The car stopped jerkily as Elliot clumsily maneuvered it between other squad cars in the road. Intentionally ignoring each other, they approached the crime scene tape cautiously, both lifting it above their heads as they ducked under.

"Detective Elliot Stabler, Special Victims, this is my partner..."

"Detective Benson." She cut him off, not wanting an introduction from him.

He tried to overlook the obvious insult. "What do we have?" he directed his question forcefully to the officer in front of him in a controlling fashion.

"Caucasian female, late twenties or early thirties. No wallet or purse, so it was probably lifted. There's evidence that it was a sexual assault. He did a number on her, I don't think you'll be able to get anything out of her until she's in a hospital."

"Thanks." Elliot nodded understandingly and headed to the CSU Technician at the scene.

Olivia stood there watching as the paramedics lifted their rape victim into the back of the ambulance. She told herself she had to be strong, that she couldn't break down like this. She had to suck it up, letting weakness show was not a possibility, especially in front of Elliot Stabler.

After what had felt like hours interviewing witnesses and combing through the crime scene, they headed back to the sedan.

She was already sitting in the passenger seat of the car by the time Elliot reached the driver's side. She had her head facing the window, once again alienating her partner harshly. He figured that he would have to get used to this shunning routine of hers.

"Olivia," He wanted to comfort her, she was in distress, and he knew she was hiding pain with anger. It was the first time that he called her by her first name, rather than 'Benson' or 'Detective.' His hand gently cradled the curve of her shoulder as he tried to get through to her. "You okay?"

She sighed deeply, straightening up and composing herself before turning to face Elliot's deep blue gaze. His hand fell from her shoulder delicately, not wanted to invade her space.

Her bottom lip quivered slightly as she managed a faint "I'm fine."

The response didn't seem to satisfy Elliot, "you don't seem fine, I can tell something is bothering you. I'm sorry I was a asshole to you before, if that's why you're upset, I really am sorry." He was apologizing compassionately.

"No, it's not you, I'm not mad at you, Elliot. It's just..."

"It's just what? Talk to me, I don't want to start this thing off on the wrong foot."

"It's just me" Tears began to slowly well up in her eyes.

"What about you?" He turned himself so he was completely facing her.

"About why I'm here."

"What do you mean? About how Rosetti shot himself and you volunteered for Sex Crimes." He was definitely confused.

She sniffed slightly and raised her hand to her eyes wiping away a stray tear, "No, not exactly, Elliot. It's really nothing to worry about."

"It is something for me to worry about. You're my partner now, and partners have to be there for each other, Olivia. I wasn't there for my partner when he needed me, and I'm not going to let that happen again. I want to be there for you, no matter what, you have to trust me." Her overwhelming beauty encompassed him and he wanted nothing more but to cradle her in his arms and make her suffering go away. He twirled his finger instinctively around his wedding ring while still gazing into her eyes.

She closed her eyes momentarily as she attempted to smile at him. Taking a deep breath she flipped her hair out of her eyes and broke her gaze with Elliot to stare straight ahead noticing the raindrops that had started to collect on the windshield. "About thirty years ago, my, um, my mother was raped, by a total stranger. She found out she was pregnant and well, decided not to get an abortion. I'm that baby that she chose to keep." Her hands covered her eyes as she tried not to show any more emotion.

He took her hand into his, caressing it gently. He knew the affection was perhaps inappropriate, but concluded that words would be useless. He pushed the hair out of her face that had found its way out from behind her ear.

"I didn't want to do this," She was somber and serious.

"I'm glad you did."