Joe leaned on the courthouse wall with one foot up on the wall, he had a file underneath one arm and his hands were in his pockets. It was close to eleven o'clock, and according to his lawyer, they had found out that Alex was due in court at eleven-thirty this morning. He knew Antoine was waiting a call back from St. Francis Medical Center. Records that long ago were contained in a cold storage facility off site and the records person went to go pull the file at the records facility. Antoine had called him and told him they were now looking for the records, they had found which hospital she was born in.

The black SUV pulled into the parking place, Joe watched as Lester stepped from the vehicle along with Alex. A third person was with them that looked a little like Ranger but not quite. He saw that she was carrying a summer dress with sandals, her hair pulled back into a ponytail which he had noted when she turned back to the SUV hung long and straight just past the curve of her bottom. Joe watched as they walked up the steps, once they reached the top Alex had looked up and spotted him, he saw her step falter for a brief moment then her pace quickened in haste as she passed him along the walk. He pushed off from the wall, his lawyer was already inside as well as hers. For the last thirty minutes both of them had been bickering back and forth over the issue of emancipation. It was no longer a matter of emancipation, as much as it was now an issue of divorce she would be seeking next if he turned out to be her biological father. Keeping his pace he slid in smoothly beside Alex when she stopped. All of them stood waiting for the elevator.

Lester looked over Alex's head towards Joe. "Hello, Morelli."

"Hello, Santos. You don't seem surprised at seeing me."

"Why should I be?" He looked down at Alex who kept her head forward not looking at either of them.

Joe looked at Alex and back up to Lester. "How long have you known?"

"A few days." Lester told him.

"Ranger felt the need to not speak about this to me? After the information I had already given him. He doesn't return phone calls either." Joe asked as the elevator opened up. Alex went in straight to the back of the elevator and turned. Joe saw her glance at him briefly, "Hello Alex." He saw her look away from him not speaking.

"I can't speak for Ranger about what he decides to tell and what he doesn't." Lester said. Lester watched the interplay in between Alex and Joe. Lester gestured towards Jose, "This is Jose Manoso. Jose, this is Joe Morelli."

Joe shook Jose's hand. "That explains why you look like Ranger."

"No, it explains why Carlos looks like me." Jose looked to Alex. "What happened to those manners of yours, Alex?"

"Hello, Detective Morelli." Alex said sweetly and gave him a smile that said I'm not happy to see you.

"Did you expect me not to answer that petition Alex?" Joe asked.

"Wasn't my idea to petition you." Alex said and looked over at him. "That's a question you need to ask my lawyer."

"Did you know I was on your birth certificate?" Joe asked.

"No. I've never seen my birth certificate, still haven't." Alex told him.

Joe watched as she looked back towards the front of the elevator. He pulled the folder he had out from under his arm and pulled a copy of her birth certificate out. Joe put it in front of her face so she could clearly read it. He watched as her eyes scanned the document. "What are those funny numbers down in the corner?"

Joe tilted the birth certificate so he could see it, "That is the state number for this document that was filed with them when you were born." I can't believe that woman never showed this to her. I saw my birth certificate numerous times before I was her age. Joe thought. "Do you know what hospital you were born in?"

"No." Alex answered. Jose was scribbling like mad on the pad he had in his hand. Alex looked over towards him. "Finding things interesting mind reaper."

Jose looked up, his eye brow shot up. "More than interesting. I'm intrigued."

Joe put the copy back in the folder. "You were born at St. Francis. I'm having your records pulled now." Joe bent down so he was at Alex's ear. "What's with the mind reaper?"

Alex closed her eyes. "The mind reaper likes to play games. He's some psych doctor of something or other. He wouldn't tell me exactly." The door opened and Alex stepped out and headed for the nearest restroom. Joe watched as she went inside. He turned to look at Lester and Jose.

Jose put up his pad and looked at Joe. "Psych doctor? What do you have your degree in?" Joe looked the man up and down. He did not have the air about him of a normal doctor, Joe had seen several doctors, the department always sent him to one after being undercover in the vice field after a case.

"Criminal Psychology, but don't tell Alex. She's having too much fun trying to guess. She won't answer my one question on another issue so I'm not answering hers." Jose smiled.

"Do you always bait your clients? Or is she your client? Who's paying for this?" Joe asked. He pushed his hands down into his pockets as he rocked back on his heals studying Ranger's brother.

"No, I don't always bait my clients. Yes she is my client and no there is no payment other than me paying her, for services rendered." Jose saw the blank mask go up on Joe's face and couldn't read anything from him. "She agreed to be my client, and has demanded payment up front, she doesn't trust easily and I've never had a client who has gotten more information out of me than she has so far. My clients are selected, I'm picky with who I choose to help."

"Exactly how is your roll reversed in this situation?" Joe asked. What the hell is this? I thought Ranger was bad enough with his mysterious shit. Maybe this is who he learned it all from. Joe thought.

"I'll tell you in confidence after we see if you have acquired the right to know. If you are indeed her parent, the contract which she has signed will need to be signed by her lawful guardian. I assure you, I have no intensions of hurting her." Jose said.

Joe saw Lester's grin and he turned to see what had caught Lester's attention. Alex had come out of the restroom. The summer dress brought out her tanned skin complexion rather well. She had a figure in the dress that the other clothes hid. Joe could see how she looked around with a wary expression before she walked over to them. She had her other clothes draped over her arm and Lester took them from her along with her shoes. Joe saw the monitor still on her left ankle. He saw the tattoos on her arms, the dress didn't hide those. "Is the monitor still necessary Santos?" Joe asked.

"More than necessary. I'd rather not lose her, and the tracking is the only thing that is on now." Lester looked at Alex who gave him a surprised look.

"What else is on that monitor?" Joe asked.

"It shocks the shit out of you if you go out of range of the receiver." Alex stated still looking at Lester who raised an eyebrow at what she said. "Can't really complain though, it doesn't hurt that bad."

Joe took two steps towards Lester, his back was turned towards Alex and he leaned over and whispered to Lester. "If she receives any damage from that device I'll have charges pressed against you."

Lester whispered back, "She hasn't received any damage from it. She won't, but I'm not taking it off. It is on for her protection."

Joe looked at Lester, he knew something wasn't being said, he also knew that Lester would say what it was if he pressed the issue. The door to the courtroom opened up and Joe turned to look at the lawyer who came out which was Alex's. Sharlene Tarlton had a dress bag in her hand. She looked at Alex and beamed. "I'm surprised. You actually have a dress on and I don't have to force you into one this time."

Alex put her hands behind her back and clasp them together, "Yes, ma'am. I knew I wouldn't have a choice on the matter. And you made your views vividly known the last time I was in court."

Sharlene's eyes darted towards Joe, "Come along then," she opened her arm wide for Alex and as soon as Alex was within reach she ushered Alex inside.

Joe noticed Sharlene's poster went into protection mode like a mother hen gathering her brood. He allowed Lester and Jose to go in after them, and then followed everyone into the court room. Joe went over to his lawyer and sat down beside her, she would be his lawyer for this one day until his real attorney could get away from the other case he was handling today. Joe's attorney leaned over to him, "emancipation is being thrown out. The judge has already agreed that it would be in the best interest of the child in question that a different avenue to be pursued for gaining independence."

"What? What do you mean I would have to do that if ordered?" Joe leaned back and looked over at Alex who had clearly disliked what her lawyer had said to her. He could see the spark of agitation and anger in her eyes.

"Hush." Sharlene said to her. "We don't want everyone in the court hearing this conversation."

He saw her cross her arms in front of her chest and leaned back in the chair she was sitting in and glare at her attorney. "What if I don't want to do it? Don't I have a say in this matter?"

"Not if the judge feels it is in your best interest." Sharlene hissed at her.

Joe didn't hear anything else as the bailiff in the court asked them all to rise. Joe stood beside his attorney. They all sat after the judge sat and the court reporter sat poised and ready for action to take place.

"Case of Ramono vs. Morelli is now in session." The judge looked over to Sharlene, "You may begin."

Joe didn't pay much attention to what Sharlene was saying at all with her opening statement. He watched Alex as she fidgeted in her chair, the way she looked down at the table, not even watching her lawyer. The doors in the back opened and Joe turned his head and saw two feds walking in. He leaned over to his lawyer and whispered, "Is there anyway we can have this room cleared out? I don't want the two people who walked in here listening to this." His attorney nodded. When Sharlene went back to her table to pick up a pad Joe's attorney stood.

"Your honor, I wish to invoke the rule." She looked over at Sharlene who nodded.

The judge ordered the courtroom be cleared other than the intended parties.

The bailiff moved from his guard position by the judge and walked to the swinging doors between the action on the floor and the audience arena behind the court floor. "Everyone who is not a party to this lawsuit will have to leave the courtroom."

Joe turned and watched as all members started leaving Lester looked at Joe and Joe gave him a shrug and a slight smile. Lester shook his head and followed Jose out of the court room. Joe turned back around in his seat his eyes connecting with Alex's. He winked at her, he saw how she was sitting differently now, not so stressed and tense. There were less people in the room, less meant more to him at this moment. They didn't need the world finding out what was going on this room. Joe didn't want the feds coming in and trying to get to Alex. Alex gave him a half smile and then turned back to face the judge.

Sharlene continued with her opening statement and then called Alex to the stand. Alex took a deep breath and went and sat where she was told, was sworn in and then only looked at Sharlene.

Joe listened as Sharlene questioned Alex about her work, when she worked and how much she received and whether or not she could support herself. She asked a lot of questions which put Alex in a good standing for a divorce from one Joseph Morelli. Joe also noted that Sharlene kept referring to her as Caitlyn. He told his lawyer this.

Sharlene looked to the Judge, "I have nothing further your honor."

"Your witness, Mrs. Anderson." The judge said.

Mrs Anderson stood, "Miss Ramono, what name do you prefer to go by and may I use it?"

"Alex. Sure."

Mrs. Anderson smiled, "Thank you, Alex. As Mrs. Tarlton has pointed out to us, you are a very independent young lady, you receive my congratulations. When did you find out Joseph Morelli was your father?"

"Two days ago." Alex said looking at Mrs. Anderson.

Mrs. Anderson walked around the table she was standing behind to walk to the podium. "In those two days can you say that you have grown to know that Mr. Morelli wouldn't be a good father?"

Alex looked to Sharlene who jerked her head for her to answer the question, she looked at Joe. Joe watched as her face contorted in concentration and her brow creased as she tried to find an answer.

"We're waiting Alex." The judge said softly.

Joe watched as Alex swung her head towards the judge and turned the chair she was sitting in away from the judge, he saw the same look on her face she had given Antoine at the pizza place. Tone of voice, it's the tone of voice that has her like this. Joe thought.

"Alex," Mrs. Anderson said. Joe watched as Alex shifted her look back to his attorney.

"No."

"You don't know, yet you want to revoke his rights without knowing the facts. Is that it?" Mrs. Anderson asked.

"I want to be on my own." Alex said.

Joe saw her look down and then she looked at him. He saw worry flit across her face.

"Why is that?" Mrs. Anderson asked.

"Because I can take care of myself. I've been doing it for some time now. I don't need anyone to take care of me." She looked to Mrs. Anderson.

"But you can't prove to the court that Mr. Morelli is a bad father, can you?" Mrs. Anderson asked.

"I…" Alex closed her eyes. Joe could see her struggle to control the temper that was welling under the surface. "No, I can't. I already told you, I didn't know he was my father until two days ago." She opened her eyes and looked at Sharlene. "I never saw my birth certificate, I didn't know."

Joe leaned back in his chair and linked his hands together with his thumbs under his chin as he watched Alex. Don't push her anymore, none of this was her fault. Even her lawyer should have shown her the birth certificate before filing anything. Joe thought.

Mrs. Anderson turned back around and walked back to the table and picked up a pad, she looked at Joe. Joe looked up and shook his head. She turned back to the judge. "Nothing further your honor."

The judge excused Alex. Joe watched as she sighed in relief. Joe winked at her, he knew she had saw what he had done. She ducked her head and walked quickly to her table and sat back down. Mrs. Anderson gave her opening statement and then Joe took the stand, he didn't bother looking at his lawyer after he was sworn in. He looked at Alex and kept his focus on her. He didn't have to prove anything to this court, the court didn't matter, what mattered was gaining the trust of a young lady sitting a few feet from him.

"Mr. Morelli, were you aware of your name being on Alex's birth certificate?" Mrs. Anderson asked.

"No, I wasn't." Joe answered.

"Do you feel you would be a dependable parent?" Mrs. Anderson asked.

"I would be dependable if I knew for certain she was mine." Joe answered. He saw Alex look up at him.

"You don't think she's yours?" Mrs. Anderson asked.

"I wasn't present at her birth, I didn't sign the papers that named her. I want to know she's mine legally. I feel this document has been falsified." He saw Alex shake her head, he knew she knew what was coming.

"Are you demanding a paternity test Mr. Morelli?" Mrs. Anderson asked.

"Yes. I want a paternity test done. If I turn out to be her father, then I want rights to my daughter that I have been denied for fifteen and a half years." Joe said.

"No further questions your honor." Mrs. Anderson went and sat behind their table.

Joe watched as Alex was arguing with Sharlene quietly. He couldn't hear what was being said, but he saw Sharlene sit back and give a shrewd look towards him and then turn to the Judge. "No questions for this witness your honor." Sharlene said.

Joe watched as Alex didn't look back at him. What are you doing? I said everything I needed to say to get your DNA. What are you thinking? Joe thought. He got up and left the witness chair after the judge dismissed him. He sat back down and looked at Alex.

The judge cleared his throat. Joe swung his gaze back to the judge. "In light of the circumstances. I feel it would be in the best interest of each party concerned that a paternity test be issued." He looked over to Alex. "I'll give my ruling in seventy-two hours after the test results come back to the court." He looked to Joe's attorney, "You'll need to file the proper documents with the Court in order for DNA to be drawn from the mother that appears on this birth certificate. I feel this will be in the best interest of the child." He looked back to Alex, "In lue of a parental guardian the court will act in your best interest. I feel we need to know if this document was falsified and that includes having your DNA tested against the mother in question as well. Until then, Mrs. Tarlton has said you have been staying with Lester Santos and has advised me of your association with a psychologist as well. I feel that has shown merit on your part and I'll not force you into a foster care placement at this time. You are free to leave with Lester Santos. Court adjourned."