48 hours
Once again: I don't own anything related to these great shows LO:SVU and CI as well as CSI:NY. I just like to mess with the wonderful characters Mr. Wolf has created. Thanks for all the Law and Orders.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews. :D Special thanks to EnforcerAndAccuserFan. Also special thanks to FutureMrsStabler. I'm so glad that you're back! This chapter's for you! My beta also earns thanks for her patience and her wonderful suggestions. :D Okay! We're closing in on the end, so fasten your seatbelts! (just kidding ;)) Enjoy!
38
Adirondack State Park
Bobby was running through the woods, following the man from the search and rescue team and his dog. As well as the others, two men who came with the Labrador and the deputy, he had a flashlight. So he could at least see a bit of where he was going. It gave him the creeps thinking of Kathy and Dickie who were on the run without anything. Most likely they did not even have a lamp.
"She found something!" the dog handler shouted as the Labrador was barking.
As Bobby approached he spotted a human body in the ray of the man's flashlight and he shone his in the same direction. The Colombian lay at an unnatural angle and his head rested against the rock that had smashed it like an eggshell. There was no doubt that he was dead.
"Let's keep searching!" Bobby commanded. They could retrieve the man's body later. Now they had to find the ones alive and still on the run.
The dog handler reported the location of the dead guy and only seconds later the dog was on the trail again and the men on her tail. Approaching a clearing the Labrador became agitated.
"What's up, Polly?" her human partner asked, patting her side. "Did you hear something?"
Down on the clearing was a cabin, a big car in the driveway. Behind the windows was a light, and somewhere a dog was barking.
"Where's the dog?" Bobby asked.
"Can't see it," the dog handler replied. "But it doesn't sound as if it would be in the house." Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement and shouted a warning. His Labrador jumped forward, into a fight with the attacking dog.
"Polly!" he screamed.
In the ray of several flashlights they could see a jumble of legs, teeth and tails, growling and barking. The police officers held their weapons in firing position and suddenly a shot shattered the silence and one of the dogs yelped. Then everything was silent.
"Polly?" Now the man sounded scared. He rushed over to where the dogs had been fighting. A light brown flash crashed into him, wagging its tail and licking his face. "Oh, Polly!" he sighed relieved. "Come here, girl."
As soon as they had calmed down a bit they proceeded towards the cabin. Before they could reach the clearing Polly found another dog. It had been shot, too, and obviously bled to death. Out on the clearing they could make out two dark forms and when they approached they could see that two men were lying not too far from each other. One was a Columbian, the other Caucasian.
"Oh, my God!" the deputy huffed. "That's Colin Masterson!"
Bobby stared at the dead man. "Wasn't he wanted for bank robbery?"
"Yeah."
They could not believe it. Here of all places the guy pursuing Kathy and her son bumped into a criminal the police had been after for weeks.
"I don't get it!" the deputy muttered under his breath. "How did he do that? He couldn't show his face anywhere. Did he just sit in this cabin? Waiting?"
Well, they would not find out now. Kathy and Dickie were nowhere in or around the cabin, but Polly found their trail on the edge of the clearing, leading into the forest again.
"They're still running away," Bobby mused.
"Yeah." The deputy spread a map on the hood of the silvery car, shining with his flashlight. "The way the trail's going they will head further up north or around the lake," he mused. "I don't think that we have another choice but to follow them."
Bobby nodded.
"Then let's go."
One after the other they followed the trail into the woods, shouting loud for Kathy and Dickie, now that their captors were out of the picture.
xxx
Lavender residence
Olivia got up because she had to go to the bathroom. She did not dare to switch the light on not to give their presence away. So she searched her way in the darkness. Once she returned to the living room, she sat down on the sofa, but she could not make herself lie down on it again. Her gaze was drawn to the window and out over the garden fence to the next house where everything was dark, too.
Oh, Elliot, she thought. I hope you and your girls are okay, and John, too. This is tearing me apart! And I'm here, safe and sound! I have no idea how you must be feeling right now. It must be horrible!
A sigh escaped her. The rustle of clothes made her look to the side. Lieutenant Simmons was sitting in front of the surveillance equipment. She could see him quite well in the moon's twilight. He was looking straight back at her.
"Restless?" he asked.
"Yeah," she replied without hesitation. "I'm antsy. I wish we could do something to help him."
"He's close to you, isn't he?"
For a second Olivia did not know what to answer. Yet, he did not sound as if he would suspect them to be closer than allowed. He asked out of concern and because he wanted to find out how well good they knew each other.
"Elliot's my partner and my best friend."
"How long have you been partners now?"
"Almost three years," she said.
That made her think again. How well did she know him? During the last hours she had learned more about him than during their time as partners.
This emotional striptease is torturing him, she thought. It's going to haunt him for a long time. I don't need Huang to tell me that.
She rubbed at her eyes and her forehead. She was still tired, but she had no idea how she could relax enough to fall asleep again.
Looking at the digital clock on the surveillance system made Olivia sigh.
Morning's not too far away. Soon the sun will rise and we still have no positive news about Kathy and Dickie. Why can't they find them? They have to find them. Damn! Fin! Bobby! You need to find them now or El will have to perjure himself a second time!
God! I don't know if he'll be able to do that! After what they've done to him he must be scared to death and exhausted.
Tears rose in her eyes. The images that formed in her mind's eye were disturbing. Over and over again it produced more or less accurate repetitions of what those scumbags had done to her partner and added scenes that only existed in her imagination.
Olivia wiped at her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt, which was not very effective. And nothing could soothe her fears, nothing but the knowledge that Elliot and his family were safe, but so far they were still far from that.
xxx
Stabler residence
Elliot was startled awake by a nightmare. It left him sweating, shivering and breathless. For a few moments he did not recall where he was or why he felt like crap, but then the memories crashed down on him and he choked.
Then he realized what his left arm was snaked around and he bit his tongue not to cry out loud for fear of waking up his kids, too. Instantly tears shot into his eyes and he choked again. In a matter of seconds his nose was blocked and his eyes burnt with tears, but he could not let go. Desperately he clung to Lizzie and Kat.
Where's Maureen?
He felt around with his right hand and found her soft hair draped on the pillow. Taking a deep breath Elliot let his fingers run over the long strands.
She's here!
Why that was so important right then he did not know. Actually it could only be important for him because technically there would be no difference if they would spend the night in their own rooms instead of together in the big bed of the master bedroom.
They still would be held hostage.
It just was slightly soothing to have his loved ones so close at his side. At least part of them. As his thoughts drifted off to Kathy and his son his insides constricted again. Where were they? Were they okay? Or did these men hurt them?
A sob escaped him. Even the low sound startled him and he checked on his kids, afraid he might have woken them up, exposing them again to the horrible situation they were in.
Soon that would happen anyway.
This thought almost made him throw up. As soon as I have to leave for court my girls will be alone with these monsters, he realized. No! Oh my God! I don't want to go! Don't make me go, please!
Instantly he was choked up again, so much that he could hardly breathe.
Knowing Olivia and SWAT are over there at Mrs. Lavender's doesn't make it better. It kind of makes it worse. They're so close, but can't intervene as long as they don't know about Kathy and Dickie! He sniffled. What if they have to intervene even if they still haven't found my wife and son? Will they do that? It's possible. What will happen to Kathy and Dickie then?
With this thought his insides constricted painfully and he curled up a bit behind the sleeping form of Lizzie. This movement called his attention to a growing need. Still, he did not want to give in to it. When he moved he felt the chain again that was attached to his ankle and that made him painfully aware of the fact that he could not even leave and go to the bathroom.
Desperately Elliot tried to get a hold on his second half, the cop, not the father. The one that was supposed to go to court and testify… in favor of Mendoza. The one that would have the strength he needed to simply get up on his feet.
But right now this other half was gone. It had left him all alone to deal with the men who held them at gunpoint. Elliot was not the street tough special victims detective now, he was just a man who hurt, who was scared to death for the lives of his family and his friend.
John! Elliot almost would have forgotten that John was here, too. Joe beat you… to punish me for talking. God, John, I'm so sorry… so sorry.
Attentively he listened for any sound of their captors. Not daring to move because he dreaded to be separated from the girls, he could only look into the direction of the windows. In the first rays of the new day's sun which still blurred colors, he could see the blond tufts of his three daughters.
Slowly but certainly his need became painful. He did not want to leave the deceiving safety of the bed. The physical contact with his girls kept him focused and he dreaded to lose it when he was forced to leave.
Maureen stirred. If she woke up? Hope I didn't wake her. Come, sweetie, sleep a bit longer. I'm content watching you sleep in peace. He sighed without giving any sound. I could stay with you forever… if it wouldn't be for that scum out there.
"Daddy?" Maureen mumbled, groping for him.
"Shhh," he soothed, not daring to make another sound, and brushed over her hair.
"Dad. Were you awake the whole time?" she whispered.
He shook his head.
Continuing to stroke her hair, he watched her close her eyes again. Slowly her breath evened out and she went back to sleep. I wish I could sleep, too, he thought. But there won't be much time left until I'll have to get up anyway.
Kathleen moved, too, but she did not wake up. In the meantime Elliot's need became more urgent. It really was bothering him and finally forced him to cave in. With some difficulty he shifted his position, careful not to disturb the girls' sleep, to turn around and sit up on the edge of the bed. The chain was clanking, the sound sending shivers down his back.
Once sitting the pressure became worse. He had to go! Yet, there was no guard in their room. Where are they? Ugh! I can't even call for Joe. He'd enjoy punishing me. So he had no other choice but to wait.
Elliot cleared his throat, but no one reacted. One look over his shoulder assured him that the girls still were asleep. It seemed to take forever until someone showed up under the door. As much as Elliot could tell it was Joe.
Grimacing he gestured from himself to the bathroom, but the black figure in the doorframe just remained unmoving, the sunglasses directed on him. Elliot could almost feel him sneer. Returning the stare he gestured again, but did not get any response.
Elliot was uncertain what to do. He still was not allowed to talk so he had to express his need with miming. But Joe played dumb, knowing quite well that he could torture him even more. Having to ask was pretty embarrassing and humiliating, but it was worse not to be able to actually express his need.
Finally Elliot could not stand sitting anymore and got to his feet. He gestured again, but Joe just tilted his head, indicating that he did not get the problem. Shifting anxiously from foot to foot, Elliot stood and thought about breaking the rule and bluntly asking. But what might the consequences be?
What Elliot could not know was that Maureen was watching both of them furtively, pretending to be still asleep. At first she did not realize what the problem was, but when she did fury boiled up inside of her. With his silence he's trying to protect us! And being chained to the bed he can't just simply go and relieve himself! To see her father in this predicament was tearing her heart apart. Then she could not choke it down any longer.
"Hey, ass hole!" she spat. "He has to go to the bathroom! And you know it!"
Elliot felt how blood shot into his face, turning him crimson. He was way too embarrassed to even give her a warning look.
Joe chuckled. "You need the help of your girl?" he sneered. "Big bad cop can't even stand up for himself."
"Shut up and let him go!" Maureen could not hold it. Her fury longed for an outlet and right in that second she did not think about possible consequences.
But Elliot did. Scalding hot the realization of his little girl defending him pierced his heart. I am the one who should protect her! What are you doing there, honey?
When Joe made another step towards the bed, Elliot stepped into his way. That made the masked man laugh.
"How sweet! Too scared to represent his own interests but tries to protect you! What's up, Elliot?" he asked, knowing quite well that he would not answer. Sapphire blue eyes tried to stab him to death. He laughed, reaching up to grasp Elliot's chin. "What is it? Do you need something?"
"Let go of my dad, you idiot!" Maureen hissed. "I bet your boss wouldn't like it if he knew that you're playing games with him."
Elliot caught his breath. He had to agree in principle, but he also knew that it was a dangerous game Maureen was playing. Once more he heard Joe chuckle.
"She's brave, your daughter," he said. Then he bowed forward to whisper in his ear, "You can take a leaf out of her book, pig."
Don't react! Elliot ordered himself. Don't even blink. Don't give him this satisfaction.
"Don't move," Joe told him and squatted down beside him to reach for the padlock. Clanking the chain slid from his ankle. "You can go."
But Elliot did not move.
xxx
Adirondack State Park
Kathy and Dickie were still running through the forest. The sun was rising and when Kathy saw the lake shimmering through the trees she decided to go along its shore. They found a narrow path they were now following. That made walking easier even if the terrain remained difficult. The worst obstacles were roots. They reached for their feet to make them fall.
As they had been up all day and were now wandering the woods for almost the whole night, they were exhausted. Especially Dickie felt the effects of the physical and mental strain.
"Can't we stop for a minute?" he whined. "Mom! I'm so tired! Please!"
Kathy's heart ached for her son.
"I'm sorry, sweety, but we can't know how close they are behind us. We need to find another cabin or a street."
"Mooom!" Dickie tried to plant his feet. "Just two minutes, mom! Pleeeaase!"
"Okay," she caved in.
They found a log and sat down on it.
"We could walk forever," Dickie mumbled as he snuggled up to Kathy's side. "We could end up in Canada."
Inwardly Kathy had to chuckle. That would be a bit too far away.
"I just think that we chose the wrong direction to go around the lake," she said. "If we keep walking, we will reach the road that leads up to the cabin."
"It feels… as if we've been… walking for days." Stumbling over the words with tiredness he yawned. He was almost asleep.
"We have to keep going," Kathy said, smoothing her hand over his short hair.
"I don't want to," Dickie moaned. "Let's stay a bit longer."
"Sorry, son."
Kathy coaxed him to stand up again. Then she firmly took his hand and led him down the narrow path.
xxx
Stabler residence
"What's the hold up?" Joe asked.
Elliot did not look over his shoulder, but the way he grimaced and squinted to the side already told his captor that he did not go because of the girls. Joe played the game, stepping closer to the bed, trying to force a reaction.
And Elliot did react. He blocked Joe's way with his body.
"Don't be silly," Joe scolded and took him by the arm to shove him towards the door. "Now go. You have to get ready and dressed anyway. Go!"
Only reluctantly Elliot followed the order. One look over his shoulder now showed him that Joe was right behind him as he left. Good.
In the bathroom his way led first to the toilet. It actually was a relief now. A sigh escaped him. Then he stepped into the shower, but when he opened the faucet he suddenly felt dizzy, nausea rose as well as bile in his throat. That's how it started! I was in the shower when they came!
The sudden realization overwhelmed him. Before he even could get started, the showerhead still in its holder, he slid down the wall to sit in the bathtub. Tears rose and he could not suppress his sobbing, water splashing down on him, his legs awkwardly folded in the narrow space.
I failed! I failed to protect you, Kathy, and our kids. How could I let them come here and do that to you? How could I? After all I've done to shield you from the world I have to face every day on the job this has to happen?
Even as the water was hot he shivered with cold, goosebumps settling on his arms and back.
Weak! The deep growling voice echoed through his mind. You're a coward and weakling! A failure! I'll teach you to cry like a baby!
His memories choked him up for a second, then rage boiled up hot. Trying to jump up he lost his balance and grabbed for the shower curtain, tearing a few of the holes. He rather scrambled to his legs again and the curtain was drooping where he had ripped it. Panting hard he stood under the steady stream of hot water, the wound on his right shoulder and the cut on his chest throbbing.
The pain finally brought him back to the present. He finished his shower in a hurry and got dressed into the underwear Joe had brought in. He brushed his teeth, getting rid of the disgusting taste of bile, and left for the bedroom to get dressed.
Kat and Lizzie still hid under the covers but Maureen sat leaning against the headboard, her legs pulled up, chin resting on her knees. Her eyes followed him when he went to the wardrobe to get out a suit and put a shirt and tie on.
Everyone was watching him. Dammit! Even under Maureen's stare he felt uncomfortable. Once dressed he held up his hand towards Joe, his fingers splayed to indicate to give him five minutes. Joe did not object.
So Elliot sat down on the edge of the bed. Gently he took Kathleen's shoulders to wake her up. When she opened her eyes, he kissed her on the forehead. Then he did the same with Elizabeth before he leaned over to hug Maureen, breathing a kiss on her forehead, too.
"Daddy?" Lizzie whined. "Are you leaving?"
Elliot was effectively winded. These simple words pierced his heart. And all he could do was nod.
"No!" she moaned. "Don't go, daddy! No!"
Hugging her tight he stroked her head. How he loved the softness of her hair… and an overwhelming desire to brush and braid it crushed down on him. Still, there was no time. He heard Joe clear his throat. Throwing a helpless look at Maureen he tried to remove Lizzie's arms from his neck. The shoulder of his jacket was already soaked with tears.
Maureen reached out for her sisters and pulled them into her embrace as Elliot stood up.
"Let's go," Joe said.
Elliot could not force himself to walk away from his daughters. Joe had to grab his arm hard and drag him out of the room while he was looking at them, his eyes pleading for forgiveness, as he was taken from them. He only turned when he was out in the hall.
Feeling numb from the inside out he let himself be shoved toward the stairs. Just out of the corner of his eyes his view fell into another room and his heart started to race. Breaking out of Joe's grip he burst through the door.
Crouching down beside John he gasped. His colleague's right hand was cuffed to the bed and he did not look good. Dried blood covered his face. There was an ugly laceration right over the left eye. Just by first sight he could be dead.
Then Elliot saw him breathe.
With a groan John turned onto his back. His right eye opened, the other was too swollen.
"Elliot," he moaned. "What…? Is it morning already?"
With a nod Elliot confirmed his friend's assumption.
"You okay?" John whispered hoarsely. "The kids?"
Once more Elliot caught his breath. He's lying here, injured, badly beaten… and worries about our wellbeing! Tears of shame shot into his eyes.
"Hey." John sounded concerned. "What's…?"
Wrong, he had wanted to say, but choked it back as soon as it came to his mind. It was obvious what was wrong. Maybe he did not fully understand what was going on in Elliot right now, but he had a very good idea. With his free hand he reached up to cup his friend's cheek.
"Hey, chin up, Elliot," he murmured, his words slightly slurred by his swollen lip. "You know what to do and you'll do it."
Grimacing Elliot tried to fight his misery down. Was his desperation visible in his features? It seemed to be.
"You'll do the right thing, Elliot," John said, tightening his hold on his face encouragingly. "I know you will. You can do it, Elliot. You're so strong… stronger than I'd ever be in such a situation. You'll make it!"
More tears shot into Elliot's eyes and rolled down his cheeks. He wished to be able to talk with John, but he still was not allowed to.
He felt Joe grab both his upper arms and now he was jerked back. His gaze was locked with John's and even as his sight was blurred with tears he saw his friend's eyes glow compassionately. Joe dragged him onto his feet and to the door. A brutal shove made him crash into the wall opposite the door.
"You'll just do what you're told to do," Joe spat, shoving Elliot over to the stairs.
The detective stumbled and grabbed for the handrail. It was all he could do not to fall down the stairs as Joe pushed him again. That was the last thing he needed, a bad drop down the steps.
"Keep going!" Joe snarled. He threw the car keys at Elliot's feet. "You have a hearing to attend!"
xxx
Lavender residence
When the first sounds of people getting up were audible, lieutenant Simmons stood up to wake Olivia. She was alert at once and sat down next to him, putting on earphones. What she heard were usual morning noises, someone was in the bathroom, using first the toilet then the faucet. Then she heard Maureen.
With horror she listened to the enfolding scene. Maureen spat at the leader. He was holding Elliot back from using the restroom. Olivia knew that he was chained to the bed and forbidden to speak. She could not imagine how humiliating it had to be for him to be at the mercy of these freaks. Still, he wanted to protect his kids. It was his job to keep them safe…
And now his daughter was defending him.
Poor Elliot, she thought. That must be really tough. But she also felt a surge of pride for Maureen.
She glanced at Simmons. No reaction was visible in his features, offering no way to guess what he was thinking. His small signs of compassion he had given earlier were welcome. Beyond that Olivia was grateful that he was acting like a complete professional. Even as they were trained SWAT cops, everyone was just human and being confronted with the hostage takers' actions made it difficult not to judge.
Olivia felt the strain. There were moments when she could just get up, run over to the Stablers' house and gun the men down who were holding her friends at gunpoint. But that was not her decision to make. As much as she loathed them, once the men were overpowered and arrested they had to be tried and sentenced by a jury.
The detective sighed. There had been no news from Fin and they did not know anything about the whereabouts of Enrique Mendoza. He just vanished.
Right then she listened to Elliot getting dressed. Then he was back at the bed, comforting his daughters. They had not much time before Joe separated them.
Olivia shuddered. Her imagination probably provided her with even more vivid pictures of what was happening than a camera could have done, and it tore her heart apart. She heard how Joe walked Elliot out into the hall. Then he was crashing through another door.
"He's about to leave," Cragen said, interrupting her eavesdropping. "Time for you to go, too, Olivia."
She nodded. Together with a SWAT officer she went to her car. They waited at the crossing she knew Elliot would have to cross on his way to Manhattan.
Waiting again!
Waiting was horrible. Olivia wished for time to fly but it was merely passing slowly. When Elliot finally crossed the street they were waiting in, the SWAT officer started the car and followed him.
xxx
Adirondack State Park
Kathy had no idea how late it was, but she saw the early morning sun glow on the waveless surface of the lake.
How far is it? she wondered. Or did we already go all the way around and we didn't notice? Are we circling the lake a second time?
She felt like crying and only her son's presence kept her from it. For him she had to be strong. Dickie was relying on her. As she was his mother she was expected to be the strong one, taking the lead in these desperate hours.
What are the girls doing? What is Elliot doing? And John? For him it must be even worse. He just stumbled into this nightmare. They don't need him, he's disposable… She shuddered. And I'm sure he knows it.
The sounds of the forest did not disturb her anymore. She had reached the point where she could tell the sounds of the birds stirring in the trees from larger animals moving on the ground. Suddenly she froze, grabbing for Dickie's shoulders. She pulled him behind low bushes.
"Shh," she soothed and pointed towards a small clearing, whispering, "Look, there."
Even though he was dead tired he followed her gaze. There on the clearing was a herd of deer, five, no six adults and two younger ones. The latter were still smaller than their mothers, but did not wear the speckled coat of a fawn anymore. They also were browsing together with the grown deer.
"Awww," Dickie breathed. He smiled, then his eyes grew wide as a buck entered the clearing, too. They watched for a few minutes until the group vanished into the deeper forest.
"That was cool," Dickie said. "Better than the zoo."
"Oh yeah," Kathy replied, smiling lovingly at him. "And now we'll have to go on, too."
"Noooo," he whined, rolling his eyes.
"Yes," she declared and pulled him with her.
Being able to see sufficiently made walking much easier, their heavy legs from running the forest all night made it more difficult. The wood seemed to be endless. So they stopped stunned when they rounded some bushes and stepped onto a dirt road.
"Mom!" Dickie shouted excitedly.
"Yeah, I know. Come, let's follow it."
Walking down the road she thought about diving into the undergrowth as soon as they heard the sound of a motor. They had no way of knowing if it was their captors, so they had to be cautious. And that was when they really heard a car approach. Her theory of hiding was good but not feasible as Dickie wound out of her grip.
"No!" she shrieked, trying to catch his arm and pull him down for cover. But he was running towards the big SUV coming down the forest road. It skidded to a halt when the driver noticed the boy. The passenger door flew open and a man jumped out.
"Dickie!" he shouted, spreading his arms as he ran toward him.
Dickie flew into his embrace, yelling, "Uncle Fin!"
xxx
Lavender residence
Cragen was startled by his cell phone ringing. The caller identification on the display sent shivers down his back.
"What's up, Fin?"
"We've got them," his detective answered.
That was all Cragen wanted to know, all he needed to know.
"Great!" he breathed. "Are they okay?"
"Yeah. We're on the road back to Newcomb right now. We'll come back with the chopper as soon as possible."
"Thanks, Fin." Cragen turned to lieutenant Simmons. "Green light for the SWAT team. Let's go get them out."
Simmons did not have to be told that twice. He already was on the radio, instructing the team leader.
"Captain Cragen?"
His heartbeat accelerated as he recognized Kathy's voice on the phone. "Yeah, Kathy. I'm so glad we found you. Are you and…" Dickie okay, he wanted to ask, but was interrupted.
"Don? What about Elliot and the girls? Are they okay? Have you gotten them out?"
"We're about to go in and get them," he said. "Don't worry. You'll soon be back together."
Right then Simmons was beckoning him. They were about to go in.
"I need to go. Talk to you later, Kathy."
And he finished the call.
xxx
Stabler residence
John sat at the kitchen table, trying to act normal even as it was plainly visible that everything was nothing but that. The girls had stared at him aghast when they met for breakfast and it took him some gentle soothing and several hugs to convince them that he was okay… injured, but not seriously and otherwise okay.
He was sure that Lizzie, Kat and Maureen were scared to death. They had to be. They were young and innocent and the most precious things on earth for his colleague and friend Elliot Stabler.
Now they were his responsibility.
Sitting at the short end of the table he surveyed them preparing breakfast. Lizzie sat at the table, too, already bowing over a bowl of frosted Cheerios but picking at them listlessly. Kat was preparing sandwiches for everyone and Maureen cracked the last remaining eggs into a bowl to whisk them. Then she poured them into a pan and started stirring until they set up.
Both girls were concentrating hard on their tasks, trying to divert their thoughts. For Maureen there was nothing right now but the stirring of the eggs in the pan. She flavored them with salt and pepper and some mixed spices. In a second pan the last ham was frying.
It could have been a normal Tuesday morning if it had not been for the masked men who guarded the three girls and the detective. They were waiting for food, too, and made no secret of their intention to get the best pieces of the meal the girls were throwing together.
John watched them work, glad that they had something to do. Since their father had left for court they were on edge and he shared their anxiety.
Taking a deep breath, he leaned back into his chair.
"Lizzie," he said. "You should eat something, honey."
"I'm not hungry," she mumbled, staring down into her bowl.
Neither am I, John thought even though his stomach was grumbling. He felt the gazes of the men in his back, at least he told himself that that was what was unsettling him.
Then he did a double take. The window. Was someone at the window? He tried not to draw the men's attention when he watched the window intently. There…
John stood up, stretching. He hurt. Damn, he had grown too old for this kind of excitement. Looking out of another window when he turned, he made his decision. Just for a split second his gaze locked with green eyes.
"Ugh!" he groaned, grabbing for his stomach. "Agh!"
"Uncle Munch! What's wrong?" Kathleen's voice broke.
"Don't know…" he gasped, stumbling over to them, pulling Lizzie with him as if he was just searching for something to steady him. "I…"
Hearing a single cracking sound he grabbed the girls and threw them to the floor, himself over them, shielding them with his body.
Lizzie squealed!
Kathleen shrieked!
Maureen just gasped!
Windows shattered!
Black dressed men!
Weapons drawn!
"Police!"
"Put the guns down!"
"Down on the floor! Move!"
In a matter of seconds it was over. A SWAT team had broken through windows and doors, herded the bad guys together, disarmed them and forced them down. The surprised men were cuffed before they even realized what had happened. Uniformed officers with protective vests followed them.
Suddenly captain Cragen was beside John.
"John! You can get up again," he said. "We got them. You're safe. John?"
He did not quite get that his captain was there. All he knew was that he had to protect the children. So he tried to chase Cragen away, taking him for one of the bad guys.
"John, it's me, Don."
Slowly John's gaze cleared with recognition and he sat back, leaning against the kitchen counter. The girls also got up, Lizzie and Kat throwing themselves into Cragen's embrace. Maureen leaned against John and gently hugged him.
"Thank you, John," she murmured and breathed a kiss on his cheek.
Warmth flooded through John's body.
"So does this mean that you have Kathy and Dickie?" John asked.
"Yeah, John. We have." Cragen hugged the girls, then reached for his cell phone to call Olivia.
xxx
Manhattan
Criminal Court
100 Centre Street
Olivia found Elliot in the hall, around the corner from the court room where the Mendoza trial was held, where he tried to get candy out of the vending machine.
"C'mon, stupid," he grumbled, hitting the poor machine which did not want to release the bag of chocolates he had paid for.
"Elliot!"
Recognizing his partner's voice he scowled, but did not look around at her. Instead he pounded the automat again.
"Elliot! Stop that!" Olivia said. "That machine didn't hurt anyone."
"It didn't?" he grumbled, slapping against the glass. "It stole my money!"
Staying away from him seemed to be a good idea, but that would not help. Olivia could understand why he was so aggressive. Damn! She also felt an urge to pound the living hell out of the bastards who did that to her partner and his family.
Have they bugged him again? she suddenly wondered. Is someone listening in to what we're saying?
"Elliot?" Tentatively she reached out for him, but he flinched back from her.
"Leave me alone," he spat.
"Elliot…"
"Stop that! You can't help me, okay!"
"We're doing everything we can, Elliot." Olivia felt so damned helpless. One part of her wanted to be in Queens to go in together with the SWAT team once Fin let them know that they had Kathy and Dickie, and another part wanted to be here to help Elliot deal with the situation. But right now it did not look as if he would let her help. "Have a little faith in us," she said. "We'll get them out. You'll see. Everything will be okay."
"No, Olivia!" he yelled, hitting the machine once more. "Nothing will be okay!"
"Elliot!"
"Stop it!" he screamed. Then he forced his voice down to an aggressive whisper. "Just leave me alone! You can't help me! They won't be safe until I testify! That's the only thing that can help!"
His agitation stabbed her heart. Of course she had no kids of her own, but she had seen his growing up and she loved them. She knew desperation when she saw it and right now it downright jumped into her face.
Elliot started to pace. He had to get rid of his anxiety! He felt like running, but actually he was so exhausted that he could have collapsed right here on the spot.
"Trust us, Elliot," Olivia said, tentatively reaching out for him. But he pushed her arms away. "We'll get them to safety. We will."
"No!"
This single word left him as a gasp as he leaned against the wall. Then he slid down to the floor. Olivia's heart broke for him. She hardly recognized her partner in the man sitting on the cold tiles.
That was when her cell phone vibrated against her hip. She plucked it out of its case and flipped it open.
"Benson." She only listened for a few seconds. "Thanks, cap," she said and snapped the phone shut again.
"Elliot?" she asked, urgently, as she squatted down beside him. "That was captain Cragen."
Muscles twitched in his face and neck, but he did not look at her.
"El?" Gently she placed one hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. "El, we have them. They are safe."
He did not even turn his head.
"Elliot? Did you hear what I said? The SWAT team got them out. Your family is safe."
Her words did not seem to reach his ear. Even if he did hear her… he still did not react to her words.
"Elliot…"
"No!" he screamed, jumping to his feet. "You're lying! You just want me to say that I saw them shoot! But I can't, I can't!"
Olivia was taken aback. He did not believe her! But why? He could not honestly believe that she lied to him! That they put his loved ones in grave danger knowingly!
"El, you can't think…"
"Don't tell me what I can or can't think!" he spat. "Just… leave me alone!"
And with that he strode away and slammed the door of the men's restroom closed behind himself.
tbc…