(Previously mentioned disclaimers apply)

Also - to change Character POV you'll see a Horizontal line. (But you're smart, I'm sure you'd figure that out.)

This chapter has some medical terms, as well as brief mention of rape, sexual and physical assault and the after effects (psychological, etc). It's not in depth, but important for characterization and story development.

3 months earlier.

….

I've been doing this job for over 20 years now, and no matter how many times a day I get called to a Hospital, I am always on edge. This is the part at the beginning of a potential case that frightens me the most. The not knowing, the blindness, the importance of putting on a brave face and not breaking down in tears in empathy with your potential victim. I got this call as I was on the way into the squad room and figured I'd just run it myself and save anyone else the travel.

"Captain Benson."

"Doctor Garcia, how are things?"

"Not too bad. It hasn't been too busy of a day. Yet."

I can't help but smirk as she stops outside one of the ER room doors.

"I hear that. So tell me about our vic."

"Well, this is the thing. She claims not to have been raped or assaulted, but she's showing a lot of the non physical side effects. She seems very agitated, nervous and I mean on their own those two things would be normal if someone was shaken after a legitimate fall. But she has a decent cut on the palm of her hand almost at her wrist, and she's got some bruising on her arms and contusion on the back of her head. She has a couple of broken fingers on her right hand but no serious fractures. If I was wrong to call you I'm sorry, but my Spidey senses were going off."

I nod my head. I'd have called me too.

"I'm glad you did, thanks for that. Much better to be safe than sorry. Did you do a rape kit regardless?"

"She refused an in depth exam, but she let me scrape under her nails and do an oral swab. Better than nothing, right?"

"Agreed. Better safe than sorry, right?"

"That's what I thought. I'll get those two tests to you at the precinct as soon as I can. She's right in here, Captain."

"Thanks."

I knock on the door and I enter slowly.

"Miss Martin? I'm Captain Olivia Benson from the Special Victims Unit. May I speak to you for a few minutes?"

"Sure, but I don't know why you're here. I wasn't assaulted."

"Why would you think I was here for that?"

"Well you are, aren't you? I just really need to leave. They took my clothes, ran tests on them and me like I was guilty of a Class A Felony I'm just… I really want to go. Can I go?"

"I just have a few questions for you, standard procedure. When did you get your injuries?"

"This morning."

"The bruises as well?"

"I bruise easily. I fell."

Not sure if I'm believing this but I'll follow along.

"And the cut on your hand?"

"I cut myself at work."

"So you cut yourself at work and fell at the same time."

She's quiet, and not looking directly at me. Something's going on here, but now to find out what.

"Is that so hard to believe?"

"Well…"

"Yes. I cut myself at work. When I saw the blood, I fainted. Weak constitution I suppose. I really need to go."

She starts to slide off the bed and collect her purse from the chair as I continue my questioning.

"Is there someone I can call to come and get you?"

She hurries even more and looks at me.

"I'm fine. I just need to go home and change so I can get back to work."

I reach into my wallet and take out my card.

"You seem like the kind of person who probably won't take my advice no matter what I say, so I'm going to give you my card."

She takes it and puts it in her purse.

"I also suggest that you take the day and rest, recuperate. Your body has been through a trauma and needs time to heal itself."

"Appreciate the two cents. I've got to go."

"If you feel like you need to talk about this with anyone, use that number at any time."

She nods her head and leaves the room as the Doctor comes in.

"Any information you can give me Doctor would be appreciated."

"Like I said, I only had permission to do a couple of tests, but here's the samples we collected. I didn't want to bring them in here while you were talking to her."

"Appreciated. You were right to call, I get a vibe too."

We look at each other with a knowing smile.

"Thank you. I've got to head into work."

Today was a day like any other day. I had several cases presented to me and it's going to take a lot of paperwork and man hours to get this caseload done. I settle in with a neat glass of my favorite scotch and start to look into the mass of files beside me. Even though I'm not a prosecutor anymore, I still find immense satisfaction reading cases and figuring out whether each case has any wrong doing by the prosecution and diving into the investigation full force to exonerate or reduce any sentence imposed. What seems like a few moments later I'm startled out of my focus by a knock at the front door. I put my files down as I stand up, walk to the door and am greeted by a warm familiar smile.

"Olivia. It's good to see you."

"You too. I hope you don't mind me stopping by."

"I have and always will enjoy your company. Please come in. Can I get you anything?"

"Whatever you've got going is good."

"Scotch it is."

"There's a surprise."

I chuckle as I lead her into the living room and move some of my files off the chair for her.

"Have a seat."

She sits as I hand her a tall glass of scotch. We clink glasses and take a sip as we both sigh.

"It's really good to see you, Olivia."

"Thanks. How are things?"

"Very well, thanks. I'm in a really good place actually. How are you doing?"

"That's so good to hear, I'm happy for you. Things are ok… it's been a little difficult for El with dealing with things, but all I can do is to be there for him."

"You're one of my best friends, Liv. You know I'm here when you need a shoulder. Always."

"I really do appreciate that Rafa.. Noah says hello by the way."

I smile.

"I love that little guy."

"So tell me about your job at the IP? It's gotta keep you busy."

"Very much so. I'm dealing right now with this one case of a claim of coercion and the defendant claims a false confession. It's actually quite interesting to read both side then see if it's a legitimate claim. It feels similar to the prep for a prosecutorial case, but I have a sneaking suspicion that's not why you came by tonight, is it?"

She shakes her head and tries to hide the smirk.

"You know me well. I had this interview at the hospital this morning, and I am wondering your thoughts as a former ADA."

"I'm always up to help. Fire away."

"Well, I got a call from dispatch this morning on my way into work and the victim wasn't reporting a sexual assault, but she had been hurt. She says it was at work so I'm guessing they sent her. She didn't show any physical signs of an assault, but I just get this vibe that…"

"Liv, if there is no formal complaint you know that you can't go any further. I'm assuming that you took a statement and have a medical report?"

She nods her head.

"She didn't consent to a rape kit, but she allowed the hospital to do a nail scrape and an oral swab."

I take a deep breath, swirl my scotch in my glass then take a sip.

"Without any accusation of assault of any kind there's really not much you can do."

She stands up in frustration and starts pacing as she talks – something that for years she has done when she's truly passionate about something.

"She has some other physical injuries… I mean how can you say that's not assault? Most people don't get the injuries she has by falling."

"Your victim is the one saying it's not assault. If she's saying it's not, then you have to believe her until such time as she expresses her wish to file an official report or to prosecute."

She throws back her scotch in one big gulp.

"I love my job Rafa. I really and truly do. But there are days when I just wish people would…"

The front door of the apartment opens with a creak and I hear it close shut.

"Excuse me a moment, Liv."

Well I was not expecting that. I knew that he was involved with someone but I never knew they were living together. Well good for him. He deserves some happiness in his life, and judging from the smile on his face as he walks to the door he seems to have found some. He had always been an extremely private person about his personal life, relationships and such. The last time we stood together outside of the Courthouse together, when he told me he was leaving the DA's office, he told me that his heart had been opened through our friendship and he was seeing the world through a myriad of colors – not just black and white. I smile remembering how he described himself as Gary Cooper. Suave, debonair, well put together and one hell of a wardrobe – that's Rafael Barba.

"Well, Adam I think that it would be better if we did that on the day of so the piece is freshly unveiled. I agree. Well, I've got the press event tomorrow at noon then the call with… Ya. After that I should be free. Exactly… new exhibition and all. Will do. See you tomorrow. Gracias."

She plops her purse on the hall table and takes off her coat as he reaches her.

"Hola hermosa."

"Hola amor. How was your day?"

"Not bad. Querido Dios – what happened?"

"Work thing, no biggie. I heard you talking when I was at the door. Phone call or is someone here?"

"My friend stopped by to ask my advice on a case. Come meet her."

She nods her head and follows him to the room where I stand to meet her. As I do the color drains slightly from her face and I try and hide the shock from my expression.

"Captain Olivia Benson, please meet Lillian Martin. Lillian, Olivia."

She extends her right hand to me and looks at me with a nervous smile.

"A pleasure, Captain."

"Olivia, please. Likewise."

"Lillian. May I offer you a drink? I'm sure Rafi already did tho."

I smile at how close her name for him is to ours.

"He did, but thanks. I really should get going now anyway."

"Please don't leave on my account. I'm literally going to brush my teeth and go to bed. Stay, please."

I smile at them both. He looks so happy.

"I'll pop by in a few days to talk over the case with you, Rafa."

She smiles as I look at him.

"Take good care of that hand for her."

"I will."

I ask the same question I asked her earlier this morning, as though I never had.

"If I may Lillian, how actually did you hurt yourself? That looks painful."

She holds her bandaged hand up and gently rubs it.

"Work injury. Getting ready for a new exhibit premiere this week and it was a box cutter."

It's at that moment that I really notice her left hand.

"My God… that is stunning."

She looks at her finger and smiles.

"It really is. I only wear it when I have special events and today had one. I just forgot to take it off after."

I truly am happy for both of them, despite my concern for her situation. I offer a heartfelt smile.

"I always knew you were an elusive and secretive man Rafael Barba, but this takes the cake. Congratulations."

He smiles as he puts his arm around her.

"Gracias, amiga."

"It's beautiful, Lillian. He did well."

"It is and he did. I get worried when I wear it because I don't want to lose it."

He smiles and kisses her temple.

"I'd get you another. Anyway, how's Friday for dinner Liv?"

"That's the exhibition, Rafi. I won't be able to make it."

"That's right. How's Saturday?"

I smile and nod my head.

"That should be good, work permitting of course. I'll see if El is free, he may need some time with people. I know you've never met him Rafa but I'm positive you'd get along."

He leads me to the door and holds it open for me.

"Sounds great. I'll message you the details when I have them. Thanks for coming over, it's been way too long."

"That it has, Rafael. Lovely to meet you, Lillian."

I give her a knowing smile and she returns it.

"You as well, Olivia. Take care."

With a wave goodbye he closes the door and I hear the deadbolt lock. I lean against the wall in the hallway.

Damnit. This is going to be difficult – on so many levels.

TBC

Feedback is lovely like a nice glass of scotch and a lawyer.