Hi guys I got a bit of inspiration so I decided to update another chapter today :) please continue to review and let me know what you think!
They arrived at the precinct just before 8 as Liv had promised. She let out a sigh of relief when she didn't see Nick's car in the parking lot and while Fin tended to use the subway, chances were if Nick wasn't in then Fin wouldn't be.
"You ready?" Olivia asked softly, and Amanda nodded her head though she wasn't sure at all.
Thankfully due to the early hour, the corridors were mostly empty and they made it up to the bullpen without drawing attention to themselves. It was only when they walked into the bullpen that Amanda and Olivia came face to face with Captain Cragen.
Olivia could have kicked herself, she should have known one of the detectives on the graveyard shift would have told Cragen. Amanda was after all, one their own.
Before he even had a chance to speak, Amanda panicked but Olivia reacted quickly enough to stop the blonde from bolting out of the door. Wrapping her arm around Amanda she almost shielded the younger woman from Cragen's view and started towards one of the interview rooms.
"Give us a minute Cap," Olivia called over her shoulder and she steered Amanda into the nearest available room.
"Calm down," Olivia soothed as she closed the door behind them, shutting the rest of the bullpen away, "you're okay,"
Amanda let out a shaky breath but Olivia had acted quickly enough to avoid her having a full blown panic attack.
"Are you gonna be okay in here for a bit?" Olivia asked, once she was sure that Amanda had calmed down.
"Yeah I'm okay," Amanda said shakily.
"If the sketch artist arrives do you want me to get them to wait so I can come in with them?" Olivia offered, as she realised that she had no idea if it'd be a man or woman and she didn't want to panic Amanda further.
"If that's okay?" Amanda said quietly.
"It's fine," Olivia smiled, "just take a seat and try and relax okay."
Olivia gave one last glance to Amanda before she left the room, making sure to push the sign to engaged to make sure no one walked in on her.
"Talk to me Liv," Cragen asked as Olivia came round the corner.
"I'm guessing you've already got the details," Olivia answered, she noticed the case file in his hands was marked Rollins, A.
"I got the basics from the night shift detectives but I'm hoping you can fill me in a bit more."
Olivia shifted somewhat awkwardly, she knew she had to bring up the casino as soon as possible as that was one detail that Cragen definitely didn't have.
"Actually Captain, could we talk in your office," Olivia asked.
"Of course," Cragen answered, though he had a slightly puzzled look on his face.
"Cap, Amanda came forward very reluctantly. It was battle as soon as I got to the hospital and when I took her initial statement last night she revealed that she had been in a casino when she met her attacker,"
Olivia paused, allowing the captain to take in the information. His face was neutral and it was hard for Olivia to judge his reaction and he cleared his throat before he started to speak.
"Was she gambling?" He asked.
"She didn't say, but her apprehension at revealing where she was makes me think that this is the case Cap," Olivia explained, "I know this isn't exactly professional but I did assure Rollins that I would talk to you about it. She has had a rough couple of days and..."
"Enough Olivia," Cragen cut in, "the most important thing right now is catching her attacker, let her know that we'll deal with that revelation afterwards. And to not worry," he added, a fatherly tone evident in his voice.
"Thank you Captain," Olivia smiled, relieved.
"You'll need to brief Fin and Amaro," Cragen said, "they'll be leading on this. I don't want any arguments, you're already too close," he explained. Cragen had seen how Olivia had jumped to protect Amanda and they were already going to have a hard time staying objective. He didn't want to compromise the case.
"With all due respect Cap she had a hard enough time telling me what happened, I don't think she's going to take well to explaining it to the guys as well," Olivia argued. She knew that the captain had his reasons, but she also wanted to make it as easy and as comfortable as possible for Amanda.
Cragen mulled over the information for a moment before he spoke, "okay Olivia you handle any interviews with Amanda, but let the guys take the lead with the investigative work. That includes busting the perp," he added, hoping that Olivia would agree to the compromise, though he knew she wouldn't like it.
"Fine, okay," Olivia agreed. She wasn't overly happy about having to take a step back, but it did mean she would be able to spend more time with Amanda.
"Speak of the devil," Cragen said, nodding at Fin and Nick who had just come walking into the bullpen.
Olivia managed to catch Fin's eye and she waved them both in. The way they were joking as they entered told Olivia that they hadn't heard the news on the grapevine.
"Wow who died?" Nick asked as he walked into Cragen's office and saw the serious expressions on Olivia and the captain's faces. When neither Olivia or Cragen responded to the joke both Fin and Nick's demeanours sobered immediately, realising that something was seriously wrong.
"Cap?" Fin questioned, suddenly noticing the absence of his partner.
"Where's Rollins?" Nick asked, realising at the same time as Fin that she was nowhere to be found, "let me guess, she skipped town and went to Atlantic City."
It was no secret that Nick and Amanda had had a big argument but his flippant comment was enough to push Olivia over the edge.
"Shut up Nick!" She shouted, much to the three men's surprise.
"Fin, Nick," Cragen cut in, drawing their attention away from Olivia. He opened the file containing the first details of Amanda attack, "Amanda was beaten and assaulted last night outside a bar last night. Olivia has been with her all night," Cragen said sombrely and the remorse that crossed Nick's face sated even Olivia's anger.
"No way? where? How is she?" Fin asked, reaching for the file and flipping angrily through it.
"Olivia was she, uh?" Nick asked, not quite able to get the word out now it pertained to one of his colleagues.
"Yeah," Olivia confirmed sadly, and the anger coursing through through Fin was making him physically shake.
"Callahan's is a dive what the hell was she doing there?" Fin asked incredulously. He couldn't believe that someone had done this to Amanda.
"That doesn't matter right now," Cragen said authoritatively, "what matters is, are you two going to be able to handle running this investigation, objectively," it seemed like Cragen was being harsh, but deep down they all knew that they needed to protect the integrity of the investigation.
"Yes sir," Nick replied, and Fin nodded his head in agreement. Cragen gave them both a stern look. He knew he'd have to keep a close eye on all three of his detectives.
"This is Amanda's initial statement," Olivia said, reaching into her bag and pulling out both the tape and her notepad, "I transcribed the whole thing, but her description of the perp was hazy. I've called in a sketch artist," Olivia checked her watch, "they should be here about now,"
"Wait she's here?" Fin asked, "I wanna see her Olivia." He said, turning to walk out the door.
Olivia shook her head, "That's not a good idea right now. I'm sorry, but she specifically asked if you could give her some time," she explained, "she's not ready right now."
Fin was conflicted between needing to see how Amanda was and wanting to respect her wishes, "how is she Olivia?"
"Physically she's pretty banged up, but no serious injuries. The doctor has her on oxy but I don't know how much it's doing for her really," Olivia said, recalling the stiff and painful movements Amanda had been making all morning.
"No how is she, really?" Fin asked again.
"She's holding up pretty well all things considered," Olivia said, "she's nervy, jumpy, but I don't blame her."
Nick was the first one to snap back into business mode and he retrieved all of the files and the tape from Olivia.
"Has CSU processed the rape kit?" Nick asked.
"It was released at 4.30 this morning and I'm sure they've made a start," Olivia said, "they've been combing the alley outside the bar, you might want to start with the two eyewitnesses, names are in the file."
"Let's catch his son of a bitch," Fin said as he and Nick exited Cragen's office.
"Liv," Cragen said catching her attention as Olivia turned to leave as well, "look after her."
"I will Cap," Olivia assured him as she left and closed the door softly behind her.