Chapter 2: First Impressions Are Everything

Before Jill and Olivia could get out of the Squad Room, a Patrolman rushed into the room.

"Captain Cragen, a young woman was just attacked and raped near Central Park."

"Benson, you and Valentine go to the hospital, Munch, Stabler, and Fin dig up any and everything on our victim."

Olivia sighed heavily as she and Jill left the precinct, Jill could feel the tension radiating off of Olivia in waves.

"Is something wrong?" Jill asked, making sure to keep her voice calm and level.

"No, let's just get this over with."

Olivia and Jill walked into Ayuko's hospital room, the nurse smiled at Olivia and Jill before leaving. "Hello Ms. Kaiba, I'm Detective Olivia Benson, Special Victims Unit and this is my partner Detective Valentine, we'll be working your case, now then what if anything do you remember about the attack?"

"Well... I had just finished my dance class and was leaving Dance Manhattan, I had almost gotten to my car when suddenly I was hit over the head from behind." Ayuko explained.

"What did it feel like, Ayuko?" "A pipe of some kind, when I came to I was lying on my stomach and he...he was inside me." Ayuko sobbed. Seeing this young and beautiful woman in the state she was in broke Liv's heart. She wished that she could take away all of Ayuko's pain.

"What happened next, Ayuko?" Jill asked gently. "He made me turn over and he raped me some more, then if that wasn't enough the prick made me... he made me suck his penis." Ayuko said with shame in her voice. "Did you see his face?"

"Yeah, blonde medium length hair, blue eyes. He was about 6'1" and around 215 pounds, he threatened to kill me and my family if I didn't do what he wanted."

"It's all right Ayuko, you survived, that's what's important." Olivia said. Hearing this made Ayuko crack a smile. Olivia looked around and didn't see anyone, she thought surely thought that Ayuko's family would be here to support.

"I know what you're thinking, Detective." "And what would that be Ms. Kaiba?" Olivia inquired.

"Why isn't my family here supporting me through this trying time?" "Well as a matter of fact that's exactly what I was thinking." Olivia confirmed.

"Well Detective, my family and I are estranged because of what my parents call my "bad life choices"." Ayuko said, quickly wiping her eyes free of the tears that threatened to fall.

"What do you mean, Ms. Kaiba?" Jill inquired.

"My parents are Pastors of our family's Baptist Church and my Sister is a Deaconess, while my Brother is an Associate Pastor, I was the only one who didn't follow their lead." Ayuko said proudly.

"OK." Liv said, nodding slowly, allowing Ayuko to continue her story.

"When I was fifteen, I met this girl named Gina Miles, she was African-American."

"Are your parents Bigots, Ayuko?" Olivia asked as white hot anger flashed in her brown eyes.

"Yes, Regrettably Detective Benson." Ayuko answered sadly.

Just then two men and an older woman burst into the room.

"Ayuko, what happened to you?" the older of the two men asked before looking over at Olivia and Jill.

"So I gather that these are your flavors of the month? I'm sorry dear daughter but you could do better." he said.

"Koji, show some respect." the older woman snapped, then she glanced at Olivia and Jill, who are both holding up their badges.

"You're Police Officers?" the woman asked.

"Yes, Detectives Olivia Benson and Jill Valentine, we're here because Ms. Kaiba was attacked and raped."

"That doesn't surprise me at all, considering how she chooses to live her life." the younger man said, narrowing his eyes at Ayuko.

"What's that supposed to mean, buddy?" Jill snapped angrily.

"First of all Detective, my name is Sotan Kaiba, brother to this harlot and you will show me the respect that I deserve." he said as he got in Jill's face.

Ayuko looked at Jill, and then at Sotan. Jill's shoulders were squared, she had a stoic look on her face as she looked at Sotan with a steel gaze. Ayuko had never seen anyone stand up to Sotan like this, and for her no less.

"Sotan was it? The last time I checked, respect is EARNED, not Given." Olivia said, coming to her partner's aid before turning back to Ayuko.

"Where were you when the attack happened?" Liv asked gently.

"I was leaving my nightly dance class at Dance Manhattan, it was the nine-thirty class."

"OK, we have everything that we need for right now, do you have any friends that you can stay with for a while?"

"Yeah, I can ask my best friend Cassandra Jenkins if I can stay with her, Detective Benson."

Ayuko smiled, she was happy that Olivia hadn't suggested that Ayuko go and stay with her family, she glanced at the brunette detective and then at Jill and smiled.

"Are you done yet, Detectives?" Ayuko's Father asked angrily, Olivia held her tongue as she stood up. She pulls out one of her cards and gives it to Ayuko.

"This is my number, if you need anything Ayuko I want you to call me anytime, day or night."

"OK, thank you Detective, try to enjoy the rest of your day." Ayuko said.

Olivia was impressed at how well Jill handled Ayuko's brother and Father, she had been opposed to having someone new join the team ever since Monique left and Fin came on, but for right now Olivia might give Jill a real chance.

Now back at the precinct, Olivia went to see Cragen in his office while Jill went to her desk and started typing up an incident report for the case file.

Jill is now midway through typing the report when a woman's angelic voice breaks her concentration.

"Excuse me, but could you tell me where Olivia Benson is?" the ebony bombshell says, for a moment Jill is too stunned to speak, but then she recovers her wits.

"She is with Captain Cragen right now Miss, do you need help with something?" Jill inquired.

"I have a desk in my office that needs to be moved and I can't do it on my own." Melinda says.

"I'd be happy to help you Miss." replied Jill.

"That would be great thank you, uh...?"

"Jill Valentine, first day on the job actually." Jill says.

"Melinda Warner, I'm the Medical Examiner," the older woman says with a beaming smile.