Chapter 3:
"Alright. Well, I think I'll start at the beginning and tell you about my mother. Her name was Serena and she was beautiful..."
"She was in college, here in Manhattan and had her whole life in front of her. One night she was raped. That resulted in a pregnancy," Olivia paused to make eye contact with Amanda. "I am the product of rape. Mom decided to keep me. I don't think she realized how hard it would be for her.
"I don't think she was ever able to look at me and really see me. I spent my life in the shadow of a father I've never met, that was only in my mother's life for a single terrifying night."
Amanda cupped Olivia's cheek before pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "I'm so sorry Liv. It certainly explains your passion for SVU."
"Through my childhood, and much of my adult, life I suffered the emotional and sometimes physical abuse of an alcoholic rape victim. I say victim and not survivor, because my mother was never able to move on from her attack... not with me as a constant reminder.
"Even as I became an SVU detective, and began living on my own, I couldn't escape her. In the end, she was a fall down drunk. I did my best to take care of her and get her help, but it wasn't enough. She kept seeking oblivion in the bottom of a bottle.
"One day I got a visit at the station. My mother had fallen down some subway steps and broken her neck. I never got to say good bye, or tell her I loved her. And that's the thing, I did love her," Olivia finished.
"Of course you love her babe, she's your mother. No matter how badly our parents fuck us up, we're programed to love them anyway," sighed Amanda.
"Sounds like you're speaking from experience," questioned Olivia.
"I am. Different than yours, but similar enough to understand. But let's stop dwelling on the past for a bit, huh? It looks like Franny could use a walk."
At that Olivia looked up to see Franny sitting by the door, leash in her mouth. She couldn't help but laugh out loud.
As the women strolled around the East Village sipping on coffee, while Franny sniffed and wagged, Amanda couldn't help the wide grin that split her face.
"What are you smiling about, beautiful?" asked her Sargent.
"You. This. Us. I've wanted to feel at home in New York since I got here, and today I finally do," she explained shyly.
Liv reached over and wrapped a strong arm around Amanda's thin waist. She turned and placed a sweet kiss on her cheek.
"I'm so glad that I could help you feel at home. I have to say that I'm feeling pretty comfortable here myself these days," she replied with a smile in her voice.
Their walk was interrupted by the ringing of Olivia's cell phone.
"Benson," she answered.
Amanda could head the buzz of someone speaking on the other end of the call. She felt the brunette stiffen in her arms and watched as her eyes filled with fear. As Liv ended the call she turned to face the blonde.
"Lewis escaped prison. We need to head to the station immediately," she explained.
"How the fuck could they let this happen?!" exclaimed Amanda.
"Looks like he faked a seizure, was being transported to the hospital when he killed his security detail and medical team before making a run for it," Olivia sighed while hailing a taxi.
"Wanna drop Franny off at home first?" asked the detective as the three of them clambered into the back of a cab.
"No. Let's go to the station. Franny has been a good luck charm for us so far. I like having her with us," replied the Sargent as she began rubbing the pit bull's ears soothingly.
As they walked into the bull pen, it was clear that chaos had over taken the rest of the squad. Before they could even take off their coats the ladies were greeted by a group of men in suits, including Leutenant Declan Murphy.
"Hello Sargent, Rollins," Murphy greeted, tipping his head in acknowledgment. "Why don't you let the other detectives catch you up to speed Rollins. Benson, let's move this to your office, shall we?"
Amanda watched as Olivia entered her office with the group of men. She and Franny were brought up to speed by Fin and Amaro. It didn't take long, since they had no idea where Lewis was yet. She could feel her insides knotting up. Lewis was sure to come for Olivia, the only victim he hadn't finished with.
Soon she was pulled from her dark thoughts as they were joined by their Sargent, Murphy and what looked like a security detail.
"I'm going to be taking control of this investigation. Benson is going in to protective custody until Lewis is apprehended. The rest of you are going to work around the clock until we catch the bastard," Murphy announced before returning to Liv's office.
Olivia quickly pulled Amanda away from the rest of the team and into the cribs, gesturing for her security team to wait outside.
"Amanda, I don't want to leave you," she started. "But Murphy is insistent that I lay low. I'll have my cell phone. Call me when you catch a break."
"Liv, can you do me a favor?" the blonde asked.
"Anything, babe."
Amanda couldn't help but smile at the endearment. "Can you take Franny with you? She's gonna need to be walked and fed, and it doesn't look like I'm leaving any time soon."
"Of course, I'll be glad for the company. Let me know when you're heading home and I'll make arrangements to get her back to you."
Olivia leaned in and kissed Amanda soundly on the lips, embracing her with strong arms. After a few moments they parted, leaning their fore heads together.
"Stay safe Liv," demanded the detective softly.
"You too Manda. I need to know that you're okay," replied the Sargent.
They shared one more kiss before leaving the cribs. Olivia left the building with Franny in tow, escorted by her security detail. Amanda made her way over to the boys to start working on the Lewis case.
Much later that evening Rollins was out on a Chinese food run. She was walking slowly while speaking to Olivia on the phone.
"Sorry babe, we have a few leads but nothing concrete. Looks like you're gonna have to share a bed with Franny tonight. Can't rest until Lewis is locked up again," she relayed.
Suddenly she was grabbed from behind, a gloved hand coming up to cover her mouth. The phone clattered to the ground. She was kicking and screaming, but her arms were pinned to her sides and her assailant was strong. She was dragged into an alleyway before being spun around and slammed into a brick wall.
She came face to face with the very man she was hunting. William Lewis grinned at her before hitting her in the temple with the butt of his gun. As she slumped to the ground Amanda watched as he picked up her phone and began speaking.
"Detective Benson, it's such a pleasure to hear your voice again. I have to tell you that detective Rollins is incapacitated at the moment. I'll be in touch with instructions in a few hours."
Lewis ended the call abruptly, leaned down and slung Amanda over his shoulders before disappearing into the darkness of the alleyway.