The Cragen residence, the Friday before Labor Day

"Olivia, you got a letter from Elliot," called Marge as she entered the living room with the day's mail.

"Really?" said Olivia, coming down from the bathroom where she had been cleaning.

As she opened the envelope, the telephone rang. Don, who was in the kitchen making lunch, answered promptly. It was exactly who he hoped it was.

"This is Elizabeth Donnelly," said the ADA triumphantly. "Hollister suffered a major breakdown two days ago. Both Dr. Skoda and Dr. Fields have examined him, and they feel that he needs to be committed to a long-term facility. I pulled some strings and got the hearing moved up to today. The judge has indefinitely committed him to a residential facility upstate. If or when he's fit to stand trial, his lawyer plans to recommend that he remains in the same facility 'until he's no longer a danger to himself or anyone else.' Since that is obviously going to take a considerable amount of time---I'm talking about years---and because he is a very disturbed man, the People will accept the plea with all its terms."

"Then, it's all over," Don said, slowly smiling. "Olivia's safe from this creep!"

"Yes, Lieutenant, she is," Donnelly replied, a smile in her voice. "And yes, you can begin proceedings to get Hollister's parental rights terminated. I'll send over all the paperwork that your attorney requests."

Don sighed gratefully. "I don't how to thank you for everything, Ms. Donnelly," he said. "I---wait, why don't I get Olivia? I know she'd want to hear this from you."

"By all means, put her on!" Donnelly agreed enthusiastically.

A minute later Olivia said into the phone, "Hello, Ms. Donnelly?"

"Good afternoon, Olivia," Donnelly said pleasantly. "Mr. Hollister has suffered a severe nervous breakdown, and he is going to spend a much extended period of time in a mental hospital."

"You mean he's going to be away for a really long time? Years??" Olivia asked eagerly.

"Yes," replied Donnelly. "In fact, he may never come out."

"Great!" Olivia exclaimed, smiling with relief. "Thanks for telling me, Ms. Donnelly. And you're living up to your reputation."

"What do you mean?"

"Daddy's told me all about you and the work you do for woman and children," the girl replied. "He says you've even helped to change the laws to help the abused!"

As Olivia continued her animated conversation with the ADA, Don listened attentively nearby. I guess my daughter has found a role model. I wonder how long that's going to last. At least until she's ready to take her pension and retire as the Chief District Attorney of New York City, I hope!

Olivia's reply letter to Elliot

Dear Elliot:

Thank you for the thoughtful letter. Yes, I am doing better. In fact, I even ate a cheeseburger at the Greevey's BBQ last week. By the way, they're having another baby this April.

As you might know, Hollister has been sent to an institution, so I won't have to worry about him anymore. Even if he ever does get out, I'll be an adult by then. So I feel like an evil, heavy, dark cloud has evaporated away from me forever!

I heard about your hearing. I'm glad you weren't punished. Just please stay out of trouble. Daddy says you don't get that kind of break often, so don't let that whiney jerk get to you again. I don't know exactly what he said to you---I keep hearing different rumors, and none of the grown-ups are saying anything---but it's not worth going away for. So behave yourself, OK?

By the time you get this it will be time for school again. Marmee and Daddy have been drilling me with new rules like walk close to the buildings instead of next to the street. Plus, Daddy is teaching me self-defense moves. I suppose I can't blame them for being worried, but I just know that everything is going to be all right. Besides, I'm never going to lie about where I'm going again. Don't you either, OK?

I hope you had a very nice Labor Day weekend. Remember: behave yourself.

Sincerely,

Olivia

Queens precinct, several weeks later

"Welcome back, L.T!"

"Great to see you again, boss!"

"Now things can get back to normal!"

"Good to have you back in command, sir!"

Don smiled and returned handshakes as he made his way back to his office for his first full day of work in over a month. Since Olivia had recently adjusted back into her normal life of family, friends, interests, and school, he felt comfortable resuming his duties as precinct commander. As he sat down behind his desk, he gave a loving glance at the smiling schoolgirl in framed photograph to his left.

I love you, little lady. You just keep being safe.

A knock sounded on the door. "Yes?"

Lennie Briscoe entered, smiling. "Welcome back, Don," he said, handing the lieutenant a thick folder.

"Thank you" Don replied, leafing through the papers. "I take it these are for the Miss Frannie the Nurse and Nanny case?"

"Yes, they are. As you can see, she has been seducing and blackmailing from sea to shining sea."

"Well, she's not going to make it from Maine to Florida," Don said determinedly. "I want you and Brian---"

"Betty," Lennie corrected.

"That's right, you all were switched again," Don said, smirking. "All right, you and Betty have to catch her in the act. See if you can convince our quaking councilman to have a listening device or two planted in his home while Miss Frannie is out of the house. You know the rest."

"We're on it, L.T." Lennie stood and took back the proffered folder. As he departed, he paused at the door and said: "Oh, and congratulations on getting Hollister's rights terminated."

Don nodded, reliving the relief and triumph he had felt in the family courtroom one week ago. "Thanks, Lennie."