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.

The nap had proven beneficial for both Olivia and Elliot. By the time the alarm had gone off a little more than an hour later, each of them were feeling even more well rested than before. It was no secret that Elliot was harboring some anxiety when it came to facing Meredith Bonner again, especially after what had happened the last time they were in one another's presence, so he was all the more grateful that his partner would be accompanying him to the Chief's house to join in on the meeting. At the same time, his curiosity had also gotten the better of him, and he was wondering just what other developments had taken place since the night Eric had been killed. There was also the advantage of what focusing on the case – even if he had never been working on it in an official capacity – would have as opposed to remaining locked in the mire of his own self loathing.

"El? Are you sure you want to do this?"

As though she had sensed the uneasiness on his mind, Olivia was there, with a gentle hand on his shoulder and compassionate expression on her face. Her eyes were searching his, looking for the answers he may not be able to give verbally.

"I'm sure. I need to do this, Liv."

"Then I won't let you do it alone. Come on, I'll drive."

Elliot was about to protest, insist that he was perfectly fine, when he remembered that he had last taken a pain pill not long after breakfast. Getting behind the wheel of a car was certainly not in his best interests right now, plus Jet and Vargas had already taken his Jeep back to the city. Even if he wanted to escape, he was at Olivia's mercy – not that believed for one second that his partner was going to abandon him. She would never do that, even if he had failed her a million times over.

"Don't go there, El. Not now."

Again, she had read him so easily. With so much on his mind, and so much he still needed to talk about, Elliot was filled with gratitude for the easy way he and Olivia were able to communicate with one another. While there was no doubt their relationship had been strained at times since his return, it had improved considerably over recent months. Admittedly, he was not the world's best conversationalist, a character flaw that saw him in hot water more often than not, but he was damn sure going to make an effort to not lose what ground they had gained. He was already swimming in a sea of his own despair. The last thing he wanted to do was drown and drag Olivia down with him. No, he was going to let her pull him to shore. But first – first, he would help Meredith Bonner.

"Okay, Liv. I'll try and fill you in as much as possible on the Chief and what has happened here while we're on our way."

"Sounds good, but know you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. I can put together the pieces of the puzzle"

Before getting on the road, Olivia and Elliot stopped in the office of the motel that he was staying at, and informed them that their absence would give a perfect window of opportunity for housekeeping to enter the room and change the sheets on both of the beds. Although, if he were being honest with himself, Elliot worried at how he would sleep were his partner not beside him. However, that was a bridge he wouldn't have to cross until later that night.

During the drive to Meredith Bonner's house, Elliot told Olivia as much as he was able. Surprisingly, it felt good to talk about the case that had led to his injuries, as though a weight was being lifted from his shoulders. He had known the woman sitting beside him would never judge him for his inability to let go of the guilt he carried, or even allow someone else to handle what he felt was his own responsibility – in particular when it came to seeking justice for Rita Lasku. That was something they had in common, that drive to protect at all costs. It had served them well over the years, even if their own well being had often suffered as a result.

Olivia made the turn when the GPS on her phone told her to, having input the Chief's address when they'd started out. They were getting closer, and she could sense that her partner was getting more anxious. At the same time, she knew how much he needed this, which is why she hadn't tried to dissuade him in the first place. Her only hope was that her own presence wouldn't bother the other woman, and that in some way, she might be able to offer assistance as well.

Pulling up in front of a modest but no less beautiful house, Olivia killed the engine. Glancing to her right, she saw Elliot taking deep breaths in an effort to center himself. Reaching out her hand, she linked her fingers with his and squeezed gently, hoping that by imparting some of her strength, she might somehow be able to fortify her partner and help him get through the next couple of hours. He hadn't asked for much, and it was obvious this meeting was essential for Elliot in order to help him heal.

"Are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I'm going to be."

In the end, it had been Olivia who knocked on the Chief's door, Elliot's courage failing him at the last possible moment. Without a word, the brunette had simply taken over, knowing instinctively what the man beside her needed her to do without his having asked. They didn't have to wait for long before someone answered, and Olivia found herself face to face with the woman whom her partner had spent the last couple of weeks working closely with. Even though they hadn't formally met, the details Elliot had given her so far on Meredith Bonner, her brother Eric, and their father had allowed for Olivia to feel a sense of kinship with the woman. What she had yet to realize was just how much that bond was about to grow.

If Meredith Bonner was surprised by another woman's presence – and Olivia didn't think she would be, given the fact that Elliot had mentioned he wouldn't be coming alone – she certainly didn't let it show. The introductions went off smoothly, and while there may not have been an instant connection between the two, there was indeed a definite respect given their mutual positions in law enforcement as being women in charge. It was something they had in common, an understanding that would link them. After shaking hands and giving one another a succinct nod, Meredith Bonner turned her attention to Elliot.

"How are you doing, Elliot? I'm sorry I haven't called to check on you before now. There has been so much to process and deal with, and it just keeps piling up."

Elliot held up his hand, stopping the blonde before she could continue on.

"Please, you have nothing to apologize for. What happened to me was not your responsibility, and is not your fault. You got there when you could. I'm just sorry that you were forced to take such drastic measures."

"As much as I hate to say it – he was my baby brother, after all – it was probably for the best. Dad made excuses for Eric his whole life. I know now he'd never have let him go to jail, and the cycle would have just continued. He had to be stopped. I just hate that it was me who had to pull the trigger. I'd never had to use deadly force before. Do you ever get over that?"

Even though she hadn't been the one asked the question, Olivia answered in unison with Elliot.

"No."

Not wanting to traumatize the Chief further, and knowing that Elliot shared the sentiment, Olivia offered a word of advice based on her own personal experiences.

"You don't get over it, but you heal from it. It becomes a part of who you are. If I'm being honest, it's not something I'd want to get over. Just don't keep it bottled up. If you need to talk to someone, please do so."

"I will. I already have an appointment lined up in a few days."

As though realizing that they were all still standing around in her foyer, Meredith led her two guests through her house into the living room, gesturing toward the couch with one hand. Remembering her manners, she offered some drinks, believing that having some sort of buffer to the conversation they were about to have might come in handy. Not wanting to indulge in any additional caffeine, but eager for any sort of distraction once they saw the files on the coffee table, both Elliot and Olivia requested some water.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here. I'll bet you probably thought you would have seen the last of me, and been relieved about that, too."

"Not at all. I was wanting to reach out to you as well. I just didn't know how. I'm guessing it has something to do with the other Jane Doe's that the ME was working to identify."

"You'd be right about that. I still can't believe it myself, so I need you to look at the results and tell me that I'm not imagining things."

Chief Bonner passed over one of the folders, and there was no missing the obvious tremble in her hand as she did so. Elliot opened it carefully, and as he studied the contents, he was well aware that Olivia was reading over his shoulder. The way his partner gripped his knee told him everything he needed to know, and that he hadn't imagined what he had seen. The look on Meredith's face as she studied the two of them also confirmed that her worst fears had just been proven true.

"It's real, then? My mother is dead? And has been all this time? My dad said she abandoned us all those years ago, and I believed him. What else has he lied about?"

Elliot didn't know what he could say to that, especially given what he had learned recently about his own father and Joseph Stabler Sr.'s less than upstanding involvement in police activities. That, and the way he was so emotionally torn, he might not be the most objective person to give advice on the subject. Olivia on the other hand, while she had her own dark past to reconcile with, was more removed from the situation, and always seemed to know just the right thing to say and when. Just as he was about to turn to his partner for guidance, Elliot heard her voice in his ear, offering comfort to a woman she had only just met moments ago.

"I don't have the answer to that, but I know that's not what you're after. However, it's not too late to find justice for your mother. You can still bring down the person responsible, and hold them accountable. And you won't have to do it alone."

"Why would you help me? I get that you're a cop, too, but you don't even know me. You can't begin to know what it's like to find out your father is a monster."

Olivia reached out and took Meredith's hand in her own.

"I never knew my father, and I was better off for it. But I can assure you that he was, in fact, a monster. I'll spare you the details, because its not a contest of who had it worse, but I do understand. Let us help you."

After wordlessly checking in with Elliot, and making sure he was okay to continue, the trio doubled down and began poring over the files. As much as she hated to admit it, Meredith knew her father was the most likely suspect in her mother's murder. The biggest issue was proving he was guilty. Especially considering how much power the man already wielded. It was a delicate balance, and they would have to tread carefully.

The group had been working for more than two hours before Elliot's stomach rumbled. Feeling his cheeks flame in embarrassment, he was ready to immediately apologize when Meredith suggested they all take a brief break. It wasn't until the blonde reminded him that he and Olivia had initially come over for lunch in the first place the he acquiesced. After taking some time to scan a delivery menu, Chief Bonner excused herself from the room to go and call in their order, promising to be back shortly. When the partners were on their own, Elliot turned to Olivia, an explanation already on his lips. He never got to utter a word.

"You don't have to say anything, El. I know you. You like to fix things. I know this situation isn't exactly repairable, but you're going to want to make this better. It's what you do. All I ask is that you let me help you. I'm not going to stop you, just keep you in check. Plus, it's been awhile since we got to work together as partners."

"Thanks, Liv. I promise I won't overdo it. I have a feeling even if I tried, you'd tell me about it anyway."

"You're damn right I would."

Before anything else could be said, Meredith was back, with the information that their food would be delivered in about forty five minutes. Apparently she would have returned sooner, but had received a few mystery hang up calls on her phone from an unknown caller that were puzzling. Instantly suspicious, Olivia exchanged a glance with Elliot.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Yup. Should we move the car?"

Chief Bonner's eyes grew wide as she, too, gleaned on to what the partners were talking about. They seemed to be of the belief that she was being threatened, and someone was checking to see whether or not she were alone. With no one else to call for backup – as she didn't know who exactly was on her father's payroll – she was entirely dependent on herself, Elliot, and a woman she had only just met for her safety. Yet somehow, despite all that, she had never felt more secure.

"Chief, is there a place at the back of your property where I can hide my vehicle?"

"You can put yours in my garage, I'll park mine out front. That way, if someone does come around, they won't have to go looking for it to guess if I'm home."

As she went to head outside, Olivia in step behind her, something else occurred to Meredith. With Elliot still in earshot, she addressed both of them.

"Olivia, I'm guessing you have your badge and your weapon on you. Do you happen to have a backup?"

"Yes."

Turning to the man still sitting on her couch, Chief Bonner made an impulsive decision.

"Give it to Elliot. I know he's still under suspension back in the city, but right now, you're in my jurisdiction. Consider yourselves both deputized."

Deeply touched, but no less worried about his own abilities to protect the two women in his presence, Elliot spoke up. In an effort to better conceal his shame, he opted to address his partner first.

"Liv, I don't know how well I would be able to shoot. My hands are still pretty sore. I can try to grip a gun, but I can't make any guarantees."

"Don't worry about it, El. I've got your back, and I'm sure the Chief does, too. But given what we're getting ourselves into, it will be good to be able to defend yourself. That is, unless you'd rather not have possession of a firearm?"

Knowing what Olivia asking him, and loving her all the more for her concern, Elliot was quick to assure her that even despite the internal conflict that still existed within him, he was not in the head space where there was any potential he could be a danger to himself.

"I'm good, Liv. I just want to be able to keep you two safe."

"Of course you do, because that's who you are. Why don't we just take all the necessary precautions, then, and hope for the best?"

"Sounds good."

When she returned from having moved her vehicle to a more concealed spot inside the Chief's garage, Olivia had both of her weapons with her. Having previously kept them secured out of Elliot's sight for the time being, she confidently handed over her spare into his capable hands. He had just tucked it into the back of his waistband when there was a knock on the door, signaling the arrival of their lunch, a factor that all three had forgotten about up until that point. Quickly recovering, Meredith went to accept their food, knowing that now more than ever, they would need to eat. There was no telling what the rest of the day held in store for them.

After they had finished eating, Elliot asked if he could use the facilities. Following Meredith's direction, he headed to the bathroom on the second level, with Olivia following close behind so she could check on his bandages. He wasn't experiencing any discomfort, but apparently it felt as though some of tape attached to the gauze covering the wound on his torso had come loose, and his partner just wanted to make sure everything was secure.

It was while the two were upstairs that they heard a concerning noise, something that sounded like breaking glass and a soft gasp. Instantly alert, Olivia and Elliot both drew their respective weapons. Not wanting to alert any potential intruders to the presence of additional people in the house, but wanting to come to the Chief's aid if she needed their assistance, the pair carefully crept downstairs. With Olivia taking the lead and Elliot bringing up the rear, they cleared one space after another as they made their way back to the living room.

As soon as they rounded the corner, the partners found Meredith Bonner locked in a struggle with a masked assailant. A bruise was already starting to bloom on her cheek, and the once beautiful coffee table was destroyed beyond recognition. Quickly determining that the attacker dressed all in black had no visible weapon, Olivia called out, identifying herself as a police officer and that she was armed. It didn't have the intended effect of instilling fear or respect, but did however provide enough of a distraction for Chief Bonner to gain the upper hand.

Making use a of a palm strike to her attacker's nose, followed by a sharp knee to his groin, Meredith had the situation back under control within minutes. Rushing in to assist, the recently deputized partners were there in an instant to help restrain the man. Once he was cuffed, the mask was removed, revealing a face that was all too familiar - not only Chief Bonner, but Elliot as well.

"Logan?"

It took every ounce of Elliot's willpower to not contribute to the injuries that the Chief had already caused – even if hers had been entirely in self defense. Ever since he had set foot in Westbrook, Logan had been responsible at almost every turn for throwing a wrench in the works of his investigations. It was no shock at all that the man was a dirty cop, but Elliot would never fail to be surprised at the lengths people would be willing to go to in order to protect themselves – especially when it included murder.

Much like Olivia, Meredith Bonner was woman who was a force to be reckoned with. In the wake of all she had learned recently, in particular to the discovery that one of the buried bodies on the beach had been identified as the mother she thought had abandoned her, she didn't need anything else to deal with, least of all an attempt on her own life.

"Talk, Logan. How long have you been reporting back to my father?"

The other man said nothing, merely glowered at the blonde with a look of utter disdain and hatred. Running her hand through her hair, Meredith turned to the other two in the room, at a complete loss of what to do and who else she could trust.

"Obviously, I need to take him in and report this, but I'm not sure who to call. How am I supposed to know who on my team I can trust after this?"

Suddenly struck by an idea, Elliot held up a hand as he reached for his phone.

"Let me make a call."

Dialing a familiar number – one he had called only just that morning – Elliot hoped that Jet wouldn't be too annoyed with him for asking for yet another favor. Much to his surprise, when the connection picked up, he found himself on a speaker, and almost his whole team was on the other end.

"Stabler. Where do you need us?"

It was Vargas who was speaking, but judging by the near frantic sound of typing in the background, the man was working in tandem with Jet on something. Knowing there was no time to waste, Elliot quickly explained the situation, only to be surprised again when the younger Detective informed him that she, Sam, and Reyes would be at the Chief's house within thirty minutes.

"I thought I told you to drive my car back to the city? Hell, I thought I told all of you to go back to the city!"

"And you actually thought we'd listen? You're lucky we stayed. We'll come provide backup, sit on the Chief's house, so you three can go after the judge. Don't worry about any of us getting in trouble with Captain Shah, Sergeant Bell is taking care of that."

"But isn't Ayanna still in the hospital?"

"She's multi-tasking."

Knowing better than to argue at this point, Elliot was about to give directions before reasoning that either Jet or Vargas would simply be able to track his location by using his cell phone. Ending the call, he explained the conversation to the two confused women by his side, only to be met by a smirk from Olivia and a look that could only be described as envy from the Chief.

True to their word, the majority of the OCCB squad – less Ayanna Bell – arrived as soon as they possibly could. With Meredith Bonner taking lead, she quickly delegated the tasks, insisting that Olivia and Elliot come with her as she headed to find her father to arrest him. While she hadn't said it out loud, the unspoken words were obvious to the two partners how much the Chief hoped that the Judge would come peacefully and she wouldn't be forced to repeat the same actions that she had needed to take when attempting to stop her brother.

Once trustworthy backup had arrived in the form of Elliot's fellow OCCB squad members, Chief Bonner went ahead and deputized them as well, wanting to leave no room for error when it came to guaranteeing a conviction against the people responsible for the spate of corruption in her small town. In addition to seeking justice for her mother, she was determined to make Westbrook a safe place to live, a community to be proud of. With Jet, Sam, and Reyes keeping tabs on Logan, Meredith knew she could delay no longer in seeking out her father to make an arrest. Aided by the help of Vargas and his computer skills, a tracking program had located the judge at the Chief's childhood home, currently under renovation.

Thanks to a rapidly approaching nightfall, and combined with an unexpected rainstorm, darkness had descended more quickly than anyone had expected. Olivia and Elliot were both concerned that might give Judge Bonner an advantage, especially considering how well he knew the layout of the house, but it was something the Chief was equally familiar with. Add to that the factor that they would have the element of surprise working in their favor, and all three were hoping that the arrest would play out without any complications.

As Meredith led the way to the location, she kept in constant contact with Olivia and Elliot via a speakerphone call, and used that opportunity to give the partners a mental blueprint of the house to keep in their minds. What none of them were aware of was that Jet and the others had also been in touch with Ayanna, and even though the OCCB Sergeant was networking from her hospital bed, the FBI would soon be on the way as well to provide much needed assistance. Given the scope of the crimes committed, the case had attracted national attention, and even though Chief Bonner was more than capable of making the arrest, in order for the Judge to face prosecution for his crimes, it would likely go to a higher court.

As the small group neared the residence where they would no doubt find Judge Bonner in hiding, Olivia's vehicle following closely behind the Chief's, Meredith ultimately ended the call. It was as if the other woman realized that the two partners would need a few moments on their own before heading into the unknown. Given the state of Elliot's injuries, she was impressed he had offered to help at all, but not that surprised. In the short amount of time that she had gotten to know the Detective, Meredith had realized that Elliot Stabler would stop at nothing to help others. Even after just meeting Olivia only hours earlier, she could tell that the Captain operated on the same exact principles.

Turning down the drive, Meredith tamped down the memories that threatened to overwhelm her. She was even more grateful for having terminated the phone call early, as she needed to center herself and get in the right head space. There was no telling how the next several minutes were going to play out, and she could only hope that she wouldn't have to use deadly force against yet another family member for the second time in the span of just a few days.

After parking in a spot away from the house so as not to alert anyone inside to their presence – even though everyone already figured that the judge was already expecting their arrival – the Chief, Olivia, and Elliot carefully made their way to cover the remaining distance. Meredith tested the door, which to no ones surprise was unlocked. With the two partners flanking her sides, and everyone's weapons drawn, they entered, sweeping from room to room in search of whatever threat awaited them.

Ultimately, the small group decided to separate to more efficiently clear the first floor. As Olivia and Meredith went toward the back, Elliot rounded a corner, and was met with a sharp blow to his already injured ribs, knocking the wind out of him on impact. His sharp grunt of pain brought the women running, where they found him on his knees, a discarded crowbar on the floor beside him and a figure in dark clothing headed up the stairs. The Chief gave chase, with Olivia following close behind only after she had assessed the condition of her parnter.

"El?"

"I'm good, Liv. I promise. Go, don't let the Chief face her father alone."

Briefly resting her hand on Elliot's shoulder, Olivia gave a gentle squeeze as a gesture of both comfort and support before turning on her heel to head up the stairs in the direction Meredith had gone only moments before. While she had long ago thought she would never be surprised by the things she saw daily on the job, the scene she walked in on was still a very shocking one indeed.

With nowhere to run, the judge had been effectively trapped in a maze of his own making. Now, he was currently locked in a standoff with his own daughter, and the two had their weapons trained on one another. Not willing to trust a man who was already responsible for the murder of his wife, not to mention an accessory to the countless crimes his son had committed, Olivia wasn't willing to risk what the judge might be willing to do now that he felt cornered. Stepping up to stand beside the Chief, she joined the other woman in aiming her gun at the man across the room. What she hadn't expected was that she was about to bear witness to a confession.

It was when the obviously distressed judge shifted ever so slightly after admitting to all of his sins that Olivia felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. The air in the room was considerably charged, and she was very much on edge. She knew what was about to happen before the man moved, and just as she heard Meredith's heartfelt plea – something that was a combination of anguish and anger – she took the shot. The bullet struck true, hitting Clay Bonner in the shoulder with a clean through and through and making him drop his weapon in the process. The man had just been about to take his own life, robbing the Chief of justice for her mother and traumatizing her all over again.

The next few minutes passed in a whirlwind. The two women rushed forward in tandem, Olivia quickly securing the gun while Meredith placed her father in handcuffs and read him his Miranda rights. The sound of multiple sets of boots thundering up the stairs informed them that Elliot wasn't alone in rushing to their aid, though his concerned shout made it clear that the sound of gunfire had caused panic.

"Liv! Chief! Is everyone OK?"

"All clear, El."

"Glad to hear it. The FBI is here, I guess we have my squad to thank for that, too. They'll take the judge in for questioning. There's an ambulance, too, if anyone needs it."

With that final statement, Elliot rounded the corner, and just by the way he was walking alone, Olivia knew she was going to have to make her partner get checked out. As it turned out, she didn't have to say a word – he read her loud and clear by expression.

"I'm willing to go get looked at Liv, but I'd rather not go by ambulance. Any chance we can compromise?"

"We can do that."

Meredith Bonner walked over to the pair, having already handed over her father to the FBI. Following medical treatment, he would be taken in, but given the amount of overwhelming evidence they had already received from Elliot's squad, it didn't seem that they would have any trouble keeping him in custody. The only thing left to do now was for Elliot to get a clean bill of health himself, and then for he and Olivia to give their own statements in a debrief.

Hours later, everything that needed to be taken care of had been handled. All the t's had been crossed, and all the i's had been dotted. Elliot's new injury had been examined and diagnosed to be nothing more than a bad bruise. The FBI had a lot of questions for both him and Olivia, but since the Chief had already deputized the partners earlier in the day, everything was determined to be above board. After the debrief was complete, Elliot and Olivia were just about to head back to the motel when they heard Meredith calling to them. It was obvious the other woman was emotionally spent, but she didn't hesitate to embrace them both, her gratitude more than apparent.

"Elliot, I know you're going to need at least a day or two to regroup, but please, come and see me at the station before you head back to the city. Also, I don't have the words to thank the both of you for everything you've done today."

In the end, it was Olivia who answered, reaching for the Chief's hand and holding on tight.

"We wouldn't dream of leaving without seeing you again. And you don't need to thank us, we're just glad we could help. I hope you can find peace after this."

Elliot was mostly silent on the drive back to the motel, save for offering the suggestion that they stop on the way to pick up something to eat. It was then that Olivia remembered just how long it had been since they had eaten lunch at the Chief's house. Arriving back at their room with a bag full of food, they let themselves in, and all but collapsed on one of the freshly made beds in exhaustion. Sensing the unrest in her partner's mood, Olivia wanted to offer hope to Elliot, too. She knew there was so much more to say, but she had to give him something to hold on to.

"What I said to Meredith, El, that applies to you, too. I hope you can find peace now. I realize nothing will bring Rita back, and she didn't deserve to die, but the people responsible for her death are going to be held accountable. I know that healing takes time, but I'm not going anywhere."