Fighting To Survive Chapter 6
I don't own SVU or it's characters.
Nick flashed his badge at the uniforms outside of Olivia's apartment. "Detective Stabler." Nick introduced Elliot gaining him access to the crime scene, his former partner's apartment. Elliot wondered how diligent the officers would be about checking his credentials at the door; he now knew, not so much.
There were only a few CSU techs still milling around the apartment, most only greeted Elliot with an apologetic look. He had worked with them on many crime scenes, he and Olivia together. Nick watched as Elliot made his way around the apartment slowly taking in every detail. It had been a while since he had been in her home, but he knew instantly what was out of place. He stuffed his hands in his front pockets when his eyes fell on the picture of the two of them together. It sat on a shelf above her t.v.; he knew she didn't usually watch much television. He made a mental note to make sure he took the picture when they were done with the investigation.
Elliot made his way through the living room and into the bedroom. He braced himself for what he already knew he's see. It was just different when it was somebody you cared so much about. He kept his eyes from her bed, instead focusing on the blood on the wall, shattered pictures and the outlines on the floor. His eyes picked up the torn shirt he recognized as one of her favorites. He saw the lamp on the floor without the shade and men's clothing on the floor at the foot of the bed.
He blew out a long breath as he leaned up against a clear wall for support. His eyes moved without his permission to the bed and it was every bit as disturbing as he braced for. There was so much blood and Elliot knew most of it was from Morris. He saw the blood toward the bottom of the bed knowing right away it had to be Olivia's. He grabbed a tech as she silently passed by in his line of view.
"You tested all the blood samples, correct?"
"Yes, sir." The tech recognized him as Detective Benson's partner, unaware of the changes in the past few months. "It's that of Richard Morris as well as Detective Benson."
Elliot nodded as the tech excused herself. His heart ached even more knowing for sure. His partner was brutally raped, had to be hurting bad given the amount of blood left on the bed. He was also glad to hear it confirmed it was hers, could only help in her defense.
"Elliot?" Alexandra Cabot's voice was so familiar to Elliot he didn't even bother to look up at her as she settled in next to him.
Elliot swallowed hard before attempting to speak. His voice was higher pitched than normal causing him to abandon his attempt. Alex recognized where he was and spoke for him.
"He was a boyfriend of hers. Last we talked, she was having some reservations about him. They hadn't been dating long." Alex paused to give Elliot a chance to say something; anything. When he just stared at the bed, she continued. "From what we've learned so far, there obviously was a struggle, she was able to knock him unconscious with the marble lamp. The evidence so far proves what she has admitted to; she shot him in the back of the head while he was unconscious.
Elliot looked up at Alex then, still not attempting to speak. "She called it in herself, uniforms had to forcefully removed her weapon from her when they arrived on scene. She refused to drop it when ordered. Lucky they didn't shoot her."
"Has anyone interviewed the first on scene?" Elliot mumbled his words when he finally spoke.
"The team at the one-eight are handling this, you know we can't." Alex answered swiftly hoping he would talk more. "She'll be interrogated there."
"Did she claim rape?" Elliot let his eyes roam her bedroom, taking in everything that wasn't part of the investigation.
"No, not officially. She did admit it to me when we talked." Alex waited to see where Elliot would take the conversation.
"Don't you think it's pretty obvious?" Elliot nodded toward the bed as his eyes pierced into Alex's.
"It's very obvious what happened here tonight, El. We need to make sure she gets the best defense lined up. She told me herself she killed him instead of cuffing him."
"Alex, she was traumatized. It's obvious why she did what she did. Look at the blood." Elliot pushed off the wall and took a few steps towards the bed. "Fuck!" he grabbed his head with both his hands.
Alex moved closer to Elliot taking his arms in her hands. "Have you seen her yet?"
"I did." Elliot wiped his eyes with the back of his hand angrily. "She's hurting, Alex. Son of a bitch did a number on her."
"I know. We need her to consent to the rape exam. We need the pictures, the evidence, all of it to prove her state of mind." Alex looked Elliot directly in the eyes as she spoke. "Otherwise the prosecution will paint it as love gone wrong ending with his execution at her hand."
"Why would they do that to her? She's a goddamned cop." Elliot walked around to the other side of the bed, barely glancing at the mattress, instead keeping his gaze on Alex.
"It's huge headlines and a likely promotion for whatever ambitious prosecutor gets this case." Alex knew how it was, she herself having been a prosecutor for so long.
"Too bad you couldn't take it." Elliot knew she couldn't and wouldn't. "What defense attorney gave you the biggest challenge. Who's the best available?"
"I'm way ahead of you. Elliot, we need the exam. I think you can get through to her."
Elliot made his way toward the door of Olivia's bedroom. "Come on, Counselor. She already told me she would."
Alex immediately pulled her phone from her briefcase and quickly caught up to Elliot.
Olivia lay on the thin mattress surprisingly fighting the sleep that threatened. She barely felt the sharp metal coils beneath her; she barely felt anything. If she was so inclined to change position, she then could feel the reality of what had transpired that night. To avoid any of it, she lie perfectly still letting her mind take her in several different directions at once.
She thought of Elliot and only then did she realize she wasn't shaking anymore. He always did have a calming effect on her, despite his sometimes volatile temperament. She couldn't help but wonder what would happen to her. She listened to her mind ask herself the question if she really cared at this point. No, not at his point. She knew it was a good possibility she'd be charged with murder, a slight possibility she'd even get the death penalty. Depended on what prosecutor got her case. Depended even more on what defense attorney took her case.
Olivia knew it was unlikely she'd get the death penalty, but she had seen many cases end up with a totally unexpected outcome in her years on the force. If that was the price she had to pay, then she would pay it. She only allowed herself to think about her mother briefly. She refused to live life as a victim. She refused to live her life like her mother did. She'd much rather the state kill her than the bottle. She could feel the exhaustion as she smiled slightly at her own thought. Life had truly come full circle for her. Born the product of a rape, than killed as a result of a rape. Fighting sex crimes her whole career in between. Life was never fair, but then she was never led to believe it ever would be.
"Benson." Olivia cursed herself for jumping each time she was summoned. "You know the drill by now." Olivia glanced at the slender officer as she waited. Olivia held her breath as the pain seemed to be getting worse throughout her entire body. She slowly made her way to the gate and turned tenderly placing her hands through the opening. She wondered if she'd ever get used to the feel of the cuffs on her wrists.
The officer then entered the cell turning Olivia by the arms to face her. Olivia had seen the officer in her travels through the years, but had no idea what her name was. She glanced quickly at the name badge on the officer's uniform, but it didn't help. Wouldn't have mattered if she did recognize the name.
"I'm sorry, Detective." Olivia felt the officer was genuine with her words. Olivia had no response for her and was grateful for the respect the officer was showing her. "I've been ordered to transport you to Mercy."
Olivia felt her stomach drop and her legs grow even weaker than they already were. She felt Officer Williams' strong hold on her arms as her legs began to give out. "Whoa, you okay?"
Olivia only nodded as she forced herself to recompose. Officer Williams moved her hand from her arm to her back, gently guiding Olivia from her cell and out of the precinct to the transport van. It was then that Olivia noticed it was still dark; still night, maybe early morning. She had no clue what time it was finding herself wondering when what time it was wouldn't matter anymore.
She wasn't surprised to see a second officer waiting for them in the van. Officer Williams gave Olivia an apologetic look as she help position her in the van to ride as safely as possible. Olivia barely noticed as her mind was on the exam that awaited her. She had been through many exams with different victims, each experience a bit different. The common factor was they were all scared to death and feared the exam would be like being raped again. It was so hard each time to be the supporter during these exams, she never expected to be in the place of the victim. She never even questioned herself as to how she would feel if she ever was.
She was led into a small examining room where William's gently removed the cuffs. "I'm supposed to make sure you're restrained the entire time, but this is hard enough."
"Thank you." Olivia's voice was no stronger than a small child's would be as she rubbed her wrists nervously.
"I'll be right outside the door. Don't get me fired please, Detective." Olivia could sense the trust the officer had in her. She nodded slightly, her mind preoccupied with what was to happen next. Olivia stood nervously scanning the small room. Her heart about pounded from her chest when the door quickly opened.
"Elliot!" Olivia choked out a sob as Elliot quickly closed the distance between them. Her arms were tight around his neck and he cautiously wrapped his around her back. He tried to slow her body from shaking, but feared hurting her if he squeezed any tighter than he was. He pulled her from him so he could see into her eyes. She was terrified and just how much was displayed on her face.
"Officer Williams said I only have a minute, then I have to get. Do you want anybody in here with you other than her?" Elliot's words were clipped as he hated the way she shook.
Olivia shook her head. "No, I…I know what they're going to do."
"Alex? She's here." Elliot hated that she would be willing to face this alone.
"No, Elliot. Nobody, it's humiliating enough. I'll be fine." Olivia walked from him, turning away as she went. "Go, before Williams gets a rip."
Elliot knew he was on borrowed time. "I'll stay with you, if you want me to." He watched as Olivia's caught her balance as her knees gave out on her again.
"Please go." Elliot cringed at the vulnerability in her usually strong voice. He waited a few more seconds before heading for the door. Olivia heard the door close only to open a few seconds later. She turned to see the head trauma nurse she had assisted so many times walk in followed by an assistant. Officer Williams followed them in and closed the door behind her. Her eyes followed Williams as she made her way to the far corner of the room. It was obvious she was only there for security purposes as she tried to blend in with the décor.
They started with a urine test and an extensive blood test. Olivia knew they would be checking for drugs and/or alcohol in her system. It was only then did she remember the drinks she had put away at the bar before returning home earlier that night. She was then asked to shed all her clothing as pictures were taken of her naked body. She knew how necessary this was as she watched the assistant record their findings. Her body felt as bad as she looked, only then seeing for herself the damage Richard had caused on the outside at least.
There were two huge bruises on her breasts, several more on both arms and a string of smaller ones that ran the length of her torso along her ribs. She closed her eyes as the assistant moved in closer to get a good picture of the angry purple bruise that covered most of her inner thigh on one leg. She was never more relieved when she was handed the thin paper cover, even though she knew what was next.
"Okay, Detective, we need to do a pelvic." Olivia wasn't sure if she felt more comfortable with the head nurse being somebody she knew or not. It wouldn't matter, there was nothing comfortable about any of this. She accepted the assistant's help as she carefully climbed onto the table. She could feel her breathing begin to race as her feet were positioned into the stir-ups.
Olivia knew not to hold her breath, but she couldn't help it as she felt the nurse's cold hands on her legs. She tried to force her mind to take her anywhere but where she was physically and mentally. She grew agitated when her defense tactic was failing her, allowing her to feel every movement, every touch.
"Wait! Please." Olivia felt the nurse back away and was thankful for the break, however short it would be. She struggled with her breathing and eventually felt her body calming enough to take deep breaths. She watched as the exam continued promising herself she'd get through it.
Olivia broke her own promise as she felt her legs being separated. Her mind only registered Richard as his breath was all over her face again as he forced his way into her. "NO! No! No!" Olivia screamed as she tried to sit up against the assistant. Officer Williams was quickly by her side helping to restrain the traumatized detective.
Elliot was immediately on his feet at the sound of his partner's screams. His panicked gaze fell on Alex as she was already making her way closer to the door. She jumped back when it suddenly opened revealing a nervous trauma nurse. "Miss Cabot, we need you."
Alex immediately made her way to Olivia, grabbing both her hands in hers. "Liv, Liv, honey, it's me. It's Alex, okay?" Olivia stopped fighting long enough to recognize her close friend.
"Alex, make them stop. I can't do this, I can't." The tears fell freely as Olivia begged her.
"Liv, listen to me." Alex's stern voice seem to help Olivia focus. She then lowered her voice so Olivia had to concentrate to hear what she was saying to her. "You can do this. You know why it's important."
Olivia shook her head in protest. "I can't Alex."
"You're the strongest woman I've ever known, Olivia. You can do this." Alex let Olivia grab her arms tightly. "I know it's hard, it's so hard, but you can get through it."
Olivia swallowed, tightening her grip on Alex. "Don't leave me, please, Alex."
"I won't. I'll stay until it's over. I promise." Alex glanced at the officer who quickly nodded.
Alex nodded toward the nurse as she felt Olivia's grip grow even tighter on her arms. Alex had never seen Olivia Benson so weak, vulnerable and scared to death. She was glad Olivia shot the fucker. She just hoped like hell her life wasn't over because of her decision.