Disclaimer: Same as always, they're not mine.

A/N 1: Happy Birthday to Ms. Diane Neal!! SVU is not the same without you :)

Now onto chapter 8 . . .

The trio walked through the park, occasionally passing a tiny group of mother's with strollers or a jogger. Their hair being continually blown back; away from their faces thanks to the cool fall breezes. Casey to Kim's right and Alex on her left, sighing softly Kim began the story of why she'd left DC.

"When I was in DC, I worked for the Federal Office of Violence Against Women –my soon-to-be ex-husband, Greg, is also a government lawyer. He'd been working odd hours, was secretive . . . looking back I should've sensed it; but didn't. Then one night while we were in bed, he let it slip that the case he'd been working was a sexual harassment . . ." Casey supplied answer as Kim paused.

"Against Congressman Evans,"

Kim exhaled slowly and nodded. "He practically bragged about it, how they were gonna get away with it and no one would be the wiser. I was . . . livid, but didn't say anything and just rolled onto my side like I was going to sleep. The next morning at work, I looked into Evans background . . . this case wasn't the first against him." Kim paused again, the mere memory of what she'd found making her sick to her stomach. "He liked them young, always the same kind of girl: young, twenty-three to twenty-five, blonde, with green or blue eyes . . . . and always well within his reach."

"Secretaries and law students working as paralegals," It was Alex who spoke that time, her own voice had become thick with suspicion and disgust. Again, Kim simply nodded.

"I knew there could be legal ramifications, but I wasn't about to let him get away with it again. I told my superiors what I knew, and they went after Evans –he was found guilty and sent to prison." Kim pinned a lock of stray hair behind her ear, "After the trial, Greg told me he wanted a divorce . . . later telling me I'd never win a case in DC again. And though the latter didn't prove to be true -things were never the same after that." The three women had come to playground, which thankfully wasn't completely crowded, so they were able to sit down on a bench but weren't likely to be over heard; thanks to the playing children.

"How bad was it?" Casey asked, her tone curious, knowing that every situation was different.

"Bearable, at first . . . then in a matter of weeks things changed. Every time I walked into a courtroom, I felt like I was the one on trial –always having to defend myself. Slowly one by one, all my friends began to step back, like I wouldn't hesitate to turn on them." Kim smirked, her gaze lowering as she tried to hide the pain but her soft tone betrayed her. "It was like . . . the only reason I got into the 'club' was because of my marriage and once that ended, not only was there not a place for me –no wanted to be even remotely connected to me."

"Because they were all in on it -one bad apple spoils the bunch." Alex stated knowingly, adding as her gaze shifted to Kim. "You did exactly what you should've, you didn't give in; protect scum like Evans and essentially become it yourself. That's why they turned against you, because you wouldn't bend to their will, even if it meant your job –whereas they'd traded in their conscious and ethics years ago."

Kim looked from Alex to Casey, "And you're telling me this squad won't?" Alex gave a soft chuckle, sharing a knowing look with Casey.

"Hey, they put up with the two of us didn't they? And like you so bluntly put if before; we're not exactly poster children for the DA's office."

Casey chuckled as well adding, "They haven't let you in yet, because you haven't given them a reason to." Slowly, Casey pinned a lock of her red hair behind her ear, then continued. "I'm gonna tell you three things they told me in the beginning, which truthfully are things that I'm never going to forget. One: nothing in Special Victims is black and white, so don't bother trying cases with that mindset. Two: in Special Victims, it's just you and that squad, and if you're not willing to be a part of and fight for that family –you have no right being there. And the three: we do the job, because somebody has to –not for the glory or promise of praise."

Alex nodded softly in agreement, her tone soft but full of conviction. "SVU always has, and will continue to be the underdog. The ones who see the true evil of this city -and none the less everyday come back for more."

A/N 2: Hope you guys enjoyed chapter 8 (and it was worth the wait to find out the truth -or at least my version of it.) And unless my plot bunnies decide otherwise, there will probably only be one or two more chapters left in this little fic.

As always, leave me your thoughts/comments (since they are my drug of choice.) ;)