A/N: Heart stopping chapter folks! Try not to eat or drink anything while reading! Enjoy!
As Kim listened to Serena's side of her conversation with Casey, she set about tidying the lounge after their evening curled up on the couch. As she picked up Serena's briefcase and set in next to her shoes she rolled her eyes; as much as she loved the blonde, her habit of leaving her things all over the place drove her crazy.
Picking up Serena's jacket she frowned slightly when she didn't see the purple scarf she had been wearing after court. She was so lost in thought she didn't realize Serena had finished her call and was watching her from the doorway.
"Are you coming to bed?" Asked Serena wrapping her arms around her girlfriend's waist, kissing the back of her neck which drove all thoughts of the missing scarf from Kim's mind.
"When you ask like that, who am I to refuse?" Replied Kim.
Pulling up at the crime scene, Alex took a moment to bury her emotions before stepping out of her car and letting her eyes adjust to the brightness of the flood lights set up by the medical examiner and the CSU techs. Taking a last deep breath of air that was untainted by death and sadness she walked towards Liv and Melinda, her thumb unconsciously running over her badge.
Turning Liv saw the blonde striding towards them. Only someone looking closely could see the trepidation in Alex's steely gaze. "Hey Al, sorry to get you out of bed, but we've got another one."
As she looked down at the body Alex felt her breath catch in her throat. The victim looked enough like Serena it made her stomach lurch; she was even wearing a purple scarf identical to the one she and Casey had brought Serena for her Birthday.
"Vic have a name?" Asked Alex, noting the bullet wound to the chest, the blood and bruises on her face and her panties down around her ankles.
"Driver's license was taken, but credit cards say Sarah Smyth." Replied Liv.
"Raped?" Asked Alex the word catching in her throat.
"Looks like it, no fluids though perp must have used a condom. I'll know more once I get her back to autopsy." Replied Melinda sanding and removing her gloves, "I'll have answers for you by the morning; the test results on your other victims should be back by then as well."
"Thanks Mel." Smiled Liv as she and Alex walked back towards their cars.
"What do we do now?" Asked Alex, her adrenaline pumping.
"Go home, get some sleep. We can't do the notification until the morning and you heard Mel, we won't have any information until then anyway." Replied Liv with a sigh.
"This is the third victim this week, same MO and they all look like Serena. I can't just go home and wait for the next one." Argued Alex her voice raising, causing the techs and uniforms at the scene to turn in her direction.
"Alex." Admonished Liv, before running a hand through her hair and sighing tiredly, "Come on I'll buy you a coffee."
Blinking owlishly Alex followed Olivia into the coffee shop, where they sat in silence until the bored looking waitress had delivered their drinks.
"You want to tell me what that was all about?" Asked Liv breaking the tense silence between them.
Hanging her head Alex replied, "I just, how do we just go home? That woman, all of those women have been raped and murdered and we don't know where to start looking for the bastard who did it?" Asked Alex her voice rising again.
"Alex, sometimes we have to step back. You're no use to the victims if you're too tired to think straight because that's when you make mistakes. I need to know my partner has her head in the case and has my back." Replied Liv.
"They look so much like Serena." Whispered Alex, staring into her coffee.
"I admit there are similarities, but Alex when Casey first saw the board she thought of you not Serena. Victims will sometimes resemble people you know, but you have to put it aside and do the job. If you can't handle it there's no harm in asking for a transfer, SVU isn't for everyone, but I need to know; can you handle this case?"
"I can do it." Replied Alex looking Liv in the eye.
"Good, then finish your coffee go home, get some rest, kiss Casey good morning and then come in and help nail this bastard." Replied Liv.
"I can do that." Replied Alex her voice stronger.
"Good, because I think you're going to be a great detective and a good partner once you find your feet." Smiled Liv as they walked back to their cars.
"Thanks Liv, coffee's on me tomorrow." Smiled Alex before pulling away and driving back to Casey's apartment. Their apartment she corrected herself as she pulled up next to Casey's car. Sighing she dragged a hand through her hair and switched her car off before heading inside to her girlfriend while thinking about Casey brought a smile to her face.
Unlocking the door she kicked off her boots and crept into the lounge. Using the inbuilt flashlight on her phone rather than turn a light on, she reached their bedroom where she was surprised to find Casey sitting up in bed reading a book.
"Hey, what are you still doing awake?"
"Liv called me; she said you seemed a little out of sorts at the scene? Want to talk about it?"
"No." Replied Alex heading into the bathroom to get ready for bed, before climbing under the covers without a word.
Putting her book aside Casey flicked off the light and scooted further under the covers, placing a gentle kiss on Alex's shoulder, "You know you can give me the cold shoulder all you like, I'm here when you're ready to talk."
Turning on her back Alex looked up at Casey, "I'm a failure."
"Why do you say that?" Asked Casey with a frown.
"I'm seeing things that aren't there." Replied Alex.
"Like what? Talk to me please?"
"Okay, the three victims all look like Serena; the one tonight even had a purple scarf like the one we got her for her birthday. All of their initials are S.E.S, what's Serena's middle name?"
"Elizabeth." Replied Casey, a hint of worry creeping into her voice.
"There you go, another coincidence. Liv thinks I'm just green and seeing friends in the victims." Replied Alex.
"Okay, so tomorrow bring it up in front of the whole squad, lay it out for them the way you did for me." Replied Casey.
"What if I'm wrong?" Asked Alex worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.
"Better to be wrong and keep Serena safe than say nothing and something happen to her." Replied Casey. "I've been wrong plenty of times, its part of life. I mean, I was wrong about you."
"What do you mean?" Asked Alex a frown creasing her features.
"I thought you were the most annoying, reckless, smug ass I'd ever met and you wouldn't be able to pay me to spend time with you." Leaning up she straddled Alex's waist, "Turns out you're funny, smart, brave, loving and selfless and I love you more than words can say."
"I love you too." Whispered Alex her voice raw with emotion, as she pulled Casey down cloaking her lips in a soft kiss, before being overtaken by a huge yawn.
"Come on let's get some sleep." Smiled Casey pulling Alex against her front.
"I love you." Mumbled Alex, her mind easier thanks to talking things through with Casey and she was soon asleep.
Kim was roused from her slumber by the sound of her phone, it wasn't unusual for a call in the middle of the night. Untangling herself from the slumbering blonde, she reached for the phone frowning when she saw it was a blocked number, "Greylek." Getting no reply she removed the phone from her ear and checked if the call was still connected before speaking again, "Hello?" Getting no reply she hung up and threw her phone back down on the bedside table.
"Who was it?" Mumbled Serena as Kim settled back down against her pillow.
"Working number, go back to sleep." Muttered Kim pressing a soft kiss to Serena's head.
"'Kay." Mumbled Serena, automatically snuggling into Kim's side.
As she lightly ran her fingers through Serena's silky hair Kim was just drifting back to sleep when she heard a knock at the door. She bolted up in bed quickly and managed to dislodge a slumbering Serena who awoke with a startle.
"What the…"
"There's someone at the door." Muttered Kim, searching for her robe, "What are you doing?"
Pulling on a t-shirt and her yoga pants Serena replied, "Kim it's after midnight and someone is hammering on your door after a mysterious phone call and an unexplained flower delivery. I'm coming with you."
"Fine." Huffed Kim marching towards her apartment door. Checking the peephole she frowned when there was no one the other-side. Opening the door she looked both ways down the hallway and seeing no one she slammed the door closed.
"What's going on?" Asked Serena as they retreated to the lounge.
"No idea, it's probably just Alex getting her own back. Come on let's go back to bed." Replied Kim, trying to keep the fear out of her voice.
"You're not going to report it?" Asked Serena with a frown.
"Nope, I'm going to bed, I'll talk to Alex tomorrow." Replied Kim standing and holding a hand out to the blonde.
"Promise?"
"I promise." Replied Kim.
Walking into the squad room the following morning Alex expertly held a tray of coffees in one hand and a box of donuts in the other. She set them on her desk and gave Liv a nervous smile, "Liv you have a second?"
Leaning back in her chair Liv looked over at Alex, "Depends, is one of those for me?"
Handing Liv her coffee Alex opened the donut box, "I'll even let you have first pick of the donuts."
Selecting a glazed donut Liv followed Alex into the cribs, "I wanted to apologize for last night, I let my emotions take over. I'm enjoying learning from you and you were right when you said steeping away was what I needed to do."
"There's nothing to apologize for, that's what partners do. I was actually thinking about what you said and I think you might be right. We should go fill the squad in." Smiled Liv.
"So, we're good?" Asked Alex.
"Absolutely, Alex if you stay in SVU and I think you will then there will be times you pull me back from the brink, it's what partners do."
Ten minutes later the squad was gathered in front of the board bearing the pictures of the victims.
"Cap, Cabot has a theory and I think there's some merit to it."
"Okay, run it down for us." Replied Cragen sending Alex a reassuring smile.
"Okay, all the victims are blonde haired with blue eyes, all are in their thirties with the initials SES. Serena Southerlyn, ADA for homicide, is blonde haired with blue eyes, in her thirties with the same initials. Last night's victim even had the same color and style scarf Serena owns."
"What about the rape?" Asked Fin.
"Melinda just called; each woman was raped using a silicone phallus and DNA from victim one says we're looking for a woman." Replied Liv.
"Okay, Cabot get with Southerlyn and go through her cases see if anyone leaps out at you, Munch and Fin you go to the lab and I'll go with Benson to make notifications." Said Cragen.
Heading out of the squad room Alex pulled out her phone to give Serena a heads up and to arrange for Abbie and Kim help with the files. Arriving at the district attorney's office Alex headed straight for the conference room Serena had arranged for them to use, owing to the large number of files they would need to work through. As she passed Casey's closed office door, she wished her girlfriend was in her office and not in court, she could use a hug and one of Casey's smiles to get her through the rest of the day.
Walking into the conference room she saw the three attorneys waiting for her surrounded by dozens of boxes, "This shouldn't take long then."
"Are you sure about this?" Asked Serena in lieu of a greeting.
"Maybe, it might be nothing but it's better to be safe than sorry." Replied Alex, giving Serena a warm hug.
"Okay then, let's start narrowing it down. What are we looking for?" Replied Serena.
"Female, victim one was a semi-pro Judo expert so they have to be fairly fit, let's start with the last six months, we can always go back further if we need to." Replied Alex.
They worked until lunchtime, creating a maybe pile and forwarding several names to Liv for further investigation. Throwing a file down on the table Abbie leaned back in her seat, "I don't know about you but I need some lunch."
"Sounds like a good plan." Smiled Alex, "Let's order some lunch and take a break for a few minutes."
Heading back to her office Kim frowned what she saw a small box sitting on her desk. Finding no note she gently lifted the lid and gasped when she saw what was inside before picking up the box and rushing back to the conference room, "Alex, this was on my desk."
Pulling on a pair of latex gloves Alex lifted the lid and pulled out driver's licenses for the three victims as well as Serena's license, "I we need to rethink this, we need Kim's files, the killer is targeting Kim."
"M-me?" Asked Kim.
"Seems that way." Replied Alex, pulling out her phone she was updating Liv and arranging to have the licenses collected for forensics when a young blonde intern brought their lunch in.
"Thanks Angie." Smiled Serena, "You dyed your hair, it looks pretty."
"Do you like it?" Asked Angie addressing Kim.
"It's nice." Replied Kim.
"I did for you." Replied the blonde pulling a gun from under the lunch tray she carried and holding Serena around the neck, her gun pressed to her temple.
"Angie, what are you doing?" Asked Abbie.
Ignoring Abbie she turned her attention to Alex who was still on the phone, "Hang up. Hang up now."
"Okay, I'm hanging up." Replied Alex, making a show of hanging up her call.
"I want all your phones, NOW." Yelled Angie. Collecting their phones she stamped on them one at a time.
"Okay, let's all calm down, Angie I know you don't want to hurt anyone so why don't you out the gun down and we can talk." Started Alex taking a step forward.
"Kim, take her gun and give it to me." Replied Angie, pressing her own harder against the side of Serena's head.
Holding her breath Kim walked forward and gingerly took Alex's gun from its holster and handed it to Angie, "Please don't hurt her."
"She took you from me." Yelled Angie, "Did you like the roses I sent?"
"I-I did." Replied Kim, hoping to keep the woman calm.
"I knew you would." Smiled Angie.
"Angie, how about you let Serena, Alex and Abbie go and we can talk?" Suggested Kim.
"No, you have to tell her. Tell her you love me and not her. TELL HER!"
"I-I love Angie, not you." Replied Kim her eyes pleading with Serena to understand.
"How does that make you feel? Miss high and mighty." Asked Angie shaking Serena.
"I-I understand." Replied Serena.
"Good, stand over there." Replied Angie pointing to a spot by the window, once Serena was in place she raised her gun and aimed it at her chest before squeezing the trigger.
"NO." Yelled Kim as she, Alex and Abbie rushed to Serena's side, pressing their jackets to the wound in her chest.
"Why, why did you do that?" Asked Alex.
"She took Kim form me, she had to pay. To feel the pain in her heart like I felt in mine." Explained Angie as if she was discussing the weather.
"She needs a doctor, please let her go." Pleased Kim as her girlfriend's blood soaked through her hands, "Serena stay awake for me, please baby, I love you."
"Love you too." Whispered Serena as her eyes flickered closed.
"No. Serena come on wake up." Getting no response she looked up at Angie, "Please, please let her go." Begged Kim.
"No, she took you from me." Screamed Angie. "Now you'll have to come back to me."
"You know, Kim told me once how much she likes you." Interrupted Alex, sending Kim a pointed look.
"Really?" Asked Angie her voice doubtful.
"Sure, she didn't think you knew who she was." Replied Alex in the same calm voice."Isn't that right Kim?"
"Y-yeah." Replied Kim, tearing her eyes from Serena's unconscious form.
"I know who you are, I always have." Smiled Angie. "I knew you wanted to be with me."
"I do, how about you let Serena and Abbie go and we can talk some more?" Suggested Kim, picking up in Alex's plan.
"Okay." Nodded Angie, "You." She pointed at Abbie, "Take her out."
Standing Alex helped Abbie carefully lift a bleeding Serena in no her arms, "Friendly coming out." Yelled Alex as she opened the door for Abbie to walk through.
"That's better." Replied Angie once the door was closed behind Abbie and Serena.
"W-what do you want from me?" Asked Kim.
"Tell me you want me." Whispered Angie walking towards Kim, the gun still clutched in her hand.
Glancing up she caught Alex's eyes as they flicked towards the gun, she understood what Alex was trying to tell her. "I've always thought you were beautiful."
"Do you like my hair?"
"Y-yes, it suits you." Replied Kim.
"Why did you start dating her?" Yelled Angie.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think you would be interested in me." Replied Kim, the words tasting like ash in her mouth the pool of Serena's blood standing in bright contrast on her white blouse.
"I always smiled at you and helped you. You think she wants you? I've seen her and the Texan together and Novak, they all laugh at you behind your back." Yelled Angie so close their noses where almost touching, "Why, why didn't you want me?"
Without replying Kim reached out and grasped Angie's wrist pushing the gun into the air as Alex stepped forward and gripped the gun keeping it away from Kim, their silent struggle was punctuated as a gunshot ringing out.
Bitches be crazy…Leave your thoughts?