Saving Simon

Chapter 3

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: No. Okay already. Not mine.

Author Notes: Our detectives arrive at Lucy's and the drama begins.

Elliot pulled up in front of a small house about 3 blocks from the beach. Liv jumped out and headed for the front door as Elliot grabbed their bags from the back of the SUV. He saw the door open before Liv even had a chance to ring the bell. Simon's wife was in her arms crying before he could make it up the sidewalk. He watched in admiration as Liv began to gently reassure her that everything was going to be okay. She knew they would not be able to get anything out of her if she didn't calm down. Elliot marveled at her ability to work with victims. Especially since she was so personally invested in the case. He knew she was just as worried as Lucy, but would never let it show like she had on the plane. She would be there for Lucy and for Simon. Elliot vowed to be there for her. He followed the women inside.

"Elliot. Right?"

"Yes. It's nice to see you again, Lucy. I'm just sorry it's under these circumstances."

"Me too."

"Is there someplace I can stow these?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. You both must be tired from traveling. I'm sorry. I only have one guest room, but it has two beds. It's the first door on the left."

"Not a problem. Liv and I have shared before."

"When?"

"What?"

"When have we ever shared a bedroom before, Elliot?"

"Uh, in the cribs, Liv. We do it all the time."

"Right."

"I can sleep on the couch if you prefer."

"No, you're right. It's not a problem."

Elliot headed to the room and found a queen size bed and a twin. He set his bag on the twin and hers on the queen and quickly returned to the living room.

"Lucy. When we talked on the phone you said Simon had been missing for a week, but then you said he called you and told you he was heading home. I'm confused."

"He's been gone for a week. He usually calls me every night, but I didn't hear from him the whole week. I kept telling myself it was because he forgot his cell phone, but he could have called me collect. He didn't. I was embarrassed to call his company at first, but I finally broke down and called them to find out what hotel he was staying at. They said they didn't know, that he had taken vacation time and was not at a conference. Olivia, he lied to me. He's never done that. That same night he called me from a D.C. area code and said he was coming home. I confronted him about not calling and was about to tell him I knew he wasn't at a conference when he cut me off saying he would explain everything when he got home. He said I needed to trust him and then he hung up. I tried to call the number back, but it went to voice mail. He has a second cell phone I didn't know about. Olivia, I just don't know what to think. I expected him home yesterday, but he didn't show up. That's when I called you. Now I'm scared. What if the police are right? What if he is living a whole double life I don't know about?"

"No way, Lucy. I know Simon loves you. I've watched the two of you for years now and I have never seen two people who love each other as much as you do. He loves you. He loves his son. Where is he by the way?"

"I sent him to stay with my sister. I couldn't face the questions. She has a house in Fort Lauderdale that's right on the beach. I knew he'd have fun and not worry about anything."

"Good. Listen. Elliot and I are going to his company and just see if there is any kind of problem there, okay? If we have to, Elliot and I will head up to D.C. tomorrow and look around as well. Will you be okay here by yourself? We really need to have someone here in case he comes home. I know it isn't easy to just sit here, but it's the best thing right now, okay?"

"Okay, but will you come straight back here? I'll make dinner and you can fill me in on what you found out. I don't trust his company. It's one of the biggest producers of drugs in the country. Simon has made some remarks about how they take short cuts sometimes when it comes to new drugs. He thinks there should be more money put into research of side effects."

"That's useful to know. We'll be back as soon as we can. Call me if you hear from Simon."

Olivia and Elliot headed out. When they arrived at his company the receptionist started giving them the run around. What was it with this town? This was Miami for crying out loud, not some small town.

"We'd like to talk to Simon Marsden's supervisor please?"

"And you are?"

"We're detectives Benson and Stabler. We're looking into the disappearance of Simon Marsden and I have a few questions."

"The company doesn't know anything about Mr. Marsden "disappearing". He's on vacation. If he is missing, I'm not sure the company could help you with that. We don't pry into the private lives of our employees."

"Look, just put me in touch with his supervisor, now!"

Liv was leaning over the desk and Elliot gently pulled her back before she could pull the receptionist across the counter.

"I don't want to get into anything here. I just want to ask a few questions."

"And I don't want to have to call security either, Detective Benson."

"What?" Liv was lunging around the counter when Elliot slipped his arm around her waist and held her back.

The receptionist jumped up with fear in her eyes and picked up the phone. "Security to the front desk. Security to the front desk."

"You're not going to let me talk to anyone are you? What are you people hiding? I'll find out. You know I will. It's just a matter of time."

Two security officers came through the double doors that led back into the offices. Elliot took one look and knew he needed to get Liv out of there before they got arrested.

"Come on Liv. They aren't going to be of any help." He grabbed her hand and started walking towards the door.

"No Elliot. They know something and I'm going to get some answers."

"Elliot leaned into her and whispered in her ear. "You're no good to Simon if you're locked in a holding cell. We need to get to D.C. and hit the last place Simon called from. Let's go before you do something crazy. By the way, you are so hot when you're angry."

He chuckled and Liv blushed. He could feel her relax and knew she was back under control. He watched her give the receptionist one final glare.

"I will find Simon and when I do, I'm coming back here."

One of the security guards held the door for them and Olivia turned back one last time as they exited. She gave both guards the once over. She turned to El when they got to the car.

"We could have taken them you know."

"I know and I know it would have felt great, but it wouldn't have accomplished anything."

"Oh yeah it would."

"What?"

"I would have felt great afterwards."

Elliot laughed as they moved to get into the SUV. He smiled at her over the roof of the car. "Benson, you worry me sometimes with that temper of yours. I know now why Cragen thought you needed a handler on this one."

"Ha ha, very funny. Get in the car, Stabler. You are loving all this just a little bit too much."

When they got back, Elliot and Olivia gave Lucy the reader's digest version of their visit to Simon's work place while she put dinner on the table. After dinner they sat down in the living room to let Lucy know their next move.

"We are heading out first thing on a flight to D.C. Elliot has Fin running the credit card numbers you gave us to see where Simon was or is staying there. We'll have them by the time we touch down. The flight is really early, so we're going to call it a night. Are you okay, Lucy?"

"Yeah. I just thought I'd hear from him by now. You being here and not hearing from Simon for almost two days makes it all too real. I can't lose him, Olivia."

Olivia wrapped her arms around Lucy and Elliot excused himself to get ready for bed. After he used the bathroom and brushed his teeth, he pulled a wife beater on and a pair of boxers. He slipped under the covers of the twin bed and listened to the soft sounds of Olivia's voice calming Lucy. He lay there looking at the ceiling and he began to feel the tension of the day roll off of him as he listened to her comforting her sister-in-law. She was so sweet. He smiled at the thought. She really was. He almost nodded off when he heard Liv come in and slip into the bathroom. He could hear her brush her teeth and move around getting ready for bed. She turned the light out before she came back into their room. He was sure she thought he was asleep and didn't want to wake him. He heard her slip under the covers in her own bed and sigh deeply. After a couple of minutes he thought he heard her sniffle and then he knew she was softly sobbing.

"Liv?"

Silence.

"Liv? You okay?"

"I…I thought you were asleep. It's okay Elliot. I'm fine. Really."

Elliot slipped out of bed and sat on the edge of hers.

"You're not okay, Liv. He's your brother and you are so busy taking care of Lucy that you've denied your own feelings. I know you're worried. Don't keep it from me Liv. I came along so I can be there for you. Let me? Please?"

Olivia sat up and was instantly in his arms sobbing into his shoulder. He pulled her close. He stroked her hair and whispered softly. "It's okay Liv. We will find him. I promise to stay with you until we do."

"El? Would you…?"

"Scoot over." He lifted the covers and slid in next to her pulling her to him. She snuggled into him and laid her head on his chest. The sound of his heartbeat comforted her. He ran his fingers through her hair and draped his other arm across her back. They settled down and in a short time he heard her breathing soften and knew she was asleep. He joined her soon after.