Olivia's thoughts flew. She felt like she was scrambling, but she had to keep a calm exterior because one of his babies had her feet in the stirrups and she deserved to feel safe. Silent tears leaked from her eyes, taking what was left of her mascara with it, Olivia continued to cling to her hand, not sure what else to do.

She knew she should press a little, ask what happened, hit the ground running in her case, but she couldn't. Right now it was as if her own child's life had been ripped to shreds and all she could do was react, and her instinctual reaction was as visceral as a mother bear protecting her cub. No one would get near her, ask any questions, nothing, without Olivia's say so.

Unfortunately, Churlish slipped in after the gynecological portion of the exam was complete, and she immediately broached the initial questioning, not understanding her captain's deep connection to the victim.

"So, um," Churlish flipped her small notebook open. "Can you tell me your name?"

She must have missed Liv's pointed glare, and the woman bit her lip before meeting Olivia's eyes. Without looking at Churlish she responded, "Elizabeth Stabler."

Olivia squeezed Lizzie's hand, and flicked her attention back to Churlish. "We don't have to do this now. She doesn't need this right now."

"Liv, it's okay. You're here… and I'm…I'm okay… I can.." Lizzie's voice shook with uncertainty,

Just those words made Liv want to cry, and she knew Liz was nowhere near ready for a full interview. She held firm. "Go get some coffee. Let us finish here and let her shower." Her hand remained gripped on Lizzie's. "Then maybe we can talk, okay?" Her comment was intended toward Churlish, but her eyes remained in Liz.

Churlish opened her mouth to protest, but wisely kept it shut before nodding and stepping back. Olivia knew she just wanted to get the case moving, but the brokenness in Lizzie's eyes kindled every maternal instinct Olivia had ever had. She knew the faster they could move the faster they could find their perp, but she was struggling to treat this like any other case. She couldn't.

"I'll, uh, I guess I'll be back in a bit." Churlish's dark eyes still held an air of confusion, like she had no clue as to who this woman was and why her boss was reacting so intensely. She flipped her notebook shut, and hurried from the room.

She would explain later when things weren't so fresh. For now she wanted to get Liz through this part. Her mother was dead, and her father was unreachable. She had her siblings, but in a moment of fear and panic she wanted Liv. She was going to be here for her in every way possible and then…then she would find the son of a bitch who did this to her.

-000-

Churlish—-Velasco

C: You awake?

V: Wish I wasn't.

C: Still at the station?

V: I keep falling asleep while doing these damn forms. Where the hell did you run off to?

C: Got a hospital call.

V: When? Where was I?

C: Sleeping. Face down. On your desk.

V: Damn. Need me to get over there?

C: No Cap is here

V: Wait why? You didn't call her for a hospital interview right? You call me and if you can't get a hold of me you call me like eight times- then call sarge. You don't call the captain. What were you thinking?

C: I'm not stupid. The victim wanted Captain Benson and the hospital called her before I could convince them otherwise.

V: Vic knows Cap?

C: Apparently, but I have no idea who she is. Cap is acting super weird.

V: Weird how?

C: Being all protective and shit. She won't let me ask any questions. She basically threw me out of the exam room.

V: You can be kind of annoying.

C: Oh God. Shut up. I wasn't being that annoying. She was totally normal until we met the Vic.

V: Did the Vic give you a name?

C: Not at first. Not til Cap got here. Said her name was Elizabeth… damn why can't I think of the last name!?

V: I'm too tired to help you with that. There has to be thousands of Elizabeths in this city.

C: Started with an S. God. Staples or something?

V: Staples? Seriously?

C: STABLER! Elizabeth Stabler.

V: Oh shit.

C: What?

V: Call me right now.

-000-

Elizabeth jerked a little when the nurse began carefully clipping back her fingernails. Underneath dried blood and broken fingernails was what appeared to be a fresh peach colored manicure.

Olivia kept her hand in hers. "Cute manicure." She was trying to get Lizzie's focus far away from the invasive exam taking place.

"It was," she said glumly. She flinched when the nurse took another clipping. The room had become a bustle of activity as medical personnel completed their respective tasks.

A doctor popped in quickly, and examined the gash on her forehead. The wound had clotted, but dried blood remained crusted on her eyebrow. "This will need stitches," he said more to himself than anyone else.

He rolled his chair back to search for a suture kit, and another nurse approached the pair. "I need an oral swab," her eyes were gentle and kind. "I'll make it quick."

Liz sent Olivia a panicked look so she did her best to reassure her. "It's annoying and uncomfortable, but it will be really quick."

Lizzie still seemed unsure, but opened her mouth for the nurse. The swab was a deep swabbing. It left her gagging, and with more tears leaking from her eyes. Olivia tried not to read too deeply into Liz's reaction. She had been poked and prodded, and maybe an oral swab felt like too much. In her heart she knew what likely happened. The thought made her stomach clench.

The doctor laid out the suture kit, and Lizzie rolled over onto her side. She brought her knees towards her chest, as she folded herself into a tight ball. Olivia could tell she was dangerously close to a breakdown. Before the doctor started Olivia lifted her hand. "Can you actually give us a minute please?"

The doctor seemed a little peeved, but quickly stepped out of the room. Now that they were alone Lizzie free another torrent of tears. . "I can't do this." Her voice was soft, barely audible.

Olivia took a breath to steady her own emotion, and stood so she could sit on the edge of the bed. "I know it feels impossible right now." She brushed her fingers through the younger woman's hair. "But you will get through this."

Liz shook her head and choked back a sob. "I can't. I don't want to be doing this. I don't want to be here. I just…" she swallowed. "I just want this all to go away."

"I know. Believe me," Olivia sighed. "I know. I've been here Lizzie, and I've watched hundreds of women do this too." She made sure Liz's focus was completely on her. "You can do this."

Suddenly Liz's eyes shadowed with concern. "Liv did something…" Tears flooded her eyes again and she couldn't choke out the rest of the question.

This wasn't really the time for the conversation, but Olivia wanted her to know that she wasn't alone in this. "It was a long time ago."

"Does Dad know?" Lizzie's wide blue eyes seemed bluer with the glassy tears welling in the corners.

Olivia remained nonchalant. Going into gory detail wouldn't be helpful right now. "I don't know. It was pretty public."

"God I'm sorry Liv."

Liv wasn't entirely sure how to respond so she just nodded.

Liz chewed in her lip nervously. "I feel so stupid. Dad was like…" she sighed. "He pounded how to be safe in our brains, and I still…"

Olivia shushed her before she could start the cycle of self blame. "This is not your fault. You could do everything "right" and shitty people will still do shitty things."

Suddenly a thought rushed into Liz's brain and she began to panic. Olivia immediately sensed the change and helped Lizzie into a sitting position. "Oh baby slow down. You have to breathe."

Lizzie kept shaking her head. "I can't…"

"Lizzie, look at me." She placed hands on both sides of her face. "Breathe with me." Tears streamed down her face, but she followed Olivia's lead, slowly taking air into her lungs and releasing it in a long exhale.

After Liz seemed in control Olivia dropped her hands from her face. A choked sob escaped Liz's lips. "I can't tell Dad about this. It…God, he'll get himself killed trying to fix this, and he can't leave his assignment. And he's just…" the words spilled from her lips in a rush of word vomit.

Olivia sensed the panic returning and tried to curb another breakdown. "We don't need to worry about that now. We don't need to tell anyone if you don't want to."

"It's going to kill him."

Olivia knew that Liz was justified in her fear. Elliot would lose his shit when he found out, and he would burn the world down if it meant justice for his child. The anger would in no way be directed at Liz, but his reaction could level the entire city.

"He doesn't need to know until you are ready." Liv added one more thing. "I know you only know him as your dad, but I know him as a cop, and I think he might surprise you. He's better with…" Olivia hesitated to say victims. "He was good at this job, Liz. He knew how to talk to women and what to do."

"Please don't tell him," she was almost pleading. For a moment, Liz looked as small as she did when she was a child. Memories of the little girl running down the precinct hallway and throwing herself into her fathers arms consumed her. Damn it Liv, Get a grip.

"I won't. Whatever happens next is up to you. You get to choose how we proceed okay?" No matter how much she wanted to tell Elliot, she couldn't without Lizzie's consent, and she had been very clear. Problem was, Elliot would view her silence as betrayal, even though he knew Olivia's legal limitations. This wouldn't stay buried forever, and Liv knew her actions would be the target of at least some of his misplaced anger. The thought hurt.

Lizzie nodded her head, and wiped away her tears with her palms. "Okay." With one more sniffle she added, "we can probably let the doctor in here. I..I think I'm. I'm okay."

"Okay." Olivia smiled lightly. "Let's get this done, and then you can get some rest."