Before Alex knew it, Wednesday came along and it was time for the moment of truth Cabot vs. Brixton.

Alex presented her case first since she was the one seeking custody of the girl. She got to tell her story and then Brixton and Trevor could ask her questions.

"I'll start with a bit on who I am. My name's Alexandra Ellsworth Cabot. I'm 32 years old and I'm currently the Bureau Chief of Homicide for the DA's Office. I typically work 9-5. My boss said I could work Fridays from home as long as my deputy is there to pick up the slack.

My support group includes my godmother, my aunt and uncle, and my former coworkers from when I was the ADA for the Special Victims' Unit. I was a foster mother once before. When I was in the Witness Protection Program, I took in a boy Antonio, who had been shot by the same man who had shot me. When we left the program, he was able to return to his family.

I met Cassie through my work. Her parents had been murdered earlier that morning, and she was in shock. She wouldn't talk to either the officers or the child psychologist available. I decided to try to talk to her myself. I have no psychological training, but I do understand what it is to go into shock. Right away, she made an impression on me, and we were able to start talking. She's a charming girl who had been through a terrible ordeal, and I just wanted to be there for her any way I could.

I took her to the park that day. We were there when she asked me if I could be her mama because her mom was in heaven now. I had fallen in love with her right away, and I just knew that for some reason, we were supposed to find our way to each other.

She has been staying with me ever since. I have tried to keep her routine as normal as possible. Her parents would have musical Fridays, so I got my piano out of storage and started that in my apartment as well. We have all of the classic Disney movies, and I have a lot of people in my life who love her and want her to be apart of our family.

Miss. Brixton got to go next.

"Did you follow protocol when it came to Cassie's care?"

"Could you be more specific?"

"Aren't you aware that children who are orphaned are supposed to be turned over to DCYS?"

"I am."

"Yet you refused to do so, why?"

"I didn't refuse. I didn't think it was appropriate in this circumstance and I said so, but ultimately DCYS made the choice not to take custody of her."

"And what made you think you were better suited to care for Cassie?"

"Unfortunately, I've been shot and as a consequence of being shot, I had to enter the Witness Protection Program. I know what it feels like to go to sleep with one world and wake up to find out your life has changed forever and your family is gone.

I know what to do when she has nightmares and flashbacks because I had to suffer the same ordeal, and unfortunately, the people responsible for her parents' murders were still at large.

Cassie's safety was at risk and so were the foster parents in the program. They aren't trained to handle such matters."

"And you are?"

"I would say my job and experience have both qualified me, yes."

"So much so that you got taken at gunpoint?"

"It was better me than a foster parent with no experience in hostage situations. I was able to lead the police to the gunman, and he was taken down without a shot fired. I'd also like to point out that Cassie was safe and sound and was no where near the shooter."

"Are you aware that Cassie Walker is worth a lot of money?"

"Of course. That's why her parents were killed."

"And you don't have any interest in this money as her custodian?"

"I have used my own money to care for Cassie and I would continue to do so. Her money is hers to do with as she sees fit when she is 25. I wouldn't touch it."

"No more questions."

Trevor went next to try and humanize Alex.

"Why were you taken hostage?"

"The gunman wanted Cassie."

"Did you lead him to Cassie?"

"No."

"What did you do?"

"I stalled him for as long as I could and when Detective Green called me, I directed him to the office where Cassie was."

"And what happened after that?"

"She was taken to the station and then I was rescued."

"What did you do after you to prevent this from happening again?"

"I arranged for a 24hr protective detail. There was always one officer with us and one officer parked outside of my apartment."

"And how long did you have this detail."

"For weeks. We kept it until the final arrest was made."

"And was it a pleasant experience having a detail?"

"The officers were pleasant, but the experience was nerve-wracking. It made me feel like I was in the program all over again, but Cassie's safety was worth it."

"No further questions."

Miss. Brixton had no witnesses. She just said that this was all very unorthodox and that the Miss. Cabot shouldn't get any special exceptions because she happened to be a prominent attorney.

"Does anyone else have anything to say for the record?"

"Your Honor, my client would like to speak," Trevor said.

"I object," Miss. Brixton said. "She's only four. What does she know about where she should live?"

"I think her happiness is relevant, and as her social worker, Miss. Brixton should be interested in where Cassie wants to live."

"I'll allow it."

Cassie wore a cute little blue sundress.

"Can you please say your name for the court reporter?"

"Cassandra Walker, but people call me Cassie."

"Cassie can you tell me about the day you met Alex?"

She nodded. "The police came to my house, but it was too late. Mom and Dad were gone." She got shuffled from place to place, person to person and it was exhausting.

"Alex came into the room and sat down with me." Instead of bombarding her with questions, she gave the girl a chance to speak. "I told her about my Mom and Dad and she hugged me."

Trevor asked more questions about what she'd eat for breakfast. What she'd do during the day. He asked about the friends she's made.

"Livia's the best. She'll always be my friend."

"How do you know?"

"She said so."

"Do you want to stay with Alex?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"She takes good care of me, like Mom did. I think they would have been friends."

"No more questions your honor."

It was only three o'clock. The judge said he would call the parties back when he made his decision.

"Do you think they'll decide today?" Alex questioned.

"I hope so."

If they don't, Toni could try to take Cassie into foster care.

Alex was waiting outside with Trevor and Cassie when she got a phone call.

"Cabot."

"Sexy Texan!"

"ABBIE! How are you, Love?"

"I'm good, up for having me crash with you this weekend."

"Yes, and you can hopefully meet Cassie."

"You have a new girlfriend?"

"Oh no, she's my foster daughter, well I hope she will stay. Her hearing was today."

"You got a kid? Fill me in."

"Have you been following the Walker case at all?"

"Yeah that scumbag who … Cassie Walker?"

"She's a sweetheart."

"Yes, I'm officially coming over!"

It was 4:50 and they hadn't heard yet. Toni started approaching them and she had an officer behind her when Trevor got a phone call.

"The judge is ready to rule."

Down but not yet out, Alex had a smirk on her face as she took Cassie's hand and led her into the courtroom.

"Our system has rules. We have our foster care system in place so children without biological families can be placed in homes that we know to be suitable and can receive the appropriate support from the government.

If I were to only consider the structure in place, then I would have no choice but to remand Cassie to the state. I, however, can consider more than just the system itself, but I can also consider, what its purpose is in our society.

Our system is designed to promote fairness for the children, but their best interests often get lost in the red tape. Right now, Cassie has a loving home with a suitable parent who I believe to be particularly well adapted to handle her particular needs. I see no reason to remove her just to make her play roulette in the system.

Alexandra Cabot, your petition for custody is granted. You are all free to go."

Alex scooped up her daughter. "We did it."

They shared the tightest hug they had ever shared.

"Thank you for everything Trevor."

"Just remember this when your cops arrest one of my clients."

"I will, but we still won't go easy on you."

Alex called Liz and Jack to tell them the news. It was easy because they were together at the time.

"Are you two back together?"

He said yes while she said no.

"Typical," she told them.

She brought Cassie to the 1-6 to tell everyone, "I won my petition for custody."

"I get to stay!"

Everyone had a big hug for Cassie.

"That's really great," Olivia hugged her quickly.

She turned to Olivia and John. "Thank you for the character statements."

"I couldn't think of a better place for her to be," John told her.

"She's going to meet her Aunt Abbie this weekend."

"Carmichael's coming up?"

"Yep. She's crashing in my guest room or on the couch if her drunk butt can't make it there."

Olivia was jealous. She still hadn't broken up with Casey, so she couldn't complain, but Abbie was hot, gay, and single. She didn't want her over all weekend.

Friday

Alex took a half day at the office and then she and Cassie went home.

"Let's make lemonade for when Abbie gets here."

They made lemonade with raspberry juice so it would be pink.

Alex also got some cupcakes. She was learning to cook, but baking was another skill all together.

The doorbell rang and Alex got it.

"Abbie!"

She gave Alex a big hug. "You look great."

"Cassie, come meet Abbie."

The little girl ran out. "Hi!"

"She looks just like you."

"I know. I almost swear she has the Cabot nose."

"We made lemonade!"

"Isn't that nice?"

"I bought the cupcakes though." They were mint chocolate chip.

Abbie laughed at her.

"Baking is hard!"

The cupcakes were big, so Alex cut one in half for Cassie and ate the other half.

"Half or whole, Abbie!"

"Whole, duh!"

"Do you want to see my new doll?" Cassie had just gotten it the day before.

"Sure."

Cassie came back with an army Barbie who had a little rover. "She's in the army!"

"That's so cool." Abbie turned to Alex. "Let me guess, she has all the professional barbies."

"She has Lawyer Barbie, and Doctor Barbie too."

"I didn't know they made those."

"So they called them business Barbie and medical assistant Barbie. I gave them an upgrade."

Abbie cracked up. "That's so you. When I was her age I had hot wheels."

Cassie's Barbie was deployed overseas. "She's on a mission."

"What's the mission?" Abbie asked her.

"Cookie recovery!"

While Cassie watched cartoons, Abbie and Alex started talking about their personal lives.

"Do you have anyone special at home?" Alex asked Abbie.

The federal prosecutor shook her head. "I started seeing someone in May, but it fizzled out by June." There was that initial spark but nothing to keep Abbie's interest afterwards. "What's going on with you?"

"It's a bit complicated."

"Like new flame complicated or old flame complicated."

"Old flame. It's quite a story."

Abbie and Alex would be discussing it later.

"So what's on the docket for the weekend?"

"Cassie and I have musical Fridays as our tradition, so I thought tonight would be a night for staying in and tomorrow we could hit the club."

"Who will watch her?"

"She has a sleepover at Aunt Liz's."

"Donnelly's going to watch her?"

"She used to watch me when I was Cassie's age." Alex's parents would travel a lot leaving her with Liz and Jack while they were out. They had staff who could watch her, but Alex preferred going to their place. It was cozier.

"Oh yeah. How are they doing?"

"According to Jack, they're back together, but she denies it."

"So she's doing him, but she won't acknowledge him."

"Which is pretty typical for them." Alex shook her head.

"What?"

"Poor man has asked her to marry him like five different times. It's always him in the end. I don't get why she can't give him some kind of acknowledgement."

"Maybe she still wants her independence."

"But she's old. She's been independent for so long; it must get lonely by now."

Abbie laughed. "You used to be Miss. Independent."

"I know. Now, I'm mushy as all heck."

The 1-6 went out to celebrate at Mulligans after their most recent victory.

"Where's Munch?" Olivia questioned when she saw Fin was not with him.

"Musical night at the Cabots."

"It was pretty adorable when he and Cassie were singing Be Our Guest."

"Who knew Munch could be a softie?"

"Apparently, he can't resist blonde hair, blue eyed blondes," Stabler teased.

"Is that the SVU kryptonite?" Fin added.

"Shut up," Olivia grumbled, but he was right, three out of four anyway.

The rounds went liberally.

They started asking each other all kinds of questions and would go around the table to answer them.

"What's the most number of times you've had sex in one day?"

"Five," Stabler said. "Kathy was pregnant with the twins and she was going nuts for it."

Everyone had a similar number, 4, 6, except Olivia.

"Um, 14 times."

"What did you say?" Fin questioned.

"FOURTEEN!"

"How is that even possible?" Stabler gawked.

"We had been snowed in and my girlfriend at the time wanted to break her record of 11, so we went from 8AM to midnight with a few breaks in between but it was pretty much all sex for the day."

When Casey looked at Olivia, she could tell by her blush that it was Alex. "Let me guess, you and a certain ADA had a good time." First the yoga, now this. Why doesn't she jump in bed with her.

"Casey I …"

The redhead stormed off.

"SHIT!"

Fin gave her an apologetic look. It was his question.

"I gotta go guys."

Olivia had to talk to Casey. The question was, what to say.

Musical night had more of a country/folk focus since they had Abbie. They did "Life is a Highway" and some Fleet Foxes to go along with their Disney classics.

Alex had told her that Trevor and John came over on Fridays for music night, but she hadn't believed it.

"Who knew Langan could sing?"

"We used to play in a band together in high school."

"Really?"

"I did lead vocals for most of the songs and the guitar or the piano, he did backup vocals, guitar or bass, and we had a drummer."

"Did y'all dream of going pro?"

Alex laughed. "No, we did shows in basements and underground clubs. We really just wanted a reason to get invited to parties. They usually paid us in beer."

"There's always something new about you," Abbie told her.

Before Alex knew what was happening, Abbie kissed her.