Thank you all for your continued input on the story! It took longer than intended for this chapter to be completed, so sorry about that. I'm a huge believer in letting the characters move the story, so this was a tough one to write. A psychopath is in charge, so unfortunately...sad things happen.

As always, all feedback is appreciated.

"He's still not back," Allison's voice trembled. "It's been hours."

"That doesn't mean anything," Olivia tried to console. "This house is a mess. It would take weeks to fix everything that's wrong with it."

Allison trembled, her eyes frozen on the door. The chair rattled with her movement, bringing an eeriness to the room.

Olivia took in the terrified girl with silence. She remembered that feeling. The aching pit of dread that grew each moment Lewis was gone. The steady pulse of pain reminding you that more was coming. The endless images of torture techniques running through your head. Each one more painful than the last, and a bitter prayer that Lewis wouldn't think of them. It would drive anyone crazy. But she had learned to relish the calm. "He'll be back," she responded quietly.

"But what's he doing?" Allison insisted, a sense of urgency in her voice.

"It's best not to think about it," Olivia muttered quietly.

"But when he comes back –"

"Stop," Olivia implored, the frustration evident in her voice. "Just stop. Worrying about it won't help anything."

Allison sighed and went quiet. Her hands pulled at the rope, her anxiety growing each minute.

Olivia closed her eyes and tried to dispel her anger. None of this was Allison's fault. Olivia needed to distract her, otherwise they would both go insane. "You were on a road trip, is that right?"

"Yeah," Allison sniffed. "To see my uncle."

"Do you see him a lot?"

"No, not really. I'm a sophomore in college, and we had a long weekend. My parents were out of town, so my uncle invited me over." Allison paused, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm never going to see them again."

"Don't talk like that," Olivia admonished. "You're going to be fine. We're going to get through this. Both of us." A metal clank echoed through the room, making both women jump. A crack of light appeared as the door swung open. Olivia's heart started pounding as it revealed a tired but pleased Lewis.

"Miss me, girls?" He stretched as he crossed into the room. "Didn't mean to be gone so long. Got carried away." Lewis gave an innocent grin, attempting to hide his malicious nature.

Allison stiffened as he neared her. As vocal as she had been about him coming back, she wasn't ready for the misery that accompanied him.

"You ready for more fun, baby? You look like there's a few more hours left in you."

Her whimper curled his lips, a shine spreading through his eyes. Lewis combed her hair with his fingers, leaning in for a kiss.

"What about me?" The sound of her voice surprised them. It surprised Olivia too. Her mouth had a mind of its own lately.

"You, huh?" Lewis straightened, his play with Allison forgotten. "You look pretty tired."

She took in Allison's resigned face, the emptiness turning Olivia's stomach. "I'm suddenly too much for you? Is that it?"

He laughed and shook his head. "Jealous, sweetheart?"

Olivia fought to keep a straight face. The thought of ever wanting Lewis' attention made her blood run cold. But that was irrelevant. "I'm just saying –"

"You're just stalling," Lewis corrected with a smirk. He turned back to Allison, squatting beside her. "I think Allie would rather get this over with. Am I right? You look ready to die."

Allison bit her lip, trying to calm the horror rising inside her. She looked to Olivia for help and remembered their earlier conversation. "What if I want to live?"

Lewis raised an eyebrow. "Having second thoughts? That's not what you said this morning."

Allison swallowed hard, struggling to keep her composure. "I changed my mind."

A deep laugh rumbled in his chest. "You did? Olivia's influence, no doubt." He stood to his feet, an amused smile tugging at his lips.

"Think about how much she'll help us," Olivia volunteered, anxious to make Allison's case. "She can help me when I get sick. And she can make meals so you wouldn't have to go fishing through the supplies all the time. Think ahead, Lewis. Be smart about this."

"You think I'm dumb enough to let either one of you in the kitchen? Eating the food you make?" Lewis shook his head. "I told you from the beginning that she would die."

Olivia shook her head in denial, fierceness pumping through her veins. "You said that about me too. But you changed your mind."

"Only because of the baby," he said flatly.

"Please just let me go." Allison interjected with a quiver. "I won't tell anyone about you. I promise."

"But I already dug your grave."

Allison's sob echoed through the room. "No, please."

"Don't be stupid," Olivia retorted. "You don't have to kill her."

Tears spilled down Allison's cheeks, her face scrunched with panic. "Please. I don't want to die."

Lewis took a step back, annoyance taking over his face. "You were more fun yesterday." He reached behind him and pulled the gun from his pants. The gunshot resonated through the room, pulling a startled scream from Olivia.

"I don't do whiny." He walked over to the table, dropping the firearm on the rough wooden surface. Lewis turned to a deathly pale Olivia and frowned. "What? You've seen worse."

She could barely hear his words. The gunshot lingered in her ears, and her eyes were glued to Allison's motionless form, slumped in the chair. Her eyes remained open, but unseeing. A lingering expression of fear frozen on her face.

"Now it's just us again, sweetheart." The mattress dipped as Lewis joined her, immune to the guilt of ending a life.

"She was just a kid." Olivia's detached tone surprised her. It belied the horror churning in her stomach.

"Not anymore she's not." He caressed her growing stomach, a new emotion spreading across his face.

Olivia closed her eyes, unable to look at the lifeless body anymore. "She had a family. Friends. You didn't have to do this."

"You know me better than that." Lewis whispered. "She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Allison signed her death warrant when she got in my car. You gave her a few more days, but that's all she was ever going to get." His hand stroked her stomach, wrinkling the gray blanket around her. "Maybe next time, you'll let the girl die in the beginning."

"Next time?" Olivia choked, her eyes springing open.

"We're staying here till the baby comes," Lewis reminded. "We'll need supplies at least three or four times before then. Who knows, maybe I'll bring back two or three girls on the next trip."

"No," she pleaded. Life was too full of heartache to have Lewis hunting for more victims every time he left the house.

Lewis scoffed. "You still think you get a say in what I do?" He shook his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. "After all this time, you still don't get how this works."

Olivia's mind came to a crashing halt. She couldn't handle another Allison.

"All you have to do is stay alive and do what I tell you. And somehow, you still really suck at it." Lewis moved his hand up to her neck, running his fingertips across her soft flesh. "For a detective, you're pretty slow to figure things out sometimes."

She should have been offended at his harsh insult, recoiling at his touch. But instead, her mind spun in circles, trying to make sense of what he was saying.

Lewis frowned, the amusement waning from his eyes. His touch turned harsh, causing a groan of discomfort. "Six months is a long time. And I'm not spending it double checking every knot and chasing you down after your half-baked escape attempts."

Olivia bristled, annoyed at his implication.

He shook his head as she started to speak. "You may not mind risking your own life, but I won't let you risk our baby's life. Not anymore. So the next time you do something stupid, remember there's plenty more girls where Allison came from."

Her mouth gaped open. "You're blackmailing me?"

Lewis snarled. "Whatever it takes to settle you down."

"So what then?" Olivia's voice rose, incensed by the ultimatum this monster was giving her. "You're really planning to keep me locked up for the next six months? Hoping I don't kill you and no one finds us? You're insane!"

"Call me what you want, but I'm good at staying under the radar." Lewis loosened his grip, offering a smug grin. "You and the baby aren't going anywhere."

"My squad is going to find me," she insisted with more confidence than she felt. "And when they do, the first thing I'll do is get rid of this thing," she spat with tears in her eyes.

His leaned into her with a frightening purpose. "That thing," he hissed. "Is my baby. You've had months to deal with it, and you're still acting like a child."

Her eyes flashed in anger. "I don't care what it is. I don't want it."

"Well that's too bad." Lewis set his jaw. "It's not your decision to make. So you better settle down or a lot more people will end up like Allison. Because of you."

Their gaze of mutual hatred took her breath away. Everything in her screamed this couldn't be happening. All of this, it had to be a dream. She would wake up any minute now, and it would be over. But the steady throb of her injuries, the commanding way Lewis held her gaze – it all proved this wasn't a dream. It was her life. Her new reality. And she couldn't keep going like this. She couldn't keep fighting Lewis at every turn, only to end up losing repeatedly. Her body was wearing down, and the punishments Lewis inflicted weren't helping.

Allison's screams echoed through her memory, making Olivia flinch. She couldn't make anyone else suffer at Lewis' hands. And she knew he was counting on that. Her instinct to protect others.

The countless times Lewis told her to be good started spinning around her head. It seemed like she didn't have any other options. She had to follow his rules.

"Well? Do we understand each other?" Lewis raised his eyebrows, impatient for her decision. One he already knew she had made.

"Fine." Olivia tried to tell herself that her voice was rough only because she hadn't used it much. But the wetness in her eyes attested that wasn't the case.

"Fine what?" he asked tersely.

She narrowed her eyes, well aware she was selling her soul to the devil. "I'll settle down."

He studied her, not buying the change of heart. "Good. Because next time, I can pick up little girls."

Olivia's eyes widened and she shook her head. "No – no, I'll behave," she finished quietly.

"Good." Lewis nodded firmly. His hand travelled back down to her stomach. "The demons you're fighting about having this kid, get rid of them. You're having my baby. So deal with it."

"I heard they have a lead on Detective Benson."

Brian cast a glance over his shoulder, startled at the intrusion.

"Easy, man. Didn't mean to sneak up on you." Tucker put his hands in the air.

Brian slammed his locker shut, turning from the man who took his shield away. He would be out in the field if it weren't for Tucker. Instead of stuck in this rundown courthouse. "What do you want?"

Tucker put his hands in his pocket and leaned against the wall. "Stopped by the courthouse to check on a few things. Saw your boss for a few. He tells me you're doing well here. Considering everything you've been through."

Brian bristled. "I don't need your pity."

"Good. Because I'm not here to give you any," Tucker said flatly.

"Then why are you here, man?" Brian turned around, his face twisted with aggravation.

"I already told you," Tucker commented. "And calm down. Anger doesn't suit you."

Brian's face turned red as he clenched his fists. Tucker was getting on his last nerve. IAB or not, he was about to get his face bashed in.

"You don't want your boss to hear you explode in the locker room," Tucker said dryly.

"You think I give a damn about this place? Or these people? Liv is being held hostage by a psychopath with a thing for burning people. She's sick and she – she's going through hell. Do you even know what that monster is capable of? And you people expect me to work around the clock like nothing's wrong. I should be out there looking for her. Not babysitting a courthouse!"

"I agree."

"Get lost, Tucker. I'm off the clock." Brian brushed past him, too angry at life to deal with IAB's crap.

"What if you could be out there, looking for her? Instead of being here?" Tucker offered, pursing his lips.

Brian paused at the door, unsettled enough to listen to Tucker's argument. "What do you want?" he repeated harshly.

Tucker sauntered towards him with a shrug. "NYPD is understaffed. They need more detectives, especially with so many being pulled out to the search area. We need people on the force who know what they're doing. We're recruiting new blood, but that takes time."

Brian clenched his fists, the distrust apparent in his demeanor. "What's the catch?"

"No catch," Tucker reasoned. "You've done your time."

Brian's eyes darted between the door and Tucker. "Just like that?"

Tucker paused before responding, lines crinkling his face. "Detective Benson is a good cop. She didn't deserve this. We need all hands on deck."

Brian rubbed his head at the thought. "But I'm involved with her – they won't let me go."

"Cassidy, we both know you've been working this case from the beginning," Tucker pointed out. "We're only making it official. Don't worry about the logistics. IAB has your back."

Brian laughed at the absurdity of Tucker's comment. "IAB has never had my back."

"Then don't blow your shot." Tucker chided. "Go find Benson and bring her home."

Brian studied him, hesitant to trust IAB. "What's your game here, Tucker?"

Tucker looked past him, ignoring the question. "Stop by my office in the morning to sign the papers. Cragen will be expecting you. Detective Cassidy."

Brian offered a half nod, eyeing Tucker as he made his exit. Once he was alone, Brian collapsed on a nearby bench, feeling somewhat dazed. He had been working half-hearted for months. There was no reason for him to be promoted. He barely focused on his paperwork and frequently spaced out while his boss was giving him orders. Mostly, Brian just tried to pawn his shifts off to anyone who would take them. People who knew where their loved ones were. Because he didn't. And out of this whole mess, that was the one straw he kept coming down to. He had never told her.

For the first time in months, hope began to ignite in his heart. Tucker had thrown him a bone, and he would use it. He would find Liv no matter what it cost him. As long as he could make sure she was safe. He had gone through Lewis' case files. Brian knew what was happening to her. And he knew that trauma changed people. He had seen it countless times. He wasn't foolish enough to believe Olivia would be the same person. This ordeal would change her. It would change them both. He just didn't know how much.

Brian wasn't blind. He knew life would be different when she came back. If she came back. But they would fight that battle together. He had no doubt that fierce woman he met fifteen years ago still existed somewhere. Olivia would just need help digging that person out. And there would be a line of people ready to help her do that – him most of all. Brian took in a deep breath and stood to his feet. He could deal with IAB and their strings. As long as they helped him find Liv.

"Ow!" Olivia clenched her fists, trying to breathe through the agony.

"Open your legs." Lewis placed his hands on her knees, trying to pry her legs apart.

"No," Olivia groaned. "I don't want to."

"Open your legs or I'll open them for you," he said firmly. "I need to check on the baby."

His grip turned firm, but Olivia held her legs tightly together. "I'm not letting you have him!"

"You can't keep the kid in your stomach. You're not thinking." Lewis wrestled her legs open.

Olivia shrieked as another contraction hit, wishing more than anything Lewis had killed her already. The urge to push was fierce, but how could she deliver the baby into this hell?

"There! I can see the head. You have to push," Lewis commanded.

"No," Olivia gritted out. "I'm not doing this."

"We're past that, Olivia." Lewis leaned forward, yanking her face with a strength that made her quiver. "It's gonna hurt the longer you wait. You're the only one who can do this. So push! Push the baby out, and we're done."

She didn't want to do this. There were a thousand reasons not to. But nature was having its way, rolling over her in the process. It was now or never. Olivia gave in and nodded her weak consent.

Lewis removed his fingers from her face and moved back. "All right then. Time to deliver our baby."

She gathered her strength and pushed, her hands clenching the mattress as the pain made her see stars.

"That's it! Keep pushing," he urged.

A scream broke from her lips as she pushed harder, fairly certain this baby was tearing her apart.

Lewis captured the baby with a smile. "That's it." He grabbed the towel beside him, wrapping it around the baby as its cries filled the air.

"Is it okay?" Olivia panted. She lifted her head, anxiously eyeing the bundle in his arms.

But Lewis ignored her question, all his focus on the baby. "Hi there, little fella." Lewis stood up from the bed, shushing the crying infant. "Sh, it's okay. Daddy's got you."

Olivia's eyes widened as Lewis walked towards the door. "What are you doing?"

He cast a disinterested look her way. "I don't need you anymore. I have what I want."

She shook her head, panic taking over. "No! Bring up him here, I need to see him."

"You never wanted to have this baby. And that will be the only thing your son will ever know about you."

"No! Lewis, please." A sob cut off her words. She tried to push herself off the bed, but her weakened arms collapsed under her weight.

"Goodbye, Olivia." The closing of the door punctuated his words, leaving her bloodied and exhausted. Locked in the prison that had become her home.

"I want my baby." Her shoulders began to shake, sorrow overflowing from her heart. "I always wanted my baby."

Cold water jolted Olivia awake, her heart pounding out of her chest. Her eyes widened at the sight of Lewis beside her.

She jerked up, barely noticing the pull of the ropes. "Where is he?"

"Who?" Lewis asked, scrutinizing her dazed state.

"The baby. What – what did you do with him?" Olivia insisted, a panicked tremor in her voice.

Lewis raised an eyebrow, taken aback by her question. "What are you talking about?"

It was Olivia's turn to look confused, her eyes darting around the room. There was no evidence of baby items or towels. No smell of sweat or blood. Her eyes lowered to her rounding middle as she slowly returned to her senses. It was just a dream. She was still pregnant. Her baby was safe, for now at least.

Quiet met her ears as a puzzled Lewis gathered his thought. "Everything okay, baby?"

Olivia refused to look at him. She could feel his penetrating gaze studying her, analyzing her every move as she fought the urge to fall apart. He had seen enough of her tears. Knew enough of her thoughts. She wouldn't let him see this. "I'm fine." The lie slipped easily from her tongue.

He studied her for a moment longer before holding up a water bottle. "Want some of this?" His strong arms didn't wait for a response, pulling her into a sitting position before she could protest.

The mattress scraped unforgivingly against her back, and Olivia winced at the discomfort. She caught a glimpse of the empty chair beside her, and grief was quick to claw at her heart. Lewis had killed many people in their time together, but this one seemed more raw. More personal. Completely unnecessary. Her eyes burned with tears.

The water bottle touched her lips, the cool liquid providing a welcome distraction. Lewis held the bottle in place for a few seconds before pulling it away. "I need to give you water more often," he noted. His finger traced her chapped lips as he drank in her conflicted emotions.

Olivia didn't comment, keeping her focus on the soft blanket tucked around her. She was grateful for its presence. Both for the warmth and the shield from Lewis' prying eyes. Not that it was much protection, but it was better than nothing.

"I finished burying Allie."

Her eyes closed at the reminder. So much for a distraction.

Lewis tilted his head at her expression. "Surprised you fell asleep. I wasn't gone long."

She curled her legs together, turning herself as far away from him as she could. The rope chafed her wrists at the strain, but Olivia barely noticed. She was angry with him. And exhausted. Let him play guessing games about her falling asleep. The human body could only stay awake for so long.

"So are you going to ask me?"

She cringed at the calmness in his voice and wished he would go back to working on the house.

"No? We're just gonna sit here and pretend you didn't dream about the baby?" Lewis cupped his hand on her belly, smirking as Olivia shrank from his touch. "I took him away, didn't I? Was that it? I know you hate me, but that seems a bit harsh."

Olivia clenched her eyes shut, refusing to acknowledge his taunts. Of course he had figured out the dream. She hadn't exactly been subtle.

"You know…for someone who insists they don't want the baby, you seem pretty protective of the kid." He clicked his tongue, settling in beside her on the bed.

Her breath caught at the feel of him. Were they in a different position, she would argue with him, explain how ridiculous that was. Any decent person would be terrified of Lewis caring for a child. Regardless of where it came from.

"You know what I think?" Lewis pressed his lips against her naked arm. "I think even if you got out…even if your team found us, you would still keep this baby. After all, your mom kept you and look at what all you've accomplished. So that must mean our kid has at least a fifty-fifty shot of not being a total screw up, right?" His chuckle rang in her ear, his arm pulling her close to him.

Disgust swarmed her stomach. "You don't know anything," she whispered.

"Why don't you fill me in then?"

His husky voice filled her ears, and Olivia couldn't hold back a whimper. Whether it was from disgust or fear, she didn't know. They were almost the same anymore.

"No? Giving me the silent treatment today, baby?" Lewis asked softly, twirling a piece of her hair. "You know, I can put a stop to that. Any time I want. It is so easy to make you scream…"

Her heart skipped a beat. There was never a good choice to make. She knew he was trying to bait her, but she couldn't bring herself to care. She had used all her emotional strength for Allison. She didn't have anything left for Lewis.

The cold air hit her skin as Lewis pulled away the blanket, exposing her breast.

Panic began to bubble inside her at the predatory look in his eyes. "I'm hungry," she offered quickly. It wasn't entirely true, but she was willing to say anything to get him off of her.

He smirked. "Me too, sweetheart."

His mouth found its mark and she grimaced. "Please, the baby wants food."

Lewis sighed and lifted his head. "The baby can wait. I've got more important things to do."

Olivia bit her lip. "How about a sandwich, the last one you made. Can I get another one?"

He narrowed his eyes, trying to discern her motive. "Peanut butter and banana?"

"Yeah," she whispered. "The baby must like your mom's cooking. It didn't make me sick."

A veil dropped over Lewis' eyes as he stiffened. "Fine." He rolled off the bed and headed for the door, offering no further protests.

Olivia's mouth hung open at his quick exit from the room. If she had known his mom was such a turn off, she would have used that months ago. The sounds from the kitchen drifted through the doorway, bringing a new dose of reality to Olivia. Was this what the rest of her life would be like? Always restrained, depending on Lewis for everything? She couldn't do it.

The latest ultimatum from Lewis came flooding back, reminding her of the consequences for her actions. It was a devastating blow. Were it just her – maybe it wouldn't be so distressing. She had realized some time ago the chances were slim of getting out alive. But now, any efforts to escape would cause the death of countless girls. And she couldn't let that happen. But the other option…to stay with Lewis, to have his baby – it went against everything she was. It was an impossible decision. But it was one she had already made.