Chapter Seven
"I really think you should give yourself the rest of the week."
"I'm just going to be sitting at my desk."
"A contusion to your kidney is nothing to write off Maria, the bruising is extensive and you still have suspects that come into the station yes?"
The way she doesn't answer is answer enough.
"Pregnancy puts a strain on your kidneys and even though it still early I would rather stay on the extremely safe side."
"Whatever you think is best Doc.' Danny says softly and Maria cuts her eyes at him. 'Seriously. It's not like we both don't have a billion hours of time."
"Not the point Reagan."
"I need you to be okay.' He says softly, knows that it is playing dirty and does not care. Watching as she holds his gaze before letting out a deep sigh.
"Fine. I'll take the week off if I'm released to my desk on Monday."
"Deal." The doctor says and gives Danny a grateful smile.
—-
"There is more than enough for several charges…' Erin says as she sits down with Frank and Blake 'and a protection order. Considering the escalating tone of his texts."
"Bail?"
"That's going to be a harder sale."
"That's what we were worried about." Frank said softly
"She's safe where she is… it may just need to be a longer stay." Erin says softly, watching as the others in the room nod.
"Yeah."
"He will have no reason to be in the station but he will know where she is going to be every day."
"I'm certain that Reagan will be able to keep a tail off him." Dooley said,"I've already gotten permission for him to park in a monitored spot while at station to make sure a GPS isn't placed on his car."
"Yeah."
"I'll speak with his squad, make it abundantly clear there will be severe consequences to any one assisting him in trying to locate her."
"I'll get the arrest warrant." Erin said softly,
"I'll notify his Commander." Frank says and watches as Dooley sighs as he stands.
"I will tell Baez."
—-
Dooley is there when they execute the warrant, Frank there as well. Not surprised by the confusion and mayhem that follow.
"Detective John Rodriguez, you are under the arrest for the assault and battery, attempted imprisonment, harassment, and use of force against Maria Baez. You have the right to attorney, you have the right to remain silent,...' He's yelling about how it's all a mistake and you don't understand and let me explain. Others yelling to let him go, to let him explain. Frank stepping into the room and silencing it as he left the room silently under his look.
He waits to make sure he has everyone attention. "I know you all are shocked, as was I, but let me make this extremely clear…' he pauses makes sure everyone is listening. '... if anyone so much as attempts to assist him in reaching out to Detective Baez, in any fashion, for any reason, they will be dealt with harshly. If anyone attempts to coerce her to change her statements or to recant or approaches her in any fashion about this case they will immediately be relieved of duty and disciplined."
"How is she?" Stanz, Rodriguez's Sergeant asked softly and Frank sighs as he glances his way.
"Recovering."
—
Danny watches as she settles at the table.
"He got bail.' She said softly and he nods,
"I know."
"They've suspended him pending the results of the case."
"He deserves it Maria…'
"I know but doesn't mean I like being the reason for it."
"You're not the reason for it… he is."
"I know… I know that."
"He made his choice that night… you are doing the right thing. You have to protect yourself. Your baby." He watched as her hand drops to her stomach, covering it carefully.
"He's going to flip when he finds out." He reaches his hand out towards her, watching as she takes it with a small smile. Squeezes firmly as he holds her gaze.
"You are going to be fine."
"I know."
—-
They fall into a routine and Maria has to admit it's easy. She's seven weeks pregnant and still not really feeling anything other than disbelief but she has time.
She is still on light duty for another 4 weeks until her ribs heal. She gets a couple of looks but whatever Dooley has said to everyone has scared them silent. Her phone has remained quiet but she's not surprised that it doesn't last.
Middle of week 3 a text from an unknown number 'We need to talk Maria… you can't believe that this will stick.' She gives her phone to Danny, who immediately reports it to Dooley.
'You have nowhere to stay… wherever you are won't keep you there forever.' She frowns at the text and can feel Danny's hands on her shoulders.
"Ignore him. You're fine and you staying until we catch this bastard." Less than an hour later she gets a call from her landlord to say that her placed had been broken into and set on fire. Danny driving her to the scene. It's crawling with cops, fire units and he can see the familiar black SVU show up as well.
Her car torched in it's parking spot and she sighs. Feels Danny's hand on her shoulder. "Come on…'
Dooley calls to have everything processed and security tapes pulled from the area. But it's trashed, windows broken.
Her clothes destroyed, everything in her bedroom was gone. Thankfully the fire had been mostly confined in there and she was able to save most of the things in her living room.
Danny frowns as he glances to where she is sitting on the back of one of the ambulances, leaning back against the truck and staring at nothing. "Hey Partner.' She just blinks at him and he turns as his father walks up. Maria sitting up straight.
"We'll post a uniform…' Frank says, 'let you come back as soon as the scene is released to get the rest of your things."
"Thank you."
—-
She retreats to her bedroom as soon as they get home and he leaves her be. Tells the boys that it was a long day and gets two nods. Dinner is quiet affair and he would do anything to make this better for her. To take some of the stress off her shoulders.
Gets a text the next morning from Dooley. *Scene released. Clear it out*
*10-4*
Calls his father. "I want a team of movers at her place…' gets silence, 'she's exhausted and the last thing she needs to be doing is moving boxes with 3 busted ribs."
"I'll arrange it. 10 am?"
"Wilco."
He turns her alarm off and let's her sleep. Wakes her near 930 and tells her to get dressed, they are heading to her place.
—-
"What's all this?"
"Gonna help us box up everything you want… then you tell me what you want at the house and what you want stored."
"Okay."
"Don't lift anything."
She's surprised when halfway through the second box Danny stops her.
"Seriously… bring some stuff to the house. Get settled… it's gonna be a bit before we can find you a new place."
"It's your house."
He moves slowly but grips both shoulders, holding her gaze.
"Right now… it's yours too. So bring whatever you want. We will make it work."
"Okay."
—-
She has to admit that having more of her things around helps settle her nerves, makes it seem less temporary and more normal. Though things with Danny always feel normal and better yet. He always makes her feel safe, even when the world does not.
It doesn't stop, she keeps getting texts. Danny activates the fourth number on his line and she gets herself a new phone. Turning her phone into Dooley because she is tired of dealing with the constant stress. Gives her mom the new number. Tells her no one else can have it.
Dooley tells dispatch that she can be reached through Reagan and she settles with silence. Letters are intercepted before they reach her and she tries not to let the constant eyes on her drive her crazy.
Danny's edgy but holding it together for them both, glares at anyone who even dares to breathe near her.
"I need clothes.' She says softly and he glances towards her. 'I know that is probably the last thing you…"
"You need clothes, where do you want to go?" He asks and she sighs softly and he's surprised that at tears that build in her eyes. The way she tilts her head to glance out the window. "Maria?"
She blinks back the tears and recenters herself. "There is a place I like near my apartment."
"We'll go this weekend.' He promises and she nods, letting her head lean against the window.