Protection {A Bensler Fanfiction}

4

Over the weekend, Agent Danson put on street clothes and took Olivia out shopping. She got a few jackets, slacks, blouses, and a pair of black boots that made her feel a little more powerful. By the time Monday morning arrived, Olivia had passed a few pop quizzes regarding her life and was officially ready for life as Olivia Benson.

"Captain Cragen?" Olivia asked, as she nervously knocked on the open office door. The older man looked from his desk and eyed her.

"Detective Benson?"

"Yes, sir. Olivia," Olivia replied, as she stepped into the office and leaned in to shake his hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Detective Benson. You are early," He spoke, as he sat back down. Olivia felt as her face grew red and she nodded weakly.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm a little eager to start working," Olivia admitted softly.

"Don't apologize, it's fine. I'm lucky if my detectives show up a minute before their start time. The first desk you passed is yours, so you can wait there. I'll be out in a few minutes with paperwork and your service weapon. Do you have cuffs and a badge?"

"N-no, I do not."

"Huh, okay. I'll see if those are included in your box," Cragen replied, and Olivia nodded nervously before leaving his office. As she moved to her desk, she wished she had grabbed a picture of the girls to display, but she knew it would be too confusing. Olivia Benson didn't have a family, so why would she have a picture of two little girls?

///

Several pages of paperwork were signed, and Olivia had to focus on signing Benson in place of Wilson. After everything was turned in, Olivia received her service weapon, a pair of handcuffs, and her new badge. She was clipping her badge to her belt when a group of men came into the squadroom as they discussed something.

"Looks like the newbie is early," One teased, as Olivia blushed and looked at her keyboard.

"She probably won't last long," One mumbled. Olivia took a shaky breath and slowly lifted her eyes and looked at the group of men. Two looked closer to Captain Cragen's age than her own, and one looked closer to her age. He gave her a small smile before stepping closer and reaching his hand out to her.

"Detective Elliot Stabler."

"Detective Olivia Wi... Benson," Olivia replied, correcting herself quickly.

"It's nice to meet you, Olivia. The really old guy is Detective John Munch, and the other one is Detective Odafin Tutuola," Elliot smiled, as he glanced at those standing behind him.

"The old fart is my partner, and you can call me Fin," Detective Tutuola spoke, as he elbowed Munch in the side.

"Does that mean I'm your partner?" Olivia asked Elliot.

"Yes, it does. You lucked out since these two suck at their jobs," Elliot grinned, as mock laughter sounded behind him. Olivia took a quick breath as she tried to calm herself. After everything she'd gone through, this teasing was very much appreciated. 

///

"So you said you are from New York, but you don't sound like it," Elliot spoke, as he and Olivia sat together at lunch. He insisted on taking her out for her first day, especially since he wanted to get to know her more.

"Yeah, I get that a lot," Olivia replied plainly.

"Are you okay? I don't know you, but something seems off," Elliot breathed, as Olivia slowly dug through her purse.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know, Olivia. You join our squad as a new detective when there hasn't been an exam yet this quarter. You also have bruises on your face and have rubbed your head a few times."

Olivia looked at him with wide eyes before faking a cough as she put her purse back. She was going to take some pain medicine but stopped herself since that would draw attention to some sort of pain.

"I got into an accident that caused me to delay my job acceptance. I had a concussion and my bruises just take a while to fade," Olivia explained slowly.

"What kind of accident?" Elliot asked.

"Why are you asking so many questions? We just met, and I find it kinda rude for you to bombard me with so many questions," Olivia huffed. Elliot frowned deeply as he held his hands up.

"I'm sorry, Benson. I want to get to know you. When you are ready to disclose more information, I'll be ready to learn more about you. Until then, let's pay and get back to the precinct," Elliot replied, before standing and heading to the cash register.

Olivia rubbed her forehead as tears burned her eyes. She was already doing such a shitty job making friends with her coworkers, and she didn't know if this would ever completely work.

///

When Olivia got home that night, Agent Danson was waiting in her living room. She swore loudly as she placed a hand on her chest.

"Sorry for not warning you, Olivia. How'd your first day go?" 

"Not great. What are you doing here?" Olivia asked.

"We found Rory and Macie," Agent Danson replied.

"W-what?"

"Hugo finally went back to the house with them. From what we could tell, he was angry when he realized your body wasn't lying by the fridge. We bugged the house and will be listening to make sure he doesn't make plans to hurt the girls."

"Did they see them? Do they look fine?" Olivia asked, as she quickly sat beside Agent Danson.

"This is the only picture I can give you because any other pictures will make things harder for you. I ordered you a pizza, and it's staying warm in the oven. Call me if you need anything," Agent Danson replied, as he passed Olivia a picture before leaving.

Olivia looked down at the picture and slowly traced her finger over the grainy image of her daughters. Both girls looked bruise free, but they were wearing the same clothes she picked out for them the last day she saw them. Their hair was knotted, but they were alive and that was all that mattered.