1-2-3 Years...
Chapter Four
If only the Saturday night had not had happened, if only the Sunday afternoon had not had happened. Olivia would have no doubt told Alex right away who Eve was. So, with two strikes already against her, Olivia was headed for the third strike on a third consecutive day. As she decided not to tell Alex that Eve was Jena�s daughter. Instead she thought she would directly take Eve to work and try and find out where Jena was.
The only key was to masterfully word their morning conversation such that Jena was never mentioned. And that is what she was thinking when she got out of her bedroom on that Monday morning. She headed directly to the guest room to wake up Eve, but she wasn�t there.
Eve was already up and seated with a bowl and milk in front of her, while Alex was by the coffee maker. Even though they were both silent, something about the whole scene said that they were already comfortable with each other.
�Hey good morning.� Alex said seeing Olivia.
�Hey.� She replied unable to hide her surprise but decided not to inquire. Instead she walked to the seat next to Eve. �Good morning Eve.� She said putting her best smile and sitting down.
�Hi� Who are you?� Eve asked directly looking at her.
�Oh! Don�t mind her.� Alex took the liberty to explain Eve�s question. �This morning she asked me how she was here. I told her that you were her guardian. She said she didn�t recognize you so I told her to ask you who you were to her.�
�I am a friend of your Daddy.� Olivia could have said �and mommy� but Jena and she were never friends so she decided to end her sentence at that.
�Are you one of his ex girlfriend?� Eve asked very interested.
�No�� Olivia immediately replied with an amused chuckle. �I am not his ex girlfriend.�
�Good. I don�t like his ex girlfriends. Mom would never let me be with his ex-girlfriend anyway. Even I would get in trouble if I did.� Eve then shifted a little closer to Olivia and whispered her last comment. �She says Daddy has very bad taste.�
�Really.� Alex whose back was turned to them didn�t realize that the last comment was said as a secret. So, she asked. �Why does your mom say that?�
�Because he asked my mom to marry him.�
**** �Because he asked me to marry him.� Jena had no qualms in insulting Ray about his one mistake whenever she got a chance. *****
Olivia couldn�t help but smile hearing an echo of Jena�s words in Eve�s voice.
�Talking about your mom, where is she?� Olivia asked.
�Mom got sick, very sick�� Eve took her milk glass and decided to take a sip in between that crucial answer.
Olivia�s hands fisted and her whole body stiffened in that short moment. She had thought of many explanations for why Jena was unreachable but not once was she worried that something might have happened to her too. Her main reasoning was that she must have fought with Ray, like they always did and was ignoring them for a while. But she was sick, she was very sick. That was not what she had expected or could stomach. Jena was sick and she wasn�t there. God forbid worse had happened and she wasn�t there. No, Ray couldn�t do that to her. He had to call her. Ray had her unlisted number. She never even moved out of their home. All they had to do was call her just once and she would let go of everything and ran to Jena, beside her sick bed. But no one had called her. No one had told her anything. Her face turned blue as she even forgot to breathe waiting for Eve to finish her milk and continue with her answer.
Alex couldn�t help but notice the sudden change in Olivia. It was as though her blood had evaporated in a millisecond and she was a ghost. Her first instinct was to run beside her girlfriend and hold her. But, somehow she knew that, for that particular instant, Olivia needed to be all by herself. So, she remained still and waited for Eve to finish, too.
�So, daddy and I sent her for vacation. Doctors said that she needed some rest.� Eve completed just as soon as she had finished her milk.
Olivia breathed out in relief. She shook her head slightly and sighed noticeably. Her heart unfroze as quickly as it had frozen.
�Do you know how we can contact her?� Olivia asked.
�Yes, but I won�t tell you. I promised daddy that I�d be a big girl and not cry, and let mommy have a great vacation. I am a big girl. I am not crying.� Eve reasoned with a smile.
�That is good honey. But, you know with what happened with your daddy, we need to call her.� Olivia reminded.
�Alex.� Eve said instead of reacting and turned away from Olivia. �This is not food. I want real food.�
Eve was blocking out what had happened to Ray.
�That is cereal. It is food.� Alex simply replied now joining them in the dinning table with fresh coffee for two.
�No, it is not food, if it is not fruit.� Eve complained.
*** �It is not food, if it is not fruit.� Jena said completely ignoring Olivia�s word.
�I don�t care, don�t put any fruit in my chicken or I�ll not eat it.� Olivia threatened before she got back to the question she had asked. �Ray called me okay. He told me about the fiasco you caused in Long Island. He said you were almost arrested. I want to know what happened.�
By then Olivia knew that she could not make Jena talk about something if she wasn�t ready to talk about it. But, whenever Ray mentioned Jena�s brushes against law, she just couldn�t help but try and budge her.
�Jaq you want some pineapple?� As predicted Jen turned away from Olivia and focused on anyone except her when she was not ready to talk.
�Yeah sure and throw everything else you are chopping there.� Jaq replied knowing that at that point someone had to be on Jena�s side.
�Jaq, how can you deal with her?� Olivia walked out of the kitchen and sat next to Jena�s best friend, giving up.
�I can deal with her because I don�t sleep with her.� Jaq replied with a smile. �Leave it Liv, she�ll tell you about it when she is ready you know that. And stop listening to Ray; he�ll break you two up if he had his way.� Jaq warned.
�He is just looking out for her. She just can be so hot headed at times.� Olivia had her own worries to worry about Ray�s intentions. ****
As the brief moment replayed Olivia couldn�t help but marvel at the fact, how alike Eve was to her mom.
�I got to go to work.� Olivia did not repeat her prior question. �Eve you got to come with me.�
�No.� Eve simply replied. �I won�t.�
Olivia stared at her in shock. She had never expected that.
�Don�t take it personally Olivia. She is just being eight. They are like that.� Alex shared her profound observation. �I lived with Sarah, Chris� daughter for over 3 months. She was almost like her. Never scared to say what is in their mind. But, of course changing their mind in minutes.�
�But I need to take her to the precinct, to contact her mom and to try and get her statement.� Olivia used the word �mom� again and hoped Alex wouldn�t ask her who her mother was.
�Why don�t you ask her what she wants to do, then go from there?� Alex taught her girlfriend how to talk to kids.
�Well, Eve you need to come with me to the police station and talk to some cops and we also need to find your mom. Don�t you want to do that?� Olivia asked.
�Okay.� Eve replied as though she had completely forgotten about her last reply. �But I want to have breakfast first. With pineapples and apples and bananas.� Of course kids always had conditions.
�You know what; I really don�t have much to do today. I�ll take her to the store, get some fruits and you go and find her mom. When we are done, we�ll swing by the precinct.� Alex offered enjoying the company of their young guest.
�I like that plan.� Eve jumped with joy seeing that she got her way.
�Okay� you win.� Olivia said, and got up to get ready.
Half an hour later she was dressed for work and Alex and Eve were still discussing the merits of fruits. Jena could go on talking about fruits for hours and seemed like Eve could too. Olivia took out a key and opened the spare room in the far right corner and entered. Couple of minutes later, Alex saw her coming out of the room with a date planner. Olivia locked the room again and walked towards them.
�Okay Eve I�ll see you in the afternoon, and I�ll call you.� The later part was directed at her girlfriend, before she left.
�So, where is the mom?� Captain Cragen asked.
�Olivia.� Elliot pointed at his partner offering no help.
�Jena is on a vacation. But, seems like Ray instructed everyone not to contact her and give her time for complete rest. I just got off the phone with her assistant. She is trying to get hold of her.� Olivia detailed her failure.
�I need someone to keep a tab with the assistant.� The Captain said looking directly at Munch and he understood.
�Number?� He asked.
�Here.� Olivia handed a torn out page of the date planner. �Her name is Alice.�
�About the father?� Cragen asked again.
�Yesterday he was in no condition to talk.� Elliot answered.
�And Davis says that Ray pulled the gun on him and he tried to snatch it. That�s when the shots were fired.� Olivia recounted Davis� statement.
�And we have nothing to charge him.� ADA Novak was already talking while she approached the group.
�What do you mean by nothing to charge him? He was getting himself off watching the kids and he shot Ray.� Olivia retorted as always, never liking Casey�s way of talking to them.
�I know but he says it was Whelan�s gun. Unless Whelan says otherwise, we only have a misdemeanor right now. The kids did not see what he was doing till Whelan stormed in. So, the kids were never really in the harms way. Even if I try to put any criminal charge on him, it will not stick. All we have is a misdemeanor and which he will get out with minimum bail. So, he�ll walk unless Whelan gets up soon and talks and tells that it was Davis� gun. Then I�ll definitely get him for endangerment of children, child abuse and everything else. I�ll fry him. But I need statement from Whelan or his kid.� Casey always talked fast. She did not have the time to sit and argue with the detectives. �Call me when you get a statement or else when the hospital releases Davis, he�ll walk, and he might just run.�
Casey once again put entire pressure on the detectives as she walked away just like she had walked in. No time for anyone�s opinion.
�You heard it; we have our work cut out. What is Whelan�s condition?� Cragen once again addressed his detectives.
�The hospital will call me as soon as there is any progress.�
�Good. Now, Olivia you got some kind of a problem working this case, I could always�.�
�No, Captain.� Olivia said cutting his words. �I want to work this case. Ray is a very good friend and I am Eve�s guardian till Jena comes.�
�Where is Eve?� Elliot asked surprised that Olivia might have put Eve in daycare so soon after what happened.
�She is with Alex.�
�Alex?� Cragen was surprised.
�You know Alex is back on DA�s office, working with the Feds. So, she needed a place. But you know how time consuming it is to find a decent place in the city. I let her crash with me.� Olivia explained in simple words hoping not to arouse any kind of suspicion. After all, she was lying to the best detectives in the city she had to be careful.
�If she wants a place, there is space available in my building. Tell her to give me a call, I�ll give her the number.� Cragen offered.
�I will. Anyway, she was free this afternoon so she took Eve shopping. That is good, because Eve seems to have taken a liking to Alex more than me.�
�That is good, but did she talk?� Elliot asked.
�No, she is ignoring any questions regarding the incident. I know Jena and if Eve is anything like her, she won�t talk to anyone unless she trusts them.�
Just then Elliot�s phone rang and he went to answer it. The two waited for him to return.
�That was the hospital, Ray is awake� don�t know if he can talk but he is awake.�
�Good. You two to the hospital, make sure he gives us enough to arrest this guy.� Cragen ordered.
�How about we call Eve to the hospital?� Elliot added before they were dismissed. �Even if he can�t talk may be Eve will talk in front of her dad.�
�Good idea. Olivia call Alex, tell her get Eve to the hospital.�
�But Captain�.� Olivia wasn�t really sure that was the good idea.
�No, but�s. Do it. I want him arrested before the hospital releases him.�
Alex and Eve were already in the hospital waiting area when Olivia and Elliot arrived. Eve seemed happy with an apple in her hand.
�Alex!� Elliot exclaimed cheerfully. �You are in the city and I don�t even see you.�
�I am sorry.� Alex said shaking the gleaming detective�s hand. �Work.�
The four exchanged few more sentences introducing each other. Then it was Alex who brought the conversation back to the case. �So, why is this so urgent?�
�Novak says that we have nothing to get an arrest warrant. We need his or her statement.� Elliot explained.
�You can easily charge him for misdemeanor. That gives you a warrant. Then try and push the bail so that you buy enough time for Mr. Whalen to get up. Taking off the pressure from everyone.� Alex voiced what she would have done if she were still the ADA.
�See, Liv now this is why I miss her. She is always thinking about us.� Elliot said praising Alex. �Why don�t you join the unit again? Everyone misses you.�
�Thank you Elliot but right now I have my hands full.� Alex declined gracefully. �So, ready to go in.�
�If you want you can stay here.� Olivia said, hoping that she still didn�t have to tell Alex about Jena.
Before Alex could respond, Eve quickly took Alex�s hand and held on tight. Clearly indicating that she wasn�t going anywhere without Alex. At that moment Olivia knew she had no escape. She had to talk to Alex and she had to talk to her right then.
�Well� Can I at least borrow Alex for a moment or two? I need to talk to her.� Olivia asked permission from Eve who seemed to have claimed her girlfriend.
Once Eve let go of Alex�s hand, she turned to Elliot. �We will be right back.� She said guiding Alex couple of feet away. �Alex you need to know something. Eve�s mother is ��
Even though Olivia started, she still didn�t have it in her to finish. Alex was looking directly at her, but to her it seemed like Alex�s eyes were piercing right through her, slicing up her heart into two pieces. One that completely and undyingly belonged to Alex, which wanted to tell her everything and confess her sins. And the other, that still wanted Jena to have a claim on her through secrets that she wanted to protect within herself.
�Jena.� Alex completed after few moments of silence. �I knew it this morning. Eve told me. I was wondering when you would get around to telling me.�
Though Alex was smiling, Olivia�s face turned red from guilt and embarrassment.
�Olivia it�s okay.� Alex said understanding or at least trying to understand what Olivia might be going through. �I can understand how difficult it might be for you. To see Eve after so many years, especially since� I presume she might have been a big part of why you two broke up.�
Alex had already summarized Olivia�s past the moment she had learnt that Eve was Jena�s daughter. She had nothing but sympathy for her girlfriend. Who she thought was left or cheated on by her ex, for a man with whom she had a child.
**** �Come on Liv� don�t make this about Eve.� Jena screamed unwilling to let Olivia use her daughter as an excuse.
�It is all about Eve. To me this is only about Eve.� ****
Olivia�s own words spoken way too long ago, confirmed Alex�s conclusion. But was that the entire truth? Or was Jena right? That it wasn�t about Eve? Olivia couldn�t answer those questions then, and she certainly couldn�t at that moment either. But as Alex gently rubbed her hand up and down the length of her arm, it just didn�t matter what the answers were.
There was something different about Olivia and Alex. They had always been close that Elliot knew. But as he made small talks with Eve, he saw the two talking. And he just could not put a finger on it but it just wasn�t the same. The two were standing closer and were looking into each other�s eyes as they spoke. Alex was even moving her hand up and down Olivia�s sleeves in an attempt to console her. Of course any friend would do that. Even he would do that for Alex or Olivia if need be, but to him their entire body language told a different story. A story he couldn�t read.
�Ready to go.� He said when they finally returned. �The doctors said he is better so we just might get our statement.�
He informed and led the way.
The moment Eve walked into the hospital room, she turned away. She could not bear to see her dad lying weakly with numerous tubules going in and out of him. So she looked away scared. Alex quickly shielded her promising protection. Olivia slowly approached the bedside of a man who once was a regular and important figure in her life.
�Ray.� She said softly.
�Liv.� He had seen her but it was only when he heard her that he allowed himself to believe that it was actually she.
�Olivia Benson.� He repeated now fully aware that it was actually her.
�Guilty.� Olivia said smiling.
He smiled back.
�Let me guess you are on my case. Now, what were the chances of that happening?�
�Very good actually if you are in Manhattan. This is my precinct remember.�
�Yeah� Believe it or not I had completely forgotten about that.� Ray confessed.
�I�ll believe it. Since I was forgotten too.� Olivia complained but with no malice.
�And you know the reason for that. I just love Jena too much.� Ray answered with no apology.
The smile in Olivia�s face did not fade away even after she heard Ray�s confession. Alex couldn�t help but admire her girlfriend for that. To Alex, Olivia�s oblivious to Ray�s feelings was a clear sign that Olivia might still care for Jena but her heart only belonged to her. For a moment outside, Alex had felt Olivia�s heart parting but now she had no doubts. Yes, there was a little bump because of her past seeping into their present, but Olivia�s heart was completely hers.
�Yeah� I know that.� Olivia acknowledged. �Anyway we were not able to get in touch with her, so Eve is right now with me.� Olivia informed since she knew that he still hadn�t seen Eve walking into the room, because of the position he was lying.
�With you�. Oh shit� Jena is gonna so kill me over this. But its okay I guess, since I would rather it be you than my family. Remember how they reacted when they found out Eve was my daughter.�
�How can I ever forget? I was right there, remember?�
�So, where is she?�
�Right here.� Olivia said looking towards the corner where Eve was still grabbing on to Alex. �But Ray before that. You got to give us a statement, on what happened. You think you can talk?� Olivia asked thinking that she would first get her work done.
�Where do you want me to start?�
�How about when you got back to the daycare?� Elliot said getting ready with his pen and pad.
The dinner for Eve was Hawaiian Pizza with a lot of pineapples. The two accidental guardians had to give in to ordering so, as that was the only way they could pry her out of her father�s arms. Once Ray had given the statement, and Eve�s initial shock had subsided, Eve had gone and attached herself to Ray refusing to let go of him even after the visiting hours were over. Then it was Ray who suggested that she had to leave with them, because they were going to order pineapple pizza. And now after a very long day, they were seated across from each other watching the eight year old attacking the pizza like it was a cake.
�Don�t tell me even you like pineapples in your pizza?� Alex asked with a fake scare on her face. She couldn�t imagine fruit and pizza together and hoped that her girlfriend shared the same view.
�No, I can�t stand it. I used to beg Jen not to put fruits in my dinner. She used to put fruits even in meat.� Olivia complained as she opened the other box of pizza that had the normal stuff like pepperoni.
�Begging doesn�t work with my mom, you have to threaten her.� Eve informed between her bites.
�Threaten her huh?� Olivia repeated in surprise.
�Yeah that is what B says.� Eve added.
�B? Who is B?� Alex followed up.
�B is my other mom. You know my mom�s girlfriend.� Eve stated with no hesitation.
Alex had not expected that. Nor had Olivia. Alex had safely assumed that Jena was married to Ray, or with Ray. She hadn�t even played with the idea that Jena might have turned gay again and would be dating another woman. And it couldn�t just be dating if Eve was already calling her mom. Eve�s little sentence opened up another dam of questions, which she could see was affecting Olivia more than the words spoken by Ray. Olivia�s face for the second time that day had lost its color and a thin film of tears formed in her eyes as she tried to nonchalantly look away.
�Her name is not B, though, but I call her B. Just like Faith calls Buffy B in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.� Eve kept talking seeing that both the women were not.
�Buffy the what?� Olivia asked trying to concentrate on anything other than what she had just learnt about Jena.
�Buffy the Vampire Slayer.� Eve repeated.
�It�s a TV show.� Alex explained. The months with Sarah were coming in handy.
�What kind of a lesbian are you if you don�t know about Buffy the Vampire Slayer?� Eve wasn�t impressed with Olivia�s gay knowledge.
�What makes you think I am a lesbian?� Olivia asked being in the habit of being defensive whenever someone caught on to her.
�Oh come on, you think I wouldn�t know. My mother is one remember. She is the proud gay woman and she makes sure that I know all about the gay world. That is why she even lets me watch Buffy while B, always complains that there is too much violence in it for me to watch. But mom says if they will show a prime time TV show where two women kiss, my daughter will watch it.�
Olivia couldn�t help but smile. She could definitely see Jena arguing about watching anything that was gay. After all she would buy any movie that had even a minor gay story in it. So, hearing her reasoning just brought back fond memories of nights when Jen used to torture Olivia with bad lesbian flicks.
Meanwhile Alex�s image of Jena was getting more and more shattered. At first she had portrayed Jena a �has bian� who was now happily settled with her husband or boyfriend and child. Then with the revelation of her having a girlfriend, made her tag Jena a bisexual who had flip flopped between men and women. But, now that Eve was describing her mom as a proud lesbian and Olivia was confirming it with her smile. She was more confused than ever. With the new information, the picture she had drawn of Olivia�s break up was getting more and more misty, straining Alex�s confidence.
�Don�t worry Alex, I won�t tell anyone. I know lawyers don�t like to be outed.� Eve offered an understanding consolation seeing Alex�s worried face.
�And how do you know about law ��
<<<RING>>>
The ringing of the phone interrupted Olivia�s words. She got up and picked up the hands free from the counter.
�Liv!� A loud scream of a woman said before she had a chance to say anything.
�Jen�!� Olivia said in an equal volume even though she had no reason to scream.
�Is Eve there?� There was a lot of disturbance in the back ground so Jena had to scream to hear her own words. But in the silence of the dinning room it broke through the receiver for everyone to hear.
�Yes she is right here.� Olivia once again screamed back.
�Liv listen�. I am in Spain. The weather here is horrible. But I am catching the first flight out. I don�t know when that is though.�
�That�s okay. Eve is fine. She is with me.� Olivia reassured.
�Listen� don�t tell her anything.� Jena said loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
�I won�t.� Olivia�s reply was barely audible to Alex; leave alone to Jena who was fighting to catch any word.
�Liv� Please� Don�t tell her.� Jena begged once again.
Olivia didn�t answer this time. She simply hung up the phone. Jena had not changed. She was still just thinking about her self and her life. She hadn�t even thought about what was happening to Olivia ever since she had met Eve. How much Olivia was hurting every moment she was with Eve. No, Jena didn�t care about that. All she cared was if Olivia would tell Eve the truth. For a moment an evil side of Olivia thought that may be she should tell Eve who she really was to her.
By the time Olivia turned back to the dinning table, Eve was gone and Alex was silently staring at her.
�She went to bed.� Alex said.
She could have asked what was it that Jena didn�t want Eve to know, but seeing Olivia already upset, she put another question in her list for later, which was growing longer by the second.
�Don�t get too attached to her.� Olivia said almost like a warning. �When Jena comes back, she�ll snatch her away.�
�Just like she did before.� Olivia thought but left out the most important part of her sentence.