AN: Sorry to take so long to update, everyone! Life has been incredibly hectic, final exam time is just wrapping up, the flu has been going around, homework loads have been insane. Anyways. Thanks to everyone who reviewed; keep 'em coming, we love getting them!
The name of the parish St. Mary's in this chapter is widely used; we meant to offend no one. If we did, we're sorry.
As should be assumed, since this story is about a family who's Catholic, there's the religious talk that FaithHopeLove tends to be famous for. If you don't like it, don't read it. Wynter Nytes would like to say thanks for all the reviews and support! Much love!
We don't own SVU. If we did, that would rock. But we don't. Dick Wolf does. Like you didn't know that.
Elliot smiled at Casey as she walked towards his car, and got into the front seat, surprised at how different she looked when she wasn't in the courthouse. In jeans, a tank top and runners, she looked almost like a different person.
"Hey, you guys." She said, waving at the kids.
Elizabeth smiled at the ADA, refusing to let the pain in her eyes show.
"Hey Casey."
"So, what's new with you guys?" Casey asked.
Elizabeth forced back her smirk, refusing to voice her thoughts. Let's see…I was raped for one thing, I feel like a whore, I'm petrified at the very thought of laying eyes on Father Joseph, let alone testifying against him, if he doesn't get arrested I'll have a nervous breakdown…yeah, I think that sums it up.
The silence that surrounded her proved that she had indeed voiced her thought.
"Did I just say that out loud?" She squeaked.
"'Liz. Your not in any way a whore, this wasn't your fault. We're going to arrest him, and we're still a while away from the trial. But I don't want you to worry, okay? We're going to put him away." Casey answered, forcing her tears back. She wouldn't cry. She needed to be strong for Elizabeth.
"You're right, Casey." Elizabeth said. She blushed, then quickly changed the subject.
"Is Maureen coming with us?"
"She's going to meet us at St. Mary's." Elliot offered.
"Cool," Dickie said.
Elizabeth stayed at Maureen's side as the family, plus Casey, filed into the Church. Elliot went to go talk to the priest, whereas Casey chose to stay with the kids. Kathleen looked around.
"Wow. It's really big."
"It is." Casey agreed, just as Elliot walked back in with the priest.
"You guys," He said, "This is Father Matthews. Father, these are my children Maureen, Kathleen, Dickie, and Elizabeth. And our friend, Casey."
"It's nice to meet you all. Welcome to St. Mary's."
"I'm gonna go say a prayer…" Elliot said tentatively.
"I'll go with you." Casey threw in, knowing what he would be praying about. He'd need a friend.
"Why don't I show you guys the youth room?" Father Matthews offered.
Dickie and Kathleen quickly started walking beside him. Elizabeth hung back, but Maureen squeezed her hand in reassurance. Slowly, but surely, she started to follow her brother, Maureen right behind her.
Back in the chapel, Elliot was just pulling down the kneeler when Casey sat beside him.
"How could God let this to her, Casey? How could God let it happen to anyone?"
Casey tried to think of something to say that might offer him some comfort. But really…would anything comfort him right now? The truth shall set you free…
"I don't know, Ell," She admitted, "I don't know why these things happen. I do know that God doesn't want it to, but…who knows why it happens? The devil does have some control in this world."
"Yeah, a bit too much. She was just a little girl, Casey. Now her life is as shattered as the frame I had that picture in."
"Do you believe in miracles?" Casey asked.
Elliot looked up, and Casey was shocked at the hate and disbelief he had in his eyes as he looked at the crucifix on the altar.
"I used to."
"Really? Because I still do. Look at Elizabeth. She's surrounded by people who love her, and she's slowly rebuilding her life with the help of you and the rest of her family. It takes time, Ell. But it happens. And when it does, it's a miracle. And look at yourself, Elliot. You've helped hundreds of victims, some of them have closure thanks to you. God's performed miracles through you. And he still will. So don't give up now."
"I don't know what to say…" Elliot said, "Thank you."
"Let's pray." Casey offered, putting an arm around him as they kneeled.
Elizabeth tentatively looked around the youth room as Dickie, Kathleen and Maureen started a game of air hockey. Feeling alone, Elizabeth merely stood in the doorway. However, she wasn't alone for long. A shadow fell across her path and she turned around quickly, all defenses immediately kicking in.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." A friendly voice said. Elizabeth sighed inwardly. It was Father Matthews. Still tense, Elizabeth forced a polite smile.
"It's alright. I guess I'm just a little jumpy." Father Matthews smiled gently and put his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder.
"Would you like?" But he was cut off by a blood-chilling scream. Elizabeth's scream.
After they had finished praying, Casey and Elliot had set about wandering the parish aimlessly; not really going anywhere, just enjoying each other's company. Elliot laughed softly at a joke Casey made and then stopped walking.
"You know, I just want to… thank you for being here. I know that Elizabeth really appreciates having you here." Casey smiled and grasped Elliot's hand gently. She squeezed it comfortingly.
"I'm glad I'm here too." They continued walking, their hands still pressed together. Elliot looked down at their intertwined fingers and stopped once again.
"You know, I was wondering?" A high-pitched shriek rang throughout the parish, jerking Elliot and Casey away from their nice conversation. Instantly, Elliot's mind went to his youngest daughter.
Elizabeth… He darted frantically towards the youth room, Casey inches behind. As they burst through the doorway, Elliot caught a glimpse of a confused and concerned Father Matthews, before his eyes immediately went to Elizabeth, who was curled up into a ball in a corner. He raced towards her and wrapped his arms around her, his heart beating like a drum.
"Honey, what is it?" He asked anxiously, scanning her body quickly for signs of injury. Elizabeth, sobbing hysterically, threw herself into her father's arms, clinging to him with every last bit of strength she had. Unable to fathom the type of horrors that ran rampant through his daughter's mind, Elliot hugged Elizabeth close to him and rocked her gently back and forth…
"Father Joseph?" Elizabeth called before pushing on his office door. Father Joseph, a middle-aged man, sat at his desk, going through some papers. He looked up when she entered, and smiled kindly.
"Yes, Elizabeth?" Elizabeth shyly entered the room and asked if he had found her purse. Father Joseph grinned and stood, retrieving a box from underneath his desk. He set it in front of her.
"Go ahead and look through it. I trust you enough to know that you won't steal anything." He teased. Elizabeth smiled in reply and bent her head to root through the plastic crate. Father Joseph disappeared behind her. She heard a faint click behind her, but thought nothing of it as she dug deeper. Finally, she found the item she had been searching for. Looking down at it to make sure all its contents were in place, she thanked Father Joseph.
"Thank you so much; I've been looking everywhere for this." She turned to go, but stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't think you're going anywhere now, do you?" Elizabeth looked up, confused. Then she backed away at the look in Father Joseph's eyes. His hand tightened on her shoulder, and he forced her down onto the ground.
"Wait… DON'T!"
"Don't!" Elizabeth gasped out loud. She wrenched herself from her father's grip and dashed out of the room. Casey went to follow, but Elliot stopped her.
"No! Someone needs to explain her… behavior to Father Matthew." He said forcefully. Before Casey could reply, Maureen interjected.
"I'll do it." She said. "You both go and find Elizabeth." Elliot nodded and, along with Casey, left the room in search of Elizabeth
"Is she alright?" Father Matthews asked, concerned.
"Father, we've all been raised Catholic. We've been attending 'Our Lady of Grace' all our lives. We left because…our priest…raped Elizabeth."
"Oh, no!" Father Matthews said, concern showing through his eyes, "Please, my dear, tell your sister I'm sorry for assuming that everything would be fine. And please, for your whole family, especially Elizabeth, that I'm here for all of you if any of you need someone to talk about it with."
"Thank you, Father," Maureen said, "I can't tell you how much that means to us. I'll tell them. I'm sure we'll see you on Sunday. If you'll excuse us…we should probably go."
"The Lord is with you," He offered, smiling.
"And also with you," Maureen said, automatically giving the standard reply.
It may have been standard.
But she felt it in every inch of her soul.
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