A/N: Hi guys, lately I've been trying to update a lot more often, if you read my other fics, you will have seen I've updated Writer's Block, and Kidnapped. I am also writing an Amaro's Secret update, but I'm finding that the motivation isn't flowing as easily as my other fics. But it is coming, I promise. Thank you to everyone who reviews, I really do appreciate you taking the time to let me know what you think. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, I will get back to you in my next authors note.
Olivia got up from where she was sitting with Ellie, she reached out her hand and Ellie took it. Smiling softly, Olivia looked at Ellie. "I won't let you down Ellie, I know there are a few things I need to sort out, but you have my full attention, I will get you justice."
Ellie couldn't help but lower her head, she had so many thoughts running through her head, she got in Olivia's car, she sat down and everything seemed to go blank, she finally let go of all her inhibitions and cried. "Olivia, I'm scared." she admitted.
"I know you are Ellie." Olivia soothed, "But you have me, and I'm going to make everything right." Olivia paused, "I know you don't have any reason to trust adults, I know you've suffered, but I'm here to make things better. I can't take away your pain, I can't turn back time and stop you from being attacked, but I can help you move on and make a better future for yourself. I know that when you're attacked the world seems like a very scary place, that there is no one you can trust, and you're constantly waiting for the next attack, but it doesn't have to be like that. You've taken the first step, you've reached out and talked to me; you're not alone any more, you have me and Elliot and we're going to make sure you get justice. You're not alone, I promise."
Ellie looked at Olivia, she knew she could trust her; there was a deeper connection between them than she had realised before, Olivia was in the same boat as she was. Ellie couldn't help but relate to Olivia, and feel closer to her at the same time, tears fell from her eyes. "I don't know if I should say this, but I wish you were my mom." Ellie whispered.
Olivia felt a lump rise in her throat, tears threatened her eyes, then as she blinked, fell freely. She found herself not being able to say anything, so she pulled Ellie into her loving embrace letting her know she was finally safe, and loved. Olivia looked at Ellie, "Just because I'm not your biological mother, doesn't mean I can't be your mom." Olivia felt Ellie's grip tighten slightly, she kissed the young girl on the top of her head and held her until her phone rang. That's when Olivia remembered, she hadn't told Ellie, her mother had been killed by Leo, the man identified as Ellie's rapist. Ellie pulled away from Olivia and wiped her tears, "It's Elliot." Olivia told her.
"What've you got?" Olivia asked rather than her usual, 'Benson' when she answered the phone.
"Leo Johnson was transporting Allison Rigby to the court, on the way there was a crash. Two men in Halloween masks crashed into the van, they shot Allison at point blank rage, one bullet to the head."
"What about Leo?" Olivia asked. Ellie seemed to sit up a little more in her seat hearing her rapist's name.
"He was shot in the arm, he's in hospital now, he's stable and said to make a full recovery."
"Thanks Elliot." Olivia said hanging up the phone. She turned to Ellie who was pale with red eyes.
"What is it? Something's happened hasn't it?"
Olivia looked at Ellie, her eyes melting, just as her heart seemed to be mending, it was about to shatter again. "Ellie, your mom was, she was being taken to court today to stand trial for prostitution, on the way the transport van was crashed into. Your mom was shot." Olivia said feeling that lump rise in her throat again, she could see every word hitting Ellie like a brick to the stomach, "Ellie, your mom was killed."
Ellie's bottom lip quivered a little, she instinctively brought her knees up and hugged them. Silent tears fell from the young girl's eyes. Olivia sat not knowing what to say, she didn't know whether to put her hand on Ellie's back for comfort or leave her. "That's not all is it?" she asked Olivia. She raised her head and looked at Olivia. "You said his name, he killed her didn't he?"
Olivia felt lost for words, "No Ellie, there were two men who crashed into the van. One of them shot your mom, the other shot officer Johnson."
Ellie looked at Olivia completely shocked, she opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come out. She choked up a sentence, "Is he dead?"
"No, he's stable in hospital. Elliot's going to arrest him now."
"Why was he even transporting her? I made the ID, he shouldn't have been anywhere near her!" Ellie blurted.
"I know sweetheart, but your mom was being transported at the time you made the ID. We didn't know he was escorting her until the news came in about your mom. Ellie, I'm so sorry." Olivia reached for her hand but Ellie snapped it away quickly.
"It's not your fault. As much as I hated her for what she let happen to me, she's still my mom. No one can change that, as much as I wish you were my mom, because I know you'd make a really great mom, she still gave me life." Ellie sighed, "I'm glad he's not dead, death is an easy escape from justice."
Olivia looked at Ellie, a sense of pride washed over the detective, "I told you you were smart." Olivia smiled softly and looked at Ellie who held a blank expression on her face. "Ellie, things will get better."
"I don't know if I have a right to ask this, but please don't build me up for this case, then when it's over let me go into the system and forget all about me..."
"I promise you that won't happen." Olivia paused, "Lets go home." she started up the engine and began driving the short distance back to the apartment.
Elliot had got off the phone to Olivia, put his jacket on and picked up the keys to the Crown Vic that sat parked outside the one – six. He got in, then looked at his cell phone, he debated calling Olivia again to see if she was available to go to the hospital with him. He knew how much admiration Olivia had for Ellie, and thought she deserved to be there for the arrest. He put his phone back in his pocket, and decided Ellie probably needed Olivia more than he did.
Elliot pulled up to Mercy General where Leo Johnson was being treated, he parked the car in the underground lot and made his way to the nursing station. "Detective Stabler, I need to talk to Officer Johnson." he informed the middle aged nurse.
"Come through here." she told him, walking a few paces in front of the detective.
"How's he doing?" Elliot asked not really interested.
"He's fine. He had a through and through, he's been patched up, he's being discharged now."
"Thanks." Elliot said getting to the door of the private room; he walked in and looked at Leo sitting on the edge of the bed.
"You're not my doctor." Leo joked knowing who Elliot was.
"Leo Johnson, you're under arrest for the rape of a minor."
"What the hell Elliot? What the hell is going on?" Leo shouted.
Elliot pulled Leo from the bed and handcuffed him, "You do not have to say anything, but if you do, I will damn well make sure it's used in court. You have the right to an attorney, if you can't afford one, one will be provided for you." Elliot pushed Leo out of the door making sure he clipped his wounded arm on the door frame.
Leo let out a cry, "Elliot, buddy I haven't raped anyone! I'm a cop! Like you!"
Elliot swung Leo around against the wall, "You are nothing like me. You think your badge means you can rape little girls and get away with it. You think cuffs are sex toys, I don't! I think they're useful tools in arresting paedophiles like you!"
"Who the hell did I rape?" Leo shouted more agitated now.
"Well, I know of one victim, you can tell me about the others at the precinct." Elliot dragged Leo out of the hospital and down to the Crown Vic, his doctor had already discharged him and looked on in horror.
"I didn't rape anyone." Leo moaned in the back of Elliot's Crown Vic.
"You know you have a right to keep your mouth shut. You can talk all you want back at the precinct." Elliot snapped.
The rest of the journey was in silence, Elliot walked Leo through the one – six parading him for everyone to see. Elliot put him in a holding cell before calling Olivia; he sat at his desk and dialled her number. It rang three times before she picked up.
"Liv, it's me, I've got him in a holding cell. I want to do a line up." he told her.
Olivia was taken aback by Elliot's suggestion, "Ellie's already identified him Elliot." she said.
"Yeah, on a laptop Liv. I'll round up a few people and put them in a line up. If we can get two positive ID's we've got a solid case."
"Elliot, I've just told her about her mom, she's upset. She needs time."
"Olivia." Ellie's small voice from behind her. Olivia turned around, "What do I have to do?" she asked.
"Hold up Elliot," Olivia said turning to Ellie, "Ellie, Elliot has arrest Leo Johnson, he wants to put him in a line up so you can pick him out of it. If you don't want to, or need time, we can do it another time."
"I'll do it. I just want this to be over with."
"We'll be in in an hour Elliot." Olivia said hanging up the phone.
Elliot put the phone down and walked over to Munch; "I need your help?"
"If you're buying me dinner after we've done whatever you're going to ask me to do, the answer is yes." Munch said smiling leaning back on his chair.
"Whatever you want!" Elliot said with a small smile, "I need to round up a line up in an hour."
"Who's the suspect?" Munch asked.
"Leo Johnson."
"Officer Leo Johnson?" Munch questioned sitting up in his chair.
"The one and only. What do you know about him?"
"I know they tried him for rape a few years ago and it didn't stick."
"Then we have to make it stick now." Elliot said, both him and Munch got up and left the precinct. They already had two other officers for the line up, but needed two more men to join them, so they called in a favour to a couple of uniformed officers.
Olivia sat with Ellie on the couch in her apartment, the room was silent and awkward. "Olivia." Ellie began.
Olivia turned to face her, "What's wrong?" she asked, prompting her to talk.
"Do I have to do this line up because the laptop one wasn't enough?"
"No, my partner thinks that two identifications are better than one."
"Do you?"
Olivia thought for a minute, "I think he's trying to build the best possible case he can."
"Because Leo's a cop?"
Olivia couldn't lie, "I think so, yeah." looking at the young girl Olivia felt her emotions shift; "Ellie you know we're not putting you through more than we think you can handle. We want justice for you, just as much as you want it for yourself."
Ellie nodded, "I know life doesn't exactly go the way we planned, sometimes things change depending on the path we choose. I also know that sometimes we can't pick our own paths, because in situations like mine, people choose them for us. I didn't ask for this, but these are the cards I've been dealt in life. Sometimes I don't feel strong and I wish I could make it end, I wish I was strong enough to leave this world on my own terms and make all the pain go away, but I'm not that type of person; I have something inside me that tells me what I'm doing right now is better, that if I just run away I'll never get justice. I know that no matter how much I'm hurting now, tomorrow I won't hurt as much, and as each day goes by, I'll get stronger and I'll be thankful for every day I'm given. I guess, in the mess and confusion of it all, running away is the easiest option, but justice, that's the best way to end this ordeal. It's the only way to end this."
