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When Partners Continue to Collide - Chapter 6
Smiling Olivia responded, "Well I don't know about you El, but I quite liked our sleeping arrangements from last night."…Once in bed Olivia naturally gravitated to Elliot, he put his arm around her as she rested her head on his shoulder, draping her arm over his chest. Sleepily she said, "Night El." Elliot, gently kissing the top of her head, replied "Night Liv – sleep well."
As Elliot gradually became aware of his surroundings, he realized he was not in his own room or bed. The he realized Olivia, in his arms, was beginning to fight as if restrained and she was mumbling, Elliot could tell she was agitated. This snapped Elliot awake and he knew he was going to have to wake Olivia up before she went deeper into her nightmare.
Elliot gently shook Olivia saying "Liv, Liv – you need to wake up for me – come along, wake up." Olivia, still in Elliot's arms, began hitting out and was becoming more desperate – Elliot gently unwrapped himself from Olivia allowing her space. "Olivia, it's ok, it's only me, Elliot – can you focus on my voice?" Olivia, stopped moving and began to focus on Elliot's voice and mumbled "El, El – help me." Elliot understood what Olivia was asking "Liv, listen to my voice and focus on it, you're safe and you're at home – open your eyes for me, come on you can do it." Elliot gently stroked Olivia's hand. "Come on Liv, open your eyes." Olivia slowly blinked her eyes open looking at Elliot, he saw an initial look of terror reflected there as she was gasping for breath. However, she immediately began to relax and, taking herself through one of her breathing exercises, she realized it was only a nightmare. Elliot then saw Olivia wince and screw her eyes shut in pain and he noticed Olivia's skin was clammy. Realizing Olivia was in a lot of pain, Elliot grabbed the bottle of water and pain killers he'd brought in earlier. He helped Olivia up into a sitting position and passed her the tablets and water. She took them without complaint, giving Elliot a sign of how much pain Olivia was in. "Liv, why don't you go and take a shower and freshen up?" Olivia nodded and gingerly got up and headed to the shower with Elliot following.
When they reached the bathroom, Olivia went in and closed the door behind her. Elliot understood Olivia needed time by herself, but he was worried "Liv, can you do me a favor and not lock the door?" Olivia didn't say anything, but he never heard the lock turn, which he took as his answer. He heard the shower start, so went and stripped the bed sheets and, after hunting around, Elliot found where Olivia kept the spare sheets. He remade the bed, hoping a freshly made bed would allow Olivia to relax and get back to a peaceful sleep.
Elliot then became aware that the shower was still running and became slightly concerned. He went to the door and knocked on the door "Liv, you ok?" After hearing no answer, he knocked again "Olivia, if you don't answer me, I am going to come in" Elliot listened at the door and heard no answer so, tentatively, he opened the door and looked in. Olivia was sitting on the floor of the bath, fully clothed. He felt his heart drop, seeing Olivia just staring straight ahead completely unaware that he had entered the room. Elliot walked over to the shower and turned it off. As he did, he could feel that the water was cold. When Olivia felt the shower stopping, she looked around the room, as if for the first time, and when she saw Elliot asked "El, what are you doing in here?" Elliot pulled the towel from the rail and wrapped Olivia in it, who to his surprise did not argue. "Liv, I was concerned with how long you've been. When I knocked on the door and got no response, I opened it and saw you in the bath. Shall we get you out of here now?" Olivia nodded and Elliot noticed she was shaking. Helping her out of the bath, they walked to the bedroom. Olivia asked Elliot to leave her to get changed so, reluctantly, he left to make them both a coffee.
Setting the coffee on the table, he sat on the sofa and waited for Olivia. Eventually the door opened, and Olivia entered the room dressed in clean leggings and a baggy T-shirt, wrapped up in her long cardigan. She walked over to Elliot and sat down. Elliot took the cup from the table and handed it to Olivia. "You want to talk about it?" Elliot asked. "Nope" Olivia responded, but knew she owed Elliot an explanation. Sighing she wrapped her cardigan tighter around her and, picking up her mug, she focused on the table directly in front of her. "I just had one of my nightmares, I was trapped in the trunk of Lewis's car and was unable to move, but this time he was pouring black tar over me, there was so much coming into the trunk that I could feel myself drowning. All I could hear was him laughing at me.
It felt so real, I could taste the tar, feel it burning as it touched my skin, and I was tied the way he tied me in my car – hands cuffed behind my back and legs taped together. Even after I woke up, my skin still felt like it was burning." Elliot placed his hand on Olivia's thigh, unsure if she wanted physical contact. As she did not flinch, he left it there. Olivia continued "I know Melinda warned me that my PTSD would likely to be triggered. But, probably naïvely, I didn't realize it would merge the two instances together – or that it would feel so real."
Elliot braved putting his arm around Olivia and she leaned into his embrace, "Thank you for telling me, I get how hard it was for you." After a moment of silence, Elliot asked "Did you book an appointment with your shrink?" Olivia nodded and said, "after work". Elliot placed a tender kiss on the top of Olivia's head, "You know you never have to face any of this alone. I'm not going anywhere ever again, and you don't need to be Einstein to see how much Fin, Melinda, Carisi, and Amanda care for you. Even though what you did yesterday has had a cost, allow us all to hold you and help you."
Olivia moved away from Elliot and sat up "I know, but as you said, it's not easy for me to ask or allow people to help me, it's almost in my DNA to go about things on my own." Picking up the mugs, she headed for the kitchen and put them in the sink. "Shall we try and get a little more sleep?" she asked. Elliot stood up and asked "Where do you want me to sleep?". Olivia looked puzzled and answered, "Are you still comfortable sleeping in my bed?" Elliot smiled "Yes, but I was unsure if you still wanted me there?". Olivia smiled and held out a hand to Elliot and they walked back into Olivia's bedroom to try and get a few more hours sleep.
The next morning, Elliot woke up before Olivia, and was surprised to find her head on his shoulder again. Feeling the call of nature, he carefully got up, leaving Olivia sleeping soundly, and headed to the bathroom. When he came out, he went to the front door to retrieve Olivia's newspaper, chuckling to himself that she still insisted on a paper copy instead of a digital edition. It was when he caught the picture his heart dropped. There on the front of the New York Ledger were two pictures of Olivia. The first was of Olivia tied to the bed with the belt around her neck and the second on Melinda's autopsy table – both had her still covered in the 'tar' and feathers – under the headline, 'Decorated Sex Cop, murdered in sex game gone wrong.' Elliot quickly brought the paper in and read the article which went on to say that "Captain Olivia Benson, a decorated SVU detective with over twenty-four years' experience has been hiding a secret of her own – a lust for auto erotic asphyxiation, which has ended in her untimely death. NYPD have been approached for a comment but, as of yet, none has been made."
Elliot immediately got on the phone to Fin who, after a trail of expletives, promised to go down to the local newspaper stand and check out all the day's papers and then come straight round. Elliot's next phone call was to Bell, who had seen the headline in the Ledger and was sending Whelan and Velasco first thing over to the Ledger's offices to find out what they could. Elliot ended the call saying he and Olivia would be in as soon as possible.
Knowing his next job was to wake up Olivia, Elliot braced himself for a very angry Olivia. Sitting on the bed, he gently rubbed Olivia's shoulder. "Liv, Liv sweety – it's time to wake up". Olivia groaned "five more minutes please?" and pulled the covers further up around her. Elliot chuckled, this was a side of Olivia he rarely saw, but hoped to be seeing more of it. "Ok, I am going to make a coffee for us and then I need to show you something." Elliot said leaving the room. But he knew he had Olivia's attention. Immediately she shot up in bed asking, "What do you need to show me?"
Elliot popped his head back around the door "It's on the coffee table, but I warn you, you're not going to like it." Olivia groaned getting out of bed holding her head "That sounds ominous" and she slowly padded to the living area. When she saw the picture in the paper Olivia immediately swore. As she read the article, Elliot saw her whole-body tense and the fire light in her eyes. As she read bits out from the article – she got louder and angrier at the false claims in the article.
Olivia immediately got her phone and called Carisi and Amanda to warn them to keep Noah away from the news. Elliot placed the coffee on the table and put a hand on her shoulder, but Olivia threw it off and picked up her coffee cup, went to drink it, but instead threw it and its contents across the room, letting out a frustrated scream. "Feeling better?" Elliot asked, not in at least bit shocked at Olivia's outburst. "Yes", Olivia muttered and then went to get a cloth to clean up. Elliot gave her a hand as Olivia continued "I want to go down to the Ledger's offices and make them write a retraction, but I can't – it will ruin the case." After a pause she said, "I feel absolutely humiliated and dirty, and I have no way to defend myself."
Elliot came and put his arms around Olivia, "You will be vindicated, and you have a lot of people in your corner who will be more than willing to help. How about you go first and use the bathroom and get ready. Fin is heading over". Olivia nodded and walked to the bedroom to find some clothes to wear, she then paused, thinking, then popping her head back out of the room called "El, what does a dead woman wear?"
Elliot also had to stop to think "How about old jeans, sneakers, top, hoody and a baseball cap to put your hair up under. We're going to need to sneak you into the precinct. But I have an idea" Olivia nodded and set about finding the outfit.
Just as soon Elliot and Olivia were dressed, there was a knock on the door, Fin had arrived in a squad car carrying coffee and pastries, but also newspapers from multiple outlets, all with photos and articles of Olivia in. "Sorry, not great reading" Fin said as he walked in and placed the coffee and the pastry bag on the table. "It's all the same photos, with the same the ridiculous story." Olivia and Elliot picked up the papers and flicked through them. Eventually Olivia threw the papers down on the table and began pacing up and down. Elliot also threw the papers down and went to grab a pastry and coffee. "Liv come on you need to eat." Elliot said as he picked out a pastry. "I'm not hungry, I'm just angry." Olivia said still pacing up and down. "That you have a right to be Liv, but you still need to eat" Fin said taking a sip of his coffee. Olivia walked over, took a sip of her coffee, and angrily ate a pastry whilst glaring at Fin for being right.
As they ate, they discussed what their next steps were to be. It was begrudgingly agreed by Olivia that they would go to the office after she'd packed a bag ready to stay with Elliot until the end of the case. After packing her bag, Olivia tucked up her hair up inside an old baseball cap and put the hood up on her hoodie. Elliot grabbed her bag and all three left down the back stairs of Olivia's apartment building and headed to Fin's car. Olivia sat in the back alongside Elliot. As they pulled up to the 16th precinct, Olivia made sure her hair was still tucked under her hat, then Elliot cuffed Olivia's hands behind her back and pulled her hood up further.
When they stopped, Fin opened the back door and Elliot got out, they then roughly pulled Olivia out and, walking between Fin and Elliot, they frogged marched her up to the elevators. When the elevator doors opened, Elliot pushed Olivia into the elevator, while Fin stopped anyone else entering, by warning them of the dangerous criminal they had just apprehended. When the elevator doors opened into the squad room Fin and Elliot pulled Olivia out and looked around. When they realized it was just the OC and SVU squad present, Fin said "All safe Liv" Elliot uncuffed her hands and Olivia removed her hood and baseball hat, shaking her hair out. The two squads looked shocked at seeing Olivia standing there. Looking around the squad room Olivia said, "Briefing, my office in 5 minutes."
The combined OC and SVU squads had to squeeze inside Olivia's office to update her on where they'd got to.
Bell began: "Smith has lawyered up and wants protection before he speaks, and he will only speak to Stabler." Olivia nodded and said, "Makes sense – last time he would only speak to me. He knows we've got history, so it keeps him close to his fantasy."
Elliot spoke up "I'll interview him", Olivia nodded and added "take Fin in with you, he will try to push your buttons and taunt you to get a reaction." Elliot nodded and replied, "He can try but he won't succeed. You see Liv, I know you'll be watching from behind the glass and that you're alive and well – whatever he says can't take that away." Olivia nodded. "Still take Fin – he'll help ground you." Fin backed up Olivia "You can take the lead man, I'll just be a calming presence for you, with a look of menace to Smith."
"What about Kelly?" Olivia asked Bell, who responded. "Likewise, has lawyered up, and is currently not speaking till he can see Lauren and Amelia. Whelan and I are going to try again". Olivia followed up by asking "Have you asked Lauren and Amelia if they want to see Kelly?" Bell replied, "No, but Muncy is going to bring them in for an interview today, I was going to see if you wanted to do it, but you're technically dead?" Olivia responded frustratedly "Don't I know it."
"Jet, any news on our two morgue hackers, and how I've ended up on the front page of most New York dailies today, in what I can assure everyone is a completely false news story?" Olivia asked making sure she kept her voice even and calm, even though it was the last thing she was feeling.
Jet nodded, "Yes, our hacker from the morgue was a guy called Dale Turner, he has been employed at the morgue for over a year. But it turns out you two have indirect history". "How so?" Olivia asked puzzled. "His father was Ken Turner, who you interrogated before his untimely death". Elliot then spoke up "Ken Turner as in the sick son-of-a-bitch who mass impregnated women?" Jet nodded "The one and the same." Olivia, remembering the case, "Didn't Ken have over 47 children? You're telling me Dale is one of Ken's?" Jet nodded "Yes, and it appears he may be just as unhinged as his father was from what I have seen looking around his hard drive. He has been googling both you and Stabler a lot." Bell, listening to all that was said, asked "Have we got enough for a warrant?" Jet thought for a moment "I think so, but we really need Counsellor Carisi here". "I'll give him a call" Olivia said.
"And Johnson, did he take the bait?" Muncy asked, unable to hold in her question anymore. Jet nodded and smiled "He did, and we now have a nice copy of his hard drive. He is clearly worried though and is looking for a way out of the hell he has got himself in."
Olivia then brought the meeting to a close, "Ok, I will call Carisi and ask him to get warrants for Turner and Johnson. Velasco and Reyes, will you be ready to arrest Turner? When we have a warrant for Johnson, Fin and Elliot need to pay him a visit and say we require his presence at the station.
Everyone turned to leave Olivia's office, but Reyes hung back "Can I have a word, Captain?" Olivia nodded and indicated Reyes should close the door. "What's up?", Olivia asked, though she had a good idea, where this was going. Reyes took a deep breath "I just want to apologize for not being able to protect you yesterday. Especially when Bugsy threw the gun – the noise of it hitting your face, it made me feel sick."
Olivia came round from her side of the desk and said "Bobby, you did what you had to do yesterday and, from what I've heard, the duration of your time undercover. I know how tough undercover assignments are, and the responsibility we feel to our fellow officers, but also the people we interact with undercover. It's fine and I don't blame you at all, ok?" Reyes nods "Thanks, Captain". As Reyes got up to leave the office there was a knock at the door and McGrath walked in, closing the door behind him as Reyes exited. "Captain, may I say you're looking very good for a dead woman?" Olivia smiled "Thank you, and also thank you for helping us out yesterday, I heard in your voice how uncomfortable you were."
"Well, the ME was right, you had gone through a much tougher day and from the look at the papers, you still are." He then paused and awkwardly asked "I need to check there is no truth in the claims." Olivia raised an eyebrow at McGrath. "You're really asking me that question? Of course there's no truth in the claims." McGrath uncomfortably smiled, "I didn't think so, but you know, had to ask." Olivia replied "Well, now you have confirmed that my sex-life does not include auto erotic asphyxiation, would you like to know where we're at?" McGrath nodded and Olivia brought him up to speed. When she had finished, McGrath congratulated her on everything they had been able to achieve and then turned to leave, pausing at the door he asked "Captain, how did you get in here without being seen?" Olivia smiled "Elliot and Fin perp walked me in, and no one batted an eyelid." Chuckling, McGrath left Olivia's office, leaving her wondering if he might have a human side, under his awkward hard exterior. Olivia picked up the phone to call Carisi.
Elliot was sitting at his desk, preparing for his interview with Smith, when Trevor Langan walked in carrying a file. "Detective Stabler?" Elliot looked up suspiciously at Langan, "What do you want councilor?" he asked. Trevor looked around the squad room and saw it was busy, so no one was paying attention to him and Elliot. "I am very sorry for the death of Olivia, I saw her as a friend and a fellow advocate. I have to be honest, I am shocked at the circumstances of her death, it just seems very…un-Olivia." Elliot nodded, "We all are, so how can I help you?" Langan nodded and placed an envelope on the desk, Elliot immediately recognized Olivia's handwriting. "In the event of Olivia's death, she asked me to give you this – you probably don't know that I am Noah's legal representative, hence, I am here to see you."
Elliot, realizing what Trevor was saying, and how important his relationship was to Olivia, picked up the letter and headed to Olivia's office saying, "Stay here a second."
He knocked on Olivia's door and entered "Liv, Langan is here, and gave me this." He placed the letter on Liv's desk. Olivia looked at the letter and realized what Langan had given to Elliot, "I think you better see him". Olivia nodded, and Elliot beckoned Langan over. Langan walked into Olivia's office and his mouth dropped to the floor. "Surprise", Olivia said awkwardly. "What…how…why?" were the only words Langan was able to get out. Olivia smiled "Councilor, I think this is the only time I have seen you speechless." Olivia indicated Langan to take a seat on the couch and she went and sat next to him. Langan, once he got over his shock, smiled saying "Olivia, can I say it is lovely to see you breathing. Everything the papers were reporting just didn't feel right. Am I allowed to ask what is going on and what happened to your face?"
Olivia filled Langan in on what she could, when she got to the part regarding the false newspaper stories, he got really annoyed on her behalf. "Will you allow me to pursue a defamation lawsuit on your behalf?", he asked. Olivia sighed "I would love you to, but I am, to all intents and purposes, dead – and need to remain so until the end of the case". Langan nodded, understanding what Olivia was saying "Well, when the case is ended then, you and I are going to march into each of those offices and demand a retraction – how does that sound?" Olivia smiled "I say it sounds like a plan".
Langan then turned to the letter on Olivia's desk. "What do you want me to do with this?" – he said nodding to the letter. Olivia looked at the letter and then at Langan "Leave it here, I think I need to update it." Langan nodded, "I am happy for you Olivia, I was always hoping one day there would be something more between us, but I knew your heart always belonged to Stabler. He better look after you, otherwise I will be after him." Olivia nodded, "I'll tell him", then getting up she paused saying "I don't have to ask you to keep your seeing me on the down low, till this case is put to bed." Langan smiled "No, as far as I am concerned, you're deceased until you tell me otherwise." Olivia gave him a peck on the cheek "You're a good man Trevor."
Langan then opened the door and exited the office. On his way past Elliot, he quietly told him not to break Olivia's heart. Elliot promised he wouldn't, and they shook hands and Langan left the squad room. Elliot walked into Olivia's office and closed the door.
Olivia indicated that Elliot should take a seat, then she explained how Noah came into her life and the connection to Langan, then she handed Elliot the letter, "You can read it".
Elliot opened the letter and read:
"Dear Elliot,
I am not sure where to begin, but if you're reading this, I am dead. Most probably in the line of duty and I hope it was quick and reasonably painless.
I'm don't know what happened with us, or why you left without speaking to me. I am sorry if I did anything to cause it.
But please know, I have always trusted you to have my back and continue to trust you. I would like to ask you and Kathy a massive ask, if you would consider looking after the thing that is most precious to me, my son Noah. He is the best thing that ever happened to me and has saved me in so many ways. Trevor can bring you up to speed on his background. But it's similar to mine. At the moment though, Noah only knows he is adopted, and a little about his background. Trevor will continue to act as legal representative and there is enough in trust for Noah's upbringing and his college fees. You are an excellent father and Kathy is an amazing mum, I saw that repeatedly throughout our partnership. Please consider looking after my precious son.
Whatever you decide, I hope you are all happy and know I missed you.
Take Care
Olivia."
Elliot read the letter that Olivia wrote nearly 9 years ago, a time where they were estranged from each other, but not far from each other's thoughts and tears started to form in his eyes. Olivia was feeling awkward "Say something please?" she asked. Elliot looked up "You write a much better letter than I could, I would probably have to ask Kathy to write one, if I had to." Olivia chuckled, Elliot then stood up and put his arms around Olivia, gently kissing the top of her head, aware of her injuries. "Liv, if anything happened to you, I would be honored to look after Noah." Olivia nodded and snuggled her head into Elliot's shoulder. "How's your head?" Elliot asked. "Killing me" Olivia mumbled. "Have you taken your next set of pain killers?" Elliot asked, "Not yet" Olivia shook her head, "I need food". Understanding what Olivia was asking Elliot said, "I'll go and get you something, ok?" Olivia stepped back and asked for a salad. Elliot nodded and left Olivia's office.
After Elliot returned with lunch for Olivia and himself, he and Fin walked into the interrogation room with Smith. Olivia watched from her office window, silently praying that Elliot would maintain control of his emotions and they would get somewhere. Olivia walked to the window into the interview room and saw Muncy interviewing Lauren and Amelia. Lauren was in tears, Olivia wanted nothing more than to give her a hug, especially when she was blaming herself for Olivia's perceived death.
At that moment, the door opened and Carisi came in, along with Noah who was wearing a baseball cap, which he took off the moment he saw Olivia. "Mom" he shouted and threw his arms around her giving her the biggest hug she had known. He then burst into tears. Olivia walked him to the sofa and sat down with him, he laid himself against her, putting all his weight on her, just holding onto her as if his life depended on it. Carisi, recognizing Olivia and Noah needed some mother and son time, excused himself to go and see Bell.
After some time, crying against Olivia, Noah sat up and through tears said. "Mom, I know I shouldn't have but I have seen the news and seen the photos of you. It's horrible mom, you're covered in some horrible stuff, and you haven't got any clothes on. The papers are saying you enjoy being tied like that. But I know you don't".
Olivia, taking Noah's face in her hands and kissing the top of his head said, "That, Noah, is the most important thing to me, that you know the truth." Noah looked at Olivia and then asked, "Mom, what happened and what was that stuff all over you?"
Olivia was about to try and get out of telling Noah, when he said, "Please Mom, I want the truth". Olivia sighed, realizing she was going to struggle more than she'd anticipated telling Noah, and he was listening to it.
"The guy we were after has some sort of obsession with me, he kidnapped a lady and hurt her to get my attention" Noah asked, "Did he rape her?" Olivia nodded and then continued "He also took her daughter and would only release her if I handed myself over to him and allowed him to hurt me" "Did he want to rape you too?" Noah asked. "Yes, he did". Noah hugged Olivia and she continued, "To break the obsession, and to catch a lot more bad guys, we decided to fake my death the same way the first guy's namesake died many years ago. It was a very old way of killing people, that involved stripping them naked, then pouring hot tar over them, and then covering them in feathers. But in this instance, the guy from long ago, was also hung."
"So that is why you have no clothes on and are covered in black stuff and feathers." Noah said, beginning to realize why Olivia looked the way she did in the photos. "Yes"
"Did they actually pour tar over you?" he asked. "No, it was good old fashion TV slime." Olivia said with a smile. Noah started laughing, "That's funny, I wish I got to see that!" Olivia chuckling said, "I thought you might." Noah then turning serious looked at Olivia's face and asked, "How did you hurt your face?" Olivia easily responded to this question "One of the bad guys we were after threw a gun and, because I was tied to the bed like you saw in the picture, I couldn't move, and it hit me." "Does it hurt?" Noah asked. "Yes, but I have some good tablets that ease the pain" Olivia said. Noah gave her a hug and then asked, "So what happens now?" Olivia sighed "I must pretend to be dead, till this case is closed. So, you're going to need to go back with Uncle Sonny and Aunty Amanda to their house. I am off to stay with Elliot and need to stay out the way. I am currently being smuggled in and out of the station. But I promise as soon as this case is closed, you can come home, and we can do whatever you want". "I know what I want to do!" Noah said, with such certainty it surprised Olivia. "What's that?" Olivia asked. "I want to go on a big picnic, and not just you and me, I want to invite everyone you work with". Olivia hugged Noah, touched at his idea. "I'll see what I can do" Olivia said.
As they finished talking Carisi knocked at the door. "I've talked to Bell and will sort out the warrants you need". Then, looking at Noah, "you ready to head back to our house?". Noah nodded and was about to leave when Olivia spotted his baseball cap and hated that she had to tell him. "Noah, sweetie, you need to put this back on" Noah nodded, put his hat on, then gave Olivia a big hug "Love you mom." Olivia tried to keep her emotion in check. "I love you too" she responded and kissed the top of Noah's head before he left with Carisi.
Olivia went back to the window and watched Elliot and Fin continue to interview Smith. Smith was deploying his usual delay tactics whilst pushing Elliot to admit that he and Olivia were in a relationship, and he must be devastated that she was dead. Olivia had to give Elliot credit for maintaining a nonchalant attitude to Smith's pushing as she could see Smith was running out of delaying tactics.
Walking over to the other window, Muncy was winding up the interview with Lauren and Amelia. Olivia knocked on the window and Muncy excused herself and walked into Olivia's office. "What's up Captain?", Muncy asked. "Can you ask Lauren and Amelia if they will do a line up." Muncy nodded and turned to leave when Olivia called her back "Also can you see if Lauren has ever heard the name Rick Johnson?" "Ok Captain" Muncy said and headed back into the interview room.
Olivia continued to observe Muncy's interview when Bell walked in "Councilor Carisi has the warrants, do you want me to instruct Reyes and Whelan to pick up Turner?" Olivia nodded "Yes, phone Warner and check where he is" Olivia paused, then continued "Have you got anywhere with Kelly?" Bell nodded "Lauren and Amelia said hello to him when they first arrived. He is now singing like a canary. I feel sorry for him, he really cares for Lauren and Amelia and wants to do right by them despite the cost to him. Also, I checked, and he does not know the name Rick Johnson". Olivia nodded "It might be worth bringing in Carisi in tomorrow and offering him a deal. Especially if he is willing to testify against Smith, who I'm beginning to suspect is the ringleader in all this." Bell nodded and then went to contact Warner.
Turning back to the windows again, Olivia saw that Muncy had concluded her interview, and Elliot and Fin were wrapping up with Smith. Olivia turned to her office door as Muncy knocked and came in. Olivia suggested that she popped next door and grab them both a cup of coffee, especially as Olivia was restricted to her office. Muncy smiled and left. When she returned with coffee, Olivia indicated she should take a seat on the sofa and Olivia sat next to her.
"How are you doing?" Olivia asked Muncy, as she could see that she was struggling from the interview with Lauren and Amelia. Muncy took a moment to think about how to respond and Olivia let her, learning over the years that sometimes silence is the best form of getting someone to open up. Muncy took a deep breath, "I have been wondering for some time whether I made the right choice in coming to SVU, it has been a bit of a shock to the system and after Elias Olsen, I was beginning to put out feelers for a transfer." Olivia nodded indicating that Muncy should continue. "But after interviewing Lauren and Amelia and hearing all the hideous stuff Smith did, it has made me realize this is why I became a cop – to help the Laurens and Amelias in the world and put the Smiths behind bars. But I am not sure I've worked out how to think and act as smart yet as the Sarge says."
Olivia, understanding what Muncy was saying, thought carefully with how to respond, "Yesterday when you saw me, you asked why I was putting myself through everything." Muncy nodded, as Olivia continued "I did all of that, because I knew it was our best chance of catching Smith, and not giving him what he desired. I did it because it was the best chance of freeing Amelia and protecting both squads from a potentially dangerous situation. Finally, I did it because it was the best chance of protecting myself. Sometimes thinking smart is thinking outside the box. Sometimes, thinking outside the box also has a cost and we must judge whether we can afford it. That is sometimes the price we pay for caring about people."
Muncy nodded and then asked the question Olivia knew was coming "Was it worth it Captain?" Olivia smiled, "We rescued Amelia and got her out unhurt. Smith has been arrested and once he's behind bars, I will breathe easier. If we get Johnson and Turner, I will be happy. But the cost with this case has been high. I am lucky to have a lot of people around me to support me. I am still learning to allow them to help me. So even after being here for over 24 years…I'm still learning how to make smart choices – we never stop learning."
Muncy smiled, understanding what Olivia was saying. "Lauren and Amelia are happy to come and do a line up. Also, Lauren is blaming herself for your death." Olivia nodded, "I got that from the bits of your interview I saw. I will arrange to see her once Smith is behind bars. Well done, now knock off early and have some down time." Muncy nodded and got up to leave "Thank you for everything Captain." Olivia smiled as Muncy closed the door.
Olivia, thinking back to what she had told Muncy, began to reflect whether the cost really had been worth the result, especially when she reflected on how currently Noah and herself were not able to return home. How they both had to hide their identities and there was no guarantee that Smith would not come after her again once he learnt she was still alive.
As she continued to think, there was a knock on her office door and Elliot and Fin walked in. Shaking his head Elliot said, "We got nowhere with Smith, I think we need to put more pressure on him." Fin then asked "Carisi got the warrant for Johnson yet?" Olivia nodded yes "Bell has sent Reyes and Whelan to pick up Turner. How about the two of you go and pick up Johnson, I reckon he will come quietly, and tomorrow we'll get Carisi to see if he can make a deal with him. That will hopefully put Smith away without his confession". Elliot and Fin were about to turn to leave when Velasco walked in.
"Captain, a minute? I was looking at all the papers with your story in and they are all written by the same person, Sarah Barnard, a freelance journalist. Sarah Barnard's dad was one Ken Turner, she and Dale are half siblings". Olivia, Elliot, and Fin all looked at each other. "Velasco, take Jet and go and pay Sarah a visit. I'll quickly phone Carisi and try and get us a warrant to search her computer to see if she has any other images from the morgue".
Velasco, Elliot, and Fin exited the office. Olivia looked at the time and realized it was time for her appointment with Lindstrom. She smiled to herself, wondering if the good doctor would be needing therapy of his own after seeing a dead woman. Especially as Fin called him and asked him to be available to talk to the squad who were struggling with her 'death.'
There was a knock at the door, Olivia said come in and looked up as in strolled Dr Lindstrom, not in at least bit surprised to see Olivia sitting behind her desk. This put Olivia on the back foot, as she was expecting at least some reaction from him.
"Dr Lindstrom, have a seat" – Olivia beckoned to her sofa. "Can I get you a coffee or something?" Olivia continued, before sitting down at the other end of the sofa. "I'm good thank you." Olivia smiled "That's good, I'm not sure anyone is left in the squad room to get any. And I'm technically confined to my office." Olivia then paused unsure what to say or where to begin. Dr Lindstrom spoke up. "Do you want to tell me what is going on?" Olivia nodded and began the now very long tale of her dealings with Smith and how she ended up on a morgue gurney. Olivia spoke about how her nightmares had returned in force, and how she felt like she'd had a setback in her recovery.
Dr Lindstrom nodded, understanding what Olivia was saying, but reminded her that recovery is a process, and it is normal to have things that trigger past experiences. "Though I have to be honest Olivia, I have not met anyone else who puts themselves in quite so many triggering situations." Olivia huffed "The alternative, would have been far more triggering and I could not let another Amelia suffer". Lindstrom smiled "I get that Olivia, I'm glad you realized and found the best way you could to protect yourself."
Olivia then paused, looking down then began to explain what had happened with Elliot. "Elliot helped me with everything yesterday – and, well, the strange thing was it forced us to talk, confront if you like, everything we have been tip toeing around since his return."
Lindstrom nodded as Olivia continued "Having to make myself vulnerable and literally bare everything to Elliot, has meant that there is no hiding, I have had to trust him with everything, and he's been able to show me just how much he cares. In some ways it's been the push we needed. I just wish it was not done in such a public arena."
"Am I picking up that things have moved forward in your relationship?" Lindstrom asked with a smile on his face.
Olivia smiled shyly "Well, we have not gone on a date yet, I am technically dead, and on the front page of most of the papers. But we hope too soon."
Lindstrom beamed "Congratulations Olivia, I am so pleased for you, I can't think of someone who is more deserving of allowing herself happiness."
Lindstrom and Olivia spoke for a bit longer, Lindstrom reminding Olivia to be kind to herself and to use the support of people around her. When Lindstrom stood to leave, Olivia asked "Doctor Lindstrom, how did you know I was not dead?" Lindstrom smiled "Olivia, I have known you for nine years. I knew it was more likely that this was all part of a case than your actually being dead. Your sergeant's phone call merely confirmed my suspicions."
Olivia nodded and thanked Lindstrom for paying a house call. She made another appointment, and they said goodbye to each other, and Lindstrom exited her office closing the door after himself. Olivia sat at her desk feeling easier – as she always did at the end of their appointments.
Olivia was deep in her thoughts when there was a knock at her door and Elliot popped his head in. "Turner and Johnson are going through booking. We're speak to them tomorrow. Shall we get you home?"
Olivia gave a small smile "I wish I could go home with Noah" Elliot understood what Olivia was saying "Soon Liv, I promise, but in the meantime, would you like to go back to my place and rest your head? Which I am guessing is more painful than you're letting on". Olivia nodded and picked up her baseball hat, tucking her hair underneath it. Elliot pulled up her hood and gently cuffed her hands behind her back and they made their way out of the precinct the same way they'd entered.