Title: Strings

Summary: What would have happened had Elliot not arrested Mike Jergens that one fateful day in Starved? Because he didn't, and Mike is still a free man. But now he has set his sights on someone a little too close to home.

Chapter 1

He was your average ladies' man. Tall, handsome, dark, and with just that edge of mystery clinging to him, in his eyes and in the way he looked at you. His smooth, deep voice could send shivers up your spine, and make you do things you would never have done. Just the look he gave you could make your heart leap up into your throat. And to him, she was your average woman… except she wasn't. To him, she was so much more. Strong. Confident. Successful. Powerful. All of things he wanted to break.

As she got up from her seat, he felt something stir inside him. The familiar notion; she was next. As he followed her in his car, his heart fluttered with excitement, his fantasies running wild. She was so beautiful; much more so than the others. He would have fun with this one; he could feel it. Just imagining her underneath him was enough to make him smile and increase his confidence. She would pay for rejecting him; he would make sure of it.

As he watched her go into her apartment, he let out a deep sigh, his smile never leaving his face. He brushed his fingers over the door longingly, but pulled away shortly after. He would wait; she would never see it coming. He would watch her for now; see how things went. He wanted to try something new with this one, something special; she was a special woman. The way she wrinkled her nose when she laughed; the way she would gaze at him curiously, as if she could read him. Just thinking of her made his head spin. And he was about to make sure she never forgot him either.

She wasn't your average woman. She did things some didn't have the stomach for, and she made sure others knew that. She was strong, confident, and proud, but you would never know the soft center that was on the inside, she kept it so well hidden from the others around her. As she went on her way home, she knew he was following her. It was her job to make him follow her. She also knew what he was thinking, and it was enough to make her stomach do a flip-flop motion inside her body. But soon this would all be over, and he would be getting what he deserved. She stayed by the door as she heard him approach it. She could hear his fingertips brushing the door lightly.

"Goodnight, my sweet," she heard him whisper. "I hope you dream about me; God knows I'll be dreaming about you."

She took in a sharp breath, and heard his footsteps get softer and softer as he walked away. She waited for the familiar words to ring out. 'You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law….' But they never came.

She stepped out into the hallway, when she was sure he was gone.

"Elliot," she hissed to her partner, who was standing in the hallway, looking down it sourly, "you're letting him get away! What are you doing?"

He just shook his head and sighed to himself, never taking his eyes from the dark hallway.

"I can't, Liv," he told her sourly, "Casey said I should wait."

"Wait for what?" Olivia demanded, anger flaring up inside her. Had this all been for nothing? Had she just spent the past hour with a rapist for NOTHING? "For him to rape me? Is that what she wants to wait for?"

Elliot turned around and gave her a knowing, steady stare.

"Oh my God," she murmured, her eyes growing wide. "She's crazy. I am going to freaking kill her, Elliot."

"Just take it easy, 'kay?" he assured her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "We're going to take care of it."

"Well you'd better do it soon," Olivia warned him, anger still burning in her gaze. She wasn't about to let this go down the toilet because of Casey. "So I guess I'm staying here tonight?"

"It seems that way," Elliot replied. He took her hand and squeezed it. "Lock your door once you get inside, and keep your phone charged, okay?"

"I will, Elliot," Olivia chuckled sourly. "Relax." She took her hand from his and stepped back into the apartment. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay," Elliot replied. "Fin will be here tomorrow morning to bring you to work, but I'll take you home."

Olivia raised her eyebrow.

"Why do I need a ride?" she asked of him. "I have a car."

"Goodnight, Olivia," Elliot simply replied, winked, and began to walk down the hallway.

Olivia rolled her eyes exasperatedly and closed her door, taking care to lock it before she walked away. The familiar atmosphere of her apartment gave her a sense of comfort, almost as though nothing could penetrate through its walls. She sat down on the couch and looked around at it, taking in its features. Her eyes began to get heavy, and soon she was curled up on the sofa, breathing softly, with the essence of a smile on her face. Tomorrow was another day, and she looked forward to being able to take down another criminal. But even as she slept, there was a little flicker of doubt inside her; a small, insignificant, but still nagging flare that kept her half awake. Oh well, it was like this with every case, right?

Elliot looked back over his shoulder as he left the apartment, debating silently to himself whether or not he should go back and make sure she was okay. Just the way that man had looked at his partner; it made his stomach turn over and his palms ball into fists. He hated the way people looked at his partner; like she was a piece of meat, or something to be worn and shown off. Especially that man she had met a while ago… yes, Elliot was going to have to do something about him.

Olivia awoke slowly to the sound of a soft buzzing. She looked over and saw her phone vibrating on the edge of the table. She picked it up sleepily and rubbed her eyes.

"Hello?" she asked, her voice heavy with sleep.

"Hey babe, how was work?"

"Kurt!" Olivia smiled. "It was good… how was your day?"

"Lonely…"

"Why is that?"

"Because you weren't there."

"Aw, Kurt," Olivia blushed, giggling and pushing her bangs out of her face with her free hand. "You know I was only a phone call away."

"But it's not the same. I like seeing your face so much better…"

"Kurt, would you like to come over?" Olivia grinned.

"I'm already on my way!"

Olivia giggled and said "See you soon" before hanging up the phone. She quickly went to the bedroom to change, and when she came out, Kurt was already sitting on her couch with a bottle of chardonnay and a two glasses.

"How did you get in?" Olivia asked skeptically, curling up on the other side of the couch. "I locked the door."

"I made myself a copy of your key," Kurt smiled, holding her out a glass. His smile faded and he stared at her seriously. "If that's okay with you."

Olivia hesitated, and took the glass.

"I guess that's okay," she replied as he poured her a little bit of the wine. "I mean, now I can ask you to take care of the apartment if I'm ever gone."

Kurt smiled charmingly.

"Of course!" he exclaimed. He wrapped his arm around Olivia's waist, pulling her close to him, and nearly spilling her glass. "Watch it!" he ordered sharply as the glass tilted toward him.

"Sorry," Olivia replied, righting the glass. "Jeesh."

"Oh, babe, I'm sorry for snapping," Kurt suddenly told her, pushing some hair out of her face. He smiled at her, his charm having an effect on her almost immediately.

"It's okay," Olivia smiled, laying her head on his chest. She set her glass down on the floor. "Kurt, I'm too tired for alcohol tonight."

"Oh, just a sip," Kurt insisted, taking her glass and handing it to her. "It won't hurt. It'll make you sleepier!"

"No, Kurt, I'm tired," she replied, pushing it away lightly. She closed her eyes and sighed against his chest. "I just want to sleep."

Suddenly, Kurt got up from the couch and put the glasses and wine on the counter.

"Liv, I think you're right," he told her over his shoulder, sounding hurt. At this rate, she would be at his feet by the morning, begging for forgiveness. He had her wrapped around his finger. "I'm gonna go. I'll see you tomorrow though."

"Kurt," Olivia called out, "wait!"

"See you, Olivia," he replied simply, and walked out the door.

Olivia laid down on the couch sadly and let her fingers brush over that empty spot on her couch that used to be her boyfriend. What had she done wrong?

Elliot watched in disgust as Kurt left Olivia's apartment building, a smug grin plastered on his face. He would never leave Olivia like that, he told himself. Just the thought of leaving her made him sick. To Elliot, Kurt and the douchebag they were trying to catch were one and the same. Crafty, abusive… and about to have their asses kicked.

Notes: An idea I got after I watched Starved for the fourth time… :) I started writing, and somehow and very conniving Kurt Moss worked his way into it. I'd love to know what you guys think! I have big plans for this story! :) Review for more!