Malice

Author: MrsData

Rating: T for Teen. There will be some mild language and mature subplots.

Disclaimer: I only claim ownership of the plot, subplots and the original characters.

Author's Note: It's been ages since my first story and I apologize for the delay. This story takes place in August of 2008. In the SVU universe the events of "Cold" did not happen and with CI, the cut off is "Kissinger". This is the sequel to Skin Crawl which can be found in the mature section of SVU on this lovely website.

The gracious smile on Christian's face faded once he sensed a presence behind him. When he turned around he saw no one. Despite his uneasiness, he continued walking alongside Milo.

He patiently waited while the Border terrier sniffed around a nearby tree and raised his leg.

"Good boy," he petted Milo's head. "Come on…" his eyes cautiously scanned the empty Manhattan street, "we better get home."

His suspicions arose when he heard footsteps approaching. He quickened his pace then abruptly stopped and listened to pattering feet behind him. Before he could turn around a sharp blow came to back of his head. Milo's barking and growling were the last sounds he heard before falling into darkness.

Alone in his kitchen, Bobby leaned against the counter eyeing the front door of the refrigerator. His longer fingers pushed the magnet aside and picked up the business card. It had been a few weeks since Thea had given him her card but he had yet to call her. He couldn't remember the last time another cop had been cordial to him as she was.

The ringing of his work mobile phone pulled from his train of thought.

"Hey Bobby, its Thea," she warmly greeted him. "Remember? We literally bumped into each other a few weeks ago."

The perkiness in her voice made him grin, "How could I forget- how did you get my number?"

"Oh..I uh wanted to know if I messed up your case but you didn't call so I asked Mike to get me your number."

"Mike…."

"Logan, sorry I'm used to calling him by his first name."

He nodded and felt a little embarrassed. Logan was the only detective named Mike in Major Case.

"It's all right-I should have known because you mentioned that you knew him when we first met."

She shook her head, "Mike is such a common name and I just assumed you'd know who I was talking about."

He was touched by apologetic tone, "Thea it's ok. I've worked with Logan for three years I should know his first name."

Her sigh had hint of relief, "Ok.."

"You don't have to make me feel comfortable by being sorry…but thanks."

A brief silence passed.

"So, how did your case go?"

"It went well I didn't lose any of the paperwork."

"That's great!" She smiled.

His eyes traveled to the novel on his desk, "You wouldn't happen to be a Deacon Wells fan? I-I just bought his new book."

"I am! I just finished chapter 8. So far it's amazing."

"Really? Darkness Fades came out this week," his tone was incredulous.

"I know, I'm a voracious reader..it's kind of nerdy but I can't help if it's a writer that I love."

"No it's impressive. I'm the same way when I first get a book," he smiled to himself. It had been quite sometime since he had spoken to a woman who loved to read as much as he did.

"What chapter are you on?"

"I finished chapter eight too."

"Wow, I guess we're both caught up."

"It sounds like we are."

"Soo..no one I know is reading it and I would love to know what you think."

"I would like to know your thoughts as well."

"Maybe we should get together….."

He took the hint, "Right, uh..Do you have plans for this evening?"

Her eyes went to Don's office, "Actually, I do. I'm going out tonight."

"Of course, I shouldn't have sprung this up on you."

"It's ok. If this were another night you'd be in luck but it's dinner with my Captain."

"I assume it's mandatory?"

"No," she said with a small laugh, "he's a really good family friend and we haven't found the time to get together outside of work."

"I understand," he nodded. "How long have you known him?"

She leaned back in her chair, "Well, Don and my mom have been friends since college. He was with my mom when I was born so..I've known him all my life."

He was a bit taken aback by her calling her captain by his first name. In all his years on the job, he had never referred to any of his superiors so informally.

"Bobby? Are you still there?"

"Yes I am.."

"Good. I need to get ready for dinner..So we could work something out…"

"Tomorrow. I'll call you."

With a little nod she answered, "I look forward to it."

He smiled, "Have a good night, Thea."

"You too, Bobby," she said before hanging up.

Munch walked onto the balcony and breathed in the night air. He went back into his hotel room once he heard his mobile phone ring.

"Hey Captain," he said as he sat down on the bed.

"Hi John, how's DC?" Don asked.

Kicking off his shoes he replied, "Pretty good, I've seen some of my old friends and family. I went to our nation's great capital and waved to one of Big Brother's many watching eyes. How are things at the house?"

"We're holding up," Don leaned against his office's doorway and looked out into the squad room.

"That's good. So, have you told Thea?"

His brows furrowed, "About what?"

A small grin spread across his mouth, "I saw you kiss Sambath last week in your office."

A deep sigh came from him, he had hoped Thea would be first to find out about him and Sambath.

"Captain it's ok, I haven't told her," he assured him.

"Thanks. We're going to Pinelli's, I'll tell her then," he watched Thea talk to Fin.

He nodded, "She'll be fine. You know that she thinks the world of you. And she wants you both to be happy….We all do."

"All right," his smile was gracious. "What time does your flight get in?"

"Eight and thanks again for picking me up."

"Don't mention it. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Captain?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you leave out the part about me already knowing when you tell her? She's smaller than me and I would never admit to her..but I know she can kick my old bony ass."

He held back a chuckle, "I will. Bye Munch."

"Have a good night."

Little Darren fought fatigue as he listened to his Aunt Alex read him a bedtime story.

"And they lived happily ever after. The end," Alex closed the picture book.

Darren asked, "Auntie Alex, can we live in Disney World forever?"

She chuckled, "I wish we could Darren but our home is in New York. That's where your Mommy, Daddy and I live and work."

"Where you catch all the bad guys!"

"That's right," she tucked him in and kissed his forehead. "Good night Darren."

Yawning he replied, "Night Auntie Alex."

With a loving gaze, she smiled at him. She wondered how different her life would be if he were hers. Waking up together, playing with him and caring for him, it would be heaven. Pangs of sadness pulled at her heart when she reminded herself that dreaming about the impossible was torture.

"Alex," she heard her sister-in-law calling from the living room.

Her hand tapped the light switch off, "I'm coming."

"I think you got a message on your phone," Lindsey told her from the couch.

"Thanks," she picked up the mobile phone and saw a text message from Munch.

While you were in the land of Mickey and Minnie, I was meeting with America's other favorite duo. –Munch

She scrolled down to a picture of him staring longingly into the eyes of a cardboard President Bush. The grin on her face turned into a loud chuckle when she scrolled down further to a picture of him standing next to a cardboard Dick Cheney looking absolutely terrified.

Lindsey looked up from her magazine, "You ok over there?"

Alex snapped her phone shut and regained her composure, "Yeah, it was just a text message from someone."

She put down her magazine, "Your partner?"

"No, just another cop I met recently," she quickly said.

"A cop, really?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Don't," she warned her. "He's only a friend."

"Whatever you say, Alex," she smirked.

Alex headed for her bedroom, "Good Night," she said with a hint of annoyance.

"Thanks again for dinner, Don," Thea said to him.

Don held the restaurant's door open for her, "I owed you," he shrugged.

"Come on, if it weren't for you the Chief of Ds wouldn't have even considered transferring me to SVU. So, I owe you."

"I only told him the truth; you're a good cop Thea. Never doubt that," he stared into her eyes.

The pride in his eyes and the sincerity in his voice brought a wide grin to her lips.

"You have no idea how much that means to me," she embraced him.

A small blissful sigh came from him when he felt her arms wrap around his sturdy build. Her comforting embrace had remained unchanged after all these years.

She linked her arm with his and leaned against him as they walked.

He smiled; she had done this same action or some variation of it since she was a child. When she was too short to reach his arm, she would hold onto his fingers as they walked through the city streets.

"I talked to John today, it sounds like he had a great time in DC," he told her.

"Oh he did," she giggled, "he sent me pictures of him posing with a cardboard Karl Rove yesterday."

"I wouldn't expect anything different from him," he grinned.

She nodded, "He's definitely the most interesting partner I've ever had."

"He's probably be the most interesting person you'll ever know..at least he is for me," he then remembered his conversation with Munch. "Thea, there's something that I uh..I need to tell you."

The tone of his voice concerned her, "What is it?"

He looked into her dark eyes, "I want you to know that I didn't plan this..And that you earned your place in my-.."

A strident bark interrupted him.

"It's a dog!" Thea kneeled down when she saw Milo approaching her.

He eagerly licked her hand.

"It's not a stray, he has a leash," Don said.

"Hey," she read his tag, "Milo.. " Her eyes went to his front paws. "Don," she touched his paw and stood up, "This is blood."

Before Don could react Milo turned around and ran away from them.

"Milo!" Thea called out as she and Don went after him.

Don sighed when they found Milo sitting next to his slain master.

Thea's almonds eyes searched Christian's lifeless body, "I guess we found his owner…"