December 21, 1979:

10:27 p m

"Oh my God…" Donnelly turned her former boss and removed the red satin break away boxers from Lena Petrovsky's head. "Jesus Lena, I thought you and Danielle would plan something more... traditional."

Petrovsky downed her fourth kamikaze, motioning for the bartender to bring another round. "Come on Donnelly, loose up" she shouted over the blast of Do you Think I'm Sexy."Bachelorette parties aren't for the bride. They're for her friends that have been married since the stone age! Thank God for women's liberation. The marches, sit ins , court cases...all worth it to evolve into a society that a places like Chipendale's possible."

Donnelly looked down the bar, watching fifteen usually sedate professionals hoot, giggle, and push to get close enough to the exotic dancer gyrating down the bar, to put dollar bills down his g-string with lingering fingers.

God, I hate it when he's right, she thought as she glanced at her watch.

"Don't even think about bailing, Liz" injected a voice behind her. "I cleared your calendar for Friday. The only thing you have left is the motion hearing at 11:00. You'll be out of court by 12:30. Plenty of time for you to get to The Red Door and change for the ceremony. Now, sit back and enjoy your last night of freedom!"

Donnelly turned to look at the secretary for the Special Victims Bureau. "Gwen, how the hell did you do that? I had -"

The petite blond laughed. "Adam Schiff said to tell you it was an early wedding present. Besides, tommorow is the day before the three day weekend. Most judges and clerks were more than happy to reschedule most of that stuff for after the holiday. Now, have another drink and relax."

Donnelly shook her head., glancing at her half empty glass of champagne. "I'm pacing myself tonght. I want to be sharp for that motion hearing with Gold. Wendell's playing too many games-"

"Ladies, your table is ready, this way please."

As the group made their way towards the private room, Donnelly turned to Danielle Melnick.

"Dinner at Flynn's was enough. The gifts afterwards more than enough. This…you're one of Jack's best friends. I figured you'd see to it this thing got no wilder than a tupperware party, Danielle. You were supposed to warn me if things were going to get weird."

The public defender smiled a wicked smile. "Weird as defiined by who? Editable panties, sex toys, exotic dancers…that's tame compared to the Eastside Rapist. I can handle Jack - he's in no position to question a little harmless fun. Besides, the look on your face when you opened the gift from Petrovsky was priceless."

"I'll bet. When I read 'whip' on the box, I figured it was a kitchen whip, you know, for cooking - who'd of thought a pair of handcuff's and a horse whip would come from Lena?"

Melnick chuckled."I'll bet Lena's not the only judge to want to go after Jack McCoy with a whip-"

As the group entered the room Donnelly found herself being hustled to the head of the long table facing a stage with a movie screen at its center. As the waitress made the rounds for drink orders, Lena Petrovsky stood beside Donnelly, tapping her water glass with a knife.

"Alright ladies. Let's come to order, please." Petrovsky held her hand up grinning at the laughing group of women. "Settle down, ladies. Jack McCoy has littered the streets of Manhattan with broken hearts for over a decade. From Hogan Place to Centre Street, High 'Em High McCoy has loved 'em and left 'em hanging.

"Those of us assembled here tonight, have put together a bit of a tribute for you, Liz. You have done what countless women in the five burroughs have been unable to do. You have hooked the unhookable. As of 7:00 p.m. tomorrow, John J. McCoy Esquire will have left his last woman, broken his last heart, and will be in your capable hands. We the women of Centre Street salute you, Liz Donnelly!"

With Petrovsky's final words, a round of applause began as the lights dimmed and the movie screen came to life. The sound of erotic music filling the room as the home movie entitled: The Leather Couch began. Donnelly cringed as Danielle Melnick's voice spoke over the music.

"In the criminal justice system, there were two separate, yet equally important groups: The women that Jack McCoy seduced; and the women Jack McCoy planned to seduce. Until one woman stopped the insanity. This is her story!"

Donnelly, reached out catching the passing cocktail waitress. "Bring me a double Dewar's neat and keep 'em coming."