Chapter 7

The next morning Rollins felt all eyes were on her, she knew this would happen, the look of sympathy from her colleagues. This is what she didn't want to happen, she didn't want to be looked at differently, she didn't feel like Amanda the detective anymore she was now 'Amanda the one who was raped, the victim.'

Walking into her sergeant's office she cleared her throat with a little cough. Olivia looked up from the paperwork on her Desk and smiled a friendly smile. "Close the door Rollins and take a seat."

Rollins twisted her hands nervously as she waited for the conversation she knew was going to happen. Liv looked at her with concern, "how you doing Amanda?" Rollins looked at the floor.

"I- I don't know if I can do this," Rollins replied, "I tell victims all the time that having their day in court brings some sort of closure for them, but I don't think I can do it."

" I know this is going to be tough" her sergeant replied, "but you know he raped again, in fact we don't know how long he's been getting away with this or how many victims haven't come forward." "But you know as well as I do this has to done, in order to stop him, in order to gain justice and put this bastard where he belongs behind bars."

"I know what I'm supposed to do Serge, but to get up on that stand and open myself up to his lies, his sneers, who's going to believe me." "I'm just a bundle of nerves, waiting for his next move, who knows what his capable of."

Olivia walked around her desk and balanced herself on the edge of it and took Rollins hand. "I believe you, the squad believes you and the Jury will believe you, I will put a unit on you until this is over, I won't let that bastard anywhere near you, you hear?"

Olivia could feel the tremble in Rollins hand, could see the difficulty she was having in not shedding the tears that were glistening in her eyes. Her heart went out to her, she wanted to hug her to send her home and tell her just to forget about what happened but she knew she couldn't do that.

"Go home Rollins, get some rest, I will come over after work, I will ask the nanny to stay a little longer with Noah and we can talk this over."

Rollins got to her feet grateful that Olivia was sending her home, she didn't think she could deal with the concerned looks from her team, not today. "Thanks Serge, I will see you this evening."

Rollins walked out of the office straight into a commotion in the middle of the squad room. She could hear Fins voice. A crowd had gathered and she wondered who he was angry at when she caught sight of him. The colour faded from her skin and she reached for the wall to steady herself, just then she felt an arm go around her waist forcing her back into the office.

"What the hell you doing here?" Fin yelled, "Get the hell out of this building or help me God I will throw you out on your arse and I don't give a damn if it costs me my Job."

Danny was backing Fin all the way and had stood staring at the Chief with a look of anger and disgust etched into every feature.

"You heard my boys," came the growl of their Sergeant, "get out before I release their leashes."

"I don't know what lies that girl or Rollins have told you," Chief Patton shouted, "No statements have been made against me just ugly rumours, don't that tell you something?" Then looking through the Glass of Olivia's office he continued, "I treated you like a daughter Amanda, tell these fools that they are making a mistake."

The plea to anyone else would have been heartfelt but the look in his eyes when they met Rollins through the glass of the office told another story. Cold and emotionless they chilled her to the bone.

"You are trying to intimidate a witness and counsel isn't going to think to highly of you throwing your weight around in her," Olivia's voice cut through the air like ice, "I suggest you leave before I cuff you here and now and get the greatest amount of pleasure doing so".

Patton looked over at Liv and with steel in his voice replied "you fool, don't you know who I am, I could take you and the whole of this crumby department down, you will be picking up litter off the street by the time I'm finished."

Liv met his stare unwaveringly "do you know your way out or do you need some help"? Fin and Danny moved in closer ready to heed their sergeant's order the moment she gave it.

"Damn fools" said Patten as he turned on his heels and made his way out of the squad room.

Rollins came out of the office and sat down at her desk, still shaking and looking pale. Olivia smiled encouragingly at her, "I will be over this evening in the meantime Fin will take you home." "I will arrange a car to sit outside your apartment for as long as this takes, it's going to be ok trust me."

"He's running scared Fin said too Rollins in the car on the drive home, don't let him get to you, you know we would never let anyone hurt you baby girl." Rollins gave him a weak smile as she got out at her apartment. She could see a squad car parked outside but this didn't dim the feeling of foreboding flooding her body, she knew that if he wanted to get to her he would, squad car or now squad car.