When Cragen walked into the Squad Room the next day, he was surprised to find Elliot and Fin practically asleep at their desks. He walked up behind Elliot and gently put his hands on his shoulders, chuckling as the man nearly fell out of his seat in shock.
"You awake there?" he joked and Elliot glared at him. "I'm just kidding. Where are Munch and Olivia?"
"Up in the Crib," Elliot said and began to nod off again. Fin started to lightly snore and Cragen shook his head. He went into his office, grabbed his whistle, stood in the middle of the room, and blew it. Loudly. The two men let out a cry and stood up quickly. Cragen just stared at them with a hard look that said, "Morons."
"You two. Follow me. Now," he ordered and marched up to the Crib. He opened the door, pulled back the sheets on two of the beds, and made them lay down. "If you two are anywhere but here or the bathroom, I'll have to order you to take vacation."
Fin and Elliot nodded sleepily and fell asleep instantly. Cragen smiled and turned to see Olivia sitting up in her bed. He sat in front of Olivia and smiled at her. She smiled back, even though it was very small, and took his hand in hers.
"Hey, Dad," she said quietly.
"How are you feeling? Like, and I quote, 'crap on a rat'?" Cragen asked. Olivia smiled and shrugged.
"Sore."
"That's to be expected. Do you want any Motrin or something?"
"Sure. Thanks." Cragen pulled a small bottle out of his jacket pocket and gave her two pills before grabbing her a bottle of water. She took the pills and sighed, leaning back against her pillows and wishing they took less than fifteen minutes to work. The older man reached forward to brush a strand of hair out of her face and sighed when she flinched.
"I'm sorry," Olivia whispered and Cragen frowned.
"For what, Sweetie?"
"For not being stronger. I'm a damn cop, for goodness sake! I deal with cases like this and didn't even learn enough to protect myself? It's pathetic!" she cried and turned over onto her stomach, burying her face in her pillow. Cragen carefully laid a hand on her back and moved it up and down in a soothing motion.
"Olivia Benson, I'll have you know that you are by far one of the bravest women I know, and that's saying something. I've known a lot of women, too. None of this was your fault. You know that, don't you?" Olivia shrugged again and looked down at her twiddling thumbs. Cragen slowly reached out and tipped her chin up, seeing the tears glittering in Olivia's eyes. "Oh, Livy, come here."
He opened his arms and she leaned into him, putting hers around his waist and sighing at the safe feeling that ran through her. This man was like her dad. Not her father. Her father was a rapist. Her dad was a kind, gentle man who could be quite scary at some times.
"I'm so scared," she whimpered and Cragen kissed her temple.
"I know you are, but he isn't coming near you again. We're all gonna protect you. Now, just lay back and get some more rest. If you want to be out in the field anytime soon, you'll wanna be strong, okay?" Cragen could see that Olivia was already drifting off to sleep, so he tucked her back in bed and just stared at her for a minute.
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