A/N: December 22, 2014 IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL: Okay, this is my last chapter of 2014! Wow, it's been a heck of a year. You'll see me back in 2015! Woohoo! :) I have decided to postpone any chapter updating until 2015. No worries, the next chapter will be uploaded by January 7th (more likely earlier).

To the Guest writer regarding infamous. Thanks for your opinion. Instead of rewriting another adjective, I just cut the word from my story and description.

[All] Your opinions matter to me. If you don't like how I word something or think that it could be worded better, tell me please. I'll see your comment, and if I have time, I'll change it and update the chapter. Thanks again! Happy Holidays, and for those who celebrate December 25th, Happy Christmas!

A/N: Hey this is an early present for y'all. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. When you finish the chapter, they'll be an optional question to answer. Happy Holidays! Hopefully, over the winter break I may have time to write another chapter, maybe even if y'all are lucky, I'll have completed a chapter! Cross your fingers!

December 19, 2014: 1,171 words

Chapter 4

My head dips, but I jerk into consciousness again, reminding myself that I can't fall asleep and leave Noah...Lewis unsupervised. Lewis has been gone for quite sometime now. The more time passes, the more I regret not trying to escape, or at least sending Noah free. What-ifs swarm through my head, and I hate that I don't know what to do. Tears form at the corners of my eyes, and my nose sniffles. But I can't cry. So I sit in a trance like state, until I eventually drift off into dreamland.

I select the coffee mug resting on top of my desk and shuffle over to the coffee machine. While my coffee brews, I glance around absentmindedly. My eyes catch Fin's empty seat. The adjoining desk in front of my absent colleague's desk is vacant as well.

I wonder, "Where are my two missing detectives? Have they caught another case? Maybe they're chasing down a lead and abruptly left while I was in my office. But wouldn't they notify me before leaving? Why would they just up-it and leave unannounced?" Curiously, I scan the rest of the squadroom. "Where did everyone else go?" No one I recognize is in the squadroom. Not Nick, not Fin, nor Amanda, or any of the newbie officers I've come to know are working in here.

Confused, I walk up to a uniformed officer leaning against the wall who seems to be talking to an invisible person. Tapping on his shoulder from behind, I wait patiently.

"Excuse me," I clear my throat politely. The man wheels around. I gasp, "Brian?"

"Hey stranger," he replies softly with a smile teasing the corners of his mouth.

"Wh-what are you doing here? You're IAB," I stutter .

"You're correct, but right now I'm here." I pause and swallow hard.

"Why, I mean not to sound rude, but shouldn't you be at 1PP sorting out the dirty cops from the falsely accused?" I can't help but to eyeball him cautiously.

"Yeah, I suppose," he sighs. "Hey, do you think we could ever get back together?"

"I have a son."

He lifts his gaze. "Since when?"

"After we broke up, the judge granted me an opportunity to foster Noah Porter. The baby I told you about awhile ago. I adopted him."

"But maybe we could still-"

"Bri," I interrupt quietly, "we're over." Sadly, I turn my head to the floor.

"Look at me Liv."

"D-David?" My eyes widen, as I stutter in utter puzzlement.

He chuckles warmly. "You know I've missed seeing you around." His calm demeanor and suave voice always made me feel safe, though I never could put my finger on the reason.

I ask more to myself, "What happened to Brian?"

He contemplates for a moment. "I don't think I know a Brian."

"Yeah, probably not, he was a guy I dated after you."

"Oh...I'm sorry it didn't work out between us." David places my hands into his.

"I'm sorry too." I let a tear slide down my cheek. I remember I'm standing in the bullpen, so I try to stifle a meltdown before it begins.

"Hey, it's okay to cry," A new voice enters. I don't need to look at his face to decipher the voice's owner.

"Elliot?" A part of me still wants confirmation.

"Hey, Liv, how are you doing?" His voice is full of sorrow, just as it was after he killed Jenny almost a decade ago.

"Elliot, what the hell? How am I doing?" I yell while shoving his shoulders. "I called you, but you, you never picked up! For God knows how long! Elliot, why didn't you call me back?" My voice begins loud, but weakens. I cry tearfully and my fingers curl around his collar. I let go of all the pent up feelings of hurt and anger and anguish as I sob on his chest.

"Liv, I'm sorry." He smooths my hair. "But you've gotta listen to me," he announces with a bit urgency and firmness after a minute or two into our embrace. "Whatever happens, don't stop surviving, no matter how awful it gets. It'll be okay, I promise you. But he needs you, Noah's counting on you! Don't worry about anyone else but Noah, everything will be okay." Some of his words are drowned out by my hiccups and sniffles. "Olivia! Olivia!" He repeats, his voice fading in and out. He shakes my shoulders.

"Olivia!" A loud thud jerks me awake. For a second I'm disoriented. This isn't the squadroom, I note. "Jeez woman, you're fallin' asleep on me."

"Lewis." I exhale in exhaustion.

"Hey, hey, no blackin' out on me. Come on, stay awake now. You don't want to leave little Noah alone do you? I mean, I get bored pretty easily." I force my eyes to look into his. "There she is. Hey now, don't look so sad. We wouldn't want to upset our audience."

"Stop."

"Why don't we loosen you up a bit." He sets a bottle of liquor on his lap. Breaking the seal, he unscrews the cap and raises the bottle to my mouth.

"No." I twist my head.

"Honey, I'm in charge here, remember? You don't get to say "no" anymore. Okay." All right, you have some vodka, and I'll give Noah his insulin, okay?" He reveals Noah's insulin pen. My mouth drops.

"Wait, let me do it, please. He trusts me."

"Oh no, no, no, no. I'm not letting you go anywhere. Those are my terms, or I could just shove this bottle down your throat. Either way I'm good."

"Fine, don't hurt him," I whisper. Clenching my jaw, he forces it open, and the alcohol pours into my throat. It stings my throat as I fight to clear my airways. 19 hours without anything to quench your thirst gives you dry mouth, right?"

"Noah," I whine once he pulls the drink away from my lips.

"I know. I promised. I'm a man of my word, Olivia." He stands and stretches his legs. Shuffling to Noah's dormant body I watch with eagle eyes as Noah stirs.

When he's done with the dosage, I sigh in relief. Noah didn't squirm or fuss, didn't enrage Lewis. Lewis steps out on us again. A rukus of noise commences in the room next door.

"What the hell is he doing?" I fight against my binds to get a better view.

Lewis grunts as he tugs a clump of navy blue into the room. My head bobs as I investigate the scene. Finally, Lewis side steps, and I get a clear view.

"Oh my God!" My heart pounds as I break into a cold sweat. My body trembles in fear.

End of Chapter

Question: What is Olivia so scared about? Take a guess, unfortunately, I will not be answering if you are correct, however, those with correct guesses will be awarded a shout out! :)

Best of Luck,

Heroine Hargitay