Disclaimer: Okay, so as it turns out that guy bought the One Ring off of was a con artist and I wasn't really invisible. I barely escaped and am formulating a new plan. I'm gonna ask Maleficent to teach me how to morph into a dragon, only I'm gonna make outter skin thicker than a shield because I have more intelligence than her. We'll see how this goes...

Now onto the Meat and Potatoes

Lizzie

Emotions

It took Cragen over an hour to finish the paperwork and see Yaburov off on an airplane bound for the United States.

"I've wanted to get that bastard for so long. Thanks for your help, Captain."

Ulmer extended his hand and shook with Captain Cragen. "Tell me, how's Liv?"

Cragen gave a light shrug. In truth he hadn't really spoken to her since after Yaburov had been arrested. She, Stabler, Munch, Fin, Novak, and Huang had headed for the hotel Ulmer had set up for them but Cragen had mounds of paper work to fill out. He wanted nothing more than to head for the hotel, get a hot shower, and take a long nap but he wanted to speak with the detective he had almost lost more.

"I'm hoping to get more of an idea after I get to the hotel. I haven't had a lot of time."

Ulmer nodded politely but his expression read that he was more than a little concerned.

"I'll let you know as soon as I know more. I'm gonna insist she talk with someone when we get home. I'll take care of her, Randy. I promise."

Ulmer nodded silently and muttered a thanks as Cragen headed for the door.

"Where's this hotel anyway?"

"You're at the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane."

Cragen did a double take at those words. "That's a five hundred dollar a night hotel at a minimum! There's no way we can afford that."

Ulmer blushed slightly and shook his head. "It's on the house, Captain. You helped me put a dangerous trafficker away. I owe you one."

Cragen felt that to "own him one" would have been to treat them to a nice dinner or pay for a night in a European class motel, not spring for a five star hotel.

"Thank you." Cragen and Ulmer shook hands once more and Cragen headed for the hotel. Deciding to err on the cheap side, he took the Underground rather than opt for a taxi. Yet once he was seated on the train he wished he had chosen a taxi. The damn trains didn't move fast enough for his liking. There were six people waiting on him and the sun would be up shortly.

If it hasn't set again by the time the train reached it's destination, Cragen thought angrily.

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The Dorchester was as beautiful and luxurious as Cragen had pictured. He made his way up to his room and keyed in. He stepped inside and found Benson and Novak asleep on the bed.

Stabler was seated by the window staring into space. His eyes were glazed over and while he was showing signs of fatigue, he wasn't about to fall asleep. When Cragen laid his coat on the bed and began to remove his jacket and tie, Stabler nodded his greeting.

Once Cragen made himself comfortable, he walked over and took the chair beside Stabler, his eyes going to Benson and Novak, the former still wearing her blood stained nightgown and the latter in her business suit and nylons.

"They doin' okay?"

Stabler shrugged and lowered his voice to a whisper so soft Cragen had to lean in to hear.

"I'm not sure. They both passed out as soon as we got in. Munch, Fin and Huang said they had the right idea and headed for their room. Ulmer offered three rooms so Liv and Case could have their own but we thought it was a waste of money. You have no idea how much this damn place costs a night."

Cragen glanced around at the posh setting. The beds were large and the blankets were soft. There was a safe and a refrigerator and the bath tub was the size of Cragen's bed back home. There were also other amenities that pointed to the fact that those who stayed in this hotel lived a wealthy lifestyle. No one here lived close to that lifestyle.

"I can guess. So everyone's asleep but you and me?"

"So it would seem," was Stabler's whispered reply.

"You thinking 'bout a nap, Elliot?"

Stabler shook his head, his eyes on his partner. "Nope."

Cragen's eyes also went to Benson and than back to Stabler. "I'm not really wanting to sleep either." This was far from the truth but something was keeping his detective up and Cragen was determined to crack the case. Let's go for a walk and grab a soda or something. Sun'll be up in an hour or so."

Stabler shook his head again but didn't reply, his eyes never leaving Benson's still face.

Cragen should have seen this coming and yet he hoped they would steer clear of this. Stabler's faith in Benson had been shaken. He still trusted her implicitly but now he didn't want to let her leave his sight. Even with Yaburov in jail, there were still plenty of his cronies out there. Cragen took a deep breath and considered how best to approach this. If Stabler couldn't bounce back from this than he'd have the difficult job of finding a new partner for both of them. And this would not be taking into account the possibility that without Benson as a partner, Stabler might not be able to function properly. How damaged was he because of this? More importantly, how damaged was Benson? She'd been the prisoner of a man capable of atrocities unfathomable. She had seen things that the others hadn't. While Benson's life in SVU had prepared her for these crimes, she and the others usually only saw the aftermath of a crime. She would have been a witness to the actual atrocity. What if she had been a victim? Deciding that there was one person she would have confided in, he decided to ask Stabler.

"Do you have any idea what Yaburov did to her?"

Stabler bit on his lip so Cragen stood up. "Let's not talk about this here. Let's go for a walk, Elliot."

When Stabler shook his head negatively in answer to this second offer, Cragen took another seat.

"Elliot, you can't stand over her and protect her for the rest of your life. You've gotta get over this or it might cost you your partnership. She's gonna need you right now but not as a babysitter, as a friend and confidant. You're the closest thing she has to family and she'll lean on you to get through this."

Stabler looked at Cragen and than returned his gaze to Benson. He knew Cragen was right but that didn't mean he liked it. Benson was his partner but he hated the feelings coursing through his veins. The feelings he had confessed to Ally Gall in the bar had returned and with a vengeance. He was furious with Benson right now. When he'd seen her again for the first time at Commonwealth Airstrip, he had found himself fighting two urges: the urge to hug her and the urge to hit her. Stabler glanced at his captain. Would Cragen understand or would he simply agree that the days of Team Benson/Stabler were over? Deciding to give it a try, he stood up.

"A coke sounds pretty good but I suggest asking for one with extra ice because than they might give us more'n one cube."

Cragen cracked a smile and followed Stabler out the door.

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The pub they found wasn't a large one and that's what both Stabler and Cragen were hoping for. Choosing a secluded corner, Cragen enjoyed a coke but Stabler, now that he wasn't holding someone's life in his hands, indulged in a beer.

"You sure it's okay if I have alcohol, Cap?"

Cragen, a recovering alcoholic nodded and sipped his coke. "Watching you drink won't turn me back, Elliot. I just won't indulge with you."

Stabler looked grateful and took a long drink from his mug. Cragen watched him during this time. There was something on Stabler's mind, something concerning this case and Olivia Benson. Deciding that it should be he who initiated conversation, Cragen began by voicing the same question he had back in the hotel room.

"Did Yaburov do anything to Olivia?"

Stabler sat his mug down and stared into space. "He beat her up, Cap, but that's all. He tried to rape her but she fought back. Nailed him right in the nose and he decided not to mess with her."

"Smart man," Cragen muttered. He'd known Olivia Benson for eight years and knew she wouldn't go down easily. "What else?"

Stabler gripped his mug tightly. He wanted nothing more than to get his hands around Yaburov's neck and squeeze. No, snap. "He split her lip, blackened her eye, broke at least two of her ribs, she thinks more, and cracked her cheekbone. She needs to see a doctor but she wants to wait until we're home in New York. When're we goin' home, Cap?"

"Soon, I hope." Cragen hoped that they would leave in a day or two. There were cases waiting for them back home and the Yaburov case would be there was well. They needed to finish the paperwork and get home. "I'm gonna check with Ulmer tomorrow…I keep forgetting it's morning so today, and buy tickets first thing. I'll work round the clock if it'll mean gettin' us home quicker."

After finishing his beer, Stabler opted for a coke. There was no need to get drunk right now. The first mug was helping him to relax but his temper was still on high.

"You know her better than me. How d'ya think she's doin'?"

Stabler sighed into his warm coke. The damn Brits never put enough ice in his drink and this royally pissed him off.

"She's scared but I think she'll bounce back. DAMN HER!"

Cragen, who had been drinking at the time, dropped the cup at this sudden outburst of anger. The remnants of his drink went everywhere but Cragen didn't notice. He didn't even attempt to clean up the mess. His focus was on his detective, who was red in the face.

"What's wrong, Elliot?"

Stabler cursed and knocked his mug onto the floor where it smashed. Both men ignored the mess but they were starting to draw the attention of other customers.

"Everyone's so busy worrying about how Liv's doin,' and I'm right there with you, but what about me? No one cares that I risked everything I've built over the years. My job, my family, my very life, I put all of it on the line for her. She just can't keep her God-damn nose outta things, can she?"

Stabler's teeth were clenched in anger and frustration. His fingernails were digging into the table, eyes closed and his breathing was heavy. Cragen, careful to keep himself objective without babying the detective, didn't try and comfort him.

"How are you, Elliot?"

Stabler's fist made contact with the table but he didn't wince in pain. His eyes were screwed up and it seemed he was concentrating on what to say next.

"Fucking awful, Captain. I've been so worried about her. I thought I'd never see her again. I just couldn't imagine not having her here. But now that she's safe I'm angry as hell at her. I was pissed when I found out what she'd done. I thought these damn feelings would go away when we found her but they haven't. They've gotten worse and I don't know how to stop 'em."

Cragen knew these feelings because he had experienced similar ones when Stabler had vanished. They had various steps to follow but Stabler had taken the law into his own hands. He'd risked everything based on a hope. However, Stabler had been victorious and these feelings were gone. Now he only worried about the Chief of Ds and how he would handle it. Cragen would fight tooth and nail for Stabler to insure he kept his job.

"Elliot, these feelings are normal. I know I'm no psychiatrist but I've had similar feelings in past situations. They'll pass with time and you and Liv'll be just like you were."

While most people would say Cragen spoke to quickly, the SVU Captain believed every word he said. Stabler and Benson were closer than any other pair he'd ever seen. He was angry at her because of what she had risked. She hadn't put strangers in danger or even friends. She's put herself on the line and that anger Stabler. He doubted his detective would be experiencing emotions as disturbing as these if Benson had used another cop as bait rather than herself. Right now the situation had just ended and emotions were riding on high. Once they returned to the States, took some time off and relaxed, Cragen was sure these feelings would vanish. However, the captain couldn't go on that hope.

"You need to talk with her about this, Elliot. She needs to understand."

Stabler didn't look up from the table. He was staring at a crack in the table, his thoughts were his own. His expression had softened but he gave nothing away.

"Do you think she'll forgive me?"

"Yes." Cragen, again, didn't need to think. Benson was his best friend. She'd probably be annoyed and try to justify her actions but they'd forgive each other.

"When?"

"Soon." Cragen hoped that when they returned to the hotel, everyone would be awake and they could talk right then. Benson was stressed enough as it was and didn't need the added pressure of a confidant who was angry with her. They needed to work this out now before it became something worse.

Stabler didn't answer but his expression told Cragen that he understood and would take the necessary steps to take care of this. He loved Benson and he didn't want to push her away.

"Elliot." His detective looked up at him. His expression was confused and angry.

"Yeah?"

"Elliot, you're angry at yourself for being angry at her. I want you to understand something and understand it completely. Your emotions are normal and you aren't the villain in this case." Cragen made sure Stabler was looking at him and understanding him. "You're the hero, Elliot, and I think Olivia will understand this in time."

"And then a hero comes along With the strength to carry on And you cast your fears aside And you know you can survive So when you feel like hope is gone Look inside you and be strong And you'll finally see the truth That a hero lies in you."

Mariah Carey - Hero

Author's Notes: Sorry for a shorter chapi but it's more of a lead up into the next one. I thought about putting them together but decided a break was needed. We're getting down to the end so I'll continue to say thanks but I'll have more personal ones at the end of the last chapter.

Also, I know I'm a uber nerd (something I'm very proud of) but I started writing this story just after the first of the year and I was almost finished when I left for New York for Spring Break. There, I heard this song and I immediately thought of my fic. I went searching on Youtube and found it but this site won't leave me a link so just go to Youtube and type in Endless Night. The song I'm thinking of is from the Lion King and it should be the first hit.

I know this is a bit silly so you're all free to mock me:)