Pacing back and forth, Maria watched as Fin and Elliot worked their magic on getting the confession they wanted. The bastard in question sat there, arms crossed and looking cross at the two slamming the evidence in front of him. As a rule with this suspect, Olivia nor Maria was allowed in on the interrogation and that highly pissed Maria off. It was the case and the suspect that had her pacing like a panther, reminder her of why she was still in SVU. Her scars proved that she still had to do it, to help others recover from the trauma and torture they received from their assaults .

It was also what alarmed Cragen and Huang, who were also watching as well. Cragen turned his head when he felt the air stir behind him, the tension rising for that split second. Huang watched from the corner of his eye as she walked to stand beside him before moving again to stand in the other side of the room, giving him an impression that all was not well with her.

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Several hours later and nose deep in paperwork, her green eyes didn't move as images flashed before her and mixed in with the crime scene made it just as bad. It made it so damn hard for her to concentrate and she had it. Standing without warning, the other four looked up to see her standing there, hands on her desk and head bowed before she turned and headed to Cragen's office.

Fin turned his head to look at John, who's face showed the high concern he had etched in his face. "John, what's up with her, man? She's been edgy all afternoon." John shook his head as he stood, knowing fully what it was.

"I know what it is," He replied in a low voice, knowing she had sharp ears and if she heard him mentioned it to them, he'd be on the couch. "It's the case, but don't tell her I told you." He gave a stern look as he walked over to open door and peeked in to see Maria staring down at their Captain.

"I don't know what's the matter Cap. It's...," She stumbled with her words, fighting her own emotions through the mask that she wore to hide it.

"I know it's the case, Maria," Cragen offered to help her say what was troubling, "Are you regretting being the primary on the case?"

"No! I not regretting getting this case!" She hissed as her palms hit the top of his desk hard, but Cragen didn't flinch. "I don't regret it."

"It's just the contents of the case, right?" He watched as her expression changed; her eyes lowered and relaxed, the tense snarl on her lips changed to a sad frown, and her shoulders lowered in defeat. "Huang and I could see you being a panther while he was being interrogated earlier today and Huang suggested that I send you home for today."

"What? You're taking the case from me?"

"I didn't say that, detective. I said you are to go home and clear out your head and I'm suggesting it as a friend. Do I need to make it an order?" His expression remained soft, but he made it be known that there was a tint of sternness in his voice, to keep her in her place. "Do I have to?"

"No, sir."

"Good, now John will take you home," He motioned to the door, seeing that they were being watched by him, "and take care of yourself."

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Unlocking the door to her apartment, Maria dumped her jacket and shoulder bag onto the floor and sat down on the couch, Ace giving her his usual greeting by licking her fingers. Much to her knowledge, John stood there in the entrance of her door and watched her carefully. "Do you want me to stay?"

"You're getting off of work in three hours, John. I won't do anything stupid for three hours without you." She tilted her head to one side, looking at him with her matter-o-fact look with one eyebrow raised. She watched with a careful eye as he stepped in further into the apartment and shut the door behind him, making a point. "Guess I have no say it this, huh?" Her voice lowered to a depressed level as her eyes moved to staring right ahead of her, ignoring the fact that he sat down next to her.

"I know what's bothering you, Maria," he folded his fingers and looked her over, "this case is too close to you, mentally and physically. From the get-go, I knew that something was wrong with you and this case. It's too much like your old case; the one Fin and I got years ago and you were the victim." He kept his voice low as she faced away from him, hiding the fact that her chin was quivering and not wanting to show it. "Don't lock me out, baby. I know you're hurting inside and you're keeping it all bottled up. Don't do that," he moved a few inches closer to her, watching her head turn slowly to look at him, "don't do that to yourself."

"What about you? What about doing harm to you with this situation?" Her voice was tight with emotion, carefully reading him.

Sighing, he sat back and slowly traced a small design on her back, feeling her tense up under his fingertips. "I'm not worried about myself, it's you I'm concerned for. The case is so close to home for you, you're not able to focus on anything. Just do this for me and just let it out. Don't be so reserved and drawn that you have to hide it, but let it out for me. For you, please?"

"If you leave and finish the day, I will." She whispered as her voice cracked under the strain of keeping it in, her fear of exposing the emotions ran high in her memory. The small designs to her back didn't stop, but she felt him sit up straighter and he pressed his forehead to the side of her head, giving her a small hug. "I'll be fine, John, I'll be fine when you come back."

"I'm not leaving you alone in the state you are in," He whispered, gently cupping her face in his hands, "I can't and won't leave you along right now. I'm going to call Cragen and we can work it together from there. Understand?" He felt and watched as she nodded her head in his hands, tears rolling down her cheeks and pooled against his flesh. Nodding in agreement with hers, he pulled her into a hug and held on tight. "We can do this together, Maria, I know we can."