"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:

Olivia groaned loudly as her OB ordered her to stay off her feet, confining her to bed rest for the next three months. Maureen gave her a firm glance as she led her out to the car, "You'd better listen to her too. I'll pick up the kids from school. I'll tell the kids to make sure you aren't on your feet too much."

She shot the eldest Stabler girl a rather annoyed look. "I can't stay off my feet for three months! I'll get so fat!" Olivia laughed faintly as she listened to herself.

Maureen smiled, "You'll be fine, now let's get you home and call Elliot."


Chapter Sixteen

Closure (I swear I didn't mean to steal the episode title!)

Elliot, who was already strained about his current case, nearly lost it when Maureen called. Stress related complications, she'd explained. Olivia was confined to bed rest for the duration of her pregnancy. His mind finally started playing with the ideas that Olivia's health, and the baby's health, were in danger. There was always a chance of further complications. He wanted nothing more than to be home with is lovely fiancé right now, but Serenity called him back to reality. Reality was the station house; reality was the pregnant ten-year-old whose case they were working.

"Elliot," she repeated. He frowned but looked up to her. Serenity shook her head, "You need sleep. I can go interview the mother myself..."

He shook his head, "I'm fine... I'm fine..." Climbing to his feet, Elliot grabbed his coat and the keys to the sedan. "Got an address?"

Serenity nodded. "Right here."

"Let's go." They headed out.

---

So far, so good. Ryan had done surprisingly well undercover thus far, even Andrew couldn't refute that fact. Her stomach turned at the very sight of Velez, but she'd kept her cool. After he'd found she was willing to pay, he'd become more interested. She wasn't sure he trusted her yet, but it was definitely progressing.

Putting in her pearl earring, she smiled. Alex had written her again. Things were going better, she said. Ryan told her how well the op was going and that she was optimistic about the whole thing. She climbed in the back of her limousine escort and lit a cigarette. The tobacco soothed her ragged nerves. Just a little while longer, and this would be over. Alex would return and her life would start to make sense again. Ryan sighed, resting her head against the seat.

--- Two Months Later ---

"Detective Ryan Samantha Jamerson," Ryan repeated her full name for the court. Cesár Velez was sitting behind the defense table dressed in an Armani suit with a firm look on his face. Her hands were getting clammy, she was nervous. Returning her gaze to Casey Novak, Ryan smiled softly. Watch Novak, forget Velez. Casey was relying on her to be a solid witness, now she had to finish this up, so Alex could come home.

---

Olivia cringed as she stepped down from the final step. Maureen helped her to the kitchen, much to Olivia's dismay. She hadn't fired a gun in nine months, and now she needed help getting down stairs? It was too much for the independent and determined detective. "I must say, I love feeling him kick every time he does, but I can't wait for him to get out of there."

"I doubt you're alone in that aspect," Maureen smiled. "Lizzie's going mad wanting to play with him and Dad worries about you like crazy." She started chopping up a salad. "I wouldn't worry about the weight if I were you though, you'll be slim and trim in no time."

Honey-colored eyes watched Maureen scathingly, "I hadn't even mentioned weight gain. I just want to be able to go up a flight of stairs without needing a nap halfway up." She smiled goodheartedly.

Maureen washed the lettuce, "Dad called while you were asleep, he said he should actually be home on time tonight. He's in court."

"I know," she grinned. "I picked out his suit this morning. Just because my stomach rivals that of a whale doesn't mean I'm shirking my motherly duties."

She laughed, "I noticed that someone had given Dickie, Liz and Kathleen sack lunches... I had hoped it was Dad."

Olivia grinned sheepishly, "I can't help it. Three months of doing nothing... It's torture."

Maureen smiled, "Look at it this way: Only one month left!"

---

Elliot was relieved to be off the stand and he was even further comforted by Serenity's terrific testimony on the stand. That scumbag of a boyfriend that Janet Kross had been seeing had knocked her daughter up. What a world they lived in. Elliot still felt bad for punching Arthur Strell... But just the thought of him having lied sent Elliot in to a rage. Luckily, he hadn't pressed charges.

Serenity spoke about the girl's first appearance in the station house and talked about the case's progression. When the jury reached a verdict, Janet Kross was convicted of accessory after the fact and Mickey, her boyfriend, got eight years for statutory rape. Elliot decided his work was done for the day, said good-bye to the Captain and headed home.

---

"Daddy!" Elizabeth came running down the stairs and in to his arms.

"Hey honey!" Dickie followed and Mariah appeared around the corner with a look of disappointment. She must've been hoping to see her mother. He sighed softly, hugging and kissing Dickie. After the two kids had headed back upstairs, he knelt down next to Mariah. "And how was your day, Sweetheart?"

She gave him an apprehensive smile, "Good. 'Liv'ya teached me my name."

Elliot picked her up and carried her upstairs on his hip, "Is that so?"

Mariah nodded, "M-A-R-I-A-H." A grin crossed her lips.

"That's right! Wow! What a smart girl you are!" He walked with her in to the master bedroom where Olivia was impatiently resting. "And I've got good news for you too!"

She looked up anxiously. "What? What?"

He grinned, "Your mommy just finished up her undercover op. today so she'll be home tonight or tomorrow night!"

Olivia smiled brightly from the bed, sitting up. "That's great!" Mariah was jumping up and down enthusiastically before running around the room chanting "Mommy's coming home" with excitement.

Elliot kissed Olivia on the cheek softly, "I love you, 'Liv."

She blushed. No matter how long he was away at work, he always made up for it. She kissed him back, earning a disgusted look from Mariah. "I love you too, El."

---

Ryan rang the doorbell at a little past eight in the evening. Kathleen answered with a smile. "Hey, is Olivia still up?"

Kathleen nodded, letting the detective in and calling Olivia's name. "She's in the bedroom."

"Oh, I don't mean to be a bother, I'll just go upstairs." She started up the stairs, giving Kathleen a final smile. Ryan was greeted with a massive hug around her knees from her daughter as she looked at Olivia. "The jury hasn't reached a verdict yet, but they've been sequestered since the beginning so I'm just praying they find him guilty before he can get to them."

Mariah whined to be picked up and Ryan picked her up, covering the girl in soft kisses. Olivia smiled softly, "I'm glad you got him. You're a real good cop, Ryan."

She blushed, "Thanks. And thanks for watching Mariah, I know she can be a handful."

Olivia shook her head, "It's great training. I'll be lucky if Evan behaves as well as she does."

"Evan? So you've decided on a name. It's lovely." She grinned.

The mother-to-be beamed, "Evan Delaney Stabler."

Ryan chuckled softly, "Sounds like a lot of research went in to that name."

"Elliot wanted a religious first name and Evan means 'God is good,'"

A small 'o' formed around Ryan's lips. "And Delaney?"

Olivia frowned, "I just liked the sound of it..."

Ryan could tell she was lying easily, but decided to simply look the name up later. "It is pretty."

"You going to be okay in that big manor by yourself tonight?" she looked concerned.

Her friend brushed it off nonchalantly, "Yah, I'll have Mariah for company anyway." She gave her now sleeping daughter a kiss on the cheek.

---

Christina tried again, the line just kept ringing. The WPP had just called her twenty minutes ago... Life without chance for parole meant that Christina could finally go home... But to what? Samantha wasn't even answering!

---

Ryan got home and passed the sleeping Mariah over to Rick, who eagerly coddled her. She smiled softly, joking with him before noticing the red blinking light on her answering machine. Three messages. Mariah started crying and she looked back to her lovely blonde daughter, carrying her up to bed.

Around eleven, she rushed inside to the sound of the phone. "Jamerson," she said nonchalantly on the fourth ring.

"Sammie?"

She dropped her water bottle on to the floor, her eyes wide with shock. "Alex?"

Soft laughter, trying to conceal tears, echoed on the other line. "Yes, it's me."

The number was a Colorado number... "What're you doing in Colorado?"

"Packing," she said, wiping tears from her eyes and sniffling.

Ryan gathered herself together and picked up the bottle, "When does your plane get in?"

Christina couldn't keep the grin off her face. "Four p.m. tomorrow..."

"I'll pick you up, love." Glee filled her, she felt like she could fly if she truly wanted. "It feels so good to finally hear your voice!"

"Same here, you didn't terrific undercover... Or so I hear." She laughed softly.

Ryan's expression looked slightly perplexed, "Who told you?"

Christina chuckled, "I can't say. Just know that you impressed quite a few people upstairs..."

A blush broke across her cheeks. "I won't be able to sleep tonight!"

"I'll let you go, I've got a few more hours of packing left. I'll see you tomorrow, Samantha?"

She grinned, "Yes, of course. Good night, Alex." God, it felt so good to say her name.

Alex responded in kind, "Good night. I love you." Click.

How cute! She'd gotten embarrassed! Chuckling softly to herself, Ryan set the phone back in its cradle and took off her gloves. She'd need the rest. Tomorrow would be a big day.


End Of Chapter Sixteen

Finally updated! wOOt!