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Brian and Olivia approached the counter.

'Good day Sir, Ma'am. Welcome to the Madison Hotel. How can we help you today?'

'Is it possible to speak to Dianne Jefferies?'

Just then a woman turned around and said 'I'm Dianne Jefferies.'

'Hello Dianne. We have a booking…'

'Under Carlson?' She prompted after seeing Olivia standing there.

'Yes, Ma'am.'

Dianne turned away and took out an envelope and walked around the desk.

'Mrs Jefferies, they haven't filled in…'

'Thanks Kevin. But it's all been taken care of.' She turned towards Brian and Olivia. 'Please follow me.'

Dianne led them to the elevator and rode up to the 8th floor with them in silence. When the door opened she walked down to a door at the end of the passage which had an extra security gate. She opened the door and led the couple into a spacious, light and warm twin room suite.

'In the old days this use to be the manager's place and when managers moved out of the hotel they decided to make it into a suite for VIPs who wanted a bit of extra security and privacy.'

'Um, Mrs Jefferies…' Olivia started.

'Dianne.'

'Dianne, I think there's some kind of mistake. I just…'

'Need a room?'

'Yes.'

'Olivia,' Olivia raised her eyebrow. 'Yes, I know your name. Captain Cragen told me. You've served the city for more than 15 years if I understood correctly?'

'Yes.' Olivia hestitated.

'Ok, now it's our turn to serve you.' Dianne smiled. 'My staff know not to come up unless they are asked to or otherwise they must phone you beforehand. You'll probably be resting a lot for first few days so they won't bother with cleaning the room for them unless you request it. No one except you, the night manager and myself have a key for that gate. Is that ok?'

Olivia was a bit taken aback by the organization that had been done for her stay. 'Yes. That's fine.'

'Ok. We have a restaurant downstairs which is open from 7am till 10pm and they do have room service if you'd prefer that. Oh and your meals are included in the deal.'

'Thank you.'

'Now I'll leave you to settle in. Please call me if you need anything. Here is my personal mobile if you need it. I'll be in touch, Olivia.' She turned to leave. But then she turned back around. 'Olivia. I hope you'll be able to heal well with us.' Dianne said as she left.

As the door shut Brian looked around and saw Olivia standing against the wall in a daze. He moved towards her.

'Babe?'

Nothing.

'Liv. Are you with me?'

'Huh?' Olivia suddenly realized someone was talking to her.

'Come sit down for a moment.'

'Um, I think I want a shower.' Olivia spoke after regaining her bearings.

'Ok.' It pain him to hear that Olivia was taking repeated showers throughout the day.

'Bri,' She read his expression. 'He didn't.'

'OK.'

'I just still feel his hands on me. His mouth…'

Brian's heart was breaking and his anger towards Lewis growing but he refused to show that to Olivia. If she wanted to talk, he would listen.

She stayed silent and instead looked towards the bathroom.

Brian took it as a sign that that was all she would reveal at this stage. He decided to take the lead. Brian stood up and took the towels that lay on the main bed and took it through to the bathroom. He put on the light and opened the soap and shampoo. He then returned to where Olivia sat. Olivia noticed a bag in his hand.

'Um, I… didn't know which to get you…I hope these are ok.' Olivia looked at him and saw he had a slightly shy look on his face. She opened the bag and saw a brand new set of pjs.

'Brian…' Suddenly she was really touched by his gesture.

'I hope Amanda took care of the rest… I didn't want to…'

'She did.' She stared at the gift. 'Bri, thank you.' She said with an emotional voice. His thoughtfulness really moved her. She knew Amanda probably packed something for her to wear to bed but some new warm pjs was just want she felt like.

'Bathroom is all set. You want me to wait?'

Olivia turned and squeezed his hand. 'Yes.'

He returned the pressure and then gently assisted her to get up.

For awhile he just sat and listened to her moving around in the bathroom. He noticed that it was a good fifteen minutes before she got into the shower. Once she was in the shower, he got up and started doing a few things around the room.

She hugged the pjs as she entered the bathroom. She wanted a shower; she needed to feel the hot water on a skin. She hadn't told anyone but ever since she had left that house she'd felt cold. Nothing seemed to make her feel warm. But on the other hand she didn't want to get undressed. She knew that act would reveal the physical scars of what he had done. She sat on the toilet for a few moments as she coached herself to get undressed. She started with her shoes, socks and jersey. Then after taking a few more moments, she stripped herself of the rest. Finally she stood there, transfixed by the new landscape that was her body. The bruises, cuts, burns all there for her to see. She ran her hand over a few marks as tears suddenly escaped from their hiding place. She stepped into the warm water hoping it would heal her from the pain.

It was a full 35 minutes before she opened the door and re-entered the room where she knew Brian was waiting.

'Sorry I took so long. I…' She stopped talking. Her mouth still open as she took in the sight.

Her curtains had been drawn, the bedside light turned on. The room light on dim. Her bed was turned down and then she saw it. A lone red rose by her bed. But that was not all. Her favourite chocolate, a bottle of water, her cellphone, the book she had been busy with before this all began. A note in an envelope that said 'Read me in the morning.'

'Bri?' she spoke.

'In here, Liv.'

She wandered over to the area of the suite that was a small kitchen. As she walked she kept looking behind her still not believing what he had done.

'Ah, you look nice and warm.' He smiled.

She still didn't trust her voice. She just pointed in the direction of her room.

The look on her face said that he had succeeded in his mission. He smiled in return.

'Did I remember everything?'

'And more.' She managed to get out.

'Good. Just one more item to go.'

She looked down at what he had in hand and saw a steaming mug of tea.

'Follow me Ma'am'.' He joked.

Together they walked into the room and after putting the mug down by her bed. He gestured for her to take a seat next to him on the bed.

He slipped from the room into the kitchen and returned a few seconds later with a spoon with white powder on. She dipped her head in shame. He sat down and waited.

'Put it down there. I'll do it now now.'

'No, Liv. We're doing this together.' Came his gentle response.

'Please Bri.' She spoke as she look down.

'I love you. But you're not doing this alone tonight.'

He took the water beside her and held it as well.

She eventually looked up and instead of pity in his eyes, he gave her the same look that he gave her outside the door of the squad room. That gave her the strength to do what she had to (although it wasn't without a struggle).

'Done.' Brian stated as he removed the spoon from her hands.

'Done.' Olivia affirmed.

'Liv, I know you want your space so I will go, but I want you to promise me one thing.'

She met his eyes.

'If you need to talk, or change your mind… I do not care what time…. You call.'

'I promise. And Bri, thank you for…everything.' As she said that she leant in towards him for a kiss.

In that moment he caught her eyes and there he saw it. Uncertainty.

Instead of feeling his lips on hers, her face was caught in his hands as he cupped her face. He spoke softly but clearly.

'Liv, thank you but no. Not until you are ready. I really appreciate it, really I do, but when we do, you must be ready.'

She tried to pull away as a tear fell but he held her and her gaze. He made her understand without words that he would wait.

'Okay?' He eventually asked.

She nodded. 'Thank you.'

They both stood up and walked towards the door. She opened the door and gate.

'Lock behind me.'

'I will.'

'Call me.'

'I will.'

'I hope you can sleep.'

'Night Brian.'

'Night Liv.'

After Brian left, she made sure that both the gate and door were securely locked. She switched off the lights as she walked towards the bed. She arranged her cushions and sat back with her cup of tea and watched the movie that was on the television.