Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

Wheel of the World

Chapter 1

Out Like A Flame

Olivia Benson sat at her desk, one hand on her coffee cup, the other holding a pencil. She was reading some documents they retrieved from a victim's house. She was getting bored with the information. It was late, and she was having a hard time focusing on the task at hand.

She glanced up at Elliot, she thought of his kids. It was his weekend, he should be home with them.

"El," she stated, "Why don't you go home to the kids?"

"I have to finish this, and they're with friends anyway." He responded, "Trying to get rid of me?"

"Of course," Olivia said jokingly.

Olivia's cell phone started to play a tune, meaning it was ringing. She glanced at it reading the front screen to determine who was calling. It was just a number, and unfamiliar one at that. She picked it up, just in case it was someone important.

"Benson," she stated

"Hello, Olivia Benson?" A woman's voice said seeking confirmation of her first name.

"That's me, can I help you." Olivia asked, the voice was not even slightly familiar.

"Hello, my name is Julie Kaufman." She introduced herself, "I'm Melanie Fisher's Attorney, I'm afraid I have some bad news."

"Melanie Fisher?" Olivia asked, "I…I haven't seen her in years."

Olivia was thinking how she could possibly be in any way affiliated with Melanie's Lawyer. Melanie was her best friend, in the Homicide Unit, before she came to Special Victims. She had moved to upstate New York, and they lost touch.

"Well, I'm sorry to say that Melanie died, a couple of days ago from cancer."

"Oh…" Olivia stated, "That's horrible."

"Yes," Julie stated not really sounding that compassionate, she probably did this all day, "Sweetie, she left you with something."

"Me?" Olivia asked

"Yes, her will was sort of out of date." Julie said sounding a little annoyed at the out of date will.

"Well what is it?" Olivia asked thinking it may some little knick knack.

"Her daughter," Julie stated.

Elliot was listening to her conversation and looked up as Olivia's jaw dropped.

"Uh…are you serious?" Olivia asked thinking Melanie may have gotten a practical joker for her Attorney.

"Yes, Melanie's family doesn't want Kacy…and if you don't…she'll go into the foster care system," the attorney said.

Olivia knew why the family didn't want her, they were strong Catholics, and Melanie was gay. Olivia assumed that they didn't want her in their family, and they didn't want her daughter either, it was really sad.

"Um…" Olivia said trying to grasp it all, "How old is Kacy now?"

"She is fifteen." Julie answered

"How's she taking it?" Olivia asked

"As good as could be expected," Julie answered

"Where is she now?" Olivia asked out of curiosity

"She is here in Ridgewood, in a foster home." The woman stated.

Olivia remembered Kacy, she was a good kid mostly, but that was nine years ago, and Kacy was six at the time. Kindergarten…and now she was about a freshmen in high school. Olivia decided it was Melanie's kid, so she had to do something

"Well, I guess I'll come and get her then?" Olivia asked

"Yes, but I'll need you to sign some papers." Julie stated, "The sooner the better."

"Yeah, umm can I see her, when I get there in the morning?" Olivia asked, she knew that the girl was going through a hard time.

"Of course," Julie said, "So is ten tomorrow okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine." Olivia said, "I'll see you then."

"Alright," Julie said, "Thanks for your cooperation."

"No Problem," Olivia said not really meaning it. It was a problem, the girl that is, she didn't have room in her apartment for a teenager.

"K bye." Julie said

"Bye," Olivia said taking the phone away from her ear and ending the call.

She looked down at her desk, feeling Elliot's gaze, prying for information. She was waiting until he broke under the suspense. "Is something wrong?" He asked, letting curiosity win.

"I have to go to Ridgewood, tonight." Olivia said

"Upstate?" Elliot asked, "Why?"

Olivia sighed, "My ex-best friend died, and about nine years ago she decided to leave her teenage daughter to me, I have to be there at nine tomorrow, and sign papers."

Elliot looked at his watch, "Who decided this?"

Olivia smiled, "I thought she might need someone to talk to. Plus no one wants her but me, so that's got to weigh in on her emotions a bit."

Elliot nodded, understanding her point of view. "So you're adopting her?"

"I guess." Olivia said.

"Ridgewood is like four to five hours away, you're gonna travel that far tonight?" Elliot asked

"Yeah," Olivia said, "I can handle it."

"Well, why don't you let me come, it's almost ten now." Elliot said, "You'll probably be on the road by ten thirty and get there around…three thirty-ish and have to get a hotel. If I go we can take shifts and so you get some sleep."

"El, you don't have to, I'll be fine." Olivia said gathering up her files.

"Olivia," Elliot said reaching across the desks and lifting her chin forcing her to look at him and stop what she was doing, "I want to."

She smiled faintly trying to hide how much she liked his touch, "Okay…you can come."

He smiled, "Okay, I'll meet you at your house in thirty minutes."

"Alright."

-----

Olivia was packing the last of her stuff up, when she heard the doorbell. She stuck her head out of the bedroom and yelled, "Come in."

She heard the door unlocking, and then him entering. She went back to packing the rest of her stuff. She had changed into more comfortable clothes, which was a pair of black sweats and a tank top with an over coat.

"I take it your not done packing," Elliot said walking in the room behind her.

"Almost done," Olivia said

Elliot looked into her suitcase and was surprised at the contents on the very top. It was a black lacy bra, and black underwear to match. As he was staring the lid of the suitcase swung over and shut. Olivia was zipping it up. She put the suitcase on the floor and wheeled it into the living room, Elliot followed.

She left it by Elliot's luggage, and turned to face him. "I'm ready, as I'll ever be." Olivia said

Elliot forgot what they were going there to do. He forgot that Olivia would now be responsible for a teenager. That she was probably really nervous right now.

He put a hand on each of her shoulders, "It's gonna be fine."

She managed a smile, that wouldn't have looked fake to anyone but Elliot, because he knew her.


Hope you all like, I promise there will be more E/O in future chapters. I live on reviews, so keep em coming please!