Chapter 17

"You can't be serious," Elliot said upon getting the phone call from the Captain. Olivia did not like the sound of the conversation and worried that things had taken a turn for the worst.

"You ok Mom?" Calvin asked as he walked back into the living room, holding Charlotte. She giggled as she grabbed the boy's shirt and tried to put it in her mouth. He tugged it away and gave her a funny look which made her giggle all the more.

"I'll be fine," she gave him a slight smile.

"Should I be calling the pizza place again?" Calvin asked realizing that the dinner hour was slowly slipping away again.

"Hold that thought just for a few minutes. Can you get Charlotte into her playpen?" She asked.

"Sure," the boy smiled slightly and got his sister where she needed to be before hoisting herself off the couch and heading for Elliot. Snatching the phone from him, she said into it,

"He wants me there doesn't he?"

"They are working out a compromise right now. He gave them ten minutes but even if I thought you should be down there, ten minutes wasn't enough time," Don explained.

"Tell them to send a squad car over. I'm not going to jeopardize Barba and Hardgrove so I can avoid being uncomfortable. Tell the bastard I'm coming but he has to give me more time," Olivia told him.

"Olivia you…"

"Just do it. I'll be waiting downstairs for the car," with that she hung up.

"Liv…"

"No. No more arguing. This guy wants me down there then I go down there and show him the real meaning of victim," Olivia was firm and Elliot knew, no matter how hard he protested, he would not be getting anywhere.

"At least let me come with you. I can't let you face him alone," he said.

"And I can't ask Calvin to do any more babysitting. Stay here with him. He needs someone to be here," she told him. Looking over at her adopted son, she could tell that he heard her but it didn't matter. She refused to leave him alone anymore. He'd been through a lot and most of it had been put on the back burner due to her condition. That stopped today.

"Go Mom. Do what you have to do. I'll be fine," Calvin said.

"After this is over, we're going on a family vacation. I don't care what we have to do. We're going somewhere and it's going to be wherever you want sweetheart. You know how much I love you and I am sorry for not saying it enough," Olivia pulled him into a hug and kissed his forehead. She could almost feel the burdens she had been placing on him as she squeezed him.

"You had better get down there and wait for the car. This is something you can't be late for," Calvin said. She kissed his forehead again and headed for the door. Elliot got in front of her and opened it for her. Once they left they could hear Calvin locking the door.

"The kid needs a medal," Elliot said.

"I'm serious about the vacation thing. We all need to get away from here and I don't care what IAB or anybody else wants," Olivia told him.

"You got it," he smiled as they got into the elevator. Once downstairs, they made their way out to the curb. No black and whites were in sight but a very familiar car pulled up.

"You sure about this baby girl?" Fin asked as Rollins opened the door for the two of them and they crawled into the backseat of the vehicle.

"I'll catch up with you later. Get them where they have to go," Rollins told her partner.

"Yes ma'am," he gave her a wink and sped away before either Olivia or Elliot could say anything. Rollins headed upstairs hoping that her little surprise for Calvin would be just what he was looking for.

Fin pushed the car as fast as he could go with the lights and sirens blazing. Olivia heaved a sigh, realizing that this was probably the last time she would ever get to ride in a police car. The realization hurt but she knew there was absolutely nothing she could do. In the blink of an eye her career was over. Now as they rushed to get to where they were going, she hoped that Barba and Hardgrove were all right and that their lives would remain intact.
"How much longer are you trying to stall me? I'm growing very impatient," Lewis said to the negotiator on the phone.

"Detective Benson is on her way. She'll be here any second," Magner told him.

"She had better be. This time when I say ten minutes, you'll find out I mean it," with that Lewis hung up.

"I know I already asked but are you sure about this?" Fin asked as he strapped a bulletproof vest onto Olivia. He wasn't sure that it would help but standard procedure in case the SWAT team got anxious.

"I have no choice. I can't let Barba and Hardgrove suffer any more than they already have. Besides it will bring me a better sort of closure," she said as Fin handed her a weapon. She stuffed it inside her waistband and flashed him a little smile.

"Only if you need it. I think we'll all understand if you put a few caps in his ass," Fin smirked. She nodded. This was ending one way or the other. She carefully walked leaning heavily on her crutches, playing it up for Lewis to see. He was a psychopath, there was no doubt but if he felt he didn't have the upper hand he was even more dangerous.

"So she decided to grace us with her presence," Lewis couldn't help but lick his lips.

"I'm here, just like you asked," she said as she approached the door to the interrogation room. He slowly opened the door and beckoned her inside.

"I'm not coming in there unless you let one of the hostages go," Olivia told him.

"Now what fun would that be?" He asked.

"Let one go or I turn around and walk away," she was firm.

"Do you have a preference? Would you prefer your beloved ADA or the skanky defense attorney?" Lewis wanted to know.

"Let Miss Hardgrove go. She was trying to help you for Christ sake," Olivia's patience was wearing thin and the bile in her stomach was rising.

"Oh getting a little snippy eh? Why don't I just give her a little love tap with my chair leg here?" He was screwing around and Olivia knew it.

"Don't touch her unless you are letting her go. You hurt her and I'll hurt you," it was not a veiled threat and he could see the intent in her eyes.

"A woman of the law would stoop so low?" He wondered.

"I'm not of the law anymore remember? That ended when your bullet hit my spinal cord," Olivia spat. Lewis couldn't help but chuckle. He turned around and cut Hardgrove loose. She left the room hurriedly as he pushed her out.

"All right, time for you to fulfill your part of the bargain," he said. Olivia only glared as she entered the room and he closed the door.

To Be Continued…