A.N. Sorry for the delay in updating. I honestly never expected this to turn into a multi-chapter fiction, so I'm kind of just writing when something comes to me. This chapter picks up right after the last. Enjoy.

Thanks for the reviews, please continue.

The steady sound of rain drops hitting the ground brings Olivia to the window. It is no use trying to relax with that incessant noise just outside. She never minded the rain, she even enjoys it sometimes, but not when she was trying to shut the world out. The patter causes her head to throb and keeps her nerves on edge. She had almost fallen asleep on the couch. After a week of restless nights it doesn't surprise her. After letting out a long yawn and groggily rubbing her tired eyes, she leans back against the wall besides the window. A blanket rests lazily on her shoulders, her arms are loosely folded across her chest, and her eyes gaze out into the night.

Suddenly, Olivia gasps and takes a step backwards, clutching the ends of the blanket tightly. She squints her eyes to get a clearer picture. She sees him standing across the street from her apartment. Her heart beat quickens, her heart threatening to jump out of her chest. The pounding grows so loud it blocks out the sound of the television in the background.

He stands perfectly still, rain drops beating down on him, feet plated firmly on the wet concrete, arms hanging at either side, mouth curled into an ugly growl, eyes peering into the window. His eyes pierce her body like daggers, but he doesn't move. Olivia closes her eyes, shakes her head and looks again. She sees no one. She tilts her head in confusion. Once again she narrows her eyes and focuses on the spot her rapist occupied seconds ago. She sighs heavily, turning away from the window.

"God, this has to stop," she mutters lowly to herself. She runs a hand through her hair and shakes her head again. She's been seeing him all week. Her mind has been playing tricks on her. Knowing that she won't be able to sleep tonight she takes a seat at the kitchen table. One hand reaches for the bottle in the center of the table. If only she could forget, even if its only temporarily. She rolls it between her hands, starring hard at it, before putting it down. That's what brought this on, she thinks. A mix of guilt and disgust settles in the pit of her stomach. Still, she fights the urge. She doesn't want to take the same path that led her mother to destruction. She won't be like that. She was never one for taking the easy way out. You have to face your problems head on, she reminds herself.

She takes a deep breath and blows the air out of her cheeks in frustration. She wonders when this will all be over. She doesn't want to be afraid anymore, she wants to be as strong as she had people fooled into believing she was. She can't wait to get her life back on track. Why can't I get over this? she asks herself as she cradles her head in her hands. .

She knows the chance of things returning to normal are slim, especially since he's still out there. She can't get closure knowing she could run into him at any time. He knows where she lives and by now he knows she hasn't gone to the police. What's to stop him from coming back? The thought, which has been in the back of her head consistently for the last week, brings a slight shiver to her body. She's no longer sure if she made the right decision. Maybe she should report it.

The sound of the buzzer startles her. She glances at the wall clock. It could be only one person at this time and in this weather. Slowly she rises and shuffles over to the intercom. "Elliot." she says into the speaker.

Downstairs in the lobby of Olivia's apartment a rather soaked Elliot smiles. "How did you know it was me?" he asks, impressed with his friend's intuition.

"Who else would it be?" she returns flatly. He could hear the exhaustion in her voice. She presses the button to let him up and walks away from the intercom. A couple of minutes later he knocks on her door.

Olivia unlocks all three locks and pulls the door open in silence. She steps back and waits for him to enter. Then she closes and locks the door, barely making eye contact with her partner in the process. "Hi," Elliot says once safely inside Olivia's apartment.

Finally Olivia lifts her head and brings her eyes to meet his. Instantly he could see the pain. "Hi," she replies leading him deeper into the apartment. Her voice is low and unfamiliar. "You want a drink or something?" she asks unsure of what else to say.

Elliot shakes his head. "No. No thank you." They stand in awkward silence, facing each other, for a few moments. Their eyes lock and square off in an icy battle, searching each other's face. Unable to stand his scrutinizing gaze, Olivia accepts defeat and lowers her eyes to the floor. After her confession earlier she feels exposed enough for one day.

"Ell-" she starts, breaking the silence.

"Liv," he interrupts. He has to say this, and he has to do it now before it eats him alive. She pauses, shifts her weight from one leg to another and waits for him to continue. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to say that." She's silent. "You have to believe me," he pleads placing his right hand over his heart and stepping closer to her. "I know you, Liv. I care about you more than you could ever imagine. I would never say or do anything to hurt you. Of course you didn't let it happen. I just didn't want to accept what happened to you. Its not your fault Olivia. Please. I'm so sorry. I don't know why I said that. It was a mistake. That's not what I think. You have to know that. I could never stop believing in you. I think the world of you Liv. I'm sorry. I'm really sor-"

"I know," she interrupts his rambling.

"You know?" he returns. Her words shock him. He didn't even expect her to let him in. He thought he would have to beg her just to listen.

Olivia licks her lips and shoves her hands in her pockets. "I know you didn't mean that. And I know you don't really think that. I'm sorry I acted like that. I've just been-"

"Liv, don't you dare apologize to me. You have nothing to be sorry about. It was me. Okay? I'm so sorry-and not just about what I said. I'm sorry you have to go through this and I'm sorry you thought you had to do it alone." He takes another step towards her. "Look, I know you're independent and that you never needed anyone to do anything, but you don't have to do this alone. I'm here for you Liv, and I'm not going anywhere."

Olivia nods her head. "So, did you practice that little speech?" she asks with a grin.

"No, came up with that on the spot," he answers with a small chuckle. He walks over to the couch and sits down. "You're watching The Real World?" he asks looking at the television in disbelief.

Olivia sits besides him. "I don't know. Am I?" she responds.

"Didn't know you were so into MTV," Elliot teases.

"Didn't know you even knew what MTV is," she returns with a smirk.

Elliot leans back with a laugh. "I have four kids."

"I'll change the channel Mr. Picky," she says taking the remote in her hand. Elliot watches his partner as she flips through the channels. Her face is not as tense as it has been all week, although she still looks tired.

A feeling of relief washes over Elliot. He was sure he had done permanent damage to his and Olivia's relationship. He never expected her to accept his apology so easily. He had planned to grovel, to forsake all pride and beg her to forgive him, to explain himself till he ran out of words. However, she allowed him back into her life easily and surprisingly without much begging or explaining. He realizes its probably because, although she may want to, she can't afford to push away the ones who care about her. In her own way she's admitting she needs him. She's finally allowing herself to be seen as human, not weak or vulnerable, just human.

"There's nothing on," Olivia finally announces. She throws the remote to Elliot. "You find something." Although it may take a while for things to fully get back to normal between them, she instantly feels comfortable and safe besides him..

Elliot starts to flip through the channels. "You know, I wasn't sure you'd be up," he says without taking his eyes off the television.

"I can't sleep."

Elliot turns the television off and looks at his partner. "You wanna talk about it?"

P.S. I know this is a weird spot to leave it at but I just wanted to get a new chapter posted as quickly as possible.