George was worried when he saw the space between SVU partners on his couch. They used to be an example of codependencey. Of being too close. Now, it was like they didn't understand each other. Like they were two different species on the verge of going to battle. Olivia couldn't stop fidgeting, full of anxious and explosive energy. Elliot sat, sagging. Stone still. Frozen in time by this trauma and her own.
The psychiatrist tried to smile. "Would anyone like to start with anything?" Elliot's eyes slide to Olivia, who's hands were twiddling. How this started would tell him a lot about the road to recovery for the team.
"He should. Since he is the one who thought this is necessary." Olivia said after a while, her eyes never leaving George's face. Elliot huffed and tried not to look at her perfect hands, folded in her lap.
"Olivia, I didn't-" A piercing stare cut him of mid-sentence.
"This isn't an attack. On anybody." They both cast their stares at the ground. "These workshops are going to help you overcome what you've been through. This isn't a test. Or a punishment."
"Are you sure we have to do this..." He snuck another glance at his best friend and confidant. It wasn't easy for him to consider a change in career or partners, but he couldn't live with what they'd been through. What he'd done. "Together." Olivia laughed dryly, a bit annoyed with how well she knew both men in the room. George sighed.
"I think an important component of this treatment is working through the shared trauma together. It's your best bet at resolving this at all." They both sighed, predicting the words before he said them.
"I still remember... Getting back to the precinct after court..." Elliot said suddenly. This makes the decorated detective beside him look away.
Elliot immediately felt uneasy when he saw everyone's faces. Someone died or someone had gotten off, and he didn't have the patience for any of it. "W-What did I do now?" He questioned, sure Cragen was about to rip him a new one. He just had that look.
"Elliot," The captain began.
"Elliot have you had any contact with Olivia since court?" Fin asked breathlessly. His heart slammed in his chest. "Text message, any sort of interaction in your iMessage?"
"What?" He answered quickly. Cragen stepped in close. "What do you mean?"
"It's important, Elliot. Anything at all?" Terrified, Elliot shook his head no. Munch hit his thigh in frustration and Fin's head dipped to his hands.
"That's what we were afraid of. Elliot, Olivia's gone rogue since you were in court. Cragen sent her to take a victim's statement. She never showed." Munch explained, watching the color drain from Elliot's face. This was nothing like her.
Fin stepped close and placed a hand on Elliot's shoulder. "We think she's in danger."
Olivia chuckled bitterly. "How did you feel when you got back?" George asked softly. Elliot huffed.
"Guilty. I was in court and she was..." He trailed off, his throat tightening. Olivia scoffed.
"Elliot. How can it be your fault I got kidnapped?" She said suddenly, picking at her nail polish. "I was careless. Comfortable. Not focused and I... I let myself get kidnapped." she grew quiet suddenly, angry tears forming in her eyes. "And you had t-"
"Olivia," George interjected. "Our perp stalked you. For months. Noticed your partner patterns. When you were most likely to go somewhere alone. Where you live. You can hardly blame yourself for someone trying so viciously to harm you." Olivia avoided his eyes, still so angry at herself.
"If I had had my own back we wouldn't be here, we'd be out there solving cases!" She threw her hands up in frustration, causing Elliot to flinch. "We are all these victims had." Even worse that now, her friends looked at her as one.
George smiled sadly. "It's not that simple, Olivia."
The storage unit was spinning. At least, thanks to Olivia's suspected concussion. Sunlight blared through the cracks and made her eyes sensitive. Olivia tried to wriggle free of the rope burning her wrists to no avail. Blood trickled down her nose into her mouth, causing her to sputter. This was quite the pinch she found herself in.
She groaned, the rag tied around her mouth making her jaw hurt. She jumped as she heard someone messing with the lock on the door. She screamed, knowing it was either someone to save her or her captor. She flailed with all her might, but the ropes wouldn't loosen.
She gasped when Elliot appeared, bolt cutters in hand. He was breathing heavily, so relieved he had made it to her in time. Tears of joy streaked down her face but suddenly, her eyes wide, she was screaming. Elliot just couldn't understand what she was trying to say.
"Behind you!" He was out before he tumbled to the ground, an aluminum bat to the head doing the trick. She screamed and screamed, her captor standing behind the incapacitated Elliot. An evil look in his eyes.