"In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories."

It comes with the Badge

__________________________________________________________________________Last time:

Sitting in her home that night, Samantha found that she'd lost all hope. Slicing squares out of her bible, creating a compartment, with her Swiss Army knife, she was crying still. As she taped a picture of Alex at the restaurant in to the gap, she was still crying. By the time she placed one of the roses into the hole, no more tears would come. Standing, she closed the book. When she closed that book she hid everything. She gave up her faith as she stored away all those worthless emotions, love, kindness, compassion and vowed never to care for anyone again. By the time she put it on the bookshelf, all that was left was anger, hatred and vengeance, but that was all she needed. 'All I need...'

__________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Six

Never forget

***

Olivia sat down at her desk, it was 9:30 and Ryan's desk was still empty. She wanted to tell her so bad about Alex, but she knew she couldn't. The poor girl had lost so much. Smiling as Elliot brought her a cup of orange juice, she kissed his cheek. "Thank you sweetheart."

Elliot smiled at her and sat at his desk, across from hers. "I think we need to get working on this case. Cragen's not going to be happy."

Nodding, Olivia sighed. "Well, neither the father nor the step-father would give us anything."

A large frown formed on Elliot's face. "Which leaves us..."

Before he could toss a pessimistic comment at the end of that statement, Benson interjected positively. "With an Uncle in the Bronx."

Elliot looked at her. "You're right, I forgot. Let's go talk to him a little while."

Standing up and grabbing her coat, she smiled as she slid it on over her untucked shirt. "With solid alibis on the other family, we really need to break this guy."

Grinning, Elliot nodded. "I could use a chance to vent."

Olivia smiled softly and the two walked out.

***

Ryan finally arrived at the precinct around 10:30, and she still looked like hell. Sagging in to her chair with a look of utter dismay, her face fell at the sight of Maureen's case file. Today she would have to interview her roommate and any other students who attended the party. She grabbed her keys and prepared to head out when Cragen called her in. "Ryan, can you come here a minute?"

Sighing, she walked up to him. "Yes Captain?"

He gave her a firm look. "I delayed the psych evaluation as long as I could, it's this Friday."

Ryan paled slightly, but nodded. "Okay."

Cragen frowned. "You don't look concerned."

She shrugged. "What's it matter anymore?" Without allowing him a response, she picked up the case file from her desk and walked out.

***

Knocking vigorously on the door, Ryan frowned. "Police! Open up! Maureen, it's Detective Jamerson!"

A dark skinned girl, probably half black, opened the door. "Maureen's at class."

Ryan smiled. "You must be Jasmine."

Nodding, Jasmine frowned. "What's this about?"

Jamerson sighed. "I need to talk to you about that party you had a couple of nights ago."

Finally, Jasmine let her in. "The one Maureen got raped at..."

Samantha frowned. "You knew?"

Jasmine nodded. "I don't believe, but I heard her story."

Trying not to get angry, Ryan held out the sketch. "That's for me to decide. Have you seen this boy before? Was he at the party?"

Slowly, Jasmine nodded again. "It can't be him, you've got the wrong guy."

Struggling not to be overly authoritative, Samantha sighed. "What's his name Jasmine, give me a name."

"Simon. His name is Simon Chandler, he's a junior I think."

Ryan shook her head in dismay. "Does he have any classes with you or Maureen?"

Jasmine shook her head. "No, he just kinda showed up. I'm sorry I can't be any more help."

"If you think of anything else, Maureen has my number." Thanking her quietly, Detective Jamerson walked out.

Her next stop was administration to get a location on this prick. She picked up her cell and called John. "John? It's Ryan, can you do me a huge favor with no questions asked?"

Responding warily but positively, John sighed. "What?"

"I need you to look up Simon Chandler for any priors, an address or anything else that can be useful in finding him. Can you do that for me please?"

Munch frowned. "I didn't know you were working a case right now..."

"No questions asked John, please," Jamerson pleaded.

Finally giving in, John nodded. "Only because I know what you're going threw right now with Jerry, Jared and Alex."

For a long moment, Ryan was silent. "Thanks John, gimme a call back when you can, okay?"

A heavy sigh and then silence followed by a click told her that Munch would do it, but that he wasn't sure he was happy about it with the lack of information.

***

The Dean of Admissions had nothing for her, claiming she needed a warrant. Trying not to get hotheaded, she dialed Alex's old office. She was about to hang up after realizing no one would answer, when a woman picked up. "ADA Casey Novak speaking, how may I help you?"

Dead silence followed by a questioning 'hello' occurred. Finally, Ryan shook herself out of her trance. "Hi. This is Detective Ryan Jamerson and I need to get an search warrant for some files at Columbia University."

Responding formally, Casey nodded. "On what grounds?"

Ryan responded with equal formality, reminding herself that this was not her Alex. "I have a positive ID on a rapist and I need to get his schedule from the school but they're requiring a warrant."

The new ADA sighed. "You've got your warrant, just give me ten minutes."

"Thank you." Hanging up the phone, Detective Jamerson walked back in to the office.

"I've got a warrant on the way if you insist upon one, or you could just show me the files now and save us all a lot of time."

Sighing, the man allowed her to see the file on Simon Chandler. "Where is this Philosophy 101 course held?"

Frowning, he sighed. "I'll walk you down there myself."

***

Ryan called Munch. "Any priors?"

Munch laughed lightly. "What makes you think I'm done?"

Jamerson gave him a coy tone of voice. "I don't know, because you're a computer genius?"

This produced another laugh from John. "Yes, he has two prior sexual assault charges."

Ryan laughed. "How quaint. I've got him in the backseat right now. Could you make sure that new ADA gets down here for a line up?"

John nodded. "Of course. See ya' in a bit."

Hanging up the phone, she made a left and headed down Broadway. "So, I hear you like to play with girls."

The boy shrugged. "What college guy doesn't?"

"Do you ignore them when they say 'no'? Or did you think they were just playing around?" She gripped the steering wheel tightly so she wouldn't lash out at the prick behind her.

"No one says no to me, I get whoever I want." Simon gave her a cocky smile and leaned forward. "I mean everyone."

Turning around slightly, she stared him down icily. "What about Maureen Stabler? Or the two other girls who filed sexual assault charges against you?"

Sitting back in his seat, Simon frowned. "I want a lawyer."

Ryan smiled. "You're not under arrest, we just want to talk with you for a bit."

***

Sitting him down in the interrogation room, Samantha grinned. "I know you raped her."

Simon shook his head. "I didn't rape anyone..."

"I thought you'd say that." She stood up and walked around behind him. "If that's the case, then submit to a DNA test and we'll clear you."

Frowning he stood up. "No."

Ryan grabbed her cell phone. "I thought you'd say that too. I can get a warrant for it."

"I want a lawyer." He fidgeted nervously.

Samantha sat back down. "I have two things to say to you, then you'll get your lawyer."

"Fine."

"Were you at the party with Maureen and Jasmine?" Ryan stared at him authoritatively and tried not to glare.

He stared at his hands, which were folded together. "Yes. I was there from 10 until 1am but I left after that. I had an exam to study for."

Glancing at her notes, Ryan grinned. "Well that's perfect because Maureen reported that the rape occurred around 11:30."

Berating himself silently, he looked up at her. "Can I get my lawyer now?"

Ryan shook her head. "One last thing." She leaned over the table. "Did you know Maureen's dad works with me? He's a cop in this very precinct. His name's Detective Elliot Stabler. I will just warn you, if that DNA is yours, I'm going to let him interrogate you with me. How happy do you think he'll be?"

Those green eyes went wide with fear. "I want my lawyer."

Samantha stood up. "Of course you do." She led him out to call his lawyer, and saw a pale skinned woman standing outside in a suit.

She walked up to Ryan. "My name's Casey Novak, are you Detective Jamerson?"

Ryan nodded and shook her outstretched hand formally. "That's correct. I need you to get a warrant for his DNA and I need him in a line up."

Casey nodded. "What's the vic's name?"

Immediately,           Ryan pulled her to the side. "The vic is Detective Stabler's daughter and she has requested that he not know for the time being. If this leaks to him through you, I will make sure that you regret it. This young girl is terrified and if Elliot finds out what happened, she may not testify in front of him. Got it?"

Somewhat surprised at Detective Jamerson's rude mistrust and discrete sincerity, Casey nodded. "Of course. Oh, I never caught your first name."

As Ryan looked up, Casey could see the fire in her eyes. "That's because I didn't give it to you. Now get me that warrant. He's lawyering up now."

Casey nodded slowly, still shocked at Ryan's dismissal. "I'll have them promptly." She walked out.

Sitting in her desk, she called Maureen's cell. "Hey sweetheart, it's Samantha."

Maureen paused at the other line, and gave a slight chuckle. "Oh, hello Detective Jamerson. I didn't recognize the greeting."

Samantha looked around. "Everyone's here."

Realization dawned on her. "I see. Thank you for your confidence."

"That's not a problem, dear. I do want you to know that He is here and I need you to come down to ID him. I will let you in around the back for discretion. Okay?"

Maureen nodded. "Thank you Detective Jamerson...Samantha."

Ryan smiled. "I'll be waiting outside in fifteen minutes."

Walking back in to the interrogation room, she saw Simon's lawyer. Grinning, she sat down across from them. "I'm getting a warrant for his DNA right now, unless he wants to submit to one now." The lawyer shook his head. Ryan continued, fueled by her emotions. "Also, the young lady is going to be here shortly for a line-up."

Frowning, the lawyer nodded. "My client will be waiting." He left slowly and Ryan went out back to see if Maureen was there yet. She wasn't. Sighing, Ryan sat down to wait. She noticed another cop sitting outside in his sedan with a cigarette in between his lips. Samantha knew how good a cigarette sounded right now, but she'd quit two years back. That's when Maureen's car pulled up. She got out slowly and walked up to Samantha.

"Hi." She smiled faintly

Samantha hugged her softly, "Come on in."

Walking in meekly behind her, Maureen followed Ryan to a dark room with a one-way window. "Men are going to file in to the room and each of them will be holding a number. If you need a closer look, I can ask them to step forward and such. Also, if you want, I can have them speak."

Nodding slowly, Maureen let out a loud breath. Two people walked in to the room. Maureen didn't know either of them. One of them reeked of cologne.

Ryan smiled faintly. "Maureen, this is Casey Novak, the new ADA."

Maureen had heard about Alex, and she had cried for Olivia and Samantha. The new ADA was sweet enough, although she could tell Ryan had more than a slight distaste for her. "Hello."

The men started filing in and Maureen's eyes went wide before more than four of them where in there. "Two. It was number two."

Ryan put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure?"

Maureen nodded. "Definitely. Can I go?"

Nodding slowly, Ryan smiled. "Stay safe kiddo."

Hugging her softly, Maureen slid out and left. Smirking, Samantha turned to the attorney. "Well? Still want to refuse that DNA test?"

Frowning, the attorney walked out.

***

Tossing and turning, Ryan struggled to get some sleep as the daylight started to stream in through her window. Closing her eyes in rejection of the imminent daybreak, Samantha let out a lethargic groan. "Make it go away..." That's when she smelled it. Alex's perfume tempted her to open her eyes. Upon opening them, she saw her bedroom was empty. As she turned to fall back asleep, she saw the soft pink collared shirt and slacks that she'd worn to court. That's where the scent was coming from. Crawling somewhat apprehensively, she crossed her bed and picked them up. The scent of her friend's perfume was so strong. She could hear her soft voice humming from the shower, but she knew she wasn't there. As she walked out to make coffee, she could see her friend smiling through her glasses while sitting at the island, but the seats were empty. She could hear her light laughter ring through the air, but no one was laughing. When she turned, her hair brushing against her bare back reminded her of the soft touch of her companion's hands and lips. It drove her mad hearing, smelling, feeling everything that reminded her of Alexandra Cabot.

Ryan gave a weary sigh as she sat down in front of her dimly lit computer desk. Opening her laptop, she frowned sadly. She hadn't checked her e-mail in ages, and she knew it would be bogged down. Deleting all the junk mail, she found something that caught her eye. An untitled e-mail from vivaldi_and_merlot@yahoo.com was the only e-mail left unidentified. Something about the title sparked her memory. She opened the e-mail apprehensively, knowing it could not be what she wished so much it was.

From: Christina (vivaldi_and_merlot@yahoo.com)
To: Samantha (RJamerson16@hotmail.com)
Subject: (none)

Dearest Samantha,

         

          I am who you think I am. I can say no more. My name is now Christina Richards. I'm sorry I was not able to contact you sooner. I cannot tell you a location or anything along those lines. It hurts me not to be able to call you. I miss you so much, you cannot know. I was told that until Zapata is put away, I cannot return. I will never reclaim my position, and maybe never my own name. I would appreciate it if you would take my apartment. I wrote that in my 'will'. I miss you terribly Samantha. All I ever do is think of you. Every day I find myself looking at the pictures of us together. I will be sure to write you every week, okay? I look forward to your reply.

          You have my love always,

                    Christina Richards (Alex)

Ryan found herself weeping openly. Tears were streaming down her face. She yearned so badly to hug Alexandra's delicate form to her and never let go, but she knew that was beyond feasible. Sighing heavily, she began to type a response.

From: Samantha (Rjamerson16@hotmail.com)
To: Christina (vivaldi_and_merlot@yahoo.com)
Subject: re: (none)

To my lovely Christina,

          I miss you too Christina. It's so odd calling you that but I will get used to it I suppose. I've heard that Zapata has been arrested for his crimes and I believe that Cragen himself is trying to tie him to your 'murder'. I don't want to say too much and get you in trouble. Just know I miss you and I promise to write you every week until you come back. I'll be waiting for you Christina, I promise you that.

          My eternal love,

                    Samantha J.

Samantha stood up. Sighing heavily she walked over to her kitchen and grabbed another cup of coffee. Perhaps she'd visit Alex's apartment today after Church. Ryan picked up her keys and headed downstairs to her car, locking her apartment.

***

Olivia groaned incoherently in protest of whatever had shaken her from her slumber. "I need more sleep, come back later." She rolled over on the narrow cot.

Hearing laughter, Olivia groaned again and futilely attempted to remove the intruder from earshot. Shaking her again, her human alarm laughed faintly. "Olivia, Elliot won't be happy if he finds out you spent all night in the crib. Get up now and I'll cover for you."

Sitting up wearily, Olivia blinked several times in the harsh light and took the cup of orange juice from Ryan's outstretched hands without more than a mumble of thanks. After a heavy drink, Olivia looked up. "What time is it?"

Ryan looked at her watch. "It's around 7:15. When'd you finally hit the crib?"

Wiping the sleep from her eyes and yawning once, Olivia laughed cynically. "Probably around 3am as far as I can remember."

Ryan shook her head sadly. "You really need to sleep more Liv."

Olivia smiled. "I should, but we're so close to getting this perp, it's driving me mad."

Samantha shook her lightly. "You're almost five months pregnant! Chill out a bit!"

After laughing at herself for a few moments, Olivia nodded. "Will do. Now, is Elliot here yet?" Shaking her head, Ryan led Olivia in to the bathroom to work on her appearance while she went out to her desk and sat down wearily. 'Alex is alive...am I the only one who knows?' Shoving those thoughts from her head as she saw Olivia walk out of the bathroom in much better shape than she'd entered, Samantha smiled and greeted her.

"You look better."

Shooting Samantha a slightly dirty look, she sat down and topped off her orange juice with a large gulp. "Is Elliot even on his way? We've got to get an arrest warrant for this poor kid's uncle in the Bronx."

As Olivia started getting impatient and rummaging through paperwork, Elliot walked in. "I picked up the warrant on the way here, let's get moving."

Olivia gave Samantha an odd look in response to Elliot's short-tempered attitude but followed him out the door with a slight wave.

Getting in to the car slowly, Olivia smiled. "Something wrong Sweetheart?"

He kissed her cheek absentmindedly and shook his head. "Not at all, let's get going." Putting the sedan in to drive, he drove out of the lot. Olivia could tell easily that he was lying, but she'd have to wait to find out obviously.

***

Ryan sat up as she Captain Cragen walk in. "Hey Captain, I was just wondering, after I testify in court today for a case, is there anything you want me to work on?"

Grinning, he nodded. "You have paperwork from your last three cases that's overdue."

Groaning, she nodded before leaving to testify on Maureen's behalf. 'The paperwork will wait, I'll find something to preoccupy me and wait a bit longer for the deskwork I despise so.'

***

          Elliot looked at Olivia sternly. "Did you know that Maureen was raped?"

          Olivia stared at him, stunned at the statement. "What?"

          Nodding firmly, he frowned as he escorted the lovely perp to his jail cell. "Someone in the 1-6 SVU handled the case too. I want to know whom. I had the right to know!"

With a determined and supportive nod, Olivia put a hand on his shoulder. "You did have a right, but unfortunately, if she asked the Detective not to tell you, then the Detective was just doing his or her job."

Elliot looked at her for a long moment, "I think it was Ryan."

Olivia nodded slowly as she played the idea through in her mind. "It sounds like something Samantha would pull. You know you can't hold it against her thought Elliot; she did as she was told. If she hadn't kept this from you, they never might've gotten the guy!"

Her lover glared at her. "How'd you know they got him?"

Taking on a more sophisticated deer-in-the-headlights look, Olivia bit her lip. "Okay, Ryan called me two nights ago about it. She was really torn up about not telling you...but she had to wait until after the guy went to trial, just in case. She's in court right now I believe."

Elliot shook his head. "I can't believe you didn't tell me..."

Putting a hand on her stomach, which was finally starting to protrude, she shook her head. Stopping in her tracks, and leaving Elliot to walk a few more paces before turning and glancing at her curiously, she looked at him. "First of all, don't talk to me in that tone of voice!" Putting her hands on her hips, she made one of the least threatening, yet most-threatening if you knew how accurate she was with a gun, opponents ever. "Secondly, I didn't tell you because if the victim requests that someone not know about the crime, it is the detectives' job to make sure that her wishes are carried out."

Olivia understood that Elliot was really torn up about what happened to Maureen, but that was not a reason for him to take it out on her. Trying to keep her own rather confused emotions in check, Olivia hugged Elliot softly. "I'm sorry it happened to her, but you need to learn to deal with grief in other ways, Elliot. You can't just bottle yourself up or take it out on others."

Elliot faded into the comforting embrace of the mother of his child. He wrapped his arms around her and took comfort in that familiar scent of her soft vanilla perfume. "I'm sorry sweetheart, it was just a bit of a shock to me."

"Who told you?" Olivia allowed him to wrap an arm around her waist as the two walked back towards the bullpen.

Arching his brown eyebrow for a moment, he shook his head. "I can't tell. She made me promise."

Olivia kissed him tenderly on the lips. "She, huh? I believe the only other female who knew was Casey Novak..."

The flinching look of self-reprimand confirmed Olivia's belief as Elliot futilely struggled to change her mind. "No! It wasn't Casey..."

Giving him a coy grin and another soft kiss, she walked towards Cragen's office and picked up his phone. Elliot knew she was calling Samantha, and that meant both he and Casey were going to be in serious trouble.

***

Samantha ran as quickly as she could to her truck after her testimony. Giving Maureen her sincerest apology for leaving abruptly, she headed for the 1-6.

"STABLER!" She'd made it back in record time and Elliot cringed when he heard her hollering his name. "It was NOVAK wasn't it? SHE told you, DIDN'T SHE?"

Elliot put his hands up, trying to calm her down. "Yes, she did, but on accident. She slipped up and said she had to go meet with the Stalber girl and I was in earshot."

Samantha swore quietly under her breath. "She PROMISED not to say anything! She's luckily Maureen has already testified because she's going to find out that you know the moment she walks in this precinct! I knew I couldn't trust her."

Stabler frowned. "Calm down Jamerson."

Ryan ineffectively tried to get past Elliot and talk to Cragen about the pathetic excuse for a replacement ADA that was prosecuting Simon Chandler in court at this very moment. "Let me by Elliot or you will regret it."

Shaking his head, Elliot sighed. "I'm afraid I can't do that. Casey Novak did not intentionally tell me and just because you're grieving over Alex doesn't mean you can jeopardize Casey's position."

Samantha glanced up at Elliot. "Grieving over Alex? I'm not grieving! Alex isn't dead!"

Olivia walked up to Elliot and pulled him away. "Ryan, you can go in there and get Casey in trouble but it won't bring Alex any closer to reclaiming this position. Regardless of when she actually comes back, she won't be the same. She won't be able to be the ADA and she won't be called Alex."

Elliot's stare shifted from Olivia to Ryan and back. "Wait, Alex isn't dead?"

Ryan shook her head. "She e-mailed me yesterday. She's in the WPP."

"Neither of you told me?" His stare rested more heavily on Olivia and she shifted uncomfortably.

Olivia kept her eyes locked on Ryan's. "Neither of us was supposed to tell anyone. It could jeopardize Alex and if we try and contact her, Zapata's chain could find her."

Ryan sighed. "She e-mailed me. I responded but one e-mail won't hurt Olivia. They can't trace it, and her name's Christina Richards now."

Elliot walked out of the bullpen wearily and didn't say another word. Ryan frowned. "I'm sorry if he's going to be mad at you later on."

Olivia shrugged. "He's already mad about Maureen. Can I have her e-mail?"

Ryan jotted it down for her and smiled. "It's very interesting, eh?"

Smiling, Olivia nodded and slid it in to her jean pocket. "Something you would understand more than I, I assume."

Samantha nodded. "When we got together for me to give my statement to her and practice my testimony...we were drinking merlot and she was playing Vivaldi in the background. It was the first time we kissed..." Her eyes somewhat glazed over as she relived the moment for a split-second.

Olivia frowned. "I guess there is someone who misses her more than I do. I got to see her before she left. She'd asked me to take you with me, but you weren't answering your phone."

Ryan frowned. "Yeah, I...uh...I wasn't available."

Curiosity overtook her. "Why not?"

Jamerson shook her head. "Everyone has their secrets."

Sensing her nervousness over the subject, Benson backed off and smiled. A few moments of comforting silence passed between them and they found their desks slowly. "Guess what?"

"Hmm?" Ryan looked up from her desk.

Olivia put a hand on her stomach. "It's a boy."

Ryan smiled. "I bet Elliot's happy, he only has one boy right?"

A slight pang flickered in Olivia's mocha colored eyes and she nodded. "Yeah."

"Well?"

Olivia leaned back in her seat. "Well what?"

Laughing, Samantha put her papers down. "What are you going to name him?"

Detective Benson shrugged. "I'm not sure really. We haven't decided."

Jamerson nodded. "Understandable. Any ideas?"

A light smiled tugged at Olivia's tinted lips faintly. "I like Kyle."

"Kyle Benson sounds nice." Ryan found herself sitting back in her seat too.

"No," Olivia shook her head. "Kyle Stabler."

Samantha raised her dark eyebrow with a soft smirk. "Are there wedding bells in the air?"

Olivia laughed. "No, no. I just want the baby to have his name. I don't think Elliot's ready to get married."

"Would you marry him if he asked?" Ryan realized what a serious question it was. Olivia had never really been in a serious relationship before from what she heard.

Shrugging faintly, Olivia sighed. "I'm not sure really. Maybe? It's hard to say. I really care for him, I mean...I love him I think...but marriage is a really big step."

Ryan nodded. "Definitely. I mean, I'm sure glad I waited and hadn't married Jared." She shivered lightly. "But then again, if I'd married him, those other people would probably be alive now."

A frown traced over Olivia's rosy lips. "Don't say that. That's not true. He would've raped someone eventually anyway. If not those girls, then others later on."

Elliot walked back in and he looked much calmer. He sat as his desk. "Why are we just sitting here? Cragen's not going to like this."

Olivia smiled. "Well, we just put our perp away and Ryan's just finished testifying."

Munch walked in, followed by Fin. "Well that was enlightening."

Elliot looked up. "Hmm?"

Fin shook his head. "Our rape vic...she wasn't raped. She lied about the whole thing because she was mad at her boyfriend."

Munch sighed and sat in his desk. "People these days. Not to mention the guy's back with her and they're happy ever after."

Ryan laughed. "How interesting. Charging your beau with rape is the new way of resolving an argument huh?"

Fin chuckled faintly. "Evidently."

Casey Novak entered with a victorious grin on her face. "I got the bastard."

Ryan stood up. "Chandler?"

She nodded. "You'd better believe it."

A slight twinge of regret coursed through Samantha for being so harsh on her. "Thank you." Extending her hand and surprisingly receiving a hug instead, Ryan smiled. "I'm sure Elliot will appreciate it too."

Casey stepped back. "You heard then..."

Ryan shrugged. "I let things slip too." The crucifix tucked under her shirt felt warmer against her skin and she was thankful that she'd forgiven Casey instead of holding it against her.

Olivia raised her eyebrow but said nothing. She monitored Elliot's expression at the new development. He smiled. "Thanks Casey. You want to go get drinks? We're all doing pretty good right now. You got your perp, Olivia and I have ours and the parents are ready to be charged with endangerment of a minor, and Munch and Fin are finished with their case too."

Casey smiled. "Actually, I don't drink. I'll go anyway though."

Munch grinned. "I'm in."

Fin nodded. "Me too."

Olivia frowned. "I think I'll be with Casey, I'm sure my son will thank me later."

Elliot smiled softly at her and Ryan laughed lightly. "I'll stick with you two too, alcohol does not sound like the best idea right now. Not with me missing Alex so much."

Munch and Fin sobered slightly. Elliot stood up. "Then it's a deal."

Cragen walked out and laughed. "I see you're all ready to leave." Elliot, Ryan, Olivia, Munch and Fin all noticed the two files in his hand.

Ryan sat back down. "You wouldn't."

He handed her the first one. "You're with Munch."

Olivia walked up to take the second folder. Cragen handed it to Elliot. "You're with Fin."

Ryan looked up. "Is Olivia with us then?"

Cragen shook his head. "She's working the desk this time around."

"What?" Olivia looked at him for a long moment, staring him down. "Why?"

He looked at her stomach. "I'm sure your son will thank me later."

Cursing lightly, Olivia went and sat down at her desk, not even bothering to say another word to Cragen.

Cragen frowned but turned and walked back in to his office. Ryan opened the folder and tried not to vomit. "Munch, this is ugly. You might want more than alcohol to get this out of your mind..."

He walked up behind her and sighed. "Damn."

Elliot opened the file and shook his head. "A preteen girl. Found dead in an alley down by 3rd street."

Fin shook his head. "No ID?"

He responded negatively. "Let's check missing persons now."

Getting up unhappily he tossed his keys back on his desk. "So much for drinks."

Casey glanced around and noticed how unhappy Olivia was. "Do you want to go out anyway? You look like you could use it..."

Olivia nodded and stood, disregarding Elliot's look of concern. "I'll be back around 10 Elliot." She kissed him and smiled as the two walked out.

Elliot glanced at his watch. "What's she going to do for three hours?"

Ryan jotted down two addresses from the computer. "Munch, let's get going. You want to drive?"

Munch shook his head. "Go ahead."

As they headed out, Ryan looked at Elliot. "Don't worry, she's just unwinding. She won't hurt your boy."

Elliot frowned. "It's not just the baby I'm worried about."

Ryan smiled. "I know that, but does she?"

***

Olivia smiled across the table at Casey. "Thanks a ton by the way. Cragen just gets to me sometimes. I think he purposely leaves me out of cases just because he knows I'll get too involved."

Casey ordered and nodded. "I understand that. I'm glad I'm working with you all now. Where I used to be, there was an Assistant DA and another ADA. I only got the cut and dried cases because everyone seemed to think I was too nice to effectively prosecute."

Benson grimaced. "Yeah. I'm sure Ryan knows what that's like too. I remember her telling me that Elliot asked her if she was really a cop once. He said she looked more like a ballerina."

Novak laughed. "That would more than bother me. Then again, she's sure proved him wrong. She's a strong one. So are you." She smiled faintly at Olivia.

Olivia smiled. "Thank you. You're a good prosecutor. I know everyone's going to be a bit uncomfortable at first around you because we all miss Alex so much, but don't worry. They'll all come around. Ryan's starting to already and she was the closest to Alex."

Casey looked up from her glass of water. "I heard they were a bit more than friends..."

Laughing, Olivia took a sip of her water. "Rumor has it. Actually, I'm pretty sure they were just starting to get together. They weren't too serious, I think for Ryan it's more of the 'what might have been' complex."

Frowning, Casey sighed. "I see. It must be hard for all of you."

Olivia nodded. "Some more than others."

The waiter arrived with Casey's diet coke and Olivia's raspberry lemonade. "Your meal will be about ten minutes more."

Casey smiled. "Thank you."

Detective Benson nodded politely. "Thanks." Sliding out of her jacket, she smiled. "So, where's all your family?"

Novak smiled back. "My parents live in Vermont. My older sister and her family all live in New Jersey."

Olivia nodded. "Spread out a bit I see."

She nodded. "Yes. It's kind of nice though, when we all get together for the holidays it's much warmer. We tended to clash when we were all in one house. How about you?

Benson stared down at the table for a moment. "I only lived with my mother."

Novak looked up. "How is she?"

Olivia frowned. "She passed away a while ago."

Grimacing, Casey apologized. "I'm sorry. I know if I lost my mother I'd be heartbroken."

Benson shrugged. "It was hard, not any harder than living with her though I suppose." She took a drink of her lemonade and looked up at her. "My mother was raped and she didn't get an abortion, that's why I'm here."

Novak smiled faintly. "Makes for an interesting family I see."

Olivia nodded. "Definitely not picture-perfect."

"What about Ryan's family?" Casey unfolded her napkin on to her lap.

Pondering for a moment, Olivia shook her head. "Actually, I don't remember Ryan ever saying anything about her family. I know she was raped when she was twenty-two and she wasn't living with her parents then because they would've noticed."

Casey nodded. "Odd."

Olivia nodded. Going down the list of detectives, she smiled. "Elliot has four," she looked at her stomach, "Five kids. His ex-wife has custody of the other four though. Munch is a self-proclaimed bachelor and Fin's been solo for a while. I know his last attempt had a serious drug problem. I think he's pretty much closed up after that."

She sighed. "I noticed he doesn't seem like the type to be very social."

Benson shrugged. "He gets by."

Novak laughed. "So do I, that doesn't mean anything."

Olivia looked up at her. "No romantic interests?"

Casey shook her head. "Oh no. What about you and Elliot? What's your current status?"

The food arrived and Olivia began to eat her salad, not answering the question. The silence that hung between them while Casey awaited a response actually answered better. Olivia was sure. Casey frowned. It was evident that Elliot cared for her, hadn't the two talked things out yet?

***

After mass, Ryan had stopped by her apartment and grabbed some stuff, and then Samantha went to Alexandra's apartment. Ryan checked her e-mail as soon as she had arrived there and had plugged in her laptop. Nothing. Wishful thinking. Climbing in to the bed after locking the three locks on Alex's apartment door, she laid her head on the pillows, feeling bad about getting them wet. Everything smelled so much like Alex. She fell asleep immediately.

***End Chapter Six***