Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters and words

Chapter 25

It was a long and slow recovery, but Olivia hid the bruises well. She grimaced as the doctor came in to insert yet another drip, but she bit down on her words and forced a smile. She had seen almost everyone. Her brother had come in, held her, and she was grateful for that. She had seen Casey again, who wasn't upset when at first Olivia didn't recognise her. It was odd that the person she remembered best was Lisa. However, even if she couldn't quite remember snippets of information, Olivia felt safe amongst these people, that alone worked better than any medicine the doctors gave her.

After about a week the infection had cleared, Olivia had only been in hospital for a period of two weeks altogether, but doctors were astounded by her progress at having beaten a potentially deadly disease. She was still a little weak and breathless, but there was a spark in her eyes that had not been seen for months. Last night a doctor had come in and asked everyone to leave to let Olivia rest. Now in the quiet, watery daylight Olivia thought it was time to at least try and move. She gripped the side of the bed and pulled herself up. Slowly she swung her legs round and placed her bare feet on the cold floor of the hospital. Breathing deep, she stood up. At first the room began to spin, she thought she was going to fall, but the feeling passed and she felt better for it. Suddenly a voice behind her made her jump.

"You remind of a seventy year old" it laughed.

Olivia turned round to see Fin grinning at her.

"Shut up." She laughed "And don't just stand there, give me a hand."

"With what?" Fin questioned.

"I want to see the view." She replied.

Fin walked round to her and she placed one arm over his shoulders. Slowly at first she limped, swaying slightly, but gradually each step became stronger. She reached for the window ledge and placed her hands on it for support. Her old injuries from when Elliot had threw her into Cragens window had been aggravated by this recent assault, but she was fighting it.

Looking out over the city an odd sense of calm shrouded her. The city was alive and moving, in the weak early morning daylight and the dew that had washed everything in view, it almost looked quaint, pretty. She saw young children clutching the hands of someone who cared, skipping to school. People catching cabs. Eating bagels. Going to work . Walking their dogs. She had always loved the hustle and bustle of people living, just carrying on with their lives. She basked in the sheer normality of it, and it made her feel human again. She sighed softly. Almost at peace, apart from one thing.

"I don't think I can do this Fin" she breathed.

"Do what?" He asked

"Fight against him, testify against him." She sighed.

"Liv, you don't have to testify, they have a strong enough case without you." He told her.

"It's not just that Fin, I don't want him to go to jail. I want him to get help, that's all I've ever wanted." Liv fought back.

"Listen Liv. You have to kick fear in the side... Because the payoff is huge." Fin breathed, remembering the quote in the waiting room.

"Sounds like something I'd say." Olivia laughed.

"You can't let him beat you. You have to get justice, and you of all people know that this is the only way to truly get better." Fin sighed "don't let this beat you."

Olivia just turned and looked at Fin. Her eyes were glassy with tears and she looked so tired. It broke Fins heart a little. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Closing her mouth abruptly, she shook her head. Every time she took a step forward, she was dragged five steps back. Looking out over the city once again, she stared unblinkingly before whispering something hardly legible to Fin, so quiet that a gentle breeze would have lifted it out of range. The sheer softness of the whisper, told Fin that although she was still fighting, still determined, she was losing. Despite all this, it was the simplicity of the words that really drove the knife in.

"I don't know what to do."

XXXX

Casey sat alone in her office, part of her felt guilty at not being there for Liv, yet this was her way of helping her. By getting justice for her. She wasn't meant to be fighting her case, but in a way this was Casey's way of coping with Elliot's betrayal. She had rung Langan and asked him to prosecute Elliot for them. Admittedly she hated the jerk, but only because he normally fought for the defence. Having said this she knew he was a damn good lawyer, and that he could keep things under wrap if needed. He was also faithful to his client and it did help that he couldn't stand the guts of Elliot Stabler. They had been in constant contact with updates, and tactics. There was no way Elliot was getting away with this.

They were going for everything. Kidnapping in the first degree, which could get him 20 years on its own. Also they were charging him with two counts of aggravated assault upon a police officer, and obviously attempted murder in the second degree. The anger Casey felt meant that she and Langan were going to fight for the sentences to run consecutively, however she was expecting a fight back and knew that whatever scumbag Elliot hired would ask for them to be run concurrently.

Suddenly she was pulled from her thoughts by a knock on the door. Before she had even allowed access Lionel Granger stepped through it.

'Shit.' She thought. 'I really hope this prick isn't Elliot's defence attorney.'

This was the guy that had accused Olivia of murdering a sexual sadist who had forced women to marry him after keeping them in a dungeon and raping them for three months. Although Olivia kind of wished it had been her, it definitely wasn't.

"Lionel what is scum like you doing on the good sides home turf? Finally seen the error of your ways?" Casey remarked.

"Pleasant as always I see Casey." Lionel smiled sickeningly "I just came to deliver you this, I'm glad to have another fine opportunity to beat you guys again in court, this time over one of you own."

He plopped an ominous looking fold of papers on the table in front of Casey. It read motion to sever all allegations, and was regarding Elliot. She was pissed.

"On what grounds?" She seethed

"My client was mentally unstable. An alcoholic who had lost everything. Even you own psychiatrist said my client had suffered a complete psychotic breakdown, and may not have even been aware of his actions." Lionel reeled.

"This is a load of bull, and you know it Granger. Your saying Elliot was mentally unstable every time he abused Detective Benson, even on several different occasions? Or just the time when he was completely sober and kidnapped her?" Casey half yelled sarcastically "Why are you even giving this to me? It's you fault I was recused."

"I know Langan will be keeping you in the loop anyway, I just wanted to see your reaction myself. I'm sure I will be seeing you in the courtroom." he grinned back at her.

Casey was beyond pissed. She yanked on her coat before flying out of her office. She was going to see the man who had potentially freed Elliot, and boy was she going to give him a hard time about it. Flying into George Huang's office she threw the motion at him.

"You working for the defence now? I didn't realise that you had taken up a new career path." She seethed.

Huang just looked at the motion, then at Casey.

"How did you even get this." He spoke calmly.

"That doesn't matter, why did you give them a defence?" Casey demanded

"I didn't have a choice, Langan ordered me to do a psychiatric evaluation." Huang breathed

"Why would he do that?" Casey questioned, slightly calmer now.

"So the defence couldn't surprise us, and claim we held back evidence about Elliot's mental state." Huang answered.

Casey exhaled slowly. She knew it was probably best that all evidence was given on Elliot's mental stability, in order to prevent a future mistrial. It still didn't wouldn't make it much easier, for Liv especially. She closed her eyes and ran her fingers threw her hair.

'We may not win this trial, but I'm sure gonna fight' she thought.

So opinions? Please leave a review about anything and stay tuned, the trial looms...