At work the next morning Nick was not pleased to find out he would be partnered with Munch while Olivia sat behind a desk. He was just a little more than pissed and made it obvious to everyone even though he denied it.
"Look Nick I'm sorry ok but for once I have to look after myself for a bit." Olivia said, the truth was the whole anxiety thing was making her anxiety worse, it scared her.
"I know." He sighed as he sat at his desk opposite her. "I just trust you to have my back and I've not really worked with Munch out there."
"Sorry." Olivia sighed. "But Munch will have your back, I wouldn't have let this happen if I thought no one would have your back Nick, honest."
"I know but you can run faster than me and Munch… well I know I could beat him in a race even if I gave him a head start, I just … we're on the same page a lot when we're out there." Nick explained just as Cragen came out of the office.
"Olivia a word." He called.
Olivia groaned, she'd already been in there that morning and taken the breathalyzer, she knew Don would know she hadn't been drinking now and trusted her more but she saw it as peace of mind for him if she took it without arguing.
"What's up?" She asked closing the door, it wasn't until she turned back that she saw the wide smile on his face.
"I put in some papers to have it official that you would be on administrative duty for the time being…"
"That makes me sound like a secretary." Olivia said rolling her eyes.
"Yeah well seeing as you weren't being punished and you seeing Olivet is off the books it was quite a challenge trying to find a reason to put you behind a desk without a mark in your jacket." Don continued ignoring her statement.
"So I'm not on a desk?" She asked with a frown.
"No you are… congratulations Olivia the lovely folks at one PP believe it's high time you got your promotion." He smiled handing over an envelope.
Olivia took it and opened it her eyes echoing the surprise she'd just had from her superior.
"Lieutenant?" She asked her eyebrows raised in complete shock.
"Well you and Elliot both took the Sergeants exam after Munch got promoted because I asked you too and then the two of you decided to take the Lieutenant's exam on your own accord.
"Captain this… wow." Olivia was stunned.
"You deserve it Olivia, you haven't been promoted since you got your Detective first grade six years ago and seeing as we already have a Sergeant on the squad and you're the only person here who's taken the Lieutenant exam… it's quite self-explanatory and comes with a nice pay grade increase too." Don smiled. "So tomorrow down in one police plaza in full dress blues for the last time."
"Last time?" Olivia frowned.
"You get your white shirt tomorrow Olivia." Don smiled and Olivia's eyes lit up, she was still in shock but hearing that was making it a little more real so Don decided to continue pushing it. "Along with that you get your new insignia, your medallion shield and no longer will you be identified by four little numbers."
"Oh my gosh this is really happening." Olivia said in complete surprise.
"Yeah, your desk duty is for you to learn the ropes as Lieutenant and then you'll be able to go back out there with Nick as Lieutenant Benson." Don smiled reaching for her hand. "You deserve this Liv."
"How many strings did you pull?" She questioned with a subtle smile.
"None, it was a suggestion and the Commissioner pulled your file and completely agreed." Don replied honestly.
"Ok." Olivia nodded. "Thank you Cap." She said giving him a wider smile.
"I'm sure the guys out there will want to be there tomorrow." Don said nodding his head towards the bustling squad room.
"Yeah." She said her eyes having gone back down to the paper work she had to fill in to make the transfer of her promotion complete.
"And I'm sure uh Mr Ellis would like to be there too." He said and Olivia's eyes darted up to meet his. "I came looking for you yesterday when you went up to the roof, got a lovely view of Bayard Ellis' tongue down your throat…" Olivia groaned at this while Cragen laughed. "Hey if he's looking after my girl I don't care."
"Thanks." She smiled. "I'll give Bayard a call, even if he doesn't want to be there I'm sure Molly will."
"I'm sure he will be there, now why don't we go and tell the rest of the squad?" He suggested and Olivia nodded suddenly feeling nervous at how her co-workers would react to the news that Olivia was going to be in a supervisory position, not that she'd use it.
Olivia followed Don out into the squad room and stood there tentatively as Don gathered up the lead Detectives.
"Ok so I got some news this morning. I think you'd all like to join me in congratulating Olivia, the Morris Commission decided that it was about time she had her promotion so I think you'd all agree with me that we will all be there tomorrow morning to see Olivia receive her Lieutenant's shield and insignia." Don said and while Olivia blushed crimson her friends and co-workers broke out in a round of applause.
"Well done Liv." Munch smiled giving her a warm embrace because he knew now should anything happen to Don such as suspension it would leave Olivia in charge and not him.
"Thanks John." She smiled.
"Congrats baby girl, hell you deserve it." Fin said taking his turn to hug his friend.
"Good job Olivia." Nick said as he hugged her which was a very surprising move by the younger Detective but Olivia returned it.
"Congratulations." Amanda said also hugging Olivia.
"Thank you everyone." Olivia smiled.
"Now that's out of the way you can all get back to work just be at one pp nine am to support Liv." Don smiled. "You should call Ellis." He whispered to her and she nodded before making her way to her desk feeling particularly proud of herself.
The next morning Olivia met Don around the corner from one police plaza. Though in her uniform she'd pulled her large black winter coat over it and stood against the wall inhaling deeply on a cigarette.
"Everything ok?" He asked her after a few minutes silence.
"Yeah." She nodded. "No." She decided to be honest with him.
"What's up?" He asked her knowing she wouldn't have admitted it if she didn't want to talk.
"When I took the exam. I only did it because Elliot wouldn't do it on his own, he said he wanted me there with him when he did it… that's the only reason I did it, I only did the Sergeants exam because you asked me too… I always thought when this happened El and I would be side by side getting it, we were together when I went up to second grade and then he came with me when I went up to first grade and then… I'm being daft sorry." She said wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"It's not daft Liv. Honestly." He said rubbing her shoulder.
"Hendrix was right." Olivia said remembering the shrink's words five years previously. "We were too close."
"Yeah maybe you were Liv, but it made you the best Detectives I had." Don explained. "But you know what, she told me if I separated you then I'd lose the best team, I wouldn't have because since Elliot left you've been just as good with Nick… ok he isn't Stabler and is a green rookie but you're just as good without him Liv, you don't need him and you never did."
"I've felt like half the Detective." Olivia admitted.
"You may have felt like that Liv but you haven't been half the Detective, I promise you that." Don replied. "Come on we should head inside."
They walked in silence inside and once they'd rid themselves of their jackets they stood in the corridor waiting to go inside.
"Livvie!" Olivia heard and she spun round in time to catch a skidding Molly.
"Hey Molly!" Olivia beamed hugging the girl. "Wow you look great." Olivia added.
Molly twirled around in her blue summer dress and Olivia grinned at her.
"Where's your Dad?" Olivia asked realising Bayard wasn't behind her.
"Parking the car." Molly shrugged. "He knew I was too impatient to wait ages for him to find a spot before coming to see you."
"Aww Mol it's great to see you again sweetie." Olivia smiled hugging the teenager once again just as Bayard came in through the door.
"Hey Liv." He smiled giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "You look amazing."
"Thanks." She smiled a blush crawling up her neck as Don watched Bayard caress Olivia's arm.
"Well everyone's inside now Liv." Don said and Olivia took a deep breath and nodded.
While Don led them inside to their seats he grasped at his pocket, He felt awful for doing it but he'd been to Olivia's locker that morning and slipped the pills into his pocket knowing that if she needed them he could give them to her, she hadn't quite grasped the need to carry them around with her.
Olivia sat in the front beside Don Cragen while her co-workers, Bayard and Molly sat further back. There were six people getting their promotions today, four uniforms becoming Detectives, one Detective third grade going to second and herself becoming Lieutenant. The Police Commissioner gave a rambling speech and then in turn the head of departments and units were called up to give a speech about the promotions to the family and friends.
Olivia only half listened. Half her mind was on what she and Cragen had discussed just before coming inside, how she thought she'd be here with Elliot and Don would be congratulating them both on their achievements. When Don Cragen was called up to the podium Olivia took a deep calming breath and knew that she would have to walk up there and receive her knew shield as soon as he was done.
"Well first may I say thank you for that warm welcome. Today I am here to promote my most senior Detective… and I don't mean that as in age... I mean as in most experienced in the unit and the highest ranked Detective. I must say that I am honoured to be able to do this, over the years I wondered often if this day would come or if I would retire before I would get the chance but a wish of mine came true and I am here so without further ado. This Detective has numerous commendations for bravery, honour and merit but there is one thing a medal cannot be given for that this young woman deserves and it is for her humanity. I'm honoured to be able to congratulate Olivia Benson on her promotion." He finished and Olivia blinked back her tears and sniffed hard as she stood up.
Her friends behind her clap and cheered and brought a wide smile to her face as she walked up to Don. Naturally she hugged him before stepping up to the police commissioner.
"Congratulations Lieutenant Benson." He said as he unhook the small golden one six's from the lapels of her uniform and before proudly placing the simple golden block insignia in their place. He then placed the number sixteen into the box with the insignia for her shirt collar for when she would change into a white one the next time she wore her uniform. He then extended his hand and Olivia took the shield from her hip and after swiping her thumb over number she'd been using for the past fifteen years she emotionally placed it in the commissioners hand and he then placed the new gold and silver medallion in her left hand.
"Raise your right hand." He said and Olivia took a deep breath knowing she'd have to say words she'd memorised when she graduated the academy and numerous times since and had already heard in five different versions today. "When you're ready." He said with a reassuring smile.
"I Lieutenant Olivia Benson do solemnly swear and affirm that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." Olivia said calmly and proudly.
She lowered her right hand and the Commissioner closed her hand gently around her new shield.
"Congratulations Lieutenant." He said before extending his hand out for her to shake.
"Thank you Sir." She said firmly as she shook his hand.
He then placed her old shield into the box from which her new one came and then handed her the box which would contain the medallion for her uniform and commendations.
Olivia then shook hands with all other members of the Morris Commission in the process accepting their congratulations before she shook Don's hand and received a heart-warming hug.
Once the Commissioner closed the ceremony Olivia and Don went straight over to meet the guys from the one six, Bayard and Molly.
"Come on let's see the bling!" Fin teased and Olivia smiled and handed him her shield so he and Munch could admire it.
"Well done Livvie." Molly smiled and Olivia grinned and reached down and embraced her. "You look like… so profesh up there."
"Profesh?" Olivia questioned looking at Bayard.
"Yeah like Professional." Molly explained and Olivia and Bayard laughed lightly.
"Well I'm pleased that I looked profesh Mol." Olivia laughed before kissing the teen on the cheek and moving on to embrace Bayard.
He pulled her close and held her tight not caring that they were being watched and scrutinised by Olivia's co-workers. Molly was used to seeing them hug and kiss now so it didn't bother her, in face she wanted the relationship to move forward so that Olivia would be her step-mom sooner rather than later.
"Right Liv come on I want to take some pictures." Fin said when he realised she wouldn't be letting go of Bayard without and incentive.
"Really Fin?" She groaned, she hated having her picture taken.
"Really, you and Don first." He said and Don who seemed happy with that pulled Olivia to the American flag on the wall so they could have a good back drop.
"Get used to it because you have to have your portrait taken next week." Don laughed when Olivia groaned even harder.
"I hated having my portrait done, it was so official." She shuddered, she hadn't had one done since she became a Detective third grade as there was no point but now she was a Lieutenant there was every point.
After taking pictures with everyone and Molly getting some on her phone of herself, Olivia and Bayard which she proudly announced was for her Facebook profile Don announced that he was taking everyone for lunch.
At the restaurant Olivia took the time to take her Detective's shield from her breast and place her commendations on her lieutenant's one.
"You deserve this Liv." Don told her as he watched her placing the six commendations plus the United States flag in the right order.
"Thanks." She smiled. "I think it will sink in when I meet a vic or a perp for the first time and call myself Lieutenant, until then … it's just going to be really weird I've been a Detective for thirteen years."
"It's going to take a while to get used to." He agreed as the food arrived.
"So Livvie Dad said you'd come with us to Coney before the summer's out." Molly said seeing as the conversations had begun to die out.
"Yeah." Olivia replied. "I promised I'd come."
"Wicked. Are you going to come to the softball final too?" Molly continued and Olivia was unaware that everyone was intrigued in the relationship between Olivia and the defence attorney's daughter.
"Wouldn't miss that for the world Mol." Olivia smiled and Molly turned to her and grinned.
"Good because Dad was working on the STATs and we've got a good chance of winning this game and that would mean we won the season!" Molly continued while Olivia just smiled enjoying the babbling of the thirteen year old.
"I'm sure you'll do it." Olivia said. "You've got a great swing, then Lilly and Hannah can sure as hell throw."
Don realised that Olivia hadn't just been bonding with Bayard but becoming a part of his life and Molly's, he only hoped whatever was in her future it didn't cause any more heartache however when his phone bleep for a text message everything he'd hoped for was taken from him in an instant.