Chapter 24

Olivia and Elliot walked into his apartment, having done all they could do for the evening. Calvin tried to rush up to them, but he'd fallen asleep on the couch, so he was a little slow. It was a good thing though as it was quite obvious that Kevin Nickell's punch had made more of an impact than perhaps anyone thought. The bruise on Olivia's jaw was looking fairly nasty.

"Mom, are you ok?" Calvin was concerned.

"Not to worry sweetie. Someone thought they could get rough and I reminded them that I'm tougher than I look," she smirked before wrapping him up in a hug. Elliot moved behind them and into the kitchen, popping the fridge open.

"Well, I was going to make dinner, but it seems we forgot to go shopping," he frowned, closing the fridge after pulling out a couple of water bottles for his partner and himself.

"We were supposed to go tonight but then we ended up staying at the precinct for quite a while," Oliva admitted. She checked her watch, while not late by New York City standards it was getting close to Calvin's bedtime.

"Calvin, what did you eat for dinner? Did you finish your homework? Where is Lucy?" Olivia asked him. She suddenly realized that the new babysitter wasn't there. Calvin didn't really need a babysitter, but Olivia didn't want to leave him alone anymore since what happened at their apartment. Technically, Lucy was a patrol officer from their precinct. The young Asian officer had offered her assistance when she'd heard about Sandy. Olivia would mentor her from time to time, when she had questions about becoming a detective, and they had grown close in the recent weeks. The young officer shouldn't have left Calvin by himself and if she'd had aspirations of becoming a detective, she would have known better.

"It started out as a snack but then I kind of ate the leftover Chinese and I did finish my homework. You can check if you want," he offered.

"I believe you. Sorry we weren't home sooner kiddo. You're conveniently leaving out where Lucy is," she said, her detective mode was kicking in. There was a knock on the front door and Elliot launched himself in front of Olivia and Calvin, pulling his weapon as he did. Olivia went for her weapon as they watched the doorknob start to turn.

"Calvin, I…" it was Lucy and her eyes were wide, seeing the detectives with their weapons drawn on her.

"Jesus," Elliot lowered his weapon and then helped her with the door and the groceries.

"I thought you were going to text me when they were on their way," Lucy gave Calvin a look as she moved some grocery bags inside the apartment. Olivia quickly moved to help her surprised that the young woman had carried six plastic bags from the bodega down the street.

"I fell asleep on the couch," he said sheepishly.

"Well, I'm glad that I don't have a bunch of holes in me," Lucy said, shutting the door, and looking at Olivia and Elliot.

"Why did you leave Calvin by himself?" Olivia demanded, ignoring the comment.

"He wasn't totally alone, there's a metal bat under the sofa. I also had a unit circling the block. Just long enough for me to run to the store and get you guys some food. The fridge was empty minus those leftovers he polished off," Lucy smirked.

"Appropriating an NYPD car for your own purposes?" Elliot raised an eyebrow.

"Guy owed me a favor. They were technically off-shift, but the bad guys wouldn't know that," she told them.

"You may make detective yet," Olivia chuckled. She then helped Lucy move the groceries into the fridge and cupboards.

"I do what I can. Glad you're home, although I'd hate to see the other guy," she said, noting the bruise.

"Well, he does have a black eye and is spending the night in the holding cell before getting sent to the Tombs in the morning," Olivia told her.

"Good. Well, I will see you later. Be good Calvin," Lucy smiled at him.

"I'll try," he joked. Elliot went for his wallet to give Lucy money for the groceries, but she waved him off.

"Least I could do for all the help that Olivia has been giving me," with that she exited the apartment.

"I think there is enough here for us to avoid ordering out," Olivia smiled.

"Good because I'm starving," Elliot chuckled. It was good to have her and Calvin there. Tomorrow was going to be a big day, but they would at least have a relaxing evening together.

To Be Continued…