A mother for Bella
Sequel to A home for Nathan
2 of 4 in series
The next day Olivia was just going through the motions. Nathan was walking on eggshells scared of hurting her feelings or making her cry because little did she know that he'd over heard her sobbing her heart out with Elliot.
Don had told her to take the next couple of days off but moping around where some of Bella's things made her more upset so by mid-morning she was sat at her desk doing paperwork.
"Everything ok Liv?" Elliot asked after going to get coffee for them.
"Yeah." She replied nonchalantly, it was obvious she was really trying to block out the pain. "Have you found Bella's Mom's killer yet?" She asked knowing they weren't supposed to give her any information on the case.
"We've got a couple of leads Liv but you know that's all I can tell you." Elliot replied and she nodded weakly.
She turned back to her paper work and tried to focus but it just wasn't possible. The picture of Bella and Nathan on her desk was a distraction from the paperwork but not a distraction from the fear of losing Bella and the fear that she wouldn't ever see the little girl again.
When Don rushed out of his office he had a grave look on his face and he spoke to everyone but look directly at Olivia.
"Isabella…" He started making Olivia jump to her feet her heart hammering hard inside her chest. "Is at Mercy General, Munch, Fin go and take a statement Olivia…"
"What happened?" She asked her voice shivering.
"Come through to the office, Elliot call Langan and tell him what's happened and get the TRO lifted." Don said and Olivia hurried through to the office, she needed to know what was wrong with her little girl.
"Don what happened?" She asked her voice nearly failing.
"Sit down Olivia." Don said gently his hand on her shoulder.
"No I'm fine just tell me." Olivia replied trying to appear calm but her voice and face betrayed her.
"Isabella was put in a group home when she left court yesterday." He started and Olivia's legs trembled and as she wouldn't sit down Don held her biceps to keep her steady. "She's been beaten and …"
"Was she raped?" Olivia asked her voice only a whisper.
"No but she was sexually assaulted, the social worker is bringing the kid in and I want you to get your act together and until the TRO is lifted and you can see Isabella I want you to question the kid." Don said.
"Isn't it a conflict of interest?" Olivia asked not wanting to jeopardise her chances of getting custody of Bella.
"Technically yes but at the same time no, I think the kid might open up to you if you can keep calm and treat the perp like a victim." Don replied.
"Cap…" Olivia began her eyes filled with tears. "I don't know if I can…" She said honestly.
"Well you need to Liv, I think this little boy will only be able to open up to you." Don replied.
"What about Bella?" She asked. "That's my niece Cap, biologically but mentally that little girl is calling me Momma in her head I'm her second Mom… I can't…" Her voice cracked. "I need to see her."
"I know." Don replied rubbing her bicep softly. "I understand Olivia if that was you lying there and someone told me I couldn't see you I'd put a gun to their head but our hands are tied, leave it to Trevor…"
A knock on the door took both of their attention.
"Sorry to interrupt, the perp is here?" Elliot said it as a question confusing the hell out of Olivia.
"What?" She asked knowing that Elliot was keeping something back from her.
He took her to the blinds and pointed out the perp.
"His name is Alec Rolland and he's eight years old." Elliot told her.
Olivia let out a forced breath. How was she supposed to question this eight year old boy about what he did to Bella?
"You ready Olivia?" Don asked gently.
"Do I get a choice here?" Olivia asked. "I shouldn't…"
"You're the only one who can you're the one who looks less intimidating." Elliot told her.
"We'll be right outside looking in Olivia if you can't continue at any point just pull yourself out ok?" Don told her and she nodded.
"Ok El put him in the interview room, let's not traumatise the kid any further." She said distancing herself from Bella.
Elliot nodded and left Olivia and Cragen alone again.
"You can do this Liv, I have absolute faith in you…"
"Please don't say that." Olivia replied. "Really."
"Why not?" Don asked.
"Because I'm scared I'm going to screw this up." Olivia explained shivering.
"I don't think you're going to screw this up, I think your fear is what will stop you from screwing this up." Don smiled reassuringly.
"Thanks." Olivia laughed. "When did you become a shrink?" She asked as he went to open the blinds for the interview room.
"I didn't, I just know you." He shrugged. "Grab a can of soda from the fridge and give it to the kid, help him relax."
"Why because he's going to juvie? Olivia asked sarcastically.
"Olivia…"
"I'm fine." She replied grabbing a can of soda before watching Alex Rolland be seated with his social worker in the interview room through the window in the office.
Trevor Langan stood in Judge's chambers with the CPS Lawyer trying to argue for Olivia.
"The little girl was sexually assaulted, she's not safe! Olivia Benson is the best carer for this child, she's in the process of moving home which believe me she would be doing much faster if she had her niece. The TRO stops her from being able to visit a little girl who I have personally visited in the hospital and the whole time she was there she cried asking for Detective Benson, actually she was calling Momma which means Detective Benson. She's five, she's scared, she's gone through a very traumatic experience which Detective Benson has experience with." Langan explained.
"Detective Benson works ridiculous hours, the only support system she has is her brother and his wife and children…"
"Actually she has the support of her surrogate family, her co-workers and their families who have all been helping her slowly move house and have been her support system since Isabella came into her care. This little girl will want for nothing with Olivia Benson and her adopted son." Langan argued.
The judge took a deep breath and looked from one lawyer to the other knowing that there were good reasons on both side.
"I'm lifting the TRO and I'm giving temporary custody back to Detective Benson. She does have experience with victims of sexual assault however I am requesting a full psychiatric evaluation of both Detective Benson and the child and until trial for adoption both Detective Benson and the child will attend regular therapy sessions, once a week together and once a week apart…"
"Your Honour that means Detective Benson will have three therapy sessions a week, she's already seeing someone with her adopted son…"
"Those are my conditions Mr Langan." The judge interrupted.
"I'm sure Detective Benson will keep to them." Trevor replied.
"Your honour…"
"That is my Decision Mrs Turner, you can argue against Detective Benson in court when she fights to adopt the child." The judge said.
"Now the TRO is lifted so Detective Benson can pick up Isabella from the hospital and keep custody until trial, we will meet after the psychiatric evaluations to discuss trial date, Mr Langan you will use a court appointed shrink for these evaluations and make sure that Detective Benson is fully informed about how the information shared will be used in court. You may go."
"Well he confessed." Olivia shrugged as she wiped away her tears in the comfort of Don Cragen's office.
"I'm sorry I made you sit through that Olivia." Don whispered.
"He would have shut down if it had been any other Detective you know that." Olivia said as she sniffed.
"I have some news for you …" He said and Olivia looked up at him.
"Is it Bella? Is she ok? Please say nothing has happened…"
"Olivia!" He yelled his hand up to stop her but her eyes scanned him looking for something to give her an answer. "Langan will meet you at the hospital."
"The TRO?"
"Lifted." Don replied and Olivia was out the door before he could say anything more.