Disclaimer: Okay, they shot down my ape, who was actually holding some girl and not Dick Wolf, so I give up. I guess I'm never gonna own SVU...

This chapter is dedicated to my fellow college students at Virginia Tech. We're all Hokies today!

With love, Lizzie

Now onto the meat and potatoes

Epilogue

Elliot Stabler took a seat and handed his partner a cup of water. It had been two months since their adventures in Europe and they were about to cross the final hurtle. It would all be over within a few hours, Stabler hoped. As Benson sipped her water, Stabler kept throwing glances at her. Today was the day Stabler had been worrying about. He hadn't slept much the night before and now it was worse. How would she do? Would she be able to hold up?

"You doing okay?"

Benson handed him her cup and gave him a smile. "I said I was doing fine five minutes ago. Not much has changed."

Stabler gently put his hand on her shoulder, hoping contact would help. "Liv, I'll be right there the entire time. I'm not going anywhere, got it."

Benson reached up and patted his hand but didn't push it away. Stabler kept it in place. "Everything's gonna be fine, El. You're more stressed than I am, I swear."

Stabler got up and refilled her cup once more. "I promise we'll get something stronger when this is over."

The past two months had been a time of adjustment for everyone. When Stabler had picked Benson up the Wednesday they were allowed back to work, he was happy to see that she had dyed her hair back to its original brown. The more she put aside what had happened in Europe the better.

Benson had tried to pretend everything was fine but she took more time off than she ever had. She talked with George Huang for long periods of time and he refused to disclose anything.

"It's confidential between her and myself," Huang has informed him the fifth time Stabler had called looking for information. "It's gonna take a while, but she'll snap back. She's making a lot of progress."

Stabler had become Benson's rock the past eight weeks. Truth be know, he was surprised how well Kathy handled the late night phone calls or even Stabler leaving and not coming back until hours later.

"I'm all she has, Kathy," had been Staber's explanation to his wife.

Benson had been able to work through her problems enough to be there for Stabler when he received word that the Chief of Detectives had been informed of his actions. A worried Stabler had sat by his phone for most of the day, waiting. Benson hadn't left her desk until he received his call around nine. She watched apprehensively as Stabler muttered a long line of "okays" and "uh-huhs" and "got its" and, at last, a "thank you."

Finally, he hung up and turned his face toward Benson. She held her breath as Cragen, Munch and Fin gathered around.

"I have to take a week with no pay but that's it. He also said that I'm to be commended for my actions." Stabler glanced around at the four people sitting around him.

"We all are, including George and Casey."

"Yet you're still gonna be punished?" Fin's voice held a note of disbelief.

"He said that there's gotta be something on record just to show that what I did isn't the right thing."

When the other four still looked incredincredulious, the detective leaned back in his chair.

"Hey, I thought I was about to get fired or probation so this isn't too bad."

That had been the high point of the past two monthes. Quick tempers, uncertain actions and now today had been the low points. The only plus for all of them had been that Benson had not seen Yaburov since he was arrested in London…until today.

The door to the court room opened and Casey Novak appeared. She gave Benson and Stabler a smile and joined them.

"You're up. You ready?"

Benson had nodded and handed her cup to Stabler.

"I'm taking you up on that offer for something stronger, got it."

Stabler hadn't smiled and it wiped the fake grin on Benson's face away.

"I promise you I'll…"

"You'll be right there. I know, El."

"I'll be there as well, Liv." Novak had given her hand a squeeze and offered her a smile. "Just answer my questions just like we practiced. Gordman's a hard questioner but you'll hold up just fine."

Benson pulled her hand away and gave both the ADA and her partner a false look of security.

"What's the matter with both of you? I'll be just fine. Stop treating me like a victim."

"You are a victim, Liv." Stabler gave her a quick hug before Novak took Benson's hand in her own.

"Let's do this."

Benson had nodded and followed Novak into the court, Stabler giving her hand a quick squeeze as she went. Taking a deep breath the detective followed. He wanted to get as close to the floor as was possible but keep himself far from Yaburov. He was afraid of what he might do to the bastard if he got too close. Fortunately his seat was already chosen for him.

"Elliot, Elliot, we're right here."

Stabler turned to see George Huang sitting on the aisle. Beside him were Cragen, Munch, Melinda Warner and Fin. Stabler smiled at this sight. They had all come. Benson really wasn't alone. Nodding, Stabler slipped in and Huang moved down so Stabler could have the aisle. His eyes glanced up at the two women standing beside the Prosecutor's table.

"Your Honor, the People call Detective Olivia Benson."

Stabler took a deep breath and glanced down at the others. Cragen was gripped his fists tightly, Munch's eyes kept flickering across the room to Yaburov, Fin was biting on his lip, Warner was leaning forward in her seat and Huang kept glancing at him.

"How're you doing, Elliot?"

Stabler gave him a smile. This man was always looking out for SVU. "I just wanna get this over with."

Huang didn't say anything more. Stabler leaned forward and rested his hands on the railing that separated the audience from the proceedings. Benson took her seat and raised her right hand. Her eyes met his and he gave her a reassuring smile.

"Detective Benson, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

Benson's eyes never left his. "I do." It was a strategy they had worked out on the drive over.

Benson had been silent but she kept fidgeting in her seat. She was ringing her hands and kept glancing out the window. Stabler took one hand off the wheel and covered her hands with his own.

"Everything's gonna be okay, Liv."

Benson had lowered her hands and placed them on either side of her. She gave her partner a smile and he returned his hand to the wheel.

"It'll all be over soon, Liv, and that'll be the end."

"What if the verdict comes back not guilty? What than, El?"

Stabler had been thinking these thoughts last night just before he went to bed. That thought had led to a nightmare that he would never forget.

"I don't see how but we'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it. We'll cross it together, do you hear me, together. Not just you and me, everyone'll be there."

Benson had continued to stare off out the window. She kept muttering under her breath and Stabler knew she was going through the questions Novak was about to ask. It had taken several attempts, but Stabler finally found a parking spot. He stopped the car and Benson opened her door. She gave him a strange look when he stayed seated.

"You coming?"

Stabler had nodded and gestured for her to close the door. "I wouldn't be anywhere else right now, Liv. Listen, don't look at Yaburov while you're up there. If you feel the need to, look at me. I'm right there but don't look at Yaburov. It's what he wants."

"I'm not afraid of him, El."

"Yes you are." Benson had turned to her partner. Her face was hard and set.

"I think I'd know better than you what I think of someone."

"Liv," Stabler's voice was calm and collected. "I'm scared of him. I'm scared of what he did to you, I'm scared of what he could have done. If I'm scared and you're not than I have a serious problem."

Benson hadn't replied to this. She simply opened the car door and stepped out.

"Thanks, El," she whispered as they made their way up the steps to the court house.

Stabler never let his eyes leave his partner the entire time Novak questioned her. He did, however, let his eyes gaze over to Yaburov. The bastard was wearing a suit that probably cost more than all of Stabler's suits put together. The man was about to get the death penalty and he had the audacity to wear a suit that was worth more than three grand. Returning his eyes to his partner, hoping she hadn't seen him break their number one rule, and felt his lip curl at every perverted and disgusting detail Benson relived. Finally, Novak took her seat after giving Benson one last encouraging smile. Frank Gordman for the Defense was now up.

For thirty minutes he attempted to get Benson to contradict everything she had told the court during Novak's questions. And for thirty minutes she stood fast. Her eyes met Stabler's several times and he nodded to show she was doing fine. Benson never deviated and soon it seemed that her time on the stand was just about finished when,

"Detective Benson, you testified that the morning my client took you to London it was against your will. Is that true?"

"Yes."

Stabler had no idea where this form of questioning was headed. Gordman's questioning was going to convict his client. There had to be another side to this story.

"Detective, can you describe what happened that morning?"

Benson looked as confused as Stabler felt. She seemed to be pondering her answer, wondering where this was headed and how she might contradict herself by answering.

"I was supposed to meet Detective Stabler around three that morning at a local bar to give him a picture of Kendal Evans. This would help everyone back in the States get a conviction for Yaburov."

"We've established that, Detective. What happened later?"

Benson raised her eyebrows at Gordman before continuing.

"I went to bed that night and set my alarm so I could sneak out. Sometime during the night Yaburov stole my cell phone so my alarm didn't go off. I remember waking up to sunlight in my eyes and thinking what a wonderful sleep I'd gotten. I then remembered where I was supposed to be and panicked. I sat up and reached for my alarm but before I could even wipe the sleep out of my eyes, someone grabbed me and slammed me back onto the bed."

Gordman nodded and gestured for her to continue.

"The person who slammed me down was your client, which I'm sure you didn't want me to point out, but I'll go on. He slammed a pillow over my face and held it there. I couldn't breathe and I thought I was about to die. He whispered that no one could outwit him, especially a stupid American whore."

Stabler kept glancing at Gordman and at Yaburov. Why would they be going down this path? His glance turned to the jury. In their eyes, Stabler saw a conviction. Gordman interrupted Benson at this point.

"Did he let you up, Detective?"

"Well I wouldn't be sitting here today if he hadn't, would I?"

Stabler and Fin caught eyes and grinned. Gordman had walked himself into a corner. The jury already sympathized with Benson and now they saw a woman on the mend also. Gordman wasn't finished.

"Well I suppose that's true. What happened after that?"

"Yaburov told me we were headed for London and I told him I wasn't going."

"Did he hit you, Detective? For being rude, impolite?"

Benson shook her head. "No but he had…"

"That wasn't the question, Detective. I wanted to know if he hit you at that moment."

"No."

"What did Mr. Yaburov do, Detective?"

Benson glowered at him. "He pulled me out of bed?"

"Let me guess, Detective, he grabbed you by the hair, threw you to the ground, beat you into a pulp, raped you possibly?"

"Not at the moment but…"

"Yes or no, Detective?"

"No."

Gordman nodded and leaned up against the witness stand. "What did he do, Detective?"

Benson's eyes found Stabler. There was questioning in her eyes. She wasn't sure where this was headed and neither was he.

"He took me by the upper arm and dragged me out the door."

"And I'm sure he tied you up or restrained you in some way?"

Benson shook her head.

"Answer for the jury, Detective. I'm sure you've been on the stand before this."

"No, Counselor."

"Strange since, if he is who you say he is, I'm sure he would have killed you. What were you expecting, Detective."

"I…" Benson looked at Stabler.

"You're under oath, Detective." The coldness in Gordman's voice made Stabler's temper flare.

"I thought he was gonna kill me."

Gordman gestured to Yaburov. "So far my client has done nothing to you personally."

"That's not true. He hit me several times before."

Gordman shook his head and looked at the jury. "Detective Benson was working for my client, on her own accord. Latvia has no laws saying an employer may not beat an employee if she fails to live up to his expectations. Therefore, as of right now, Detective Benson is no longer working for my client. That's when he stopped hurting her."

Stabler could see color appearing in Benson's cheeks. Whenever she was angry, this happened.

"That's not true."

Gordman, who had been facing the jury, whipped around to face Benson. "I don't believe I asked you a question, Detective."

Benson snarled but said nothing.

"What happened after he dragged you, although I hardly believe that's the proper word because he was only taking you by the arm, out the door? I've seen parents do that to their children."

Benson didn't take the bait. Her cheeks were beginning to return to their natural color. Stabler sat back now that Benson seemed calm again. The last thing they needed was for Benson to lose her temper.

"He called three of the men on his payroll over. He told them I was their responsibility until we reached London."

"Who were these men, Detective?"

"There names were Lazar, Mikhail and Platon. I'm not sure of their last names."

"Were they larger than you?"

"Lazar and Platon were but Mikhail was a short, scrawny man."

"I know this is going to be difficult to relive, Detective, but I must ask you to." Gordman's voice held a calm note of compassion. "Please tell us what these three men did to you. Tell the court and this jury how they beat you, gang raped you, made you perform felatio, everything. I know it's difficult, Detective, but you have to tell us for justice to be served."

Stabler didn't want to hear what happened next. Benson had sworn that no one had violated her in any way. What was she about to say?

"They didn't hurt me."

Gordman put on a fake look of shock and wandered over to the jury. "You aren't an ugly woman, Detective. I wonder why they wouldn't take advantage of such a prime situation? Why didn't they hurt you, Detective?"

Stabler was leaning forward in his seat again. However, he wasn't the only one. The five men and Warner were all sitting in positions that showed their high stress. Stabler heard Fin mutter, "son of a bitch," when Gordman commented on Benson's looks.

"Yaburov ordered them not to touch me."

"And why would my client, whom you claimed has such a disregard for human life, not allow his men the privilege and pleasure of violating someone who had come so close to toppling him. Are you a virgin, Detective?"

"Obejction! Rele…" Novak had come to the rescue, fuming

"I'll rephrase, Your Honor." Gordman returned his gaze to Benson. "Was Yaburov saving you for himself? Did he want to be the first man you've ever been with?"

Stabler wasn't the only one ready to pounce on this bastard. Fin seemed dangerously close and even Cragen didn't act when Stabler tensed and almost stood up.

"He tried to rape me later so I…"

"Detective, I'm talking about the present. Did he tell his men not to touch you because he wanted you for himself?"

Benson shook her head and muttered, "no."

"So as of right now," Gordman had returned to the jury, his back to Benson. "It seems that Yaburov made a citizen's arrest and was taking you back to London in order to extradite you to the United States."

Benson shook her head and glanced at the jury. There were tears forming in her eyes. "That's not what happened."

Gordman turned back to her, leaning up against the railing on the jury box.

"Detective, what would you do if someone broke into your house?"

"I'd arrest them."

"So basically, as of right now, we only have a man who found out that someone sleeping in his house wasn't someone she was claiming to be. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what would you do?" Gordman was back at the jury box. His eyes went from one juror's eyes to the next.

"That's not how it happen, Gordman, and you know it!" Benson's voice was high pitched, meaning she was trying to keep from either scream, crying or both.

Gordman turned back to the witness stand. "Again, I don't remember asking you anything, Detective."

Stabler growled and Benson stood up and moved to step down off the stand.

"Detective, you haven't been dismissed. I have a few more questions."

Benson glared at Gordman but took a seat. She fixed him with her best 'do your best' look. Gordman took her up on the challenge.

"Detective Benson, isn't it true that you haven't been on your top form lately?"

Benson's eyes snapped to Stabler who did his best to keep his face calm. The first line of questioning would upset Benson but this topic always brought her to a break down. Her guilt was overwhelming and Stabler had hoped no one would remember the past few months. However, Novak quickly came to her rescue once again.

"Objection, relevance?"

But Gordman was quick on his feet as well, sensing that he had hit the right mark. "Competency in this case, Your Honor."

Judge Markson looked from Novak to Gordman to Benson.

"Overruled, but get to the point, Mr. Gordman. Answer the question, Detective Benson."

"I've made a few mistakes lately, yes."

Gordman leaned on the witness stand. In his hand he clutched a case file.

"Can you describe your "mistakes," Detective?"

While Benson started to describe the case with her brother and than the Coots case, Yaburov gestured for Gordman to join him. His lawyer walked over and listened to him speak and than nodded and returned to the witness stand. However, to Stabler's horror, Gordman placed himself directly in front of Stabler, blocking his view.

"Those aren't little mistakes, Detective Benson. You're foolishness cost a little girl her life and a young man, and possibly other young men, their dignity."

"Objection!" Novak's voice was desperate. "A question, Mr. Gordman?"

"Overruled, but ask a question quickly."

Gordman gave the judge a polite nod but didn't move from his spot. "Here's your question, Detective Benson. Do you think that your other mistakes might have caused you to become a little…over zealous on this case?"

Stabler wanted nothing more than to shove Gordman aside and punch Yaburov in the face. No, he'd punch them both. Feeling eyes on him, Stabler turned and found Yaburov smiling at him. Stabler gritted his teeth but maintained composure. The last thing he needed right now was to lose control and be removed from the court.

"No!" Benson's voice was firm and there was no fear or insecurity present. "I shouldn't have gotten involved with this case, yes, but after everything I just told you, I don't think I was being overzealous, do you? Or maybe you've never actually seen a twelve year old girl raped."

"Detective Benson," Judge Markson's tone held a note of warning.

"Thank you, Your Honor," Gordman's tone was smug. "I'll ask the questions here, Detective Benson."

"Than ask one," Novak snarled from her desk.

"Ms. Novak, that's enough." Judge Markson turned to Gordman. "I suggest you stop badgering your witness and get back to cross examination."

"Sorry, Your Honor. Detective Benson, why didn't you intervene in this case? The one with the little girl that you just discribed."

Stabler didn't need to see his partner to know that Gordman had just hit a sore spot for Benson. She had broken down with him one day, asking why she hadn't intervened to stop what had been happening to the little girl. Stabler didn't want that to happen and stood up to make his presence known.

Benson, however, seemed to be taking care of herself.

"Mr. Gordman, I was undercover. I wanted nothing more than to help that little girl but to do so would have condemned us both to death that night. Your client was present and to step in would have been to blow my cover. He would have started to clean house that night, meaning kill a bunch of his victims and…"

"Your Honor, that's heresy."

Judge Markson agreed. "Strike from the record what Detective Benson said about Mr. Yaburov cleaning house."

After a few seconds her gaze returned to Benson. "Please continue, Detective."

"I would have blown my cover and the chances were high that both the victim and I would have been killed."

"Are you sure it's not because you're a coward?"

Stabler jerked forward, muttering "coward? You bastard!," as he did so. A hand grabbed his arm and Stabler turned to face the owner, who turned out to be Cragen.

"You wanna be held in contempt?"

Stabler nodded and leaned back, Cragen's hand going back into is lap.

"I'm no coward, Mr. Gordman. And there's plenty of evidence to show otherwise."

Gordman turned away from the witness stand and began to return to the Defense table.

"Then you obviously don't give a damn about victims."

"OBJECTION!" Novak's voice ripped through the courtroom.

"How dare you say I don't care about these people, you son of a bitch!" Benson was furious and this outburst sent the entire courtroom into disarray.

"You brought women to me, Olivia, or do you not remember that?"

All eyes went to Yaburov, who was now on his feet.

"Order!" Markson rapped her gavel but no one seemed to be paying attention.

"They were trained members of the police. They volunteered and they saved many of your potential victims."

"Again," Gordman gestured for Yaburov to take a seat, "you show you're a coward. Why didn't you go undercover and let yourself be raped and tortured and humiliated?"

"OBJECTION!" Novak felt she was speaking to no one.

"Because I'm not the right age for that. Yaburov ships 'em out young. He even told me himself that he couldn't use me because of my age."

"Heresy!" Gordman's voice held a sing song quality.

"OBJECTION!"

"ORDER!"

"How dare you even insinuate…"

"You were a pimp, Detective! Just admit it!"

"You're obviously unstable, Olivia."

"You're one to talk!"

"Fuck you!" Cragen didn't do a thing to stop Stabler this time. He probably didn't even hear him

"ORDER AND THIS COURT WILL BE CLEARED UNLESS EVERYONE RETURNS TO A STATE OF CIVILITY!"

This time, Judge Markson was heard and the room was silent. Yaburov took a seat as did Benson. Novak remained standing and the jury looked alarmed. The courtroom was filled with chattering until the gavel was rapped a second time.

Markson shook her head and glared at all those involved. "Bailiff, I want everything stricken from the record that was said during the past few minutes. If there's another outburst like that, all present will find themselves in contempt of court." She turned her gaze to Gordman. "I strongly suggest you hurry up."

Gordman gave Benson one last smile before returning to his table.

"The jury's heard enough, I think. I have no more questions."

Even before Markson gave Benson permission to get down, she tore off the stand and out of the courtroom, not even looking at Stabler as she passed. Stabler watched as Yaburov's eyes followed her out of the courtroom, a pleased smile on his face.

Without looking at Cragen and the others, Stabler hurried after his partner. As he closed the doors behind him, he heard Novak ask for a recess, which was granted. Stabler glanced left and right but there was no sign of his Benson.

"A woman just ran outta here. Which way'd she go?"

The security guard pointed to the women's restroom. Without hesitation, Stabler hurried in and could hear Benson vomiting in one of the stalls. He quickly opened it and held her hair back until she was finished. He handed her several paper towls and than hugged her. She tried to pull away, muttering about her breath smelling horrid but Stabler didn't let go.

"I don't give a shit about your breath, Liv."

"Elliot, how could I screw up that bad. He's gonna walk."

"Like hell he is."

Benson and Stabler turned to see Novak, Cragen, Munch, Fin, Huang and Warner enter.

"That jury hates Yaburov and your testimony helped more than you think." Novak walked over and put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder.

"How?"

"Because you didn't act like you were fine on the witness stand. You acted like someone who's been through a traumatic experience and lived to tell the tale. Believe me, he's goin' away forever, possibly with a needle in his future. You were great, Liv."

"Here." Munch handed her a cup of water. "Take care of your breath."

Benson smiled and rolled her eyes at Munch.

The door to the restroom opened and two women, chattering up a storm, entered. They both froze when they saw that the men out-numbered the women in the ladies restroom. They looked confused so Stabler took the initative.

"Let's get outta here."

"Good idea," Cragen led the charge out of the restroom, the two women still staring. "Anyone else as hungry as I am?"

"Me," came the unanimous response.

"Good, let's get some food."

Cragen opened the door but the second they stepped out was the moment Vasyl Yaburov was led by on his way back to his cell. While he didn't say anything to the eight people glowering at him, his smile spoke volumes.

"He won't wear the smile for much longer," Novak headed for the door. "I promise."

Novak was true to her word. Stabler and Benson returned everyday to watch the Defense mount their case but Novak was right. The jury came back after five hours with a conviction. As Yaburov had been led away he called out, "enjoy your nightmares," to Benson but she was ready. Her face didn't retort nor did she flinch.

"I hope you, as a pedophile, enjoy prison."

Yaburov's smile never faded but the light left his eyes slightly.

"Touché," Novak muttered as she joined them. "Let's get the hell outta here."

Stabler nodded but it was Benson who led the way out of the courtroom and out the front doors into the sunlight of a warm New York afternoon. They were met immediately by a slew of reporters, all asking the same question; "how does it feel knowing Vasyl Yaburov will be in prison for the rest of his life, no matter how long or short that is?"

Benson glanced back at Stabler and Novak. Her eyes flickered to Cragen, Munch, Fin, Huang and Warner who were waiting by a taxi cab.

"It just shows that our system produces real justice."

Benson than walked past them, with Novak and Stabler at her heels. Cragen smiled as she approached. While her gait showed him that she was feeling happier than she had in months, it was her smile that convinced the captain that his detective was on the mend.

"You wanna go out for a beer?"

Benson shrugged and glanced at Stabler. "I dunno, we got a lotta cases back home."

"They can wait." Stabler opened the door to the cab and gestured for her to climb in. "At least long enough for us to grab a drink."

The End

Tune all of your voices and instruments play. To celebrate, to celebrate this triumphant day!

Henry Purcell – Come, Ye Sons of God

Author's Notes: Well we've reached the ending. Hope you enjoyed the ride.

onetreefan - Thanks for sticking with me even after my ending might not have satisfied you completely. I might try shipping later but I'd screw it up horribly right now. Trust me on this one:)

Everyone else from beginning to end - Thanks for reading and I hope you like/liked what you read. I'm thankful for your comments:)

Mom and Sis - Thanks for reading and giving me encouraging reviews. Love ya!

To anyone who might read this story in the future - Hope you enjoyed and I won't turn down a review:)

Lizzie - Senator Elect