Chapter 2

This takes place after Benson's scenes with the cop who helped Rollins and after her discussion with Nicole.

Olivia sat back in her car and sighed, her head falling to the headrest behind her. After talking to the cop who, from what she gathered, had saved Rollins' life, then having to be strong in front of Sonny, and finally reassuring Nicole that all of this wasn't her fault even though Olivia knew the snapchat was probably the reason her friend was between life and death, she was emotionally spent. She let herself finally feel her emotions and let the tears fall in the sanctity of her car.

She cried out of fear of losing Amanda, out of frustration at Nicole, out of powerlessness in the situation. Carisi had texted her that Amanda was in surgery, still fighting. Olivia sent a silent prayer for her dear friend, for her girls. A few minutes passed before Elliot's plea for her to call came back to her mind.

She knew that she wanted to call him, but her mind still wasn't accustomed to having him within reach. Opening her eyes, she reached for her phone and looked at the screen. Finding his contact, she thought about texting him, telling him she was fine, but quickly realized that that wouldn't satisfy either of them right now.

Grabbing onto her need to hear his calming voice, she pressed the call button and rested her head once again on the seat waiting for him to pick up. Even though she was still parked, the Bluetooth picked up the call and Elliot's voice enveloped her in a soothing manner she both craved and wasn't fully expecting.

"Hey."

She closed her eyes and leaned into the comfort of his tone.

"Hey." Was all she could respond.

She heard him move from a crowded room to a quieter place and they both relished their silent connexion. She heard him close a door to give them some intimacy.

"Tell me." He said gently, evasive on purpose.

He was letting her choose where to start, weather it was at the scene, or Amanda's situation or her own feelings, he was there to hear any and all of it.

"Amanda made it to the hospital alive. She's in surgery right now."

Elliot sighed in relief.

"Good."

A silence fell again.

"Nicole snapchatted somebody this morning." Olivia offered before he could ask.

She heard him inhale sharply, understanding exactly what had happened without more explanation. After a moment, he spoke.

"She's just a kid." He tried to dissipate both of their anger.

Olivia sighed.

"I know." And she did. It was the right thing to say, but it was still hard to accept. "She felt guilty…I tried to reassure her…but…"

"Yeah…"

Her emotions took over her again.

"I swear, El, if Amanda doesn't make it-" her voice cracked.

"She will, Liv." He sounded so sure. "From what you told me about Rollins, she's too strong-headed to let this keep away from her girls."

Olivia really tried to believe him. She erased new tears from her eyes.

"Yeah…" she sniffled.

Elliot's heart was breaking hearing her like this. He ached to just get to her and hold her. He would have, back in the days, but now he wasn't sure he could. But staying away was too hard.

"You need me?" he finally caved.

His offer was soft, tentative. Olivia gasped at it, nonetheless. She closed her eyes at the fact that yes, she needed him so badly, but also that they were so hesitant to give into the temptation of supporting each other. She became even sadder thinking about it.

Her silence told him everything he needed.

"I can meet you-"

"Not now…" she cut him, her hand rubbing her face. She needed to put the Captain's mask back on and finish her day. "I need to go back to the office and meet Price about the case."

She heard him back off, even though she knew it took all of his willpower not to fight her about it. The only thing he could grab onto was the fact that she said not now and not no.

"Okay."

Olivia let herself enjoy his soothing presence another moment.

"Thanks, El." She said, pulling herself together.

Thanks for listening, for caring, for being here.

"Anytime you need, Liv. I mean it." And they both knew what he was saying.

He was extending an olive branch and she wanted to do the same. A two-way street, like she asked.

"Maybe…maybe I can call you later?" her breath caught in expectation.

"Please." He said, exhaling relief at her request.

Olivia realized he needed to talk to her as much as she did then.

"Okay." She promised.

The call disconnected. Time to be the Captain now, she could be Olivia later tonight.