There are days when Olivia Benson would just love to stay at home with her son Noah. Today is one of those days. She was shot in Ohio a few days ago and was supposed to spend two weeks at home recovering, but a case as big as the Shadowërk case, which involved several agencies and departments working together, means that the reports must be written quickly so that they can be handed over to the DA.
Olivia stands at her desk, as this is the only posture besides lying on her side where the pain is bearable and types her report. She finds it hard to concentrate because she keeps thinking about the situations in the diner and afterwards in the emergency room. Elliot's helplessness in the diner and the look of fear and relief on her longtime partner's face and the words that he was afraid for her. She is so engrossed in her thoughts about Elliot that she doesn't even notice how someone comes into the squad room with a teenager. Churlish, who is sitting in her seat, notices and approaches the teenager and the lady.
"Can I help you?" asks the newest member of the Manhattan SVU team.
"Good afternoon, I'm Chantal Jackson from Social Services and I'd like to speak to Sergeant Olivia Benson. Is she in?"
"Of course, wait here for a moment, I'll let Captain Benson know." The officer makes her way to her captain's office, she knocks on the door and then opens it.
"Cap, a Ms. Jackson from Social Services would like to see you."
"Thank you Churlish, I'll be right out, why don't you take her to the conference room?"
While Churlish is in the office, the teenager decides to sit down on one of the free office chairs and play with her smartphone.
"Ms. Jackson, the captain wants me to take you to the conference room, so please follow me," the officer explains and Chantal Jackson nods.
"Olivia, please come with me," she says to the teenager. The teenager has been completely quiet so far and remains so, she just nods and reluctantly goes along with the lady from Social Services. Churlish realizes how annoyed the teenager is and asks: "Olivia, would you like something to drink or eat?" The teenager looks up from her cell phone and nods.
"Miss Jackson I would take Olivia to the break room while you talk to Captain Benson, would you be okay with that?"
"Of course." The officer first takes Ms. Jackson to the conference room and then takes the teenager to the break room.
Captain Olivia Benson finishes the last sentence needed for the current form, saves the document and then goes to the conference room. On the way there, she wonders what Ms. Jackson wants; she hasn't seen her since Noah's adoption became final. She is sure that there is currently no active case involving Social Services. Just before she enters the conference room, her cell phone rings, she looks at it and sees that it's a message from Elliot.
Hey Liv, can I come over, we need to talk. - El
Olivia quickly writes back to her longtime partner
Hey El, I'm at the station finishing the report on the Shadowërk case, come by we can talk after my meeting in my office. - Liv
With a smile, Olivia walks into the conference room.
After Whelan's funeral, Elliot is now sitting in his car. The funeral of his colleague was not easy, as he had to think about his wife's funeral during the funeral. Olivia has also returned to his mind. He realizes that he now urgently needs to talk to her about the undercover assignment. He reaches into the center console of his car and takes out the hidden jewelry box. He takes another look at the compass he made especially for Liv. He has been carrying it with him for weeks so as not to miss the right moment to hand it over. He is sure that now is the right day because he wants to tell her that he will always come back to her. After Elliot has put the jewelry box back in the center console, he picks up his cell phone and writes Olivia a message.
Hey Liv, can I come over, we need to talk. - El
When the reply arrives, he is surprised at how quickly this happens.
Hey El, I'm at the station finishing the report on the Shadowërk case, come by we can talk after my meeting in my office. - Liv
He is not at all surprised that his old partner is already back at work, she is there just like him being shot or being ill doesn't bother either of them, but they go back to work as quickly as possible. So, after a brief OK in response, he makes his way to the 16th precinct.