Chapter 6

As Olivia was finished, Cragen pushed the stop button.

"Thank you very much Captain. You don't now how much this means to me."

"I think I have a pretty good idea. But you are welcome Olivia."

"Don't tell the guys about this, please. Just keep it between Alex and yourself should it be necessary."

"Your secret is safe with me, Liv. Don't worry about it. I will look after Alex if, and I mean if, you won't make it. I'll make sure she gets this recording on a DVD. So that she can look it back if she wants to."

"Thank you. And thank you for looking after her if you need to. Amanda should be back here soon. So let's end this part of the conversation."

"Sure Detective."

"Captain, I'm sorry for today. Clearly it isn't mine. I shouldn't have said what I said. It's just that I couldn't let all of you badger Alex like that. That however doesn't justify the words I used to do it."

"It's ok, Olivia. None of us is holding it against you. I understand where you came from. So does everyone else. We all know that Alex and you have a bond. How couldn't you with all that you have been trough. Don't worry about that Olivia."

"No I have other things to worry about. Like standing still right now. I have to admit that I'm scared. I'm not freaking out. But I am scared though."

"That is perfectly understandable Olivia. It would be weird if you aren't scared when you are standing on a bomb."

"It's harder then I thought it would be. Standing still I mean."

"I know. But it's not like you have a choice right now. I'll stay here with you, Olivia. You won't be alone."

At that moment Amanda comes back at Olivia's apartment.

"Hey, how are you holding up?"

"I'm fine given the circumstances. Is Alex safe?"

"Fin and Munch took her with them. They are on their way to the safehouse as we speak. Ace is clearing the building with the doorman. He will come back here once he's done."

"Thank God." Olivia whispers.

"Thank you Amanda. For all you have done. I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier this day. I shouldn't have done that. It's not an excuse but I couldn't stand the way everyone was badgering Alex. I could have used different words though. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about that Olivia. We all were frustrated and I have to admit that I took it out on Alex. You had every right to stand up for Alex. What you said made me think about it and you are right. Alex always has our back and we all took it for granted. So I want to thank you for opening my eyes. Alex deserves more then she gets from us. You made me realize that. And although it ain't necessary I accept your apologies. But really I need to thank you. So thank you for kicking my ass and let me appreciate all that Alex does for us."

"Thank you Amanda that means a lot to me. So we're good?"

"Yeah, we're good."

"Where is that damn bomb squad? How long ago did you call them?"

Amanda looks at her watch.

"About 10 minutes ago. They should be here any minute now."

They heard the bell of the elevator. It was Ace coming out of it. He walks up to them.

"Are you alright, Detective Benson?"

"Could have been better, Ace."

"The building is clear accept for the four of us. Luis is outside too. Ms Cabot went with the other two detectives. So she is safe too. I thought you would like to know that."

"Thank you, Ace. You've been such a great help so far."

"Luis will call us as soon as the bomb squad arrives."

"Ok. When they are here you should go downstairs too, Ace."

"I will Detective Benson. Is there anything else I can do for you right now?"

"No, I'm afraid not. But thank you for offering, Ace"

"Just hold on Detective Benson, I know they will get you out of here. You will be safe."

"I hope you're right Ace, I hope you're right."

Ace his cellphone rings.

"Yes?"

"It's Luis. The bomb squad is here."

"Thank you, Luis. I will be downstairs in a few minutes." Ace closes his cellphone.

"The bomb squad is here. So I'll go downstairs now. Take care Detective Benson."

"I will. Now go Ace. It's to dangerous to stay here. Thanks again for all you have done. And thank you for taking care of Alex."

"No problem Detective Benson. It has been my pleasure to take care of Ms Cabot. I see you later. Goodbye Detective Benson."

"Goodbye Ace."

Ace walks back to the elevator and goes downstairs and outside the building.

The bomb squad made their way inside and goes to the 4th floor where Olivia's apartment is.

They walk to Olivia's apartment.

One man speaks up.

"My name is Lt. Casey Robinson. I'm in charge tonight."

Cragen speaks up for the others.

"I'm Captain Donald Cragen with the Manhattan SVU. These are Detective Olivia Benson and Detective Amanda Rollins." He points to Olivia and Amanda.

"Detective Benson can you tell me what we are looking at?"

"As far as I can see it's a laser triggered bomb. No timer. I'm standing right in the laser line. When I move I think it goes off."

"You are sure that there is no timer?"

"I don't see a timer nor a cellphone. So that makes me think it is a laser bomb."

"Well the good news is that it won't go off by a remote or by time limit. The bad news is I have to look at it to be sure if we can defuse it. What ever it the outcome is I need the two of you out of here" Lt. Robinson says to Cragen and Amanda.

Amanda looks at Cragen and then at Olivia.

"I won't go anywhere. I'm staying with Detective Benson."

"She is my Detective. I won't leave her side. I'm staying here too." Cragen answers.

"I'm sorry. Protocol says you have to leave." Lt. Robinson answers.

"Screw protocol. I ain't going anywhere." Amanda stated.

Olivia decides to break in.

"Lt. Robinson you can argue here with Amanda and the Captain. But I just want the damn bomb defused. I'm standing still here for about an hour. And I can't take it much longer. So just do your damn job and defuse the damn bomb and get me out of here!" Olivia says angrily.

"But..." Robinson tries.

"NO BUTS. DEFUSE THE DAMN BOMB!" Olivia yells.

"I don't now for sure that I can."

"Then go and look if you can. Do your damn job. For heavens sake."

"Ok. No need to get violent."

"When it's you standing on a bomb for an hour, you get the right to say so. Until then just do what you have to do and keep your comments to yourself Lieutenant."

Robinson nods. He puts his suit on and walks by Olivia inside her apartment.

In the mean time Fin, Munch and Alex arrives at the safehouse. Fin and Alex staying in the car while Munch checks out the safehouse. It's all clear and he walks back to the car.

"All clear. We can go inside now." Munch says.

Fin and Alex get out the car and the three of them walk to the safehouse and go inside.

When they are inside Alex turns to Fin.

"What's going on, Fin? I'm not going anywhere. So you can tell me now."

Fin looks at Munch who just shrugs his shoulders.

"Which one of you are going to tell me what's going on?" Alex asks again.

"Thanks for the help partner." Fin says.

"Hey my retirement is around the corner. Don't blame me for wanna make it to that."

"So that give you the right to take mine?"

Alex starts losing her temper now.

"If you don't tell what's going on, none of you will make it to that! I can promise you that. Now spit it out, damn it!"

"Ok. Ok. No need to twist my arm." Fin says. He takes a deep breath and explains to Alex what's going on at Olivia's apartment.

"There is a bomb in Liv's apartment. And..."

"Bomb? What do mean there is a bomb? What bomb? Why is Olivia still there.?"

"When Olivia entered her apartment she saw a bomb. A laser bomb. She can't leave. That's why she is still there."

"What do you mean she can't leave. She just have to walk away and come here. There is nothing difficult about that. Just move one foot for the other."

"That's the point she can't walk away."

"What do you mean? She saw the bomb and noticed it's a laser bomb. So all she has to do is turn around and walk away."

"She can't. Alex, Liv is standing on it. She stands in the line of the laser. If she moves it goes off."

"Oh my God. Let me get this straight. Liv is standing on bomb that will go off if she moves? That means... That means... Damn it, Liv. No this can not be true. Tell me this a sick joke. A really really sick joke."

"I'm sorry Alex, I wish it was a sick joke. But it isn't. Olivia wanted you out of the building before the bomb squad came in. I'm sorry."

Alex couldn't breath anymore. She felt her whole world crushing down. Olivia is in life threatening situation and there is nothing she can do.

"NO NO NO NO. SHE CAN'T DIE. LIV YOU CAN'T DIE, I NEED YOU! NOOOOOOOOOO." Alex screams before she collapse on the floor.

She starts shaking. Rocking with her body. Mumbling words that neither Fin or Munch can hear.

Fin and Munch are looking at each other shocked with what they see. The never saw Alex break down like this before.

Fin gets down on the floor. He takes Alex in his arms.

"Liv will be alright, Alex. You know how strong she is. She will make it. She will survive this. Come on baby girl. You need to have faith in her. She will get trough this. The bomb squad is there. They will defuse it. She will come here. In just a little time you will be able to see her. She will hold you in her arms. You need to calm down Alex. Everything will be alright. Liv will never leave you without saying good bye. You know that. She won't leave you like this."

"You don't know that. You can't know that."

"Yes I can. And do want to know why?"

"Yes."

"Because she Olivia. She is Detective Olivia 'Badass' Benson. She always get herself out of scary situations. And she will do it this time too."

"She is isn't she? Until so far she always got herself out of them."

"Yes she does. So have faith in her, Alex. She will come here to you. She will get out of this one too."

"Thank you Fin. I'm sorry for breaking down like this."

"You have nothing to be sorry for Alex. How long do we work together?"

"10 years on and off."

"That's about right. You and Liv are working together longer. The two of you have been gone trough so much together. You know when you were shot and we thought you were dead. Olivia had her badge on her desk with a black band on it. She was completely broken, she was devastated. I thought she would turn in her badge. We all did. She didn't. But she was never the same. She was never the Olivia before you got shot. Then you came back for the trial. And for a few days we saw the old Olivia back. Because you were alive and you were there. When you came back to replace Hardwick, Olivia slowly turned back into the Olivia we knew. You two reconnected and she had that glow back into her eyes. The same glow that you have. When you came back after the Congo things went back like the were before. She cares for you Alex. She will keep fighting to come back to you again. Has she ever broke a promise to you? I don't think she have. She won't start now. You trust her don't you?"

"Of course I trust her. With my life."

"Then trust her this time too."

"She was really that broken when I was gone?"

"Yes she was. She never has been that broken again, not even when Elliot left without saying goodbye. Sure he hurts her. Like hell. But it was not even close comparing to you."

"We talked about it and I knew it was bad. I didn't know it was that bad."

"Yes it was. So know that you know this. Do you really think Olivia will give up now?"

"No. She won't give up. And neither do I. Thank you Fin for telling me this. For giving back my faith in Liv."

"You're welcome. You just needed something to hold on to. So I gave you that. Now Munch and I will stay here with you until Olivia is here. It's ok to be afraid. It's ok to be scared. Because we are too. Olivia is. But we have to believe in her."

"She is probably scaring the shit out of the bomb squad right now. Arguing with them."

They all break out in laughter. Picturing Olivia chewing their assess out.

"That's the spirit, Teflon." Munch laughs.

They all had calmed down. And they went sitting on the sofa. Waiting for news about Olivia.