"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:

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.

__________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Ten

New Recruit

Casey smiled as Ryan finally walked in to the station house in a red sweater and black jeans. Fin filed in behind her and sat down at his desk. Sam smiled apologetically. "I'm really sorry that I'm late again."

"Keep it up and I'll just arrive late myself, counting on your tardiness." Casey laughed airily and smiled.

Ryan chuckled. "Let's get this over with." She waved elegantly to Fin as the two climbed in to the ADA Casey Novak's X-terra.

Foxy Nails*, the nail salon at which they had their manicures down, was packed. Casey and Ryan sat down next to one another, thankful for having an appointment. Casey naturally let her hands fall slack as the young Korean lady began to work with her nails. Ryan nervously did as the man across from her said. Casey laughed, "Have you ever had your nails done?"

Sam shook her head negatively, "'Fraid not. I'm not really the hyper feminine type."

Casey grinned. "I'm a big sports fanatic," she indicated to the lady how long she wanted the false nails to be, "But I still find time to pamper myself." She sat for a few moments, just going through what seemed like second nature. "I'll have to get together with you more and change that tom-boyish part of you back to the good side."

"Hmm." Ryan smiled at the man across from her, Kevin she learned was his name, began to shape the cold acrylic over her nails evenly.

***

Casey Novak and Ryan Samantha Jamerson entered the station house slowly. Fin was wearing a handsome tuxedo with a white rose in his jacket pocket. Ryan shivered lightly at the memory of her rapist. "You look charming."

Fin walked up to the two lovely women. His eyes seemed locked on Ryan. "You look gorgeous." He turned to Casey politely. "Both of you."

The softly shaded cheeks of Samantha's reddened naturally. "Thank you." Fin offered her his arm.

"Cragen will be right out." The three got in to Fin's truck slowly.

"Do you think we should call a limo?" Casey looked curious. As if on cue, a long black stretch limo pulled up.

"Casey Novak?" The Hispanic driver got out. He explained that the DA had called it in to escort Tutuola, Novak, Jamerson and Cragen to the event. Cragen walked out of the station, dressed much like Fin.

Three uniform units acted as an armed escort for the small group on their way to the event. It was being held at the large ballroom of the republican Senator Lewis Williams and his family. The building was enormous. Two large double doors awaited them at the end of the walkway.

A large chandelier hung just inside the massive overhead windows. It lit up the colossal entrance hall. The tile on the floor must've been imported and the banisters of the stairways were solid ebony. Wreaths decorated everything and big red bows spread holiday cheer. Christmas lights illuminated doorways and everything was decorated. Ryan couldn't help but wish she were so skilled at decorating.

Casey didn't pay much attention to the décor but walked straight to a table in the backyard garden. The backyard was massive and done to resemble a lovely English garden. The table had fine silverware and crystal wine glasses that were just beautiful. Fin and Cragen took Casey and Ryan's coats. Fin politely sat on her right and Casey on her left. Cragen laid his jacket on the back of the chair across from her and went to mingle. Cragen called the three over to introduce them to the Senator himself.

Senator Williams was about forty-five and his hair was starting to grey. The hair that had yet to fade with age was a healthy shade of almond. His sapphire eyes shined cordially. "It's nice to meet you all."

Ryan offered him her hand. "I'm Detective Jamerson."

He took her hand and shook it, smiling. "You're the one who caught that dirty cop, weren't you?"

"Yes Sir." She maintained an impartial façade. "That's correct."

Fin shook his hand next, "Detective Tutuola."

He smiled. "Yes, you used to work for Narcotics..." Fin nodded affirmatively and the Senator turned to Casey. "You must be the fine new ADA. I'm glad to see that we have another resilient face in that office. I've heard you're keeping a pretty good record."

"That's accurate." She took his hand. "I can only attempt to maintain the high prosecutorial standards that Alexandra left in her wake."

A soft smile tugged at Ryan's lips as the Senator nodded. "She was a terrific ADA, that DA position was just waiting for her."

Ryan sobered. "We definitely are inspired by her ardor for the job Sir."

Cragen took the Senator away to discuss charity donations no doubt. Ryan smiled at her two remaining companions. "Let's get a glass of wine and check this ritzy place out." The three headed to the bar.

***

After merely ten minutes of looking around the ballroom and backyard, Ryan began to realize she would be bored out of her mind in less than half an hour. Drinking a large glass of wine, she sighed. "This sucks." She sat down in a chair lazily. Tutuola and Novak sat with her. Cragen was off brown nosing still, or so Sam assumed. "There's no way this can go on for more than an hour."

Casey laughed. "Unfortunately, we'll be stuck here for the next two and a half hours unless Cragen himself runs out of benefactors to implore."

Fin looked around slowly. "That'll take a while.

Two or three lawyers and businessmen approached the table and asked the lovely ladies for a dance, and were rejected rather exasperatedly. Casey sighed. "I thought the charity events in Philly were bad, this is at least ten times worse. Damn." She emptied another wine glass.

Fin laughed. "You two seem to the envy of every girl in here." Ryan shot him an angry look before looking around and noticing that most men were focusing on their table.

A malicious grin crossed her painted lips. "Maybe they think you're just damn sexy Fin."

Casey laughed casually and leaned back in her chair. Ryan kept her posture immaculate. Both the detectives could tell that the alcohol was beginning to get to Casey. Ryan stood up. "Tell you what, Fin, why don't you take Casey out for a dance and I'll go find our good Captain?"

Fin gave her a curious look, "Are you sure?"

Sam nodded emphatically. "Yes, positive." She picked up her small purse and walked in to mingle with the airheads and aristos of New York City.

***

Olivia couldn't keep the eager grin off her face as she checked in on the kids again. All of them sleeping, Elliot on his way home, everything was perfect. She walked downstairs cautiously one last time and made sure every light was off. As she entered her room, she shed her house robe, revealing a black nightgown that truly left very little to the imagination but tonight, that's exactly what Olivia wanted. As she lay herself down on the bed, she heard the door open and grinned mischievously in the candlelit room.

***

Cragen smiled jovially. "Good night you three; drive home safe." Ryan, Casey and Fin waved him off as he climbed in to a cab.

Casey walked back in to the kitchen first. "I must admit Ryan, you didn't strike me as the type to own this kind of a house but it really is lovely.

"No, no, no." Ryan blushed. "I haven't even finished decorating yet!"

"Tch." Fin laughed, "I ain't helpin' you."

Sam put on a pitiful puppy face, "Olivia and you are going to help me on Saturday." No response. "Dinner's on me..."

Fin sighed, "Okay."

"Well that was simple." Casey laughed. She drained her glass of red wine (a wine cellar below the house was fully stocked) and smiled. "I should probably get going; I do have to work tomorrow." Glancing at her watch she noticed it was almost 1am already.

Sam smiled. "I'll call you a cab too, take it home, don't drive home from the station house."

Giving her friend and slightly disapproving glance, she sighed. "Fine. I'll pick the car up tomorrow."

"Good idea." Fin walked her outside as soon as the cab arrived. "Stay safe tonight Novak. Munch and Ryan have a court date with you on Thursday."

Ryan recalled the court date and swore lightly. She had to pick up Mariah tomorrow and take her out. Maybe Mariah would like to decorate her room. Sam had plans of hiring a full-time Nanny for Mariah and getting full custody. She knew it'd be difficult but if Alex could get her the name of a great attorney, she also knew she could pull it off.

"Hey." Fin walked in to the kitchen behind her and smiled. "I locked the door. I think I'll take you up on that offer to stay over. My car's at the station still."

"Okay." Ryan turned around and sat on the counter. "Which room do you want?" Drinking the last of the wine straight from the bottle, she set it back on the counter and headed upstairs. "You can stay in the right wing with me, or sleep in the left wing by yourself. It's up to you."

Fin shrugged. He appreciated Ryan's concern about his personal comfort. He smiled. "I'll keep you safe in the right wing."

Sam laughed. "There's no need with this security system, but okay." She walked him down to the first newly decorated room. It was done in a lighthouse/beachside manor that really blended well with the whitewashed walls. She eventually intended on painting the bottom half of the walls with water but it would have to wait awhile.

"Thanks." He turned and smiled. "Where's the bathroom?"

"It's the next door on your left." As she led him to it, she showed off more of her fashion sense, as it was done in the same lighthouse/harbor appearance that really blended perfectly.

Fin smiled. "Sleep well Sammi."

She beamed back at him softly as they headed to the hall to go their separate ways. He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Sweet dreams."

"You two Fin." She hugged him softly and sauntered in to her room slowly. She closed the door and immediately began to draw a bath. The warm water soothed every tender nerve and aching muscle in her body.

Finally drifting off to sleep around 2am, she slept well under the down comforter and satin sheets she'd bought. All that was missing was Alexandra.

***

The first thing Ryan did Wednesday morning was call Sean. As she ate eggs the cook had come over to make, she frowned. "Sean. I can't make my date with Mariah tomorrow so I'm going to take her today. I have a court-date tomorrow."

Sean shook his head. "No. You're not seeing my little girl."

"Like hell I won't!" She screamed in to the phone. "She's my daughter too you asshole! I'm picking her up tonight at four and she's spending the night in my new house. I have a room decorated just for her. She'll love it. Have her ready or I'll keep her until Friday and have one of the maids entertain her!" Slamming the phone on to the receiver, she blushed as Fin walked in.

"Daughter?" He grabbed a piece of toast and munched softly.

Sam looked at him for a moment before shaking her head and pulling her black satin robe tight over her body. "Forget about it." She showed the maids and cook to their rooms downstairs. Luckily, the two maids were friends who'd worked together before and were comfortable sharing a larger room.

As she headed upstairs, she ran in to Fin again.

He stopped her. "Sammi, if you need to talk, I'm here."

Soft tears fell from her eyes. "I just want to see my little girl again. I only see her every other week. Is it so much to ask?"

Ignoring the shock of finding out about her daughter this way, he held her. "I'm sure you'll get to see her. I'm sure you'll see her soon."

Samantha looked up and blushed. "I really need to be getting ready for work." She kissed his cheek. "Thank you for your support." She handed him the stack of towels in her hands and smiled. "Take a shower, you look like hell."

He gave her a jovial smile. "You too."

"Oh really?" She gave him a challenging look before laughing and heading in to her room to shower.

***

Cragen beamed anxiously as the four detectives filed in to the bullpen. First Stabler, Tutuola, Munch, and Jamerson. They all sat down, then looked up when he stood silent for a few moments. "What is it Cap?" Ryan looked unusually cheery again today but Don didn't question it.

Elliot, Fin, John and Samantha stood up and walked up to him. He smiled. "I have someone I'd like you all to meet. It's very important that you all get to know this young person. Please be polite-" he eyed Samantha, "And try to treat her with respect. Detective Brown."

A Black woman walked in. Her long black hair was perfectly straight and shined in a classy manner. She was wearing a suede jacket and faded blue jeans. Her glimmering brown eyes looked over all the detectives. She was about 5'6" tall and average weight. A white t-shirt was unbuttoned a little too low, revealing lusciously dark cleavage.

Ryan noticed Fin examine her and blanch when his gaze reached her face. His mouth fell open slightly. Sam eyed him suspiciously, 'She's not that pretty, is she?'

The woman smiled. "Hello. I'm Detective Serenity Brown."

Elliot extended his hand. "I'm Detective Elliot Stabler."

"I'm Detective John Munch." He smiled politely as he shook hands with the new detective.

Fin glanced at her and nodded, but hardly spoke. "Serenity."

She tilted her head likewise. "Odafin."

Samantha gave Fin a questioning look before shaking her hand softly. "I'm Detective Ryan Samantha Jamerson. Call me Ryan."

Serenity smiled. "Nice to meet you all."

Cragen examined all his detectives. "Elliot, would you or John prefer to take her on for the couple cases?"

Elliot frowned. "Perhaps I could work at the desk while Munch does it, that way Olivia will have less reasons to worry about me. She's becoming more and more paranoid by the day."

Don smiled. "Alright then. Serenity, you're partner for the next couple of weeks will be John Munch."

Serenity smiled, a perfect smile. "Thank you very much Captain."

"Oh brother." Ryan began to see why Fin didn't like her. She couldn't put a finger on what it was, but this woman irked her in a most unpleasant way. "Maybe you and Casey should go out for lunch sometime."

Munch and Fin snickered and laughed at her joke while Cragen responded with a rather reprimanding look. Ryan gave him an innocent smiled and Serenity looked at the Captain for an explanation. Samantha headed to her desk. "You know, in a unit like this, you can't get all the answers from the Captain." Elliot covered his face with a handful of papers and Fin suddenly had to cough. Munch just outright grinned.

Cragen cleared his throat and headed back in to his office. Sam turned around, "So that's what the new desk was for." Elliot frowned.

Fin opened a folder. "I think I need to get started on this new case." He opened the case file before him. "You with me on this Samantha?"

Sam nodded and walked up to his desk. "Sounds like a plan. What have we got?" Her heart broke. A forty-five year old woman and her two daughters all raped in murdered in their home while the father was on a business trip. 'Sometimes the world seems darker than I thought.'

Without commenting on the brutality of the case, Fin grabbed his jacket. "Well, Mr. Bruer is supposed to be back today at nine, how about we meet him at the airport?" Ryan glanced at her watch; it was ten 'til eight. The two walked out quickly.

***

As person after person filed in to the gateway, Samantha finally noticed one man in a suit looking rather perturbed. She approached him. "Are you Mr. Bruer?"

He looked her up and down once, "Yeah, who are you?"

Fin came up behind her. She smiled. "I'm Detective Jamerson, this is Detective Tutuola."

"How can I help you Detectives?"

Sam frowned. 'This is the hardest part of this job sometimes.' She took a deep breath, "We need you to come down to the station. You need to clear some things up for us."

Fin finished for her. "We have reason to believe your wife and two daughters are dead."

The glacier blue eyes of the middle aged man started to water. "That can't be!" He started to cry softly. "All of them? My whole family? What about my son?"

"I'm afraid so Sir." Ryan's heart ached for this poor man. "Wait, son?" From all the pictures they'd seen in the house and all the toys, he loved his family very much but she'd never noticed a young boy.

"Yes," he said with a sense of urgency. "My son, Gregory. He's three." He looked from one detective to the next.

Ryan frowned. "We haven't located him yet. Be assured that we will make it our first priority though Sir." She whispered softly to Fin. "You lead him out, I'm going to call Elliot and have him check out any information the neighbors might have about the son."

Fin nodded. "Of course." He led Mr. Bruer towards baggage claim. "I'm terribly sorry for your loss. As soon as you're ready, I'll take you down to the ME's office."

"Okay." He grabbed his garment bag and suitcase before walking towards the sliding glass towards and outside in to the snow. It had snowed the first time this year only a week ago. It had snowed the night of the Charity event and it had pretty much been snowing since. Not heavy or dangerous snow, just small flakes that stuck in your hair and on your clothes. Ryan looked angelic with the bits of snow in her dark hair.

She smiled firmly as she walked up to them. "Elliot's got it, he's going to check out the scene too. Are we headed for the ME's?"

Mr. Bruer nodded. "Yeah. I don't think I'll ever be any more ready for this." His voice was in total despair. The detectives asked him to follow them to the office in his own car for convenience and he obliged.

***

Olivia smiled. "Well? How's it feel to sit at home all day?"

Kathleen frowned. "I'm bored."

"Tell you what," she stood difficultly, "Let's go shopping for stuff for your little brother. I still need to buy a crib and such."

"Really?" Kathleen's eyes lit up. "I'd love to!"

Olivia smiled. "I know." She took her hand and pulled her towards the door. "Let's go. Don't tell Elliot that I've been out and about walking around like this though. He'll make me buy a wheelchair."

Kathleen laughed. She helped Olivia in to her leather jacket and pulled her own jacket on. Flipping a soft pink scarf over her shoulder, she smiled. As Olivia opened the door, Kathleen paused. "Olivia," her voice was very serious and sincere, "I want to thank you. You've been there for my father since the divorce and now you're here for all of us. You accept that we cannot forget our mother and you encourage us to keep her memory alive. You're like a mother to us, without making us feel suffocated by countering emotions." A small tear formed in the corner of her eye. "Thank you so much. I want you to know that, if you and Elliot were to get married, I'd want to be the flower girl."

A simple innocent statement that had so much underlying information in it. Kathleen understood that eventually Elliot and her intended on getting married. She was telling Olivia in her own way that she would give them her blessing; saying that she would approve of the marriage whenever the two were ready. The irony did not escape Olivia that this young girl was prepared for the marriage far before the two main participants were. Olivia smiled; she held back the motherly emotional tears that were tempted to flow due to her hormonal swings and to the honest and heartwarming statement the young fifteen year old just made. "Thank you Kathleen. I'll make sure you're the flower girl, I promise. If not, then will you be a bride's maid?"

"Yes." She grinned. "With Ryan and Maureen?" Olivia nodded. Kathleen's grin spread. "Liz can be the flower girl then, I'm too mature for that."

Olivia laughed softly. "Okay then, it's settled. Only one thing left to do."

Kathleen turned to her as they walked towards the driveway, "What's that?"

"Elliot has to ask me first!" They both laughed softly and climbed in to the car.

***

Ryan frowned as her cell phone obnoxiously intruded upon the somber silence that lingered in the hallway of the M.E.'s office. She looked at the ID. "Fin, I have to take this, I'll be right back." Stepping in to a side room, she flipped the phone open. "Jamerson. What do you want Sean?"

Sean's annoyed voice came over the phone. "I got your message. If you want to take Mariah today instead of tomorrow, you'll have to come get her now because I'm going to be out all day and I either have to take her to a day-care or you have to come get her."

"What?!" Samantha glanced at her watch. "You know what, fine. I'll be there in thirty." She shut the phone with a finite 'goodbye' and ran out to catch up with her colleague.

Mr. Bruer and Fin hadn't gotten very far. The poor man was terrified of the simple idea that inside the room ahead of him might lay the body of his wife and daughters. Ryan blushed. "Fin, can you cover for me for like an hour? I have an emergency..."

Fin nodded. "No problem."

Ryan ran out with a perturbed look on her face that bothered Fin somewhat. He sat down with Mr. Bruer. "Sir, I understand how much this must hurt, but without a proper ID we cannot be sure it's them."

He looked up, he was crying now. The dam had finally broken and tears slid down his face. "I can't go in there. Victoria was my life, and our two daughters were my soul. I cannot confirm the fact that some sicko took them all from me! Ana, Sarah and my Victoria? No!" Jonathan Bruer futilely threw his hands up powerlessly. "I just can't admit that it could be true. They are my life. Please, can I come back tomorrow? Please?"

Part of Fin told him not to let the man go, because his alibi wasn't cemented in fact but he nodded. "Leave your cell phone number with me and we'll call you tomorrow."

Jonathan nodded. "555-1930. I have it with me always." He weakly picked up his briefcase. "I'm sorry."

Fin placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it. One day can't hurt."

Elliot walked in with a young boy on his hip. Jonathan's eyes lit up. "Greg!" He grabbed the boy from Elliot and hugged him tightly against him. "Oh Greg, I was so worried."

An amused look was painted across Elliot's features. "He was hiding in the attic, his big sister had been playing hide and seek with him when he got locked in there."

Fin felt a soft smile cross his own lips as the father took comfort in the sight of his son. The young boy pulled away, his short brown hair becoming tousled. "Daddy, why are you crying?"

Mr. Bruer struggled to compose himself. "I'm just happy to see you Greg, that's all." He hugged his boy again and thanked the two detectives before leaving.

Elliot frowned. "I'm going to head home to see Olivia. This case has me more than a little on edge. I'll be back after lunch."

Fin nodded and Elliot drove him back to the station house and dropped him off. Once in the bullpen, Cragen looked at him. "Where's Ryan?"

"She took an early lunch." Sounded like a legitimate cover to Fin.

Unfortunately, Cragen saw right through it. "Where'd she go?"

Fin grimaced. "Well, you see-"

Ryan's soft mezzo-soprano voice interrupted him. "I'm right here." He turned around to see her with a small girl on her hip. The girl had soft blond, almost naturally platinum blond, hair that fell to her shoulders in the same wavy curls that Samantha's hair had. Her eyes were the same steel grey and her skin was the same soft ivory. Her thumb was in her mouth as she contently clung to her mother. "Sorry, I had an errand to run."

Cragen motioned to the girl. "Who the hell is that?"

Samantha set the little girl in her seat. "Sit here for a moment Mariah, mommy will be right back okay?" Mariah nodded without removing her thumb and started to draw with a pen on an open notepad on Ryan's desk.

Walking in to Cragen's office and shutting the door when he'd followed, Ryan bit her lip. Fin was outside talking to Mariah softly. Cragen walked around his desk. "Mommy?"

"Yeah." She blushed. "That's Mariah, my three and a half year old daughter. I don't appreciate you swearing around her either." Ryan couldn't keep the scolding tone out of her voice; her motherly side was definitely offended.

Cragen shook his head. "You can't keep her in here during working hours!"

Sam frowned. "It was either that or take a personal day and I really don't want to do that with this case. Mariah will be fine; she's no trouble at all. I swear."

"I'm sorry." Cragen looked doubtful. "If you can't get anyone to watch her, you'll have to take the day off. It's too dangerous for her to around here, you know that."

"Of course." She walked back outside and picked up the corded phone on her desk. She sat Mariah on her lap and became distressed when she found that Mariah had been messing with the computer mouse and had opened her e-mail. As she dialed Olivia's cell phone, she began to close all the windows on the screen, only to notice a letter from Alex.

"Benson."

Ryan opened the e-mail and started to read it.

Olivia answered again questioningly, "Hello?"

"Oh!" Ryan blushed. "Hey Olivia, sorry." She smiled. "I was distracted."

"Ryan, what's up?" Her voice sounded cheery.

Sam smiled. "Not much, can I ask a favor of you?"

Olivia laughed lightly. "Of course, as long as it doesn't involve running or anything overly strenuous."

"Sounds like Elliot's home already."

"Exactly."

The two detectives laugh. "Well, Mariah's here at the station because her dad bailed for the day. Is there anyway you could watch her for me?"

Olivia let out a soft 'aww' and smiled. "Of course."

Ryan let out a soft sigh of relief. "Okay. I'm going to bring her down right now and then Fin and I are going to hit the scene again." She said it more as a heads-up to Fin than for Olivia to know. "We'll be right there. I have everything she needs."

"See you then." Click.

"Oh thank God." Ryan glanced at the computer screen to see Cabot's message.

From: Christina (vivaldi_and_merlot@yahoo.com)

To: Samantha (Rjamerson16@hotmail.com)

Dear Samantha,

Why didn't you reply to my message? Are you okay sweetheart? I wish I could call you or something; I miss you so much. I am worried about you, you usually respond to my e-mails with utmost promptness. Are you okay? Oh I do hope you are not hurt. How do you know Sean Foster anyway? I suppose I will reply when you do. Until then, all my love is yours.

          Yours forever,

                   Christina

Ryan blushed and quickly began to scribe a response.

From: Samantha (Rjamerson16@hotmail.com)

To: Christina (vivaldi_and_merlot@yahoo.com)

Dearest Christina,

          There's something I haven't told you about that I suppose has left me with no better time than the present. Sean Foster is my ex-husband. I was married prior to my seeing Jared. We thought we were going to be together forever, so we had a surrogate mother carry a child for us. I have a three and a half year old daughter. Her name is Mariah. I'm sorry that I did not tell you before, but until last week no one knew. I hope you will not be angry with me. I love you with all my heart. I've begun work on the manor; it's lovely. I cannot wait for your return.

          All my love,

                   Sam

It wasn't as lengthy as she would've liked but Mariah was distracting her and Fin was trying to read over her shoulder so she sent it. "Ready to go?" Fin nodded. She picked up Mariah as she stood and she rested her on her hip. "We're going to visit Olivia. She's one of my best friends. Will you let her watch you for maybe two hours while mommy finishes up work?"

Mariah giggled. "Liv'ya. Yes mommy."

Fin laughed. "Liv'ya huh? I'm sure Olivia will love that."

Trying not to laugh herself, Ryan made sure the diaper bag and everything was in the back seat as she buckled Mariah in to her car seat. Mariah began to cry. Ryan frowned. "Shh sweetheart, mommy has to drive, okay?"

Mariah would not stop crying. Fin smiled faintly. "I'll drive, you hop in back."

"Think we should leave the car seat in here for when we make an arrest?"

Fin laughed. "Sure."

Samantha smiled as she climbed in the other side and Mariah's cries fell silent.

As Fin began to drive, he found himself continuously glancing in the rearview mirror. "You're a great mom, you know that?"

She laughed, "Well, its not hard when you only see your daughter twice a month or so."

Fin could hear the pain that lingered underneath her overwhelming sarcasm. "She loves you, so obviously you're doing something right."

"Hmm." Samantha took Mariah's tiny hand in hers and smiled. The little blond tike was sleeping. "She usually falls asleep during car rides. Poor Olivia won't be able to get her down for a nap later though if she sleeps too long."

As if silently responding to an unspoken request, Fin drove a bit faster.

***

Elliot frowned. "I don't really know if I should leave you to care a rambunctious child by yourself..."

Olivia shot him a dirty look as she washed the lunch dishes off. "I can take care of a child, I'm not incompetent." She rested against the counter ands shook her head. "Everyone keeps babying me and I'm sick of it. I'm fine, okay? FINE!" She immediately regretted raising her voice and yelling at him. Olivia hung her head slightly. "I'm sorry."

"I know." Elliot stood up and grabbed his coat. "Well, if you're so competent then I'll just go back to work. You obviously don't need my help." The tone in his voice made Olivia's heart break with regret and guilt.

"Elliot!" She followed him out the door and in to the snow in her house robe and slippers. "You know I didn't mean it like that!" He got in the sedan and drove off. Olivia frowned and resignedly retired to her house. Inside, she picked up a few misplaced articles from the children and put them in their respective rooms. After that, she went downstairs because Ryan had just arrived and Kathleen was greeting them at the front door. She heard Kathleen's excited tone as she met little Mariah. Olivia was anxious to meet the adorable daughter of her good friend as well.

***

Ryan sighed with relief. Olivia and Kathleen had been thrilled with Mariah and Mariah was equally happy to see them. Luckily, she and Fin were now able to get some work done. It was off to the crime scene and time to grill the neighbors.

***

Olivia smiled softly. "Well Mariah, Kathleen, where do you two want to go?"

Kathleen shrugged. "Maybe we could go get some lunch and then go shopping?" Her tone was hopeful.

The classic parent ploy that all children, especially Kathleen, hated was utilized by the keen detective before her. "Okay, but anything we buy, you won't get until Christmas."

"But Olivia!" Kathleen let out a despairing sigh.

Mariah piped in. "Liv'ya!"

Olivia looked over at her. "Hey? Why are you taking her side?"

"Because I'm right," Kathleen shot back. She blushed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."

Mariah pouted. "Presents!"

Olivia looked at her. "You two are terrible. Alright, let's go." She picked up her keys and handed Mariah to Kathleen. "I can't hold her that long."

"Okay." Kathleen adjusted little Mariah on to her hip and smiled. "No problem."

***

"How many people can not hear three successive gunshots? I mean, were they all trying not to?" Ryan's temper was flaring again. Useless. Two teenage girls and their mother shot dead after the younger girls were raped and the mother sodomized. Three different guns, none silenced. Not one of the thirteen neighbors heard a thing. She shook her head as she climbed in to the passenger's seat.

Fin clambered in to the car and started it up as he buckled his seat belt. "I'm sure they're all covering for someone. They've gotta' know who it is, or at least if their were multiple assailants. I could see it in their eyes."

Ryan laughed. "If there were multiple assailants? There had to be. A guy can't rape and kill three women in the course of twenty minutes. I'd say two, if not three, assailants."

"Really?" Samantha nodded, she replied with confidence, "Definitely."

Shrugging, Fin drove the two back to the station and climbed out of the car. "Do you want me to follow you home? I know it's a long way and I don't want to get back here tomorrow and find out you didn't make it here..."

Samantha's pale cheeks flushed softly with embarrassment. "No, thank you though Odafin. I have to pick Mariah up and I should be able to make it home fine before dark. If I need your help for anything, I'll call you. Promise."

She took both his hands in hers and kissed them. "You're a great friend Fin."

Fin nodded softly. "But you're seeing someone?"

"Huh?" Ryan arched her eyebrow in surprise. "Yeah...I am..."

"Christina?" Fin's dark brown eyes showed no hurt, only understanding.

Samantha pursed her lips. "I have to tell you something, but not here and not now. I will tell you tomorrow. We'll go out to lunch. You know Christina, you just don't know it yet."

Fin looked bemused, "Huh?"

She dropped his hands and put a finger to her lips. "We'll talk tomorrow. Goodnight Odafin."

He waved softly. "'Night Samantha."

Backing up until she reached her F-150, she climbed in and revved the engine. It was about 4:30, but they'd nothing to do and Cragen knew about Mariah now so she decided to head to Olivia's. Perhaps a small chat with her friend could do her some good. She had some things to discuss with someone who knew her, and someone who knew Alex was alive. 'Yes,' she decided, 'Olivia is the perfect person to talk to.'

***

Olivia pulled wearily in to the driveway. She'd spent her month's pay but she knew the kids would be ecstatic when they opened their gifts. She'd forced Kathleen to take Mariah to the toy aisle while she had bought Kathleen's gifts and made it through the checkout before she'd returned. Mariah had suckered a small lollipop and of her and Kathleen had gotten ice cream. Olivia was definitely craving coffee. Walking inside the house with all the bags, she quickly stowed them away and stared argumentatively at the coffee machine. Sighing heavily, she reached in to the fridge and grabbed some apple juice. Kathleen and Mariah were watching T.V. quietly in the living room.

"Do you have any homework?"

Kathleen turned around, slightly surprised by her presence. "No Mam."

Olivia laughed. "Don't call me Mam, I'm not that old."

She headed upstairs. Maureen was helping Elizabeth memorize her vocabulary words and Dickie was playing Halo again. "Do you have any homework?"

He shook his head. "Nope." After beating his opponent, he turned. "Wanna play?"

Olivia shook her head. "Negative. I'm afraid I can't. Don't know how. Your dad should be home soon though, he'll play with you."

Walking silently in to Elizabeth's room, she sat next to Maureen. "How's your day been?"

Maureen smiled. "Surprisingly lethargic."

Kathleen grinned. "Lethargic: lazy, sluggish, weary."

"Good job," Olivia proudly voiced her approval. Then she heard the door open and Elliot shout.

"I'm home! Guess who's here?"

Mariah shouted. "Mommy!" from downstairs. Voices ran together but Olivia discerned that Ryan had come to pick up Mariah. She stood up slowly, straining in effort. Olivia hated her lack of mobility; she really shouldn't have gone shopping. Oh well. She walked slowly downstairs with the kids to greet the arriving parties.

***End Chapter Ten***