Chapter Three: Boomerang

Olivia found an empty corridor in the school building. The two sat down against a row of lockers. Olivia turned to look at the girl; she had multiple bruises and cuts on her arms but none on her face.

"I didn't want to make it obvious that I knew you because I didn't want to make a big scene, Olivia."

"I figured as much. You need to get checked out."

"No! They'll call my dad. He's not going to believe me. He's going to think that I was just messing around, like he always does." She choked back her tears, "I was going to go to my counselor but then I saw you."

"Kathleen, I don't work with Special Victims anymore. You're going to have to tell your dad."

"I know you don't, but please. Can we just keep this a secret and work together or something? I'll tell you everything I know."

"Kathleen-"

"You don't believe me either. I didn't know that quality rubbed off my father."

Olivia sat there in thought and exhaled profoundly, "Okay. I'll see what I can do. I'm going to have to notify one of my old colleagues about what really happened. It doesn't have to be your father but the precinct will know."

Kathleen hesitated but she eventually agreed.

"Good, let's get you to a hospital."

"Tell me what happened" Olivia asked as soon as the two got in the car.

Kathleen sighed, "I was at this party last night and I met some guys. I found out that we all went to the same school and one of them was kinda cute so we flirted but that's it. Today, we met up again and he told me he wanted me to meet his friends so I followed him to the back of the school where he had about two other friends waiting and..." She stopped when she began to cry. Olivia took her hand and consoled her.

"It's okay. We'll work through this." She said softly.

The two arrived at the hospital and Olivia explained what happened and told them to keep it a secret.

"I can't believe I'm about to go through the crap you and my dad see everyday. Or, well, what you saw everyday. He still sees it."

"Yeah," Olivia said quickly and quietly, "You're going to go in this room and the doctor is going to run a few tests. I'll be right there with you."

While Kathleen got behind the screen to get undressed, there was an impatient knock on the door. Before the doctor could answer it, it swung open. Elliot rushed inside. He was panicked and extremely worried.

"I'm Elliot Stabler, this is my daughter Kathleen." He rushed to Kathleen, "Honey, are you okay?" He asked repeatedly. He embraced his daughter tightly and rocked her gently. Kathleen sobbed in her dad's arms.

"I just got into a small fight with some people. Who told you?" She wept and looked at Olivia from over his shoulder. She knew Olivia didn't do it since they were together the whole time.

"A teacher saw you come into the school with injuries and called me. She only saw the bruises but the nurse outside told me you were in here. Your teacher said you left with a woman and-" He turned and did a double take to see Olivia in the shadows of the room. Olivia stood there with a sheepish smile and her hands in the pockets of her leather jacket.

"Excuse me, but I really need to start this examination. Mr. Stabler, is this your wife?" The medic asked him and gestured towards Olivia. An awkward tension in the room grew a little.

"No, she's an old friend." Elliot said.

"Well, you two can stay if you want. It's up to Kathleen."

"I think I can do this by myself." Kathleen sniffled, "Dad, can you stay outside just incase?"

Olivia said goodbye to Kathleen was the first to walk out; Elliot nodded to his daughter followed his old partner, dumbfounded.

"What were you doing at Kathleen's school?" Elliot asked. Olivia looked at him, a little taken off guard.

"I was taking Nikki to school."

"Nikki Harris?"

"Yeah."

"She's living with you?"

"No, I pick her up and take her. She's staying with-" Olivia sighed, "Forget it, Elliot. I'll handle Nikki, you just worry about Kathleen."

"With who? You and I both rescued Nikki, I have just as much concern to know if she's in a good house as you."

"She's staying with my friend until we find her a sufficient foster family. She's in good hands." Olivia looked into his eyes, "Trust me." She said softly.

"Yeah, that's my weakness." He muttered. Olivia chuckled lightly and looked away. She stuffed her hands on her pockets again. The two looked at each other and spoke up at the same time.

"Liv-"

"El, you should go check on Kathleen. See if she's okay. You know how important the presence of a parent is to a traumatized victim right about now." Olivia gave a faint smile, "See you around." She said gently and walked out of the waiting room. Elliot watched her go, wanting to run after her, but wanting to be with Kathleen as well. Elliot watched until the door close behind her and then went back into the room.

The main hospital doors opened and Olivia pulled her sunglasses over her eyes. As she made her way to her car, someone was running up behind her.

"Liv?" The foreign accent questioned, "Liv, I thought you were at work. What are you doing here? Where's Nikki? Is everything okay?"

Gabriel approached the brunette and hugged her then followed it with a light kiss on her lips. He pulled away and looked at her for any signs of injury.

"Nikki's at school. I'm fine. Everything's fine." Olivia sighed.

"Then why are you-" Gabriel's words were cut off by his phone. He answered it, listened, and then hung up.

"I have to hurry inside. My new partner just called."

"I'll see you at seven, then?"

Gabriel's face was blank, "What's at seven?"

"Nikki is spending the evening with her babysitter and you and I had reservations tonight for my birthday." Olivia said with a weak smile.

"Oh my god! Liv, I'm so sorry. I have to work late tonight!" There was another ring from the cell phone, "I'll make it up to you tomorrow. I promise." He kissed her on the lips and rushed inside.

"Okay," She whispered. Olivia watched him go and sighed to herself. Suddenly, her birthday didn't seem so special anymore.

Author's Note: A few little twists in this chapter!

In case you're still confused, Rio is Olivia and Nikki's nickname for Gabriel. Rio and Gabriel are the same person! c: