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Chapter 11

Nothing about Noah's school gives her cause to worry for his safety, and as she parks, Liv's given a little more reassurance that her phone hasn't rung to inform her of any of the scenarios running through her head.

She quickly makes her way to the entrance, pressing the buzzer to be let in.

"How can I help you?" The secretary comes over the intercom.

She wants to snap that the elderly woman knows who she is and to open the damn door, but she reaches for a level of patience she doesn't have at the moment. "It's Olivia Benson. I'm here for my son, Noah Porter-Benson."

The door clicks, and she hurries inside towards the office.

The secretary greets her with a smile. "Are you here to pick up Noah?" She questions.

As much as she wants to, needs to, physically see him, Liv also doesn't want to cause him any alarm. "Uh, no. Actually, could you just confirm that he's here and that he's alright?"

The secretary gives her a concerned look. "Sure." She picks up the phone, dialling down to Noah's classroom. "Hi there...I'm just checking in to make sure that Noah Porter-Benson is present and alright." The elderly woman listens, then nods. "Thank you very much." Hanging up, she addresses Olivia. "He's in the middle of an arts and craft activity as we speak."

She exhales, rubbing her chest. "Thank you...is Principal Smiley available?"

The secretary reaches for the phone again, placing it to her ear. "Mrs. Smiley, I have Olivia Benson here. She'd like to speak with you." The woman nods, hanging up the phone. "You can head right back to her office."

"Thank you."

...

Rafael is grateful that Fin is driving, knowing the ins and outs of the city far better than he does, avoiding much of the midday traffic. When he pulls up in front of Noah's school, he spots Liv's SVU in the parking lot already.

"They probably won't let us in, so I'll just text Liv that we're outside," Fin comments.

He's already unbuckling his seatbelt, reaching for the door. "I'm on the list."

Fin gives him a look and he doesn't wait to explain, heading towards the entrance. He presses the buzzer and the secretary comes over the intercom.

"How can I help you?"

"I'm Rafael Barba. I'm here for Noah-Porter Benson."

The door buzzes, and he hurries inside towards the office.

"Mr. Barba," the secretary greets. "Olivia is back with Principal Smiley, if you'd like to join them."

He nods. "Thank you." Heading down the short hallway, he raps gently on the door before letting himself in. "Sorry to just interrupt like this...Liv?"

"He's ok," she assures. "Principal Smiley, this is ADA Rafael Barba."

He extends his hand in greeting, to which the principal accepts. "Again, I apologize for interrupting like this."

"It's alright. Please, have a seat," she gestures to the empty seat next to Olivia. Unbuttoning his jacket, he takes a seat.

"I'm sure you recognize the potential danger this poses to all of our students, Olivia," the principal continues.

Olivia nods. "Of course I do. Believe me; the last thing I want is to create an unsafe environment for the students and staff here."

Out of the corner of his eye, Rafael notices how white her knuckles are as they clutch her keys. Reaching over to her, he takes her hand in his.

Principal Smiley nods. "You'll keep us informed of the situation?"

"Of course."

"I'll let the staff know."

Olivia rises to her feet, and he does the same, holding on to her hand.

"I noticed that you've been added to Noah's contact list, Mr. Barba," Principal Smiley comments. "May I ask what your relationship is to Noah?"

He glances over at Liv. "With all due respect, I don't see how that information is necessary for your job."

"With all due respect," she echos back. "I would consider it pertinent information given that Noah is with us eight hours of his day, seven days a week, ten months of the year; what happens in that little boys life, including new relationships, affect him and his learning environment."

Rafael nods. "Of course...I'd consider myself like an uncle to Noah."

The principal looks between them both, their joined hands, and nods. "Ok."

They leave the office and Olivia thanks the principal as they head out into the hallway. She finally exhales, and he sweeps his thumb over the back of her hand. "We should probably go... before Noah sees us."

As she heads for the exit, he releases her hand conscious of Fin who's still waiting for them outside.

"Everything alright?" He questions over the roof of his car.

Liv nods, running her fingers through her hair. "Everything's good."

"Barba, you want a lift back to your office?"

"I'm going to go with Liv. Thank you, though."

Fin eyes them both suspiciously for a minute before nodding. "I'll see you back at the precinct, Liv."

Olivia gives him an appreciative smile. "Thanks, Fin."

As the detective gets into his car, he pries her car keys from her hand, heading towards her own. She doesn't protest, sliding into the passenger seat as he slips into the drivers.

"What happened?" She questions softly. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he reassures. Starting her car, he pulls out of the parking lot and into traffic. "I was heading back to my office before heading to a grand jury and Shelia was waiting for me. Carmen thought she might have had a weapon-"

"-did she?"

Rafael shakes his head. "Her hand was concealed in her jacket the entire time which gave the impression that she did, but I don't know for certain."

"What did she want? Did she threaten you?"

Traffic comes to a standstill and he looks over at her. "She wanted me to convince you to let her see Noah."

"Did she seem stable?"

"No," he admits.

Shaking her head, she turns to look out the window. "She isn't going to stop, Rafa."

He knows just as well as she does that while the law they live and breathe by can be just, it can also be incredibly flawed. They've seen time and time again what happens when they need more evidence.

"So we have officers outside of Noah's school your apartment-"

"-and wait for her to what, Rafael?" She snaps. "She could have shot you-"

"-we don't know that she had a weapon."

Her gaze snaps to his, giving him an incredulous look.

Traffic begins to move and they sit in silence as he drives them back to the precinct. He finds a spot to park, turning off her car.

"I trust your instincts," he begins gently. "Explicitly, Liv. You know that."

She looks over at him. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do to protect my son, Rafa."

He holds her gaze, understanding all that she's not saying. After everything she's been through, it would be ignorant to believe that she would sit idly by if something were to happen. "I know."

They sit in silence, and she rubs her forehead. "Can we talk about something else?"

Everything they haven't said settles heavily between them in the car and as much as he wants to assure her that she and Noah will be safe, they both know better than to find solace in such platitudes.

So he changes the subject. "Tell me about the case."

"...well, the witnesses were a wash. Some say that Janie was too drunk to consent and some say that she was completely fine and hanging all over Ellis."

"The rape kit?" He prompts.

"It's positive for semen and a match for Ellis, but he's not denying the sex."

"Just the consent."

"Yes."

"Which Janie still doesn't remember giving."

"Yes. And our British witness is sticking to his story that Ellis was seen having sex on top of the victim who appeared unconscious."

"Well, if he's credible that should be enough," he reasons. She's only half listening, her gaze already out the window. "The father, your old partner?"

She nods.

"Are you two close?"

"Yeah, I mean, we were...he was my mentor, he was a friend."

He can see the myriad of emotions in her eyes. "Liv-"

"-and now I have to tell him that I will be arresting his only son for rape. I gotta go."

She's reaching for her keys, pulling them from the ignition. Before she can reach for the door, he attempts to stop her. "Liv, wait."

"Please don't ask me anymore questions," she sighs.

His own words echo back at him and he holds her gaze. "Right now, or ever?"

She's silent for a minute before answering. "Right now."

He exits her car just as she does, circling around to stand beside her. "Are you going to be ok?"

She gives him a sad smile. "Do I have a choice?"

He wants to pull her into his arms, hold her right there in front of the precinct. Shoulder all her worries and her fear and give her the peace that she so deserves. "Liv," he says softly.

"I gotta go." The emotion has caught in her voice and the words are barely above a whisper. She turns to head into the precinct, and all he can do is watch her go.

TBC

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