A/N: Enjoy!

Cragen let out a weary sigh and a look of resignation crossed his face.

"Call Olivia. Tell her we need her to come in for a line up if she's feeling up to it." Cragen turned back towards the interrogation room windows. "Get them their lawyers and make sure everything is done by the book." A grim look came over him. "I want this case to be airtight."

"Okay, we'll be there." Elliot disconnected the call and laid the receiver next to him, not yet ready to get off of the floor. Beside him Olivia had her knees drawn up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them. She didn't look at Elliot, but she seemed more present than before.

"Olivia," He began, but she cut him off.

"I know." Despite her trance it appeared she had heard every word.

Elliot felt a small rush of relief, grateful that he wouldn't have to repeat what Fin had told him. Instead he went on to the next step.

"We don't have to do this now Liv. If you need more time, we can wait." Elliot offered, doing his best to placate Olivia. The last thing he wanted was to upset her when she had been starting to do better.

"I'm okay Elliot," was the soft reply. Olivia frowned and a determined look steeled her features as she struggled to pull herself off the floor, brushing off Elliot's attempts to help. She cleared her throat and spoke a little louder. "I can handle this."

The ride to the precinct was uneasy. Elliot had resorted to keeping his eyes on the road and his hands firmly locked on the wheel after all earlier attempts at talking with Olivia had failed. Meanwhile, Olivia kept her gaze out the passenger window as she fidgeted with the seatbelt. The closer they came the more anxious she felt.

Olivia wished she had taken Elliot up on his offer to wait a while longer. She almost told him to turn around and take her back. She didn't want to do this anymore, she wasn't ready. She didn't know what scared her more, seeing her attackers again or having to deal with her coworkers pitied looks.

Olivia rested her head against the glass, trying to ignore what she already knew. It didn't matter whether she went now or later. She would never be ready so she may as well get it over with.

The car slowed to a stop in the back parking lot of the stationhouse. Elliot pulled the keys out of the ignition, but neither of them made a move to exit the vehicle.

"Olivia." At his voice Olivia immediately began fumbling with her seatbelt, not wanting to hear Elliot's sympathy. She just wanted to get this over with.

"Liv wait," he reached out for her wrist wanting her to hear what he had to say. She flinched and Elliot immediately released her, mentally kicking himself. Irritation surged in Olivia and she rounded on Elliot to cover up her embarrassment at her reaction to an innocent gesture. "What, Elliot?" she hissed.

He looked her in the eye and spoke evenly. "Whenever you're ready to leave Olivia, we'll go."

Surprise flittered across Olivia's face. She had expected Elliot to coddle her and insist she needed more time. Instead he was trusting her to know her limits. Elliot seemed to register her shock and he elaborated.

"I know you can do this Olivia. I never thought you couldn't. But you don't have anything to prove. Everyone knows you're tough and no one would think any less of you if didn't do this. You know I want those bastards to go down, but you're more important. Whatever you feel comfortable with is fine with me. If you want to do this, okay. But if you don't want to face them, I'll take you home right now. You come first. I mean it."

Olivia blinked, caught off guard by Elliot's words and touched by the sincerity in his voice.

She swallowed and a shaky smile came to her face. "Thank you Elliot, but I'll be okay." Olivia opened the car door. "I need to do this."

Apprehension settled deeper in her gut with each ascending floor. The elevator felt cramped despite it being just the two of them. Elliot held back the urge to place his arm around her shoulders knowing she would brush off any contact. He knew she needed to show the rest of the squad that she was okay on her own, that they didn't need to walk on eggshells around her.

Finally the elevator stopped and the doors opened to their floor. Olivia stepped out first and paused momentarily. The hallway was unusually devoid of people and it gave off a troubling vibe. Olivia walked down the familiar corridor, Elliot close at her heels. The sensations that swept over Olivia the closer she got were unsettling. She was accustomed to the precinct feeling like a second home, never before had she felt unsafe there.

Olivia slowed her pace and took a deep breath. They can't hurt you here; you're in control now. Bracing herself, Olivia opened the door to the squad room, and the room fell silent.

Cragen, Munch, and Fin were gathered around Munch's desk speaking in hushed tones. The conversation ceased at the sound of the door, and they broke apart when Olivia walked in. All eyes were on her, and she felt scrutinized under their gaze. She forced herself not to show her discomfort.

Olivia straightened her posture walked over to where they stood, preparing herself for their scrutiny. However, the look in their eyes stalled her. She didn't see pity, instead compassion and understanding radiated from her squad. Olivia realized two seconds in that there was no point in pretending. They already knew what happened. Elliot had been right, she didn't need to put on a show for them. Still, her nerves didn't completely fade away.

The men before her were her friends, but in this moment they were more than that. They were there because this was their case and she was their victim.