Several minutes later, the door to the interview room opens. Alex instinctively straightens her back and sets her jaw, trying to appear composed as the two detectives and Serena enter the room. Serena sits down beside her and gives her arm a comforting squeeze. The detectives sit on the other end of the table. "Can we take off the handcuffs?" Serena says, gesturing to Alex's wrists. "She's not going anywhere."
Detective Phillips nods and uncuffs Alex's hands. She resists the urge to rub her sore wrists, instead clasping her hands together.
"I'd like a moment in private to confer with my client," Serena says, glancing at the detectives.
Detective Carter sighs and nods. He gestures to his partner and the two of them leave Alex and Serena alone.
Now, with less of an audience, Alex feels the tears start to come. How have things ended up so wrong? "Did you call Olivia?" she finally says.
"Yeah. She's on her way."
Alex sighs and runs a hand through her hair. "Thanks, Serena."
"Alex, I talked to Liz, but if I'm going to be your lawyer, I'm going to have to know the whole story. So what happened?"
"God, Serena. I didn't realize –"
"Just start at the beginning, Alex."
Alex takes a deep breath and tells Serena about Lauren's bruise and how she accidentally lifted her skirt. "But I didn't hurt her, Serena."
"I know you didn't. And what happened today?"
Alex explains to Serena about today and how Lauren had a tantrum and ended up scratching her arm. Serena is silent for a moment, and Alex says quickly, "I didn't molest that little girl!"
"I know, Alex. I know that. But this really doesn't look good."
Alex sighs again. "I know. So how do we fix it?"
"Talk to them. Explain your side of the story."
Alex smiles weakly. "Isn't that the opposite of what most defense attorneys advise their clients to do?"
"Alex, you want to cooperate. You didn't do anything wrong and you don't want to seem like you did."
"I know that."
Serena sighs. "They want to arraign you tomorrow."
"Or if I tell them everything they want to know, they might release me."
"That's pretty unlikely at this point, Alex."
"I didn't do anything, Serena."
"Alex, you don't need to convince me." They sit for a moment in silence, then Serena says, "Should I go get the detectives?"
Alex nods, and a moment later, the detectives come into the room and sit down across from her. "So, Ms. Cabot," Detective Carter says, "Tell us what happened."
Alex repeats her story, watching the detectives' expressions turn skeptical.
"We found evidence of digital penetration, Ms. Cabot. How do you explain that?" Detective Phillips asks.
"That was Anderson! We had him under arrest for Lauren's molestation."
"Those charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence."
"Only because you arrested me for the same crime."
"Because the evidence that you committed it is more compelling."
"I didn't hurt that little girl."
"So you say," Detective Phillips says dryly.
"I want to speak to Detective Benson. She's Manhattan SVU."
"Nice try, Ms. Cabot, but no." Detective Phillips turns to his partner. "I think we're done here. You'll be arraigned tomorrow, Ms. Cabot."
Alex is taken to be processed. She tries not to let her emotions show and maintain her stony façade. She won't let her tears fall, not now. Olivia isn't here to be strong for her so she has to be strong for herself.
A feeling of shame encompasses her whole body as she's patted down by an officer and finger printed. Every single degrading moment of it is burned into her memory. Never in her life has she ever imagined being on this side of things.
When she's finally taken to her cell and shut in, she waits until the guard's footsteps fade away before she lets the tears that have been threatening all day cascade down her cheeks.
"What do you mean I can't see her?" Olivia yells. "I'm the detective working the Davis case and I have every right to see our ADA."
Serena puts a hand on Olivia's arm, attempting to calm her before the detective gets arrested herself.
"I'm sorry, Detective Benson, but you don't have the right to see her. You can see her at her arraignment tomorrow," Detective Phillips says.
"You don't have any evidence!" Olivia shakes her head as if to clear it. This can't be happening. I have to go talk to Donnelly. She will fix this.
"Olivia, please calm down," Serena says in an undertone. "I talked to Alex. She's fine. She'll be okay until tomorrow."
"Calm down! They've falsely arrested Alex for molesting a little girl with no real evidence other than the actual rapist's word. There is no case! Once this gets all straightened out I will be sure all your badges get taken away. Mark my words," Olivia snarls before storming off, Serena hot on her heels.
"This is bullshit, Liz! Alex didn't do anything wrong. How can they believe that prick over Alex? After all she's done for this city! Anyone can see Lauren is being manipulated by Damien Anderson. That man is molesting her and making the evidence point to Alex." Olivia is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She can't protect Alex if she ends up in prison. The courts and cops aren't perfect and she knows a lot of innocent people end up in prison. Please God, don't let this happen. I can't lose my Alex. I can't live without her. But she's begging a God that she's sure doesn't exist. No God would let this happen to an angel like Alex.
"Olivia, please. You need to breathe. Everything is going to be okay." Serena tries one last time to calm the brunette down.
"No, it's not, Serena! We live in a time where everyone is presumed guilty before being proven innocent. And even when they realize she didn't do anything wrong, there will still be that suspicion hanging over her."
"Olivia, sit down," Liz says sharply, and Olivia sinks into her seat, still glaring at Serena.
Elizabeth takes a deep breath. She understands why Olivia is snapping at everyone – the woman she loves is sitting in county lockup for something she didn't do. Sometimes Liz hates the whole system.
"Olivia, I'll make sure this gets taken care of," Liz assures her. "I will not let Alexandra be blamed for Damien Anderson's crimes. Serena, I know you've been acting as Alex's lawyer, but I am going to be taking this case."
"If you don't mind, Liz, can I sit second chair? I want to help Alex," Serena says.
Liz nods. "I doubt any prosecutor in this office will want to take this case anyway. But Serena, I need you to talk to McCoy get his permission, just as a formality. I don't want you stepping on anyone's toes." Liz is sure that McCoy will be more than happy to let Serena take second chair; she just needs Serena out of the office. She wants some privacy with Olivia.
"Of course, Liz. I will be back in a moment." Serena closes the door behind her as she leaves to talk with McCoy.
Liz gets up from her chair and sits down opposite Olivia. "Olivia," she says in a gentler voice, "I know you're worried, and between you and me, I am, too. But I'm sure Alex will be fine for now. However, there is a very small chance that Alex might be in some serious trouble soon. I know she didn't do anything to that little girl, but if word gets out that she's been accused – and Anderson's going to make sure this story will get into every newspaper and media outlet there is. I'm not trying to scare you, but I want you to be prepared for what might happen." Liz knows that Olivia will appreciate the truth, not a bunch of comforting lies. "Olivia, you've got to stay calm, no matter what. This could get ugly, and we can't have you attacking a reporter just because he says something you don't like."
"Liz, I'm scared," Olivia admits. "I can't protect her while she's in jail. I can't stop anyone from hurting her. This will kill her if she gets convicted. I need to help her." She ducks her head and confesses, "I need her with me. I love her, Liz. We're supposed to be preparing our wedding, not her defense." Olivia finally lets go, bowing her head as tears rush to her eyes. She's afraid for Alex, but she's also afraid for herself. She doesn't know what she'll do without her Alex.
"Olivia, I'll do my best. I promise you that. I'll do my best to protect and help Alexandra. I will do everything within my power to bring her back to us. Now I need you to promise me a couple things."
Looking into Liz's eyes, the detective is ready to promise anything if it will get Alex out of this situation. "Of course. Anything."
"I need you to hold yourself together and collect all the evidence you can against Anderson. I need you to talk to the teacher that is claiming these things against Alex, and talk to Lauren again. If we can get them to realize the truth, they'll drop their accusations and all that Damien will have is his word against Alexandra's. And second . . ." Liz takes a deep breath. She can't let her fondness for Alex override her professionalism, but she has to say this anyway. "Second, I need to know that you will never abandon her, Olivia. That you will never let anyone make you doubt her, even for a moment. That you will always be there for her and love her no matter what. That even if the worst happens, you will never quit fighting for her, even if she pushes you away." Liz holds Olivia's gaze level. Alex is like a daughter to her, and although she knows Olivia loves Alex and won't hurt her, she has to tell her anyway.
"I love Alex with all my heart and soul," Olivia says softly. "No one could ever keep me away from her. I would do anything for her. No matter what I will never doubt her or lose her. I promise, Liz, I will never, ever hurt her." This promise isn't just to Liz, but also to herself.
The next morning when an officer comes to escort her to the courthouse for her arraignment, Alex tries to retain as much dignity as she can. She keeps her face impassive and tries not to flinch at the officer's firm grip on her arm and the cuffs biting into her wrists. She is Alex Cabot, and she's strong. She has to be.
After a night alone in a cold, dank cell, absolutely terrified that this will be her future, she almost bursts into tears of relief when she sees Liz Donnelly sitting at the defense table. "Are you all right?" Liz asks in an undertone as Alex slips into the seat beside her.
Alex folds her cuffed hands on the table in front of her and nods, crossing one leg over the other as she scans the courtroom for Olivia, although she tries not to make it obvious what she's doing. She sees the detective sitting several rows back and tries to smile. The anxiety in Olivia's eyes breaks her heart, but Olivia relaxes slightly when she sees Alex and smiles back.
It feels so strange to be sitting here, at the defense table instead of at the prosecution table. She sneaks a glance across the room and sees a tall man wearing a grim expression sitting at the prosecution table. This doesn't look promising.
She jumps slightly at the sound of the judge banging his gavel. "People v. Alexandra Cabot," he says, peering at her over his glasses. "The charges are two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree. How does the defendant plead?"
"Not guilty," Liz says sharply.
"People on bail?"
Alex opens her mouth to speak, then remembers that this isn't her role in these proceedings and clamps her mouth shut.
"The defendant has ample means at her disposal," the prosecutor says. "She has substantial savings, and she is charged with the heinous crime of child molestation. The people request remand."
"Ms. Cabot is a respected attorney working for the Manhattan DA's office," Liz says. "She is not a flight risk. The defense requests ROR."
"Let's split the baby," the judge says dryly. "$50 000, cash or bond. Ms. Cabot, you will surrender your passport and you will not leave the jurisdiction." He sets the trial date for three weeks from now, but Alex barely hears. Surely Olivia can come up with $50 000. She's going home. She's going to fall asleep in Olivia's arms tonight instead of in a cell in the county jail. Maybe Olivia will make her whipped cream, even if she mock-complains about it. Maybe they'll order Chinese food and curl up on the couch and watch a movie, and Alex will never take such comfort for granted ever again.
"The people ask for an order of protection for Lauren Davis," the prosecutor says.
"So ordered," the judge says. "Ms. Cabot, you are to stay at least one hundred yards from Lauren Davis, her mother, her stepfather, and any other members of her family as well as her home and her school. If you violate this order, your bail will be revoked."
Alex nods, trying to calm herself. She can't wait to go home, but she knows that it may be several hours yet. That's okay. She can wait a couple hours.
They strip search her when she's finished in court, but she can handle that, too. She bears the indignity with as much grace as she can, and waits in a small, dirty cell for Olivia to come for her.
She hates feeling so helpless and needing Olivia so much. Without her girlfriend, she'd be stuck here for another three weeks, and she doesn't know how she'd be able to survive that. She's always been so independent, but now her entire future rests on the shoulders of Olivia and Liz. She trusts them both, but she can't help but be slightly wary.
She spends the next little while pacing the cell, trying to calm herself down. "I'm okay," she says to herself. "It's going to be okay." She knows this is what Olivia would say to her if she was here, and it helps, a bit.
Alex's head snaps up as the cell door opens and a guard steps in. "Come on," he says gruffly, snapping cuffs on Alex's hands again and leading her roughly upstairs. Alex stumbles a bit, but struggles to keep her composure. She's going to be with Olivia now. She's okay.
Her face breaks into a smile when she sees her girlfriend standing at the front of the courthouse, and as soon as the guard undoes her cuffs, Olivia opens her arms and she runs into them, ignoring her typical aversion to public displays of affection. All she wants right now is to be in Olivia's arms, and now she is.
Olivia wraps her into a tight embrace, kissing the crown of Alex's head and holding her close. "It's okay," she whispers, and Alex feels a tear land on her hair. "I love you, princess. We're going home. It's okay."
Alex finds it odd that Olivia is trying to reassure her when Olivia's the one who's crying, but Alex slips her hand into Olivia's and they walk together to Olivia's car. Olivia massages away the redness on Alex's wrists as they walk, and Alex reaches over to brush away Olivia's tears. "I'm fine, angel, really," she says, kissing Olivia's cheek.
"Oh, baby, I was just so worried!"
Alex feels terrible. "I'm sorry, Liv. I shouldn't have –"
"Alex, this wasn't your fault, not at all. You didn't do anything wrong." Olivia kisses her hand. "I just love you so much."
They climb into the car, and Olivia holds Alex's hand tightly in her own as they drive home in silence. Olivia doesn't ask how her day in jail has been, and Alex is glad. She doesn't want to talk about it. She just wants to forget.
When they get home, Alex curls up on the couch, basking in the comfort of her home. And Olivia, blessed Olivia who knows exactly what she needs, who brings her a cup of liquid whipped cream and sits down beside her on the couch, wrapping her arms around Alex and gently massaging her back, pressing intermittent kisses to the base of Alex's neck.
Alex smiles at Olivia's affections and leans into her girlfriend's comforting touch. She needs this, forever. She doesn't know what she'd do without Olivia, and she hopes she never has to find out.