Olivia hesitated in the hall just in front of her apartment door, with her key in hand. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, and took a shuddering breath as she struggled to steady herself.

"It's okay if you aren't ready you know. You can stay with me if you need to." Olivia swallowed hard and smiled at Brian Cassidy.

"Thanks, but I just need to get through this. It won't be any easier tomorrow, so I may as well get it over with." Cassidy nodded sympathetically and took a step back, giving her the space she so clearly needed. Olivia closed her eyes for a moment, breathing out slowly.

She stepped forward with new resolve, placed the key in the lock and turned slowly, rotating the knob simultaneously. The door creaked open and Olivia stepped silently over the threshold. She heard movement behind her and knew Brian was slowly making his way into the room behind her.

Olivia tightly shut her lips and turned to Cassidy, holding a hand up, asking him to stay put. "Just...just give me a minute ok? I need to do this alone at first. Let me process. I'll call you later ok?" Brian blinked and looked conflicted.

"You sure? You're sure you want me to go? I'm not sure this is something you should be doing completely alone Liv."

"I'm sure. It won't be real until I'm here, and alone. I'm sorry Brian, I just can't do this with anyone around."

Brian winced a bit but smiled and nodded.

"I understand. Just know, I'm only a phone call away. I can be here any time, okay? Just call me."

Olivia smiled but knew it didn't reach her eyes. "Thanks. Goodnight Brian."

As she shut the door, bolting it quickly, Olivia clenched her jaw. She knew that she had hurt Cassidy. What she said wasn't a lie. She couldn't do this with anyone. She could only do this with one person. She needed the one person who was possibly the most unavailable to her at this moment.

She sighed, sitting down on the sofa, shaking off the memories from the attack and instead focusing on everything that had happened this evening.

The scene in the ER waiting room had been awkward at best. Elliot and Brian clearly were not each other's biggest fans, although she appreciated the effort they had both given in an attempt to be friendly for her sake. Elliot had offered to take her home, Brian had unceremoniously shot down that suggestion.

"She doesn't live in the same apartment anymore. You've been MIA for what...4 years? She's moved. I'll take her, don't worry."

The change in Elliot's eyes gave away his flaring temper. They went from a soft, sea blue to what Olivia could only describe as the coldest ice imaginable.

"Thanks El, but you should go home, get some sleep. I'm fine now." Elliot opened his mouth to say something in return, tilting his head in what she was sure was about to be refute of her suggestion. "Besides, you look like hell."

Elliot's mouth snapped shut, and he laughed under his breath. "Right. Okay, have a good night Olivia."

Olivia smiled as she turned to walk out the double doors. As they exited Brian turned around and smiled at Elliot in what he was sure was a self satisfied smirk, even if that hadn't been the intention.

Olivia slumped on the couch, and looked around. Someone had cleaned up. The only clue that this had been a crime scene was the removal of some of her items that had been blood spattered or broken, and several fingerprint dustings that appeared to have been over looked in the scrub down.

She wasn't sure at what point she had fallen asleep. Her heart pounded as she froze, listening for another sound. A sharp knocking sound had awoken her. Silently she stood and crept to the locked cabinet near the door, punching the familiar code and retrieving her personal firearm when a welcomed voice rang out.

"Liv? Olivia, are you here?"

Olivia sighed in relief and replaced the handgun to it's slot. She unlocked and swung open the door in record time, and drank in the sight of Elliot, standing in low slung jeans and a well worn button down, toting a bag of Chinese takeout and what looked like a bottle of whiskey.

"How did you..?"

Elliot shrugged "I figured Rollins had the address, so I asked. You don't mind do you?"

Olivia blinked and realized her mouth was still hanging slightly open. "I- No. Of course I don't mind."

Elliot extended his gaze and past her and into the apartment "If Cassidy's here I can go..I just thought you know..there probably wasn't much food in the fridge.."

Olivia laughed. "He's not. I told him I needed to do this alone." Elliot raised his eyebrows and turned his body to face down the hall.

"Should I...?"

"No." Olivia smiled. "No, please come in. I'm glad you're here."

Elliot's smile was heart-breakingly soft as he brushed past her. Olivia shut and bolted the door behind him, wondering just what else could surprise her tonight.