Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of SVU, I just borrow them and use them to write my stories. The belong to Dick Wolf, the producers and the persons representing the characters. I don't make money out of this in any kind of way. I only own the characters not belonging to SVU and the PC I'm writing my stories on.

I know, I know, I'm writing and posting two other stories already. But this one keeps spinning in my mind.

This story is different then you are used get from me. It is based on a request and will be a multi chapter story. Although there can be some spoilers this story is not based on episodes. Olivia's past will be different then it is on the show and what we are used to know. Therefor her character will be different too. She still is Detective Olivia Benson but obviously her behavior will be different at times then what you are used to. It will have violence and heinous crimes in it. So if you don't like that or have problems with it, my advice is don't read it.

This story goes about Olivia, a young teenager and of course Alex. Because that's what it's always about in the end. Alex and Olivia are best friends but eventually will be more. Because of the same young but observing teenager.

I believe in you

Chapter 1

Previously

Detective Olivia Benson never thought she would have children. One, because she didn't want to pass on her genes. Two, because she had tried to adopt on her own but every agency she had tried turned her down because of the hours she needed to work with her kind of job, and because she didn't have a safety net that could support her since she had no family.

The only family she knew were her colleagues of the 16th precinct, her Captain who was a father figure for her and her friends Casey Novak, one of the two ADA's assigned to SVU, and Abby Carmichael, who was now a federal prosecutor. Although she wouldn't be a federal prosecutor anymore very soon Olivia thought. She knew the Texan had been offered a job by the DA's office several times before and had declined them immediately. But this time she asked to give her a week or two to make a decision. The offer they had given her was to become an ADA for homicide, like always, but with a addition to be a permanent stand in for SVU should one of the two ADA's not be available and an ADA was needed. The fact that the Texan didn't decline immediately but asked for two weeks to consider the offer, told the Detective that this time she wouldn't decline but accept the offer.

And then there was Alex Cabot. The other ADA assigned to SVU and her best friend. They had become friends a few months after the first time she was assigned to SVU. After they had taken the step to friendship, their friendship had grown fast. They had their issues to work out after Alex came back to SVU the first time. But picked up almost instantly after the blonde had returned from the Congo. Sure they still have their legendary fights. They had them from the moment the blonde attorney started working with SVU. But they are now able to leave the fights about work issues at work and their personal disagreements at home most of the time.

The third reason, she thought she would never have a long-term relationship for different reasons. One of them is that she thinks she isn't worth it because of her genes and her past. A past that no one, except for Alex, knows about. Yes the squad, her Captain and her friends, Casey and Abby, know about her genes. That half of them is from a rapist and the other half of an alcoholic abusive mother. But only Alex knows about her past in big lines. An other reason is that she thinks she never will have the person she is in love with for a very long time. A person she thinks she has nothing to offer. And who doesn't know her sexuality, to be honest nobody except Olivia Benson herself knows. If you should put it in a percentage, she loves women for 98% and men for the 2% left. So you could say that she's gay but has chosen to not act on it. Not since she left college and joined the Academy and after that the NYPD. And that is probably the biggest secret she has besides her past. A past that she could kept hidden and locked away deep down inside herself.

Since she was convinced that she could never have the love of her life, Olivia forced herself into a relationship with a fellow Detective, Brian Cassidy. She dated with him and starting to live together after they'd been dating for about two months. They did it because they both came home to an empty apartment at night. Brian wasn't the kind of man for a commitment like this. But since they didn't saw each other very often he thought that it was a good idea, that he could do this. Olivia did it because she felt lonely, because she was convinced that she wasn't worth a person who could give themselves completely. And she was convinced she could never have the person she really wanted. They could handle it because they had one big case after the other and were more at the precinct working then they were home. 3 months later things were less hectically at the precinct. They had less big cases but Olivia was at the precinct more then Brian since she was a senior Detective. And Brian didn't mind to have a lot more spear time then Olivia.

After they lived together for about 5 months Brian found out that he had daughter, Dakota. Dakota had always lived with her mother. And her mother had never told Brian that they had a daughter. Dakota's mother was, and still is, like Olivia's mother, an alcoholic and mentally abused her daughter. Nobody knew it. But she started to attack Dakota physically. One time so bad that Dakota needed to get to the hospital and needed to stay there for 2 months. Dakota was a young teenager, 14 years old, by then. The hospital reported it, and then they found out that Brian was her father. Dakota's case went to court. Brian got full custody and Dakota's mother was send to prison for 8 years and lost all her parental rights. She would never get Dakota back, no matter what happens. She didn't care, and said that in the courtroom. The judge knew then that he had made the right decision. So Dakota start living with Brian and Olivia. Dakota trusted Olivia almost from the moment she went living with Brian and Olivia. Somehow she knew that she could trust the brunette. Brian couldn't handle living together, and having a daughter and went undercover the first chance he got, a month after Dakota was living with them. He came back 6 months later. Dakota really liked the Detective. Olivia felt more like a mother to her after the 7 months she had lived with her then her own mother had ever been.

Brian was back for about 10 days when he was asked to go undercover again and this time he would be away for a much longer time if he would go. Since it would take a lot of preparation Brian had a month to decide what he wanted to do, take the job or not. Olivia told him he couldn't do this to his daughter, asked him to don't accept the job this time, asked him to wait for his daughter's sake. Brian said he wanted to go, that he would take the job. Knowing it would mean that their relationship was over. Which was the best for both of them if they were honest.

They asked Dakota what she wanted, stay with her father or if she wanted to be with Olivia. Dakota said that she didn't know Brian, that she hadn't the chance to get to know him and that she wanted to stay with Olivia. Begged Brian to let her stay with Olivia. Brian thought it would be for the best if she stayed with Olivia. And he surprised both of them by saying that he wanted Olivia to have the custody over Dakota. Since he would be away more then he would be in NY. And that he wanted what was best for Dakota. And that he knew that Olivia would be the best mother Dakota could have. That they had to go the court to try and hand over the custody over Dakota to Olivia. And that after that Brian would go undercover. Would the court give it, Brian would find a place to live when he came back so that Olivia and Dakota could stay living in their apartment. And Brian belongings would go to a storage box.

Present

Brian's decision and Olivia's and Dakota's acceptation let them to their current situation, going to court. Alex had been there for Olivia and Dakota all the time Brian was away and would stand by them and be there for them the best she could. But Alex wasn't specialized in these kind of cases, she was a prosecutor not a child's advocate. So Olivia called in the help from Symone Brice. Asked her to help them in court, help Olivia to get custody over Dakota. And to be their legal representation. Symone almost didn't let Olivia finish when she called her, she said that she would help her and do what ever it takes to get custody for Olivia. Alex had pulled a few strings, asked in a few favors and got Lena Petrovsky as their Judge. Petrovsky was a tough Judge but fair, more important, she would do what was best for a child. So here they all are, in family court for the custody case over Dakota.

"Dakota, I've heard both Detective Cassidy and Detective Benson, now I would like to hear what it is that you want. You can speak freely, what's most important is that you will be open and truthful and that you understand what we are here for. Do you understand that?" Petrovsky asks.

"Yes, your Honor. I do understand that." Dakota answers.

"Alright, then tell me what it is that you want and why." Petrovsky says.

"I want to stay with Olivia, your Honor. I really like her. I don't know my father, he was away 6 out of the 7 months I have lived with him and Olivia. And to honest, Olivia has been more like a mother to me in the past months then my real mother was in my entire life. I don't want to go to a foster home, I want to stay with Olivia. Your Honor, don't take me away from her, please. I'll do what ever it is I need to do. I feel safe with Olivia, she understands me, she knows what happened and doesn't treat me like I'm broken or damaged, even though I am. She is there for me when I have nightmares, she is there for me and helps me when I have flashbacks. I love her. Please don't take me away from my mom." Dakota says, so emotional that she blurts the last words out.

Everyone is surprised with the girl's pleading and they all gasp when Dakota called Olivia her mom. Brian knows right then that he did the right thing. And is proud of Olivia that Dakota feels like this. Symone just smiles, she always knew that Olivia would be great mother should she ever have a child. Olivia is so shocked and touched that she barely can keep herself together. Alex isn't much better. And Petrovsky... Lena Petrovsky knows what she needs to do, knows the only thing that's right. And is more than happy to do it.

"Ms. Bryce, your closing statement is not necessary. I know there is only one thing I can do that is the right thing. Detective Benson, I will give you temporary custody over Dakota. There is no doubt in my mind that there can not be a better place for Dakota to stay then with you. Effective immediately. Detective Cassidy you made the right choice to give up custody for Dakota's sake and to want it given to Detective Benson. This court is adjourned. Oh and Detective, since Dakota called you her mom already, I can expect the paperwork for adoption on my desk soon, I assume." Petrovsky smiles while she baffles the hammer.

A/N This is the first chaper, it's more like a prologue. I hope you have enjoyed it. As always please review. I love reviews. But you know that already...