Chapter Two: Right Here

Elizabeth paced her chambers as the techs finished up. The half hour recess had long since been up, but there was no sign of the defendant, and now his attorney was gone. David Ceiver had always been a respectable attorney, but now things were seeming to turn.

"Are you all done?" She shot them a piercing look while they were clearing their gear out. "I have some paperwork to file."

"Yep. We're just getting' this stuff out of your way. The luds have been directly sent to SVU. Why didn't you want to see who threatened you?" One particularly nosey tech looked directly at her. "If I was under threat, I'd sure as hell like to know who did it."

"If I did find out, and it had something to do with this case, it would be inappropriate. People would think I was biased against the defendant. That's why my hands are tied legally." She watched them troop out, and realized that those pain killers were working a little too well. Her body was becoming numb, and soon she was falling back into her chair, and sinking into blissful blackness.

Arthur Branch stood outside an apartment building attempting to make up his mind on how to approach the owner of 4B. When he entered, he found people crowded round the television listening to the news report on Wilcox' bench warrant, and raised his eyebrows questioningly. I wonder how that leaked to the press… There goes the hope of finding him and returning to the trial… The elevator was quiet as he advanced toward the 4th floor. Hopefully, the occupant of 4B would not be busy. The doors opened, and he headed a short piece down the hall. The television was on in the apartment. A good sign… He knocked softly, and was surprised when the door was opened almost immediately. "Arthur…"

"Amelia… I wanted to know how you wee holdin' up after…." He paused looking for the right words. Her face was a mask of unreadable emotion. She motioned for him to enter, and he did. "I'm fine… I just heard that the judge was threatened. Who do you suppose did that?"

"What? Eli-I mean Judge Donnelly was threatened? When did you hear that?" This was obviously news to him. She stared at the mix of horror and concern on her brother's face. "It was on the latest news report. They just said that she was threatened over the phone, and that SVU was searching for viable suspects. They said that Wilcox was one of them…"

"I didn't know…" He sat down massaging his temples. It was amazing that someone would openly threaten a judge when the line could be traced. What complete idiot would attempt that? Especially with Liz? "Would you be willing to testify against him?" This question surprised her a little. "I mean… the case won't be strong and solid without it."

"If I have protection, then yes. I don't want to risk what happened to happen again… Three days and nights of rape and torture are enough." Arthur gave Amelia a sympathetic look. She hadn't opened up and spoken a word about her abduction at all, and it was sheer luck that that slipped. "I know. I'll arrange it when we find him… He wouldn't dare another attack with that bench warrant out now. If anyone spots him, they'll try to turn him in for an award of some sort." She nodded, and he rose to his feet. "If you wanna talk, then please," He handed her his card with a work, cell, and home number written on it. "Don't hesitate to call. I'll always have time to talk." Arthur stepped out and headed down the hall with the hope that she wouldn't. It was painful enough to know that his parents had rejected her, and now she had to put up with this mess.

Casey sat in her office with John and Fin discussing the possible locations of the missing defendant and/or his attorney. So far things didn't look good.

"So basically he could be anywhere in the tri-state area. I mean he has money, good looks, and a smooth talking habit." Munch groaned as Fin elbowed him in the ribs. "Cheer up. Surely we can find him before he comes after you to shut you up." Casey smirked at their antics. It was good to have some humor during this frustration. "Well, I've already flagged his credit cards and his passport is virtually useless. We shouldn't have much of a problem. Border patrol is checking every car coming and leaving from New York."

"How'd you pull that off?" Fin raised a quizzical eyebrow. "You got some friends?"

"Had to call in a huge favor. Plus Mary Clark is using private sources."

"Technology is useless in this. It's good we have ex-judges on our side." Munch smirked as Fin made a face. "You really gotta shut up sometimes…"

Blackness enveloped her mind as Liz fell through an icy void. Her thoughts echoed loudly around her, and images of what she was thinking sprang up causing her to jump. Aaron Wilcox' bloody hands wrapped tightly around those women's necks, the sounds of muffled screaming, Arthur reaching out for something he couldn't grasp… When she tried to touch his hand, he faded away, and a cold laugh filed her head. Someone was watching her…

"You're too late…" The voice faded as soon as it had come. Pain shot through her body as it seemed she hit solid ground. It was wet and thick with a metallic scent. Blood… Again, her thoughts echoed loudly against the cruel silence. It was as if she was completely alone, isolated, and being broken down to nothing all under the watchful eye of an unknown person.

"Let me go!" She screamed as pain brought her to her knees. "God damn you…"

As if on cue, her eyes snapped open, and she found herself back in her chambers, freezing. Footsteps were heard, and a few seconds later Arthur came through the partially open door. "Elizabeth? What the hell was that all about? I thought something-" He stared at her facial expression. She looked detached at this point, alone, and shattered. It was as if she would break the second someone laid a careful hand on her porcelain skin. "Liz..?" He crossed the room in a few srides and laid a hand on her shoulder. She shuddered violently under his touch. It's as if his flesh burns with intensity… as if- She couldn't bring herself to look up into his ieyes that were more than likely filled with concern. After all, he was there when my husband decided to treat me like a worthless whore…. He knows more about me probably more than anyone… A single tear found its way to her eye, and slowly fell down her face. Arthur stared in amazement and confusion. "Elizabeth, I'm right here…" Those words seemed to hang in the air like a heavy fog before they finally sank in. Right here…