"I first met Jessica, or Jess as she preferred to be called, at a club a little over two years ago." Alex said as she started telling the story that she never wanted anyone to find out about "Yes Captain Cragen I am gay I just don't advertise it. If asked I will say but I do not introduce myself as I'm ADA Cabot and I'm gay."

"That's understandable and as you know gay, straight, or bi is not an excuse to beat on someone."

"I know. Please don't misunderstand I don't make it a habit to pick people up in clubs but there was something about her. I was drawn to her. We danced and talked throughout the night. When it was time to part we exchanged numbers. It was about a week later she called and we met for coffee."

"Nothing out of the ordinary then?"

"No sir it was your typical abuser scenario. Everything was great she held doors open for me, she would pull my chair out. She treated me like a princess. No one had ever treated me like that before. I was truly thinking that I had found the one to settle down with."

"When did the abuse start?"

"About seven months into the relationship."

"What was the first event?"

"She had shown up at work one day and saw me talking to a fellow co-worker. I never knew she was there. When I got home she was waiting for me. I thought she was there to surprise me like she had from time to time before. When I walked up to hug she just slapped me. Asked me why I was trying to hug and kiss her if I wanted a dick. I told her to get out and never come back."

"She did come back?"

"Yeah later that night, she woke me up beating on the door. It was your typical story. I fell for the oldest line in the book. She swore to me that it was an accident and it would never happen again. Just that when she saw me *flirting* with my co-worker she was so mad and the longer she sat and stewed over it the madder she became. That by the time I made it home she was so furious she couldn't see straight."

"Was it for a few weeks or few months that she was the loving woman you originally fell for?" Cragen asked knowing the ritual of abusers.

"It lasted for about a month."

"What happened?"

"I had to work late one night. As soon as I came through the door she knocked me into the wall. Said she should have known a slut like me would conveniently have to work late. Wanted to know if he was as good as her? When I stood up I told her to leave and never come back. She pushed me against the wall and choked me till I passed out."

Cragen tightened his jaw and stared straight ahead hearing Alex tell her story was like someone hitting him in the gut. He had heard thousands of stories like this before but coming from someone he knew it was twice as hard to hear.

"When I came to she had me handcuffed and tied to the bed. Told me she was going to show me what I was missing. Make me hate men."

"For how long?" Cragen asked clenching his jaw tighter

"Most of the night." Alex choked out showing the first emotion since she began to tell her story "I was so sore the next day I had to call in. I was hurting so bad I was scared I would have to go to the hospital and I knew they would make a report. After that it just became a regular occurrence."

"For how long?"

"At least once a week for almost two years. It stopped the month I started as your ADA."

"Why?"

"Truthfully?"

"Preferably."

"I met Olivia. There was something about her that I knew I was safe and to be honest with all the detectives I work with. So, I made sure we were out one night where she could see Liv. I told her if she didn't leave she wouldn't have to worry about me pressing charges she needed to worry about what she would do. She said she didn't care she could take her. I agreed possibly but could she take on the whole NYPD because that's what she would do if she touched Liv or me again."

"That made her stop?"

"That got her to leave. I came home from work the next day and all her stuff was gone. I moved out and into a new apartment within the same week. Now she is just threatening me and harassing me. I can handle that a lot better than what I was receiving."

"Alex I will need you to write this down. Make a statement that will stay between the four of us and when Liv is better we will read her in."

"I can't. If I do everyone will know that I was weak. They will know I got what I deserved."

"Alex at no time did you deserve anything you received at the hands of that bitch." Cragen lashed out finally losing his cool "If I could wrap my hands around her neck and squeeze at this moment I would. I don't give a damn about my career. I will promise you this. You will never have to worry about her again."

"How can we get her without everyone knowing though?"

"I still have a few friends and I will call in a few favors."

"Cragen please don't risk your career for me. I'm not worth it."

"You are more than worth it and what I do with my career is my business. Besides I won't have to worry about that , as soon as I read the guys in they will have a discussion with her."

"I can't have them getting in trouble for me."

"Alex don't worry. They will just reach an agreement with this Jessica. As you know threatening and or harassing an ADA is a federal offense. She can stop and forget you exist or have a talk with the FBI and spend a little time in a federal prison. Her choice."

"If she doesn't agree?"

"Huang can contact the FBI put you under surveillance and we will get her that way. If it goes that far we will need a statement about you being harassed and threatened by this woman. That's it. Think how many attorneys and cops are threatened on a daily basis. No one will think twice about it."

"I don't know how I can ever thank you." "I said it before and I will say it again. You're family and we take care of our own. There are never any questions asked ok."

Alex simply nodded at him. For the first time in almost two years she finally felt as if she could find peace in her life. She would no longer have to look over her shoulder constantly and wonder when not if she would be struck again. The only thing that was left to make her life normal again was to have Olivia survive the surgery. The way her life and luck had gone though told her she wasn't going to be that lucky.

A/N: Let me start with saying thank you so much for the reviews, follows, and favorites. You guys really know how to boost someones ego on writing. Thank you so much. So Alex's secret out. What will the guys do when they discover what has been happening. Brothers and sisters in blue always take care of each other no matter what. As always reviews are welcomed.