Chapter 27

"Lt. Stabler's phone" stated Serena as she answered the buzzing contraption. When she woke up around 3, she heard Elliot's snoring and found him and Olivia wrapped tightly around each other. She had closed their door, just in case. It was only 6:30 and she knew the squad didn't start their day until 8, so it must be important.

"Good morning, Serena. It's Detective Carisi. Ah, is Elliot available?"

"He's sleeping. Can I take a message?"

"Umm, I…" Serena heard rustling on the other end and a click. She knew she was put on speaker phone and hated that. A new, harsher voice took over.

"This is Chief Dodds and it's too damn early for niceties. I need to speak to the lieutenant now."

"Sir, niceties go a long way to getting what you want." Oh no! Why did I say that to the boss? She had no idea that on the other end of the phone, Fin was silently cracking up behind Dodds. Even Amanda was trying to hide a smile.

"Jesus. May I please speak to Lt. Stabler young lady?" Dodds was gonna kill Elliot.

"Of course, sir. Please hold on." Serena took the phone and walked towards her parents' bedroom. When she didn't hear anything, she quietly opened the door. Oh thank God! Still sleeping. I did NOT need to see anything else. "Elliot? Elliot the phone's for you." She tried to shake him which dislodged her mother.

"What's the matter baby?" Liv asked trying to wipe the sleep from her eyes and her voice.

"Chief Dodds is on the phone for Elliot. I think I pissed him off." Again, unbeknownst to her, on the other end of the line, Fin shook his head smiling since he was still able to hear everything. He loved that kid. Plus, the fact that Liv was sleeping with Elliot did not go unnoticed by the chief. "He has us on speaker before you make a comment to that."

"Of course." she said with exasperation. "El! El wake up!" It took both Bensons shaking him before he opened his eyes.

"Whasamatta?"

"Chief Dodds" they said in unison as Serena held out the phone and climbed into bed with them.

"Shit" said Elliot as he took a deep breath and grabbed the phone while getting out of bed. "What's up Chief?"

"Why do you think you pissed him off?" asked Liv after she checked on her daughter's wellbeing. Serena explained the conversation and Liv just started laughing. "Yeah. That'll do it! Don't worry sweetie." They sat and waited for Elliot to come back into the room. When he did, the smiles immediately left their faces.

"Angel" he addressed Serena. "Yesterday, Judge Sorotsky made a deal with the DA. In exchange for special treatment, basically staying out of gen pop where the other prisoners would know who he is and what he did, he gave us the location of the room where the celebrations were held. We…" he didn't get to finish as Serena's eyes went wide and she shouted.

"NO! Nononononononono you didn't go there Elliot. You didn't!" When he looked sullenly at her, she bent over to vomit on the floor causing Liv to jump out of bed while Elliot ran to get a wet towel. When she stopped convulsing, she continued. "I never wanted you to. Never." She had tears rolling down her lovely cheeks, but she wasn't making any other crying sounds. He was well aware tears were part of the healing, but he absolutely hated seeing them come from her as she always tried everything in her power to hold them back. Just like Olivia.

"I'm sorry angel. I had to. We were tipped that Carlson might be hiding there and..." Again, she interrupted.

"You found him?" When he nodded, she bolted.

Liv was right on her heels, Elliot of course in stride with her. Serena wasn't watching where she was running and while they were shouting, she ran straight into the water. It was cold this early and there was a rip current. Growing up in a Manhattan apartment didn't exactly make her Michael Phelps. She realized too late and was quickly being pulled out to sea. Elliot ran faster. He was a strong swimmer, but he had to push to reach her. He grabbed her just as she went under for the third time. It took some doing, but he pulled her back to shore.

Olivia was at the water's edge, grabbing Serena from him as she choked and sputtered water. Liv's emotions were undefinable and uncontrollable. "Don't you EVER do that again young lady! Do you have any idea…" she stopped screaming and just grabbed her daughter tightly, sobbing. When Elliot straightened himself up and caught his breath, she grabbed his hand and he hugged from behind.

"Are you both okay?" asked Bernie who followed the commotion. Elliot nodded and Serena looked up.

"I'm ssssorrry. I, I, I wwasn't watching. I did didn't mean to go in the wa-water. I didn't see it." She turned around and looked Elliot in the eye as best she could having lost her glasses to the force of the waves. "Thank you, daddy" she said as she shifted out of Olivia's hold and wrapped her arms around his side.

Bernie held onto Olivia while they walked as she still seemed to be shaking. Elliot walked along half dragging, half carrying Serena back into the house.

-SVU-

No one spoke more than a few cursory words while they all dried off and changed. When they all arrived back in the living room, Elliot took charge once again. "Serena, I know. I know but please let me finish because this is important." When she nodded, reluctantly, he continued. "I was there and God Almighty I wish I never went. That room...You are an amazingly strong and brave young woman to be sitting here with us right now. We will talk about anything and everything later but I'm going to need you to be strong and brave for a little while longer." He paused at that. He was trying to figure out how to say what he had to but, she already knew.

"He wants to see me." It wasn't a question and she said it as if she were stating her name. She wasn't shaking or tearing up, in fact, she seemed calmer than she has since she returned.

"No!" he and Olivia responded at the same time. "No angel" he continued. "I mean yes, he does want to see you, actually he wants to see all of us together. Now, that's not going to happen, but Liv and I are going into the city and you are going to stay here with Grandma.

"Fin has been questioning him all night and he hadn't made a single sound. You know how Fin can be so that says a lot. Just before Dodds called, Carlson said he would answer all questions, but only if Liv and I asked them and we brought you with us. Since Dodds wasn't too happy this morning, that's all I got. What I need from you angel is, what do we expect? I mean, he held his own against Fin, who I'm sure pulled no punches, except maybe to his face. I need something to trap him with."

Serena was looking at him and shaking her head with sympathy. "I can't give you anything but me. He won't uphold his end unless you hold up yours. If he said he'll talk, he will, but only under his conditions. Trust me daddy, he only wants me. You need me there. Momma was right when she said I can't risk him doing it all again. That thought is in his head. He's learned a lot since creating me and he's more than capable. I need to go with you."

Liv spoke up before Elliot could open his mouth. "First, that man didn't "create" you. You are all mine, well now you're Elliot's too. We are your parents. We created you. He just pushed us together and I will never be sorry for that. Especially now because I have both of you and you are so loved. Second, I know what you're going to say next, that I always tell victims they'll feel better confronting their attacker. But that's in court during due process, not in an interrogation room where...where…" She seemed to be at a loss. She really just didn't want her daughter anywhere near that man.

"Where what? Momma, it's a police station. Believe me when I say that I know a lot of shit can happen, but I'm sure not this time. He won't try to hurt me, not physically anyway. I'll be fine. I need to see him. I can't explain it but if I see him at the station with you and Elliot right there, it'll be different for me. I always see him, in my head" she absently touched the side of her temple as her voice drifted a bit. "When I do, I'm right there again, all the time but if I can see him with you two, I've never seen that before, so it won't be a memory. You two were never there, so the nightmare never changed. This will change that because I'm not in the nightmare anymore, or so you keep telling me. Let me do this so we can end it. I need to know it's real Momma. It may not make sense to you, but I need to know this is real."

There have been several occasions this past week where Serena has alluded to the fact that she sometimes believes this is a dream and that she'll wake up back in that nightmare. Maybe by getting this type of closure, if she speaks to him or not, will help her over that hump. Not that she was looking forward to it, but Olivia was waiting for the nighttime screaming, PTSD episodes, flashbacks, etc. Those she knew she could help her deal with. Those were the beginning of acceptance and healing. Those would fade in time but this ever-present sense of denial, of ethereal limbo that Serena seems to be in is unnerving. This might be the catalyst she needs. Olivia wasn't sure if that thought was good or bad. Serena was determined and if she felt she could handle it, then Liv would allow her to come and then play it by ear.

Before Elliot could argue against it, Liv spoke up. "Okay, you come, but you stay in the bullpen with Uncle Fin. Elliot and I will go talk to him, assess, see what we can do. If necessary, we will open the blinds or something, but you will not engage him in conversation and you sure as hell will not go anywhere within his reach. Is that understood?"

Serena was never on the receiving end of a Badass Benson stare down command. She didn't like it one bit. It was scary! "Yes Momma." was all she said.

-SVU-

It was after 9 when the three of them walked into the station. Elliot had called of course to say he would be late, but "they" were on their way. Rollins told him Fin had gone up to the cribs a while ago to calm down. She assumed he fell asleep and no one wanted to risk waking him since he was at Carlson most of the night. Elliot agreed, Fin has gone above and beyond since Serena's return, he deserved some vacation time. Maybe as his last act as commanding officer, he would make it mandatory. He chuckled at the thought of how Fin would react to that.

Serena stood very close to her mother and she was looking all around, not that she could see much; since losing her glasses, everything was a big blur. The last two times she was here she ran into two of her abusers. At least this time she knew he was here, she was prepared but her nerves were shot. She honestly didn't know how much more she could handle, but she wasn't about to admit that to her parents. They were already worried beyond measure about her mental and physical state. She honestly did not even see the gigantic ocean in front of her this morning until she was almost drowning in it. When she admitted yesterday that everything hurt, it was like she had taken a knife to her mother's heart. She didn't want to do that again, so she kept quiet. That she knew how to do really well.

Carisi walked up to them. "Morning Lieutenant, Sarge." He nodded towards Serena. "We got Carlson right where we left him, interrogation room 1. He hasn't lawyered up and only asked to use the bathroom once. I took him so that there was no cause to cry brutality or nothin'. By the book and all that."

"Okay, thanks Carisi" said Elliot. "Angel, go up to the cribs and stay with Uncle Fin. Don't wake him though. I don't want a sleep deprived Tutuola gunning for me." She nodded, looked around once more, and headed upstairs, several sets of eyes watching her the entire way.

She found Fin sprawled out snoring on the last cot in the corner, the one that didn't have a bunk on top of it. She quietly made her way over and sat down next to him. Even though he was asleep, she knew he would instantly wake and protect her if there was danger. This might take a while so she might as well be comfortable. She didn't lay down but snuggled up close and waited.

Elliot and Olivia were in his office taking calming breaths. They hadn't opened the blinds to the box yet, they had to prepare themselves. When Elliot pulled the cord, they saw Dr. Andrew Carlson sitting quietly in his chair with his eyes closed. He seemed so relaxed, like he wasn't being questioned and held on kidnapping and multiple rape charges. Dodds and Barba walked into his office to observe. Carisi and Rollins did too, after all, everyone was working the case and doing an exemplary job. Barba wanted to catch him on any charge he could add on and Dodds just wanted to see if his Lieutenant was the right choice to question the suspect. Liv moved to open the door, but Elliot stopped her.

"Here" he said as he went to his desk and handed her badge back. "You're still a cop and you're still my partner." She clipped the badge to her belt, put her gun in her holster and reached over to kiss him. Her work boots put her at almost eye level.

"Always." The kiss lasted a bit too long as someone cleared their throat. "But maybe you should leave yours in here?" She said in reference to his gun and was half joking and they both knew it. Elliot had to keep his temper in there or yes, there might be bloodshed and he'd be the one facing jail time. And with that they went to confront the monster who made their lives a hell that they never imagined.

Carlson immediately opened his eyes when he heard the door open. He smiled and said, "Well good morning Elliot, Olivia. It's so nice to see you again. I must say Liv, you are still a gorgeous specimen of womanhood." He made a big show of looking around them. "Where's my Heaven?" he asked.

Elliot wasn't letting this hump get the best of him. "It's Lieutenant Stabler and Sergeant Benson asshole and the only heaven I know is a divine place you will never see. Tell me, Dr. Carlson, when we busted into that room, what were you doing there?"

"Elliot" Carlson said with a sneer. "I am not going to play games. I said I would only answer questions when you two brought my Heaven to see me. I meant that. You may call her Serena, but she really is a divine child, a gift from God. Now bring her here or give me my phone call and end this."

"She's here" Liv said. "I'm not going to lie and waste everyone's time, but I have just one question. Why? Why did you drug us? Why go through all that to make sure she was born only to make her wish she were dead?"

The Doctor took a deep breath and seemed to contemplate how and if he was going to answer. "I can appreciate that Olivia. I am a man of my word and I'm glad no one's wasting time that could be spent healing. Simply put, I am a genius. Medicine was always my calling. I can do so much more but who on earth is going to give me what I want? My drug combinations and surgical repair skills are incomparable! Of course, I could have had you myself that night and believe me, I agonized over it. Drunk, drugged, uninhibited. Seeing your naked form sprawled out on your bed I could have very easily...I mean, I watched you two for months! Let's face it Olivia, you are built for sex. Those legs that go on forever, your breasts that just spill out over the right sized hands. Your strength out in the field just had to make you fierce in bed. You should be thanking me. Am I right Elliot?"

Don't take the bait. Don't take the bait. Was going through the minds of everyone watching. He didn't. He just glared.

Carlson seemed disappointed. "Get her in here or get me a lawyer."

The "L" word always brings them up short. Olivia turned to leave and dragged Elliot with her, closing the door behind them. Elliot promptly hit the wall. "Easy Lieutenant" warned Dodds, garnering him a glare that could force him six feet under. Liv put her hand flat against his chest and leaned her forehead against his. It took a minute, but his breathing matched hers and he straightened up. She would rather do absolutely anything than what she was about to do.

"I'll go get her. Ya good?" She asked. When he nodded, she left the room.

"How does she do that?" mouthed Carisi to Rollins.

"Love?" she responded with a shrug.

-SVU-

Fin felt some pressure on his side and when he opened his eyes, he saw Serena leaning on him as if he were the arm of a sofa. "Hey Baby Girl. What are you doing here?" She jumped a bit at his words. It was so quiet she was lost in her thoughts. He spoke normally, but it was like a bullhorn in her ears. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." He pushed himself up into a sitting position forcing her to shift her body as well. "What time is it?" he yawned.

"10:00. Momma and Elliot are talking to The Doctor. I knew he wouldn't say anything unless I was here, so I made them bring me. I wasn't allowed to wait at your desk without them, so I came up here. I hope that's okay. I tried not to wake you."

"Nah. It's all good. I'm here for ya. Come on. I could use some coffee." Just as they were about to make their way downstairs, Liv opened the door.

"Good morning Fin. Sleep okay?" When he nodded and yawned, she knew it wasn't nearly long enough. Olivia was very familiar with that feeling. "Serena. You were right. Dr. Carlson won't answer any questions until he sees you but God, I don't want you anywhere near him! Are you sure you want to do this? He's going to bait you, he already tried to bait and insult us. You don't have to, we can proceed on circumstantial evidence and conjecture."

"Let me guess...he started talking about your body? How you are "built for sex" and tried going into detail." When Liv gave her a strange look, she knew she was right. "Hmm. I know him and I absolutely DO NOT want to face him again. I'm not sure I can walk in there without peeing or running or just passing out. But I have to Momma. I can't explain it, but I will go crazy if I don't. He will only use his words, but Elliot helped me realize last night that nothing he says is true and now I know he can no longer hurt me. But let's make it quick. Can Uncle Fin be right there?" She turned to look at her favorite non-blood family member.

"Just try keeping me away" he said. Liv took her hand and Fin put one of his on her back and they walked downstairs.

As they approached Elliot's office, her breathing intensified and she gripped her mother's hand tightly. Everyone was watching her. "Wait" she said as she stopped. Everyone froze and no one said a word. Elliot walked over to her and bent down. He put his hands on her shoulders and kept eye contact. The pressure he put steadied her. She matched his breathing pattern. After a minute she said "Okay," but Elliot didn't let go.

"You are loved beyond measure angel. No matter what he says and what happens from here on out, always remember that my only regret is not being the father you deserved nine years ago." When he saw Olivia wrinkle her eyes in confusion, he admitted, "I've known since that day in the hospital. You were very out of it, but I put two and two together after you spoke to the doctor. I'm sorry I never said or did anything about it, even after the divorce." He looked back at Serena. "I am your father." She smiled and nodded. He knew if she tried to speak, she wouldn't be able to go in that room and Jesus Christ, all he wanted was for her not to go in that room.

Once again, Olivia led the way and opened the door. Elliot followed and right behind him was Serena.

"There's my Heaven girl!" exclaimed Carlson as Serena inched her way into the room behind Elliot. She just stared, wide eyed. "You look well. Fresh air agrees with you, but you know you can't see much without your glasses. What have I told you about..."

"You've seen her now answer. What were you doing in that room?" Liv wanted his attention away from Serena.

Carlson got up and walked to where they were standing. Elliot was at the ready. Liv had her body in front of her daughter almost covering her completely. Fin was standing by, as were the younger detectives. The Doctor didn't come too close, but he looked in Serena's eyes and held her gaze. She seemed mesmerized and Liv wasn't sure she was breathing. "Sit. Down. Doctor."

He continued to stare at the girl whose life he ruined. "She's ill. I can see the pain. Heaven, you have an infection. I can fix you up." At that Serena jumped. She knew what that meant, and it wasn't quite what everyone else thought.

"I said sit down!" Liv commanded once again as her daughter's grip was making her hand numb. Elliot was ready to strike. His whole body was taut with tension. She could feel his energy.

"She is so much like you Olivia. She's a screamer too. You really know when she's enjoying it, eh Elliot?" He was suddenly shoved up against the wall and Serena fled.

Liv was stuck between getting Elliot off him and comforting her daughter. She knew Serena needed her, but Carlson was turning redder by the second. "Fin!" she shouted as she rushed towards her partner. She needn't have bothered since Fin moved after Serena the moment she took off. "Elliot stop! STOP!" It took a minute, but he let go.

Carlson coughed but he was laughing. "Ya know what? I changed my mind. I won't be answering any questions today. I know your DA is outside…" he raised his voice to be heard even though the door was open… "I confess. I kidnapped and held Heaven, also known as Serena Benson for two years and almost three months. I plead guilty and I want to allocute in court. I'm not looking for leniency, I just want to speak on the record. Now get me my attorney." He stared right at Olivia and smiled.

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