Chapter 1:
Olivia sat in her office later than normal on a relatively easy Thursday evening. She had sent her team home a few hours prior and had taken the opportunity of a quiet precinct to complete the mounds of paperwork that has accrued over the last few weeks.
Lucy had taken Noah with her to visit her parents for the night to allow Liv the time she needed to knock everything out in one night. She was thankful for Lucy and knew the woman seriously needed a raise for how much she does for them.
As she made her way back through the precinct after refilling her coffee mug movement at the door caught her eye as a young woman followed by, from what Olivia could tell, a 13 or 14 year old young man.
"Can I help you?"
The young woman smiled while the boy looked at his shoes. She could tell he had seen better days by the way his clothing fit and how he carried himself as the two of them greeted her.
"I'm sorry. We got lost trying to find an address and when we passed the police station I figured someone could help."
They young woman rambled as she pulled out a notebook with an address listed and showed it to Olivia.
"I know where this is and can take you over there if you would like. It is actually a friend of mines building and it's not too far from here."
"That would be amazing but we don't want to impose."
"It's no problem."
Olivia smiled as she ushered them towards her office for her to grab her things. She watched the two and how they interacted. For some reason she had a feeling there was more to the story than she knew and she hoped she would find out. It is not everyday someone walks into her office looking for directions.
"Jacob why don't you grab you something from the vending machine" The woman said as she handed the boy some cash and he eagerly went towards the sodas.
"My name is Susan Fields. I am a social worker from upstate."
"Olivia Benson. I am the Lieutenant here."
"What brings you to the city Ms. Fields?"
"Jacob is new to our care. His mother recently passed away, We were provided his father's information and after some digging we were able to hopefully locate him. We are here to meet him and allow the two to meet each other for the first time."
Olivia and Susan locked eyes for a moment before Olivia finished gathering her things. She did not know what she saw in the woman's eyes. At first she thought it was sadness but deeper she saw a tired soul who wanted more for the boy.
"I wanted to come alone on this trip but the court directed me to bring Jacob with me and if his father is willing to be a part of his life I have been instructed that he is able to stay with him for a trial period while we figure everything out on our end since he has no other family that are able to take him."
As the two finished their talk Jacob walked back into the office with his newly acquired snacks. Olivia watched Jacob for a few minutes as she finished gathering her things.
She watched that he rarely smiled or made any visual emotion and only said a few select words during the visit. As she watched him there was something more there, something she recognized but couldn't quite place.
As she was gathering her things she received a text and smiled as she answered it.
"Dinner? My place?"
"I'm on my last call but will be in your area. I'll order pizza delivery on the way.."
As she made her way out of her office she noticed Jacob standing by himself outside her office while he waited for Susan. When she went towards him she noticed how he tensed up and did not directly look at her.
"Hey Jacob. Ms. Fields told me you are having a rough bit. Want to talk about it?" Olivia asked already knowing he wouldn't answer her.
"No ma'am. Thank you though." He replied softly surprising both of them that he actually answered.
"You are a tough young man Jacob. If you ever need anything don't be afraid to call me anytime." She told him as she gave him her card and her personal cell phone number.
"Thank you.. Ms. Benson?"
"Yes?"
"Call me Jake." He replied with a soft smile and went to fist bump her.
It was a small, light fist bump but it was one nonetheless. She took it with pride and smiled at him before allowing her eyes to show the sadness she felt for the boy as she watched his face fall when Susan walked closer.
As the three of them made it out to Susan's car they agreed that Olivia would ride with them and then take a cab home later once everything was settled. Olivia had a gut feeling about Jake and that she would need to stick around a bit with him tonight if he stayed in the city.
They made their way through the city towards their destination and Olivia could sense Jacob's anxiety and nervousness from the backseat. She couldn't begin to understand what he was feeling or going through at this moment.
He was a kid who had lost so much already and be uprooted from his home and brought to the city. She grew up in the city and loved every bit of it but knew it could be a bit overwhelming for some.
They made it to their destination and as they got out of the car she noticed Jacob stand closer to her than she expected. She was glad the young man felt comfortable with her and already felt the tug of her heart when she was with him. There was something too familiar about him that her heart recognized but her mind did not.
"Thank you Ms. Benson." Susan said as she grabbed a file folder and a small duffel bag from the trunk.
"It's not a problem. How about I help you with the bags and make sure you made it okay?" Olivia asked and Susan smiled as she showed Olivia the only bag they had was the duffel.
"Will you walk with us?" Jacob asked to Olivia and Susan smiled and nodded at them.
"You will need to know the apartment number in order to be let in the building. This is one of the nicer areas in town."
"Uhh do they have the names listed? I am unsure of the exact apartment number." Susan said as she opened the file in her hand before giving the name she was looking for.
"Do you see a BARBA?"
Olivia stopped and looked between Susan and Jacob when she heard who they were here to see. As she looked closer at the young man she saw it. She saw the way his eyes were formed, the way his hair fell to one side, the way his shoulders slumped in the all too familiar way that let her know he was stressed and upset.
"Is there a problem?" Susan asked concerned with Olivia's reaction to the name.
"No.. umm.. it's just.. I know the man you are looking for. He is a good friend of mine."
Olivia smiled at Jacob before looking back at Susan.
"I'll buzz us up. He's not expecting you is he?"
Jake shrugged his shoulders and Susan shook her head.
"I couldn't locate the exact apartment number to send a letter and there was no phone number or employer listed for me to contact him through there."
"You wouldn't. He.. he's a private person. I'll let him explain it to you."
She entered the resident code to gain access to the building which surprised both Susan and Jake. When they made it to Barba's door and she uncharastically knocked not knowing if she should open the door with her key or not in this situation.
"Liv? Why didn't you just open the door?" Barba asked as he opened the door and went to kiss her without realizing she wasn't alone.
"Umm.. Raf.. This is Ms. Fields and she is needing to speak with you.
Barba looked at the three of them very confused but allowed everyone to enter when Olivia smiled at him.
"Jake and I will be in the kitchen while you two talk." Oliva stated as she lead Jacob away from the other two adults.
He had no idea what she had dragged him into now and figured it had to do with a case which meant his romantic evening he had planned was now out the window as he would be stuck with whatever she had thrown in his lap.