Disclaimer: I do not own Law and Order: SVU. It belongs to a genius named Dick Wolf. No profit is being made from this story.

Cragen stood up, and Olivia followed suit.

"Let me talk to him?" he asked hesitantly.

She nodded. "Sure," she said. She took the mugs to the sink and rinsed them out as he walked toward the hallway.

He took his time, needing to compose his thoughts. The sight of Elliot had stabbed him in the gut. He had made sure to keep up a professional appearance in front of the squad, burying his emotions deep inside. Now, as he stopped outside of Olivia's bedroom door, they came bubbling up. Taking a deep breath, he knocked softly.

Silence.

"Elliot?" he called. He knocked again, pressing his ear against the door. "It's Captain Cragen. Can I come in?"

No answer. Taking a chance, he gripped the door handle and slowly turned it. "Elliot?" he asked, coming just inside the door.

His heart twisted painfully at the sight before him. Elliot was sitting on Olivia's bed, facing the window. He was hunched far over, sobbing so hard that his body heaved.

"Go away, Captain," he said quietly, his voice full of anguish. "Please….just go away."

Don shut the door behind him and approached the bed. He stepped around to stand in front of him. Elliot kept his face averted.

"Elliot," he said.

The tenderness in his voice was unexpected. Elliot raised his head slowly to meet his captain's eyes. The older man was fighting tears. They stared at each other silently for a minute. Elliot's chin quivered, and he suddenly broke down again.

Don leaned forward and wrapped his big arms around him, sitting down on the bed. Elliot went limp in his embrace and sobbed hard, gasping in breaths. It broke the captain's heart. "What happened to you isn't your fault, Elliot," he said softly. "It isn't your fault at all."

He couldn't respond past the torrent of anguished sobs. "You have to believe me," Don said, his voice choking desperately. "No one blames you, buddy."

Elliot gasped in a breath between sobs, his voice full of pain. "I wish he had killed me," he whispered, squeezing his eyes shut. "I just want to be dead." He crumbled, whimpering hysterically, and dropped his face into the captain's shirt.

Cragen ran his hand through Elliot's hair in a fatherly fashion as he wept in anguish. His own tears fell, but he ignored them. He hugged him in a death grip and rubbed his back gently.

"It's going to be alright," he said quietly. "We'll get through this, Elliot. I promise you."

Olivia stood outside the door, crying silently. She had heard every word, and it shocked her to the very core.

The beeper going off in Cragen's pocket brought him back to why he was there in the first place. He reluctantly let go of Elliot and reached for it, knowing it was the other officers outside, wondering where he was.

Olivia jumped when the bedroom door opened and Cragen almost plowed into her. He jumped as well, stepping back quickly. Elliot appeared behind him. There was an awkward silence, and she moved aside to let them pass before following them down the hallway.

"I've gotta get back down there," the captain said. "You guys take care of yourselves. I'll come back after my relief shows up tonight, ok?" He looked to Olivia for permission.

She nodded. "Sure," she agreed.

He nodded and opened the door. Elliot suddenly shot forward. "Captain?" he said quickly.

Cragen paused in surprise and looked at him in question.

"Thanks," he said quietly, his face momentarily softening.

Don's face split into a smile as he answered, "Anytime."

Olivia looked at the clock as the door shut. "You have another appointment with Dr. Stevenson in about two hours."

A pained look crossed his face, and she couldn't help but laugh. He looked like a kid on the way to the dentist.

"Come on; it won't be that bad," she said lightly, trying to lighten the air. "If you be a good boy, I'll give you a cookie when it's over."

She was overjoyed to see a sparkle of amusement dance in his eyes. It was faint, but there nonetheless.

Elliot pouted playfully and stuck out his lower lip. "Oatmeal raisin," he grumbled. "And I want two."

"Come on, you baby," she said, still laughing. "Let's get you into the shower."

Through the peephole of the empty apartment he was in, the man had a clear view of Olivia's apartment. He watched the door open and Olivia step out. Elliot appeared behind her. His breathing became heavy when he saw his prey again. Licking his lips, he continued to watch as she shut the door and locked it. They walked toward the elevator and got inside, leaving the hallway deserted.

Stepping out of the apartment, he shut the door behind him and crossed to Olivia's across the hall. He took a small screwdriver out of his pocket and bent on one knee as he slid it into the first lock.