The next day, a nurse helped Danielle change into her clothes and placed a brace on her wrist. The swelling on her face had gone down considerably and only complained of slight pain in her chest. Munch was waiting outside her room with her bag, and the two walked out of the hospital. Fin was waiting outside with their car, and opened the door for Danielle. Munch drove the car to the station, where they remained for the rest of the day.

During that time, Danielle was sat down and questioned about her father by two other detectives that Munch introduced as Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler. They were friendly and used the same calm voices that everyone had been using in the past couple days. It was her ribs that were fractured, not her ears.

"Everyone keeps asking why I didn't call the police. It was something that I wanted to do every day, but when I wasn't at school, I was at home. My dad messed with my mind with that gun; I didn't want anyone to get hurt."

"Do you know where your father is now?" Olivia asked, gently touching her forearm.

Danielle shook her head, "No, I really don't. If he's not at the apartment, then he's at work. He's usually down at the docks, doing construction." She paused, sighing. "Please don't let my uncle find him first."

Olivia and Elliot exchanged looks. "We won't. Your uncle has been taken off the case. His job is to keep you safe."

Danielle nodded. After a couple more basic questions, she went back into the main office area. Munch set her own at his desk, setting a cup of coffee down in front of her.

"Black, huh?" Fin asked, leaning across the space between their desks.

"Yeah, I don't go for that double whip, no frap stuff," Danielle replied, before taking a sip of the dark liquid.

Fin laughed, "I like this kid."

"Yeah," Munch said, smiling, gently touching her shoulder. "Me too."

After a while, Munch took his niece to the couch upstairs to lay down. She remained there until Olivia came up to wake her later that night. The moment she touched her arm, Danielle jumped, panicked.

"It's just me," Olivia said, surprised, trying to calm the girl down.

'Sorry…" Danielle said, embarrassed.

Olivia helped Danielle off the couch, following her downstairs. She then ushered Danielle out to her car, after Munch gave her a cell phone and all the possible numbers would need if anything were to happen. He remain in the station as they left, watching from the window.

"How are you feeling?" Olivia asked, pulling away from the curb.

"My chest hurts, but I'm alright," Danielle replied, staring out the window.

They were quiet until they reached the apartment, where Olivia quickly got her inside. She set Danielle up in the guest room, then went into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. Danielle came out of the room and sat down at the kitchen table, quiet.

"Are you hungry?"

Danielle shook her head.

"You have to eat. I know this is difficult, and that you'd much rather be with your uncle than a complete stranger. We can't take any chances of your father finding you alone." Olivia paused, taking a seat opposite Danielle. "I've worked with your uncle for years. He's seen probably the most horrific scene and doesn't so much as flinch. He came back to the station house when Fin was with you, sat down at his desk, and completely broke down."

Danielle was quiet, her eyes on her lap.

"My grandfather beat him and my dad when they were kids. I know that it's not uncommon for that to be carried down through the next generation." Olivia nodded. "I'm not sorry for what happened. I'm almost glad he beat me. It got me away from him, for good."

Olivia sat her up in the guest bedroom, where Danielle attempted to sleep. The chest pain was partly due to it, but the images of her father, waving the gun over her head was causing the insomnia. She stared at the ceiling. She didn't remember when she did fall asleep, or what happened to make her wake up, screaming. The door flew open and lights flooded the room, Olivia standing in the door with her gun raised. When he saw that no one was in the room, she lowered it.

"Are you okay?" Olivia asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Danielle nodded, trying to catch her breath. "I just had a nightmare."

"I remember when Danielle was born. Bernard was out of town. Back then, he had this big wig business career. Maria called and asked if I would come down to the hospital. I got there right after she was born. Danielle wouldn't stop fussing, and Maria needed to get some rest. The nurse let me take her and sit in the nursery. After a couple minutes, she calmed down, smiled even."

Munch was quiet, starting down at his desk. Elliot watched as the detectives normally straight face distorted. He pounded the desk with his fist, then leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face, hiding the tears in his eyes.

"It's not your fault, John."

Much didn't reply at first, remaining behind his hands. "I should have seen it: my brother and I were abused, he kept me away from Danielle, he never called…and then I find her beaten and broken by her own father." He paused. "I'm her only living relative. I'm barely home as it is. How am I supposed to take care of a kid?"

"That's the thing, John. She's not a kid. Danielle is a teenager, almost an adult, one who has been through a major ordeal and who has managed to come out of it without much problem. She's a good, smart kid. She won't need a cop tailing her once her father's in prison."

Elliot paused to take a breath. "What she needs right now is a man in her life who she can come home to and know she won't be hurt."

Munch nodded, rising from his desk. "Thanks, Elliot."

The detective smiled, nodding. "Things can only get better, right?"