Mi Salvador

Relapse

Ascella's POV
I sat at home, still excused from school after the beating. I closed my eyes and sighed, then the door opened. I turned around and grinned.
Zara went to me on the couch and hugged, "Hi, Ella!"
"Hello, niña! How was daycare?"
"We did science!"
"Science? How fun!"
"We played with water and mixed colors!"
"Wow! Wish I was there! Go put your stuff away and I'll make you a snack..."
She nodded and went upstairs. I got up slowly but my dad stopped me, "Slow down."
I laughed, "I've been laying down all day...I think I should get up."
He nodded and helped me to the kitchen.

I stopped, holding onto the counter.
"Ella? You okay?"
"Huh? Yeah...yeah..."
"Come here, sit down." He grasped my arm gently, but I shook my head, "Please don't move me..."
"What hurts?"
"My head..."
He picked me up and laid me back down on the couch.
"Zara! Put your coat on please!" I felt his hands cupping my face, "Hey...still with me? I think you're relapsing..."
I nodded, "Just...Respira..."
I heard him chuckle and he put my flats on before slipping my jacket on me before picking me up.

We had gone back to the hospital. The doctors said I still had a concussion and 4 broken ribs. I played with Zara as Dad talked with the doctors. He walked in with Liv, "I have to go, I'm sorry."
I shook my head, "It's okay. We'll be okay." I looked to Zara who nodded and smiled.
"They said you should stay overnight."
I nodded and push Zara's hair back, "Do you mind?"
"No. As long as I'm with you."
I smiled. Dad walked out with Liv.

Nick's POV
I stood in the squad room.
"Hey, I heard Ascella relapsed, she okay?" Amanda wondered. I nodded, "Yeah, just a concussion and a few broken ribs."
"Ouch...strong girl."
"Hell yeah..." I smiled.
"So, your wife is in Afghanistan?"
"Yeah, She's supposed to be back in a few months. It's killing Zara and Ascella. They really miss her."
"Have you told her about Ascella?"
"Yeah, we skype every night. She was so worried, said she wanted to convince her sergeant to let her go earlier."

Amanda nodded and smiled softly. Cragen then walked out of his office, "Benson? Amaro?"
I went to him with Liv, "What's up cap?"
"We got a case. 13-year-old Ella Mendez, from Washington Heights, collapsed during a sermon at her catholic school."
"What does it have to do with us?"
"She's pregnant. She was taken to Mercy."
I looked to Liv and we nodded, "Going to Mercy now."

I sighed after talking to Ella, "She's convinced that the baby was God's miracle...I don't see rape."
"It's because she barely knows what sex and rape is, Nick. I'm sure they don't teach you that in a Catholic school..."
I nodded and pulled out my vibrating phone, "Mamí, I'm working, can I...What about Ella and Zara? I know they're there. They said Ascella was fine, what happened?" I looked to Liv, "Is she okay? Mamí, calmace...is Ella okay? She's asleep...okay. I'll be there. Give me an hour. I love you too, ma." I hung up.
"What is it, Nick?"
"They had to transfer Ascella to ICU. Her lung collapsed."
"You should go."
"No...no let's just keep going. Get more evidence..."

~more than an hour later~
I walked out of questioning with Liv and Amanda went to me, "Your phone has been going off nonstop."
I rushed to get it. Messages from my mother. Then my phone started to ring with Ascella's caller ID.
"Hey..."
"Daddy?"
"Zara? Where's Ella?"
"She's sad. She was looking for you."
"Is she awake, baby?"
"Mhm."
There was shifting until Ascella's voice entered through the phone, "Dad?"
"Hey, sweetheart, how ya feeling?"
"Where are you?" It was obvious she was crying.
"I'm at work right now, where's Abuelita?"
"She left." I cursed my mother softly for being so impatient.
"Hey...I know I keep saying this but I'll be there soon, okay?"
"Mhm..." Her voice cracked and I bit my lip softly.
"I love you..." she whispered desperately.
"I...I love you too. Get some rest, Okay?"
"Okay..."
The line went dead.
"You okay?"
"Go Amaro."
"Cap-.."
"That's an order."
I nodded and grabbed my stuff before rushing to the hospital.

I got to her room and found them both asleep. Ascella was obviously on oxygen...I set my stuff down and sat in a chair next to her bed.
"Dad?"
I looked at her and saw that she woke up. I smiled and cupped her cheek, "I'm here..."
She smiled and grabbed my hand. I kissed her forehead, "I'm sorry..."
"No, I was being a baby..."
"You were in pain. I don't blame you for that."
Ascella nodded and looked to where Zara slept, "She's such a good girl..."

~the next week~
The case was still going. I was getting ready, seeing Ascella with Zara, putting their shoes on.
"So, you tie...then you get to bunny ears, then you tie one ear under the other...it's alright if you don't get it now."
Ascella was getting better and ready to go back to school. She looked up at me and smiled.
I dropped her off and waved to her as she went into the school. I can see other students looking at her and whispering, and then...

Paulo came out of no where and grabbed her. I got out of the car quickly and pried him off.
"Hey! Stay away from her!"
"Dad!" She kept me back as Paulo was pulled away, "Dad just go. Just go..." She led me to the car. I sighed and kissed her head before driving away.

Ascella's POV
I sighed and went to my locker. I could feel people looking at me as I got my things. I entered the classroom and sat in my seat.
"Ascella! Good to see you're doing well!"
I smiled, "Thank you..."
As the lesson went on, Principal Calling walked in. He pulled me out and sighed, "I'm sorry to do this Ascella, but I have to give you a weeks detention."
"What for, Mr. Calling?"
"Your father's and your behaviour this morning."
"My father was just trying to protect me...he doesn't trust Paulo anymore..."
"I understand that-"
"And I was nearly beaten to death on his command."
"That's enough, Ascella Amaro, or else I will suspend you for bad behaviour!"

I couldn't help but flinch and clench my hands. He sighed and looked down, "I'm sorry, Ascella..."
I shook my head and walked back in, "I'll be in detention after school..."

I walked into the house around 6, hoping my dad wasn't there.
"Where have you been? Are you okay? Was it Paulo?" Dad looked over me.
"I'm fine...I was at school still..."
"Why didn't you text me?"
"I couldn't."
"What do you mean?"
"I have detention! Principal Calling gave me detention..."
Dad ran a hand over his mouth and chin, "Because of this morning?"
"Yes..."
"Was Paulo there too?"
"No..."
"Bullshit." My dad grabbed his phone.

I shook my head, "Please, don't. Don't, dad. I don't want you in trouble with the school..."
"Ascella it's my fault in the first place-."
"No!"
He was rendered silent. I held his hands shakily, "The last time this happened...I couldn't see my mom for weeks...CPS came, brought me to my grandmother's and-and let Anders do anything he wanted to her while I was away...just because anders started a fight with another parent at my preschool..."
He pulled me in gently, "That's not gonna happen. No one is gonna take you away from me...you and Zara won't get hurt..."
I nodded and hugged him tight.