Disclaimer: If you've seen them on the show, they aren't mine. They belong to Dick Wolf. I'm just borrowing them.
Review for chapter ten!
Olivia's pulse is racing as she knocks on the door to Alex's apartment. "Police, open up!"
The door opens almost immediately and Michael stands in the doorway, a casual smile on his face. "Hello again, Olivia. Sir," he adds, nodding to Captain Cragen. "What can I do for you?"
The captain glances at the determined expression on Olivia's face, then turns back to Michael. "We'd like to see ADA Cabot, please."
The smile fades. "She's not here."
Tired of playing games, Olivia pushes past him and rushes toward Alex's bedroom, ignoring both her captain's and Michael's protests. She flings open to door and gasps at what she sees.
Her knees threaten to give way as she looks at Alex, so vulnerable now. The once strong ADA is curled into a ball on her bed, sobbing quietly. Deep welts and dark bruises in various states of healing cover her back, her legs, her arms, her entire body. She's seen a lot of awful things in her line of work, but this takes the cake. This is what Alex didn't want her to see.
Alex doesn't notice Olivia at first. She's too wrapped up in her own desolation to hear the detective's soft footsteps approaching the bed, but she bites down on her bottom lip to stop herself from crying out, her eyes widening in fear as Olivia kneels down by her bedside.
Wiping an arm across her eyes so Olivia won't see she's been crying, she pulls the covers more tightly around her. She's so humiliated that she doesn't even have the strength to be angry. "Olivia," she whispers, not trusting her voice. Olivia's seen everything and there's nothing she can do to change that. It hurts for her strong friend to see her in such a position of weakness, but it's also a relief.
Tears pool in Olivia's dark eyes as she holds her hand out to Alex, who takes it hesitantly. "That bastard," she mutters, then looks into Alex's eyes, stroking her hand gently. "Everything's going to be okay. Everything's going to be okay now. He's never going to hurt you again, honey. He's never going to hurt you again."
Just then, Michael and Captain Cragen burst into the room. Alex recoils in fear but Olivia squeezes her hand comfortingly. "It's okay," she murmurs. "He's not going to hurt you. I'm here. It's okay."
"Alex," breathes the captain, his feet glued to the ground, unable to move. He forces himself to stare at the gruesome sight in front of him even though it's killing him to see her like this. She's not one of his detectives, just over the last few years, after a rocky start, they've grown to be good friends.
Michael rushes to Alex's side too, but Olivia grabs his wrist with the hand that isn't holding Alex's and twists it back. "You stay away from her," she growls. "You keep your hands off my friend."
"You bitch," hisses Michael, and Alex shies away from him, refusing to meet his eyes. "What did you tell them?"
Giving Alex's hand one more squeeze, Olivia jumps to her feet and grabs hold of Michael. Cuffing his hands behind his back, she intones, "You are under arrest for aggravated assault and sexual abuse. You have the right to remain silent." She hands him off to the captain as she continues to read him his rights.
Alex grimaces. Olivia's too sharp. She's obviously seen the bruises on Alex's thighs and she's put two and two together. She should have known she couldn't keep the secret from her friend for long.
"I'll take this dirtbag down to the precinct," says Captain Cragen. "Liv, you stay here with Alex, okay? You can take today off if you like. Elliot and I will deal with him." He can't even bear to use Michael's name as he drags him out to the car.
Alex waits for the captain to leave before she finally gives in to the tears. Sobs wrack her frail body as Olivia wraps her arm around her shoulders and gently strokes her hair. She recoils at first at the touch, but then she reminds herself that this isn't Michael; it's Olivia, her best friend, trying to comfort her. She's safe now and everything's going to be okay.
The old Alex Cabot never cried, but now, she can't seem to stop. Her emotions are too overwhelming; she's mortified that Olivia's seen her like this, terrified that Michael will hurt her – or Olivia – even more, relieved that she doesn't have to keep the secret anymore, and scared of what might happen next. The old Alex Cabot was never afraid, but now she's living in fear.
Olivia waits patiently for her sobs to subside before saying gently, "Alex, you need to see a doctor."
Alex's eyes widen and she shakes her head vigorously. "I'm okay, Liv, really. I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Olivia assures her. "This isn't your fault."
Alex winces when it hits her; this is the same thing that Olivia says to all of the victims. She's one of them now, and it hurts to be on the other side.
"I'll take you down to the ER," continues Olivia in a calm, quiet voice. "But you do need to get checked out."
The ADA bows her head. She knows Olivia's right. "Okay," she whispers.
"I'll give you some privacy so you can get dressed, okay?"
Alex nods mutely.
"You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to, Alex, but just remember that I'm here for you if and when you want to talk," adds Olivia quietly, and Alex knows it's killing her to have to give this speech to her best friend.
So she nods again and says, "Thanks, Liv."
Olivia manages a half-smile and leaves Alex's bedroom so she can dress in private.
I think I'm probably going to write one more chapter and that's it. Review for the final instalment!
