"Law and Order: SVU" belongs to Dick Wolf and Universal Television. No profit is being made from this story.
Kathy was in Eliza's room, rocking her to sleep. The baby was just about there when she heard her phone ringing from downstairs.
She stood up carefully and placed her granddaughter into the crib. Eliza gave a sigh and didn't stir.
The ringing stopped before Kathy made it down. She walked into the kitchen and picked it up from on top of the island, checking the screen. Even though she hadn't gotten a call from the number in more than ten years, the name was still saved in her phone.
Olivia Benson
Seeing it made her heart sink suddenly. After what Olivia had revealed to her about what Elliot had been going through, Kathy didn't know what to expect.
She was still horrified over the idea that she may have inadvertently contributed to him trying to commit suicide. She hadn't slept soundly since the day Olivia had told her that and it was eating her up inside.
She dialed the number back without hesitation.
"Hi," she greeted when Olivia answered. "Sorry, I was upstairs."
She listened as the other woman explained her reason for calling.
Her eyes filled with tears but Kathy replied immediately.
He didn't believe her when she told him that Kathy had agreed. He didn't actually say so, but Olivia saw Elliot's face become tight when she hung up the phone and relayed to him what his wife had said.
Olivia hurt for him. He was in agony, convinced that Kathy wanted nothing to do with him. Even worse, he was convinced that he deserved her wanting nothing to do with him and Olivia could do nothing to change that.
He wasn't going to believe otherwise. He was going to have to be shown otherwise.
Olivia knew that, but still couldn't keep from hoping desperately as she arranged a meeting with Kathy that it would happen. It wasn't fair to the other woman, but she also wasn't aware of what Elliot had become since the last time she had seen him, either.
He didn't say a word as she drove them out to Queens, becoming noticeably more nervous the closer they got. When she pulled into the driveway, she saw his hand clutching the seat belt so hard that his knuckles had turned white.
She turned toward him and he looked back at her like he was about to get sick.
She rubbed his shoulder gently.
"We can sit here as long as you need to," she told him quietly.
He took a few shaky breaths but didn't reply. After a long moment, he unbuckled his seat belt.
Kathy must have been watching for their arrival, because the moment he got one foot on the concrete, the front door was swinging open. Olivia watched her hurrying down the porch steps as she was getting out of the driver's side and her breath caught anxiously.
But she didn't move to come forward, instead forcing herself to stand beside her door and wait for his lead.
Elliot stopped short when he saw his wife almost running toward him. He stood frozen as if bracing himself for the unexpected and Olivia felt her heart ache.
Without a word, Kathy met him where he stood and engulfed him in a hug. He seemed shocked and didn't seem to know what to do, standing tense.
She pulled back and when she saw his face, her heart sank. He was looking at her uncertainly, his expression longing but nervous at the same time.
"Elliot," she breathed.
He continued looked at her with that terrible look, like he was waiting for her to be harsh toward him. She bit her lip and lifted a hand softly to his face.
His eyebrows jumped when she touched him and then furrowed and she almost lost her composure at the sudden familiar look that she hadn't seen in so long. It was one she knew well, the one he made when he was struggling with emotion.
She gently moved her hand up to stroke into his hair.
"I missed you," she whispered with a small, tearful smile.
That was all it took. His face twisted and then in less than half a second he was pulling her forward with unexpected vigor. He pressed his face into her neck and buried her into a crushing embrace.
The surprise on her face was evident from where Olivia stood watching. She watched as Kathy cradled the back of his head where it rested against her and then stood patiently when it became apparent that he wasn't ready to release her, dropping soft kisses into his hair.
Finally, Kathy had to step away because he was squeezing her so much that it was hard to breathe. He looked reluctant but let go of her immediately. The smile that lit up her face made Olivia smile, too. They both could see that he appeared much more at ease.
"Come inside, El," she said, taking his hand. "Come see the boys. They're waiting for you."
That was when Olivia noticed Dick's pickup truck, parked by the curb across the street. The sudden hesitation on Elliot's face was clear as he looked over toward her and she was torn. She didn't want to make Kathy upset, but her first priority was making sure he felt comfortable.
Luckily, Kathy solved the potential issue without seeming to even realize it. She followed his gaze over to where Olivia stood and smiled.
"Come on in, Olivia," she said kindly, extending an arm out in her direction. "Please."
Olivia looked at Elliot again and saw in his eyes that he was silently asking her to do the same. She nodded at once.
"Sure," Olivia replied, walking toward them. "Thank you. I can't stay long, though. I need to pick up Noah soon."
Kathy let go of his hand as they climbed the porch steps and opened the door. Elliot hung back, letting both of them enter first, and felt his heart start to race.
Then he slowly stepped over the threshold.
Dick was sitting in the living room, waiting anxiously as his mother went outside. She had asked him to wait inside with Eli instead of coming out with her to meet his dad. It seemed like an odd request, but he complied nonetheless.
He didn't have a clue what to expect. To be perfectly honest, he wasn't sure what he should be feeling.
Dick had been caught up in the Marines and had been stationed in North Carolina during School of Infantry training when his dad had told him during one of the rare calls that Dick had been able to make that he was going on an undercover job. He hadn't even realized his dad had gone back to work. The last he'd heard before that, his father had decided to retire.
But Dick hadn't really given it much thought. He was busy and keeping in touch had truthfully been the last thing on his mind. He called home maybe once a month or less and his mom had always told him that his dad was still working. Eventually, they had both stopped even mentioning it. He honestly hadn't even been aware of just how much time had elapsed since he had actually heard from his father.
He had been on his way to his duty station in Albany when he had gotten the phone call that would mark one of the worst days of his life. His mother, breaking down into shrill sobs that had scared the shit out of him, telling him that his sisters were dead. It had taken an hour after hanging up for his brain to process what she had even said.
He had gotten approved to fly home three days later. He had arrived back to find his mother a wreck, his little brother despondent, a newborn niece that he had never even known about, and police officers telling him they suspected it was a murder connected to the group that his father was trying to catch. His mother had never disclosed what his father's undercover job was, but did tell the officers that she had begged him to come home and he had chosen to stay instead.
His dad hadn't even been at the funeral. Dick had to stand next to his mother and help her bury her own children while his father had remained at the job that had killed them. He had never felt emotion like he had that day.
For the first time ever in his life, he had hated his dad. The longer time passed, the more the feeling simmered. So when his mother had called not even an hour ago and told him that his father had asked to come see them, he wasn't even sure he would be able to stand it.
The door opened and Dick stood up, seeing his mother enter. He was surprised to see Olivia Benson follow her inside, but didn't speak to her, because he saw a shadow behind her of someone else about to walk inside.
Despite himself, he walked closer as his dad came into his view for the first time in almost nine years.
He saw his father start, apparently not expecting his son to be standing and waiting, and getting a full glimpse of him was one of the worst sights Dick thought he had ever seen.
His father looked extremely unhealthy. It was the most prominent thing that Dick noticed about him. He was gaunt, almost sickly thin, and his skin was sallow. It was so horrifying that the young man couldn't stop staring.
His demeanor also made him seem...small. He looked like he was afraid to be standing before him and wouldn't meet his eyes at first. That was probably the worst part of all.
Dick felt his mouth suddenly go dry.
The silence stretched awkwardly until he suddenly noticed Olivia glancing worriedly at his dad from her position slightly off to the side. When Dick followed her gaze, he was shocked to see that his father had started to tremble.
"Dad," he choked out at last.
When he finally met his eyes, Dick saw a look of shame in them like nothing he had ever seen before.
Elliot realized he was shaking as he looked at his oldest son but couldn't stop.
He, too, looked so different that it was agonizing. He remembered his son barely out of his teens, still a boy in a father's eyes even as he took hesitant steps toward manhood.
The young man standing before him at that moment looked self-assured and confident, with quiet strength that said he had filled the gap in his father's absence and was used to doing so.
He had to swallow several times before he could try to speak. But it was his son who spoke first.
"Dad."
He felt tears spring to his eyes hearing his son's voice, familiar and so mature. A pained smile came over his face.
"Hi," Elliot finally said.
They stood staring at each other. Olivia could sense that Elliot wanted to touch his son, but was taking his cues from Dick. It was apparent that the young man wasn't as inclined.
"Hi," Dick said back.
There was awkward silence. The crestfallen look that came over Elliot's face when he realized Dick wasn't going to move made Olivia bite her lip in silent anguish. He put on a brave face that broke her heart.
"It's good to see you, son," he said quietly.
The young man nodded slightly, looking uncomfortable. Olivia noticed that Kathy had stepped over toward the kitchen as she was watching them and was slowly edging back closer with her hands around Eli's shoulders.
Elliot noticed and turned slightly to look. He inhaled in audible shock, seeing his youngest son full on for the first time.
The short glance of Eli that he'd gotten the first time he had come home weeks ago hadn't done him justice. He seemed so much taller than Elliot had thought standing there in front of Kathy and resembled her in all of the best ways. His hair was light, his face was beautiful-
And it was painfully evident that he didn't know Elliot at all.
Kathy squeezed her son's shoulders.
"You know who he is, Eli," she said lightly. "It's your Dad. Remember all of the pictures we look at in your photo album?"
She was obviously making an effort to show him that they had still thought of him. But it felt like a knife deep in his chest. His baby had grown up only knowing his face in pictures.
Eli looked at him openly but with no real connection. He looked like a child parroting obediently what he had been told to say.
"Hi, Daddy," he said.
Elliot stared at him, suddenly unable to speak.
A sudden squeal startled him. Kathy smiled and walked across the living room.
"And...here's someone you haven't met yet," she said warmly.
His chest felt like it was caving in as he watched her reach into the portable crib against the wall. She approached him holding the baby on her hip and he took in the infant's chubby cheeks, wispy brown curls, and the wide, familiar blue eyes that resembled Maureen.
Olivia was startled when he abruptly covered his face with his hands.
"Hey," she said worriedly, stepping up to grip his shoulder gently.
Kathy looked horrified and froze where she stood. She immediately turned away.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "You don't have to see her, El. It's ok."
She nodded toward Dick to come take Eliza from her. Elliot took a choking breath, his face wet as he held out a shaking hand to stop her.
"No," he said quickly. "No, please, don't."
He came forward, wiping his face as best he could, and seemed almost desperate. Kathy glanced at Olivia and saw her looking back anxiously, obviously not sure what he would do.
She stood still, moving to hold the baby in front of her in a sitting position out facing him. Eliza swung her legs excitedly and looked at Elliot with innocent eyes.
He almost went his knees, he was so captivated by her.
"I know who she is," he managed to whisper through the tears sliding down his cheeks. "Maureen told me."
Kathy's face went as white as a sheet and Olivia's first reaction was to make sure she wasn't about to drop the child. Elliot was looking at Eliza, seeming transfixed by her, and didn't appear to have noticed.
He swallowed hard and then looked at Kathy.
"Can I-?" he asked hesitantly.
She recovered admirably, forcing a smile onto her face. Instead of a verbal reply, Kathy smoothly handed the baby girl over. He gripped Eliza securely without having to think about it, bringing her close to him.
He looked wistful for a brief second and then broke out into such a wide smile that it made Olivia's breath catch with excitement.
"Hi, Eliza," he said softly. He looked her over and then turned his head toward Kathy, his eyes almost sparkling with delight. "She looks just like Maureen did as a baby, doesn't she?"
His wife shared his smile as she nodded.
"I thought so, too," she replied.
Standing there and watching Elliot looking happier than she'd seen him in weeks as he held his granddaughter, Olivia felt some of the weight lift from her chest. She looked in relief at Kathy, who seemed to understand without having to say a word.
"I need to go get Noah," she said, checking the time on her phone. She hesitated a moment before addressing Elliot quietly. "What do you want to do?"
He looked over at Olivia as Eliza was playing with one of his ears. She gave him a smile, already seeming to know his answer.
"I'll stay here," he said. He glanced at Kathy. "If...that's alright, I mean."
"Of course it's alright," she said, nodding. She was watching him with slight amusement as Eliza began to squirm. "It's about time for her bottle, if you'd like to give it to her."
Dick hadn't said another word the whole time, but he got up almost before his mother finished speaking like he was in a rush to leave the room.
"I'll get it," he said quickly. His cheeks burned when his mom turned a strange look on him and he almost stammered. "Eli, want to help me?"
He gently propelled his little brother toward the kitchen. He had meant to be nonchalant about his sudden need to take a minute to process what was going on and also give Eli a reprieve, figuring the poor kid must have felt weird about seeing the father he barely even remembered. But it had ended up being embarrassingly obvious.
His father either didn't catch on or didn't care. He sat down on the couch and lifted Eliza up into a standing position on top of his knees, holding her hands for balance, and she squealed happily.
"I was going to get Chinese on my way back," Olivia said to Kathy.
She turned to acknowledge Olivia, still smiling from watching him, and saw a shared sentiment on the other woman's face.
"Have you guys eaten yet? My treat."
Olivia thought that the light atmosphere was perfect and was excited to see Elliot finally getting some well-deserved peace for a little while. The fact that he didn't do more than glance when she left the house was all the proof she needed.
She drove off having no idea that it would take less than twenty minutes to bring it all to a screeching halt.
Olivia handed the woman behind the counter her credit card after confirming that the bags waiting there was her order.
"Thank you," she said once the card was returned. She took one of the smaller bags and held it toward Noah. "Carry this one for me, please."
Her son took it and she grabbed the remaining three, slinging them onto her wrists.
"Alright," she said, grinning at Noah. " Let's go. I'm starving, how about you?"
She had told him when she had picked him up that they would be going to Elliot's house to eat lunch. All he cared about was getting to play video games with Eli again, so he didn't mind.
Her phone rang as she approached the car. She opened the door to slide the bags onto the seat before reaching for it.
"Benson," she said, watching Noah get into the backseat.
"Olivia." It was Kathy and her urgent tone immediately put a pit in her stomach. "How far away are you? Are you close by?"
"I just picked up the food," she replied. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know," she said, sounding shaky. "I don't know what's happening. He's upset." Kathy sounded helpless and upset, herself. "I tried to calm him down but he just keeps saying he needs you."
Olivia felt like she had been sucker punched. She could hear the pain in Kathy's voice as she got inside and started the ignition quickly.
"I'm coming," she said. "I'm about twenty minutes away." She looked in the rear view mirror anxiously as she hung up. "You have your seat belt on, Noah?"
He nodded.
She made it in less than fifteen minutes. She hurried into the house, carrying the takeout bags and ushering Noah in with her.
"Kathy?" she asked urgently, seeing no one in the living room when she stepped inside.
Kathy came out of the kitchen the minute she spoke with Eliza in her arms. She looked frantic. Olivia saw Eli and Dickie standing by the dinner table from behind her, the older son looking shocked and horrified.
She didn't even move to set the bags down. They slung against her legs as Olivia stopped and looked at her anxiously.
"Where is he?" she asked.
The other woman nodded slightly toward the opposite direction.
"He went in the hallway," she said.
She reached for the bags. Olivia's eyebrows furrowed worriedly as she let Kathy take them from her.
"What happened?" Olivia asked quietly, mindful of the younger boys within hearing range.
Kathy shook her head, looking tearful.
"I have no idea," she said, slightly wide-eyed. "We were playing with Eliza and I got a phone call from the bank. I asked him a question about his credit card and he suddenly started panicking."
Olivia bit her lip in concern, turning to speak to Noah.
"Go on in and wash your hands," she told him.
She nodded at Kathy and the other woman went to show Noah where the sink was while she strode toward the hallway. She could hear him gasping for breath as she got closer to the nearest bedroom.
"Elliot?"
She stepped into what was obviously Eli's room and saw him sitting on the edge of the bed, doubled over and breathing rapidly.
"Hey," she said gently. His head whipped up when she spoke and she saw fear and anxiety on his face. "What's going on?"
Elliot could only shake his head at her. He couldn't speak, almost crying as he sucked in breaths painfully. She sat down beside him on the bed and began rubbing his back.
"It's alright," she said calmly. "You're ok, Elliot. Just focus on my voice and breathe, alright?"
He gripped her arm tight enough to hurt, as if making sure she wouldn't leave his side, but closed his eyes and took several breaths obligingly. His heart was hammering and he felt lightheaded.
She reached around and kneaded the back of his neck and he leaned into her, his expression nauseated as he worked to slow his breathing. She wondered painfully how long he had been worked up that way.
After a few moments, he seemed to have calmed down enough that he could speak. She kept up the soothing touch and tried again.
"Talk to me, Elliot," she said. "Tell me what's happening."
He looked at her desperately.
"I was feeding Eliza," he began shakily. He paused, swallowing, and she nodded to let him know she was listening intently. "The phone rang and then Kathy came back in saying the it was the bank confirming a purchase on our credit card for a plane ticket to La Guardia airport. She asked if I knew about it because she hadn't bought it."
He was starting to panic again. She could see it. Olivia was trying to understand what could be making him react so fearfully but was having a hard time.
He looked at her desperately, seeing she wasn't getting it.
"Olivia, they took everything," he said tearfully. "After they tied me up. They took my clothes, my keys, and my wallet. My credit card was in there."
Realization slammed into her like a boulder.
"The U.S. Marshal," she said. She felt her pulse quickening. "He hasn't been caught yet. You think he used your credit card to buy a plane ticket?"
Elliot looked pale.
"He could be coming for me," he said dreadfully. "He could be coming for you. Or all of us...oh, Christ. Christ."
He had started shaking, he was so afraid of the thought, and Olivia felt rage build inside her.
"The hell he will," she said angrily. "I'm getting that bastard first."
She saw the broken look on his face and laid a gentle hand on his cheek. His face was crumbling
"I can't let him take anyone else from me, Liv," he said, almost begging. "Please, don't go after him. I can't lose you, too."
She stroked his face.
"You won't," she said. "I can promise you that, Elliot. He's not going to have the chance. He's not stepping foot off of that plane."
Her eyes glinted with determination as she took out her phone and dialed.
"Murphy," she said, the moment he picked up. "Get agents to the La Guardia airport right now. We're making an arrest."