A/N: This couldn't be Serena's story with some EO!

Chapter 11

Carisi was at a loss. He wasn't around for the infamous Benson and Stabler era, but he knows life at the 1-6 was different than it is now. He's been told those two wreaked havoc when arguing and gave their superiors more cause for disciplinary action than any other team in the history of the unit. He was also told that they would kill, die, and back each other up without batting an eye. Rumour has it that they have been banging for years, but that doesn't seem right to him. He understands they are close in a way that's different from other partners he has seen or worked with, but he can't quite grasp the hype. Carisi only knows his sergeant as a capable cop who is sad all the time. He knows his lieutenant used to be a hothead and he can still see parts of that, but sometimes he feels like the odd man out. At least he knows Rollins isn't that far behind him; she was there for the kidnapping, but not much before that. As he drives the squad car, he can't help but think about what's going on in the back seat. Once he pulled up, Elliot had to practically pick Liv up bridal style from the grass to get her in the car. She ended up on her own two feet, but never loosened her grip on her kid. Carisi thought Elliot would drive or at least sit up front but he physically moved the ladies over and climbed in next to them. Rollins sat in front.

Olivia was no longer hysterical, but the tears were still steadily streaming down her cheeks. It was heart-wrenching for him to see this side of her. Whenever she spoke of Serena's case, it was always with professional detachment. He knew it was to keep herself in check but seeing her so raw right now was disconcerting to say the least. As he peeked in the rearview, he saw Elliot reconfiguring them into a better position since Serena was still wrapped around Liv. He moved his leg behind Olivia's back, so she sat crookedly between his legs, her back to his chest and he had his arms wrapped around both of them. His head was bent at an angle so that the way he was speaking made it impossible for anyone else to hear except the two ladies ensconced in his lap, even in the silence of the car. Carisi glanced sideways at Rollins who couldn't help stealing glances either. This is why most people thought the rumors about those two were true.

"Hey baby. Can you look at me please?" Elliot calmly asked of Serena once they were better situated in the backseat. She didn't flinch when he had to grab Liv and practically carry her into the car so he's hoping she isn't afraid of him. He couldn't tell since she has yet to say anything, but he was rewarded when she raised her head off of Liv's shoulder to look at him with the same inquisitive look she used to; the look Olivia gives him on an almost daily basis. Elliot tried not to react to the pain and sadness in her eyes. He simply said, "We've missed you very much." That was the world's biggest understatement, but it garnered a smile.

Liv moved her hands to her daughter's head to finally get a good look at her. As she brushed her hair away from her face, they both saw tiny marks crowning the skin below her hairline. Bite marks. Scars. She also had four fresh butterfly bandages over her right eyebrow. Neither drew attention to them but Liv finally caught her breath enough to speak.

"W...We have to get you checked out (hiccup) at the hospital. Then we..." she didn't finish her sentence because Serena was vehemently shaking her head. "Honey, we need to make sure you're okay." The look on Serena's face was puzzling and she was waving her hands around in the air.

"Sweetie just talk to us. It's okay" Elliot said soothingly. Serena gave him a look that he couldn't recognize or explain. She sat up in Liv's lap and slowed her hands down to use signals. She used to be so good at sign language, but things have changed.

"Not hurt. Doctor yesterday" she signed as she pointed to the butterfly bandages on her forehead. She wasn't lying, he was a doctor and he treated every one of her wounds during the time she was with him and she was not about to have another doctor poke at her. She has developed a high pain tolerance and besides a few sore ribs from yesterday's fall, nothing bothered her.

"Angel, we just need to see..." Olivia tried again to explain why they had to go to the hospital. Serena needed a full body checkup and as much as Liv tried not to think about it, a rape kit. Who knew the last time someone touched her? Dear God, I don't know which is worse, to wonder or to know? The bandages over her eyebrow looked fresh but if a rape was reported by a doctor, she would have been called in. But like before she didn't get to finish her sentence before her daughter was vehemently shaking her head and gesturing.

"No. No more doctors!" she signed. Serena vowed to herself that she will not have anyone tell her what she has to do with her own body again. "I am fine. Go home. Not hurt anymore." Hopefully, they would get the message. She could always write it down somewhere.

Serena was saying, in no uncertain terms, that she was refusing treatment and although as her mother, Liv could override her decision and it went against everything she believed in as a SVU cop and an advocate, she knew she wouldn't retraumatize her daughter knowing there would probably be no evidence. Serena was clean, combed, and smelled like a combination of Irish Spring and Pantene. Plus, what kind of kidnapper got their victims fitted for eyeglasses? Olivia could tell they were not cheap ones either, with a strong prescription and transitions, which made it even more puzzling. Elliot was about to speak up when Olivia cut him off.

"Baby, when was the last time so...someone touched you?" She didn't really want to know the answer, but she also did. Serena shook her head and waved her hand away, indicating not for a while. "Okay. As long as nothing hurts you right now, we will leave it alone; however, we will make an appointment with your pulmonologist for as soon as he can get us in. I don't like the sound of your breathing." Liv conceded. The excitement of the day plus the high-speed sprint and crash weren't good for her lungs, let alone whatever the hell else happened. "I'll have him call in a new script for oxygen to last until we get to see him."

Serena shook her head again as she reached down for the backpack Fin picked up from where The Doctor put it when she sat down. She reached inside and pulled out her cannula, expertly placing in under her nostrils and turning on the portable tank. Olivia turned around to see an equally dumbfounded Elliot staring back at her. Who the fuck was this guy?

-SVU-

When Carisi finally pulled up in front of Liv's apartment, everyone seemed frozen in place. Since Liv was in front of Elliot, she opened the door and stepped out first, this time Serena stood on her own two feet but held tight to Olivia's left hand and kept looking all around. Elliot got out of the car and made to close the door when Liv held up her hand.

"No, El. You need to get back to the house and find him. Please. We'll be okay." She put her arm around his waist and rested her head against his chest, forgetting the two junior detectives looking on. She was still trembling but as always, he was the only one who could tell. "Come back later."

Elliot didn't want to leave them, but he knew she was right. The sonofabitch was still out there and he needed to get him. Plus, there was the matter of the rapist they were in the park to catch in the first place and a number of other things he needed to get done. It would be a bit more stressful without Liv to work off of and keep him on his toes, but he was the one in charge. Didn't make it any easier to leave though.

"Okay" he said simply as he wrapped his right arm around Olivia's shoulders and held his left arm open for Serena to choose whether or not to step into. It filled his heart with joy when she didn't hesitate. He took a moment to take in the smell of her hair and the feel of her back before pulling away. He took a chance and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and then turned around and did the same thing to Liv, getting a small smile in return from both. "I'll see you later."

Carisi and Rollins both watched the exchange in silence. Elliot continued to stand by the car with the door open well after the two disappeared inside. "Lieutenant? Are we waiting for something else?" he questioned.

"Just wait Carisi" was the only reply he got. The three of them stared at Olivia's apartment building as if it was going to grow legs and run away. Suddenly, they saw curtains on the fourth floor open and lights flash on and off. Elliot then got back in the car and ordered them back to the precinct.

"They're okay for now" Elliot thought to himself, not realizing he said the words out loud. Carisi and Rollins gave each other a knowing look. Yep, there is definitely some truth to those rumours.

-SVU-

As soon as they came through the vestibule of her building, Olivia pulled Serena forwards, that is until Serena stopped short causing Liv to take a step back. Her daughter was just staring at the closed doors of the elevator.

"Come on honey, let's get upstairs. I for one, really have to pee" Liv stated trying to lighten the mood a bit. Serena looked at her and back at the elevator doors which were now open and shook her head. She turned around and stared up at the staircase before looking at Liv again. "Baby, did you forget you're attached to an oxygen tank? You can't climb four flights of stairs." At that point, Serena took her backpack out of Liv's hand, put it on and started the climb. Years of interviewing victims taught Olivia that her daughter must not want to be trapped in a windowless box, so she removed the backpack, put it on herself, and walked behind Serena in case she needed assistance. It was a painstakingly slow climb and when they reached their floor, Liv could see that it had taken its toll on Serena, so she took her hand and half dragged, half carried her to the door.

"Stay right here" she commanded as she drew her gun from its holster and entered the apartment. He probably knows where we live. He had time to double back here and I'll be damned if he gets anywhere near her again.

After clearing all the rooms, Liv called for Serena to come inside before she pulled open her curtains and flashed her lights. She knew Elliot would not leave until she did and when she looked out the window, she saw him close the car door and they pulled away. She turned around to find Serena standing just inside the door, so Liv closed and locked it up and gently guided her baby to sit on the couch.

"That was quite a climb! You must be exhausted. Let me get you some water and then I really do need to use the bathroom. I wasn't kidding!" Serena gave Liv a faint smile, watching her mother's every move.

-SVU-

Oh my. I'm so tired! I had to swallow those white pills again in order for him to take me out. I can't stand taking them and they make me feel weird. But at least my ribs don't really hurt now. I can barely keep my eyes open but there is absolutely NO way I am going to sleep. I might not wake up. I might wake up from this great dream back into that nightmare. I might fall asleep and wake up in the hospital because Momma thinks that's what's best. Plus, The Doctor ran. Will he come back for me? Can he hurt Momma? Why didn't Elliot come upstairs with us?

Serena was getting lost in her thoughts as it was getting harder to keep her eyes open and her head started to fall forward just as she would pull it back. This is how Olivia found her when she returned from the bathroom having changed into shorts and a t-shirt. Liv turned on the AC and sat on the other end of the couch.

"Baby, you are safe now. No one is going to hurt you here. I'm sorry that your old clothes won't fit you anymore, actually, you're taller but not much wider so you might be able to get away with the shorts or capris. I can give you something to change into if you want and we can either go shopping at the mall or I can order stuff online" Olivia offered. She was hoping that if Serena was comfortable enough, she wouldn't look like she was about to bolt if a car honked outside. She looked like she needed to sleep uninterrupted for a year!

Serena seemed to contemplate the offer for a brief moment before getting up and walking into her bedroom, knowing her mother would be right behind her. She felt that if she kept moving and kept her mind occupied, she'd be less likely to knock out. Olivia kept her room exactly as she remembered it. As she stood in her doorway, she stared at her bed. Where's Janey?

Olivia noticed her daughter's furrowed brows. "I'll be right back" she said and ran to her room. When she returned, Serena grabbed the bear, hugging her tightly to her chest. She closed her eyes and seemed lost in thought. "As I told you when I gave her to you, she always made me feel better when I needed a hug. Plus, she connected me to you and…..Are you hungry? Why don't you change and I'll make us something. You have to be roasting in those sweats." Liv did not want to break down again or make her daughter anxious.

All The Doctor ever gave her to wear was sweats. His old sweats or ones patients left behind. She didn't mind though. Nights got awfully cold, especially in the winter if she was made to stay underground for bad behavior. She did want to change though. My name is Serena and I am home. She suddenly wanted nothing more than to change and get comfortable at home. First, she needed to clear her head. Splashing water on her face would wake her up a bit so she handed Janey back to Liv, secretly glad the old bear brought her mom some comfort in her absence. She walked into the bathroom, but she left the door wide open.

Liv saw the open door on her way to the kitchen but made no move to close it. If Serena needed to feel a sense of freedom, she would unhinge every door in the apartment and turn them into firewood. Liv didn't even have the grilled cheese sandwiches flipped when Serena appeared back on the couch looking considerably more comfortable. She was wearing her capri pants that now fit her like walking shorts, Elliot's Giants t-shirt she used to use as a nightie, and long socks. She was shoving her thumbs through the sleeves of an old sweater of Liv's that she used to play dress up in. She even removed the cannula for now. Serena was making it a point to cover up as much as her body as she could. It was almost too much for Liv to think about but if her daughter was strong enough to bear it, she would not look away, but she didn't stare either. There would be time enough for that later. She pretended all was normal as her daughter caught her eye.

"I'm afraid that I haven't kept up with the grocery shopping. The best I could find is ingredients for grilled cheese and tomato soup." The only reason Liv went food shopping was to make sure Serena always had healthy choices. When she went missing, Liv didn't bother much with nutrition. At the mention of food, Serena's eyes opened wide and she gave a cocky grin that always reminded Liv of Elliot. It seemed like forever ago since the kid had the Central Park hot dog. "Good, it's almost done." A few minutes later, they sat on the couch and Serena was slurping the end of her soup. "Wow! I can make more" Liv offered. She hadn't even finished half of her sandwich. Serena seemed to really contemplate taking her up on her offer when Liv put her own cup of soup into her daughter's hands. "I don't know what I was thinking. Soup on a hot day is just weird" she smiled as her daughter inhaled that too.

Olivia wanted to ask a thousand and one questions and all she wanted to do was inspect every inch of her daughter's body, but she did neither. Now was just not the time. She could see Serena battling exhaustion and she couldn't blame her. She barely slept more than 3 or 4 hours a night herself during the past two years and those nights were not consecutive.

"Baby, I know you're tired, hurting, and confused so I'm not going to interrogate you, but there are some things I need to know for tonight. Okay?" It took a moment before Serena nodded.

"Are you in any pain right now?" She asked looking at the butterfly bandages.

This? This isn't pain Momma. She didn't say that of course. Instead, she pointed to the bandages above her eye and waved her hand in a "so-so" manner. Then, she put her hand on her ribs and held up three fingers, hoping Liv would understand.

"You have three broken ribs?" Liv asked incredulously. Serena noted how her voice got louder and higher at the end of the question.

Serena shook her head immediately and gestured back, "Not broken, bruised" and noticed that Liv was holding her breath. She moved closer and put her hand on her mother's knee and intentionally blew out her mouth. Olivia took the hint and released her own breath.

"Did you get x-rays? What did the doctor say?" Liv had asked such a simple question, but Serena seemed so thrown that she physically recoiled, and her eyes couldn't get any wider. "It's okay. It's okay" Liv was using her soothing voice. "I'm your mother and I'm going to worry, that's all."

"Yes x-rays, no broken. No lifting and rest. Hurts to cough" Serena signed a few moments later.

"Okay, that's all for now. It's been a day, hasn't it?" Liv finished smiling at her daughter and getting one in return. "How about a mindless movie?" When she got the nod, Liv walked over to the DVD case and then popped one into the player knowing Serena's eyes never left her. Indiana Jones might just be the distraction they both need.

-SVU-

"Alright. Everybody go home. We'll start with fresh eyes in the morning" decreed Elliot. Rollins got a quick confession out of their rapist who was now in the tombs awaiting arraignment. BOLO's and All Points were coming up empty on the man who took Serena and although he completed a lot, he still had a ton of paperwork to finish. Thanks to several witnesses at the park who got them on camera, they now had a face and a name: Dr. Andrew Carlson. He was a general surgeon out of Westchester Medical Center and Elliot thought that might be why Serena seemed so well cared for in terms of any injuries and her glasses. Barba had no problems securing a search warrant for his home and office which turned up empty. So, as of now unis are sitting on the house, but Elliot knows he won't return. His squad worked admirably as always and there is nothing more they can do tonight.

"Heading back to Liv's?" asked Fin. He knew it was the question on everyone's mind, but he was the only one who could get away with asking it.

"Yeah. I told her I'd come by after work. She needs an update and I want to see how the baby is doing."

"The baby is 13 now Stabler" Fin chided with a grin. "Tell both Baby Girls I'll stop by tomorrow, a'ight?"

Elliot chuckled. "Will do. Goodnight all" he announced as he headed towards the elevator. It was 10:45 and he didn't remember the last meal he had except for the coffee and donut Liv brought him that morning. On the way to Olivia's, he stopped by a hole in the wall Italian place that made the best pasta sauce and got some food to go. It was after eleven when he rang Liv's doorbell, but he didn't have to wait for her to answer because her neighbor was coming out and he just grabbed the door and went inside.

When he got to her apartment door and knocked, he was a little worried that he wasn't getting an answer. He didn't hear a sound coming from inside the apartment when he knocked a little louder, so he got out his key and let himself him. The curtains were still opened from when Liv flashed her lights and every lamp was on. The television had been left on and the little DVD screen saver was bouncing around. When his eyes fell on the couch, he was nearly brought to tears. There was Olivia holding Serena from behind all wrapped up in a blanket, just the way he remembered them doing on movie nights. It's a good thing the AC was on because he doesn't know how they weren't sweating all wrapped up like that, but then he remembered that Liv got a chill if you so much as sighed on her. He walked quietly to the kitchen intending to leave the food for them and go back to his apartment when he suddenly heard rustling behind him.

Serena was standing there looking like she was doing what kids call the "pee pee dance" with a distressed look on her face. "What's the matter sweetheart?" he asked. She kept looking towards the bathroom and back at Liv. "Do you want me to make sure the light is on in the bathroom?" he asked as he went to walk. Suddenly, she had grabbed his hand and walked with him.

After Elliot walked with her to the bathroom, he turned around to give her privacy when Serena wouldn't let go of his arm. She was looking nervously between Elliot and the toilet. "You can leave the door open. I'll stand right outside" he offered but Serena just kept shaking her head and looking at the seat. "Do you want me to check for you?" Elliot could just make out a barely perceptible nod. "Okay" he said as he walked over to the toilet and lifted the lid to look inside. He had no idea what he was supposed to be looking for, but it seemed to be what Serena needed. She was holding onto his right hand with both of hers as she gingerly stepped towards the bowl on her tiptoes trying to peek in. Elliot was confused but went along with whatever Liv's baby needed.

"I'm going to be right outside the door. I'll even leave my arm and leg where you can see them. Don't worry angel" he offered soothingly as he tried to brush her bangs away from her forehead before walking out. The kid had to be the fastest pee-er on the planet because before he had a chance to think about the whole bathroom situation, Serena was standing by his side, her hands wet from the sink.

"Come on kid. Let's get to bed." They both walked towards the couch to look at Olivia. Elliot always loved watching her sleep. She let all her defenses down and looked so peaceful. "I don't want to wake her just to tell her to go to bed." Serena pointed first to him, then towards the bedroom. "Okay, but I'm going to say it was your idea!"

When he pulled back the throw cover, he immediately noticed that Liv was scarcely dressed. Sure, it was summer, and she was home in her own place at night, but damn. Elliot longed for pink, flannel pj's right about now. He carefully lifted Olivia from the couch and settled her in his arms. He was touching so much of her skin that he had to remind himself Serena was watching closely. The back of her shirt raised up as he placed his arm to support her back, causing it to raise slightly in the front revealing her stomach. God, 20 years and she's still as beautiful as ever. He watched as her only movement was a contented sigh that he felt through his shirt as she snuggled into him. He knew the only reason she was able to rest, besides the utter exhaustion that would normally knock her out for a couple hours, was standing right next to him. He was sure the last time any of them slept through the night was before Serena disappeared. Together, they walked into Olivia's bedroom and Serena pulled back the coverings. After laying Liv down, he watched Serena climb in next to her. There was not enough adjectives in the world to describe her absolute fatigue. He's not even sure she was really sleeping in Liv's arms when he walked in. Maybe she was just lying there afraid to move or content to stay wrapped. Remembering how every light was left on in the living room, Elliot simply said, "Goodnight. I'll see you in the morning" but noticed that Serena started shaking her head and getting upset, looking between Elliot and her mother.

"Yeah, I'm too tired to drive tonight anyway" he said as he went around locking up and made himself comfortable.

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