Disclaimer: I do not own Law and Order: SVU.
Chapter Title: Better Days
It was 2:00 AM when Olivia came home. She was tired and exhausted, but hurt most of all. She didn't know why Alex didn't love her. The last six months had been the best months of her life, but Alex didn't want to take it to the next step. Olivia didn't understand why not.
Olivia went to the kitchen for water and then to the bedroom. She wanted to sleep. She was surprised and angry to see Alex in her bed embracing her pillow. Olivia went to the bathroom and turned on the water of the shower. Why is Alex here? Olivia wondered. She doesn't want a relationship. Tears came slowly to Olivia's eyes. She wasn't sure she loved Alex anymore.
As the water became cold, Olivia turned off the water and dried herself. She wanted to go to bed, but she couldn't. She went to the bedroom and stood before Alex, thinking. Finally she lay on the other side of the bed; she didn't want to wake Alex. She couldn't sleep. Alex stirred slightly. Olivia felt tears well in her eyes again as she thought of the old times and fond memories…better days.
FLASHBACK
"Benson."
"Hey, Liv, it's Alex." Olivia smiled.
"Hey, baby," she whispered.
"Can you come here, Liv?" Alex asked flirtatiously.
"Why, is something wrong?" Olivia asked anxiously.
"No, Liv, I only missed you. I love you so much."
"I know why you love me," Olivia giggled.
"No, Detective Benson, I don't believe I know why I love you. You should come and show me." Olivia could hear the grin in Alex's voice. She glanced at her watch.
"I'll be there in half an hour."
"Okay, love you, Liv."
"Love you too, sweetie." Olivia hung up and quickly left the precinct.
END FLASHBACK
"Baby, your cell phone is ringing," said Alex suddenly.
Olivia took her cell phone and answered it. "Benson."
"Liv, we have a new case; you need to come down here." It was Elliot.
Olivia sighed. "I'll be there in twenty minutes." She jumped out of the bed, ignoring Alex. She took her clothes and went to the bathroom. She emerged five minutes later and left, taking her badge and gun, and not saying a word to Alex.
Alex could only watch speechlessly as Olivia left. She sighed, and then stood up. She left the apartment; she knew she should leave.
Her heart was heavy and full of pain. She wanted tot ell Olivia that she loved her. She wanted to hear Olivia say the same to her…
Alex felt tears slip down her face as she walked slowly back to her apartment.
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Elliot was waiting for her when Olivia entered the hospital.
"What do we have, El?"
"Fifteen-year-old girl; name is Shirin Shalev. She's four months pregnant."
"What happened to her?"
"Witnesses found her in Central Park. She has some really deep bruises, cuts, and her hand is broken…" he stopped and then began again slowly "…and raped."
"Is the baby okay?" Olivia inquired.
"The doctor said that the baby is okay, but it was a bad trauma with extrusion."
They arrived at Shirin's room and paused uncertainly outside.
"I will go and speak with her, El." Olivia walked slowly into Shirin's room and sat in the chair beside her bed. The girl had long, dark hair, pale skin, and several bruises.
"Who are you?" the girl asked. She had a strong accent; Arabic, maybe, thought Olivia.
"Hey, sweetie, I'm Olivia, a police officer. I want to help you."
"I do not need help. I am okay. I want to go home."
"No, sweetie, you have bad bruises, your hand is broken and…" Olivia paused. "…Did you know that you're pregnant?"
"What; what did you say? I am not pregnant. I am only fifteen years old." Tears began to well in the girl's eyes.
"I know, I know," Olivia said comfortingly. She put her arm on Shirin's shoulder.
The girl cried louder and started talking rapidly in a language Olivia couldn't understand.
"Shh…It's okay, sweetie; you're safe now. No one else will hurt you." Olivia continued to stroke Shirin's arm until the exhausted girl fell asleep.
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Olivia sat at her desk doing paperwork when her telephone rang. "Benson."
"Liv, it's Alex. Please don't hang up."
Olivia paused uncertainly. She wanted to hear what Alex had to say, but was still very angry with the ADA. She sighed. "I'm listening."
"Please, Olivia; can I see you? I want to speak with you."
"You have spoken to me, Alex, and I thought that you already told me what you had to say the night you broke up with me."
"Liv…" Alex pleaded.
"For you, it's Olivia. I must go. We have a hard case. Bye, Alex." Olivia hung up and cursed herself. She knew she should talk to Alex, but she was too angry and hurt right now. She needed a break and left the precinct.