A rather quiet day in the preceint had lead to Olivia being able to get home early. Having only done half a day herself, Peter had only been too happy to drop his non-existent plans for an evening of movies and popcorn with his girlfriend. As soon as Olivia saw Peter in the car park, her grin broke into a wide grin and she propelled herself as fast as she could over to him, before throwing her arms around him.

'Hey!'

'Hello yourself, you seem happy to see me'

'Why wouldn't I be?'

'I don't know… it's only been a day you know Olivia!'

'If the grin on your face is anything to go by, you missed me as much as I missed you!'

'Alright, you got me!'

'I have haven't I?'

'Of course you have. You aren't going soppy on me are you?'

'Seriously Peter…'

'Seriously nothing Olivia, I have you, you have me.'

'You think so?'

'I don't think… I really really hope so…'

'Me too'

Olivia returned Peter's nervous smile and extended his hand shyly, giving Peter the opportunity to resist, but she got an unexpected surprise when Peter, without hesitation, took the hand that Olivia had outstretched.

'So, busy day?'

'Not really. I'm glad I was on half a day my boss is always on my back lately. The DA course that's being run- they won't even consider me or Simon for it. Apparently I'm too immature'

'They told you that?'

'Yep, this morning.'

'Peter, they can't do that. That's bullying'

'I know, but what can I do?'

'Report them?'

'And let them make my life even more of a misery Olivia? No, I'm better off keeping my head down'

'You could transfer…?'

'Transfer? Isn't that like running away?'

'I wouldn't call it that. Which is the nearest precient to yours?'

'This one…… Wait! Olivia, are you suggesting I ask to move here?'

'And he finally gets it! How many more hints was I going have to drop?'

'You really want me to come and work here?'

'Yes you could be our ADA you're really unhappy Peter, and I know Fin would love to have for you to be our ADA and so would I especially".

'You think?'

'I don't think, I know'

'Okay'

'Is that a yes?'

'It's a… I will talk to my boss in the morning and see what they say'

'I have had a lot of brainwaves lately. Fin and Simon as friends,you transferring…'

'Now, now Olivia Benson let's not get ahead of ourselves'

'Who's getting over their head Peter?'

'Me maybe… I had an idea… feel free to shoot me down if it's a bad idea…'

'If what's a bad idea?'

Peter was about to reply when the sound of someone shouting behind them made them turn around.

'Olivia!' To say she was shocked to see her dad hurtling across the car park was an understatement.

'D… Dad?'

'So you're it?' his question was gestured in the direction of Peter

'I'm sorry?'

'You're the silly man that poached my daughter'

'I haven't done anything of the sort Mr.'

'Dad, please, don't do this here…'

'I have to do it here Olivia. You're still playing silly beggars and refusing to talk to me. Enough of this nonsense, get in the car so I can take you home'

'It's not my home and I'm not going anywhere with you'

'Olivia, I'm your father, you will do as your told'

'I will not. I am not coming home and I will not give Peter up'

'Oh yes you are'

'I am not'

'Yes you are!'

'You sound like a bad pantomime act Mr. I appreciate that my relationship with Olivia that must have come as a bit of a shock, but I promise I love her, I am not going to hurt her'

'You cannot love her, You barely know her'

'I know her better than you ever have with all due respect. Why do you think she couldn't tell you about us?'

'Because this… this is all in your head. You've plied my daughter with emotional nonsense… its abuse'

'I am not being abused Dad'

'Olivia, leave it'

'Peter, I will not let him play the victim'

'Better than this… this… fraud playing a victim just to get into your knickers!!'

'Doing what?'

'You heard me! I've met your type before. My daughter might be naïve but I am not. I know you're game, she'll put out and you'll dump her. I bet you've had lots of people. How old were you when you first did it? 10?'

Peter did what he always did when confronted with his past. He turned and ran. away from Olivia's dad who was hurling abuse at him. Away from Olivia, who was shouting him back, her voice about to break. With each tear, Peter's walls came tumbling down. As he ran, the tears in his eyes turned the bright blue sky into a whirlwind of greys and yellows. He slammed into the bathroom door. He didn't care who saw. He just broke down. The sobs punched through, ripping through his muscles, bones, and guts. He pressed his forehead against the wall and began to let his heart yank in and out of his chest. It pulled back in like a yo yo. Over and over. In and out. He was hollow. His life crumbled in his fingertips. Then, suddenly Olivia was there patting and rubbing him.

'I… I am so sorry. I don't know what's got into him. Peter, I am so so sorry'

'It's… o…. o… okay… n… n… no… not your…. Not your fault' Peter managed to choke out in between sobs.

'It is… this… this is all my fault'

Peter shook his head furiously and stayed silent for a moment while he composed himself. Steeling himself for looking like a coward in front of Olivia's dad, he put on his battle face, but one look at Olivia he crumbled again.

'This is not your fault Olivia. It's his fault. I'm sorry you've been bought up with him'

'Hey, I'm okay, this is about you!'

'I'm okay Olivia, I swear'

'You don't have to pretend with me you know?'

'I know, I swear I'm fine. I could kick myself for running away like that. His words just cut me like a knife, really upset me'

'I could kick him'

'Don't worry. He lost because you're here with me when he wants you to be with him.'

'There is nowhere else I would rather be Peter, I promise'

'I know'

'What… what was your idea?'

'Sorry?'

'I don't know, you were going to tell me!'

'Oh that! This…' Peter reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a padlock with a key.

'I'm confused'

'Olivia, you mean you don't know this tradition?'

'Should I?'

'It's a way a couple says they love each other'

'Is it?'

'We're supposed to write a message on it and padlock the lock. Then we throw the key somewhere where no one knows and keep the lock somewhere different. In Japan, it's a romantic tradition, it's silly isn't it?

'No, it's not. I love the idea. Did my mum inspire this?'

'She may have done…'

Olivia wrapped her arms around Peter and poured all of her emotions into the hug, charging the moment. Her dad had no idea just how special Peter was- look at everything shed done for him. And with his birthday around the corner, Olivia was beginning to form a plan in her mind…

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