Chapter 5

Amanda put the rag down on the bar and slowly walked over to Olivia. She stood by the table like a kid in trouble with her mom. Olivia waited for her to say something, but when she didn't, Olivia started. "Hi! Do you remember me?" Amanda looked at Fin and he had that same smirk on his face she remembered from school. "Yes Detective Benson. I remember you." Fin informed her, "Well, it's Sergeant Benson now. I thought she told you to stay out of trouble." Amanda shrugged, "I have been staying out of trouble." Olivia tilted her head, "Really, it's been what 4 maybe 5 months. When did you become 21? This is a bar. It's illegal to allow a minor to sell drinks."

Amanda didn't know what to say, "Please Sergeant Benson, don't tell on me. I need this job." Michael the owner came over, "Is everything ok?" Olivia smiled, "Yeah everything is great. Amanda and I are old friends. We lost touch a few months back. I was just talking to her about school and focusing. This job can't be good for that." Michael explained, "She's a hard worker. She works every night until close. Amanda, I can give you days off you know." Olivia was playing them big time. "How about tomorrow night, can you give her tomorrow off?" Michael smiled, "Sure, let me know if you need more time."

When he left Olivia informed Amanda exactly how things were going to go. "Tomorrow you will meet me at this address. 4:00 sharp." Amanda went back to the bar and watched Olivia and Fin eat and talk. "Liv, where is this going? Is she a new project or something?" Olivia shrugged, "Stop asking me that. I want to help her." Fin had questions. "Be straight with me Liv, because she is legal, are you interested in her?" Olivia looked at him, "I honestly don't know. I don't know her, but I want to." Fin shook his head, "Ok, if you want to save her, I'm down."

Fin winked, "We should hang around and drive her back to campus. It's dangerous out there." Michael smiled, "Amanda, why don't you head out? I think your friends are waiting around for you." Amanda grabbed her stuff and headed out of the bar. Fin and Olivia went after her, "Hey! You knew we were waiting for you. Why would you leave like that?" Amanda shook her head, "What do you want from me?" Olivia gave her a look and Amanda looked at Fin for help. He laughed, "Oh, you want me to save you now huh."

Fin opened the car door, "We want to take you home, make sure you're safe. So let's go, get in the car." It was a quiet ride to Hudson until Fin said, "Hey, I know you're pissed, but we will drive all night if you don't tell us which dorm or I can drop you off with Liv." Amanda sighed, "Straight ahead, 3rd building on the right." Olivia turned around, "I'll see you tomorrow right?" Amanda shook her head yes. They watched her go inside, "Liv you've got something on your hands."

The next morning Kim listened to Amanda bitch and moan about having to meet Sergeant Benson. She bit her tongue knowing she was the reason Sergeant Benson was now in her life. "Are you going Amanda?" Amanda laughed, "I don't have much of a choice. She's going to keep coming back. I'm going to meet her, use my charming personality and beg her not to blow my cover." Kim fell out laughing, "What charming personality?"

Amanda tried to have a normal day. She went to her classes as usual. The more it got closer to 4:00 the more nervous she became. She sat in Dr. Stone's class and took notes. Then he gave them time at the end to go over their project. He came by to each group. He knew better than to mess with Amanda, but he was all over Gillian. Amanda watched him as he touched her shoulder and her waist. Amanda could tell Gillian was uncomfortable.

After class they walked to the copy room. Amanda copied her notes and passed them to her new friend. "Here Gillian, these should help." Gillian smiled and passed Amanda some cash. "What's this for?" Gillian smiled, "Your notes, my grades improving drastically, and being a friend." Amanda handed it back, "I can't take that." Gillian pushed it back in her hand, "Yes, you can Amanda. Giving me these notes is like tutoring. Plus when I call you to go over my work, you always help me."

Amanda put the money in her pocket, "Thanks I kind of need it. Is Dr. Stone still bothering you?" Gillian frowned, "Yeah, some. He tries to get me alone. It's weird you know." Amanda shook her head, "Try to stay away from him ok." Amanda looked at the time, "Are you good? I've got to run." Gillian and her said goodbye.

Amanda headed to Sergeant Benson's home. She looked at the tall building and was stunned. When she walked in the lobby, she was stopped by desk security. "May I help you Miss?" Amanda swallowed because her mouth was dry. "Yes. My name is Amanda Rollins. I'm here to see Olivia Benson 401." He picked up the phone and dialed, "You're on the list, but let me give her a courtesy call." Amanda thought the place was fancy. "Ms. Benson, Amanda Rollins is on the way up. You're welcome ma'am." He smiled and pointed to the elevators, "Hit 4, take a right, and you're there. She said the door is unlocked for you."

Amanda heard the ding and stepped off of the elevator. When she got to the door she turned the knob and walked in, "Hello?" Olivia peeked out from the kitchen. "Hey, I'm in here, just working on dinner. Hang your jacket up and relax." Amanda gave a half smile, "Ok thanks." She hung her jacket on the coat rack and walked in a little more.

She started walking around the bookshelves and saw books and some pictures. She saw a group photo and knew it had to be from work, because they were all wearing police uniforms. Another picture was Olivia and some tall blonde. They seemed to be close, really close.

Olivia stepped out of the kitchen and watched her, but didn't say anything. Amanda looked at another photo and she saw a pretty African American lady, Olivia, and the tall blonde again this time wearing black glasses. She moved down lower and picked up a frame with a tall lady, with dirty blonde hair and a little girl with brunette hair. She thought it looked like Olivia. "Do you recognize her?" Amanda put the picture back on the shelf immediately. "I'm sorry. I was just looking." Olivia walked over to Amanda, "It's ok. I told you to relax."

Olivia picked up the picture, "That's me and mom. I don't have too many pictures of us, smiling anyway." Amanda smiled, "I recognized you. You don't look anything like your mom though." Amanda looked at Olivia, "Yeah, I know." Amanda had to ask, "So you must look just like your dad?" Olivia shrugged, "I guess, but I never met him." Amanda's eyes got big and she tried to change the subject, "Where does your mom live?" Olivia answered, "She's not alive anymore." Amanda wanted to grab her jacket and run. "I'm so sorry. I'm going to stop asking questions now."

Olivia could see Amanda was uncomfortable. "I don't mind you asking questions. Believe me I have plenty for you, so ask away." Amanda flashed those baby blues. "Where is Fin? Isn't he your boyfriend?" Olivia laughed, "No! He's my partner and like my family." Amanda kept going, "The blonde is in a lot of pictures. Is she your girlfriend." Olivia smirked, "Actually we tried it, but we were better off friends." Olivia winked at a stunned Amanda. "Come on, help me set the table."