Disclaimer: If I owned them, I would be doing Christopher Meloni instead of writing fics. SVU characters and any likeness of the 16th precinct is, unfortunately, the property of Dick Wolf. I own Rochelle, any poetry that turns up, and the story in general. Copyright Druscilla Ryan Mortenson, 2004.

Rating: PG-13

Author's Note: The charge that comes up in the story—you'll know what I'm talking about when you read it—is based on a law my mother (majoring in Criminal Justice and then heading to law school) told me about. The fetus-baby thing was based off her estimate of it. I just had to clarify because of the episode 'Monogamy'.

ROCHELLE'S FILE

Chapter Seven: The Three of Hearts

"P-Pregnant?" Elliot whispered, taking the seat beside his daughter. "Oh my God. Honey, I had no idea. When? How far along . . . Oh God, baby."

"It happened a couple weeks ago. I was about three months along. It was an E.P.T. Maybe I was wrong." Rochelle all but whispered.

"You need an immediate physical." Alex said. "We'll confirm or disaffirm the pregnancy. They'll also check you for any internal damage." Alex paused and took a deep breath. "It's not my place to say, but you might want to think about therapy, Rochelle."

"Does my physical . . . I mean, with a . . . man or guy . . ." Rochelle stammered.

"I'll set up the appointment with Dr. Michaela Taylor. She's very nice and works with our firm." Alex looked at Elliot. "No charge."

"I can—"
"I know, Elliot." Alex said lightly. "It's part of the case evidence. The fee will come from Mark's pockets." Alex closed her briefcase. "Rochelle, think about what I said, okay?"

"I will."

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"You were pregnant." Alex said in a gently voice. "About twelve weeks along. Paternity tests match up. It was Mark's child.

Rochelle nodded slowly. "What doe sit mean for his charge?"

"Murder two." Alex whispered. "At twelve weeks it's no longer a fetus. Mark . . ." Violating the unofficial professional code of ethics, Alex reached across the table and grabbed Rochelle's hands. "It was a baby, Rochelle. Mark killed a baby."

"My baby." Rochelle whispered. Elliot, who was standing behind her, squeezed her shoulders lightly.

"There's new legislature . . ." Alex paused. "Before, I couldn't even think of arguing this type of case. It's not legally considered an unwanted abortion anymore. Past the twelve-week point—first trimester—it's a child. It's murder."

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"Your Honor, we would like to request bail." Dennis Douglas, Mark's attorney, said.

Alex stood. "Your Honor, the plaintiff requests bail be denied. Mark Halloway's crimes—"

"Alleged crimes, Ms. Cabot." Dennis protested softly.

Alex glared at him. "Fine. Mark Halloway's alleged crimes make the victim fear for her life if the defendant is released. She believe a temporary restraining order is not enough to protect her."

"Would the defense care to say anything?" Judge Mahleebue asked.

"Yes, Your Honor. My client is currently attending high school and participating in basketball. Until he is tried in court, I believe he has the right to participate in his education and extracurricular activities."

"Your Honor," Alex began. "There are tutors that can help the defendant keep up with his studies. Basketball season doesn't start for another eight weeks. My client request, once again, that bail be—"

"Denied." Mahleebue said, pounding his gavel. "Bailiff? Court is adjourned."

Mark turned to the table his ex-girlfriend was seated at. "Rochelle, baby, don't do this. I love you, honey. You now I'd—"

"Mr. Halloway, hold your tongue." Mahleebue ordered.

"I love you, baby!"

Rochelle tore out of the courtroom like the devil himself was after her, and in a way he was.

"How long would I get for beating his head in?" Elliot hissed, standing up and grabbing his coat.

Alex grabbed his arm, her eyes going from blue to grey, shaking her head softly. "Too long for your daughter."

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Elliot dialed his partner's number. "Hey, Liv. It's me . . . yeah . . . there's no bail, thank God . . . actually, Chelle wants to talk to you . . . badly . . . okay." Elliot handed the phone to his daughter and went into the next room.

"Hey, Olivia." Rochelle said nervously.

"Hey, Roxie. How did today—"
"The case-trial thingy was fine. Sort of. Okay, it sucked. Bad." Rochelle took a deep breath. "Actually, I wanted to ask you a favor."

"Name it." Olivia said on the other end.

"Can . . . ummm . . . can you come stay here tonight?" Rochelle asked, licking her chapped lips.

Olivia nearly dropped the phone. "Let me . . . Let me talk to your dad, kiddo."

"I know what she asked." Elliot said after his daughter had wandered into the living room and turn on the television.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to say." Olivia admitted.

"Say yes." Elliot looked at his watch. 8:53. "Grab some clothes. We'll come pick you up."

"Don't be ridiculous." Olivia said. "I'll drive."

"No, Liv. Look, Rochelle will kill me. Let me indulge her this, okay? We'll pick you up." Elliot said, tired. He was worried to death about his daughter.

"O-Okay." Olivia said.

"Bye, Liv."

"Bye, Elliot."

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Rochelle flew into Olivia's arms. "Thank you." she breathed.

"Honey—"
"I'm scared, Olivia." Rochelle whispered. "Daddy needs a break from me."

Elliot entered the apartment. "I'll take your bag out, Liv." he said, picking up the green duffel. "Meet me out there, you two."

When Elliot left, Olivia knelt and looked at Rochelle. "Who said your dad needs a break from you?"

"I did." Rochelle answered defiantly. "He's worrying about me too much. I don't like it. Why does he have to be so damn concerned all the time?"

"Because he loves you." Olivia said, grabbing her jacket. "Between you and me, Elliot does worry too much. This time I think he's justified."

"When was the last time he got like this?" Rochelle demanded.

"I don't remember." When he told Kathy about you.

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"She's worried about you worrying about her." Olivia said, pulling a beer from the fridge and handing one to Elliot.

"What?"

"She's worried that you're too concerned about her." Olivia supplied. "Which means, don't worry in front of her. Do it behind her back."

"But—"

"Elliot, she'll be okay." Olivia said. "I don't know why. I don't know how, but somehow she'll be fine. She'll bounce back. She always does."

"And the rest of us?"

"The chips will fall, Elliot." Olivia whispered. "Life's like that."

"I hate that!" Elliot yelled, slamming his fist on the counter. "I hate not having any control! Life is about control, Olivia!"

"No, Elliot. Life is about taking whatever hand you get dealt." she said calmly, setting her beer on the counter and taking one of Elliot's hands in hers. "Elliot, you can't control the whole damn world."

"Why not?"

"Because you're just one man." Olivia murmured. "You're only one person. You can help balance out Rochelle's world, but you can't control it."

Elliot set his beer bottle on the counter and gently ran his fingers through Olivia's hair. "Liv . . ."

"Not now, Elliot." Olivia breathed. "It's not the right time?"

"And when is?" he questioned.

"I don't know." Olivia said, her nose stinging with the threat of tears. "It's never been the right time."

"Never been . . . Oh God, Olivia. How long?" Elliot whispered, pulling her close to him.

"Too long." the woman whispered.

Their lips slowly moved together, feeling the chemistry between them. Olivia released Elliot's hand and brought her arms up around his neck. Elliot gently ran his fingers through her hair. "Oh, El."

"Well, now I'll never be able to get to sleep." came an amused voice from the doorway of the kitchen. The two adults looked up to see a grinning Rochelle. "You'll never believe me, but that wasn't my plan this time."

And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?

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I'm sorry. All the poems I thought about were just too . . . fluffy. This song is "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane.

Please R&R! Let me know about the whole E/O thing. Did I make it happen too fast? Too out of the blue? Too many metaphors? I'm so stressed!

Okay, let's not promise anything, but I'll try and make the next chapter include the court scene! Right now I'm wondering if Kathy should find out? I was thinking I might have her and the kids show up at the house unexpected. Meet Rochelle? Maybe Olivia will be there? If you don't R&R I won't know what to do! Help!