Fandom: Victorious
Title: Point Of View
Chapter 25: Walls
Point of View: Amanda Rollins
"Amanda, you know I love you and trust you to be objective, but not everyone will see you in the same light as I do, especially after the events in New York."
Furry boils in my blood as Olivia speaks. "By events, Olivia. You mean when I saved your son from being killed by a mentally unstable young man who pointed a gun directly at Noah's chest and pulled the trigger."
I can see Olivia biting her lower lip nervously. Her arms are stiff at her sides as she glances at the waiting room at Los Angeles Children's Hospital, where Noah sits in the lobby with AJ. She watches her son praying with AJ on their knees, and her look softens.
"Yes, Amanda, those are the events I am referring to. Please, don't ever think for a minute I will forget the sacrifices you made for my son."
"Oh, by sacrifices, you mean my job and reputation? Because we both know the Mayor wants my name in next Sunday's headline. Rougher NYPD detective fired for failing to act in mass shooting. I saved your son Liv because I love Noah like my own boys. I reacted because I was only inches away from him. Plus, I knew how devastated you would be to lose a child. I watched the hell you went through trying to adopt Noah. Losing him, well, I don't think you could get through that, so yeah, I saved Noah. At the expense of myself."
"Amanda, I know, and I can never thank you enough. There are no words for me ever to convey how grateful I am. You're correct; I wouldn't know how to survive losing my only son. I can't imagine how any mother survives the loss of a child."
"The death of a child is the most devastating loss. You mourn the loss of their life, potential, and future. Your life is forever changed. Yeah, you're right, Olivia; you never have to find out how that feels because I saved your son. I don't regret it. Noah is an amazing kid, but so was my son, Olivia, and he was murdered. CJ deserved to live. The person who took his life needs help. You can thank me, but fighting for me. Let me be part of this investigation. I can help bring Sutton to safety. I am trained in psychology and behavioral health. How many of the officers on your team can say the same thing?"
Olivia paces back and forth; her hands cupped together. I can tell I am getting to her. Mama always said I had a mouth too big for my face hole.
"Amanda, it's not up to me."
"Oh, bullshit, Olivia. Now you're making excuses. JJ put you in charge of the task force. She trusts you. Your call accompanies you; we both know I have the most professional experience talking to hostage situations. Holding ring a bell?"
"Yeah, great job on that one, Amanda. He was shot!"
"Because some happy cop pulled the trigger before I could get him to calm down, but I almost had him, Olivia!"
"Almost doesn't count, Amanda, not this time. It's a high-profile case."
"So, what the Mayor is watching, the world is judging. Now we follow the rules? When promotions are being rewarded, now it matters. So, my son is expandable, but yours ain't? You would have done anything to bring Kyle to justice. You did when going behind the Mayor's back to get leads. Fuck the rules when it befits Olivia Benson, but when it's my son, sit down. Good girl, Amanda. Be a loyal golden retriever, Amanda."
I see the hurt flash across Olivia's face. She sighs, exhausted from arguing. "Amanda, it's not my call. We aren't in NYC now. We're in LA. I'm here as a guest. I can't bend the rules to suit your personal needs."
"Fuck you, Olivia. I bent the rules for you! I risked my badge, career, and life to bring Kyle in against orders from the higher-ups. Guess I know where I stand in your world now. Thanks for nothing, Captain Benson. Consider this my formal Resignation. The last wall of my patience comes crumbling down, and I no longer give a fuck about anything else except protecting my family. "I quit, bitch."