Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: Thank you for all your wonderful reviews! Here's the next chapter!
Fin entered the interrogation room with Olivia and Elliot close behind.
Shutting the door and turning around he said, "We found a witness." Olivia looked at Elliot who stood in shock.
"I thought there wasn't anyone," said Olivia quietly.
"I know. We did too, but we got a call from a woman who said she was there when Michaels did the procedures," said Fin.
"There is still no proof. Witness statements only go so far in trial," Elliot stated.
"I know, but she says that there is evidence and that she will share it with up if she isn't charged," says Fin. Elliot looked at Olivia.
"We have to talk to Casey and to Captain," said Olivia.
Fin looked at Elliot and raised an eyebrow. Elliot shrugged. Fin nodded and left the room. Elliot shut the door behind Fin as he left. He walked over to Olivia and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Liv? Are you okay?" he asked softly. Olivia looked up at Elliot and nodded.
"I'm fine El," she said.
Elliot shook his head knowing that he wouldn't get much more than that. Olivia looked back down. She knew what would happen if Casey and the captain agreed to this. She knew that it would mean that the bastard who violated her, her partner, and caused her daughter a lot of pain would be put away. She didn't know what to feel. She just hoped that it was enough. She walked out of the interrogation room and into Cragen.
"Oh, sorry Cap," she mumbled as she walked around him.
"Olivia, everything alright?" he asked.
She nodded with her back to him and walked off. Cragen watched her go, but knew it was best to leave her be. He walked into the room to speak to Elliot. Elliot looked up as the captain walked in.
"What's up?" he asked. Cragen looked down and back to Elliot.
"How do you feel about this?" he asked. Elliot snorted.
"I don't know how to feel. Liv doesn't either and it's tearing her up inside. I think it's a good idea as long as we get the guy," said Elliot. Cragen nodded.
"Go home. Take Olivia and Karla with you," said Cragen.
"Cap, you can't…" Elliot started, but the captain raised a hand to silence him.
"I can and I am. You and Olivia are off the case. Let Munch and Fin handle it. Go spend time with your kids, Karla included," Cragen replied.
Elliot looked down at the mention of his kids. "I'm going," he said and he left the room.
Cragen knew it wouldn't be long before they were back asking about the case, but he knew that his detectives needed to distance themselves from this case. They were too close. He hoped that he made the right call.
Olivia walked away from Cragen and went up to the lounge where Karla was. Karla was spread out on the small sofa, sound asleep. Olivia smiled at the young girl. She shrugged out of her jacket that she was still wearing and laid it over her daughter. Karla stirred a bit, but didn't wake. Olivia sat in the chair and watched Karla sleep. She didn't want to put her through any more hell than she's already been through. Her thoughts drifted back to the conversation about Karla's teacher. She dug into Karla's backpack and found the permission slip that her teacher had given her to get signed. Olivia read it thoroughly and knew immediately it was a ruse. There were things missing and things that shouldn't have been in the letter. Her gut told her that this man was a predator and had her daughter in his sights.
"I'm gonna protect you, whatever it takes," she thought to herself.
She straightened in the chair as she heard footsteps climbing the stairs. It was Elliot.
"Come on," he said.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Cap took us off the case," he stated.
"What?" she exclaimed.
"I know, but he gave no room for argument. Let's take her home and have a decent dinner," he said. Olivia grinned and nodded at the notion. Elliot stepped over to his daughter and kissed her forehead.
"Karla, baby, let's go," Elliot said softly.
Karla opened her eyes and sat up, her mother's jacket falling off her. She looked down at it and back at her mother and smiled. She picked it up and handed it to her mother.
"Where are we going? I thought you guys had a case," she said.
"Grandpa is letting us go early," Elliot said.
Karla nodded and said, "He took you off the case, didn't he?" Elliot and Olivia grinned at their little prodigy.
"Yes, he did," said Elliot.
"Why?" she asked. Elliot looked over at Olivia and back at Karla.
"He didn't say," Elliot lied. Karla gave him a look.
"You're lying, Daddy. That's not a good thing," she said in a smug tone.
Olivia chuckled. "We'll make you a detective yet," she said proudly. Karla grinned.
Elliot smiled at them and said, "Come on. Let's go home." They got up and left.
The ride home had been a quiet one. Each of them were lost in their own thoughts. They arrived at Olivia's apartment. Karla went straight to her room to put her school things away and to change. Olivia sat down on the sofa and just stared at the television. Elliot walked over to the kitchen and took out things for dinner. Olivia had made sure to go grocery shopping every chance she got now that Karla lived with her. Elliot set the items on the counter and walked into the living room.
"Is spaghetti okay?" he asked. Olivia nodded, still staring at the television.
"Liv, are you sure you're okay?" he asked, concern etching his voice.
Olivia nodded. Elliot shook his head at his hardheaded partner. He went back into the kitchen to fix dinner. Karla came out of her room and joined her mother on the couch. She snuggled up to her mother and stared up at her face.
"Momma, are you okay?" she asked. Olivia broke out of her haze and looked down at her concerned child.
"Just thinking about things. I'm okay," Olivia replied. Karla smiled.
"Everything is going to get better. Are you and Daddy still going to talk to Mr. Carmichael tomorrow? Without resorting to violence?" asked Karla.
Olivia chuckled at her daughter. "Yes, we are. You're father will be on his best behavior," replied Olivia. Karla giggled.
Olivia was amazed as to how Karla could lighten the mood so easily even if the day has been horrible. Elliot stepped back into the living room to see what was so funny. He saw Olivia and Karla curled up together, talking. He smiled to himself, glad to have such a gifted daughter as Karla. As he thought more about Karla, he thought of the other kids that he had. The ones that his soon-to-be ex-wife had custody of and wouldn't let him see but every weekend. He missed them too. He just hoped that they wouldn't be upset about everything that was happening. He went back into the kitchen to finish cooking their dinner.
After a while, the spaghetti was ready and they all sat down at the dining table to eat. They ate in total silence. Karla noticed it and looked at her mother who toyed with her food and her father who watched her mother with concern in his gaze. She looked down and put a forkful of spaghetti in her mouth. She slurped the noodles that were hanging out of her mouth and looked at her parents to see if that got a reaction. Elliot and Olivia watched their daughter slurp the noodles and when a bit hit her nose leaving a spaghetti sauce mark they both laughed. Karla looked up and giggled as she took a napkin to wipe her nose.
"You're silly. You know that?" asked Elliot with a grin. That only made Karla giggle more. Olivia smiled at the interaction.
She checked her watch and noticed that it was getting close to Karla's bedtime. "Karla, finish up and go take your shower. It's almost time for bed," said Olivia.
Karla nodded and did as she was told. While Karla was in the shower, singing tunes from The Little Mermaid, Olivia and Elliot cleaned off the table and did the dishes. When they finished, they settled onto the couch. Elliot pulled Olivia close to him and wrapped an arm around Olivia. Olivia snuggled into him and sighed.
"El, do you think this will ever be over?" asked Olivia.
"Do I think what will be over?" he asked.
"The past trying to catch up with us, do you think it will ever be over? Do you think we will be able to live without having to worry about problems in the past coming back and biting us on the ass?" she replied.
"I don't know Liv. I try not to think about it. I know we all have to face everything sooner or later. I just hope we survive everything that has to or will come back around. Whatever it is, we will face it together," he replied.
Olivia looked up and smiled at him. Karla came into the living room.
"I'm ready," she stated. Elliot and Olivia both chuckled at her. Olivia sat up and Elliot flew off after Karla who ran giggling to her room.
"Momma! Help, Daddy's gonna get me!" Karla exclaimed. Olivia chuckled and ran down the hall to save her daughter from the tickle monster.
After they had had their fun and Karla read the story she picked out, they tucked her in and kissed her goodnight.
A/N: So? What you guys think? Leave me a review and let me know!