A/N: Sorry about the long delay in posts. I got in trouble and wasn't allowed to post anything 'for a short period of time'. I figured it was like a week or so, but I got in trouble twice, so I decided to wait for 2 weeks before I tried to post anything. Anyway, here's the next chapter!
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"Anyone we know?" Elliot asked as he followed Olivia into the hospital. She mumbled something unintelligible. "Liv, what's going on?"
Olivia turned around and sighed, "The Vic's fiancé… It's Brian."
"Brian." Elliot muttered, "Brian… Cassidy?"
"Yep."
"What do we know?"
"Not much. The vic's alive, barely, but she was unconscious when I was here earlier. I'm hoping that she's awake now."
"What happened?"
"Cassidy left for work, two hours into his shift, she called, asked him to pick up some stuff for the store. He returned home almost two hours after that, and found her."
"Any suspects?"
"Just one," Olivia sighed, "Elliot, I really don't think he did this."
"Let's not talk about that now."
"Okay," Olivia led Elliot to Rachel's room.
They stood in the doorway silently, watching. Brian held her hand tightly. He caressed her cheek and then gently smoothed her hair back before he looked up.
"Detectives," he said. Olivia and Elliot both entered the room as Rachel slowly turned towards them. She started to sit up.
"Don't get up," Elliot said, "I'm Detective Stabler, this is my partner Detective Benson. How do you feel?" he asked.
Rachel looked at them silently before turning to Brian.
Brian looked up; "Can we do this later? She just woke up and she really can't talk very well."
"Brian, we need to do this now," Elliot said, "Let's talk outside."
Brian nodded. He gently pushed her hair back again and whispered softly. He kissed the back of her hand and smiled, "I love you." He stood up and followed Elliot outside.
"How are you doing?" Olivia asked.
"Could be worse," she managed softly. Rachel brought her hand to her neck and Olivia could see the bruises, "I can't talk."
"It's okay, we'll go slow," Olivia promised. "Did you hear anyone come in?"
"No… I was sleeping."
"Are you a light sleeper?" Olivia asked.
"No," she forced a smile, "Brian always said I can sleep through an atomic bomb," she said, the last words barely audible.
Olivia paused for a minute, "Did you see your attacker?"
Rachel nodded, "Sort of. I woke up around…7, maybe? There was someone standing at the dresser. I thought it was Brian. All I could see was the hair, and jacket." She sighed and closed her eyes, "I called him over; I thought he was playing. I stood up to go over to him, but my phone rang and I turned around to answer it. He came up behind me. I really thought it was Brian…until he grabbed me," she managed as her eyes filled with tears.
"Could you see his face?"
"No, not clearly."
"You said he grabbed you. How?"
"He put one arm around my waist, and he put his hand on my throat and squeezed."
Olivia reached out and took the younger detective's hand, "Do you remember anything else?"
"I started fighting him but… I couldn't get away. I collapsed and he threw me onto the bed. He tried to take my pants off and I tried to yell at him. He wrapped his hands around my neck… I don't remember anything after that."
"Okay. Has anyone threatened you lately?"
"Not anymore than usual."
"We're going to need a copy of all files of anyone who has threatened to hurt you."
"Brian can get them for you. You'll need to talk to him. There was a trial last week. The guy threatened Brian in court."
"Okay, we will. Thanks."
"Yeah, let me know if you need anything else; although I'm not sure what else I can give you."
"We will. You get some rest, okay?"
Rachel nodded and closed her eyes. Olivia stood up and left, joining Brian and Elliot.
"Was she any help?" he asked.
"Yeah, actually. Although we will need files for anyone who has threatened you two." Olivia said as Elliot grabbed his ringing phone.
"Of course. Anything else?"
"Not now." Elliot said as he rejoined the pair, "Liv, we need to go. Crime lab," he said, gesturing to his phone. He looked at Brian, "We'll call you if you need anything else."
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A/N: Please review! I should be able to have the next chapter up in a week or so! Hehe. As long as my new fishie doesn't take up all my time. (Fish aren't as boring as they sound!) He's a purply-pink betta, and I named him Elliot.