Chapter 6: A Mother's Daughter

"Olivia it's Elliot come on open up." Liv stayed in the silence, in the darkness of her apartment. She stood by the window. The weather was changing, getting colder. There were even flakes of snow starting to fall. It was lifeless. "I'm not going away this time," Elliot said from outside her door. "I'm prepared to stay out here all night if I have to. Come on open up."

Olivia no doubted that Elliot would stay around. Usually when he said something like that he committed to it. If opening the door meant he would leave sooner, then the better. Liv made her way and unlocked the padlocks. She opened the door slightly and then moved over to the couch as Elliot stepped in. The darkness distorted his vision for a few seconds.

"How long have you been like this," Elliot asked.

There was no response from Olivia. She was just as lifeless as the cold snow outside. Elliot moved over and turned on a table lamp. Olivia backed away from the light the way a vampire would cower and find cover in the shadows. Slowly her eyes began to adjust. Elliot took a little time to survey the apartment. Old take out containers took up space along the kitchen table and some of the end tables. Some dirty clothes lined the floor and some bedding took up what couch space Olivia didn't occupy.

Elliot made his way to the couch. "I was gonna ask how you were doing but I guess that answers that question." Elliot looked at his partner. He had seen her at her worst but never had it gotten this bad before. He knew he shouldn't feel sorry for her, she wouldn't have wanted that but it was sometimes human nature. "You said you wanted to know about the case but you've shut us all out. Liv talk to me, please."

Olivia looked up at Elliot for the first time since he had entered her apartment. Elliot could see fresh tears in her eyes. He didn't say anything instead he just waited.

"I'm pregnant El."

Elliot was taken aback. "You're what?"

"I um… I had been ovulating the night I was attacked." Olivia wiped away some tears with the back of her hand. "Guess I really am my mother's daughter."

"Hey," said Elliot, "You are not her!"

"Look at my life Elliot. My mother was raped, I work sex crimes it was just a matter of time before it caught up to me."

"I know you see it Olivia but you want to know what I see: I see a strong woman who saves lives, who turned an unfortunate situation into something positive. I'm so sorry that this happened to you but if I know you and I'd like to think I do, I know you'll be okay and that you'll turn this bad situation into something positive the same way you have with every other challenge in your life."

Olivia looked up at Elliot. He was being sincere and she knew he meant every word.

Elliot looked away for a quick second and then back at his friend. "Are you sure that you're pregnant?"

Olivia nodded. "I got a call from my doctor the day I checked out. She said she had my test results. I didn't go see her but I called her and she told me. I then took a home pregnancy test to make sure."

Elliot put his hand on Olivia's. Unlike other rape victims she didn't flinch or back away. "Why didn't you tell me, I could've been here with you?"

"I couldn't. I feel guilty for what he did to me and now with this I feel ashamed."

"What happened wasn't your fault."

"I know. Ugh, I do I know. I keep trying to tell myself what I've told every other rape victim but in the end the words are meaningless." Olivia looked up at her ceiling trying to contain the tears. "I've always longed for a family. Hell of a way to get one isn't it?" Elliot said nothing so Olivia looked at him with the fresh tears in her eyes. "What am I going to do Elliot?"

"I don't know Liv. I can't make that decision for you. I will tell you that whatever you plan to do I'll be right there I promise."

"And if I decide not to keep it?" Olivia asked knowing how Elliot felt towards abortion.

Elliot took in a deep breath. "If you decide not to have the baby then I'll support your decision but since you did ask I will put this out there. Your mom had you and look how well you turned out."

"Not every kid is lucky."

"No, but with you as a mom who's to say yours won't be," Elliot asked squeezing her hand.

"So how is the case going anyway," Olivia asked changing the subject.

"We're one step closer to getting the guy but we kind of need your help."

"What can I do?"

Elliot pulled out his phone so he could record their conversation and then a small tape recorder. "I need you to identify the voice of the man on this tape. Our techs were able to unscramble the voice changer. You ready?"

Olivia nodded and Elliot played the tape. Olivia's mind raced around memories where she might've heard it but there was no mistaking that voice.

"Son of a bitch," she said aloud.

"You know the man on this tape?"

"Dave Mercer."

"How do you know him?"

"I dated him when I was fifteen. He was sixteen. It was right before I got together with an older guy. I was the one to break things off."

Elliot turned off his cell phone recorder.

"Hey," he said. "You did well. We got him Liv. It's over."

"No," she replied shaking her head, "It's not," she said placing he right hand on her abdomen where her unborn child was resting.