Chapter 10:

Casey was back in court, right where she belonged. This was her favorite part of the job, guilty verdicts. It made her feel as though she did something great, like she made a difference. It was one hell of a feeling.

The jury came back and sat down in there appropriate seats. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury have you reached a decision?" Petrovsky asked. The first juror, a middle aged African American man, rose to his feet.

"We have your Honor," he said, giving the bailiff a small slip of paper. The bailiff handed the paper to Petrovsky, she read it over quickly before handing it back to the bailiff who gave it back to the first juror.

"Will the defendant please rise." Mary Ellen obeyed. Her lawyer stayed sitting. "On the first count, rape in the first degree, how does the jury find?"

The juror unfolded the piece of paper. "We find the defendant," Casey braced herself. "Guilty." Mary Ellen didn't move, but her eyes burst in flames.

"And on the second count, possession of child pornography, how does the jury find?"

"We find the defendant guilty." Casey smiled proudly. She knew it was an easy case to win, especially when the third juror asked that she turn off the video five minutes in the first one. But it still felt good. Mary Ellen Palenti made Margo's life hell, now it was her turn to live like that.

The judge set the date for sentencing. Casey grabbed her briefcase and walked out of the courtroom, her smile broadening at the sight of Mary Ellen sobbing. It just made the win all the better. Outside the courtroom Elliot, Olivia and Margo were waiting. At her smile they already knew she had won, but they let her tell it anyway.

"Guilty on all counts."

"The jury was only out for ten minutes is that normal?" Margo asked. Casey just smiled wider.

"Not usually." Margo smiled. A genuine smile. Casey was happy that she was the one that put it there. She may not do much, but she did make a difference in this young girl's life. She no longer had to be afraid to be found by her family. Next week she was arraigning Isabella for the kidnaping and facilitation of the rape. That made her bubbly inside.

"Congratulations," Olivia offered. Casey just nodded.

"Hey Margo,have you contacted your birth parents?" she asked. Margo's smile faded and she shook her head.

"My mom was deported and my dad died of cancer a good ten years ago."

"I'm sorry,"Casey said genuinely. Margo nodded.

"I'll be OK,I made it this long without a parent. I only had to give my boss a few blowjobs to do it." The two detectives and the ADa looked at her shocked and concerned. "I was kidding. It was a handjob." Casey smiled, Olivia rolled her eyes and Elliot shook his head.

"Well if you ever need anything. Feel free to call us." She handed the girl a card with her phone number on it before she turned around. She began to walk away when she was caught on the arm. She turned to see Margo standing there.

"Thank you." She said before walking in the opposite direction. The three of them watched her leave. Casey turned back around and walked away, leaving Elliot and Olivia standing alone in the middle of the courthouse.

"Going to spend time with your kids tonight?" Olivia asked casually as they began to walk out back to the precinct. Elliot felt a twinge of pain.

"Kathy's got 'em this week."

"So what are you going to do?"

"Visit an old friend." Olivia had no idea what he meant, but she was happy he wouldn't be spending the evening alone. After a case like this, you got to go celebrate with someone, going solo never ends well.

"Its a little funny," Cameron said, walking back to her desk with Fin right next to her.

"No its not." he said, a little anger in his voice.

"Just what may I ask, are you two talking about?" Munch asked, sitting at his own desk. Fin and Cameron sat back. Fin was frowning, Cameron was smiling broadly.

"Fin took me by my place to pick up some files I left there," Cameron began. "Nikki, came up to me and told me my brother Gray was in his bedroom, "doing the nasty," her words, not mine, with his boyfriend."

"Your brother's gay?" Munch was a little surprised by this bit of news.

"Very. Anyways, needless to say I wasn't very happy at what my brother slash baby-sitter was doing in front of my five year olddaughter, so I went to his door, pounded on it till he opened it, and started screaming at him. Next thingI know, his boyfriend, who's like ten years younger than him, walks out, and Fin's jaw just dropped." She put a lot of emphasis on the last word.

"Who was it?" Munch asked curiosly. Cameron looked to Fin to answer.

"Ken." was all he said.

"Your son Ken?" The other two nodded. "So let me get this straight, your son, Ken, is dating her brother?" They nodded again. "What a coincidence."

"Its funny right?"

"Its not funny," Fin said still a little angry.

"Actually it is," Munch answered. Cameron smiled widely at being agreed with.

Fin was quiet a moment before he said, "I'm getting coffee." and he got up to leave, but the other two started shouting out what they wanted while he was out. Finally he left. Cameron leaned back in her desk in pain.

"You're really enjoying yourself aren't you?"

"I didn't talk much in homicide."

"Never would have realized that."

"Yeah, for some reason, people seemed to have a problem with me, I have a tendancy to be a smart ass."

"I was going to say an annoying bitch, but smart ass works too."

"Is there a point to this conversation?"

"Cameron, can I call you Cameron?"

"Well you could call me Henry if you wanted, but Cameron works too."

"Henry, I'm getting old."

"Getting?"

"The point is, I can't do this forever, as much as I would love to. I'm thinking about retiring. And Fin's going to need a new partner." Cameron wasn't sure if she was happy or sad by the news. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know if I can do this. I can deal with a mass murderer who kills because he's bored. But, I don't know if i can do this kind of crap."

"You know, when I asked what's wrong, I didn't want a sob story." Cameron smiled.

"Does it ever get any easier?"

Munch pondered for a moment. "No."

"Glad your honest."

"Its your decision. But if you don't take the job, someone else will." Cameron thought about it, really considering this option. Could she handle this job? Would it completely kill her? She did like these people, but would she be able to last the standard two years?

"Well, I guess I could give it a shot. I'm not promising anything, but, not every case can be this bad, right?" Munch stayed quiet, and Cameron knew she was wrong. But she figured she could handle it.

Elliot didn't know why he felt the need to see her. He could easily turn around and go out drinking with the rest of the guys, like he usually did, but instead he was here, outside her apartment. A part of him told him to turn around and walk away, but the other part of him knew he wanted, scratch that needed to be here. And he figured she could use the company.

The place was new, she had just moved in recently. After what happened at the old place he couldn't blame her. The change would do her good.

He sighed heavily before he rang the buzzer. In a couple of moments, a head covered in dark brown hair popped out from behind the door, followed by a young and pretty face.

"Elliot, what are you doing here?" Margo asked curiously.

"Well I was in the neighborhood, I figured you could use the company," She smiled warmly. He smiled back. That's when he remembered the brown paper bag in his hand. He held it high. "I brought Chinese." She chuckled. He put the bag down, instantly feeling like a moron. Still she stepped aside, letting him enter. He smiled back at her and stepped over the threshold.

The End

Tada! Did you like it? I hope you did! I hope there are actually people reading this, that would make my day. Well I am finished. FINALLY! Well I hope you enjoyed this, and look forward to seeing other stories from yours truly! See ya!

Bob.