Hope's face brightened when she saw Elliot nearly a block away, where Munch had parked. The three of them had gotten out together. The two detectives walked slower than normal. Finally Munch put a hand on his ward's shoulder.
"I know you want to run and practically tackle the guy. And he wants you to. So get going, don't wait for us."
She ran. Olivia almost cried when she jumped straight into Stabler's arms. He spun around in circles a few times, and then finally set her on her feet, after practically covering her entire head in kisses.
"Hey kiddo" he whispered his eyes brimming with tears "I'm glad your home."
"So you don't hate me?"
"How could I?"
"You should." She said strongly backing away.
"I don't deserve any of this. I asked for it all. I don't have any right running back to you for help. Damnit, you don't have a right to take me out of where I was. Maybe I was happy. Maybe I deserved it."
Elliot took a step towards her.
"Well, I'm upset about what you did. But I forgive you…it's alright."
"I didn't asking for shit, not even your forgiveness. Part of growing up is letting go of babyish dreams."
"Like what?"
"Like…having another…another family. But that will never happen. I can't pretend that someone will care for me, someone will rescue me from everything. Because that aint how the world works, is it?"
"Sometimes…"
"Sometimes? What kind of answer is that. That's what my brother used to say…this is only sometimes, sweetheart. One day we'll get away from all of this. And do you know how that worked out?" Tears flowed openly now. Hope wrapped her arms around herself, she was shaking from the cold.
"How did that work out, Hope?" Olivia carefully prodded, trying to figure out once and for all what happened.
"The day…the day after my father raped me my brother told him that he was going to take me away. That he was finally put an end to all of this. Because, I told him I couldn't live this way anymore. And my father picked up his shotgun, and he shot my brother in the head after ordering me and Taylor upstairs. I should've done something. I should have stopped him. I shouldn't have gone upstairs…" Hope collapsed onto her knees hysterically crying. Stabler knelt down next to her and gathered her into his arms. She buried her face into his chest and sobbed. Munch and Finn looked ready to kill someone, Olivia's heart was breaking.
"Let me tell you a secret. I'm never ever going to let him hurt you again. I promise…" Stabler whispered in the girl's ear. She held onto him tighter.
"I'm tired. Can we go home?"
"Yeah, kiddo, we can do that."