7. Interrogation Day

*Fin's POV*

"Police! Open up!"

Munch knocks on the door again.

Eventually, who we suspect is Logan opens up.

"Logan Beckman. We're here about Ashley Larsson."

"What about her?" I already see this kid as a punk.

"She was here last night, correct?"

"Yeah. Why?" His casualness pisses me off.

"She's missing."

Now he seems to care. Still a punk. "How? She was with Jordyn the whole time."

"What about Ellie Benson? You know her?" Munch butts in. I glare at him.

"Yeah. She was with them too."

"The whole time?"

"Most of the time," he says, almost in question.

"Well what is it? Most of the time, half the-"

"I was alone with her for about a half hour. We went downstairs with everyone else. They left at like...2:10,15 somewhere around there?"

I let the 'alone with her' pass for the time being. "Are you asking or telling?" My voice is raising.

"Telling! God, what's with the third degree?"

"A 15 year old girl is missing and you're playing rich douchebag. That's what."

"Well, I don't know. They all left together. I haven't heard from any of them since. How's Ellie?"

"What do you care?"

"She's my friend. Am I not supposed to be concerned?"

"Just a friend?" I let Munch's comment slide, but I would've asked the same thing.

"She's fine," I respond blankly. "Helping us a whole bunch more than you are."

"Hey, I'm trying! What more do you want?!"

"I don't like you. Understand?""Very much, sir."

"Ellie's got no father. That's what we're here for. Close as an actual father and daughter. Got that?""Yes, sir."

"We looked through her phone records when she came home late. One of those heart symbols was by your name. I can tell what you want. And it won't be with Ellie if I can help it.""I didn't have sex with her, if that's what your saying. I've got more respect for her than that."

"You better. We're done here."

*Ellie's POV*

Questionings go on all day. I get to see two of the five men who attacked me in interrogation room. Neither have hoods, so I can see their faces, through the glass. I don't stay long, however. Whether I wanted to or not, Cragen tells me it's best not to be in there.

Apparently they don't get much from them, because at 1:45PM, Munch and Fin come to get me. Munch sits at the chair next to Amanda's desk. Fin stands on the other side of me.

"Would you be willing to stand in the same room as-"

"No! I don't want to see them!" I know what they're asking of me. I'm not brave. I can't do that.

"Hun, this may be the only way to find Ashley." Munch takes my hand.

I feel heat behind my eyes and close them for three seconds.

"They didn't have remorse for me when they say me on the street. What makes you think they'd care now?"

"You were all dolled up in a party dress, correct?"

I nod.

"You were alone on a street, seemingly helpless against them, correct?"

I repeat my nod.

"They are behind bars, correct?"

"Yes! They are!" I exclaim, annoyed.

"Well, Ella, they've got nothing else to live for. They're away for at least 15 years without chance for parole. Both are chained to tables. You have at least two cops with you. They saw you all dressed up and pretty. They'll see you as a hurt, tired girl now. We've gotta give it a try. Your mom and you both are good with body language. Maybe you can get something out of him."

I look up, Cragen's at the coffee table. I can tell he agrees.

I curl my fingers into fists.

"Okay," I say, nearly inaudible. "But it's Ellie." The joke was more for my benefit but it gets a smile out of the three.

Fifteen minutes later, I have a hand of 2 SVU detectives on either shoulder. I feel like I'm going to pass out. Why am I doing this? I don't want to do this. What if they jump at me? No, they can't. I'm safe. They wouldn't put me in danger.

Fin opens the door. I get myself ready. They told me what I need to know. He's the rookie in the group. He isn't fully broken in yet. He's not a killer. They want to see if I can play cop for a second or so.

Number one rule is to not cry. But I can get as close to it as I want.

This man ran. When Elliot pulled the gun, he ran.

I slowly walk towards the table. I sit, but am ready to bounce up and run.

"Oh, this is cute. This is what you're reduced to? Sending in a kid to do the dirty work?"

They said to expect insults.

"You're one to talk for someone who ran away from a gun that wasn't even aimed at you." That's not a good line, but it works for me.

They said not to make him angry. I may have done that, I may have not. I can't tell.

"Although, all of you ran away. So...who are these other runner boys? The braver ones. The ones who stayed for the bullet. I stayed. And got away without a scratch."

Maybe I am making him angry.

"Trent Jarro."

I expected that. He's the one in the other interrogation room.

I watch his body language. It's something I can do. I'm good at that. He looked at me until I called him out for running. Now, he's watching the table. Someone broken in as a killer would watch me. He'd be confident. But this guy doesn't want to be found out by a 14 year old.

I shift my left hand farther away from my right. His eyes follow.

"Nervous? I bet Ashley Larsson is as scared as you, too. Or is she lying dead in an alley somewhere? Because of you?"

"No. I didn't kill her."

"So someone else did?" Maybe I would be good for interrogation. I slam the hand he isn't watching down on the table. He jumps.

"I don't know!"

"How? After me, you went straight into her. I saw. You ran in the direction of her house."

"I did what I was told to do. I ran."

I can tell that's all I'll get out of him. I look down, forcing myself to cry. I need to release at least one tear.

"Well, I hope you can live with the fact I will always hate you. And so will that girl. And I hope you rot in hell."

I get up, push between Fin and Munch, running to the hallway to pace.

*Olivia's POV*

"You did what?!" I scream at Cragen.

"Liv, she-"

"Never, ever put my daughter anywhere near those people! She should never have to be in that situation! It's my job!" I'm so furious.

"Liv, your daughter happens to be quite the junior interrogator."

"Don't ever call her that. She is not to do any sort of legal anything without my consent!"

"She got him to spill what he knew. We put her with Thompson for a reason. And she's old enough to make her own choice. She knew she'd be with two detectives. She knew he'd be strapped to a table." Somehow, he's very calm. "She even used your tactics. It was very impressive. And, as a victim, she has right to see her attacker after the fact."

"Please, never make her do that. Ever again."

"I won't. We didn't even push her that hard. Is she testifying on the attempted rape charge?"

"I don't know."

We don't find Ashley today.

All we get was another name and the meeting place. Neither of which had Ellie's best friend.

I take Ellie home at 6:45. She's nearly fallen asleep every time she sits down.

But when she gets home, I can tell something is off. Not that she'll talk to me.

*Ellie's POV*

I know I have to look at my mom or maybe even say something to her at some point, but that night is not when I expect it.

I dream I'm walking home, in my party dress and heels. I get past the building I see a strange man at. But I'm not even up the stairs to my apartment building before I feel myself grabbed.

I thrash and scream and kick and scratch, but it's hopeless. I'm dragged by my hair to a van.

When I wake, I find myself involuntarily screaming with tears running down my cheeks.

I hear my door bang against the wall as it opens; my mom in full-on cop mode. I reach for her and she takes me in her arms, holding me close.

I babble, none of my words sounding right. "It vas uh mn nd he took-k me-e-nd I-"

"Shhhh..." she coos in my ear. "It's not real. None of it's real."

"Y-yeah Ash-sh-ley's g-g-one-"

"No she isn't, Love."

That nickname. My mom's nicknames are so random, the only theme is what she uses at what time. Ellie-Bellie was when I was little. Love and My Love have always been for when I'm upset. But it's usually just El. "She's out there. You helped us the most in finding her. We're really close."

I keep crying, taking in her presence, her scent, her touch. I want her to hold me longer. Tighter. I want this nightmare to be over. And not just my dream.

*Olivia's POV*

She falls asleep as soon as she gets in bed. Can't say I blame her, but I wish I was the same. It takes me until 10:30 to fall asleep.

And at...who knows what time, I hear screaming. A heart-piercing shriek that can only be Ellie.

I bolt up out of bed, my police instincts taking over.

I bust into her room to see her messy head, her puffy eyes, and her arms reaching for me. I breathe out in relief, as my fear turns to sympathy and heartbreak.

My baby. This is so unfair. She shouldn't have to be going through this. She shouldn't have to worry about anything. She's not even 15 yet. She's still so small and fragile to me. I hold her shaking body against me. It takes nearly an hour for her to calm down.

When she does, she goes back to her independence thing. She doesn't like pity, even if it isn't pity to me. "Go to sleep," she says. "I'll be fine now."

"Are you sure?" I ask, brushing her hair back with my fingers as she lies down.

She nods, hugging her pillow close.

"Okay, My Love. I love you."

"I love you," she says.

I lean down to kiss her head, like I did when she was little. When I could tuck her in - well, when I was home to do it. She doesn't need me much anymore.

I head back to my room, lying down.

I hear quiet, light footsteps. I shift, and see a figure in the doorway.

"Come here, Love," I say quietly. I don't have to tell her twice.

I shift back and open the covers up for her to get under. She snuggles right next to me.

I hold her, her shivering bones so...frail. I can tell she's not going to sleep much, or well, but once her tired mind and body relax beneath my fingers, she's out.