Chapter 16

Sarah texted Liv more than once before midday, to tell her how excited she was about her, meeting Lauren.

Liv wasn't even sure what she was going to do there exactly but she thought that Sarah's excitement was cute and refreshing.

When Liv arrived at the school she saw Sarah already waiting for her.

"Oh sorry. I thought I was punctual." she said, hugging the girl.

"You are. I had a free period, so I thought we could eat lunch together with some friends of mine. Lauren will be there too and then you can watch her in her natural environment." Liv looked at her amusedly.

"What are you expecting from me?" she asked laughing.

"What? Dad always says that it's better to watch people in their natural environment to find out who they really are and he said that you are really good at it, so I thought that's the best way for you to "read" her or whatever you call it." Now Liv was surprised.

"He just says stuff like this to you? Like when?" Now Sarah started to smile.

"You know that he talked about you, even before you two were a thing, right. Mom hated it. She didn't want him to talk about work, especially not if you were involved. But you know, he told me that you have worked with the FBI for a while and that you've learned a bit about profiling. So you have to help me, okay. Put your sensors on Lauren and tell me everything you see."

Liv shook her head in amusement.

"I try to get in the head of criminals, not.. " she was interrupted by Sarah.

"Just do the same thing you did with me. I mean you are the only one who knows that I am into girls. Oh my god, there they are!" She walked towards a group of boys and girls and pulled Liv with her.

"Guys, that's Olivia, my step.. Well, my dad's girlfriend and she is going to eat with us today."

Liv looked at her confused, she didn't feel comfortable right now and the kids looked at her suspiciously too.

"Hi guys." was all she was able to say.

But what else was she going to say?

They greeted her back and started walking towards the park.

Liv's phone rang and she said to Sarah, that she will find them when she's finished.

She could see how the kids started to ask Sarah questions about her after they were a few steps away from her.

Damn, why did she agree to this again?

She answered the phone, "Benson."

"Hey Liv, we are on the way to Miller's apartment. Mrs Hudgens recognized him in a picture. He observed her a few days before the rape. She totally forgot about it. I'll call you after we have arrested him."

"Miller! I knew this bastard wouldn't stop. They should have convicted him. I still don't get why he is back on the streets.

I wish I could be the one who arrests him again."

"I think it's better that you aren't with us, it would only push him to do something dumb."

"Maybe you're right. We really have to nail him this time. He needs to be off the streets for good!"

"I know. I'll try my best. See you later."

"Be careful. See you."

She knew he was right and it was better that she wasn't with them but it sounded way more interesting than eating with these kids.

But she had promised it to Sarah, so she walked into the park to look for them. Sarah waved at her. She waved back to signal that she saw them.

One of the boys looked at her suspiciously and then he talked to Sarah. God, kids at this age are weird.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I may have to leave earlier. There is this ... thing at work."

Damn, she sounded like an idiot. But she couldn't just say- I have to leave earlier because there is this rapist we couldn't get last time but he raped again so we really need to put this fucking bastard behind bars- nope, definitely not the best thing to say.

"Luke just saw your gun and he thought you were a criminal or something." Sarah said laughing.

"I didn't say that." he said embarrassed.

Liv smiled at him comfortingly and he blushed.

"I told him you're a detective."

"Have you ever killed someone?" a brown haired girl asked wide- eyed.

Not this question again. Why do people always ask this first, after hearing that you are a cop?

Sarah must have noticed that Liv didn't like the question or El told her that he didn't like it because she said, "Why do people always ask this? Like, does it matter? I mean my dad had to kill someone in the performance of his duties but I don't see him differently because of it. He felt bad about it although the guy was a piece of shit and would've killed him if he didn't shoot."

"Damn, I love this girl." Liv thought to herself.

She was so grown up in some ways and she could see that Lauren admired her too. The loving look on her face when she listened to Sarah, it was too cute.

"I get that, but has she ever killed someone?" the brown haired girl asked again.

Liv didn't like her and Sarah looked at her unbelievingly.

Liv turned to face the girl.

"Unfortunately yes, I had to kill someone because he was about to slice a woman's throat!" The girl looked at her shocked and Sarah smiled gleefully.

"And that's only one reason why I love her. She isn't only good looking, she is clever too. I promise you guys, you don't wanna fight with her, she will kick your ass!"

Liv shook her head and mouthed a 'Stop it' towards Sarah but the girl just smiled.

"So, this impolite girl is Susan." Sarah said pointing at the brown haired girl, Liv didn't really like.

The girl looked at her embarrassed but Liv could see a small smile.

"This is Luke." he blushed again after meeting Liv's eyes.

"And that's Jake, Chloe and Lauren."

Liv already knew Chloe, she has seen her once a long time ago. She was Sarah's childhood friend. Chloe smiled at her sweetly and Jake winked at her. This boy honestly tried to flirt with her. She had to try so hard not to start to laugh. Sarah wasn't that controlled, she started to laugh uncontrollably. He looked at his feet in embarrassment. Lauren was laughing too.

"You didn't just wink at her, did you?" she asked laughing. Jake hit her slightly to make her stop but this only made her laugh harder. Liv sat down next to Sarah.

After a minute the girls calmed down a bit and Lauren said, "I am sorry. Nice to meet you."

Liv smiled back at her and said, "Nice to meet you too."

After another weird thirty seconds where no one talked and almost everyone was staring at Liv, they finally started to talk about school and their classmates. Liv noticed that Lauren hung on Sarah's every word. She was so happy for them. They will be a really cute couple.

Suddenly her phone rang again. She picked up.

"Benson."

"Liv, are you still at the school?"

"Not exactly at the school, we are in the park on the opposite side of the street, why?"

"We have a problem! I am sure that Miller is the one we are looking for, but he wasn't home and neither was he at his workplace but we found pictures of you and plans what he wants to do to you. Liv, that's some fucked up shit. He wants revenge."

Liv tensed and her facial expression changed.

"What do you mean? Revenge for what? He wasn't even convicted?"

"You were the one who arrested him, who interrogated him. He couldn't handle your sassy behaviour the whole time. A woman tells him what to do, come on, he hated you from the beginning."

"Fine, but what do you mean with "that's fucked up shit"? What plans does he have with me?"

She saw the confused and kinda scared faces from the kids and stood up to walk away from them, so they couldn't hear her talking anymore.

"Liv, just come back to the precinct immediately. I can come to pick you up."

"No, I can drive myself but why the hurry?"

"He marked the 13th red in his calendar and that's today. Whatever his plans are, it is going to happen today! Let me pick you up."

"No, I will be faster when I drive myself and I don't want to be around your daughter any longer. I am a threat to her."

"Just get here safe, okay?"

"Try my best." she said before hanging up.

Liv took a deep breath and walked back to the kids, who were still staring at her.

"Liv, what's going on? Who wants revenge? And what plans does he have with you?" Sarah asked anxiously.

"Don't worry. We aren't even sure about it yet, maybe it's nothing. I just have to go immediately. I'm sorry."

The kids looked at her reverently. She started to walk away.

"Liv, wait!" Sarah shouted while running after her. Liv stopped and turned around.

"Tell me, please. I hate it that you grown up's always lie to us or say everything is fine when obviously nothing is fine. I know that your job is dangerous and lying to me doesn't make it easier!"

Liv squeezed her hand and said, "Sometimes, it's better not to know everything but I get your point. You have to promise me not to talk to anyone about it, okay? Not your friends, not even Lauren and especially not your mom. Don't tell anyone that I told you that, not even your dad, okay?!" Sarah nodded like crazy.

"There is this guy and he wants revenge. I was the one who arrested him last time. But don't worry. We got it under control. We have enough time to prepare. Okay?"

Sarah nodded and hugged her tightly.

"Please, be careful."

Liv kissed her head and said, "I promise. And Sarah, Lauren is totally into you."

She winked at her and walked away. Although Sarah was worried about her, Liv could see a smile on her face.

She walked back to her car and although she told everyone that she wasn't in danger, she looked around nervously and couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched.

20 minutes later she arrived at the precinct and found everyone in the media room.

"Liv, good to see you." Elliot said and the others nodded in agreement.

"So, what do we know?" she asked.

"That's all we found in his apartment." El said and pointed to the three boards full of papers and pictures of her.

"What the .. " Liv said and walked closer. There were pictures of her from over a year ago, newspaper articles about her and the squad and many pieces of paper with detailed descriptions of what he wants to do to her.

'I need to show her who's the man… she will beg me on her knees.. I will fuck her until she knows where her place is.. I will show her that women are worthless.. I am the one to decide if she will live or die.. She is a fucking piece of shit like every woman..'

It goes on like this over 50 pages. She always knew he was a maniac but reading this let a cold shiver run down her spine.

"Well, this doesn't really explain what his plans are." Liv said.

"I'll put you under police protection. There will always be two officers following you."

"Captain, we don't even know what he wants to do and.." she was interrupted by the captain.

"Stop it! I am not discussing this with you!, he said sternly. "We need to arrest this guy before he can implement his plans. Any ideas?" he asked, looking around.

"We could tempt him to kidnap me." Liv suggested.

Everyone looked at her like she was crazy.

"I mean, let me be the bait to catch him. He will be following me around and we could trap him."

El wanted to say something but she stopped him with a hand gesture.

"Sure, there is a bit of a remaining risk but we will be prepared, we know that he will try to kidnap me, so let us use it."

"This is crazy and you know that!" Elliot said but Liv ignored him, her eyes were on the captain.

"Any other ideas?" the captain asked.

"Captain, you can't be serious. This plan is crazy!" Elliot said furiously.

"Elliot, I know it is risky but we don't have a choice. And Olivia suggested it herself, so if she is willing to do it, we should be too. And we will be nearby. She won't be alone."

"Guys, this is crazy! Ferguson, do you think that's a good idea too?" El asked.

"I wouldn't say it's a good one but it's the only chance we have and she won't be out there alone. We will protect her."

Elliot shook his head in disbelief.

Liv wanted to hug him and tell him that she will be fine but they were at work, so no exchange of affection.

Elliot left the room, and she really wanted to follow him but they had to make a plan and she had to concentrate on Miller right now, not on Elliot.

A few minutes later he reentered the room again and helped to plan the operation, still not happy about the plan but he wanted to help protect her.