title: Next of Kin
author: SVUFanatic611
rating: PG, for mild language
a/n: alright, this chapter had some E/O in it. This chapter is dedicated to AmericanWoman878 (SVUWatcher14)!
disclaimer: SVU and its associated characters are not mine.
---
"I understand that Corrine has an early admission to Oxford, but she cannot use this school as a hangout until then. She has to respect this school and its rules." said Principal Rachel Verro.
"I know, but do you know what this boy did to her?"
"Yes and he's being well punished for it and I can guarantee you that he will not be coming back unto this school campus until he learns some manners. Trust me." Ms. Verro saw the look on Olivia's face; a look of confusion, a look of uncertainty of what to do next. She could tell that Olivia was new at this whole 'mother' thing. "Listen, Corrine is a splendid girl, she truly is. I took a look at her transcripts from the high school she attended in California – completely clean. This is a first offense and I can understand why she did what she did. How about we call her in? Marcia, can you send in Corrine Johnson, please?"
"Thank you for being so understanding, Ms. Verro."
"Trust me. I know what she is going through. Same thing happened to me when I was her age. I hold a soft spot for situations like these." Corrine had just walked in.
"Ms. Johnson, take a seat, we need to ta…"
"Look, I know what I did was wrong and nothing he did justifies what I did. I just act on impulse without thinking of the consequences, but I'm working in that. I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted. Just promise me one thing. Promise me I won't ever see you or Ms. Benson in my office again."
"I promise."
"Alright, Ms. Benson, thank you for coming down here." Ms. Verro said, standing up, shaking Olivia's hand. "And Corrine, your suspension ends Monday. See you then."
"Yes ma'am. Thank you, Principal Verro."
In the car…
"That wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be." said Olivia, breaking the ice.
"Yeah, she seems nice."
"I'm very proud of you."
"Why? For having a good right hook?"
"No, for accepting responsibility for your own actions in there. That made me very proud. You're every bit your father's daughter."
"What do you mean?"
"Your father was a true man. He was always respectful of everyone, especially women and always admitted when he was wrong."
"Did you love him?"
Olivia, taken aback, answered. "I did, yes. But I was young and afraid of love and I loved my job more."
"Yeah, he said the same thing when I asked him. So, Elliot, your partner, is he the one I met the first day I came down to the precinct?"
"No, thank God. The one was John Munch. He's not my partner, but he works with me."
"So Elliot's the muscular one?"
"You bet." Olivia couldn't help but smile when she thought of him. It didn't go unnoticed by Corrine.
"Why are you smiling?"
"I'm not smiling."
"Yes you are. You like him don't you?"
"Of course I like him, he's my partner."
"You know what I mean, Olivia. You like him more than a friend, more than a partner, don't you."
"I have no clue what you're talking about."
"Okay, whatever."
Olivia and Corrine got out of the car and went to the mailbox. As she went through the junk mail and bills, Olivia found a letter with a return address from the University of Oxford. "Corrine, you got a letter form Oxford."
"What for?"
"I don't have x-ray vision. Open it and find out."
Corrine opened the letter and as she read it to herself, her eyes widened and her expression became sullen.
"Corrine, what's wrong? Is everything okay?"
"My early admission has been cancelled. Apparently, they're doing some construction that wasn't scheduled until next year. All early admissions have been cancelled."
"What does that mean for you?"
"I can't leave for another five months."
"Hey, that's not a bad thing. More time here." Olivia said, trying to give some reassurance.
"Yeah…you're…you're right."
"Oh God, I completely forgot. I have to stop by the unit and make some phone calls. You have the key?" said Olivia.
"Yeah, I'll meet you later."
"Alright."
---
"Well, who was the last person who saw him alive? Was there any physical evidence left at his office?" Olivia said, talking to a detective from California.
"OLIVIA! I need you in my office NOW!" yelled Cragen from his office door.
"Look, I gotta go. Thank you for your help." She hung up the phone and looked at Cragen. "What is it, Captain?"
"Just get in here, NOW!"
Olivia, not knowing what was going on, got out of her seat and made her way to her boss's office. She went in and closed the door behind her.
"What's wrong, Capt'?"
"Why are you on the Johnson case?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me! I know you've been making phone calls to the California precinct! Do you want to know how I know? I got a call from the Captain from over there and he wants to know why a New York sex crime's detective is trying to solve a California homicide case! Now, I'm going to ask you again and I want a straight answer. Why are you on the Johnson case?!"
Olivia stood in shock as he spoke. But, he was her boss and he deserved the truth. "Because no one over there is doing a goddamn thing! They just pushed it aside! I couldn't let them do that! It's not right!"
"Right or not, Olivia, it's not your case! Hell, it's not even the state's case! You have to accept that!" He lowered his voice after realizing how loud he had gotten. "Olivia, this is a very dangerous area. Please, don't travel there. Promise me you'll get off this case. Leave it to the detectives in California."
"But, they…"
"Promise me, detective."
Olivia gave up. She was obviously fighting a fight she had already lost. "I promise."
"Thank you. Now get back to the Lawson case. You remember? The case happening in New York?
"Yes sir."
Olivia walked out and sat back down. Elliot and pretty much everyone had heard Olivia and Cragen's conversation.
"So, dad caught ya?"
"Yeah. It's just not fair."
"I know, 'Liv, but he's right. People here need you."
"Yeah…you got a point. Hey, you're still coming tomorrow, right?"
"Talked to the kids about it and they wouldn't miss it for the world, neither would I."
"Well, can't wait then." Olivia said, both of them smiling.
---
Friday Night
5:52pm
"Corrine! Are you ready? They're going to be here any minute." Olivia yelled from the kitchen.
"Yeah, I've been ready." Corrine cam e out of her room and took one look at Olivia. "Olivia, are you okay? You look nervous."
"Why would I be nervous?" she said as calmly as her nerves would let her.
"Never mind. You look great."
"Seriously? I wasn't trying."
"Sure…"
It was true. Elliot had seen her at her best and her worst and if they were to go beyond 'just partners', she couldn't get all worked up and act like a little schoolgirl about it. Elliot liked her for the Olivia he knew for six years. She couldn't, no, wouldn't, change now. The doorbell rang and Corrine answered it.
"Hi, you must be Elliot. I'm Corrine." she said, inviting them in.
"Nice to actually meet you. These are my kids – Kathleen, Liz, and Dickie. Where's Olivia?"
"In the kitchen. Hey, Kathleen, you look familiar. Are you in my calculus class?"
"Yeah, aren't you the one that socked Mickey?"
"Kathleen!"
"What?" Kathleen said, finding nothing wrong with her comment.
Corrine silently laughed. "Yep, that's me…I've been there five days and I've already made a name for myself…not bad."
"Are you kidding me? I've been waiting for someone to do that! You're a hero! Congratulations!"
"Thanks…I think."
"Hey Elliot. Kathleen, Liz, Dickie, always good to see you guys." said Olivia, walking in.
"Hey Olivia. Same here."
-
Dinner went off without a hitch. Conversation was good and Kathleen & Corrine made fast friends. It was after dinner that something really happened.
Corrine and Kathleen cleaned up after dinner, Liz and Dickie watched TV in the living room and Olivia went out to the balcony.
"Where's Olivia?" Elliot asked, coming back from the bathroom.
"Balcony, I think. She goes out there to a lot to clear her mind."
Elliot looked at her through the sliding glass door. She was leaning over the balcony, staring at God only knew. She looked so…indescribable. She looked so great, wonderful…elegant. Maybe that was the word he had been looking for – elegant.
"Hey, Olivia." He said as he walked out onto the balcony.
"Hey"
"Dinner was great. Thank you. I know the kids enjoyed it."
"No problem. I'm glad you guys came. You guys are like fam…"
Then, Elliot took her in his arms and she got that feeling again; the feeling of protection, comfort. The world stopped around them and left Elliot and Olivia kissing.
"Kathleen, look." Corrine said, half whispering. "Looks like we've got two love birds." Kathleen and Corrine were just smiling, happy for them.
---
a/n – I know it seems like they've got one problem after another (Olivia getting caught, early admission cancelled, and now Olivia and Elliot have kissed! [not really a problem!]) and some of them seem unnecessary to the plot, but trust me, they're all part of my awesome climax, and a hint for future chapters – Anna and Joe aren't completely out of the picture.