Time Again

By: Liv-Case-Benson (& E. Scribbles)

Chapter 1: Her Heart

Olivia sat, disappointed. More than disappointed. Devastated. They'd only bothered to send her a letter to tell her she couldn't adopt the little boy she'd grown close and closer to over the last several months. Every moment they spent together made her so happy, and now..now this letter had shattered her dreams. Single, work too much. As she sighed and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, she felt a hand touch her shoulder and looked up to see Casey there. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

"Well..." she slid the letter across the table.

As she read, Casey's face fell. "Oh, Liv. I'm so sorry."

Olivia sighed, nodding.

Casey reached across and squeezed her hand.

Olivia held her hand close. "Thank you."

"..Maybe you could try again?"

Olivia sighed. "I have no support system. I work all hours... I doubt it would change."

"You could change that, surely?"

"How?"

"Surely you can get a support system? Less hours..something?"

"It's not going to matter. I have no support system," Olivia sighed.

"You have Elliot, you have your brother?"

She sighed. "But not all the time."

"Well, you can't give up!"

"Why? What do you expect me to do?"

"You're just going to give up?"

"What do you want me to do?"

"I don't know, Olivia, but look. Are you willing to stop trying?" She opened Olivia's phone and showed her the photo of the boy set as the wallpaper, smiling happily.

Olivia grabbed it, closing the phone and resting her head on her arms.

As Casey went to speak again, the phone gave a ring.

Olivia sighed, answering. "Benson."

Thomas's voice came blaring down the line. "Who is that? I thought your name was Olivia?"

"Thomas? It is Olivia. H-how are you?" she asked, stunned.

"I'm sick. Are you coming to see me tonight? I miss you."

"I might..."

"Please? I've made you a present."

"Is it okay if I bring a friend?"

"Okay, what's their name? I'll make them something too."

Olivia put her hand over the speaker. "He's sick and he wants me to come see him. Do you want to come with?"

Casey bit her lip before giving a hesitant nod.

"Her name is Casey. C-a-s-e-y. What time do you want us to come see you?"

He yelled out to his foster mom. She looked after so many children. She never had much time for him, especially because he was quiet. Now she grabbed the phone from him and admonished him for using it without asking her. "But I was just calling Olivia!"

Olivia sighed. "It's fine Fiona. He's not bothering me."

"That's all well and good, but he's not supposed to use the phone without asking for permission! I'm not made of money!"

"Yes, I know how that feels. Is it okay if I stop by to see him with a friend of mine?"

"As long as you don't bring him anything. It upset the other children last time and I had to confiscate what you gave him."

"All right. Is there a certain time you want us to drop by?"

"Whenever you like."

Olivia smiled. "Okay, we'll be over soon, bye," she said, hanging up.

"She sounds lovely." Casey offered sarcastically.

"Oh yes... Actually, she's really nice. She just looks after much more than the state maximum."

"Yet they'd rather leave him there than send him to someone who would look after only him. Nice."

"..Can you help me?"

"I don't know a lot about family law, but I can talk to some people.."

Olivia sighed, her eyes downcast. "Thanks."

Casey reached out and squeezed her hand again. "What is it?

"I just...I thought...you know, we've been together for a while so...I thought you..."

Casey frowned. "What?"

"I thought you might want to help a little more, personally, but I-I know i-it's quite a responsibility. I'm sorry." Olivia sipped her coffee.

"Liv, we rarely see each other...and when we do, it's not like we talk..I've only been to your place once, for god's sake!"

She sighed. "I'm sorry I brought it up. You don't have to help. I-I just...I..."

"..How about we just get the first meeting over with, see if he likes me, hey?"

Olivia nodded. "Hey Casey?"

"Mm?"

"A-After that, would you like to go to dinner and talk? Maybe...at my place?"

She smiled and took the last sip of her coffee. "As long as you're cooking, detective."

Olivia smiled, taking a long drink to finish her coffee. "I don't cook often, but if you'd like a nice steak, I think I could manage."

"Deal."

Author's Note: This story was partially written by E. Scribbles. It was just too cute to sit in my computer and not share any longer!

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Liv-x-Case-Benson