A/N: I started to write an Undercover one-shot...Then decided I wanted to make a sequel to Secrets and Protecting and thought I'd combine them. So this first chapter is the Undercover episode with some tie-ins to Secrets and Protecting. This is set 10 years after S&P, EO are still married and have Eli who is biologically theirs.

"You're not going."

"Excuse me but this isn't your decision to make Elliot! I'm not one of the kids!"

"You're my wife. It's my job to protect you and there is no way in hell I'm letting you put your life at risk in a prison with no backup!"

"LETTING ME!?" She was giving them the 'Benson glare' that meant she would kick his ass if their bed wasn't between them. "Since when do you get to 'let' me do anything?"

"Honey I-"

"What is it El is it that you don't think I can do my job without you babysitting me? Is that it?"

"Olivia Stabler we have been married 10 years! You know I've never once questioned your ability to do your job. Don't turn this around and make me the bad guy. I love you and I want you safe!"

"Elliot you and I both know this is the only way we can catch this guy."

"I'd rather think there were a billion other ways that didn't mean my wife and the mother of my child was putting herself in harm's way. No thank you."

"I'll be fine Elliot." Her voice was softer. She knew he was just worried and overprotective and she felt guilty for being hard on him.

"You're right you will be because you're staying here." He replied in a firm tone that most would probably give into but she was just as stubborn as he was.

"Elliot we've been undercover before. What is it about this one that worries you so much?"

"Liv, Don can't send me in with you-"

"Fin will be there. He'll protect me."

"Gee that's comforting."

"El I know you guys have your differences but Fin's a good cop. Besides someone needs to stay here with Eli. You're just gonna have to trust me."

"It's not you I don't trust baby." He pulls her into his arms and she allows herself to relax in his embrace. 10 years and being in his arms was still the best feeling in the world. "I just...I feel better when I can have your back."

"I know you do." She kisses him gently. "You've always kept me safe El. Your overprotectiveness is as comforting as it is annoying. But I need you to trust me to do this, to get justice for Ashley, and then to come home to my family safe and sound. I love you and Eli more than anything in this world, if I thought this would take me away from you I wouldn't do it." He wraps her tighter in his embrace and sighs.

"There's nothing I can say to convince you to reconsider?"

"Promise me you're not upset with me, that we're ok and you still love me?" Part of her was teasing him because of how protective he was but she loved how he sweetly reassured her anyway. Even after a decade, their love hadn't worn off, in fact, it had only gotten stronger. He kissed her lovingly as he held her in his arms.

"Of course we are. You know I can never stay mad at you and I would still love you even if you shot me and ran off with some young, attractive, male model type." She laughed out loud and returned his kiss with passion.

"You never have to worry about losing me to someone else El. You're still the sexiest man I've ever been with."

"Well you were only with one other guy and he turned out to be a serial killer."

"Elliot Stabler after a decade of marriage you're feeling insecure about being the one for me just because you're the first person I picked who didn't want to kill me?"

"I just wouldn't blame you if you were...wishing you'd kept your options open." She cut him off with a fiery, deep kiss and had begun undoing his tie when there was a knock at the door.

"Liv you ready?" The couple groaned at Fin's interruption.

"Just a minute." She called and turned her attention back to Elliot whose face was filled with worry.

"Be careful ok. Stay in Fin's sight, don't-"

"Elliot-"

"I know. I know. I'm sorry. I love you so much, baby." He kisses her again and holds her tighter before reluctantly letting go.

"I love you too, I'll be fine and home in a few days I promise. Give Eli a kiss for me."

"I will. Be safe. Your family will be waiting for you." Her family, 2 words that still made her heart flutter. She loved her boys: her husband and son, and her 4 stepchildren too.

Fear gripped his heart as he watched her leave, 10 years and his protectiveness of her had strengthened just like their love had. He lifted his son into the highchair and fixed breakfast, glancing at the door every now and then, holding onto a slight hope she'd change her mind and come back in the apartment.

If only he knew the hell his family would soon go through, he would've chased after her and held her tight and made Fin go by himself. Hell if she knew what would happen she would've buried herself in his arms and stayed until the case was over.

In a few days...they'd both be wishing they'd done just that.

X

TB outbreak at Sealview...Ashley Tyler in critical condition...Olivia needs to get out of there now before she's exposed.

The mental image in Elliot's mind when he heard those words of his precious wife sick and helpless in a cold dark cell did not help calm his increasing nerves.

"Cap let me go in there."

"And risk you getting sick too? You need to stay here. Fin's with her."

"And what happens if Fin gets sick and she doesn't have any other backup?" Cragen is hesitant but gives in.

"You realize she will kick your ass for putting yourself in danger right?"

"I'll take it. It'll mean she safe and strong enough to." If anyone ever had any doubt of how deeply Elliot Stabler loved his partner and wife he was quick to erase it.

"What about Eli?"

"Maureen already promised she'd watch him for us if something happened. I owe it to my son to bring his mother home safe and sound. Please, Don."

"Don't make me regret this." Elliot sighed in relief.

"I won't."

X

Olivia couldn't help the relief on her face when she saw her husband and partner walk in in his undercover uniform and stand next to Fin.

"What are you doing? Did I tell you to just stand around? Get over there!" Matthew Parker, one of the guards they'd been eyeing as a potential perp, roughly shoved her into the crowd with the other inmates who were being led into a room for shots due to the outbreak. She took a deep breath and willed herself to keep a flashback of Lester Sproles from her mind.

"Take it easy." She hissed under her breath.

"Someone really ought to teach you a lesson. Get!" She swallowed hard.

"You ok Kat?" One of her cellmates asked when she was practically thrown into the line.

"Peachy." The temporary relief of seeing her partner faded when he and Fin were led into a different room.

"They won't hurt you. They're new guys, it'll take them a while to catch on." The woman misinterpreted her but she couldn't exactly blow her cover so she pretended otherwise.

"Ok."

X

Elliot and Fin exchanged worried looks when the guards in their line for the shots were told they were out of needles. They were stuck in the room, there was no way out. Olivia was pretty much alone.

"Listen can't we do this later? We're late for our shift." Fin protested.

"Your shift can wait. The girls won't be going anywhere either, they're under supervision." Elliot wanted to strangle the man. He needed a way out of there. He needed to make sure Olivia was ok, to protect her, to not let her out of his sight.

"Listen I had TB as a kid, I'm immune to it." He tried.

"Not this strain officer. I'm sorry but you have to stay here. Harris and Parker are watching the girls." Elliot's blood ran cold, they had been looking at Parker as the potential perp. Now his Olivia was in a room with him without a gun or backup. His heart was pounding in his chest with worry. Fin caught onto this as well.

"Can I at least step out for a minute to make a phone call?"

"You got a date tonight or something?

"My mom's in the hospital. Let me call and see how she is." Elliot breathed a sigh of relief as Fin was allowed to step out but it was short lived when he walked back in and slipped him a note:

She's not in there. Harris is gone too.

"What!?" He mouthed but was quickly forced to turn away when the line moved. He knew nothing about Harris and tried to take some comfort in the fact that Parker, who they suspected as the perp, was still in the room but he was still unsettled. Memories from 10 years ago were flooding back. Something told him they needed to find his wife. Fast.

X

"Captain, the hole is in C block, isn't it? That's the other way."

"Shut up!" She tried to get him to let go of her arm which was throbbing in pain but his grip was too strong.

"Look I'm sorry ok. I made a scene and I shouldn't have. I'll get the shot and I won't complain about it. I'm sorry."

"It's too late for apologies." Her heart stopped when she realized they were in the basement, no longer within sight of Elliot and Fin, it was dark, it was cold, the door was locked and there was a mattress in the corner.

"Let me go ok. We can talk about this."

"Shut up!" He growled and she tried to keep her voice strong.

"What do you want?" He tied her hands with some kind of rope and threw her onto the bed.

"What every man wants. And you're gonna give it to me." This time instead of his voice it was Lester's. She screamed as loud as she could, wanting this to be a nightmare. She knew she had to fight, to stay conscious. No no no not again...Elliot...Elliot get down here now!

X

He didn't even feel the needle prick his arm when he and Fin were finally given their shots. The fear for Olivia was too strong and his focus was on finding her no matter what it took. They took off down the hall praying that she had just gone to the bathroom or something and that they'd run into her and she'd chew them out for being overprotective and almost blowing their cover. Along with the fear coursing through Elliot's veins was a sliver of hope he was holding onto that he was worrying for nothing and she would come bursting through the doors and kick his ass for it.

"Hey! We're looking for the girl you were talking to earlier." Fin ran up to a woman in a nearby cell. "She left with the Cap. I need to have a little chat with her."

"Kat? They left but I don't know where they went. There was a riot and the CO came to break it up and seemed pissed at her. Doesn't take an idiot to know what he's doing to her though. He has his ways of teaching us a lesson." A cold chill went through Elliot and combined with increasing anger. If that creep even so much as tried to touch her he would kill him without mercy or remorse. He couldn't speak but luckily Fin kept up the conversation.

"Point me to somewhere I can have the most privacy, I gotta call someone and give them a lesson of my own. Could get ugly." Elliot shot him a grateful look at how well he was staying in character because he wasn't sure he would be able to speak without shouting 'Where the hell is my partner!' and tearing the place apart to find her.

"Basement's down that way."

"Thanks." They walked faster and their hearts were in their throats trying to stifle the growing panic.

"Maybe she arrested him already?" Fin suggested but the commotion they could faintly hear stopped them in their tracks.

"They're down there. He's got her down there." He choked out, his voice clogged with fear. They walked down the stairs quickly, careful not to attract attention.

As long as they lived, they knew they'd never forget the bone-chilling, gut-wrenching screams of terror that were clearly heard echoing through the stairwell.

"That's not necessarily Liv." Fin tried to reassure his colleague and himself.

"Then where the hell is she?" His sinking suspicion came true as they neared the door.

"ELLIOT! HELP ME PLEASE SOMEBODY! FIN! ELLIOT!"

"Still wondering if that's her?"

"NO NO NO NO NO...ELLIOT! HELP ME! ELLIOT!" He could hear a man taunting her.

"One of your drug dealers? Or a boyfriend? They can't hear you here." He was seeing red, this was definitely not an act. She was in danger. So much so that she had broken cover and the only two people that could save her were stuck on the other side of the door trying to find the right key. Fin's hands were shaking as he tried to unlock the door and after hearing the love of his life scream and sob in terror, begging him to help her, Elliot had lost patience.

"El." Her voice was quieter now but he could still hear it echo from the other side of the door. She sounded terrified but defeated. "El I'm sorry...I'm so-" He motioned for Fin to get out of the way, throwing himself at the door in an attempt to break it down.

"Damn it!" He shouted when it wouldn't budge. He took out his gun and shot the knob which was followed by another shriek from the other side of the door. He threw himself against it again, finally succeeding in breaking it open and he and fin ran down the hall.

"NYPD! Move away from her now!" Fin shouted and before anyone could react Elliot had his wife's assailant in a chokehold, throwing him on the ground and beating him. Olivia was frozen as Fin helped her stand up and neither made any move to stop Elliot until Harris was pretty much unconscious and then Fin went over to arrest him, releasing him from Elliot's death grip on his throat.

"El. She needs you." Guilt flooded him as he realized he had spent all that time pummeling Harris instead of making sure his traumatized partner/wife was ok. She was still standing by the door, no longer handcuffed but frozen, shaking, distant. She hadn't said anything which worried Elliot greatly. Her eyes were glazed over and even though there was a hint of recognition in them she jumped when Elliot walked over to her but let him gently pull her into his arms. He was worried about her mental state, she hadn't uttered a word or even shed a tear, but he knew the most important thing was to get her out of the basement first, once they were outside he could get her checked over at a hospital. She was clinging to him and wincing as she walked so he knew she was in pain...thinking about why she might be in pain made him sick.

"Honey?" His voice was soothing and gentle. She didn't look up at him or respond, she kept staring at her feet. "Sweetheart, does something hurt? We can stop for a minute."

"My...my ribs." Not where he had initially been concerned about but concerning nonetheless.

"Can I carry you? It might help if we let them rest." Before he could say anything else she lurched forward grabbing a nearby trash can and vomiting, gasping and releasing a sob of pain and fear.

"It's ok baby it's over now. I've got you. El's got you. I'm right here. We're gonna get you checked out and then we'll go home ok. He can't hurt you anymore I promise."

"He...he d-didn't-he didn't get the chance he was going to but...you got there in time." Oh, thank god. "N-no hospital." The shame he saw on her face broke his heart when he realized she didn't want to go to the hospital because she didn't want their co-workers to see her, to see what happened to her. She didn't want anyone to know that 10 years after escaping a monster she was the victim of another.

"I'm really worried about your ribs. I want to make sure they aren't broken and get you something for the pain ok? Please, Liv we won't stay long and we can go somewhere nobody knows you."

"I'll be fine El I just need to rest." That was his Liv, still being stubborn even though she was in so much pain she was struggling to speak. "You can take care of me, can't you? We have medicine at home."

"I know I just-"

"Please El...I wanna go home." She was fighting tears and he knew it wasn't just from the pain. The part of him that wanted to get her home and safe in his arms won over.

"Ok, sweetie." He was about to suggest him carrying her again when the sound of metal clanking against metal was heard in the distance causing her to shriek and throw her arms around him in a death grip. She buried her face into his neck and he lifted her into his arms with ease. "It's alright honey. You're safe now. I've got you." She sobbed in a mix of terror, relief, and shame.

"H-h-he-"

"He can't hurt you anymore baby, I won't let him."

"He...he had a baton and when I didn't...when I screamed for help he-" The POS beat her with it. "He ran it along the...before he...that's why the sound-"

"Shhh, I know...I know I'm so sorry sweetheart." He knew they'd need her statement, but he was most concerned with her physical state at the moment and wanted to make sure talking wasn't going to make her pain worse. He could feel tears of his own in his eyes. This was his partner, his best friend, the woman he loved and had vowed to protect.

"El?" Her voice was small and so unlike her, it scared him.

"I'm right here baby." He reassured her.

"Don't let go. Don't let him take me." She whimpered, her eyes were squeezed shut and he knew she was thinking about that day 10 years ago. He let the tears fall. Once again, he'd failed to protect her.

"I've got you. I promise I'm gonna hold you just like this and I won't let go. I won't ever let you go sweetheart. I promise." He carried her in his arms and was grateful Fin offered to drive so he could continue holding her on the way home.

"Where's he taking us?" He knew she was back there, in Lester's car and his heart broke. Fin, who had worked with them for almost 9 years now, had heard about their ordeal and stepped in to reassure her and she curled into the safety of her husband's arms.

"It's just me and El babygirl. It's Fin. I'm gonna take you home. You're safe now."

"El?" It seemed to be the only syllable that registered in her state of mind. She needed her partner's love and reassurance. He placed soft kisses to her head in comfort.

"It's alright honey. Fin's gonna take us home and we're gonna get you patched up ok?" His voice was as soothing to her now as it had been then.

"Lester's not-"

"He's dead baby. And we've got Harris in custody. You're here with us now." The second name seemed to bring her back to the present day but sent a spike of fear through her.

"T-The basement...he-he tried to-"

"I'm gonna kick his ass babygirl. He ain't ever gonna touch you again." Fin responded strongly.

It was that moment that she became fully aware of her surroundings. Fin was driving and had just turned towards their apartment complex. She and Elliot were in the back and she was curled up against him like a scared child. Elliot tried to hide his hurt when she moved away from him slightly, he knew she was ashamed of herself for acting so vulnerable in front of one of their co-workers even though Fin didn't care. She took pride in the tough cop she had been for the last decade, she hated appearing weak and clinging to her husband wasn't exactly something a strong person would do in her mind. She brushed him off when he reached over to help her out of the car and didn't look at either of them.

"Liv-"

"I'm fine El. I can walk."

"You're in pain-"

"I don't need you to baby me Elliot I am perfectly capable of walking a few steps to our apartment."

"Sweetheart-"

"Don't patronize me." She snapped and he backed away from her to give her some space as hard as it was to do so.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm gonna shower." She walked past him in the direction of their bedroom.

"Ok. I'll be right here if you need me." She knew he was in the doorway checking to make sure she got into the bathroom ok but she didn't acknowledge him. "I love you." He said as the door slammed shut because no matter what they were fighting about or upset about they never wanted to walk away without saying those words. They had vowed at their wedding to never leave each other in doubt of how much they loved them. The only response was the shower running and sobs that crushed his heart. He knew it wasn't really him she was upset with, but he always hated when she was hurting and he couldn't help her.

He sat on their bed for the first 20 minutes, wanting to be close by to comfort her or whatever she needed. He stayed protecting her in the only way he could at that moment until he heard Maureen come in the door bringing Eli home.

"Dad, we're back."

"Thank you, sweetheart."

"No problem, Kathleen and I took him to the zoo."

"Did you have fun with your sisters buddy?" Maureen's phone went off and she handed Eli to their dad.

"I gotta get to my evening class. Tell Liv hi."

"I will honey. Love you."

"Love you too."

"El?" It was the first word he heard from Olivia in almost an hour. She was still in the bathroom but he heard the shower stop running. Her voice was shaky, timid.

"Yeah, baby?" The silence he was met with worried him and he walked back into the bedroom with their son in his arms.

"El?"

"What's wrong?"

"Who was at the door?" He realized she was worried someone had broken in.

"Maureen brought Eli home. Are you ok? Do you need anything?"

"I'm fine. I'll be out in a minute." He had to resist the urge to open the door and scoop her into his arms.

"Ok. If you need anything-"

"I know."

X

When she made her way into the living room 15 minutes later her husband and son were on the couch and a cartoon was on the TV. Eli was half asleep on Elliot's lap and Elliot was staring at the television blankly. His concern for his wife filling his every thought.

Despite what she had gone through that day she couldn't help but smile at the two on the couch, her husband and son, her whole world.

"Hey." Elliot turned his attention toward her, smiling back at her lovingly.

"Eli look who it is?"

"Mama!" His little arms were outstretched towards her and she picked him up and kissed his head.

"I missed you today sweet boy." She winced slightly when his foot hit her rib accidentally. Elliot took her hand gently, motioning for her to sit on the couch.

"Tell mama to come cuddle with us son." She knew he was worried about her after the assault but was glad he didn't mention that she didn't want to think about that right now.

"Mama cud-ule?" She giggled.

"I'd love to." Elliot gently pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her and their son who was on her lap. There was something about the pure unconditional love she felt being held by her husband while they played with their son. It was home, it was family. She leaned back against Elliot's chest and sniffled. As much as she'd tried to push him away earlier she needed this, she needed her boys.

"Mama sad?" She didn't even realize tears were falling until Eli put his fingers on her cheeks.

"They're happy tears because I love you so much." Her voice cracked and Elliot knew she was trying to be strong for their son.

"Lub you mama." She choked back a sob as he and Elliot both kissed her cheeks. She didn't deserve them and yet she wanted to stay in this moment forever.

"And so do I. Very very very much." Elliot's voice was like a soothing blanket, he was her rock, her shelter. She buried her face in his neck and he kissed her head. "Why don't I put this little guy down for his nap and mommy and daddy can relax on the sofa." She wanted nothing more than to be cradled in his arms but she was also dreading talking about Sealview. "Tell mama night night."

"Goodnight sweet boy. I love you."

"Lub you. Night."

Her tears were falling freely by the time Elliot came back into the room. She craved his comfort but couldn't bring herself to look at him. He sat on the couch next to her.

"Liv-"

"I'm fine El."

"We don't have to talk. I can just hold you for a while."

"Please." Her voice tugged at his heartstrings and he pulled her on his lap and wrapped his arms around her tightly, cradling her. He kissed her tears and the gesture made her finally release the sobs that had been building.

"Shhh, you're safe now sweetheart. You're safe. I've got you."

"I love you so much and I'm sorry I pushed you away."

"It's ok baby. I love you so much more."

"After 10 years you should know by now that it's not possible for you to love me more than I love you."

"Oh but I do." She laughed through her tears.

"Please talk to me, angel. Please tell me what happened?"

"You were there. You and Fin saved me...he didn't-"

"He still hurt you."

"I'm ok I just-"

"No, you're not. What happened in that basement is haunting you." His phone rings before she can respond.

"Stabler. Are you sure? I don't want to leave Olivia can I-oh god. Ok, I'm gonna call Kathleen and see if she'll come over I don't want to leave Liv alone."

"El? Is everything ok?" He had turned pale and his grip on her had tightened in fear.

"Baby I need to go down to the precinct for a bit ok. I won't be gone long."

"What's wrong?"

"I just need to check on something."

"D-did Harris escape?" He felt terrible when he saw the look of horror on her face.

"No honey it's nothing you need to worry about ok. I love you, call me if you need something. I'll be back soon. I promise. I love you so much." He kissed her forehead. "Kathleen's gonna come over-"

"I don't need a babysitter El."

"I just don't want you to be alone. Please." She started to argue but the distressed look on his face stopped her and she kissed him gently.

"Ok. I love you too." He starts toward the door before turning back to close the blinds on the window.

"El?" His breathing was panicked.

"I'll be back. Stay here and don't answer the door. Kathleen's gonna use her key. If you hear or see something hide in the bedroom and call me ok?"

"Elliot?" Tears sprang to her eyes. "What's going on? Please."

"I'll be back."

"Why don't we just go with you?" She was startled when she noticed tears in his eyes.

"Please let me protect you Liv. I'll tell you later but please let me protect you from this as long as I can?"

"Protect me from what?" But he reluctantly leaves and she stares at the closed door trembling. She goes to the window and opens the blinds, wondering what on earth was going on.

A camera flash goes off just before she closes the blinds.

A/N: Dun dun dunnn