A/N: My first attempt at an AU that doesn't take place in the OP world. If you want to read some fanfiction that does, check out my AO3 account. (Same usernames as here.)

Criticism is appreciated.

Enjoy.


The Fourth Division, Thursday, April 19th

"Hmm. That's strange." A young woman gazes out the window of a small cafe. Her cheek is resting against the palm of her hand as she observes the scene across the street.

"Is something wrong, miss Robin?" A man with an extended auburn pompadour asks his only customer. He stands behind the cafe counter drying coffee mugs.

Robin lifts her other hand and points out the window. A younger redhead block's the owner's view as they run over and lean toward the window with their hands pressed flat against the table. "What!? What!?"

"Personal space, Haruta," the older man chides. "She's a customer."

"It's alright." Robin smiles.

"Hey Thatch?" Haruta's voice is softer than before. "Should we do something about that?"

"About what?" Thatch joins the two at the table still drying a mug. "Watch the cafe." Thatch leaves the towel and mug on a different table. He pushes his way out the front door. He glances up and down the street before jogging across the road. Thank God for low traffic levels in the late morning.

"Pardon me, girls." He calls. The two children stop walking and stare at the man. They look to be about four and one years old. They're both pale and have stunning brown eyes. The four-year-old has long dirty blonde hair in twin pigtails. She wears white sandals that cover her toes and a white shirt under blue jean overalls that end at her knees. The one-year-old has short black hair and wears a simple yellow sundress with matching sandals. "Where are your parents?"

"Mommy couldn't come wid us. And Daddy can't know," the older girl explains.

"Oh. And where are you going?"

"The police station. We have to give them this." She holds up a white mailing envelope.

"You're going there by yourselves?"

"Yup! I big girl. I take care of Maxie."

"Ro take care! Ro take care!" The younger one cheers.

"I'm sure you are a big girl. But, can I give you a ride there anyway?"

"We not supposta take rides with anyone."

"Then can I walk with you? I know where the station is. It's not that far from here."

"Okay."

"Can I hold your hand?"

"Yea!" She holds up the hand that is not holding the younger girl's. "Lead the way Mister Hair."

Police Station SVU Squadroom, Thursday, April 19th

"Slow day," An older man with glasses and slicked back hair comments as he enters the mess of a room.

"Mmhmm," A young brunette replies. She doesn't bother looking up from her paperwork.

"How was court, Munch?" A man with a slightly receding hairline is sitting across from the women.

"Same as always." Munch drops into a chair by his desk.

"Good. If it's such a slow day you can clean up this room," a man with grey hair and a balding head directs. "This is a workplace, not your kitchen counter." He gestures to the haphazard stacks of papers scattered around. A uniformed officer stands in the doorway with Thatch and the two girls not far behind.

"Perhaps, I can give you something else to do."

"What's up?" The woman puts her work aside.

The officer steps further into the room. "These three showed up about an hour ago with this." He holds up the envelope the older girl had previously. "It contains a letter and a USB drive."

"Why does this concern us?"

"We took a look at the drive. It doesn't have any viruses, but it contains several videos. We only looked at a few before we decided to turn the case over to you guys."

The woman stands up. "What's in the videos?"

"A man talking the oldest of those two girls into sexual favors."

"Alright, we'll take it from here," the balding man intercepts. "Benson, Stabler, talk to those three. Munch and Fin take a look at that envelope."

The officer hands over the evidence and leaves. The woman and the man across from her join the remaining three in the doorway. "I'm Detective Olivia Benson. This is my partner Detective Elliot Stabler. Can you tell me what happened?"

"I'm Thatch Edward. I saw these two walking alone. They told me they were coming here and I offered to go with them."

"Yeah. Mister Tatch is really nice." The older girl smiles.

"He sure is." Stabler kneels down. "What are your names?"

"Ro! Ro!" The younger girl points at the older one. "And Maxie!" She points to herself.

"Do you have a last name?"

"Marshall," the oldest replies. Thatch goes rigid.

"Why were you out alone?"

"Mama no go," the younger babbles.

"And Dad?"

"No Da."

"Mommy said she can't go with us because Daddy can't know."

"What can't Daddy know?"

"We not at home."