Chapter 5 - Tutuola
Wow! Oh my gosh you guys are all so nice! You had no idea how much I was sweating the reviews for this. I would have posted more, but I wanted to see the reaction I'd get. I want to thank Katydidit, n14, Lady Padfoot II, viol8dbyalizzard, tri246815, and qt-angel for reviewing. So, here are two more chapters for everyone, Fin and (finally) Olivia.
I got a job working for the state
He did a crime, got some time, oh I'd never thought
That waiting for the transfer bus to arrive at gate number one
When it pulled up, he'd step off in cuffs, oh how I fought
Back the tears as I led him down to cell block three
He said I know you're just doing your job, as I turned the key
And just like those football games that we played in
There we were on different sides again…
Tutuola
When John opened the door was when I first saw her. She was sitting on the bed, completely banged up. I silently cursed to myself. Nobody deserved this, especially Olivia. I didn't know her whole story – I hadn't been at SVU for more than a few years – but I knew enough to know her life had been pretty rough. I also knew that she was the last person who'd admit it.
As I watched my partner try to comfort her, I thought about how close we all were at SVU. We were like one big family, always there for each other, being incredibly protecting, especially of Olivia. Though you'd never get any of the four of us to admit it, we did attempt to overly shield her. And of course, she was so stubborn that it'd backfire, but we tried.
"Any thoughts?" I was pulled back to reality by the sound of Cragen's voice. He was outside in the hallway with me, the door to Olivia's room closed behind him.
"Aside from the fact that I still don't know if Elliot did it?" I shook my head miserably. "Not one."
Apparently, Cragen wasn't having any better luck trying to sort this out than I was. "Who am I supposed to believe?" He moved his gaze towards the door where Olivia and Munch were.
I thought for a moment before I answered the Captain. "If it had been anyone else who accused Elliot of raping her, what would you do?"
Cragen didn't need more than a minute to dwell on that. "I'd have a hell of a time trying to believe her, but I'd still do my job and investigate."
"And if Olivia claimed she'd been raped by anyone else, then what?"
"I'd do everything in my power to put the bastard in jail."
I shrugged and bit the side of my cheek. "I think the only thing you can do is your job then. Investigate like they're strangers, unbiased."
The Cap didn't seem to be too fond of my suggestion, but he nodded anyway. "Easier said than done, but I suppose that's all I can do."
"So where'd you sent Stabler to?"
"Home. You and Munch were a little busy."
I nodded. To be completely honest, Munch's whole episode had freaked me out. It wasn't hard to see where his favoritism lied, but despite the fact, I'd never seen him attack anyone like that. He was never the physical one. He always stepped back and let the legal system work for him. Even in chases, I'd be the one high-tailing it after the perp on foot while he drove in the car.
I suppose it only showed how much he really cared about Olivia.
"You sure that's such a good idea?" I thought that that would make it real simple for Elliot to run if he was, in fact, guilty.
"Well," the Cap thought about it. "If he runs, it'll just make the answer that much clearer."
"But you don't think he will, do you?" I could see the feeling in his eyes.
"No."
"So should I bring him to the station?"
"Yeah. It won't do much to question him without Olivia's full statement, but I'd rather know where he is, for my peace of mind and hers."
--XXX--
A few minutes later I was standing in front of Elliot's house. I prayed to myself that he'd just come down with me willingly. The last thing I wanted to do was arrest him and end up cuffing him.
I pounded on the door, like I did all the time when dealing with possible perps. "Elliot! Open… up." Before I had even finished calling out to him, Elliot opened the door and stood in front of me, misery filling his expression.
I had to wince at the damage Munch had caused. Purple rings were forming around both of his eyes, he had a fat lip and the area around his nose was bruised, pointing to a broken nose.
"Elliot, Cragen wants you down at the station for questioning."
"Okay." He left it at that as he followed me to the squad car. I was thankful he didn't say anything more, for the main reason that I'd have no idea what to say back.
The two of us sat in silence as I drove back to the station.
