Title: The Art of Breaking and Healing (Chapter 6 Part I: So Cold)
Fandom: Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
Pairing: established Olivia/Melinda
Author: Mirandyscrow
Rating: Pg-13 to R
Summary: Life with our favorite detective and Medical Examiner is full of obstacles as they juggle crime, family, and love. Olivia/Melinda. Melivia. Yes, femslash! Don't like it? Don't read it, por favor.
Spoilers: Fault
Archive: Sure if you really want it. Lol, it would be a surprise to me, just ask my permission first. (It's nice when people ask)
Disclaimer: Law and Order: SVU belongs to Dick Wolf, NBC and anyone else that would possibly have any claim to the show or its franchise. Any and all other brand names, songs, schools, etc. belong to their respective owners. I'm only writing this story for entertainment purposes. Please don't sue; I only own a considerable amount of debt in student loans to offer you. :P
Author's Note: See first chapter for full Author's Notes.
Big thanks to Kerri for being an awesome beta and deciding to be the second person to take on my ignorance. Any and all careless mistakes I claim as my own.
Special thanks to LegaspiWeaver for all her help!
LaSherricka: I'm glad it came out right. It was hoping the way I wrote it that Jasmine and Troy would be a little believable as a couple before the big reveal. And with the pictures I didn't know. When I was tossing people around in my head a little voice just said 'Phylicia Rashad' and I couldn't let it go. She just seemed to fit for me. Troy loves Jasmine as a friend so there won't be anything further happening with those two. The mystery will be revealed soon and I had fun writing the scene is all I'm saying on the subject. :P Thanks!
Playground: It's nice to see a lurker come into the light. :) I'm sorry but you're going to have to not flatline until hmm lets say another chapter or so...maybe. Thanks for following the story I hope you continue to enjoy.
Olivia stormed out of the interrogation room, following Elliot's angry steps. "Hey!" she called and he only ignored her. She jogged forward. "Hey, if you have something to say to me why don't you go ahead and say it."
Elliot whirled around to face her. His blue eyes glittered dangerously against the fluorescents above. "Why didn't you shoot Gitano?"
"He was using Rebecca as a shield," she said in a tone suggested that the answer should have been obvious.
"How could you have let him get so close?" Elliot demanded lowly.
"There were civilians around I couldn't get a shot."
"Yeah, you hesitated and now Ryan is dead."
Olivia reared back, incredulously. "So this is my fault?"
"I can't do this anymore," Elliot muttered and walked away. "I can't keep looking over my shoulder making sure you're okay!" He yelled over his shoulder.
"You son of a bitch, you know that's not true!" Olivia growled, walking after him.
Elliot turned back around to face her. "I need to know you can do your job and not wait for me to come to your rescue!"
"My rescue!" Olivia shouted at him in outrage. "You can take your hero complex and shove it up your ass, Stabler!"
Captain Cragen pushed past the officers gathered in the hallway, stepping in between the two bickering partners. "Alright enough! In case you've forgotten there's a little girl out there with a psycho. If I have to remind you again you'll both be suspended. Now get your asses down to the morgue. Warner has something to show you."
Olivia felt all her anger leave her instantly as it was replaced with dread. Melinda had no doubt heard about what happened at the bus station and would want to talk after whatever report she was about to give them. She just hoped that Elliot would keep a lid on his anger while in the morgue or they'd both have more to deal with than a few callous words.
-x-
Melinda walked through the heavy plastic curtain with a disgusted look on her face. No matter how many kids she had to autopsy it would never get any easier. She found herself cursing the sickness that was in the world yet again. Her eyes quickly took in the wound on Olivia's neck. All she wanted was the hold the other woman in her arms for reassurance that she didn't happen to hallucinate the past few hours since she found out about the injury. She sighed, fighting to stay professional while she gave the detectives her update. She walked past them on her way to the sink. "How goes the search?" she asked casually.
"It sucks," Elliot said through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry," Melinda said, tugging off her gloves and tossing them in the biohazard bin. "When you find that monster, be sure to give him an extra kick in the nuts for me," she finished.
"Yeah, we'll be sure to do that now what have you got to show us?" Elliot said in a hurried voice.
The M.E. looked at him with a raised eyebrow but remained silent. She grabbed the coat she'd put aside earlier. "I found this with the little boy's clothes, but its adult sized."
"So it's either his stepfather's or Gitano's," Olivia guessed.
"I'm hoping its Gitano's. I found something," Melinda revealed, placing the coat on of the lab tables. She picked up on of the electromagnetic cameras and nodded to Elliot. "Hit the lights, please."
After one flash they saw evidence of some sort of substance on the surface of the coat. "They're some reactant chemicals on the coat."
"Why haven't you sent them to the lab?" Elliot asked with urgency.
"I sent them when I saw them detective," Melinda said coolly, regarding him from her periphery. "I'm waiting for the results."
"Then what'd you bring us down here, for a light show? I've got to use the phone." He stomped out of the morgue.
"All that brooding intensity is just annoying," Melinda commented, walking to the small evidence bag beside a computer monitor. "I also found this cell phone." She handed it to Olivia.
"Great with some luck I can track him down." Olivia turned to leave.
"Liv," Melinda called after her softly.
Olivia paused but didn't turn around. "I'm fine, Mel."
"No, you're not but we'll talk later," Melinda said, walking behind Olivia but not yet touching her. "You will not go home tonight without coming here first, so we can ride home together."
"Okay," Olivia said. She turned back suddenly and kissed Melinda sweetly, taking the other woman completely by surprise.
"Liv, you were the one that said-" Melinda began once the kiss ended.
"I know," Olivia interrupted her. She gently rested her forehead against the caramel colored one. "I just…really needed that. I'll see you tonight," she promised, continuing to the exit.
-x-
Olivia stepped off the elevator thoroughly exhausted. She spent the rest of the evening chasing down numbers that yielded no results. When the trail had gone cold, she ended her search for the day and headed back to the morgue.
She reached the Melinda's office and knocked twice before entering. She didn't see her lover in the small office immediately. "Melinda?" she called.
The black leather office chair swung around to reveal a teary Melinda. Olivia rushed forward. "Mel, baby. What's wrong?" she kneeled, using her thumbs to wipe away the other woman's tears.
"N-nothing," Melinda said, taking a deep breath. She shied away from Olivia's touch. She bowed her head letting a few curls fall over her eyes.
Olivia hooked her fingers beneath Melinda's chin and titled her head back up. "You can't convince me that this is nothing," she said softly.
"I was just alone with my thoughts for far too long." Melinda gazed into Olivia's eyes. "I could have lost you. Just two centimeters deeper and the next time I would have seen you was on my slab before I…" she trailed off unable to say the next words aloud. Her fingers lightly brushed the bandages on Olivia's throat.
"But he didn't. I'm fine." Olivia suppressed the wince threatening to take over her face. "Do you want to go home?"
"Not yet. I need you to tell me what happened," the M.E. requested. The doctor as well as the lover in her couldn't help checking over the stitches for possible infection and scarring.
Olivia fixed her eyes to a point in the distance and told Melinda the incident at the bus station in graphic detail.
"It's okay baby. You didn't know he'd just kill him so carelessly." Melinda told her when Olivia was silent.
"I know." Olivia sighed and stood. She looked out the open window of Melinda's office, resisting the urge to wrap her arms around herself. Just as her eyes fell on the one of the freezers that held Ryan's body. Melinda spoke.
"I heard about what happened earlier, Liv. Did Elliot blame you for that child's death?" she asked evenly. She saw the torn look on her fiancé face and she couldn't stand it. If Elliot had been playing his role of Detective Asshole all day she was going to remove his testicles with the dullest scalpel she could find.
"No, he just-"
Melinda heard that placating tone and decided to cut Olivia off before she could attempt to defend Elliot's behavior. "What did he say?" she asked firmly.
"Emotions were running a little high and we both said some terrible things in anger-" Olivia tried again.
"And that what, makes it all okay?" Melinda joined her lover beside the window. "Olivia this isn't the first time you've been miserable because of something Elliot did or said to you."
"I know," Olivia agreed, turning to look at Melinda. The other woman appeared to be in deep thought. Finally she glanced at Olivia. "What?" she asked.
"I think you should ask Cragen for a new partner," Melinda said suddenly.
"What?" Olivia said again. She'd been tossing the very idea around briefly but decided to just relax and take a step back once the case was over.
Melinda stepped away from Olivia, gathering her purse and a few case files. "You heard me," she said.
"Mel, I'm not going to ask for a new partner just because things have gotten a little heated."
The curly haired woman paused in her actions and gestured to Olivia's neck. "This is more than a little heated. You were nearly killed and blamed for something obviously not in your control."
"I can't ask for another partner in the middle of a case," Olivia said unnecessarily.
Melinda regarded Olivia for a few seconds. "Fine," she said, "As soon as the case is over, promise me you'll think about it."
"I will. I promise."
Melinda nodded and walked out of the room without another word, leaving a highly confused Olivia looking at an empty doorway. Melinda stuck her head back into the room. "Are you coming?" she asked lightly.
Olivia nodded, following the older woman.
-x-
Melinda removed the scarf from her neck and headed for the stairs. "I think we both deserve a hot bath."
"I agree."
Once they finally reached the bathroom, Melinda ran the bath water. She added the bubble bath when the water level was halfway. The soft scent of raspberries and strawberries filled the air around them, making Olivia begin to feel like she was finally home. She reached out for Melinda's shirt, tugging upward.
"Stop," Melinda said softly. She placed a gentle but firm hand to Olivia's chest. "I'm going to take care of you this time," she said, taking off Olivia's shirt and bra. "You're so beautiful," she whispered.
Olivia smiled, kissing Melinda deeply. Her skin erupted with goose bumps at the change in temperature and chills her fiancé was giving her.
Melinda's tongue trailed down the middle of her back. She reached around her lover unbuttoning her pants, and sliding them along with her panties down her legs. She placed a teasing nip on one firm cheek, chuckling at Olivia's startled squeak.
"Mel!" Olivia whirled around.
"I couldn't resist," Melinda said with a smirk. She reached behind Olivia tenderly rubbing the spot she bit. "Now get into the water."
"Yes ma'am," Olivia purred, tugging at her lover's shirt again.
Melinda pulled back. "No, they'll be plenty of that after you relax and wash the day away." She gathered the clothes from the floor and left the bathroom.
Olivia sank into the sea of bubbles with a sigh. She tried to clear her head and relax but she couldn't the day was far too draining. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Ryan's pale body on the cold concrete of the bus terminal.
"Stop it," Melinda said, coming back into the bathroom. She handed Olivia a glass of Merlot.
"What do you mean?"
"We've already established that you are not to blame for Ryan's death," Melinda responded. She dropped her robe, revealing her toned body. "Sit up," she commanded softly.
"Hm, why? I like holding you," Olivia said.
"Let me take care of you like you've done so many times before," Melinda spoke softly.
Olivia felt her heart flutter in her chest at Melinda's request. Without another word she sat forward, allowing Melinda to slip in behind her.
Melinda placed a warm kiss on Olivia's shoulder while she reached for the soap through sponge. She took her time washing every inch of Olivia. After she finished, they both just relaxed in the water. In the next room, a cell phone was ringing.
"That's probably mine," Olivia said. She quickly left the bathtub and rushed to her pants that held her phone. "Benson…yes, thank you for your help." She started searching through her dresser, looking for a new shirt.
"Who was that?" Melinda asked from the bathroom.
"One of my contacts came through with a tip on one of the phone numbers," Olivia said, pulling on her some fresh pants.
"Liv," Melinda said after a few moments of watching Olivia get dressed.
"Yes, Mel?" she came to stand beside the tub fully clothed.
"Be careful."
"I promise," Olivia said. She kissed Melinda deeply before leaving.
-x-
Olivia looked down at Rebecca; this little girl had been through so much. Her family was butchered just a few feet away, while she and her brother were asleep in their beds. A large weight lifted off her chest when the doctor told her she hadn't been touched by Gitano. She left Rebecca's father at the girl's beside and left the hospital room.
She settled down next to Elliot. This was by far one of the most tiring cases she's ever come across. Both partners sat side by side on the small bench lost in their own thoughts.
"I know you would have taken the shot if the sniper hadn't," Elliot said, breaking the silence.
Olivia looked at him in surprise with just a tiny morsel of fear for what his state of mind had to be for him to say such a thing. "No, I wouldn't have. Did you really think that? Did you really think that I would have willingly been responsible for your death? What about your kids?"
Elliot looked down ashamed and shocked. He couldn't believe he hadn't considered his children during the whole ordeal. "I don't know," he said honestly.
"What about me? What would you have expected me to do after knowing I took my best friend's life with a split second decision?"
"We both let each other come before the job," Elliot said like he'd just had an epiphany. "But it won't happen again. If it does we can't be partners."
"I can't believe you just said that." It was true. She honestly couldn't believe the words he was saying. It was like they weren't even English. What the hell was he talking about? She simply didn't want her best friend's blood on her hands. He was talking like…like…Her thoughts were racing so much she almost missed what he was saying.
"It can't happen again," he insisted. "You and this job are all I have now. If I lost that...I couldn't stand it," he said quietly his words thick with emotion. He stood and left quickly.
Olivia watched him disappear up the pristine hallway. Elliot wasn't thinking clearly. This case had obviously shaken him up more than he'd care to admit but he had one valid point and she knew what she needed to do.
-x-
Olivia knocked on the clear glass door once and opened the door without being acknowledged.
Don Cragen looked up at her abrupt entry and stopped writing. "What's up, Olivia?"
Olivia made sure the door was firmly closed behind before she spoke. "I want a new partner."
If Captain Cragen was surprised by her request he didn't let it show. He simply gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Have a seat."
Olivia did as she was told.
"Now what's going on?"
"I have to be honest, Captain. I haven't got a clue. I'm not sure if it's this case or something bigger entirely." Olivia heaved a sighed. "All I know is that Elliot and I need a break form each other."
Cragen looked at the woman in front of him carefully. He knew this case with Gitano was stressful for everyone involved but he had no idea that the conclusion would result in this. He contemplated her words thoroughly before he spoke, "A break for how long?"
"I don't know," she replied honestly.
The captain looked over her stricken features, knowing how difficult it must have been for her to ask for the transfer. She loved her job. "Where would you like to be placed? Homicide? Warrants Squad?"
"Is that all that's open?" Olivia asked as neither one of those choices interested her in the slightest.
Cragen paused for a moment to think. "I hear there's about to be an opening in Computer Crimes."
"When?" Olivia asked intrigued.
His eyebrows lifted slightly at her reaction. "You'll have to wait about six days to be transferred."
"I think after this case I'll appreciate the time off," Olivia responded.
"I agree," he said. "Are you sure about this?" he felt the need to ask.
"No," Olivia said at once. "But it's something I feel I have to do."
"Okay, I'll start the paperwork," he said and stood. "I'm going to miss you around here, Olivia." he said, coming around his desk.
She stood as well. "I'll miss you too, Don." She hugged him and left the office.
Grabbing a box from the crib, she emptied the contents of her locker before leaving the precinct. She was thankful that no one but the cleaning crew was in the building. She didn't think she could deal with the questioning stares and curious whispers. She stepped onto the elevator; pressing the button for the garage she clutched her box with a heavy heart.
-x-
Later on that night, Olivia resettled for the fiftieth time that night. She sat up, punching the pillow behind her and laid back down, closing her eyes tightly. She finally gave up on sleep and looked at the ceiling of the living room. She came home late after her discussion with the Captain with the full intention of avoiding any more discussions about the case and her feelings. Melinda would likely chew her out for it tomorrow but for now she just wanted a few hours alone to brood and get her thoughts together though that was proving to be more difficult than getting to sleep.
Elliot's manic and prideful words from the hospital echoed in the back of her mind. She shivered, recalling the stand off in the warehouse. She still could not see how he could honestly have expected her to take a shot that clearly endangered his life. His accusations of being an inconvenient damsel in distress came to the forefront of her mind, raising her ire yet again.
Seven years.
They had been partners for seven years and this was by far the most confusing situation she had ever found herself in. She couldn't predict Elliot's moods anymore. It was like someone just shoved a stranger in his skin. Every since he and Kathy separated, he seemed as though he was on the verge of snapping at any moment.
The throbbing pain of her neck finally pressured her to abandon her thoughts and vacate the couch. She shuffled into the kitchen where she left the bottle of painkillers sitting on the counter. She got a couple of pills and grabbed her abandoned glass of water when the phone rang. She glanced at the clock on the wall with a frown. It read 1:30. She made her way to the cordless handset.
"Benson," she said automatically and wanted to shake her head when she remembered she was answering her house phone.
"Olivia," the soft voice on the other end said apprehensively.
The detective paused, looking at the phone in her hand for a second before returning it back to her ear. "Nathan? Is something wrong?"
"Can you come get me?" the young boy asked a little fearfully.
"Get you? Nathan, where are you?" she asked with dread.
-x-
Olivia walked into the nearly empty lobby of One Police Plaza. She never slowed her stride as she flashed her badge at the night guard and pressed the button to call an elevator. She entered the elevator and hit the button for the eleventh floor. She couldn't get to the floor quick enough and almost sprinted up the hall to find someone that could help her.
She looked around at the nearly empty bullpen of the Major Case Squad. Her eyes caught sight of Nathan through the glass doors of one of the conference rooms.
"Hey Benson, what are you doing here?" Alexandra Eames asked just behind her.
Olivia turned with a small smile, grateful to see a familiar face. "I've come to pick up Nathan Phelps."
Alex's eyebrows raised in surprise at her answer. "You're the Olivia he called?"
"That would be me," Olivia confirmed. "Why is he in the conference room?"
"My partner recognized him from the press a few months back and got him some food. He's trying to talk to him," Alex said glancing through the glass across the room. "He's a shy kid isn't he?" she asked thoughtfully.
"Nathan doesn't usually warm up to people so easily."
"I'll bet," Alex agreed. "He hasn't said anything but a few one words answers until I asked was anyone he wanted to call to get him."
"What happened?" Olivia asked, fearing the worst. "Is he in any trouble?"
The other detective quickly put her fears to rest. "No, from what I could tell he was walking from the direction of a recreation center when some kids started hassling him. A few punches were thrown but surprisingly he got some pretty good hits on what looked to be the leader. We happened to drive by and showed our badges, scaring them off."
A crash sounded from the conference room. Olivia was already running to the door when Nathan came out of it.
"I don't want to talk!" Nathan yelled at Detective Robert Goren.
Goren walked out with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, Nathan. I didn't mean to push."
"I want to go," Nathan mumbled, sticking close to Olivia's side.
She couldn't help but notice he didn't say 'I want to go home' just that he wanted to go. "Okay," she said, looking at Goren in anger. "Go stand by the elevators. I'll be right there."
Nathan didn't spare another glance at the detectives. He left, clutching the papers he'd been doodling on.
Olivia watched him disappear around the corner and whirled on Goren. "What the hell did you say to him?"
"I was just trying to see how the fight started," Robert said calmly.
"It looked like a hell of a lot more than that." Olivia crossed her arms. "He's just a little boy, Goren. What were you thinking?"
He leaned forward. "I have seen little boys commit horrible crimes and some grow to like it. I just wanted to see how it was affecting him. I wanted to see if-"
"Wanted to see what? Hm?" Olivia asked, stepping into Goren's personal space. "You wanted to see if Nathan would grow up to be a psychopath?" she spat him fiercely. "Well, he's not. He has already gone through so much already and he doesn't need your 'concern.' Stay the hell away from him." she stormed out of the bullpen toward the elevators.
"It was nice to see you again, Alex," Olivia tossed over her shoulder as an afterthought.
"Bobby…" Alex started with a shake of her head. "Why did you…?" she trailed off when the man held up a hand.
"I said I was sorry." He gathered his portfolio and started in the opposite direction of Olivia's departure toward an empty interrogation room.
-x-
"Are you okay?" Nathan inquired when Olivia rounded the corner.
She felt her anger drain away at his sincere question. "I could ask you the same thing," she said him with a tilt of her head.
"I'm okay," Nathan said quietly, stepping into an open elevator.
They didn't say another word to each other during the ride in the elevator. Even the atmosphere in the car was tense and silent; the only sound between the two people was the semi-audible songs from the radio. Olivia felt Nathan's gaze on her every few seconds but he always stopped looking when she looked like she was about to gaze in his direction. She knew Nathan wanted to talk so she would just bide her time until he made the first move. As it turned out she didn't have to wait long.
"What happened to your neck?" he asked quietly.
"It's nothing." Olivia gently waved off his concern but she was inwardly touched when he asked and relieved when he finally said something to break the silence. They were already halfway to the group home. "Nathan, why did you run away?"
"No one likes me," he said simply.
"That's not true," Olivia reassured him. "Why would you say that?"
"Today was one of the days to meet with potential parents and we were all supposed to be outside when the parents discussed who they wanted but I forgot my sketchbook. I ran inside the house and there was a couple talking about me. They said they didn't want to adopt a murderer so I ran away. No one will ever adopt me." Nathan punched his thigh. "I messed everything up," he said sadly.
It broke Olivia's heart to hear Nathan talk about himself like that. He just didn't know how hard she was fighting for him. He would know soon but it just wasn't quite the right time. "Okay, tomorrow after school I'll take you somewhere to help with your anger. Please don't get into anymore fights and no more running away, okay?"
"Okay."
"Promise me, Nathan. I can't protect you if you get sent to another home," she told him seriously.
"I promise," the teen said sincerely.
Olivia nodded, with a tiny grin. "Good." She pulled to the curb in front of the group home and expertly parallel parked her car.
Nathan reached for the door handle as soon as engine went silent.
"Ah! Hold it right there." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I need to go make sure it will be okay with Mrs. Collins if I pick you up from school tomorrow."
He got out of the car more slowly, waiting for her to cross to the other side of the car. They walked to the door together. Olivia knocked on the door while Nathan fidgeted nervously beside her.
"Nathan!" Mrs. Collins bent, sweeping the young boy into a tight hug. "I was so worried," she said, releasing him.
"You knew he was missing?" Olivia asked, willing the instant flash of anger she felt to go away.
"I was just about to call the police when you knock. One of the children said that Nathan left with two of the older boys. They'd just gotten back and revealed that Nathan wasn't with them," the kind woman explained.
Olivia calmed down after hearing that. She looked to Nathan. "Go ahead and get to bed. You've got school tomorrow."
"I'm sorry about running away, Olivia," Nathan said, scuffing his shoes against the ground.
"It's okay," she told him. "I know you won't do it again." She patted his shoulder.
Mrs. Collins moved aside as Nathan went into the house. She saw the affection flowing from Olivia's eyes as she tracked Nathan's movements as best as she could through the large windows. "How is the adoption going?" the redhead asked, pulling the shawl around her shoulders tighter.
"Slowly," Olivia said, letting her head fall back against the beam next to the steps.
Mrs. Collins eyes zeroed in on the cut across Olivia's throat. She brushed the younger woman's hair back. "My Lord," she whispered. "What happened, Olivia?"
"The man we've been chasing cut me in a struggle with one of the kids he held hostage," Olivia summarized.
"It's a miracle it wasn't deeper."
"Yeah, I know," Olivia said with a sigh. "I've been counting my blessings ever since."
"How did your family react?"
"Jasmine's away at her grandparents so she doesn't know yet," Olivia said softly. "And Melinda's reaction was about the same as when I found out she was trapped in Manhattan Liberty."
"And Nathan?" Mrs. Collins asked.
"I haven't told him yet."
"Why not? I'm sure he asked."
"He did but I just didn't want him to worry about me. He has so much on his plate."
"You do realize that's all he does. He loves you and Melinda and Jasmine. You all are he talks about."
Olivia's heart swelled when she heard that. "You're kidding?"
"When have I ever lied to you?" Mrs. Collins asked with a raised eyebrow.
Olivia didn't answer. They both knew she never had.
"You need to remember while you're running the streets, keeping this city safe that first and foremost you need to keep yourself safe. There are people that are counting on you," Mrs. informed her sagely.
Olivia smiled. "I'll remember that." A loud buzzing sounded from her front pocket. "That's probably Melinda," she said, answering the phone. "Hello."
"Where did you run off to?" Melinda asked her sleepily.
"It's a long story. I'm coming home," Olivia said. She covered up the receiver. "Goodnight Mama Collins."
"Goodnight dear. Tell Melinda I said hello," Mrs. Collins said, watching Olivia get into her car and drive away.
-x-
The next morning was spent with Melinda since she was still on mandatory leave. They had breakfast together and were currently sitting on the couch watching television. "Wow we are really domestic aren't we?" Olivia asked, turning off the latest episode of Dr. Phil.
"It's nice," Melinda said, picking up their breakfast dishes.
"Nice and a little boring." Olivia's eyes traveled around the living room, glancing at the various pictures she'd looked at too many times to count. Her eyes landed on her favorite picture. It was the last year at Jasmine's birthday party after their paintball session. Each one of them was covered from head to toe in splatters of neon shades of green, pink, and orange.
"Are you saying life with me is boring?" Melinda teased as she loaded the dishwasher and turned it on.
"Never," Olivia said with a smile, turning towards the kitchen.
Melinda glanced at her watch and hurried upstairs to gather her case files and car keys. "So, what are you doing for the rest of the day?" she called from her office.
"I'm taking Nathan to the batting cages," Olivia returned.
Melinda walked back into the room with a questioning eyebrow.
"He's carrying a lot of anger," the detective explained.
"Ah, the Casey Novak method of dealing." Melinda nodded, catching on quickly. She walked to the door with Olivia following closely. She turned. "Goodbye," she said.
"Goodbye," Olivia replied, pulling the taller woman closer and kissing her deeply.
"Mm, not that I'm complaining but what was that for?"
"No reason," Olivia said, nipping Melinda's bottom lip. "You are just so sexy."
"This sexy woman needs to go to work before I'm late." Melinda turned back around and Olivia pressed her to the door.
"We'll finish this tonight," she whispered into her fiancé's ear.
"You can count on it," Mel said and left. Olivia stood there for a couple of moment her eyes glazing over thinking of all the things she could be doing to the other woman. She came out of her fantasy and rolled her neck to relieve the bit of tension she allowed to wash over her. When the bandages pulled at her cut, she winced.
Olivia finished a few household chores since she still had a few hours before she needed to pick up Nathan. On the way, back to the master bedroom, she looked at the door of the guest bedroom opposite Jasmine's room. She opened the door, taking in the neutral colors and impersonal decorations. In her mind's eye she saw dirty clothes strewn across floor and posters of athletes adorning the walls.
"Soon," she said to the empty room and closed the door firmly. She jogged down the stairs, grabbed her car keys, cell phone and set the security system on her way out of the door.
-x-
Nathan climbed into the passenger side of the door, securing his seatbelt automatically. "Hey Olivia," he mumbled with his eyes trained out the window.
Olivia glanced at him before she pulled away from the curb. She thought he'd be little more excited to be on an outing with her. He hadn't looked at her since he sat in the car so she decided to make a little conversation. "How was school?"
"It was okay I guess."
"Just okay?" Olivia pushed gently.
Nathan shrugged, looking out the window.
"Are you hungry?"
She got another shrug.
"Okay, is there anything you want to talk about?"
"What happened to your neck?"
"Nathan…"
"I want to know," he insisted then mumbled something under his breath that could have been. 'I care about you.'
Olivia slowed to stop at the red traffic light. She glanced at Nathan who averted his eyes at the last second when he found her looking at him. The light turned green and she moved forward. She kept looking at Nathan out of her peripheral vision. "My partner and I got a tip that a bad man and two kids we'd been trying to find were at the bus station. We rushed there before we could lose him and in the struggle between saving one of the kids he cut me."
"Were you afraid?" He asked the question that had been on his mind since last night.
Olivia looked a little startled and confused as to why Nathan would ask that question. She decided to be completely honest with him. "I was terrified." It was the truth. When he cut her she was frightened that she might never get to see Melinda, Jasmine, or Nathan again. She had the biggest weight lift from her chest when she realized it was just a shallow cut.
"I've noticed your necklace," he said out of nowhere. "You wear it all the time. At first I though maybe there were numbers but I think it's another language."
"You're absolutely right Nathan," Olivia said. "It's a language called Sanskrit."
"What do they mean?"
"I want to tell you when the time is right. Can you wait until then?"
He looked at her silently for a long moment before nodding.
"Good," she said, parking the car. "Here we are," she announced. Nathan looked at the building a little confused. "You'll see," she said, getting out of the car.
-x-
"Hey Mike," Olivia greeted the owner seated behind the desk.
Mike was a short balding man in his late forties with sparkling blue eyes and a kind smile. He looked up from his newspaper with a smile. "Hey Olivia; you here for Casey?"
"Yeah." Olivia nodded. "How long has she been here?"
The man glanced down at his watch and whistled. "About an hour and a half."
"Uh oh. I better go see what's wrong. Thanks Mike."
"No problem," he responded going back to his paper.
Olivia and Nathan walked past the desk, exiting through a door that put them at the back of a row of batting cages. "After we're finished here, I'll take you home for dinner."
Nathan's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Can I spend the night?"
"Well, that was the plan." Olivia shot him a smile. They finally stopped at the gate with the view of the sweaty ADA hitting baseballs with a vengeance.
"I'm guessing you lost a case," Olivia called over the sound of the whirring pitching machine.
Casey smiled at the familiar voice. "Nope," she answered. "I had my bi-monthly family phone call." Casey swung the bat, sending the ball rocketing into the safety net. "Apparently it's high time that I settled down and had kids like my brother and sister." She glanced back at Olivia, waiting for the next ball and did a double take, missing her pitch but she recovered quickly. "Why hello Nathan I didn't see you there."
Nathan nodded silently in greeting.
Casey readapted her stance, waiting for the rest of her pitches. "What brings you two here?"
"I wanted to show Nathan a few different ways to exert his pent up teenage angst." Olivia nodded to the batting machine.
"Has he ever played baseball or softball before?" Casey asked quickly. She hit another ball with vigor.
Olivia glanced at the boy beside her. He shook his head. "That would be a negative, Case."
Casey hit the button beside her, stopping the machine. She walked to the gate separating them and took off her helmet. "Doesn't mean he can't learn. Let's go get him suited up and see what he's got."
A few minutes later, Nathan had on a helmet and gloves. Casey showed Nathan how to grip the bat and the brief basics of hitting. She had him try the stance and swing a few times so he wouldn't throw out his shoulder on the first hit.
Nathan currently had the bat perched slightly above his right shoulder. He swung the bat in a few practice motions. When he got the hang of it he glanced at Casey and Olivia.
"Okay, now its all you," Casey told him. "Just hit the button beside you when you're ready to hit."
Nathan pushed the button beside him, hearing the pitching machine whir to life. He remembered Casey's previous instructions and looked into the distance. During the wait, he began to channel all his anger at the man that killed his mother, all his frustration at screwing up his chances of being with another family, all of his sadness at not being able to hug his mother one more time and swung the bat with all of his might. The sound of the bat's crisp crack against the ball was invigorating and Nathan felt the stressful emotions leave him almost instantly. He exhaled and hit the next round of balls with ease and accuracy. All too soon there were no more balls to hit and it was time to head back in the office to turn in the helmet and gloves.
Casey turned to Olivia with a smile. "Do you think Nathan would interested in playing on the little league team I coach?"
"Can I?" Nathan looked at Olivia excitedly.
"I've got no problem with it but we should clear it with Mrs. Collins then work out a schedule," Olivia said though she knew it was unlikely that the kind woman would even think about saying no. She had even told Olivia to see if she could nudge Nathan into something extracurricular. The only thing the detective she'd ever seen Nathan take an interest in was drawing in an old notebook he carried around with him virtually everywhere. She asked about it once but he volunteered that used to be his father's and his mother let him have it. There was nothing else said on the topic.
"Well, I need to get back home and have some dinner," Casey said, wiping a bit of sweat from her brow.
Nathan handed his gear back to Mike and looked at Olivia with a silent question. She nodded to him and he smiled. "Do you want to eat with us, Casey?" he asked so softly Olivia nearly missed it.
"Thank you, Nathan. I'd love to since I've got couple more hours of free time," Casey responded. "We can plan out a practice schedule and a time to meet with the team. I'm going to run home and have a quick shower then meet you at the house, okay?"
"Sounds like a plan," Olivia said, opening the front door. "Come on, Nathan."
-x-
"Just come in and make yourself and home, Case. You've been here before," Olivia said, stepping into the house. "Same to you too, Nathan. You may want to shower before dinner."
"Okay," Nathan said, following Olivia up the stairs.
"You're home early," Olivia remarked when she saw Melinda sitting on their bed reading a novel.
"I hope your not complaining," Melinda replied not taking her eyes off the book in front of her.
"Me?" Olivia said. "Never." She came to the bed, giving Melinda a sweet kiss. She started to look through her dresser. "Who's turn is it to cook today?" she asked, picking out a shirt.
"Jasmine," Melinda said simply.
"Where is she?" Olivia asked.
"She called earlier. Debate practice ran later and she said she'd be in as soon as she could," Melinda told Olivia, leaving her to change clothes. "Casey's downstairs," she called after her fiancé.
Just as Melinda was about to pass the guest room, a meek Nathan stuck his head out of the door. The teen regarded her apprehensively. "Uh, Ms. Melinda?"
"Nathan, you've been here a couple of times before. I told you its okay to call me Melinda. Just Melinda."
"Melinda," Nathan amended. "I forgot to get a towel," he mumbled.
"Oh, okay." Melinda opened the hall closet behind her, removing a large burgundy towel. "Here you go."
"Thank you," he said softly, disappearing back into the guest room.
Melinda stood looking at the closed door, bemused. She wondered if she gave off the aura that she was distant or was Nathan just so unreluctant to allow anyone else to get close to him. She continued downstairs. "Casey, how are you doing today?" she inquired, seeing the strawberry blonde resting on the couch.
Casey looked up with a pleasant smile. "Much better after my cage session."
"Did you lose a case?" Melinda asked, causing Casey to laugh. "What's so funny?"
"Olivia asked me the same thing," the ADA revealed. "I think you two are sharing a brain."
"Sometimes I believe we are as well."
"To answer your question earlier. No, I didn't lose a case. My mother was pushing the whole 'settle down' issue again."
"Ah I remember that one," Melinda said, settling beside the ADA.
"Yeah, I'm pretty much the odd duck in the family."
"Because you don't have any children?"
"Because I have a career," Casey said. "My family's very traditional so if any of the girls are anything other than teachers or secretaries it's shocking," she said with a roll of her eyes.
"They do realize this is the twenty-first century?" Melinda asked.
"Yeah, they do and they believe the world's going straight to hell," Casey said with a shrug. "Well enough about me. How are you feeling?"
"I'm good; had my last session with Huang last week."
"Yeah Liv mentioned that the other day. That's great."
"Okay, folks don't become the Donner party," Jasmine joked loudly, coming through the front door. "I'm here. And by the look of that sporty little Nissan I can see that my favorite ADA is too," she added, rounding the corner. "Hey mom."
"Hello, Jasmine."
The teenager turned to the strawberry blonde seated beside her mother. "Casey!" she squealed in a valley girl voice.
"Jazzy!" Casey said back in the same inflection. They embraced with two quick air kisses.
"It's been so long," Jasmine chirped.
"Totally gf." Casey played along, flipping her hair. They were never able to keep the game up for long and usually dissolved into giggles after a few lines.
As soon as they sobered, Jasmine's stomach rumbled in hunger. "I guess that's my cue to wash up and start dinner. See you both in a bit." Nathan entered the living room just as she was leaving. "Hey, Nathan."
"Hey."
"You want to help out with dinner?"
"I don't know how good I'd be of a helper," he said.
"I'm sure you'll be fine," Jasmine assured him.
"You should take her up on the offer. Jasmine doesn't usually let people help her in the kitchen," Melinda said.
"See you're just special." Jasmine winked playfully and Nathan smiled.
"Okay," he said.
Melinda stood. "Let's go ahead and take the ingredients out for the prep work," she said, heading to the kitchen.
"What's on the menu?" Casey asked.
"I think Jasmine wanted to make lasagna."
"That's sounds yummy."
-x-
Jasmine set the garlic bread on the table and sat in her chair. "Everyone join hands," she instructed. Everyone at the table did as they were told and bowed their heads automatically. She said grace and they began to eat.
"So, how was everyone's day?" Olivia asked to start off the dinner conversation. She grabbed the bowl of salad and scooped an extra helping on her plate.
Jasmine quickly swallowed the cheesy pasta she'd been chewing and answered, "I won both of my practice debates today."
"That's great," Casey said. After all, debating was right up there with being a lawyer. "Who was your opponent?"
"Andrea." Jasmine said.
"How bad did she tease you?" Olivia asked.
"Not as much as I thought but she did hum "Summertime" the entire time she was driving me back home," Jasmine reported with a roll of her eyes.
"Sounds like her," Melinda said with a small bite of her garlic bread. She glanced across the table at Nathan. "How did you like the batting cages?" she asked him.
A large smile appeared on the boy's face. "It was good. Casey said I'm a natural."
"He really is," Casey said after taking a large bite of her lasagna. "In fact, I want him to come out for the little league team I coach over the summer."
"That's sounds awesome," Jasmine remarked.
"I'll call Mrs. Collins after dinner so we can work out a practice schedule," Olivia said.
As Olivia and Casey launched into possible practice schedules, Nathan let his mind drift. He looked around the table at his new family. Whether or not they would ever think to adopt him, he considered everyone at the table his family. As his eyes traveled from Melinda to Jasmine back to Olivia and Casey he felt comfort and security in the women's presence. Nathan beamed his endearingly crooked smile and reached for another piece of garlic bread to finish his dinner.
-End of Chapter Six Part I-
See? I didn't forget about Nathan. He'll be sprinkled throughout the next couple of chapters or so. For those that want to know who Jasmine is dating and Olivia and Melinda's reactions that will be coming soon but first we got to resolve something that's been coming since chapter four.
Thanks for reading as always! ^_^