Disclaimer: I own my own characters. I lay claim to nothing except them.
Author's Note: This chapter has more family dynamics involved. More action is to come though.
After having been checked out at the hospital, Olivia and Elliot took their daughter for some Chinese. Karla ate happily and then they went back to Olivia's apartment. Karla was asleep on Olivia's shoulder as she stepped into her apartment.
"I'm going to put her to bed," she said quietly.
Elliot nodded. Olivia went into Karla's room and laid her into her bed. She pulled the blankets up and kissed her forehead. Turning to walk out, she saw a picture on Karla's night stand that the girl had drawn. It said 'My Family.' From what Olivia could tell it had her, Elliot, Karla, and 4 other people who looked like Casey, Cragen, Fin, and John. Olivia smiled and walked out of the room with the picture. Elliot was on the couch when Olivia walked into the room.
"Karla drew a picture," said Olivia.
Elliot took the picture, looked at it, and smiled. "I guess she has her mind made up that we are all a family," said Elliot with a chuckle.
Olivia smiled and nodded.
"I've got to go. Kathy is probably furious, but she won't be after I explain," said Elliot.
Olivia nodded and said, "I'll, I mean, we will see you tomorrow."
"Mind if I kiss her good night?" asked Elliot.
Olivia shook her head and Elliot went into his daughter's room. She was sleeping so soundly. He smiled at the fact that he knew she was safe. He bent over and kissed her forehead.
"I love you Karla," he whispered.
Karla wiggled a bit and then settled. Elliot stepped out of the room.
"Good night Liv," said Elliot.
"'Night El," she whispered.
Elliot left for home. Olivia took a deep breath and released it. She sat down on the couch and rubbed her temples.
'I'm glad we got there in time,' she thought to herself, 'I couldn't handle it if she was gone. I just found her, and to think of what it could've done to Elliot. He would've been devastated.'
Olivia sighed. She then heard a noise from Karla's room. She got up and went to the door. Karla was thrashing in bed.
"No! Stop! No! Go away! Leave me alone! I want my mommy! I want my daddy!" Karla was shouting in her sleep.
Olivia noticed that she had knocked the lamp over. Olivia ran to Karla's side.
She rubbed Karla's arm and said, "Karla, baby, mommy's here. You're okay, mommy's here."
Karla opened her eyes and started crying. She sat up and hugged her mother.
"Mommy, it was horrible! He was there and I was there and he hit me again and again and no matter how much I cried he wouldn't stop," said Karla in hysterics.
Olivia rocked her daughter.
"Baby, he can't and won't hurt you anymore. Mommy and Daddy will make sure of that. You're safe, mommy is right here and I'm not going anywhere," said Olivia gently.
Karla nodded.
"Mommy? Can I sleep with you?" asked Karla in a small voice.
"Of course, baby, of course," said Olivia.
Karla hugged her mother tighter. Olivia picked her up and put her into her bed.
"Baby, mommy is going to take a shower. I'm going to be right out, okay?" asked Olivia.
Karla nodded and laid down on her mother's bed. Olivia went and took her shower and changed into a pair of pajama pants and a tank top. She saw Karla was still awake.
"Okay, sweetie. You ready for bed?" she said. Karla nodded.
Olivia climbed into bed next to her daughter and threw a blanket over them. Karla snuggled close to her mother and Olivia wrapped her arms around her. Karla felt safe in her mother's arms. It was like a barrier from the rest of the world. In no time both females were asleep.
Elliot arrived home to find a very angry Kathy on the couch.
"Where have you been?" yelled Kathy.
"Honey, I'm sorry. Someone kidnapped Karla and I had to find her," he said.
Kathy's face changed quickly from anger to shock and then to sympathy.
"Elliot, I'm sorry. I thought it was something else that made you late. I was worried. Is she okay? Did you find her? Of course you did. You wouldn't be here if you did," said Kathy with a grin.
Elliot grinned at his wife and said, "Yeah, me and Olivia found her. She's fine. She's with Olivia."
Kathy hugged her husband. "I'm glad she is safe, Elliot," said Kathy.
Elliot nodded and said, "Me too. I don't know what would've happened if I lost her. I would worry about Olivia if we lost her. Olivia has wanted a child for so long…"
Elliot started and Kathy interrupted, "Elliot, you did find her. She's safe. Now you don't have to worry anymore. Olivia and Karla are fine. They're safe and so are you. Don't worry."
Elliot nodded. "Let's go to bed," said Kathy who headed upstairs. Elliot followed.
The next morning, Olivia woke up to more screaming. Karla had another horrible nightmare. Now the girls are at the table. Karla was eating cereal and Olivia was drinking coffee. It was silent.
"Karla?" said Olivia.
Karla looked up from her cereal.
"You know you will have to testify, right?" asked Olivia.
Karla looked at her mother and nodded slowly.
"Do you think you can handle it?"
Karla thought for a minute. She knew she would be scared. She didn't want to see either of those men again. She was tired of everything.
"Karla? Mommy and Daddy will be with you every step of the way. You are not going through this alone, okay?"
Karla sat back in her chair. "I know, mommy, but that doesn't make me any less scared to face them. I know I have to do this, but I don't know if I can."
Olivia nodded. She got up out of her chair and walked over to her daughter. She squatted down in front of Karla.
"Sweetheart, I understand that. Just know that your mommy and daddy will do anything to protect you. We want what's best for you. We love you," said Olivia sincerely.
Karla had tears running down her cheeks. "I know mommy. I know, but I'm still scared," she said, her voice breaking.
Olivia wrapped her arms around her daughter. A knock on the door caused them to jump.
"Who is it?" Olivia yelled.
"It's me, and I come bearing gifts," came Elliot's voice.
Olivia smiled and opened the door. Elliot stood in the doorway with his arms full of food and a small bag with children's things in it.
"What's all this?" she asked with a laugh.
Elliot smiled and said, "Breakfast and gifts for Karla."
Olivia took some of the food bags and Elliot followed her into the dining area.
"Daddy!"
Karla jumped up and hugged her father. "Hey, kiddo. How are you doing?" said Elliot.
"I'm okay. Mommy says I have to testify. I'm scared to," said Karla.
Elliot looked at Olivia who nodded.
"Baby, I know you're scared. It will help to make sure that those men never hurt you again. Mommy and I are going to be there," said Elliot.
"I know, but so will they, right?" asked Karla.
Elliot nodded. Olivia walked up and said, "Karla, they will be there, but they can't get to you. All the officers are going to be there. Me, Daddy, Aunt Casey, Uncle Fin, Uncle John, and Grandpa will be there too. You will be safe."
Karla looked at her mother and father. "I know. I can do it, but I'm still scared," said Karla.
"Baby, tell you what, you keep your eyes on any one of us and you won't have to worry about them, that sound good?" asked Elliot.
Karla nodded and hugged her father. "Okay, daddy. I can do it," said Karla.
"That's great," said Elliot, "I got something for you." He reached into the bag and gave her a stuffed puppy.
"Aww, thank you daddy!" said Karla, hugging the animal. Olivia smiled.
"There's also some crayons and coloring books in the bag," said Elliot.
Karla took the bag, hugged her dad and mom, and went into her room. Elliot chuckled as his daughter ran into her room with the bag and puppy in tow.
"So, what's in the bag?" asked Olivia.
Elliot pulled some take out packages and said, "Eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits, and some fruit."
"Yum," replied Olivia.
Karla's senses were assaulted by the smell of the food, and although she had already eaten she was still hungry. She came out of her bedroom and looked at the packages of food. Olivia looked over and saw her daughter standing there, staring. Elliot looked at Olivia and then at Karla and smiled. He waved her over. With a big grin, Karla joined her parents at the table. The food was passed out and they dug in.
A/N: So, do you want more? There is more to come, but if you want it, REVIEW! Thank you to those who have reviewed already!
