Chapter 4

It was almost six and Ciara was starting to get a little nervous.

"Calm down Ciara I'm sure everything will go fine" said Olivia.

Ciara turned to look at Olivia. She didn't think it was obvious that she was nervous but it was. Olivia couldn't help but laugh at the expression on Ciara's face. She looked excited yet terrified.

"Ciara don't worry" encouraged Olivia "I am sure he is a lovely guy and don't be so nervous. It's not like this is your first date and besides, he won't try any funny business when he sees the guys out there." Ciara was so nervous she couldn't even speak. She knew Olivia was right; there was no need to worry. She threw Olivia a smile hoping to show her that she was grateful for her advice.

Liz came in to the study to give Olivia a cup of coffee a few minutes later.

"So Ciara what is this guy's name?" asked Liz.

She was so happy to see that Ciara had made a new friend at school. At first she was worried that Ciara would find it hard to adjust but this put her mind at ease. Ciara had confided in her before that she wasn't really fitting in at school but Liz had told her to give it time and things would work themselves out. She felt an odd sense of achievement.

"Well if you must know his name is Zack and he's in my class" announced Ciara.

"And you two are just friends?" prompted Liz. Ciara's cheeks began to burn. She hadn't expected Liz to be so forward.

"Yes we are just friends mom"

"That's too bad Ciara he is really cute" said Liz. Both Ciara and Olivia look at her surprised.

"How do you know what he looks like Liz?" Asked Olivia.

"I saw you and him talking after school last week when I came to pick you up" explained Liz.

Before Ciara could say anymore a text came through on her phone.

I'm outside the apartment come and get me :P

She almost tripped over herself trying to get to the door, earning her laughs from everyone she passed on the way.

"Hey" she said as she approached Zack who was standing across the hall.

"Hey I hope I'm not too early"

"No you're just on time. Now I am going to be honest you will probably get some dirty looks from some of the people in here. Especially my dad and the other guys, they are all cops and quite protective of me. But the girls will probably ask you load of questions. There is a lot of work going on too so" Ciara stopped talking as Zack placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Ciara stop rambling. It will be fine" said Zack reassuringly as he gave Ciara's shoulder a little squeeze. In that moment she felt as though her heart was going to explode. He was the sweetest guy she had ever met, she just hoped her family didn't scare them off.

As they walked through the door Ciara noticed how everyone had all of a sudden re located to the living area.

"Hey everyone this is Zack" said Ciara as she introduced her friend to the group.

"Hi everyone nice to meet you" said Zack as he flashed his dazzling smile at the group.

Before long everyone was talking in the group. All of the women had asked Zack questions about school and his family and his hopes for the future. The men on the other hand stayed silent and watched the young man as he talked. Don was watching him closely. He didn't like the thought of Ciara hanging around with some guy all the time. He had worked in SVU for long enough to know the statistics about teenage relationships. He only wanted the best for Ciara. He knew he was probably over reacting but he couldn't help it.

"He seems like a nice guy" whispered Elliot to Don.

"Yeah well that's what some people said about Hitler and look how that turned out" replied Don, his eyes still glued on Zack.

"Seriously Don give the kid a chance, his dad is a lawyer"

"I don't care Elliot he better not hurt her"

" He won't I can just tell" Don looked at Elliot sceptically. Elliot was like a son to Don and if Elliot said that Zack was a good kid he would believe him.

"Ok Elliot I'll take your word on it but I swear to God if he does anything to hurt her" Don was cut off by Elliot.

"I get the picture Don" laughed Elliot. As they averted their attention back to Ciara they noticed how close she and Zack were sitting. Then Zack placed his hand on Ciara's knee.

"Ok breaks over everyone let's get back to work" directed Don. The rest of the group groaned and followed his orders.

When Don and Liz returned to the spare bedroom that they had been sorting out Don shut the door tight behind him.

"I don't like this Liz she is far too young to be hanging around with boys" exclaimed Don.

"Honey calm down, they are just friends. Ciara is a sensible girl she can handle herself" explained Liz.

"I'm not sure Liz"

"Don it's all fine trust me" reassure Liz as she placed a loving kiss on Don's cheek.

Over in the office Ciara and Zack were stacking books.

"Hey Ciara you want to go grab something to eat?" asked Zack.

"I have to wait until I finish up here"

"How about we go and get some food for everyone. I'm sure everyone is hungry and we are almost done here" explained Zack.

Ciara nodded and left Zack for a second as she went to ask Don and Liz. She knocked on the bedroom door and opened it before Don and Liz had said to come in.

"Oh God guys you two are way too old for that" joked Ciara as she spotted Don and Liz lying on the bed.

"Get your mind out of the gutter young lady" replied Don.

"Hey can I go with Zack to get some food? We are almost finished and I'm sure everyone is really hungry"

"Yeah sure honey. Take my credit card to pay for it. And no funny business" replied jokingly.

Before long Ciara and Zack had asked what everyone wanted and were making their way across the street. As they went to cross the road Zack placed his arm protectively around Ciara causing her smile, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Liz and Don who were watching out the window.

At almost eleven thirty that night everyone had eaten their pizza and finished their work. Everything in Elliot and Olivia's new apartment was complete. Elliot took a bottle of wine from the cupboard and handed everyone a glass. As he went around the group filling everyone's glasses he was surprised when Olivia declined.

"Liv?" he asked in surprise.

"Cant with my medication" she replied nonchalantly.

Olivia felt terrible for lying to Elliot so easily. She knew keeping her pregnancy a secret for another eight weeks, but it was for the best. She just hoped she didn't have any more awkward moments like this. She hoped these eight weeks would pass by quickly.

Ok guys what do you think? Reviews are very much appreciated! Thanks for reading x