Warning: Story contains very graphic material. Talks about how abuse physical and mental to anyone child or adult, along with rape can destroy someone but how love and faith can keep us together.
If offended by this material or a love and sexual relationship between two women please do not read any farther.
Authors: SVUlover14 and jbcjazz
Disclaimer: Dick and NBC owns all things SVU
Olivia sits at her desk, filling out a DD-5 and trying not to think of Alex, who is surely waiting at home for her, checking her watch and wondering why she's late – again. Olivia promised she would be home by six at the absolute latest, and now it's 6:12 and it doesn't look like she'll be getting out of here anytime soon. She has to finish this before she can leave, but she can't keep her mind off her girlfriend, considering the different ways she will make it up to Alex. A nice, romantic dinner – a massage – making love to her, sweetly, gently, beautifully – yes, either of those will work just fine. Or a combination thereof. Alex will forgive her.
She looks up and is startled when she notices a tall woman with dark hair standing just a few feet away, wondering how the woman managed to slip in unobserved. She sighs, recognizing that she's not going to be getting out of here for another half hour at least, and beckons to the woman. "Ma'am, I'm Detective Benson. Is there anything I can help you with?"
The woman clears her throat. "Yes, actually. I'd like to report a case of child sexual abuse."
Olivia nods. Alex will just have to wait. "All right. Why don't we go into an interview room?"
The woman obediently follows her toward an interview room and sits down across the table from her. Olivia waits for her to say something, and finally she says, "Detective, I'm Andrea Paisley. I'm a first grade teacher at P.S. 135, and I believe that one of my students is being sexually abused."
Olivia nods again. "Can I have this student's name?"
"Lauren Davis," Mrs. Paisley says, and Olivia writes it down.
"And why do you think she's being sexually abused?"
"Comments that she made to me this morning about the way her stepfather touches her. She told me he came in to put her to bed last night and, the way she described it to me, it sounds like he raped her."
"And how old is Lauren?"
"She's six."
"Is there anything else that leads you to suspect sexual abuse?"
Mrs. Paisley smiles tightly. "Isn't that enough?"
"Of course. It's just standard procedure."
Mrs. Paisley hesitates. "Last week, there was an incident. She had an accident during recess – but with first graders, of course, that's not uncommon."
Olivia nods. "Any recent changes in behavior?"
"Um, she told me last week she didn't want to go home. I asked her why, but she wouldn't tell me. I let it go."
Olivia asks for some identifying information and writes it down. Half an hour later, they're done, and Mrs. Paisley leaves. Olivia makes a note to speak to Lauren tomorrow and see if there is any truth to Mrs. Paisley's suspicions.
Suddenly too tired to finish her DD-5, Olivia decides to leave it until tomorrow and go home to Alex. Her girlfriend always makes her feel better after a tough case.
Sure enough, when she gets home, Alex is waiting for her with a smile and a home-cooked meal of chicken parmesan. "Sorry I'm late," Olivia starts to say, but Alex silences her with a kiss.
"It's okay. Dinner's on the table."
Olivia smiles and wraps her arms around her girlfriend. "Have I told you yet today how much I love you?"
Alex smiles back. "Multiple times."
They sit down together and eat in comfortable silence. When they finish, they go straight to bed and fall asleep in each other's arms. As she drifts off, Olivia thinks vaguely that this is the perfect way to end a tough day. She hopes they'll have this forever.
The next day, Olivia goes with Elliot to Lauren Davis' school to interview her and see if her teacher's suspicions are correct. They sit down in the staff room. Lauren keeps shooting furtive glances at Elliot, and finally he says that he's going to get some fresh air and he'll be back in awhile. When he leaves, Lauren visibly relaxes, and Olivia gives her a smile.
"Lauren, my name's Olivia and I'm a police officer. Do you know what police officers do?"
Lauren nods. "They're s'post to protect you when something bad is happening."
"That's right. So I was wondering if anything bad was happening to you that you might need my help with."
Lauren shakes her head and hunches her shoulders.
"Okay, well, are you all right with talking to me anyway?"
Lauren shrugs, and Olivia takes it as a yes.
"So, Lauren, who do you live with?"
"My mommy and Damien."
"Who's Damien?"
"My stepdaddy."
"What about your real daddy?"
Lauren shrugs. "I don't know."
Olivia nods sympathetically. "You know what? I never knew my daddy either."
Lauren sneaks a glance at her, relaxing slightly.
"Do you have any brothers and sisters?"
Lauren shakes her head.
"Lauren, does Damien ever do anything that hurts you, or makes you feel uncomfortable?"
Lauren bites her lip. "He said don't tell," she whispers.
"Lauren, remember what we said earlier? When you have a problem, you can always tell a police officer, and they will help you and keep you safe. You can tell me what happened."
"Damien touched my pee-pee. Mrs. Paisley says that's a private part and no one's ever allowed to touch you there. It hurt and I said stop, but he didn't, and he said don't tell, otherwise he'd hurt me."
Olivia nods. "Thank you, Lauren, for telling me. Now I'm going to help you, and I promise Damien's not going to hurt you ever again. I'm going to keep you safe."
A knock on the door interrupts Olivia's interview. Lauren jumps and quickly ducks her head, squeezing her eyes shut. Olivia notices and glances at the door, where she sees Elliot.
"Hey Liv, can I see you for a moment?" he asks.
Olivia nods. "Lauren, I am going to go out for just a moment and I'll be right back. I promise, okay?" Olivia hates the pain she sees in Lauren's eyes as she steps out of the room and leaves the young girl alone.
As she closes the door, Olivia hears a loud shout echoing down the hall.
"That is my daughter! You have no right to call the police and have them talk to her without my permission!" Olivia and Elliot slowly approach the woman to calm her down.
"Ma'am, I am Detective Olivia Benson and this is my partner Detective Stabler. We were called down because your daughter's teacher is worried about her," Olivia says as calmly as she can.
"That bitch of a teacher? She has no idea what she is talking about. Lauren is my daughter and I have had enough of her accusations against me and my husband."
"Ma'am –" Elliot starts to say.
"My name is Cheryl Davis and I want to see my daughter right now!" she yells.
"Mrs. Davis, we have to make sure that Lauren is safe before we can –" Elliot begins.
"She's my daughter!"
"Mrs. Davis, where is your husband?" Olivia asks.
"That is none of your business."
"Actually, it is. We have reason to believe that he may be sexually abusing your daughter," Olivia says.
"Damien would never hurt Lauren. This is all her teacher's fault. She accuses Damien of hurting Lauren and then gets back at us by calling the cops? I am taking my daughter and leaving. She is never coming to this school again." Mrs. Davis storms toward the staff room, where Lauren is sitting at the table, frozen with terror.
She springs to life when she sees her mother and jumps up, running toward her mother. "Mommy, please don't punish me, I'm sorry! I lied. Don't get mad!"
"Lauren, sweetie, go back in the staff room and close the door okay?" Olivia starts toward Lauren as Elliot blocks her mother's way.
"Get out of my way and stay away from my daughter! You have no right to do this." Cheryl tries to maneuver her way around Elliot but he continues to block her path.
"Actually, we do. If there is any evidence of abuse and a report is made, it is our job to make sure Lauren is safe and find out the truth. Now you're going to have to come with us down to our precinct," Elliot says.
Olivia bends down to Lauren's level and smiles at her. "Honey, how would you like to come with me and we can go to the place I work? We have a cool room full of dolls and toys and coloring books. We can talk there while you have some juice and then I can keep you safe. And you can meet my friend Alex, she is really nice. She will keep you safe too. She has blonde hair just like yours." Lauren smiles and slips her hand into Olivia's, and they start out of the staff room, where Elliot is still struggling with Cheryl.
"Get your fucking hands off me!" Cheryl screams and tries to hit him.
Elliot grabs her hand to restrain her and pulls it around behind her back. "Ma'am, I gave you a warning and you just assaulted an officer. I said you could come peacefully and you chose not to. You have the right to remain silent . . ."
"Mommy!" Lauren cries, and tries to extricate herself from Olivia's grasp to run to her mother.
"Baby, don't say anything. Don't trust them. They want to take you away and put you in a foster home away from your family and hurt Mommy and Daddy. Just tell the truth!" Cheryl calls to Lauren.
"Mommy! 'Livia, let me go!" Lauren yells, still trying to pry herself loose.
"Lauren, it's okay. Your mom will be okay and you're going to see her again in a few minutes. I promise nothing bad will happen," Olivia says reassuringly.
"No! Let me go! Stop hurting my mommy! I lied! I lied!" Lauren starts crying again.
Olivia sighs and picks Lauren up, holding her tightly. She knows Lauren isn't lying but that she is trying to protect her abusive parents. Some people just don't deserve to have kids.
Alex lets out a breath of frustration, watching from the window as Elliot and Cragen question Cheryl Davis. Munch and Fin have yet to find Damien and Olivia is with Lauren in the play room trying to get Lauren to start talking again. The child was a mess when Alex saw her, sobbing uncontrollably and shaking. Not only have Lauren's parents abused her, but now they've made her into the bad guy, manipulating her to save themselves. Alex shakes her head in disgust.
Alex makes her way toward the play room, smiling as she watches Olivia color a picture with Lauren.
Olivia looks up and gives Alex a smile. "Hey, Alex. Lauren, I'd like you to meet my friend Alex. Remember, the woman I was telling you about?" Lauren slowly looks up, tears still in her eyes, sniffling a bit as she nods her head.
Alex slowly sits down next to Olivia, not wanting to startle Lauren. "Hi Lauren," she says with a small smile. "My name is Alex and I am a lawyer. I work with Olivia to protect children like you. You are really brave in helping us."
Lauren looks up, confused. "Helping you?"
"Yes, helping us. Because without your help we wouldn't be able to stop your stepdad from hurting you and maybe hurting others. You are a hero, Lauren."
Lauren giggles. "Like Wonder Woman."
Olivia and Alex share a look and smile. "Exactly," Alex says.
Lauren starts coloring again. In a monotone, she repeats the same story she told Olivia earlier, and Alex feels her heart ache at her tale.
A yell from the hallway makes all three of them jump. "Lauren! Cheryl!"
Lauren starts to tremble so hard that the crayon in her hand snaps in two and she runs to the corner, hiding under the table. Alex and Olivia exchange glances and snap into action. Olivia runs out the door and Alex moves slowly toward Lauren, trying to calm her.
A large, sharply dressed man makes his way toward Olivia, glaring at her with cold, hard eyes. Olivia's first thought is, If this man wants something, no one is going to stop him from getting it, especially not a six year old.
"Where the hell is my wife and daughter?" the man asks.
"You must be Damien. We have been looking for you." Olivia does not back down and matches his glare with one of her own.
"I want them now and we are leaving."
"That won't be possible right now."
"Oh yes, it is. I am a lawyer with one of the most powerful firms in the city and I did not come empty handed."
Damien shoves a paper toward Olivia. She glances at it and her eyes widen. A judge signed off saying we overstepped our authority.
"A friend of mine happens to be a judge and he knows how this unit has a habit of thinking it is above the rules. Now release my family," Damien demands.
Cragen luckily appears just then. Olivia is like a daughter to him and no one threatens his family. "Hello, Mr. Davis. I am Captain Donald Cragen. If you will please step into my office, we will straighten this out."
Damien smirks at Olivia and then turns his head toward the interview room. He sees Alex holding Lauren, gently raising her skirt as Lauren screams.
"Don't touch me!" Lauren cries, pushing Alex's hands away.
"Get your fucking hands off her! You disgusting bitch, don't touch her!" Damien rushes toward the interrogation room.
Alex lets go of Lauren, who curls herself up in a ball and starts to cry softly. Alex bends down to comfort her, but Lauren squirms away.
"That's my daughter. You have no right to touch her!" Damien yells. This woman is going to regret touching his daughter.
Captain Cragen puts a hand on Damien's shoulder. "Sir, you're going to have to come with me."
As soon as Damien is gone, Olivia goes to check on Lauren. "It's okay, Lauren. No one is going to hurt you. I'm here. Everything is okay."
"You lied! You said that lady wouldn't hurt me!" Lauren whimpers.
"Alex, what the hell were you doing?" Olivia stares at Alex in shock.
"Liv, I saw a bruise on her leg and it goes up all the way up her thigh," Alex explains. She reaches out and gently lifts Lauren's skirt a bit.
"No!" Lauren screams again.
"See." Alex points toward the bruise trailing its way upward on her leg.
Olivia sighs and shakes her head slightly at Alex, who pulls her skirt back down.
"Lauren, I'm sorry that I touched you like that," Alex says, realizing what she's done and trying to explain. "I saw the bruise and this proves you aren't lying. This will help us show that your stepdad hurt you and he never will hurt you again."
"You shouldn't have touched me."
"That's right, Lauren, I shouldn't have done that. I should have asked you first. I wasn't thinking and I'm sorry."
"Lauren, Alex really didn't mean to scare you, but she is right, your owwie can help us help you. Alex really is sorry she scared you," Olivia says.
"Okay. Thank you, Alex for the 'pology." Lauren calms slightly and smiles.
"No, thank you, Lauren. I would never try to hurt you." Alex smiles back at her. "Ready to finish coloring? That princess picture is really pretty."
That night, lying in bed together, Alex and Olivia both can't stop thinking about the case. Alex can't push away the guilt she feels at scaring Lauren like she did. She honestly hadn't meant to; she had simply seen the bruise and she hadn't been thinking clearly. Men like Damien just make her so angry.
Olivia seems to sense the tension in Alex's body and rolls over, kissing the base of her neck. Gently, she begins to massage Alex's shoulders, and Alex smiles, leaning into the touch.
"Love you, Liv," she murmurs, turning her head to give Olivia a kiss.
"Love you, too, baby. Don't worry about today, okay? You just weren't thinking. I know you didn't mean to scare her."
Alex nods, wondering how Olivia always knows just what she's thinking, and just what to say to ease her anxiety. She yawns as Olivia's hands work their magic on her shoulder blades and smiles sleepily at her girlfriend. They stay like that, smiling at each other until their eyes drift closed and sleep claims them.