CHAPTER 16
Olivia and Elliot talked all night. She described ever detail of her captured events. It was so hard for Elliot to hear. He loved Olivia so much and he hated himself for not being able to save her. Olivia felt dirty talking about it. Her biggest fear was losing Elliot and telling him this would most certainly push him away. Who would want to stay with damaged goods like her? She thought. Today is going to be a rough one.
Olivia and Elliot rode to the therapist's office in silence; neither of them knowing what to expect out of today. They held hands as they entered the office. Dr. McMannis was waiting for them.
"Good Morning. I'm Kim McMannis. You must be Olivia and Elliot." Dr. McMannis introduced herself. "Please call me Kim. Now this is completely up to you how we go about this. We could do your couple session first then your individual sessions or vice versa. Which ever you feel more comfortable with."
Olivia looked at Elliot then turned to Kim "I'll go first."
"Is that ok with you?" Kim asks Elliot. He nods and Kim motions toward the door for Olivia as Elliot sits down in the waiting room.
The office is very welcoming, beautiful rugs and warm tones. Olivia feels very comfortable, as if in a friend's living room instead of a cold office. As Olivia sits down, she starts to fidget, nervous.
"Olivia, this is good. You being here is good. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. I don't want you to talk about anything you are not comfortable with or not ready to talk about. I will help you ease into this. I will ask you some questions and you can answer with as little or as much detail as you would like. Is this ok with you?" Kim's voice is very calming and friendly, making Olivia a little less nervous. Olivia nods her head in compliance and Kim begins.
"Olivia, tell me about you and Elliot. How long have you been partners?"
Olivia's chest tightens a little. Except for Dana, Olivia has not talked about her and Elliot's relationship with anyone.
"Olivia, you understand that nothing said in these sessions will be reported to your superiors at NYPD. You can say anything you want here, it is safe. The only other time things here will be discussed is in your couple session with Elliot, unless you specifically tell not to share something"
Reminding herself of that, Olivia begins…"We became partners 12 years ago. We spend more time together than he did with his family…" Olivia trails off, talking about Elliot and his family, and being his partner.
"What are your true feelings for Elliot?" Kim asks, trying to get and understand ing of their relationship.
"I love him. I basically take my life and hand it to him everyday and tell him to take care of it. Just as he does me." Olivia is having a harder time talking to Kim than she thought. "Can we talk about what happened?" Olivia asked Kim, not wanting to share anymore of her feelings about Elliot. Kim nods and Olivia begins, telling her everything that happened. Kim listened and took notes, never once asking a question. Kim wanted to let Olivia talk. Kim noticed that as Olivia spoke, she spoke of only what happened, and not her feelings of what happened. Soon the time was up and it was now Elliot's turn. Olivia got up, thanked Kim, and went to the waiting room to get Elliot.
Elliot entered the office and sat down. His mind was whirling with questions, wondering what he should and shouldn't say.
"Elliot, just as I told Olivia, nothing you say here will be in your report back to your superiors. Things you talk about will only be discussed between you and I and Olivia. You are completely safe. Now, why don't you tell me what happened, when Olivia was kidnapped?"
Elliot took a deep breath and he began. He told her everything, the details of what went on from the moment she went missing to every emotion he felt during that time. Just as she did with Olivia, Kim sat quietly and took notes. The hour with Elliot flew by and was over before either of them knew it.
"Elliot, before I speak to you both together, can you answer me one thing? What are your feelings for Olivia?"
As Elliot reaches the door, he turns and looks at Kim and responds, without hesitation "I love her, more than anything."
"I will be out to get you both in a few moments." Kim says to both of them and shuts her door. Kim needs to figure out how to approach them together. She can clearly see there is a bond, a love between them that is stronger than anyone or anything could ever break. She can also see that Olivia is not quite ready to tell others about it.