Heart disowned
Summary: After a case goes terribly wrong, Eliot finds he full of guilt, so he decides to do something about it
Chapter 1:
"Are you okay?" Eliot asked Olivia placing an arm on her shoulder. She waved her head and smiled weakly
"Guys, we have a problem" Fin said "I know it's too soon but we've got a case"
"Okay" Liv said whipping the tears away from her eyes. She and Eliot drove in silence afraid of what the other might say. They had just lost a witness. A single mother who had been raped and murdered. But they had met her just a couple months before as she had arrived to the SUV because of her abusive ex boyfriend. Now she had left behind a 4 year old little girl who supposedly would be taken care of
"I'm not so sure about this whole thing" Olivia spoke at last "I don't trust Carly's sister more than I trusted Rusty and he's now locked up"
"you have to give it a chance" Eliot said calmly "I'm sure Hannah will be fine with her aunt" Eliot smiled at his partner "you want to go check don't you?"
She smiled widely, grateful of how well he knew her. They had been partners for 12 years and it seemed like he was the only person that really understood her. She was his office wife. Eliot dialed Fin's number and told him they would meet him at the sight, they were just taking a little detour
The apartment wasn't as good as they had hoped for but it was as far as Faith could afford. She didn't have much money but somehow the state had given her custody of her niece as there was no one else who could care for her, but they often wondered if the little girl had been better off in foster care. They knocked on the door.
Eliot knocked again. Unsure of taking the door down "Faith!" Olivia called "it's Olivia and Eliot!"
No one answered. They just figured she wasn't home, but then they heard a scream. Instantly Eliot pushed the door down and taking their guns out they slowly entered the apartment. It was messy and dirty. The TV was on and there was an awfwl smell "Faith!" they heard noises coming from the only bedroom
Suddenly Hannah came running towards them. She grabbed Eliot's leg. She clearly remembered them. Eliot picked her up. It was pretty cold and she didn't have a jacket on or even shoes on. Olivia asked about Faith and the little girl said that she had gone out and hadn't returned
"okay swettie" Olivia said taking her from Eliot. But she resisted holding on thigh. Olivia and her partner shared a look. She then smiled and went looking for a jacket and shoes. She would be spending the rest of the day with them "here are your shoes" she said as Eliot sat her on a couch and put them on.
"here we go" he said placing her on the back of the car "are you hungry?" the little girl smiled widely. A smile that reminded Eliot of his daughters when they had been younger
They took her to dinner. She sat next to Olivia while Eliot sat facing them. They had already told Fin about what had happened and he decided to take the case on his own
"what will we be having?" Olivia said. Hannah looked from her to Eliot and then back again "what about pancakes…. Do you like pancakes?"
Hannah nodded nervously, and then the waitress came. Olivia ordered coffee for her and Eliot and Pancakes and chocolate milkshake for Hannah. She ate it slowly even though Olivia knew she probably hadn't eaten a thing all day
Back at the office they found Munch who gave them a puzzle look. Eliot explained that Olivia had been worried about Faith's ability to take care of the girl and they had found her alone. They had tried to contact her aunt without success
"You should call social services, so they can place her in temporary custody" Munch said
"I was thinking maybe I could take her sir" Benson said
"Are you sure?" he asked. She had already suffered enough when she had taken Calvin in and then lost him. Benson nodded
"Fine" Munch said "try to get a hold on the aunt as soon as possible. Olivia and Eliot returned to the room where Hannah had been watching TV
"Hey" Eliot kneeled next to her "are you okay?" Hannah nodded. She turned her attention back to the screen "we need to talk to you about something"
"Where is auntie Faith?" Hannah asked Benson "did you find her?"
"No, not yet" Eliot smiled "but we will, don't worry"
Hannah lowered her face "where am I going to sleep?"
Stabler and Benson smiled at each other "I was thinking maybe you could stay with me"
"The three of us?" Hannah asked
"no, I think it's best that you stay with Olivia , but maybe you could come and have dinner with me and my kids would you like that?"Eliot suggested. He usually didn't get his kids or Kathy really involved with his job but there was something about this girl that just made him break all the rules
Okay first Law and Order Fic! In honor of my favorite character Eliot Stabler! Hope you like it! This is only the set up chapter!