Chapter 2

The next day at the office was awkward, even though nothing did happen. Elliot, Olivia, John, Fin and even Cragen were all quiet. Everyone was still carrying on the effect of the last case. Olivia figured it was ok she was acting weird with Elliot, since everyone was acting a little weird. Cragen finally spoke up as he went over to Olivia and Elliot.

"Why don't you two go check out this address" he said quietly. Elliot took the paper and got up along with Olivia. Munch and Fin watched as the two got on their jackets and left. When they got in the car, Olivia in the passenger seat, she tried not to look at him but kept glancing. He pulled over finally, turned off the car, and turned to face her.

"What are you doing?" she asked as she frowned at him.

"Liv…" he took in a deep breath. She knew this conversation was coming.

"Liv…I-I don't know if it's just me, or…" he talked as her phone went off. She answered it. After a minute she hung up.

"We got to go- it was Cragen. He's already there" she told him looking away disappointed. He nodded and drove off. When they got to the building Cragen looked angry but as they got closer they realized he wasn't angry. There was a body laying on the floor with a blanket over it.

"We found our perb" he told them. Olivia frowned. Both of the detectives were confused when they saw the mother of the victim being handcuffed. She was fighting the police and Olivia approached her.

"What did you do? We had him" Olivia frowned.

"Even if you did- he raped my baby. My daughter. My little girl. If you were a mother you'd know what I'm feeling" she grunted as she pushed the cops off and got in the car. Olivia was hit a little hard by her comment and Elliot came up next to her. After they watched the woman being driven away and Cragen left, the two detectives went back to the car. She was silent and kept a hold of her lower lip with her teeth.

"Liv…" Elliot began knowing the comment got to her.

"Liv…" he said again as she turned to him.

"You got to let it go" he told her.

"Easy for you to say, you have kids." She turned away and looked out the window. He looked down at his hands knowing she was right. That day went slower then any other day of their lives. Everyone was moping around, and it seemed as though everything was in slow motion. And it just got worse as the day went on. Olivia was going to leave early when her engine blew. She kicked her tire and hit the hood. She was pissed. She just wanted to get home, take a hot shower, get comfortable, and go to sleep. She leaned against her car and covered her face with one of her hands. Elliot came out curious, and scared her as she looked up to see him standing there.

"Oh shit…" she mumbled.

"You ok?" he asked worried.

"My engine blew" she said as he looked at the dent in the hood.

"I'll call AAA, then I'll take you home ok?" he suggested.

"No its ok- its dinner time for you. Go home." She told him.

"Liv I can't leave you like this" He told her.

"I'm a big girl Elliot" she told him as she turned and dialed the number to AAA on her cell phone. He didn't know what else to do and left. She leaned back against her car and took in a deep breath. She was tired. And not just sleepy-tired.