Chapter 41

"Hi Dad" Kathleen spoke into Olivia's phone as she quietly walked onto the patio.

"Kathleen? Where's Liv?" Elliot was immediately on alert. Liv took to keeping her volume on high since Serena was taken so she wouldn't miss any vibrations from texts or calls. Since she returned, the phone hasn't left her possession and they made sure every one of the kids knew it as well.

"Well good afternoon to you too Father" she said sarcastically. When she was answered with an impatient huff, she let it go. "Liv is sleeping on the couch with Serena. Even Grandma is napping in the chair. I happen to be walking past when I saw her phone light up, so I grabbed it before the ringer went off. Sleep is a luxury in this house. Do you want me to wake her?"

"No, no absolutely not. Thanks baby. Wait, what are you doing home? I thought you worked until seven."

"Not anymore" answered the blonde. "It was mutually agreed upon to terminate my internship." She knew her father was about to interrupt in a tirade, so she spoke before he could get going. "Dad, it's okay. When I got to work this morning, Rachel told me what happened at your meeting, then I was called into Dr. Feshmon's office, again. He wrote me up for bringing Serena in the first place when she didn't have parental consent or a doctor's script. Anyway, I told him how I felt about that decision and we decided this place wasn't the best fit for me."

"I'm sorry honey. I know you liked that internship and it's not fair them taking it out on you." Elliot would have no problem giving them a piece of his mind. They seemed to have it out for his children's happiness.

"Ya know what daddy, it's okay. We were civil and he even said that he wouldn't put it on my record so if another place calls to check a reference, I would look good. He said he understood that I was acting on behalf of my sister after everything she's been through so… I called my advisor and she is setting up something in the city, possibly Bellevue or the Creedmoor center." Kathleen honestly wasn't that saddened by it. If the place that was supposed to treat traumatized kids was refusing to treat her horribly traumatized sister citing procedure, she didn't see a future for her there anyway. "I'm going to hang out here until Labor Day, which is only another week and by that time, I should know where I'm going to be. Is that still okay?"

"We were planning to have you through October Katie, so you know you don't have to leave. Stay as long as you want and I know Liv feels the same way, but you do whatcha gotta do. Tell Liv I called just to check in but I'm heading into what is bound to be a long-ass meeting, so I'll see her later. Love ya baby" He waited for her goodbye before hanging up.

-SVU-

Today was one clusterfuck after another for Elliot. First, Serena was rejected at the therapy place. He knew she was upset but when Katie told him she was sleeping on the sofa with Olivia and his mother, he knew there had to have been a breakdown beforehand. Then to hear that his daughter lost her internship over it was just the icing on his fucking cake. The reason he called was not only to check up, but to talk to Olivia. He learned his lesson about keeping things from her "for her own good." He called immediately to tell her that they were beginning jury selection for Carlson tomorrow. He was pissed, as was Barba. The trial was pushed up due to public outcry and the fact that there were potentially so many "upstanding, influential" men involved. If things went "well", he and Olivia were expected to testify as soon as Wednesday, Thursday at the latest. It was the DA's plan to have Serena on the stand on Friday, so her testimony resonated with the jury throughout the long weekend. So now he sat in a meeting at 1PP with Barba and the higher-ups to discuss how it would all play out. Elliot knew it wouldn't go anywhere without Serena, so the meeting was pointless to him.

After an hour of going in circles, the brass seemed to reach the same conclusion. Since Serena never offered any information, they came up with an acceptable list of straightforward questions for her to get Barba started. Elliot agreed that Fin would come to the house this afternoon and interview her; he didn't want her coming back here and he had a feeling she would avoid this place forever after the last time. Barba insisted on coming with, although he agreed not to interrupt Fin's questioning.

"She has to get used to me speaking to her as if she were on the stand. I am not out to embarrass or hurt her in any way, I just want this bastard to fry." He was going to continue his reasoning, but Elliot held up his hand.

"I know." The matter was dropped and the meeting pulled apart. He found himself back in his jeep with the ADA a half hour later, Fin in the squad car right behind, not at all ready for what was to come when he got home.

-SVU-

Olivia awoke to find Bernie making nachos for lunch. Her back was a bit sore from the way she was sleeping on the couch but otherwise she felt good.

"A nap is always good for a recharge; don't you think dear?" asked the elder Stabler.

Liv had to smile as she responded. "Yes. I'll take sleep anytime and any way I can get it." She turned to look at Serena who was still out cold on the sofa, not having moved a muscle in almost three hours. She was about to say something to Bernie when she saw Kathleen come out of the bathroom dressed in a bikini.

"Honey what are you doing home?" Bernie asked a half second before Olivia could. Kathleen answered her grandmother by repeating the conversation she had with her father not too long ago. Then she turned to Liv. "So I get to spend this last week working on my tan. By the way, Dad called your phone. Neither of us wanted to wake you so I answered, and he said that he was headed into a long-ass meeting and that he will see you later."

Liv grinned, but she too felt bad about Kathleen's internship, expressing as much. After the blonde left for some fun in the sun, the two adults sat to eat some lunch, which for Liv was technically breakfast. The next hour or so passed quietly as they kept busy around the house. Before she knew it, Liv heard the roar of the jeep's engine pull into the driveway. As she approached the window, she saw Elliot step out and Fin's squad car pull in behind her mustang. She knew this was not good the moment she saw Rafael Barba close the jeep door.

-SVU-

"You have got to be fucking kidding me! Tomorrow? El, I want to be there for every moment of this trial, but I'm not prepared, she's not prepared!" Liv was reacting exactly as Elliot expected her to and he felt the same way. They were gathered outside on the deck, sweating profusely despite the ocean breeze because they wanted to hash it all out before waking Serena.

"Babe, babe stop. I know, trust me I am planning to sit and stare that mother fucker down every moment he is in that courtroom. Unfortunately, that starts tomorrow and now, we need to get the angel to help us nail him." He stood to stop her pacing and grabbed her hands. "Trust me, please." Liv sighed and put her forehead against his shoulder. They swayed for a moment before she turning to look at the ADA.

"She recorded something the other day that I was planning on giving to you. Tell me this is what you were planning to question her about." Olivia retrieved her phone and played the conversation she had with her daughter after her one and only therapy session. Elliot gripped her hand tighter and clenched his jaw trying to hold himself in check. Fin just shook his head, but Barba had the oddest look on his face. He seemed pleased. Liv knew better than to think anything other than the fact that the story was just what they needed. "Melinda was also right about the baby; the fact that whatever was in the needle caused premature labor resulting in her death."

As Barba discussed altering some of the questions with Fin, she kissed Elliot as a way to break his contemplative anger from hearing his daughter officially become a complainant. Before walking back in the house, she turned towards the small group and said, "Give us a few minutes. I have to wake her up and help her dress. We weren't expecting a house full of men today." As they watched her disappear inside, Barba loosened his tie, Elliot kicked off his shoes and began to make himself comfortable, and Fin sat back and drank his lemonade.

Olivia knelt on the floor next to her sleeping daughter. She absolutely hated to wake her up at any time, but she knew that after hearing that the trial was starting, Serena wouldn't sleep again until utter exhaustion knocked her unconscious. Bernie put her hand on Liv's shoulder as she brushed back those beautiful bangs that never seemed to grow enough to stay tucked behind the girl's ears, even after all these years. Liv spoke barely above a whisper, "How are we going to get through this? How much more is she supposed to handle?" She sniffed a bit and the older woman didn't offer any answer since she sensed it was a rhetorical question. Bernie just continued to squeeze her shoulder and be there. Liv knew that was all she needed; they would get through this with the love and support of family. After Olivia took a few deep breaths, Bernie let go and made to leave but Liv quickly turned around and said, "Thanks Mom." Neither acknowledged the term, both just smiled, and Bernie walked out the front door.

She wanted to give her daughter every moment of sleep possible, so she slowly removed the cannula. Then she laid out a dress and leggings for Serena to put on and that gave her an idea. She stuck her head out the patio door. "El, can you help me please?" He didn't hesitate as he entered the house. "Will you carry her to our room so the guys can come in from the heat? That will give her a few extra minutes and more privacy because Barba looks like he's about to melt."

Elliot kissed her forehead and bent down to remove the blanket from his youngest daughter. Seeing any of her marks always made him ill, but he managed to suppress his cringe. "Now I get it," he said as Liv looked at him in question. "Her outfit. She was comfortable and we are unexpected. No one needs to see her like this...or maybe they should."

"Don't even suggest it. This is not a discussion we are having now or ever. If you don't want to look, cover her up but please bring her in." She turned and walked towards the bedroom knowing he would comply. He would drop that conversation for now, but he was thinking that if the jury could only see a fraction of Serena's injuries, a bit of what was physically done to her it would be all they needed to win. Once she opened her mouth, if she did, after seeing that there would never be any reasonable doubt.

Olivia could hear the guys enter the air-conditioned living room as she undressed Serena, which was a lot easier. She had just managed to pull up the leggings when the girl practically flew off the bed.

Liv quickly threw up her hands and spoke softly. "It's just me baby. Just me. We have company and I wanted to make sure you were dressed and comfortable." Serena settled quickly and pulled off her own top. She was not the least bit embarrassed to strip in front of her mother anymore and Liv took the opportunity to ask the question she reserved from this morning. "Baby, have you been shaving?"

Serena was pulling her dress down and wiping the sleep from her eyes as she shook her head. "No, why? Do I have to? The Doctor said that it wouldn't be necessary." That was the answer Olivia needed to let the matter drop. Of course, he would have something to do with it.

-SVU-

"Well hello sleeping beauty" teased Fin as the two entered the living room. "I was about to join you but no, my boss wouldn't like that." He looked directly at Elliot who just pointed to his watch as if to say, on duty.

"Don't worry about Elliot, Uncle Fin. In this house, Momma's the boss and he's outnumbered." She smiled before taking a seat next to him and looking at the faces of the men surrounding her. "This can't be good."

Elliot knelt down in front of her. "Angel, Carlson's trial is coming up fast and we need to…" He took a deep breath that could be heard as everyone in the room was silent. "Liv played your recording for us from her phone. Thanks for that, I know how hard that must've been to admit. Anyway, ADA Barba is here because we need you to get used to him being kinda in your face a bit because at the trial, he's the one who will be asking you the questions." Serena started shaking her head vigorously, but he continued. "Today it will still be Fin asking so we can proceed. His DNA matched the body of the infant we found so we have him on that, but we want to hit him with everything so there's no chance he can get away with anything. I, we want his ass to rot in jail forever. If it were up to me, he'd get the needle." She was still shaking her head and beginning to slide forward on the sofa, so he took a chance and put his hands on her knees. It was the first time he's ever touched her in a way that wasn't to invite a hug or show comfort.

"No." She stopped shaking her head and looked him dead in the face, dead being the operative word. "This is the second time you've ambushed me like this Elliot. I told you that I wasn't going to testify. I told you that I didn't want to be in the same room with him, let alone have him staring me down. I told you that I would never reveal any details for any kind of record that wasn't absolutely necessary to protect everyone's safety. And now I'm telling you again, you have to make do with what you have because I will not say another word about it now please, let go."

He let go immediately, more out of reflex and respect than from anything she said. 30 years in SVU ingrains that in your blood. As soon as he did though, she took off with the puppies at her heels. Barba made to say something but before Olivia or Elliot could interrupt what was bound to be a tirade, Fin spoke up.

"Leave her alone. Give her time man." He didn't look at the attorney, just at the door Serena went through.

"We've left her alone long enough and we have no more time to waste. She will get up on that stand and tell her story if I have anything to say about it." He did indeed sound threatening, but he was in the wrong company as the other three adults stood their ground as they stood up, towering over the attorney.

"Try to go anywhere near her and I will break your legs."

"You're good at your job Rafa, but you have no idea what you're doing right now."

"Man, I said give her time." Elliot, Liv, and Fin all spoke at the same time. It sounded like shouting in the enclosed space after such quiet. Barba stood his ground though and they each respected that.

"Get her to talk or I'll have to declare her a hostile witness which looks bad for our case. If I have to force the victim to testify, it gives the defense leverage. I can't waste any more time on delays." He pulled out his phone and started to walk into the kitchen before Liv had the last word.

"If you have to do that and you feel you can't win this with the evidence and statements we already have, then you're not the man I've been giving you credit for. You do what you have to do, and I will be there for every moment of it, but she will be dragged up to that stand either kicking and screaming or stone-cold silent if you keep this up. How do you think that will make your case look?" With that, she walked outside in search of her daughter.

-SVU-

"Whoa! Slow down there speedy!" When Serena flew down the steps, she crashed straight into Manny. If he didn't grab her arms, she would have bounced off and landed on her backside. She didn't acknowledge, just shook off his hands and continued to walk around him. She walked knee deep into the water and stood staring straight ahead. He stepped out of his sneakers and turned around when he heard her back door open. He nodded and held his hand up to Olivia and followed Serena into the water. He knew her mother would not take her eyes off them, which oddly made him feel better.

"So," he began, not looking at her but at the cargo ship way out on the horizon. "I quit group today." This did cause a reaction. Serena whipped her head to look at him with a furrowed brow. "I came to terms with what happened to me a long time ago; after the surgeries and my coach's confession. Therapy did help, well the group did more than my individual sessions. There's only so many times you can hear "This is a safe place son" before you start to roll your eyes and drift off so once I wasn't mandated to attend anymore, it was recommended that I continue attending until I can function normally, whatever the hell that means. Considering I don't go to school and my job doesn't mix me with adults or anyone of my own age group, I go voluntarily now, for about the past five months. A lot of us are voluntary. I don't have friends anymore and I can't talk to my family about anything that happened, well my dad but… so group is my social hour.

"But I've seen what happened to you today happen before. They want to keep their success rate up in the public so they push their will, their "surefire" way of doing things on anyone who walked through their doors. I'm not saying they're quacks or ineffective, not at all. I'm saying they're not always right, like in your case they are absolutely wrong, so I told them that before I walked out. My phone has been blowing up since." He finally turned to look her in the eyes. He shrugged as he continued. "Many of them agreed with me but either aren't ready or aren't able to give up group therapy so I came up with an idea that involves you peace girl."

He waited for a response but the only thing he got was a confused stare. "Look, I know you don't really know me from Adam; that I'm just another messed up kid whose story you responded to and me? I don't like nobody, but you...you I do. I want to be your friend and I try to help my friends in any way I can. So if you're willing to put a little faith in me, come back to my house and I'll show you. If it makes you feel better, I can run and get what I need, and we can hang here. Yeah, let's do that instead." He turned and started walking towards the sand before turning to say, "Ya comin?"

When Manny ran home, Serena made her way back to the porch. She wanted to say goodbye to Fin and make sure Barba knew that she wasn't changing her mind. He was the first one out when she walked up.

"I'm aiming to have you on the stand on Friday." When he saw her eyes widen as she quickly stared at Liv, he continued. "Yes, no more coddling. Jury selection starts tomorrow and after your parents and doctors testify, it'll be all up to you. As I said, one way or the other I will use you to put him away for good." He turned back towards the adults. "I need all three of you to go over your testimony. If you can't come back tonight, then tomorrow it is. I'll get Fin's on the way back." With that he walked towards the car.

Serena didn't move her eyes from her mother but instead of wide and fearful, they became determined and focused. Olivia wasn't quite sure how to read her but just then Fin and Elliot came out. Fin looked like he was ready to eat his gun. He would rather be anywhere during the next two hours than in the car with Barba and his mood, let alone going over testimony for his favorite kid. She addressed him right away. "He's not a very good follower of directions, is he?" When Fin chuckled, she continued. "What's your biggest question Uncle Fin? Can't guarantee I'll answer, but..."

"Ya know Baby Girl, you told me what you remember about the day he took you, yo Moms gave us the recording, we have your statement about the baby, and we have her...remains. Barba may say Sorotsky isn't a good witness, but he was there with Carlson on his invitation. I don't need to know every sordid detail about every time that mo-fo touched you or stood by while others did what they did. As far as I'm concerned, and you are not hearing this, we either get him at trial, or I make sure we get him afterwards. Either way, he ain't hurtin' no one ever again."

This brought a genuine smile to Serena's face, and in turn, to Olivia's. "Thanks Uncle Fin" she said as she kissed his cheek and gave him a one-armed side hug. He placed his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head before indicating that he had to be the one to take the ADA back.

Elliot went to say something, but Serena held up her hand and shook her head. "Not...no. Manny's coming back over, and I have to pee Momma." She pushed past Elliot into the house. He gave Liv and incredulous look and threw his hands up in defeat. She patted him on the shoulder and went back inside where she found her daughter standing in the bathroom doorway.

"I'm not going to ask if you're okay. I hate when people ask me that after something big happens. I will say…"

"You're always here to listen. I know." Serena interrupted as she emerged from the bathroom. "Just...not now, okay? Manny has something to show me and I could really use a distraction." When their eyes met, Liv had to smile. Yep; they shared many traits. When Serena walked back outside, Salomon wasn't there yet, but Elliot looked at her in question. She walked right passed him down the steps and up the strip. She found him standing on his deck, looking in her direction.

"Your house was still full of the po po so I decided to lay low til the heat died down." Seeing the look on her face made him laugh. He seemed to crack himself up while she just stared at him. When he calmed down, he grabbed his laptop and joined her. "Do you have a computer that we can use?" She just nodded and turned back towards her house, with Manny right beside her.

"Momma, can we use the computer please?"

Elliot didn't say a word as Olivia set Serena up and gave Salomon the wifi password, but he stood behind with his arms folded across his chest. His frustration had built to new levels and he was trying his best to keep it to himself, but Serena seemed to be ignoring him and now she was all chummy with Adelaide's grandson right here in his house. Liv told him about her therapy session, but all he knew of this kid was that he gave them the mutts currently making a racket and that some comments made by the older woman had upset her enough to punch a bag. He was leery, angry, and worried all in one bundle right now, so he stood and watched.

Serena could tell that Manny was uncomfortable, so she put her own feelings aside, as she always did, to make him feel better. "Okay so we're online, now what? I'm not much into watching stupid videos."

Now that he had a focus, Manny seemed to relax. Olivia pulled Elliot into the bedroom. "What's your email address?" When Serena shook her head, he continued. "Okay let's start there, it's almost time."

-SVU-

Once in the bedroom, Olivia sank down on the bed. That pulled Elliot out of his head immediately as he threw his arms around her. She wasn't crying, but she was shaking and trying to control her breathing. "This needs to stop El. One way or another, she needs this to end. Barba will have the judge compel us to bring her to court and she will be forced to sit in that chair but God! I don't think she'll say anything. I honestly don't think she'll answer any of his questions, not out of a sense of stubbornness or even fear, but something else." She thought for a moment. "She keeps saying that Carlson promised never to say anything about what happened, and she believes whole-heartedly that he won't. It's like she has complete faith in him keeping his silence and in return, so will she. I don't know...I…"

"Yeah, I agree" he said interrupting. "He even said as much when I was at Rikers with him. I don't think it's Stockholm, but there is a fuckin messed up bond or connection between those two." He took a deep, calming breath. "I wanna punch Barba right now, but I know that he is ultimately on our side and if he could make that fucker fry, he would. It's the way he talks to her is what gets me. I've heard him be so compassionate to other victims but Jesus! This is our daughter and not to belittle what any other vic has been through, but her experiences don't even compare. Let me ask you somethin'. What happened when you got home this morning? I know for you to be out cold enough to not hear Kathleen stomping around and Serena needed the cannula while she was passed out next to you on the couch that something other than her being upset about therapy happened."

Olivia told him about the morning's events, which led her to tell him all about Manny, minus his supposed shortcomings. "He likes her El. Not in any sort of inappropriate way, or even a teenage crush way; he just feels a connection I guess because she feels it too. He's good for her and right now, maybe he can help her in ways that we can't."

"Sonofabitch."

-SVU-

"Okay, let's get started." As Manny reached to adjust her computer screen, he suddenly stopped. "Wait, headphones. Got any?"

"Yeah, but why do I need headphones to be on the computer. I have an ipod and music on my phone." He gave her a look that made her sigh and run to her room. "Here, headphones." With his laptop next to the main computer and them both set up with headphones, Manny hit a button that caused her camera to turn on and her image to pop up on the screen. She winced and turned her head, but he quickly minimized it to the bottom corner. She hated seeing herself and avoided the mirror every single time, so she wasn't about to stare at herself on the monitor. Suddenly, other faces appeared on the screen and in her ears. When she looked at Manny's, his screen was identical to hers, only with his picture on the bottom and her image in the middle, exactly where he appeared on her screen. She recognized the kids on the screen immediately.

"What's going on?" She was shocked. Six of the teens from group therapy were on her screen, saying hello into her ear. They seemed much more comfortable than they did in the circle of chairs. Serena could see posters on some walls, a few were stretched out on a bed, couch, or floor pillow and they all seemed surprised by her question.

"Dude! I know this ain't no intervention!" One of the boys announced.

"No" Manny clarified. "Not an intervention, a surprise." He explained that when he made his announcement to quit group, Rachel was naturally upset as were those on the screen. When he walked out however, he waited around for them. He explained how the clinic wouldn't let her join unless she lived there, and they got to talking more and came up with the idea of a video group therapy. "Maybe we can all help each other without being led on specific topics. Each session was always, 'Today we will address, blah, blah, blah…"

"Yeah" interrupted one of the girls. "Sometimes I want to talk about something, and Rachel was always trying to keep on track or find some hidden meaning. I don't need "hidden meaning," I just need to talk things through, ya know?"

Serena did know, all too well but she was so overcome that all she could do was nod. Salomon did this for her. For no reason but to help her. She lost faith in people like that outside of her circle of adults. Unfortunately, it was during this speechless moment that her parents came out of their room. "What's going on?" asked Liv, mirroring her daughter's earlier question.

Manny quickly stood up, removed his headphones and approached before they got too close to the screens. "Ms. Olivia please, can we talk outside?" Elliot gave him a look that gave him shivers but he had promises to keep and he knew deep down no harm would come from anyone in this family. When they got outside, he explained. "I'm assuming Serena told you how we met?" When Olivia nodded, he continued to explain everything he did, right down to the promise he made to the group that these video sessions would remain as private as possible, even from parents. He waited for their response, expecting backlash but he didn't get a chance to take a breath before Olivia was hugging him.

"Thank you, Manny. That seems so trivial but what you've accomplished is tremendous! She was so looking forward to being with others and as you know from this morning, she was devastated, and you gave that back to her. You're an amazingly kind young man Salomon."

Elliot had to agree, and he held out his hand. As Manny shook it, he said "Thank you. Anything you need, anytime."

"Just a bit of privacy sir. I'm sure Serena will tell you whatever she needs to, and that's up to her, but the others, I gotta keep…" Elliot held up his hand.

"We're cops. SVU. No one understands better than we do. Go. We didn't see anyone or hear anything. Take all the time she needs." Manny nodded and went back inside. Olivia turned and hugged Elliot, laughing and crying at the same time. He didn't have to ask; he knew what she was feeling.

Serena's first video group therapy session was thirty minutes of therapy bashing. She was joining in on the disbelief and name calling and felt more comfortable talking to six sexual abuse victims who were strangers and the boy who became her friend than she ever felt talking with her peers that she went to school with. When there was a lull in conversation, she unexpectedly spoke up. "I'm scared. The trial wasn't supposed to start until after next week and now my parents have to go sit through jury selection tomorrow. They have to testify after that and then the DA is making me go on the stand on Friday. In four days, Friday! First Elliot, the Uncle Fin, then Momma and then me. He's not even going to put any doctors or anyone else until after, for effect. He says that I could ruin the case if it looks like I don't want to testify but I really, really don't. I'm going to be headline news again." She realized she said all of that while looking down.

Of the seven teenagers on the screen, only three faced their attackers in court. One girl said she knew how Serena felt. Her name was Miranda, and she told her story of how putting it all out there made her feel so much better, like a weight was lifted. She admitted to still having nightmares three years later and of course, she was still voluntarily in therapy, but she didn't regret telling her story and putting the scumbag away. It gave Serena something to think about. The group had to break up before anyone else could give their story or advice, so they agreed to meet again tomorrow night. Serena would be able to talk about jury selection and the trial and all of it to people who didn't hold a stake in the process or outcome. That idea lifted the pressure off her chest.

"Thanks so much guys. I can't properly convey how much this means to me" she said, and they got more comfortable teasing her in slang about her use of proper English skills and signed off. She was smiling when she and Manny walked out to find her parents lying on the chaise. She crawled over Liv to lay halfway on top of her chest and left side, which would have been awkward for anyone else since she was laying backwards on top of Elliot, it was a small chaise, but they were used to being all squished together.

"Have a good evening Ms. Olivia, Lt. Stabler. I have to go to work. I'll see you manana peace girl" Manny said as he made his way down the steps.

"Where does he work angel?" Elliot inquired, hoping the innocent question would get him out of the doghouse.

"He instructs 4-5-year olds in mixed martial arts. He calls them "Little Ninjas." Serena sighed and hugged tighter.

"Liv, why are you "Ms. Olivia, mom is Ms. Bernie, but I'm still Lt. Stabler in my own damn house?" Elliot said just to keep talking and make amends for making her feel ambushed. He hated the cold shoulder.

Liv could feel her daughter's weight increasing, meaning she was relaxing comfortably, "Because you're scary!"

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