Hey All, this chapter contains some lines which I took directly from the show. Those lines are not mine. But as you can see I take my story in a different direction afterwards. Enjoy.

Olivia looked at the clock. It was now 3:30am but her mind still wouldn't let her rest.

Olivia just sat in the car as Brian rounded the vehicle. When he got to the door he saw that she had still made no attempt to exit the car. He opened her door and knelt down.

'Babe, are you sure you want to do this here now?'

'It has been all set up. I can't back out now.' She said as she sat staring at the building.

'Ok.'

'Last time I was in there I was a cop and now I'm a…'

'You are still a cop Liv.' Brian stopped her before she could finish her sentence as he knew where it was heading.

'Yeah but…'

'But nothing Liv. When you are ready, you'll go back to work, if you want.'

Olivia dropped her head and took a deep breath before moving to get out.

As they walked towards the entrance Brian could see Olivia's muscles tense up. He allowed his hand to brush against hers before he took hers in his. Just before he opened the door he spoke softly.

'You are strong Liv. The people in this building are on your side.'

His soft words reached her ears as they entered the building. She squeezed his hand as they approached the front desk.

'Morning Mark.' Olivia said as she approached the officer on duty.

'Detective Benson. It's so good to see you.' Said the young officer.

'Thank you. Um, I need to go to the squad but I don't have my badge.'

'Come on in. Captain Cragen said you were coming by.'

'Thanks Mark.'

Once they had entered through security and walked a few meters, Olivia stopped dead in her tracks. She starred at the box on a table in the corner of the passage. On the wall above it was the sign she had seen many times through the years.

'Brothers in Blue.' It read.

What had stopped her was that this time her photo on the box. The box was often put out when there was a fellow officer in need, whether that the officer was injured, died, or diagnosed with a serious illness, a sick child in the family, their house burnt down, etc. The brothers in blue certainly took care of their own. Now, it was just weird seeing her photo there.

'The Captain says he has had to move the other boxes into the storeroom upstairs.'

Olivia looked at Brian with a blank expression.

'Babe, this isn't the only box. Boxes came in from all different precincts. They even had to put a box at the front desk. Survivors you worked with started arriving.'

Tears were now pooling in her eyes.

'Come on, let's get upstairs.'

As they exited the lift Brian could feel Olivia tense up again. He put his hand on the small of her back and guided her towards the door. Just before the reached the squad room he stepped in front of her and faced her.

'Liv, who are these people in there?'

'My squad?' His question confused her.

'That's correct. Your squad. Your family. Your people.'

As she stood there she intellectually agreed with him but she couldn't help feel as though things had changed. They had seen her at her most broken. She was afraid that they would forever see her as a victim. Would she ever be able to earn back their respect? Just as she was doubting that fact, she felt it again, Brian's hand on the small of her back. As she looked at his eyes, she saw it… the respect that she thought she would never see again. And with that she gave him a nod and he opened the door and allowed her to enter.

As the door into the squad room open he looked up.

'Liv.' He muttered under his breath as he stood up and slowly walked towards her. It was only then that the other detectives noticed her.

'Hey Liv.' Nick spoke gently.

'Hey.' Came a tentative reply. 'I…I have an appointment with Cragen. To give my statement.' She stood with her arms around herself or as much as she could with her one arm in a cast.

'Yeah ok. He's in his office with a person from IAB.'

'Tucker?'

'Even IAB wouldn't be that cruel.' Nick said with a smile. Nick knew that Olivia had had numerous run ins with Lieutenant Tucker.''

After a few seconds of silence between partners, Olivia lifted her head to greet the other detectives.

'Hey guys.'

'Hey Liv.' They all echoed.

She walked to Captain Cragen's door and Brian stood right by her side as she knocked.

It took a few seconds for Cragen to answer and all Olivia could feel in those seconds was her own heart pounding with in her chest.

'Enter.' Came the eventual call.

'Olivia.' Cragen said as he stood up. 'I didn't realize it was you. Come in.'

'Hi Captain.'

'Detective Benson. This is Detective Cathy Rein.'

'Detective. I'm sorry we have to meet under these circumstances. I've heard many good things about you.'

'Thank you.'

'Hey Brian. Thanks for bringing Liv in.' The Captain stretched out his hand to Brian.

'Rein, this is Detective Brian Cassidy, Olivia's boyfriend and an ex member of this squad.'

'Good day.'

'Ok, Liv. I'll go have some coffee with my old partner Munch and see you when you done.' He said as he squeezed Olivia hand.

'Ok, thanks Bri.'

Brian nodded at Cragen before leaving.

'Detective, please take a seat.'

Olivia sat down on the couch as both Cragen and Lt. Rein moved chairs closer.

'Now Detective. I need to get your statement. Your Captain is going to sit in. Do you mind?'

'Not at all.'

'Okay. Just take your time and let us know if you need a break. Ok?'

Olivia nodded and took a deep breath before she started to speak.

Brian and Munch sat upstairs drinking their coffee and for a few moments Brian sat staring into his cup.

'Partner, how are you holding up?'

'Fine.' Brian replied.

'Hey man. It's me. Don't have to lie.'

Brian sat staring into his coffee for a few more moments before coming clean with his ex partner.

'I'm scared man.'

'Scared?'

'Yeah man. I want to be there for her, help her, support her but what if I don't do it correct?'

'Hey, don't think like that.'

'Why not? I left SVU because I couldn't handle it. And now… I love her Munch. I really do but what if I'm not up for this. What if I'm not strong enough?'

'You say you love her?'

'So much.'

'Okay then let your love guide you through this.'

'How?' Brian was overcome by emotion.

'Man I've been doing this for more years than I care to count and what I've learnt is that every survivor reacts differently. Brian, you see a different side of her than we do here. Here she is Badass Benson, the cop that everyone wants to be like. Strong, determined, the lioness for victims. I may be the Seargent, and Cragen the Captain, but we all know the real 'ace' of the team is. But you, my dear friend, are the lucky one, you get to see Olivia, the woman. You get to share her heart. Let that be your guide through all of this and for the rest, let her show you what she needs.'

Olivia was retelling her story as emotionless as possible. It was the only way she knew to get through it.

'I was able to break free from my restraints. There was a struggle and I was able to incapacitate the suspect and get the gun. I, um, got the handcuff key from his pocket, freed myself and called for backup.' Olivia managed to retell her story calmly.

'And before help arrived the suspect tried to escape?'

'He managed to get to a standing position and lunge at me. I used the metal bar from the bedframe to subdue him.'

'Rather than shooting him at point blank range?'

'I made a judgement call.'

'Thank you Detective Benson.' Det Rein said. She then turned to Cragen. 'I'll forward her statement, the case file, forensics, and the results of the rape kit to the DA and they will be in touch.'

'Thank you Detective.' Olivia nodded.

'Well, as far as the department is concerned you're a hero.' Cragen said once Det. Rein had exited Cragen's office. 'gonna want a press tour once you are up to it.'

'And the lawyer's mother?' Cragen was amazed. After everything she was still concerned about the other victims in this case.

'She's doing better. She's going to be released from the hospital tonight.'

'Where she going to go now? She's…I mean…um…She can't go back to that house.' Olivia paused. Then it dawned on her. 'Where am I going to go?' She felt lost. She didn't even have a home to go to at this point.

'Your place is a crime scene. The department will put you up in a hotel.'

She nodded. 'Ok. For how long?'

'Liv, don't worry about it. You've got a concussion, broken wrist, fractured ribs. What you've been through. You are on mandatory leave until you recover and I don't want any arguments.'

'I'm not gonna give you any.'

Just then the door opened and Brian walked in.

'Hey. Hey, Captain there's some press outside. I should get Liv out of here.'

'Ok.'

'Liv, where you wanna go? Hotel or my place.' Brian asked

'Um…Brian, thanks but I just want to be by myself for a bit.'

'Sure, Liv. Anything you need.'

Olivia gave Brain half a smile.

She turned to where Cragen was standing to see he had moved to behind his desk getting something out his drawer.

'I made this booking just in case. It's at the Madison Hotel on 5th. They are known for good security and discretion. I booked it under Carlson just in case the press try to find you. And Liv, I spoke to the manager, a lady by the name of Diane Jefferies. She knows a bit of the story so just ask for her when you arrive.

'How much does she know?'

'Just enough to make sure you are taken care of.'

Olivia didn't know what to say.

'Thank you Captain. We appreciate it.'

'I know. And Liv, call me sometime? And if you need anything…'

'I will.'

Brian opened the door and Olivia entered the squad room again. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, so she just looked straight ahead and kept walking. It wasn't like she didn't care or wanted to be rude. She just didn't have it in her to deal with them right now. It was only when she stood waiting for the lift to arrive that Brian could catch up with her. As he did the doors of the elevator opened and they entered. Olivia walked to the back and leant on the handle bars and put her back against the wall. Brian could see that she was near the end of her physical and emotional strength. He refrained from touching her physically until they were in the parking garage and out of sight of everyone. Then he walked closer to her.

'Liv, I'm going to snake my arm around you.' He warned her.

He carefully reached his arm around her and held her. As soon as he did that he felt her lean on him for support. He slowed their pace down and she allowed him to take some of her weight. He helped her into the car and then circled around to get in himself.

'Liv, we have your bag from the hospital. What else do you need for tonight?'

'Um, don't think anything.'

'Ok, I'm just gonna stop at one shop and then we'll be at the hotel.'

Olivia sat with her eyes closed for most of the drive. But as Brian shut off the engine her eyes shot open.

'Liv, I'm just going to pop in and get a few things. I've parked right outside so I'll be able to see the car from inside. I'll just be a few minutes.'

Brian saw the uncertainty, even a bit of fear in her eyes. He reached down and put something in her hands.

'Here's your phone. I've put my name under 1 in speed dial. Hold it and I'll hold mine.'

Olivia turned her face away. She couldn't believe he could read her that well. She was ashamed.

'Hey' he said as he gently put his finger under her chin and drew her face back towards him. 'That right there. Not necessary, ok? You've be through a lot. I would be worried if you weren't afraid.'