AU: Olivia has no children.
"Olivia! Hey, Liv!"
Olivia froze as she poured herself her fourth cup of coffee, turning her head in alarm at her partner Elliott's tone of voice. He sounded different, slightly panicky and on edge. He wasn't normally like this and that made her stomach sink slightly.
"El what's the matter? What's wrong?" She said, letting out a small squeak as he took her by the elbow into the empty interrogation room. He was pacing up and down, his hands interlocked behind his head and she frowned. She knew something was desperately wrong, she took him by the shoulders and gave him a small shake. That seemed to snap him out of his hysteria and he turned to her, gently pushing her onto the chair.
"Liv... it's Beth, something's happened. I..." he began but Olivia cut him off, jumping up from the chair in a panic. Beth was Olivia's eldest niece, she was a freshman at Hudson University. She was her brother Simon's eldest child and they had been close from the moment Olivia had first met her. She had been a beautiful 10 year old little girl with brown hair and big brown eyes when Olivia had first been introduced to her and now she was a mature, kind, beautiful and smart 18 year old and she loved her like she was her very own daughter.
"Elliott what do you mean? What's happened? Is she hurt! How do you know? Where is she?!!" Olivia fired off all these questions, not giving Elliott much of a chance to get a word in edge ways. He tried to keep his partner calm and gently wrapped an arm around her. He took a deep breath, his eyes stinging slightly as he felt Olivia's arms loop around his waist, for the first time in so many years she was falling apart.
"I don't know Liv, no one has managed to talk to her about what has happened. All I know is that she was found in her dorm room three days ago, bruised and tearful by her roommate. She took her to the hospital but after that I don't know... Beth rang me up an hour or so ago, she sounded catatonic and so frightened. She begged me not to tell you but we're partners and she needs you!" Elliott whispered shakily, running a hand over his face. He thought about if this was one of his daughters, he'd want Olivia to tell him straight away and he knew that she would. Olivia swallowed thickly, her mouth suddenly dry. She didn't want to say it and she could tell that Elliott didn't either but it sounded like her niece had been violated in the worst way. But she wouldn't jump to any conclusions, not yet.
"Let's go El... you drive!" She said shakily, rushing out of the room and out of the precinct as fast as her legs would carry her, desperate to get to her niece's bedside.
Two hours had gone past since Elliott had told Olivia about her niece and they had just arrived at the hospital, having taken a quick detour to go to Olivia's apartment to pick up some fresh pyjamas and toiletries for Beth. Olivia made her way to the front desk and flashed her badge at the young receptionist.
"My name's Detective Benson, I'm here to see my niece Beth Marsden!" She said firmly, but not unkindly. She was anxious, she felt physically sick and that shocked her. She had helped so many people who had been hurt and had always known what to do, now she was second guessing everything she was doing and thinking.
"Yes ma'am. She's in room 109," the woman said kindly pointing in the direction that she would need to go. Olivia nodded her thanks, not that she needed directions as she had been here so many times before. She tentatively entered the room and was shocked by what she saw. Beth had always been small and petite but seeing her on that hospital bed in the hospital gown, her face black and blue and the visible tear tracks on her face made her look even younger. Beth's head snapped up, her lip shook slightly and she dug her nails into her palms.
"Auntie... Auntie Liv?" She let out a small, childlike sob and Olivia's heart shattered in her chest. She had to remember all of her training as it almost went out the window seeing her niece in that state. Not wanting to overwhelm her, she handed Elliott the bag of clothes and took a seat by her bedside. She wanted nothing more than to hold the young girl.
"It's me baby, I'm here. It's alright, it's ok." Olivia gently reached out and held Beth's hand, squeezing it slightly when she felt her niece's hand squeeze hers. Olivia spoke in a low and comforting voice, whispering sweet nothings to her. Hearing the door open, Olivia lifted her head and visibly relaxed seeing Dr Bailey; a doctor who she had worked with so many times over the course of her career.
"Hello Liv, Hi Beth. Beth, would you like me to speak to you with your Aunt in the room? You're 18 so it's your choice." Dr Bailey said kindly, picking up her medical chart and giving it the once over. Beth nodded, edging closer to Olivia subconsciously.
"You have some bruised ribs, a black eye and your nose is broken..." He swallowed thickly, glancing over her chart for a second time before addressing Olivia.
"Beth refused to have a rape kit done, we tried to get her to have one but..." he began and Beth glared at him, unhappy at being spoken about like she wasn't there. No way in hell was she going to be violated for a second time.
"No way in hell am I getting one either! Fuck that!" She snarled and turned away, silently fuming. Olivia sent an apologetic glance towards the Doctor; she knew that he was only doing his job. He waved it off and continued, Olivia and Elliott felt even more sick.
"There were lots of bruising to your thighs Beth but that should go down in a few days. We are going to keep you overnight and then you should be able to go home if there are no other complications!" He said a bit too cheerily for the situation. Olivia frowned slightly and glanced in Elliott's direction, judging by the look on his face he heard it too.
"Home? What's that?" Beth snarled under her breath. Olivia was about to say something but Elliott stopped her, now wasn't the time. After thanking Dr Bailey, Elliott turned towards Beth and Liv.
"I've got to get going, are you sure you'll be ok?" He said worriedly, gently touching Olivia's shoulder. She smiled bravely, she was so lucky to always have him by her side through everything.
"Yeah, thanks El!" She watched as he left, she took a deep breath and grabbed the bag that she had bought with her. She pulled out the fresh pyjamas, vanilla scented shower gel and her niece's favourite shampoo and conditioner.
"Would you like to take a hot shower? Look, I've got all your favourite things!" Olivia cooed, talking to her in the same way she would've talked to an infant. Beth smiled slightly in spite of herself and stood up, wincing slightly. Olivia reached out to grab her but stopped, seeing the way Beth had recoiled back.
"Sorry Aunt Liv..." She apologised and Olivia waved it off, helping to get everything set up in the bathroom for the young girl. Beth went inside and locked the door, turning the shower on as hot as she could and stood under it. She allowed the heat to burn the feeling of them off of her, the feeling of them touching her.
Olivia sat there patiently, her heart breaking as she heard Beth's noisy sobs coming from the bathroom. She wanted to kill whoever had done this to her, for over 20 years she had been dealing with victims of assault and for the first time she didn't know how to handle it or what to do. After what felt like hours, the door opened and she soon found herself looking at her niece. Her face was scrubbed clean, but she still looked broken... absolutely broken beyond repair.
Olivia gently helped her niece climb into the hospital bed and tucked her up, making sure she was comfortable and settled. She was about to sit back on the chair when she felt Beth's grip on her wrist.
"Auntie Liv.. please don't leave me!" The sheer panic and terror made her heart race. Olivia sat next to her on the bed and smiled gently.
"I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart."
"Aunt Liv?" Beth whispered, her head lolling against her Aunt's chest. Olivia awoke slightly and she wrapped an arm around her, cuddling her tight.
"Hmm? What's the matter, poppet?" Olivia kissed her forehead and rubbed her back. Beth burst into a flood of tears, crying even more when she felt her Aunt pick her up and allow her to lay sprawled across her lap.
"I was so frightened.." Beth sobbed even more and Olivia growled protectively, all of this just confirmed that her niece had been assaulted and my god was all hell going to break loose when she got ahold of whoever had done this.
"I know, I know sweetie. Please let me help you! It's going to be ok, you're safe with me!" She pressed soothing kisses to her forehead and kept her close to her. Beth tried to fight it... she truly did. She really didn't want her Aunt to know just how bad it was. But, the more Olivia spoke and comforted her the more emotional she became.
"It wasn't just one guy... Aunt Liv!! It hurts please don't make me say it! I can't! Ouch it hurts!" She wept pitifully, clinging onto her for dear life. Olivia was furious and felt her blood run cold. She hugged her tight and stroked her hair, gently shushing her and kissing her cheek.
"Shhh darling. You don't need to tell me right now, we will wait until you're ready!" She spoke softly and calmly until Beth had fallen asleep, safe in her Aunt's embrace. Olivia could never have imagined what was lying ahead for the two of them.
