Amanda Rollins sighed, slamming the door of her locker shut with a bang. Her shoulders ached from all the pushups they'd had to do during P.T. Because Tavers had made innuendos again. She was used to pain, but it was nothing like this. This was new. All her life she'd been pushed around, told she wouldn't get anywhere but the kitchen because of her gender, but here? At the academy people were supposed to believe in her. Everyone had the same goal. So why were all the guys only interested in watching her backside as she ran?

"Rollins. That's against regulation." Captain Boothe ripped the news article off the locker door, examining it closely. Her face lit up in a smirk. " Well Well. Fan of Special Victims are we? You're in luck. Report to the auditorium. Three hour presentation on sex crimes. Take notes."

Sighing, Amanda marched to the auditorium, not exactly thrilled with spending her evening listening to a guest cop speak about sex crimes and hearing the guys joke for the rest of the night. She entered the large room, selecting a seat near the side door, hoping to remain unnoticed. She leaned back in her chair, a combination of her cramps and her muscle soreness making her nauseous and on the verge of tearing up.

" Please give a warm welcome to Captain Cragan and Detective Benson from Manhattan Special Victims unit. " Amanda was suddenly as alert as a dog who caught sight of a duck. Olivia Benson, here, in the flesh! She suddenly didn't mind being sentenced to an evening of listening to her idol, and If she was being honest, her crush, tell her how to be a better cop. She hoped someday, maybe, if God or whoever controlled this world cared about her at all, to maybe get to work with her.

The entire presentation seemed to fly by, with Amanda having taken almost ten pages of detailed notes, and she'd lost track of time, not noticing when the presentation was ended. The auditorium was empty, except for her and, scum of the earth Tavers.

" Hey Rollins, how'd you like your girlfriends presentation?" She shrugged off his playful nudge. " How come you're so into her huh?"

"Leave me alone Tavers." Amanda shrugged past him, rushing out of the auditorium, gasping as he blocked her path. "Was I not clear? I said leave me alone."

"I can make you feel things that New York bitch never could. Let me try, I promise you won't even look at her again." Her heart pounded, what could she do? Tavers was huge, she was, well, comparable in size to her mama's dachshund.

"Hey, when I was in the academy there was absolutely no funny business allowed during hours. " The balding man advanced, blue eyes staring daggers at Tavers. "Don't make me give you a strike."

Amanda gave a weak smile as Tavers raced out of the auditorium. " Thankyou..." She couldn't for the life of her remember his name! How embarrassing was that?

"Captain Cragen." Amanda's eyes widened. Oh she felt stupid. " Can you get back to your dorm on your own or should I have someone walk with you?"

" Thanks, but I think I can make it on my own." Amanda turned for the door before literally running into a tall, uniformed woman.

" I wanted a tour of the place. I started earlier but didn't have time for the northside. How about I walk you since the dorms are that way." Amanda gasped, her mouth suddenly unable to form words correctly.

"Yeah...um...I mean Yes Ma'am Thankyou..." She was stuttering, stumbling around her words like an idiot.

"Olivia please." The woman laughed, her hand ghosting over Amanda's wrist. " He grabbed you. " All traces of laughter were gone from her face. " You need to tell someone. Please. " Her eyes stared into Amanda's with the gentleness of a golden retriever yet the ferocity of a lion. She saw fear in Amanda's eyes and wrapped her arms around the younger woman, offering comfort and strength. "Don't worry. I'll talk to someone if you'd like me too. "

Amanda sighed into the hug, never dreaming this was actually real. Olivia Benson was literally hugging her right now. " That won't be necessary. I'll report it. I promise." She looked up into wise brown eyes. "I swear ok?"

Olivia smiled, walking her down the ramp and out into the cool October night. She grabbed Amanda's arm when she stumbled, sending butterflies through her stomach.

They talked, about many things, the Academy, life in New York. Amanda was sad when they reached the dorms. Olivia hugged her again, smiling brightly.

" Never let anyone tell you that you are nothing. When they do, know that I think you are an amazing woman with a real talent for police work. I'd be honored to work with you someday."

Amanda went to bed that night with a smile on her face. It was only the next morning she realized she'd never given Olivia her name.