Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to update! Here's the new chapter! c:

Chapter Eight: Risks

May 18

11 : 46 p.m.

What the hell happened? My arm and head hurt all at once. Slowly, my vision focuses. After blinking a few times, I can finally see where I am. An empty store, I think. It's dark but I can see the racks of clothing out in the front. The front of the store is illuminated by the moonlight and I'm sitting in what's obviously the back with the inventory. I try to stand up or at least move but it's impossible. Whoever did this taped my wrists together behind the chair and my ankles are taped together as well. My purse is gone which means they took my gun. Suddenly, the light turns on and a man steps into the room. From what I could tell, I've never seen him before but he seems like he knows me pretty well.

"Olivia." His smile is menacing like I've done something to him.

"Who are you?" My head is throbbing with pain. I don't know what they used to hit me but it was a hard impact.

"Your new friend. A few others and I have been following your relationship with Elliot Stabler. We feel it's dangerous."

"My relation with Detective Stabler doesn't concern you or whoever you're working with."

He laughed, "That's where you're wrong, Olivia. We've collected enough research to know that you're in love with him."

"We're strictly partners." I lie. We're more than that; we're best friends.

"So why were you in such a hurry to leave your date with Nick Ganzer? Were you going to see Elliot?"

I don't answer.

"Well, we'll just see where you'll be going. I've placed a tracking bracelet on your wrist. Wherever you go, we'll know. Every conversation you have will be recorded. Take it off and we will find you, Olivia."

"Why are you doing this?" I ask.

"It's a complicated plan. Just know, any signs of affection between you two will be risky." He stands me up and removes the tape but keeps his gun pressed close to my hip.

"Now, let's go see Elliot."

This sucks. I'm beyond helpless right now. He has a gun pressed to my side so it'll be hidden but if I try and fight back then he'll easily shoot me. He forces me into the car and doesn't even bother to ask where we were going. He already knew, making it clear he, or whoever he was with, has been recording my phone calls. We pull up in front of the hotel and I get out.

"It's a shame Elliot's expecting you. You could've gone home much sooner." The stranger tells me. I get a better look at him and he's becoming a little familiar. I feel like I've seen him before now that I think about it, my memory is fuzzy though because he hit me in the head too hard.

"When you get in there, you're going to tell him you're in love with Nick Ganzer. The point is to push him as far away from you as possible. You're lucky we're not transferring him to another location. Trust me, if we could, we would. Do this right, and we'll let you go home right away."

Those were the most painful words I've heard all night. The point of meeting him in the first place was to tell him how I felt about him. I try not to cry, take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I walk into the bar and he follows me but keeps his distance. I can feel him watching as I speak to Elliot. It was heartbreaking to say all of this to Elliot and the pain and anger in his eyes only made it worse but why would he be angry? Probably because he's always hated Nick for what he's done. I hand him his alias sheet and prepare to leave. It's hard to pretend to be happy about something when I'm really not and say that I'm interested in someone I hate to the person I love.

As soon as Elliot leaves, the familiar stranger approaches me from behind. His touch makes me jump. We go back to the car and he takes me home.

"Good enough, Olivia. It'll keep you alive for tonight See you tomorrow at the club. Don't do anything stupid."

"What's your name?"

"Jake. Now, get out." He replies irritably.

I get out and he speeds off, his tires screech as he bolts out of sight. I go home, too tired to cry and too scared to go back to Elliot and tell him what happened. If I do that, then I'll be risking his life along with mine. If I told him I was being followed by someone who didn't want us to be close, then he'd do anything in his power to find him and get him in jail. Who knows who this person is teamed up with? Elliot could get killed.

The following day at the office the tension between Elliot and me was strong. He was still angry and I don't blame him but I have to act like nothing's wrong. I also have to pretend like I have a gun and I'm not vulnerable at all. Luckily, Cragen didn't question me about it. He only told me my new undercover job and a few hours later, without talking to Elliot, I was on my way.

The Metropolitan Night Club

May, 19

5 : 32 p.m.

The club was loud with music and busy employees but not crowded yet. I've never seen a club like this before. There is also a lot more nudity than most clubs we've been investigating. I can see why a stripper from here would be a target for rape. There are little to no clothes. Luckily the clothing I'm supplied with is a black, sleeveless and strapless, dress with high heels. Not to mention it's really tight to the point where it looks like I'm being suffocated. It's good to know I'm not the only one though. The, now bandaged, cut on my arm has been disguised with a ribbon for decoration. Many of the other bartenders are wearing it.

By the time the people started coming in, I remain behind the bar, pouring drinks but also looking out for our suspects. Elliot walks in soon after and then Fin. When Elliot sits down at the bar, we don't talk except for him ordering a drink. When I look up, I see Matthew Harring.

"Talk about a boyfriend in mourning." I mutter to Elliot. He looks over at then turns back to me.

"Maybe the vulnerability of all the girls here reminds him of Natashka." He replies. He makes a gesture towards Matthew and I walk over to him.

"Hey sweetie, what can I get you?" When I speak, I make sure my fake French accent is convincing enough.

"Whiskey." He demands.

What's a guy over twenty one doing with a girl as young as Natashka? She may be eighteen but she looks a lot younger which raises suspicions with their relationship. After about three or four whiskies, he's drunk enough to give the information I need.

"It's a shame that Natashka girl got raped." I begin and say it as if it's nothing.

"She coulda been killed." He replies with slurred words, "We shoulda never fought like we did."

"What did you fight about?"

"I-It," He's almost crying at this point, "It was something about her job here. It was something about her job here. She invited me here for our first official public date and I didn't like the fact she was around these other guys so I told her that and she got mad. She said if I didn't trust her then there's no point in a relationship together. Then, she went over to some stranger and began to flirt with him and got close to him to make me jealous. I went home shortly after. I don't know who she was with but he should somewhere around here. He always is."

When I finish with his story, I go back to Elliot, "His story checks out so far. He told me he went home before Natashka did. He said he saw her with Paul but he didn't see them leave the club that night."

Elliot looked around, "Paul isn't here yet, why don't you and I go dance?"

"Elliot, we can't. We have to be alert and-" I was trying to think of all the excuses I could so we wouldn't get close.

"Liv, why not? Matthew is the only person of interest here, Fin is outside looking for the other guys. He'll let us know." He smiles, oh shit, not that irresistible smile.

"Elliot, I just can't."

"Why? You've been avoiding me all day and whenever we do speak, it's with some bitchy attitude! What's wrong with you? Are you mad at me?"

"No, I'm not mad at you."

"Then prove it to me because you're not very convincing right now."

There's silence between us. The only noise is the loud booming music coming from the speakers in the distance. As the silence lingers, I'm lost in his blue eyes. The temptation to kiss him is strong but I try my best not to. My focus breaks when I see him taking my hand in his and leads me to the dancing crowd.

"El, I don't think I can do this. I haven't danced like this in a long time and I'm scared that I might mess it up." Anything to get out of this. Elliot doesn't listen; he's so stubborn.

"It's fine, Liv. Just trust yourself." He said and we danced.

Never has a dance been this intense like the one I experienced with Elliot. It was great but it only lasted a few seconds until I felt a pull on my arm. Shit, it's Jake. I forgot he was still watching me as well as tracking my every move. Nick was standing right next to him.

"Come with me please, Miss. Benson." He said as if he worked there. I looked over at Elliot, hoping he would understand the expression on my face which was one for help. He only stared at me, confused obviously, and watched me walk off with the two. They led me into the staff room and locked the door once the two were in. Jake grabbed my wrists and handcuffed them together. He pushes me back on the couch and takes a piece of duct tape and places it over my mouth. Does that keep me from screaming? No, I scream at loud as I can. The tape muffles the sound but I still hope someone can hear it.

"Nice try, Liv. It's pretty damn loud out there." Nick said and stood in front of me, "I tried the nice way but you didn't follow orders." He turned to Jake.

"Your job is done." He said.

"Okay, I'll send you a payment bill." Jake told Nick.

"I'll just pay you now." Nick replies and pulls out a gun and shoots him in the shoulder and hip. Jake falls to the ground outside of the room, screaming with pain. The gunshots make me jump and I'm a little nervous, the fear only grows when he closes and locks the door behind him.

A little side note: o: