"Liv!" Called Fin from across the room. Everyone in the squad turned to greet the detective with smiling faces. She had been missed in the time that she had been gone but everyone understood that she had been through hell and needed some time off.

Olivia smiled as she walked over to her desk to greet her co-workers and friends.

"Welcome back, Liv", said Munch, "We missed you."

Olivia was overwhelmed. Everything was so oddly familiar. She had expected people to be questioning, skeptical, as if unsure of her ability to return to work.

Instead, everyone just smiled, exchanged hellos, and then returned back to work.

Olivia sat down and gazed across her desk where Elliot would normally be sitting. She smiled for moment before remembering that they were at work and because of that they could not show the affection they would normally.

"Hey Fin?" Asked Olivia.

"What's up, Liv." Answered Fin from his desk.

"Where's Elliot?"

Fin nudged his head in the direction of Cragen's office. Olivia could see, through the spaces in the blinds, a very angered and distressed Elliot, obviously engaging in a less than well-mannered conversation with Cragen.

She wondered, for a moment, what they could be talking about. She had thought that Cragen and Elliot would be the first to greet her upon her return so she was suprised to find the men locked away, having some petty agruement when she walked in.

Moments later Elliot slammed the door, exiting Cragen's office. He stormed over to his desk and slumped in his chair, resting his head in his hands.

"Well hello to you too." Said Olivia.

Elliot jumped slightly at her voice. He looked up and immediately smiled surprised, but happy, to see her there. "Liv, when did you get here?"

Olivia smiled. "About 30 seconds ago. What's going on with you?"

"Benson!" Barked Cragen from his office. Olivia turned to face the door where Cragen was standing and motioning her into his office. Again, she was surprised. Cragen was clearly angered with her but she had no idea why. Usually when she screwed up she knew but she had only been back to work for a few minutes; she couldn't have screwed up that badly so soon.

And then she smiled and rolled her eyes; familiar with Cragen's wrath. It was comforting to know that she could handle it. She could handle being back at work; even if it meant getting chewed out by Cragen. It was part of the job, her job.

"Am I in trouble already?" She asked Elliot.

Elliot smiled at the normality in her voice. They exchanged smirks before she got up and walked into Cragen's office.

Elliot was glad she was back at work. This would be good for her. So much had changed in the past few months and she need some normalcy back in her life. That's what he was trying to tell Cragen moments before when he insisted that he separate the pair.

Elliot knew that Olivia would have a difficult time returning to work. She had spent her entire career trying to prove herself and maintain her tough as nails reputation. After all, they didn't call her Badass Benson for nothing.

So he knew that returning to work after being so brutally assaulted would prove to be a challenge for her. He knew that she would be striving to get back the strength and courage it would take to earn back the title that had been so painfully stripped from her.

He sighed at the thought of not being with her, on the streets, the next time she had to chase a perp or put her life and safety in jeopardy again. What if something happens to her? What if she gets hurt again? Who is going to protect her?

Elliot gazed at Munch and Fin, wondering which of the two would be looking after her. Munch was capable, but his strength paled in comparison to Elliot's. Fin, well, Fin was supposed to be watching her in Sealview.

Elliot scowled as that thought crossed his mind. No. No one could protect her the way he could and he wasn't just going to sit there while Cragen wrecked their partnership and put her in danger once again.

He stood to make his way over to Cragen's office before a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"Elliot." Said Warner.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

Melinda sighed and handed Elliot a manila envelope. "The DNA results on your victim's rape kit came back. I wanted to deliver this one personally."

Elliot furrowed his eyebrows as he opened the envelop and read the papers inside.

"Richard White." He spat.

She nodded. "He didn't even bother wearing a condom this time."

Elliot's blood ran cold. "No." He said. "No, he wants to get caught. He wanted us to know it was him." Elliot chewed on his bottom lip before turning back towards Cragen's office where he could see Olivia standing. "He's sending us a message.