AN: Thanks for reading and reviewing.

While traducido this chapter I remembered that back when I wrote this story Dany Pino's character was new and we didn't even know his name. So I pictured Sam as Nick.

Important: Although this story is already finished, I am not closed to the possibility of changing its course so I would love to read your opinions and suggestion.

Hope you enjoy.

D: law and order SVU and all its characters are not mine.

CHAPTER 41 BY THE WAY

—Not that I know of.— Fin says approaching Samuel.

—Hey! ... that's what you wanted it for?— I can hear to Munch complain but I can't take my eyes off the paper in Samuel's hand. —To throw it?!—

—Are you okay?— Samuel asks fixating his eyes on me. I blink a few times and try to answer back but I only managed to nod my head. I am sure my eyes are screaming in panic. —Are you sure?— He asks again making Munch and Fin eyes turn to me too.

—Yes.— I manage to answer with my voice. —That paper is not from the file.— I say approaching and reaching out my hand to take it off of his. He only gives it to me with a doubtful face.

—So where is it from?— Fin asks with a strange expression. His dam detective skills already on. I fold the paper in half and try to hide it in my hands.

—It is a copy from another file.— I answer quickly trying to take my expression back to a poker face.

—Which file?— But he insists. I can't blame him. I have just come back to work and I am not working any other case actually.

—An old case that came to my mind.— I lie turning around and bending down to take the cup and the donut from the floor, but unfortunately Munch was already looking at me too.

—Let me see that?— He says stretching out his hand down to me.

—Yeah, just... can you help me clean this please?— I try to divert the attention towards the mess in the floor. At least I can clearly identify the emotion that is taking over my body right now. I am nervous. I'm not really ready for more people to find out about something that even I haven't assimilated yet.

—Let me.— Samuel bends down beside me putting some tissues over the spilled tea and taking my analysis paper from my hand and putting it back on top of the file that sits now in my desk. This makes Munch imitate him and Fin hurries to receive the used tissues from me.

—So, you were saying you identify an MO.— I try to remember what Munch was telling me just minutes ago hopping this will finally manage them to forget about the paper.

—Yes, from an old case. Maybe the same you were studying.— Odafin is the one to talk pointing towards the file letting me know he was still aware of its location.

—I don't think so.— I answer standing up with the last dirt tissues on my hands. —I didn't find anything useful there.— I'm impress on how I am actually managing my poker face.

—Are you sure?— He pushes.

—Can we please focus.— Samuel says standing up himself. —We actually have a lead here.— He says taking the file, with my paper on top, in his hands.

—Is it coffee hour?— I listen to the captain's voice, which makes me even more nervous. But it actually helps. Everyone turns their attention to him and get in motion to continue the investigation. I sit in my desk and look how Samuel walks through the office with the case file in his hands. I haven't notice that desk till now that he sits there. He takes my paper out of the file and puts it inside the first drawer. He then focuses on the actual file after taking a glance at me with a little smile.

My eyes fly to the empty desk in front of mine. I have to think for a few seconds, because I remember perfectly well that yesterday he had already settled there.

—Did you really think I would stay at that desk?— He says as if he knows exactly what I am thinking. I say nothing. —After seeing how you threw my things ... I choose life.— I feel a little sorry to remember my terrible reaction from the previous day. But I don't say anything else, I'd better let him rejoin his reading.

—Olivia.— I hear my name so I turn to find Donald watching me from his office. He wants me to go. I walk towards him, without taking my eyes off the drawer where the evidence of my personal case is. Maybe it is safer there. I don't want Cragen to ask too.

—Are you going to join the case?— He asks me as I enter his office.

—Yes, I started yesterday actually.— I explain.

—I know, but...— He struggles to find his words. —Do you feel ready?—

—Yes. I am fine.—I try to convince him although I'm not even really convinced to be ready myself. —I am working on it.— I can feel my eyes fill with tears even if I fight them back.

—Will you be able to work with Robinson?— Here is the big problem. I don't think so.

—Maybe, it is better that I work alone.— I answer without hesitation. I don't want a new partner.

—Ok. I will ask Fin to show him the way we work here.— I am glad with his words. He is not gong to try and force a new partner on me. —Liv, you know you can trust me. Right? If at any time you do not feel well. Let me know.— I can notice the fear in his words. I know that the least he wants is to see me back in the conditions I've been in. I'm also afraid of going back to that hell, but at the moment I feel a little strength to stay on my feet.

—I know. Thank you ... I have to ... I have to help there.— I look down and leave the office not wanting the tears to win this battle. I approach my colleagues and focus to understand where we are going in the case. As soon as I am back Munch appears kindly giving me a cup of tea and a donut with a nice smile.

—Thanks.— I say taking the donut directly to my mouth. I suppose it would help to calm down the terrible hunger that I have and then I would be able to concentrate. And it works because I can see how my brain begins to work automatically. I can focus. Although, I must admit that, I still feel that deep pain trying to break in every time I see his desk or that place where I saw him fall. But I handle it.

—————

The whole day I spent it on the street. I went to a couple of places to question the victim's friends and try to understand how it happened. Finally I came back to the office and sit in my chair finishing the fast food that Fin has bought me while writing down everything I managed to find out today.

—How much has she eaten today?— I can hear Munch whispering to Robinson.

—I have no idea.— He answers. It seems Munch is not uncomfortable with his presence. It does bother me, specially because he is acting so comfortable himself. Why is he daring to mock my eating disorder? I look up to give him a glare. He just makes his chair turn around and focus on his computer.

—Well ... we already have two suspects.— Odafin says walking towards the board in order to put the printed pictures he has gotten. — We will go visit them first thing tomorrow.—

—Tomorrow?— Robinson complains.

—It is two in the morning.— I say annoyingly. He does not answer me and I enjoy his silence.

—Let's go now, before there are flying boxes here.— Munch says getting up and taking his things. Fin just smiles and approaches me.

—Do you want a ride?— He kindly asks me.

—No, I have the car, thanks.— I say returning the smile, he pats me lightly on the back and turns to see Samuel.

—Behave.— He expresses as my good older brother. Samuel just nods. And soon there we are... just the two of us.

Although I'm almost sure he won't do anything to bother me, I better hurry to take my things and get out of here. I don't even say goodbye to him.

—Ey! wait!— I listen to his voice coming to me down the corridor. —This is yours.— I turn to see him walking towards me with all his stuff ready to go. He handles the paper to me. I swear that I completely forgot about it. I was really involved in the case. The elevator doors open and he walks past me to the inside making sure I take the paper in my hand.

—Thanks. I will leave it here in its file.— I want to avoid getting into that elevator with him. Returning the paper to "its correct file" is the perfect excuse to avoid that.

—Yeah sure.— He says with his dark eyes on me. —By the way, hunger is a common pregnancy symptom. No wonder why you are eating so much.— He says with a cocky smile before the elevator doors closes.

TO BE CONTINUED...

AN: SPECIAL THANK YOU TO SPACEKITTEN2700 FOR BEEN ALWAYS PRESENT.