AN: Hello everyone! Sorry for the delay. This chapter seems a little more Jersey Breakdown, but we aren't that far yet. I hope you like it! Let me know! Love ya'll!

Disclaimer: I don't own SVU as we all know.

6:45 pm

"Olivia, would you please just listen to me for a minute?" Elliot called after her as she stormed down the hall and to the elevator.

"Screw you!" she yelled at the top of her lungs before entering the elevator.

Elliot slammed his apartment door shut with a bang, probably scaring some of his neighbors. He didn't give a shit. He was pissed. Olivia was being a complete bitch. He was just trying to keep her best interests in mind.

Elliot wanted to chase after her, but they needed time to calm down. Nothing would be solved when they were screaming at each other.

He fetched his journal and plopped down on the couch, ready to write.

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7:30pm

Olivia entered the dim hole-in-the-wall bar that she always went to when she was was quieter than most of the other bars in the area. She usually ordered one drink and then went home, but tonight was different. Tonight she was pissed off and wanted to forget all about the last few hours.

"Anything strong, but no vodka. Got it? "She ordered with a bit of a growl in her voice. The younger man quickly prepared her drink and handed it to her. No way was he going to make her any angrier.

Olivia settled herself at the very end of the bar she checked out her drink. She didn't even care what it was at this point. She took a deep breath before taking a long sip. The burn in her throat did little to comfort her, but the effects of the alcohol would help eventually. Elliot had messed up. He would have to come crawling on his hands and knees, begging for forgiveness before she would even consider talking to him. They had been having such a good day before he said...that.

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9:00am

"Good morning, Liv" Elliot whispered as Olivia woke. They were still in bed, wrapped in the warmth of each other and the covers. He had been up for an hour already, but he was enjoying watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful, like nothing could bother her. He felt her scoot closer to him, opening her arms. He chuckled and pulled her into his arms, letting her snuggle into his chest.

"How'd you sleep?" he asked, trying to keep her from falling asleep again. It had been a late night for both of them and she was still tired, but he didn't want to throw off her sleep schedule. She had an awful nightmare about William Lewis the night before and it had taken a while to calm her down. She eventually cried herself to sleep in his arms. It hurt him to see her so upset.

"Sshhh" she shushed him, nestling her face into the crevice of his neck.

"Liv, we have to get up". He heard her groan in protest.

"No, we really don't" she retorted.

He tightened his grip on her and lifted them both off the bed, carrying her into the bathroom.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Waking you up!" he answered, setting her down on the counter next to the sink. They locked stares for a long moment. Olivia's heart started racing when he started moving his face closer to hers. She yelped in surprise when he started tickling her.

"Alright, alright I'm up!" She giggled. She twisted her body to get away from his tickling touch, but he wasn't having it.

"Come on Benson, you can do better than that" he teased. He loved seeing that smile and hearing her laugh.

"Elliot, please!" she begged. "I'm gonna pee!"

He decided that she had enough and would stay awake. He didn't want to make her pee her pants.

"I guess I'll stop, but only because you asked so nicely".

10:00am

Olivia came out of the bedroom wearing a sports bra and a pair of shorts. She had worn outfits like this in front of him a few times, but usually it was after her self-defense class that she started taking at the gym. Apparently it helped her to cool down. She had only had two classes so far, but he knew for a fact that she didn't have one for two more days.

"Where's your shirt?" he asked, half serious and half joking.

"I'll put one on in a minute. I wanted to see if you'd go on a run with me?"

He thought about it for a minute. He wasn't in bad shape considering his excessive drinking, but a run would do him some good.

"Yeah, sounds fun".

He was distracted by the exposed flesh of her stomach and hips. She was still covered in cuts and bruises from William Lewis, but she was comfortable enough with him to show them.

"El, please stop" she said after she saw what he was looking at. She knew that he didn't mean anything by it, but it still made her uncomfortable. He slowly stood from the couch and moved until they were only inches apart. His hands met the smooth surface of her hips and gently rubbed the area. Her eyes closed and a breath escaped from her lips.

"Olivia, I should have killed him".

She nodded, but shook her head after a minute.

"No,El. He deserves to suffer...I'll put on a shirt and we can go".

11:30am

Elliot plopped down on the couch as soon as they returned from their run. When they worked together, he could outrun Olivia and any of their perps. Now he could barely keep up with Olivia.

"What's the matter,El? Are you getting too old to work out?" she teased as she handed him a glass of water.

"I'll admit that I need to start running more, but I am not old".

"If I'm not mistaken, you are three years older than me".

Elliot grabbed Olivia's hand and pulled her down on the couch next to him.

"You know who doesn't like to be called old?" he asked. "The tickle monster!"

Olivia shrieked when Elliot started tickling her again.

"Oh God, mercy! Mercy!" she cried out. She let out a sigh of relief when he stopped.

"What has gotten in to you today?" she questioned once she caught her breath.

"I'm just in a really good mood. Want to watch a movie?"

She tried not to think too far into his rush to change the subject. He would tell her eventually.

"Sure, but I get to pick".

6:45 pm

They sat at the table enjoying the meal that Elliot made them. Olivia loved when he cooked for them. They had spent a good portion of the day sitting on the couch, watching old movies. It was nice to just kick back and not worry about all their problems for once. However, Olivia knew that she couldn't handle too much of this good thing. She had thought about it for a while, but now she knew what she had to do.

"Elliot, I have to tell you something". He could sense the seriousness of the situation through her tone. He felt a flutter in his chest. She was going to leave him.

"Go on".

She took a deep breath. She needed his support in this.

"I want to go back to work on Monday".

She watched his face for any sort of reaction, but it never came. He was just looking at her. Did she actually say it out loud?

"Elliot, what do you think?"

Honestly? I don't know".

He wasn't completely lying. He didn't know if he should actually say what he was feeling. She wasn't ready. Or he wasn't ready for her to be ready. Either way, he didn't want her going back to work yet.

"You're lying".

She saw right through him. She always knew how to read him.

"Olivia, I don't think you're ready".

She blinked a few times. It was almost as if he had slapped her right in the face. He didn't think she was ready.

"What?" she spat, She was angry. How could he not believe in her?

"Liv, you're still recovering. I just don't think you're ready".

"Elliot, I know myself better than you do. How could you know if I was ready or not? You know nothing about me anymore" she yelled. She was getting herself worked up. She tore herself away from the table and from Elliot.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? I know everything about you. Who has been there for you every night when you wake up screaming?" he threw back, his voice raising.

"That's not what this is about and you know it! Why aren't I ready oh wise one?"

"Tell me this, how is a victim going to help other victims?"

He watched her angry expression change to one of hurt. He hadn't planned on calling her a victim. That word made her feel weak. He regretted it as soon as it left his mouth.

"Wow...and to think that I was worried about you. As far as I'm concerned, you can burn in hell".

She calmly grabbed her purse and went to the door with Elliot hot on her heels.

"I'll be out late" she said over her shoulder.

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10:00pm

"Another ma'am?" The young bartender asked even though he knew the answer. Olivia had a few in her system. She wasn't quite drunk, but he expected her to get there.

Olivia faintly nodded and watched as he prepared her next drink. She couldn't remember how many she had already downed. How could Elliot still be the center of her thoughts? How come the usual numbness hadn't taken over yet?

"Here you go" the young man said as he set her glass down.

Olivia stared down at it. Elliot. Elliot wouldn't leave her mind. He wouldn't stop calling her. She refused to answer. She was mad at him.

Elliot is a jackass. I'm ready. I know I am.

"Well hello, sexy" an older looking man whispered into her ear.

When did he get so close to me? Why didn't I notice him?

She turned away, hoping he would get the idea. She didn't want any company tonight.

"Oh come on sweetheart. Don't be that way. Just give me a little smile".

He put his hand on her shoulder and alarms went off in her head.

Danger. Not safe. Touching. ME.

She felt tears burning in her eyes. Was it because she was scared or drunk?

"Get off of me!" she yelled, earning the attention of everyone in the bar. Her head was spinning. No, the room was spinning. Why couldn't everything stay still? Lewis. William Lewis wasn't there, but she could feel him. Why was he haunting her?

"Are you okay?" a young asked.

"I'm fine" she insisted. No one believed her. How could they?

"I need to go home" she whispered to herself.

Her phone rang. Elliot. He was calling her again. She cleared her throat and answered. She would have to face it eventually.

"Olivia, thank God you answered. I've been so worried about you!"

He was worried about her, even after they fought.

"I'm so sorry I said that to you...I was wrong".

She shook her head. No, she was wrong.

"Elliot, can we talk about this later? I want to go home".

He hesitated for a moment, but agreed. They needed to do this in person.

"Good, do you think you could come get me? I had a little too much to drink…"

She heard him take a deep breath. This would be the first time that he had to deal with the smell of alcohol since that day.

"Just tell me where you are and I'll be there as soon as possible".

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Elliot carried Olivia into the apartment. She had fallen asleep with her head against his shoulder in the car and he didn't have the heart to wake her. He could still smell the alcohol on her breath and it made him jittery. He wanted a drink.

He easily carried her into the bedroom and laid her down on the mattress. She groaned, but quickly settled back down. With swift and careful movements, he managed to get her shoes off without waking her. Her pants though...were more difficult. He tugged on them once and she woke.

"El...When did I get home?" she asked as she rubbed her eyes.

He chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Don't worry about it, just go back to sleep".

She shook her head and sat up. She was awake now and they needed to talk.

"You were right". She said. "I freaked out when some guy put his hand on my shoulder...I don't know why I thought I was ready".

Elliot cupped her face, making her look into his eyes.

"You are ready as soon as you think you're ready. You are a badass, Benson. I shouldn't underestimate you. I was being selfish. I don't want you to leave me yet. If you want to go back to work I will support one hundred percent".

Olivia couldn't help but smile. He did believe in her. He just didn't want her to go and not be there with him.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you. I'm sorry I freaked out when you called me a victim. It's not like it's a dirty word or anything, but I prefer the term survivor. I'm sorry that I made you pick me up at a bar".

He nodded. He knew that she was sorry. They hadn't really argued yet and it was only a matter of time until they did. She looked tired. She was still buzzed and it would be best for her to sleep it off.

"Now that we're all good again, you need to get some sleep".

She compliantly lay down and snuggled herself into the covers, not caring that she was fully dressed.

"Lay down with me" she ordered.

A knock on the door got their attention.

"Who could that be at this hour?" he asked.

"I have no clue".

AN: How'd you like it? Who is at the door? I'd like to see your guess! Reviews are greatly appreciated!