It had been a few weeks since that wonderful night at Claire Kincaid's house and she and Abbie had grown quite close. In fact, they had become the talk of the office, but each was a bit too smitten with the other to pay much mind.
Abbie had fallen hard for Claire. At work, the more seasoned attorney blew Abbie away with her quick wit and collected questioning in the courtroom. Outside of work, well, there were quite a few things outside of work that appealed to Abbie about Claire, but at the top of the list had to be her confidence.
Claire felt just as strongly about Abbie. The slightly younger lawyer was passionate and smart - and gorgeous to boot! However, Claire had noticed over the last week or so that Abbie had a bit of a quick temper in the courtroom. After a close call with a contempt citation, Claire had firmly admonished Abbie to keep herself in check in the courtroom. Abbie apologized profusely and swore up and down that she would be on her best behaviour.
Today, Claire would be forced to test that promise. Jack McCoy was out of town at an extradition hearing, so she and Abbie were tasked with the evidentiary hearing for their latest double-homicide here in NY.
The two women sat side by side at the prosecutor's table. Abbie wore a conservative yet stylish green dress with a black blazer over the top. Claire sported a pair of smart grey slacks, a light blue blouse, and her infamous stilettos. The pair rose as the judge entered the courtroom, then returned to their seated position, organizing their notes for the hearing.
Claire, remembering how badly she wanted to work the courtroom when she was a new A.D.A., had told Abbie she could present the evidence. Claire sat ack and watched with a bit of pride as Abbie presented for the court the murder weapon and blood-stained clothes of the defendant. The issue being heard was whether the warrant (which had an incorrect number in the address) was executed in good faith. Abbie presented a strong case in favour of keeping the evidence. Danielle Melnick, the defendant's counsel, made some strong arguments as well, so ultimately it would be up to the judge.
After each side had made their case, the parties were seated as the judge made his ruling. "Although I agree that in this instance it is unlikely the detectives tried to manipulate the court with this mistake," began judge Bradley, "the law is clear and if I allow this evidence to pass through, the entire verdict may be overturned on appeal. Therefore, the weapon and clothing are out."
Abbie stood abruptly, not ready to accept the judge's ruling. "But your honor - " "Sorry Ms. Carmichael" interrupted the judge, holding up a hand, "that is my final ruling." Abbie, who looked like she could simply explode, glanced down still standing and muttered "bull sh*t." "What did you say to me, counselor?" inquired the judge, hoping that given a second chance, the counselor would do the right thing. "I said -" began Abbie, but Claire practically leapt from her seat to cut her off "She said thank you, your honor" Claire interjected quickly as she practically yanked Abbie back into her seat. Frowning, the judge nodded and banged his gavel dismissing the court.
Abbie knew she was in trouble now. She had seen the look on Claire's face, and she remembered the stern warning she had received not long ago to behave herself in court. As they walked out of the courtroom, Abbie meekly turned to Claire. "Claire I -" but Claire held up a hand to stop her and said "my apartment, 8 o'clock" then walked away. Abbie filled as she stood staring at Claire's back. That hadn't been a question - it was an order. All sorts of possibilities raced through Abbie's mind but the one that scared her the most, was that Claire intended to break up with her.
Abbie struggled to focus the rest of the day, still wondering what Claire was going to say to her. At 8 o'clock on the dot, Abbie knocked hesitantly on Claire's door. The door swung open, and Claire welcomed her inside. Once inside, Abbie followed Claire over to the couch where she sat silently, not sure exactly what to say.
Claire sat beside Abbie and spoke not unkindly. "Do you know why I asked you to come over today Abbie?" Failing to be stoic, Abbie nodded as tears threatened to spill from her eyes "you want to break up with me, right? Because of what happened today in court?" Claire was taken aback at Annie's reply, but quickly composed herself to answer. Laying a hand on Abbie's thigh, Claire responded "Abbie, honey, of course I don't want to break up with you. I'm so sorry that was what was going through your head today. However, you are half-right. I do want to speak about your behaviour in court today." Abbie felt a simultaneous sense of relief and anxiety. She was grateful Claire still loved her, but knew her lover was still quite perturbed with her stunt in court.
Claire continued "Abbie, what you did today in court, what you said, was entirely inappropriate and unprofessional." Abbie looked down and studied the tops of her shoes intently. Claire's scolding made her feel like a little kid who had been caught eating a cookie before dinner. Claire looked at Abbie as she squirmed under her piercing gaze. "This isn't the first time I've had to have this discussion with you, is it young lady?" "Young lady?" thought Abbie, not sure whether to be excited or scared. She quickly responded "no ma'am." Claire continued "I don't like to have to address the same issue on multiple occasions. So we are going to take care of that temper tonight." Abbie simply stared, not having a clue what Claire had in mind.
Claire paused a moment before asking Abbie "when was the last time you were spanked?" Abbie practically fell off the couch. Had she heard Claire correctly? Spanked? Trying not so successfully to compose herself, Abbie responded "erm, when I was seventeen." Claire waited expectantly, hoping her silence would encourage Abbie to elaborate. It had the intended effect as Abbie continued "I mouthed off to a teacher at school and...well... my mom made sure I didn't sit down for the next week" finished Abbie grimacing as she nearly reached back to rub her bottom from the memory. Claire couldn't help but smirk slightly at her lack of surprise that Abbie had been punished for mouthiness. "And did you ever mouth off to another teacher?" Eyes widening, Abbie shook her head vigorously "no ma'am! I knew better than that." "Good," thought Claire, as that was exactly what she had hoped to hear.
Out loud, Claire spoke once more "Abbie I really am very disappointed in the way you let your temper control you in the courtroom. Since this is the second time I've had to reprimand you over it, I think stronger measures are called for. If you consent, I am going to spank you for disrespect and disobedience. Now you can say no -" This time it was Abbie who cut Claire off "no ma'am," she replied quickly "you're right I deserve this. I consent to being...um...punished" Abbie finished unable to say the word. A bemused smile played across Claire's lips as Abbie finished. Inwardly, Claire was bursting with pride to see Abbie take responsibility for her actions. Standing from the couch she said "Good girl. Now I want you to go into the bedroom and find a corner to stand in" sending Abbie in the right direction with a light swat to the back of her dress. Gulping, Abbie did as she was told. As she stood facing the corner, hands at her sides, she contemplated how she had gotten herself into this mess. Was Claire really going to spank her? She hadn't been spanked since she was a kid! But, Abbie couldn't argue that she didn't deserve it, so she stood, fidgeting slightly as she waited for Claire.
Meanwhile, Claire had to stop and catch her breath. She wasn't sure she had expected the young A.D.A. to accept punishment quite this easily. She wondered if she was doing the right thing. However, Claire realized that if she didn't help keep Abbie in line, her temper could cost Abbie her job. Standing from the couch, Claire made her way into the bedroom. Choosing to ignore the fidgeting, Claire sat on the bed. "Come here, Abbie."
Abbie practically flew from the corner over to where her lover sat on the bed. She stood awkwardly, not knowing if she should kneel, or sit next to Claire. Sensing her uncertainty, Claire gently took Abbie by the hand guiding her to sit by her side. Her soft but stern eyes met Abbie's nervous ones as she spoke. "Why are you being punished today, Abbie?" she asked, not unkindly. Abbie tried to glance at the floor but Claire caught her chin in her hand. Feeling even more like a naughty child, Abbie practically whispered "because I was disrespectful in court, and...I disobeyed you?" "Is that a question?" responded Claire. Abbie gulped once more and replied "no ma'am." Satisfied for now, Claire stood from the bed "alright young lady, since this is your first time being punished, you're only going to receive fifty strokes for both offenses. However, if this becomes a recurring problem, the number and severity of those strokes will increase. Is that clear?" Stunned at the number of strokes she had just been prescribed, Abbie simply nodded. Catching Abbie's chin in her hand once more, Claire addressed the young miscreant "excuse me?" Realizing she was looking for a verbal answer, Abbie quickly responded "yes ma'am! Understood."
Letting go of Abbie's chin, Claire gestured for her to stand. "I want you to lay across the bed and raise your dress for the belt. I expect you to keep yourself in position. No getting up, no reaching back. Those will result in extra swats on the thighs. Understood?" Tears beginning to well up in Abbie's eyes once more, she whispered "yes ma'am." She then turned toward Claire's bed, where she lowered herself onto it, raising her dress as she went. She was so grateful she had chosen not to wear a thong. As she lay waiting for the first lick, Abbie felt so childish. Why had she not listened to Claire the first time? If she had, she wouldn't be getting spanked like a bratty teenager. If only she could keep her temper in check!
Meanwhile, Claire gazed at her compliant lover, and began to unbuckle the thin, patent leather dress belt she was wearing. She slid the belt out from around her slender waist, and doubled it in her hand. Without warning, she raised her arm high, and brought the belt down soundly with a decisive *crack.*
Abbie gasped and nearly flew off the bed barely managing to hold her position. At home in Texas Abbie had been whipped with her mother's belt plenty of times. But that old, worn, inch-wide piece of leather had nothing on Claire's dress belt! It felt like an actual whip - and Claire wasn't going easy on her either.
Claire whipped Abbie a second and a third time. By the fourth lick, Abbie was squirming and lifting her feet to try to alleviate the pain. By the seventh lick, Abbie let slip a four letter word. Without slowing down, Claire took the belt to Abbie's thighs *swish CRACK* *swish THWACK.* Abbie began to sob openly at this assault on her tender flesh. "Young lady I don't want to hear that kind of language again. Is that understood?" "Yeeeessss!" sobbed Abbie miserably. Pausing ominously, Claire asked sharply "yes what?" punctuating the last syllable with a particularly hard swat to Abbie's left sit-spot. Howling with each lick, Abbie quickly shouted out yes ma'am! I'm sorry ma'am!" "Good girl" was all Claire offered as she resumed the punishment. Before resuming, Claire reached over and lowered Abbie's pantries. Distraught, Abbie simply sobbed harder at this retraction of protection - no matter how little it was.
Swish SMACK*
Swish CRACK*
Swish THWACK*
Claire Kincaid wasted no time tearing up Abbie's backside. By 25 licks, her bottom bore cherry red-stripes. By 40, it was crimson with clear signs of bruising. Pausing momentarily, Claire spoke. "Alright young lady, these are the last ten strokes. I want you to count each one and apologize for your behaviour. Understood? "Yes ma'am" Abbie responded defeatedly.
WHACK* "OW! One ma'am! I'm sorry for being disobedient and disrespectful"
SMACK* "AHHHHH two ma'am! I'm sorry for being disobedient and disrespectful!"
Abbie took the final eight licks in much the same way and when Claire had delivered the last one, she calmly walked over and hung her belt in her closet. Returning to her sobbing lover, she gently sat on the bed and tenderly rubbed Abbie's back, wanting to give her as much time as she needed to calm down. As Abbie's breathing finally began to even out just a bit, Claire recognized that she was ready to hear what Claire had to say. Ever so gently, Claire pulled Abbie up into a hug, then guided her to sit on her lap. Sitting gingerly, Abbie wiped at her tears with the back of her hand. "Abbie, I'm sorry that I had to punish you so harshly. From now on, are we going to keep that temper in check?" Abbie nodded and said "yes ma'am I'm so sorry I disobeyed you. I promise I'll never be bad again!" Claire smiles and shook her head "honey you aren't bad. You made a bad decision. And now we've taken care of it. You're totally forgiven."
At this declaration of forgiveness, Claire and Abbie settled back into bed, with Abbie snuggled in Claire's arms. After laying there in silence for a while, Abbie spoke "you know, I've been spanked with a belt before, but never one like that. It felt like a whip!" Claire chuckled at Abbie's hyperbole "well I guess that means you're going to be on your best behaviour from now on, huh?" Abbie nodded vigorously and replied "yes ma'am, oh and Claire?" Claire looked expectantly at Abbie. "Are you sure you're not from Texas?"