"Thank you for making the time for this interview, Detectives," stated the sharply dressed male reporter. He extended his hands towards the empty seats, "Please have a seat. I'm Grant Chambers and I don't plan on taking up too much of your time."

Liv shook his out stretched hand. "Olivia Benson."

"Amanda Rollins."

"Nice to meet you both. Quick confession; I lobbied hard to get chosen for this interview. I was incredibly moved by your story and desperately wanted to interview you. You're both heroes in my eyes."

"That's very nice but I certainly don't look at myself as a hero," firmly asserted Amanda.

"Well, how do you see yourself, Detective?"

"As a cop."

There was a bit of an edge to her voice that the journalist noticed. He didn't want to start off on the wrong foot, so he changed courses. "I'm not sure if you're aware but there has only been ten women to receive the Combat Cross since its conception. How do you feel about possibly joining that prestigious list Detective Benson?"

"Uh, I haven't really given it that much thought. Obviously, it would be an honor but the circumstances…I would gladly pass this honor up if it meant the incident, never happened. Gladly."

"Speaking of the 'incident', you went through quite an ordeal and you're just now rejoining your unit. Has there been a difference since being back?"

They looked at each other, seeing as he didn't specify the question. With a shrug the blonde took the question. "I mean not really—well I am sitting here talking with you. This isn't a normal day at the office," Chambers laughed at the dry wit. "It's kind of different but not in a bad way."

"Yeah, I agree."

"How have you coped with the terms of your own mortality? Especially considering the dire situation you were in recently."

Geez, who does he think he is, Oprah? "Look, as Detective Rollins stated earlier, we're cops. It's unpleasant to talk about but getting injured or worse is a very realistic part of our job. It's an occupational hazard. You have to compartmentalize that aspect and continue to protect and serve. It isn't easy but you have to or it'll consume you, resulting in ineffectiveness."

"Ok, I get that but in the moment. In that condo, your fate was in the hands on a sociopath. Did you consider, even for a tiny second, that you might not make it out alive?" inquired the reporter.

The question left both women speechless for a minute. After the silence a quiet, "Yes…" fell from Amanda's lips. Liv looked over to her, surprised that she answered so honestly. "Yes, I had a moment when I thought it was the end for me."

"How'd you shake that off and persevere?"

"Her," she pointed to the brunette sitting beside her. Chambers and Benson looked at her, not expecting that answer. "There was a moment, when I was tied to the bed barely conscious. I thought about just shutting my eyes and giving up. Just before I passed out again, I saw Liv on the floor bound to the chair." She unconsciously dropped her partner's nickname during the formal setting. It hadn't even occurred to her. The blonde was having a moment. "She was bruised and bloody but still fighting. So, I had to fight. Not only for myself but for her. I couldn't give up on her."

"Wow," Chambers was speechless and that's saying something for a professional talker. "That was…powerful. Thanks for sharing that, Detective Rollins." The reporter was so busy writing that he didn't notice the look being shared by the detectives.

"No problem."

"I think I've got more than enough for a story I'm sure you'd be proud of. Anything either of would like to add?"

"Yes," Olivia turned from Rollins back to Chambers, who looked up from his paper work. "Detective Rollins lied earlier."

"Uh, excuse me? Can you repeat that, Detective?"

"Yes. Detective Rollins lied earlier because she is a hero. Deserving of every award/honor, she's being considered for. That's all."

A big smile stretched across the journalist's face. "Noted. Detectives, I thoroughly enjoyed talking to you. I want to personally thank you for your service and I'm honored that you took the time."

"No, thank you. This turned-out way better than I originally thought," said Benson as she shook his hand once again.

"Waaaay better," reemphasized Rollins.

He laughed at her antics. "I'm happy to hear that. Take care, Detectives."

Chambers closed the door behind him leaving the ladies alone. "You know how I feel about the 'h' word, Liv."

"What 'h' word? Harp? Hell? Ho? There are lots of 'h' words…"

"You're not funny. You know exactly what 'h' word I'm talking about and it ain't ho."

Olivia laughed at the blonde before she responded. "Look, you spoke your truth and I spoke mine. I meant every word, too. You know how I feel," she starred directly into Amanda's eyes with her statement. Conveying her emotions. "Now, get out of here before I do something very unprofessional."

She gave the brunette a shy smirk. Enjoying the flirting while having mutual feelings. "And we can't have that, Detective Benson…"

"No, we can't, Detective Rollins." A knock at the door interrupted them before things did get unprofessional.

"Yo, Liv—oh, uh sorry to interrupt."

"You're not interrupting. The interview is over. What's up, Nick?"

"Could use your help—"

"We're supposed to take off after the interview," said Amanda directed to Olivia. Cutting off whatever else Amaro had to say, unintentionally. He continued with what he had to say.

"It's a female vic, twenties. Seems a little apprehensive to talk. Figured she would feel more comfortable with you but you're leaving so…"

Olivia gave Amanda a look and she knew what was next. "Right behind you," said Benson as she followed Amaro out of the door. And Rollins wouldn't have it any other way.

The seasoned detective fell right back into her element. The young lady, Kelsey, opened up and disclosed the trauma she'd endured. Amaro and the newbie detectives watched through the window. Nick knew his partner would get her to open up, while D'Antoni and Wright got a front row viewing of the master class. Wondering how she got Kelsey to talk, when they'd been trying for almost an hour.

"Woah, I mean she barely said a word earlier and now. You think it's a chick thing?" asked D'Antoni in a not so subtle whisper.

"Definitely a chick thing," assured Wright.

"Actually, it's a Benson thing," corrected Amaro, hearing their poor attempt at a whisper. "So, shut up. Pay attention. Listen and you just might learn something. Might." The loyal partner put the newbies in their place, shutting them up.

Olivia left Kelsey in the interview room. She put away her notepad and briefed Amaro. "Well, she went through hell…"

"I heard. I'm glad you got her to consent to see a doctor. Especially since she hasn't showered."

"Yeah, hopefully we get some DNA. I'll grab my coat and we can head over to General."

Nick gently grabbed her arm, stopping her mid stride. "Uh, Liv?" She looked at him confused. Wondering what the hell he was doing. He stared a little longer hoping she'd catch his drift. She finally got the message.

"Yeah right, I forgot," she was clearly annoyed by the situation. Especially given the fact that she'd just bonded with the young vic. "Right. I'll go back in there and tell her the change of plans." Damn desk duty.

Nick hated the new normal and he knew that his partner hated it too. "It won't be much longer, Liv."

"Hope you're right."

"I am," he asserted with confidence. Olivia gave him a nod and appreciated his support. The partners had a rough beginning but they had reached common ground. Trusting and respecting each other. Even though it had been months apart during the undercover op, they were still on the same page. That was important to both of the detectives. She mouthed 'thanks' as she re-entered the room. Nick watched her walk away, hoping things would indeed be normal soon.

Later that evening…

"A gun range. Really?"

"Yes, really. I figured it'd be a nice change of pace. We're not fancy, power lesbians, anymore. No more extravagant museums, restaurants or VIP treatment. We're just normal, basic ass cops. I thought it'd be nice to act like it. Unless you've forgotten what that's like…" teased Amanda.

Olivia scoffed, instead of answering with words. She put on the designated headphones and eyewear. Once secure, she got into position. The detective worked out a few kinks in her neck, then focused on the target. Cocked her Glock and aimed it at the paper based target before her. Bullet after bullet connected as the brunette emptied her clip. After she finished, Liv pressed a button to bring the target sheet closer, for review.

"Hmmm, doesn't seem like I've forgotten at all, huh?" The brunette was pleased with her performance and her sass reflected it.

"Not bad, not bad at all. Well, not for a celebrity cop that is," Amanda's sass game was also strong.

Olivia laughed heartily at the blonde for re-using Munch's joke from earlier. After their interview, he referred to them as celebrity cops. Due to, all of the attention they were receiving. "Oh, ok. Let's see you do better."

"Alright. Step back, please. I need some room but don't stray too far. You're not gonna want to miss this." She smiled at the brunette before she got to business. Before she even pressed the button to review the target, there was already a smug smile on her face. That didn't go unnoticed by Olivia.

"You're so cocky but at least you can back it up."

"This is my only area of expertise so, I pride myself on being King James of the gun range," teased the blonde. The joke totally going over Olivia's head.

"King James…the bible guy?"

Amanda could not contain her laughter. It was guttural and she couldn't stop. She was laughing so hard that it also made Liv laugh. Even if the joke was on her. "Oh, my god that was the best ever. Like, I will never not think of this when I come to the range, ever again. But no sweetheart, not the bible dude. King James as in LeBron James, basketball player. King James is his nickname."

Now, it was Olivia's turn to laugh uncontrollably. "I was hoping that I was mistaken. Because comparing your shooting to the author of the bible's writing just seemed, not quite right." She threw her head back and started up again.

Amanda joined in with her laughter. After the giggles died down, she looked at the woman beside her. "I think I—" the blonde stopped herself. She just couldn't say it. "I never thought I'd laugh like this again."

Olivia gazed into a sea of blue, seeing something else behind the words. However, she knew that pushing Amanda wasn't the way to go. "Neither did I."

Their words rang true. Laughs were few and in between after their attack except with each other. Everything was always much easier, when they were together. Three words were threatening to spill but the blonde kept them at bay. A change of scenery, was needed. "Come on, we're done here."

"Ok. Where are we going?"

"To the second part of our date. I'm cooking for you at my place. You know, like I use to do at the condo…"

"I'd like that."

They gathered their belongings and headed to Amanda's apartment. They rode in comfortable silence. A lot on the detective's mind. Olivia didn't make her nervous as much anymore but she was still nervous. Because whenever she would look into those dark brown eyes, she'd want to bare all of her innermost thoughts. Making her feel incredibly vulnerable. Not because it wasn't true but because her ultimate fear was that Liv wouldn't feel the same or worse. She pushed those thoughts aside and tried remain present in the moment.

"Come in, make yourself comfortable," said Amanda after they entered her apartment. The detective busied herself, with getting everything in order for dinner. "It won't be long before dinner's ready. Healthy crap doesn't take a lot of time. But it sucks…" the last bit was mumbled under her breath.

"Hey, I heard that. Just wait, you won't always be able to get away with eating everything you want while looking like that," Olivia gestured to the blonde's slim figure. "So, enjoy it while you can."

"Oh please, you look great. The green juice is working for ya. But if eating grass and drinking that goop is what it takes, bring on the lbs."

Liv chuckled, "We'll see if you still feel the same way in ten years. I can't wait."

That statement caused her to stop what she was doing and look at the other woman. Who was oblivious, to the bomb she'd just dropped. A part of her wanted to be hopeful but the pessimistic side took over and won the internal debate. "Yeah right, ten years. Probably won't even have anything to do with me after this year…" scoffed Amanda softly to herself but not soft enough.

"Why do you always do that?" Olivia's tone had an edge to it.

"Do what?" The blonde miserably feigned ignorance.

"Doubt every freakin' thing I say!" Liv was fed up and needed to get some things off her chest. "Granted, I can't guarantee the future but you won't even allow me to be optimistic. Why is that?"

"Because—"

"Because you're scared!"

"I'm not sc—"

"You. Are. Scared." The worked-up brunette was on a roll but she wanted Amanda to really hear her. "You're scared, Amanda but you shouldn't to be. I'm not out to hurt you. I'm trying to love you…"

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