Disclaimer: So…do you really think I own the characters or Here Without You by 3 Doors Down? No…I don’t.

A/N: I had this picture in my head at the end of Signature of Olivia and Chester sitting on the floor together even as everyone else leaves, they stay. I already wrote that idea out, but then I got this one.

A hundred days have made me older

Since the last time that I saw your pretty face

She was still sitting on the floor of Lauren’s apartment, even after her body had been wheeled out and the scene had been processed. Not there was much to process. The entire case had suddenly become so very clear, with such a simple ending, but Olivia wished that it would go back to being complex. One life lost was one too many in the eyes of Olivia Benson. She could hear people walking by. All of them were stopping to stare at the yellow crime scene tape that still blocked the doorway. It was a sick color, an awful reminder of the unpleasant event that had taken place there.

It couldn’t have been more than a few hours since the last person had left the room, leaving her alone to be miserable. None of them knew how to comfort her, or how to gently ease her out of her current state of mind. She needed to be told that it was all over and that it was okay to go home. But there was no one there that understood this. There was no one there she trusted enough to comfort her so.

A thousand lights have made me colder

And I don’t think I can look at this the same

Eventually the foot traffic slowed down until there was no one walking by the closed the door. Olivia was glad the door was closed—she didn’t need anyone to witness the silent tears still streaming down her face. She needed to be alone, but she also needed to be comforted. What she really needed was Elliot. Elliot would have known how to comfort her. He would have sat down next to her and not left her side until he was sure she was ready to leave. She smiled through her tears as she thought of Elliot.

But he was not there with her, she was still alone. She let her head fall forward and then bit her lip. Trying to stop the tears from falling but failing in her simple quest. Olivia closed her eyes and tried again to think of a time when she had been happy. Or a moment when she had felt like she could do anything. Oddly enough all of these moments involved Elliot. She smiled and then buried her head in the crook of her arm. She was tired, but she could not sleep. All she could think of was the blood. It was no longer on the wall, but she could still remember it with grotesque accuracy.

But all the miles have separate

They disappear now when I’m dreaming of your face

The door was pushed open and Olivia jumped slightly, but did not lose her balance. She remained where she was, sitting on the ground, looking blankly around the empty apartment.

Elliot was standing in the doorway, a familiar look on his face. It was a look of pity, a look of disbelief, but also a look of concern. He could do nothing but stand in front of her and pray that she would look at him.

Olivia was trying to hide her tears from him, but she knew that he could see them. Eventually Olivia gave in and looked up at him. Relief washed over her body and she smiled up at him. Elliot lifted her to her feet then wrapped his arms around her fragile body. Olivia buried her head in his chest and continued to cry softly.

I’m here without you baby

But you’re still on my lonely mind

I think about you baby

And I dream about you all the time

I’m here without you baby

But you’re still with me in my dreams

And tonight it’s only you and me

Elliot’s fingers were tangled in her short hair, his other hand was on the small of her back holding her body close to his. Eventually Olivia was too tired to cry. She looked up at him and then looked away quickly. She was so ashamed of herself for acting as she had in front of Elliot.

He put his hand on her cheek and gently turned her head so she was looking at him. His eyes were filled with compassion. They were warm and welcoming.

“How did you find me?” Olivia whispered. Her throat was dry and her voice cracked slightly when she spoke.

“I got a call, someone told me you needed someone,” Elliot said. His hot breath on her skin sent a shiver down her spine.

The miles just keep rolling

As the people leave their way to say hello

I've heard this life is overrated

But I hope that it gets better as we go

Olivia closed her eyes and tried to focus on something other than the self-pity she had been wallowing in for the past few hours. Elliot began to kiss her neck, his lips slowly made their way up to her own and she did not hesitate in deepening the kiss. When they broke apart Olivia remembered the blood that had been smeared on the back wall. She choked on a fresh wave of sobs, then buried her head in his chest. Elliot rocked her gently, holding her body close to his and whispering soothingly in her ear.

She closed her eyes and when she opened them they were back in her apartment. Elliot was still with her. He was holding her body next to his, running his fingers through her hair. Somehow Elliot had gotten her into her bed and rid her off her shoes. Olivia looked at him and tried to smile, she tried to tell him she was so very thankful for coming to rescue her, but she couldn’t.

Elliot just smiled and continued to run his fingers through her hair. Olivia closed her eyes and then buried her face in his chest. She wanted to block everything out—the memories of the previous day, how long she had sat and just stared at the blood spattered wall, and most of all the pain that had taken up residence deep inside of her. It had taken hold of her and refused to let go but in Elliot's warm embrace…it all seemed to melt away. She was happy, peaceful, warm and sleepy.

I’m here without you baby

But you’re still on my lonely mind

I think about you baby

And I dream about you all the time

I’m here without you baby

But you’re still with me in my dreams

And tonight girl it’s only you and me

“Why aren’t you with Kathy or Eli?” Olivia asked him. Her words were muffled since she did not pull away to speak, but Elliot still heard her. He kissed her forehead and then traced her jaw line with his lips.

“Kathy has the girls helping her out, she’s fine. You one the other hand only have me,” Elliot said. Olivia smiled and pulled her head back to look into his eyes.

“Thank you, Elliot,” Olivia whispered. She would never directly admit that she needed him—this was as close and she would ever come. When she closed her eyes again Olivia felt the fatigue she had been fighting earlier was over her. She struggled to open her eyes and look up at Elliot. He was patiently watching her, running his fingers through her hair and smiling soothingly. Olivia closed her eyes and slowly slipped into a dreamless sleep.

Everything I know,

And anywhere I go

It gets hard but it won’t take away my love

And when the last one falls,

When it’s all said and done

It gets hard but it won’t take away my love

Elliot held Olivia close to his body, glad that she had finally fallen asleep. She was wearing herself rather thin lately, asking more and more from herself with every case. He was afraid that this was going to tear her down. He kissed each closed eyelid then rested his forehead against hers. As he watched her sleep he felt himself being pulled away from reality and closer to sleep. He allowed his mind to wander, thinking of Olivia as he slowly slipped away and dreamed of her.

I’m here without you baby

But you’re still on my lonely mind

I think about you baby

And I dream about you all the time

I’m here without you baby

But you’re still with me in my dreams

And tonight girl it’s only you and me

A/N: So…did you like it? It only took me four plus months to finish it. Review please!