A/N: Soooo... Yeah, I know I have some debts on this website and they will be paid on due time, but this idea popped into my mind and just begged to be done, so here it goes! Please review to let me know how you guys like it! This is EO of course, so if you don't like it, don't read it.
I do not own Law & Order SVU or its characters, but I'm waiting for Dick Wolf to auction them. I can offer a few pennies.

Olivia Benson opened her eyes to a bright new day. She rolled to her side tentatively and froze when she felt the mattress to her left empty and cold.

She got up and quickly walked to the bathroom, sighing when she looked at herself in the mirror and saw purple bruises on her arms and legs. Once again, he had been careful enough to only hurt places of her body that could be covered by clothing.

Olivia brushed her teeth, splashed some water on her face, brushed her hair, changed into a comfortable t-shirt and jeans and walked to the kitchen where she smelled coffee. Shit.

"Good morning, babe".

Olivia turned around with her eyes cast down, mumbled "morning" and accepted the cup of coffee she was being offered.

"I'm sorry I overslept, it won't happen again", she said not daring to look up.

"No, it was fine. You looked like you could use some more rest this time" the man who lived with her answered, putting a plate of waffles and maple syrup in front of Olivia.

She didn't dare to move her fork.

"I didn't poison it, you know?" the man half joked when he saw she wasn't eating. Olivia immediately cut a big slice and shoved it into her mouth.

"Tastes good?"

"Yes. Thank you" Olivia answered quietly.

"Don't speak with your mouth full", the man warned her. Olivia swallowed.

"I'm sorry."

The man got up and walked to Olivia, touching her face and pulling her hair back lightly, forcing her to look at him.

"I would love to sit here all day and watch you eat, but I'm out of time. Gotta go to work. Bye", he said, kissing her forehead.

"Have a nice day, stay safe", Olivia said, looking at the man's face for the first time that day.

In her opinion, his military-like short hair needed to be cut again, but she didn't dare to point it out even if he asked. Instead, she clung to the vision of his blue eyes, which flooded her with good memories and the hope of a better tomorrow. Looking inside those eyes she knew, deep down, that the loving, caring Elliot Stabler she had met was still alive somewhere. She could bring him back, she knew it, but apparently she wasn't trying hard enough.

After Elliot had left, Olivia sighed again and looked at her plate. She wasn't hungry at all, but she knew that not eating would only give Elliot yet another reason to turn her into a punching bag – even though he always seemed to find one, a little something she had missed. Keeping that in mind, she forced the waffles down.

Tun dun! I know, right? Don't worry, folks, next chapter things get a bit clearer. Or don't they? *maniacal laugh* Please review!