A/N: A little fluffy filler between the drama. I love this story and I hope you continue to enjoy it. I'll probably have a lot of time to write in the next couple weeks.

Chapter 45

The ride back to the house was virtually silent. When Liv came back up the patio after running after the kid, all she said was that they needed to run to the grocery store, and she wanted to "go now." On the way, he started to question but all Liv said was that Manny would stay with Serena, that she trusted him. Then she just began running through a grocery list and made sure not to go off topic throughout the store, even taking extra care to scrutinize the produce and thoroughly read labels. He stepped back and let her do what she needed, but now as he throws sideways glances at her, he can see she is staring blankly out the car window, not making a sound.

"Liv…" he began.

"She's fine El" Olivia interrupted. "She'll be fine. I can… she can… we'll be okay."

Yeah, okay. Elliot didn't say another word as he pulled into the driveway. Liv immediately unbuckled and ran out of the car, but he was always slightly faster. "Wait" he said as he grabbed her elbow. "She's fine, remember? Just breathe." She gave him an incredulous look but took a minute and a deep breath before continuing towards the house.

The first thing they noticed was the delicious smell of apples and cinnamon. Muffins? Turnovers? Didn't matter because the next thing they noticed was a howling laughter accompanied by a quieter giggle. When Liv opened the door, she stopped in her tracks. Elliot had to take a quick step around to his left to avoid walking into her. In the kitchen stood Serena, dressed in one of her flowy, flowery dresses and leggings with her still wet hair swept up into a messy bun. Her face, bangs, and most of her dress was covered in flour. Next to her was Manny, equally a mess, or perhaps more so. When she noticed her parents, Serena accidentally dropped the egg she was holding (which promptly landed on the floor) while the young man next to her inadvertently squeezed his fist causing his egg to ooze out between his fingers. Upon seeing him give a gross expression while staring at his hand, Serena immediately hit Manny's arm up, causing the oozing egg to hit his forehead. The whole room gasped, and everyone stood with their mouths open in shock and trying not to laugh. Serena shook her head and pointed directly at her friend.

"No! No. I can barely move yet let alone quickly and you started this so…" but she didn't get to finish as Manny grabbed her shoulders and rubbed his forehead against hers. He forgot himself and didn't stop to think of what her reaction might be; after all, they were just having fun. "Ewww! Eww, gross! Let go!" Once he did, they both burst into laughter. Serena seemed to press in on her lower abdomen with her left hand while holding the counter with her right. She was standing straight when ordinarily she would have been doubled over. It took a minute before she was able to speak. "Hi Momma. Hi Elliot. Want some apple puffs? I was also going to make dinner rolls but now I need more ingredients." She looked at the mess on the floor, on herself, and on Manny and started cracking up once again.

Olivia couldn't help but laugh too. Serena was always meticulous when she cooked, when she did anything actually so to see her like this, standing, laughing amidst what looked like an exploding cake was like a weight was lifted. Even Elliot was chuckling at the scene; he was so relieved. He tried to fix his face as he raised his voice a little. "Okay, you" he said pointing to the young man. "Bathroom. You, young lady, Grandma's bathroom. Clean yourselves up then go unpack the groceries. Just get outta the kitchen." After simultaneous "yes sirs" and a mock salute from his youngest daughter, he watched the two kids continue to laugh as they moved to clean up. Although the mood was light and easy, he did notice how Serena walked gingerly and how Manny had his arm around her back; not touching, but guiding and ready to catch her if needed.

Olivia noticed too of course. "I knew that boy was special" she said as they made their way to tackle the mess in the kitchen. "El, did you see what she did to him? How hard she laughed? I mean she's up, dressed and baking! This morning I thought I'd… it's…" She was at a loss for words, but she never needed words when it came to communicating with Elliot. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her head.

"She's amazing that girl of ours."

"Yeah, and she also has the Stabler way of getting out of nasty chores. Thanks Dad!" she teased as she playfully slapped his chest and rose on her toes to kiss him before deciding where to start cleaning the kitchen.

Cleaning the mess wasn't the only thing Serena got out of. After taking another quick shower, she managed to just stand around being finger foreman as Manny carried all the groceries in from the truck and unpacked them into the cabinets. When he was done and her parents freshened up, since the kitchen was restored to its original shine, she simply said, "I'm hungry" and proceeded to make toasted sandwiches for everyone.

-SVU-

After lunch was spent taking a nice walk on the beach. Although she would never admit it, everyone knew Serena was still in pain. She walked slowly and with an odd gait. She also didn't bend down to pick up all her usually fascinating things she collected along the shore. She still didn't say much, but she smiled and seemed content. Manny told stories of growing up on the beach and he was self-deprecating which kept the mood light. Occasionally he or Serena would have to shout out to the dogs, who kept trying to catch the seagulls.

"Manny, staying for dinner? I'm grillin' my famous steaks" offered Elliot.

"What makes them famous?" asked Olivia and Serena in unison. Elliot just raised an eyebrow at them as if it were the silliest question in the world with the most obvious answer.

"Thanks, Lt. Stabler, but my dad's barbecuing too and actually, I should head on home." The young man whistled for his dog.

"Thank you, Manny," said Olivia as she stepped forward and wrapped him in a tight hug. "That doesn't remotely begin to express my gratitude."

Manny was a bit taken aback. They were a family of huggers, something he was most definitely not used to but he felt he could adapt quickly. After pulling away, he turned towards Serena and raised his hand in a high five. She slapped his hand, then grabbed it, holding it across his chest as she wrapped her other hand around his shoulders and stood on her toes. He felt her shiver a bit as she squeezed. Yeah, adapting would be very easy.

"See you tomorrow" she simply said as she pulled away. He nodded and started towards his house. "Momma, you guys can continue to walk without me. I think I'd just like to chill on the patio, if that's okay." Standing upright all day after the physical beating her body endured and lying still for three days took its toll and it showed on her face with every step.

"Oh no baby. I'm exhausted! Chilling sounds fantastic!" Liv stated as she finally caught her daughter's eyes. She seemed to be searching for something but after a moment, the kid just smiled and used the railing to make her way up the stairs. It was late afternoon and Bernie was already comfortable in her favorite spot. "Is Gladys coming for Elliot's famous steaks?"

"What makes them famous dear?" asked the elder Stabler as Elliot threw up his hands and both Bensons giggled. As the adults made idle chit chat and discussed dining arrangements, Serena made her way to the biggest chaise and very slowly and carefully sat down. She winced, which everyone noticed and although every single adult wanted to reach out, none did and she eventually got comfortable by laying on her right side (the whole weekend she faced the wall on her left) close to the edge of the chair. Liv took this as an invitation and made herself comfy right next to her. She was right because Serena immediately skooched back and made sure to be touching as much of her mother as possible while still facing the ocean.

"I might just read for a bit" Olivia declared. She could tell that Bernie was already falling asleep, taking full advantage of the opportunity to nap. If Liv could maneuver just right, she might be able to get Serena to sleep as well. "El, can you get my book from the dresser please?"

Elliot observed the scene for a moment. He knew Liv didn't really want to read, but he just nodded and walked inside. When he came back out, Liv had her arm in a position that allowed her to pet Serena's head. He learned a long time ago that this was a surefire way to put ANY woman to sleep. As he handed Liv her book, she absent-mindedly, or so it seemed, began stroking the girl's hair as she searched for her page. Serena startled a bit, her eyes fully opening and her spine stiffening, but Liv calmly continued and after a few more strokes, Serena started to droop. Surefire as shit.

-SVU-

Serena slept straight through the night. It was a surprise; she hadn't closed her eyes since before court and even though she was physically harmed, that girl knew how to channel pain. High threshold indeed. What wasn't surprising was that everyone was very anxious about today. What would happen with Carlson's case? Would court even be in session?

Liv fell asleep on the couch shortly after dinner. It was so cute. They argued over eating without their daughter, who needed the sustenance more than anyone, but Liv was hungry (no surprise there) and she reasoned that Serena could heat up a plate whenever she wanted. So, after a light-hearted meal in which Gladys told the most wonderful stories of her trips abroad, Olivia took a leisurely shower and sat down. The next thing Elliot heard, was her snoring lightly. He figured she would just nap but when he was ready to turn in a few hours later, she was still snoring on the couch. He carried both his ladies to bed. When it came time for him to leave in the morning, as much as he hated to, he woke Olivia up.

"Liv. Wake up luv." She slowly opened her eyes and moaned. He could tell she had no idea what day or time it was, so he kissed her lovingly. "I want you ready if there's court today." That did the trick. She instantly sat up; all fatigue gone.

"Do you think they'll protest? Declare a mistrial? Serena is NOT going back. She's…" He stopped her with another kiss.

"I know. I'm heading in so I can be right there in Barba's office by the time he gets his morning coffee. Serena will not go back. I will fight him and the entire judicial system on that, but I figured you might want to be there to stare that fucker down." He wasn't quite sure.

Liv took time to think about her answer. "I really don't know, El. I mean, yes if the state proceeds I will be there to see how Steven's actions and accusations are addressed but if they're going to gather us in just to postpone or mistrial, I don't want to leave Serena for that. It seems like a waste and she was doing so well yesterday." She leaned past Elliot on instinct as if she could see where her daughter was. "She's not still on the patio, is she? When did she wake up?"

He kissed her again, causing her to smile. "I brought her in before bringing you to bed. Honestly, I thought walking her past the couch would frighten her awake, the way you were chainsawing it and all." She playfully slapped his chest and looked down in embarrassment. Elliot took his fingers and lifted her chin up to look at him. "When I got out of the shower a few moments ago, she was still sleeping." Olivia's smile got wider. Fourteen hours of sleep without drugs was more than she could ever have hoped for. This time, she leaned in and initiated the kiss.

"Well" she began as she continued to peck his lips, "you should have woken me sooner, dummy!" Their playful smooches turned into a full on make out session and just as Liv was laying back down, taking him with her, he pulled himself back up.

"Fuck. Liv I need to go. If I knew what was happening, I promise I'd bang you so hard right now, but I don't so I need to be there." He had such a look on his face that Liv busted out laughing.

"I know. Drive safe and keep me posted. I love you Lt. Stabler and I plan on collecting on your banging promise." They continued to peck and cuddle as she walked him to the door and watched as he drove away. When she came out of the bathroom, she found Serena waiting right outside the door. "Good morning sweet girl" she said as she held Serena's face in her hands. The girl just smiled and looked beyond the door. It didn't matter that she had just used it, Liv turned around and checked the toilet anyway and sat on the edge of the tub. Serena walked stiffly and gingerly and since she flinched and squeezed her eyes tight as she peed, Liv knew she was still in pain. After all, it may have happened on Friday, but the girl was only up and about for one day. She could still give a camel a run for the money though. Liv had to know how bad it was.

"Describe it angel." When she only got a confused look in return, she clarified. "Describe the sensation when you urinate."

"Oh. Umm, like a burn initially but once it starts running the burn blends in. When I stop, it's like air hits the burn and that's a sensation I'm overly familiar with." She gingerly cleaned herself up using the water tool meant for bowel movements and waited for the next barrage of questions as she washed her hands. They didn't come so she faced her mother. "You know you don't have to actually watch me pee, just check and stay close. Don't you think it's kinda weird?"

Liv had to laugh at that. She was just as uncomfortable as Serena after all. "Yes, but since I don't know what I'm checking for, it's best to be right here just in case. Right?"

Serena once again turned towards the toilet. "Yeah, Steven liked to…" She stopped, shook her head and cleared her throat. "I can deal with weird" Serena said rather than continue to explain as she turned to walk out. But Liv wasn't going to let it go.

"Steven is dead, baby. You don't have to…"

"I KNOW!" Serena interrupted. "I'm the one that killed him after he… after he… He was the worst of them, Momma. He took pleasure in torture, it made him hard and he would hold himself back because he said he liked the tremendous build up to the explosion. The more I screamed, the bigger and fatter he grew. He would be breathing hard and fast and shaking and just when I thought I was gonna die, and I thought that alot, he would just ram himself in, front, back, didn't matter. Whichever was closest and that's when I wished he would just kill me. I would be bleeding so much but that only seemed to make it more pleasurable for him. No one got in his way at the celebrations. When he was ready, they let him take his turn because they made that mistake once before. The Doctor brought me back, but one guy wasn't so lucky, if you can call it luck. A few times The Doctor would bring me to the room, and it was just Steven and he would… he would…" She locked her eyes on the toilet and touched her shoulders with shaking hands. In fact, she was shaking exactly as she did when she sat in the witness chair, but to Olivia, it seemed so much worse since it was just the two of them in such an enclosed space. Her teeth were even chattering, her eyes wide and glassy. Those deep marks on her shoulders, her extreme terror over the stupid porcelain seat, Liv couldn't take it anymore.

Olivia pulled Serena's hands off her shoulders and replaced them with her own, turning her child around in the same action and marching her out of the bathroom. She led the teen straight out to the patio and laid her on the chair, in almost the exact same way they were yesterday, only this time Serena was laying almost on top of her. Liv brushed Serena's hair with her hand, wrapped her arm around her biceps, and pulled her leg over Serena's securing her in place. After wrapping them both up in a blanket, she started humming and petting as she felt her own body shaking in conjunction. The dogs were dead quiet and sitting at their feet, until Nina came bounding up the strip with Manny running close behind trying to shush her. The sun was barely up yet.

When he approached the patio and saw their position, he began apologizing immediately grabbing for her collar. "Salomon, can you please take the chunky rats with you for a bit? They need a good walk and we can't do that right now."

"Of course, ma'am" he said before turning his attention to Serena. "Hang in there peace girl." He whistled for all the dogs and took off at a jog.

"If he knew what I did, he'd stop coming over. He'd think I am sick and disgusting and wouldn't be my friend anymore." At that Olivia took her hand off her daughter's hair and covered her mouth.

"Stop! She was mindful of her volume, but her tone was firm. "I've said this before to you and countless others. You did nothing. NOTHING! Your choices were taken away and you survived. It doesn't matter how." It was just that moment when Serena's words hit her. "What did you mean The Doctor "brought you back"? Did you…" She couldn't bring herself to say the words. "Did someone die at these celebrations?"

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