Semper Fi

A Law & Order: SVU FanFiction

Author: itsamandything

A/N: songs for this chapter are: wonderwall by oasis, hear you me by jimmy way world, I'll stand by you by Natalie Taylor and chemicals react by aly & aj

Olivia was nervous. She had every reason to be. She was supposed to be running the squad while Elliot sat in on the trial. She couldn't sit in because she was a witness. She wasn't sure just how much she could handle and she took a breath when her phone buzzed. She re read the screen a dozen times and her heart lurched. Lewis was defending himself. So much for low stress. She put her phone down and groaned. "Hey Lucy I'm on my way to the doctor then home. I'm calling it an early day." She said then hung up.

She got her things ready to go and headed towards the elevator. Fin could step in for the duration of the trial. She texted her deputy chief and let him know the situation then let out a sigh of relief when the elevator doors closed. She looked at her phone when it pinged and she smiled when she saw that her obgyn could fit her in. Normally she went with Elliot but right now she needed to see the baby. Her daughter. "Hey Liv. Slow down." Brian called out to her and she slowed down. "Can I get you a cup of coffee?" He asked her.

"No I'm good. I'm late for an appointment." She said hoping he would take the hint.

"Look you can talk to Dodds but he wants a detail on you. He asked if I would do it." Brian admitted.

"Why you?"

"Because I've known you a long time Liv. He also knows I won't talk to a reporter," he told her.

"Brian. Not right now okay. I have to get to this appointment and then I'm going home to my son." She told him hoping he'd get the message.

"I heard about the adoption." He said, walking with her.

"I wanted to foster him when he was found but you didn't want kids and I didn't want to force the issue." She said quietly.

"But Stabler wants kids?" He asked her.

"It's not just that Brian. It's so much more. I need you to understand that." Olivia said filling out the sign in log. "The department has given me a security detail. He's with me." Olivia said to the nurse. You aren't going back with me." She said pointedly.

"You're not leaving my sight." He said and she groaned.

"Fine. But what you see and hear doesn't leave the room I'm about to be in. It's that simple." She said to him. "Nine people at the office know what you're about to find out. You're going to be the tenth. Don't make me regret this." She said and the nurse led them into the exam room.

Olivia sat on the table and leaned back, placing the sheet over her. Then gently rolled up her shirt to under her bra and unbuttoned her pants, gently sliding them down under the sheet. "Okay. Let's take a peek. So I know last week you hadn't decided yet but do we have a decision?" The doctor asked squeezing the gel onto her stomach.

"After the day I've had I want to know. I need something to ground me." She said softly.

"All right sergeant. Where's Elliot at?"

"Court." She answered.

"How about we record this for him?"

"I'd like that." She said and she handed her phone to Brian. She didn't have to ask him. She was thankful for that. He aimed the phone at the ultrasound and too some shots of Olivia relaxed on the table listening to the heartbeat.

"So it looks like we have a girl on our hands." He said excitedly. "Measuring at 14 weeks. Right in schedule Olivia." He said printing copies of the scan for her. "I'll double check the scan next week and the week after. I'll do blood work next week to confirm." He said handing her the towel. "Same time next week?" He asked and she nodded. "See you then." He said before leaving the room.

Brian turned around while Olivia got situated. "Why'd you let me in?" He asked her as she got dressed.

"You wouldn't have left anyways." She said then tapped him on the shoulder, signaling she was done.

"Only your squad knows I'm assuming?" He asked as they walked out of the room.

"Yeah, and the DA and Barba. A couple people at 1PP know. We are trying to keep it quiet after the trial. I didn't want Lewis's lawyer to bring it up. Now that he's representing himself I'm even more grateful for my decision." She told him as they left the office. She picked up copies of the scan from the nurse then left the office. "I have to be here once a week as a precaution. We didn't plan this. We uh had actually talked about surrogacy once we knew where Noah's adoption stood. But I went in for an X-ray to get my collar bone checked out and they told me I was pregnant. I was floored." She explained as they walked towards her place. "Elliot told me it was my decision and that he'd stand by it. It shocked me because he's catholic. I never expected it. But here we are. I'm really happy Brian. Not the best timing but I wouldn't change it." She added. They walked in silence to her building and up to the apartment. Olivia unlocked the door and before she could even get inside Eli flung himself at her.

"Hey you." She said kneeling down to drop her bags and wrap him in a hug. "What brings you here?" She asked him and he planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek.

"I knew the trial was this week. I thought you would like to spend some time with him. If I overstepped," Kathy said but Olivia cut her off.

"Thank you Kathy. So much. It would be nice to have him here. I actually made the decision earlier to take off until the trial is done." Olivia said. She sat her bags on the counter and hung up her coat. "I don't know if you remember Cassidy or not but he was at SVU a while back. The department has assigned him as my protective detail just to be safe." She said pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"Does Elliot know?" Kathy asked raising an eyebrow.

"About the detail probably. Who they assigned definitely not." Olivia said. "Where's Lucy?" She asked passing Kathy a cup.

"When I came to drop off Eli she said you were on the way home so I told her she could take off."

"Having Eli and Noah is the best distraction after today." Olivia admitted.

"What happened?"

"Lewis convinced the judge to let him represent himself. So when I get called he will be the one cross examining me."

"Oh dead god. How is that even legal?" Kathy asked disgusted.

"He has the right to assist in his own defense. I know he's going to try and treat me as a hostile witness. He's going to ask me everything he can to try and break me. He's lost once though. Elliot can't testify. That's one favor for me."

"You know he'd lie if he got up there."

"Oh I know. There's more though. Once this is over I'll make sure he tells you." She told the woman.

"I can't believe it took all of this for him to pull his head out of his ass." Kathy said rolling her eyes. "Liv when he turned in his papers I begged him to talk to you. He refused. He shut down after Jenna. He wasn't the same then when you went missing I think he finally woke up. He finally told me he loved you as more than a partner." Kathy told her. "He's loved you for so long. Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if you and he had happened sooner. I don't regret Eli but I regret asking Elliot to come home. I shouldn't have done that. I was being selfish." Kathy admitted. "But I'm happy for you both Liv. You guys deserve it."

"Don't tell anyone yet. I only found out an hour ago." Olivia said and pulled out a copy of the ultrasound. "It's a girl." She said with a smile. "I needed something good to happen today."

"I understand that. She's beautiful Liv. Dickie and Eli aren't going to like having another sister. They're going to be outnumbered again." Kathy said with a laugh.

"Elliot called it. He said he wanted a girl." Olivia admitted. "Give this one to the kids. Let them see. We were supposed to tell them together but when they find out about the trial this will give them something good to hold onto."

"I'll do that." Kathy said. "If you need anything or if Eli is a pain don't hesitate to call me. I'm so happy for you Liv. You deserve to be happy." She added before hugging her.

"Eli come say goodbye to your mom." Olivia called and he boy ran into the living room and hugged Kathy. "I'll make sure he calls before bed." Olivia told her. Brian showed her out and Olivia let Eli tug her further into the living room. "Okay so I'm going to change really quick. Why don't you pick us out a movie and Brian here will put it in." Olivia said and Eli hugged her again.

"Will do Liv," he said when he pulled away. She went into the bedroom and changed into a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt with a cutout back that tied together with a ribbon. It had been a gift from Kathleen for Mother's Day last month. She put on a pair of thick fuzzy socks and made her way back into the living room. She found Eli's current favorite movie playing, Noah sitting on the floor playing trucks with Eli. Brian was seated at the bar. She sent a quick message to Elliot letting him know the situation so he wouldn't take a swing as soon as he walked in the house.

Olivia busied herself cooking dinner and keeping an eye on the boys. She knew Elliot wold be home soon. "Okay so Eli when dad comes home do you know what you're going to do?" She asked kneeling in front of him.

"Yep." He said proudly.

"Okay good. He should be here any minute." She reminded him. She handed him her phone and a copy of the ultrasound. "He will be there in a minute." She said giving Eli and Noah a kiss on the forehead. Brian made himself scarce as soon as he heard the key in the lock. Olivia sat down playing with Noah then Eli ran to his father.

"Daddy daddy. I got something to show you." Eli said excitedly. "I've watched over and over and over." He said handing his father Olivia's phone. "It's got sister on it." He said hitting play. He sat Eli down on the mat next to Noah and hit the play button. Olivia bit her lip as he watched. "See," Eli said. "Sister." He said bouncing on his toes.

"That's right son. You're getting a sister." Elliot said to him, hugging him. "Why don't you play with Noah for a minute." He suggested and he pulled Olivia to her feet.

"I needed something good today." She said simply.

"I just wish I could've been there." He told her and pulled her in for a kiss. "But I get it." He said when they parted. "I love you so much." He murmured.

"I love you too. There's something else."

"You need me to help you hide the body of your detail?" Elliot joked.

"No. My uh detail is Cassidy." She said to him.

"You're kidding?" He asked.

"Nope. He found me outside the precinct. He uh went with me. He's been here since. He made himself scarce when he knew you were coming home."

"Well he's smarter than I thought."

"El, he didn't ask for this assignment. You know this is hard on him."

"I know. But at the same time it's karma."

"Let's not get into it. Dinner is almost ready." She said to him. "Eli picked out dinner tonight." She stated and Elliot grinned. It was mac and cheese but with add ins. "So we did promise Eli mac and cheese but it needed protein and some veggies. So how does chicken bacon ranch and broccoli Mac and cheese sound?"

"Amazing." He said pulling plates down and handing them to Eli and he sat the table.

Olivia was hiding in Barba's office. It was her day to testify. She was thankful he was getting it over with. Though she wasn't sure she would make it through Lewis questioning her. But Elliot was there. All she had to do was find him in the crowd. He was definitely her anchor.

"Hey you're going to be okay." He murmured. She was sitting on the edge of the desk and Elliot was standing between her legs. "When he tries to badger you, or lead you back to the house just find me. I'll be right there." He told her reassuringly. Olivia wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a heated kiss. She lost herself in him. It was easier than thinking about the next hour, so much easier. "Liv if we don't stop." He groaned as she gently hit his bottom lip. "You're going to kill me." He murmured then cursed as his lips found hers again.

"Okay. Break it up kids." Barba said and they jumped apart. "Liv as you predicted he's going to treat you as a hostile witness. Your only job is to lead his line of questioning away from Elliot. Spousal privilege protects you both but until we see where the questions go we won't know how much he remembers." Barba said and Olivia was clutching Elliot's hand. "Are you sure being called as Benson-Stabler is the right move?" Barba asked.

"Yes. Lewis is going to try and paint it that out marriage is spousal privilege only. We can disprove that at every turn."

"Okay. Elliot you might want to take a seat in the gallery." Barba said and stopped what he was about to say next when there was a knock on the door.

"Maureen what are you doing here?" Elliot asked as she came in followed by her siblings.

"Supporting you and Liv," Dickie said. "We want to be here. We talked to mom about it. She said it was up to us. Liv is our family dad. She saved Eli and mom when Eli was born. We owe her this much." He explained.

"Dickie there's going to be things said that will be hard to hear. It will be graphic." Olivia said and he shrugged.

"We know," Lizzie spoke up. "I have plans to go to medical school. Katie is working with sexual assault victims on campus and Maureen is a SANE nurse like mom. We know it won't be pretty. But you need your family here Liv."

"I want you guys to promise me and your father that if it gets too hard you'll take a breather and wait outside." Olivia said as Kathleen hugged her.

"You went to bay for me Liv. You saved me from serious jail time. I owe you this and so much more." Kathleen said releasing her.

"Go ahead with your dad and get seated. I'll be in soon." Olivia said as they each kissed her on the cheek.

"Guys I'll be right in." Elliot said as they shuffled out of the office.

"Did Kathy mention this?" Olivia asked him and he shook his head.

"No but it explains why she wanted to watch Noah today. She knows I won't be able to call and yell at her." Elliot said.

"I wanted to shield them from this."

"Liv. I tried and look at them. They're in this life regardless of how much I tried to shield them. They love you almost as much as me." He said and she smiled. "I'll see you in a bit." He said and pulled her in for a kiss. "I love you." He said before pulling away and leaving the office.

"Liv you okay?" Barba asked her as she took a deep breath.

"Yeah. Im good. This little girl is making me sick." She said, her hands cradling her stomach.

"Are you sure it's her or the trial?"

"We are going to go with her. I can handle that." Olivia said and he smirked.

"Liv what happens if Lewis brings up the baby?"

"The correct people know. I'm not in the field. Nothing can be said. It strengthens the case that this wasn't a spousal privilege marriage. But with my age stress is a problem. So I can always say that I was trying to give the baby less stress. I'm almost 16 weeks. That's good enough." She said and Barba left her. She waited until she was called and let out a small gasp when she saw Elliot.

"I'm walking in with you. You're my wife. You're not walking in alone." He said and she smiled. "Plus it'll unnerve the idiot."

"You're so classy." Olivia said trying to fight a smile.

"One of the reasons you married me." He stated and she giggled. He placed a hand on her stomach hoping the baby would move.

"She'll move. Just give her time." Olivia said and he smirked. "She's going to be a daddy's girl. I can all ready tell."

"Oh yeah." He said, pulling her in for a hug.

"Sergeant." The court officer said and Olivia took a deep breath and grasped Elliot's hand. They separated once inside the court room and she took a breath before stepping onto the stand. She saw Tucker as well as Munch and Cragen.

"Sergeant can you please walk us through what happened the night you returned home?" Barba asked her.

"I went inside my apartment carrying dinner and once inside I sat it down on the counter. I felt that something was off. Then the defendant stepped out, holding a gun and said Welcome home detective."

"What happened then?"

"I woke up tied to a chair with duct tape on my mouth. I was repeatedly burned with cigarettes and keys. At one point a wire hanger was used. I remember tasting vodka and being forced to swallow it and pills. After the second day I was put into the trunk of a car where I was left for hours on end until I was taken inside the Mayer's and I was forced to watch him torture and rape Mrs. Mayer."

"What happened next?"

"We swapped cars. I was handcuffed to the door while Lewis went into a store to get supplies. Then I was forced to lay down in the back of the car and covered with a tarp and we were pulled over. When the cop went to ask questions he was shot. Then I was taken to the beach house. While at that house Lewis repeatedly threatened me saying he would rape and kill me. Then I heard a knock at the door and heard him coaxing someone into the house. I knew it wouldn't be good. So I mustered up the strength to break the iron rod and got free. I subdued Lewis and told the woman to leave that it wasn't safe for her or her daughter. I told them that I'd call for help but it wasn't safe for her. I knew the defendants MO. I knew he would torture the mother and rape the daughter."

"What happened next?"

"I grabbed the gun. I couldn't pull the trigger. He told me I didn't have the balls to kill him. Then he lunged at me and I dropped the gun. I grabbed the rod and beat him until he was no longer a threat."

"Where was your husband during all of this?"

"He was looking for me. At the time he was retired NYPD but he was in contact with my squad. I believe he was even threatened by my former Captain to not interfere with the investigation."

"I see. How long had you and your husband been married at the time of the attack on you?"

"Not even two weeks. It was very new."

"Your husband is here today yes?"

"He is."

"How long have you known your husband?"

"Almost fifteen years. We were partners for a dozen years."

"It's being inferred by the defense that you married because your husband is the one who actually beat William Lewis that day and you are keeping him from testifying. Are these accusations baseless?"

"They are." She simply stated.

"Sergeant did you use excessive force when subduing William Lewis?"

"My life was being threatened. I specifically remember him telling me he'd like nothing better than to make my husband watch as he raped me then killed me. I did what I had to do to subdue him." She repeated. She was all ready committing perjury. She wasn't digging the hole any deeper.

"Thank you sergeant." Barba said.

"At this time the defense has no questions. However we reserve the right to recall this witness at a later date." Lewis said, hobbling to stand.

"Objection." Barba called out.

"Sustained. You know as well as I do Mr. Barba that the defense is well within their grounds. Sergeant you may step down for now." The judge said. "We will have a brief recess." The judge said.

Olivia wasted no time making her way to the women's room, emptying her stomach. She survived half of it. She was good for now. She rinsed out her mouth and popped in a piece of gum. She found Elliot in the crowd. He was like a magnet. "You did great." He said softly. He saw Lewis conferring with his attorney and directed Olivia to the elevators. "I don't have to stay." He told her. "We could grab Noah and go to the park." He said and she smiled.

"I love you. But stay. I'm going to be okay. I promise." She said and she felt a flutter. "Put your hand on my stomach quickly." She urged and she smiled as he made contact.

"I could lay in bed all day and feel that." He told her and she smiled.

"Me too. I'll see you tonight." She told him.

"How about I bring dinner from that Italian place you like?"

"Sounds perfect." She said to him. She saw the kids and smiled. "I'm going to get them out of here." She said motioning to the kids.

"Why is he waiting?" Kathleen asked.

"To be a dick." Lizzie answered.

"Don't use that language but your sister is correct." Elliot said. "You guys go with Liv. Have a girls days or something." He said and the girls grinned.

"That's not a bad idea dad." Maureen said taking Olivia's hand. "We can do manis and pedis. Go shopping. What do you say Liv?"

"Let's go." She answered.

"I'm gonna keep dad company." Dickie declared. "Now that you've testified do you still have to have a shadow?"

"Until the trial is over." Olivia answered. "It won't be much longer." She said and the bailiff called court back into session. "I love you. See you tonight." She said and he gave her a quick kiss.