A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, but I promise things will pick up shortly.


A couple of hours had passed and Maria had continued to keep an eye on the so called office politics as it played out before her. They were all good cops, willing to serve and protect, but like any office there was drama. Maria had hoped to avoid some if not all of that drama as she had her fill of it in the Army. Her mantra back then and going forward would still be the same 'If it doesn't affect you, then it's none of your god damn business!' Sound words to live by.

The Hospital Administrator arrived once again and this time she had good news, "Lieutenant Benson, the doctor has finished examining your prisoner and has given the ok for him to be released into the NYPD's custody."

Liv smiled and nodded her head, "Thank you, we'll be down in a few minutes."

Maria had been observing Barba and the Lieutenant on and off for the past couple of hours and almost chuckled out loud at their looks of disappointment when their "meeting" had come to an end. Barba started packing up his things while the Lieutenant began instructing her squad.

"Ok everyone, let's suit up, and don't forget to check your weapons. Remember what Simpson did in the courtroom. I don't want any mistakes. Once he has been handed over to us, I want Rollins to take point, Carisi and I will escort Simpson, with Fin and Upshaw bringing up the rear."

Liv gazed around the room as the detectives gathered up their gear and checked their revolvers. The clicking sound of metal sliding against metal bounced off the walls as each detective ensured their weapon was ready to go.

"Counselor, want to take a walk with us? I know it's a break with protocol, but you were a part of this too," Liv suggested as she looked at him

"Normally I'd take a pass, but it'll be nice to watch this sick bastard get knocked down a few notches. Thanks for the invite," he answered, smiling at her. He enjoyed watching Liv in full police mode and wasn't at all intimidated or threatened by her sense of power, in fact he enjoyed the dichotomy of her personality. How she could be so strong at work and be a role model to so many, and yet be very soft and caring when away from the job.

Moments later Liv was signing off on the last of the paperwork while Fin checked Simpson restraints. "Are we good to go?"

"Lieutenant, I understand this prisoner is guilty of a heinous crime…"

"That would be crimes, Dr. Mitchell" Liv interrupted

"Right…as I was saying, even though that may be the case, he has many wounds that are still healing. He needs to be treated with care."

Fin couldn't believe his ears, treated with care? "We'll be sure to show him the same amount of compassion and sensitivity he had shown those women he raped and murdered."

Simpson was a large muscular man, he towered over the SVU detectives, and most people would find him intimidating. He was sporting a two week old beard, which covered some of the cuts and bruises he received when he tried to attack the judge a couple of weeks ago. He met all the criteria of a psychopath and Liv was sure by now he had the hospital staff wrapped around his finger and that's what she was afraid of. He was very good at manipulating people, which is how he was able to gain the trust of so many women.

As per NYPD procedure, Rollins double checked Simpson's restraints. That's when Simpson took the opportunity to share his sickest desires with her, "You like to be tied up baby?" he whispered "I'll tie you up so tight you'll be begging me to kill you. And I will, nice and slow…" He licked his lips as he watched her eyes grow wider, he could almost smell her fear of him.

Rollins was incensed by his words. She had seen firsthand his handiwork and knew how much pleasure he gained from it. She jerked down on the restraints around his wrists causing him cry out in pain, "say again? How does it feel to be our bitch?!"

Simpson feigned injury and looked at the doctor with such innocence, "you were the only one who cared enough about my well-being, look at what these police officers are trying to do to me. I'm not sure I'll make it to prison alive. Can't you help me?"

Rollins face turned a dark shade of red and she was about ready to jump all over the prisoner when Fin and Liv jumped in and pulled her back. Simpson took a few steps back hoping to do what, Maria wasn't quite sure, as he stepped right into her and Carisi.

"You're not going anywhere but prison Simpson, so stay put." Carisi managed to utter through his gritted teeth. Carisi wanted to bash his head in, but he had the utmost respect for the law, but scum like this questioned his beliefs.

Doctor Mitchell was shocked and her uneasiness grew as Simpson pretended to be injured. "Lieutenant, is this behavior necessary? You've been in charge of my patient for all of five minutes and I've already witnessed multiple instances of police brutality."

Rollins exploded and was trying to break free from Liv and Fin, "police brutality?! Are you kidding me? I should show you…"

"Rollins, that's enough!" Liv had grabbed her by the shoulders and was steering her down the hallway and away from the prisoner. "Do I have to remind you One-PP specifically asked our squad to transport Simpson? To turn him over to prison authorities with ZERO complications? I know this was a tough case, but you're better than this."

Rollins relaxed enough for Liv to release her grip, but she still didn't make eye contact.

"I need to know that you're going to stand down and make this work?"

Rollins was still staring at the floor, but managed to nod her head in agreement. She knew she was wrong, but men like Simpson disgusted her.

"Rollins? I need you to look at me and acknowledge that you can handle this? If you can't, then you can head back to the squad room now."

Rollins begrudgingly looked up at her Lieutenant, she considered her a friend, but at this moment she was her boss and she said what she needed to, "copy that Lieutenant. I'm all in."

The doctor once more began to argue and Liv put her hand up to silence her, "Upshaw, check his restraints and make sure they're not too tight."

Barba watched all of this from a safe distance, not so much because he was scared, but because A) he was giving the detectives space to do their job and B) this was their show, not his…he was merely tagging along.

Simpson looked around and saw Barba standing off to the side, "I see the gangs all here. You even brought the outstanding ADA Rafael Barba with you. Oh what a party it will be." He smiled and blew Barba a kiss.

Liv went toe to toe with Simpson, she was well aware of what he was capable of, but it was important to show him she was not afraid, "Ok that's enough, we've wasted enough time. The sooner we hand you over to the prison officials at Sing Sing the better I'll sleep tonight."

"Show me the way Lieutenant Olivia Benson," he winked.

"I'll escort you to the van Lieutenant; I want to insure Mr. Simpson will be transported safely." The doctor was acting very clingy and Liv could only imagine the stories Simpson had told her. It was clear he had her wrapped around his finger.

They slowly began moving down the hallway, on alert for anything out of the unusual and vigilant enough to have each other's backs.

Barba fell into step behind everyone, giving them more than enough room to do their jobs. He had all the confidence in the world they knew what they were doing.