"Hey El what the hell is up with Alex?" Olivia asked when she came back in and collapsed back into her chair. She knew it would be useless to try to nap now not with her mind going ninety miles an hour and focused on Alex.

"I was going to ask you the same thing." Elliot said looking up at her with a puzzled look on his face "I figured you said or did something."

"ME? What the hell El?"

"All I know was she was smiling and laughing when she went up there and was running like her life depended on it."

"El I swear I have no clue what happened she brought me the bagel thought she had disturbed me." Olivia said as she raked her hand through her hair "I jumped up to stop her from leaving and she pulled back almost as if I was going to hit her. Then suddenly she was saying that if I don't eat and have to wrestle a perp I could get killed. This was out of the blue."

"Pulled back like you were going to hit her? Damn how did you go at her? Apparently not how you want since she left and you're here talking to me."

"You pervert!" Olivia almost shouted as she threw her pen at him which he ducked easily "I asked her if where all that was coming from and if she was ok. She said yes and took off running. With as fast as she runs she should join the department hell by the time I hit the street she was gone."

"Street? Why did you go to the street she ran into the bathroom."

"SHE WHAT?"

"I saw her run into the bathroom I started to follow her out but when she went in I just figured she really had to go or was sick. I was giving her some privacy."

"Damn it why didn't you go in?" Olivia asked as she stood and headed out

"Because I have a wife and three daughters I learned a long time ago if they are sick stay out."

Olivia shot him a look over her shoulder at him as she headed out the bull pen and to the bathroom. Please please please let her still be there she silently prayed as she took a deep breath before entering the restroom.

"Alex." She said as she saw the blonde leaning over the sink and rushed to her side. Maybe she had misinterpreted what she saw and Alex was sick that was why she ran out of the crib.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry" Alex whimpered out as she coward down on the floor covering herself.

Olivia stopped cold in her tracks seeing Alex's response to her. After ten years on the force she knew women only responded like that for one of two reasons and on occasions both. They were either abused as a child or were in an abusive relationship. God help the bastard when she got her hands on him. She would make damn sure he would never lay a hand on another woman especially Alex.

"Alex." Olivia whispered as she squatted down to her level and raised her hands up to show she was not a threat "Please relax its just me Olivia. Honey I'm not going to hurt you I promise you."

Alex glanced through her covering of arms and realized what she did. Oh god, now Olivia knew the truth and would think even less of her hell even pity her. Alex wanted a lot of things from Olivia but the one thing she didn't want was her pity. Her love yes, her pity no.

"Alex I need you to look at me please." Olivia said calmly even though her anger was boiling over to the max "It's just me Olivia and I'm not going to hurt you. Now I'm going to walk toward you but it's ok."

"I'm fine Olivia" Alex bit out as she sat up straighter and started to stand to her feet.

"Let me help you up Alex that's all I'm going to do." Olivia said as she slowly advanced toward Alex with her hand held out. She could see the hesitation in Alex's eyes and knew her overly independent side was coming out "Just let me help you to your feet that's all then I can back away if you like."

Alex for the first time since Olivia walked in looked into her eyes. Instead of seeing the pity she thought she would see she saw compassion and anger. Alex knew the anger wasn't at her but at the one who had hurt her. She slowly extended her hand and allowed Olivia to help her to her feet. True to her word as soon as she knew she was steady on her feet she took a few steps back.

"Is this far enough or would you like me farther back?"

"That is fine." Alex said trying to regain her dignity.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

"No I wouldn't and I would prefer that you didn't say anything either."

"Very well." Olivia said knowing from experience that you couldn't make victims talk until they were ready "So here's the story we're going with. I came in her found you. The reason you ran out of the crib was because you weren't feeling well and thought you were going to be sick. It was something you ate earlier ok."

"What?" Alex asked confused

"If anyone asks because Elliot saw you run in here you ran because you were sick from something you ate earlier."

"You're…you're not going to tell him?"

"No I'm not." Olivia said as she took a small step forward "But I do want you to know that I am here when you want to talk about it or just need to vent to someone. "

"Olivia I appreciate it but I will be fine I promise."

"I understand but I want you to know that you do have people to lean on if and when you need it ok." Olivia said still taking small steps toward Alex until she was less than an arm's length away.

Alex nodded as tears started to fall from her eyes.

Olivia seeing her crying slowly reached out giving Alex plenty of time to pull away and wiped a tear that had trailed down her cheek. She had to fight hard to keep her face neutral when Alex flinched at the touch. She vowed then and there to kill the bastard that had hurt her.

"I'll never hurt you Alex I promise you." Olivia whispered wishing she could lean in and kiss the hurt away.

"I need to leave." Alex choked out.

"Ok. But please let me know you made it home ok." Olivia answered as she dropped her hand to her side and backed up "Alex if you ever need me for anything and I do mean ANYTHING call me I'll be right there no matter the time."

"Thank you." Alex whispered as she made her way around Olivia and out the door.

Olivia stood there clenching her fist and breathing heavy. She had never wanted to hurt someone as bad as she did at that moment. God help the bastard whenever she could get her hands on him. She took a few deep breaths and made sure she was calm and collected before going back into the bull pen.

"Hey did you catch her?" Elliot asked glancing up at her before looking back down at the file he was reading

"Yeah apparently she ate something earlier that made her sick." She said as nonchalant as she could

Elliot glanced up and studied his partner. After working together they could read each other like a book which was great for searches but not when it was personal. He could tell she was lying and something was bothering her. He also knew it had to do with Alex and there was no telling what type of promise she made to her. One that she would take to her grave the same as he would if she had shared it with him.

"Sure we'll go with that." He said letting her know that he knew something was up but knew to leave it well enough alone "When you need back up we've got your back."

She simple nodded his acknowledgement and they both went back to work the sooner they caught this bastard the sooner she could take care of the bastard that was hurting Alex.

A/N: So I am taking this story in a direction I have never taken any of my stories before. I thought I would change things up and have them overcome different obstacles than I usually do. I hope everyone enjoys. As always reviews are welcomed