AN: This chapter is super long. I apologize. I just got carried away. Usually I don't write this much in a chapter. Hope it's not too overwhelming. I know was getting a little overwhelmed. ANYWAY- The song is "Sweet Surrender" by Sarah McLaughlin.
Capture the Flag
Star smoothly braked the Crown Vic to a dark corner of a Brooklyn alleyway. She winked at Elliot and said in her devilish shit kicking tone ", you ready to kick some ass?"
Elliot's mid-brow crease formed and he sat next to her almost confused. "Ah…I guess. Wait, wait, wait, how are we gonna do this without getting caught? We're gonna just walk in there?"
Star looked at him crossly. "Yeah. Grab your gun and focus. Getting past the guard is gonna be a mild pain in my ass, but I've gotten through worse."
"Shouldn't we write out a plan before we go stomping through there without warning? I mean, what if this whole thing is a trap?"
Star laughed and applied a layer of lipstick after loading her gun and pulling the safety. "That's the difference between Pencils and horses, Stab. Pencils are sharp but a horse can be led. Follow my lead young lamb."
Elliot had just driven for 8 hours with her wise cracks, her crass behavior, her bizarre metaphors, and her non-stop conversation, and although, she was hilarious in small doses, somewhere in the middle of Pennsylvania her heroic stories of undercover jobs and growing up in Tennessee were starting to wear him down.
After awhile he'd just started to nod and smile. She was what his daughter would refer to as "A nutter."
She strummed to the beat of her own drum, you did what she said no matter how crazy it sounded, and you never interrupted her.
Now in the haze of the early morning, Elliot sat in a mind battle between saving the day and saving his own hide.
"What's the matter, Stabler, never played without the band?"
"Ah…yeah, I don't even know what that means, but I'm not going in there without some protection and possibly some back up."
With a great sigh, Star pursed her lips and padded him on the back. "You're such a nancy, Drew. You expect to walk through Academy grounds with vests and visible weaponry?"
"No, but I don't see how my wrinkled suit is going to blend in either. Not to mention I have kids. I'm not risking my life and my livelihood without a plan and back up."
"So what are you saying? You'd go in there unarmed if you knew it was your kid?"
"No! I'm just saying that in my Unit we go prepared. And I would be no good to Anna- I mean, the victim if I died. Don't you know anyone in there who could get us in legally?"
Star began to rip the seat belt from her side and spoke with great speeds of vehement annoyance. "Now why would I have friends at the pork fry Police Academy? What do I look like, Federal pigeon stool? Goddamn you cops with your safe haven blueprints and your gadgets. Call your back up, Stabler," She chucked her phone at him. "You better have good fuck'n friends, who can keep their yaps shut and enjoy putting their jobs on the line."
Elliot sat with the phone in thought about who he was going to call. Munch and Fin were about the only people he knew, but he hated to ask them for such a risky favor.
"Stabler! Little girl dieing. Make it snappy!" Star yelled as she got out of the car and popped the trunk, whining and hissing the whole time. "I don't wanna go in the big bad basement without my back up team. Fuck'n where's my back up team? I never get a back up team. Goddamn PD's. Breaking into the Police Academy and he's worried about back up. HA! We got a whole flipp'n building full of trigger happy cops and he's worried about a protection plan. I'm not a health insurance company, Stabler!"
She pulled the bulletproof vest and a copy of In Touch Magazine from the trunk and slammed the lid shut.
SCENE
Meanwhile, in a state of vengeful anger, Olivia paced back and forth, outside of Munch's apartment building. "Ok, ok, we call Fin. Have him get the videotapes from this building. Then call Burt Trevor, drop the box and…Elizabeth off at the lab."
Munch stood in his sweat pants and undershirt looking at the box of dead cat in his hands. "Olivia, it's 2 am. Nobody is going to be at the lab."
"Make them be there! We have no time! I have to figure out his next move before somebody else dies."
SCENE
"Charlie do you want more chicken?"
Casey sat next to Charlie in her small dining room space. It was the first time she'd ever used the dining room table for eating on.
Most of the time it was a place where junk mail and car keys went to die.
Charlie shook his head and scrapped at the plate with his fork. He was calm and clean, and he wore a pair of brown slacks and a button down shirt that Casey got from a men's clothing store next to the Precinct.
It was like having a large pet. He rarely spoke, he didn't cause any trouble, and his head wounds were healing quickly.
Since Melinda was having problems of her own and Charlie wasn't causing any, Casey decided she could handle him without twenty-four hour supervision.
She did hire a nurse to come by while she was at work, but in the evening she fell into a delusional version of how she'd always pictured them together. Not to mention, she liked the company, and she did rather enjoy his occasional interactions.
Through small bites of chicken and rice, she read a few files next to her plate and spoke her opinions out loud. Melinda's case was coming up fast and she wanted to build a strong case.
Each thought was directed at Charlie's disconnected gaze, as if he were going to answer her. "Alright, Charlie, help me out here. We've got this e-mail, which was sent to Olivia Benson at 11:20am, according to this. Hah! Because anonymous government evidence is so accurate."
Charlie starred at her as she waved a fork around in her brainstorm of a conversation. When Charlie sat unaffected she laughed at her own sarcasm and continued. "So this email was sent five minutes after the meeting our Unit had with the, oh-so inviting- Federal bullies. That's not so good-BUT- it's not connected to Jackson Zane. I mean, really Char, for all we know the 'anonymous' source was the culprit to this public leak. My client was only looking out for her child victims when she sent this confidential evidence to Detective Benson. My client is being framed. And as for Olivia Benson's involvement with Jackson Zane, the evidence is clear. There isn't any! Unless Jackson and his lawyer are planning on presenting the court with something new, this case is bogus!"
Charlie grabbed the fork from Casey's hand and she jumped.
"You eat," he said.
With a shaky hand he poked at the chicken on her plate and moved it towards her mouth.
"Charlie, I will. Finish your green beans."
"Eat."
Ungracefully he pushed the chicken near her mouth. Her lips touched the fork and opened to receive his notion.
She watched him cautiously. The fork slid from his hand and he lightly touched her face. "Casey."
His hand was warm and firm, like that of the man she once knew. She smiled into the palm that cupped her cheek. "Thank you, Charlie."
He got up from his chair and knelt on the floor beside her. Lightly he touched her hair and her face. It was almost as if he were blind and seeing for the first time.
Casey took in his every move and couldn't decide if she should get ready to hold him down or let him finished his emotional thought. She didn't want to upset him and he seemed serene at the moment.
Gently she touched his hand and kissed it as she backed away nervously.
"We should clean up the table." She handed him his plate. "Can you take that to the sink?"
He dropped the plate on the floor and touched her hands and arms.
Casey's voice wavered, but she wasn't sure how to react. He moved his hands up the side of her arms and touched the necklace on her collarbone.
The gold chain wrapped around his finger and he put his eyes up to the little pearl connected to it.
"You gave me that. Do you remember?"
He didn't answer her. He just looked up at her like an unpredictable animal with sad eyes. And then through heavy breathing he kissed her.
Casey's eyes remained open and astonished. She was almost afraid of what could happen next and then she pushed him away. "Charlie, that's not appropriate. Clean up your dinner, please."
She grabbed her unfinished dinner and rushed to the kitchen. Standing next to the phone she hesitantly grabbed the receiver and dialed the numbers.
"Hello."
Fin's voice filled her ears as Charlie came into the kitchen with his plate neatly held in his hands. His eyes were vacant again.
"Hello?"
It was too embarrassing for her to explain. Quickly she hung up the phone and stood indecisively next to the phone.
SCENE
"Munch, are you alone," Elliot asked from his cell phone.
Munch looked up from his phone at Olivia, who was pulling at the video camera on his building as they spoke.
"Ah…kind of. What do you need?"
"I need a favor. Can you get to the Brooklyn Police Academy?"
"Having second thoughts about the job?"
"Funny. I need to you be here in case we need back up."
"What's wrong with your partner?"
"Lake can't know about this. I need you to do this as a favor and not as a cop."
Elliot's lack of information was unnerving, but seeing as Munch was already housing a wanted ex-Detective and openly rebelling against the Fed's, he figured adding one more secret mission couldn't make things much worse.
"Fine, we'll be there soon."
Olivia started to wiggle the camera from the building. "Liv, you don't have to pull the video camera off the building to call my landlord."
"Munch, don't tell Liv-" Elliot began, but it was too late.
Olivia jumped off the concrete wall, yanked the phone from Munch's hands, and flipped it shut.
Elliot looked at the silent cell phone.
"Munch? Can you hear me? Stupid things."
Star opened Elliot's car door and handed him a bulletproof vest. "Ok, here's the plan. There's a door back there. Go stand by it. I'll let you in when I get past security. There may be a camera by the door. Don't get caught."
Elliot nodded and pointed at the magazine in Star's other hand. "Plan on doing some light reading?"
"It's for the guard. If he's anything like the guy who worked here when I went through, he'll be distracted by Brangelina for at least an hour."
"Fabulous plan. I love putting my trust in the Paris Hilton interview."
Star winked at him and ran for the front of the building.
SCENE
"You want to not say my name while you're in the middle of a phone conversation, Munch!!!!"
Angrily Olivia forced the phone back into his grip.
"Settle down, it was just Elliot."
"That doesn't matter. Everything is connected. We're probably being watched as we speak."
Munch lightly smiled. "Well, I'm glad my conspiracy theories have worn off on somebody."
Olivia let out a tuft of air from her slightly opened lips and scanned the streets.
"Did he say anything about Anna? Are they ok?"
"He didn't say."
Olivia could feel the bags growing larger under her eyes as the night ticked on. She was exhausted, but she wasn't about to give up. Just hearing Elliot's name gave her a jolt of energy to keep fighting.
As long as Anna was safe with him she knew she could get through this. It was a fight she was ready to duel out. Even if she had to do it alone.
it doesn't mean much
it doesn't mean anything at all
the life I've left behind me
is a cold room
I've crossed the last line
from where I can't return
where every step I took in faith
betrayed me
and led me from my home
"What did Elliot want?"
Munch could see the instant need she had for Elliot by the anxious look on her face and the way she said his name.
Cautiously he answered her. "He needs a favor."
"What kind of favor?"
"I don't know. Look, Liv I'll worry about Elliot and getting this box to the lab. Why don't you go get some shut eye and lay low."
Olivia ignored his concern. She glanced from the camera to the building and back at Munch. "You know I can't do that. Besides, Elliot will be able to help us figure out his next move."
She looked at her watch and started for the street. "Let's go. We don't have much time."
and sweet
sweet surrender
is all that I have to give
Munch grabbed her arm and softly motioned for her to back away from the sidewalk. "Liv, you need to get back inside"
"How many more people have to die for my mistakes? Munch, I'm going."
"Liv, what if the fed's are there? It's not safe-"
She pulled away from him and started for his car. Her grinding intentions had overtaken her actions. Rational thinking was not on the agenda.
and sweet
sweet surrender
is all that I have to give
SCENE
Elliot's phone started to vibrate and he flipped it open. "Munch."
"Elliot, it's me."
Olivia's stern voice sounded in his ear.
"I told Munch to leave you out of this," Elliot said with his all-knowing Dad tone.
"You know I can't do that. We're on our way. What do you need us to do?"
"Just…Damn it Olivia. I really need you to stay in the car. You're not gonna win the battle if you get put in jail."
"Elliot, this isn't about revenge. This is about playing the game. I can't sit on the sidelines or I will have let him win."
Elliot became almost inaudible. "Yes and I don't know what's going to happen once we enter the building. I can't allow you to go in there."
"Why don't you trust me?"
"I do trust you, but you're not superwoman."
"That's some trust Elliot. It seems like you're questioning my ability to handle this."
"Olivia, for god's sake stay in the car. This has nothing to do with your abilities."
"Then what's it about?"
He leaned on a nearby dumpster trying to choose his words carefully. He was angry that she couldn't just listen to him. "I…ah… I can't let you go in there until I know I haven't let you down."
Olivia sat in the passenger seat of Munch's car. She could hear his apprehension and his guilt and knew something was wrong. Before Munch could park she jumped out and walked toward the building. "Elliot, what are you keeping from me?"
Before he could answer a noise came from the end of the alleyway. He ducked behind the dumpster and whispered ", I can't talk about it right now."
"Where are you?"
"You two sit out front. I'll call you if we need you."
"Where's Anna?"
"Liv, I have to go."
He clicked the phone shut and knelt behind the dumpster waiting for Star to open that door. Mere moments from hanging up on Olivia, and he heard the footsteps.
He got his gun cocked and ready for fire, but pulled back when he recognized the worn out black leather headed his way.
"Olivia, I told you to stay in the car!"
"Where's Anna?"
"This isn't the time. Go back to the car."
She pushed past him and started for the door.
"Stop," he whispered as he grabbed her arm and pulled her behind the dumpster with him.
They leaned against the brick wall. Olivia took in gulps of breath and tried to calm herself.
"Is he in there?"
"We don't know."
"Why the academy?"
That was the one thing Star and Elliot couldn't figure out. He turned his face to hers and replied ", you tell me."
She thought about it for a second then rolled her head against the wall behind her in frustration. "I don't know. Elliot, please tell me Anna is not in that building."
Elliot looked away from her. "Liv, I haven't been honest with you."
"Don't-" Her heart stopped as he said those words. She could read every inch of his mind through the small inches of guilt creasing on his face.
"I couldn't tell you over the phone."
His sullen body language pulled away from her and she limply fell to her hands and knees.
The gun in Elliot's hands dropped to his side as he gently continued his confession. "Olivia, I didn't want to lie to you."
"Well, you did!" She hissed before attempting to stand up.
He grabbed her around the waste and pulled her against his body. "Stop. Just stop. There isn't any easy way to tell you this and I need you to keep your head on."
I've crossed the last line
from where I can't return
where every step I took in faith
betrayed me
The touch of Elliot's strong arms forced her to the ground.
sweet surrender
is all that I have to give
"Don't leave me, Liv. I need you to stay with me."
She let out a faint cry and went limp into his arms.
Sweet sweet surrender
is all that I have to give
With his empty hand he pulled the folded picture from his breast pocket and handed it to her. Her face grew red with shock at the intake of her daughter's tiny body strapped to the chair in that lonely familiar basement.
"Star recognized the basement. That's why we're here. Why would he take us to this basement?"
The concrete walls and the mattress in the background brought flashes of repulsive memories to her mind. "Michael Anderson. My first time to... My roommate convinced me that he was the one. We did it right there on that old mattress. I can't believe it's still there. How did he know that?"
Elliot let go of his grip and she turned to read his eyes.
"What happened to Alex, Elliot?"
He paused then absently starred at the ground. The answer fall from his lips. "She didn't make it."
All of the muscles in Olivia's body released and she turned away from Elliot like a lost little girl. Horror was written all over her face.
So many things were going through her mind. Elliot could see the wheels turning and he wanted to save her from the same awful thoughts that he'd been fighting.
Her body felt weak and almost foreign. Like she'd taken a drug and the room was spinning away from the ground.
"How…you should have told me. Why didn't you… you should have… How did this happen? She can't be... She's…How?"
Elliot shook his head and stuttered a bit. He didn't have to answer the question. She already knew how.
"I tried. He got to her before I could reach Witness Protection. Livia, I was going to tell you, but I couldn't."
Olivia could feel his emotional battle pouring like waves of energy from his almost feverishly warm body.
The touch of his hand on her shoulder brought her back his eyes.
His red stabbing eyes blinked helplessly back at her stricken expression. He took a hold of her hands and whispered next to her. "I didn't want to hurt you again."
She looked watched him with remorseful understanding. Elliot Stabler, her ever-present guardian. He would always protect her, even when she didn't want it. And she would do the same for him. Lightly she touched the side of his face. "You could never hurt me."
"You would have never given Anna up if it weren't for my selfishness. I caused you to run. I led you to believe that you had a chance and then I took it away from you by hiding behind my marriage. I hurt you."
"Elliot, I chose to give Anna up, because I wasn't stable."
"Exactly. I should have been there for you and I wasn't.
you take me in
no questions asked
you strip away the ugliness
that surrounds me
are you an angel
am I already that gone
I only hope
that I won't disappoint you
when I'm down here
on my knees
and sweet
sweet
sweet surrender
is all that I have to give"
He wiped the tear from her cheek then pulled her into his body. He needed her close to his numb soul. It had been too long since Elliot remembered Olivia's warm body. He closed his eyes and almost forgot about the world around him.
and I don't understand
by the touch of your hand
I would be the one to fall
I miss the little things
oh I miss everything
Lightly he kissed her on the head as she sobbed. The gun in her hand fell to the ground and she clung to him like she'd never let go.
it doesn't mean much
it doesn't mean anything at all
the life I left behind me
is a cold room
Sweet Surrender
Star burst through the side door like a bat out of hell. Her mouth was going like it had never stopped.
"Ten four rubber duck. The chicken has flown it's- Now what the hell is going on?"
Star looked down at Elliot and Olivia hugging on the ground.
"I'm racking my brain to make you feel "protected" and you decide to have a three am booty call in the alleyway. Jesus Christ and all the saints in heaven! You're lucky I like you, Stabler. I mean, is it any wonder you're confused about the number of children you have?"
Olivia jumped to her feet wiping the tears from her eyes. "Star! You have such a way with words. God I missed you!
"Yeah, yeah, no time for reunions. Let's go."
The three of them headed to the basement. The heavy door closed behind them.
SCENE
Casey cleaned up the mess of food that Charlie had dropped on the floor and tied the garbage bag in her hand. "Charlie, I'll be back. I'm just gonna take this to the trash can."
Charlie didn't answer. He sat on the couch in his own world while an episode of "The X-Files" blared in the background.
AN: DUHN DUHN DAHHHHH!!!! Tune in next week when Casey's imaginary dog eats Richard's dick! Spotted dick, that is! singing And I will tell them I remember...You! Random reference! Who knows what it is? I'll give you a hint. Bette Midler was in the movie. Wooo hoo. Ok I'm nuts! Drop me a review.
