A/N: I finished Season 9 and Kim Greyleck is a goddamned bitch. She tried too hard to be Novak and she's just not.

butterfly2202: Goddammit, you seem to be practically writing my plotline for me :) Yeah having what I have sucks, but knowing what it's like to be disabled can be very useful when you're trying to help someone who is. And I concur that Alex + kids= episode that I would nominate for an Emmy. Especially since she can handle it, unlike Casey who would probably start crying for the eleventy-seventh time.

Beyond The Sea x: Really? I'm pretty bad at this poetry stuff, but I like using it when the mood calls for it. As for my car, babboo is a white 2014 x1, manufactured in Germany. The part finally came in after 6 weeks, and I was told that it malfunctioned due to moisture (?) It's like having all the practicality and easy handling of a station wagon except it's a fucking BMW.

Lexie: I have to go rewatch that ep, but I'm pretty sure that you are correct that Casey is pro-choice. She is, however, someone with a strong moral compass, and I doubt that she would actually have an abortion herself. The rate of termination of DS pregnancies is quite high, and I felt that it should be touched upon in the fic. As for why Casey would think about it, I would chalk it up to a panic response rather than political views, given that she's more emotionally driven than Alex. Then again, this is probably a very common reaction to their situation.

Also, I took major artistic license with the civil proceedings below. I pretty much based them off The Social Network's portrayal. #didnotdotheresearch #sorrynotsorry #icanusehashtags #yolo


Skimming her eyes over the page for the fortieth time, Casey sank into her chair, slightly swollen feet propped up on her desk, devoid of any footwear. The file in her hands was for a case that she was more than prepared for, and she no longer comprehended what she was reading, as the words had long since blended into indiscriminate black streaks across white paper. It just added to the illusion that she was being productive and not lost in her own mind, thinking of her daughter. In the month that passed since they received the amniocentesis results, Casey wandered in a haze, senses dulled to the world around her. Only Alex stood out, always offering a kind word, gentle kiss, or tender assurance to keep her in the right direction.

"You should go home, Casey." Sherri's voice broke into her thoughts. Concern was etched into her features.

Casey sighed, tossing the file on her desk. "Can't. I'm expecting Lizzie in a few minutes."

Sherri got up from her desk, walking across the room to sit on Casey's. "Nobody blames you, you know." she began. "It's only normal to feel what you do, when you're faced with a challenge like this."

Casey swallowed. "We've been having takeout every night for the past two weeks. I haven't taken on a single case. Admit it, I'm a mess."

"You are anything but, Casey. You're coping. It means that you're human. Everyone is allowed to grieve." She placed her hand atop her partner's. "You just need time. It will be better."

The ghost of a smile crossed the redhead's lips. "Thanks."

Sherri returned the smile "Don't mention it."

A soft knock was heard from the office door, and Lizzie made her way into the office. Sherri took this as her cue to leave, and made her way out.

"Hey there, kiddo." Casey plastered on a small grin. "Ready for this hearing?" They were attending civil proceedings today, hopefully to gain a settlement.

Lizzie squirmed in her seat. "I'm not sure."

The redhead leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. "What's up?"

The teenager gazed into her lap. "I'm nervous."

"That's perfectly okay. Do you wanna talk about it?" Casey asked, furrowing her brow.

"He's gonna be there." Lizzie whispered, barely noticed by Casey.

Casey reached across the desk to take Lizzie's clammy, trembling hands, warming them between her own. "Hey, he can't get you now. I'll do most of the talking for you, and if he even looks at you funny, he's in deep shit. Just remember, I'm here for you, and you're the driver. It's whatever you feel comfortable with. I've got you."

Lizzie's lip quivered. "Miss Novak-"

"How many times do I have to tell you?" Casey couldn't help but smile, this one authentic. "It's Casey."

"Casey. I'm afraid to look at him. What if I see him and then I see him coming for me all over again?" The girl was a tearful trainwreck.

Casey moved around her desk. "C'mere, Lizzie." She pulled Lizzie into a hug, resting her chin on her hair, and rubbing circles into her back. "I know how this feels, and I remember how hard was to stand up to my abuser. But it will be okay, and you'll feel so much better when you do. It'll be fine, hun, I promise you. I will not let him get to you."

Lizzie's sobs quieted some, and Casey pulled back to wipe her tears. "Better?" she asked, resting her hands on her shoulders.

Lizzie bit her lip and nodded. "As good as it's going to be." Casey squeezed her shoulders and gave her a soft smile, before grabbing her briefcase. Lizzie followed her with her eyes, before asking a question of her own. "Miss- I mean- Casey, you look kinda sad?"

Casey's head snapped around to meet Lizzie's eyes. "No, honey, I'm fine." She hurriedly assured, smiling quickly.

"Forgive me, but you almost seemed, I don't know, somewhere else, when I came in. You've been really distracted for a while. Is there something wrong?" Lizzie pressed.

Casey sighed, her hand going immediately towards her barely-there bump. "My baby has Down's Syndrome."

Lizzie's jaw dropped. "Oh my God, I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"

Casey gently squeezed her arm, interrupting her. "No, I should be sorry. I'm supposed to be here for you and all the other victims I work with, and I've just checked out. What kind of lawyer would I be if I didn't put in my best effort for you?" She paused, letting her eyes flick to the floor. "Thank you. For calling me out on that. I really need to snap out of this. Now what do you say we kick Ethan's ass?" She smirked.

They went to a conference room, where the defense, among other officials, were present. Ethan sat at one end of the table, and fixed a steely eye on Lizzie as she entered. This did not go unnoticed by Casey, who immediately placed a reassuring hand on Lizzie's quaking back, and shot him a glare only Alex Cabot could match.

"Threaten her, and you're done." she mouthed. Ethan simply snorted and turned to talk to his lawyer.

The net few minutes consisted of rather mundane procedures, which Casey would never cease to find infinitely boring, but such was being a lawyer. Finally, it was her turn to speak.

"My client is willing to settle out-of-court for $500,000 damages. We feel that this amount is sufficiently punitive, and will cover any medical expenses and psychological care resulting from Mr. Merrick's actions." Casey dictated, going back into ADA mode.

Kressler scoffed. "Fat chance, Ms. Novak. That's excessive, even for you. My client fully intends to have his day in court, and get this frivolous suit tossed out."

Casey reached for Lizzie's hand under the table, maintaining her grip to keep her calm. "I'd hardly call this suit frivolous. Your client brutalized Ms. Stabler for months, and there is a plethora of physical evidence against him! We're doing you a favor by asking for a settlement, a judge would easily order your client to pay five mil, and you wouldn't want that, would you?"

Kressler's lips split into his signature smug grin. "Oh, come on, counselor. We both know that Ms. Stabler here got herself into trouble and is using Daddy's connections to get away scot-free, just like her big sister."

Casey jumped to her feet, slamming the hand that wasn't holding Lizzie's on to the table. "What planet are you on?! My client was so intimidated by Mr. Merrick that she hasn't seen her father since the abuse began! I'd hardly call that using any connections. And how dare you bring her sister into this! Hasn't your client traumatized Ms. Stabler enough?!"

"Jeez, aren't we hormonal this evening." Kressler murmured under his breath, but purposely loud enough for Casey to hear.

Casey stilled, and stayed silent for a few moments. She imagined that there was probably smoke pouring from her ears. "Hormonal? So you see that I'm pregnant and your first thought is to assume I'm just hormonal? Let me remind you that I was an ADA for many years and I could easily crucify your client the second he steps foot into a courtroom. And as for you, counselor, you're forgetting that the Attorney General does not take kindly to discrimination, which you have just committed, and she is more than willing to drag your ass before the bar and have your law license yanked, and I wouldn't put it past her to take your balls with it." She husked that last line in her signature intimidating whisper.

Kressler averted his gaze, before turning to Ethan, conversing in hushed whispers. He raised his head to face Casey's stern expression. "My client and I have considered your offer, and we accept. Mr. Merrick will settle this suit for $500,000 damages."

For the first time that day, Lizzie smiled widely, and threw her arms around Casey. "You did it! How can I ever thank you?"

Casey returned the grin. "Kick his ass in trial. Your testimony will lock the bastard up for a nice long time. Besides, what kind of lawyer would I be if I let you go through a second trial?"

Ethan approached the two women, and Lizzie's face fell. He stared hard at the teenager, drilling a hole into her head with his eyes. "I'll see you in court." He said in monotone.

Casey quickly pulled Lizzie against her, hiding her face in her neck. "You have three seconds to get out of my sight before I have your bail revoked and your ass collared for violating the order of protection. Three, two..." She didn't have to finish, as he shuffled away, and filed out with the rest of the attendees. She released Lizzie, and they slowly left the room together.

"So, where do I go from here?" Lizzie asked.

"Well, your trial date is in about 3 weeks. You've already testified before the grand jury, and now you just have to do it again at his trial." Casey replied.

"But he'll be there?" Lizzie shivered.

Casey's eyes softened. "The constitution gives him the right to face his accuser. Trust me, I know how horrible it is to deal with, from personal experience. The ADAs on his case will work with you on what to say. Then you just answer the defense attorney's questions as honestly as you can."

Lizzie hugged herself. "What if he starts saying that I'm a liar?"

Casey put her hands on her arms, gesturing Lizzie to look at her. "You know what happened." she whispered. "Nothing that anyone says can change that. And with all the images of your bruises, a jury will be hard-pressed to believe any of his crap."

A few tears pricked Lizzie's eyes. "Will you go with me?"

Casey moved to wipe her tears. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. Alex too. The SVU always looks out for its own."

Lizzie calmed, reassured. "I don't know how to thank you for all that you've done..."

The redhead smiled genuinely. "Show the prick that he doesn't own you. That's all the thanks I need."