This fic was incredible. The level of detail, the understanding of the impact of trauma and a realistic ending. Thank you for covering such an important topic.

I don't know if I can take much more of this. I just want to see how it ends. But gawd, the tears, the angst, the torture, the tears, the tears, the tears. Aaaaah. . . Make them stop crying.

Munch made it! Gawd, this story has spun my heart through the wringer. The brutality in it made it so hard to read, but it's so well written, and so gripping, and I have to know how it ends. The boys in blue showing up to support Olivia. . tears! And Munch showing up. . .throat lump. You are an excellent writer. Holy crap. This story is in my thoughts, disturbing as it is. I've got to finish it.

fantastic story xx

Why doesn't George ever appear in any of your stories? Even if he isn't Elliot's psychiatrist, he's still as much part of the team as Melinda, and he'd come running if Elliot was hurt, too. He wouldn't just sit in his FBI office while Elliot was in the hospital. It's kind of irritating to see EVERYONE ELSE ON THE TEAM talking to Elliot and reacting in various ways to it, except for George.

Your stories are really good though, very well written and IC. :)

O. M. G. This story is AMAZING... yet depressing... but mostly amazing in sooo many ways!

Interesting take you have on the aftermath of a crime for Elliot - i could see this happening for real for him...

Outstanding story. Exceptional because it has a RL ending - as much as I like happily ever after endings - truth is, your ending is the usual outcome to an event like this...

I read this once, but life is hectic, so I am only now getting to reread and review it. I'm so excited. You must be so proud of what you have done.

My thoughts on Olivia: She needs to deal with it. Whether she does that through counseling, speaking frankly with her new partner, or finding a new job, it doesn't matter; but she cannot continue being a b- to every colleague who is not Elliot. It's unprofessional and counterproductive. Getting along with a partner who is not Elliot is not a betrayal, but letting her work suffer because she can't get along with him would be.

Her meeting with Jesse disturbs me. This obsession isn't healthy. Yeah, I know it's not fair that they dealt so lightly with him, but what's done is done. She needs to focus on Elliot, on helping him to feel safe and gain his confidence back, on moving forward, not looking back at what she can't undo. Besides, if she continues to harass Jesse, she could get in serious trouble.

EJ, I hope he gets shanked. Soon.

The scene with Maureen is heartbreaking, but I love the way she handled it. I am dealing with an aging parent, and aging brings with it the same loss of confidence that Elliot seems to be experiencing. All you can really do is be kind, patient, compassionate, and try to understand and anticipate their needs. It is kind of scary, but also very rewardint to be able to be there for someone you love.

A Great Dane is a perfect choice for Elliot. It's a big, solid animal he can feel safe with, yet it has a playful personality and good temperament so he can have fun with it, too.

LOL...My mom and I used to watch _The West Wing_ while we were on the phone. I was in North Carolina and she was in Pennsylvania. it was nice to spend that time "together," but it made for some pretty expensive phone bills.

That last scene is perfect. Just perfect. Yeah, it's kind of depressing, but also so incredibly HOPEFUL. It's clear he was enjoying it, and he really wanted it, so I have no doubt that once he's got a hold of himself again, Kathy will eventually wheedle out of him what went wrong (probably a sanitized version of it, because as always, he wants to protect her), and then between the two of them (or with the help of Dr. Olivet or some other counselor) they will work out a way that he can enjoy sex again, and I am certain it will be with KATHY.

That was a beautiful, beautiful story. Wonderful job. Thank you for sharing.

Bravo.

Hola!

I didn't want you to think I had abandoned you. I needed time to digest your wonderful work before I left a review, and then the site started acting up on me. Now everything seems to be in working order.

So, that first scene with Melinda was creepy, you know. I think, in addition to her relief that they were convicted, she's realizing (and celebrating) the fact that in prison, some of them are likely to be targets for the same kind of abuse they dished out to Elliot.

I wonder why, specifically, the sound of the neighbor's keys in the hall terrified Elliot so much. I was delighted when he wanted to go outside. What a huge disappointment when he changed his mind. Liv's thoughts describe his actions beautifully: Like a dog that’s used to being hit with a newspaper after his master makes him “speak”.

Poor Casey. She should get more than a word of congratulations after winning that case. She should be offered some time off. At the same time, I like how, and more importantly, WHY John opted NOT to take time off.

I feel for Olivia and Elliot as they are both forced to carry on. She has to go back to work, and he has to find a way to manage without her. It's painful to see, especially when Kathy brings up the matter of him leaving Olivia's apartment and moving back to his own place. Of course, that's not her fault as Olivia should have mentioned it prior to her arrival. And as painful as it is, it is also necessary. Three cheers for Kathy on taking him HOME. I love how he has started to include Olivia in his concept of family and home. One of the few good things that has come out of this is the fact that she has family now.

That card at the end was just cruel and sadistic. You big meanie!

Interesting epilogue. I like it! This story was amazing and one of my all time favorite stories! You are a great writer!

E&O forever!

SVU forever!

WOW! I love it! You are a great writer! I can't wait to read more!

E&O forever!

SVU forever!

Obviously no easy answers. But that's the way it works in real life. There is reason to hope that someday Benson will open herself up to another partner and that Elliot will be able to enjoy sex: healing is possible. But it can take time. Elliot endured a great deal of physical, psychological and sexual abuse by his captors. It's amazing that he can function as well as he does.

You've written an emotionally gripping and well-thought out story. You set up the crime, depicted it with realistic details that horrify the reader, and give the reactions of the victim and his family and friends. You show professional reprecussions. You're an excellent writer. I'm learning things from you.

Good luck with your career endeavors and your writing, whenever and however you pursue it.

This was such an amazing story. You weaved so many complex ideas and plots together and it flowed so well. This was a great way to end it, I really think the unknown is perfect for something like this. I'm sure some people won't agree, but you did such a good job.

This was a long work in progress, but your done and I'm kind of sad. At least Elliot will get a break, huh? Way to go!

First, having Elliot spend most of the day at his former official residence is similar to a solution I had in mind. Kathy is a nurse, he knows the house and the neighborhood in positive terms, and he loves spending time with his children.

Second, I'm pleased that you remembered Cragen's words to Elliot in the first season after the latter asked for a transfer.

Third, the commissioner's concern regarding how Olivia is being affected shows how amazingly insightful this "top brass" officer is. His viewpoints make him seem more human and less like a caracture of an authority figure.

Fourth, Munch's phone-picture taking is in-character and indictative of his own recovery. The same applies to Fin's napping.

Next, when Cragen realizes that he's taking his personnel task too personally and continues with a professionl mindset, he is demonstrating one of the leadership abilities that make him the precinct commander that he is.

Additionally, Elliot's recover is realistically gradual, with emotional highs (eating solid foods regularly again) and lows (fear of the thunderstorm.)

Finally, Olivia in the end accepts the personnel change while protecting Elliot. The flames burning the card reflect the inferno raging inside of her.

Wow. Just...wow.

This has been a really well-written story, and I think you did a wonderful job with it. I had a few other things to say, but once I got to the epilogue, they all left, so I'll leave it at that.

Great work.