The door buzzed and the corrections officer pushed it open. Elliot followed him in, then tipped his head towards the door. The officer nodded and gave Stabler the room.

"Elliot Stabler," Lewis smirked, "I never thought we'd actually meet."

Lewis sat poised and smiling in his orange jumpsuit. His hands cuffed and chained to the table neutralized any threat he making pose. Elliot already wanted to pound this guy into the ground, but he sat across from him calmly, meeting Lewis' delighted face with an expressionless gaze of his own.

"You know," Lewis continued, "she talked about you during our little outing." He smiled. "After she disarmed me she went on and on about how her former partner would know what to do and wouldn't think twice." He laughed, "I checked your record, looks like you have a lot of excessive force complaints."

Elliot remained expressionless with his arms folded.

"I was a little surprised when she called for you in her drug induced delirium. I thought her boyfriend's name was Brian, but apparently you left a bigger impression on her than that guy."

Elliot felt himself seething, but he maintained a stoic outward appearance. Lewis was trying to manipulate him like everyone else. He wouldn't be baited.

"I was surprised to find out you're married." Elliot felt himself tense up, but remained silent. "I get it though, a nice piece of ass like hers," Lewis sighed, "how could you resist? I mean can you blame me for getting into her pants?"

Elliot's reaction was quick and immediate. He slammed his face into the table. Lewis laughed, but Elliot seethed, "If the jury is stupid enough to let you off," he pushed his face harder into the table, "I will kill you. You can count on that."

"Ah there it is. The legendary Stabler anger. You gonna give me a beat down like your former partner?" He managed a taunting smile even while his face was still pressed into the table.

"Best thing she ever did," Elliot muttered. He pushed his head back and released his grip.

"See, I don't think it was. It's just another way she won't ever forget me."

"You will be rotting in prison. She won't give you another thought." Elliot spat the words out.

"That's where you're wrong." He smiled like he was retelling a sweet memory, "She will never be free of me. Our time together left some notable damage in some notable places." He chuckled, "I promise you, anytime someone gets close to her, they will know I was there first."

Elliot saw red. He grabbed Lewis by the hair, and slammed his face into the table again, this time hard enough to elicit a bloody nose. One more well placed slam ensured both nostrils were bleeding. He pulled his head back up by his hair. Elliot's nostrils flared with seething anger. His voice shook with rage. "If you ever touch her again, you will die a slow painful death. I promise you that."

Lewis spat blood from his mouth. He still smiled despite the river of blood running down his face. "Understood," he grinned.

Elliot shoved his chair back and stood. He couldn't breathe the same air as this monster anymore. He tapped on the door and the guard buzzed it open.

"Sorry about the mess. He freaked out- started banging his head against the table."

"No problem," the CO didn't seem at all phased. "I'll get the janitorial staff in here."

Elliot immediately left, making sure to keep his eyes forward, not looking back. He figured pounding this guy would make him feel better, but it only made him feel chilled to the core.

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Elliot made it to the courthouse a little later than the day before. He'd barely seen Kathleen, and they decided to catch up over breakfast. She asked questions about the trial and how Olivia was taking everything. He told her the truth, mostly. She didn't need to know how much a chaotic shit-show this whole thing has been.

The courtroom was mostly full so Elliot squeezed in towards the back. He saw her sitting next to her new partner, and the others in her squad. Conflicting feelings rose within him. She needed that love and support, and he was glad she had it, but he wished it could be him sitting next to her, providing that support.

Elliots stomach dropped when Lewis stood, and announced he would not be taking the stand. Shock echoed through the courtroom, and that lawyer, Barba, looked a combination of frustrated and incensed.

The judge called for closing arguments. Lewis' account made Elliot feel physically ill. The lies he spewed sought to victimize Liv even more. Elliot watched the back of Olivia's head, frustrated he couldn't see her face. Her frame weighed down with exhaustion, mental and physical, and her body shook. Her new partner draped his arm over her shoulder, steadying her through the verbal onslaught. Elliot attempted to push away his rising jealousy. He left. What little possessiveness he once had, no longer applied. She had a new partner to lean on, and he could only blame himself.

The proceedings concluded and the jury was dismissed to deliberate. Elliot hung back in the hall, hoping to speak to Liv. He leaned against the wall with his hands deep in his pockets while he watched her exit the courtroom and interact with her squad. Cassidy wasn't at the courthouse today and the thought infuriated Elliot. Nothing should come before this. Before her.

Olivia gave her partner a quick hug, readying herself to leave, but the blonde detective, Rollins, nudged Olivia and tilted her head in his direction. Her eyes caught his, enticing him to stay put until she could talk to him. She looked completely drained, and tired of keeping up the pretense of being 'okay'. Rollins grabbed her hand, and said something that made Liv smile, before she nudged her in his direction.

She said her final goodbyes to the squad and made her way to him. "Hey." Her eyes dropped to the ground.

"Hey," he responded. "Hungry?"

"Not really." Her eyes flit to his before dropping to the floor.

He knew things were a little awkward after their encounter yesterday, but he wanted to be here for her, in any way she needed.

"Wanna go somewhere?" he asked.

Her eyes met his again, and he wanted to wrap her up and never let go. He hated the pain he saw there. He hated the responsibility he felt. "Yeah," She gave a weak smile, attempting to give off the pretense of normalcy. "Where are you staying?"

"Not far. The first couple nights I stayed with Kathleen, but I felt guilty with how late I came home and how early I got up. Her work schedule is crazy so I thought it would be easier if I booked a hotel closer to the courthouse."

She nodded in understanding. "Mind if we go there?" Her voice was vulnerable and pleading. "I can't go home with Brian walking on eggshells around me. I don't want to go out with the rest of the squad, because I'm tired of acting."

"Then let's get out of here.." He dropped his voice, "You don't need to pretend with me."

Her brown eyes filled with tears. "I know," she whispered.