[Chapter 11 : Talking to Sarah]

Hi All, this is the second last chapter I have saved, so it might take me a few days to write up the next few chapters. I'd love to get some reviews while I am typing.

As Captain Cragen watched the scene unfold, he knew it was taking all Sarah's parents willpower not to run into the room and comfort their daughter.

'Mrs and Mr Bell, I want to assure you Detective Benson is the best we have. She's been doing this for a long time and she is exceptionally good with children. If anyone can get through to your daughter right now its her.'

Both parents turned and nodded at Cragen before returning their gaze to where their traumatized little girl was. As the parents returned their gaze to their daughter, Cragen's gaze returned to the woman he felt was almost liked his daughter. Traumatized herself, she was trying to use her experience as a SVU detective and as a recent victim to help two young girls, one of which was still missing. He just hoped that after this case he still had one of the best detectives working for him.

Olivia could feel the young girl start to relax and calm down in her arms. She gently released Sarah from her arms and just sat in silence. Olivia keeping a close eye on the girl at all times. After a few moments, Olivia slowly got up, walked towards the place where the puzzle now lay scattered on the floor, knelt down and started to pick the pieces up. Sarah came to join her and helped to collected pieces.

'I'm sorry I threw it to the ground.' Sarah said softly.

'Sarah, its fine. Don't worry about it. It is alright to be frustrated or angry at the moment.'

'Where did he take Kathy? Do you think she is alive? Can you find her?'

'Sarah, we are trying very very hard to find her. I promise you our team is doing our best.'

'I just wish I could do more…'

'I know sweetheart. I know you do.'

Suddenly Olivia had an idea. 'Listen Sarah, I just want to go speak to my captain and then I'll be back. Can you give me a moment?'

'Okay Olivia.' Came the response.

Olivia came out the room where she'd just been for about an hour and leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. Just then Captain Cragen and Sarah's parents came around the corner.

'Olivia?' Captain Cragen was intrigued why Olivia had suddenly exited the room.

'Hi Capt. Mrs and Mr Bell.'

'She's starting to trust you.' The captain said out aloud for all present to heard, 'why leave now?'

'Um… Captain, I'd like to move this to a place where she's more relaxed, more assure of herself. At the moment she's in a strange place, scared, talking about a fearful time. She's not going to open up totally.'

'Where are you thinking of Liv?'

'Not sure yet, Capt.' Olivia looked at Sarah's parents. 'Is there anywhere quiet, but where Sarah feels comfortable and safe, other than your house?'

'Just opposite our building there is a playground where she likes to play. It should be fairly quiet because its really only used after school hours. There might be a few caregivers with small kids but it shouldn't be too busy.'

'Olivia, what do you think could that work?'

Olivia turned to the window and look at Sarah who had picked up a doll and started to play with it. Her head lifted a bit higher when she realized that Sarah was playing with a doll.

'Captain, the doll…'

Immediately Captain Cragen knew what Olivia was thinking. 'Go Liv. Just remember we have the park option.'

Almost as soon as the captain had finished his sentence, Olivia was in the room.

'I see you found a friend.' Olivia said as she rejoined Sarah. 'What is her name?'

'Um…. Carmen.'

'Ok.' Olivia reached for another doll and started to play with her.

'What's her name?' asked Sarah

'Mandy.' Replied Olivia. The two continued to play with the dolls for a few minutes before Olivia took another chance at getting some more information from Sarah. 'Sarah, when Mr. Martins had you in the room, did he touch you anywhere?'

'Not like you think.' Came Sarah's reply.

'How do you know what I'm thinking about?'

'Because my parents told me no one is allowed to touch me in those areas.' Sarah demonstrated the areas she was speaking about on the doll.

'Ok Sarah. Your parents taught you correctly. No one is allowed to touch you there.' She said very tenderly. 'But sometimes people don't listen to what we want and they do very bad things to us anyways. If Mr Martins or anyone has ever touched you, you do know that it is not your fault and you wouldn't be in any trouble if you told us?'

'No one has ever touched me there.'

'Ok Sarah. I just had to check.' Olivia let out a huge sigh of relief.

Standing next to Sarah's parents Captain Cragen could see the relief wash over their faces, at least their daughter had not been sexually assaulted during the time their daughter was missing. They were all still quietly being thankful for that, that no one saw what was coming next. As captain Cragen listened, his stomach clenched tight and he felt could feel the bile rising, like the day he read the report a few weeks earlier. Yet nothing had prepared him for hearing it in her own voice.

'Olivia, can I ask you a question?'

'Sure thing baby'

'Has anyone touched you in those places when you didn't want them to?'

Olivia felt like she'd just been blindsided. It wasn't often when a victim asked that question back to her. She wasn't quite sure how to handle this now. She took a few minutes to think before she answered. She decided than there might be some benefit to be truthful, after all she was asking a ten year old to be honest with her.

'Sadly Sarah, if I was to be honest with you as you are with me I'd have to say yes to your question.'

Sarah looked sadly at Olivia when she asked, 'didn't you ask him to stop?'

'Sarah, I did ask him.'

'Did he?'

'No.' Was all Olivia could say. She felt her lips starting to quiver so she got up to fetch another doll from the corner. She needed to get her emotions under control and quick! This was definitely not the time to break. She hoped that by the time she got back to the table Sarah would have forgotten about the topic but she was in no such luck.

'Olivia?'

'Did you tell your dad what happened?'

'Baby, I don't have a dad anymore.' In a way it was the truth. The man was dead to her, although she never knew him.

'Sorry.' Was all Sarah said.

'Thank you Sarah.' Olivia said with meaning.

'Sarah, when Mr. Martins took Kathy away, how long was it before he came back?'

'About 20 minutes. I checked on the clock.'

'Sarah, that is very helpful! Thank you. Did you hear him leave with a vehicle or do you think they walked?'

'I didn't hear a car. They must of walked.'

'Ok.'

'Olivia?'

'Yes Sarah.'

'I'm tired.'

'Okay baby.' She turned and nodded towards the window. 'I think you've done extremely well today. If you go home now, can I come visit you tomorrow?'

The girl nodded just as the door opened and her parents came into the room followed by Cragen who had concern edged all over his face.

'You did good, Liv.'

'Thanks Capt. Not a lot but I think that's as much as she'd give us today.'

'Liv, she gave us a few details that no one else could and you helped us get them.' He tried to meet her eyes but she wouldn't meet his.

'Sir, could I have a few minutes?'

'Liv, are you ok?'

'Fifteen minutes?'

'Of course, Liv.'

Before she left the room she went to greet Sarah and assure her she would visit Sarah the next day. After Sarah and her parents thanked Olivia, she walked out of the room and left the squadroom.