3 weeks later

A box a donuts and a bouquet of flowers were waiting on Benson's desk for her when she and Stabler entered the squad room.

"Welcome back Liv," Fin said as he stood up to give her a hug.

"It's good to be back," she replied, taking in a deep breath and looking around her second home. Not much had changed in the six weeks she had been gone.

"We missed you," Munch stated as he too stood up to give Olivia a welcome back hug.

"Have you gone soft on me since I was gone?" Liv asked the old man, chuckling.

"I haven't had you to keep me in line," he smirked at her, eliciting a laugh from the gang.

"How are you feeling?" Cragen asked has sauntered out to join his kids.

"I'm feeling much better," she replied smiling. "The doctor cleared me this morning to return to normal activities."

"That's great!" the captain exclaimed. "Why don't they get you up to date on the current case and then make your way to the ME's office. Doc Warner just called. She has something for you."

"Sounds good." The crew gathered around the screens as Fin caught her up.

"23-year-old Casey Andrews raped and stabbed to death. Doc has TOD between 9 and 11:30 last night. She was found this morning when the maid came by and called it in. TARU is running her computer now. The last person to see her was her boss when she left work at her accounting firm at 5:20pm last night. Her boss is sending over all of her files. No significant other that we can find. Her parents live in Texas and her sister is in Queens. Munch and I will go talk to the sister after this."

"Sounds like a plan," Olivia stated as she processed the case before them.

"I didn't know you were back today," Warner exclaimed as Benson and Stabler entered the morgue.

"Yeah, the doc cleared me this morning," she replied sheepishly. She didn't need everyone making a fuss over her.

"Well welcome back. I assume you two are here for the update on the victim?" Melinda asked as she led the two over to the body on the workstation. The three gathered around. "I've counted a total of 41 stab wounds, but I don't think that's what killed her." Stabler crossed his arms in front of him confused.

"If the perp didn't kill her, then what did?" he asked.

"Lead poisoning," the doctor stated confidently.

"Lead poisoning? I thought there was a big movement to eliminate any potential exposure?" Liv chimed.

"There is, but I was looking at our vic's blood. She had sideroblasts and was anemic. I think she was poisoned over time."

"What are siderblasts?" the male detective asked.

"They're immature red blood cells that have abnormal rings of iron due to the lead toxicity. It was bad enough that it damaged her central nervous system. She probably died from a seizure."

"So our perp finds our victim after her seizure, rapes her, then stabs her?" Olivia commented, trying to make sense of the details.

"It appears that way," the doctor posited. "But the rape kit did come up positive for hair but no fluids." The doctor handed Liv the report.

"Arthur Langley. Did 12 years in Attica for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and sexual assault. Was released 2 years ago and works as a janitor at, would you look at that, Cutting Edge Accounting" Benson declared as she read the file.

"Looks like we found our guy. I'll call Novak and get a warrant," Stabler commented as they turned to leave.

"Why don't you take a seat," Olivia instructed Arthur as she led him into the interrogation room, followed by Elliot. "So why did you do it?" Liv asked as she strolled over to the side the perp was sitting on, leaning against the table.

"I don't know what you mean," the man replied. The suspect stood 6'1" and weight about 240 pounds of pure muscle. His face revealed a long scar across his right eye, a reminder of his time behind bars.

"Sure, you do. You watched a helpless woman having a seizure after you poisoned her with the lead we found in your cleaning cart. Then you rape her before stabbing her 41 times!" Elliot exclaimed as he got in the man's face. "Do you like preying on helpless women?" The man didn't answer, but Elliot sensed the tension heighted.

"I think he does," Benson exclaimed as she stood up and started pacing around the room. "I think no one gives you the time of day given your looks and history, so you had to take what you wanted." Olivia got up next to Arthur's ear. "So how did it feel to watch a helpless woman seizing and then stabbing her after you raped her," she said, lowering her voice. The man growled.

"She got what she deserved," Langley finally responded. "That bitch took everything from me."

"That bitched his dead, Arthur!" Elliot yelled as he slammed his hands on the metal table, leaning across to face the suspect. The two locked eyes. The convict gave Stabler an evil grin.

"Like I said, she got what she deserved." He turned his gaze to Benson who was standing by the window. "But I bet she wasn't half as good as you are, sweetie," the man speculated, giving the female detective a seductive look. Stabler's blood boiled as Olivia gave the perp a grin.

"Then what are going to do about it?" Benson teased. She wanted to push his buttons, and it worked.

"How about I show you," the man thundered as he sprung from his chair, knocking it over, reaching for Benson's neck. He was quick, but Elliot was quicker. He slammed the man into the metal table, forcing his arms behind him as he slapped cuffs around Langley's wrists. Elliot picked up the metal chair and sat the man down before escorting Olivia out of the interrogation room.

"Did you get what you needed?" Benson asked smiling as she looked to the ADA and her captain.

"That will be enough to put him away for life," Casey replied as she looked her friend up and down. "It's nice to see you back at it again."

"If feels good," Benson replied. "I'm starting to feel like myself again."

"Just next time, please don't actively try to get yourself hurt," the captain quipped. "I don't need you passing out in another interrogation room." Liv smirked as she looked up at Elliot who scoffed.

"That was a little close for my comfort," he added, wrapping a protective arm around his love.

"Good work today you guys. Why don't you call a crew to transfer Langley to central booking and then head home for the night. I'll get your DD5s in the morning," their captain instructed. Elliot placed the call out while Liv grabbed their belongings from their lockers.

"It felt good to be back today," Benson stated has she took her blouse off, rummaging through her closet for a clean tank top.

"It was good to have you back," Stabler replied as he unbuttoned his shirt before tossing it into the dirty laundry hamper.

"I never thanked you earlier for having my back in there," she said turning around to face the shirtless detective. He had been watching her change. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"There's no need to," he whispered into her ear before placing delicate kisses on her exposed neck. She ran her hands down his bare, muscular chest, taking in every crevice. His mouth returned to her ear. "And I know you were cleared for more than just returning to work," he purred, his voice full of desire.

"Maybe I was," she cooed seductively. She reached behind her and unclasped her bra, letting it fall to the floor to reveal her breasts. Elliot pulled her into a passionate kiss, his hand cupping the back of her head as his fingers intertwined with her chocolate hair. The two slowly made their way the few feet to the bed, never breaking their kiss. Elliot lowered them onto the soft surface, the hand that had been behind Liv's head now firmly holding her hands above her head. Elliot slowly moved down to her chest, his kisses becoming more ravenous as he nipped and sucked on her firm mounds. A small moan escaped Liv's lips, causing El to smile. He released her hands which found their place on his head, guiding the detective. He continued south but stopped just below her navel. Stabler paused to examine her abdomen. He had not seen her scar up close yet. It was still bright pink and bumpy but healing nicely. He adored this woman so much. She was so strong and so brave.

"I know I can't take the pain away," he said looking up to meet her eyes, "but I can certainly try." Olivia watched as the man she loved adorned her scar with delicate kisses. How did she get so lucky? While he continued to placed kisses across her abdomen, Stabler worked on removing Benson's panties. Elliot stood up and grabbed Olivia's hips, pulling her to the edge of the bed. He knelt on the floor, draping her legs over his shoulders as his mouth found the moist warmth between her thighs. His tongue got to work, sending shivers down Olivia's spine. Her hands returned to El's head, encouraging him as his desire grew.

"Fuck El," she moaned. He picked up his pace as Liv's breath became shakier. He stopped abruptly, not wanting the pleasure to end just yet.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked as he lowered his pants and briefs. It was her body that had undergone the surgery and loss. She had the final say about continuing on.

"You're the only thing I've ever been 100% sure of," she purred. That was all Elliot needed. He slid into her, eliciting a moan as she arched her back.

"You feel incredible," he growled as he grabbed her hips, pulling her closer to him. Olivia clenched the sheets as passion filled her.

"Elliot," she moaned, her release finding her. A seductive smile grew on El's face as she squirmed. He continued his pace until he too reached his peak, releasing over 6 weeks of pent-up tension. He collapsed next to Olivia, both of them sweaty and panting. Elliot pulled Olivia close, wrapping an arm under her as she laid her head on his damp chest. Stabler drew soft little circles on her bare back as they both drifted off to sleep.