A/N: Thanks everyone for the reviews, and I'm so sorry for the delay. I've had some busy days, but now I have some free time.
Again, I do not own Law & Order SVU or its characters. I don't own parts of the show that may be in this chapter, either. The storyline, however, is mine.

The case they had closed on that day was a hard one. A fifteen-year-old girl had been raped by the older boy who was her date to the prom. Maureen, Olivia knew, had also been invited by a senior, and just because Elliot had allowed her to go and everything had gone fine, it didn't mean that now, hidden in the cribs, he wouldn't think of his older daughter. Munch and Cassidy were talking about closing the victorious Friday at a bar, and Olivia went upstairs to invite her partner.

- El?

- In here.

- Munch and Cassidy want to go to that new bar on the 35th Street – she informed gently while she was walking to him –, and I was wondering if you'd like to join us – she got on her knees next to him.

Elliot looked powerless, sitting on the floor, hugging his legs with his head between his knees, and Olivia felt extremely sorry for him.

- El... It's okay, he's in jail now. We did it. You did it.

Elliot took a deep breath.

- My daughter looked stunning that night – he started talking, knowing there was no use in trying to hide from Olivia; she would see everything through his eyes. – I was jealous out of my mind; it was like realizing all over again that she was no longer the little girl who would run to me afraid of the monsters under her bed, but I swear that was all. I never thought I would have to worry that she could end up at a hospital in such situation, not after a school dance.

- And you did not have to, Elliot. Everything was fine and that's all that matters. And when the time comes, Kathleen and Lizzie will also be safe. Their father taught them well – she smiled, and Elliot smiled back, thankful. – Come on, let's celebrate – she said, standing up.

Elliot grabbed her right hand, the one Olivia was holding out to him, and laid a small kiss on it. The action sent shivers through Olivia's entire body, but she managed to disguise it.

- Thank you, Liv – he muttered, his lips still touching her skin.

THE SILVERGOLD BAR

It was already 11pm, but, since it was a Friday, the bar was still crowded. The six detectives and Cragen, who refused to put the job of twenty years in the AA at risk but also wanted to celebrate and was having a soda, were talking and having fun. However, an uncomfortably familiar face got Olivia's attention. Giving her excuses and saying she was going to the bathroom, the detective stood up and followed the face, which was now moving outside, towards the smoking area. When she finally made it outside and saw the place was empty, Olivia shrugged. She figured she had not seen it straight and turned around to go inside the bar again.

- Well, well, Olivia. Are you leaving already?

It had to be him. The voice haunted her for weeks. But at the same time Olivia couldn't believe it. She was so not ready to face him – God, she hadn't even thought that she might have to face him again after trial. Even so, she turned around and faced him.

- Richard – she struggled to keep her voice ironic.

- It's been so long... But it seems like it was yesterday. I missed you.

- Yeah, tell me about it.

- But I'm afraid we don't have much time together, darling.

- No, we really don't. The guys at Rikers will love to know you ran away. Maybe they send you to Alaska.

- Aggressive – he said, smiling. – Though I must say I prefer submission; but that's not one of your many talents, is it, Olivia, dear?

- It's Detective Benson!

Olivia was terrified. She wanted to know who let White out of jail, but at the same she felt she would never know – he would slice her throat like he couldn't do that day in the park. But the angry and, even though Olivia didn't realize it, shaky voice, calmed her down, and she turned around.

If anybody ever asked her, Olivia would deny it until her dying day – it was such a tacky, childish thing to Bad-Ass Benson – but, if she was careful, she could see, instead of the usual shirt and tie Elliot would usually dress to work, a silver shiny armor knight riding a white horse. She was safe.

- Detective Stabler.

- It was stupid from you to come here tonight, White – Elliot approached, holding his gun in position. – We're in seven cops more than willing to put you back behind bars. Up against the wall – He stopped in front of Olivia, taking her off White's field of vision.

Protecting her.

- There's no use in arresting me, you know – White said while Elliot cuffed him and read his rights. – I'm in her head forever. Besides... – He stopped in front of Olivia. – I have no hard feelings.

- Go to hell – she answered, and Elliot pulled him, going around the bar towards the street.

Cragen and the others were waiting for them, along with a police car.

- I'll ride with him – Cragen announced. – You guys enjoy the rest of your night.

- Captain, I...

- Liv – he raised his right hand, signaling her to stop. – Please.

Olivia sighed, but gave in. She didn't want to be in that place anymore, not even for a single second, but she didn't want to give people the chance to talk, either. Sensing the inside battle his partner was going through while everyone was walking back into the bar, Elliot went next to her, put his left hand on the small of her back and said:

- Thirty minutes – even though his voice was low, it was firm in the promise. – Thirty more minutes and I promise that if you still want to leave, I get you out of here.

Olivia nodded in answer and followed the other detectives.

Thirty minutes passed, not a single second more, and through this time Olivia managed to behave normally. Elliot stood up.

- Well, guys, it felt good to chill out but daddy duty calls me. Liv, do you still want that ride or will you get a cab? – Olivia knew this was her hint.

- I want it, El, thank you – she stood up, grabbed her coat and they left after saying goodbye.

UPPER WEST SIDE

On their way, Elliot and Olivia did small talk and said how lucky they were, being able to close the case so fast. They were now parked in front of her building.

- So, uh... Do you wanna come up? Or is daddy duty really calling you? – She smiled.

- Not exactly; my kids are probably fast asleep... But I figured you'd like some peace – he said gently.

Olivia lowered her head, ashamed that he knew her so well, but, when she felt Elliot's hand in her face, she couldn't help but smile, tilting her head towards it, and give a sigh.

- Take care.

- I will.

- Oh, and, when you get upstairs, you know the drill, right? – He asked when she was ready to leave the car.

- Yes – she took his hand, and it was Elliot's turn to feel full of sweetness. – Thank you, El.

The blue eyes followed his partner while she left the car, crossed the street and got inside the building, then got straight towards the 4th floor windows. About a minute later, the lights go on. Elliot waits one... Two... Three... Four... Almost five more minutes, reaches for his gun in his belt, getting out of the car. He sees the lights blink twice, however, and calms down. He goes into the car again, puts the gun back to his belt, and as soon as he closes the door, his cell phone buzzes in his pocket. It's a text message.

"I checked it room by room, sorry it took so long. Sweet dreams. Liv".

Elliot sighs in relief and starts the engine.