A/N: Hi guys. Hope you are having an excellent Christmas season. I know I shouldn't mess up the yuletide cheer with what is probably going to be a pretty macabre chapter, but I'm sure you won't mind, LOL.
So, where we left off things were pretty bad. However, the villain won't show himself yet, so how are Liv and El going to approach this case initially? But I'm also sure our bad guy can't resist the urge to taunt them with his skill, so who knows?
The chapter will be a bit fast, skipping a few things here and there, but I'm sure you don't mind skipping the police procedurals and getting to the good stuff.
Disclaimer: In the words of Master Yoda, "Own SVU, I unfortunately do not." However, if I did this would be the transcript of Season One.
Don't forget to check out my new EO story Countdown.
To any unsigned guests reading the story, I accept guest reviews, so don't be shy. Let me know what you think :)
This chapter is for LoisandClarkSuperfan, a great writer and a good friend. If you haven't read her story Changes, do so. I really recommend it :)
Also, a happy birthday to lillybug991, another great writer and friend :)
Regarding the two officers who were killed in NYC, may God be with their families. The swine that did this horrible deed, may he burn in hell for all eternity.
Enjoy and review.
Chapter 20: The Hunter Remains
Officer Marcus Johnson of the 2-7 was not a happy man. Firstly, he got stuck on the graveyard shift; secondly. His partner was out sick with the flu and there was no replacement forthcoming; and thirdly, some prankster had called in an anonymous 9/11 tip. It was for a murder, so he had to check it out, but most likely is was some kid trying to impress a girl about how badass he is by leading the NYPD on a wild goose chase.
Arriving at the curb in front of the brownstone, Johnson exited the cruiser and headed to the door, his frame both exhausted by the boredom and lack of sleep and wired from the three cups of coffee he guzzled in the last two hours. "NYPD," he called, rapping on the door. Surprisingly, the door creaked open, having been unlocked. 'Strange.' Johnson entered, forcing himself to deploy his flashlight in the dark. "Hello?" His eyes drifted to the banister, where there was a small but noticeable dark red blotch. 'Is that blood?'
His heart pounding now, Johnson drew his service automatic, proceeding slowly up the stairs. A sense of dread was building in his stomach, a primal sense present in mankind since its birth hundreds of thousands of years before. A putrid smell started wafting in from the upstairs bedroom, one he recognized as the smell of blood, piss, and feces.
Charging into the bedroom, gun leveled, he was taken aback by the sight in front of him. Fighting not to hurl, he raised the walkie talkie to his mouth. "Attention dispatch, you better get backup here, and fast." It was then he noticed something shiny on the bedside table, something that made him go white as a sheet. "Better make that a ten-thirteen, officer down. And call SVU, it's one of theirs."
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Olivia woke suddenly, not sure of why. She looked around the hotel room; it was still nightfall, the only light being that of the moon casting slight shadows through the harbor view. She furrowed her brows, not understanding why she woke so abruptly.
"Liv," Elliot whimpered, shifting in his sleep underneath her. She gasped, feeling his thickened shaft shift inside her. After the feeling had passed Olivia couldn't help but laugh, especially when her boyfriend let out a soft, "Mmmm."
After making love for nearly three hours straight, the two of them had fallen asleep with Olivia on top and Elliot still inside her (she had loved to discover that the tough as nails Elliot Stabler was a cuddler). 'He must be having an erotic dream involving me,' she though with a smile. It warmed her heart that even in his subconscious Elliot couldn't stop thinking of her. 'Ok El, might as well play along.' She rose a bit off his warm chest and rolled her hips into his hard length, purring when it hit her sensitive spots.
Beneath her Elliot groaned, instinctively reaching out with one hand and kneading her breast. Olivia let out a yelp of surprise, looking down to see he was still asleep. The love of her life looked so handsome in the faint moonlight, the muscles on his chest well defined and the patchwork of scars that crisscrossed them illuminated. He looked so beautiful, so striking, and he was all hers, forever if she had anything to say about it. Getting turned on by the minute, Olivia knew she had to wake him up soon or she was going to die. 'Ok baby, time to give you a wakeup call.' Smirking, Olivia leaned down and gave Elliot a full kiss on the mouth, running her tongue along his lips.
Abruptly woken up, it took Elliot a few seconds to comprehend what was going on; it didn't last long though, eagerly opening his mouth and losing himself into the kiss. He couldn't care less how dark it was; if Olivia wanted to wake him up like this every morning he wouldn't complain.
Moaning loudly into his mouth, Olivia felt a pulsing need course through her body. No matter how much she and Elliot made love she always wanted more; it had never been that way with any of her past lovers, and that didn't bother her one bit. Elliot had ruined her permanently for anyone else. Breaking the kiss and running her arms up and down his rock hard chest and abs, she smiled sultrily at him and rose upright, slamming her hips onto his member.
Elliot grunted, sleep forgotten as the beautiful creature above began to ride him, not speaking anything more than pleasurable moans and unintelligible pleas to God. Her lithe, curvy frame felt so soft to the touch, but the muscles underneath were firm, toned and dangerous; her face seemed almost ethereal in the pale moonlight, more evidence in his mind that she was an angel, his angel. As if by pure instinct his hands drifted downward to her hips, forcing her even harder into him. It was captivating, watching her come undone in the dark, lower lip sucked between her teeth, ample breasts bouncing up and down with his thrusts, pleasurable moans escaping her lips. Her walls tightened around him, tight as a vice around his member while giving no resistance being as wet as they ever will be.
Olivia's eyes rolled back in her head, Elliot's length gliding smoothly over her G-spot as the pressure deep inside her started to build. Her hands, desperate for a release, moved to knead her breasts, adding to the shudders of pleasure that came with each thrust downward on her part. One hand accidently brushed something cold on her chest; grasping it, Olivia remembered the gold dog tag her love gave her the night before. Looking down, her eyes caught his, the stunning cerulean blue twinkling in the moonlight. He gazed at her with a look of rapture, a look of pure worship and love. That did it; screaming, her insides clenched as she came.
Felling her pulse and tighten around his member, Elliot exploded inside her, coating her inner walls with his fluid. He felt her milk him for all he was worth, causing the detective to shut his eyes from the pleasure. In a moment, once the orgasm had passed and left him in the contentment of the post-coital bliss, he felt a weight collapse onto his chest. Opening his eyes, he saw his angel sprawled out on top of him, breathing deeply and face covered in a sheen of sweat. Smiling, he kissed her forehead sweetly. "Good morning to me," Elliot said with a tired chuckle.
Olivia couldn't help but chuckle as well. Kissing his chest, she tilted her head to look into his eyes. "Hi baby."
"Hello to you too gorgeous. If I may ask, not that I minded, why did you wake me up at," he glanced over at the bedside table clock, "Four in the morning for a roll in the hay?"
She gave him a slight glare. "Well I would have been perfectly content sleeping on top of the best pillow in the world if someone hadn't had an erotic dream about me," she fake scolded, amused at his face afterwards.
"I had a dream about you? I don't remember."
"I'm guessing at how hard you got inside me and how you reached up to fondle my breast that it was a good one." Olivia watched as his face reddened in the pale light; God he was adorable. Not really upset at him, she leaned down and pecked him on the cheek. "You can have as many erotic dreams as you want baby, as long as they are with me."
Elliot smiled up at her. "There's no one else. You're it for me Liv."
Her chocolate eyes met his cerulean ones. Olivia's heart was beating rapidly in her chest at his words; of course she knew he loved her and wanted her for eternity (God knows she did as well), but the small, still insecure part of her wanted to be sure. "Do you really mean that El? I'm it for you forever?"
He gazed into her eyes; Elliot knew Olivia Benson like he knew the back of his hand. He understood what was going through her mind at this point and wanted her to shake off these thoughts. In lieu of saying anything, he kissed her passionately, pouring all the love he could into it. He was unsure about her response until she eagerly returned it. Pulling away, he gave her a sincere smile. "Olivia, listen to me very closely. I love you. You are my soulmate. Just the thought of not being with you makes me want to die. I plan one day to marry you and have a baby with you to make our family complete. I want you in my life forever."
She felt her heart clench at his declaration. "Oh El," Olivia said, tightening her arms around him and burying her face in his broad chest, "I want you forever too." The late autumn chill might be settling on New York City but in Elliot's arms she was warm as could be.
Ring, ring, ring.
"Oh for god sake!" Elliot exclaimed, reaching for his phone on the counter. "Can't they give us one moment's peace?" He pressed the answer button. "Hello?... Don this isn't…" Olivia then felt him stiffen in her embrace. "Are you sure?" The tone in his voice had turned from one of annoyance into one of complete shock. "Alright Cap, we'll be right over."
"What's going on?" asked Olivia, worried. "Is it the kids?"
"No Liv, God no." He shimmied himself out from underneath her and headed for his duffel bag, grabbing his change of clothes. "Rape homicide in the Upper East Side." Olivia reached to turn on the bedside lamp, enough to catch the look of rage on Elliot's face. "It's Monique."
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Arriving at the scene before dawn, not Monique's apartment but a brownstone on the Upper East Side, Elliot and Olivia pulled their vehicle to a stop just outside the police tape. Exiting, both held their badges up to the uniform, who nodded courteously and lifted the tape for them to duck under. Spotting Munch by the steps, Olivia quickened her pace. "John, what the hell's going on? What happened to Monique?"
Normally bright and vibrant, eyes twinkling with mischief, Munch had an ashen look to his face tonight, made worse by the light streaming from the streetlights and sirens. "She's dead," he said flatly. "No doubt about it." He laughed grimly, as if trying not to break down crying rather than with any humor.
Olivia, her knees going weak, nearly collapsed from the shock but Elliot quickly dashed in to hold her upright. Cop killings were always the worst cases; there was a certain unity, a brothers in blue sentiment among police officers, and when one of their own was killed it was always taken personally. This one was especially hard on all of the Special Victims Unit, especially to Olivia. Jeffries had been one of them, a treasured member of the team and a close friend. To think the jovial, wisecracking woman that had been at her party not a few hours before was no dead, it brought pain to her very core.
Elliot noticed all of this going through Olivia; hell, it was going through him too. Wrapping his arms around her, he brought his love into his embrace, both taking comfort in each other's arms.
They were snapped out of their reverie when Fin, Melinda, and the M.E's office personnel arrived at the top of the stairs, a body bag strapped to a gurney in between them. "Easy does it," one of the men said, hefting the gurney down the stairs.
"Elliot, Olivia," Melinda told them, her face grim. "The crime scene is finished up, so we can all head over to the precinct. I'll preform the autopsy as quickly as possible, well most of the autopsy." The frown turned into a grimace, one shared by Fin and Munch.
This only confused El and Liv, though a sinking feeling entered their stomachs. "What do you mean 'Most of an autopsy,' Mel?" asked Elliot, a foreboding hesitance in his voice.
The three were silent until Fin spoke up, "Her, uh, head is missing. She was decapitated and we can't find it." He sounded like he wanted to throw up, not that anyone could blame him.
Liv paled, her arms grasping for any leverage as she sank to the steps in pure shock. Elliot on the other hand clenched his fists in pure rage. "What the hell happened Fin?" he hollered, more angry at the situation and the, yet unknown, perp than his colleague; Munch and Melinda had by now left with the body to take it to the morgue.
"We don't know what happened man, but dispatch got an anonymous tip that someone had been murdered in the house. When patrol got here they found Monique beheaded and him knocked out on the bed beside her, a bloody knife in his hands." Fin pointed to a guy getting his nose set by a paramedic.
Standing, Olivia felt her pain morphing into icy anger at the sight before her. "Is that Mat Barnes? What the fuck was Jeffries doing with him?" She was convinced he had been a serial rapist in an earlier case, and her suspicions of him hadn't gone away when they found out he wasn't the guy; there had been something off about him and it appeared she was right.
"Liv…" Elliot tried to say but was cut off when she stormed toward the perp. He ran a hand through his hair; she didn't have as explosive a temper as he did, but God help anyone who she took it out on when she did explode. While he certainly believed that Matthew Barnes deserved whatever Liv could dish out, even with Tucker as her dad she would be in big trouble if she assaulted a suspect.
Struggling to control her building rage, Olivia walked to within five feet of Barnes. "Matthew Barnes," she said, holding up her badge.
His head was hung downward as the paramedic tended to him, but at the sound of his name he looked up. His face was filled with confusion. "Is Monique alright? Is she ok?" he asked, sounding both sincere and concerned at the same time; sounding like Elliot would if something had happened to her.
A wire inside Olivia's brain snapped. "You son of a bitch," she hissed, her hands reaching out to strangle him. 'The gall! The fucking gall!' Olivia would have likely killed him, or at least half-killed him if a pair of strong arms hadn't encircled her waist, holding her back. "Let me go El. Let me go," Olivia growled but Elliot refused, pulling her behind a squad car and hugging her tightly.
Her rage changed to tears as the detective mourned for her friend. Elliot rubbed a soothing hand along her back, "I know gorgeous, I know. Let it out."
Twenty feet away, inconspicuous in the crowd of onlookers that always gathered around a crime scene was a seemingly ordinary man. Clad in a khaki overcoat, gloves, and utility pants, the bald man smiled at the scene. Things were starting to fall in place quite well. The detectives were already hurting, and they were going to be in for a huge shock with the things he had planned. The grin that spread across his face was unavoidable.
"Duh duh duh duh duh DUH duh DUM; Duh duh duh duh duh duh DA DA DA DA DUM!
"Duh duh duh duh duh DUH duh DUM, Di di di di di di DUM!"
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Matthew Barnes wasn't in a good way at the moment, at noon nearly seven hours since Liv and El arrived at the crime scene. He was sweating profusely, face numb, his hands and feet were tingling, he was nauseous, and he had a splitting headache. Also, he never ceased to harp and complain about his ailments to everyone, the paramedic who patched him up, the uniforms who drove him the precinct, to Munch and Fin who threw him in the holding cell (one complaint he gave caused Fin to retort "You're a cop killer; you're lucky to be feeling anything below the neck), and especially to El and Liv who had dragged him out of the cell and tossed him in the interrogation room.
Not that Liv and El actually believed him; the headache was likely from the broken nose, the numbness from the anesthesia, and the sweating from being arrested. The rest were probably fake symptoms from a perverted and frightened man, and forgive them if they didn't have sympathy for the man that murdered their friend and colleague.
"How many times do I have to tell you people? I love Monique. I love her more than I've ever loved anybody else."
Elliot couldn't help but laugh, a deep dark chuckle that exuded everything but humor. "Well then you have a funny way of showing it Barnes." He tossed a crime scene photo, one that took a close up of Jeffries' severed neck.
The man in front of them looked like he was about to throw up. "Oh God," he whimpered, his face turning green. "Monique. I was going to ask her to marry me. Why would I do that to her?" The amount of pain and anguish in his voice was pathetic.
"Please," scoffed Olivia, sitting right next to her boyfriend and glowering darkly, a far cry from the loving and caring woman Elliot usually knew. It was the same way with him; dealing with the slime that they witnessed at the job, it brought a while new darker side of them that would never, ever be seen outside the job.
"Why won't you believe me? I'm not capable of something like this."
"You have a record, hell," Elliot smirked, "I remember arresting you just a few months ago."
"I was exonerated!" He yelled. "You caught the guy that did it!"
"But that doesn't mean you weren't one of them," Olivia added coolly. "A pervert, a rapist, a monster. You think we'd believe Detective Jeffries would want to be in the same room as you, let alone marry you?"
He clutched his side. "I don't feel good."
"Spare me the crocodile tears and the fake pain," she ordered. "What happened Barnes? Hmm?" asked Olivia, her voice dripping icy hatred. "Did she say no? Your ego couldn't handle rejection so you lashed out?"
"What? No…"
"Maybe you just wanted to rape her, but then she punched you in the face," she seethed, getting into his face. "And you got angry…"
"No…" he began to sob, mucus trickling out of his nose and mixing with the tears streaming out of his face.
"So you decided to teach her a lesson." She got into his face. "You got a knife, you cut her up, and you beheaded her…"
"Please stop…"
"Because that's what you do, you rape, torture, and kill people like the dog you are!" Olivia thrust a full body photo, one that displayed the injuries in all their grotesque glory. Barnes went pale and shut his eyes. "Oh no you don't! Look at it!" Her control breaking, Olivia grabbed his neck and slammed his head onto the table, shoving the photo back into his face. "Look at your handiwork you and then tell me you didn't do it you son of a bitch!"
"Detective Benson!" Cragen yelled behind her, but Olivia was too angry to even comprehend he had entered.
"Liv," a calmer voice registered. Elliot put a soothing hand on her shoulder. "Come on Liv."
Elliot's' touch did what nothing else could, it relaxed her and allowed her to regain control over her emotions; just like hers did for him. "I'm finished with this piece of filth," she spat.
"Well, confession or no confession Mr. Barnes, your DNA was found inside Detective Jeffries."
Barns had rose, a hand clutching his gut. "I don't feel good." His sweating was getting more profuse.
"Of course you don't," said Olivia. "You're getting the needle for this. Torture killing and Cop killing."
"I can't feel my arms," he began to wheeze. "Oh God."
The three police officers in the room finally believed he was actually sick. "I think he's going to…" Just then Barnes collapsed, convulsions shaking his entire body. "Call a bus!" Elliot yelled.
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The UPS driver was about to put his van into gear when a red haired man appeared breathless in the doorway. "Thank God I found you," he panted in a nasally voice, a large package in his hands.
"What do you want mister?" the driver asked, sizing the stranger over.
"Do you mind delivering a package for me? It's for a friend and I would do it myself, but I have a plane to catch at JFK soon and don't have the time."
"Look sir, you'll have to send it through regular channels…"
The red headed man silenced him with a green bill bearing Ulysses S. Grant's likeness. "I can make it worth your while," he said with a grin.
Eyes twinkling, a sly look on his face, the driver pocketed the fifty. "Pleasure doing business with you sir. Where and to whom do you want me to give this to?"
The man smiled, "The 1-6 Precinct, to Detectives Benson and Stabler."
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Liv and El were completely winded by the events of the morning. What had seemed to be relatively simple, monstrous but simple, was now veering more and more into the bizarre. "Wait a minute," Elliot said, not believing his ears. "The knife is not the murder weapon? It was covered in Monique's blood for Christ's sake."
"The knife did inflict the superficial torture wounds Elliot," said Melinda. This being one of their own, she had rushed to autopsy of both Jeffries and Barnes, and now that she was done Cragen sent Elliot and Olivia to get the results. "But I can say it definitely did not inflict the killing blow to her neck."
"Ok," interjected Olivia. "What did deal the killing blow?"
Melinda furrowed her brows. "I'm not sure. Nothing at the crime scene matched the wounds, so I cannot tell you I know for certain what it was. But, look at the marks on the neck." She held up both an x-ray and a photo. "What can you tell me?"
Studying it, Olivia quickly saw something. "It looks like a completely clean cut."
"Exactly; if it were the knife or something else like a meat cleaver or a machete there would have been ragged flesh, broken bones. However things here are clean, the flesh sliced through and the bones cut evenly. My guess, the job was done by a sword, one with a strong, sharp blade."
Both detectives blinked. "A sword? In this day and age. Now I've seen everything," Elliot muttered dryly.
"So unless Barnes had divine powers then he must have had an accomplice."
"Or was the victim too." Two sets of eyes turned to Melinda. "I did a toxicology screen on Mr. Barnes; tested positive for GHB."
"Someone slipped him a roofie?" The case just got more complicated.
"Ok, let's see what we already know," Olivia said an hour later in the bullpen. "Monique was killed in Matthew Barnes' brownstone, but there was no sign of kidnapping so she must have gone there voluntarily."
"Man," Fin shook his head. "No wonder Monique was stepping out constantly. She must have been seeing this guy behind our backs."
"And here I thought it was to get away from Cassidy," quipped Elliot, earning a few chuckles.
Olivia kissed him on the cheek. "I'm sure that was a contributing factor to her leaving El, but back to the case. Melinda did a test in Barnes' blood and discovered trace amounts of GHB in his system."
"Meaning," said Munch, "That someone must have put him up to it unwillingly. There was a third party in this."
"And Barnes just keels over and dies afterwards?" Elliot asked rhetorically. "No, Munch is right, someone must have been there, coached him to mutilate Jeffries, kill her with some sort of sword, and then poison Barnes. He went to a lot of trouble to kill her."
"Maybe it's one of her old cases," said Cragen, "Munch, Fin, go over some of her old files. Rapists who just got out, prisoners who skipped bail, shit like that. Benson, Stabler, go canvas places where Barnes worked or hung out, see if anyone remembered anything."
"Got it Cap," said Elliot. Whenever they were on the job Olivia observed, he always called Cragen Cap rather than Don. He never let anything interfere with his duty, which was one of the reasons she respected him as much as she did. "Listen Liv, I've got to pop into the men's room for a minute."
Olivia smirked, seeing he was fidgeting and squirming. "Say no more baby, I'll wait for you."
"Thanks gorgeous," he beamed, kissing her quickly on the lips and heading to the john.
'God I love that man,' she thought to herself as she sat at her desk. They could be in the middle of one of the worst cases they ever handled but Elliot always had the ability to make her smile.
"Mommy!"
Olivia looked up to see an excited Kathleen run into the bullpen. "Hey sweetie," she said, happily surprised. Whenever the kids had visited their dad at work before she always saw his eyes light up and a smile grace his face; now that they were her kids too she understood.
"I missed you last night mommy," said Kathleen, burying her blonde hair into Olivia's chest, hugging her.
"I missed you too Katie," she admitted, hugging her back. "I heard you got your sister and Grandpa Ed pretty good with the silly string," she said with a grin.
"I sure did," Kathleen beamed back. "Grandma Laura couldn't stop laughing."
"I'll bet." Looking up, she saw Emily looking at them with a smile on her face. "Hi Em, what are you doing here? Where's Maureen and the twins?"
"Well," she said, flipping her blonde locks over her shoulder, "Your mom and dad dropped them off at school this morning and I picked them up in the afternoon. Maureen had a test to study for and the twins had their naptime, but little Katie here had to see you. She forgot to give you her present last night."
Raising an eyebrow, Olivia looked at her middle daughter. "You have a present for me?"
"Yes mommy, happy birthday." She stuck out her palm, and resting inside was a handmade bracelet, a crude leather strap and with lettered beads. It read FEARLESS, and Deut. 31:6. "I made it in Sunday School. I chose the word that best describes you mommy; you're my hero."
Tears were welling in Olivia's eyes. Not only did she get a man who loved her, she got a whole family who loved her as well. Sometimes she thought it was all just a dream and she would wake up alone in her apartment; however, she never stopped thanking God every day for His blessing of Elliot and his family, their family. "Thank you Katie," she whispered, hugging her daughter tightly, kissing her head with all the love she could muster. "This is the best present anyone's ever given me." Like Elliot's dog tag, she was going to wear this bracelet for the rest of her life. "I love you sweetie."
"I love you too mommy."
"Em, Katie, what are you guys doing here?"
"Daddy!" Olivia couldn't help but laugh at how quickly her daughter wriggled out of her arms and leapt into Elliot's. No matter how much Kathleen loved her she would always be daddy's little princess. "Look what I made for mommy's birthday."
"What you made for mommy? This I've got to see." Blushing, Olivia held up her wrist, which was now adorned with the bracelet. "Fearless, completely true. Liv, do you know what that bible verse is?"
"No," she admitted. "I'm not as devout as I should be I'm afraid." She had been going to church with the family every Sunday they were free, but having an encyclopedic knowledge of the bible like her boyfriend she did not.
"Well Liv, if I remember correctly, Deuteronomy 31:6 reads 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.'" He bent down and kissed their daughter on the forehead. "That was excellent Katie, good job."
"Yes sweetie, I love it," Olivia repeated, bending down to hug her. "You are just as sentimental as your dad." Elliot grinned cockily while Katie beamed at her.
A few moments later, Elliot was laughing with his daughter about Tucker getting covered in silly string while Emily pulled Liv over for a talk, which expanded when Alex walked into the bullpen. "Sooo, how did you like Ellie's presents?" said Emily with a smirk.
"He was very sweet," blushed Olivia, "In more than one department."
While she expected Emily to gag, her friend's smirk grew wider. I'll bet. You want to know something funny?"
"I'm all ears."
"Go ahead," said Alex. "I'm always up for a funny Elliot story."
"When shopping for the second present, the clerk at Fredricks of Hollywood thought I was his girlfriend."
"No Way!" Alex said, laughing uncontrollably.
Olivia chuckled too, though she did have sympathy for her love. "Poor El, he must have looked like a ripe tomato."
"Yeah, he totally did." The three women shared a laugh before Emily changed the subject. "Ensign Sanderson asked me out on a date."
"Really. Em I'm so happy for you. When?"
"The day after tomorrow, gosh I'm so excited. You'll help me right?"
"Of course Em, you're practically my sister."
"I'd love to Emily," said Alex, "But I have to work. It hasn't been announced publicly yet and don't tell anyone, but the Mayor is going to appoint me Manhattan DA."
"Jesus Alex," Olivia exclaimed, patting her on the back. "Good for you. You'd make an excellent DA."
Before she could respond, a UPS guy entered the bullpen. "Package for Detectives, uh, Benson and Stabler!"
"I'm Detective Benson," Olivia said, stepping up.
"Ok ma'am, sign here and she's all yours."
"Thanks," Olivia said, a bit confused. Who would send her a package here? Taking it to her desk, she cut open the top with a pair of scissors; inside was the strangest thing, a cooler with an envelope taped to the top. "Why would anyone send me a cool…" She opened the lid and screamed.
Hearing Olivia scream, Elliot ran over with fear on his face. "What's wrong Liv?" Trembling, she pointed to the package. Elliot peeked inside the cooler and immediately turned green. "Em, get Katie out of here! NOW!" Emily nodded, ushering Kathleen out of there; when Elliot was in protective father mode, everyone listened.
"What the hell is going on?" asked Munch, who with Fin and Alex walked over. At the sight Munch paled, Alex puked into a trash can, and Fin began muttering obscenities before rushing off to get Warner.
"Can someone explain what the screaming was about?" asked Cragen, the entire precinct stopping what they were doing and looking at the package. Elliot, figuring a picture was worth a thousand words, donned a pair of rubber gloves and reached into the cooler. He then lifted the contents out of the package to gasps, retches, and angry shouts of the entire 1-6. Inside the cooler was the severed head of Monique Jeffries, frozen in agony. Trying not to expel what was in his gut, Cragen looked away. "Put it back Elliot. We need Canseco here now!" He turned back into his office, white as a sheet.
Suddenly remembering the envelope, Olivia took it in her hand and read the contents:
Great Warriors of the light,
The trumpets of battle are ringing,
Prepare for the glorious fight,
Because this is only the beginning.
Know thy enemy,
As you do your love,
For I know you quite well,
Since I watch you from above.
In the streets of this great city,
Which was your domain,
Be wary detectives,
The hunter remains.
A/N: Bum! Bum! BUM! A bit macabre I know, but please bear with me guys. The villain is ruthless; his code allows him to do almost anything as long as he:
Does not harm innocents like children or the elderly
Makes the fight with Olivia and Elliot a fair one
Other than that everything he does is sanctioned by the gods; he needs to get Liv and El riled up so that they are the driving forces to try and stop him, goad them into the final engagement. He's all about the great battle where he proves his worth or dies gloriously.
Regarding the song he's whistling, it's meaning will become known later in the story.
The credit for the poem at the end goes to babysgotback, my friend from Tasmania, though the second stanza was an adaptation of a Sun Tzu quote.
Hope you liked little Kathleen in this chapter. I remembered a scene from the series where the twins came to the station to see Elliot, so I wanted to do the same kind of thing but with Olivia. I love fics where she is a mother to Elliot's kids so that's what she is here :)
Sorry about the fast pace in there, but as I said I wanted to get out of the police procedure and onto the villain's actions.
Don't forget to review this chapter, the previous chapter, and my new Story Countdown. They put a smile on my face :)
God Bless