A/N: Here is the next chapter. Again sorry for the long wait. I hope this makes up for it!
Cooper was led to a holding cell after being booked. Agent Peters made her shower and go through a strip search before having her change into a pair of FBI scrubs. She sat curled up in the cell with her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms tucked in-between. Cooper rested her head on her knees and stared across the cell at the wall. Cooper was partly curled up for comfort but also for warmth. The holding cell seemed to be 20 degrees colder than the rest of the building. Cooper sat there and thought about everything that had happened to her in the last few weeks. She had lost her group of friends but she'd met her mother. She got shot while helping a little girl but she'd met her mother. She'd told her mom about her past and she didn't send her away. Then she'd gotten arrested and her mom didn't protect her like she said she would. Cooper's worst nightmare had become a reality. She'd always feared getting arrested and sent to prison. She's also feared that once she met her mom wouldn't be good enough for Olivia. That fear has become a reality, a reality that Cooper really didn't like.
While Cooper was sitting in a holding cell at the FBI building Olivia was freaking out at the 1-6. She was pacing the floor while Elliot sat with his head in his hands. He couldn't believe Cooper had been arrested. He knew it was one of her biggest fears. He also knew that letting Olivia down was another. Fin, Munch, Amanda and Nick were all out working on a case. Cragen had pulled Olivia off of it knowing she had enough to deal with. He had come out of his office as Agent Peters was walking Cooper out. After trying to calm down Olivia he had headed into his office to try and get Cooper out of trouble.
"Olivia, you're going to ware a hole in the floor. Calm down, Cooper will be okay." Olivia glared at Elliot before her face dropped and tears began to pour from her eyes.
"I promised to protect her. Instead I let them take her and arrest her. She probably hates me." Elliot stood up and walked over to where Olivia was standing. He placed his hands on her arms to get her to look at him.
"Olivia, Cooper will always love you. She has always loved you. Even when she didn't know you she loved you… Cooper may be mad at first but she will understand why you couldn't stop them. Besides, we will get her out of this. Cragen is working on it right now. You just need to have faith." Olivia nodded before collapsing into Elliot's arms. Elliot hugged Olivia before pushing her into her chair.
Olivia sat down and leaned forward so her head was resting on her hands. She rubbed her forehead with her right hand. Olivia was staring at the floor when Cragen came out of his office. Olivia and Elliot both stood up and stared at him. Cragen had a grim look on his face. Olivia's face fell when she saw it. Elliot wrapped his arm around her shoulder for comfort. Cragen walked over and rubbed his forehead.
"I've spoken to Agent Peters Captain and he says that the arrest stands… I've contacted Alex and she recommended Abbie Carmichael to represent Cooper. Here is her address. I hope she can help you." Cragen walked away and back into his office.
Olivia looked at the paper in her hand. She'd been semi-friends with Abbie Carmichael when she had worked for the DA's office. Olivia also knew that Abbie could be very cold hearted and never been a fan of the defense. Olivia looked at Elliot and sighed. She grabbed her jacket and headed to the door, Elliot followed.
Olivia and Elliot headed to Abbie's office while Cooper sat in the holding cell. She shook as another cold chill ran through her body. Cooper's lips had taken on a blue tent. She was tucked into the smallest ball she could be but nothing was helping with the cold. She had her head down and eyes closed when she heard the cell door open. Her head snapped up and she saw Agent Peters walk in with a plate of food. She just stared at him before curling back up.
"I'm not trying to be the bad guy here… I'm going to try and work a deal for you."
"Can I have my hoodie back? It's cold in here." Agent Peters nodded and left the room.
Cooper sat in the cell and just stared at the plate of food that Agent Peters had left him. It was better than prison food. She reached over and grabbed half the sandwich and ate it quickly. Agent Peters came back a few minutes later and gave Cooper her hoodie. She put it on and gave him a half smile. Agent Peters left and Cooper scarfed down the rest of her food. Once she was finished Cooper curled up and tried to sleep.
While Cooper was trying to get some sleep, Olivia and Elliot arrived at Abbie's office and rang the bell. Abbie answered the door with a smile on her face. She invited Elliot and Olivia into her office. They both took a seat as she sat down behind her desk. Olivia picked at the skin next to her thumbnail. Elliot smiled knowing that Cooper did the same thing when she was nervous. They both looked up when Abbie cleared her throat.
"So Cragen said that you now have a kid Benson? Glad you decided to adopt." Olivia looked at Abbie confused.
"I didn't adopt Cooper. She's my biological daughter. I gave her up a couple of days after she was born. She's just recently come back into my life and I don't want to lose her again." Abbie nodded and then looked at Elliot.
"I thought you'd retired. According to Alex you've been gone for almost three years. What are you doing back?" Elliot looked at Olivia and then at Abbie.
"Moral support. It's a long story. So what do we have to do to get Cooper out?" Abbie leaned forward and sighed.
"I've spoken to the Agents that arrested Cooper. They are willing to make a deal. I'm going to head down there this afternoon and see what we can work out. We will even try to get you into visit her this evening. Cragen said the arrest was a surprise to all." Olivia nodded and stared down at her hands. She wasn't even sure Cooper wanted to see her.
"Okay, will you tell her I love her? That I'm going to do whatever I have to do to get her out." Abbie nodded and smiled at Olivia. Abbie felt bad for Olivia. She seemed truly miserable. She could see Olivia's love for Cooper in her eyes.
"If it's any consolation. Agent Peters refuses to have Cooper transferred from headquarters. I know it sucks that he arrested her but he's also trying to work out a deal for her." Olivia nodded and smiled. She felt a little relief knowing that the arresting Agent wasn't trying to throw the book at her.
"Thanks for helping her Abbie. I don't really know what I would do if I lost her." Abbie reached over and squeezed Olivia's hand.
"Okay, well, I am off to the federal building and I will be in contact as soon as I find out what the deal is." Olivia and Elliot stood up. Abbie shook both their hands. She walked them out before locking up for the afternoon.
Elliot and Olivia headed back to the precinct. They were hoping to get more information on the drug lord that sold Cooper out. They pulled up and Olivia leaned her head against the steering wheel. Elliot reached over and rubbed her back. She looked over at him and gave him a half smile.
"You never told me how you know my daughter." Elliot smiled at Olivia.
"You never asked. Although, I'm going to let her tell you that story." Elliot got out of the car and Olivia followed suit.
They both walked into the precinct. Olivia had some paperwork to do and Elliot had left his keys. Everyone was back. They all gave Olivia sympathetic looks as she walked to her desk. She tried to give them all a reassuring smile but it came out more as a grimace. She sat down and Elliot leaned against her desk.
"I'm sure if you asked Cragen he'd let you go home." Olivia shook her head.
"Sitting at home will only make me more anxious. I'm fine." Elliot nodded even though he didn't believe her.
"Okay, well call me when you find anything out." Olivia nodded and Elliot left.
Olivia began to work on paperwork but found she couldn't concentrate. Her mind kept wondering what Cooper was thinking and feeling. Meanwhile, Cooper was trying to sleep in her cell but couldn't manage to keep her eyes closed. She'd hear a door slam every once in a while or a cell door open up and wonder what was going on. Cooper had almost fallen back asleep when her cell door opened. She looked up to find a tall brunette standing there.
"Hello Cooper, I'm Abbie Carmichael. Your mother and her Captain have hired me to defend you. Let's get started by you telling me what happened." Cooper looked at Abbie before staring at the wall. She didn't say anything. Agent Peters was standing behind Abbie.
"Cooper, you'll get out sooner if you talk to her." Cooper looked at them again.
"Last time I talked I got put in here." Cooper sneered. Abbie had to hide her smile. This girl was feisty like Olivia.
"If you talk to me, I can probably get you out. Agent Peters and I have been working on a deal. You help them and they'll help you." Cooper looked over when Abbie said that.
"What kind of deal?" Abbie signaled for Cooper to follow her. She wasn't holding this interview in a holding cell. It was cold and she could tell by Cooper's position that she was trying to keep warm. Cooper got up to followed Abbie to an interrogation room.
Cooper's mind flashed back to the first time her and Olivia met. Tears sprang to Cooper's eyes when she thought about her mom. She missed her something fierce. She wished that she were there to wrap her in a hug and tell her everything would be okay. Abbie noticed Cooper seemed upset. They sat down next to each other and Agent Peters sat down across from them.
"So, what's this deal you were talking about?" Abbie hid her smirk. This girl was definitely Olivia's.
"Basically Agent Peters is willing to drop the charges if you help bring in Johnny Mathews. You'll have to identify him in a police line up and then be willing to testify against him." Cooper's back stiffened at the mention of Johnny. He was a bad dude and Cooper didn't know if she could handle going through a trial involving him.
"And if I don't agree?" Abbie looked at Cooper and could tell she was scared or at least more scared then she already was.
"Then your case will go to trial and you'll be tried." Cooper nodded.
"Can I have a minute to talk with my lawyer?" Agent Peters nodded and left the room.
"What's up?" Abbie asked.
"Have you talked to my mom about this deal?" Abbie shook her head.
"No but I'm sure she'd be all for it. She doesn't want you going to prison. She wanted me to tell you that she loves you. She'd want you to take the deal. We can see if Agent Peters will let us call her. Or I can go call her and have her come down." Cooper shook her head.
"No, it's okay. She's not going want me after the truth about Johnny comes out. Johnny is a sick twisted man but he's good at manipulation. Things happened with Johnny that I regret and don't want to remember maybe more so than running drugs for Malcolm. I'm not sure I want all that coming out… I'm not sure I can handle all that coming out." Abbie reached over and rubbed Cooper's arm. She wasn't one for comforting her clients but Cooper wasn't a criminal.
"Whatever you can throw out there your mom will be with you. I can guarantee that. She loves you more than I've seen Olivia love anybody. This deal is a good one. No one is judging you for what happened when you were younger. You didn't have control over your life… Well as much control over your life. If Johnny did bad things to you then we can charge him for that stuff too. Are you positive you don't want me to call your mom?" Cooper had tears rolling down her cheeks. She shook her head.
"I just want to go home. Whatever I have to do to get home. Even if she doesn't want me in the end." Abbie nodded and smiled. She stood up and walked to the door. She walked out and left Cooper sitting there.
Abbie came back with Cooper's clothes in her hand. She handed them to Cooper. Abbie walked out and signaled for Cooper to follow. Abbie led Cooper to the bathroom. Cooper went inside and changed her clothes. She came back out and Abbie was standing by the door. Abbie led Cooper down the hallway. She signed some papers and then held the door open for Cooper.
"So, that's it? I'm free to go." Abbie nodded.
"Yea, you'll have to come back with Olivia and give your statement." Cooper nodded and smiled at Abbie. Abbie knew it was genuine.
Abbie drove Cooper to the precinct. She'd have to sign custody of Cooper over to Olivia. When Abbie pulled up Cooper didn't get out of the car. Abbie watched Cooper stare at the building in front of them. Abbie reached over and touched Cooper's arm. Cooper jumped and looked at Abbie.
"Ready?" Cooper nodded and opened the door. She took a deep breath and followed Abbie up the front steps and into the precinct.
Abbie and Cooper took the elevator up to the fifth floor. Abbie walked into the squad room but Cooper stopped right before walking through. She'd made this walk once before. When Elliot had brought her back she knew Olivia would accept her with open arms. Even though her mind was telling her differently she could feel it in her heart. Now she couldn't feel it in her heart. All she could feel was dread. Dread for having to give her statement. Dread for Olivia turning her away when she heard what Cooper had done to survive. Dread because her life was more screwed up than people knew. Something forced Cooper to walk forward though.
When Cooper stepped into the squad room everyone stopped what he or she were doing. People looked between Cooper and Olivia. Olivia stood up but didn't move towards Cooper. Cooper stood next to Abbie with her hands tucked into her back pockets. She rocked back into her heels and stared at her mom. After a minute they made eye contact. It only took one look from Olivia for Cooper to move forward. Before Cooper knew what she was doing she'd thrown her arms around Olivia. Olivia hugged Cooper back. Cooper gasped as her ribs protested how tightly she was hugging her mother. Olivia pulled back and held Cooper's face in her hands. She had tears running down her face but was smiling at the same time. Olivia used her thumb to wipe some tears off of Cooper's face. Cooper pushed forward and Olivia wrapped her arms back around Cooper.
"I'm sorry, I don't blame you for them arresting me." Olivia nodded into Cooper's shoulder.
"It's okay, baby. I know you didn't mean it." Cooper pulled away from Olivia and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Abbie smiled as she watched the two interact.
"I don't mean to interrupt but Olivia, I need you to sign these forms. Showing that I handed over custody of Cooper." Olivia nodded and signed the papers.
Olivia handed them back to Abbie before pulling Cooper into another hug. Cooper laughed and Olivia kissed her cheek and Olivia thought it was the sweetest sound ever. Abbie said her goodbyes and left. Cooper sat on Olivia's desk while Olivia sat in her chair. Olivia held one of Cooper's hands in both of hers. Cooper stared down at her lap. Cooper looked up when she felt tears on the palm of her hand. Olivia was holding Cooper's hand to her face and sobbing.
"Please don't cry. I hate seeing you cry… I know I'm not the kid that you wanted but I promise to try harder. I know you didn't want a screw up like me but I can be better. I swear I can be good." Olivia looked up at Cooper. She stood up and pulled Cooper into her arms.
"You are exactly who I want you to be… You are perfect the way you are. You are NOT a screw up. I'm not crying because I'm sad, I'm crying because I didn't know if I would get you back. Even if Abbie got you off, you didn't have to come back. You could have run away. I let you down when I didn't stop the Agents from taking you. I know that you have a hard time trusting people. I'm just so happy that you decided to come back and give me another chance. A chance to prove that I can be the mom you always wanted." Cooper pulled away from Olivia. She reached up and wiped a tear from Olivia's cheek with her thumb.
"You already are the mom I always wanted." Olivia pulled Cooper back to her and kissed the side of her head.
Cooper knew that her story was going to come out. She knew that she would have to explain to Olivia why the charged were dropped. She knew that things were going to get worse before they got better. But standing there wrapped in her mom's arms she knew that nothing or no one could hurt her. That her mom would protect her at all costs. She put her trust and faith in Olivia. That was something that Cooper never did.
"I love you, mom." Cooper tucked her face into Olivia's neck.
"I love you too, baby." Olivia held onto Cooper for dear life. She knew that something big was coming but she would protect her daughter no matter what.
