Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, Queens
Arriving at the hospital emergency room, Elizabeth, accompanied by Officer Keller, was wheeled to a private exam room.
"Now Elizabeth," the slim redhead said gently, "there's going to be a number of examinations. Do you want me to stay---"
"Yes," came the answer immediately and unequivocally.
"All right," replied the officer gently. "Now I have to ask you a question: do you want to press charges?"
"Yes," Elizabeth said sadly. "If I don't, he---he might come after Grandma next, or he might get one of the neighbors, or some else. I---I just want to get the rape exam and formal statement over with!"
"You know about the exam and the statement?" Keller was impressed, though she kept her tone easy.
"Some of my friends have dads---and one mom---who are cops," explained the teen. "A few have relatives who are nurses or EMT's. Sometimes at school or at a slumber party we'll talk about stuff we mostly overhear." She suddenly became alert. "Do my parents have to be in the room when the exam or the statement is done?!"
"No," the officer reassured. "You can see them when you're finished."
Elizabeth sighed with obvious relief. "All right, then you can call my mom now."
Nodding, Keller moved across the room to relay pertinent information to her partner via radio, keeping her voice low. Riche was just as discreet when he told her that Mrs. Maynard was en route after notifying Mrs. Stabler. He would escort them to the waiting area and stay with them, he said. As the call ended, a petite, black-haired woman in scrubs entered the room.
"Hello, I'm Dr. Peck," she said, her voice pleasant and professional. Going to the girl in the wheelchair, she leaned down and said reassuringly: "Elizabeth, I'll be treating you. I'll make this as easy for you as possible."
"We'll also need a rape kit done," informed Keller.
"All right, then I'll get the necessary items," Dr. Peck said.
Soon, Elizabeth began her painful journey through the medical and rape exams. First, her vital signs were taken. Then, after a concussion was ruled out, the girl stood on a large sheet of paper and dropped the blanket and the house coat onto evidence bags and changed into a gown. Next she had to answer medical questions: easy ones ("Are you allergic to any medications?") and not-so-easy ones ("Have you ever had sex?"---which she hadn't). Although she was told the information gleamed was needed to appropriately treat her, she was still embarrassed.
Mercifully, the next parts were more endurable. Swabs were taken from under her fingernails first. Then hairs were plucked from her head. ("They will be used to compare against those of the rapist," explained Keller tactfully.)
Subsequently, the physical examinations commenced. In addition to the now purplish lump near her temple, the doctor found bruises on her wrists, her abdomen, her back, and her thighs. When the injuries were photographed, Elizabeth cried silently but cooperated willingly.
Next came the most difficult parts of the exam. After semen was found on her thighs via ultra violet lamp, the reluctant teen was directed to lie down on the examination table and position her feet far apart in stirrups; Dr. Peck swabbed the evidence. Afterward, Keller's gentle words and supportive hand barely kept the weeping girl relaxed enough for the doctor to diagnose vaginal trauma, swab her vagina, and comb her pubic hair. When a few strands were plucked for comparison, the patient remained silent. But as Elizabeth repositioned herself for the retinal exam and swab, she sobbed aloud, despite comforting words from both women.
Finally, after giving saliva samples for comparison, she went into the final phases of her experience. After the doctor took blood for STD/AIDS testing ("Though the odds are against you contracting AIDS after one sexual contact, we have to make sure," Dr. Peck said.) and urine to test for pregnancy ("To make it official," explained Keller.), she was administered antibiotics as a precaution. Then the doctor offered the "morning-after pill," explaining that it was her choice.
Elizabeth looked at the medication in anguish. Earlier, her virginity had been ruthlessly stolen. Now, because of him she had to choose between violating the Church's teaching and risking unwed and unwanted pregnancy. The Devil or the deep blue sea?! A rock or a hard place?!
"Easy, easy," the doctor gently urged as the girl snatched the pill, tossed it into her mouth, and hastily swallowed the cup of water.
"Can Elizabeth have her shower now?" Keller asked rhetorically for the girl's benefit.
"Yes," Dr. Peck said, nodding. "We're done, Elizabeth. You'll also be provided with clothes, plus some care instructions to take home with you."
A few minutes later at the 16th Precinct
Elliot Stabler walked into the building with satisfaction. He was unaware that his youngest daughter was furiously scrubbing her violated body under a hot spray. He was equally ignorant of his anguished wife, who clung to her distressed mother in a hospital waiting area. All he knew was that his testimony had gone as well Casey had predicted.
So he was completely surprised when the scene at the bullpen was that of subdued activity. His colleagues worked solemnly and perfunctorily. Nobody asked about the court session. In fact, Olivia, usually inquisitive, only glanced at him before turning quickly back to her computer terminal.
Something really bad has happened, what---?
Just as Elliot drawing a conclusion, Cragen called: "Elliot, my office please?" It almost sounded like a gentle request. Feeling uneasy, the detective complied, closing the door behind him. Thus, he didn't see Olivia slump back dejectedly in her chair, John remove his glasses to rub his eyes, Fin slam his fist into his open hand, and Chester suddenly excuse himself from the room.