"Can you even rape your wife?" Barclay Harrison's question brought fury to Detective Elliot Stabler's face as he struggled to rein in his hot temper. Meanwhile, Captain Donald Cragen was sitting across from Mrs. Olivia Benson-Harrison in his office, her eyes alight with fear. She was a twenty-two year old fresh graduate of the Police Academy, with a bright future ahead of her. "Where will I stay? I have nowhere to go," she repeated, her voice shaky with emotion.

Captain Don Cragen felt a rush of fatherly sympathy as he looked at the young graduate turned rape victim at the hands of someone who was supposed to love her. "How would you like staying with me? I have excellent security and a lot of room," Don offered. "Thank you. I would really appreciate that," she said, gratefully accepting the offer with a small smile.

"Okay, let me finish up this inhumane stack of paperwork, which I am sure qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment under the 8th amendment. Then, we can head back to my place. The best coffee is in the break room. Detective Munch makes the so-called coffee in the squad room, so avoid that as if your life depends on it." Olivia giggled as she slowly made her way out of his office, murmuring a soft thank you. Four hours later, Olivia was thoroughly caffeinated, and Don was finished with the torturous stack of paperwork, so he decided to call it a day.

He walked out to his office and found Olivia sitting at Munch's vacated desk. "Hey Olivia, are you ready to go?" Olivia looked up at him, confused for only a second before she understood what he meant. "Yes I am. Sorry, I was spaced out for a second." On the way back to his brownstone, he stopped at Little Caesar's and picked up two large hot and ready pizzas. Olivia's stomach audibly growled as soon as the scent hit her. "Somebody must be hungry," Don said, chuckling fondly when Olivia mock scowled at him.

Later That Night:

For the first time ever, Olivia was preparing for bed with a full stomach and a clear mind. She could not recall a single time in her entire life when she felt this safe and free. "Olivia, can I come in," she heard Don ask as he lightly knocked on the door. She slipped on her sweats and hoodie before saying that he could. When he did, he sat down on the edge of the bed. "Olivia, I got a phone call today. I…um your mother and father…" Her face immediately became pale and full of fear.

"No! Please! She may have given birth to me, but she was no mother! He…well please do not get me started!" Her voice was tinged with pain, and he could not help but feel a pang through his heart as he reached forward, tentatively placing a hand on her knee. She did not move away, and he looked her straight in the eyes. "I…I have to tell you that…they were arrested for being involved in a child prostitution ring. What do you know?"

As soon as he saw the first tears escape from her eyes, he knew what he had to do. He released her knee and reached forward, wrapping her in his arms. She immediately snuggled up to the virtual stranger, feeling safer with him than everyone she ever knew. He was already showing her more kindness than she had ever experienced, and she could not understand why. Don's heart broke for the young woman in his embrace, and he could not help but squeeze her closer. "Whenever you are ready, know that you can come to me. I will not judge you or blame you in any way. What I will do is listen, okay honey," he gently said, and he felt Olivia nod against him in reply. She made no effort to move from his embrace, and he made no effort to push her away. Sometime later, Olivia fell asleep with her head on Don's chest, and he did not have the heart to move. He just held her close, murmuring soft reassurances. "Don," Olivia said. He did not even know she was awake because she never moved or made any other sound, and he smiled down at her, indicating that he was listening.

"It happened for as long as I can remember. Not a day went by when I do not remember being abused in one way or another." His heart dropped into his stomach at her words, and he automatically squeezed her closer. "I do not know what love is, what having a real parent is. You are…you are the first person who has shown me any real kindness."

"I suspect by how you are still in my arms that I am the first one who touched you without hurting you," he gently inquired, and Olivia curled closer(if this was even possible). "Yes, you are. I did not even know this was possible."

"Olivia, you are not going to be hurt anymore. I will defend you with everything that I have. You do not have to worry anymore. No more looking over your shoulder and behind your back as long as I am around…as long as you will let me around." Olivia cried tears of relief as she finally let everything go. Don just held the shaking and sobbing young woman and murmured soft reassurances.

The Next Day:

Olivia awoke to the glorious smell of coffee and sat up in her bed, stretching. Last night had been a long night, and she had finally cried herself to sleep in Don's arms around 01:00 hours. She finally made her way downstairs, smiling gratefully when Don placed a steaming mug of coffee in her hands and guided her to the table, where a heaping plate of breakfast was in front of her. "What do you want to do today?" Olivia looked up at him, stunned. She actually got to choose! She had never before had this much choice, this much freedom.

"I plan on giving you the experiences you never got to have, the childhood you deserve but never received. Will you let me do that?" Olivia's eyes widened with joy as she leapt up, giving him a bear hug. "I know the perfect way to start. How about a Disney movie," he said. "What is Disney," Olivia replied, and now Don's eyes widened in shocked amusement.

"You have so much to learn child. Go choose a movie from the DVD case labeled Disney and pop it in the DVD player. I am going to pop some popcorn," he said, kissing her forehead. Olivia skipped from his embrace over to the DVD case, a wide grin threatening to split her face in two. She finally settled on Cinderella. Soon, the pair was devouring popcorn, and Don was smiling fondly at the amused and bewildered look on Olivia's face. She could not believe it, had never seen anything like it. As she curled closer to Don and finished the last handful of popcorn, her heart felt ten times lighter. "Don?"

"Yes honey," Don said as he paused the movie, lightly kissing her head. He had a gut feeling that she was about to open up to him, and his gut feeling turned out to be correct. "It…well it has been happening since as long as I can remember. My marriage…well, it was arranged, and I was only 15. I did not want any of it. I first met Barclay when he was dating my mother. She was separated from my so-called father at the time, and she sold me to him starting when I was 8. He…um he was obsessed. The worst part is I will always carry a permanent reminder of their reign of terror-my last names."

"Oh no missy, not if I can help it. You have been a daughter to me ever since the minute I laid eyes on you. What do you say about making it official? You could become Detective Olivia Cragen instead of Detective Olivia Benson-Harrison."

"You really mean that? Wait, did you just say detective? Is there something you are not telling me," Olivia said, her eyes wide with shock.

"Yes. In one month's time, I get to hand you your gold shield and welcome you as the newest member of Special Victims Unit," Don replied, smiling at the young woman who would soon become his daughter and newest detective. She smiled back before replying: "Yes, I would love to become Detective Olivia Cragen."

"Okay Miss Cragen, how about we finish the movie and discuss some plans?" Olivia leaned up and quickly kissed his cheek before settling her head back on his chest. "Sounds like a plan."

Two Weeks Later:

All the pain she suffered, all the terror she experienced, it was all about to be put behind her. Today, she was about to become a Cragen. She stood in front of Judge Thornton, her hands shaking. "Why do you want Captain Cragen to adopt you when you already have two living biological parents?"

"In the short amount of time that I have known him, he has been the only person to show me any real compassion. Before him, I did not even know what Disney movies were. He has opened my eyes to a whole new world, one in which I do not have to be hurt to be of any value to those around me. No disrespect Judge Thornton, but you and the court system in general rely too much on DNA to determine who an individual's parents are. DNA does not determine who parents are. Parents are determined by genuine compassion and unconditional love, both of which he has never failed to show me. It would be nothing short of an honour to be adopted by Captain Donald Cragen."

"I agree with you. Congratulations Detective Olivia Danielle Cragen. I believe your father has some things to give you." Captain Donald Cragen walked until he was standing in front of his new daughter, his face beaming with pride. "Welcome to New York Police Department Manhattan Special Victims Unit Detective Cragen. Here is your gold shield, duty weapon, and holster." Olivia's eyes filled with tears of joy as she clipped her shield to her belt. She then clipped her duty weapon to her side and leaned forward, wrapping her arms around her dad. "Vos semper amandus," he whispered, and she leaned up, kissing his cheek.