Hey y'all! I'm so happy with all the reviews I've gotten- you guys are so sweet! Here's Chapter Three ;)

Amanda yawned and stretched her arms over her head. She looked around and found herself in Nick's bed, but he was nowhere to be found.

She fixed up her mussed hair and made her way into the kitchen, where a box of half-eaten pizza lay open on the counter, accompanied by a few empty beer bottles.

Across from the mess, Nick was flipping pancakes in a skillet. "Morning," he grinned.

Amanda yawned once more. "Wow, pancakes? I didn't even know you could boil water," she joked.

Nick pouted playfully. "Aw, come on, 'Manda! These are some first-class flapjacks," he laughed.

She played with a strand of hair. "And would you explain to me how the hell I ended up in your bed?"

He slid a few pancakes on a plate, drizzled a perfect amount of syrup on them, and placed it in front of her. "Well, after you inhaled half the pizza, we had a couple drinks, and you fell asleep. I carried you to the bed like the gentleman I am and took the couch," he explained.

Amanda scoffed. "I'm more than capable of sharing a bed with someone, Nick. I'm a grown woman. I can keep my hands to myself," she reminded him.

Nick shrugged and took a seat next to her, setting down his plate. "I just didn't think it was right." He cut a piece of pancake and popped it into his mouth.

Amanda let go of her fork and knife, and they clattered onto the counter. "So what happened last night- our kiss? That wasn't 'right' either?" she spoke angrily.

He took a deep breath. "That's not what I meant," he began.

She stood up abruptly and grabbed her bag. "No, Nick. That's exactly what you meant."

She stormed towards the door, and Nick's heart broke. He ran to the her and grabbed her upper arm.

"Please, I didn't mean it like that," he whispered, eyes filling up with tears. "Please stay."

Amanda began to hyperventilate. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. I-I just don't know what's happening to me. I'm so confused," she mumbled.

He leaned in to kiss her cheek, but she pushed him away gently. "We can't do this again," she said softly.

Nick's heart sank, but he agreed nonetheless. "We need to go down to the station and report this," he replied quietly.

"I'm sorry Nick," she began.

He cut her off and shook his head. "No, I understand. Seriously, it's okay. But we really need to head out," he muttered, walking past her briskly to collect his coat.

She chewed her lip; she knew he was upset, but true to his character, he was too stubborn to admit it. It's not that she didn't want him like that- she did. Desperately. But something in the pit of her stomach was telling her that this was a bad idea.

The car ride was uncomfortable, to say the least. Nick pulled up in front of the station and opened the door for Amanda. The two walked into the bullpen, greeted by Olivia and Fin.

Olivia pulled Amanda in for a hug. Amanda reciprocated for a change, finding comfort in the older woman's soft embrace.

"Are you feeling better?" Olivia asked, pulling away but keeping a grip on Amanda's waist.

Amanda smiled genuinely and nodded. "Yeah, Nick helped me out last night. And, uh, I'm real sorry for how I acted back there. You were just tryin' to help. But I really appreciate it, Olivia."

Olivia rubbed Amanda's shoulder. "Don't apologize. We all have those days," she grinned. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

Nick stepped beside them. "Actually, she has to talk about it. Could you come here?" he motioned to Fin.

Fin nodded curiously and joined the triad in the center of the bullpen. "Wassup?"

Nick leaned closer to Amanda. "Do you wanna tell them?" he whispered.

A lump was rising in her throat, and tears prickled at the back of her eyes. "Could you do it?" she asked quietly.

He placed a hand on her back. "Of course."

Olivia frowned. "Out with it, Amaro."

Nick took a deep breath. "So, you guys remember Nate, right?"

Fin straightened up and gently chucked Amanda's chin to raise her eyes to his. "What the hell did he do?"

"He's uh, he's been abusing Amanda for the past two months," Nick managed, looking at Amanda who seemed as if she would crumble any second.

Olivia's eyes immediately became wet. "Amanda…"

"Please guys, don't treat me like a victim," she begged, looking at each of them in the eye.

Fin took her by the hand and pulled her into a hug. "You're not a victim, 'Manda. You're a God-damned survivor," he said firmly.

Amanda managed a smile through her tears as Olivia pulled her into another hug. "Thanks, you guys."

Cragen strolled into the bullpen and stopped when he saw the team rallying around Amanda. "What's going on here?"

"Cap, we just learned something pretty disturbing," Fin spoke up. "Y'know that Nate character? He's been abusing Amanda for two months."

Cragen immediately turned to Amanda. "Rollins… Why didn't you tell us?"

Amanda dropped her eyes to the ground. "I-I'm sorry Cap. It won't happen again," she mumbled.

"Damn right it won't, Amanda. Do you know why? Because I'm gonna make sure this asshat gets sent to a place where not even God gives mercy," Cragen announced adamantly.

Amanda chuckled lightly. "Sorry about this whole mess, guys."

"Amanda, you can't apologize for something like this. It wasn't your fault," Olivia replied.

Amanda shrugged. "Yeah, but two months? When this goes to court, they're gonna think I'm making it up just to get revenge on him or some bullshit like that."

Fin sighed. "Amanda, we will do everything we can to put Nate away for a long time," he promised.

"You know, you guys drive me insane, but I love y'all," she grinned.

Nick rubbed her back. "We need to take him in for custody," he spoke to Olivia and Fin.

Olivia nodded. "Y'know, as much as I wanna kick this asshole in the balls, you two go ahead," she motioned to Fin and Nick. "I'm gonna stay back with Amanda. It's probably better for Nate's safety that I do, anyway."

Amanda smiled. "Thank you," she whispered, sitting across from Olivia.

Nate and Fin headed out, determined looks on their faces.

Olivia shuffled a few papers together. "So… If I heard correctly, Nick helped you out last night?" she grinned.

Amanda rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help smiling at Olivia's bold curiosity. "Nothing happened, Liv," she replied.

Olivia shrugged, winking at her. "I never said that. You're sounding a little defensive there, Peach," she chuckled, using her pet-name for Amanda.

Amanda's disposition changed. She looked down at the wooden desk and bit her lip. "I kissed him, Olivia."

Olivia immediately looked up.

"I-I mean, he kissed me. Like, I wanted to kiss him- we were kissing each other, and- I mean for Christ's sake, he put me on his fucking kitchen counter- I really liked it but I-," she rambled.

Olivia began to chuckle.

Amanda's eyes widened. "Liv! This isn't funny!" Although she too began to giggle.

"You got it bad," Olivia crooned, smirking.

Amanda rolled her eyes and continued to laugh. She sighed and rested her chin in her hands. "I know, Olivia. I know…"

Olivia looked sympathetically at her younger coworker. "So what're you gonna do?"

"I don't know, Liv. I mean, this morning I kinda 'ended' things, so to speak," Amanda shrugged. "Like, he was all leanin' in for a kiss and I was all 'No, don't do that.' I'm a fucking idiot," she sighed.

Olivia smiled. "I wouldn't go as far as to say that you're an idiot, Amanda. But here's the real question. Do you have feelings for him?"

Amanda sighed and shook her head. "I can't, Olivia. Workplace fraternization rules- I mean, you know that."

Olivia didn't let up. "Do you?"

Amanda paused for a moment, opening her mouth wide enough to moisten her chapped lips with the tip of her tongue. "I-Olivia… I think I do."

To Be Continued...