Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

A/N: Here's the next installment. I apologize for taking so long. My muse hates me. Enjoy

"I will never let you go."

Chapter 4: Verdict

Alex pulled away from Elliot slowly, trying to get a grip on her emotions and not look like a bigger fool in front of the squad than she already did. Alexandra Cabot did not display emotions. She hated to. Sniffling, she gently wiped her eyes. She needed to remain strong. For Olivia, she reminded herself. Elliot helped her take a seat next to Munch and Cragen, and she gratefully accepted the warm arm that the Captain wrapped around her shoulders. It wasn't anything like Olivia's grasp, but it would help.

"Sorry," she muttered softly, looking up at Elliot through misty eyes.

He smiled softly, forgiveness in his eyes, before he began to walk off, no doubt to go wash Olivia's blood off his hands. The silence that followed was deafening. She wanted the doctor to hurry up. She needed to know her girlfriend's condition. Waiting around was maddening. Elliot returned a few moments later, his hands free of blood and a cup of coffee in his hand. He held it out to her, a gentle smile on his lips.

She took it carefully, "Thank you."

She stared at the doctor in shock, trying to get a hold of her already scattered emotions. Olivia wasn't dead. She had to be grateful for that. But for the love of her life to be in a coma? That…that just wasn't fair. She could vaguely hear Cragen asking about her condition. The doctor answered back, something about being allowed to stay the night. Yes, that would be nice.

"Alex?"

She blinked at the sound of her name, focusing on Cragen, "What?" Her voice held no malice, nothing but confusion, though only at the situation.

The doctor had gone, leaving them to their thoughts. The Captain placed a hand over top of hers, "Did you want to go see Liv first?"

She wanted to shout that seeing her girlfriend in a coma would do nothing, would accomplish nothing but cause her more grief, but she reminded silent, focusing all of her energy on keeping a tight rein on her emotions.

In the end, she went last. It wasn't because she didn't want to go first (because, God, she did, more than anything) but rather because the squad needed to see her first, though they would object to that very notion. Stabler had gone in first, and then Munch, Fin and Amanda. Not too long, a minute or two at most, to make sure that she was still…

Cragen had sat down beside her, allowing her the quiet she needed, and the unspoken agreement with his detectives lasted until Amanda had come back. He stood, allowing Elliot to take his place.

It was only when she was sitting in the chair by the detective's bedside, holding her hand gently, stroking the soft skin, did she speak.

"I'm sorry, Olivia. For this morning. I shouldn't have gotten so angry because of your work hours. We tend to fight a lot about that, and I'm sorry," their argument began to surface, but she pushed it aside. Now wasn't the time to dwell. She glanced at the detective, wishing she'd wake up. "I love you so much."

A nurse came in to check the brunette's vitals. A soft smile played on her lips, speaking to Alex as she left, "It might help to talk to her, tell her a story."

Elliot slammed the file onto the table, in front of Thomas Crane. The young adult barely flinched, his eyes meeting Elliot's.

"I want answers," the detective growled out.

"I want a deal." He was cocky. Annoyed. Maybe a little pissed.

"Tell us what you know and then we'll talk a deal."

"I did it," Elliot's eye twitched. The little bastard was proud?

"What did you do?" Amanda asked from where she was leaning against the wall in the back of the room.

"I raped and murdered Katherine and Melissa."

"Why?" Elliot growled out.

"They broke the pact."

"What pact?"

"Servi Mortis' pact. We serve a higher power."

"Who's all in Servi Mortis?" Rollins asked.

He smirked. Smug bastard, "David and Joshua Vandermalt, Katherine, Melissa and I."

"Why did you shoot Detective Benson?"

"I didn't. David and Joshua did."

"Why?" Amanda pressed.

He frowned in disgust, "She's living an unholy life. It's horrible."

"What was the pact between Servi Mortis?"

"You must remain holy to the Lord. Betrayal equals death."

"So you're telling me that Katherine and Melissa were involved?"

"Yes." His eyes were harsh and cold. "And they needed to be taught a lesson."

Cragen was hanging up the phone when El and Rollins exited Interrogation.

"Fin and Munch just arrived at David and Joshua's house. Joshua's dead. Looks like David shot him."

"Where's David?"

Cragen frowned, "Not sure."

Elliot looked through the glass at Thomas, a frown on his face. Where would he go? Where? God, damn it, if he knows we're on to him, he'd want to tie up loose ends…His eyes widened and he shot out of Cragen's office.

"Captain, call the hospital. Tell them not to let anyone in until I get there!"

"Elliot?!" Cragen called after him.

"He's after Olivia!"

"Rollins, go with him! I'll get Munch and Fin to meet you two there."

Alex pressed a kiss to Olivia's knuckles, "Liz and Lena are going to come and visit you in a little while, so I can go home and grab a shower and a bite to eat. If you could see me now, you'd know that I look horrible. You wouldn't say that though. You'd say something completely cheesy about looking worse than me." She chuckled softly, wiping away a stray tear. "I really don't mean to be crying. You're going to be okay."

Footsteps echoed down the hall, beginning to slow. The attorney stood, believing it to be the two judges. She turned, opening her mouth to speak, and came face-to-face with the barrel of a gun, two harsh green eyes staring into her blue.

A/N: Cliffhanger until the next chapter. I hope everyone enjoyed this one. I apologize for the long wait. I'm beginning to lose interest in this story (which has never happened to me before) but I am determined to finish it for you all. Also, I'd like to apologize because this chapter is as long as I wanted it to be, and I also said that I was going to do a longer chapter. Forgive me. Please don't forget to review.

Hime no Kowai Shumi