Chapter 1: Beginning

The rain poured hard that morning, as Olivia Benson buckled her daughter, Nevaeh, into her car seat, and then quickly jumped into the car, and headed to work. The bleak rainy day reminded her of the day she left New Jersey.

Olivia let herself float back to the day she left, 3 years ago. Tristan Tutuola had forced her to leave, evening going so far as to threaten her life. Olivia had decided that the only thing for her to do was to get as far away as she could. The very idea tore her heart into pieces.

Flashback

The night before she had left, just as she finished putting her packed bags back into the closet, just in case someone spotted them, there was a knock and Olivia opened the door to see who it was.

Odafin stood there, dressed in a black suit with his hair pulled back that made him look so devilishly handsome. Lord how she loved him! Grinning at her, he asked to come in for a minute. Against her better judgment, Olivia had let him in.

As he entered the room, it suddenly seemed smaller to her. His size and presence seemed to fill not just the room, but her senses as well. Olivia's eyes met his and they stared at each other for a long time. Her heart started to pound as he stepped close to her.

He touched her face lightly and pushed back a strand of brown hair. Olivia caught her breath at his touch. He smiled at the effect he was having on her. Not to mention how madly in love he was for her. He placed a finger under her chin and raised her face to his.

The gentle smile on his face, the love in his eyes, the warmth of his breath, the intoxicating scent of his cologne, caused Olivia's head to spin. "W… why are you here?" She stammered weakly.

"Shhhhh," he whispered. "I'm here because I love you. Because I want to be with you"

Tears filled her eyes. The thought of leaving him was almost unbearable. "I love you too." She choked out.

Mistaking her tears for happiness, Odafin pulled her into his arms and gently lowered his lips to hers.

Olivia clung to him and welcomed his kiss in a desperate attempt to ease the pain in her heart. The pain that would forever stay.

Their kiss quickly became passionate. He pressed her body closer to his, thrilled that she wanted him like he wanted her. He backed closer to the bed, pulling her with him, and kissing her still.

Reaching out he dimmed the lights, giving the room a soft romantic glow.

Olivia pulled off his jacket, and then started to unbutton his shirt. Her heart was pounding with love.

Odafin needed no more encouragement. He unbuttoned her blouse, and pulled it off her shoulders, then tossed it swiftly to the floor. Running his hands over her body in amazement.

His shirt soon followed, as did the rest of their clothes. Odafin loved her beautiful body. The silkiness of her skin and the way is curves under his hands. He couldn't do anything but constantly want her.

Olivia clung to him as he kissed he neck, savoring every moment her had to offer. She loved making love with him. Giving herself to him, her whole being, heart, body, mind, and soul. It was as if she had been made just for him, and he for her.

They spent the night together, wrapped in each others arms. Then later, made love again. Neither she nor Odafin had even thought about protection. And it never came up.

The following morning, while Odafin still slept, Olivia sat and watched him. His face etched into her brain. With tears in her eyes, she scribbled him a note and explained to him that even though she loved him, she could not stay with him, and how their relationship would not work out, that he would be better off without her. All in all, she did not give Odafin a satisfactory explanation for her leaving.

Placing the note on the table, she took one last look at him and quickly left from the room, fearing partly that he would awaken, and partly that she would change her mind and stay.

Olivia moved quickly and quietly down the hall to the front desk. She told the desk attendant that she would not return and paid her bill. As she got into her car, the tears were streaming down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably. "Fin, maybe someday you will understand and forgive why I had to do this," Olivia thought, trying to reassure herself that she was doing the right thing.

End Flashback

A rut in the road caused Olivia to snap back to reality. The car swerved slightly and then straightened out. Her heart pounding, she gripped the steering wheel tightly turning around to check on her daughter only to find her sound asleep. Olivia drove a little slower to avoid any further incidents.

The rain continued to pour and as hard as she tried to not to Olivia's thoughts once again drifted back in time. To prevent for being found, Olivia had left her phone number unlisted and requested that her name at her employment be kept as discrete as possible.

And as good as Odafin's resources were, it appeared that he was not bothering to pursue her. It grieved her heart to think that he wasn't even going to try to find her, but then she thought that maybe her note convinced him enough to leave her alone.

Olivia looked into the rearview mirror again at Nevaeh. The curly haired beauty that blessed her life months after she left New York. Odafin's daughter! They had not used protection that night. One month later, Olivia realized, as was confirmed by her doctor, that she was pregnant.

Going through the birth on her own was very difficult for her, she had wanted to call Odafin so much, but she was determined to keep her end of the bargain. She was thrilled though to have a daughter, his daughter. At least she had part of him with her, even though her heart still longed for him.

Olivia finally arrived at her daughter's daycare. She parked her car, grabbed the umbrella and unbuckled Vaeh and lifted her from her car seat.

"Mommy." She reached out happily and hugged her neck.

"Oh, honey, mommy loves you very much." She held her small body close.

"Kiss?" She offered as she planted a noisy one on her cheek.

Olivia laughed and kissed her back

After dropping Vaeh off at daycare, Olivia drove five blocks to the police station. Olivia considered herself very fortunate to have gotten into the police academy. Olivia realized being a police officer was her calling in life but wouldn't disclose how she was paying for it. She worked hard and it was starting to pay off for her. Don Cragen, the captain of the 1-6, took a keen interest in her when he visited the academy, and encouraged her work for him. They had hit it off right away. Though he was 55, he still looked youthful and very handsome.

When Olivia reached her desk, Don's head popped out of his office, "Olivia, can you come in here for a minute."

Olivia smiled and said, "Sure, I'll be right there."

Don grinned, "thanks."

Don sat behind his large oak desk and waved her in. Olivia entered the spacious office and glanced around. Floor to ceiling windows covered the wall behind his desk. A leather couch and chair with coffee tables complimented another wall. Olivia smiled and approached the desk. "You called Cap," she saluted him jokingly.

He laughed and stood to greet her. Walking around the desk he drew her into a hug. He saw her as a daughter he never had. Olivia responded and hugged him back. "Why did you call me in here?" She asked.

"Well I need you and your partner tonight." He said.

"What's up."

"The Chief of Police is hosting a party at the Grand Ballroom tonight. Some very important people will be there, including the richest men in the state. And I well I thought that maybe you would consider meeting him." He smiled at her hopefully.

"Well, I would have to find a baby-sitter...Wait are you trying to set me up?" she started.

"Done, you can leave Nevaeh in daycare downstairs, some of the participants do have children, so care for them has been provided. Its hard to find decent care these day, so they feel that is the least they can do. And yes I am." He smiled.

"Well since you put it that way, I guess it might be fun. But I am not dating him. Ill meet him that's all. You got me?" Olivia grinned.

"Alright. Great, shall I pick you and my princess up at eight then?" He asked.

"That would be fine."

"OK then, since that's settled, let's get back to work." He quickly shooed her out the office and then opened the door and let her get back to her work.

After supper Olivia dressed Destiny and then got dressed herself. She put on a knee length red evening dress and wore her long brown hair down.

Olivia peeked into the living room and smiled as she watched her daughter play with a doll. What a precious girl she was. She jumped slightly when the doorbell rang. Nevaeh scrambled to her feet and yelled, "I get it!"

Slipping past her mother she ran to the door. Olivia stopped her just as she reached the door knob. "What have I told you about just opening the door?"

"Alwee wait for mama"

"Correct" Olivia proceeded to open the door to her sharply dressed Captain. "One sec Cap." She put on their coats and shoes.

Dressed in a black tux, he stood and grinned at her. "Ready?"

Standing from tying Vaeh's shoes, Olivia smiled, "yes, all set" She turned and grabbed the coat, "Where is Nick?" she said while locking the door.

"He is with Melinda. He needed a night with his wife."

Don noticed that she was trembling slightly. "Are you OK Olivia?

Olivia shook her head, "Yea, everything's fine."

"Then why are you trembling." Don asked, "Are you nervous?"

"A little." She said. But she was really thinking about her love. She always thought about him.

"Don't worry bout it."

"Right..." Olivia tried her best to be convincing. "Can we just get this over with."

"Sure," Don smiled gently, and opened the door and held it while she and Nevaeh walked to his Lexis.

Sitting comfortably in the car, Olivia placed her hand on Don arm and said, "You didn't upset me dad, I'm just a little anxious." She smiled.

Don took her hand and squeezed it, "maybe the party will do you some good then."

"I think so," she smiled.

Arriving at the party, they were escorted inside. After taking Nevaeh to the Daycare room, Olivia and Don joined the party. A collection of New York's richest men and Finest were all drinking champagne, and engaging in conversations.

Music started to play, Don turned to Olivia "Would you like to dance?"

Smiling she said, "Of Course Dad"

"you look so beautiful tonight."

Olivia smiled, "you look pretty terrific yourself dad."

They laughed. As th song neared its end Don noticed someone in particular and waved him over.

"There is someone that I would like you to meet. I think you will find him fascinating. In my book, one of the richest men this state has to offer. I bragged about you and offered him a dance with you, if you're willing" Don grinned with the face she never could deny.

"Great way to win me over," Olivia laughed. "Where is this 'fascinating' man?" Olivia mimicked with a smile.

"Turn around." Don looking at someone behind Olivia's back.

Smiling Olivia turned to meet the man Don was ranting about. Her smiled disappeared, her heart jumped into her throat as she stood frozen in place. Staring at her with those deep brown eyes of a king was nonother than, Odafin Tutuola.