DISCLAIMER: The copyrighted characters of any TV program, movie, or published work of fiction are the property of their owners/creators. In this case, Law and Order SVU and Dick Wolfe. No copyright infringement is intended and nothing is being made. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. AUTHOR'S NOTE: Feedback is greatly appreciated (good or bad). Single quotes indicate thoughts. The subject is sensitive and I will stick to the medical facts as best I can. ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
OUT OF NEW YORK
Chapter 10: Teeth Too White.
The smell of airplane fuel reeked in the air. The loud straining pitch of jet engines drowning out any possible thought. Inside the hanger, her bags were being searched. Bits and pieces of her strewed across a stainless steel table. Today her intimates, yesterday, it probably held the greasy contents of engine parts.
"This can't go." The young property sergeant held up her Goode brush. "This either." Her toothbrush and paste were placed in a plastic bin. She didn't have to ask why. To American. She would get spotted immediately.
"These are the replacements." The sergeant held up a flimsy plastic comb, a toothbrush that looked to be left over from WWII and a tube that had unrecognizable characters on it. She read it, Mouth Cream. She smiled to herself. She was beginning to think like an afphganny.
Washington near the hill was not hard to get around on your feet. Alex had several routes to her office. One for beautiful sunny days, one for crisp autumn evenings and the public transportation service for rainy and snow. This evening she sat in the back of a taxi. She was barely aware that they had pulled up to Olivia's building.
"Miss, this the right building?" A polite way for the cab driver to repeat to the beautiful woman in the back they had reached her destination.
"Oh, yes." Alex slid forward to see what she owed. She didn't ask for change. Stepping to the curb she looked up. She knew which window was Olivia's. Alex had driven, walked ridden her bike past the building several times over the last six months. She never, however, had the courage she had now to go in.
The building was circa 1940's but the lobby was ultra modern. Minimal. Not warm or too inviting. Was she doing the right thing?
"Can I help you?" A roundly gentleman behind the security desk looked up slowly from his newspaper.
"I'm looking for Olivia Benson." Alex was hesitant to give Olivia's name. She wasn't sure if Olivia was using her real name.
"What is the nature of your business with Ms. Benson?" He gave a wry smile. She was pretty, but that had fooled him before.
"I am a friend of Olivia's. We work at the state department together." Alex reached into her bag, the guard stood rapidly. A startled Alex dropped her bag and it's contents on the floor of the lobby. Bending over she quickly looked for her badge. She held it up for the guard to see while shoving the fallen items back into her purse. She felt herself start to cry with panic.
"She left." The guard said reaching over the top of his desk to hand Alex her badge. He shook it at her twice to get her attention. Alex was still on the floor putting her wallet back together. She stopped abruptly when she realized what the guard had told her.
"What? When? Where?" Alex stood up quickly the rotund guard stepped back and placed his right hand on his gun.
"About an hour ago. I don't ask where." He let that sink in. He knows not to offer any more information then was asked. Thirty years in the military was not going to be lost on a beautiful blonde with long legs, again.
"Do you know when she is coming back?" Desperation was hurling rocks her way.
"I don't think she is." He began to feel sorry for her. "She left her keys and took her duffle with her." He ran his stubby fore finger over his chin. "Looks to me like she was shipping out."
"No! She can't be." Alex felt panic fill her body. "Can I just have the key and see her apartment?" He stared blankly at her. "I left an important file at her house and I need it for tomorrow."
"Well, you are from the State department and well I don't see the harm in it." He took the key from the desk drawer and handed it to her. She grabbed it and headed for the elevator. "It's 50…"
Alex entered the elevator, "506!" The door closed. The guard began to question his judgment.
"Your passport and ID?" The sergeant asked.
"They should be in the bag." Olivia replied.
"No such documentation."
"What?" Olivia grabbed the bag and rumbled through it. "Damnit! Oh sorry."
"Benson is there a problem?" SA Collins was a man of little words and patience.
"I seem to have left my passport and ID at home." Olivia gave the same stiff response.
Collins looked at his watch. "You are our only live cargo. You have till 200 hours to retrieve and return."
Olivia didn't respond. She headed for the hangers entrance calmly.
Her mind focusing on where it could be in her apartment. She climbed in the awaiting sedan. Her mind settled with relief. She was second-guessing her commitment to the mission.
Alex fumbled with the key. It was almost as if she were drunk trying to get into the door. Finally, the key fit, she took a deep breath before opening it. It was dark. Only shadows filled the now sparse room. Her hand reached for the light. The illumination did not improve the room's condition. Boxes were stacked against the far wall. Alex walked around the room slowly. She looked out the window and saw the view. She tilted her head just so, like Olivia described, and she could see the Washington Monument.
"Are we really all that different?" Alex said aloud. She leaned her head against the window.
"Shouldn't be long." Olivia shut the door to the sedan. He words fell on deaf ears. The soldier just kept his hands on the wheel and mind in observation.
With quick steps she was in the lobby and headed for the elevator.
"Ms. Benson!" The guard yelled after her. She just gave a slight wave, and stepped back from the elevator door to let a somewhat drunk couple off. She watched them walk towards the door arm in arm with a slight challenge to their step. Shaking her head entered the lift. She punched 5.