Ok, sorry it's taken me a while to put up another chapter. I just want to say thanks again to QDD for reviewing every chapter, it means alot :)

Ok, well, I did change a few grammar things that I noticed I had been doing completely wrong, so...yeah

haha

anyway, on with the story

Olivia walked out of the precinct, searching for her missing victim. A light breeze blew over her face, soothing her burning eyes. She had been crying, due to an emotional break-down, and the cool wind somewhat cooled and soothed her face. Olivia looked up and spotted her. Sitting on the bottom step of the porch was Avery Taylor, crying into her hands.

"There you are" Olivia said, as she approached the girl. Avery looked over he shoulder. When she saw the detective, she wiped her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I'm sorr-"

"I understand." Olivia said, taking a seat on the step next to her. She put her arm around Avery's shoulder and smiled at the girl. "It's ok to cry" Olivia said, placing her head on top of Avery's.

"I have to be strong. Crying is a sign of weakness." Olivia pulled Avery away from her, so she could look her in the eye.

"Is that what your mother told you? Avery, crying does not make you weak, and hiding the problem does not make you strong." Olivia placed her hands on the side of Avery's face, and used her thumbs to wipe away her tears, careful when she saw the teen wince in pain when she felt the pressure on her bruised face. She could see her lip quiver, ready to cry, again. "Admitting the problem," she said, pulling a piece of Avery's hair out of her face and behind her ear, "makes you strong."

Avery looked at Olivia and let the tears silently fall. Olivia, who was getting use to the whole "shoulder to cry on", wrapped her arms around the crying teen and pulled her close. "I don't know what to do." Avery cried on her shoulder, grateful that Olivia cared so much.

"Avery, I understand what you're going through. It'll be hard, but with counseling, you'll get through it."

Olivia rand her hand through Avery's hair, fixing it every so often. "There's no hope for me" she sobbed, her voice slightly muffled bye Olivia's shoulder. Olivia took a deep breath before she spoke. She knew that if she mentioned her own experiences, she would have to travel down that painful road again, but Avery was worth it.

"That's what I thought too, but counseling helped me. It can help you deal with what happened." Avery pulled away from Olivia, and gave her a confused face.

"What are you talking about?"

Olivia closed her eyes, and took another deep breath. "A couple of years ago I was sexually assualted while working undercover."

Avery's eyes widened. "Were you-" she stopped beforee finishing, knowing it was none of her business to ask such a personal question. Olivia, knowing how curious teens were, answered her unspoken question.

"No. Fin got to me before he was able to." Olivia watched as Avery released the breath that she had been holding in. "But I do know that therepy was the only thing that got me through it." Avery nodded and put her head back on its previous place at Olivia's shoulder.

The two stayed quiet for a while. Olivia listened as Avery gradually stopped crying, as she continually stroked the girl's head. Neither wanted to move, it just felt so right, for both of them. Olivia felt it was her job to keep her safe, as if she had found Avery that night, specifically for this purpose. Avery, who was more than grateful that Olivia was here, couldn't believe how truely she was to have been found by her and Elliot.

Avery sighed, content with the comfort Olivia brought. She was the first person, since her drama coach had passed away, who had ever seen her cry, and the only one who was so willing to go out of her way for her. Olivia tightened her grip around Avery when she felt her shiver from the night's breeze. This whole "motherly instincts" was coming more naturally than she had expected. "Olivia?" Avery began, still speaking against the detective's shoulder.

"Hmm," she answered, too tired to form a real word.

"When you took me home the other day, what did you mean?"

"What?" Olivia asked, confused.

"You gave me your card, and said you know what it was like. What did you mean?" Avery asked, pulling away from the woman, so she could look her in the eye.

Olivia sniffled, a result, from cring herself, as she looked at the teen. "My mother, was a drunk, like yours. She constantly hated me, telling me she regretted having me. Avery, I'm so much more like you, than you realize."

Avery gasped. It was no wonder Olivia had gone out of her way to make sure she was safe, she related too much. "Were you an... 'uh-oh' baby too?" Avery asked, looking down at the sidewalk. She felt as if she was ruining the case, and becoming a burden to everyone at the precinct.

"I'm...I'm the product of my mother's rape" was all Olivia said. She looked down at Avery, who still had her eyes glued to the cement.

"At least you're mther had a reason to hate you" was all she muttered, before standing up. Olivia, wide eyed, reached up and grabbed Avery's arm.

Pulling her down, she replied, "There is no reason a mother should hate her child." Olivia cupped Avery's face in her hands, examining the bruises, Sara's recent anger outburst had resulted in. It was at that moment that Olivia realized exactly how she felt about Avery. She felt it was her duty to kee her safe, no matter what the cost. She knew she wouldn't be able to just leave, not knowing how Avery was doing, once the case was done, and she knew Avery was going to need someone to look up to.

Olivia looked into Avery's brown eyes, blinking a few times, just to make sure she wasn't looking in a mirror when she saw the same chocolate colored eyes staring back. She smiled when she saw something. A glimpse of hope. Olivia let out a small chuckle to herself, knowing how cheesy it sounded that, even with everything that had happened to her, Avery was able to continue being optomistic, and hope that things would work out soon. "Don't think you did this to your mother, because I can tell you, from experience, that she did this to herself. Any woman would be lucky to have you as a daughter."

Olivia leaned in, and kissed Avery's forehead, not caring who saw them. She was convinced, and knew enough about her, to know that she loved this girl, and was going to show her love, probably for the first time in her life.

Avery, wo was shocked by the detective's actions, only smiled, when she realized Olivia actually cared, and more than she thought. "What's going to happen how?" she whispered, slightly scared of the answer.

"Well, the state's going to have to get involved. You'll probably be placed in Child Services until something happens with your mother."

Avery gave Olivia a face, that told her exactly how apposed to that idea she truely was. The thought of having to live with someone she did not know, who knew nothing about her, or what she went through, let alone someone she couldn't relate to, made her... a little angry. Olivia looked at the teen and knew she wasn't going to be able to live with herself if she put her through another minute of hell. "As for tonight," Olivia began, placing her hand on Avery's shoulder, "my apartment is always an option."

Avery's head snapped up when she heard what Olivia had suggested. "What?" she asked, shocked that someone she hardly knew, would offer such a thing.

"We both have court tomorrow. Your mother's in jail, and I know for a fact that you do not want to stay in a foster home tonight, with people who know nothing about you." Avery smiled, slightly, still a little unconvinced that this was a good idea. "Mind you, my couch may not be what you're expecting, but I can tell you, I've slept on it plenty of times, and it is quite comfortable, you can ask Elliot yourself." Olivia's eyes grew wide, a little embarrassed that she had let that slip, knowing Avery would take it the wrong way.

Avery let a small laugh escape her lips as she looked at Olivia. She figured now wasn't the best time to make a joke about her and her partner, she'd wait until things weren't as tense. "Thanks for the offer Detective" Avery said, standing up, "but I can't let you do that." Olivia jumped up and followed her down the street. "You don't know me, and you're willing to let me stay. Why?"

Olivia forced Avery to face her before answering. "Because, I know you enough to know how much yu need someone you can rely on. Your mother is definitely not going to be that person. Bentley, you and I know he's still trying to get over everything that has happened." She looked down, making sure she had the girl's attention before continuing. "Avery, stay with me, even if it's just for tonight." Olivia smiled, and by the way Avery had smiled back, she knew she had convinced her to stay.

"Okay, but if I become a problem, promise me you'll kick me out" she said, half joking.

"I wouldn't think of it" Olivia said, leading her to her car. "We'll head over to your apartment so you can get some clothes, but first I have to go do something. I'll be back in a few minutes." Avery nodded, as she got into the passenger seat, and watched Olivia enter the building.

"Olivia!" she heard, as she looked through the files on her desk. She turned and saw Elliot walking toward her, a mixed look on his face.

"Have you seen Alex?" was all she asked, as her focus returned to the paperwork in her hands.

"She's talking to Cragen. What are you up to?" Elliot asked, walking up behind her, so that his body pinned her to her desk, just the slightest bit.

"What do you mean?" she asked, trying not to show how uncomfortable she felt, with him so close to her body. She quickly slid out from the hold he had on her, and walked toward Cragen's office.

"You know what I mean" he said, grabbing her arm, forcing her to stop and stare at him.

"Elliot, she needed a place to stay. I couldn't let her go with Services, not after everything she's been through, at least not yet." Elliot let out a sight as he let go of her arm.

"Liv," he said, using the nickname only a few were allowed to use, "you're becoming a little too close to this case."

"She needs me El," she responded, using the nickname only she was allowed to use, "and as much as I hate to admit it, I need her too. I know it sounds like a corny movie, but she's shown me how hard it really was to go through everything she's been through, we've both been through, and I want to help her. And don't act like you've never become emotionally involved with cases." Olivia watched as Elliot nodded, slightly, finally agreeing with her. "Besides, how bad can she be, I mean, look at how I turned out."

Elliot chuckled at his partner's comment. "That's what I'm afraid of" he muttered under his breath, hoping she hadn't heard him.

Olivia raised her eyebrow, showing she had caught his remark, before she walked up to Cragen's door. She knocked twice before opening it. "Olivia?" Captain Cragen asked, when he saw her stick her head into the office.

"Hi Captain, sorry to interrupt." Olivia peered at Alex from behind the door. "Alex, can I speak with you, in private." Cragen nodded, allowing the blonde to leave his office. When the two women were outside his door, Olivia took Alex by the arm and led her into the pit, away from Elliot, and other prying ears.

"Oli-"

"Alex, I need to ask you a favor" she said, closing the door.

Olivia walked out of the building a few minutes later, looking around for her car. She spotted it a few feet away, and smiled to herself when she saw Avery in the front seat, moving her lips, as if she was singing to herself. She walked toward the car, but was stopped once again by someone calling her name. "Liv!" She turned to face Elliot, smiling, but stopped when she saw how serious he looked.

"El, what's wrong?" Elliot looked over her shoulder, at Avery in the car, and gave himself a small smile, but it soon faded when he focused his attention back on his partner.

"They found pictures," he whispered, purposely, knowing full well, that she'd have to lean in to hear him.

"What?" she asked, inches away from him, knowing exactly what he was trying to pull. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction he wanted by making herself feel awkward, so she pushed her face closer, testing him, making it look as if she just wanted to hear him more clearly.

"Cragen sent Munch and a few officers to check out Osborne's apartment. There were dozens of pictures of both Avery and David."

"He was tailing them. That makes this pre-meditated."

"Exactly." He looked at her, then turned his attention back at Avery. "Watch her carefully" he whispered into Olivia's ear, surprising her. She looked up at her partner, smiled, and nodded.

Elliot, after seeing his partner smile, pulled her into a hug, a hug that they had only experienced once before, the day Eli was born, at the hospital. A hug, that comforted her, in more ways than one, and proved exactly how much he cared for her. Olivia placed her face on his chest and closed her eyes, allowing her mind to fnially settle from the eventful day. "Liv, becareful" he said, as he placed a kiss on the crown of her head.

Olivia froze. She didn't know how to react tho this. Sure, they had hugged before, but he had never kissed her. She sighed, against his chest, thinking of how much trouble they would be in if someone caught them like this.

She pulled away from him, and gave him a confused look. The tension between them was building, and she knew she had other things to do, than standing around and feeling awkward. "Sorry about that" she said, changing the subject, referring to the blood on his shirt, caused by the blow to the nose she had laid on him earlier.

Elliot looked down and laughed. "Remind me to never cross you again."

"And dont you forget it!" she replied with a laugh. She looked up and saw the blood on his face, left from the blow Sara had give him. Poor Elliot was getting beat up all day, and by girls no less. Feeling slightly guilty, she took out a napkin from her jacket and used the nearby water fountain to wet it. "Here" she said, wiping his face with the wet napkin. Elliot pulled away, trying to grab her hand, forcing her to stop. He didn't need her to take care of him. "El, stay still" she said, slapping his arm. He finally stilled and allowed her to continue wiping the dried blood off his face.

He watched as she smiled to herself, and knew that he did, in fact, need her to take care of him. After all, she had been taking care of him, mentally, for years. "There" she said, tossing the napkin in the trash nearby.

"Thanks" he muttered, rubbing her back, letting her know how much he appreciated her concern.

"I'll see you tomorrow" she said over her shoulder, as she headed toward the car, and a waiting Avery.

"Sorry, I'm not the greatest housekeeper" Olivia said, as she opened the door, letting both her and Avery into the apartment. Avery stepped inside and smiled. There were dozens of magazines and DVD covers on the coffee table, while a few take-out cartoons were left on the table in the kitchen.

"It's alright. I'm just glad I don't have to stay at a foster home tonight."

Olivia smiled, as she yanked her key out of the door. "I said you can stay until everything gets settled." She closed the door and quickly went to tidy up the couch and coffee table in the middle of the room.

"Let's just take it one day at a time" Avery said, placing her sports bag, full of clothes that they had picked up on the way, at the foot of the couch. Olivia went inot her room and came back out, carrying blankets and an extra pillow. Avery watched as she set the couch up as much as a bed as possible, before turning to her.

"Okay, I think we're all set." She turned to face the door next to her room, the "guest room", and sighed. "I'd let you sleep in the guest room, but, let's just say it looked like a hurricane blew through there." Avery laughed, and nodded her head, telling Olivia it was ok. "Well, I'll be in my room, if you need me, and I'm still kinda on duty, so if I get a call at one in the morning, don't be alarmed."

Avery smiled, once more, at the detective. "Thank-you again Olivia. You know, you've acted like more of a mother to me in the past twenty-four hours, than my mom had my entire life." Olivia looked at Avery, who only kept smiling. She opened her arms, allowing the teen to walk up and become embraced in a loving hug.

"Anytime" Olivia whispered, before placing a kiss on the top of Avery's head, just as Elliot had done to her an hour earlier.

A few minutes later, and Avery was sound asleep on Olivia's couch, finally catching up on much needed rest. When she was able to see that Avery was safe and soundly put to sleep, Olivia headed into her bedroom. She quickly changed inot something to sleep in, a pair of sweats, and a clean tank top, and crawled into bed. Her mind flipped through all the events of that day, as her eyes became heavy and closed. She was nearly asleep when she heard her phone beep.

Groaning, she reached for it and flipped it open, blinking a few times to adjust her eyes to the light glowing from the screen. Once her eyes were well adjusted to the light, she opened the text message from Alex, giving a smile small smile to herself. She quickly replied and placed the phone back on her nightstand.

The last thing on her mind, as she went to sleep, was the message she had just recieved from Alex.

You owe me! They can meet you tommorrow. - Alex

O.o

What is Olivia up to? Do you guys think she's getting too close to Avery... Oh well. haha.

Review, please?