Chapter 3

The next morning Olivia woke up, showered, and got ready. She made breakfast and coffee. She hoped the smell would wake up her guest. Amanda came out dressed and ready. Olivia smiled, "Good morning." Olivia remembered she didn't eat breakfast, "Do you want to eat with me?" Amanda laughed, "Do I have a choice?" Olivia laughed, "No." They sat and ate together. "I'm sorry I woke you up with my nightmare." Olivia shrugged, "Do you know how many calls I get at night or early in the morning. You're fine."

Amanda did know, she remembered that part of the job. She also got her own calls for the crime scene unit. "Are you going to ask me?" Olivia shook her head, "No. You don't seem like you want that." Amanda liked Olivia, but she wasn't exactly ready to spill her guts. "Hey, let's get to work." Amanda was in the office and Melinda stopped by, "I heard you did good yesterday. Are you leaving me?" Amanda looked up, "SVU isn't for me anymore." Melinda shrugged, "That's not what I heard. Why Amanda? This isn't for you."

Amanda frowned, she wanted to do it, but what if she froze. Melinda went to leave, "If you do want to, but something is holding you back, talk to Liv. She's a friend of mine and she won't judge. I promise you that. She might even be able to help you figure it out." Amanda knew Melinda was right. She was working when she heard a knock, "You left your things at my place. Staying another night?" Amanda didn't even think about it. She was embarrassed, "I'm sorry. I know I can't stay with you. I didn't think this morning. I'll just get it and head back to the hotel."

Olivia sat, "That's not what I meant. I don't mind helping a friend. I don't mind the company. That hotel must be getting expensive." Amanda smiled, the money wasn't an issue, "Friend?" Olivia nodded, "Yeah. Why don't you want to be my friend?" Amanda liked the sound of that. She didn't really have any friends, not even in Atlanta. "I'd like that." Olivia clapped her hands, "Great! Let's go. It's Friday and I'm off this weekend."

They picked up Chinese and ate together. Olivia did like the company. They both took a shower and Olivia sat on her bed flicking the channels, "Amanda! Want to watch some TV?" Amanda peeked in her room, "In here?" Olivia laughed, "I won't bite, I promise." Amanda laughed, "I didn't mean anything. I just know you have the TV in the family room." Olivia patted the side of her king size bed, "I like my bed and TV better."

Olivia hit the guide as Amanda got comfortable. "Okay, TV show or movie?" Amanda shrugged, "Movie, no commercials." Olivia clicked the remote, "Drama, comedy, horror, or crime? You know since we're cops." Amanda laughed, "Drama or crime I guess." Olivia smiled, "Got it! Thelma and Louise, it's a classic." Amanda shrugged, "Never seen it." Olivia looked at her, "You've never seen it? Well you are a baby and I'm old." Amanda frowned, "You aren't old." Olivia winked, "You're sweet."

Olivia grabbed popcorn and sodas. They started watching the movie. Olivia noticed Amanda was tense during the rape scene. She wanted to stop the movie, but she just watched her carefully. At the end when they drove off the cliff, Amanda was crying. Olivia rubbed her back, "Are you ok?" Amanda smiled, "They loved each other. No one has ever loved me like that." Olivia turned to the 11 o'clock news, "Well, I'm your friend and I'll love you, but let's try not to get into anything that we have to go off the cliff for." Amanda smiled, "Deal."

Olivia grabbed the popcorn bowl and soda cans. Amanda smiled, "Do you need help?" Olivia waved, "I've got it. Relax." Amanda yawned and looked at the news. When Olivia came back, Amanda was asleep. Olivia threw a big blanket over her and let her stay. Olivia watched the news and then laid down herself. She hadn't fallen asleep completely when she heard a whimper. She rubbed her blonde hair back, "It's okay Amanda, I'm here." Amanda settled. She slept well the rest of the night.

The next morning when Olivia woke up Amanda was still asleep. She got up and showered. She was quiet not to wake her. She threw on some comfy clothes to relax. Amanda moved, "Liv, I slept in here?" Olivia nodded, "I guess I am old, the news put you to sleep." Amanda was worried, "I'm so sorry. Did I have a nightmare?" Olivia wasn't worried, "No not really. You gave a little whimper, but settled down. Nothing major. Do you have nightmares every night?" Amanda nodded, "Yeah I guess." Olivia smiled, "Maybe I kept them away."

Amanda turned red. Olivia changed the subject, "Do you want to go out for breakfast or do you want to stay in?" Amanda thought, "How about we go out and let me treat you?" Olivia smiled, "Ok let's get ready. I know a place." They headed to a restaurant. They enjoyed breakfast. Amanda paid the bill and they went for a walk through Central Park. Amanda smiled, "It's nice here, not running from a rapist." They spent the entire day together and they seemed like old friends.

Olivia told Amanda they needed to stop by the grocery store for the week. "Amanda, do you like anything special to eat? Tomorrow is Sunday, so I'll cook and we can have leftovers on Monday." Amanda shrugged, "I'm not picky, but I can't stay with you Liv." Olivia smiled, "You can. I thought we discussed this." Amanda just went with it. She didn't know why Olivia was being so nice. Amanda was watching Olivia look at files, "Work on a Saturday night? I thought you were off." Olivia laughed, "I am but I'm also 2nd in command. You're good with forensics, want to help?"

Amanda sat down and thought about what Melinda said. "Liv, can we talk?" Olivia put the files down, "What's up?" Amanda bit her lip, "My mom still lives in Atlanta with my younger sister. My mom had me when she was 15. My father was a wealthy businessman who owned his own company. He died two years ago and left me everything. Money isn't a problem. He had everything in order and his friend and partner runs the company and my part is always deposited monthly."

Olivia didn't say anything, but 15 was young to have a kid. "My mom and her friend had fake ids made and hung out with older guys. She trapped my dad. He was 35 and she was 15. When she ended up pregnant, he said he would take care of me, but not her. She threatened to blackmail him with rape charges. He gave her a settlement, but he set me up for life. She wasted her money, I turned 18, and the well went dry. I knew him well. He wanted me to live with him, but my mom would only let me visit him on holidays and summers. She hated me, still does."

Amanda looked at Olivia, "What are you thinking?" Olivia shrugged, "That your mom sounds like a bad person and you had a hard time growing up, money or not." Amanda hadn't even told her the worst part. "What about your sister? Not close either?" Amanda shook her head, "My mom always played us against each other. She got hooked with the wrong friends. She's always in trouble."

Amanda didn't know if she should tell Olivia anything else. Olivia heard the pause, "So, you left because your family was drowning you. Let me guess your sister doesn't care about you, but loves your money and the fact that you're a cop?" Amanda looked up with sad blue eyes, "Liv, it's bad." Olivia moved closer, "You know you don't have to tell me, but if you do I will listen."

Amanda took a deep breath, "I used my authority before to help my sister. I knew it was wrong, but she told me she would get her life together." Amanda sat back, "I knew I shouldn't have, but I did. When I became a detective she asked for help again. She got high, stole money, jewelry and was in jail facing some serious charges."

Amanda looked at Olivia thinking she would see disappointment, but Olivia just smiled and held her hand. "I went to her and she had been beaten and begged me to do something. I told her I was done and I couldn't fix it." Amanda walked to look out of the window, "A week later, I got a call from my mom. She needed to see me. I got to her place and my Captain and Chief were sitting in her family room."

Olivia didn't like what she was hearing. It wasn't right. "I'll never forget what happened. Her southern charming voice, "Amanda darling, your bosses have offered to help Kim, which is more than you ever did." Amanda felt Olivia touch her shoulder, "Amanda?" Amanda turned, "They raped me and my mom just walked away. I screamed for her to help me."

Amanda sat on the couch with her head in her hands, "The next day Kim was free. A week later I asked for a transfer. I haven't spoken to any of them and I never told anyone." Olivia sat beside her and rubbed her back, "Amanda, I'm so sorry. Nothing is your fault. They are awful people and you don't deserve that." Olivia watched Amanda closely and Amanda only cried. She thought about asking her if she could hold her, but Olivia's instinct kicked in and she pulled Amanda close. She held her while she cried, "I'm a detective. I have no proof. I'll never get over this." Olivia held her, "Yes you will and I'll be here."

Amanda eventually stopped crying and moving. She fell asleep. Olivia knew it would be hard to get them on Amanda's case, but she knew they were dirty. She would figure something out. Olivia held her and fell asleep herself. Amanda blinked her blue eyes slowly. She saw Olivia never let go of her and she had a firm grip. Amanda liked the way it felt. Olivia opened her brown eyes. She was worried Amanda would feel regret and want to run. She was a victim and now she understood why she didn't join SVU. That was a department that should have kept Amanda safe and they betrayed her.

Olivia kissed her forehead, "Do you feel better?" Amanda didn't think and before she knew it, she planted her lips on Olivia's. Amanda pulled back, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have. I need to go. I…" Olivia grabbed her face gently and kissed her slowly and sucked on her bottom lip before pulling away, "Don't be sorry." Olivia wanted her to relax, but also didn't want her going off on what she was feeling right now.