L&O

"Crimson Princess"

Feb. 2004

Serena fell back on her bed and let out a content sigh. The day couldn't have gone any better; Judge Bradley had denied the idiotic "Motion to Dismiss", Jack had taken her for a spin on his motorcycle followed by an exquisite lunch at a quaint Italian café, and Jack allowed her to cross- examine one of the witnesses. Days like these were precious gems which Serena cherished. Today registered as an elegant, classy ruby.

Serena fidgeted, adjusting herself, trying to get more comfortable, and mulled over the day's events. She drank the memories slowly and thoughtfully, just like the red wine she and Jack had shared at lunch...

"Only the most luxurious fabrics in stunning hues," Jack bellowed.

"Accessorize her with a Kate Spade and Prada shoes!" Anita commanded.

"A facial is in order! To replenish her unparalleled, smooth, luxurious skin, reminiscent of my momma's pie crusts, and soothe her soul," Arthur advised fondly.

"How 'bout one of those high-tech Palm.Chauffeur.thingies? That would complete her appearance," Lennie offered.

Ed walked in on the brouhaha, and seeing his affiliates fulfilling her deepest desires, threw in a comment of his own. "Deck her out in the finest bling-bling, yo! I can hook you up, Serena!"

Serena was on Cloud Ten (Cloud Nine did not include associates catering to her every need and doting upon her non-stop) and soaking up every moment. She was being fitted for a breathtakingly beautiful dress for the First Annual Change-up Dance. The idea was proposed by Ed and would entail a dance where someone from the DA's office had to invite someone from the Squad. Secretly, Ed hoped the lovely Serena would bless him with her invitation.

One of Anita's assistants had presented her with an assortment of Kate Spade bags and a line of Prada's newest shoes. Anita appreciated high- quality designer items and hoped that she had and Serena had that in common.

In ten minutes, she would be whisked away in a stretch-motorcycle, compliments of Jack, to fulfill Arthur's suggested facial. Serena had never had a facial before. Arthur was hoping she would enjoy it as much as he enjoyed those delicious, buttery piecrusts...

Adorable Lennie, with his lack of technology knowledge, and confusion between pilots and chauffeurs, was too much for words. She graciously accepted Lennie's gift and decided to enter him into the address book first. If Lennie found out, he would roll over like a dog yearning to have a belly-rub, and make himself available to satisfy her every whim. Anita wouldn't approve of that type of behavior; 'Best to keep it a secret,' Serena told herself.

In all the confusion, no one saw Serena clench her fists triumphantly and plaster a smile on her face. She was in her element. 'I knew I was meant to be a queen of somewhere, or an important woman in the public's eye, or President!' Serena contemplated.

As Jack turned around and approached her, Serena regained her air of dignity and seriousness. "Serena, you are the picture of royalty. You are a princess in a category all your own." Standing on a marble pedestal, metaphorically and physically, she had a good six inches on Jack. Seductively, she draped her arms around his neck and drew him in close. Jack breathed in sharply. He gingerly moved a luminous strand of blonde perfection out of her face and rested his forehead against hers. Shocked by his reaction, Serena blinked, the image of his pleased face burned on her eyelids, and opened them to find.

Jack kneeling down near her bed, his face awfully close to hers, gently nudging her awake. "Jack?" Serena inquired groggily, "What are you doing here? It's." she looked at her clock, "just barely 6:30 in the morning."

"We have that meeting in Judge Daniel's office in an hour. I thought we'd go for some bagels first," Jack explained.

Just her luck, a cursed meeting to remove her from her brilliant dream. "How could I have forgotten?" Serena asked, not bothering to keep sarcasm out of her voice. "Okay, Jack, give me ten minutes to get dressed."

"Of course," Jack obliged. As he exited her bedroom, he turned around curiously, eyebrow raised.

"What, Jack? I know that face." Serena commented.

"Yes, I am your princess,". Whom, exactly, was that directed towards?"

Serena blushed in more shades of red than the previous day's ruby-standards and the wine at lunch combined. She rushed to come up with a clever quip, but satisfied the question quickly in her mind. Jack, of all people, should know that a princess never reveals her secrets.