A/N: This is the beginning of a mini arc before the final section of this story starts. Also considering some of the subject matter that had come up in the last chapter I have decided to increase the rating to T out of an abundance of caution.
Several weeks had past since the accident and Amanda had finally been allowed to return to work. Much to the blonde's disappointment, however, she was restricted to desk duty. The doctor strictly said it would be at least two weeks more until she would even consider allowing the young detective to return to the field in full capacity.
Amanda had known for years that free time was her enemy, at least in her current position Jesse was able to occupy most of her time. Those temptations to gamble however grew strong as the days past and the SVU detective found herself in a GA meeting at least once maybe twice a week. She felt ashamed that this problem was still such a large part of her life and at first tried to lie to Olivia when she asked her to babysit her daughter for her. Once the elder woman discovered the true reason for the many babysitting sessions she expressed her great pride in the responsible acts her daughter was doing.
The mother and daughter pair did not become close over night. In fact their relationship had practically remained the same on the surface, save for a shared meal every Sunday night. The duo had decided that it wouldn't hurt to get together at least once a week so Jesse could get to know Noah and Olivia better. Amanda was being genuine when she had said she would love Jesse to have the family presence that she never did. It was just taking longer for Amanda to feel any sense of family from their interesting dynamic.
It was safe to say that Olivia was almost as happy as Amanda when the younger woman was cleared for work. She had missed being able to see her daughter everyday. She had resisted the urge to see or even speak to the blonde everyday because she knew how easily that would scare the younger woman away. Amanda had grown up being very independent and sufficient so as a result she didn't know how to handle people doting on her.
Barba, true to his word, had researched any laws forbidding a parent/child working together in the same unit. Much to his credit he did not find any that expressly prohibited the action, however, he did not find any cases that supported it either. Olivia with her strong sense of integrity told Amanda that she would disclose their relationship to 1PP and IAB. Amanda was reasonably apprehensive about the whole affair and feared that since she was the more junior officer she would be transferred to a different unit. Olivia had reassured her daughter that if that was to be the case she would be the one to transfer, she didn't want Amanda to suffer any ill side effects over a situation she had no control of. Luckily for both women 1PP decided that give the extraordinary circumstances, excellent track record of the unit, and most importantly the shortage of staff within the department they both would be allowed to stay with their current jobs. They must however be able to prove they could keep a professional relationship during work at all time, and show no sense favoritism. It was decided to keep their relationship as discreet as possible and as such few within 1PP even knew, Chief Dodds being among them.
"God, it's great to be back" Amanda breathed as she entered the squad room for the first time in what felt like an eternity.
"It's great to have you back baby girl" Fin beamed as he walked over to greet his partner with a long hug "it was torture trying to keep Carisi in line while you were gone" he said as he jerked his thumb in the other detective's direction
"Come on!" Carisi said in mock exasperation "I accidentally buy vegan lasagna for everyone one time and suddenly I can never be trusted again" he finished with his hands in the air before moving to greet the blonde as well.
"The damn thing nearly made me throw up" Fin said as he shuddered at the memory
"That's probably because you ate nearly one fourth of the pan" Dodds Jr said as he rose from his seat to join the small group. Instead of greeting Amanda with a hug, as the others had done, he went for the more professional approach and simply shook her hand "Welcome back Amanda, you were sorely missed" he finished with a gentle smile.
"The feeling was mutual" Amanda said truly being happy to be back in the office "I don't think I could have lasted another day stuck at home, no matter how much I enjoyed watching the same episode of Yo Gabba Gabba over and over again with Jesse"
"So this is what all the commotion is about" Olivia said as she walked up to the group. She paused as she came near Amanda and nodded her hello, wanting to appear as if there truly was no difference in the way they would work together "it's great to see you back in good health, I trust you're ready to jump back in with full force?"
"I'm ready for anything, Lieutenant" Amanda said confidently. She felt slightly uncomfortable in the elder woman's presence, she didn't want to act any different than she normally would at work because the last thing she wants is someone finding out the truth. At the same time however, Amanda wasn't sure how to act all together for even though they talked things over, both women still possessed some raw emotions on the subject.
"Well for now that just entails you diving head first on that stack of papers that has accumulated on your desk" Olivia stated as she indicated the aforementioned pile. Amanda had to stifle a groan as she saw how large the stack was. "As for the rest of you" She looked at the three men in the group "Dodds, Barba needs you in court today. Fin, Carisi there's a vic at Mercy hospital who claims her soccer coach raped her. You guys head down there to take her statement" after acknowledging their given tasks, the group separated to begin the day's work leaving the Lieutenant and the blonde detective alone.
"You ready for this?" Olivia asked in an almost motherly tone, causing slight irritation to the young detective.
"I'm way more than ready, Liv" Amanda said as she walked to her desk and sat down "I just wish I was out on the street instead of stuck in here" she finned with a sigh
"It's not too bad, Amanda" Olivia stated as she walked towards her office but stopped as she reached the door "Just be glad I didn't mandate trauma counseling because of the crash" she smiled as Amanda rolled her eyes at that statement. One thing the younger woman couldn't stand was the idea of some shrink trying to get inside her head.
As it came time to check out for the day Fin walked over to his partner and placed a hand on her shoulder "I'm heading down to Morans to celebrate Amanda's return, who's with me"
Carisi, Benson, and even Dodds Jr announced their agreement. "Alright then!" Fin said happily as he pulled Amanda up from her chair "first round's on Rollins"
"Hey!" Amanda said laughing as she gathered her belongings "I thought I was the guest of honor?"
"Even the honorable need to cough up some dough once in awhile" Fin laughed as he winced playfully at the smack on the shoulder the blonde had given him.
"I'll buy the first round" Olivia spoke up. After all she was probably the happiest to see Amanda doing well again.
The group sat at their usual table at the bar. As promised Olivia bought the first round, they each decided to take turns, not allowing for the blonde to pick up the tab once.
"Hey Rollins" Fin said to his partner from across the table "play a quick game of darts with me?"
"Why, you want to loose that bad?" she joked but stood anyway and followed the older man to the dart board.
After a few tosses Fin finally spoke up "So how did everything go with your birth mother?" he questioned as he looked at her face trying to get a read on the young woman. He remembered how guilty she had appeared in the hospital for not giving her biological mom the chance to explain herself, but he also remembered her righteous anger.
"I should have known you were going to ask something like that" Amanda sighed out as she rolled her eyes.
"Look, I know it's none of my business, but I care about you Manda" Fin said earnestly "I just want to know that you're okay"
After retrieving her darts and spinning them in her fingers she finally answered him "I know Fin, and I took your advise and talked to her" she paused as she threw another dart, this one landing slightly off center "I understand why she left me, and I don't blame her any more for anything" she said as she risked stealing a glance at Olivia "It's just... it's weird. She want's to be apart of my life, and she's being very gracious so far by giving me a lot of space, but I don't know if I'll ever get over the fact of who she is" she finished absentmindedly not meaning to voice that last part.
"Who she is?" Fin questioned "Manda, your mom's not some sort of celebrity or government official is she" he said half jokingly
"No" Amanda waved his thought away with her hand "nothing so grand... but even if she were I'd never tell you" she teased him.
"Fine, the secret's all yours" Fin said as they headed back to rejoin the others "but if I find out that she could have hooked me up with some top notch sporting tickets... *cough Yankee tickets behind home plate cough* … I'll be very upset"
"Smooth Fin very smooth" Amanda joked
"What's smooth?" Carisi asked as they sat at the table
"Fin's attempt to pick up that woman by the dartboard" Amanda lied easily "he really needs to update his pick up lines if he ever wants to take anyone home"
"Hey my lines work on plenty of woman" Fin argued back "it's not my fault you have no sense of humor"
"Really, then give us some" Carisi said as he finished his beer
"Okay" Fin said nodding his head "how about: I don't have a library card, but do you mind if I check you out?"
"Really" Dodds laughed, "I heard that one when I was in elementary school"
"A'right" Fin said rubbing his hands together while thinking "Your body is 65% water and I'm thirsty or my personal favorite, Do you live in a corn field, cause I'm stalking you" Fin finished staring at Rollins eyes as if he was actually trying to pick her up.
The group stared at him with poorly concealed laughter "wow Fin... that's just creepy" Carisi said and he quickly had to dodge the balled up napkin the darker man threw at him.
"Ya'll just jealous cuz I have company over much more than the rest of you" Fin joked puffing out his chest
"Well at least we don't go to strip clubs to find them"Amanda mumbled under her breath as she finished the last of her beer. She thought back to the case when a striper walked up to Fin reorganizing him by name at a club and chuckled to herself.
"What's that Rollins, did I hear you say something about secret lovers" Fin said getting her back. Amanda glared at him for even alluding to her relationship with Barba.
"You got a secret boyfriend Rollins?" Carisi asked "Come on tell us"
"Not a chance Staten Island" she quickly responded
"Alright, how about we drink for it, if I win you tell us" Carisi challenged
"Okay, but if I win, which I will, you have to do whatever I say for three days" Amanda responded back confidently holding up three fingers, she was sure she could hold her liquor better than the other detective. Growing up in rural Georgia didn't offer much of a nightlife, drinking was a local pastime.
"I don't think this is a good idea guys" Olivia said trying to be the voice of reason, she had only had one beer the whole night and was much more sober than the rest of the group.
"It's alright Liv" Fin said as he tried to persuade the older woman "they're adults, let'em have some fun" he finished as he called the bartender over.
It did take several rounds but in the end Amanda had been able to drink more shots than Carisi. Olivia stood behind Amanda the whole time, ready to catch the younger woman if she was about to fall off the chair. She didn't like to see her daughter drink so recklessly but had to keep her mouth closed because it just wasn't her place to stop her.
"Alright we have a winner" Fin said proudly as he raised his partners hand "the beautiful detective Rollins. Honorable mention goes to Carisi though, I didn't think he would last that long"
"I'll take Carisi home since I live closest to him" the Sergeant said as he attempted to lift the very drunk Italian off of the chair
"Thank you Dodds" Olivia smiled as she lifted Amanda by placing her hands under the blonde's arms "I'll take Amanda home then"
"Whoa, hold up Liv" Fin interrupted his boss "I got her, she's my partner, and besides I live much closer to her than you" he reasoned. It was his idea to let the two do it, so he figured Olivia shouldn't have to deal with the aftermath.
"Ya boss, my partner will take care me" Amanda said drunkenly, her accent becoming more pronounced.
"Are you sure, it's no trouble at all" Olivia tried. In truth she wanted to be the one to take Amanda home, she wanted the chance to express her motherly instincts without the blonde fighting her. The elder woman also wanted to be sure that her daughter makes it home safely, not that she didn't trust Fin. It's just not the same as doing it yourself.
"Nah Liv, I'm sure" Fin said and started leading the clearly drunk Amanda out the door. Olivia couldn't push any harder for fear of making it obvious that she actually wanted to take Amanda home. With a sigh of defeat Olivia left, but before her detective's were completely out of sight she asked if they could text her to make sure everyone got home safely. It wouldn't be suspicious if she acted motherly to the whole team, she thought to herself.
The ride home was quick for the SVU Lieutenant, and it felt even faster because her mind was focused on her daughter. She mindlessly paid the cab driver as they arrived in front of her apartment. So distracted was Olivia by her worry over Amanda's safe arrival to her home that she was completely unaware of the predatory eyes following her into the building.
A/N: I know the first portion of this chapter was very dry and boring but it was important information for the continuity of the story. I hope the bar scene made up for it. These next few chapter will increase in pace, meaning more will happen in a single chapter. Like I said this is just a mini arc, still important for the main plot but not the central goal.