Chapter Text
A few weeks had been enough to change a lot in the squad. Olivia had a new partner. Nick Amaro was not Stabler, and in a way, that was good. In the first days, the barbs between them had been inevitable, but now she could see that he was truly competent. Elliot wasn’t coming back anytime soon. Maybe never.
But something else was consuming her: Tucker. After that flirtation over breakfast, he simply disappeared. No calls, no visits, no encounters. It should have been a relief, but it wasn’t. His silence left an uncomfortable void, one that grew heavier by the day. She missed him. More than she wanted to admit.
She even thought of calling, but she didn’t even have his number. Damn it, she barely knew anything about him. Her thoughts, however, were brutally interrupted when Cragen walked into the room. The look on his face made Olivia’s heart race.
“Olivia, Amaro. Upper East Side. Tucker’s daughter is missing. The Commissioner wants our full dedication on this one.”
Olivia jumped to her feet, blood freezing in her veins. Sophie. She had only seen the girl once, but she had already grown fond of her. And Ed... well, Ed was more than just an acquaintance, even if she couldn’t define what exactly.
“Damn... Tucker must be losing his mind!”
“You knew the kid? We didn’t even know he had a daughter!” Fin stared at her, just like Munch.
“Yes, I know her.”
That was all she said. She wasn’t about to explain anything now.
When she and Nick arrived at the apartment, chaos swallowed them. Cops everywhere, voices overlapping, tension thick in the air. And in the middle of it all, Ed. The man looked shattered. His face pale, his eyes void of light. Beside him, an elderly woman with white hair greeted them firmly.
“Hello, we’re from Special Victims. I’m Detective Benson, and this is my partner, Detective Amaro.”
“I’m Carrie, Edward’s mother. Sophie’s grandmother.”
Her bright eyes gave away the family resemblance.
“Ma’am, I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. We’ll do everything to bring Sophie back. When was the last time she was seen?” Ed appeared beside his mother, his voice breaking.
“She wanted to spend the night at her friend Emma Sawyer’s. But she never made it there.”
“Is Emma close to her?”
“Since preschool. I trust her.”
“Lieutenant, is there any chance someone might have a personal interest in your daughter?” Amaro pressed, and Ed’s reply came bitter.
“I’ve got plenty of enemies. Nobody likes the IAB guy who ends careers. I investigate dirty cops—right now I was on to a group running something big. But I don’t know... I don’t know why with her.”
“Was she carrying her phone?”
“Yes.”
“TARU will track the signal.” Olivia touched his shoulder, squeezing gently.
“We’ll find her. I promise.”
Ed drew a deep breath, but his eyes lingered on hers. Even in the middle of chaos, he noticed the green dress that flattered her.
“You look beautiful. Green suits you.”
Olivia smiled shyly, and before she realized it, hugged him.
“I’ll bring her back. Trust me.”
“I trust you. I trust you, Olivia Benson.”
---
The phone signal led them to an abandoned warehouse in Harlem. The building was damp, dark, crawling with rats. Olivia’s pulse spiked when she heard a muffled sound coming from the back.
“Quiet,” she whispered. “She’s here.”
They rushed forward. Sophie was bound, gagged, naked, her body shaking from fear and pain. Olivia dropped to her knees, covering her with her jacket.
“Sweetheart, you’re safe now. I promise.”
Nick called for an ambulance while Fin and Munch chased the suspect.
---
When Ed arrived at Mercy Hospital, his legs nearly gave out. He searched desperately until he found Olivia.
“Where is she? How did you find her?”
Olivia blocked him with her hands against his chest. The gesture felt far too intimate, but she didn’t pull back.
“Tucker, calm down. Sophie is badly hurt. They found her in Harlem.”
“Tell me the truth. What happened to my little girl?”
She hesitated, but there was no way to soften it.
“She was raped.”
His strangled cry broke into convulsive sobs. Ed collapsed against her, weeping as though the world had ended. Olivia held him tightly.
“I’m so sorry, Ed. I’m so sorry, darling.”
“My girl... she didn’t deserve this.”
“I know. But she needs you now. You have to be strong for her.”
When they asked for authorization for the rape kit, Ed didn’t hesitate. “Yes. But... Olivia... please stay with her. I trust you.”
“I won’t leave her side.”
---
Sophie cried in the hospital bed. Her small body was covered in marks. Ed didn’t hold back his sobs as he embraced her.
“Daddy, it was horrible. It hurt so much.”
“I’m so sorry, my love. Forgive me for not being there to stop it.”
“I want a shower. I feel dirty.”
Olivia stepped closer, her voice soft.
“You can’t wet your stitches yet. I know you want to scrub it all away, but you can’t. I know it feels impossible, but you’re strong. Your dad is here. I’m here too.”
“I just want him off me. Please, Daddy.”
Ed nearly broke, but Olivia intervened.
“I’ll get some wipes, maybe that will help.”
When she returned, Sophie tried to sit up but winced in pain. Ed shut his eyes, unable to face the injuries.
“Olivia... can you help her?”
“Of course. Go grab a coffee, Ed. I’ll handle it.”
They stayed quiet. Sophie sobbed softly as Olivia cleaned her with care, her own eyes burning with tears of anger and grief. When she finished, Olivia pulled the girl into her arms, stroking her hair until, for the first time since the abduction, Sophie fell asleep.
Ed returned and stopped at the door, watching. The sight of Olivia holding his daughter broke something open inside him. It wasn’t just compassion—it was tenderness he had never expected.
She lifted her face, cheeks flushed. He smiled faintly, walking closer.
“I don’t know how to thank you. I’m deeply grateful for everything you’ve done for us today.”
“I’ll be here, Ed.”
He couldn’t wait any longer. He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers—a fleeting kiss, soft but heavy with promise. In her eyes, there was surprise... and something more.
And even in the middle of heartbreak, Ed Tucker swore to himself he wouldn’t let her slip away.