Disclaimer: I don't own anything…if I did, I'd live next to Bob Barker in Beverly Hills, drive a BMW 760 and other luxurious vehicles, and date 6'4'' sexy male model types. Unfortunately, I'm from Oklahoma, drive a ford escort, and my last boyfriend was 5'9''. You get the picture.

Ten months into their new relationship, Olivia goes missing. Will Elliot's grief destroy him before he finds her? Or will his instincts lead him to the truth?

A/N: Memories or dreams in italics


This chapter takes place a few days earlier…

"Liv wait!" she heard his footsteps not far behind her as she walked briskly up the stairs leading to her apartment. She quickly found the key she was searching for in her pocket and unlocked her door, taking one last glance at her partner before slamming it in his face.

Elliot sighed, lightly tapping on the door. "Olivia…come on. Let me in," she rolled her eyes on the other side of the door, refusing to let the sincerity in his voice affect her. "Let's talk Liv…let me in…I have a key ya know…" he fingered the various keys on the ring before finding the right one. "Damn," Olivia muttered under her breath as she sat on her couch with her arms crossed. In her angry state, she had forgotten he had a key.

He stared at Olivia, her arms crossed, eyebrow raised, and lips pouted. The thought of how cute she looked while upset crossed his mind as he thought of laughing, then realized that would only make matters worse. "Liv, look…I'm sorry okay?" Elliot sat next to her, touching her arm.

She moved away from his touch and stood suddenly. "Why'd you do that Elliot? You know how much I wanted this case. Why'd you have to go and tell Cragen it was a bad idea?" she put her hands on her hips.

"Olivia…it is a bad idea. These people are dangerous…you don't need to go undercover on this case. It's too risky," he stood as she furrowed her brow.

"Just because we're dating- that doesn't give you the right to tell me what I need to do! I'm grown, Elliot! I can take care of myself," the anger in her mocha eyes was apparent now as he moved closer to her.

"You can't always take care of yourself, Olivia. If you'd stop trying to be tough all the time, you'd see that. Someone has to protect you," he told her and noticed fresh tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

"I don't need protecting," she turned away towards her window to hide the tears she knew were coming. It was too late…she knew he had seen them. Elliot moved behind her and gently rubbed her bare arms. "Yes you do, Liv. Especially now. These people will kill anyone that gets in their way…I'm not gonna let you take a chance like that. I love you too much to let that happen." He felt Olivia tense up under his touch.

"What'd you say?" she faced him, her almond shaped brown eyes giving him a questioning gaze. "I said I love you. I'm in love with you, Liv. I can't let anything happen to you," Elliot admitted, wiping a lone tear off her cheek.

Olivia felt her heart beating faster at his admission. Any previous thought dissipated, as all she could think of was this man standing inches from her. He'd finally said the words she'd longed to hear for so long. "I love you…" she told him, feeling more emotional by the second.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned into her, the faint smell of his cologne invading her senses as his lips captured hers. He gently made his way down her neck, making Olivia weak in the knees. Her lips found his again as they continued to kiss passionately. "Make love to me," she whispered, as her eyes begged him to do the same.

Elliot easily lifted her off the ground and carried her to the bed, gently climbing on top of her. Their clothes were quickly shed and were scattered on the floor as his lips explored every crevice and curve of her body, eliciting soft moans from their recipient.

Olivia pulled him closer as he entered her and their bodies began to move in sync. Elliot hoarsely whispered her name…their lovemaking became more intense and breathing heavier as they reached the peak.

He held her close afterward, tenderly kissing her lips. "I love you, El." Olivia stared into his crystal blue eyes, only inches from hers. He brought his hand to her face, moving slightly damp golden-brown locks out of her face. A small smile appeared on his lips. "I'll never get tired of hearing you say that. I love you too."

--/--/--/--/--/--/--

"Elliot…" Olivia mumbled, her own voice rousing her from sleep.

She slowly opened her eyes, quickly remembering that she wasn't with Elliot. She sat up on the uncomfortable mattress, positioned in the corner of a small, dark room, laden with the stale smell of mildew. Her head throbbed as a wave of dizziness overcame her. She shouldn't have sat up so quickly.

Her hand made it's way to her head, finding the source of her pain…a large knot was forming on the back of her skull. He must've come back before she'd had a chance to free herself…that would explain why she was in a different room. That would also explain the knot…she'd been hit with something.

She stood up slowly, using the dim light from the lone window to guide her around the small room. Finally finding a doorknob, she turned it, only to find that it was locked. "Damn it," Olivia cursed under her breath, leaning her forehead against the wood.

It's not like she really expected it to be unlocked. No…that'd be too easy. For the three weeks she'd been with this maniac, she'd realized this wasn't the first time he'd done this. He was experienced in this field…he'd known exactly what he was doing.

Elliot had walked her to her front door, giving her a final kiss goodnight and promising to bring the kids by the following evening.

"I'll make spaghetti," she grinned, watching him turn around. "Sounds good. Love you," Elliot paused to stare at her as she blew him a kiss, turning and walking up the stairs. She couldn't wipe the grin off her face as she strode to her door, sliding the key in the lock. She reached inside and blinked her lights, letting him know she had made it inside.

As she turned back to take the keys out of the door, someone grabbed her and pressed a white cloth to her face. Olivia, with all her training, was no match for this man, much bigger and stronger than she anticipated. She barely had time to put up a fight once the substance overwhelmed her and she blacked out.

When she regained consciousness, she was bound and gagged with tight rope on a cold, bare floor. From what she could tell, he had taken her to an old rundown building…maybe a farmhouse. Olivia couldn't be sure. She attempted to untie the large knot holding her hands together in the back…he must've seen her struggling, because she soon heard footsteps approaching from the other corner of the large room.

His large frame hovered over her…he was so tall…maybe 6'6''. He bent down so he was squatting in front of her. His face was covered, but she could see his eyes-small, but piercing green eyes. Olivia had seen some evil people as a detective…but this man…just looking into his eyes gave her the chills.

"Well, well…sleeping beauty's finally awake," his rugged voice laced with a deep southern accent reached her ears. The distinct smell of marijuana overwhelmed her as he moved closer. Olivia glared at him, and gave him a swift kick in the groin with her bound feet. He grimaced in pain, groaning. Regaining some of his composure, he met Olivia's stare. "You bitch," he spat out, hitting her swiftly across the cheek with the back of his hand.

"You're gonna pay for that later. Trust me," he stood, walking in the other direction. Tears sprung to her eyes as she heard a door slam in the distance. Where was she?

Olivia's heart ached. She wanted to scream, cry, beat down the door…but she didn't have the energy. She wanted to succumb to the hopelessness she felt…but then she thought about Elliot. She thought of how much she loved him and the look he got in his eyes when she uttered those three words. Olivia longed to see the love in those big blue eyes again…feel safe in his warm embrace once more and kiss his lips.

She took a deep breath, suddenly feeling a little stronger. Olivia stood from her crouched position on the floor, turning back to the locked door. She gripped the knob as tight as she could, pulling on it with all her strength. She then took to kicking the door…yeah. She'd busted through plenty of locked doors in her day. What was one more? Even if it was from the opposite side and seemingly nailed shut.

"Ugh!" Olivia started to feel the door budge a bit, and started laughing to herself. "Are you out there, you sorry son of a bitch? Apparently the door's not as strong as you thought!" she yelled to whomever could hear her. Dizziness overcame her and her shoulder hurt like hell, but she didn't care. The door was almost … there…she got it.

Olivia stepped into the doorway, not seeing anyone down the long corridor. She moved into the hallway as quietly as possible. She made some quick observations about her surroundings. Apparently, it was some sort of old abandoned house…she was on the second floor…she could see a staircase leading up to what she assumed to be the third floor…or maybe an attic and the other downstairs.

She prayed no one was in the house. If he wasn't, this might be her one chance to escape. But what if he was? What if he had heard her yelling and was hiding somewhere just waiting to grab her? She took a deep breath, not wanting the fear to paralyze her. "Come on, Benson…" she quietly told herself, desperately trying to ignore the hunger pains in her stomach. She hadn't eaten in a few days, largely because she'd refused what little food he tried to give her. She didn't need to worry about food right now…there were more pressing issues at hand.

There were three more rooms on the hall. From what she could see, one was a restroom and the other two were likely bedrooms. The staircase was between the bathroom and the last bedroom at the end of the hall.

Olivia crept carefully along the rug covering the wooden floorboards. Just as she reached the top of the staircase, she felt a strong pair of hands grab her from behind.


Please Review…next chap will be up soon:D