Okay, so I hope you guys are enjoying this story :)
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN LAW AND ORDER: SVU, DICK WOLF DOES. Im only "borrowing" them...
"What?" Olivia stared at Elliot, completely shocked with the news he had just given her. "What do you mean she's dead?"
Elliot sighed, before grabbing her arm, trying to calm his partner down. "The doctors said she went into cardiac arrest. Said it was probably the shock of being raped."
Olivia looked up at her partner, unconvinced. "That has to be one hell of a coincident, don't you think?" Olivia headed down the hall, to the room where their rape victim, Ana Davis, had died in. "He said he would kill her if she told the cops. Two hours after she talks to us, she's dead."
The two reached the door, which was closed. "You think her rapist killed her?"
"No, because rapists never kill their victims" she replied sarcastically, before opening the door and walking in the room, Elliot right behind.
A doctor stopped them at the door. "I'm sorry, but you guys can't be here."
Elliot pulled out his badge. "Detective Stabler, Detective Benson, and until ten minutes ago, Ms. Davis was our rape victim. Now she's our homicide victim, so unless you want to be charged with interferring with a police investigation, I suggest you let us through."
The doctor looked at Olivia, who only raised an eyebrow. "No seriously, he will charge you."
He nodded, before moving aside, letting the two detectives through. "What do we have?" Elliot asked, pulling a pair of gloves, before walking up to the dead body laying on the hospital bed.
"She went into shock about twelve minutes ago. Heart failure. Possibly the stess from being raped" the doctor answered, watching as Olivia pulled on her own pair of gloves, searching the room for any signs of foul play.
Elliot shook his head, watching his partner, before turning to the doctor. "Did you see anyone enter or leave her room after speaking with us?"
The doctor shook his head. "You suspect someone killed her?"
Before Elliot could answer, the two heard Olivia speak. "Elliot, look at this." She held up the empty syringe, displaying it for both men to see. "This was in the trash."
"This is not the type of syringes we use here" the doctor said, taking the syringe out of Olivia's hand and observing it.
Olivia grabbed the syringe out of his hands, before putting it in an evidence bag. "We'll have Warner test this." She looked at Elliot, before turning to the doctor. "Where are you security tapes?"
Friday October 16th
Olivia signed the last of Avery's discharge papers, allowing her to be released from the hospital. The doctors quickly adviced Avery to take it easy, before the two walked out of the parking lot, and into their car, driving off to the precinct. The doctors didn't want Avery to go to school for the day, so Olivia reluctantly took her to the precinct, after having no luck in finding someone to stay at the apartment with her.
The two arrived at the squadroom, and were greeted by everyone. "Yo, Avy! How's that shoulder?" Fin asked, coming up behind her.
"It's good. Nothing I can't handle" she said with a wink. She waved to Elliot, who was seated at his desk. "Morning Batman" she said with a smirk. When Avery was moving into the apartment with Olivia, she found an old picture of her and Elliot. Feeling the need to explain it, Olivia had told her that last Halloween, she and Elliot went to a costume party, hosted by their ex-ADA, Casey Novak, dressed as Batman and Robin, cape and all. It was only ment to be a joke, but Avery knew better. They were partners, of course they'd go together, as superheros no less.
Elliot rolled his eyes, smiling. Ever since Olivia had told Avery the story, she had insisted on calling him 'Batman' at least once a week, although, he really didn't seem to mind it. "Morning Trouble" he replied, with a smirk of his own. "Why aren't you in school?"
"In case you may have forgotten, I was shot in the arm yesterday. My overprotective mom, and the school, don't want me there today, in case something goes wrong" she said, earinging a silent glare from Olivia, and a small laugh from both Fin and Elliot.
Before anyone else could say something, Cragen came out of is office, only stopping when he saw Avery leaning back in Olivia's chair. He gave her a small wave, before returning his focus back to his four detectives. "Did Warner get the results of what killed our vic?"
"Yeah," Munch began, getting out of his chair, and walking up the four. "Warner said the syringe was filled with Potassium Chloride."
"Where the hell did someone get that?" Fin asked, grabbing the file out of his partner's hand.
"Well, that's what you two are going to find out" Cragen said, turning to Olivia. Fin nodded, as he and Munch headed out of the squadroom, but not before patting Avery on her uninjured shoulder. The two quickly did their 'secret handshake' as Munch shook his head, before the two walked out, leaving Cragen laughing. "Olivia, the man responsible for the accident, they found him. He's down at Rikers."
Olivia nodded. "I suppose we can pay him a little visit."
Cragen nodded. "But first" he began, handing her the pink piece of paper. "DB on 76th street."
Olivia grabbed the paper, before looking at Elliot. The two walked out of the squadroom without saying a word, waiting until they were in the elevator to speak. "76th street, isn't that near Avery's school?"
Olivia nodded at her partner. "Yes, which is why I didn't say anything else in front of her" she said, stepping out of the elevator, and walking out of the precinct Elliot close behind. The two approached their sedan, but stopped, seeing who was leaning against it. "No" Olivia said, folding her arms across her chest.
"Aw, come on. I can say it's research for school. Besides, I want to learn from the best" Avery said with a wink. She knew Olivia would never let her go out on duty with her, but it was worth a shot. After all, it was way better than sitting in the cribs all day, waiting to go home.
Olivia sighed, not letting up. "Elliot, do you want to tell her what happened the first time Maureen saw a dead body?" Olivia asked, placing her hands on her hips.
Elliot sighed, remembering that night he was driving his eldest daughter home, and she ended up seeing a dead body. She couldn't sleep for a while after that, and whenever she did fall asleep, she'd wake up screaming, the images flashing back. "Avery," Elliot began, placing a hand on her back.
"You two both know I'm going to end up there anyway. Now, I could take the bus, I could go with you two, which, if you ask me, is a much safer way." Avery smiled, knowing she had just eased her way into making her mother agree to take her.
"Smart ass" Olivia whispered, causing Elliot to laugh.
"She's just as stubborn as you" Elliot said, his comment earning a slap in the arm from his partner.
"Fine, get in."
Avery climbed into the backseat, as the two detectives got into the front of the car, before Elliot drove off.
The ride there was quiet. Olivia had taken a small notepad out, and was now writing in it. She would occationaly turn to face Elliot, who would smile, laughing one of the few inside jokes the two shared. Avery took out her phone, and began to text her mother.
Olivia's phone began to beep, signalling a new text message. She took the phone out of her, and opened the message. Reading it, her eyes grew wide. Why don't you just ask him out already. She quickly replied, looking at her daughter through the rearview mirror, watching as she read the response.
Avery laughed, rolling her eyes. He's my best friend, there's nothing more to say. She quickly replied, before shoving the phone in her pocket. Once again Olivia's phone beeped, as she quickly read the text.You are a HORRIBLE liar. Olivia sighed, placing the phone in her pocket.
"Everything okay?" Elliot asked, before placing his hand on his partner's thighs. Avery's eyes widened, as she let out a grin and leaned foward. Olivia saw her daughter's expression through the rearview mirror. "Yeah, everything's fine" she said, before shoving her hand inbetween the seats, placing it on her daughter's face, forcing her to stay quiet.
Elliot pulled up to the crime scene. There were at least three squadcars parked there, as uniformed officers taped off the crime scene. Elliot got out of the car, and began walking to the scene, as Olivia turned to face Avery. "Stay here" was all she said, before getting out of the car, and walking to the crime scene.
"What do we got?" Olivia asked, walking up to Elliot and Warner, who was kneeling by the body of a young girl. "African-American teenager. Raped, and then strangled. See the brusing on her neck? The perp choked her to death."
Elliot sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Attacked on her way to school" he muttered to himself. "Do we have a name?"
Warner shook her head. "There was no I.D. on the body."
Olivia bent down near Warner, examining the body with a pair of gloved hands. "How was she?"
Warner shrugged. "I'd say around sixteen, seventeen."
"That's Paige" the three heard from behind.
Olivia whipped her head around, and sighed. "I told you to stay in the car."
Before Avery could answer, a uniformed officer came up and grabbed her arm. "I told you, you can't be here."
"Hartley, she's with us" Elliot said, watching as the officer released his hold on Avery's arm.
"Sorry about that Detective Stabler" he said, before walking away.
Melinda turned to Avery. She had been surprised to find out Olivia had adopted her, but when she had met her for the first time, she could tell how perfect they were for each other. "You can give us a name?" she asked, standing up.
Avery nodded. "Her name's Paige Mason. I know, knew, her. We, uh, we had half of the same classes, and did theatre together." Avery looked down at the body of her friend once more, before Olivia walked up and wrapped her arms around her.
Olivia kissed her forehead, before pushing her daughter's face into her chest, shielding her eyes from the scene before her. "You don't need to see this" she whispered, feeling horrible that she had just exposed her teenage daughter to this.
Olivia pulled up to the address Avery had given them. She took one look at the small town house, before looking back at her daughter. "Stay here this time."
Avery shook her head. "Let me tell them. I think it'll be easier for them to hear the news from someone they know. And there's less of a chance of Stabler being hit by her dad."
Elliot nodded, smiling, as Olivia sighed. "Fine, come on."
The three made their way to the front door. Avery quickly knocked on the piece of wood, and waited for someone to open it. A woman, in her mid forties, opened the door, shocked to see the teenager. "Avery? How nice it is to see you. Paige told me about the accident, how are you feeling."
"I'm fine Mrs. Mason."
Mrs. Mason looked up, and noticed the two detectives standing behind her for the first time. "Oh, I'm sorry, where are my manners. I see you've brought company."
Avery, straight faced, looked at Mrs. Mason and nodded. "This is Detective Benson, and Detective Stabler."
"Oh, so you're the woman that adopted Avery? It's very nice to meet you." Mrs. Mason shook Olivia's hand with a smile.
"Actually Mrs. Mason, do you think we could talk inside?" Olivia asked. She nodded, as she moved aside, letting the three into the house.
She led the three to the house, before offering them a seat on the couch in the living room. Avery watched as Paige's father came from inside the kitchen, looking at Avery confused. "Uh, Mr. Mason, hi."
He sat on the couch next to his wife across from Olivia and Elliot, next to the chair Avery was in. "Avery, what are you doing here?"
Avery looked at Olivia, who sighed. "Mr. Mason, I'm Detective Benson, this is my partner, Detective Stabler. When was the last time you saw your daughter?"
"Paige?" he asked, looking confused. "I saw her this morning, when she left for school. Why? Did something happen to my little girl?"
Elliot opened his mouth to tell him about Paige, but Avery put her hand up, stopping him. "Mr. Mason, there's no easy way to say this, but, Paige was attacked this morning."
Mrs. Mason looked at Avery, shocked. "What? Well, what hospital is she at? Is she alright?" When no one said anything, she understood. Shaking her head, she began to cry, realizing what the three people in her living room were trying to tell her. "No, no, no. Not my baby."
Her husband wrapped his arms around her, as she cried into his shoulder. "It's going to be okay" he said, trying to calm his wife, who was starting to shake. "This is a mistake, right?"
Avery placed her hand on her friend's father's shoulder, telling him how sorry she was. Elliot shook his head. "We're so sorry for your loss Mr. Mason. Tell me, did Paige have any enemies at school? Ex-boyfriend that held a grudge? Someone who was angry at her."
He shook his head. "No, everyone loved Paige, Avery knows. These two were the only seniors that everyone loved." Avery would have smiled at the compliment, if it were under different circumstances.
Elliot nodded, before turning to Olivia. He stood, Olivia following his actions. "We're sorry for your loss."
Olivia pulled out a card from her wallet. "If you need anything, please, call me" she said, before handing the card to Mr. Mason, who was still holding his crying wife.
"Thank-you" he said, grabbing the card. Olivia and Elliot walked to the door, before looking back at Avery, noticing that she was hugging the crying couple. She whispered something to them, before they nodded. She stood up, and walked to the door, quickly wipping her eyes before she reached the two detectives.
Elliot opened the door, stepping outside, as Olivia turned to her daughter. "Are you alright?"
Avery nodded. "You sure? You know I'm here if-"
"I'm fine" Avery said, a little more harsh than intended, as she walked past her mother, and out the door. She brushed past Elliot and got into the car.
Elliot looked at his partner. "How do you think she's holding up?"
"Better than I thought she would" Olivia confessed, pulling out her cell phone. She quickly sent a text to someone, before shoving the phone back into her slack's pocket. The two walked, silently to the car, got in, and drove back to the precinct, wondering how long it would take before Avery cracked.
The three walked into the bullpen. The ride back had been even more awkward than the ride to the crime scene. When the three walked into the squadroom, they saw someone waiting for them, someone two out of the three weren't expecting.
"Alex? What are you doing here? We don't have anything for you yet."
Alex looked at Elliot, before ignoring his comment. She quickly walked over to Olivia, eyeing the teenager sitting on her friend's desk.
"Thanks for coming, I know you had plans, but-"
"She's much more important than lunch with some stuck up Defense Attorney."
"Langan ask you out again?"
Alex nodded, rolling her eyes. "How's she doing?" Alex asked, making sure the teen couldn't hear their conversation.
Olivia shrugged. "She stayed quiet the whole ride back. She's never stayed silent that long" the detective whispered, earning a small laugh from the blonde.
"Olivia, she just saw her friend, dead. She was the one who had to tell her parents that their daughter had been raped and murdered. If it were me, I think I would have already gone insane." Alex stole another glance at Avery, who was paying a lot of attention to one specific spot on the floor, not wanting to look up. "She'll be fine, trust me."
Olivia nodded. "Just make sure she stays out of trouble." Alex nodded. She started walking to where Avery sat, but was stopped by her friend's voice. "And nothing crazy! I just cleaned that apartment."
Alex nodded once more, smiling, before going over to the teen. "Come on Avery, let's get you home." Avery stood, without a word, and followed Alex out.
Olivia watched the two walk out, before turning to her partner. Before she could say a word, Elliot spoke. "Don't blame yourself Liv."
"I feel like it's my fault. If I hadn't given in and let her come along, she wouldn't have... I think I just tramatized my daughter...again." Olivia sighed, as Elliot placed a hand on his bestfriend's shoulder. She shook her head clear of her thoughts, before looking at their murder board. She quickly taped the picture of Paige Mason onto the board, before writing the key details of her murder, trying to find a connection between the two victims.
"Alex, I'm fine, really" Avery said, trying to convince the blonde that she was handling the death of her friend just fine.
"Good!" She handed the teen a cup of tea, before settling down in the couch next to her. "Anyway, on to a different topic. So, any new boy news?" Alex leaned back into the couch, placing her feet on the coffee table in the middle of the room.
Avery laughed. Seeing this side of Alex was so much different than seeing her as Ms. Cabot, ADA to Manhattan's Special Victims Unit. She didn't have to work today, so of course, she dresed as comfortable as she wanted.
The teen looked at the ADA, dressed in a pair of jeans, and a black t-shirt, before taking sip of her tea. Alex, along with Casey, who Avery had met once when the five of them went out for furniture for Avery's room, and Melinda, were Olivia's best friends. They were all practically sisters, and acted as if Avery was their niece, which usually ment a lot of boy talk, and gossip. "No, but, well, do you think there's something going on between my mom and Elliot?"
Alex took a drink out of her own cup of tea, before answering. "Are you kidding me! Everyone does." She quickly turned to face the teen, her eyebrow raised. "Why? Is there?"
Avery shrugged, taking another drink of tea. "I don't know, but she thinks it'll be a good idea for me to meet his kids. I don't know what to say about that."
Alex spit the tea she had in her mouth, out, letting it spray all over the coffee table. "What?" she asked, choking on the remaining liquid.
Avery laughed. "You know she's going to make you clean that up right?"
"Yeah, yeah. Now tell me what happened" she said, scooting closer to the teen, ready to hear the full story.
Olivia sighed, rubbing her temples. She and Elliot had been staring at all the facts they had for two hours, and still could not find the slightest hint that these two murders had been related. "So, the only thing we have proving these two were related, is the bruisings around the neck."
Olivia turned to her partner, who was just as frustrated as her. "Yeah, but the only difference is, Ana Davis got away from her attacker."
"Not for long" Elliot replied, letting out a deep sigh.
Olivia nodded, before rubbing her temples once more. It was going to be a long day, and the fact that she was beginning to get a headache, was only going to make it seem longer.
Poor Avery, getting tramatized yet again, although if she wasn't so stubborn, she wouldn't have seen that.
So, are the two murders connected? And how does this affect Olivia and Avery's meeting with Alex and Donnelly's meeting?
Review to find out.
Also, question for everyone! If the SVU gang were going to a halloween costume party, what would they go as?