodded, "We have family up in Dargerville. We were gonna spend Christmas up there. Because of Jeff, uh-our bosses have been really understanding so they're giving us time off early. Detective Lupo, thank you and we thank your partner too for keeping in contact with us."

She agreed as she reached out and held Lupo's hand, "We really appreciate it. I've been reading about cases like this and I've spoken to other parents like us. We at least have answers and our son's killer won't be free, not everyone gets closure but we will and it's because of you and the other detectives. Thank you, so much."

Lupo placed his hand on top of hers and gave her a small sympathetic grin.

Bobby and Lewis were in the observation room watching the former's car being detailed. The specialists were meticulously and proudly working on the black 1965 Ford Mustang.

"Lewis, thanks again for getting your friend to do this for me." Bobby nodded and grinned.

Lewis waved him off, "Aw it's nothing, Bobby! Besides, one of his clients canceled at the last minute so there was an opening and you know me, I'm the man with connections. So, is there a reason why you're getting this done now?"

After a moment, Bobby said, "I need my car to look incredible because um, it involves a Christmas gift that I'm planning to get."

His brow arched as he smirked, "This Christmas gift…is it for Thea?"

Bobby's sigh had a hint of irritation, "Yes, it-it is. But that's all you're getting out of me."

"All right, so did you run with her this morning?"

"Um, actually we and a few other detectives have been working on a case for the past couple of days. We closed it tonight. It's about those trust fund kids who were murdered and raped."

"Ah, I read about that in the paper, it's horrible what happened to them. So, you two have been spending even more time together, niice!"

He scoffed and shook his head, "It was us and eight other detectives. It's not exactly romantic, Lewis."

"Oh come on, you two didn't have any alone time together?"

"Of course we did but it's not what you think. I mean, I pissed her off by accusing of her flirting with another detective so…there's that."

"Real smooth Bobby, real smooth."

He rolled his eyes, "Then I-uh, I made up for it by giving her waffle balls from Chinatown, it's one of her favorite desserts. Anyway, it's been fun and real nice to work with her again."

Lewis nodded, "I bet..so I gotta take this shot, your Christmas gift to her, does it involve you driving her around in your sweet shiny ride?"

"No, she's not really into cars like you and Eames."

His best friend blinked and pulled his head slightly back, "Bobby, are you really sure that you're into her?"

Bobby laughed as he playfully bumped his shoulder with a chuckling Lewis.

In Thea's apartment, Munch answered the door and paid the delivery man. He then took the large brown paper labeled Cho's Eatery on the front in black lettering and went into the kitchen. Milo followed him as his short thick tail excitedly waved.

"Sorry my furry friend, if Thea's catches me feeding you unauthorized treats again she's gonna beat my bony ass." Munch told the canine while he unpacked the brown paper bag.

Thea walked into the kitchen as she held her phone, a large smile touched her full lips, "Eames and Barek just texted me, they're gonna be at my next girls' night!"

"See? I'd told ya she'd come around." Munch nodded at her.

"You did - but I suspect that you and Bobby had something to do with this." She walked over to the refrigerator and removed a plastic gallon of pineapple juice.

With a simple shrug he answered as he refilled his glass of wine, "I can only speak for myself…but we both know how persuasive I can be."

She gave him a side hug with her free arm while placing the jug on the table, "Well I greatly appreciate your help and your powers of persuasion."

"You're welcome…Although I'm surprised that Lupo hasn't contacted you yet…" he gave her a devilish grin.

An annoyed huff of air left her mouth as she sat down, "Really, you too?"

"What's wrong with stating the obvious?"

"Munch, if he wanted to ask me out he would have…and why does his interest in me have to be romantic? Why can't we just be friends?"

He held up his hands as he joined her, "I'm not saying that you two can't be…but the way he was looking at you was far from platonic, mon ami."

"Ya know, if you're so damn sure about your powers of observations then put your money where mouth is, Munch!" She folded her arms.

He countered, "All right, you owe me fifty bucks if he asks you out before Christmas and I'll pay you that much if he doesn't." Munch held out his hand.

She gave his hand one firm confident shake, "You're on! Lupo is simply another geek who is happy to find a comrade at work."

"Oh Thea, you're a smart and highly aware woman but sometimes, your occasional obliviousness and naiveté truly astounds my jaded mind."

There was a slight pout on her full lips and a touch of arrogance in her sweet voice, "I'm gonna really enjoy winning this bet, Detective Decrepit."

Casey was genuinely surprised and thrilled to see Logan show up at her office with dinner from Mama Jean's Kitchen. During their meal, Logan revealed to her Barek's reason for initially leaving Major Case and her recent admission involving her feelings for him. His eyes stayed on her as he spoke and he determined that she had one of the best poker faces he had ever seen.

Once he finished talking, Casey let his words sink in before she replied to him. "All right, so this happened before you even asked me out and you only held her hand, correct?"

"Yes, Counselor and again, it was awkward for us and we felt nothing…"

She nodded and knew that he didn't betray her but she needed clarity, "OK, and that's all?"

"Well, after Barek told me why she transferred, I told Thea the next day. Again, this was before we got together. So…are you upset…angry?"

Casey spoke the truth, "I'm a bit annoyed that Thea knew this before me but you two are practically family, so I get why didn't tell me. But this was before we were an established couple, so…promise not to keeping anything like this from me ever again."

He reached out and grasped her hand, "I promise Casey, we've got something real good here. I'm not gonna screw up."

She smiled when he brought her hand to his lips, "We do and I appreciate that you told me."

"I've been around long enough to know that keeping secrets from your girlfriend never turns out well."

Casey leaned over and planted a sweet peck on his lips, "You're one wise man, Mike."

He shrugged, "I know a couple of things…from doing the wrong things but I've learned from them."

"Well, you're here instead of Staten Island, that's proof."

Nodding, he stated, "True…and there's some been perps that have pissed me off but I'm not gonna lose my temper again," with his free hand cupped her stunning face, "this time around, I have too much to lose."

Her pouty lips pressed against the pad of his thumb, "I know…I love you, Mike."

"I love you too, Casey."

A warm silence passed between them.

She nodded, "So, now I know why Thea never invited Barek to her girls' nights."

Logan grinned and exhaled, "Yeah…that's gonna change, real quick."

Once Eames walked into her sister's house, little 5-year-old Darren happily charged towards her. She enthusiastically scooped him into her arms and kissed his cheek.

"Hi Auntie Alex! We're having burgers for dinner!" Darren told her.

"Hello Darren, and I can't wait; I just love burgers!" Alex smiled at him.

Eames carried her nephew into the kitchen where her sister, Elizabeth, was removing triple layered brownies from the oven.

"Hey there Alex, how was work?" She asked.

"Pretty good, we closed the case. That smells and looks amazing, Liz." She set Darren down on a chair at the table.

"Thanks! Oh and my doctor has a new partner in his practice, his name is Cole, he's single! He's also free this Friday night!"

With a sigh and weak grin, Eames answered, "Sorry, I have plans. I'm going out with friends from work."

Liz shrugged, "All right, I'll give you his card anyway. He's really charming and cute!"

"I bet he is, Liz. They always are." Eames dryly remarked as she grabbed a handful of fries from a bowl on the table.

Liz looked at her phone, "Oh, he just texted me! He's also free on Saturday night!"

Without missing a beat, Eames lied, "I've already got a date, sorry."

"It's OK, who's it with?"

"Just a guy that um, one of my friends from work set me up with. She was really insistent and I owe her."

"All right, as long as you're putting yourself out there, I'm good. But I'm still giving you Cole's card."

She said before eating the French fries, "A girl likes to options, thanks."