A/N – Am I updating too fast on this?
DISCLAIMER – AS MUCH AS I WISH I DID I DON'T OWN SVU OR ANY OF THEIR CHARACTERS, JUST THIS STORY AND MY OWN CHARACTERS!
Chapter Twenty one – Learning
Benson-Stabler residence
April 8th 6.21 am
"Morning." Olivia smiled as she saw Elliot's bright blue eyes looking down at her.
"Good morning." He smiled slowly leaning in to kiss her, he was still wary about making sudden movements towards her. "How are you feeling this morning?" He asked.
After her leaving court the day before, she had gone for a walk around Central Park to clear her head and had then called Elliot at six to come and collect her. She'd ignored everyone's phone calls and texts all day because she wanted to avoid them but in the mean time making everyone completely anxious. She had Elliot drop her off with Lorna and spoke through everything with her before going home and discussing everything through with Elliot and to finish the night she called Cragen with a very lengthy apology.
"I'm feeling better." She smiled before cuddling into him. "Who's testifying today?"
"Fin." Elliot replied. "Then Munch if we get there, I mean a full day I was in the box yesterday!"
"Yeah, Alex and Casey are really dancing on this one aren't they?" Laughed, she was coping by disassociating herself.
"Yup, I mean, I get that they want to get you justice Liv I really do but if they put half the effort they've put into this trial into every other trial we'd never lose a case!"
"El, have you seen the evidence for this trial? They're just trying to prove he's not insane which isn't easy considering how he behaved." Olivia explained.
"I know baby, but if they put this much effort they could get guilty verdicts on the most circumstantial cases, you know the ones they scream at us to get more evidence when we've searched everything and everywhere already?" Elliot laughed softly.
"I know, it's me though isn't it." She sighed.
"Yeah, we'll get him though Liv. Today, Fin tells the jury exactly how they found you." Elliot smiled kissing the side of her head.
"And how did they find me?" Olivia asked.
"I don't know, never paid much attention to the case and once you were found I was allowed nowhere near it." Elliot shrugged.
"Oh, so new info for both of us today then." Olivia shrugged.
"Yup." Elliot replied.
"Ok well I am going to go for a shower and start getting ready." Olivia smiled gently before kissing him.
"Can't you wait five more minutes?" Elliot pleaded.
"No El I wanna shower!" Olivia laughed as he pretended to hold her and not let go.
"Please!" He pleaded.
"No but I will kiss you one more time." She smiled leaning down and kissing him passionately.
"Mmh, I love you." He smiled as she pulled away.
"I love you too now go make us coffee." She winked before shutting the bathroom door.
As he sat up he smiled, this was the Olivia he knew and loved and she just seemed to get better every day.
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Supreme court of New York
April 8th 9.03 am
As Fin was sworn in Olivia found herself a little more relaxed than she had been in court so far. She hoped the worst was over as Alex stepped forwards towards Fin.
"Detective Tutuola, you led the investigation to find Detective Benson is that correct?" Alex asked.
"Correct." Fine replied.
"Why were you leading it?" Alex asked knowing that the defence would question it on cross anyway.
"Because it was an SVU case and Detective Stabler was too close to the ... Detective Stabler couldn't lead the investigation because of his relationship to Olivia Benson." Fin had almost called her a victim after promising himself he wouldn't and he was glad he'd stopped himself in time.
"Ok so tell us how you went about the investigation." Alex nodded to him.
"Well the crime scene unit scoured the apartment searching for evidence, we were basically just sitting and waiting for them when the package arrived for Detective Stabler, we didn't have to wait too long for him to show his face on screen." Fin replied.
"Ok so what did you do from there?"
"We printed the picture and sent it to the media as a person of interest in the disappearance of Detective Benson." Fin replied.
"Ok so what did you get from that?" Alex went on without hesitating.
A woman claimed it to be her ex fiancé and that his name was Toby McArthur, we had already gathered the name Toby from when he told Detective Benson and so we asked her to come to the precinct to speak with us." Fin explained.
"And what did she tell you?" Alex asked.
"She told us that he had been a very loving guy until he became obsessed with sex crimes." Fin explained.
"Is that all she gave you?"
"No, she gave us a list of properties owned solely by Toby McArthur." Fin replied
"You searched these properties did you not?"
"Every single one of them." Fin replied.
"Did you find anything of use?"
"Yes, we found files of documents concerning the Manhattan's special victims unit..."
"People's nine your honour, a file of information all concerning the Manhattan's special victims unit found in one of Toby McArthur's numerous properties." Alex explained before dropping the file back on the peoples table.
"Continue." Alex nodded to Fin.
"We also found a small file detailing how someone could kidnap Detective Benson." Fin explained.
"Peoples ten your honour, the file and all its documents containing detailed scenarios in which a person could kidnap Detective Benson." Alex explained.
Olivia shuddered, she knew he'd been watching her and studying her before he'd taken her but hearing that he had different scenarios planned made her wonder if he hadn't of taken her that night, he would probably have taken her some other time.
"Detective how did you move your investigation on?" Alex asked.
"The lab partner or assistant of McArthur came into the squad room and handed us a file of information that Toby McArthur had gathered regarding a research project and experiment of how a sex crimes detective would react if sex crimes were committed against them." Fin replied trying not to look over to Olivia who was once again convulsing with sobs, she hadn't known any of this before now.
"Peoples Eleven your honour, the research project and experiment details handed to us by the lab assistant of Doctor Toby McArthur. Now Detective could you tell us exactly what you gathered from this information?"
"We gathered that McArthur had been researching how a sex crimes detective, specifically Detective Benson...
"Objection calls for speculation!" Langan yelled.
"Detective Benson's name appears in numerous of these documents not only printed but also created by the defendant." Alex replied.
"Overruled."
"How a sex crimes detective would react and behave should sex crimes be committed against them. There was a detailed plan on how to reduce Detective Benson to Stockholm syndrome by brainwashing and details about how he would monitor her changing behaviour." Fin replied.
Olivia shook with sobs as she realised how well planned out her attack had been, it wasn't random, none of it had been random at all.
"Where there any specific things in there that stood out to you?" Alex continued.
"Yes, there was one section that said how she would try to escape at least three times in the first twenty four hours of captivity." Elliot replied.
"And how many times did Olivia try to escape?" Alex asked not caring about trying to be careful and using Olivia's name in this trial, she was angry, she could hear Olivia sobbing behind her even though she couldn't see and she was damned if she was going to keep calling her detective, because it wasn't a detective that was brutally rapped, but Olivia.
"Olivia tried to escape three times. Once when she elbowed him in the chest, once by trying to dive out of a window and once when she lured him into a false sense of security and attacked him back." Fin replied having to tense his fists on his knees to keep himself calm because he wanted nothing more than to dive to the defence table and wrap his hands around Toby McArthur's neck.
"What other information did you get from the Lab Assistant?" Alex continued.
"He gave us names and addresses of laboratories that Toby McArthur may have taken Olivia."
"What happened next?"
"Units from Major Crimes and Anti Terror went to search the premises' while we waited, there was nothing we could do until we were sure." Fin explained.
"Ok when you got the call to say they had found her, why the delay on the rescue?"
"We learnt that Toby McArthur had some knowledge of bombs, we had to have the bomb squad and anti terror check every door we entered before we could get to Olivia." Fin explained remembering how frustrating it had been to stand outside the door and listen to the rape going on while the bomb squad had been checking the door.
"You were the first to enter the room am I right?"
"Yes I was." Fin answered his voice shaking slightly because he knew what the next question was.
"What did you find when you went in?"
"Toby McArthur was on his knees at the end of the bed, his head in between Olivia's legs." He replied his voice shaking more.
"So you identified yourself as the NYPD what happened?"
"I had my gun on him identified us as NYPD and told him to step away from Olivia. He did just that and placed his hands up and I went to handcuff him."
"Not before Detective Stabler broke his nose though?"
"No Stabler punched him before I got to him." Fin replied.
"No more questions for this witness." Alex said and Trevor Langan got to his feet and walked towards the box.
"Did you get search warrants for all the properties?"
"Yes we did." Fin replied sternly.
"Did you actually get the warrants before you broke down the doors?" Langan questioned.
"Of course."
"You got a chance to watch some of the live footage during your investigation didn't you?" Langan moved on.
"Yes."
"Did it sicken you?"
"Down to my stomach."
"When you were transporting my client to central booking he's put in a report of police brutality, did you get a little rough with him?"
"No."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Objection. Asked and answered." Casey called.
"Withdrawn." Langan replied. "No more questions."
Langan went to sit down his shoulders hung lower as he had failed to get one up on Fin.
"You may step down Detective." Donnelly smiled. "People call your next witness."
"The people call Detective John Munch." Casey replied.
Munch left his seat and made his way to the box quickly, everyone watched as he was sworn in and sat down.
"Detective Munch, you were partnered with Detective Tutuola in this case am I right?" Casey began.
"Yes."
"You were with Detective Tutuola when he questioned the ex fiancé and the lab assistant?"
"Yes."
"No more questions." Casey smiled.
"The defence have no questions for this witness." Langan called.
"You may step down detective. People call your next witness." Donnelly sighed this day was going to be a long one.
"The people call Jessica Thomas." Alex smiled as she got to her feet.
Olivia watched as a petite brunette girl made her way trembling to the box. She was sworn in and sat down and Alex made her way over.
"Jessica you were once engaged to be married to the defendant Toby McArthur am I right?"
"Yes." Her voice was soft and subtle with an unmistakable hint of nervousness in there.
"Why was it you broke off the engagement?"
"He had an obsession with sex crimes that took over his life." Jessica replied.
"Ok when did you know he may be involved in the kidnapping of Olivia Benson?" Alex continued.
"I was doing the ironing at home, and I always do it while I watch TV. The news came on and showed the picture, at first I wasn't sure if it was him but when the said people wanted information about him connected to the disappearance of a Special Victims Detective I knew that it was more than likely him."
"Ok so what did you do then?" Alex asked.
"I called the tip line and I spoke with Detective Tutuola and he asked me if I could go to the precinct to talk with them."
"Did you?"
"Yes, but before I did I found a picture of Toby and wrote a list of all his properties for the detectives."
"Why did you make a list of the properties he owned?"
"Because I knew they'd need them in case Toby had taken her to one of them."
"Ok so when you were at the precinct what did you do?"
"I was questioned by Detectives Tutuola and Munch and I gave them all the information I had and they said they may be in touch for more information or with questions."
"No more questions." Alex smiled and went to sit down.
Langan got to his feet with a sly smile on his face and Olivia shifted uncomfortably in her seat afraid for the young woman sat in the box.
"Jessica isn't it true that my client actually broke it off with you?" Langan asked.
"No." Jessica replied.
"My client says that you became clingy and he had enough and that he broke it off with you."
"That's not true." Jessica replied unfazed by the defence tactic.
"Ok when you were in a relationship with my client was he ever violent?"
"Yes once." Jessica replied.
"But you didn't report any violence to the police?"
"No. It was the day I broke it off with him and I just wanted to get away." Jessica replied.
"Ok but you see my Client says you are the one who was violent."
"No."
"You never punched and kicked my client to the point one of his ribs broke?"
"No."
"Defence A your Honour." Langan called picking up a piece of paper. "My clients ER report after he was kicked so hard in the chest one of his ribs broke. He claims his girlfriend kicked him. So you're saying under oath that you did not kick Toby McArthur in the ribs so hard he had a broken rib?"
The girl was crying. Olivia felt so sorry for her because Langan was pushing her and Olivia could see there was something more, her gut instinct told her there was a lot more to this story than Jessica was saying.
"I did. I did kick him so hard that I broke his ribs but I wouldn't have done had he not attacked me first!" Jessica wailed.
"But there aren't any reports to the police or from any hospital saying you had treatment done because of injuries sustained by my client."
"That's because I never went to the police or went to the ER." Jessica replied wiping her tears.
"Right, yet you broke his ribs I fail to see how that would happen if he attacked you."
"He didn't just attack me! He raped me!" Jessica yelled.
The whole court including Langan was stunned into silence.
"I told him I wanted to end things and he got so mad, he pushed me down onto the floor and he raped me, I broke his rib when I was fighting him off!" Jessica added.
"No more questions." Langan told the judge realising that he had unleashed something horrible and that the people would milk it for all it was worth.
"Redirect your honour?" Casey asked jumping to her feet, Donnelly nodded and Casey walked to the witness box.
"When did he rape you Jessica?" Casey asked gently.
"I can't remember the date, but it was the day I broke it off with him back in January." Jessica replied sniffing.
"Was this the first time?"
"Yes."
"No more questions." Casey said before going to sit down.
"You may step down Miss." Donnelly told the girl who couldn't get out of the witness box fast enough.
Olivia saw her heading for the door and climbed from Elliot's grasp and rushed after her.
"We'll break here for lunch, return at one pm." Olivia heard Donnelly say before the door swung shut behind her.
"Jessica wait up!" Olivia called seeing the young woman rush off.
"I'm sorry." She whispered turning to Olivia.
"I just wanted to make sure you are alright." Olivia said gently.
"Yeah I'm fine." Jessica replied wiping her tears. "I'm so sorry for what happened to you, if I'd have reported Toby rapping me then he wouldn't have been able to hurt you."
"Don't ever think that Jessica, none of this is your fault in anyway. Please don't blame yourself. Now did you ever see anyone, talk to someone about what happened to you?" Olivia asked her hand on Jessica's shoulder.
"No, I couldn't speak about it, that ... in there, that was the first time I told anyone about it." Jessica cried.
"Oh Jessica." Olivia closed her eyes feeling so sorry for the young girl in front of her.
"I never could, I just wanted to move on with my life and then ... then he did this to you... I mean I couldn't believe it, when I saw on the news I just knew it was all my fault if I'd have said something sooner then maybe he wouldn't have been able to hurt you." Jessica cried.
Olivia threw her arms around Jessica pulling her into a hug.
"Don't blame yourself for any of this, what happened to you was wrong and the only person that's to blame is Toby and the same for what happened to me, it was in no way your fault Jessica." Olivia said as she stroked the young woman's hair as she sobbed into Olivia's shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, so so sorry." Jessica sobbed.
Olivia could hear people coming behind her and guessed it was her friends and family but she couldn't let Jessica go when she was in this state.
"You need to talk to someone about this Jessica, someone who knows what they are talking about someone who can help you deal with what happened." Olivia stated as she slowly pulled away from Jessica.
"I know, I just never wanted to, I never thought I would have to tell anyone what Toby did to me but that Defence Lawyer would have ripped ever ounce of belief out of my testimony and I couldn't let him do that because Toby has to go to prison for what he did to you." Jessica explained.
Olivia dug in her pocket and found a pile of her business cards.
"This has my number on it, call me, any time day or night if you want to talk. Or if you want me to put you in touch with anyone I can do that too ok? Please don't try and deal with this on your own." Olivia told her as she passed the card to Jessica's shaking hand.
"Thank you Detective." Jessica smiled weakly.
"You're welcome and just call me Olivia." Olivia said giving Jessica's shoulder a light squeeze.
"Ok Olivia, thank you again." Jessica smiled as wiped more of her tears.
"No problem, I guess I should thank you too I mean they may never have found me had it not been for you." Olivia smiled softly.
"I'm glad I could help in some way. Toby is a monster, he deserves to rot in hell for what he did to you Olivia."
"I know." Olivia smiled. "I have somewhere I have to be now but like I said, call me any time day or night if you want to talk ok?"
"Yes, Thanks again."
"No problem." Olivia smiled before turning and going towards where her friends had gathered.
"Is she ok?" Elliot asked putting his arm around Olivia's shoulder.
"Yes, or she will be. I gave her my number, told her to call if she needs someone to talk to." Olivia replied.
"You know, you're amazing." Elliot smiled.
"What? Why?" Olivia asked.
"Because you're here at this trial to send down your rapist and you're trying to help another victim. You're unbelievable."
"Thanks but she's been dealing with this for months on her own, she never told anyone just ran away Elliot. She now feels guilty that if she'd have come forward then maybe he would never have been able to get to me and I don't want her to feel like that, this wasn't her fault in anyway." Olivia explained. "Now I am meeting with Lorna for lunch so I will see you later."
Olivia kissed Elliot before heading off for the side doors out of the building, she was still avoiding the press who had camped out at the front of the courthouse having been banned from entering the building while her trial went on.
Soooo is everyone still with me, seems like not as many people are interested in this story anymore, am I dragging it out too long? If so I can just skip the rest of the court. Next chapter, lunch with Lorna, more witness testimony.