Chapter 7

Elliot handed Olivia a cup of freshly brewed coffee and put a glass of milk on the coffee table for Calvin. He had a feeling it was going to be a long night. Calvin had been sitting on the couch silently in Olivia's arms ever since they had gotten home. He hadn't spoken in the car either. Elliot sat down on the other side of Calvin and rubbed his back.

"He's gonna get me too, isn't he?" Calvin asked.

"No Honey!" Olivia said. "He's not going to get you." Olivia held Calvin tighter.

"I don't want to die," Calvin said quietly.

"You're not going to die Sweetie," Olivia said. She kissed the top of his head. "Right Elliot?" she asked, looking over at him.

"Nothing is going to happen to you Calvin," Elliot reassured him. "We'll keep you safe. I promise." He reached over and held Calvin's hand.

/

Calvin didn't want to go to bed that night. Elliot and Olivia let him stay up with them. They knew he was tired and would fall asleep soon. After he fell asleep Elliot carried him back to his room and tucked him into his bed. When he came out to the living room Olivia was waiting for him with a beer for each of them.

"Cragen suggested we leave town for a little while," Elliot said. He twisted the cap off his beer and took a long drink. "I think we should do it. Get away from all of this, just escape for a little while."

Olivia took Elliot's free hand and pulled his arm around her. She curled her body into his. Elliot ran his hand up and down her arm while he held her. "Where would we go?" Olivia asked.

"I was kind of thinking about Florida. We can get a hotel room in Daytona Beach, relax on the beach, drive over to Discovery Cove one day, take Calvin to Busch Gardens. What do you think?"

"I like Florida, and we could use a vacation," Olivia agreed. She smiled up at Elliot. He leaned in to kiss her.

Elliot pulled up a travel website on the computer and booked a flight for first thing Wednesday morning. They spent Tuesday morning shopping for summer clothes for Calvin and packing. Tuesday afternoon Olivia took Calvin to the psychiatrist appointment she had scheduled the previous day before all hell broke loose at Calvin's school. Elliot called Kathy to let her know he would be out of town. It was her weekend with the kids but he always notified her when he was going out of town in case there was an emergency with any of the kids.

"What did Dr. Harmon say?" Elliot asked. He and Olivia were laying in bed, getting ready to go to sleep.

"She basically used today's appointment to get to know Calvin," Olivia said. "She prescribed him Zoloft to help with his anxiety and panic attacks. We really have to keep an eye on him until we know how it's going to affect him."

"We'll be able to watch him really well while we're in Florida," Elliot said.

"I read the side effects El, I'm not gonna lie, it's a little scary," Olivia said.

"We don't have to go to work; he doesn't have to go to school, it'll be just us. This whole week our attention will be focused on him," Elliot said. "These meds do a world of good for a lot of people Liv, you know that."

"I know," Olivia confessed. "I probably shouldn't have read the side effects. I want him to get better and if the medicine will help him then I want him to have it. I just have to get past my own fears."

"You're a great mom," Elliot smiled at Olivia.

/

Elliot and Olivia were up at 4:30 Wednesday morning. They had to be at the airport by 5:30 to catch their 6:30 flight. Elliot loaded their luggage into the trunk of the car while Olivia got Calvin up. They stopped at a gas station on the way to the airport to grab some coffee and a hot chocolate for Calvin.

They decided to put Calvin in the window seat on the plane. He had never flown before and they thought he would enjoy looking out the window. Olivia sat in the middle seat and Elliot sat in the aisle seat so he would have a little extra room to stretch his legs. Calvin smiled really big when they took off. Olivia heard his breath catch and was worried he was going to have another panic attack but he didn't. He looked out the window until they were above the clouds.

"We're going about 500mph," Olivia told Calvin.

"Really?" Calvin asked suspiciously. "It doesn't feel like we're going that fast."

Olivia nodded her head at him and smiled. She pulled out the banana she had packed for Calvin for breakfast and a bottle of chocolate milk along with his pill bottle. It was time to give Calvin his first dose and Olivia was so nervous she couldn't get the childproof cap off. Elliot took the pill bottle with one hand and put his other arm around her. He pulled her close to him.

"Don't let Calvin know you're nervous, it'll make him nervous," he whispered. "Everything's going to be ok Liv." He kissed the side of her face, then reached over and squeezed Calvin's shoulder.

Elliot opened the pills and took one out. He took the milk from Olivia, opened it and handed both to Calvin. "It's time for your medicine Buddy." Calvin looked over at Elliot; the smile disappeared from his face and was replaced with a worried expression.

"It's ok," Elliot said, smiling, trying to reassure him. "I promise."

Calvin looked at Olivia who managed to muster an encouraging smile for him then took the medicine and milk from Elliot. With little struggle he forced the pill down.

/

Their plane landed at Daytona Beach Airport shortly before 11:30. By 12:30 they were checked into their hotel. The hotels hot tub was closed for maintenance so they got a free room upgrade with a beautiful ocean view. They spent the afternoon exploring the town. After dinner they walked along the beach and watched the sun set.

On Thursday they took a day trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay. They got their pictures taken with the Budweiser Clydesdales and walked around and looked at the other animals. Elliot persuaded Calvin to go on one of the roller coasters with him, after that there was no stopping him. Calvin rode every roller coaster in the park. On their way back to Daytona Beach they stopped at a pizza buffet for dinner. Elliot and Calvin had a pizza eating contest while Olivia laughed at them. Both of them were pleased to see Calvin eating so well. By the time they got back to their hotel it was late. They let Calvin surf channels until he fell asleep.

"Maybe he'll stay in his own bed tonight," Elliot said.

"Maybe," Olivia said. "We're all in the same room. This could be a step forward in getting him to sleep in his own bed at home too."

"Yep," Elliot smiled. He went into the bathroom and brushed his teeth. "He's doing really well here. He seems very relaxed."

"I wonder if it's because we're on vacation or if it's the medicine," Olivia said. She headed into the bathroom when Elliot was done. While Elliot was waiting for Olivia to come out he covered Calvin up and kissed his head.

"I was reading the sheet that came with the meds," Elliot said. "It said it could take up to two weeks for them to take effect. It's only been two days."

"Well, he's either learning how to cope or he feels safe here," Olivia said. She laid down next to Elliot and rested her head on his chest. Elliot ran his hand through her hair.

/

They spent Friday and Saturday in Daytona Beach. They went sightseeing, shopping for souvenirs, and relaxed on the beach. On Sunday they took a day trip to Discovery Cove. They swam with the dolphins, snorkeled with the tropical fish and fed the birds in the aviary. Calvin was having such a good time they had a hard time getting him to leave when it was time to go. When they got back to their hotel Calvin decided he wanted to go swimming in the ocean. While they were at the beach Elliot's phone rang.

"Captain, it's late, what are you still doing at the office?" Elliot asked.

"There's always work to be done," Cragen answered. "How are you guys doing?"

"Wonderful, this trip has been really great. Calvin is relaxed, he hasn't had any panic attacks, he's running around and playing like a normal kid, without a care in the world," Elliot said. He was watching Olivia and Calvin running into and out of the surf.

"That's great," Cragen said. "When do you guys come home?"

"We fly back tomorrow. Our flight gets in mid-afternoon. How's the case going? Have you heard? Have they caught the guy?"

"I called over to narcotics earlier today and spoke with a Detective Pratt. They had a lead on the perp, he was rushing out when I talked to him. He just called me back and told me they got the guy. I told him I'd notify you."

"That's great!" Elliot said. He and Olivia were worried about taking Calvin back to the city with his mother's killer still on the loose. They had planned on keeping him out of school until they guy was back behind bars.

"His bail has been revoked and he's scheduled to be in court tomorrow morning. Pratt is going to talk to the ADA and make sure none of this funny business happens again," Cragen said.

"Pratt seems like a good guy. I was a little worried at first when I saw how young he was but I think he has it together," Elliot said. "I'll call you tomorrow when we land and get an update."

Elliot filled Olivia and Calvin in on the good news as soon as he hung up with Cragen. Olivia was overjoyed. Elliot could see her visibly relax. Calvin didn't seem to be as relieved. The last time they had caught the guy he was let out on bail and had tracked Calvin down. Elliot and Olivia hoped he would be kept behind bars this time.