CHAPTER 8 – Olivia's Apartment

As the morning breaks, the sun glimmers through the window. Elliot opens his eyes slowly, not wanting his night to end. He looks down at her, still snuggled up to him as she was when they fell asleep. As he gently strokes her beautiful dark hair he wonders "was this a mistake? Will she regret it? What do we do from here?" He starts to feel a little nervous as she stirs. He doesn't want to be the cause of anymore of her pain.

"Good morning" Olivia says to him with a smile.

"Good morning beautiful" he returns as he kisses her forehead, hoping his affections are returned. She turns to him and kisses him softly on the lips, then deepens the kiss.

"I'll go shower quick and get the tub ready for you. We have to be at the house in an hour." She gives him a quick kiss, sits up and grabs her cane, and limps to the bathroom. Elliot lays there watching her, amazed by her remarkable beauty and strength. He hears the shower running and he starts to build castles in the air, replaying the night before. He remembers the way she feels, her soft skin under his fingers, the way she tastes with her lips on his, the way it feels to be with her, really with her, the way he had imagined for so long. He loved every piece of her, every ounce of her, mind, body, and soul. He was brought back to reality with her kiss.

"Let's get you in the tub." She helps him into his chair, then in the bathroom, from his chair to the tub. She puts on her makeup as he bathes. He can't keep his eyes off her, wanting her to join him, wanting to touch her, feel her. As he finishes, she helps him get out and get dressed. He hates feeling so helpless, especially around her.

Olivia loves having Elliot need her. She loves him and would do anything for him. She gives him a deep, loving kiss and says "we really need to get going. I just want this day done and over with."

"Liv? You gonna be ok?" He knew she was scared and that he couldn't save her.

"El. It's all gonna be ok. I am gonna be ok, you're gonna be ok, and WE are gonna be ok. Let's just be honest, answer their questions, and tell them what happened."

"About last night…" As always, Olivia cut him off before he could finish, which is one of her annoying traits that he absolutely loves about her.

"Last night was meant to be. I needed you and you needed me. I know we have to keep it quiet but for now that's ok with me. It is ours. I love you El and I don't want it to end, but I am not ready to lose my job either. As long as this stays between us, we will be just fine." She smiled at him.

Elliot smiled back "I love you too. I don't want this to end either. I want you more than anything."

Station House – Manhatten

As Olivia limps and Elliot wheels into the office, they both feel a sense of calm wash over them. This is going to be a grueling day but they both realize that at the end of the day, they will still have each other. It is because of this, they know that they need each other and now they have each other.

Everyone was happy to see them. Munch and Fin gave them both hugs as they came into the room. Munch moved Elliot's desk chair so he could wheel right up to his desk. Fin assisted Olivia to her desk, pulling her chair out like a real gentleman.

"Man I am so sorry I got you into all this" Fin states, clearly blaming himself for the IAB investigation.

"Fin, there is nothing to be sorry for. IAB is at fault. If they weren't so busy trying to blame things on all of us, they wouldn't have jobs." Olivia said with a smirk on her face. Olivia was happy to be back at the precinct. It felt good at her desk, like it is where she should be. "Where's Dana?"

"She'll be here. She's not NYPD so she is technically not under investigation. If they think the evidence points to her though, then she will be in a heap of trouble."

Cragen walks out of his office. Looking at his wonderful "family" all together for the first time in 5 weeks, he is pleased to see them. "Elliot you are set up in room 1. Fin, room 2. They're ready for you guys."

"What about me Cap?" Olivia questions, just wanting this day to be over with. More than anything, she does not want to wait any longer.

"You and Dana will be interviewed later. You are the victim and I am going to make damn sure you are treated with the utmost respect. I will NOT have you treated like a suspect. Don't worry Olivia, Dana and I will take care of this." He smiled at her as he went back into his office. She returned his smile. He has always been like a father to her and she knows that he is doing everything he can to make this as easy as possible on her. She is trying to be strong as she thinks of what she will have to talk about today. Knowing Elliot will go home with her tonight makes it a little less frightening.

She sits alone at her desk, Elliot in room one, Fin in room 2, and Cragen and Munch in Cragen's office, watching both interviews through the glass. Though she knows that it is in everyone's best interest to have her captain and sergeant oversee the questioning, she is feeling a little embarrassed and ashamed at what they are going to hear.

Dana enters, walking up to Olivia and bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Morning Peaches." Dana greets as she leans in to give her a kiss on the cheek. Dana is in an especially peppy mood, which is helping Olivia feel a little better. Dana sits in Elliot's chair which is next to their desks. "Don't worry honey, your Captain and I got this all figured out. This will all be just a formality. If all goes well, all of us will be cleared before they even get to you." She smiles her reassuring smile and Olivia feels herself lighten. She just realized how much she is really loved by these people, her family.