A/n: Thanks for waiting. I'm so sorry I took forever. I could give you the excuse that summer's crazy and all, but the truth is... I've had time, just no muse. This was very hard to write, but I have to say a ton of research went into this if it is worth anything. I'm trying hard to make it realistic. Thanks again for being patient through the whole thing, and I will try to get the next chapter by next Tuesday!

Warning: This chapter has language not appropriate for all age. However, if you watch the show, I do not see any reason you would have a problem with it.

Disclaimer: I do tear not own Law and Order SVU or the characters in this story from and L&O. If I did, Chris would be shirtless through most of the show (and not married) and Alex and Casey would work together. :)

Note to all: Casey is in here, but before you run away, she will only have a part of having a locker next to Abbie and maybe a few more conversations with her so don't freak. I'm sorry, but I love her so she is in here. Everyone thank "LOkid" because with her none of this would be possible. LOL, I sound like I just won an award.

Tough Life

Back in the Pack

The weekend went by slowly for Abbie. She stayed locked up in her room for the most part besides to run each morning. Her father stayed at work for the most part, which meant she didn't have to explain her unusual behavior.

By the time Monday came around, her father did, however, notice something wrong.

"Honey, are you sick?" he asked, looking at his daughter carefully.

"Not the best, but I'm fine," she said with an accent. Her father raised an eyebrow, but kept it to himself as he left with a silent goodbye. Abbie got her bag, stuffing everything in it she headed towards the door. She stopped short, standing in front of a mirror. Looking at herself, a looser sweater and baggier jeans with her glasses and hair down, she breathed in swiftly. Smiling a weak smile, she pulled her bag over her shoulder and left the apartment, locking it before she walked down to school.

Abbie went straight to her locker, not wanting to talk to any one else.

"You free tonight?" A voice asked from behind her. She turned around with a hateful look only to see a group of older guys.

"What are you taking about?"

"Heard you are great," another said as they walked past her. She turned around, only to get her smacked in the behind. She turned around again but they were already down the hall. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she turned back to her locker, shuffling through some stuff.

Casey held her books close to her side, practically running down the hall; head down. She was brought to a sudden stop, one which knocked her down on her back. Getting on her knees, she picked up her stuff, not daring to look up.

"Look boys... it's the he-she," Jared said with a laugh.

"Shut up," Casey said before walking past them. She had to get to her locker earlier so she could put her softball bag away. The guys shared laughed as she pushed past them. Casey wasn't the most popular person. She wasn't that bad looking just didn't fit in with the "in" crowd. Going to her locker, she set the bag on shelf.

Looking to her side, she noticed the new girl. Casey was aware of the rumors, even though she was pretty low on the popularity chain. Trying to concentrate on the task at hand, she couldn't help but noticed Jared and his friends messing with her.

"They're jerks," Susan said about thirty seconds after they left.

"Huh... oh... yeah," Abbie said, rolling her eyes.

"Casey," she offered with a smile.

"Abbie," Abbie said with a slight smile, but kept her focus on her locker.

"Well gotta put my stuff up," Casey said with a smile, as she walked towards the girls' locker room. Abbie finished putting her stuff in her locker before heading to the bathroom. After locking a stall she heard the voice of older girls.

"Yeah, did you hear about that Abbie girl? Marco said they..." Abbie walked out of the stall and pushed the girls out of the way as she washed her hands. She saw one of the girls holding back a smile and the other two gave her hateful looks.

"Ya know, you girls really need a life," Abbie said with a smart ass smile. The girls held back their laugh as Abbie washed her hands and threw the paper towel, "accidentally" hitting the one by the trash can.

"Bitch," she said, as the door swung closed.

Olivia walked down the street. Fin, walking beside her, was talking about something.

"Ya in there?" he asked, stopping. She kept walking. "Obliviously not," he mumbled, rolling his eyes.

"What?" Olivia asked, turning around, making Fin laugh.

"So..." he said, half jogging to catch up with her, "find out anything with what happen ta Abbie?"

"If you don't tell..."

"I won't," he said quickly. She looked at him before continuing.

"Her and Marco..." Olivia trailed off.

"You sure?" Fin asked, eyeing her.

"Yeah... I called her Saturday... I just... I don't know... I think there's somethin' more," Olivia said with a shrug as they started up the starts.

"Something she said?" he asked. Upon getting no reply he added, "Or the infamous Benson's feeling?" Olivia stopped, playfully hit him on the chest and then walked to her locker, leaving the older boy standing in front of the school, alone.

"Elliot!" Elliot stopped immediately, gulping. Turning around, he faced what he had been dreading all weekend.

"Hey Kathy," he said, trying to give her a kiss, but wasn't allowed.

"You never called me back," Kathy stated angrily.

"You called?" he asked innocently.

"About twenty times! Your annoying little brother was supposed to tell you," she said, tenuously pissed off.

"I'm sorry..."

"Cut the crap!"

"Excuse me..."

"Elliot, right now, I'm... we're through!" Elliot felt like the whole school was watching as she stormed off. Blood red, he headed to his next class, which, sadly he shared with Kathy.

Walking into the math class she sat by Mary, thanking the good man above that Marco wasn't in class yet, but soon regretted when Mary leaned over to her.

"So, I heard about you and Marco," she said, eyes perking up.

"Yeah, I'm sure something new to you," Abbie snapped.

"When did you become such a bitch?" Mary asked harshly.

"Again, something I'm sure is new to you."

"Screw off Carmichael," Mary said, working on the problem written sloppy on the board. Marco walked into the room about five minutes late, and came to sit down behind Mary. Abbie felt his eyes on her the whole class period. The two hours passed like two years as she sat there, trying not as much to pay attention, but she spent all her energy to hold back tears. She was still sitting there when the bell ring, only to come out of the trance by some one knocking into her while getting out.

Standing up, she looked around. Marco was right behind her, smiling.

"I had fun Friday night," he said with a smirk as he left the room.

The next hour went by quickly, as she talked to George. For some reason, he was the only one she felt comfortable talking to him. They walked to the cafeteria together. He headed over to where they usually sat, but Abbie hesitated.

"If you don't mind, I'm goin' to sit somewhere else taday," Abbie said, her face sadden.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked sweetly.

"Not at all," Abbie said with a Texas drawl. He smiled as they found another place on the lawn. Sitting down, they started at their lunches, each afarid to say much. Unfortunately, Olivia and Alex joined them within ten minutes. They both started their conversations with George, neither sure what to say to Abbie.

REVIEWS

Tainted Elf- Welcome back! Okay... so this one's kinda longer... I hope.

Mrs. Rhett Butler- Set this up with Eliot potential, didn't I?

LOkid- thanks so much! You more than rock and I love any one from my home state!