Olivia Benson walked into the Organized Crime precinct like a regal queen wearing her cloak like a shield. Her heeled boots clicked on the tiled floor and the way she walked…it was something. "Captain Benson. We spoke on the phone. I'm Ayanna Bell. I'm so sorry. He saw a news article and well…he's in my office laying down." Olivia nodded curtly, like a warrior in her way to face her demons. And in a way she was. "I've got this. Thank you for calling me." Without another word, she stepped into the office and locked the door behind her, taking a deep breath. "Elliot."
At the sound of her voice he sat up, wiping his eyes. "Is it true? You were abducted? Kidnapped? Hurt?" He took her wrists in his hands, gently stroking the skin there as if he could make an old pain go away, his eyes red rimmed and wet. When he speaks, it sounds like broken glass, ripped and shattered. "I should have been there. You don't have to tell me anything. Lord knows I don't deserve anything from you. Least of all to relive anything for my sake. I just..I'm so sorry. Olivia nodded, cautiously taking the seat next to him on the couch, letting herself settle against his broad chest as she did. Taking a deep breath she spoke softly. "His name was William Lewis… He was a serial rapist, a predator of the worst kind. If you were there, you would have killed him. And I thought of you, even told him about you. At the time I wished, I wished with everything in me that you were there to save me. But. I had to save myself. I beat him to a bloody pulp. I still don't know how he survived. In doing that, I proved to myself that I could do so. Even after freezing when he surprised me at home. I mean, I'm a trained cop. A detective. I felt..guilty..stupid even, doubting myself, my skills, about that for a long time. I should have been able to disarm him before he took me. He...he had me for 4 days. He didn't rape me. Not for lack of trying. But he did every sick thing he could think of. He plied me with vodka and pills and burned me with cigarettes, branded me too. *takes a deep breath, watching Elliot's tear streaked face, just listening, knowing she had to get it out all at once.* Now.. I'm glad you weren't there. "What?" Elliot looks up at her, shocked. Putting a hand over his and squeezing, she continued. I'm glad you weren't there, because if you had been, you *would* have killed him. And if you did that, you wouldn't be here, sitting next to me, holding me, being held by me. I know near, far, where ever you are in the world, whether it's next to me, across town, or in Italy you would come to my aid if you were able. Now, then, always. And I love you for it. It's enough. Partners for life right? I love you. You may not have been there physically, but you were there in my heart, and in my head. And that got me through it. And…*voice breaks* when he took me the second time…*Elliot's eyes grow huge at this* I survived that too. Your voice was the one in my head telling me to survive. To keep fighting. We played Russian roulette. And he lost. I won. I'm alive. I'm safe. I have a son, a squad who are more like family, a sister in Rollins, a brother in Fin…and I have you. You came home. You lived just in my heart for a lot of years. But now…now you're in the flesh, next to me. With me. And I'm not letting you go. Sighing softly, encased in Elliot's arms, she felt safe, loved. Elliot held her there for the better part of an hour, his arms tight around her waist, as if his arms could ward off the world, keep her protected from anyone or anything. As the sun set, Elliot pulled Olivia to a standing position, pulling her into his arms again, into his orbit. "Dance with me." He scrolled through his phone, looking for a song to play for them before landing on one and pressing play, sweeping her across the room, making Olivia laugh and smile for the first time all day. When I couldn't bear it...when I missed you so much I couldn't think straight, I played this song Olivia. And I thought of you.
Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on
Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go till we're gone
Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
You're here, there's nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart and
My heart will go on and on
As the fading sun streaked across their bodies, illuminating them in a soft light, the music began to play. Ayanna watched from behind the glass of her door, smiling. They would be okay.