Author's Note: When it rains, it pours. At least I have FF :) I get positive notes from you guys, and I get to read fabulous stories from the many talented writers here, so that's extra sweet.

Olivia is starting on her journey to recovery! She's going to need her friends of course, and they're up for the challenge.

"Knock, knock," came a deep voice from outside the room.

All three women looked over to see Elliot standing in the doorway. He walked to the table and set down a container with four coffees and a bag of bagels.

"I figured you ladies could use some real coffee, not that hospital swill. And I brought some bagels in case you were hungry."

"You are a godsend!" Abbie exclaimed, as she reached for a cup. The coffee she had bought earlier had a lovely taste of dirt mixed with cement.

"I like to think so," he smiled.

Elliot looked over at Olivia. "How are you feeling, partner?"

Olivia sighed. "Like I've been hit by a train."

"Sorry to hear that. Alex, Abbie, do you mind if I talk to Olivia privately for a minute?"

Alex shook her head. "Not at all, Elliot. We'll be in the waiting area." Alex and Abbie quickly grabbed a bagel each and left the room.

Elliot sat at the edge of Olivia's bed. "Liv, be straight with me. What the hell happened?"

Olivia avoided his stare. "I overdid it last night, El," she said weakly. "I really hate to admit this but...I...I've been overdoing it for awhile now. You've seen it. I...have a drinking problem." Olivia felt hot tears spring to her eyes.

"Why didn't you come to me? You know I'd do anything to help you."

"El, it's not that easy to admit. I didn't want to admit it to myself; I made excuses, I rationalized...I did everything possible to try to convince myself that I was OK." A few stray tears fell down her face.

"I understand, sort of. We're both pretty hard headed." Elliot turned her head towards him, so that she was looking in his eyes. "You're my partner and my best friend. So I'm not going to sugarcoat this. You're getting professional help. I'm not listening to any arguments or excuses. I don't care if I have to physically carry you to every appointment and handcuff you to the chair. I refuse to stand by and watch you ruin your life. This isn't overdoing it...it's addiction."

"I know," Olivia whispered. "I can't go on like this anymore."

"Liv, I'll do whatever it takes to help you. And Fin, Munch, Cragen...they'll all be in this with you too. You're not alone."

"Yeah, Cragen is going to come by later so we can talk. I know I can count on you guys, but...I'm mortified. I can't believe I let it get this bad."

"Listen. No one is going to think less of you. You know better than anyone that alcoholism is complicated. Some people are more predisposed to it. It's not your fault." Elliot reassured her.

"I know, but it's still embarrassing."

"We all have our struggles. No one is perfect."

Olivia nodded. "Thanks, El."

"You're welcome. Now, I'd better get to work. But I want an update as soon as you know what you're doing."

Olivia gave him a slight smile. "Yes, dad."

Elliot walked to the door and then turned. "Oh, and one other thing. Cabot...she's a keeper."

"You don't have to tell me...she's been my rock." Olivia said.

"Treat her well, Liv. Or else you'll have to answer to me."

"I promise I will, El. Thanks for everything."

"Yep. I'll talk to you soon," Elliot replied, as he exited the room.

As soon as Elliot arrived at the precinct, Cragen called him, Fin, and Munch into his office.

"John, close the door," Cragen said.

"Sure thing. What's this all about?" he asked as he swung the door shut.

"It's about Olivia."

Both Munch and Fin straightened up in their chairs.

"Is she alright?" Fin hesitatingly asked, not sure if he wanted to hear the answer.

"She will be. I got a call from Alex this morning. Olivia was rushed to hospital last night with an acute case of alcohol poisoning. Apparently, she's been hitting the bottle pretty hard lately. She's developed an alcohol abuse problem."

"Dammit!" Fin exclaimed. "I can't believe I didn't pick up on it. After all those years in narcotics, I should have known. She hasn't been herself lately."

"Well, I'm not going to win any awards either," Cragen confessed. "I've been in her exact same situation and I didn't realize. Or maybe I just didn't want to admit that it could happen to her."

"So what can we do, Captain?" Munch asked. "I'll do whatever it takes to help her, but I'm not sure how to approach it."

"I don't know yet. Elliot, you saw her this morning. How is she?"

"Physically, she's fine, considering. A little banged up, but we've all been there. She definitely realizes that there is a problem, and she's agreed to get professional help. What form that will take, she doesn't know right now."

"I'm going to see her later on, probably once she's dismissed," Cragen added. "As of right now, I'm placing her on indefinite leave. She needs to fully focus on her recovery."

Fin whistled. "She is not going to like that."

"I know. But I can't have one of my officers on the job with a substance abuse problem. It's too risky, both for her, and for the rest of us. Once she's in treatment, we can decide how to proceed."

"I'm still in shock. I feel like an ass, pressing her to go to the bar with us..." Fin trailed off.

"You didn't know," Munch pointed out. "I feel awful too. From now on, our celebrations will be burgers and a milkshake at Shake Shack."

"I'm down with that. Shake Shack is delicious. But, you know, we can't guard her 24/7. Temptation is all around," Fin said.

"And that's why she's getting help. So that she can deal with these temptations." Cragen replied.

"The most important thing is that she knows that we're here for her. But we can't smother her either." Elliot insisted.

They all nodded in agreement.

"Wait a minute," Munch said. "How is Alex involved in all this?"

Elliot and Cragen looked at each other. Elliot decided to field this one.

"They've been dating for weeks now. Alex has been pretty much dealing with Liv's alcoholism on her own."

"Damn. It's about time!" Fin grinned. "They've been dancing around their attraction for years. I'm happy for them."

"So the lovely Ms. Cabot won't be the next Mrs. Munch?" Munch snapped his fingers. "Seriously, good for them."

"Fellas, I know I don't even have to say this, but everything we've spoken about stays in this office." Cragen warned.

"Absolutely," Fin replied.

"Of course," Munch added.

"Now let's get out there and solve some cases," Cragen said.

The three men walked out of Cragen's office in silence. The severity of Olivia's problem hung in the air.

Fin's phone rang and broke the tension. "Tutuola."

He listened to the caller and motioned for Munch to get ready. "Thanks, Melinda. We're on the way."

"What does she have"

"A match on the Bannister case. Let's go."

Elliot watched as Fin and Munch raced out of the precinct. He reached into his desk drawer for some long neglected paperwork. He figured he might as well try to be productive while he waited for word on Olivia.

As soon as he started to write, Cragen called him back into his office.

Elliot closed the door and sat down. "Yes, Cap?"

"I can't believe I was that blind. What the hell kind of captain and friend have I been?" he wondered out loud.

"Look, none of us knew how bad Olivia's drinking had gotten. She can be so damn secretive at times," Elliot answered.

"Yes, but years ago, I was her. I see her going down the exact same path that I found myself on."

Elliot didn't respond. He knew that Cragen wasn't finished talking.

"You never really get over it. Some days are easier than others, but not a day goes by where I don't wish I could have a drink. I wouldn't wish alcoholism on anyone, but especially not Liv. She's been through more than any one person should ever have to. I feel awful, Elliot."

"The only thing we can do is move forward and support her. I really believe that she wants to change," Elliot said.

"True...it's going to be hard. Maybe the hardest thing she's ever done. I just feel so-"

"Guilty?" Elliot supplied. "Me too. I'm with her every day. And Alex warned me about it. But I wouldn't let myself believe it."

"Yeah. Well, I guess at least we know what we're dealing with. I will fully support any measures we need to take to keep her sober. The first months are the most difficult. But she'll still need to be vigilant, for the rest of her life. It will be much easier with her friends supporting her."

"Agreed."

Cragen then changed the subject. "What's your take on Alex. Honestly?"

Elliot didn't hesitate. "Honestly, I think she's going to be the best thing that's ever happened to Liv. She's been so caring and supportive. Alex isn't going anywhere. She has that look, you know. The one that I see in Kathy's eyes every day. True love."

"Good. I mean, we'll have to figure out the logistics so that there's no conflicts of interest, but that's not even on the radar right now. We just need Liv to start her treatment."

"Yep."

"I'm not even really sure where I was going with this conversation. I guess even old hardened captains like myself need to talk about things. Thanks for the ear, Elliot."

"No problem. I know you'd do the same for me," Elliot replied.

Elliot walked back to his desk and proceeded to take on the stack of paperwork. He needed this distraction, boring as it was, or else he would have gone crazy waiting.