Hey guys, Sorry for the delay. I'm enjoying writing this story and I do hope that if anyone is reading it, they are enjoying it as well.

Thanks,

K

Chapter 3

Olivia sat at her desk with her head in her hands. So much was running through her mind. Between her heavy case load and new cases coming up daily, the past two weeks had been busy for the detective.

The thing weighing heaviest on her mind was her newfound sister. Erica had decided to keep her distance from the detective and Olivia had no choice but to respect the young girl's wishes. She knew that if she pushed too hard Erica would run.

Today Erica would be reconnected with her grandparents. The detectives searched Erica's name in the missing person's data base and within two days they had contacted her grandparents. The thing that Olivia didn't understand was why it had taken the couple two weeks to come see their long lost granddaughter. Especially knowing that she was currently staying in a shelter.

Olivia knew it killed her to know her sister was staying at that place. She tried everything she could to get the young girl to stay with her but the young lady refused.

"Hey Liv" Olivia heard pulling her away from her thoughts.

Olivia saw Erica standing there with a powder blue dress and her hair pulled back into a bun.

"New look?" Olivia asked with a raised brow.

"Case worker" Erica said annoyed scratching her tights.

"I'm surprised you went along with it." Olivia said with a smirk.

"Yeah well, I made a promise to someone." Erica said bashful like with her head down.

Olivia thought about their agreement and felt tears come to her eyes. She didn't think the young girl was serious.

"Look," Olivia said to the younger version of herself. "I'm not really good with emotions and I can tell that you aren't either. Most likely due to the messed up situations we were born into. But I need you to know that you are my sister and I have your back."

Erica looked at Olivia but didn't say anything at first. She wanted to believe the woman but in her 13 years she had been made enough promises to last a lifetime. None of which were kept.

"You don't have to say anything" Olivia said with a smirk at just how much the young girl was like herself. "I know that the only way to get you to believe that is for me to show you so that's what I'm going to do."

Erica remained silent yet her head was screaming "Please show me".

Just as Erica was about to speak she caught a glimpse of the couple coming through the door. The old pair hadn't aged a bit.

Olivia following Erica's line of sight spotted the couple. "Is that them?" She asked her sister.

"Unfortunately" Erica responded. She had secretly hope they wouldn't come.

Olivia watched as Elliot walked up to the couple and introduced himself. She couldn't hear what was said but judging by the fact that the couple was now looking at Erica, she concluded that Elliot was taking care of formalities.

The trio approached them and Olivia couldn't help but notice how quiet Erica now was.

"Hello" the older gentleman was the first to speak.

"Hi" Erica mumbled under her breath.

"Hello" Olivia said extending a hand. "I'm detective Benson and I see you've met my partner detective Stabler. Why don't we take this meeting to a more private area?" The detective said before leading Erica, her grandparents and the representative from Child and family services to an interrogation room.

Elliot decided to follow as well. He and Olivia stayed behind as the group went in. They decided to look in through the window instead.

"I would think you would want to be in there" Elliot said taking note of his partner's disposition.

"Can I ask you something El?" She responded ignoring his statement.

"Sure. What's up?"

"Let's say God forbid one of your loved ones were missing for years and you got a phone call saying they were found alive. What would you do?" She asked with her eyes never leaving the young girl beyond the glass.

"Olivia" Elliot sighed. He knew what she was thinking because he thought it himself at one point. "We don't know what they have going on. There could have been a number of things that delayed this reunion." He tried to reason.

"Maybe," she responded, "but when they got here today why didn't they run to her and wrap her in their arms and ensure her that she is loved?"

"Maybe they didn't want to startle her?" He said again trying to reason.

"Bullshit" Olivia responded eyes glued to Erica. The young girl for her part kept her head down not looking at anyone.

"Olivia?" He said pleading in his voice.

"Do the two bedroom apartments in your building go for a reasonable price?" She asked.

Elliot just put his head down. "Pretty reasonable" he responded. "Liv please think this through. I don't think I could stand to see you get hurt again like the whole Calvin situation".

"Don't you dare" she said putting a hand up to stop her partner. "You don't get to mention his name to me."

"Olivia you and I both know I had to do that?"

Olivia ignored him.

Just as she focused her attention back to the young girl in there, she couldn't help but notice brown eyes looking back at her.

"I never realized until now that she has your eyes" he said softly realizing his partner had her mind made up.

Olivia didn't say anything. She just looked back at her sister.