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Three impeccably dressed men stepped off the elevator and strolled down the corridor as if they owned it. People stepped aside as they walked, rather intimidated. They had that presence about them. A presence that they had only seen their boss possess, but never in this quantity.

The middle man was the one who reached out a confidant hand and pushed open the door that read Mark Hawthorn, CEO. They were met with a 20 something blonde at a desk typing away on a computer, everything about her was immaculate. All three sighed, typical of a 35+ CEO who was struggling facing the big 40.

The blonde finally looked up and the same man held out a business card

"We are here to see Mr Hawthorn. We are from Burke, Browne and Manning. We are representing Miss Cipriatti. Tell him it would be in his best interests to see us"

"Mr Hawthorn is in a meeting" the blonde stated obviously very protective of her boss.

"Call him" the middle man said in a tone that brooked no argument and with flushed cheeks the receptionist picked up the phone. When Mr Hawthorn answered they could hear the explosion through the line. The receptionist flushed further.

"Yes Mr hawthorn but there are 3 lawyers here from" she paused to read the card "Burke, Brown and Manning" she paused for a second before stuttering "They said they are representing a Miss Cipriatti Mr Hawthorn" she winced and held the phone away from her ear before nodding "Right away Mr Hawthorn" she hung up and looked at the three men in front of her. "Mr Hawthorn requests you join him in the conference room" she stood quickly and led the way.

The three men thanked her cordially when she left them in the room before taking their seats and waiting for their adversary. Wisely the man did not keep them waiting for long, walking in confidently and smiling as he came forward to shake their hand.

Lesser men would have missed the fine tremors and the worry lighting his eyes as he looked over them, sizing them up. They also would have missed the slight droop of the shoulders as he found himself lacking in comparison.

"May I enquire as to the nature of the call and what Miss Cipriatti is after this time" he sighed

"Our client is suing you for wrongful dismissal and loss of wages" Mr Burke informed and saw surprise light green eyes opposite him as he laid the paper out.

"She is also suing you for mental and financial anguish" Mr Browne informed slapping down his papers and seeing the incredulous look.

"We also have a warrant compelling your DNA for comparison to her son's to prove paternity. She is then requesting child support to the value of a quarter of your monthly earnings" Mr Manning informed levelly.

"The fuck you say" Hawthorn roared out "Is she mad, she can't do that! I have a wife and children"

"You should have thought of that before you lowered your zip Mr Hawthorn" Mr Burke smiled, it was not a pleasant smile but that of a predator who can smell his prey. "You also never should have downsized her either."

"Do you wish time to read what we are presenting" Mr Manning asked next

"I think I need to contact my lawyer" Mr Hawthorn sighed

"I suggest you do. Miss Cabot has instructed us to pursue this for Miss Cipriatti to the fullest extent, even if that means a messy court battle"

"Alexandra Cabot?" Mr Hawthorn, if possible, paled further

"Yes, she is fond of Miss Cipriatti and requested we represent her" Mr Burke nodded "I presume her editor has called and informed that Miss Cipriatti is on her way to Montana"

"What!" Hawthorn's face now turned red with rage

"Oh dear, I seemed to have let the cat out of the bag. Never mind, not much you can do now that Miss Cipriatti is now working freelance and has exclusive access to Miss Cabot"

"I'm going to kill him" Hawthorn muttered next and three sets of eyebrow rose in question as he grumbled and picked up the phone "Jennifer call my lawyers and get James Packard on the line, he has some explaining to do"

Three satisfied lawyers leant back and smirked. Like a pack of hungry Great Whites they could smell blood in the water and were circling awaiting the kill.

Once finally on the ground in Helena and the doors were open Alex literally had to run to keep up with Tate as she put as much distance between herself and the torture chamber as she could. The others followed more slowly and met up with the other couple at baggage claim.

Alex was cuddled into her lover's arms, offering her comfort the best she could. Tate was still pale and wouldn't meet anyone's eyes, still embarrassed over her reactions to flying. She couldn't help it and didn't understand it as it wasn't as if she had ever had a bad experience.

Olivia grabbed her bag from the carousel then helped Sofia claim her pram and baby capsule. Tyler the ever loving partner carried their bags while Olivia helped out.

The next issue was vehicles. They would need more than Tate's truck which was parked in the long term car park. Alex hustled over to the hire car company who she had hired the SVU to her on her first arrival and secured a similar car.

No one was surprised when Olivia volunteered to go with Sofia and help her out. When Tate stated she wanted to go to a major food wholesaler Tyler sighed and resigned herself to more hours enclosed with a grizzly baby who clearly didn't enjoy travelling.

Tyler ended up driving, allowing the doting mother and her clucky partner access to the baby during the drive. She was going to have to let Olivia know there wasn't a chance in hell she was ready for a kid once they got home.

The drive home was long, they had to stop several times to allow either feeding or changing diapers. Tyler was at her wits end. So much for the myth that cars put babies to sleep. They never met this demon child. She was hardly surprised when Tate and Alex caught up with them in the Calling town site.

They had pulled over, again and she was grumbling and pacing when Tate pulled up beside her. Tate took one look at her and burst into laughter.

"Don't start" Tyler growled.

"That bad huh?" Tate smirked and Alex smacked her and told her to behave.

"A 6 hr flight and 4 hour drive with that baby is enough to put anyone off kids for life" Tyler sighed after checking Sofia and Olivia couldn't hear her "If Liv so much as suggests kids within the next 2 years I think I may go mad"

"She'd make a wonderful mother" Alex stated, sticking up for her friend "If the New York had an ounce of sense she would have been one already"

"What?" Tyler blinked stunned and Alex groaned. Shit

"Look I am sorry I didn't realise she hadn't told you, it's a real sore spot for her" Alex looked over Tyler's shoulder where Olivia was blowing raspberries on a giggling Rafe's belly "She applied to adopt a few years ago, I guess hitting 40 and all. They rejected her"

"Fools" Tyler muttered "Because of her job right?"

"Yeah and the hours she works. Then more recently she was nominated as guardian to a young boy. The mum was a drug addict. She and Calvin loved each other, I guess the mum got jealous and recant the guardianship. He lives with his grandparents now, and contact is forbidden" Alex replied sadly "She still has a picture he drew her somewhere, he signed his name Calvin Benson"

Oh Liv. Tyler turned and looked at her lover in a new light. She was no longer jealous of the attention she was giving the baby. She groaned, of course she was jealous, how petty was that? Maybe 2 years was a bit long to wait, she would talk to her lover once things settled down a bit.

Not long after they were all back in their vehicles and heading out to the Ranch. Tyler drove in front of Tate and with new enthusiasm pointed out things to Sofia. Sofia and Olivia were a bit surprised at the 180 in the change of her mood. She had been nothing but a grump for most of the trip.

The first sign that something was wrong presented at the turn off to their drive, a lot of heavy machinery had been in and out.

Olivia cocked her head to the side as the base of her neck prickled and she got that 'gut' feeling as she took in the sheds and barn, something was amiss. Her jaw unhinged in shock when she realised what it was the same time as Tyler swore and hit the gas.

They flew past the main house and the half completed outdoor kitchen before pulling to a screeching halt near other trucks, some belonging to the ranch, others belonging to neighbours, a couple to the fire department.

Tyler stormed out of the truck, Olivia instructed Sofia to stay inside before hurrying after her partner. Footsteps behind her alerted her to the presence of Tate and Alex as she zig zagged through the vehicles and came to a shocked halt beside Tyler grabbing her arm.

Many people walked around, black with soot. Fire-fighters, ranch hands, neighbours, Tyler's brothers. Some led horses by their leads, others poked at the smouldering embers which were once a tall proudly erect structure. Olivia raised a hand to rub at Tyler's back, feeling her start to shake in barely repressed rage. Her own anger was boiling in her blood.

"Tyler?" Tate stepped forward, her face a picture of horror as she took in the scene, Alex holding tight to her hand as she too couldn't believe the desolation. "Is that the barn?"

"What's left of it" Tyler grated and Olivia cuddled into her side. Someone had set fire to the barn, totally razed it. By the looks of some of the horses it was obvious they had still been inside. Olivia shuddered, she hoped they all got out alive and would be alright. She did a quick head count and it appeared they were all out. She winced as one let out a whinny of pain and she turned to see Midnight the black mare being checked over by Beau and who she presumed was a vet.

"Oh My God is that Midnight?" Tate asked incensed "Christ she got burnt" and Tate was off, running towards her favourite horse, Alex hurrying after her. Olivia watched them go sadly before Tyler took her hand and dragged her over towards where Callum was talking to a Fire Fighter.

"Cal?" Tyler called as they approached and watched as Cal's shoulders slumped for a second before he straightened and turned to his irate sister.

"Hey Ty"

"What the bloody hell happened?" she asked, nodding at the local volunteer Fire Chief.

"We're not sure yet, it's still too hot to go in" Cal shrugged "We're waiting for the trucks to come back with more water to cool it down. At about 7.30 the ranch hands were alerted by Buster. Someone noticed smoke and it was a full on effort then to get the horses out. Ma called the neighbours and they came to help"

Tyler did a quick survey of the neighbours and noticed the glaring absence of one. She scowled and tried not to jump to conclusions.

"Notice him missing too. Funny thing though, Seth Greene was sure he saw his truck heading away from the ranch as he was heading here."

"Chase doesn't live in that direction though" Tyler frowned

"Exactly" Cal sighed

"You suspect arson then?" Olivia asked, not really surprised and hoping like hell the man had slipped up and left some evidence this time.

"Let's wait and see, it would be pretty ballsy if it was. 7.30? Broad daylight, just after feeding." Tyler scratched her head "He'll be my first port of call if it is though" she growled and turned when rumbling engines signified the return of the Fire Engines.

Tate gently stroked the Midnight reassuringly. Other than a small burn on her hind quarters the size of her fist, a thrown hoof and a major case of horsey shock she would be fine. There were other horses that were worse off, bigger burns or wounds from trying to bust out.

The fire has spread from the barn into the back pastures, hence why everything was so chaotic when they still got here. That and the decided lack of water. They might have a river running through the property but absolutely useless for the Fire trucks to refill from. The pressure at the farm wasn't much chop either, barely keeping the ranchers fire fighting equipment filled on time.

Men had to resort to manual labour and wet sacks to fight the fire. Alex had been incensed, declaring it not good enough and she was going to do something about it. Tate had no doubt she would.

Tate had watched her lover leave, a determined stride in her step as she headed back to the SVU that Sofia was waiting patiently beside, all the while staring at the smoking ruins of the barn. Tate wondered whether that would make the features of the article.

Midnight whinnied again and Tate turned back to reassuring the beautiful horse, pressing her forehead to the mares

"I promise you we'll catch the bastard who did this" she told the intelligent animal who snorted and bobbed her head. Tate smiled "Good girl"

Alex pushed the pram into the main house via the mud room door. Sofia followed carrying the baby capsule, Rafael finally fast asleep inside now that they had stopped travelling.

As they stepped into the kitchen they were met with a hive of activity as the wives of all the men outside were busy making food, Judy gates bustling around offering advice. All heads swivelled in their direction as they stepped in.

"Alex" Judy came forward and gave her a hug while the other women returned to their food preparations. "I would say welcome home, but not much of a welcome"

"I am glad to be home" Alex smiled "I have missed our cabin, the peace and quiet. Or it will be once we catch this asshole" she blushed "Sorry"

"No need to apologise" Judy smiled then turned warily to Sofia "You the reporter?"

"Yes Mrs Gates. A pleasure to meet you" Sofia offered her free hand which Judy took and shook firmly.

"Please call me Judy. Mrs Gates was my battle axe mother in law" Judy offered a tentative smile

"Judy then" Sofia smiled "If you don't mind I'll just put Rafael down to sleep somewhere quiet, he's had an eventful trip and then I will come back to help"

"Don't be silly, you're a guest" Judy waved the offer away

"Please. I love to cook, it will be no problem" Sofia assured and Judy shot a surprised look at Alex who shrugged.

"Beats having me help" Alex grinned and Judy chuckled

"Too true dear, you can wrap and pack if it's not too difficult" Judy teased and Alex rolled her eyes as she pushed the pram out of the kitchen. "Put Sofia in our wing" Judy called.

"I presumed as such" Alex called back leading a confused Sofia out of the kitchen and down the hall. "Trust me, you'll find out soon enough" Alex told the bemused reporter. Sofia didn't know whether to be intrigued or cautious.