Donald Cragen stood outside Olivia Benson's apartment door, his gut churning worse with every minute he was met with silence.
"Livvy honey, open up the door. It's Don. It's just me sweetie."
"It's open." Olivia never easily gave in, considered herself fiercely independent. The fatherly tone in his voice and the terms of endearment proved to be her undoing.
Oh Livvy honey, who hurt you,he thought silently to himself as he let himself in. Olivia was on her couch, and she looked at him with tear-filled eyes.
"Don," she said, fear and pain thickening her voice. He sat down beside her and was quite surprised when she snuggled up to him.
Not that he minded though when he pressed a soft kiss to her hair, saying out loud what he just minutes earlier thought silently to himself. "Oh Livvy honey, who hurt you?"
Olivia did not say a word as she snuggled closer, burrowing her head in his jacket. "Please. I just wanna be held right now...not talk," she finally managed to choke out between strangled sobs.
"Ok. Livvy. Can you at least listen to me?" All he got in answer was a slight sigh as she buried her face into the crook of his neck. He took that as permission to continue.
"I love you Olivia," he said, and Olivia felt her breath hitch. "How could he love me?" It was as if he could read her mind. "It really is that simple honey. I love you for you. I loved you yesterday. I love you today, and I will love you forever. No matter what happens or what path you choose, you will always be my precious daughter."
Olivia looked up at him, her doe-like brown eyes rapidly filling with tears. "I want to tell you something, but I am afraid."
"Afraid of what baby? You can tell me anything my precious angel."
"He raped me daddy!" His heart dropped into his stomach as he put a throw pillow in his lap. After gently lowering her head onto the pillow, he combed his fingers through her long brown hair.
"My sweet girl, I love you so much. I am not going anywhere dove. Ok?" The tears finally stopped as she leaned into his hand.