Chapter 10: It Finally Makes Sense
An eerie silence enveloped the room. After a few minutes, Olivia found the courage to break it. "I'm sorry, El," she said. "I didn't mean to drop that on you like that."
Elliot shook his head. "It's okay, Liv," he told her. "It makes more sense now."
"What does?" she asked, confused.
"Now I understand why you're always so empathetic and gentle with the victims," he replied. "I always see something deeper in your eyes when we're doing interviews, and now I know what that is. You know how they feel because you couldn't fight off your attacker, which only makes you more determined to get them justice."
Olivia managed a small laugh. "You hit the nail on the head, El," she told him. "See, I've always thought my rape was a blessing in disguise because it helped me realize that I wasn't alone and that I could help other people that had lived my nightmare."
"But don't the cases make you relive your attack?" Elliot asked as he took her hand.
"Whenever I start to go back there, you pull me back," she replied.
"How?" he questioned.
"You're always there for me, and if I ever need a strong shoulder, you don't think twice about offering me yours. Your strength pulls me outta that dark place," she answered, giving his hand a squeeze.
He smiled, wrapping his arms around her again. He was glad he could help her move past her painful memories.
