Chapter Two: Family Ties

Almost ten minutes later Olivia returned to the squad. It was obvious she had been crying. She sat quietly at her desk as if nothing had happened. Elliot sat opposite her. Her mother's driver's license lay face up on the desk. When her eyes settled on it Elliot could see the sadness in her eyes. She grabbed the license, threw it in a draw and returned to her paper work. Elliot watched her, not knowing what to say. He didn't know exactly what was going on, but he knew if it involved her mother it had to be painful for Olivia.

"Liv," Elliot started warily.

"Hm?" she said without looking up.

"Olivia," he said, this time bringing her head up. He fumbled awkwardly with some papers in his hands. "What was that about? Who was that man?"

"No one," she answered averting her eyes from him.

"Olivia."

She sighed and threw her work to the side of the desk. "You looked at it?" she asked accusingly but not angrily. She crossed her legs and folded her arms over her chest as she leaned back. He nodded guiltily and she rolled her eyes. "Great," she muttered.

"What's going on, Liv?" he asked with concern. "Who was that man?"

Olivia shook her head and laughed like he wouldn't believe her if she told him. "Daddy." Her voice was disgusted and sarcastic at the same time.

"Wh-wha-?" he uttered in shock. He couldn't even manage a complete word.

"Yep," she said raising her eyes. "Martin Becker. Its not everyday a man comes into your place of employment and tells you he raped your mother a few decades ago," she said smartly. She leaned back again, stretching her arms over her head. She still couldn't believe it.

"How do you know its him?" Elliot asked once he found his words.

Olivia shook her head in disbelief and exhaled. "He explained everything and it all fits. No one else would know that stuff. I don't know, but I could just tell. His eyes," she answered. "My eyes."

"Wow, Liv, I, I don't," Elliot stuttered. "Why now?"

She leaned forward again. "I don't know-sudden hit of remorse, I guess," she snapped dryly. "He took her purse, license and everything, when he-" she said letting her eyes drop. "He had a friend who's a cop run the name, he found me, did the math, and checked me out." She put her hands over her face. "He actually apologized," she laughed with disbelief. "He wants to get to know me. He said he wants to get to know me," she said with disgust. "God, that makes me sick."

"So what happened?"

Olivia shook her head. "Nothing. And nothing's gonna happen. I don't want to ever see him again."

"I thought you always wanted to know who he was?"

"I did. And now I do." She thought for a moment. "I wanted to solve the case for my mother, see his face, know his name, but I never wanted to get to know the man. He's my mother's rapist, Elliot."

"He's your father," Elliot returned. Olivia flashed him a telling look. "Sorry," he quickly added. They went back to work, but only for a few minutes.

"Do you think people could change?" Olivia blurted out to break the silence. Elliot locked eyes with his partner.

"Honestly?" he started. She nodded, why would she ask if she didn't want a straight answer. "No, not truly. I think you could alter your behavior, maybe break some bad habits, but your still the same person at heart."

"So no matter what kind of spiritual epiphany a guy undergoes, he's still a rapist," she said. Elliot didn't answer, he just gave her a sympathetic look. "God," she sighed. "I didn't need this, Elliot. I came to terms with the circumstances of my life a long time ago-I was over it. I can't do this now." She rested her head in her hands and thought over the whole bizarre thing.