Olivia takes me home, even though I tell her that it's 7:00 and it's almost time for work. "It's okay," she says, waving a dismissive hand. "We'll be late. You're more important." This time she says the words aloud, and they make me glow inside.

She takes me inside and makes me a cup of tea, and turns on the fireplace. She finds some blankets and pillows in the linen closet and sets them down on the ground, then lays down and pats the space beside her.

I lie down, and she wraps her arms tightly around me. "It's okay," she says, and kisses my forehead. "Everything's going to be okay."

But it won't be. Leah hurt me, but now someone's hurt her. Am I supposed to feel sorry for her or still hate her for what she did to me?

"I can ask Cragen to hand the case off to Brooklyn SVU if it makes you more comfortable, princess. It's open and shut anyway, and you'll have to recuse yourself."

"No – no. It's okay. I don't want – you have to – it's your job."

She gives me a kiss. "You are my life, Alex. It's my job to take care of you, and make you feel safe."

"When I'm with you, I do feel safe."

"Oh, baby, you are. You are safe with me."

I kiss her cheek. "I know."

"So do you want me to hand this case off? I will, if that's what you need, Alex. Without a second thought."

I chew on my lower lip and finally nod. "Thank you," I murmur.

She lifts my chin and gazes right into my eyes, and it's like electricity all over again. I love her so much.

Olivia gently rubs my back. "We can call in sick to work –"

I want to. God, I want to. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

"I'll be fine." I have to be.

"If you need anything –"

"I know."

"I mean it, Alex. Anything."

I curl into her embrace. "Oh, Liv. I love you so much."

"I love you, too, baby." She smiles. "But you know that."

I smile back and brush her hair out of her eyes. "Want to get in the shower with me? If we don't hurry, we'll be late for work."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. Work starts at eight – at least for me – just like it does every day."

She smiles a bit. "Not that. I mean – the shower?"

"I'm sure." I hold her gaze. "I feel safe with you, Olivia. You know that's the truth."

Her face softens, and she holds out her hand to help me to my feet. "You are the strongest woman I know, Alex. I admire you so much – and love you even more."

I kiss her cheek. "You're the first person who ever told me that."

She cups my cheek. "Then I will tell you a million times, because it's true. I know you never really had anyone before me, but I'm here now, and I'll never let you go, I promise."

My heart melts, and I squeeze her hand. "Come on. Let's get in the shower."

Olivia picks me up from work, and she does everything she can to take my mind off things. She takes me out for dinner, to my favorite restaurant, and then we go see a movie. I spend most of that time studying her and grinning every time our fingers brush as we reach for popcorn. Then I realize that she's doing it on purpose, and it makes me smile even more.

It's 10:30 when the movie lets out, and I cling to Olivia's hand for the whole ride back to her place. She strokes my hand and kisses my fingers when we reach a red light, which is just about the sweetest thing.

When we get home, we climb into bed together, and she holds me until I fall asleep. If this morning was tumultuous, to say the least, tonight more than makes up for it. Olivia loves me, and she never forgets to show it.

"Alex!" calls a voice from far away. "Help me!"

Leah is standing in the distance, crying. I don't know why, but something is very, very wrong.

"Alex!" she screams again, and I try to go to her, to comfort her as I always wish she would comfort me, but I can't move. I'm in a cage made of glass, and try as I might, I can't break it down. The walls – they're closing in on me, and I'm falling, falling –

"Alex."

I start awake to find Olivia looking down at me, compassion in her eyes. I try to say something, to apologize, but as soon as I open my mouth, I burst into tears.

"Shh," she soothes, gently stroking my hair. "It's okay, Alex. You don't have to say anything. It was just a dream. You're okay."

I take a deep breath and try to relax in her embrace, but the nightmare – mild as it was in comparison to my usual ones – has really shaken me up.

"It's okay," Olivia repeats, and starts to massage my shoulders, relieving them of their strain. "I love you, Alex."

That helps me calm down, just a bit, and I abandon myself to her warm presence and comforting words. She just holds me, rubs my back, strokes my hair, kisses my forehead. It's what I need right now, and she knows that.

After awhile, she says, "What can I do to help you, princess? I know today – yesterday – was a huge shock, and I am so sorry about that. What can I do for you?"

I can't say anything. I just keep crying, and try to murmur an apology.

"Hey, you've got nothing to be sorry for," she says tenderly, lifting my chin and smiling right into my eyes. "It's okay to cry if you need to, baby. I'm here. You're safe, and you never have to be sorry for crying."

I nod and lay my head down on her stomach, letting her soothe my fears. Finally, when I run out of tears, I whisper, "Liv?"

"Yeah, baby?"

I swallow hard. "Liv, I – I want to go see her."

I know that she knows who I'm talking about, and she seems to be considering for a moment. "Oh, sweetheart, I don't think that's such a good idea."

I bite my lip and shake my head. "No. I think – it's something I have to do. For myself."

She looks right into my eyes. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"No." I chew on my lip until it bleeds. "But it's what I need."

Olivia takes a tissue from the nightstand and presses it to my bleeding lip. "Okay," she finally says. "I'll come with you. If you want me to."

I take her hand and give it a squeeze. "Thank you."

She kisses my hair. "I love you, baby. I will do whatever it takes to help you."

I try to smile, although I'm downright terrified of what I know I'm going to do in the morning. But I have to be brave. I have to be.

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