Chapter 2

"Langan, a word."

Trevor Langan slows his steps, allowing ADA Barba to catch up to him. His stride is purposeful and the look in his eyes relays a vexation he doesn't want to be on the receiving end of. "Barba," he greets. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Rafael strides by him, opening the nearest office. "I need the room," he announces and the clerk quickly gathers their things, leaving through the adjoining door. Trevor follows him in, and he closes the door behind them. "Where are you on the Sheila Porter situation?"

Trevor rolls his eyes, relaxing a fraction. "I can't discuss this with you-"

"-you can and you will," he speaks over him. "You literally had one job-"

"-I was under the assumption that Ellie Porter's parents were dead!" He defends.

"And let me guess, you didn't think to corroborate her story?"

"Do you know how many Porters there are in New York State?"

Rafael shoves his hands into his pockets to hide his fists. "This is unbelievable...the one thing you had to get right-"

"-Olivia said she had no relatives-"
"-Liv's not a lawyer!" He bites out. "That'syourjob!"

Shaking his head, Trevor heads for the door. "I'm not going to stand here and defend myself to you-"

"-You better defend yourself-," he grates out. "-I shouldn't even be talking to you about this."

Rafael cuts him off at the door. Trevor is more than a good foot taller than him but it doesn't matter; the look he gives him causes him to take an involuntary step back. "If she looses Noah after everything she's been through...Fix this."

...

The elevator chimes and Olivia inhales deeply, stepping out. The waiting area is a little more busy than she had anticipated, and side steps a child making a beeline back to their mother. She hasn't spoken to Trevor since he dropped the news of Sheila Porter on her in her office, and he gives her a wary look.

"...I know this is stressful, but you have nothing to worry about."

Trivializing her feelings is not what she needs to hear right now and she inhales deeply again in an attempt to reign in her emotions. "Don't tell me how to feel."

Trevor flushes, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. "Judge Linden agreed to meet with us. She's the one who suggested you take Noah, and the circumstances were a little bit unorthodox-"

"-just promise me that I'm not going to loose my son," she cuts him off. "I prom-"

Before he can finish, a women steps off the elevator, heading towards the family courtroom there due in. The woman gives her a pointed look before greeting her. "-Lieutenant Benson."

Her heart is in her throat and the words won't come to even acknowledge the woman who's now entered the courtroom.

"Are you alright?" Trevor questions.

It feels as if her very foundation is crumbling beneath her. Noah's life in an instant is flashing in her mind and she can't help but think that their life together is about to be ripped apart.

"Olivia?"
Shaken from her thoughts, she blinks back the tears that have welled in her eyes. "I'm ok."

"I need you to keep your cool in there, alright? This isn't a trail only a hearing; don't give her anything to use against you."

...

"Sheila Porter, you are Noah Porter-Benson's maternal grandmother?" Judge Linden questions.

The woman in question nods behind the desk she sits next to with her lawyer. "I am, your honour."

"We've provided Ellie Porter's birth certificate and the DNA evidence to prove relationship with Noah," her layer offers.

Trevor shakes his head. "The fact that they're related is not grounds to vacate a legal adoption, your Honour."

"We would argue it is, since my client was never notified-"

"-the state did conduct a thorough and year-long search for any relatives," Judge Linden interjects.

"And Ellie told me that she was dead," Olivia offers. Her voice has come off a little more condescending than she wanted and she takes another breath to steady herself.

Shelia leans against the desk. "The loss of my daughter is a regret I will carry for the rest of my life. I spent years looking for her. I hired private investigators. I was too late, but thank God I found Noah. I want to make amends to be there for him in a way that I wasn't for Ellie."

"He's a child. My child. Not a way for you to alleviate your guilt," she responds. "Lieutenant Benson, please." Judge Linden gives her a disapproving look.

She can feel the panic crawling up her throat and she connects her gaze with Judge Linden's. "I don't know what her intentions are. She's a stranger to me, to Noah."

The judges reproachful gaze softens. "I granted this hearing because my concern is what's best for Noah. I would like to hear what his grandmother has to say. Mrs. Porter?"

"I have no intention of ripping a little boy from the only home he has ever known. But I have serious reservations about Ms. Benson's fitness to parent. I don't know her or what her intentions are towards my grandson. I may not be able to overturn the adoption, your Honour, but I am determined to be a part of this little boys life, for his sake."

Olivia shakes her head, leaning back into her chair. Trevor signals with his hand for her not to say anything. "Your Honour, what are we hear for? As Mrs. Porter has stated, she cannot overturn my clients adoption, and at this time, she is not comfortable with Mrs. Porters request."

"We're here to do what's best for Noah," Judge Linden answers. "I believe that you are being genuine in your pursuit, Mrs. Porter."

Shelia smiles hopefully.

"I also cannot ignore Ms. Benson's misgivings."

Olivia exhales.

"If you wish to proceed with a legal case, that is your right, Mrs. Porter. I'm hoping, however, that the both of you can work this out amicably. For Noah." The judge looks at them both pointedly. "I'll give you 30 days to sort it out."

...

"This doesn't change anything!" Olivia implores.

Trevor holds up his hands in an attempt to calm her. "Ok, I hear you. I just want you to think about what this might mean, Olivia: everything in your past is going to brought up for questioning."

What he's not saying lands squarely in her chest; the adoption very well may end up being called into question.

"Just, think-"

Shaking her head, she raises a hand for him to stop. "-Stop. I can't...I'm going to go." She punches the elevator button repeatedly, holding back the tears that have welled in her eyes. When it finally does arrive, Langan has enough sense to let her ride down alone.

...

Climbing the steps to the precinct, Olivia rolls her shoulders, trying to compartmentalize her personal life to focus on the job. The buzz and familiar hum washes over her as she walks the halls. From her pocket, her phone buzzes. Fishing out her glasses, she reads the text from Rafael.

How'd it go?

The read receipt appears under his message and her fingers hover over the key pad.

"Hey Lieutenant. Evelyn says the other woman had no idea it was coming," Carisi informs. Looking up over her glasses, Carisi and Finn and moving to greet her.

"They did not participate," he continues.

"They tried to cover it up," Finn adds.

Amanda comes to join them. "But they both came clean so the obstruction charge is moot."

Removing her glasses, she looks between them all. "Ok, so, charge Evelyn with Assault One. Call Barba and get her downtown to arraignment." She turns to head to her office, only Carisi stops her.

"You know what, Lieu? With what he did to these women in high school, if the statute of limitations hadn't already expired, we'd be charging Jason Karr too right now."

Focus.

"You're right. Get Evelyn back here tomorrow with her lawyer. Maybe we can get a quick plea deal and put this whole thing to bed."

Carisi nods, and she heads into her office, closing the door behind her. Her phone dings from her hand again.

Lunch?
...

He can tell the minute she comes into his view that the hearing hadn't gone well. Rafael prepares himself for the onslaught of emotions that he knows will be emanating from her the minute she's close enough.

The crowd bustles around them and the traffic is uncharacteristically obnoxious today and he regrets not meeting somewhere more quiet. He levels his gaze with hers, prodding her silently to speak first.

"I could really use something chocolate right now."

He smiles gently, nodding. "Desert it is."

...

They had settled on an all day desert bar that had just opened up not to far from both of their offices. They had stood in line quietly and he had ordered the chocolate tort while she had opted for the chocolate mousse. She sits across from him now, twirling her spoon silently.

"...we can sit here, silently, if that's what you need, Liv," he offers gently. "...or we can talk about it. Whatever you need."

She shakes her head, looking up at the ceiling in an attempt to stop the tears from filling her eyes.

His chest tightens.

He immediately slides his hands across the table, almost reaching for her hands, but stops abruptly, thinking better of it. He quickly takes hold of his plate, hoping that she didn't notice.

"Judge Linden was sympathetic towards Sheila and acknowledged my concerns. She wants us to work this out amicably for Noah."

She doesn't attempt to hide the resignation in her voice and he instantly wants Langan's head on a platter. "That doesn't mean you have to agree with her, Liv-"

"-and have my past brought into question?" She interjects desperately. "Visitation will be the least of my problems."

Rafael shakes his head. "You cannot legally vacate an adoption after three years."

"Judge Linden fast tracked the adoption for me. Langan never corroborated what Ellie told me-" She's unravelling in front of him.

Screw it.

He reaches to take her hands in his firmly. They're ice cold despite the spring weather outside and they tremble just a little inside his. "-you don't have to compromise out of fear." Her gaze meets his and he searches them for just enough spark to fan. "If she wants to take this to trail, then we'll fight it-"

"-You can't represent me-"

"-I can, and I will," he answers vehemently.

She swallows, her eyes searching for any possible doubt in his. "I can't ask you to do that, Rafa."

He lets his thumb sweep gently across the back of her hand. "You don't have to ask." Releasing her hands, he reaches for his spoon, taking a bite of his torte. "...there's not much I wouldn't do for you, Liv."

Silence settles between them and he worries that he's said too much. Offered to much. "...even share your torte?"

He smiles, sliding his plate towards her.

She helps herself, and a little bit of light returning to her eyes. "You're still able to make Noah's game this afternoon, right?"

He nods. "I had Carmen block out my schedule."

She holds the spoon in her mouth just a moment too long, her gaze softening, before skirting her gaze back to their deserts. He pretends not to notice, helping himself to a spoonful of her mousse.

...

Rafael quickly gathers the case files from his desk, placing them in his brief case, making a mental note of all the things he needs to take with him. Leaving at this hour is grossly uncharacteristic of him but he had made a promise and he was going to do everything within his power not to break it.

Glancing at his phone quickly, he exhales. If he leaves now, he'll have just enough time to make it home to change before heading across town for Noah's game.

The office phone rings and he pretends not to hear it as he exits his office, circling Carmen's desk.

"It's Mr. McCoy," she announces. "What do you want me to tell him?"

He knows if that if he stops to think about it he's going to take the call and then he'll be late. "Tell him I'm at the dentist," he calls back, heading right for the elevator.

...

Olivia checks her watch for what feels like the millionth time in the past ten minutes. He's not technically late; the kids are still running around the field warming up.

It's the way Noah keeps glancing in her direction, watching for him that has her stomach in knots.

Don't let him down, Rafa.

Glancing at the parking lot, she finally sees his BMW pull in and she exhales. She gives him a little wave as he crosses the parking lot out on to the field towards the stands she's sitting in. He had obviously gone home to change, sporting a pair of jeans and a dark green sweater over the three piece suit he had been wearing when they met for lunch.

Against her better judgement, she allows herself to peruse him as he approaches. It's very rare to see him dressed so casually and it feels oddly intimate. He fills out the sweater, showing more of his physic and her gaze falls on the way his biceps strain just a little, the veins in his forearms that are visible from where he's pulled the sleeves up. He flashes her a smile and even from where she sits, she can tell that the sweater has made his green eyes a little more brilliant.

To anyone watching, he looks like a father supporting his kid. She worries her lip at the thought.

"Please tell me I'm not late," he worries, climbing the bleachers to sit next to her. He's got a cup of coffee in each hand, offering her one.

She accepts gratefully and isn't surprised after the first sip that he somehow knows what she likes in her coffee. "Right on time; they're still warming up."

Rafael looks out onto the field, frowning. "That kid's laying in the grass."

Olivia chuckles. "This isn't exactly World Cup calibre."

Taking a sip of his coffee, he smirks. "Noted."

Noah finally spots him and he waves enthusiastically from the field. Rafael waves back, giving him a thumbs up and she hides her own growing smile behind the rim of her cup.

"So, the Karr case," he begins on a sigh.

"It's a tough case," she offers. Nothing about this case had gone smoothly from the minute Evelyn Bundy has stepped into the precinct.

The coaches begin to rally the kids together, the referee finally stepping out onto the field.

"Listen...I'm considering offering a deal. Karr does the same four years Evelyn Bundy agreed to."

She claps with the rest of the crowd, cheering the kids on. "You proved forcible rape."

"If she had cut off his finger, if she poked in him the eye-"

"-It shouldn't make a difference," she implores gently.

"We don't live in a vacuum. I can assure you the seven guys on that jury, they feel Karr's pain."

Olivia drops her voice, looking over at him. "And if Karr wasn't castrated, if he had cancer-" Rafael shakes his head. "-that's not the same thing-"

"-it should be...Why do we do this, Rafael?"

He looks over at her.

"Because the next girl who gets raped needs to know that that person is us." She holds his gaze. "No matter what."

His eyes dance with hers and she can see the wheels turning in his head as he nods.

Turning back to the game, they watch as Noah and his teammates run up and down the field. She can see improvement since his last game as he tries really hard to keep control of the ball. Both teams have yet to score, and judging by how both goalies are sitting in the grass, she's not optimistic.

So when the ball gets kicked to the other end of the field and Noah runs his heart out to get to it on what she can only assume is a fast break, she lets out a cheer. "GO NOAH!"

Rafael's hand goes to her knee, leaning forward in anticipation and she grabs his arm. "KICK IT NOAH!" Rafael yells.

Noah kicks the ball up the field. The goalie only just has enough time to get to their feet as Noah kicks the ball towards the net. Both of them rise to their feet in anticipation, and Noah kicks the ball right into the right corner of the net.

They both erupt into cheers and Noah's teammates envelop him into a group hug, cheering too.

...

"Did you see my goal, Mom!"

Olivia catches her son into her arms as he barrels into her after the game. "I did! I'm so proud of you, honey!"

Noah beams up at her before turning to Rafael. "I told you I was practicing!"

Rafael chuckles, kneeling to level his gaze with Noah's. "I had no doubt, amiguito. You were excellent out there."

Noah moves to give Rafael a hug, and she can see the surprise on his face as he embraces him back.

"We need to celebrate," she comments.

Pulling back, Noah looks up at his mother. "Ice cream!"

"I think that sounds great."

"Can Uncle Rafa come too?"

She looks to Rafael. There's a storm of emotions he's just barely concealed in his eyes. "I'd love to."

Noah beams, taking his mothers hand as they make their way off the field. Rafael is walking beside them and she isn't at all surprised when Noah reaches out to take his hand too.

tbc