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I don't own a thing, only dream I do.

Chapter: 4

Title: Like a Velvet Rose

A/N: Any ideas anyone would like to contribute, please do! I am always open to suggestion and plot twists and whatnot. And, of course, you will be credited :) I ain't anyone to take someone else's stuff without giving them some sort of benefit. Anywho, I hope this chapter is thoroughly pleasant for you all. Wouldn't want to disappoint! Please read, and as always, Review! Reviews not only make my day brighter, but they encourage me to finish the fic, and update faster. So, review and you will get the next chapter! :)

Summary: Detectives Olivia and Elliot are known for their compatibility and performance as partners in the SVU. While a partnership like theirs would usually result in one bad mishap, the two seem to have their feelings undercontrol. While everyone can clearly see they have deep feelings of unconfessed love for each other, cliche they themselves have not noticed. How hard is it to supress such emotions when they are together? Just how trying are their lives as partners? What happens when the two are put through severe trials in order to test their loyalty, trust, devotion, honor, and their love? Just how far will the other go in order to protect their secretly beloved? Read to see how the Gravity of their love is defined.

Olivia yawned as she flipped through a file on her current case she and Elliot had been forced into taking. After their late night in the crib, neither had wanted to get up so early to handle a double homicide that barely fit the critique for an SVU case. Though, Cragen had insisted they check out the file and scene before ruling out any foul play. Meaning, rape or any other sick accustoms. She was in no mood to even handle a case at the moment, and neither was her partner.

After Kathy's late night phone call to her brash best friend, the two of them had been put right back into the cookie jar. They had no way of getting out this time however. Kathy had decided to be the bitch that she was and threaten to take Elliots kids unless he 'came back' to her. And as Olivia recalled, it were she who gave him the boot.

Heaving a sigh, Olivia swung her feet off her desk as she headed towards Cragens office, knocking twice before entering completely.

"Hey Cap, I didn't find anything out of the ordinary for a homicide. No reason for the SVU to interfere with this case. Let the feds take it up." The captain only nodded to her before she stepped back out, nearly walking into her partner. "Elliot."

"Liv." He gave her a tired smile, stepping aside. The late night convo he'd had with his wife had been an uncomfortable one with Olivia in the room. Though, after his not so nice phone call, she had provided him support in which he needed.

"You can't help the fact that she's ruthless Elliot. If you want your kids, take this to court and file for sole custody." Olivia said while rubbing his back. Elliot had just been kicked in his gut by his own wife. A wife he'd been trying to divorce for almost two years now.

"What am I supposed to do Liv? These are my kids! I can't put them through that!"

"Elliot, Kathy is putting them through it right now! Your their father, El. You can get custody over them and that way you won't have any ties to Kathy."

Through out the night, Olivia had been more than helpful, and willing. She'd provided him the stability he'd always provided her. And that right there said something about their unspoken bond. For years, everyone in the precinct had watched silently as the "BenSler" partnership ensued and grew. For years they'd all been pooling on just when the two would get over themselves and throw in the towel. For years, their co-workers had been waiting for that one moment that Benson and Stabler would realize that the only reason they still even come into work was to see each other.

Everyone knew that to be the reason. They couldn't spend as much time together if it weren't for the job. Kathy would have Elliot's neck and Olivia, well, Olivia never really had any personal life. She was free to do as she pleased, yet she leashed herself and had been keeping herself off the market. Everyone knew why of course. It was obvious.

"Elliot, Olivia." Haven't even managed to break their gaze or go about their ways, the two turned towards their captain. The man nodded for them to come into his office, and so they trekked their way there.

"Got something for us Cap?" Elliot raised a brow, folding his arms behind his back. Olivia figited slightly in place before folding her own arms beneath her chest.

"I just got a call from the NYPD. Get your butts down to Atlantic Avenue. A family of three has been brutally beaten, raped, and then murdered. A little six year old girl just survived and witnessed the ordeal."

Without so much as a word, Olivia and Elliot had been on their way towards the crime scene. Neither wanted to speak, their minds having been too disgusted at the way things had shot downhill since Kathy's PMS call. Skidding to a stop in front of a police infested house, Olivia and Elliot flashed their badge as they made their way into the blood bath.

"Jesus Christ." Liv murmured, gazing around the house. Mirrors were shattered, everything laid in pieces and shreds on the floor. Glass loitered the entire house, and blood nearly painted the walls of the master bedroom. It took everything Olivia had not to hurl at the sight of a child laying in his bed with nothing but his socks on. His body had been slashed open repeatedly, and she hadn't dared to keep her eyes on the poor kid any longer as she felt something grip a tightly around her legs.

"Mommy! Mommy!" The little girl shouted as she clung to Olivia for dear life. The brown haired detective reached down to pick the small girl up and carried her out to her partner.

"Elliot."

Turning, Elliot's gaze softened as he soothed his hands through the little girls hair, watching as she clung tight to Olivia. With a nod, Olivia stepped past him and down the stairs, sitting the little girl down on the couch.

After all this time working with the SVU, she still had trouble facing situations like this. Traumatized victims who just happen to also have been witnesses, and often in these cases, no younger than five years old. It was the type of case that made her want to spend years weaping for the pain that the children go through. It was the type of case that made her not want to come into to work, made her not want to deal with the SVU ever again. However, it was also the type of case that made her want to get the perp who did it. It made her want to kill the bastard that felt he had the right and power to do such a thing to an innocent family, and leave a small child alone in the world.

This one had definitely hit home for Olivia. And Elliot knew that.

He knew she wanted a baby, knew she wanted a family. And he knew that each and every time they had to deal with a case like this, it made her scared to pursue her dream.

"Sweety, my name is Olivia and I'm here to help you." After having finally found her voice, Olivia sat beside the girl. "Can you tell me your name?"

"Synthia." The small girl sniffled. "Where is my mommy? And daddy? And Bobby?" Tears stung her eyes as Olivia pulled Synthia to her in an effort to block out her pain. Though she knew she needed to get answers from her.

"They were hurt very badly honey. I need to know what happened. Do you know who did this?"

Shaking her head violently, Synthia began to cry harder as she held onto Olivia. Elliot came walking down the stairs, his heart jolting at the sight.

"Ok, sweety. Okay. We don't have to talk about it now. Shh. Its alright, your gonna be alright." Olivia cooed, rocking her back and forth gently as her eyes met Elliots. "We need to get her to the hospital so they can do an exam. This girls been raped Elliot, I just know it."

No words left his mouth as he nodded.

In truth, the entire situation had just sent a surge of anger throughout his entire body and the only thing he wanted to do was beat the hell out of the sick son of a bitch that did this. Day after day, he thought he'd seen it all, seen the worst of it. But now he was sure that every case would be different. Every case would have its sick and twisted plot. And of all cases of all days, he had to be right there, right now.

Sitting out in the waiting room, Elliot stood when Olivia came walking back out with the little girl wrapped tightly in her arms. She'd been insisting she go home, crying for her mother and father repeatedly, saying the name 'Bobby' over and over again, and Olivia only assumed that it was her brothers name.

"She doesn't want to stay here."

Elliot only nodded his head as he placed his hand on the small of Olivia's back as they began walking out towards his car. The frightened girl had fallen asleep on Liv's shoulder, and the detective gently set her down in the back seat. Olivia slid into the passenger seat as Elliot started the car and drove off towards her apartment.

"Are you gonna bring her to work with you tomorrow Liv?" Small talk was the least on her mind as she nodded her head, glancing back at the sleeping girl.

"Yeah. Cragen will want her questioned."

And that was the part she hated the most. Questioning a small frightened child who had lost it all. Though it came with the job description, Olivia had always thought she would get used to it. When in fact, you never did. The emotional burden that comes with the job is a package deal that has to be felt. No one expects anyone to not go home for the day without feeling some sort of attachment to the case they'd handled. No one expects anyone to not feel satisfaction after winning a case, or feeling pain and guilt after losing one. It was detail in fine print.

Though, those were just the reasons she did it. The reasons they all came into work. If it wasn't them, then who would give victims peace at mind, who would get to the bottom of things?

"Because someone has too."

The words Olivia had once spoke to Casey repeated in her head like a chant. That small sentence provided her the push she needed and Elliot gave her the extra shove. It was motivation, so to speak. She was motivated to help those in need, motivated to bring peace to a victim, motivated to put another sick whacko in a nut ward or better yet, prison.

There was pain, but then there was satisfaction.

That was the greed for Olivia. She could taste the salty spice of satisfaction in her tears the moment she'd uncovered one of the biggest mysteries to a case. The moment she finds the missing piece to the link. Everynight after closing a case that hit home for her, she cried tears of joy. She felt satisfied that justice had been served.

Elliot slowly put the car into park as he turned to glance back at Synthia who remained sleeping peacefully. His gaze softened to Olivia, noticing how she hadn't seem to figure out they'd stopped moving.

"Liv." He spoke gently, reaching out to touch her thigh. The beautiful brunette jumped slightly out of her revere as she gazed over at him, not seeming to fully register anything at the moment. "Are you okay?" Voice laced with concern, Elliot gave her thigh a gentle squeeze. It was then Olivia offered a small smile as she tried to ignore the ache between her legs at that moment. She'd gotten used to ignoring it over the years.

"Yeah? I'm fine. Thanks El, I'll see you bright and early." Before another word was said, Olivia got out and scooped Synthia up in her arms, taking her up the stairs to her apartment. Elliot sighed, glancing down to notice his beautiful partner had forgotten her badge and handcuffs. With a small smile, he ran his fingers lightly over badge number, remembering the first day they'd become partners. He remembered thinking how beautiful she was and how lucky he was to have her as his partner.

He remembered thinking how no one else could've been more perfect for him as he seen her in action, watched how she handled herself out in the field. She was a natural, born to be a cop. Elliot had often watched her just to admire each and every curve of her. The way she handled things had always impressed him. He never thought he'd ever get to meet a woman who could be so passionate about things, yet go from aggressive to gentle in a second flat.

It was amazing. The things Olivia Benson could do to him. It had only taken a mere second, just the moment he had first seen her and he was already head over heels. He was already falling for her. He could vividly remember the first time he'd dreamt about her, and since then, his dreams had been of no other. His fantasies, his most intimate and inner desires were of her. He couldn't get her off his mind. Everytime he went to close his eyes, he saw her face. Olivia had ben his first and last thought of the day for ten years now. And when he wasn't thinking of her, he was thinking of a way to be with her. Of his feelings for her.

Olivia groaned inwardly as she sat back on her couch after laying Synthia down in her bed. How in the world was she going to explain this one to Cragen? She knew he would probably chew her head off the moment she stepped into the station the next morning. Though, she didn't care. Even if she were suspended for a couple of days, it was worth it. The little girl that laid asleep peacefully was worth it all. God only knew what the poor thing had witnessed, and Olivia wasn't even sure if she wanted to make her relive the pain. Though, it were the only way to get to the bottom of this case.

A subtle knock caused her to jump slightly as she sighed. She swayed towards the door, opening it slowly. The man standing on the other side jolted her heart as she took a deep breath, a small smile creasing her lips.

"Forgot your badge and cuffs." Elliot grinned, holding them up. Olivia reached for them, but found herself being pulled into him. She could feel his breath on her face, and she only shivered when she stared up into his eyes. Neither knew what was happening, and neither cared as long as something happened. But, before Elliot could close the few inches that stood between them, Synthia came walking out into the room, rubbing her eyes.

"Olivia?" The small girl whispered hoarsely, and Olivia pulled back and smiled gently. "I thought you left me."

"No hunny, I'm here."

Elliot watched with a smile as Olivia picked the girl up, motioning for Elliot to come on inside.

"Just lay them on the table." She murmured, walking into the room and tucking Synthia into bed. Elliot removed his jacket, setting it on the back of the couch as he slowly crept to the bedroom door, watching the scene before him with a bright smile.

Olivia kissed the small child on her forehead, rubbing her thumb over the spot she had just kissed before she had pulled back to stare at her.

'She deserves to be a mother.' His thoughts ran wild has he remembered the time she'd told him about the adoption agency turning her down because she were 'unfit'. They couldn't have been more wrong, and if they only knew what he knew about this woman, then they'd have released a million children to her. He knew it had always been Olivia's dream. The only thing she wanted most was a family; a baby. A man who would love her despite her faults. Elliot had forever been wanting to be that man.

'She wants a baby, I'll give her a baby.'

"She sleeps so peaceful. Its hard to believe this little girl witnessed something that terrible."

Having been too into his thoughts to notice her move, Elliot only nodded when she stepped past him and sat back on the couch with a worn sigh.

"We need to catch that bastard Elliot." Her voice was raw with emotion, anger boaring her eyes. Calmly, Elliot sat beside her, taking her hand in his.

"We'll get him Liv. And we'll make him pay for what he did." With a gentle squeeze of her hand, Elliot intertwined their fingers. Olivia's hair had fallen in front of her eyes, and he just knew she had started to cry. And so he pulled her towards him, her head falling into his chest as she sobbed softly. The bastard was surely going to pay. Not only for what he did to the little girls family, but for the pain he was making Olivia feel right now.

A/N: Want more? Review. Please. :)