A/N: I DO NOT own any part of the Law & Order franchise, or the song Sweet Sacrifice by Evanescence. This chapter will be very broken up. I'm totally improvising on the spot as I write this, so I won't know how it comes out of awhile.
Sweet Sacrifice
As John opened his eyes the room felt strangely silent. He looked over next to him to discover that Jodi wasn't there.
"Jodi?" he called sitting up. He got no reply. Instead, Sadie ran into the bedroom and jumped up on the bed before curling up next to him.
"Where's your mommy little girl?" John asked before picking up the furry little dog and getting out of bed. He walked around their huge suite. She wasn't in the bathroom, or anywhere else for that matter. He walked back into the bedroom only to then notice the note of her pillow.
He picked it up curiously looking at his name in scrawled scrip on the front before opening it.
John,-
I can only hope that you can forgive me for what I had to do. I love you. I can't express how much. More than anything in this world, in this universe. I'm so sorry but.... can't do it anymore. Because of me you are in danger. You and everyone I love. I should've listened to Anthony when he first arrived to warn me, but I was too selfish to do so. This is the second time I've put you in harm's way, and I love you too much to keep doing it. Please don't try to find me. You have no idea how hard this is for me. Goodbye John. I love you so much. I love you so-
The words were stopped short as the pen she used jerked off the page accompanied by several dark drops that John could only assume were tears. All at once it felt as though his world had just collapsed on top of him. She had left him.
He grabbed his phone off the nightstand before dialing her number. As predicted, it went right to voicemail. What the hell was he going to do? She was his life now. He wouldn't let her get far.
Jodi walked through the airport, letting her tears fall freely. She was surprised by how well her plan had worked. After leaving she drove to Cleveland before stopping at a gas station and dying her hair in the bathroom, then proceeding to the airport and getting the quickest nonstop flight to LA. John called her numerous times before she finally pulled the SIM card from her phone.
"You alright baby girl?" a guy asked as she brushed past him roughly, dropping her stuff.
"Sorry." she croaked, letting her now dark brown hair fall in front of her face.
"Here you go." he handed over her purse which had spilled out all over the place. Jodi watched his hands to make sure he hadn't pocketed anything.
"Thankyou." she muttered before standing up.
"Your welcome...need any help?" he asked, in an over-friendly way that Jodi caught on to immediately.
"I'm engaged." she cut him off before walking away. Her victory was only short-lived however, when the little reminder that she had just left the man she loved and probably wouldn't be coming back ran through her mind.
"Flight 953 from Cleveland to Los Angeles now boarding." the cool voice sounded over the intercom.
Jodi took a deep breath before walking towards the gate and saying goodbye to her life. She had left him behind.
"Munch! We got something!" Elliot ran into the squad room. John had immediately called Cragen and Claudia Williams before driving back to New York. His only priority was to find him.
"What is it?" John asked as he sat up in his desk.
"We found a car, matching the license plate and description of the one you and Jodi rented at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. They also got a credit card hit. Jodi bout a nonstop ticket to Los Angeles with her Visa."
"When does it board?"
"Half-hour ago. She's way up in the air by now."
"Damn it. Get me a ticket to L.."
"Wait, John you can't just get up and leave. You don't even know where's she's headed!" Olivia interjected.
"I'm going to talk to Anthony Jr. and Sr. I want that ticket when I get back." John commanded before pulling on his coat and rushing out of the squad room. They all stared after him, unsure of what to think.
"I'm going to try and find her mother. That woman knows more than anyone I'm sure." Elliot said before standing up. Other than John, he was sure he cared most about Jodi in the office. Their drunken hookup had actually blossomed into a rich friendship after she showed up at his house before Christmas with gifts for him and his family. Although they had kept it a secret from John, Elliot was coming to be closer to her than he was with Liv.
He walked out of the room as well, holding down the feelings inside. If something happened to her...he wasn't sure what would happen to him or John.
They had to find her.
******************
"Can I get you another drink?" a stewardess asked as she passed Jodi.
She looked up at her and nodded before accepting the drink gratefully. She was barely aware of anything going on.
"Um...I hope you don't mind me asking but are you alright?" the woman next to her asked. She was a young girl, around Jodi's age by the looks of it. She wore a military uniform which lead Jodi to believe she was on leave.
"Uh...not really to be honest." Jodi replied before turning to her and smiling as best she could.
"I can tell. I'm Erica by the way. Erica Saunders." she outstretched her hand.
"Jodi...Munch." Jodi replied before shaking it. At the thought of taking on John's name she smiled.
"Well Jodi...whatever it is I'm sure that you'll make it through." Erica assured her.
"I hope." Jodi looked out the window next to them at the clouds whizzing by.
******************
"I can't believe this, although I guess I could've told you it would happen." Anthony sighed from his bed.
"Any idea where she's going?" John asked.
"Well, if she's trying to play hero then she'll be looking for the Don."
"Where is he Anthony?"
"I don't know where he is directly. When I went to see him, they had me knocked out cold. I woke up at his place. She's smart, so she'll follow the chain. The first guy to start with would be Graeme Asimoli. I'll give him a call right now." Anthony said before grabbing his phone off the desk next to him.
John looked out of the window into the busy New York day. The entire time, he had been trying to hold himself together, but all he could think about was getting alone and letting it all out, and she wouldn't be there to help him.
"Graeme, it's Anthony." he spoke into the phone.
"Anthony? What the hell is wrong with you? Callin' up my cell phone like this. You tryin' to get the both of us killed?"
"Sorry man. I just....I need your help."
"Why should I help you?"
"If you don't, I can tell the boss that you were the one that stole those seven kilos of crack, not the Russians."
"Fine. What the fuck do you want?"
"Jodi. She's on her way to California to find the boss."
"That hot thing? Okay, but I need something in return. You go first."
"I need you to get me the information on the guys leading up to him so they can stop her before he reaches him."
"What is this a bad mafia movie? Fine....I get something though..."
"What?"
"That ass. For a night."
"You gotta take that up with her old man."
"Old man whatever. We makin' a deal or not?"
"Fine. Deal."
"Okay. Let me see what I can do man."
He hung up the phone before looking over at John, who was leaning against the windowpane looking more depressed than Anthony had ever seen anybody look.
"Chill out John we'll find her." Anthony assured him.
John met him with sad eyes. He could only hope.
*******************
"I should've known she would do something like this." Elizabeth said, looking out the window. Tears rolled down her cheeks swiftly and she made no effort to control them.
"Elizabeth, every second we spend is time that could be used trying to find Jodi. We have to find her before she gets to them. Please...just whatever you know." Elliot urged gently.
"Of course. There's over a hundred people between her and the Don. It'll take her at least two days to find him. I can give you a list of all the ones I've named for the FBI."
"That'll be good. You have any idea how to contact them?"
"Just a few of the older guys. I can't just call though and say...'I need you to look out for the girl you've been ordered to kill on sight and return her back to her fiance in New York.'"
"Well, I've got a couple friends on the LAPD who I know will be more than willing to help. We get a couple steps ahead of her and catch her before she can go to him."
"Do you really think that'll work?"
"Between you and I it has too. I don't know what Munch will do if he loses your daughter. I don't even think he'll be able to handle it."
"Please just find her. I can't handle the loss of my child, no matter how angry she is at me."
"To be honest with you I can't lose her either. We're going to find her. Why don't you come down to the precinct with me and I'll get the rest of the squad together so that we can work on this."
****************
Jodi walked through the gate, oblivious to almost everything as they arrived in LAX. The entire planeride she painfully listened to Erica talk about her husband. Each romantic story was like a painful twist in Jodi's heart. All she could think about was the love she had just left behind, and all the pain she had just caused him.
As she walked past a trash can she grabbed her credit card from her pocket before throwing it in. She would have no use for it any longer.
As she walked outside she hailed a taxi.
"Where to?" her driver asked as she closed the door and threw her luggage inside.
"Um, the closest motel. I don't care where." she replied before looking out the window, her heart beating thousands of miles a minute. She closed her eyes, shutting herself off from the world and the pain that was tormenting her body. It would be nothing compared to the pain that she was about to feel.
*****************
"John, are you sure about this?" Olivia asked as he pulled on his coat and shoved his phone in his pocket. He simply glared at her in return.
"Where's my ticket?" he asked. An officer raced over with it only a second later before handing it over to him.
"Okay, John before you go. So we've got most of L.A. on the lookout for Jodi, and a cab driver got a facial recognition on her."
"Where at?"
"Leaving LAX. She dyed her hair, but it's not not that drastic of an appearance change. He said he dropped her off at a motel 25 miles away."
"Name?"
"Good Times. Really sleazy place."
"Then she knows that's the last place anyone would look. Thanks El. Call me as soon as you get anything."
He bolted through the squadroom before rushing down to his car and making his way to JFK as fast as humanly possible.
As he drove he looked down at the clock on his dashboard. It had already been four and a half hours. He knew Jodi was well in Los Angeles by now, but as to what she was doing he could only pray.
***************
Jodi carefully grabbed her phone as she waited for the freshly applied spray-on tanner on her skin to dry. She was going through all lengths possible besides surgery to assure she wouldn't be recognized.
She dialed each number slowly on the pay-as-you-go phone she had just bought before waiting for an answer.
"Hello?"
"Is this Adam Lazzoli?"
"Yes, and who would this be?"
"Jodi Stanford."
"Jodi?! Hey baby girl we haven't talked in ages!"
"I know. I'm calling with a favor Adam."
"A favor...well I don't know if I like the sound of that. You call me months later without so much as a word before asking for a favor?"
"Okay, I'm sorry we've lost contact, but remember, you owe me one."
"True. So...this line safe?"
"I'm 100% certain on my end. Any mistakes will land on yours."
"Good. What do you need?"
"FBI Files."
"Which ones?"
"Pertaining to an ongoing case from 1992. Claudia Williams is the handler."
"Go on..."
"It was between my mother, Elizabeth Stanford, and her ties to the Los Angeles branch of the Italian Mafia. She named alot of names and I need those names."
"You know the case file number?"
"5LK910ZJ20615"
"I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks man. Call me back as soon as you get them."
As soon as he hung up she stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. Her skin was a complete had darker than it's normal hue, and after she did her hair and makeup she would be virtually unrecognizable with the exception of her body which she would simply have to deal with.
Pressing her skin to test that it was dry, she stood up before grabbing the blonde wig she had just purchased and slipping it onto her head. It fit around her volumous hair which took some serious slicking back like a glove and fell straight past her shoulders and down her back. She took a moment to adjust the bangs before grabbing the dress she planned on wearing for her little "mission" off a hanger before sliding it on. The tight dress slide up her heavenly body with little struggle before she pulled the straps over her arms, praying it hadn't messed up her new tan.
Her phone rang once again on the bathroom sink and she picked it up.
"Hey it's me. I'm looking through the FBI database as we speak. Meet me at the Morrocan Prince in an hour. It's a bar. 9027 Ivy Avenue."
"Alright I'll see you there. I'm telling you know...I'll be looking a little different."
"Pray tell how?"
"Blonde hair. Fake tan."
"Oh? You running from somebody baby girl?"
"That's none of you cousin sweetie . Bye."
She hung up the phone before sighing and starting on her makeup. A near half-hour later she could barely recognize herself in the mirror. For the final addition she dug around in her purse for a pair of brown contacts before putting them in. As predicted, the green still showed through but they gave her the mild appearance of hazel eyes.
She quickly packed all of her stuff up before heading out, knowing it wasn't smart to stay in the same motel for more than a night. She walked through the dingy lobby before glancing at the receptionist. He stared at her in short lived confusion before realizing she had changed her appearance. He waved it off. His place was a magnet for illegal activity, and he was used to people coming and going during all hours of the night looking for a way to elude the law.
Jodi made her way into the early morning sun to the car she had waiting. After making a phone call to an old friend, she easily convinced them to let her rent a car in their name. The bill would be taken care of privately and confidentially.
She got in before throwing her stuff in the backseat and driving out into the day.
John tapped his foot impatiently as he watched the clouds drift past his window seat. All he could think about was Jodi. He could even smell her unique scent of fruits and spices.
He cried freely on his way to the airport. He knew deep down inside that Jodi had left out of love, but at the same time it still hurt him that she didn't trust him enough to simply let him handle things. Just the thought of her being harmed out that made him grip the seat in tension.
After collecting information from Jodi's family, John was able to predict where she would be headed first. The only issue in question would be when she got there.
The young man next to him looked over before speaking for the first time in two hours.
"Have problems flying?"
John looked over at him in surprised before replying. He was hardly aware of anyone to tell the truth.
"Um, no just...some stuff going on right now."
"Ah I see. Headed to L.A. to see someone?"
"Yeah actually. My fiance."
"Really? I'm coming out to see my wife. I'm flying in from Afghanistan and she's coming in from Iraq. We're both meeting at my parent's house."
"Wait, so you're both in the military?" John asked, grateful for the distraction.
"Yeah. She went in before me. Haven't seen each other in two years now. We got married before we were deployed back in '08."
"Wow. How do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Go through everyday knowing she's experiencing the same or even worse things than you."
"Oh. I just have to hope she'll be alright. She's my world, but she can make her own decisions. Here's a picture of her." he dug through the pocket's of his uniform before pulling out the picture and handing it to John.
He looked at the mystery woman who by fate introduced herself to Jodi as Christene a few hours earlier.
"Congrads. She's a good looking woman." John handed the picture back.
The man laughed before looking over at his seatmate.
"Tell me about your girl."
"Well...she's everything I've ever imagined...."
******************
Jodi sat at the bar, her legs dangling endlessly from her stool. As Adam walked in she couldn't help but smile. From their early childhoods, Adam seemed like he would turn out nothing short of a genius, and here he was hacking FBI files for her.
As of now he worked as a biochemical engineer, while doing computer hacks on the side. He had grown handsome too, as she had predicted but she still saw the boy she remembered behind the seemingly-mature stubble growing across his jaw.
He looked around wildly, she knew looking for her trademark fiery head. She stood up before walking over to him.
"Adam." she said quietly in his ear.
He jumped before looking down at her, automatically thinking the feds had finally sent someone after him.
"It's me."
As he continued to stare at her recognition hit and his jaw dropped.
"I told you I'd look a little different." she shrugged before grabbing his hand and leading him to a booth in the back on the bar.
"Yeah but I didn't think you'd mean completely unrecognizable."
"Sorry for the inconvenience. You got what I need?"
"Yes I do, but can't we have a drink first?"
"I would but I've got somewhere to be."
"Fine have it your way. Here's what I found. I was only able to get names, but not locations of these people, but I can tell you about 60% of them are here in L.A."
"Can I have them then?"
Just as he was about to pass them over a waitress walked over to their table.
"What can I get you guys?" she asked. Jodi couldn't help but notice Adam's eyes linger on the woman's body, which was obviously made of more silicone than an airplane. She mentally pushed it to the back of her mind and prepared to use it later on him if necessary.
"I'll have an appletini." Jodi said fluttering her lashes snobbishly. Adam glanced at her and suppressed a grin before ordering a beer. Their waitress pranced off leaving the both of them alone together.
Adam grabbed her hand before dropping a flashdrive into it. She pulled back as the waitress returned with their drinks.
Already planning she grabbed the arm of the waitress.
"Excuse me, would you mind telling me what the fuck you're doing looking at my boyfriend like that?" Jodi snapped.
"Um, how about excuse you. I haven't looked at your boy here, he was all eyeing me."
Jodi looked at him before throwing her drink in his face and standing up.
"Fuck you!" she spat before storming out of the bar and hoping her little performance wa convincing. Hopefully Adam would forgive her for it too.
She walked out to her car before getting in. Her first challenge. She was more ready than ever.
*****************
"I just landed at LAX. You guys pick anything new up?" John asked as he rushed through the airport.
"No, but FBI just got something. Someone just hacked their database, and got hold of the files pertaining to her mother's case. We can only assume that whoever it was is helping Jodi out."
"Can't you find the IP address?"
"No. Whoever it was knew just what he was doing."
"Wait, there's something I don't understand here. Why is she going through all of this when she can just walk out into the open? They're all looking for her."
"Because, she's trying to go there so that she can get them to stop trying to hurt you or her family. If she just steps out into the open, there's no guarentee that she'll even reach the Don before he kills her. By going directly to him she can assure that she gets her message to him."
"Oh yeah. See if you can find out who it was then. I'm going to find the cab driver claims he saw her."
*****************
Jodi walked up to the bouncer confidently, knowing he would let her in. He nodded before lifting the velvet rope and walking into the club. The night clouds were just rolling in by the club was already packed with sweaty bodies, dressed to impress someone.
She looked around before walking to the bar, a specific target in mind.
As she got closer she spotted her target. Two men talking closely over drinks. One had long wavy hair which reached the nape of his neck and broad shoulders, while the other was older. Early 50s maybe. Rings adorned each of his fingers and he wore a leather jacket. Streaks of grey adorened his air signifying age.
Jodi walked over to the bar before sitting down and slapping her hand on the surface loudly.
"What can I get you?" the bartender rushed over.
"Stoli Martini. Extra-dry."
"That'll be on me." the younger man interjected before switching places with his older friend.
Jodi glanced at him before grinning behind her hair.
"Thankyou." she made brief eye contact before crossing her long legs. As predicted, his eyes were immediately drawn to them.
"You're quite welcome." he grinned handsomely.
Jodi allowed herself a wry smile before her drink arrived. She took a sip before biting her lip seductively and turning on the charm she had used to bring on countless other guys in her life.
"So...you got a name?" he asked, letting his hand brushed her smooth legs.
"Yeah I got a name." she took another sip.
"Well to be quite frank honey I don't like to work for my meal so why don't you just tell me what it is."
She giggled before replying.
"It's....Julliet."
"Julliet? Nice. I'm Nick."
"Nick? Nice."
He watched her lustfully before leaning in a little closer.
"Girl like you...got a boyfriend?"
"No." she lied smoothly.
"Girlfriend?"
"No."
"Animal fetish?"
"Fuck no."
"Then what?"
"What does that mean?"
"That means...how is a girl like you not hear with about a dozen guys on your arm?"
"Girl like me?"
"Girl who's hotter than anyone I've ever seen before. So....how about you dance with me and maybe we can see where it goes."
"You seem so sure that I won't reject you."
"That's because I know you won't."
"Cocky?"
"No, certain."
"Hm. Fine then...let's dance."