Hi again friends, it's another author's note you shout read before you read the chapter. I (Terryn) wanted to talk about the subject matter we're going to address: racial profiling. I relate to Ayanna in the sense I am also a black queer woman . I know what it's like to be profiled and disregarded as important because of race, gender and sexual orientation. I felt it was important to write from experience but also remain accurate to proper storytelling. It's the reality of the world I, well we all live in and I hope this chapter and everything else we've written on has given you something to think about.
Kalli here. Terryn has explained why this is important to her and I want to thank her for continuing to teach me about this topic throughout our story. It is important to me to be accurate for our story but it is also important to me to be respectful and take a step back to learn from those affected by racial profiling. I hope this can teach you something as well
The song in this chapter is Olivia's. It's "My Little Love" by Adele. Lyric changes were made to fit SVU. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIF70l1zUKU
Elliot testifies before IAB and Olivia lawyers up. After a hard day, Olivia spends some much-needed time with her son and realizes how much Rafael truly means to her.
Over at IAB, Rita is pacing the floor. She grips her briefcase before whipping around to face Stabler and Buchanan.
"Are you two crazy?!"
She narrows her eyes towards Stabler.
"I told you not to engage. I thought you would have the common sense to listen."
The two men look at her partly angry, partly unphased.
"I'm surrounded by idiots." Rita mumbles under her breath.
"Rita, calm down. I'm sure Detective Stabler has learned the error of his ways and it won't happen again."
"Right?" Buchanan says as he grits his teeth.
"Yes." Elliot says.
"Good now, stick to the story we worked out and everything should be okay."
Suddenly the door opens and Renee steps out.
"Detective Stabler, we're ready for you."
Elliot takes a seat at the table and Renee turns on the camera.
"Please state your name for the record."
"Detective Elliot Stabler."
"Detective Stabler, you were brought here on the charges of using excessive force on another officer. You are also being charged with assault, assault of a police officer, attempted assault of a police officer, menacing, and harassment. Is that correct?"
"Those are just accusations based on a misunderstanding." He said.
"Yesterday morning, you attempted to make an arrest on Counselor Rafael Barba without a warrant. When you were told you could not do that because Captain Benson and her squad intercepted, you became hostile towards them. Captain Benson then continued speaking to you that you couldn't make the arrest and you got angry and 'grabbed her upper arms' and when she tried to force you off of her you 'grabbed her right wrist causing a hairline fracture." Renee said as she read the police report.
"Captain Benson put herself in a position where she decided to confront me for the faults of her friend. She backed me into a corner and I had no other choice but to defend myself as she came at me."
