She's inching closer to him, pulling his forehead to hers. She needs this proximity of him. She needs this to ground herself. He knows this too, and he allows it all. He allows this embrace. Hell, he needs this too.

"Liv, I-"

"I wanted you, Elliot."

Elliot holds her. Not against him because she's still only in her bra, but he holds her softly in his arms. His thumbs gently brush her sides and maps themselves over the scars that pepper across her body. He feels the tension slowly leaving her body, but the anger in his has yet to dissipate. He wants to kill the son of a bitch.

"I told him that you'd kick his teeth in. Break his arms, break his legs, break his back, break his face... He kept taunting me. He got under my skin, and in my head, I was thinking I'm a cop. Harris and Lewis both made me question my abilities, but I didn't have my best friend for either. And not telling you about Harris? That was my fault, and I'm so sorry."

Olivia starts to weep in his arms, and he pulls her flush against him, not caring that she's half dressed. She needs him, and he needs her. He shushes her and sways with her in his arms, trying to give her the comfort she's needed after all this time. He wonders why no one had offered her the comfort, or if she'd even accepted comfort that others may have tried to give her. He threads his fingers in her hair as he cradles her body to his. Her body is wracking with sobs, and Elliot can feel the lodge in his throat, and he wills the urge to cry as well down because both of them can't cry here. They can fall apart together somewhere else.

"Liv, stop apologizing. Your stories aren't mine to know unless you want me to know. Back then, you didn't, and I get why. As for Lewis, I didn't know. And had I known then, I would've killed him. You tell me where he is, and I'll make sure he rues the day he ever thought harming you wouldn't bring him harm."

He feels her take a shuddering breath, one that flits throughout her entire body, and he knows. He knows that it's worse. A lot worse than the cigarette burns and the scars and all the physical trauma that she had endured at the hands of this psychotic bastard, and when he got his hands on him, hell hath no fury.

"He got to me a second time."

Oh, God. He can feel the panic rising before he even realizes what it is. He's clutching her now, and his fingers will likely leave bruises from how tight his hold is. He doesn't give the first flying fuck because she's here and she's alive and he's having to remind himself over and over again. He can feel the steady beat of her heart against him. He feels the warmth of her skin, and he's allowing that to be his grounding force because physically, he could throw up his lunch and break every damn thing in sight. A second time?

"He- Did he..." Elliot wasn't sure how to ask. Had she been raped? Surely he would've found out before now. He should've already known about this because he should've been here.

"He tried, but he got off on the struggle, and I refused to fight him. He made me play Russian Roulette with my second gun. The first one with your mini badge on it is still in evidence."

"I swear to you; I would've been here had I known, and I'm so fucking sorry that I wasn't. Is he...?"

Yes he's dead. She wants to say, but somehow, the words lodge in her throat, so she nods her head and pulls slightly from his embrace enough to look at him. She places her hand on his chest, over his heart.

"You were with me more than I care to admit, El. The thought of you kept me going, but the second time, I looked death in the face, and all I could think was how I'd never see you again. And now, now we are right here, and I'm so glad we are."

Her voice is merely a whisper now, and he cups her face within his hands. He's looking for confirmation that he can do this, that he can proceed with what they- HE- started in her kitchen, and she leans up as he leans down. Their kiss is tentative, as if anything harder would massacre the fortress that they'd created within this space.

She pulls away and smiles. She's self aware that she's literally half naked, and they're in her office. They pull away from each other, smiling like a bunch of love drunk teenagers, but they have no care in the world. She starts to redress, and he finds a home on her couch, watching her as she smooths out her shirt and buttons her blazer. Captain Benson is back, and there is a silent agreement between the two that this moment wasn't over, but they agree without words that they could wait until Lowell Harris was dealt with accordingly.

Carisi is pacing his office, and he's well aware of the blonde detective, his wife, sitting in his office. He just can't give her the attention she wants, and he knows she's just checking in, making sure he's alright.

"Amanda, I just don't get it. I did everything, and I mean everything, to keep that sick bastard in jail, and he gets out on good behavior? Something just doesn't add up. He was in for life. How does he get out on good behavior?"

Amanda knows her husband is puzzled, and she wants to ensure him that Lowell Harris won't be out long, but she can't do that because she doesn't know that.

"Carisi, all we can do right now is protect Liv and anyone else he may feel is responsible for his incarceration. And while we do that, we can find a way to put him back where he belongs."

She sees the defeat in his stance, and she stands. She places her hand to his shoulder and squeezes. Sonny turns to her and smiles.

"Rollins, what would I ever do without you?"

She gives him a small smile and another ensuring squeeze of the shoulder. She drops her hand and heads towards the door, turning back one more time to glance at her husband.

"You'd still be the amazing ADA that you are, Carisi. I'm just your wife."

"You're too good to me, Rollins."

Carisi watches as she shakes her head and leaves. He goes back to his desk and looks over the paperwork citing Lowell Harris's terms of release. He picks it up to read it once more, but sheer anger fills his body, and he throws it across the room. Just as it lands on the couch that Amanda just occupied, Olivia walks into his office, followed by Elliot and Fin.

"What are we looking at, Carisi?"

The words don't fall from Olivia; Instead, he's watching as Fin rounds to the front. Carisi notices Elliot's hand sitting protectively at the small of Olivia's back, and both of their faces show signs of exhaustion. He's sure Olivia will call Amanda later.

"Well, he will be released either today, or early tomorrow. Cap, I think an OoP is something worth looking in to. Because if he violates that-"

"I'll have him wishing he was back in the lock-up."

Carisi meets the piercing eyes of Elliot Stabler, and he sighs, knowing that the OCCB detective would do anything to protect the captain. They had a shared history, and Carisi knew the reputation that preceded the historic partnership. They'd do anything for each other.

"Detective Stabler, with all do respect, we all want the same thing. We want Captain Benson safe."

Elliot huffs. Of course he wants Liv safe. But he wants Lowell Harris in prison. Olivia steps forward, hands clenched by her side but confidence oozing from every pore in her body.

"Carisi, I appreciate the OoP offer, but I don't need it. I live in a secure apartment, and I'm sure my old partner here and my Sergeant will camp out and have unmarked cars sitting on my block."

"Damn straight."

Fin straightens his spine. He'd witnessed the entire damn thing, and he couldn't wait to get his hands on Harris. The fucker was going back to the pen, alive or wishing he was dead or just dead. He'd almost raped Olivia, and he'd never forgive himself for letting her out of his sight.

"Fellas. Liv. I just want to ensure your safety. Noah's safety."

Olivia's posture crumbles slightly at the mention of her son. His life had been endangered too many times, but she's sure the McCanns are tired of being a safe house rather than a friendly visit. And she wants him with her.

"Do you really think an order of protection will keep Harris away from Olivia? She's the reason he even made it to the pen. Had she not asked about certain details, the man would have done more damage to inmates. Olivia is our main concern, and a damn OoP won't keep that bastard away from her and her son."

Fin's face flushes with anger. Elliot's fists ball up at his sides, and Olivia wants this nightmare over with, although it's only just begun. She knows that she's the reason Lowell Harris sat in a jail cell all these years, but she can't help but feel afraid. Sure, time had been kind to her, but she'd pushed him to the back of her mind long ago. She's not sure what he'll do or what he will be like. He's aged just as she has. He's not immortal. But she's still utterly fucking terrified.

"Enough. No OoP, but you can place cars on my street, and you can plant officers outside my door. No protection detail either. I won't be his victim a second time." Saying it and owning it gives Olivia a bit of her confidence back as she gives Carisi a look and walks out. Elliot follows behind her while Fin stays back.

"Look, Carisi. I know you did your best. I get it. I tried too. I was there when Harris had her in the basement. She blames herself because she's a cop? I blame myself because I was supposed to have her back in Sealview. I want the man under the jail."

Carisi nods. He can't have this conversation with Fin, and as much as he abides by the law, he silently agrees with the man.

He watches as she loads into the black SUV, but she's followed by a bald man who helps her into the passenger seat and moves around to get into the drivers seat. It's been almost 20 years since he'd seen her in person, but he's inclined to say that time had been very kind to her.

He watches as the bald man leans over and places a kiss to the top of her head. His temper flares, and his hands squeeze the wheel. He knows him from somewhere, but he can't quite place it. All he knows is that the then Detective Benson is now Captain Benson, and he's ready to shake things up in her life. He watches the SUV pull away, but he stays put. He can't make himself known yet.

He's read the news. He knows about her life since he's been locked away from the world.

Her partner leaving over Jenna Fox. William Lewis. Joe. Mike Dodds. Sheila Porter. Rob Miller. Oscar Papa.

He's sure she's had enough trauma, but it doesn't compare to ruining his fun. His life.

It's his turn to ruin hers.

This is a little shorter than I expected it to be, but now we're getting to some action (maybe!!). I tried to include a little more here, but it felt rushed. I tried to lengthen it, but it just felt too wordy, so I changed it back.

Let me know what you guys think and what you'd like to see next! I haven't mapped out the next chapter yet because I've been super busy, but I'm anxious to hear your thoughts!