L&O: Crossover

~The Briefing Pt.I~

*4:38 A.M.*

Benson picks up the clock, squinting to see the time although the light is dimly lit. Only a minute has passed since she last looked at it. Her arm lying across her forehead, staring at the dark abyss of her ceiling, mentally preparing herself for today's events. She couldn't sleep through the night. Nightmares came back. The part of her life she thought she escaped...she thought she got over...healed from. She stayed up replaying her talk with Elliott.
"So what does he get out of doing all this?"
"You"

*5:02 A.M.*

She turns took look at the clock again. Benson sighs. This night wasn't going quick enough. His words repeating on a loop
"Liv I know what happened"
she tosses trying to go back to sleep for the last hour.
"I know what happened"
Her alarm goes off but it's not like she needed for today.

*6:15 A.M.*

Liv finally stumbles out of bed. She gets in the shower, washing away the night. Liv goes into her kitchen to make a fresh batch of coffee. The only thing she's looking forward to making her day better and calling her son. She missed him. The house was quiet without Noah but that was the o my thing pushing her this week. The sooner she can close this case, the easier for her to relax. She finishes getting ready, grabs her keys, and heads out the door. Paranoid, Liv locks the bolt lock on her door. It's a good thing she had it installed a few months ago.

•SVU Squad Room•

Benson, Fin, and Bruno walk into the squad room where Curry and Velasco have been discussing off the job topics. "Hey Liv, quick second," Tutuola suggests as he slightly reaches out his hand to stop her from continuing on. Bruno sits at his desk and implicates himself into Velasco and Curry's conversation. "How are you doing?" questions Fin.
"I'm fine, Fin," She lies. Worse part is she knows he knows she's lying. All these years knowing each other and working together, he can tell. Their dynamic was always similar to siblings. They have each other's back and can sense when something is off. But they also have a respectable friendship and pry if need be.
"Liv-" Fin begins
"Fin...we have to get started. We can discuss this later" Olivia says annoyingly.
"Well are you going to tell them the whole story or should I?" He replies smartly.
Liv shakes her head and continues into the squad room where she hears a discussion with casual friendly fire. She puts her stuff down in the back portion of her office. Fin takes his seat waiting for Captain Benson to come out. Liv steps out and begins the briefing.
"Organized Crime caught a case and we're going to help them on it. 5 women in Detective Stabler's case were raped and tortured, one of which is a DA. "
"Excuse me, Captain but why didn't we get this before," Velasco asks carefully.
"Because the women were apart of a drug ring and organized crime didn't notice until after they had got their clues together. They assumed it was an initiation to get into the ring. They called us to help solve this case and as soon as possible. Detective Stabler and Detective Bell will be running point-they should be calling soon to give all the information they have to date. Any questions?" As she scans the room. A quick glance from Fin reminding her of the crucial information she intentionally left out.
Good. Let's get to it. Sergeant Tutuola...my office," Benson orders. She walks into her office first with Fin getting up from his seat to follow her. Nobody in the squad room thought anything of it, especially because he was Sergeant. Basically her second hand. As both left the room, Velasco, Curry and Bruno got straight to work with the case. Not too long after, they got the call but Benson and Fin were in the office.
Knock Knock*
"Captain, they're on" Bruno informs as he open the door.
"Go on ahead. I'll catch with the Detectives and get the information later," she explains. Bruno closes the door and everyone sits for the meeting.
"Are you sure about this?" Fin comments suggestively.
"Please Fin...just keep under wraps for now. I don't want McGrath saying anything to me right now"
"Do worry, I can handle McGrath but the team needs to know...not the details but enough information that won't compromise you or the case," comments Fin. And he's right. When they catch the suspect, they'll have to with stand trial and some most likely put on the stand.
"Okay. Let them know," Benson says reluctantly.
Fin nods his head as he is ordered to add to the briefing from earlier. But before he leaves to do his Sergeantly duties, he gives Liv an ounce of friendly confirmation. "McGrath won't know we had this conversation. Take the rest of the day off Liv, we got his from here. See ya tomorrow Capt'n". Liv gives a small gentle smile," Thanks Fin". She grabs her belongings, says goodbye to her team and heads home. She's had a long half day but had much more to do when she got home. She already knew her sleep schedule wouldn't be the same until they caught this guy...hopefully it's soon.