Hello people! I am back from vacation, and I am SO READY to get back to writing! Besides getting an AWFUL sunburn and getting sand in my bathingsuit everytime I went out to the beach, I had a fun time! (Please don't ask which beach I went to, I like to keep stuff like that private) Anyway, I'm glad to be back and start writing more about the SVU crew and Delaney Rosenberry's screwed up family. Dick Wolf owns most of what I'm writing about. Without further ado... chapter five!
Carisi and Amanda drove up to the precinct after dropping Jesse off at daycare. Amanda was holding onto Carisi's free hand as he drove. She tried to get as much affection between each other as she could before they had to go into work. She finally felt as if her feelings had been freed last night, as they both explored each others bodies like a pair of explorers searching for lost treasure.
Carisi parked in front of SVU as Amanda sighed, and leaned her head on his shoulder. Carisi smirked and kissed the top of her head, causing Amanda to smile and blush in return. "Okay, you ready to go?" Carisi asked his love.
"Wait," Amanda said, and grabbed underneath his chin and pulled his lips to hers. After a short moment, she pulled them apart and smiled. "Now I'm ready."
She opened up the passenger door as Carisi chuckled and got out of the car himself. Neither of them had given a second thought about how there actions would effect their jobs. They had both been so caught up in the sudden relationship that was blooming; they were both blinded by love.
The moment they walked through the doors of SVU, the relationship turned from casual to professional. They had at least realized they needed to be professional from here out until they were off duty. Then, their love could blossom even more.
They both went to their desks and sat down, looking through files. Carisi's mind suddenly started to think about Delaney. He hadn't heard from her since the day before, and wondered how she was holding up. He hoped that she was okay, and that she was happy and content like she was in the hospital. Seeing her depressed and so broken made him feel so empty. All he wants to do is help her and make sure she was happy.
"Hey Rollins," Carisi said as his secret love looked up at him.
"Yeah?" She asked.
"What's the name of that girls home again? The one Delaney was sent to?" He asked in curiosity.
"Umm," Amanda looked through a couple files before finding it. "Oh, it's called the 'Save Haven Home for Girls'." She raised an eyebrows. "Why, has Delaney not tried to contact us?"
"No, but she's probably trying to take her mind off what she's been through." Carisi replied as he rubbed his face. "I'm just worried about her, that's all."
Amanda had both her eyebrows raised at this point. "Wow, I've never seen you so compassionate of a victim before!"
Carisi almost cringed at the word victim. The thought of Delaney being a victim just made his skin crawl. He shook his head. "I don't know what it is. It's just something in me that wants to protect her and keep her safe."
Amanda half smiled. "I think it's your brotherly instincts."
Carisi half-chuckled. "Yeah probably, if it were my sisters in her situations, or even..." He caught himself before saying Jesse's name. "one of my cousins or whatnot, I'd be all over the place. I'd try and make sure they were okay 24/7, protecting them from anything that could harm them." He stopped and sighed.
Amanda fully smiled. "You really do love that girl, don't you?"
Carisi nodded. "Yes, I really do. She's almost like a little sister to me."
Amanda slightly giggled before looking back down at her files. Carisi made a mental note to go and visit Delaney once he got off work. Save Haven wasn't very far from the precinct, so he could just walk over there and take a cab to get home.
Not long afterwards, Fin showed up for work in his usual 'semi causual' work attire. As he walked over to his desk, he glaced over a Carisi for a short moment, and noticed something a bit off. His hair wasn't it's usual slicked back, and he was wearing the same tie from the day before, something he almost never did.
"Yo Carisi," Fin said as Carisi looked up. Amanda turned around as well. "What's up today, man!"
Carisi raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, Fin?" He asked as he twirled a pen in his hand.
Fin nodded his head and pointed at Carisi. "You're hair ain't greased back, man!" Carisi rubbed his hair back as Fin continued. "and you never wear the same tie two days in a row!"
Carisi looked down at his tie that he had worn the day before. He was lucky enough to have had some clothes over at Amanda's he had left before from long nights of taking care of Jesse, but the only tie he had was the one from the day before. He looked up at Amanda who was looking down at her case file, but her eyes were as big as saucers.
"Oh, my hair?" Carisi chuckled nervously. "Oh I just ran out of stuff to fix it this morning, that's all." He lied, knowing the truth was he just didn't have a bottle with him.
"Okay, but what about your tie?" Fin asked, believing the story about the hair.
Carisi chuckled again. "What, a guy can't wear the same tie two days in a row?" He chuckled even more as Amanda face-palmed herself.
Fin eyes were big now. "Alriigghht," He drugged out. "Whatever you say." He turned and went to his desk. He knew something weird was going on with Carisi, but decided to brush it off. Fin just thought Carisi sometimes justs acts strange, that was just him!
Carisi looked over and noticed Olivia walking into the office, and she didn't look very happy. As a matter of facted, she looked extremely angry. Carisi knew at that moment that something had gone wrong.
"Is everything alright, Lieu?" Carisi asked shortening, almost to worried to ask. Amanda had also looked up once she noticed Olivia.
"Actually not," Olivia replied trying to keep her cool, a practice that took many years to learn. "I was just told that our new Sargent that was suppose to be coming in next week, decided he didn't want to join SVU, and is going to join someplace else." Both the detectives widened their eyes. "So now we're still short staffed and this Rosenberry case is driving me up the wall and it's only been going on for two days!" She exclaimed as she rubbed her temples.
Fin noticed the tension within Olivia and went up to her. "Liv, are you sure you should be here today?" He asked his long time friend.
Olivia sighed in frustration. "I'm fine, Fin," She assured as she walked to her office. "I'm just tired of the load of bull!"
Fin trailed off behind Olivia into her office, leaving the other detectives behind. He closed the door shut as Olivia sat down in her chair, propped her elbows on the desk and let her head fall into her hands.
"Liv," Fin started off gently. "Are you okay?"
Olivia sighed a little bit more compassionatly this time. "I'm not sure. I'm trying my best to wrap my mind around this whole case and be low on staff isn't helping and-"
"Woah, wait a minute." Fin inturupted. "I'm talking about personal Liv, not working Liv."
Olivia looked up at him. "Nothing's going on. I just haven't been sleeping well." Olivia stated, trying to avoid conversation.
"Because of Dodds?" Fin asked shortly.
The relization had finally hit Olivia, and all she could do was nod. "Yeah," She said as her voice slightly cracked. "That and the fact that Delaney Rosenberry has basically almost been orphaned." She had one single tear shed down her cheek. "It's kind of hard to fall asleep knowing that."
Fin sympothetically nodded, and walked closer to the Lieutenant. "I know, but at least right now she's with people who can help her." Fin hadn't even met the girl, yet he knew how troubled her life was.
Olivia sniffed, fighting back her tears. "It's just not fair that a sweet young girl like that has to go through something like this. I just don't understand why a parent would want to hurt their own children like that." These were one of those cases that effected Olivia personally. In Olivia's eyes, Delaney was like a fragile vase. If she gets pushed to far to the edge, she will eventually fall and break.
A couple hours after Olivia almost had a mental breakdown, she found herself in the office of ADA Rafael Barba. Both of them had been waiting for nearly an hour for Jamie to come and discuss more about her assult, and the possibilities of going to trial. Olivia hated that Barba wanted to speak with Delaney about testifying, but since she was the only witness to the assult, they had to try her.
Barba had started to become restless when it was nearly two hours that Jamie hadn't showed up. He slammed his papers on his desk as another call to the victim failed. Olivia sighed and hung up the phone.
"It's a little hard to help prep Miss Young for trial when she's not even here!" Barba said getting irritated.
"Calm down Barba," Olivia reassured. "Richard isn't even being arraigned until tomorrow. Don't you think we might be rushing this?"
Barba sighed. "I just want to get this done, out of the way, quick and painless." He rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger. "I have a gut feeling this trial is going to be a tough one. I just hope Buchanan doesn't drag Delaney through the mud."
The thought of Delaney being bagered on the stand by Buchanan made her feel sick inside. Him asking her questioned about her illnesses and digging deeper into her thoughts made her spine shiver. She had seen Buchanan bring victims to tears, and Delaney was an easy target.
Olivia felt her cell phone buzz in her pocket. She opened up the call, not even getting a chance to look at the number/caller ID.
"Benson," She said in her professional tone, not sure if it was a work call or personal call.
"Lieutenant Benson?" It was Jamie's voice. She sounded nervous and anxious.
"Jamie, where are you? We've been waiting at the DA's office for you for nearly two hours!" Olivia exclaimed. She noticed Barba become more alert of the conversation.
"I'm so sorry Lieutenant but..." Jamie paused as she breathed in heavily. "I'm not going to be able to make it."
Olivia's eyes widened. "What do you mean?" Barba came closer to Benson to try and heard some more of the conversation.
"I mean that I'm not pressing charges anymore!" She was on the verge of tears. "I decided last night that I can't face Richard on the stand."
Olivia felt something off inside her voice. "Jamie," she said calmly. "Please rethink this. We have to nail this guy and we need all the help we can get."
"I'm so sorry, Lieutenant." Jamie sniffed. "I've already made my decision." She let out a hugh breath. "I'm going back to Oregon with my parents."
Olivia's eyes widened even more. "You're leaving Manhattan?" At this moment Barba took her phone from her ear and put it on speak-phone.
"Again, I'm sorry, but my decision has been made." Jamie had suddenly sounded a bit more confident. "I'm already walking through the airport. I'm leaving Manhattan and the memories with it." She paused for a moment, most likely listening to an intercom. "I have to board my plane. Once again, I'm sorry Lieutenant." With that, Jamie Young hung up the phone.
Olivia pursed her lips together and put her phone back in her pocket. Barba went around his desk and sat down angrily.
"Well I guess we're going to have to drop the rape charges!" Barba exclaimed and discouraged.
"Now hold on Barba, we still have the child abuse case to persue." Olivia said.
Barba sighed. "Well, I guess your right." He got back up out of his chair and faced Olivia. "I'm going to have to talk with Delaney then. She's now our only victim."
Olivia really did not want to call Delaney to the stand. She silently wished there was some other way. Deep down, she knew that wasn't possible. "Okay," she nodded. "You and I will go down their with Carisi as soon as possible."
Barba raise an eyebrow. "Any reason why Carisi is coming down with us?"
Olivia shrugged. "Delaney seemed to have found a strong liking to Carisi. She's more open when he's around." She shook her head as her and Barba started walking towards the door. "I've never seen a young girl so open and comfortable around a man with such a tramatic expirence behind her." The two walked out of Barba's office together.
Olivia and Barba, plus Carisi, made their short walk over to 'The Save Haven home for girls'. Carisi was almost giddy to see Delaney again, but he knew not the get over excited since they were only seeing her on business terms. Still, he couldn't wait to see how she was coping after the eventful days of yesterday. His brotherly insticts were kicking in again.
Carisi was the first to walk up the stairs to the door, Barba and Olivia behind him. He rang the doorbell and waited for a short moment. An auburn haired woman with pale skin opened the door. She was dressed in a blue blouse with a black skirt and black work jacket.
"Hello, may I help you?" She asked quite perky.
Before Carisi could speak, Olivia stepped in front of him. "Yes, I'm Lieutenant Benson of the Special Victims Unit." She gestered towards Carisi and Barba. "This is Detective Carisi and District Attorney Rafael Barba."
"I'm Tessa Sims," Tessa stuck her hand out as Olivia shook it. "May I ask why you are here?"
"We would like to talk to one of the girls who is staying here." Carisi piped up. "Her name is Delaney Rosenberry. She came in last night. She..." He slightly softened his voice. "She has bandages around her wrists from cuts."
Tessa's face became more alert. "Oh yes, Delaney. I'll call her down." She turned her head towards a pair of stairs. "Delaney, someone's hear to see you!" She called out. She turned her head back towards the officers and laywer. "It really is sad what happened to the girl, but I should warn the men that some of these girls are really sensitive towards men. I would hope you all would understand why."
The officeres and the laywer nodded. After another short moment, they heard a couple steps coming from the stairs. Carisi poked his head inside the building. Delaney walked down the steps, her left hand holding onto the rail. She had on a pair of ripped up blue jeans, a black tanktop and a red and black flannel. Her bandages where still around her wrists. She look a bit confused until she saw Carisi at the door, and her face light up like a Christmas tree.
"Sonny!" She exclaimed as she quickly ran down the stairs.
Carisi opened his arms as the young girl fell into them. "Hey kiddo! You doing alright?"
Delaney nodded. She pulled away from Carisi and faced Olivia. "Hello Lieutenant."
Olivia smiled slightly. "It's nice to see you again, Delaney." She gestered towards Barba. "Delaney, this is Mr. Barba, the district attorney."
"Oh," Delaney said, a bit confused. "It's nice to met you, Mr. Barba." Barba nodded and slightly waved.
Tessa Sims spoke up from behind. "You all can speak with Delaney up in her room. It's more private in there."
The four walked up the steps into the hallway of rooms. They paused when Delaney opened up her door, and walked inside. It was a small but comforting room. She had a single sized bed, a desk and chair, a dresser and closet, and even a small TV attached to her wall. Delaney sat down on her bed, Carisi sitting next to her. Olivia sat down in her chair and Barba stood behind her.
"So, what are you all here for?" Delaney asked curiously.
"Well," Olivia started. "It turns out that... Jamie isn't going to press charges anymore."
Delaney raised her eyebrow. "Wait, so my dad's getting out of jail?" She asked worried. She looked over at Carisi. "Please tell me I'm not going back to him." Her eyes started to water.
"No sweetheart." Carisi said as he rubbed the back of her head. "He's staying because we have him on what he did to you." He looked at her bandaged wrists.
Delaney looked down as she blinked away her tears. "So, what does this mean for me?"
"Miss Delaney," Barba said delicatly, understanding the circumstances. "We are going to need you to testify."
Delaney's eyes widened. "Testify?" she started breathing heavy. "Against my father!"
"Woah Delaney calm down sweetie." Olivia tried to comfort the girl.
Delaney felt her hands become sweaty. "I, I can't do that. I can't face him on the stand!" Carisi wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"Delaney look at me." Carisi said as Delaney looked up at him. "I'm going to be there the whole time. I won't go anywhere. You don't have to look at anyone else but me."
Delaney felt her body start to shake. "You promise?" She breathed out.
Carisi nodded. "Of course I do. I won't let anyone hurt you." Delaney laid her head on Carisi's chest.
"So, when do I need to testify?" Delaney asked, her breathed still heavy.
"We're not sure yet. Richard is being arraigned tommorrow. We might need you to be there." Barba explained to the young girl.
Delaney's breath started to go back to normal. "Okay, if I need to be there I will."
Olivia smiled lightly and patted the young girls knee. "You're very brave, Delaney." Delaney shrugged at her response as Carisi continued to rub hair.
The SVU crew sat on a bench right behind Buchanan's table. Delaney sat in the middle of Carisi and Amanda on the bench, Olivia and Fin on the other side of Carisi, nervously waiting for her father to come in to be arraigned. She was wearing a pink dress with a brown belt, something she found she didn't wear very often, along with actually curling her hair. She held onto Carisi's hand for dear life, but he didn't seem to mind much.
While both Barba and Buchanan were filing through papers, the bailiff brought in Richard. Delaney swallowed hard as she watched her father walk and stand next to his laywer. Amanda noticed how tense she was and patted her knee.
The bailiff stood Richard next to Buchanan. He looked back at Delaney and glared at her. Delaney felt her heart start to beat faster as she dug her head back into Carisi's shoulder for comfort. Richard scoffed and rolled his eyes, turning back to the judge who was beginning to sit down.
"What's the case, Mr. Brown?" The judge asked his Court Clerk.
"The people vs. Richard Rosenberry, your honor." The Clerk replied.
"How does the defendent plead?" The judge asked Buchanan.
"Not guilty!" Richard exclaimed, causing most of the SVU crew, including Delaney, to roll their eyes.
"What do you say, Mr. Barba?" The judge asked in a slightly annoyed tone.
Barba cleared his throat. "Your honor, Mr. Rosenberry is accused of abusing his fourteen year old daughter after she walked in on him sexually assaulting another woman..."
"Objection," Buchanan butted in. "Your honor, those charges were dropped after the woman left the state."
The judge nodded. "Agreed, Mr. Barba please stay on the case."
Barba internally rolled his eyes and continued to speak. "The defendant is accused of slicing the wrists of his fourteen year old daughter with a knife. He then left his daughter bleeding where she crawled into the bathroom and nearly bleed to death. She was found by Detective's Carisi and Detective Rollins where one of them carried her out and took her to the ambulance." He took a moment and flipped through some papers. "He also has a history of sexual assults against females and in one case a minor. We believe he is unfit of continuing to take care of his daughter."
The judge nodded and turned to Buchanan. "The defense."
Buchanan held his hand out. "Your honor, Delaney Rosenberry has anxiety, depression, and is borderline bipolar. Teens with these mental illness' commonly harm themselves, most usually cutting themselves. Now isn't it possible that she could have harmed herself, and her father had just gone out to get help?"
"That could have worked." Barba inturupted. "but when Mr. Rosenberry came back, he was carrying two cases of liqiour and a pack of cigarettes. That doesn't sound like he was trying to find help."
"I have to agree with Mr. Barba." The judge said in a boring tone. "Mr. Rosenberry," Richard focused his eyes on the judge. "You will be sent to Rikers on no bail pending trial. That is all." The judge stated as he banged his gavel.
Richard turned around and faced his daughter. "You little brat!" He screamed at her. "Look what you've done! You've messed up everything!" Buchanan tried to turn his client away, but he didn't comply. Amanda and Olivia tried to get Delaney away as Carisi and Fin stood up to the man.
"Hey, you don't get to talk to her anymore!" Carisi all but yelled back. He felt more powerful when he defended Delaney.
The bailiff tried to take Richard away, but Richard pulled away from his restraint. "I'm not gonna let that little teenage tramp get away with this!" He ran over to Delaney and grabbed her arm with his handcuffed hands. Delaney let out a massive shriek as he tried to pull her over the posts between them.
Carisi pushed Richard away from Delaney as more officers pulled him away. Delaney scurried away and found herself in Amanda's arms, since Carisi was busy and Amanda was someone else she was comfortable with.
Richard cursed at his daughter and grunted as the other officers, along with Olivia and Fin, dragged him away. Delaney let her tears fall unshamingly from her sudden fright. She had so suddenly gotten used to the feeling of being safe and secure, she had almost forgot how fragile she really was. Amanda held the girl in her arms, continuing to tell her that everything was going to be okay; but was it really?
Once Carisi noticed that Richard was finally gone, his first priority was to make sure Delaney was safe. He turned around and saw Amanda holding the crying girl in her arms. He walked up to her and squated down to face her.
"Sweetheart are you okay?" He asked in as soft of voice as he could.
Delaney didn't say anything. She simply transferred from Amanda's arms into Carisi's. He now held the girl into his arms, and slightly rocked her back and forth. "It's okay, it's okay, everything's alright Laney." He repeated like Amanda had done before. He looked down at the girl as his face became long. This girl was more broken than he thought.
Well, didn't that end well? :P Sorry this is probably going to be up late, but... yeah just sorry. Also I don't know much about court either, so yeah. On a serious note, I'm starting school again in one week, and since it's my freshman year I'm probably going to be very busy. So I've decided to make Saturday my main day for uploading chapters. Now note, this isn't always going to work out like that, I'm just saying that it will most likely end up being that way. Thank you so much for those who have kept up with this story and reviewed. See you all next time!
~PrettyFlower99