Chapter 9

Mary looked up at Liv and saw the look on her face. She knew she wasn't ready to tell everyone. She wasn't going to let her be outed like this. "There's nothing to explain Captain. I miss read some signal from detective Benson. I made a move and I shouldn't have. " Mary looked at Liv "I'm sorry I really thought you were interested. I'm gonna go call 1pp and get transferred back to the 2-7."

Mary started to get up off the ground but was pushed back by down by Liv. "Honey, sit back down you need to be seen by emts."

"No detective I'm fine. It's not the first time I've been knocked around. It's nothing a few Tylenol's can't take care of. " Mary Looked into Liv's eyes and almost whispered "Don't do it. Let it go."

Olivia gently rubbed her cheek in a loving manner. "No, baby its time they were told. No, more hiding it."

Holding Mary's hand she turned and faced everyone she worked with and took a deep breath. "I've been hiding something from everyone." All four sets of eyes were on her. "I'm gay. Mary is my partner. We have been together for the last year and a half. For the last eight months we have lived together. Stabler she was not attacking me."

"Why did you hide this from me?" Stabler asked taking a step forward.

Mary was quick to get to her feet even she felt like she had been hit by a Mack truck. She saw the look in his eyes and she was afraid he was going to snap again. On her that's fine, but the look was directed at Olivia. There was no way she was ever going to let that happen.

"I have heard you guy's talking sometimes, remember. I was afraid of how all of you react."

Fin stepped forward and Mary went into a protective stance. "Relax girl I'm not going to hurt you." He extended his hand as if he wanted to shake hands. Mary reached for it to return the gesture. "Just make sure you keep her happy. Congratulation to both of you."

He looked Liv right in the eyes and with a smile on his face "remember my son is gay. You know what I'm talking about." Hinting that he already knew and with that he turned and started to walk out. He stopped long enough to grab Munch. "Come on man, there's nothing more for you to see. Trust me they don't need any comments or theories from you either."

Cragen stepped back some to allow his other two detectives talk it out. He could tell by the look on Mary's face no amount of ordering would get her away from Olivia at the moment. She was seeing Stabler as a threat to her and she was not seeing Olivia's side at all.

"Liv, I don't care either way and you should know that." Looking at Mary "You can back down some."

Mary just narrowed her eyes.

"I will never hurt Olivia no matter what."

Mary felt a hand on her arm and looked over to Olivia. "It's ok I totally trust El, he's not going to hurt me." With that she stepped around her and walked to Stabler. "I'm sorry guess you could say I was afraid. You guys are my family and in a way I felt I was letting you down."

Stabler engulfed Benson in a hug. "You can never and will never let me down. That thought should have never crossed your mind." He glanced up and saw the look in Mary eyes. He realized then that she would do whatever it took to protect Liv. She was ready to kill him if he moved wrong while holding Liv.

Stabler broke contact and walked up to Mary. "Let's get a few things straight right now. She's like my little sister. You hurt her you die. UNDERSTOOD."

Both Cragen and Benson exhaled slowly the breath they were holding when Stabler extended his hand to shake hers. Mary offered the gesture back. Nodding in understanding

"Stabler let's give these women a few minutes." Cragen said motion for him to follow. Stabler did as he was instructed.

He stopped at the end of the lockers and turned around "I'm sorry about attacking you. Best of luck to both of you."