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Alex Cabot didn’t have a problem.
She didn’t receive worried looks from her co-workers when she turned down snacks, even though she’d been at the precinct all day without so much as a coffee. She didn’t feel the satisfaction of the complete control over her stomach, having it empty on her own accord.
When she was out at restaurants, getting the lightest meal on the menu was a no-brainer. Olivia would frown, and ask “why just the salad?” . At the beginning, it was easy to brush off with a simple “Oh, I’m just a picky eater.”. It worked like a charm, until it didn’t. Damn Olivia and her caring ways.
Eventually she moved onto “I’m not that hungry.” but that stopped working after a while too.
No, Alex Cabot didn’t have a problem, and it definitely wasn’t worse when the defence was winning. When a case was going down the drain, when everything was spinning, nothing was in control. When the witness was being torn apart on the stand and Alex could only sit there. The emptiness in her stomach bought her some comfort.
So she sat in the courtroom, ready to cross-examine the defendant when she was hit with a sudden wave of lightheadedness. Alex shut her eyes briefly to rid herself of it, yet it didn’t cease. When the defence was finished, she had no choice but to start her questions. Her thoughts were sluggish, and her body was heavy as she stood up.
“You testified that you don’t know who the complaining witness was, correct?” Alex asked, trying to make her voice as articulate as it usually was.
“Yes.” The defendant replied, to the annoyance of Alex. “I’ve never met her.”
“So the pictures on your wall were just of strangers? Prosecution exhibit twenty-three, your honour.” She smirked, taking the pictures from the evidence pile. She swallowed, this was her chance. She wasn’t even around the table when another wave hit her, this time knocking her off balance. Her hand hit the table with a blunt bang , holding herself upright.
“Miss Cabot?” The Judge questioned, narrowing his eyes at her.
“Yes, yes, I… I…” Alex trailed off, the floor moving out from under her feet. She glanced around the room, stars fell from the ceiling. A familiar voice called out her name, and then there were strong arms wrapped underneath her shoulders. She must’ve been falling, she felt the cold floor on her legs before she finally blacked out.
Slowly, she came to, Olivia kneeling beside her. Blurry vision steadily focused. What the hell happened?
“She didn’t eat last night or this morning.” Alex heard her whisper to Elliot. “I have a muesli bar in my purse…”
“No…” Alex mustered up the strength to say, weakly sitting up. “Not hungry.”
“Like hell you aren’t.” Olivia scolded softly, Elliot handing her the muesli bar, which was then held out to Alex.“Sweetie, you need to eat, or I’m calling an ambulance.”
“But-but the tria-” Alex was cut off.
“Defence requested a recess.” Olivia said with a small smile.
“I thought they would motion for dismissal, I’m surprised.” Alex joked, rubbing her eyes. “I’m sorry, I probably blew the case.”
“Doubt it. Now, hospital or food?”
Alex scowled, then yanked the muesli bar from Olivia’s hand in defeat.