A/N: So, more Heritage! I hope you all like it, because I for one am sick of the sight of it and am ready to just publish and be done with it. There's some more Kathy and some more of her and Olivia talking things out, so... hopefully you'll all like that, even if it is a bit different from last time. Thank you all so much for all your feedback, and please send me a review after you've read this to let me know what you think!

SteffieDawn, thanks. I too wish every man in the world was like that :( Oh well. I'm glad you like the internal thoughts because that's kind of a hallmark of my writing... so it's good to know it's appreciated.

inspirationimagination, I'm happy you liked how it was written - for one thing, I thought she would want to build up to things slowly, and for another, yes, she would be blunt. I couldn't see her being big on flowery language, she'd just tell him what to do when she wanted to do it (and God help him if he didn't... :)) So, yeah, they've started to work through things more now so we'll see how that goes.

Hailey, you're awesome, I love you, and I want to be in Michigan right now. So, what else is new? Anyway, I'm glad you liked the story line, because one of the points of me doing this story was to try and bring something new to an idea that has been done over and over, and maybe to give it a touch more realism? (Also, your letter kicked epic ass.)

courtneylovejason, thanks! And, you know, if she was going to trust anyone with this it would be him...

Rhonda Roo, I'm pleased you liked the internal thoughts too, because like I said to SteffieDawn, they're sort of a hallmark of my writing, so it's good to know that they work.

gemfinder360, I didn't think they'd jump straight to sex from where they were before, so I'm glad you liked that - and it's the beginning of building back up to the way she was before, and it's a big milestone for her to want to be touched like that again after everything that has happened.

BonesSVUlover, thank you :)

PiperOnlyFanFic, thank you too :)

SVUandBonesAddict, I'm so happy you liked this. Like I said to Hailey, I wanted to bring something new to this story line and try and portray it more realistically, as well as go more in depth to some of the issues the show kind of skips over, because even once they've caught/convicted the attacker, that's still nowhere near the solution to all the victim's problems. One thing I definitely knew is that she wouldn't immediately be insatiable-100mph-do-me-now in terms of sex, whoever it happened to be with, so I wanted to show her slowly building up to it and finding her confidence instead of just jumping straight into it.

Anyway, note over (and, praise be, nowhere near as rambling as the one I posted in the last chapter of Grievance - that thing just never shut up) here is my brand new chapter for you all. I hope you all like it, and as ever, please send me a review to let me know what you think!

'So, do you want it any shorter?' Kathy looked up, scissors poised over Olivia's hair.

'Hmm...' Olivia pursed her lips thoughtfully. Yes. You looked like a badass with short hair. She grinned to herself. You're damn right I did. 'Yes. Shorter.'

'You got it.' Kathy smiled and started cutting again. 'So. Talk to me.'

Crap. Olivia shifted uncomfortably and looked away. 'Do I have to?'

Kathy raised her eyebrows at her. 'Yes.'

Damn. 'Uh...' How can I put this without mentioning I've been playing grab-ass with her ex all week? 'Well, El took a few days off work to spend with me, you know, after the therapist thing, and that was, you know, really nice...' Although it would have been even nicer to get five minutes alone once in a while, he followed me everywhere except the bathroom...

'Oh yeah?' Kathy smiled. 'What did you do?'

Groped each other. 'We went to the park, went to a couple of galleries...'

'A gallery?' Kathy burst out laughing. 'You actually took El to a gallery?'

'Yes.' Olivia finished off her glass of wine. 'Two.' And then he kissed me outside the Rodin exhibit. She smiled to herself. And in the cafe, and by that weird sculpture, and behind the gift shop...

'Wow...' Kathy was shaking her head in disbelief. 'I can't believe you actually got El into a gallery...'

Olivia shrugged. 'Well, I minored in Art History at college, and I thought it might be fun to try and explain some of the paintings to him...'

'Yeah?' Kathy raised an eyebrow at her. 'And did he like it?'

'No.' Olivia grinned. 'He sulked the entire way round and glared at the sculptures.' Not to mention most of the paintings.

Kathy sighed. 'Sounds about right...' She picked up the wine bottle and poured herself a fresh glass. 'Do you want some more wine?'

'Oh God, yes.' Olivia smiled and held up her glass. 'This is my first drink in days, El's such a killjoy like that, and God knows I've had barely five minutes to myself all goddamn week...'

Kathy laughed and picked up the scissors again. 'He's really been keeping you busy, then?'

'Yeah.' Olivia snorted. 'So busy I kept forgetting to take my St John's Wort...' She smiled ruefully and took a gulp of her wine. 'No wonder I've been all shaky and nervous all week, huh?'

'St John's Wort?' Kathy had stopped cutting her hair and was looking at her oddly, her hand tightening on the scissors. 'You're taking St John's Wort?'

Olivia shrugged. 'Well, yeah...' You know, just in case, it's not like I'm really depressed or anything... 'I was having a rough few months and I read that it could help with, you know, low mood, so I figured I'd give it a go...'

'OK.' Kathy was chewing her lip frowning slightly, fiddling absently with the scissors. 'How long have you been taking it for?'

'About a year.' Olivia sighed and drank some more of her wine. 'Not that it seems to be helping much, although I suppose if I feel so rough after a few days without it then maybe it is...' She shrugged. 'I don't know though, I mean, if you're interested in trying it yourself then you should, I've heard it can be quite effective-'

'No, Olivia, I...' Kathy looked concerned. 'Have you mentioned that to your doctor?'

'What, so that she could be nosy about that too?' Olivia snorted. 'Come on.' It's not like I'm weak or anything, it's just like taking vitamins really...

'No, Olivia, that's not-'

'Look.' Olivia cut her off. 'I didn't go to Huang to get proper antidepressants, so why should I tell Dr fucking Olivet I'm taking some random plant extract?'

'No, I...' Kathy trailed off. 'Never mind.' She sighed and started trimming her hair again. 'Forget I said anything.'

Olivia felt a twinge of guilt. Way to attack the one person who actually gives a shit, you moron. 'I'm sorry, Kathy, but...' She bit her lip. 'Dr Olivet already thinks I'm a wreck, I don't want to give her something else to beat me with...'

'Olivia, she's your therapist. Why does it matter to you what she thinks?'

'Well, because...' Olivia shifted uncomfortably and looked away. 'You know, my job is really important, and I need to be strong and supportive for the people I work with, the people I help, and... and I shouldn't need to drug myself up to do that. I can't drug myself up to do that.' How can I look them in the eye when I know I can't live with it myself? 'It's just... it just isn't right.'

Kathy sighed. 'Olivia... no one thinks you're weak.'

'Yeah, right.' Olivia rolled her eyes and took another gulp of her wine. 'Sure they don't.' They all saw the breakdown I had in front of Him. 'They already think I can't hack it any more, what do you think they'd think if they knew I was depressed?' Not that I am depressed, of course, but they'll still think that I am.

'Why would they think you couldn't hack it any more?'

Well, duh. Olivia rolled her eyes again. 'Because they do.'

'Olivia, I'm sure they don't.'

'Yes they do.' Olivia was suddenly afraid that she was about to cry. Shit. Shit shit shit. 'Even I'm worried about how It might affect me when I go back to work, so God knows what they all think of me...' How can I work with them knowing that they know everything, that they've seen everything, I just... I just don't know...

Kathy put down the scissors and looked at her carefully. 'What are you afraid of?'

'That... that I...' Olivia felt her breath catch in her throat. Shit. Shit shit shit. Olivia, do NOT cry. She swallowed and took a gulp of her wine. 'That I won't be able to work with the victims as well, that I'll keep making it about me and not be able to think objectively any more, and... and...' She drained her glass. 'And...'

Kathy raised her eyebrows at her. 'And?'

'And...' Olivia's shoulders sagged. Oh, just tell her. 'And I don't want them to think I'm weak.' There. Are you happy now?

Kathy sighed and leaned forwards to refill Olivia's glass. 'Well, if it helps, Olivia, I don't think you're weak.'

'Oh yeah?' Olivia snorted. 'Why not?'

'Well, for one thing, because you got through the statement you had to give six weeks ago just fine.'

Olivia stared at her. 'Kathy, I attacked the defence attorney. I tackled him to the ground and gave him two black eyes.' And tore his $2500 suit jacket, according to the bill he sent me. She smiled to herself. The bill that I immediately sent back with a note telling him exactly where he could put his fancy overpriced suit.

Kathy shrugged and started to comb through Olivia's hair. 'Yes, but from what El's told me over the years, the guy's an insensitive asshole.'

'Yeah.' Olivia grinned. 'Yeah, he is.'

'Well then.' Kathy shrugged again and turned on the hairdryer. 'I don't see the problem.'

Olivia burst out laughing. 'Jesus, Kathy, how did I never spend any time with you before?' Besides the fact I was in love with your husband, of course.

'Because there was never a reason.' Kathy smiled at her. 'Olivia-'

Olivia's phone suddenly started ringing and Kathy clicked off the dryer and grinned. 'I bet that's El checking up on us.'

Olivia glanced at the screen and laughed. 'Yup.' She pressed 'accept' and held the phone to her ear. 'Hey, El.'

'Hi Liv.' She could almost hear him smiling down the phone. 'I just wanted to say I've finished at court, so I'll probably be home in about a half hour or so.' He cleared his throat awkwardly. 'You, uh, having fun with my ex-wife?'

Kathy leaned over Olivia's shoulder. 'Hi, El!'

'Yes.' Olivia winked at Kathy and gave her a thumbs-up. 'She's cutting my hair for me.'

'I know, and I can't wait to see it.' He laughed, and then she heard him hesitate for a minute, a hint of what sounded like concern coming into in his voice. 'Are you two, uh, drinking at all?'

'Yeah.' Olivia snorted. 'Of course we are.' Jesus, it's like being in high school all over again... 'We are grown women, Elliot.'

'Well, I know, but...' She heard him sigh. 'Look, just go easy on it, OK?'

Olivia rolled her eyes at Kathy. 'God, El, it's only wine, you make it sound like we're pounding the fucking vodkas or something!'

'Liv, I...' He sighed again. 'OK. Have fun, Liv.'

Olivia smiled. 'I will.'

'I love you.'

'You too.' Olivia smiled again and hung up. 'He'll be home in a half hour or so.'

'I guess I'd better get this finished up then.' Kathy turned the dryer back on. 'How are things with you and El anyway?'

Shit. Olivia was afraid this was coming. 'Well, you know, he's really helping me, looking after me, in a completely platonic way, you know, just friends-'

'Well, he's clearly doing a good job.' Kathy smiled. 'You're looking so much better, Olivia.'

Olivia blinked. 'I am?' Really?

'Yes.' Kathy started to fluff her hair with her fingers. 'You look happier, you've got some colour back in your cheeks, you're putting on a bit of weight at last...' She smiled again. 'I'm glad.'

'Me too.' Olivia smiled back. 'I'm feeling a lot better too, you know, more like... well, more like myself.' She bit her lip. 'Does that make any sense?'

'Yes.' Kathy nodded understandingly. 'It does.' She raised an eyebrow at her. 'And how are things with your random barfly?'

What? Who? Olivia frowned. 'My random barfly?'

Kathy rolled her eyes. 'You know, that guy you slept with four months ago.'

'Wha- OH!' Olivia mentally kicked herself. Nice one, idiot. 'Oh yeah, that guy. My... uh... boyfriend...'

'Oh?' Kathy looked interested. 'He's your boyfriend now?'

Olivia sighed to herself. Apparently, yes. 'Yes.' She smiled a little, thinking about how wonderful it felt to hear Elliot tell her that he loved her. 'Yes, he is.'

'That's great.' Kathy gave her a knowing look. 'What's his name?'

Shit. 'Uh...' Think, Olivia, come on. 'His name is...' Her eyes darted around the room, finally settling on the spice rack. 'Basil. His name is, uh, Basil.' Basil? Really, Olivia? Fucking Basil?

Kathy raised her eyebrows at her. 'Basil?'

'Yes.' Olivia could feel herself blushing. 'Basil.'

'Well?' Kathy looked at her expectantly. 'What's he like?'

Peppery and aromatic. Olivia squirmed awkwardly in her seat. 'Well, he's, uh... he's nice...' Wow, that was descriptive.

'Nice.' Kathy looked like she was desperately trying not to burst out laughing. 'OK. So how are things going with... uh... Basil?'

Olivia squirmed awkwardly and took another gulp of her wine. 'They're going OK.' Oh God, why does she always want to talk about this, why...

'Just OK?'

'Well, we, uh... well, we kiss, and we hold hands a lot, and... and we cuddle a lot, you know, in bed...' Shit. No. Not in bed. 'I mean, in the park. We cuddle a lot in the park.' Smooth.

'Well, that definitely sounds like fun.' Kathy smiled a little. 'Anything else?'

'Well...' Olivia shifted uncomfortably. 'Well, about two weeks ago I... he...' Jesus, are you seriously going to tell her about this, Olivia? 'We went to bed, and I...'

Kathy glanced up and raised an eyebrow at her. 'Did you have sex?'

Ew. Olivia grimaced. 'No, of course not.'

'OK.' Kathy put down the dryer for a second and took a deep swig of her wine. 'What happened?'

Olivia started to pick nervously at her fingernails. 'Well... I took my top off, and then he took his top off, and we kissed for a while, and then...' And then I rejected him like the selfish little prick-tease I am. 'And then we went to sleep.'

'OK.' Kathy picked up the dryer again and started to fluff her hair. 'Where was this?'

What? Olivia gave her a strange look. Where the hell do you think? 'Here.' No. Not here. Shit. Fuck. Idiot. 'I mean-'

Kathy grinned. 'Here? Where was El?'

Fuck. 'He was... uh... out.' Olivia had a sudden flash of inspiration. 'He was playing baseball.' Baseball? Fucking baseball? That's the best you could come up with? 'Uh, I mean-'

'Baseball?' Kathy snorted with laughter. 'Really? El?'

Shit. Run with it. 'Yes. Baseball.' Olivia felt herself turning bright red. 'With, uh, Casey.' She hesitated. 'Who, you know, really likes baseball.' Well said.

'Wow.' Kathy was biting her lip, still clearly trying not to laugh. 'I didn't know El played baseball...'

Olivia sighed. Yeah, that's probably because he doesn't. 'Well.' She drew herself up to her full height. 'He does.' And I'd like to see you try and prove otherwise.

'Well I never.' Kathy smiled and clicked off the dryer, starting to apply the finishing spray to Olivia's hair as she ruffled it with her fingers. 'So. Did you enjoy it?'

'It was... well, it was nice.' Olivia paused thoughtfully. 'It felt good, you know, except...' She stopped. Now, Olivia, is the time to shut the fuck up. 'No. It was good. It was really good.' At least until I fucked it up.

Kathy sighed and picked up the styling spray. 'Except what, Olivia?'

'Uh...' Olivia stared at the floor, squirming uncomfortably in her seat as she took another gulp of her wine, draining the glass. You brought this on yourself, you idiot. 'Well, I told him to, you know... touch me... THERE...'

'And what happened?'

I rejected him. 'I...' Olivia bit her lip. I failed. 'I... I couldn't do it.' She looked down at her knees, fidgeting with the soft jersey of her sweatpants. 'I tried to, and I wanted to, but I couldn't do it.'

Kathy gave her an understanding look. 'And now you're scared that you'll never be able to do it again?'

Damn her. Olivia sighed again. 'Yes.'

'Olivia, I know that you're not good at this, but you have to give it time.' Kathy finished styling Olivia's hair and took a sip of her wine. 'Keep trying until you feel comfortable with it, because you will.'

Olivia looked at her doubtfully. 'Really?'

'Yes. Really.' Kathy smiled, and then there was the sound of a key in the door. 'Ah. I think that's my cue to leave.' She gestured at the mirror in front of them. 'What do you think?'

'I really like it, Kathy.' Olivia smiled, brushing her fingertips through the tousled layers of her new cropped hairstyle. Wow, I actually look like me again, I FEEL like me again... 'It's wonderful.'

Kathy smiled again. 'I'm glad.' She looked up and grinned. 'What do you think of her new look, El?'

'Wow, Olivia, I...' Elliot trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief as he closed the door behind him. 'Olivia, you look...' He smiled, biting his lip. 'You look absolutely beautiful.'

Olivia chewed nervously on her lip. 'Really?'

He smiled again and hugged her tightly. 'Really.' He paused thoughtfully. 'You know what? I think we should go out.'

What? Olivia blinked. 'Out?'

'Yes. Out.' He smiled at her. 'You can't go wasting that stylish new look of yours on just me, can you?'

But... Olivia hesitated. But I've not really been out, you know OUT out, since... since... 'Are you sure?'

'Yes.' He took her hand and squeezed it. 'Come on, we'll go to Grimaldi's. Best pizza in Brooklyn.'

'OK.' Olivia managed a shy smile. 'That sounds nice.' Shit, am I about to cry again? She swallowed awkwardly. Really, Olivia? Again? 'I'll just, uh, go and change out of my sweatpants.'

'OK, Liv.' Elliot watched her disappear down the hall before he turned to Kathy and smiled. 'Thank you, Kath.'

Kathy smiled back and put her hand on his shoulder. 'That's OK, El, but I didn't do it for you.' She grabbed her bag and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. 'You look after her, OK?'

Elliot hugged her. 'I will.'

A/N: So, what did you think? Please send me a review and let me know!