A/N: Family togetherness. We also hear a bit about the baby so heed any triggers.

Chapter 23

Three days. Of course he's gone much longer without contact with Olivia, but not since they got together. They have spent so much time together since Serena was taken, and now that she's back, he wants to spend every moment with the two of them. He missed the hell out of them. He was practically pushed out the door by Liv shortly after Sunday dinner. She wanted him to text that he got back safely, get some sleep, and catch the bad guys. The three women insisted that they were all exhausted and would turn in early. The exhausted part he had no doubt, but like hell Serena was turning in early and of course Liv would stay up with her. He texted, she quickly texted back. He felt like a teenager forced to leave his summer camp friends behind because school started and so here he sits, early as hell on Humpday staring at the same form that he is supposed to sign, having no clue what it says. He tried to focus.

-SVU-

He watched Olivia and Serena talking on the beach before deciding that he needed to do something productive or risk punching something, so he went grocery shopping. After all, Serena and Olivia would be living there all summer and he didn't want his mother to go out of her way for anything. It helped calm him to wander the aisles on a quiet Sunday, picking out things he knew Liv liked, things he remembered Serena used to like, and the staples they used up in only three days and would need more of. Liv fed the kid like a horse and Serena ate everything served. Lord knows she needs it. He was just about ready to check out when he got a text from Liv that said simply "no bottled water." Okaaaaay. He walked back down the aisle and replaced the two cases he took out back on the shelf. What was that all about?

By the time he got home, Bernie was next door. Apparently since both ladies were alone, they took to cooking Sunday dinner together. Today, they were both more than delighted to cook for the three extra mouths. Serena was sitting up against the mini wall with her head between her legs and Liv was sitting next to her reading. After Elliot unpacked all the groceries, he went to sit with them. He hadn't really spoken to Serena since before they went to the doctor. In fact, he hadn't really spoken to her since she came back, not in any conversational type of way. He left it all up to Liv and when he did speak, he fucked it up by being angry.

"Hey." Yeah, that was good.

"Hey yourself" answered Liv as she looked up from the book. Grimm's fairy tales. He didn't even question.

Glancing towards Serena, he asked, "Is everything okay?"

"Yes" Liv answered. "She has a terrible headache among other things, but we are making the most of the day."

"Actually" Serena interrupted as she carefully lifted her head. "I'm going to go help Gramma and Ms. Gladys. She supposedly has the best kitchen on the planet and I want to check it out." She stood up with Liv but pulled her mother down a bit to whisper in her ear. "You won't have to close the windows. I'll shoot you a text when dinner is ready."

Liv stood looking at her daughter in disbelief, her mouth open but no sound coming out as Serena graced her with a huge smile. Elliot just looked confused as she walked towards the neighbor's house.

"Okay, what the fuck Liv? She's…" he started to raise his voice when Olivia put her hand on his arm.

"You're leaving in a few hours. Yes!" she emphasized as he began to shake his head. He didn't want to leave at night; he didn't want to leave at all. He would just get up extra early. "I want you to get a good night's sleep instead of moments here and there of sleeping on the couch or squished in bed with two grown people. She's giving us time, El" she finished as she looked at him with a small smile and raised eyebrows, hoping he would understand.

It took him a minute, but he caught up. "She knows?"

"Well, we need to close the windows or get soundproofing if we are going to continue." She was blushing. Olivia Benson, his tough as nails partner was blushing! It was sexy, and he loved it.

"Sonofabitch" was all he said before leading her back to the house.

-SVU-

Fin walked in just before 8, followed closely by Carisi with Rollins bringing up the rear. Fin noticed Elliot was in his office, so he popped his head in. "Hey. All good with Baby Girl?" He asked every day and Elliot only answered in the short 'fine.' Today, he elaborated.

"Which one?" Elliot asked. Yeah, all was great with him and Liv, but he and the kid needed some work.

"Both" countered Fin, but from Elliot's tone, he knew something wasn't right.

"Well, Olivia is good. Aside from being physically exhausted from staying up with the kid, she is still emotionally all over the map as Serena lets little details slip. But you know Liv, she's fine." Elliot paused for a moment. "Serena is going through withdrawal, or at least she was when I left." He saw Fin's eyes widen.

"From what?"

"No idea, but apparently it isn't the first time. We managed to take her to the clinic to get checked out. Don't even ask. You can read for yourself in the medical report I finally got."

"Well, Dodds and 1PP are very determined to get the people on Whitlock's list. They say if he was planning on using it as a bargaining chip because of the type of men that participated, they want to go after every single one to show that power doesn't grant immunity. Or some shit like that. But man, TARU is having a bitch of a time getting anything off the camera card. Too degraded by the weather they say." Fin seemed to think about his next words carefully. "Hey man, ya think Serena might give 'em up?"

"I honestly don't know" Elliot confessed. "She doesn't exactly speak to me and Liv only gets bits and pieces when she asks something specific. It's funny. For 20 years I watched that woman get the most hardened scumbags to confess and the most fragile of child victims to open up, but she doesn't want to upset Serena by probing. Personally, I think she's afraid of what she might hear. But she talks to you..." It's true, they only knew as much as they did because of Fin.

Fin shook his head and walked back to his desk. Elliot could just make out a few expletives as he was leaving. He couldn't blame him. Interviewing children was always the most difficult but interviewing a child that you loved, was hell.

Melinda walked into the bullpen around 12:30, on her way to lunch. She did not look like she had good news, but before Elliot could question her, in walked Chief Dodds.

"So, you spent the weekend with the kid Lieutenant. I'm sure you check in with Sgt. Benson daily. What do we know?" Knew that was coming.

"She doesn't talk much sir. We had her checked out by a physician and that report is on my desk. I could list her injuries, but I'd rather not. We also know that she was drugged, repeatedly enough to suffer withdrawal symptoms. That's about all. I know it's not much more, but she is very fragile right now and I won't risk losing her in any way." Elliot made sure his voice held the authority that said his word was final.

"You do this for a living Stabler. I thought you would have more information by now." Chief Dodds sounded pissed and disappointed.

"With all due respect sir, if your daughter was kidnapped and sexually assaulted repeatedly, would you pump her for every detail her first few days home?"

Dodds didn't miss the "your daughter" part as Stabler was once again claiming ownership over Benson's child. "What does Sergeant Benson have to say? Did she get any more information than you did?"

"What my daughter and I talk about is private Chief." Everyone turned around in surprise to see Olivia and Serena standing in the middle of the room. She looked fabulous! Olivia was wearing a salmon colored sleeveless dress that came just to her knees and a pair of Converse. She told Elliot yesterday that she forgot her flip flops, but the sneakers complimented the outfit since they were white, and the rest of Liv was now a deep tan. The highlights in her loose hair were very pronounced and reflected the poor lighting in the room. That's what happens when you spend all day outside on the beach because your daughter doesn't like the indoors.

Serena was standing next to her looking ten times better than when he left. She was wearing brown leggings that came just under her knees with a pretty multi colored dress and a lightweight beige sweater. She was also wearing a pair of colorful Converse, and her hair was styled in an elaborate braid that had Liv written all over it. While everyone was still speechless at their sudden appearance, Olivia walked over to Elliot, stood on her toes, since without heels she was a few inches shorter, and kissed him.

"Hi!" she said when she pulled away, throwing her sunglasses on top of her head.

"Hi yourself" Elliot replied with a great big smile. That was certainly unexpected, here at least. "What are you two doing here?"

"Well, your mom is having lunch with your daughters. Serena isn't ready for that kind of socialization" she replied. Fin interrupted.

"Hey there Baby Girls! You both look fantastic. The beach really agrees with you Liv." That garnered him big smiles from both Bensons.

"Hi Uncle Fin. I brought you this." Serena walked over and handed him a container full of very good-looking muffins that he immediately picked up and bit into.

"Damn! These are delicious! You have not lost your touch." He said the last part with his mouth full as he polished off the first muffin. Serena's smile was priceless.

"Hey Detective, ya gonna share those?" asked Carisi eyeing the full container almost drooling. Serena's face fell, like she made a mistake but before anyone could comment further, Dodds spoke up.

"Sergeant, Miss Benson. I wasn't expecting you today. Usually when someone takes personal leave, they stay far away from work."

Liv looked a bit confused as she looked at the crowd in front of them. "Well Chief, Melinda called and since I was driving Mrs. Stabler into the city, we decided to speak in person. What's going on?"

It was the first time anyone noticed the seasoned M.E. was still standing there. She ignored everyone else and went to hug Olivia. "Hi Liv. It's good to see you and Fin is right, you do look great." She turned towards Serena. "Welcome back young lady. I took over this case. It's family. I have a few questions I hope you can help me out with."

Serena was about to respond when she noticed something on the monitor. It was a news report but muted, so she couldn't hear what was being said, but she stared at the screen intently.

"What is it angel?" asked Liv as she immediately noticed the change in her daughter's demeanor.

"That's Judge Charles Sorotsky" she whispered. Everyone turned towards the monitor which had moved onto a new story.

"Pull that back up!" Elliot commanded.

"How do you know Judge Sorotsky?" asked Barba as he made his presence known. He had come in while Olivia was hugging Melinda. The bit about Judge Sorotsky was replaying on the screen. Something about reforms at Rikers.

Serena glanced at Barba, but since she didn't know him, she settled her eyes on Fin. "Hhhhheeee….hhheeee...Fuck!" she swore loudly since her mother allowed it and stomped her foot before taking a deep breath. "He came to all the celebrations. Sometimes he paid extra for private time."

Thank God for Fin because Liv was momentarily stunned, and Elliot was clenching his fists and his jaw. "Are you absolutely sure that is the man?" he asked as he paused the playback on a relatively clear photo of the judge.

Serena nodded. "His wife has some kind of condition that caused her to gain weight and she can't get around without a wheelchair. She says it hurts to have sex because she can't keep her legs up or wide open. He has a small penis, so he can only have sex with her from behind because of her size, but she can't stay on her knees or her stomach or anything anymore. It looks like the tip has a piece missing."

"A piece of his penis?" asked Fin as he saw Rollins hit the computer.

Again, Serena nodded. "His looks different than all the others. Some had skin that would scrunch back, some were longer or fatter than others, but they all kinda looked the same, like breasts. His was the only one whose tip looked like it was cut off or something. It didn't stop him from getting hard the minute he saw me. Every time. He stayed that way for a long time, even after he relieved himself, he stayed stiff. He liked to go again and again." She looked down, embarrassed. The matter of fact way she spoke unnerved everyone.

Rollins found what she was looking for. "I can't find any information on his wife's condition but there are a few pictures of the two of them and as you can see" she said as she threw the pictures up onto the big monitor, "she is heavyset and in a wheelchair. This is them together when he first got elected." That picture showed a much thinner Mrs. Sorotsky standing proudly by her husband.

"Pick him up" commanded Dodds and Barba in unison.

"Miss Benson" asked Dodds as Rollins and Carisi gathered their stuff to carry out the arrest. "I don't want to have to deal with any other...participant trying to make deals for lighter sentences or privileges by saying they can give names. I need you to give us names so we can say screw it and throw the book at each and every one." He looked smug, like that was the greatest idea in the world and the easiest to carry out.

Serena moved like lightning stepping back and ended up against Elliot's wall of a chest. Instantly she flew to stand and hide behind him. Dodds creeped her out, even when he came to the beach house. He reminded her of so many of the others and she didn't know who the other guy in the suit was.

"Okay, no! We've established that no one talks to my daughter besides Fin." Badass Benson was in full defensive mode and no one in the squad room dared make a sound. Rollins and Carisi stopped dead in their tracks at the exit, turning to watch the exchange. "With all due respect Chief, you have no idea how to speak to victims, so you need to stay at least 10 feet from my child at all times. If you have a question, you ask me or Lt. Stabler. If you need to convey information, you tell me or Lt. Stabler. If something breaks and you need a new statement, you ask me, Lt. Stabler, or Detective Tutuola and we talk to Serena. Is that clear?" She stared him down and for the first time, Chief Dodds really understood why so many perps caved so easily.

Silence filled the bullpen. The two younger detectives were hesitant to leave, Barba and Melinda just stared, while Fin and Elliot stood on either side of Olivia: not threatening, just supporting. Dodds didn't like feeling cornered.

"Sergeant, I know you are under a lot of stress and I have given you plenty of leeway, but I will not stand here and suffer insubordination!" He raised his voice causing Serena to audibly gasp and flinch, still hiding behind Elliot.

"There is no insubordination as I am not speaking as a cop, I am speaking as the parent of a vulnerable and traumatized young lady. If you don't like it, take it up with 1PP but before you do, you should be aware that I just came from there. I put in my paperwork. I am taking all the paid time due me and then, I am signing off. All my time and energy will be devoted to helping my daughter put this behind her and thrive as she should. So as I said, if you need anything Chief, go through me."

Dodds turned on his heel and headed out. Unfortunately, Rollins didn't get out of his way fast enough. "I told you to go make an arrest! Do you need directions detectives?" he remarked snidely.

"No sir!" they said in unison as they made their way around the chief and out the door. The air was still silent.

"Hot dogs Uncle Fin" came the small voice behind Elliot, causing everyone to turn.

"Come again? Hot dogs?" he questioned.

"Yes. We were up early and only had cereal for breakfast and Momma said we can have hot dogs when we got here. Will you take me and we can eat outside, and talk?"

Fin turned around, grabbed his keys and said, "I'm not going to that dude on the corner here, it's a roach cart for sure. I know just where to go." He looked to Liv for reassurance as he waited. Serena was just about to walk over when Elliot pulled her back with one arm to hold her against his side.

"I am so sorry angel" he said in a low voice. "I've been a shitty father and I just...I love you, you know that right?" There was so much he needed to say to her, do for her and he has done nothing but lust after her mother and get irritated at what he perceived as her defiance. He had to make things up to her. He pulled her closer. Serena didn't hug back, but she didn't pull away either. In fact, she leaned into him.

"You have never been a shitty father, and I do know you love me" she spoke tentatively, not saying it back and still holding her arms at her sides. He just smiled, hugged her tighter, mindful of her still sore ribs, and kissed the top of her head. Olivia joined the hug on his side since Serena was still unwilling to get touchy-feely with her mother. Barba and Melinda gaped a little and looked at each other in disbelief. If Fin was surprised by anything, he never showed it as Serena pulled away and walked in front of him.

"Dr. Warner, do you want a hot dog too?" she asked as she stopped abruptly and turned around. Melinda did call saying she had questions after all. As long as she was outside right now and with Uncle Fin, she would be okay.

Melinda followed Fin's lead and didn't hesitate. "I know that roach cart, Fin" Melinda smoothly replied as she walked towards them. "They should have shut him down years ago." The conversation dimmed as they opened the door to the stairs.

Liv's grip on Elliot tightened. She hadn't let Serena go anywhere more than Gladys' place next door and before that, it was just Elliot or Carmella and now here she was walking away with Fin, in the middle of Manhattan.

As if reading her mind, Elliot repeated the words Liv herself uttered just a week ago. "She's with Fin. She'll be okay."

"Yeah" she replied and ducked her head into his chest.

Barba was uncomfortable. He heard the rumors about these two. He didn't really believe them. He did have a bit of a crush on Olivia so maybe he was blinded to any clues. This? He could not deny the connection they had. And someone just won quite a bit of money as it was just confirmed that they shared Serena. He had to get the story behind that. He cleared his throat and spoke up. "Well, I, ummm, I am just going to be in my office. Please call me when the judge is ready to be questioned. I want everything done by the book. I know I don't have to explain to you two."

Liv and Elliot agreed and walked into his office, to wait.

-SVU-

They walked around the corner and three blocks down before they found the cart that Fin was comfortable eating from. The bonus was, it was located across the street from a park, so they got lunch and sat down at a bench table.

"Okay go" she commanded. Fin didn't miss a beat. He pulled out his phone since he didn't have the recorder and placed it in the middle of the table. Not only did he have to file a report, he knew Elliot and Olivia would want verbatim and he needed to make damn sure he didn't misquote or miss anything.

"Melinda, I'm assuming you had questions about the baby?" he asked the doctor. When she nodded, he continued. "She's willing to answer now."

"The infant was stillborn" she began wasting no time and then looked at the teen. "Do you know what that means?"

"She was dead when she came out." I was there. I remember.

"Right. So you do not have to worry about getting into trouble. There are no judgments or accusations. Nobody blames you. Okay?" When Serena nodded again, Melinda continued. "The fetus was about seven months along before you gave birth. Do you remember, do you have any idea if you felt the baby stop moving at any point?"

Serena had stopped chewing and stared at the fountain close to where they sat. The adults were wondering if she was going to answer and Fin was about ready to interrupt her thoughts, but she wrinkled her brows before speaking. "I remember it was really, really cold. We just had a big snowstorm because The Doctor said that he was postponing anymore celebrations because I was too heavy to carry or drag back through the snow. He complained that he had to do that every time but being pregnant made me that much heavier. I didn't even gain weight, I don't think. Just my belly grew. That was the time I had a really bad concussion. He got really mad at Steven because no one was ever supposed to touch my head, especially my face and Steven threw me against the wall and I hit the hook that was dangling. I broke my cheek right here when I fell to the floor." She touched her right cheekbone and she winced at the memory. "My head hurt so much for a long time after that.

"Anyway, the baby was really going crazy in my belly! The Doctor came down the ladder and gave me a needle, right in my stomach! I screamed. I'm sorry Uncle Fin! I tried not too, it made him angry. He always just gave me pills, never needles, not even for…." she trailed off as if catching herself from saying something that would get her in trouble.

Melinda gently prodded. "You started to experience pain shortly after?" She had an idea of what this "doctor" gave her in the shot.

Serena nodded, then remembered Fin was recording. "Yes. It was the most terrible pain ever. Worse than anything that happened at the celebrations or when The Doctor fixed me up. I thought I was dying because my stomach would explode, or my insides would fall out my privates. He put a few bottles of water, a bucket, and three towels next to me and climbed up the ladder, but this time he left the bright lantern. I started screaming again, I couldn't help it. I used to be glad when he left me alone after the celebrations but that time, I didn't want him to leave me there. I begged him, Uncle Fin. Momma would be so disappointed…"

"No" said Fin shaking his head, hearing the sadness and self-criticism in her voice. "Your momma is so proud of you. You did what you had to do to survive and you have nothing, do you hear me? Nothing to be embarrassed about. Do not apologize for any of your reactions. Liv could never be disappointed in you Baby Girl."

Serena took a moment to consider his words. She looked at Melinda who nodded her head in agreement and she continued. "When he turned back to close the door, he said "We won't have to worry about this happening again, Heaven. Make sure there's no trace" and he closed the door."

Fin spoke up when the silence stretched. "How long until he came back?"

Serena shook her head. "I don't know. I could never tell the days. It seemed like forever though. He just came down with some food and supplies and began fixing me up again. The baby didn't look like it had a penis, so I figured she was a girl. I just laid her in the bucket wrapped in all the towels, even though they were bloody. When he left, he took the bucket up with him."

Melinda was regarding Serena's information. "I read Fin's report. You said this doctor wasn't sure if the baby was his. So what I'm asking is...how long from the time you were taken to the first celebration?" No one knew how many of these gatherings there were and since she wasn't exactly forthcoming, they needed to get information in any way they could.

Serena scrunched up her eyebrows in thought. "Like I said, I couldn't tell the days, but he took me the day after my birthday and I had to wear my purple jacket with a sweater underneath to school. The first time he brought me up the ladder, the sun was blazing hot and all the insects were out. I started sneezing from all the flowers as we were walking, and he was sweating when we got to the room. I felt funny for a while before that though. I threw up a lot and my belly hurt. I was always hungry. It was like all the sudden my belly got big after that time though. Sorry, I can't be more specific. I didn't know I was pregnant. Momma said I would soon have my first period and "be a woman" but I never did. I thought it was because of what they did."

"And Amir" asked Fin jumping in before Melinda could ask anything else. He also was trying to get the timeline. "When was the first time Amir came down the ladder?"

"Oh, I was down there a while before that and The Doctor came down a lot, but Amir came down only a short time before the first celebration. Remember? It was his idea. The Doctor had to fix me after Amir left and he waited until I was well enough to climb up on my own, so wait…" Serena got a very thoughtful, faraway look in her eyes and took time to gather her thoughts. "Dr. Warner, does that mean the baby really was The Doctor's? She was red and squishy from what I could see of her, but she didn't look like Amir's color. Uncle Fin, forgive me, you're black but light. Amir was much darker. Wait, you knew that."

"I can get DNA from Whitlock and compare it to the fetus. Once this doctor is in custody, we will know for sure" answered the M.E. "Serena, what would you like me to do with the remains? Did you want to bury her properly?"

Serena visibly blanched. "I don't feel good, Uncle Fin" she stated as she stood up, abandoning the rest of her lunch. The others joined her and silently walked back to the precinct.

-SVU-

It had been an hour since they left, and Liv was almost done packing up her desk. It was amazing how over 25 years fit into the confines of a cardboard box. Bernie had called and said the girls wanted her to spend the evening at Maureen's place and Lizzie was going to come in from Connecticut.

"I don't want to inconvenience you dear. I can take the train later or I'll get a hotel and get home tomorrow." Like Liv was going to let that happen.

"You absolutely will not!" she exclaimed. "Enjoy your time with your granddaughters. Serena and I will hang around. I need to get some things anyway. Just let me know when to come get you." Once they said their goodbyes, Liv looked up and once again saw Chief Dodds walk in, accompanied by Rafael Barba. She knew that meant Carisi and Rollins were coming up with the judge. Elliot, who was constantly watching her from his office, came to stand by her.

Before anyone could say anything, Judge Sorotsky began to speak as soon as he came through the doors. "Who is in charge here? I demand an explanation as to why I was dragged away from my golf game in handcuffs!" He was surrounded by the younger detectives and another gentleman dressed for golf. Liv assumed this was his attorney.

"Judge Sorotsky. I am William Dodds, Deputy Chief of the Special Victims Unit. I am sure my detectives read you your rights?" Dodds spoke evenly. Carisi nodded as he stood behind the judge and gripped him just a bit tighter.

"Why the hell am I here?" screamed Sorotsky.

"I am Lt. Elliot Stabler and you, sir, are under arrest for multiple counts of rape, statutory rape, aiding in the kidnapping and imprisonment of a minor, and anything else our illustrious ADA can throw at you." He was a mass of barely controlled rage as he signaled to Barba, who remained unreadable.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Charles calm down" said his attorney.

"Momma, I want to go…" Serena and the two men all spoke in unison as she chose that moment to come back followed by Fin. Despite Sorotsky's angry shouts, everyone's eyes were on the girl as she expelled a breath. "Oh I really hate coming here now" she said softly as she stared at the man in front of her, who suddenly went silent.

"I told you Uncle Fin. He's ready for sex the minute he sees me, every time." Everyone followed her line of sight to find the good judge was indeed suddenly sporting a raging hard on that was obvious through his tight golf shorts. Olivia moved like lightning and gave him a good, swift kick right in his erection. The judge let out a different type of scream as every man in the room felt residual pain. The lawyer was now yelling, Dodds was yelling, Liv was cursing up a storm and flailing as Elliot had his arms wrapped around her waist pulling her back, just as her fist collided with the judge's jaw while he was bent over. It was all Sonny could do to keep his grip and hold the man upright.

Serena was also bent over, vomiting into the bin by Olivia's desk. That is what finally helped Liv focus and break away from Elliot. She moved to put her hand on her daughter's back, but that just made it worse. Recalling the day she gave birth and now seeing another of her attackers was just too much for her.

"You can't touch me! I want to go home, Momma. Please? Please can we go?" she pleaded in a small voice.

"Serena" Elliot interjected. "Baby just tell me one thing. Look at this man" he said as he pointed to the judge as the room once again went silent. "Do you know this man?"

"This isn't a line up" the attorney interjected but Elliot couldn't give two shits right now.

She nodded, but after a moment said out loud, "Yes."

He continued. "Where do you know him from?"

She took a deep breath and stood up, looking at her father only. "He is one of the men who forced me to have sex. Can I go now?" She was ghostly white, but Elliot couldn't be prouder.

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