Hooray, I finally finished Chapter 2. So sorry for the long wait. Enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: See Chap. 1

Characters in Chap. 2

John Munch

Odafin (Fin) Tutuola

Olivia (Liv) Benson

Elliot (El) Stabler

Capt. Cragen

Gracie (last name unknown)

Megan Jackson (social worker)

Brett and Amanda Spears (foster parents)


Squad Room

(John) Munch and his partner Fin (Tutuola) were arguing as per usual over one of Munch's conspiracy theories when Olivia, Elliot, and Gracie came into the squad room the next day. Gracie, who'd been almost asleep, began to wail when Elliot accidentally bumped her carrier. Munch and Fin, who'd looked up when Gracie began to cry, were stunned to see Olivia holding Gracie. When Cragen came out of his office a few minutes later he had to hold back a laugh after seeing the looks on Munch and Fin's faces. Cragen gave Gracie's case to Munch and Fin and had just begun to tell her story when his phone rang. "Olivia, you and Elliot finish telling the story and take Miss Grace here up to the crib so that she won't be woken up by the noise in the bull pen." Having said that he went into his office and closed the door. Twenty frustrating minutes later (this included the 3 interruptions by Munch and Fin) Munch and Fin had left for Olivia's apartment and Olivia (after grabbing paperwork for herself and Elliot) and Gracie were up in the crib. Elliot had been called to Cragen's office as he was gathering his paper work.


Cragen's Office
"Elliot, I just got off the phone with a woman from DCFS. She said that a social worker and foster parents for Gracie would be arriving here in a few hours. Let Olivia know and tell her that I come get you two when they get here," said Cragen after Elliot had come in and closed the door. Nodding, Elliot asked, "Is there anything else?" Cragen replied, "Although I know you two were up late last night I want you to try to get some paper work done but if you get too tired, take a nap. Ok?" "Ok", said Elliot as he walked out into the squad room.


Squad Room
As he got closer to his shared desk, he noticed that Olivia had already grabbed paperwork for both of them so he went to grab coffee for them.


Crib
Gracie was asleep and Olivia was working on paperwork when Elliot arrived with the coffee. Olivia looked up when she heard the door close and asked him what Cragen had wanted. "Well he said that DCFS has sent a foster family and a social worker and they'll supposedly be here in a few hours," said Elliot in response to her question. "Damn it El. I didn't think it was going to be so soon," she paused to look over at Gracie, "I'm going to miss her." "Me too," he replied, going over to Olivia and holding her for a minute before letting go. "Let's just focus on this paperwork," she said. "Oh, one other thing, Cragen said we could take a nap if we get too tired," he said as he sat down on the couch. Two hours later the crib was dark and quiet. Olivia, Elliot, and Gracie were all sound asleep. Olivia and Elliot were curled up on one of the beds together; Olivia had her head tucked under Elliot's chin and her hands were loosely wrapped around Gracie; who was on her chest. Elliot had his arms wrapped around them, his hands resting on top of Olivia's. This is how Munch and Fin found them an hour later. "Awe, look at the little family", whispered Munch. "Be nice, old man," retorted Fin. "I'm serious, they look like a family." said Munch. "Yeah they do, don't they? I wonder if there's something going on between them." said Fin. "Maybe." said Munch as they left the crib. Cragen came in half an hour later carrying two cups of coffee to get Elliot and Olivia when the social worker and foster family arrived. 'I wonder if there is anything going on between them. It sure looks like there is' he thought. "Olivia, Elliot, the foster parents and social worker are here," said Cragen raising his voice slightly. He waited as Elliot began to stir and slowly wake up, then repeated what he had just said, and left after handing Elliot one of the coffees. After taking a few sips he put his cup down next to the other, and putting Gracie in her carrier, he went to rouse Olivia. "Liv, wake up," he said, shaking her gently, "they're here for Gracie." She blinked a couple of times as her eyes adjusted to the lights and gratefully accepted the cup he was holding out for her. "They're here for her," he repeated. Her reaction was exactly what he'd thought it'd be when he'd asked Cragen to let him tell her; one of sorrow and hope combined with reluctance to let Gracie go. "Already?" she asked, but even as she asked she had already started to put away her stuff and Gracie's stuff. Elliot grabbed his things and they made their way to the squad room to drop their paperwork off on their desks.


Squad Room

Munch and Fin who were working on their paperwork looked up as Olivia and Elliot entered the squad room and put down their paperwork. It didn't take them long to notice the tension in Elliot's and Olivia's eyes. After Elliot told them about the social worker and foster parents Munch and Fin got up, said their goodbyes to Gracie and gave Olivia reassuring hugs before leaving for lunch. After they left Olivia took Gracie out of her carrier and she and Elliot went into Cragen's office.


Cragen's Office

"Detectives Benson and Stabler this is Megan Jackson and to her left are the Spears' Brett and Amanda," said Cragen making the initial introductions as they entered his office. An unsettling silence followed during which Elliot and Olivia (for lack of a better term) sized up the Spears' and Megan Jackson. A few moments later Megan looked at Olivia, who returned the gaze with a semi glare, and cleared her throat. "Please call me Megan," she stated; turning to Olivia, "Detective Benson would you mind giving Gracie to Mrs. Spears?" asked Megan. With a slight hesitation she did and then left the office without saying a word. Elliot stood up, apologized for himself and Olivia and started to leave when he got an idea and turned back around. "Hey Capt, would you mind if I took Gracie for a few minute and give Olivia 15 minutes with her by themselves?" Elliot asked. "That's fine, but you've only got 15 minutes." replied Cragen. Elliot took Gracie from Mrs. Spears and left the office, stopping briefly to grab Gracie's diaper bag, before going up to the crib.


The Crib
Olivia was curled up on one of the bunks when Elliot walked in and it was obvious she was trying not to cry. When she saw Elliot with Gracie she began to sob. He sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around her, shifting Gracie to make room for her. She buried her face in his shoulder and stayed that way until her sobs subsided. A few minutes later she sat up and wiped her eyes then took a whimpering Gracie from Elliot, who left to warm a bottle up for Gracie. When he returned he heard Olivia softly singing to Gracie. She had finished the song before she noticed Elliot in the door way. He went in and gave her the bottle and sat down beside her as she gave Gracie the bottle. She began to sing one of her favorite songs; Baby You Belong.

There's a reason why
You can look up every night
And every star in heaven's in its place
There's a reason why
The full moon pulls the tide
And the waves roll into a shore that always waits
And just like that


Baby you belong
Baby you belong
Nothin's ever been so meant to be
Or ever felt so right to me
Every single part of me believes
Baby you belong (in my life)
Oh, baby you belong (by my side)
There really is no mystery
I think anyone can see
That baby you belong with me

There's a voice inside
And I heard it promise me
When you came along
I'd know you by heart
Like a familiar song
Every word is telling me
That the time has finally come
Now here you are
And I know for sure

Baby you belong
Baby you belong
Nothin's ever been so meant to be
Or ever felt so right to me
Every single part of me believes
Baby you belong (in my life)
Oh, baby you belong (by my side)
There really is no mystery
I think anyone can see
That baby you belong with me

Like the sun belongs up in the morning sky
for at least another million reasons why

As she finished the song, Olivia noticed that Gracie was half asleep so she began to rub Gracie's back (to burp her and put her to sleep) as she and Elliot talked. "So what do you think of Megan Jackson?" asked Olivia. "I'm not sure," he began "She seems nice, but…" he shrugged his shoulders. "I'm with you," replied Olivia, "however I'm not so sure about the foster parents." "Yeah, I know what you mean," he replied, "They seem so stiff around Gracie. It's as if they've never been around a baby before." Olivia nodded her head in agreement and they sat in silence until Elliot noticed that Gracie was sound asleep. After pointing out that Gracie was asleep to Olivia, they gathered their stuff and went down to the crib to get Gracie's carrier.

Meanwhile in Cragen's office; Cragen, Ms. Jackson and the Spears' were talk and making arrangements.


Cragen's Office
"Ms. Jackson, would it be ok for Detectives Benson and Stabler to check up on Gracie from time to time?" asked Cragen. "I don't see why not. I'll give them my card before I leave," she said. "Mr. and Mrs. Spears do you have any questions before they bring the baby back?' asked Cragen. "Yes," replied Mr. Spears, "Do you know where the birth mother is?" "That is an ongoing investigation and I am not at liberty to discuss that with you at this time," replied Cragen, "Although, I will let Ms. Jackson know if we do locate her." "I guess that's ok." said Mr. Spears. "Do you know when they'll be bringing Gracie back?" asked Mrs. Spears. "They shouldn't be too much longer," said Cragen.


The Squad Room
"Munch, Fin you guys want to say good bye to Gracie?" asked Olivia. "Yeah, sure." said Fin. "Me too," said Munch. They did and then went back to their paper work while Olivia put Gracie into her carrier. After securing Gracie, Elliot and Olivia went back into Cragen's office.


Cragen's Office

Olivia and Elliot walked in with Gracie and handed her to Megan, who gave before taking off for the day. Back in Cragen's office, Megan gave Gracie to Mrs. Spears, her diaper bag to Mr. Spears and her card to Cragen for Olivia and Elliot before walking the Spears' out to a waiting cab.


Outside the Station

"Here's my card, you can call me at any time with any questions you may have," said Megan. "Thanks, we will," said Mrs. Spears as she climbed into the cab after taking the card. As she sat in her car, Megan watched the cab take off with slightly eerie feeling. As she drove off a sense of foreboding seemed to settle around the precinct, Elliot and Olivia.


TBC

AN: Finally. This chapter seemed to take forever for me to write but I finally finished. I didn't mean to take so long to post this chapter. Starting with the third chapter I will switch between writing this story and my new CSI story Maternal Instinct. Thanks again for being so patient while I put the final touches on this story. You know the drill: Read and Review.