Chapter Nine

"He knows her personally," Huang said, "Each attack was different."

"Yeah, his lack of an MO is his MO. He knew her, but it wasn't just because they read about her being a special victims cop in the newspaper. I can't even imagine it being one of her friends. It couldn't even be an acquaintance. If they knew Olivia, they wouldn't be able to do that to her. She's such a good person. She's the last person to deserve this," Rebecca said sharing what she got out of the stories.

"Unless knowing her was the reason for this. Maybe it wasn't about being mad at her or hating her. Some people believe that this is showing that person how much they love them. They might've been in love with her and thought it would be what she wanted. Or maybe he was angry but because of rejection. It could be anything form rejection to being angered by a case… and don't forget there are still those people that do not believe that women should be allowed to work on the police force. He could've done it to prove a point and he just happened to know Olivia was a police officer. The point could be men are stronger than women… or so most think. I believe the opposite, Liv's only come to therapy from me when forced, but I definitely think she's stronger than half the men in NYPD. Emotionally and definitely physically," Huang said.

"I'm gonna go for rejection on this one. God knows how many men hit on Olivia and give her numbers instead of the other way around," Casey said with Rebecca nodding her head again to agree with what she said. Both friends knew that.

"Yeah, she rejected me a couple times," Munch said sadly.

"Everyone turns you down," Fin said rolling his eyes.

"I did," Casey and Rebecca muttered in unison.

"But what about the repeating? That would definitely mean it was personal. Maybe rejection, but they were friends. A combination…"

She searched all over for him. His car was still where he parked it so he was still at the station. She checked the locker room, the car, the crib, the gym, and each interrogation room. She paged and called his phone multiple times. On her second or third time around, she tried his phone again and heard it faintly. She checked the locker room and there he was. He was sitting on the bench resting his elbows on his knees and his forehead in his hands- not crying, but thinking, upset, but thinking…

"El," Olivia asked cautiously and quietly. After noticing her presence, he looked at her and finally spoke.

"You found me," he said, he was avoiding her.

"Yeah, well, it wasn't easy," she said and Elliot responded with a half laugh, half dry sob. He was still trying not to cry.

"Olivia, I'm so sor-"

"Don't say you're sorry. I'm not," Olivia said, "We've worked it out. We're good now, right?"

"God, I hope so, Liv…" he said shaking his head. At least they were on the right track. They were working towards their goal. Towards the friendship they used to have. The kind of relationship everyone wants and the one they took for granted. And they both secretly hoped for that and more. Neither knew the other felt that way, the way they both hoped for a goal farther and deeper than just friendship or partnership.

Love.

What they didn't know is how they had already reached it, they just keep it hidden.

Elliot once again tried to apologize, but Olivia put a hand up to stop him, meaning 'stop before you start'. This time Elliot obeyed, and Olivia sat down on the bench next to him. She hooked her arm with his. They sat in silence for a couple minutes. They were both deep in thought when Olivia looked down at Elliot's hand that was resting on hers. She saw his knuckles were bloody. He was known to take out all of his anger on a poor, unsuspecting locker.

Who's the victim this time? Olivia couldn't help but think as she looked around her for a newly dented locker. There it is.

Awe, poor Munch… She thought almost laughing. She sighed.

"El, what am I going to do with you?"

Olivia said smiling and resting her head on his shoulder.

Sorry its so short… and I tried to fit it in before school. I like reviews…

I'm kind of depressed at the moment. I just finished a 15 page paper on the insanity defense and now I'm moving on to another 15 page paper with a 10-12 minute power point, this time on "what should be the policy regarding DNA evidence in a criminal trial." I'm trying to keep my topics within my CSI-Law and Order range.

By the way, you guys review better than my CSI people. Lovin' the support!