Elizabeth Donnelly paces back and forth in a conference room, waiting for Alex to be brought in. Alex has spent the past two days in prison, and Liz is worried about her. Liz was able to talk Olivia down today, but she hasn't admitted to the detective that she is just as scared for Alex as Olivia is. They both know the horrible things that go on in prisons, and she can't help but worry about Alex. Attorneys in prison are always going to be targets, and sex offenders – alleged sex offenders. She knows Alex didn't commit the crime she was convicted for, and she needs to see Alex to assuage her fears for her.

Checking her watch and huffing, Liz turns to see a guard enter the conference room. "Where is my client?"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Donnelly but your client slipped in the prison shower this morning and is in the hospital having her injury treated. You'll have to come back another time," the correctional officer says.

"Bull. Aside from the fact that I highly doubt Ms. Cabot slipped in the shower, I want to see her anyway. Take me to the prison hospital."

"I'm sorry, but that's against regulations. It's for your own safety." The guard moves to guide Liz out the door.

"Do not touch me. I am Ms. Cabot's attorney and I have the right to see her." Fear grips Liz's soul as her mind races through all the possible things that could have happened to Alex.

"I'm sorry. You're going to have to get permission from the higher ups, Ms. Donnelly. You're going to have to leave."

"Fine. But know that there will be consequences for denying my client the right to see her lawyer." Knowing there's nothing more she can do right now, Liz storms out, trying to disguise her fear with anger.

Alex wakes up in the hospital several hours later, rolling onto her side and wincing in pain as her broken body touches the hard mattress of the hospital bed. She brings her hand to her mouth for a moment, feeling her lips to make sure they're no longer bleeding. One of the doctors stitched up her lip earlier and gave her an Ambien so she could sleep, and now her whole body aches.

A guard stands over to her, speaking to the doctor. "Her lawyer was here," he says, clearly referring to Alex. "But I said she was hurt and her lawyer couldn't see her."

Lawyer – "Liz?" Alex says aloud, her heart rate quickening. Liz is here. If Liz is here, maybe Liz can protect her, now that she's unable to protect herself. Maybe she can tell Liz –

No. She won't be able to tell Liz what happened. She's too ashamed. But Liz's presence will give Alex comfort anyway. Maybe instead of speaking through a two-way mirror, she'll be allowed into a conference room, and maybe she can give Liz a hug, and reaffirm for herself that touch can be good, and comforting. Of course, she's not generally a physical person, especially with her boss, but it's been a long two days, and she'll seek physical comfort from anyone who cares about her at this point. She'd really like to see Olivia, but she knows that's not going to happen, and she doesn't want Olivia to be hung up on her forever. Olivia deserves to move on.

"She left," the guard says.

Alex summons up all the composure she can muster. "I'd like to see my lawyer. I have a right to consult with counsel at any time."

The correctional officer chuckles. "Another day, if you behave."

Alex feels tears rush to her eyes at the hopelessness of the situation, but she blinks them back. There's nothing she can do now. She lies back down on the hospital bed and forces herself not to cry.

When Liz returns to her office, she finds Olivia waiting for her. Her eyes are almost imploring, eager for information, alive for the first time in days. "How is she? Is she holding up all right? Is she eating anything? When can I go see her? Did you tell her –?"

Liz just shakes her head, and Olivia wilts, her face falling. She seems to retreat into herself, putting up a wall once again.

"Oh," is all she says.

Liz sighs. "I'm sorry, Olivia. One of the correctional officers told me that she's in the prison hospital. Apparently, she slipped in the shower. I'll be looking into it, of course."

Olivia clenches her fists, unable to stomach the thought that Alex is in pain and needs her now, but she can't be there for her. There's nothing she can do for her love, and she's never felt more helpless in her life. "You have to try to see her again."

"I will, tomorrow, or the day after. So I don't want you to worry, Olivia. I'll make sure Alexandra is looked after."

"You can't, Liz." Olivia nearly stamps her feet in frustration. "She's hurt. She needs me. She needs to know I still love her and I'm still there for her. She needs me to hold her, but I can't, because I'm not there!"

"I know, Olivia, and I promise I will do whatever I can to get you in to see her."

Olivia nods. It isn't enough, but for now, it will have to be.

When a correctional officer comes a few hours later to take Alex back to her cell, she starts to panic, terrified of what Mason will do to her. "I want to see my lawyer," she says, but the guard ignores her, unlocking her cell and shoving her in.

Alex catches herself on her knees, glancing at Mason and starting to tremble at the venom she sees in Mason's eyes.

Mason moves to stand in front of her, staring down at Alex. "Strip."

But now that Alex has her clothes back, she's not about to give them up without a fight. "No," she says, bracing herself for the anticipated blows.

Mason sighs. "All right, pet. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. I'm going to count to three, and when I get to three, I'm going to strip you. One . . . two . . . three."

Before Alex even has a chance to process the threat, Mason has pulled her to her feet and is tearing at her prison uniform. Alex tries to push Mason's hands away, to squirm out of her grasp, but Mason is much stronger. She grabs Alex's wrists with one hand and pins them behind Alex's back as she uses her other hand to pull Alex's clothes off. Within minutes, Alex is naked again, and Mason shoves her back onto the floor. Once again, Alex is filled with shame at the exposure, and she tries to cover her nude form with her hands.

Mason grabs her arms and twists them until Alex whimpers in pain. "You do not hide from me. You are my property, and that means you're mine to view as I want, and I want." She licks her lips. "If you want clothes, you'll earn them."

Alex can think of a million things that are wrong with this argument, but she knows that her sharp legal mind won't help her out of this situation. She just has to take whatever Mason dishes out and try to figure out how she can get to see Liz. She doesn't know what Liz will be able to do for her, but surely there will be something.

She shudders as she feels Mason's rough hands close over her breasts, squeezing them before running her hands up and down her sides, tracing over Alex's entire body. Alex tries to stay still, but she can't help her shaking, even though it only seems to enhance Mason's pleasure. "Maybe if you're a good girl, I'll touch you later," Mason says with a smirk.

Alex turns her head away. She sincerely hopes not. "Let go of me," she says in as strong a voice as she can muster, even though she knows it'll earn her a punishment.

Mason chuckles. "Take a look around, pet. There's no one here but you and me. Do you really want to know what I can do to you with no one else around?"

Alex hesitates before slowly shaking her head. No, she really doesn't. But her pride won't allow her to give in so easily.

Mason pats her head. "Very good. If you want clothes, you're going to have to beg me, and you're going have to do what I ask of you. If not, well, you can just stay like this."

Alex shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant as she gets to her feet. "Fine." She's trying to pretend she has even a modicum of control in this situation, but they both know it's a lie.

Mason smacks her hard. "No. Kneel. You're going to stay kneeling."

Alex forces herself not to bring her hand to her burning cheek as she lowers herself to her knees again, hating that she's been reduced to this. She holds her head high, trying not to show how much she's hurting.

Even as her knees start to ache, Alex knows better than to stand up without permission, and she knows better than to ask for permission until Mason is ready to give it. She tries to pretend she's home with Olivia, safe in her girlfriend's warm arms. "Olivia." The words escape on a whimper, almost of their own volition, and Mason's head snaps up.

"Shut up."

Alex bites her lip and tries to do as she's told, but she can't help her quiet whimpers. Her knees hurt and she's hungry and cold and ashamed, of her nakedness and her demeaning position. Her heart physically aches with a loss she's never felt before; she doesn't think she's ever been so lonely in her life, and she feels as though a piece of her soul is missing. Olivia.

She brings her hand up to caress her own cheek, pretending it's Olivia soothing her, making her feel loved. But she shudders and pulls her hand away as if it's been burned as she feels the slight incision from the tattoo. She'd almost forgotten it was there, but now shame fills her to the core once again. How can she go see Liz, or even Olivia, with a swastika on her cheek and her newly bald head? She looks like a perp.

She is a perp.

How could Olivia love her like this? She knows that Olivia has always been able to see past her body to what's truly in her heart, but Olivia will find the tattoo disgusting. And Alex can't tell her the whole story. She knows she won't be able to find the words. She's too ashamed of letting them hurt her like that. She should have fought back; she should have been stronger. Olivia would never have let them do that to her. She would have fought it, but Alex just rolled over and took it, because she was afraid.

Until now, she doesn't think she's ever known real fear. Now, she doesn't remember what it's like to be without fear coloring her judgment, constantly lingering in the back of her mind. She doesn't think she's ever really been in pain before, either. No one has ever hit her in her life, not even her parents when she was little and certainly never Olivia. And today, her bones ache with the beatings of the past few days, and her skin is mottled with bruises. She doubts Olivia would even recognize her now.

"I love you," she says quietly to herself, pretending it's Olivia saying the words and not herself.

Two days later, a correctional officer comes into Alex's cell early in the morning. "Get up. Get dressed," he snaps. "Your lawyer's here."

Alex's breath quickens as she pulls on her prison uniform, glad to be able to cover herself, for now, at least. She's equally excited and terrified of seeing Liz. On one hand, she knows Liz cares about her and it's been so long since she's been near anyone who has. On the other hand, she's ashamed of herself, her baldness, her tattoo. She's ashamed that she's fallen so far and ended up here, in prison, when she should be at the DA's office right now, helping to convict the scum of the earth.

The guard cuffs Alex's hands behind her back and leads her to the conference room where Liz is sitting at the table. Liz's impassive expression changes to one of absolute horror when she sees Alex, and Alex quickly drops her gaze, discomfort filling her body at Liz's scrutiny.

"I want a few minutes alone with my client," Liz says sharply, and the correctional officer leaves.

Alex hears the door close behind him, but she still doesn't move.

"Alexandra, come here," Liz says a bit more gently.

Alex doesn't even think of disobeying; the past few days have taught her the importance of compliance at all times. She steps up to Liz and stands before her, starting to tremble involuntarily under Liz's appraisal.

"What happened to you?"

Alex hangs her head and doesn't say anything. What is there for her to say?

Liz sighs. "Is there anything you need here? I can talk to –"

Alex looks up. "Olivia."

"She's not going to be able to come see you for a few weeks, but she wanted me to tell her she loves you. She misses you a lot." Liz hesitates. "Sit down, Alexandra."

Alex sits down across from Liz. There's nothing more to say, so they sit in silence for several long moments. Finally, Alex says, "Tell Olivia I love her, too." Her heart hurts at having to say the words. She wishes she could tell Olivia herself.

"I will, but she already knows," Liz says quietly. "Alexandra, if there's anything you need, I will do whatever is in my power to get it for you."

Take me home, Alex wants to say, but she knows that's one thing Liz won't be able to do.

"Tell Olivia I'm okay," she finally says. "I don't want her to worry about me."

"But you're not okay. Who did this to you?"

Alex meets Liz's eyes. She can't tell her the truth. "I did."

"Why?"

Alex thinks quickly and manages to come up with a convincing lie. "I had lice. I figured it would just be easier to have my hair shaved off and let it grow back on its own." She feels tears rush to her eyes; the memory of what Mason did is still so painful, but she forces them back. She doesn't want Liz to think she's weak, and she doesn't want her to tell Olivia everything she's seen. She doesn't want Olivia to worry about her.

"The tattoo, Alexandra."

Alex bites the inside of her cheek, feeling very much like a child being reprimanded by her teacher. "I don't want to discuss that."

Liz sighs and reaches into her pocket. She pulls out a folded piece of paper and hands it to Alex. "From Olivia," she says.

Alex opens the note, and blinks back the moisture in her eyes as she recognizes Olivia's familiar scrawl on the page.

Alex,

I love you. I will always love you. Remember that. Don't give up. I'll come see you as soon as I can.

Olivia

Alex can't help but smile. The note is typical of Olivia – short, simple, to the point, but wrought with emotion even so. She folds it carefully back up and holds it in her palm, not having any pockets in her prison uniform and not wanting to part with her newfound link to Olivia.

Then something occurs to Alex. "How's Lauren doing?"

Liz looks surprised at the question. "I'm not sure. I haven't seen her."

Alex sighs. "And Olivia?"

"She's fine. She misses you, but she's fine."

"Is she back at work?"

"Not yet."

"Please tell her not to worry about me. Please, Liz."

Liz sighs, too. "All right." Her voice is suddenly businesslike again. "We're going to appeal your conviction, Alexandra."

Alex nods. She's expected no less. She also knows they won't win, but they can try.

They sit for a few more moments, then Liz gets up. "I'll be back to see you in a few days, Alexandra," she says.

Alex wants to cry, to scream for Liz to please, please stay, and not to make her go back there. But she can't do that, so she just nods again.

The door to the conference door opens and a correctional officer leads Alex back to her cell. She averts her gaze from Mason's and wraps her arms around herself in an attempt to keep her clothes on, but it's no use.

Mason looks at her and quirks an eyebrow, and that's all it takes. Alex is too worn out to fight anymore, and she undresses and kneels at Mason's feet as she knows is expected of her.

"So your lawyer came to see you?" Mason says with a smirk.

Alex nods, not trusting her voice.

"And did you tell her what good friends we are?"

Alex shakes her head.

Mason smacks her across the face. "What?"

"No, Master," Alex says quietly, blushing at her own words.

"Good. That's good, pet. Otherwise you'd have to be punished."

Alex tries to keep her gaze impassive, but she's sure her eyes betray her fear.

"I think you should thank me, pet."

Alex shudders. "Thank you, Master."

"Good girl. So what did you tell that lawyer of yours?"

"Nothing." Alex feels the crumpled paper she's still holding in her fist, and it gives her strength.

"She didn't ask you anything?"

"No, Master."

Mason raises an eyebrow. "Are you lying to me, pet? Because if you're lying to me, I will punish you."

"No, Master."

Mason sighs. "What's that in your hand, pet?"

"Nothing, Master." Alex crumples the paper further. She won't let Mason have it.

"Now you're lying to me. Let me see it."

Alex shakes her head. "No." She can't.

Mason sighs again. "If you haven't given it to me by the count of three, I'm going to tear it up. One . . . two . . ."

Alex knows she will, and she can't lose her last link to Olivia. Reluctantly, she hands over the page and drops her gaze.

Mason smirks as she reads Olivia's words. "So is this your cop girlfriend?"

Alex doesn't answer.

Mason makes as if to tear the page. "I asked you a question, whore."

"Yes, Master."

"She says she loves you, huh?"

Alex keeps her eyes fixed on the floor. This mockery of Olivia is almost worse than anything Mason's done to her thus far.

Mason laughs. "Well, I guess she doesn't love you anymore. Not the way you are now. And you're mine now, bitch. Not hers. Mine."

No. I will always be Olivia's. And she'll always be mine.

Alex doesn't realize she's said the words aloud until Mason chuckles and tears the piece of paper to shreds.