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Full Circle

Eight year old Olivia Benson, dressed in one of her best outfits, sat next to her new friend Elizabeth Donnelly at the big brown table, while her other new friend, Maxine Grey, sat behind them. Olivia had met Maxine the day her neighbor called the Department of Children and Families. She was introduced to Elizabeth when Maxine told her that her mother couldn't take care of her anymore until she got better. Elizabeth was going to help get Serena to give up custody until she was better. Both women promised that this would stop Olivia from hurting on the outsides when her mother drank the clear liquid that wasn't water.

Now, sitting in the courtroom, Olivia was happy her mother would be getting the help she needed. Maybe then they could be happy together and Serena wouldn't be mad because her father was a "bastard rapist." Olivia still felt funny when she thought about that. She wasn't quite sure what it meant, but she knew it wasn't good. Olivia brought her attention back to the judge.

"In light of the present circumstances," he started, "I am ordering that Olivia Benson be removed from the custody of Ms. Serena Benson. Ms. Benson, I am also ordering that you enter a rehabilitation program and complete a counseling regiment with a court appointed therapist. Once you have completed the rehab and made sufficient progress in counseling, you are more than welcome to file to regain the custody of your daughter."

The bang of the gavel made Olivia jump a little. She looked over at her mother. She wanted to get up and hug her goodbye, but before she could, Serena stood and walked out of the courtroom, not even sparing a glance at her daughter. Olivia felt a little sad by this. That passed though as she looked up into the smiling faces of Maxine and Elizabeth. Elizabeth gave her a hug and wished her luck before packing up her brief case and heading back to her office. Maxine came up to her and took her hand. "You're going to fine now, sweetheart. She can't hurt yo anymore."

As she let Maxine lead her out of the courthouse and towards the car that would take her to meet her foster parents, Olivia hoped Maxine was right.

Thirteen year old Olivia Benson now looked back on that day and laughed humorlessly. Sure her mother hadn't been able to hurt her anymore, but that didn't mean the bastards and pricks that were able to fool the state didn't try. She was currently sitting in the passenger side of Maxine's car on her way to her seventh home in five years.

She had only been with the first family for about three months. She had been shy and didn't like to talk or come out of her room much. They were a nice couple, but didn't think they would be able to provide the kind of environment Olivia needed. The called DCF and Maxine was there to get her the next day.

She stayed with the second family for the rest of the year. Her foster mother hadn't been especially abusive, but she was always telling Olivia she could do better. There weren't many nine year olds who would get straight A's in school, but nothing was ever good enough for this woman. She was taken away from that family when the woman was diagnosed with an untreated case of bipolar disorder. The people with DCF did not want Olivia in the house while she was adjusting to her medication.

Family three had been the shortest of them all. A month into her stay, Maxine came to pay an unscheduled home visit only to walk in on her foster father smacking Olivia across the face. She was packed and out of that house before she could blink. As she sat in Maxine's office with an ice back to take away the swelling from the rapidly forming bruise, Maxine reluctantly told Olivia the real reason she had come to visit. Her mother had died. Serena was found at the bottom of a set of subway stairs. It wasn't until later, Olivia would learn that her mother was drunk. That was the day Olivia swore off any forms of heavy drinking. At nine years old she had a two drink limit for when she was old enough.

The next three families had all kind of blurred together. They had all tried to give her what she needed at first. If they couldn't handle her, they would either call DCF or try and reform her with abuse, both physical and verbal. She learned early on to shut out the verbal and the physical usually only left a few bruises.

She looked back across the car towards Maxine. She couldn't blame the woman for what had happened to her. Maxine was only placing Olivia with families her boss told her to. That and Maxine had introduced Olivia to her only friend that was her age. She had known Maxine's daughter Amy since she had first met Maxine. Even though they didn't get to see each other that 

often, they were still the best of friends and could tell each other everything. It was through Amy that Maxine usually found out about Olivia's unhappiness.

"I think you are really going to like it here, Liv," Maxine said while still looking at the road. She slowed down and pulled into a large driveway that lead to a huge house. "I picked this family myself. They even have a daughter, so you won't have to be by yourself all the time."

Olivia smiled when she heard Maxine had picked the family. She had always been a very good judge of character, so that made her feel more confident about the move. "I was wondering when you were going to stop trusting those bone heads you call 'sir', Max," Olivia said. She gave a small smile at Maxine's attempt at a glare and laughed when Maxine couldn't hold her smile back any longer.

"If it makes you feel any better those other families have had their foster parent certifications taken away," Maxine said by way of apology. She stopped and put the car in park.

"Yeah, cause I love being the guinea pig for new qualified pit stop parents," Olivia said. Her reply dripped with sarcasm. Maxine sighed as she watched the young teen get out and grab her things. She prayed this would be the last time she had to move the girl.