A/N: I'm sorry this took a bit longer than I planned to get out. On Sept 26, the day I published the last chapter, my 100 year old grandmother tested positive for COVID. If you follow me on Twitter, you know that she passed away on Oct 6. It took me awhile to get my muse back after that, but writing as always has brought me great comfort. Thank you to all of my dear friends who have always been there for me.

Disclaimer: SVU and all of its characters were created by and are the property of Dick Wolf. I make no profit with this story, which is my own original work.

To anyone who knew her well, it had been no secret that, in the months following her abduction and assault, Olivia Benson hadn't been able to consume anything containing alcohol. The acrid taste was a known trigger, even in something as mellow as a glass of wine. Vodka would forever be off limits, not just because it had been Lewis' poison of choice during those four days, but because that was the drink responsible for her mother's death. The aversion had been even more compounded during her second attack. So, considering the fact that she had never been more sober in her entire life, Olivia found her present situation ironic. In the wake of Don's departure, she was feeling the most maudlin she'd had in a while, and she couldn't seem to explain why.

The bond Olivia shared with her former Captain was unlike anything she had ever had with a superior officer before, and for that, she was extremely grateful. It hadn't been long after her arrival at SVU all those years ago when she'd noticed the differences between her new unit and the previous one she'd been stationed at. Granted, the police force as a whole, was in itself a family, but what she had walked into that day was something else entirely. Maybe it was because of the nature of the cases they dealt with, but the men and women of SVU had a unique camaraderie unlike any other she'd ever seen.

The alarm sounded to her left, startling Olivia out of her reverie. She'd been lying here for the past two hours, after a particularly terrifying dream that still continued to haunt the recesses of her mind. Unable to fall back to sleep, she'd spent the seemingly endless minutes that followed ruminating over everything in her life that had led her to this very moment. If someone would have told her a year ago that she'd be recovering from not just one, but two intense traumas and forced into a sabbatical from work, she'd never have believed them. Just like she'd have discounted any prediction that would have told her Elliot would make a reappearance into her life. But, that was precisely where she found herself.

Later this morning, she was expected to show up for her first scheduled intensive therapy treatment. As much as the logical side of her brain knew that this was necessary, Olivia wasn't looking forward to it. Individual sessions were difficult enough, but now to have to face a group setting, it was downright terrifying. It made her want to run far away, change her name, and never look back. But, try as she might, Olivia knew she couldn't outrun this.

Realizing that lingering under the covers was only serving to further delay the inevitable, and also cutting into time that could be spent on a walk, Olivia forced herself to get out of bed. Slipping into some clothes suitable for the outdoors, she padded downstairs, allowing the scent of fresh brewed coffee to lure her in the direction of the kitchen. That's where she found Elliot, and it looked as though he were in the process of not only preparing a simple breakfast for them to eat, but also packing her a lunch. Overwhelmed by conflicting emotions, Olivia didn't know whether to be endeared or annoyed by the gesture. Opting to ignore both for the time being, she decided instead to make her presence known.

"Morning, Elliot."

Looking up from his task, Elliot graced her with a smile. As it happened every morning, his blue eyes briefly scanned her form, as if he were taking inventory. Olivia was never bothered by it, she knew that in this case, her former partner was still driven by his guilt at having missed so much of her life. Being on the receiving end of this type of concern from him was something that was uniquely familiar, and there was a comfort there that no one else was able to provide.

"Morning, Liv. Let me just finish up here, and we'll head out. I figured you'd still be wanting to walk today. I know if I were in your shoes, I'd have a lot of nervous energy to burn off."

Olivia resisted the urge to laugh, because while Elliot hadn't said anything that was even remotely funny, it was proof at just how well he knew her.

"You have no idea."

True to his word, the pair were out the door minutes later, headed in the direction of the beach. Olivia needed as much help as possible to settle her anxious nerves, and they both figured the calming atmosphere of the ocean would go a long way in helping. As they walked along the shore, Olivia tuned out everything else around her, concentrating only on the sound of the surf and the smell of the salt in the sea breeze on the air. Where normally she would have her arm looped through Elliot's as they traveled across the sand, this morning Olivia needed the extra reassurance. Today, they were hand in hand, their palms securely pressed against one another, fingers linked together. It was a reminder of how their lives had always been united back in the day as partners. Though neither spoke aloud, both were having the same thoughts. The realization that, although they were still finding their way back again – both to themselves and to each other, the bonds that had once connected them were as strong as ever.

Olivia heard the group leader, a therapist with over twenty years of experience under her belt, call the current session to a close. Had she really disassociated for an entire hour? Vaguely, she could recall introductions to the other members in attendance, but their names had all slipped from her mind. She was supposed to have been spending this time learning coping skills. Judging from the markings on the worksheet in front of her, Olivia deduced that she must have participated in some format, but nothing had stuck. At least, nothing that resonated immediately in her short-term memory.

Gathering her things, Olivia blindly followed the others out of the room, into the hallway, and down to the lounge area. Having no desire to interact with anyone, she sought out a corner of her own and sat down. Pulling her phone from her pocket, she scrolled through the list of contacts until her thumb was hovering over Elliot's name. She wanted to text him in the worst way, but what would happen if she did? Would he think her a failure or a coward, that she wasn't able to complete even one day of the treatment that Dr. Hamil had suggested? The days of being known as "Badass Benson" seemed so long ago, Olivia doubted she had ever been worthy of the moniker in the first place. A true badass detective would never have let herself be subject to the mercies of a monster the likes of William Lewis once, let alone twice. No, the whole world was finally learning what Olivia Benson had always known about herself – that she was a fraud, and the only shocking thing about it was that it had taken this long to come to light.

Before Olivia could be swallowed up entirely by the mire of her own self deprecation, her destructive thoughts were interrupted when the display on her phone lit up, indicating an incoming call. Though she was still battling a great deal of internal turmoil, some of the more intrusive images began to quiet and fade when Elliot's name appeared. Swiping her finger across the screen, Olivia brought the device to her ear, hoping that her voice wouldn't betray the tumultuous battle of emotions waging within her soul.

"Elliot?"

"Yeah, Liv. It's me. I remember that you said you'd call at lunch, but I just wanted to check in. I know this can't be an easy day for you."

Swiveling in her chair to face the wall and position herself even further in the corner, Olivia brought her hand to her mouth. She was only somewhat successful in suppressing the sob that threatened to break free. If he'd heard it, Elliot gave no indication, and merely continued on as though this were a normal everyday conversation.

"You probably have to get back in a minute or two, but I thought I'd ask while I have you on the phone, did you have any preference for dinner tonight? We could go with some comfort food, or I can just make something simple."

Olivia was silent for several seconds, so long, that Elliot feared he'd inundated the already overstimulated woman.

"You don't have to decide now, Liv. There will be plenty of time for that later. I didn't mean to pressure you."

Finding her voice at last, Olivia managed to answer.

"Can we just figure that out when I get back? I was even thinking we could order in tonight. I'll probably be tired, and that way you won't have to cook."

"Whatever you want. I'll let you go, but if you need anything, I'm here, okay?"

Olivia nodded, but then remembered that he couldn't see her.

"Okay. Thanks, Elliot."

The call ended at the same time the short break did. Feeling rejuvenated, Olivia joined the others as they headed back toward the makeshift classroom. Her attitude toward this process may not have entirely changed, but hearing from Elliot had certainly boosted her mood.

As the group leader entered the room and introductions were made, Olivia did her best to pay attention this time. However, when she learned the purpose of this session, her resolve wavered yet again. It seemed this particular hour would be devoted to trauma recovery. Though she was hardly a stranger to the process from a clinical standpoint – Olivia had encouraged many a survivor to seek help – approaching the treatment as a victim was another matter entirely. She didn't know if she could do it. Her instinct was to help, to protect, to take care of others. Now, she could barely tend to herself. Maybe it was a good thing she was in treatment so far from home – she could leave the identity of Sergeant Benson behind and simply be Olivia. These people here didn't know her, or her history. She wouldn't have to pretend.

When it was her turn to speak, Olivia merely gave her first name and declined to add anything further. This wasn't unusual – she was, after all, in a group of virtual strangers. No one was being very forthcoming just yet. It would take some time for them to trust one another and open up. No matter how much they were assured that this was a safe space, the instinct for self preservation was strong. Instead, Olivia sat back and listened as the counselor talked about the effects of trauma. No matter how hard she tried not to be cynical, she couldn't help it. It was one thing to go by a textbook definition and read pretty words off a page that healing would be possible – it was another thing entirely to have lived it. Not that Olivia doubted her abilities to recover, or had given up hope entirely, but nothing was ever as easy or as linear as it seemed in books and movies. This was real life, and with real life came its own set of complications.

The rest of the sessions passed by. Not as quickly as Olivia would have liked, but she supposed they didn't really drag on incessantly, either. She had been tempted to call Elliot at lunch, but resisted the urge, because she didn't want to seem too needy or dependent. As for the lunch her former partner had prepared for her, it couldn't have been more perfect. By the time Olivia had finished with the afternoon meal, she had eaten half a sandwich, a handful of grapes, and some baby carrots. Plus, Elliot had remembered her sweet tooth, too, and packed a small brownie square for dessert.

The only complication of the day had been when Olivia had missed her morning smoothie. Not quite sure how to go about consuming the necessary supplement, plans were made for the future. Upon arrival, she had learned there was a fridge available in the common room for patient use. Tomorrow, she would be prepared. As much as Olivia detested consuming those daily concoctions, she wanted to get her strength back.

When the last group had ended, Olivia made a beeline for the door, desperate for escape. To her relief, Elliot was parked at the curb and waiting for her. Letting herself into the passenger seat, she hurriedly buckled, urging him to drive. Though she was mostly silent on the way back to the cottage, Elliot knew it would be inevitable that Olivia would vent about the events of her morning and afternoon. For now though, he was just glad to have her back by his side.

Once they'd made it back, Olivia made a beeline for the stairs, mumbling something under her breath about needing to rest. Though he hated to pressure her in any way, Elliot had to stall her retreat temporarily. As much as he understood Olivia's need to decompress right now, there was something else that was equally as necessary, and that was her afternoon smoothie. She had been on such a good schedule lately when it came to her nutrition, he didn't want to see the cycle broken.

As much as she longed to flee, Olivia kept her protests to a minimum. Instead she waited the few precious minutes it took for Elliot to prepare the frozen concoction, then ascended to the second level, beverage in hand. Settling in the bed and leaning back against a pile of pillows she had propped against the headboard, Olivia closed her eyes and sipped her smoothie. Finding the complete quiet a bit unnerving, but at the same time not wanting any actual noise, she initiated the app on her phone that Elliot had installed the other day. Within seconds, the room was filled with the calming sound of ocean waves.

Though it hadn't been her intention, Olivia had inadvertently dozed off not long after finishing her smoothie. While not wanting to intrude, Elliot had come upstairs when he hadn't heard anything for over an hour, and found his former partner sound asleep. The door to the master bedroom had still been partially open, the only thing keeping him from feeling like he was invading Olivia's privacy. Knowing immediately that the day must have taken it's toll, Elliot had opted to let Olivia sleep, grateful at least that she wouldn't have to repeat the events again until Wednesday. While the intensive therapy would undoubtedly get easier over time, getting to that point would be a true test of Olivia's resolve to heal.

The ocean waves app was still playing when Olivia eventually awoke, nearly two hours after first setting foot in her room. As restful as the nap had been, she hoped it wouldn't be detrimental to her normal sleep schedule later that night. After washing her face, and changing into more comfortable clothing, she headed downstairs to see what Elliot was up to.

She found him in the living room. The television was on, and he was sitting on the couch with his feet propped up on the coffee table. His computer was resting in his lap. Afraid that she was interrupting a video call with one or more of his kids, Olivia turned to go back upstairs, but Elliot's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Hey, Liv."

Not sure why she suddenly felt awkward, Olivia took a hesitant step forward, her lower lip drawn between her teeth.

"Elliot. Am I bothering you? I mean, am I interrupting something?"

Her voice was weak and unsure, even to her own ears. Not for the first time, Olivia was reminded how much she hated the sound of it. For months now, any of the confidence she had previously possessed – or at least pretended to have – had been missing. In so many ways, she felt like a balloon that had lost all of it's helium. Not yet discarded, but instead deflated and left forgotten in the corner. She may have escaped the clutches of William Lewis with her life, but his impact on her on her still had a lasting presence.

Elliot tried to conceal his own reaction Olivia's words. It still broke his heart to hear her talk like that. Focusing instead on keeping her comfortable, he tried to encourage the woman to come and sit with him.

"Not at all. Why don't you come sit down? Do you need me to get you anything?"

Whether it was because she had purposely chosen to ignore his comment, or if she simply hadn't heard, Olivia didn't answer. Instead, she padded into the kitchen first, retrieving a bottle of water from the refrigerator before ultimately joining him. It wasn't lost on Elliot that his former partner still seemed to protect herself at all costs, even in the way she way she sat on the couch. Much like she had in the hospital, Olivia chose to sit with her knees drawn up under chin, her arms wrapped around her legs.

"We don't have to sit in here if you don't want, Liv. Did you want to go down to the beach for awhile, or maybe even for a drive?"

Olivia's ears perked up at that request.

"You know what, a drive might be nice. I still haven't been able to see much of the town. I don't have a real appetite just yet, but maybe we can stop for some takeout on the way back? That way you won't have to cook tonight."

"Sounds good to me."

Closing his laptop, Elliot placed the computer on the coffee table. He was about to get up, but could tell that there was something more Olivia wanted to say. Patiently, he waited.

"I don't think I could handle shopping in an actual store, plus I'm not sure what there would be in this area anyway. But, when we get back later, could we maybe look online for some patio furniture? The weather is going to be getting nicer soon, and I'd love to spend more time outside."

Though it hadn't been that long since since she'd spoken, Elliot realized he'd taken too long to respond, because Olivia continued on in a hurried manner.

"That is, only if you think Don wouldn't mind. This is his place, after all. I don't want to do anything I'm not supposed to."

Resting his hand on Olivia's shoulder, Elliot squeezed it gently before releasing her.

"Of course not, Liv. If it will really make you feel better, we can contact him before we buy anything, but I don't think he'd have a problem with that at all. I think the idea of spending time outside this summer sounds great. Maybe I'll look into getting a small grill, too."

After driving around for a little over an hour – they'd taken a detour through a nearby park before heading out onto the streets of the town itself – Olivia and Elliot returned to the cottage. Per Olivia's request, they'd stopped on the way back for some Chinese takeout. Not long after they'd left, Olivia had mentioned she had a craving, and it was still so rare for her to actively participate in menu choices that Elliot had immediately located the first Chinese restaurant he could find to make her wishes happen. Granted, the food wouldn't be anything like their favorite spot back in the city, but sharing a meal like this again brought back so many memories – for both of them. For Olivia, it was almost like the first night Elliot had come back into her life, and he'd insisted she eat. They'd split a pizza that evening, and her only hope now was that, unlike then, her dinner would stay exactly where it belonged.

While Elliot was busy in the kitchen separating their selections onto two plates, Olivia was in the living room, finding a movie for them to watch. If she had to admit it to herself, this was the most animated she'd felt all day, and while experience taught her the feeling might not necessarily last, she was determined to enjoy it for as long as she could.

Once she'd found the perfect movie, Olivia joined Elliot in the kitchen. She wanted to help by getting some drinks so he wouldn't have to make multiple trips. When they had everything they needed, the pair settled on the couch at opposite ends, and made themselves comfortable. Typical to her usual issues with eating these days, Olivia picked at the sweet and sour chicken and lo mein on her plate, but having the added distraction of the movie seemed to help. Elliot made note of that, and filed it away in his memory for future use. Perhaps having more meals in front of the television would help Olivia not to focus so much on the food itself. Setting his now empty plate to the side, he tried not to kick himself for not having thought of the idea sooner.

When the movie had ended, Elliot used the remote to bring them back to the home screen. Olivia looked at him curiously, wondering just what he was up to.

"I just wanted to take a quick moment to put the leftovers away, and get these dirty dishes cleaned up. Plus, if I'm not mistaken, you're probably craving something sweet right about now. There are two brownies left, and one of them has your name on it."

Grinning now, Olivia couldn't resist teasing him.

"Only one?"

"If you want both, Liv, just say the word and they're yours. But the last thing I'd want to do is overwhelm you."

Shaking her head, Olivia declined the offer.

"One is my limit. Thank you, though."

"Anytime. I'll bake something else for our dessert tomorrow. Do you have a preference?"

Olivia drew her lower lip between her teeth, and indicator that she was deep in thought.

"Can I think about it for a bit?"

"Of course."

With that said, Elliot left to do as he'd initially set out, returning a few minutes later with the promised chocolaty treat. Though she hadn't asked for it, he'd also brought Olivia another bottle of water, too. Once he was settled on the couch once more, Elliot turned to the brunette sitting beside him.

"Did you want to watch another movie?"

"Sure. I'll even let you pick this time."

It did Elliot's heart good, seeing Liv like this. Tonight, she was acting more like the woman he remembered than what he'd seen in awhile. But, Elliot wasn't ready to throw a party just yet. He viewed the shift in Olivia's personality with a cautious optimism, knowing from some of his own experiences after what happened with Jenna that the road to healing wasn't a straight one to walk. He couldn't take these steps for his former partner, but he could make sure that she didn't do this alone.

"Elliot?"

Pulled from his wayward thoughts, Elliot turned his attention back to Olivia, an unspoken question written on his face. She gestured toward the television as she passed him the remote, a teasing grin playing at her lips.

"Are you going to pick the movie, or do I need to let you go to bed early, old man?"

Taking the control from her hand, Elliot shook his head.

"I'd watch it if I were you, Benson. You're not that much younger than me."

"The key word there Stabler, is younger. Don't you forget it, either."

For all her upbeat mood and teasing manner that evening, Olivia was left feeling like it had never existed at all when she was standing alone in her bedroom a few hours later. The combination of nightfall and the impending need for sleep had brought with it the usual anxiety and dread. Deep in her soul, Olivia knew what she wanted, but she didn't feel like she had the right to ask for it. It was too much of an imposition, would cross too many boundaries. It was one thing for her to share a sleeping space with Elliot while she was in the hospital, there had been nothing else available then, but here, in the cottage? It would shatter every finely drawn line they had created for themselves throughout their partnership. Never mind the fact that she felt safe in Elliot's presence, and never mind that he had mentioned having found a roll away bed when he had ultimately put his bags in storage.

Instead, Olivia tried to remind herself that she was a woman in her forties, and a decorated Sergeant to boot. It was already embarrassing enough that she had to rely on someone else to aid in her daily care, she didn't need to compound on that by asking Elliot to sleep in her room because she was too afraid of what would haunt her dreams.

Deciding instead to repeat her ritual from the previous night in the hopes it would help her to relax again, Olivia headed into the bathroom. Dousing the harsh light in favor of candles and filling the tub full of lavender and chamomile scented bubbles, she immersed herself in the warm water. As she tried to push all the negative and troublesome thoughts from her mind, Olivia concentrated solely on the music that filled the small room. Much like the night before, she knew she couldn't avoid the prospect of sleep forever, but the idea was still an appealing one. It was yet another thought that was filed away on an ever growing list of things she'd need to talk to Lydia about at their next session.

As soothing as was, it wasn't long before the temperature of the water began to cool. Not wanting to catch a chill and ruin her relaxed state completely, Olivia stepped from the tub, dried her skin, and enveloped herself in the warmth of her cotton robe. Once she was back in the bedroom, she changed into something suitable for bed, and crawled under the covers. Having already taken her medication earlier, there was nothing left to do but turn out the light and wait for sleep to claim her. With the ocean waves app playing in the background on her phone, Olivia closed her eyes and tried to steady her breathing. Her last conscious thought was the proud reminder that she'd made it through another day.

The following morning, Olivia and Elliot went for a walk on the beach again. When they'd returned, he prepared breakfast while she got ready for the day. Not long after they'd finished eating, Olivia's phone rang. A quick glance at the display let her know that the caller was none other than Owen, and she hurried to answer.

"Hello?"

"Olivia? I hope I didn't disturb you."

Olivia shook her head at first, then remembered that the man on the other end of the conversation couldn't see her.

"You didn't. I was actually thinking of calling you myself later today."

They talked for a few minutes longer, ultimately agreeing that Owen would come to the cottage that afternoon for a visit. Once Olivia had hung up, Elliot, who had been busying himself in the kitchen with their dirty dishes in an effort to give her privacy, came back over to the table. He didn't want to push for details, but he was curious as to what was going on, and hoped his question wouldn't be viewed as too invasive.

"Is everything okay, Liv?"

Taking a moment to savor the last precious sip of her coffee, Olivia smiled up at her former partner. She may be working her way through more emotional and physical trauma than she knew what to do with at times, but she still was able to recognize a protective Elliot when she saw one. It was good to see that aside from outward appearances, the man she'd worked beside all those years hadn't changed that much – not really.

"Ask me that question again later, and I may give you a different answer, but for for now, yeah, things are good. Owen was just calling to check in. He's been wanting to stop by and visit, but felt I needed a few days to adjust to being home from the hospital first."

Having been in touch with Owen throughout Olivia's hospital stay, Elliot knew all this already. In fact, he could have sworn he'd told her as much, but he wasn't worried about it. Olivia had so much on her mind, between adapting to a new psychiatrist and the intensive therapy program she'd started the day before, it was easy to understand why something had slipped her mind.

"I'll head out for awhile later then, give you some space for your visit."

Olivia opened her mouth, presumably to argue, but Elliot held up his hand to stop her.

"Before you say it's unnecessary, Liv, let me stop you. I know that there are plenty of things you've trusted me with since I've showed up here, and I'm beyond humbled that you've let me back into your life. But, I also understand that there may be things you're not ready to say."

Elliot took a breath, then continued.

"I know that in many ways, Owen may be a stranger, but we've both learned over our years on the job that we can't always explain our connections to the people we meet, or the reasons they come into our lives. There is obviously a reason that you trust him this soon, and I wouldn't dream of trying to get in the way of that."

Olivia raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth quirking up.

"Can I speak now?"

Flushing slightly – he'd never intended to be so emotional or emphatic- Elliot managed to nod.

"All I was trying to ask was, where will you go? Neither of us have been in town that long, and I don't want you locking yourself away up in your room for that length of time. It wouldn't be fair."

That was when Elliot took the opportunity to explain about his newly purchased gym membership. Since he'd overslept that morning, he hadn't had a chance to go and work out before his meeting, so this afternoon would be the perfect chance for him to go and get some some time in with the weights. He didn't miss the obvious interest Olivia had as he had spoken.

"Olivia, I promise you, once you get your strength built back up a little more, we'll get you signed up. I just don't want you to push it with too much, too soon."

"I don't want to do that again, either. One week in the hospital was one week too many."

With that decided, the pair headed into the living room. They sat side by side on the couch, something that was normally a bit unusual. Typically, Olivia preferred to isolate in one of the corners, and Elliot allowed her to have her space. But, there was a reason for the close proximity. They had been so preoccupied the night before with their impromptu movie watching, they had both forgotten about wanting to look online for some patio furniture. With the temperatures getting milder every day, they didn't want to put off that chore any longer. Plus, Elliot had spoken to Don to verify a purchase of that magnitude would be okay, since it was his former Captain's cottage after all. The older man had not only given permission, but had even offered to reimburse Elliot for the cost. Naturally, Elliot had insisted that wouldn't be necessary, but he had a feeling that particular argument was anything but over.

The process took them nearly ninety minutes to complete, as Olivia had difficulty in making up her mind. Naturally, Elliot gave his input where he could, but ultimately knew this would be Olivia's decision. What he did get to decide on was the purchase of a propane grill that would also adorn the patio, and give him the ability to cook outdoors in the upcoming summer months. The cooking fuel itself was unable to be shipped, but Elliot knew that would be easy enough to find. Even in his limited travels around the town already, he'd seen several places that offered the tanks.

Much to Elliot's surprise, once the shopping was complete and the computer was put aside, Olivia didn't immediately retreat to the opposite end of the couch. Instead, she remained right by his side, her arm looped through his, and her head resting on his shoulder. There was part of him that wondered if anything was weighing heavily on the brunette's mind that prompted the closeness, but he didn't want to interrupt the moment. Plus, he knew that if Olivia wanted to talk, she would. Instead, he simply shifted ever so slightly, pressing his palm against hers and linking their fingers together. This silent gesture prompted a soft sigh from the woman to his right, and Elliot knew he had made the right decision. Leaning his cheek against the crown of Olivia's head, he was content to sit with her in the silence.

Owen had arrived right before lunch. He had called for a second time earlier that day, asking if he could prepare the afternoon meal. After speaking briefly with Elliot, the neighbor was more aware of Olivia's limitations where food was concerned. It wasn't entirely a new concept, as Owen had previously kept Olivia company for lunch once during her hospital stay.

Although Olivia still faced her usual anxiety about eating, she had to admit she was curious as to what Owen would be making. Yes, it was true he had invited her to dinner with his family when she arrived here in Cape May, and his wife had also sent over that tortellini salad. Olivia tried not to focus on the second part too much, as she felt guilty for the food that had gone to waste.

Elliot had let Owen into the cottage, and the two men were currently busy in the kitchen unpacking the twin canvas grocery bags Owen had brought with him. As they worked, they chatted conversationally, the small talk between them not the least bit awkward. Her curiosity having gotten the better of her, Olivia cautiously joined the pair, and she craned her neck, trying to get a better of view of the items that had been strewn over the counter. Even though she now held the rank of Sergeant, Olivia knew almost instantly that this was one instance where her stellar detective skills would be of no help whatsoever. Aside from a select few recognizable ingredients, most of contents of the bags had been nondescript in nature. While this would normally cause Olivia to be on high alert in any other circumstance, she was at ease with the understanding that Owen had likely scrounged up the necessary foods from his own pantry and fridge, rather than having them still be in their original store wrappings. Though she hadn't known him for very long, she trusted the man enough to know that it wasn't his intention to cause her harm.

Upon seeing that Owen had things situated, and after doing a silent check in with Olivia that she was still comfortable being alone in the cottage with the neighbor, Elliot used the temporary silence as an opportunity to make his exit.

"Well, if neither of you need me for anything else, I think I'll head on out and let you two enjoy your lunch."

Suddenly having second thoughts, despite the fact that she had just conveyed the opposite to her former partner, Olivia opened her mouth to speak. Owen on the other hand, beat her to it. Whether or not the other man had intuited her anxiety, or his generosity was genuine, neither of the former partners were exactly sure.

"You don't need to leave for my sake, Elliot. I brought enough food for the three of us."

Though he knew he should probably put up more of an argument, Elliot was quick to agree. The look of relief that washed over Olivia's features didn't go unnoticed, and he knew instinctively that he'd made the right decision.

"Can I at least help you?"

Elliot's offer was quickly accepted, and while she still felt the tiniest bit of guilt at not being able to contribute, Olivia tried to tamp down the feeling. She did, however, busy herself at an opposite corner of the kitchen. There, she used cold brew bags to make a fresh pitcher of iced tea, and also prepared some lemonade from a powdered mix. Olivia knew it wasn't much in the scheme of things, but the small tasks made her feel useful. She reminded herself that if her relationship with food continued to improve, what she'd said to Elliot the other night could come true – she'd actually one day be able to help in the preparation of meals instead of being solely a passive participant.

Much as it had earlier, Olivia's curiosity got the better of her, and she headed back toward the kitchen to see how lunch was coming along. By now, the entire lower level of the cottage was filled with the aroma of herbs and spices, as the contents of one of the mystery containers Owen had brought had been revealed to be marinated boneless chicken breasts. The meat was currently being cooked on the stove top in a grill pan, while Elliot was busy at the counter preparing salads to serve as a base for the lean protein. Beds of lettuce had been topped with halved grape tomatoes, shredded carrot, sliced cucumber, diced green pepper, and black olives. Next to be added were some wedges of hard boiled egg and shredded cheese. The chicken would serve as the main attraction, and to top it all off, Owen had brought a bag of tortilla strips to give an added crunch.

As he always did, Elliot took special care in making certain that Olivia's portion wasn't too daunting. He'd purposely selected a smaller bowl to craft her salad, and knew that Owen would only be giving her one four ounce piece of chicken. Yes, there would be leftovers should she decide she was still hungry, but they weren't going to overwhelm her with a too full plate.

Once everything was ready, it didn't take long for the trio to gather at the table. Olivia was grateful for the attentiveness these men showed her. While she felt cared for, she didn't feel fussed over, and that was very important to her. After taking the opportunity to top her salad with her dressing of choice, she tossed it lightly with her fork before taking the first bite.

"This is really good."

Although Olivia had addressed both of the men, Elliot didn't want to assume any of the credit.

"Don't look at me. I just chopped up vegetables. Owen did the cooking. She's right though, man. I don't know what you marinated the chicken in, but it's fantastic."

"It's a recipe that was given to me during my time in the service. I'm happy to share it."

The rest of lunch passed mostly in silence, not because of lack of conversation, but because everyone was so busy stuffing their faces. Neither of the men were going to complain about the fact that Olivia was eating so heartily, that was for certain. Once all the plates were empty and the dishes had been cleared away – a job Olivia had insisted on doing – Elliot tried again to make his exit.

"Thank you for lunch, Owen, but I think I am going to head out for a little while. I know you've both said it's not necessary, but I'm going to give you two some privacy to talk."

Owen nodded, understanding what the other man was trying to do. He appreciated it, and hoped that during their time alone together, Olivia might open up to him about things that she had on her mind.

"Okay, Elliot. We'll be sure and save you some dessert. Stacy sent over a batch of her pineapple angel food cupcakes for you two."

When she heard about the sweet after meal treat that awaited her, Olivia's attention perked up again. However, she wasn't about to make the same promise that Owen had.

"I can't guarantee that, Elliot. You leave now, you leave at the risk that there won't be any dessert when you get back. You know how I am with angel food cake."

"I haven't forgotten, Liv. It's almost as bad as the way you are with chocolate, if not worse. Still, I'll take my chances."

Coming around the table, Elliot pressed a kiss to the crown of Olivia's head. The gesture of affection was a bold one, as he hadn't been that open with her yet, especially when other people were around. Olivia didn't even flinch as his lips skimmed her hair, though. If anything, she let loose with a subtle sigh. Perhaps, Elliot thought, she had viewed that kiss as an unspoken promise that he would in fact be back, even if he'd never given her a reason to think otherwise. As he headed toward the door, grabbing his gym bag on his way out, he hoped Olivia's visit with Owen would be a healing one.

After Elliot had left, Olivia and Owen had moved into the living room, where the brunette was currently savoring every last bite of her dessert. Owen wasn't exactly sure were to start the conversation, because he didn't know Olivia that well yet, and part of him was afraid of overstepping his boundaries. Instead, he waited patiently for her to open up to him. Surprisingly, it didn't take long.

"I started an intensive therapy program yesterday. My new psychiatrist recommended it. She thinks its best I go three days a week for the next three months."

Though he had already learned as much from Elliot, Owen pretended otherwise.

"They had me complete a similar program, back when I was adjusting to the amputation of my leg. What was your take on it?"

"Between you and me? I wanted to hate it, just on principle alone. Part of me even wanted to refuse to attend. The only reason I agreed to the terms to begin with was because I knew it would get me out of the hospital."

Owen accepted Olivia's admission as fact without blanching. While he'd not had to live through the trials and terrors that she had, he was no stranger to traumatic experiences, and he understood her meaning perfectly. A few years ago, he'd been in her shoes himself. He didn't want to lie to this woman though, or ply her with platitudes framed in pretty words that promised everything would miraculously get better if only she did as she was told. Not only could they both see through a lie like that, but Olivia deserved better. Instead, he intuited that there was something on a deeper level that she hadn't voiced.

"And now?"

"Now, I'm not sure what to think. In all my years on the job, I've made it a habit of telling survivors that there is no shame in asking for help. But now that it's my turn, shame is the only emotion I can feel. All the same, I know I can't keep trying to do things on my own. Especially now. It's not fair to Elliot. He's been through enough."

Owen's brow furrowed slightly. His experience as a peer counselor was telling him there was more to what Olivia had just said.

"You do know it's more than that, right? Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that you want to get help, but it has to be for yourself, not because you're trying to please someone else."

Olivia was silent for several minutes as she absorbed the weight of what Owen was telling her. The logical side of her knew the neighbor was speaking the truth, but the part of her that had been so deeply damaged was trying to burst every bubble of hope she had built for herself.

"I know. But if I do this solely for me, I'm afraid I'm going to stop trying before I even start."

The moment Olivia realized the truth behind her statement, and how powerful the revelation behind it had been, she clamped her hand over her mouth. The effort was too little, too late, however as the words had already been spoken aloud. There would be no taking them back. For his part, Owen still managed not to be shocked or startled. Instead, he carefully reached out his hand, resting it lightly on Olivia's shoulder. With a soft squeeze, he asked the question foremost on his mind.

"I know you said otherwise when it was brought up in the hospital, but I need to ask you again – have you had thoughts of wanting to hurt yourself?"

"I – I don't know."

Owen wasn't sure whether it was the hesitation, or the sound of doubt in Olivia's voice, but something made him decide to push the envelope a little further. He hoped his prompt wouldn't be detrimental to the progress she'd made so far.

"Olivia?"

Olivia turned to Owen then, a look of pure anguish on her face.

"I mean just that. I don't know. I can say that it wasn't deliberate on my part, but what I can remember is just feeling so lost and hopeless those few days before I went into the hospital. Sometimes it was as though I wasn't the one in control, and that was scary as hell."

Sensing that she wasn't finished speaking yet, Owen wisely kept silent.

"These feelings just don't make sense to me, and I don't know how to process them. I'm not sure where to even begin. Ignoring them clearly doesn't help."

Clearing his throat, Owen tried to offer some advice.

"You can begin by talking about them. If you don't feel comfortable speaking up in your group yet, then just open up in your private therapy sessions with your psychiatrist. But, you can't keep holding these emotions in, or they are going to destroy you. I would know. I've been there."

Absently, Olivia nodded. Owen wondered if the response was because she'd actually acknowledged him, or if it had been merely reflex. It wasn't until the brunette spoke again that he realized she'd processed what he'd been telling her.

"I know I need to talk to Elliot, too. He's still so worried about me. But truth is, I'm terrified that I'm going to be too much for him, and it's going to push him back over the edge. I'd never forgive myself if he broke his sobriety because of me."

Owen scratched his head thoughtfully. He was still relatively new to this dynamic between Elliot and Olivia, having only met each of them recently. But his years in the service had taught him to be an excellent read on people in general, and never before had he encountered two individuals with such a deep seated connection. It seemed to him that both of the former partners were reluctant to weigh too heavily their counterpart with their problems, but each also wanted to be a rock for the other.

"Let me put it to you this way - you want him to be completely honest with you, right? Not treat you any differently because of what you've been through?"

"Yes, of course."

Owen took a breath, then dove in headfirst.

"Then, why shouldn't the same rules apply the other way around?"

"Point taken."

The pair fell into silence then, sitting quietly as Olivia digested the weight of their conversation. Once she'd had some time to absorb it all, Owen reassured her that she could also always count on him as an additional sounding board, and whatever she told him in confidence would remain that way. He was just about to go and prepare her afternoon smoothie when Elliot returned. After an exchange of farewells, and a promise to send the recipe for the marinade they'd enjoyed earlier at lunch, Owen made his exit, leaving Elliot and Olivia alone in the cottage.

Olivia didn't know why she was anticipating things to be awkward between her and her former partner when he'd gotten back. After all, this was Elliot, the man who she'd worked beside for over thirteen years. Yes, they were on somewhat shaky ground since his somewhat abrupt return into her life a few weeks prior, but when it came down to it, the same basic things that had always connected them were still there. After all, he'd only left for a few hours to give her time to visit with Owen, it wasn't like she'd pushed him away.

"Did you have a good workout?"

"I did. Did you save me any of those pineapple angel food cupcakes?"

Relaxing instantly, Olivia felt a smile play at her features. She should have known better. Of course Elliot wasn't going to interrogate her on what happened with Owen while he was gone. No matter how curious he was about what they may or may not have talked about, he respected her privacy. Even so, it reaffirmed the advice Olivia had received from the neighbor. Perhaps not now, as two heavy conversations in a row would be too much for her system to withstand – but eventually – she would need to sit down with Elliot and open up to him as well. There was no telling how many fears and concerns he was holding on to. For now, though, she just wanted to decompress and relax.

"Are you up to watching a movie with me, Elliot?"

"Always. Then, if you want, maybe we can go on a short walk before dinner. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so we might not be able to get one in then."

The idea of impending rain was disappointing for Olivia, as not only did the weather often influence her moods, but it would mean she would be cooped up inside for most of the day. She tried not to let the news bring her down, reminding herself that once she had her strength back, she could join Elliot at the gym. A few more weeks of eating at regular intervals, plus walking at least once a day, and she should get the all clear.

"Before we start the movie, though – there is one more thing I want to buy online. I had the idea while I was on warming up on the treadmill doing my cardio, and I think you're going to love it."

More intrigued than ever, Olivia followed Elliot into the living room, smoothie in hand.

"You can't just lead with a line like that and then leave me hanging, Stabler. What is it?"

Fingers flying across the keyboard on his laptop, Elliot quickly accessed the page he was looking for. Turning the computer so Olivia could see the image on the screen, he explained.

"A fire pit."

It took Olivia a bit longer than it should have to process the information, but once recognition dawned, a slow smile spread across her face. Something like that would be perfect. With the cottage being so close to the water, there was a constant breeze coming off the ocean. From what Owen had said, it made for more comfortable temperatures during the hot summer days, but cool nights. If they wanted to spend any time outside, a fire pit would be ideal for helping to ward off the chill. Not to mention, should she be here later into the season toward fall, she could spend even more time in the fresh air.

"You're right. I do love it."

Together, they looked at a few different models until they found one that would suit them best. Ultimately, they decided on a design that was built on a pedestal, but also featured an optional grated domed cover. Even better, according to the shipping option they selected, it was scheduled to arrive the same day as the grill and patio furniture they had ordered that morning.

"Okay, now that we have taken care of that, how about that movie? First things first, are you good with just your smoothie, or did you want something else to snack on? Popcorn, maybe?"

Olivia hesitated as she considered Elliot's question. The idea of the buttery, salty, treat was actually tempting for once, but she didn't want to push her luck – especially this close to dinner. However, she also didn't want to refuse outright, either.

"Not right now, maybe if we watch something later, though?"

"You've got it."

The pair watched a movie together, with Olivia getting to do the choosing this round. By the time the feature had ended, Elliot was ready to head into the kitchen to start preparation on dinner. Continuing to feel a bit more confident, Olivia decided to join him, offering to help. Not wanting to inundate his former partner with too much, too soon, Elliot assigned Olivia the simpler tasks of cleaning and preparing the potatoes to make oven fries. When that job was finished, she started to work on a side salad to accompany their meal. Meanwhile, Elliot was mixing together some ground turkey with a few seasonings, then hand forming the meat into patties to go on the grill pan. The idea that very soon, they would have an actual grill to cook on was appealing, and Elliot found himself counting down the days until it would be delivered.

With two of them working together, the meal came together seamlessly, and it wasn't long before Elliot and Olivia were sitting across from one another at the table. Olivia couldn't place if it was because of the appetite stimulants she had been taking, or whether it was due to the fact that she was now an active participant in her meal preparation, but she didn't dread eating as she used to. Maybe it was a combination of both. Either way, she wasn't going to discredit it, and would embrace it for as long as it lasted.

There was an unfortunate side of the evening, and that was the fact that, once dinner was over, the rest of the night would pass all too quickly. Olivia wasn't looking forward to the next day, only because it meant she had to go back to her program. Granted, the talk today with Owen had helped tremendously in that regard, so she wasn't necessarily viewing it with the same level of dread as she had before.

Instead, she vowed to herself that she would try harder tomorrow, and enjoy what time remained before bed relaxing as best she could.

By the time the movie ended, Olivia couldn't remember any of the plot. She felt terrible about it, but her anxiety was increasing, and the majority of her focus was on how she would manage to sleep later that night. Granted, her new ritual of taking a bath before bed and using the ocean waves app on her phone had been helping somewhat, but there was the constant fear that night terrors would interrupt her slumber and make the night a miserable one. She was still too embarrassed to ask Elliot to stay with her, even if knowing that his sheer presence alone had been the one thing that calmed her the most back when she had been hospitalized. The way Olivia saw it, it was too humiliating for a grown woman to admit to the fact that she was afraid to be alone at night – especially one who was a police Sergeant.

Elliot on the other hand, had easily intuited the gradual change in Olivia. He'd seen it happening, but had been helpless to stop it. Over the course of the evening, he'd watched as Olivia kept retreating further and further inside herself. Though this wasn't a new habit by any means, it nevertheless broke his heart every time he witnessed it.

He knew that nighttime was difficult for her, it had always been the same for him after Jenna. Olivia hadn't mentioned much about her sleep to him since the other night when he'd set her up with the ocean waves sound on her cell phone, he hoped it was helping. The thought of Olivia lying awake - or worse, haunted by nightmares was too much to bear.

"Liv?"

At the sound of her name, the brunette startled slightly, yet another sign that she hadn't been one hundred percent aware of what was going on around her. In an attempt to appear nonchalant, she tucked her hair behind her ear and focused her attention on the man sitting only a few feet away.

"Would you like me to make you some hot tea?"

Confused, Olivia looked at Elliot with a perplexed expression. For whatever reason, his words hadn't registered. As her muddled brain tried again to process them, the connection was made. Tea. She could handle tea. That didn't require any additional effort on her part.

Struggling to find her voice, she managed to answer.

"Yes, please."

As Elliot made his way into the kitchen to put the kettle on to boil, Olivia was left alone with her thoughts. She wasn't sure why things seemed more overwhelming that usual tonight, but it honestly felt as though the walls were closing in on her. Even the layers of clothing she wore, which typically offered an additional buffer of safety, felt cloying and suffocating. There was an actual temptation to scream at the top of her lungs for no reason at all, while simultaneously running as fast and as far as she could go, and the sensation was downright terrifying. Olivia could feel her heart pounding in her chest as her breath came in an increasingly staccato measure, and she clung to the material at the base of her throat with a closed fist, desperate for air. The temperature in the room felt like it was just getting hotter and hotter, and Olivia could feel beads of sweat breaking out on her brow. Black spots began swimming in her field of vision, and just when she thought she was going to be sucked into the abyss of unconsciousness, a familiar voice brought her back from the brink.

"Olivia!"

Blinking rapidly, Olivia waited for her eyesight to focus. The first thing she saw once she could see clearly again was Elliot. He was kneeling on the floor in front of her, only barely out of reach. The concern was evident in his expression, as was the fact that Olivia could tell how badly he wanted to touch her in that moment. It was likely that the only thing holding him back was that he didn't want to startle her further, and once again Olivia found herself cursing a dead man for having ruined her life. She missed the comfortable ease between herself and her former partner, the casual touches they used to share on a daily basis. Whether it was the brush of fingers from passing coffee cups, or a comforting pat on the back after a difficult case. Now, because of her PTSD and fucking trauma response, Elliot was reduced to walking eggshells around her, and no matter how grateful she was to have his support, Olivia hated the fact that they were often forced to treat one another like nothing more than strangers.

"Olivia?"

Elliot's voice reached her a second time, pulling Olivia out of her reverie. Giving him a barely-there nod, she was finally able to acknowledge that she'd heard him, a feat in and of itself. She watched as the man crouched in front of her moved slowly and deliberately, gradually extending his hand until it was hovering right near where her own were clasped tightly in her lap.

"I'm right here, Liv. I promise. I don't know what is going on in your head right now, and you don't have to tell me, but that doesn't mean you have to go through it alone. Just reach out and grab on to me."

The offer was a tempting one, but Olivia's pride was refusing to let her body comply with the need for physical touch. Ever since she'd first moved out on her own, she'd vowed she would always be an independent woman. Growing up as she had with a mother who resented her very existence, she'd made a promise to herself early on in life that she would never find herself in a situation where she'd have to rely on another person. In many ways, her job alone made her a hypocrite as the very definition of working as police officer meant you placed a near unconditional trust in the person you were partnered with. Lucky for her, throughout her time at SVU, Olivia had been incredibly blessed. Not only with a partner who was rock solid, but an entire squad. It was there she'd found the sense of family she'd been looking for her whole life.

Pushing aside the nagging voice inside her head that was trying to insist she was weak, Olivia exhaled a shaky breath. Truth of the matter was, she didn't want to go through this alone. Especially not now, not tonight. Elliot was right here, and she was going to accept his offer of comfort. With a trembling hand, Olivia stretched out her arm, palm up. For his part, Elliot deciphered the gesture immediately, and lay his own hand on top of hers, entwining their fingers. When the brunette tugged slightly, he let her take the lead, allowing Olivia to pull him until he was sitting next to her on the couch once more. The tea forgotten, Olivia drew her legs up to the side, curling into herself. She turned and rested her head on Elliot's shoulder, and he wrapped an arm around her, enfolding her into an embrace. It was only when Elliot felt Olivia relax against his body that he dropped his guard again, too. Across the room, the television droned on, long since forgotten.

Olivia didn't know how much time had passed, all she knew was how safe she felt in this moment. That, and how heavy her eyelids were getting. As much as she wanted to give in to the growing feeling of fatigue and fall asleep right where she was, that just wasn't possible. While nothing would be lost by skipping her newfound routine of a bath tonight, she did still need to take her medication. Not to mention the fact that sleeping like this would undoubtedly result in sore muscles come tomorrow morning. Then there was the fact of how incredibly unfair it would be to Elliot to ask him to sacrifice the comfort of his own mattress again, especially so soon after he'd gotten it back. But her eyelids were so heavy right now, and combined with the soothing cadence of Elliot's heartbeat just beneath her ear, Olivia knew that giving into the siren song of slumber that beckoned would be inevitable.

Intent on getting to her bedroom before she fell asleep in Elliot's arms, Olivia stirred slightly. The movement wasn't quite a stretch, but it also wasn't enough of an effort to make any progress, either. It didn't help that as her muscles flexed, an involuntary noise escaped from her lips. What should have been a squawk of protest ended up sounding more like a blissful sigh. That was exactly what gave Elliot the necessary confidence to make an executive decision on Olivia's behalf. However, no matter how certain he was in his resolve, Elliot was still determined to gain consent from his drowsy companion before doing anything.

"Liv, Olivia. Can you hear me?"

"Hmm."

There was another mumbled response from the brunette, followed by more languid movements of her legs against the couch cushions. More urgent now, Elliot tried to prompt her again to respond.

"Olivia, I know you're tired. But you'd be so much more comfortable in your own bed. I'm going to help you upstairs, but only if you say it's okay, alright?"

Somehow, even in her grogginess caused by the fact that she was about to fall asleep at almost any given moment, Olivia had the wherewithal to respond.

"It's okay. I trust you, El."

In her lassitude, Olivia had lapsed back to her usual nickname for her former partner, one that she had only used a handful of times since his return back into her life. The sound of the familiar solitary syllable pulled at Elliot's heartstrings, and he resisted the urge to press his lips to the crown of Olivia's head.

"Wrap your arms around my neck, Liv. I'm going to carry you so you don't wake up too much."

Sleepily, Olivia complied with the simple instructions, looping her arms around the back of Elliot's neck. She didn't even utter a sound as he stood, securing one arm against her back and using the other to scoop her up behind the knees. Bracing her against his chest, Elliot ascended the stairs, knowing he could come down in a bit and close up the cottage for the night.

Once he'd reached the bedroom Olivia had been calling her own, Elliot gently set her on her feet and helped her sit on the edge of the bed. As much as he wanted to directly tuck her in under the covers, it was imperative that Olivia not miss any doses of her medication. Following garbled instructions, Elliot was able to find the necessary pill bottles on the nightstand, along with a bottle of water. Once that task was complete, Olivia reclined back against the pillows.

Somewhat familiar with Olivia's recent sleeping habits, Elliot accessed the ocean waves app on her phone and started it. Then, he backed out of the room slowly, with a whispered goodnight and the hope that the woman who had been so visibly upset earlier would sleep peacefully throughout the night. Even though he was tempted, he shut the bedroom door fully as he exited, hoping that if Olivia truly did need him at any point, she would feel comfortable calling for him. Then, Elliot padded softly down the stairs.

It was when he was in the kitchen cleaning up and came across the now cold cup of tea that he'd prepared for Olivia earlier that all of the emotions hit Elliot at once. He was trying so hard to be strong for her, but truth of the matter was, seeing her like this broke him every time. He hadn't seen her have a panic attack this bad since the first night at the hospital. While she had never expressly said anything, Elliot desperately hoped that there were no flashbacks associated tonight as well, even though a panic attack on its own was debilitating enough. Not having a flashback certainly didn't minimize what had happened by any means, he was just praying she had been spared that additional terror.

Satisfied that everything downstairs was turned off, locked up, and otherwise secured for the night, Elliot retraced his steps and made it back to the second level. After setting his alarm and getting settled in bed, he found he was still pretty restless. One thing was for certain – sleep wouldn't be coming as easily for him as it had for Olivia. But he definitely wasn't going to complain. However, unlike Olivia, he didn't have a television in his room to help combat the insomnia. That didn't bother Elliot, as he really wasn't interested. Reading wasn't appealing right now, either. Instead, he found himself recalling prayers that he thought his memory had long since forgotten.

For how long he had lain there, talking to God, Elliot didn't know. All he did know was that it was well after midnight before he finally fell asleep, the weight on his shoulders lighter than it had been in ages. When it came to his relationship with Olivia, he still had a lot to atone for, but with each passing day, they were getting back to what they once were. Those three words she'd granted him earlier – 'I trust you' – had meant the world. Until tonight, he hadn't realized just how much he'd needed to hear that from her again. The future may be undecided, and he had no clue what tomorrow would bring, but Elliot knew one thing for certain – he would be right by Olivia's side helping her get through it.