"Answer me Dad. Do you really believe that crap or are you just being stubborn?"

Jack McCoy gave his daughter an irritated glance before signing the guest book.

"Rebecca, do you think you can do me one favor today and keep your voice down? At least while you see fit to interrogate me as if I've committed mass murder. If you can't do it for me, could you do it for Danielle? I'm sure she'd like to enjoy her wedding day and not have to play referee for the two of us."

The young woman on McCoy's arm nodded curtly as an usher approached them to lead them to their seats. The interior of the chapel was decorated with various assortments of purple and pink flowers; the ushers clad in grey morning suits.

"I still want an answer," Rebecca McCoy whispered as she took her seat behind a defense attorney she recognized from Court TV. "Why have you let this insanity between Brooke and yourself go on for almost a month? I thought you loved her Dad; I thought she loved you. I mean the way she defended you when she came to see me…for her to take the time to do that…God Dad, you can't just let her slip away."

McCoy studied his daughter's face carefully. Even with the smartly done make and hair she still seemed so young, so vulnerable, to him. When they had met earlier in the month, the first thing she asked was where his fiancée was.

McCoy made his answer as short and to the point as he could, knowing the hell he was about to recieve from his daughter.

"She told me to get out and I did,"he said defensively.

"Just like that? For no reason?"

"I have doubts about a third marriage Rebecca. That's what it boils down to and Brooke senses it," he said as he waited for the gates of hell to open.

Rebecca surprised him by calmly nodding and continuing to eat the remainder of her lunch. McCoy watched in stunned silence, studying his daughter as if she was one of those undetonated land mines from World War II...the kind of device that sits quietly for years and then explodes without warning.

"You don't seem surprised."

"I'm not."

"Why?"

"Mom."

"Mom," McCoy repeated. "What about your mother?"

"When I told her about Brooke's visit... when I said that I thought this time you'd found someone who'd love you inspite of yourself no matter what... Mom told me you'd screw it up."

McCoy tried to not to show how badly her words stung him. He thought about his first wife. She was a woman who could give as good as she got, but he found it hard to believe after all these years, Liz would view him in such cynical and unforgiving light.

"Your mother said that," he pressed."She said I'd deliberately screw things up with Brooke?"

Rebecca reached for her iced tea, not bothering to look at her father.

"That's how I took it," she responded indifferently.

"Rebecca, is that what she said or is that just your interpretation of what she said?"

"She said you'd have a hard time forgiving yourself for the kidnapping and…. and everything else. She said you were always too hard on yourself and it would surprise her if this time would be any exception. She said you never thought you deserved to be happy, even when you two were together," the young woman said bitterly."Mom's judgment isn't exactly objective. She still has a soft spot for you, even if I don't ."

"Dad I lowered my voice, now answer me," Rebecca continued as the chapel began to fill with guests."Do you really believe she's better off without you?"

"You said yourself if it wasn't for my arrogance, my take 'no prisoners at any cost attitude' as a persecutor…and yes I caught the irony; persecutor, not prosecutor… what happened in Canada wouldn't have happened."

"That is such crap," she snapped, her face reddening as the woman beside her shot her a look."I mean, not only did Brooke tell me what cr- what garbage that was when I was the one having the pity party, you said yourself no one could control what people like Rostov do."

"Becky not now," McCoy quietly hissed, as Ben and Shambala Stone were ushered to the two empty seats beside him.

The look on Ben Stone's face said everything the nudge in his ribs told him not to say. After McCoy stood and greeted the former prosecutor's wife with a hug, Shambala Green-Stone exchanged pleasantries with Rebecca McCoy, while the two men remained silent.

"…yes, Becky that's right. Ben's daughter is studying at Sanford. If Danielle and Sam had given her a little more notice, she might have been able to come home for the wedding. Two weeks is hardly enough notice for people living in New York, for someone living on the west coast, it's like no notice at all. Leave it to Danielle to organize a wedding so beauitfully in less than a month," Green-Stone continued as she looked around the room, while taking her seat next to McCoy."I didn't even have my dress picked out in a month when Ben and I got married."

"I'll bet Brooke gave Danielle some pointers on last minute dress shopping," Rebecca replied shooting her father a defiant look."It took her less than a half an hour to settle on her wedding dress when we went to Canada."

Green-Stone smiled uncomfortably at McCoy and turned to glanced at her husband who was still on his feet.

"Ben," she whispered sharply,"This is Dani's day, let's all try to remember that."

As her husband reluctantly took his seat, Green-Stone took his hand and turned her no nonsense expression on Becky.

"Like I said, let's all try to remember who's day this is, young lady."

McCoy mouth a silent 'thank you' before turning a stern eye on his daughter.

"Understood," McCoy quietly barked.

"Understood," Becky said addressing Green-Stone, without acknowledging her father. "Shambala, what's up with the canopy? It's beautiful, but why is it at the front of the chapel?"

"Dani explained it to me. It's for the nisui, after the official ceremony. The bride and groom stand beneath the chuppah, a canopy held up by four poles, symbolic of their dwelling together and of the husband's bringing the wife into his home. The importance of the chuppah is so great that the wedding ceremony is sometimes referred to as the chuppah. The bride and groom recite seven blessings, the sheva brakhos in the program are in the presence of a minyan. That will be the group of men that will come forward; they are a prayer quorum of 10 adult Jewish men."

As Green continued to explain, Stone and McCoy alternated between listening and scanning the parade of defense attorney's, prosecutors, and assorted family members moving down the aisle. Both exchanged pleasantries with Abbie Carmichael and Paul Robinette, as well as Arthur Branch and his wife.

When Branch returned McCoy's warm greeting, his eyes were as cold as the ice in Rockefeller center. Branch gave McCoy's hand an especially firm squeeze, as he insisted on a drink and some 'private time' with McCoy at the reception. McCoy sighed and was on the verge of telling Branch what he could do with his 'private time', when Jake Cohen interjected his greeting to the conversation.

"Greetings one and all. Senator and Mrs. Branch, Sam will be delighted when I tell him you were able to make it after all."

"You tell old Prescott, I said we southern boys need to stick together," Branch replied as he introduced his wife to the attractive attorney.

McCoy watched the exchange with curiosity, discreetly scanning the crowd behind Cohen, surprised not to see Malinowski on his arm.

"Have you seen Brooke yet," Green-Stone asked as the Branches moved to take their seats.

"She is coming today isn't she," Ben Stone interjected. "If there's anyone that has a right to be here. it's.."

"What Ben means is; Sam would be disappointed if Brooke wasn't here to share this day with him," Green-Stone countered, already tiring of the role of peacemaker.

Cohen bit his lip and gave McCoy a look of complete discomfort.

"Listen Jack,"Cohen began in a tone just above a whisper."If Brooke finds out I told you this, I'm as dead as the informant that ratted out Vinnie Massacci, but..."

Before Cohen could complete his thought, Stone and McCoy were back on their feet. Green-Stone and Rebecca McCoy were wide eyed and speechless as Malinowski and her date exchanged pleasantries with the group.

"Jake, being that you are acting as best man, don't you think you better go check on the groom," Malinowski said, giving her best friend a frosty smile. "Whatever you have to say to Jack, I'm sure it can keep until the reception."

"Brooke, you look wonderful," Stone said as he embraced his Malinowski. "Sam will be pleased you made it today. Mike, last time I heard, you were preparing to defend that Klan leader in Missouri..."

Mike LaSalle took the hand Stone extended.

"That I am. As much as it sickens me to think about the things my client condons as a Klansman, it sickens me just as much to see the way my client was beaten while in police custody," LaSalle explained, as Green-Stone nodded in agreement. "I go back Sunday morning. No way was I gonna miss Dani's big day. Who'd of thought old Silent But Deadly would end up with a pistol like Dani?"

McCoy watched with growing annoyance as Malinowski gave LaSalle a playful nudge, her hand turning his face toward her, LaSalle's hand resting causally on her shoulder.

"Hey LaSalle, did you forget who you're talking to? Sam Prescott never was one to go for the quiet, demurer type. Besides, if he finds out you're still calling him Silent But Deadly, you're gonna see the deadly side, first hand."

"Brooke, who exactly is this...,"Rebecca began.

"Mike LaSalle this is my daughter Rebecca," McCoy interjected with forced nonchalance; noting what appeared to be a flash of surprise in Malinowski's eyes. "Rebecca, Mike is the senior partner for LaSalle, Bell, and Garnett."

McCoy could feel the group's eyes on him, as his daughter and LaSalle went through the usual polite noises and Malinowski extended her hand.

"No hard feelings about yesterday?"

"No hard feelings," he repeated as he took her hand in his,"on any count."

"Well, I have...,"Rebecca began, only to feel Green-Stone reach behind McCoy and give his daughter's shoulder a warning squeeze.

"It looks like they're ready to start," Green-Stone interjected. "Maybe you two better find a seat."

As the pair moved down the aisle, Rebecca gave the older woman a scathing look. Before the younger woman could launch into a tirade, Green-Stone reached across McCoy for the younger woman's hand and gave her a knowing look. Aware McCoy's attention was still on Malinowski and LaSalle, Green-Stone mouthed the words 'Trust me' to the younger woman.

As the two members of the clergy took their places, McCoy's gaze followed Malinowski as she and LaSalle found their seats on the other side of the aisle.

Mike LaSalle?!? Of all the skirt chasing, smooth talking shysters in this town, she has to pick that son of a bitch..., McCoy thought bitterly. Even Mike Logan would have been an easier pill to swallow...At least Logan's on the right side of the aisle…hell, at least Logan has morals...

Even though it had been years, McCoy could still remember the hell LaSalle had put ADA Tracey Kibre though when the two were an item. The man had the same kind of smooth charm many had accused McCoy of using to his advantage. The years had been kind to LaSalle; the lines in his face only seemed to make the man appear more handsome and world wise. The deep blue eyes still sparkled the way a cat's eyes do when it's about the pounce on its prey; eyes that were highlighted by the hints of grey in the dark brown hair.

What the hell is she thinking?

"I think the hand on the shoulder had the effect you were looking for," LaSalle whispered as they sat down. "He's still watching…exactly how far do you want to take this, Brooke?"

Malinowski gave LaSalle a quick smile, as she kissed him chastely on the cheek.

"About this far. I owe you big time for this Mike. I know it must seem ridiculous, but..."

La Salle shook his head as he thought about the request his former boss had made the night of the bachelor party. In the brief time LaSalle had spent in the States Attorney's Office, he had developed a lasting friendship with both Sam Prescott and his former wife. When Prescott approached him about escorting Malinowski to the wedding, he was surprised but also touched Prescott would entrust him with such a task…especially knowing Prescott was very much aware of his shortcomings his dealing with the women in his own life.

Although he didn't know the details, it was common knowledge that McCoy and Malinowski had put their engagement on hold. While Prescott didn't go into the specifics, LaSalle had been at the banquet that fateful night and had seen the effort Vanessa Galiano was making with Jack McCoy. It didn't take too much imagination to put the pieces together.

"I'm the last person who should judge anything remotely romantic. As far as owing me, I owe you for giving me the pleasure of jerking McCoy's chain," he whispered with a chuckle. "That in itself is worth the price of admission."

As Prescott took his place beside Cohen, Malinowski caught his eye and mouthed the words 'good luck', which his former husband acknowledged with a slight bow. As the music began, the guests stood and Danielle Melnick began her slow march to the alter.

The floor length veil was made of lace, gave the briefest of glimpse of the brides face. Between the veil and the surprisingly modest gown of cotton, Melnick walked down the aisle with an air of innocenc... of freshness... that touched Malinowski's heart as she watched Prescott's adorning response.

The ceremony itself lasted less than an hour. The couple's exchange with the urbane minister was deliberately short and to the point, in order to allow the rabbi the time that was needed to complete the traditional Jewish ceremony.

As the couple completed the standard blessings over wine, Prescott and Melnick exchanged bans. As he placed the thick gold ban on his bride's finger, Malinowski could feel a single tear start down her cheek while she listened to him repeat the rabbi's words.

"Danielle Rose, be sanctified to me with this ring, in accordance with the law of Moses and Isreal."

Malinowski couldn't help but think back to her own wedding day. A day so completely different in traditions and ceremony, yet invoking the identical response from the man at the alter. As the sound of Prescott's foot meeting glass bounced off the walls of the chapel, Malinowski could see the bliss in his eyes, as one chapter of his life came to an end and a new one began with Danielle.

"Brooke," LaSalle whispered, as he offered her his handkerchief.

Malinowski felt his arm go around her shoulders in a genuine show of concern. Taking the offered cloth, she gave into the urge to turn to see the man whose absence beside her, made her tears harder to stop.

When her eyes met the only other pair not glued on the bride and groom, the look of hopelessness in McCoy's face made Malinowski's heart ache all the more.