A/N: My attempt at saying goodbye to Amanda Rollins and giving her the full circle happy ending she deserves. In this story Sonny and Amanda are married; they got engaged in September and eloped around Halloween. Other than that it's canon compliant.
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Early December 2022
Precinct - Thursday Evening
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"Finally done." Amanda said out loud to no one in particular. "Thought I was never gonna finish all those DD5's."
Velasco, who had just come out of the break room, stopped by her desk. "You didn't have to do them tonight. They could've waited until Friday."
"She ain't gonna be here, remember." Fin said as he got up from his seat and made his way over to them. "Her and Carisi leave for their honeymoon tomorrow."
Velasco smirked. "Oh yeah, that's right. Where you two headed anyways?"
"Niagara Falls." Amanda said as she turned her computer off. "It'll be nice to get away even though we're only going for four days. It's been a while since we've had some alone time. Work and the girls have been keeping us busy."
He nodded and smiled softly. "Well I hope you guys have a good time."
She gave him a small smile back and then started gathering up her things to leave.
As Fin and Velasco headed to their desks, a very serious looking Liv emerged from her office.
"Everything OK?" Amanda asked.
"No." The Captain told her squad. "McGrath just called. Apparently Max Newton broke into Rick Bush's home and is holding him at gun point."
Amanda, Fin, and Velasco's jaws all dropped in shock.
Max was the 16-year-old son of Pamela Newton, a schoolteacher who'd been raped on her way home from a parent-teacher conference. She reported the assault to her local precinct, who handed her case over to SVU.
Pamela was easily able to positively ID her attacker Rick Bush, a Long Island real estate agent, and an ample amount of DNA had been collected at the crime scene. However the Judge presiding over the case threw out both the ID, due to a technicality, and the DNA evidence, which had been mishandled during the collection process by CSU.
Despite the major setbacks, Sonny was still determined to prosecute and the squad was still investigating and working hard to find other evidence that could tie Bush to the rape. However Pamela, perhaps believing her rapist would go free, ended up taking her life and Max was left devastated. Still, the squad was shocked to hear what his grief had led him to do.
"Nassau County PD is responding to the situation and their agency was made aware of our investigation into Bush for the rape of Pamela Newton. So their chief reached out to McGrath to see if I could come out and help diffuse the situation." Liv said to her sergeant and detectives.
"I'm coming with you." Amanda said as she stood up.
Because despite now being off the clock and still needing to pack for her long weekend getaway Amanda, who'd grown close to Pamela and developed a good rapport with Max during the course of the investigation into the rape, was anxious to provide assistance.
Liv nodded. "OK. Let's go."
Amanda quickly grabbed her phone and keys from her desk, her coat from the nearby coat rack and then her and Liv headed off together.
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South Hempstead, NY
Rick Bush's Home - Thursday Night
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By the time two arrived to the house, the area was swamped with Nassau's SWAT and hostage negotiation teams, the latter of which had been unsuccessfully trying to convince Max to come out and let Bush go. So after Liv and Amanda were introduced to the officers on the scene and briefed on what had transpired thus far, the blonde asked for a chance to deescalate the situation herself.
"Before you all storm in there let me try talking to him." Amanda pleaded with Stephen Webster, the Nassau County PD Deputy Chief who was overseeing the situation. "Alone. He'll listen to me."
Webster, who was doubtful that she'd be able to do what his hostage team hadn't, fixed his lips to protest but stopped when he saw Liv, who stood behind her, mouth to him, "Give her a chance."
He stood thinking for a brief moment before eventually relenting, "OK."
One of the police officers on site handed the blonde the megaphone.
"Max!" Amanda yelled out. "It's Detective Rollins! Can you unlock the door and let me in? I just want to talk! I promise it'll be just me!"
She handed the megaphone back to the officer and everyone waited to see what the teen would do.
After what felt like an eternity, they saw the front door slowly crack open.
Amanda reached for her holster, took out her gun, handed it to her Captain and slowly made her way to the front door.
Deputy Chief Webster's eyes widened in shock but Liv told him, "She's got this."
VVVVVVVVVVV
Amanda slowly opened up the door, entered the house and closed the door behind her.
She immediately spotted Max and Bush, who was tied up and sitting on the floor in front of the living room with a gun pointed to the side of his head.
"Do you have a gun?" Max asked.
The blonde shook her head and showed him her hands. "No."
Just then her phone started to ring.
"Is that them?" He asked, looking out the window.
She nodded. "Yes but you don't have to talk to them. They just want to hear what's going on so they know everyone's safe. So I'm going to answer, put it in on speaker, and set it off to the side, OK?"
"OK." Max responded back, barely above a whispered.
Amanda answered her phone. "Hey you're on speaker."
'Everything alright?' Liv asked on the other end.
"They are." She reassured her Captain, adding, "I'm going to keep you on the line but I'm gonna put the phone down."
'OK.'
Amanda slowly placed her cell on the coffee table and then turned her attention to a shaky Max and a visibly frightened Bush, who was breathing heavily.
"Max," She said to him sadly. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because this son of a bitch deserves to pay for what he did to my mom." Max sputtered out. "For raping her. He's the reason she killed herself."
Amanda took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I know you want justice for your mom. As do I. But coercing a confession by threatening to kill him…or worst, shootin' and killing him, isn't the way to do it. Because if you kill him, it'll ruin your life. You'll be sent to prison."
"My life's already ruined." The teen said, growing more emotional. "My mom…she was the o—only person in this world I had and now she's…g—gone."
Amanda moved closer to him. "Your mom is always with you." She placed her hand on his chest. "Right there. In your heart."
Max sniffled but remained quiet.
"I didn't know your mom as well as you did but I do know that she loved you. Very much. And that she wouldn't want you to throw your life away. Especially for someone like him. Because even though what you've done is bad and there will be consequences for it, you haven't hurt anyone. So that means you still have a chance at a future; to live out the kind of life that would make your mom proud."
Max wiped away the tears flooding from his eyes with his free hand and stood silently for a while thinking about what Amanda said before responding.
"But it's not fair." He finally told her. "I've lost everything. The only person in this world whoever gave a damn about me and he gets off scot free. To rape again."
Amanda gently put her arm on his shoulder. "You're wrong. She wasn't the only person out there who cares about you. I care too. If I didn't would I have come all the way out here to talk to you? No. I woulda let the Nassau County PD handle this situation however they felt they needed to. And I'm gonna be real with you right now…had you continued to ignore them they would've stormed in here with a team, ready to take you out if necessary."
Max's mouth opened wide in surprise but he stayed quiet.
"You're wrong about Bush too." She said as she glanced over at the tied up man. "He's still only out on bail. Your mom's case did not die with her. It's still open and me, Captain Benson and the rest of our squad have not and won't stop working it."
He sniffled again. "Really?"
She nodded. "We're doing everything we can to give Counselor Carisi the best chance to win at trial and give Pamela the justice she deserves. So sweetie let us handle it. The right way. Not you and not like this."
Amanda removed her hand from his shoulder and held it out to him. "Let me have the gun."
Max stared back and forth at her and Bush. And then, after what felt like forever to the detective he slowly handed her the firearm and then broke down into more tears as he collapsed to the floor.
The blonde unloaded the gun, put it in her holster and knelt down in front of Max.
"It's going to be alright." She said as she placed her hand on his back. "It will."
He nodded.
Amanda guided him back up to his feet and sighed. "I have to put you in cuffs."
Max took a deep breath. "OK."
She took her handcuffs out and cuffed him. Amanda then turned her attention to Bush and started to untie him.
"Thank you for rescuing me." He said to her quietly. "Especially when we both know you don't like me."
"You're right I don't." Amanda said to Bush flatly. "And we both know I didn't stop him for you. I did it for him."
Once she finished releasing Bush from his restraints Amanda picked up her phone and told Liv, "We're coming out. Max is cuffed. Everyone's fine."
She ended the call, put her phone back in her jacket and gently took ahold of Max.
Amanda motioned for Bush to walk out the door first and then her and Max followed close behind.
Two officers pulled Bush off to the side to get a statement while another set took Max into custody.
"Good work Rollins." Liv told her detective.
Amanda nodded and as Deputy Chief Webster approached her and fixed his lips to tell her something, she interrupted.
"Max did a really bad thing tonight." The blonde began. "But he's not a bad kid. Just a sad one. And I know someone his age who commits a violent felony is almost always charged as an adult but your DA could refer a case like this to Family Court and they should because he deserves and needs a second chance."
Webster stood quietly for a moment as he thought the situation over in his head before eventually nodding. "I'll talk to the DA and see what I can do."
He then extended his hand out to her.
"I was listening in along with Captain Benson." Webster said as the two shook hands. "Excellent work in there. Thank you for your help tonight Detective Rollins."
"And thank you for trusting my judgment." Amanda said to him. "And allowing me to deescalate the situation in my own way."
He nodded and then, after noticing one of his detectives trying to get Amanda's attention told her, "Detective O'Neill needs to take a statement from you for our report." Webster pointed to where the young brown haired detective stood off in the distance.
She nodded and, with Liv by her side, headed over to O'Neill.
As Amanda talked with the detective Webster furrowed his brows, looked over at the blonde and stood deep in thought.
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One Week Later
Long Island
Nassau County PD Headquarters - Thursday Afternoon
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Despite not being in much of a mood to run off on an extended romantic weekend after what had transpired, Liv encouraged Amanda to take the few days off. So her and Sonny went on their trip and she was happy that they did; the getaway served as a much needed distraction from everything that had taken place.
And when Amanda and Sonny returned home from their mini vacation, work and life returned to normal. Until later in the week when she was asked by Webster if she'd come in to see him.
"Come in."
Amanda slowly opened up the door to the Deputy Chief's office.
Webster looked up from the papers he had been reviewing at his desk. "Detective Rollins." He motioned toward the chair across from him. "Have a seat."
Amanda gave him a small smile, entered into the room and sat down.
"Thanks for coming in today."
"Not a problem." She then got straight to what she assumed was the topic at hand; the Max Newton case. "Is there more information you need from me regarding what happened with Max?"
Webster shook his head. "No. Our report has been typed up, submitted, and filed away. I called you in because I wanted to tell you that I spoke with our DA and after a little back and forth she agreed to kick this case down to Family Court. Details are still being ironed out regarding how much time Max will spend in a juvenile detention facility but the latest he'll be out is at 21. So this incident…it won't ruin him. And that's all thanks to you."
Amanda smiled softly. "I'm happy to hear he's gonna have a chance at normal life."
He smiled back at her and as he did the blonde got the sense there was something else on the Deputy Chief's mind.
"Did you only bring me in to tell me that?" She asked curiously.
Webster took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "No it isn't. There's something else I wanted to talk to you about. Something I wanted to ask you."
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Sonny and Amanda's Apartment - Thursday Night 11p
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Sonny, who was prepping witnesses for a Homicide case he had been given by Ms. Maxwell, got back to the apartment much later than he would've liked. He knew the girls were put to bed hours ago, but he was hoping Amanda would still be awake and when he walked inside he was happy to see that she was.
"Hey," He said as he set his briefcase down by the door.
Amanda, who was sitting nearby in the kitchen drinking coffee, smiled softly at him. "Hey. How did trial prep go?"
Sonny took off his shoes and removed his coat. "Eh. It's going."
Once he was done settling in he joined her at the kitchen table. "My star witness is startin' to get nervous. Which makes me nervous. I'm worried the defense is gonna try to break her down on the stand."
Amanda gave her husband a sympathetic smile. "You still have time to build her confidence up. I'm sure she'll do fine. Stay positive."
He nodded and then loosened up his tie. "Coffee at this hour?" Sonny asked as he motioned toward her mug.
She shrugged. "Couldn't sleep."
Sonny frowned. "Somethin' wrong?"
Amanda shook her head. "No."
She paused for a moment and then continued. "Deputy Chief Webster asked to see me today so Liv let me leave work early to go talk with him."
"About what?" He asked curiously. "Max? Are they tryin' him as an adult?"
She shook her head. "No. His case is being referred to Family Court."
Sonny nodded. "Well that's good. It's what we were hopin' for."
"It is." Amanda said as she took a sip from her mug. "It wasn't the only reason Webster called me in though."
"Why else?"
"He umm…wanted to offer me a job."
Sonny's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? What kinda job?"
She ran a hand through her hair. "One of their precincts is in need of a sergeant and he wants me for the position. Even though I'm technically not one, because I passed NYPD's sergeant exam he said Nassau County PD would honor those results and bring me in as one. Webster told me he thought I had moxie and liked how I took control of the situation with Max and was successfully able to de-escalated things. He also liked how I wasn't afraid to fight on Max's behalf after the fact when most might not have. He said he knows a leader when he sees one and that I'm a leader."
"Wow." He said, taking a moment to soak in what his wife had told him. He then asked, "So you'd be the number two person in the precinct?"
Amanda slowly shook her head. "No. Not exactly. Apparently Webster's been temporarily overseeing the precinct because it currently doesn't have a lieutenant. They've been having trouble finding someone who's right, I guess. So he said that if, after a six month probationary period everything is going well, I'd be appointed lieutenant and would officially be the commanding officer."
Sonny's eyes nearly popped out of his head at what he heard. "Lieutenant?"
"Yeah. In the Nassau County PD you can become a lieutenant by passing a civil service exam or being appointed as one. Those who are appointed are technically called a detective lieutenant but they have the same exact power and authority. So it's basically—"
"A distinction without a difference." Sonny said finishing her thoughts.
Amanda nodded.
"So what did you end up telling him?"
She took one last sip of her coffee. "That it sounded like a great gig and I was flattered he thought so highly of me but that I can't accept."
Sonny wrinkled his forehead and watched as she stood up and washed out her empty mug. "Why not?"
The counselor quickly followed up his question by telling her, "If you're worried about the logistics and how it'll effect me, don't. We'll make it work. I can legally live in any of the five boroughs and keep my job with the Manhattan DA's office and I know Nassau allows you to live in any of the five boroughs as well. So we'll find a place to live that's equal distance from both of our work places. I'm guessing somewhere in Queens. Our commutes will be a little longer than what we currently do but still manageable. And while pulling Jesse out of her school three months into the year isn't ideal, she'll be OK. Better that we make a move like this now when her and Billie are still little as opposed to when they're in middle or high school."
Amanda turned the water off and then sat back down at the table.
"Sonny that's not it at all." She said, somewhat surprised her husband didn't seem to realize why she turned Webster down. "I'm not accepting the job offer because I don't want to leave SVU. I love the work I do and the people I do it with. It's one of the main reasons why I was so nervous about disclosing our relationship. Because I thought that in order for us to be together I'd be required to transfer and I didn't want that to happen."
Sonny sat quietly as he carefully thought over his words and then finally responded.
"There are people who should and will end their careers as detectives." He said to his wife. "But you, Amanda Rollins, are not one of them. You were always meant to do more. To lead your own squad."
She fixed her mouth to respond but then stopped so Sonny continued speaking.
"You said you only took the sergeants exam after some of the guys in Narcotics dared you to; to see who'd get the highest score. But Amanda, I saw the light in your eyes when you got your results back and saw how well you did. Those nights you spent studyin' weren't for bragging rights. We both know you took that test because deep down you want more for yourself."
Amanda remained silent for a long while before finally admitting to him, "You're right. I do. But…" She let her voice trail off.
"An opportunity for more might never come up at SVU." Sonny told her honestly. "Yes eventually Liv and Fin will retire, but it's not happening in the foreseeable future. At least not in Liv's case. And there's no guarantee that when either of them do leave that McGrath or whoever the chief is at that time will automatically hand the reigns over to you."
He saw her start to grow a bit emotional and gently reached across the table for her hand and held it.
"I know better than anyone else that change is hard. Givin' up a job I knew I was good at and in a place I was comfortable in for the unknown was the scariest thing I've ever done. But while I liked being a cop, bein' a lawyer is what I always wanted and I'm so happy I took a chance and went for it. Because I love what I do and if I hadn't taken the leap I know I woulda been livin' the rest of my life wondering, what if?"
It was at that moment Amanda found her mind drifting back to something Liv had once told her.
"Regret is," The Captain began as she paused for a moment to take a deep breath. "An awful thing to live with."
She was then interrupted from her brief moment of reflection by her husband.
"You've been at SVU for 12 years and in law enforcement for 17." Sonny said as he stared deeply into her eyes. "That's nearly two decades of experience and wisdom you've acquired. Experience and wisdom you could and should be passing along to the next group of incoming officers."
Amanda wiped a tear away from her eye with her free hand.
Sonny sighed. "Honey I'm not tryin' to push you somewhere or into somethin' I didn't think you wanted or weren't ready—"
"Then quit it already." She said, cutting him off.
Amanda released her hand from his grasp and got up from her seat at the table. "I'm not talking about this anymore. I'm not leaving SVU. So stop trying to convince me it's the right thing to do."
He nodded slowly and said to her quietly, "OK. I won't and I won't bring it up again."
"Thank you." She then changed the subject. "I'm going to take a shower. Unless you wanted to—"
"No go ahead."
Amanda nodded and then headed off down the hallway leaving the counselor alone in the kitchen, deep in thought.
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Five Days Later
Park - Tuesday Afternoon
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Sonny did as Amanda asked and refrained from bringing up the Nassau County PD sergeant position. However it continued to loom in the background of her mind after their conversation and it was eventually brought back to the forefront of it by someone unexpected.
"I do think it's a good idea to have someone talk to Taylor again." Liv said to Amanda as she gave her one of the coffees in her hand and the two walked out of the coffee shop together. She then pulled out her phone and with her free hand and sent a text. "And I'm going to have Velasco go do that right now."
Amanda frowned. "Why?" She asked as the two walked down the street together.
"I know you've developed a good rapport with her but I'm asking Velasco to speak with her because I wanted to talk to you."
Liv motioned toward an empty bench in the park up ahead and the duo made a detour to it and sat down.
Amanda sighed. "Did I do something?"
The Captain shook her head. "No. I just wanted to ask you a question."
She eyed her curiously for a moment and then said, "I'm not pregnant." Amanda told her. "That ship has long sailed. I mean, technically it hasn't but the baby days are over for me."
Liv shook her head again. "I wasn't going to ask if you were pregnant."
Amanda nodded and took a sip of her coffee. "Then what did you wanna talk about?"
The Captain locked eyes with her. "How come you didn't tell me about the sergeant's job with Nassau County PD?"
The blonde removed the beanie from her head and sighed. "I can't believe Carisi told you about it. He said he wouldn't…"
She let her voice trail off and rolled her eyes. "He said he wouldn't bring it up to me again. Guess telling you was his way of not breaking his promise. Typical lawyer. Always looking for loopholes."
Liv fixed her mouth to say something but was interrupted.
"You have nothin' to worry about." Amanda said. "It sounds like a great opportunity for someone but I'm very happy where I am. I'm not leaving SVU."
The Captain nodded slowly and then told her, "But you should."
Her eyes widened in shock. "Y—you…want me to go?"
Liv carefully thought over her words and then began to relay a story to her. A story that Amanda herself had told her.
"I remember two years ago you told me you had decided to redshirt Jesse." She began, referencing the practice of postponing kindergarten. "Because her birthday was so close to the eligibility cut off date and she would only be four when the school year began. You worried she might not be emotionally mature enough for kindergarten."
Liv paused for a moment and then continued. "But just a few weeks into her second year of pre-k at your church her teacher came to you and said that she was and that Jesse wasn't being intellectually challenged in her class. So when you heard that the public elementary schools were going back to in-person learning you decided to enroll Jesse. And she was so upset. Because your church's program was all she knew. She didn't want to leave. But you knew it wasn't the place for her anymore. That she'd outgrown it and needed to move on to the next challenge. So you sent her to kindergarten. And you said Jesse walked into her class that first day with tears in her eyes but walked out with a big smile on her face and she's been smiling and thriving at school ever since."
Amanda sat quietly for a long while before eventually asking her Captain, "Why did you tell me that story?"
Liv took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "To remind you that our time together was only meant to be one stop on your journey. And that after all these years it's time for you to move onto the next challenge."
The blonde grew teary eyed and seeing her grow emotional caused Liv to as well but she pressed her.
"When I first met you over a decade ago you were this fierce, enthusiastic rookie who behind the tough facade had a lot she was dealing with internally. An addiction. Having been sexually assaulted. Family troubles. And over the years you were slowly able to work through those difficulties and emerged a seasoned, yet still fierce and enthusiastic, detective. One who's able to tap into the heads of people like Yates and knows just the right things to say to stop a kid like Max from making one of the worst mistakes of his life. A woman who has overcome her troubles to become a survivor. A mother. Wife."
Liv blinked back her tears. "And one of my very best friends."
She paused for a moment and then told her, "I wouldn't be a good friend or Captain if I encouraged you to stay in a place I know you've outgrown."
Amanda wiped her eyes. "But I—"
"You have." Liv said interrupting.
She followed up by saying, "You are capable of being and doing much more. It's time for you to lead and share all you've learned over the years with the next generation of Rollins, Carisis, Fins, Amaros, Kats and Velascos."
The blonde sniffled. "Yeah?"
Liv nodded. "And you're going to love guiding them. But I'm warning you now there will also be plenty of days you're gonna want to ring their necks."
Amanda smirked. "We all definitely had our moments. Especially me. I did a lot of dumb things and threw more than a few daggers your way and everyone else's."
"Yeah you did." The Captain said in reference to the latter half of her comment. She laughed softly and reflected back. "No one throws shade, as Fin likes to say, better than you do."
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"You're jealous, Nick." An angry Amanda told him. "You're jealous of Olivia and Brian, Olivia and Barba, even Cragen. I mean, you are so addicted to your own misery. I'd recommend help, but they don't have a 12-step program for self-pity!"
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"This isn't about my sister." Amanda told Liv as she hung up her desk phone.
"You went through a lot with her." Liv said. "Have you talked to anyone about it?"
"Yeah actually." The blonde retorted very matter of factly. "In meetings."
"I meant a therapist."
"Oh I don't have to pay someone to listen to my problems." Amanda then stood up and walked away.
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"I'd be fine if you were right here beside me!" Amanda shouted. "You said you were my partner and you walked out on me."
"You said you were happy for me." A confused looking Sonny told her.
She rolled her eyes. "And you believed me? How stupid are you!?"
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Amanda shook her head and chuckled.
"But like you said, we've all had our moments." Liv told her. "Ones if given the chance we'd handle differently. Like how I treated you when we first met."
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Precinct - September 2011
"Detective Benson," Amanda said as she approached Liv and introduced herself. "Hi. Amanda Rollins." She extended her hand out to her and the two shook hands.
"Ah. Transfer from Dallas, right?" Liv asked halfheartedly.
"Yeah. Well, Atlanta." Amanda corrected. She then changed the subject to the case at hand. "You like Distasio for this?"
"Uh…he was there." Liv told her flatly and then turned to walk away but stopped when she heard Amanda speak again.
"Well I…I just. I just wanted to let you know I'm really happy to be here." She told her. "I umm…studied a lot of your cases. I used some of the stuff you did on the Brown case. The infant homicide."
Liv nodded. "Yeah, yeah. I haven't briefed the Captain yet. So…"
"Sure."
"Thank you." Liv then made her way toward Cragen's office.
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"Yeah you did sort of dismiss me, didn't you." Amanda said laughing.
"I did." Liv sad agreeing.
"But the two of us have come along way since those early days."
Liv nodded. "That we have."
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Liv's Office - November 2018
"How was court?" Amanda asked.
Liv sighed. "How do ya think?"
"I couldn't even step foot into that building." Amanda said to her. She then added, "I don't care if she's crazy. That woman should be taken from the Earth."
"You know last night I put Noah to bed. Kissed him goodnight. Turned down the light and then I just stood there watching him sleep." Liv said as she began to grow a bit emotional. "For two hours."
Amanda also grew teary eyed. "I did the same thing." She confessed.
The two pulled each other in for a hug.
"Sometimes life just sucks." Liv whispered to her.
They held each other for a long while before eventually pulling apart and as they did Liv said, "Amanda, you should keep those flowers. The lieutenant told her, referencing the gigantic bouquet Al sent her.
"Why?" Amanda asked curiously.
"Cause sometimes we just need a little pretty." Liv told her.
She nodded slowly. "Right."
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Amanda smiled softly at the memory but then bit her lip and asked, "What if I take this leap and fail?"
"And what if it all works out?" The Captain retorted back.
She tucked a loose strand of her blonde hair behind her ear and sighed.
"I know you're nervous about leaving SVU. Because of how good it's been for you. But Rollins, sometimes we need to let go of the good things in our lives," Liv began as she reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. "To make room for better ones."
She followed up by saying, "You'll always be a beloved member of the squad who I'd welcome back with open arms anytime. Because once an SVU detective, always an SVU detective. But just know that I wouldn't be pushing you out of the nest if I didn't believe you'd fly. And if I didn't believe that this job was something that deep down I know you really want."
Amanda nodded. "I know."
The blonde sat quietly for a moment. She then took a deep breath, exhaled, and said, "I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna take the sergeant job. As long as it's not too late."
"It's not." Liv informed her. "I might've called Deputy Chief Webster and asked."
Amanda jokingly shot her a look but then laughed softly.
Liv gave her a small grin. "You're going to do good out there Rollins."
"You mean do well."
She shook her head. "No. I mean good."
Amanda smiled.
Liv stood up. "Alright. You're leaving me soon but today you're still part of my squad and we have work to do. So let's get back at it."
Amanda nodded, put her beanie back on and stood up.
The Captain started to walk down the snowy sidewalk but stopped when she heard Amanda call out to her.
"Hey Liv,"
She turned around. "Yeah?"
"You're one of my best friends too." Amanda told her.
Liv gave her a side hug with her free hand and the two continued their way back to the precinct.
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Three Weeks Later
January 7, 2023
Precinct - Saturday Afternoon
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After her talk with Liv, Amanda called Webster and accepted the sergeant position with Nassau County PD. And when word made it's way to Fin and Velasco they were sad to hear that she would be leaving SVU but happy that she was being offered the opportunity to take the next step in her career.
It was a hectic few weeks for Amanda and Sonny as they tried to find someone to sublease their apartment in Manhattan and find a place to live in Queens by the second week of January, when Amanda was due to start. They eventually did find someone to take over their lease and found a duplex to rent in a neighborhood that the whole family loved. It was a little closer to Nassau than Manhattan but Sonny didn't mind making a little bit longer of a commute than he initially anticipated to make Amanda and the girls happy.
In an effort to not make her exit into a big deal, she quietly turned in her gun and NYPD badge to Liv on her last official day on the job while Fin and Velasco were over at Rikers talking to an incarcerated victim in a case the squad was working. And on Saturday afternoon, when she knew the precinct would be quiet, her and Sonny headed in to clean out her desk.
"This shouldn't take too long." Amanda told Sonny as the elevator stopped and the doors opened up.
The couple made their way into the squad room and as they did Amanda was surprised to see Liv, holding a cake, with Fin, Velasco, Jesse, Billie, and Noah standing nearby.
"Surprise!" They all yelled.
Amanda turned to her husband. "You knew about this didn't you?"
"Of course. I planned it." Sonny openly admitted. "Your last name's Carisi. Which means there's no way I was gonna let you pull an Irish goodbye."
She smiled, gave him a kiss and the two made their way over to the group.
Amanda gave the girls, Noah, Fin, and Velasco hugs and then looked down at the cake in Liv's hands, which read, 'Good Luck Sergeant Rollins!'
She stared at the lone candle on the cake for a few seconds and then blew it out.
"Did you make a wish mom?" Jesse asked her curiously.
She shook her head. "No. And that's because I already have everything I could ever wish for."
Jesse smiled and Amanda pulled her oldest daughter in for a hug. She then looked around at everyone and began to grow teary eyed as she did.
"I'm gonna miss you all." Amanda told them as she wiped her eyes.
"We're going to miss you too Rollins." Velasco said.
"But Nassau isn't that far. And your house in Queens is even closer." Fin reminded her. "We're still gonna see each other."
"So don't think of it as a goodbye." Liv said as she handed the cake over to Sonny. "Just a see you later."
She pulled Amanda into her arms and gave her a hug.
"You've got this." Liv whispered into her ear.
Amanda nodded and after a long while the two finally let go of the other and when they did Billie tapped her on the leg. "Can we have cake now?"
All the adults in the room laughed.
"Yeah baby we can." She told her daughter.
The almost four-year-old excitedly ran up to Sonny, who had picked up the knife and was now starting to cut the cake.
Amanda removed her coat and stood off to the side watching as Sonny began handing out slices to the kids and Liv, Fin, and Velasco engaged in idle chit chat.
She took a long look around the squad room for what she knew would likely be the last time as a member of the crew. Amanda smiled softly and then rejoined her family and friends.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Five Days Later
Queens
Sonny and Amanda's Duplex - Thursday Morning
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Amanda's first day on the job wasn't until Thursday, the first day of Nassau County PD's pay period. So she was able to spend a majority of the family's first full week at their new home getting things organized and got to see Jesse off on her first day of second grade at her new school and Billie's first day of pre-k 4's at her new preschool. But before she knew it the day she'd been waiting for had arrived.
"Girls we need to leave in fifteen minutes, OK?" Sonny said to Jesse and Billie, who sat at the kitchen table eating cereal.
Both girls nodded.
"Sienna knows she's picking them up this afternoon, right?" Amanda asked as she made her way to the coat closet.
Sonny took a sip of his coffee. "Yup."
She put her jacket on, headed into the kitchen and said to her husband quietly, "How lucky are we that she lives in the next neighborhood over and that this move actually works out better for her."
"Extremely lucky." Sonny said agreeing. "It's nice that despite this big change for Jesse and Billie some things, like Sienna continuing to be their babysitter, will stay the same for them."
He took another sip of his coffee. "I know you need to get goin' but first the girls and I want to give you a present."
"A present huh?" She asked smiling at him and then the girls.
Sonny nodded. "Yup. So hang on."
He put his coffee down and then made his way down the hall. He emerged a few moments later with a small rectangular shaped box wrapped in leftover Christmas wrapping paper.
Sonny handed it to her and him, Jesse and Billie watched as she ripped the paper off and stared down at the personalized desk name plate with 'Sergeant Amanda Rollins,' on it.
"This is beautiful." She told her family.
"Flip it over!" Jesse yelled out excitedly.
Amanda did as Jesse told her and when she did she saw her last name again but this time the sergeant had been replaced with lieutenant.
"I know you're technically not a lieutenant yet." Sonny said to her. "But we all know its gonna happen so we wanted to make sure you were prepared for when it does."
Amanda blinked back some tears and smiled. She then looked down at the name once more. In particular the Rollins part of it. The blonde had originally considered going by Carisi, since it was her last name now and no one at her new job was in the habit of calling her Rollins. But Sonny encouraged her not to. He said 'Rollins' was the one who earned this position and that she should continue on as such. So she decided that she would.
She looked up at Sonny and gave a him a kiss. "Thank you."
Amanda then hurried over to the girls and gave them hugs. "And thank you."
"Alright." She told her family. "I better get going."
"Good luck mommy!" Billie said with a mouthful of cheerios.
"Break a leg!" Jesse told her.
"Yes, just not your own." Sonny said to his wife, adding, "Or anyone else's. Unless their resisting and you absolutely have to."
Amanda shook her head and chuckled. She then gave Sonny a quick hug, gathered her things and headed out.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Precinct #1
Amanda's Office - Thursday Morning
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Amanda got to the precinct early so she could start to unpack some of her stuff and settle in. Webster was stationed at the neighboring precinct and her detectives weren't in yet, but she got the opportunity to become meet some of her station's patrol officers and the civilian staff. And after introducing herself to everyone who was there, the blonde headed into her office and began adding her touches to it.
She put her glass chipmunk on the top right hand corner of her desk and then placed a framed photo of her and Sonny and another one of the girls side by side near her computer monitor.
Amanda then dug through her bag and set the name plate her family got her at the front of her desk. And then close by she put down another one Liv, Fin, and Velasco had given her that read the very same words Liv whispered into her ear at her mini going away party: 'You've Got This.' She thought the affirmation would be a good daily reminder for herself and anyone who walked into her office that no matter how tough things got they'd be able to find a way to get through it.
Just as she had put away a majority of her things and turned on her computer there was a knock on the outside of her door.
She got up. "Come in."
The door opened and two men who looked to be in the early thirties entered inside.
"Sergeant Rollins," the dark haired man who stood before her said as he approached her and extended his hand out. "Detective Antonio Ramos. It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise." She said as they shook hands.
Amanda and the blonde male standing next to him then shook hands.
"Detective John Nichols." He told her. "You can call me Jack." Nichols then handed her a brown bag. "Brought cheese."
She eyed him curiously.
"My wife makes it." He said. "It's her side hustle. She insisted I bring you some."
Amanda nodded. "Thank you." She then set the bag down on her desk.
The trio made their way out of her office and into the squad room.
"So how many active cases are you all in the middle of?" She asked them.
"Two big ones we need to fill you in on." Ramos said as he sat down at his desk.
Amanda nodded and fixed her mouth to respond then her office phone began ringing. "Be right back."
The call that came in was from the ER of a nearby hospital, who had a woman come in saying that she had been raped. Once Amanda gathered all the details she put on her coat and made her way back into the squad room and when she did she was surprised to see a young brunette woman, with a badge and duffle bag in tow, standing by Ramos and Nichols' desks talking with them.
When the young lady, who the blonde assumed was likely no more than twenty two or twenty three, saw Amanda she eagerly walked up to her.
"Sergeant Rollins." She said as she extended her hand out to her. "Hi. Jo Weaver. I wasn't supposed to start until tomorrow but I'm ready to go so I thought I'd come in today."
Amanda nodded slowly and shook her hand. "You must be my new detective. A transfer from Milwaukee, right?"
"Close, Minneapolis." Weaver told her. "Anyways, I want you to know I'm honored to be working under you. The Yates case was a big deal in my neck of the woods. You actually worked it with my cousin, Jay Halstead, from Chicago PD. He told me about all the great work you did on it."
Amanda nodded.
Weaver was about to ask her something when Amanda cut her off and said, "A case just came in so—"
"I can take it." Weaver said, cutting her off. "I mean, help you with it."
Amanda planned on bringing Ramos along with her to the hospital but something in her said to give the young detective who, in some ways reminded her a little of herself, a crack at the case first.
"Alright. Come on."
She nodded, dropped her bag down at an empty desk and the two made their way over to the elevators.
As they waited Amanda glanced over at Weaver and could tell that she was ready to go but a little nervous.
"Hey Weaver."
"Yeah?"
"You've got this." Amanda told her.
Weaver gave her a small smile and when the elevator finally reached their floor the two stepped inside and disappeared as the doors closed before them.