My take on what should have happened after "Abuse".
For the sake of the story, Elliot is DIVORCED :) and Eli is obviously not born.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story. I wish I owned Mr. Stabler ;)
Read, Enjoy, Review
"I hereby place custody of Ashley Austin Black with the state of New York. I do not feel that Mrs. Austin is is capable enough to care for this child properly. The child will remain in child services until a family I see fit to care for her is available. Thank you. "
And with the slam of the gavel, the decision was made. 'Ashley was no longer the responsibility of the estranged singer. She was never home anyway. Never cooked her daughter a nice meal. Never took her to the park. Never played a game, or just spent time with her "miracle". Hell, she didnt even love her.' Olivia thought as she processed the verdict. In a way, she won. She got justice. Someone finally listened to Ashley's cries to be heard, and opened the doors for her to finally be loved by people who actually give a damn. On the other hand, the perfect family has not turned up, and Ashley was now "in the system".
After court let out Olivia caught a glimpse of Ashley.
"Ashley!" Olivia called out as she ran to catch up with her
"What do you want Olivia?" She retorted with hint of anger. She was mostly hurt and very confused as to why Olivia would not take her home.
"Hunnie, I want you to know that I still want to be your friend. I care a lot about you and I know you must be very confused about what is going to happen. If you'll let me, I would like to be your friend, is that okay with you?"
Ashley thought for a moment before she replied. "Mmm, I don't know Olivia, I really like spending time with you, can I see you at work?"
"I wouldn't mind that at all. Maybe you could come by on Monday, and I'll take you to lunch, how does that sound?"
"Okay! See you then" They hugged as Olivia said goodbye.
Olivia thought for a long time about Ashely when she returned home. After trying and failing to sleep, she decided to call it quits. She threw on a pair of stretch pants, an over sized T-shirt, which she did not recognize as her own, and laced up her running shoes. Even at 3am she had enough energy to go for a jog. She jogged around the city, starting out on her normal route and eventually straying from her original path. After 30 minutes, she absentmindedly found herself speed walking past his new apartment. She wasn't sure what compelled her to come here, but she felt comfortable knowing that her mind seemed to know what she needed before she did. Before she had time to debate knocking, her hand was already rapping on the door.
Elliot was sitting on his couch, with a cold beer in hand. His life since the divorce has consisted of work, work and work. If he was lucky enough to be home, he watched old re-runs, or sports while unwinding with a beer or two. Times of sleep were few and far between and his mind was often occupied of many thoughts about open cases, his failed marriage, and inevitably, his partner.
A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts, and left him wondering who had come for a visit in the early morning hours. His kids? maybe.
As he opened the door, he was surprised to see her standing there. His mind suddenly conjured up every possible thing that could be wrong.
Olivia watched as every emotion played across his face, smiling inwardly as she read his mind. She knew he was very concerned as to why she was at his door. If the situation were reversed, she knew that she'd be doing the same thing.
"El, can I come in, or are ya gonna make me stay out here?" She asked, pulling him from his worries
"Uh, yeah Liv, sorry" was his reply, embarrassed that he had her standing there for the better part of 2 minutes. "What brings you by? Is everything okay?" He asked, with caution. He knew this Ashley case had really gotten to her and was certain she was now ready to express to him what her real reasons were for her attachment to the young girl.
"Yes, I was, uh, in the neighborhood?" She replied, not sounding so convincing. She lived no where near his new place. Something was defiantly wrong.
"Yeah, right, and I was going to get a good nights rest. Liv, what is it?" He flashed her that smile. The one that said 'come on, im your best friend, let me in'. He hoped that was enough to make her spill.
Olivia found her way to his couch, while he went to the fridge to grab her a beer. She gladly accepted the cold drink, cracked open the can, and took a long sip. Elliot observed her actions and looked at her quizzically.
"Liv..." He ushered, hoping she would finish.
"Okay, okay, you caught me. I just couldn't sleep, and went for a jog. Somehow I ended up here. I started out on my usual path, and only realized I had diverted when I was standing outside. I'm not even sure why I'm here. I've just been thinking so much lately, this thing wish Ashley just got me thinking, ya know? Like this mother has this wonderful child as her daughter, and she doesn't make the fucking time to love her. How can you do that El? I see you with your kids and I know nothing, not even your divorce, could ever stop you from loving them, Hugging them, or just giving them the attention they want and deserve. And here I am, wanting a child so badly, and this woman who has one won't give her the time of day, what is wrong with her? All these thoughts were keeping we awake, I just couldn't lay there anymore." She stopped as she felt a tear slip from the corner of her eye and tried to stop it before Elliot saw it, but as usual it was too late. Elliot watched her intently as she spilled her feelings, letting them flow freely, knowing she could fully trust and confide in him. That was the beauty of their relationship. No matter what they told each other, no matter how bad or stressful things got, they never once judged the other. They just listened, watched, and supported each other.
"So, how do we fix this?" He asked her.
"I don't even know, in a way I feel like I helped her, because now she's not with her mother, but now she's in the system. What if where she ends up is worse than where she came from? How did I help then?" She responded, searching his eyes, hoping that somewhere in those deep blue pools, he had the answer.
"Adopt her" He responded, quickly and without hesitation. As if the answer was so obvious, and in plain view. She looked shocked and immediately thought he had lost his mind.
"God bless you?!" She retorted. "Adopt her? Is that your solution?"
Elliot chuckled "Yes, Liv, she loves you, and I know you would be great for her. I know that she would be thrilled if you were the one to take care of her. And then you would know for sure that Ashley would be loved, not just by you, but by everyone in your life." He took her hands in his and looked deep into her eyes "Livvie, do you want to adopt Ashley?"
Olivia thought for a moment. she hadn't allowed herself to admit this, let alone think about admitting it to anyone else, even Elliot. But what did she have to lose? It's just Elliot. She nodded her head up and down, and started into his eyes.
"Then lets get the paperwork started. I'll help you. We have tomorrow off, so we can head down town and start the process. Ashley is going to be so excited!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold your horses Stabler! I said I would like to, but I don't think I'm fit to. I mean, look at my job, El, I'm never home, I would be just as bad as Ricky. Ashley deserves better than that."
"No, don't think that Liv, I know just as much as you do that this is whats right. She loves you, and don't even try to tell me you don't love her. I see it in your eyes, I have since we first met Ashley. I'll be a character witness, I'll do what ever it takes to make this possible for you. If this is what you want, then lets go for it, let me help you, please Livvie, I just wanna see you happy." He pleaded, and persuaded and to top it off, he sealed his argument with kiss.
Shocked at first, Olivia widened her eyes as Elliot crashed his lips into hers. Her body gave into his kiss as her eyes fluttered shut. Taking in the moment. Tasting his kiss. It was all she needed to give her the strength to proceed with the adoption. As long as Elliot was willing to help her, she wanted to give it a shot. What could go wrong, right?
So, What did you think??? This is my first E/O fanfic. Review and let me know if I should continue. If you have ideas that you would like to see me put in the story, send 'em my way!!
