The bruises had almost faded away off of Olivia's normally blemishless skin. They told the horror filled story of the ordeal she and her partner had gone through barely a week ago. The precinct was buzzing with whispers, but only because the pair refused to address it with anyone. Until now. Whatever Elliot had said to their captain meant they had to undergo a rigorous psych evaluation and even possibly reassignment. Pissed is an understatement.

Fin took it upon himself to intercept her menacing gait, catching the worried and quite helpless look on Munch's face. They'd all been through things separately, but nothing like this.

"Shouldn't you be resting?" He started, catching the wild look in her eyes. This Olivia was about to be off the grid and down a rabbit hole. "C'mon, let's-"

"Did you say that to my partner? He's back. I know that based on the call Cragen just made to me." Fin's eyes softened as he tried to imagine what both of his colleagues were going through. It was a dark trip inside of his mind that he didn't enjoy.

"Liv. We're all on the same side. You know that, right?" She huffed, not placated by his olive branch. This was personal, between her and the partner she'd risked everything for on more occasions than she could count. "And you know what you and Elliot went through was different, right?" Her nostrils flared. She's hearing fighting words where there aren't any.

"Of course I do." She answered, her jaw clenched tight.

"He's being honest about his feelings for once in his catholic life. Don't go after him-" She broke away from Fin when she saw her partner standing, a manila folder in his hands.

"Elliot! Elliot, what the hell!" She crossed the precinct floor, her left arm bouncing in a sling. His face was as white as a ghost as their close calls come flooding to his memory.

"Liv..." It doesn't even feel right to utter her affectionate nickname. His eyes drop from her and she only becomes angrier.

"What the hell were you thinking? What did you say to Cragen-"

"The truth." He said, cutting her off with a deep breath. He avoided her eyes. "You shouldn't be here. You look exhausted." He reached for her arm but she yanked away from him. "Get some rest, so-"

"Don't you realize what the results of whatever you said could be?" He was growing frustrated, trying to find a semblance of normalcy after it all. He loved her relentless nature, but love isn't the word he'd use for it now as he avoided a perfect face.

"Olivia-" She jerked away again.

"I am fine with everything that happened. Not sure when I'll get over you agreeing to a different assignment or a different partner if that's what it takes." With that she turned and disappeared as fast as she had showed up. You could hear a mouse fart in the precinct.

Elliot struggled against the chains, feeling his skin bruise and tear. Olivia was barely conscious in front of him. She hadn't even done anything, that was the worst part. Elliot was fine albeit restrained. It was Olivia who was taking the brunt of the abuse. And he couldn't take it.

"Now you're gonna know what it's like. What it's like to watch someone you love hurt when there's nothing you can do. This is your fault, Stabler. This is the price you pay." He said, unbuckling his pants

"Don't." He said. "Don't do it. Just hurt me. Stab me. KILL me. She wasn't even my partner-" He shook his head. "Don't-"