"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
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Last time:
Crossing herself lazily, she laid down. She was asleep before her head hit the silken pillowcase. She slept all night, and into early morning without any disturbances. Then the phone rang.
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Chapter Nine
Secrets
"Hello?" Every inch of Ryan's being was buzzing irritably with grogginess. "Hello?"
A voice ran chills up her spine. "Alex? It's Sean."
Taking in a deep breath and turning on the bedside light, Ryan sat up. "This isn't Alexandra. This is Samantha."
"Sam?"
"The one and only." Standing, she shuffled over to her laptop and flipped it on. The line was silent as the computer booted up.
Finally Sean responded. "What are you doing at Alex's?"
Sam took a deep breath and loaded Earthlink*. "Alex died about a month ago. She was shot. We had been dating for a while and she left me the apartment."
"Dating?" He laughed faintly, "You're bisexual now?"
Ryan frowned. "Not that it's any of your business."
Sean sounded flabbergasted, "Oh yes it is! I can't let Mariah be introduced to that way of life. It's not healthy for her."
Sam reined her temper, "That's not your decision Sean. We agreed on this a long time ago and you have no right to change your mind. Besides, she dead." Her voice was somber. "It doesn't matter anymore. I'm single again."
"That's not the point!" He was yelling in to the phone. "I will not let my daughter grow up thinking that being bisexual is normal!" He hung up the phone and Ryan sighed. Returning the phone to its cradle, she sat back down at the computer desk.
With a resigned sigh Samantha began to e-mail Alexandra.
From: Samantha (Rjamerson16@hotmail.com)
To: Christina (vivaldi_and_merlot@yahoo.com)
Subject: Manor
Dearest Christina,
I miss you so much. I'm writing about something rather important though. Your realtor, Ashley, called. She spoke about a manor you recently purchased and wanted to know if you were up to lunch. What should I tell her when I call? Also, I'm just a bit curious, but how do you know Sean Foster? He called twice about me. I'm rather worried because I know from personal experience that he is not the type of person I would picture you consorting with. You're a very refined woman and he is nothing but traitorous sleazy good-for-nothing trash. Sorry if I sound overly aggressive against him but I will explain later I suppose. Well, e-mail me back when you get the chance. I'm thinking of you.
Much love,
Sam J.
Sleepily, Samantha climbed back in to her bed after glancing at her clock. 4am. Shit. Finally falling asleep again, she dreaded Tuesday when she would have to call Sean and reschedule her day with Mariah.
***
Elliot sank sleepily in to his desk chair on Friday morning. "TGIF."
Fin laughed. "No kidding."
"Do you have a date with Ryan?"
"Sam? Me?" Turning to the paperwork on his desk, Fin shook his head. "Nah."
Chuckling faintly, Elliot and Fin stood as Ryan walked in. She nervously glanced a both of them, her eyes hesitantly lingering on Fin's form. "What's all the commotion?"
Fin smiled. "You're supposed to stand when a lady enters a room."
Don came out of his office and smiled as Elliot chuckled at Fin's flirtatious behavior. "Ah Samantha, just the girl I wanted to see."
Sam swallowed hard. "Um, what is it Captain?"
"Well," he smiled cheerily, "There's a charity event tomorrow night that this unit is expected to be represented at. Since most of the attendants are male, I thought I'd bring a female along to attract attention." Ryan glared daggers at him. "Since Olivia's on maternity leave, you're next in line."
She sat in her desk and plopped her purse down. "Don't I feel loved? So you're ordering me to be eye-candy for you for this stupid event? Fine. I don't have a dress though."
Don frowned. "That's definitely a requirement Sam."
Ryan shrugged. "Too bad, guess you'll have to get Munch in to drag then."
Elliot laughed and almost choked on his coffee. Fin looked mentally disturbed as he cursed his photographic mindset. Don shook his head. "Actually, Casey Novak is going to be in attendance also so not only will you have female company, but you'll have someone to go dress shopping with."
Letting out a soft snarl, Ryan frowned. "Fine."
Casey Novak spoke up from the other end of the bullpen. "I'm not that horrifically unfashionable am I?"
Ryan laughed faintly. "No, not at all." Walking up to her, she cringed. "It's the concept of wearing a dress."
"I've got everything planned out." Ryan paled.
"You do?"
Casey nodded. "After work tonight, we'll go shopping and then tomorrow we'll both take the afternoon off to doll up."
Ryan gulped. "Doll up?"
"Umhm." She grinned. "Manicures, get our hair down, it'll be fantastic."
"Right," Sam shuddered, "Fantastic."
Casey glanced at her watch. "Well, got a case to win. See you after work Ryan." She waved casually and walked out.
Ryan collapsed back in to her chair. "I hate snobs. I hate cocktail parties. I hate false politeness and most of all, I hate dresses." Folding her arms across her chest, she fumed silently.
Fin smiled. "You'll look fine. Look, if you hate going that much, I'll go with you."
Elliot raised an eyebrow. "You know those things are tux-only occasions."
"I know," he cracked his fingers and grinned, "I've got a few surprises up my sleeve."
Ryan ignored their side-conversation. "You'd go with me?" A sigh of relief escaped her polished lips. "Terrific. I would die by myself. Casey strikes as one to be very in her element at one of these ritzy things."
"Yeah," Elliot laughed, "She does look pretty refined."
"Snobbish," Ryan corrected.
Fin sighed. "Lay off the poor girl. She's a good kid. Olivia likes her."
Sam arched her finely waxed brow. "And?"
Elliot shook his head. "Olivia hates snobby people. At first she was worried her and Cabot wouldn't get along."
A smile graced Ryan's fair features, "Alex was different. She had a compassionate look to her. Casey looks very cool and distant."
Fin shrugged. "To each their own."
Munch walked in. "I just had my ear talked off by that new ADA."
Trying as hard as he could, Elliot contained the laughter that was building in the pit of his stomach. "About what?"
He shrugged. "A dress and Samantha."
Sam growled. "I have to go to some ritzy charity event with her and Cragen. Luckily, Fin's going to accompany me."
Munch groaned. "Not again!"
"What?" Fin gave him a rather bothered look.
"First Elliot and Olivia, now you two! I'm going to be the odd-man-out!"
Samantha laughed. "Not like that! He's just going to keep me company because if one hundred or so snobby people surround me for extended periods of time, I tend to go postal."
John laughed. "Sure. That's the only reason."
Ryan returned John's mirth-filled glance with an indignant one. "Oh shut up! Just because you're jealous that Fin got to spend an entire night with me doesn't mean you have the right to be terrorizing us."
"So you do like him?"
She chucked a three-hole punch just above his head. It clambered loudly to the floor after hitting the wall behind him.
He cringed. "Okay, I get the point."
Fin stared open-mouthed at Ryan. "You're a mean one."
Elliot gave him a falsely remorseful tone. "Aww, does that mean the engagement's off?"
Ryan stood up and rolled her eyes. "Guys! Grow up!" She walked around her chair and laughed faintly. "This isn't third grade! Even if Fin and I did have something between us, it's none of your business and-" Her voice cut off and she fell to the floor unconscious.
***
Waking up in a hospital bed with an IV in her arm was the last place Samantha wanted to be when she woke up but, unfortunately, that's exactly where she was.
When her eyes finally adjusted to the soft light, she sat up a little. "Olivia?"
The brunette sitting in a chair next to her smiled sweetly. "Hey Sam. The whole crew is still at the station. Cragen said that since I can stay with you no one working needed to."
Ryan rolled her eyes. "Sounds like Cragen." She clutched her head agonizingly. "What the hell happened? My head is throbbing."
A more serious air filtered in to the room and clung to every inch of Ryan's being. Olivia's tone of voice only made this feeling more palpable. "You passed out, at least that's why your head hurts. As for why you passed out, the blood work just came in. Why haven't you been taking care of yourself?"
"What?" Sam gave her a bewildered look.
"You have hypoglycemia. The doctors told me it was previously diagnosed."
Sam shook her head, her luscious locks bouncing softly. "I've never been diagnosed with something as serious as that. It must be incorrect."
Olivia frowned. "Did you have breakfast before work today?"
A guilty look crept over Ryan's befuddled face. "No. I'd had one cup of coffee around 4am but that was it."
"Well that sure explains a lot. Do you know what hypoglycemia is?" Olivia was seriously worried for Ryan but she tried not to let on too much. How could she not know about a previously diagnosed condition? Hypoglycemia isn't something that can go undetected after being diagnosed for so long. What's wrong with her? Are the doctors telling me everything?
Ryan looked in to Olivia's eyes earnestly; she seemed to realize that Olivia was not as easily convinced. "Olivia," those grey eyes looked haunted and hallow, "Hypoglycemia isn't the reason I passed out. I manage my diet fine. I-" She glanced out the window. Tears were building up in her eyes, but they wouldn't fall. "I haven't slept in three days. I've been looking up legal technicalities as far as child custody goes. My daughter, Mariah, is going to be taken away from me. I passed out because my blood sugar falls more quickly when I haven't slept so even my monitored diet wasn't enough after three days."
Olivia blinked a few times. "Your daughter? I thought you didn't have any children…"
She looked regretful. "My ex-husband and I try to keep things quiet. We were foolish to have gotten married in the first place. Now, he doesn't want me seeing Mariah at all. I usually see her twice a week. He heard about my relationship with Alex and is going to bring that up in court. Then he wants to talk about how much my job takes away from me. He doesn't even have one!" Lines appeared in her face that Olivia had never noticed before. The dark prune colored circles beneath her eyes began to show. Those eyes looked so weary, so exhausted.
'Ex-husband? How many secrets does this woman have? Damn. If Alex were here, she'd be able to help her out.' Olivia licked her dry lips softly before she spoke. "How old is Mariah?"
"She's three and a half years old."
Olivia nodded. "I'm sure if you e-mailed Alex, she could give you the name of a damn good lawyer."
Ryan shook her head as those pained tears finally broke over the crest of her eyelids and slid dejectedly down her paling cheeks. "I don't want to fight him. She's my daughter!" Lying back again, she calmed down. "Alex hasn't even e-mailed me back yet."
"Don't worry. She will." Olivia put a comforting hand over Ryan's.
Samantha's mind wandered back to the event tonight. "Oh dear! When can I get out of here?"
As if eerily on cue, Doctor Stowe walked in and smiled. "Hello Ryan. I'm glad to see you're feeling better."
"Yes!" Ryan sat up. "Perfectly fine, now can I go?"
Her doctor frowned. "I'm not sure."
Ryan sighed. "I feel like I could run a mile right now. Please! I need to meet someone about a dress! It's very important."
"Well," Dr. Stowe looked at her chart, "Fine. You're healthy enough to leave."
Olivia frowned. "Is there anything we should be worried about or need to watch?"
Stowe shook her head. "If she sleeps well and monitors her blood sugar, she'll be fine."
Ryan bit her lip. "What time is it?"
"4:15. Why?" Benson closed her cell phone.
Jamerson yelped in fright and ran in to the bathroom to change. "I'm supposed to meet Novak in thirty minutes to go dress shopping and then get a manicure! I have to go to some wretched charity benefit with rich snobs." She rolled her eyes. Coming out of the bathroom, she looked better. Tucking her purse under her arm, Olivia and her went to check out.
***
Casey Novak sat anxiously in Ryan's desk as Fin made small talk. "She's fine. She just had an episode with her blood sugar. She called about ten minutes ago and said she'd be late."
Glancing at her watch again, Casey nodded. "Right." She proceeded to tap her fingers on the desk quietly. Her eyes went from one detective to the other as Fin and Elliot stood around her, talking.
John had left early since Ryan was in the hospital and there were no new cases that needed his 'superior investigatory abilities' as he'd put it. Casey was relieved when Ryan Jamerson and Olivia Benson came strutting through the door. The sight of Olivia's enlarging stomach warmed her heart slightly. "Are you ready to go?"
Ryan nodded. "Can I talk to you about some legal technicalities on the way?"
Casey shrugged. "Sure."
"Then I'm driving." She grabbed her keys.
***
Olivia smiled. "Maureen picked up the kids from school today and is watching them now. I bet they miss their father." She kissed Elliot's lips softly.
Fin walked up nervously to Olivia. "Hey, do either of you have Samantha's cell number?"
"Why?" Elliot gave him an amused look. "Yeah. It's 555-0797."
Olivia looked from Fin to Elliot, "Are they an item?"
"No." Fin sighed with more than slight exasperation. "I just need to be able to get a hold of her incase I can't make the event."
"Ooo!" Olivia grinned, "You're going with her to the charity event? She failed to mention that, though she was in a big hurry to get her dress."
Elliot grinned and offered Olivia's his arm as they began to process out. "See you Monday Tutuola."
"See you two lovebirds later." He waved gently and programmed Ryan's number in to his cell phone and grabbed his jacket. He was definitely going to need sleep tonight.
***
Casey grinned. "I called in a favor to the lady who runs the place, they're not usually open after 8 but we're pretty good friends."
She opened the door to the boutique and Ryan cringed at the sight of all the dresses. "This is going to suck."
"You're a positive thinker."
Shrugging, Ryan walked in and looked around a bit. "I don't know what to get!" She looked frustrated and equally anxious.
Casey smiled and handed her two dresses. "Try these two on. One of them is bound to catch Fin's eye."
Ryan gave her a scolding look. "That's not what I'm after! The Captain said I had to wear one!"
"Sure, of course." She drifted off down racks of dresses in search for one for herself.
Nervously, Samantha found her way to the dressing rooms and prepared to cringe. As she removed her jeans and white collared shirt, she frowned. The first dress she prepared to put on was startlingly suggestive. After pulling it on over her head and tugging it down, she looked at herself in the mirror. It was lipstick red and the neckline plunged down to the small valley between her average sized breasts. Her pale skin looked rather blanched in the dress, but she worried that her eyes would clash with it. For hating dresses, she sure was picky. The dress clung tightly to the curves of her body and ended at her mid-thigh. She must admit it complimented her figure, but it was not exactly what she wanted to wear around numerous drunk, rich, old, drunk men.
The next dress was black and was much more subtly captivating. The dress's neckline dipped somewhat and allowed just a small portion of her cleavage to protrude. It was tight, but not as tight as the earlier piece. The black color brought out the blue undertones in her grey eyes and made her hair look darker. Her skin appeared to be flawless porcelain often seen in a child's doll. The dress back fell past her ankles and spread out elegantly at her feet in a classy trail. The front ended just below her narrow ankles. Deciding that this was the ideal dress for just such an event. Walking out and glancing at the price tag, she tried not to gasp. She'd never paid that much for an item of clothing in her life! Alexandra would be pleased that she now owned a decent dress.
Casey walked out of her dressing room in a lovely garnet colored dress that had a beaded floral pattern along the top of the empire-waist dress. The bottom half was layered with see-through chiffon that made the dress look darker. It was lovely. She looked pretty. Smiling, she turned. "How'd I do?"
Ryan smiled. "You look lovely."
"No," she laughed, "I meant as far as your dresses."
"Oh." She held up the black one. "I'm going with this one."
Casey stared for a moment and nodded. "Fin will love it."
Sam blushed. "That's not why I'm wearing it!" Walking out to purchase it, she allowed Casey to redress and exit before she began to fidget impatiently.
"What was wrong?" Casey inquired as they left the dress boutique.
Shrugging faintly, Ryan pursed her lips. "I just get nervous around all those rich snobby people. I don't live like that and I personally think it's unjust for people to live like the whilst other people scrounge for food each day."
Casey smiled. "I can't take that to court, sorry."
Ryan turned to her seriously as they got in the car. "Hey, I have a question to ask you."
"Fire away."
"Well," she hesitated. "My ex-husband wants sole custody of our daughter. When we divorced, we settled the custody matter saying he would keep Mariah mostly as long as I was working an on-call job and now he's saying he should get sole custody because of my relationship with Alexandra. Can he do that?"
Casey frowned. "I'm not sure, I'd have to see the paperwork but I can recommend a terrific attorney. She handled my sister's divorce and got her everything. He's great."
Ryan nodded slowly. "Sounds good. I guess I'm going to have to really fight him on this." She paused, "Do you think there's any chance I could get sole custody?"
"I'm afraid it's highly unlikely." She frowned sympathetically as they pulled in to the lot at the station.
"Casey," Ryan stopped her as she climbed out of the truck, "Thanks for your help. Can you keep this between us?"
The attorney grinned, "I don't know, I have a big mouth apparently." She teased Ryan jokingly.
Ryan revved the engine and startled Casey a bit. Smiling, she waved and headed to her own car. Sam parked and walked in to the station house, leaving her dress in the truck.
Fin smiled as she entered. "Hey Sam, did you find a nice dress?"
She grinned, "Yes, but you can't see it until tomorrow night!"
Cragen walked out. "Are you going to take tomorrow afternoon off like Novak had planned?"
Samantha nodded. "I have to get my nails and hair done. I think after that I'm going to-" Her voice cut off as she glanced at her computer screen. Another e-mail from Alex! She opened mid-sentence and began to read. "Hang on."
From: Christina (vivaldi_and_merlot@yahoo.com)
To: Samantha (Rjamerson16@hotmail.com)
Subject: Re: Manor
Dearest Samantha,
The manor that Ashley spoke of is exactly what it sounds like, a manor. I bought it two months back. It's fully restored and the staff is awaiting hire. Just call the numbers on the kitchen counter. The keys are in the desk drawer with a green key ring. Most the rooms aren't decorated yet but there's a bankcard with the keys, the pin is 1550. You can use that money. I love you so much; I'd love to return to that manor with your adoring decorative sense all around it. If you do move in to the manor, sell the apartment and move all the furniture in to one of the extra rooms. It's in Queens but it's lovely. Maybe you can't stay there with the long commute but I'd really like you to. It's up to you. As for Sean, he is acquainted with an ex-boyfriend of mine. I never really got along with him very well but I did not reject him for my old boyfriend's sake. He just never stopped talking to me. He alluded to the fact that you two were acquainted. How do you know him? I have to go, sorry. I love you more than you could ever know.
Sincerely,
Christina Richards
Ryan's eyes watered faintly. "I-uh- I need to go. Can I take a personal day Don?"
The captain frowned. "I need you on call, but I you can leave until you're needed. Promise me that you will make yourself available though."
Glancing at her watch, she nodded. "Of course." She hugged him. "Thanks." She hugged Fin, Elliot and then Munch on her way out.
Munch looked flabbergasted, "Who was that e-mail from?"
Cragen glanced at the screen. "A Christina Richards. Looks like they know each other pretty well, it says 'I love you more than you could ever know.'"
"Hey!" Fin flipped the screen off. "That's none of your business. Any of you." He glared at Munch.
An amused grin crossed Munch's chapped lips. "Oh, right. You're her knight in shining armor now. I thought you'd be jealous since it's obviously a competitor for her affections."
Fin scowled. "Oh grow up." He turned to Cragen. "Don't we have any new cases?"
Cragen nodded. "One. Do you and Elliot want it?"
"Uh-" Elliot frowned. "I'd prefer to go back to my pregnant girlfriend at home,"
Munch shook his head. "I'm exhausted with paperwork. Ryan will work it with you I'm sure." He have him a teasing look. "Just ask her. It'll be just like a date, oh wait, you already have a date set up, huh?"
Fin picked the three hole punch up from Ryan's desk and shook it threateningly. John didn't say another word.
***
Ryan opened the door to the manor and her jaw dropped. It was huge. The entry room was at least twenty feet high with the entire ceiling painted in to match the flooring. A chandelier hung from the center between two staircases leading to the second floor. A walkway on the ground floor between the staircases led to the back of the building. To her left was a study and to her right, a living room. Samantha couldn't help but marvel at the elegance of this house. It was definitely something Alexandra would buy. She walked through the walkway ahead of her to find a kitchen and dining room on her left and right respectively. Entering the kitchen, she saw the names for two live-in maids, a butler and a cook.
'Wow!' Samantha was stunned by the majesty of the building. She'd definitely move in and decorate. Ryan had to admit she'd always loved decorating; her old apartment had been proof of that. Flipping her cell phone open, she called Fin.
"Tutuola."
Sam smiled. "Hey Fin."
A friendly laugh of surprised responded. "Hey Sam, what's up?"
"Can you do something for me?"
Fin grinned, "Is it illegal?"
Sam shrugged. "Are you on a case?"
Glancing at Cragen and then at his watch, he shook his head. "Not until you're ready to help me."
"Great. Can you come down here?"
Fin laughed. "Where's here?"
Excitedly, Ryan gave him the address and grinned. "Bring your truck, I want to have you help me with some errands."
"Alright." He smiled. "See you Samantha."
"Kiss, kiss." She flipped the phone shut and smiled. Running up the stairs, she found two wings with two bedrooms on the right and three bedrooms on the left side. Then there were the two bedrooms downstairs and a total of six bathrooms. The master bedroom was amazing. It was huge. Ryan's apartment paled in comparison. She flopped on to the four-poster California king and grinned. She could definitely get used to this. The bed was solid cherry wood and so was all the rest of the furniture. White paneled Monticello doors opened to a balcony that over looked the acre of backyard gardens. She smiled and breathed in the not-too-fresh air but it still inspired her.
She walked in to the bathroom to see a Jacuzzi bathtub and a shower. A sit down vanity and a sink were across from the tub. The toilet was in a separate small room adjoined to the bathroom. Between the bathroom and bedroom was a walk in closet that was bigger than Ryan's old bedroom. She could definitely use the room. As she closed her eyes, Ryan could imagine Alex's and her clothes hanging in there and her charming lover lying on the large king bed awaiting her. When she walked back in to the bedroom, Samantha reached reality. Before she could explore further, the doorbell rang. Ryan grabbed the list of services to hire and walked up to the front door. "Hey Tutuola."
Fin smiled. "What are you doing at a ritzy place like this?"
Ryan's eyes went wide with excitement. "I bought it. You get to help me buy furniture."
"I-" He shook his head. "I can't fit all the stuff needed to furnish a house this size in my truck."
"I know." Samantha smiled slyly. "I have a truck too." She pouted. "Please come with me!"
Fin shrugged. "I guess but you better believe I'm not actually purchasing anything and I will make sure that my superior fashion opinion is consulted."
Ryan let a fluttery laugh erupt from her throat. "Okay. Come on. Let's go." She tugged on his arm after locking the front door. "I have to call the maids, cook and butler on the way there but it won't take long." She grabbed her keys and hopped in her car. "Think you can keep up?"
The engine of the Chevy* truck behind her revved in a challenge. Ryan tore off, grinning broadly.
***
As they arrived in the store, Ryan grinned. "I have to furnish the kitchen, one study and a bedroom for starters. The rest will definitely need Olivia's professional opinion."
Fin cringed. "I am not helping you pick out frilly pillows for you new house."
She turned and pouted, her peach colored lips glistening pathetically. "Please!"
He caved. "Fine, but I don't have to like it." Samantha kissed his cheek.
"Thanks." The next hour and a half of the day was torturous, yet humorous, for Odafin Tutuola. A side of Samantha he doubted anyone had ever seen came out as she picked out pillows and canopies and chairs and silverware. Finally, almost two hours and five thousand dollars later, they exited the store with both truck beds full and two desks, another bed and a larger-than-life TV set for delivery Saturday."
"Never again." Fin got out of his car and walked around to Ryan as she pulled the tailgate down. "You're crazy."
Ryan smiled. "I know. I'm going to need help unloading too. The butler should be here shortly too but would you mind?"
Fin frowned. "Fine! I'll help."
***
Olivia smiled at Elizabeth and Dickie. "You two like school today?"
Dickie nodded. "There are parent-teacher conferences next week, are you going to come?"
Nervous, unconfident silence filled the air as Olivia stuttered mentally to respond. Elizabeth smiled. "Please come. It's not for Kathleen and we both want you to come."
"Okay." Olivia smiled. "Do you two mind pizza for dinner tonight? I got a little held up today with Casey Novak trying to get tips on hairstyles from me. Like I know how to style long hair anymore. I told her to try Ryan and she mentioned Ryan was buying a house. I can't wait to help her set up Saturday."
Elizabeth frowned. "Should you be doing that with the baby?"
Olivia glanced at her in the back seat through the rear-view mirror. "You sound like your father."
Dickie laughed. As they pulled up to Kathleen's school, she climbed in the front seat. "I hate school."
Frowning, Olivia looked at her, she was crying. Mascara lines ran down her face and she looked miserable. "Oh Sweetheart, what happened?"
Kathleen fumed. "Can we talk about later?"
Olivia nodded. "Of course."
***
Ryan smiled as she fell spread-eagle on to the canopy bed and it's brand new bed linen. Fin grinned at her. "Comfortable?"
"You have no idea." She rolled over and sighed. "You want to spend the night? We did just set up that other bed and you are going to get home rather late after the event..." Sam beamed up at him. "I was thinking of having Casey and you over afterward to just chat and de-snobbify ourselves."
Fin chuckled. "De-snobbify? Your kidding right?"
She looked hurt. "You don't like my vocabulary?" Ryan chucked a pillow at him.
He grinned and threw it back at her. "I have my tux in the backseat, isn't it almost time for you to meet Casey?"
"Oh!" Samantha gasped and her eyes went wide with surprise. "Crap!" She sat up and ran in to the closet, pulling the one piece of clothing in there out and grabbing her new pair of shoes. "What time is it?"
Fin laughed. "Almost three."
Crying out in distress, Ryan sighed. "I'm supposed to be at the station already!" She grabbed her cell phone and ran downstairs with Fin in tail. She locked the door and hopped in to Fin's truck with him. "You can get me there faster, right?"
"Tch," he looked offended, "Of course I can."
She laughed and smiled. "Hey Casey, it's Ryan. I know I'm late. I'm on my way now. Sorry! I know, yeah, I know! I'll be there in thirty. Uh-huh. Bye." She hung up the phone. "Drive already!" Fin laughed and tore out of the lot.
***
Olivia sat down next to Kathleen. Elizabeth and Dickie were downstairs on the computer. "Kathleen, Honey, what's wrong?"
The fifteen-year-old frowned and looked down at her folded hands. "I hate high-school."
"Why?" Olivia put an arm around her and let Kathleen fall against her.
"There's this guy." Olivia's heart softened as Kathleen confided in her. "He's a junior at my school. His name is Jeremy. I like him so much; he's in my PE class."
Olivia smiled softly. "And?"
Kathleen sighed. "He asked Rebecca out today."
'Ouch.' Olivia bit her lip. "I'm sorry Sweety." Kathleen hugged her tightly.
"I hate it. I don't want to go to school ever again!"
Olivia smiled wholeheartedly. "Rebecca didn't say 'yes' did she?"
Kathleen shook her head. "No. I still don't want to see Jeremy ever again though."
"How many absences do you have?" Olivia began to devise a plan.
The young Stabler girl shrugged. "Two maybe."
'Perfect.' Olivia smiled, "How about tomorrow we excuse you from school and spend the whole day together? It will be our secret, no telling Liz or Dickie."
Kathleen's face lit up. "I'd love to! I promise I won't tell!"
She hugged Olivia happily and Olivia smiled up at her. "Only for one day though."
"I know." The young girl nodded obediently.
Olivia patted her knee. "Now get to your homework so you won't have to do it tomorrow, okay?"
Kathleen nodded. "Sounds great." She hugged her again. "Thanks so much!" The teenager walked over to her backpack and began to fish through it for her homework.
Walking downstairs, Olivia ordered pizza and began to play Life with Dickie and Liz. She knew she'd regret lying on the floor to play, but she'd worry about that when she had to get up.
Dickie grinned. "Is Kathleen feeling better?"
Olivia nodded. "Much."
Elizabeth frowned. "When we decorate for Christmas, can we put Mommy's stocking up?"
Waiting a moment to digest her random thought, Olivia nodded. "Of course you can. Anything you want this Christmas Lizzie." She smiled. 'Gosh, it's almost Christmas! Glancing at the calendar as Dickie spun the wheel, she noticed it was December 3 already.
***End Chapter Nine***
*I don't own this!
