Thoughts:

She didn't know what to do. She had agreed to go back to New York, but didn't know how to cope with the consequences of her promise. But she had to try, she promised Munch, she would show everyone, including Elliot, that she was strong enough to handle this.

The thought of seeing Elliot everyday but knowing that he felt nothing more than friendship for her would be very painful for her, and she knew that she would have to bound the chains on her heart much tighter.

She would rebuild her rapport with her closest friends, though this no longer included Elliot. Seeing him and working with him every day would be hard enough without putting her heart in more jeopardy by being friends with him again. She would have to maintain a perfectly professional relationship with Elliot, and not start a personal one.

She could talk to Munch, Fin, Alex, Casey, Don and Mel about everything, but Elliot was out of the question, yet he was the one that always knew how to comfort her. She would just have to learn how to survive without him, because if she didn't she wouldn't last. Vowing to maintain these promises she made to herself, Olivia got up and woke Munch who was dozing.

"John," she whispered quietly, shaking him, "John, wake up."

"Hmm," he mumbled, "What time is it?"

"A little after 7. What time do we leave?"

"10, we should leave soon. Go get dressed and we'll leave."

"Thank you, John," she whispered before gently kissing his forehead.

Olivia moved to the bathroom, taking a shower before changing into more comfortable clothing that she could hopefully bury herself in, protect herself from the emotional onslaught that was bound to come when she arrived back.

Boarding the plane and heading to New York, neither Munch nor Olivia discussed the consequences of her returning home but maintained a light and quiet banter. After arrived in New York a few hours later, they were greeted by the SVU team.

Cragen hugged her tightly, whispering comforting words in her ear. Fin, Casey and Alex each embraced her and murmured thanks and 'welcome home's gently. Elliot stood back and waited for his embrace, however, Olivia, sticking to her vow to maintain only a professional relationship with Elliot, merely nodded to him and walked past the group, earning strange glances from the remainder of the team, whereas Elliot received many glares.

Not knowing what to do about the current situation, Elliot left, trying to understand the scenario and Olivia's behavior toward him. He knew that she would have trouble with their relationship but he had expected their friendship to still have some foundation and be repairable. However, based on her reaction to him at the airport, he highly doubted that that would happen now.

Taking a cab and arriving home, Olivia unpacked her clothing, ordered take-out before seating herself comfortably on the couch. Thinking about the airport scene, she remembered everyone's reaction to her return.

Cragen had embraced her and told her that he was proud of her decision to return. He had thought of her as strong and determined and that she had proven that she was capable of living through any emotional trauma. Fin had also embraced her but he had told her that he had "shaken down" Elliot and informed him that he was a stupid idiot for ruining the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Alex and Casey had both told her that they would come over later to help her and discuss the issues that were now pressing. Before she could analyze anything further, the doorbell rang. Hoping that it wasn't Elliot, Olivia tentatively opened the door, and let out a relieved sign and stood aside to let Alex and Casey into her apartment.

"What happened?" Alex asked gently as they all sat on the couch.

"With what?" Olivia asked, not wanting to get involved with anything.

"With you and Elliot. You barely acknowledged him at the airport," Casey stated.

"We had an argument."

"About?" Alex prompted.

"Our relationship. I wanted more, he didn't."

"What do you mean he didn't?" Casey asked incredulously.

"He told me that he loved me, just not in that way. He kissed me and then said he only wanted to be my friend. He broke my heart twice and he doesn't care. So, I'm not giving him the opportunity to do so. I'll have a professional relationship with him, but not a personal one. I won't put myself in that position again," she stated firmly.

"So, you're just going to let him go?"

"What do you mean let him go? He doesn't want me, what am I supposed to do, chase after him and continually get my heart broken until I can't handle it and suicide?" she asked sarcastically.

"No, but he loves you."

"Yeah, just not in the way I want him to."

"He's scared, Liv. He doesn't want to get hurt."

"But I wouldn't hurt him. I was willing to move past everything, I was willing to put myself in jeopardy when I can barely trust anyone. I did everything to let him know that I would do anything, that I was serious; trust me, he's not interested."

"He is."

Olivia shook her head stubbornly and Alex and Casey decided to give the topic a rest, knowing they wouldn't get any further with her. A little while later, Alex and Casey left, leaving Olivia once more to her thoughts. Knowing sleep wouldn't be forthcoming, Olivia took a small dose of a sedative and allowed it to take over.

The following morning, she awoke and dressed quickly. Heading to the station, she didn't notice anything as she seemed to be on autopilot. Arriving at the station, she indicated a quick 'hello' to everyone.

A few minutes later, Elliot arrived and sat down at his desk.

"Hey Liv," he said quietly.

"Good Morning, Detective," she responded professionally.

Elliot looked up at her in shock, not knowing how to react to her behavior.

"Case at Mercy General," Cragen interrupted, "Girl was raped and beaten. Benson and Stabler, your case."

Reluctantly Olivia nodded and grabbed her coat. Elliot, also grabbing his, was still unsure how to behave around her. This Olivia he didn't know, he only knew the nice, kind, gently, friendly Olivia, not the professional, cold and detached Olivia.

"Liv, is this how it is going to be from now on?"

"Yes," she stated firmly, "You wanted it this way," she responded before walking into the hospital, leaving Elliot wondering what he had done to her and if he had just jeopardized the most important relationship in his life.