Author's Note: Ahhh, reviews just inspire me to keep writing. Thanks to everyone. And yeah, I'm not native English speaker so please point out my grammar/spelling mistakes if you see any. I really want to improve my knowledge of English.

I hope you the story won't disappoint you:)

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A loud knock on the door disturbed silence. Eliot went to open it wondering who it might be. The door opened and he froze. Kathleen, his precious daughter, stood there dripping wet. It was obvious that she was on the verge of tears.

"Kathleen, honey, come in," he said concerned, closing the door behind.

"Hi daddy," she greeted Eliot shyly as she sat on his couch.

"Sweetie, something happened?" her father asked gently, putting a blanket on her shoulders.

"No… No, dad," she paused. "Everything's ok, really. I… I wanted to see you, that's all," Kathleen said weakly and looked down. Her eyes were becoming wet and she just didn't want Eliot to see her like this. Not now. Not today.

I must be strong… For my sister… For me…

"Kathleen, look at me," Eliot lifted her chin up. "Honey, what's wrong?"

"Dad," she stood up and walked to the window wiping away the tears. "I told you, nothing's wrong. I just… missed you."

"I missed you, too, sweetheart," Eliot said in a soft voice. "But does your mother know that you're here? It's late."

"No," Kathleen was still looking through the window. "We had an argument. And dad, I really don't want to see her right now," she said turning to her father.

"It's ok, Kathleen, but you should call her. Your mother might be worrying about you," Eliot was really serious this time.

"No, dad, please, I don't want to talk to her," she sat next to her father and curled up in a ball.

Eliot looked confused.

"Sweetie, I'll call her whether you want it or not. I can talk to her if you don't want to," Eliot stood up to reach for the phone as he saw Kathleen bursting into tears.

He carefully kneeled down to her and took Kathleen's hand into his.

"Honey, it's alright…" Eliot stroked her hair tenderly. "Is it about the argument?"

Kathleen didn't answer because she just couldn't stop sobbing. Eliot sat down on the couch, gently took her in his arms and let Kathleen cry on his shoulder.

After a brief moment she quieted down and now rested her head on Eliot's chest.

"Sweetheart?" Eliot softly asked Kathleen. "What did your mother and you argue about, can you tell me?"

Kathleen didn't say anything at first. She just listened to her father's heartbeat as it helped her to relax.

After a minute she quietly muttered, "It's about school," Kathleen sighed. "I didn't go to school for a week, dad."

Eliot softly pulled away from her. He wanted to see Kathleen's face, "But why, sweetie?"

"I don't want to talk about it," she said pleadingly.

Eliot understood the main thing in that situation was not to push her daughter because she was really exhausted and tired. He didn't want to provoke another breakdown.

"Ok. You can tell me when you're ready, Kathleen," Eliot reassured her.

Finally Kathleen calmed down. They ended up talking about each other. With a smile on his face Eliot remembered his life with kids. And now he felt like these days came back. Kathleen was sitting by his side and Eliot wanted to protect his baby from the whole world, hold her tightly. Never let go.

Eventually both- daughter and father- quietly fell asleep. It was the first time Kathleen felt save. Protected.

In the middle of the night Eliot was startled by the sound of his mobile phone.

"Stabler," he said without looking who has called.

"Kathy, calm down. She's with me, sleeping. Everything's alright," Eliot wasn't surprised to hear familiar voice.

"No, Kathy. Listen, I really wanted to call you. It's more complicated than you think," he sighed. Eliot understood that Kathy was really worried about Kathleen. Now he blamed himself for not calling her. Eliot would have done it if he hadn't fallen asleep.

The conversation between Kathleen's parents continued as Kathy told Eliot everything about their daughter. He was shocked.

"What? Are you trying to say that Kathleen's making things up? Kathy, she has never lied to us!" Eliot tried to keep his voice low but he couldn't hide his concern and anger from Kathy.

"Ok. Ok, Kathy, I'll talk to her," his voice sounded serious yet tired.

"Tomorrow. I'll be waiting. Take care, Kathy," Eliot convinced her to go to sleep and come tomorrow. Kathleen needed support from both of her parents.

When Kathy hung up Eliot gently took Kathleen in his arms and carried her to his bed. He covered his daughter with a warm blanket, kissed on the forehead and quietly went to the kitchen.

Eliot sat in complete silence trying to collect his thoughts. What if Kathleen wasn't lying when she said to Kathy that someone has raped her? What if she is going through unbearable pain right now? Then everything in his world would fall apart. Everything. Eliot always tried to keep his family safe. Was it worthless?

No. She's just lost… It can't be true… No.

Suddenly a scream from his bedroom disturbed the stillness.

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