[3]

Alex was up all night trying her hardest to figure out a way to get Elliot's suit dropped. She had kept a document on her laptop of shitty things Elliot had done to Olivia in the past, and she knew that all of those interactions would really come in handy when proving that Elliot isn't the fit parent in this situation.

She had made a promise to Olivia, and she refused to break that promise. She was going to work day and night to make sure her best friend kept the little boy she loved so very much.

"Alex?" Olivia questioned quietly as she walked into the living room in the middle of the night. She had heard typing when she got up to check in on Cade, and she knew that she had to investigate why her friend was still awake.

"Hey, Liv. Everything is fine out here. Go back to bed." Alex spoke as she took her glasses off before rubbing her eyes.

"Why aren't you sleeping? Did Cade wake you up during his last feeding?" Olivia asked with a frown. She felt extremely guilty for the fact that Alex was losing sleep thanks to Cade.

"I would have had to go to sleep to be woken up by him."

"Why didn't you go to sleep? Don't you have court tomorrow?" Olivia asked softly as she moved to the breakfast bar where Alex was sitting.

"I don't. Today was my last day of court for that case we've been working on. And I can't sleep because I'm busy."

"Doing what?" Olivia sighed. Olivia hated when Alex would walk around a subject that Olivia wanted to talk about.

"Liv-"

"Is this about earlier? Alex, I'm just scared and anxious. But you don't have to work yourself to death just so I can keep Cade."

"I do though, Liv. I need to make sure that Cade stays in your care no matter what. What Elliot said about you was completely incorrect, and I'm going to prove that."

"I swear that I love my son more than my job. I'd quit my job if it meant I was allowed to keep Cade!" Olivia exclaimed, and Alex nodded as she wrapped her arm around Olivia's shoulder and pulled her close.

"I know that. The crew knows that. The judge will know that. Now, why don't you go back to bed. Cade will be up soon."

"Thanks for helping me, Alex." Olivia breathed, as she kept her eyes focused on her friend.

"Isn't that what best friends are for?"

///

Instead of heading straight to her office the next morning, Alex headed to the precinct to talk to the crew. She needed them to testify on Olivia's behalf. They had worked side by side with Olivia for years, and they may even know her better than she knows herself.

"Cabot, I didn't call you." Cragen sighed, once the  blonde walked into the squadroom. He could hear her all the way from the hall, and was a tiny bit concerned about her presence.

"I know you didn't. But I need to talk to you all right now." Alex spoke. Cragen nodded slowly before sighing.

"Crew, my office. Now."

Once everyone was gathered in Cragen's office, Alex looked at them for several moments before speaking.

"Yesterday, Olivia got served with papers from Elliot. He is asking for full custody of Cade, along with child support, and he wants to rename the baby. He is ready for a fight, and Olivia is preparing herself for one." Alex spoke evenly.

"How can he just rip a newborn from his mother?" Amanda frowned.

"Because he's an asshole. Thankfully you never got to know him, Rollins. I need to ask you all for a huge favor." Alex replied.

"If it has anything to do with Olivia and Cade, count me in." Fin spoke quickly. Alex smiled softly before nodding.

"I need you all to testify on Olivia's behalf. Tell them about how good she is with children, how she's a great worker, how she always has your back. Make sure to tell them about how she never put Cade's life in danger while she was pregnant with him. The judge needs to be told about how amazing Olivia is. And if you are asked, which I will ask you, talk shit about Elliot. Make sure the judge knows about how he treated Olivia, threatened her, and kicked her out of their house. He is no longer a member of this family, and everyone needs to know." Alex spoke passionately.

"Just give us the time and date." Cragen spoke, and Alex nodded.

"Thank you all so much." Alex spoke, before walking from the office.

She barely got to the elevator before her name was called.

"Yeah, Rollins?"

"Do you think that Olivia would be up to some visitors? I'd love to see her and maybe give her someone else to talk to? No one can ever have enough people to rant too." Amanda smiled.

"Call her and ask, but I'm sure it's fine... Stay safe today."

"You too."

///

"I have no idea what you ever saw in her." Abbie grumbled from where she sat holding her daughter, Elizabeth.

"Abbie, there for awhile I thought she was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. We made big plans before we got married, but then I met you and it was like everything changed." Elliot replied.

"I cannot wait to pull that baby from her arms the day the judge grants us full custody. I cannot wait to change his dumb name too." Abbie laughed.

"That's why she can't make decisions by herself. Like, Cade Michael doesn't go well with Benson. And I have no idea why she isn't thanking me for giving her the baby, or why she didn't use my last name. Fathers deserve to have their last names used." Elliot huffed.

He sank down beside Abbie before smiling at her.

"She should have ran when she had the chance." Abbie spoke.

"You know what... I bet we could report her for trying to run. Get her on house arrest or something until the hearing." Elliot grinned.

"Kidnapping would get her jail time." Abbie laughed, before she groaned as Elizabeth spit up on her.

"I have realized that it's kinda fun to take things from her. It's one of my favorite activies."