Title: Next of Kin
Author: SVUFanatic611
Rating: PG
A/n: Alright, I don't how realistic this the next few chapters are going to be, timeline wise. But, this last part, though a little unrealistic, I believe adds to the drama of the story and the ending I have planned from this path is awesome! Oh yeah, if you don't remember who Anna or Joe is, check the very beginning of Chapter 3. I think it says it in the very first line.
Disclaimer: SVU and its associated characters are not mine.
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1 Week Later
After one week at the hospital, Olivia was able to take Corrine home. As they made their way to Olivia's apartment, they saw two people waiting outside Olivia's door; people Olivia didn't know, but Corrine knew all too well.
"Corrine! Thank God you're alive!" said Anna, Joe's wife.
"Anna, Joe, what are you doing here?" Corrine said stunned.
"We heard that you got hurt." said Joe.
"How?"
"We have friends in New York. They live in this building and when they found out that it was you who got shot, they called.
"Oh……Oh yeah, Joe, Anna, this is Olivia. Olivia, this is Anna and Joe. They are the other family that could've taken me in."
"So you're the famous Detective Benson?"
"Call me Olivia."
"Alright, Olivia, you're the one I should give these to, I presume?" Joe said, handing a thick pile of papers to Olivia.
Olivia took the papers and looked at the top page. She was stunned. Corrine looked at the papers over Olivia's shoulder and was left speechless.
"What is this?" Olivia said with disbelief in every syllable.
"I think you know exactly what is, Olivia…" Anna replied, her words dripping with disdain.
"It's Detective Benson…"
"Detective, that is a notice of a custody hearing. We are fighting you for custody of Corrine."
"Why?"
"I think you know why. Your job presents an imminent threat to Corrine. We don't want her to get hurt…again. Unless, of course, you would be willing to give up your job…"
Olivia couldn't believe it. Asking her to give up her job was like asking to sell part of her soul. Although she cared for Corrine, she couldn't quit being a detective.
"No…let's let the courts decide."
"Why are you doing this?" Corrine asked, finally finding her voice, her opinion.
Anna took Corrine's face in her hands. "Sweetheart, we have your very best interests at heart."
"My best interest is to stay with Olivia."
"We don't see it that way…and neither will a judge."
"Well, then you guys have really impaired, screwed-up vision…"she said harshly.
"Corrine…" Olivia said quietly, trying to avoid any confrontation. "We'll see you at the custody hearing, Mr. and Mrs…?"
"Hendel…You're right, we'll see you then."
Anna and Joe walked out of Olivia's apartment building and left Corrine and Olivia standing there shocked.
"Why did they do this? They can't do this?!"
"C'mon. We are going to go to Alex's office."
"Who?"
"Alex Cabot – she's a prosecutor that works with me. She'll know what to do."
"So, you're going to fight them?"
"Of course, unless you don't want me to. This is your life, Corrine. Who do you want to spend it with for the next 5 months?"
"You…I want to spend it with you."
"Come here…" Olivia took Corrine in a hug. She had heard it with her own ears. Corrine wanted to live with her, meaning she had a long battle for making her wants reality. "I'm going to do the very best I can."
Corrine and Olivia made it to Alex's office. Olivia was hoping she would help her with the hearing. She was so new at this.
"Can they do this?" Olivia asked. "I mean, they're not blood or anything."
"Well, neither are you. It is my understanding that Corrine doesn't have any blood relatives left."
"But my father wanted me to live with Olivia." said Corrine.
"Well, Anna and Joe were quite close to your father, right?"
"Yeah."
"Closer than Olivia?"
"Physically, yes. They talked to my father more and got together more. Emotionally, no. I really believe he cared more about Olivia than he did them."
"They're going to argue that by knowing your father better than Olivia, they are better for your well being."
"Yeah, Alex, about that. What can I say when they ask me about the incident? What can I say that won't screw me over?" Olivia asked nervously.
"Well, that my friend, will be hard. How about we meet later, I'll go over that with you. In court, just make sure that your lawyer you have gets the point across that Corrine and her father wanted her to live with you."
"Actually, Alex, I was hoping you would be my lawyer. Please."
"Alright, I guess…for a friend."