Elliot drove towards his apartment confused by the events that had just taken place. He was trying to process what the captain had just accused him of, and couldn't believe he was suspended for three days. Elliot stopped by the store to pick up groceries on his way home, tempted to go back to the precint and find out what was going on. But he knew that he could not. Cragen was mad enough as it was with him, he didn't need to give the captain any further reasons to suspend him.
As Elliot stepped into his apartment with his groceries, he thought he heard a noise coming from his bedroom but decided that it was nothing. As he placed the bags on the kitchen counter he heard another noise coming from his bedroom. Elliot pulled out his gun, carefully maneuvering his way toward his room. When he opened the door, he stood in shock of who he saw.
"Jason Branson! What the hell are you doing in my house? Get your hands up!"
"I think not Detective Stabler."
Elliot was about to go towards Branson, but he felt sudden, sharp pain come across his head. Elliot looked around wildly, as he dropped to his knees from the pain. He saw two armed men come from behind him, as Branson came face to face with Elliot.
"You don't remember me, do you Detective?"
Elliot didn't have time to respond, as the butt of one the accomplices guns came across his temple. As Elliot fell to the ground, he couldn't help but succumb to the darkness that called out to him.
Cragen was writing a disciplinarian action in Stabler's file when he received a phone call.
"Elliot". he thought. "Why the hell is he calling me?"
As soon Cragen answered his phone, the caller hung up. Cragen decided the call was a mistake and went back to Elliot's paperwork. His phone rang again. He saw it was Elliot again. Cragen picked up his phone furious that Elliot would hang up on him.
"Stabler, you have a lot of nerve to hang up on your superior officer after you had just been suspended!"
The phone suddenly hung up again, before Cragen could say anymore.
" That's it!" he thought. "I am going to his apartment, and charge him with insubordination!"
The entire ride to Elliot's apartment was a blur, as the captain was so furious over Stabler's behavior. The captain practically ran up the stairs towards Elliot's apartment, banging on the door loudly.
"Open up, Elliot!"
The captain was suprised to find that the door was already partially open. He slowly opened the door, and began walking throught the apartment, noticing the abandoned groceries on the counter. When Cragen came to the bedroom door, he opened it carefully. Then his eyes grew wide with horror as he saw blood covering the carpet. It took him only a second for his eyes to focus on a single piece of paper next to the pool of blood.
Cragen read silently, "A person's past always comes back to haunt him."
Cragen took out his cell phone and called CSU to see if they could find anything at the crime scene that would help him find Elliot. Once they arrived, it was now his responsibility to return to SVU and tell the rest of the team.
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The eyes of Fin, Benson, Munch, and Huang were filled with horror as Cragen described to them what had happened. Each one was determined to do whatever needed to help bring Elliot back safely to SVU. Before anyone could speak, Alex Cabot ran into Cragen's office not bothering to knock. She had no idea that Elliot was missing.
"Captain! I just found out that the rape that was committed by Jason Branson was a fake. The vic lied about the whole thing. But that's not all. I found files that connect Branson and the 'vic' to a case Elliot lead five years ago."
The captain sat down on his desk in light of the news that the ADA had given him.
The captain looked the ADA in the eyes. "What case?"
"Well, apparently, he was working undercover with a gang of local terrorists. They raped and murdered a dozen girls before Elliot could infiltrate the gang and arrests could be made. He testified at the trial, and the leader of the group, Ron Daniels, got 20 years in prison. But evidently he was released 3 months ago on good behavior. His parole officer hasn't seen him since, and he has been on the top of the FBI most wanted list since."
Olivia was stunned. "So how is Branson and the 'vic' connected to this?"
The ADA continued, "Branson is Ron's half brother, and the 'vic' is his wife."
Cragen casts his eyes on his desk and his heart sank as he saw Elliot's file lying on his desk with a newly written disciplinarian report in the file. Cragen put his hands in his face and couldn't help but think that he sent Elliot into the hands of his kidnappers and into death's embrace.
OK. That it for that chapter. Reviews greatly appreciation! Any advice?
