Disclaimer: I do not own Law and order or the characters. They all belong to you know who. I am not making any profit, only writing for pure enjoyment. Also p[lease remember that this is not within the accepted canon of the episode. I was just doing a what if situation that struck while I was listening to Dave Matthews song " Sister " Please send feedback. Should I continue on with this ?

SISTER

by

LorMes or LAM

CHAPTER 2

The Visit

Driving on to their destination yeilded no real conversation. As they drove through the city, they made their way to the outskirts of Brooklyn. The roads started to get a bit longer. Black wrought iron fences lined both sides of the road and the place where they would end up. The entrance was beautifully esconced with two huge angels on either side of the large wrought iron gateway. Bobby made a left hand turn through the gate and he followed the same road he had become incredibly familiar with over the last 37 years. Its winding path with Wisteria and Maple trees lining the path. Finally Bobby reached the place and pulled the black SUV up onto the side of the road. Puttung the SUV into park, he just sat for a minute and gathered his thoughts. Lewis being the friend he is to Bobby sat in silence until his friend was ready.

Bobby loved this place. It was the perfect resting place for her. He remembered how 20 years ago he had asked the staff is he could plant a weeping willow tree by where she was laid to rest. They had said yes and now 20 years later, it had grown into a fine specimen. He knew she would have loved it. He shut down the engine and placed the keys into his coat pocket. Then proceeded to look over to Lewis. " You ready ? " he asked.

" Dont you think I should be asking you that ? " Lewis replied. He continued as he placed his hand on Bobbys shoulder. " Come on Bobby. Shes waiting. " he said.

When Bobby looked up at Lewis, Lewis could see that he was trying not to cry. But they had been here and done this enough times to know that in each others company, crying was acceptable. Especially in this particular situation.

Both men opened up their respective doors and got out. They walked to the back of the SUV and Bobby opened it up. Each man took his respective arrangement and Bobby closed up the vehicle.

As they walked in silence as was their custom, Bobby could swear that he could hear her voice stirring in the gentle breeze. As the breeze hit his nostrils he breathed it in as if to soak in her presence.

The site as always is nicely looked after and when he gets close he and Lewis stop just slow up and come to a gentle halt. Both men are amazed at how this never seems to get any easier. They glance down at the pure white headstone and read the inscription:

ANGELA FRANCES GOREN

JANUARY 10TH 1964 TO FEBRUARY 21ST 1971

HER MOTHERS BEAUTIFUL GIRL

BELOVED SISTER AND FRIEND

MATTHEW 19:14 BUT JESUS SAID , SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN,

AND FORBID THEM NOT, TO COME UNTO ME, FOR SUCH IS THE KINGDOM

OF HEAVEN

Lewis approached the gravesite first and laid the blanket down over the site. Then he backed away and bowed his head.He said a small prayer and looked up to Bobby. " Ill be back over by the SUV if you need me. Okay ? "

Bobby told him that he could stay if he wanted to, but Lewis bowed out gracefully. " No man. This is your sister Bobby. Take all the time you need. "

Bobby thanked Lewis once again and watched as he headed back over to where the SUV was parked. Lewis reached the SUV and didnt get in. He never did. He just leaned back into the car and watched his friend. Sort of like a bodygaurd would watch over his charge. Not that Bobby needed protection, But Lewis knew in his heart that Bobby was incredibly vulnerable inside. If Bobby needed him, He wanted to be there as fast as he could.

Now it was Bobbys turn. Never easy. He took small steps up to the new headstone. He had it replaced after his last visit. It sickened him everytime he went there to see the words " Beloved Daughter " written on it. He knew that was his fathers idea. And that made him even madder. So he had a new head stone made up. This was the first time he saw it. And it was beautiful. It wasnt just any headstone. It was an angel standing on a platform where he had the inscription placed. The angels wings were spread open as if it was her gaurdian. Her picture was etched into the stone directly in the center. Bobby never stepped right on the grave. He always approached it from the side. He took the bouquet and placed it at the foot of the angel. The breeze hit him just as he placed it down and he could swear that it was his 7 year old sister welcoming him with Gods kiss. And even though it was cold outside, the breeze that hit him was warm and comforting. Now Bobby wasnt an overly religious man. He was a lapsed alterboy. And he knew all about God. He just chose not to go through all of the rituals and traditions. His beleifs were quite personal.

He stood up and stood a few feet away from but directly in front of her grave.

He cupped his hands into each other and looked directly at the grave.

" Hello Angel. " he said quietly. Angel was his childhood nickname for her.

" Its me. Big brother. I brought my usual bouquet. I know youll like it. I hope you like your new stone. I just had to have it changed. You know why. Please forgive me Angel. I tried to protect you. I just couldnt. "

He got quiet. He lowered his head and realized that tears began to flow like rivers down his cheeks. Lewis had, unbeknownst to Bobby, made his way over to stand directly behind him. " Its just not fair Angel. I miss you so much. I should have done more...you know to help you. ..."

Lewis reached out and brought his hand up on to Bobbys shoulder. " You did what you could man. She knows that. Come on Bobby. Stop being so hard on yourself. She was 7 and you were 9...What else were you supposed to do? Your dad...he was crazy. One thing that you have to hang onto though. "

" Yeah ? Whats that ? " he asked

" Angel...She tried to get back to you. She knew she was safe when she was with you. "

" Yeah. I suppose...But... "

Lewis looked over at him and interupted him. "No buts Bobby...She knew when she was with you...she was safe. Listen, Its really cold out here. Lets say we say our prayers and then we do breakfast...Ill even pay this time. "

Bobby nodded and turned. Then he looked over to her grave once again. He stood quietly, bowed his head, and he and Lewis both offered up their silent prayers. As soon as they were done, Both men made their way over to the SUV , got in and began their ride in search of breakfast.

As Bobby placed the keys into the ignition and pulled away, he rode slowly past his Angels place of rest. He had to stop for a second. He closed his eyes as images from the past clouded his mind. Both equally, good and bad. Angels tears of pain and her cries of releif. He couldnt leave just yet. Bobby Goren and his sister Angela, though she had been dead for 37 years, They were still as inseperable as ever. He rolled the window down and swore once again that he was being enveloped by her spirit. The warm breeze returned and he breathed in, through his nostrils, her sweet 7 year old innocent lavender scent. He could see them playing in the park by their house in Brooklyn.

Ring around the rosie, pocket full of posies, ashes ashes, we all fall down.

When Angela died, it was like a peice of him died with her. At 9 years old Bobby Goren had lost his entire family. He was more or less on his own since then.

Yet now at 46 years old, while by his sisters graveside, Even though she is physically dead, he feels her life blood flowing through him.

He lifted his hand to his eyes. wiped the tears onto his fingers and then took his hand and gently shook it outside of the window as if spreading holy water on her grave site.

" Goodbye for now my Angel, Ill see you again soon. " he said.

Then he gave the car a bit more gas and headed once again for the gate.