"Law and Order: SVU" belongs to Dick Wolf and Universal Television. No profit is being made from this story.
Sorry. I'm so sorry. This thing just...won't end. Looks like it's going to actually be two additional chapters to the conclusion, including this one.
Elliot didn't know it, but his wife was watching him as he broke into a run down the driveway. She had seen him pass from inside Eliza's room and was surprised to see him dressed in clothes she hadn't seen in years.
The sight of him pausing to try and adjust the clothes that were swallowing him was painful. The day that he had unexpectedly appeared on the porch, months ago, it had been impossible not to notice how thin he had looked. More recently, when she had hugged him upon seeing him arrive with Olivia, actually feeling it under her hands had horrified her.
She had made sure not to let her feelings show, but it was difficult every day to see the evidence of how poor his health was. After seeing him gulping down food in the dark and then acted afraid of being caught doing it, she'd had a terrible thought that maybe he somehow had been forced to go without eating. She was afraid to ask.
Elliot returned as she was packing Eliza and Eli up to leave for the day. The baby squealed when he appeared in the kitchen, sweaty and breathing hard, and Kathy looked over at him as she closed her bag.
"I left you some breakfast," she said softly.
He nodded a bit uncomfortably, seeing Eli come in with a coat and backpack on and not even look his way.
"Thank you," he said awkwardly after a beat.
"We're about to leave," she went on. "I got approved for some time off, but it won't start until next week. I just...figured sticking to our normal routine until then would be easier." She looked guilty. "Are you okay with that?"
He swallowed, trying not to let his anxiety show. The thought of being alone in the house was not a pleasant one.
"Oh...yeah," he said with false lightness. "No problem."
She had a soft look on her face as she gazed at him for a minute. Then she turned away and came back with a steaming mug in her hand.
"I got the flavor you like," she said, holding it out to him. "Milk is in the fridge door. "
Elliot swallowed against the sudden lump in his throat, but it took a real effort to control the abrupt look of despair that tugged at his face and try to smile back
He had no idea what flavor of coffee he had liked to drink at home.
"Thank you," he repeated hollowly, taking it from her.
"You're welcome," she replied. She suddenly looked nervous. "And, um...I'm also going to stop after work and see if I can find you some clothes that might fit you better."
He flinched unexpectedly and she bit her lip, not sure what to do. She had been trying to make him happy, but her words had seemed to do the opposite.
It wasn't even mid-morning when Olivia got back to the precinct and she was already spent, her skin still crawling from the things Woodhouse had said.
Amanda looked at Fin in concern as they both watched their captain walk in and disappear into her office without acknowledging anyone. When the blinds closed from inside, the detective's eyebrows jumped worriedly. Fin shook his head at her in warning and continued working.
Enclosed in her office, Olivia blew out a deep breath and buried her face in her hands tiredly.
She couldn't stop thinking about the bail hearing. She supposed she could try calling the correctional center to find out how it went, but technically, they didn't have to tell her anything. The only way to know for sure was to wait for Murphy to update her.
But she suddenly didn't have a good feeling about it and that worried her. She was torn about jumping in and starting an SVU investigation in case the federal case went south.
She took out her phone and sent a text message to Kathy instinctively. She hadn't talked to Elliot since dropping him off at home the day before and was worried about how he was handling things.
There was a knock at her office door as she hit SEND.
"Come in," she said.
Fin opened the door and looked in at her warily. He wisely chose not to ask any personal questions as he came in, holding a file, and she didn't initiate conversation as she signed off on it.
Murphy was really hoping that Woodhouse was just cocky and full of shit. But after returning to the precinct, he was called into Captain Wilkerson's office and that hope was dashed.
The captain looked at him grimly when he walked in.
"Just got a call from the U.S. Attorney's office," he said to the lieutenant. "Brent Woodhouse's attorney secured ROR under the condition that he check-in with federal agents regularly until the trial date."
Murphy looked at his captain angrily.
"That's bullshit," he said bluntly. Captain Wilkerson raised an eyebrow and the lieutenant shook his head. "Sorry, Sir."
"I think it would be wise to arrange for someone to keep an eye on Stabler, just as a precaution," the captain went on. "You want to arrange that, Lieutenant?"
It wasn't a request and Murphy didn't take it as one.
"I'll get on it, Cap," he replied heavily. "Thanks."
He called Olivia as soon as he got back to his desk. To say she wasn't happy to hear the news was putting it mildly.
"Federal check-ins," she exploded. "Are you fucking kidding me?" She was nearly apoplectic. "The man is a god damned federal agent! For God's sake..."
Murphy had no choice but to listen to her tirade for a few more moments before he was able to get a word in.
"My captain wants a detail to keep watch on Elliot until the trial," he told her. He paused. "How is he doing?"
"I don't know," she answered monotonously. "I texted his wife and got no answer." Her words surprised him. "I don't want you telling him about this, Murphy. It's only going to stress him out and he doesn't need that right now."
"Don't you think that should be up to him, Olivia?" he asked.
"Just let me handle it," she insisted. "Alright?"
He wasn't sure he agreed with her idea, but for whatever reason, she wasn't backing down.
"Whatever you say," he replied. But he couldn't resist continuing. "You know it would be easier to keep him safe if he was aware. He is with his family now, after all. They could all be affected."
She didn't reply for a minute.
"If your detail can't do their job without needing his cooperation, Murphy," she said, somewhat defensively, "then maybe you need to spend more time training a better one."
She was scared. He could tell. Brent Woodhouse had definitely gotten under her skin and she didn't want to admit it. He felt for her, which is why he hadn't pushed the issue. But he still attempted to put her mind at ease a little.
"You don't have to worry, Olivia," he said quietly. "I promise he'll be protected."
Olivia paused for a long moment.
"We both know what this is, Murphy," she finally said heavily. "God damn it. Woodhouse is doing exactly what he said he would." Her uneasiness came through in her tone. "This isn't a good."
The lieutenant didn't try to placate her or deny it. There was no point.
"Yeah," he said unhappily. "I know."
Kathy tried not to act as concerned as she felt when Elliot started going out running more and more often once she gave him things that fit properly. But thanks to the doorbell camera system that Dick had installed for her the previous year, she was receiving alert notifications and could see from her phone every time Elliot left and returned to the house while she was at work.
She didn't begin to really worry until she started getting no notifications indicating that he was coming back during the day at all. He often would stay out the whole time she was gone, then go out again while she made dinner and not come back until she was in bed. Sometimes she would see him limping and wincing as he crept into the bedroom to shower afterward, not thinking she was awake as she lay there watching him in the dark. He seemed to be pushing himself harder and harder and she didn't know why.
The underlying problem with his sudden zeal for physical exertion became apparent a few days later. All of the running was making him so exhausted that he slept too deeply and became trapped in nightmares. He was too ashamed to admit to his wife that he was afraid to sleep and instead tried to solve the problem himself by avoiding rest altogether.
He tried staying out even longer and going even harder. All it did was make him agonizingly sore, but he didn't stop. After five days of this, he started feeling like he was losing his grip on reality and it was terrifying.
He sometimes saw the street in front of his eyes wobbling as he ran. He would see a car more than once and think someone was following him. He started reverting back to pacing whenever he was in the house alone, not wanting to relax for even a second.
He struggled silently, trying to hide what was going on and doggedly trying to push through it all, until the night, Kathy came downstairs with a fussy Eliza and saw him outside the window. He was hunched over on the front steps in the dark, shaking uncontrollably, and it scared the hell out of her.
She put the baby in the swing and padded to the door. The frigid chill from outside made her suck in a breath when she opened it.
"Elliot?" she asked worriedly. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," he murmured hoarsely.
He didn't turn toward her. He spoke through clenched teeth, as if in pain, and continued to tremble like a live wire.
Kathy bit her lip and pulled her robe tighter around herself as she stepped out onto the porch.
Elliot saw her step down to the stair he was on, her bare feet settling next to his shoes as she sat beside him. Her shoulder brushed against his coat and he caught a whiff of a pleasant smell, probably her shampoo.
His breath shook as he twitched beside her and when she was finally able to get a glimpse of his face, her heart ached to see tear tracks there.
"Baby, what's going on?" she murmured painfully. "What's wrong?"
He just shook his head and seemed to retreat further into himself.
"I don't-" His voice was broken, barely audible. "Kath...I don't know."
Hearing him sound so empty, so...hopeless was terrifying. If she hadn't been sitting next to him, Kathy wouldn't have recognized his voice.
Desperate and frightened, she reached out touch his face tenderly and then started when he jerked away from her touch so fast that he nearly fell off of the step.
He looked horrified and ashamed and something inside of her felt like it was crumbling. Tears sprang to her eyes.
"Please, baby," she begged him helplessly. "Talk to me. It's killing me to see you like this." She lost the fight against her own tears and tried to dial them back. "Elliot...you're scaring me. I want to help and I don't know how. Please talk to me."
His face twisted at her words and he felt like he was shattering inside.
"I'm sorry," he croaked out. He had to pause, barely able to breathe. It felt like his chest was caving in. "Kath, I'm not trying to-scare you. I just..I can't."
"Why not?" she whispered desperately.
Elliot's nerves had continued to bombard him the whole time until he suddenly felt dreadfully certain that if he didn't stop shaking, he was going to collapse, or puke, maybe both at the same time. He stood up like a spring, helpless against the agony.
"I'm sorry," he said again miserably, watching his wife's face fall. "I have to move, I feel like I'm-"
He was already bouncing on his feet, his body seeming to be acting of its own volition. He looked at her tearfully.
"I love you, Kath. More than anything. Please believe me."
And then he was gone, disappearing down the driveway. She watched his back until he was swallowed up in the darkness. Tears blinded her as she got up, but she managed to hold them in until she got back inside the house.
Elliot's feet pounded the pavement hard but he couldn't get the images out of his head. He tried to suck the tears back as the freezing night air whipped his face, helpless to stop the memory that had popped up and was playing on a terrible loop .
A man standing over him, one hand yanking his head up by the hair hard enough to make his eyes water. His terrified gaze, fixed on the blade poised by his stomach, as he tried to brace himself and prayed that he wasn't about to be gutted to death in front of his daughters.
The cruel smile that the man flashed and excruciating pain that had followed as initials were carved into his skin.
He began sprinting even faster. His lungs burned and then for a brief second, his vision blackened.
He stumbled before all but tumbling to rest on a sidewalk. He gagged and sucked in air greedily, his muscles jerking instinctively with every car that passed and person walking by, but thankfully no one spared him a glance.
Elliot would have sat longer if it hadn't abruptly began to rain. He blearily tried to figure out how far he was from home and suddenly realized how close he had ended up to somewhere else.
After a few days of texting Kathy and getting no response, Olivia had forced herself to give them space. She knew deep down that she would be notified if something were to happen, but she wouldn't put it past Woodhouse to find some way to get to Elliot. It was difficult to think about work and she worried constantly.
At the end of the week, Noah was invited to an overnight birthday party and she found herself with a rare night alone in the apartment, She stopped for food on her way back from dropping him off and barely made it back inside before the sky opened up.
The sound of rain pounding against the windows muffled the knock on the door as she was opening the cartons of food and she didn't realize it until the second one came louder. She looked warily through the peephole and then quickly pulled the door open.
"Elliot," she said, slightly startled.
She couldn't help it. It had been nearly six days since she had last seen or spoken to him and he looked, quite frankly, horrible standing there. Wearing a shiny green ski coat and black athletic pants, he stood back from the doorway with a weary expression, drenched and dripping onto the floor of the corridor.
"You're soaked," she went on in concern before he could say a word. She gestured quickly. "Come inside."
He didn't move, instead just looking anxious.
"I'm sorry to just show up here," he said. Olivia could hear exhaustion in his voice, but it was almost overshadowed by something else, something she couldn't quite identify. "I don't want to wake up Noah."
His eyes were bloodshot and shining and seeing them immediately furthered her suspicion that something definitely wasn't right. She spoke quickly.
"It's fine," she replied. "He's at a sleepover." He seemed to marginally relax at that and she ventured further, nearly pulling him. "You never need to apologize for coming over, Elliot. Come in."
He finally stepped across the threshold, looking wobbly and her heart instinctively sped up . She didn't smell alcohol on him, but seeing as how he looked like he had just walked through a monsoon, it could have been washed away.
She hoped fervently that he hadn't put something harder in his system, but she would have to just do her best until she found out details. Whatever was going on, all that mattered for the moment was that he'd had the foresight to get somewhere safe.
"I was just about to make some tea," she invited. She actually hadn't been, but he was visibly shivering and she decided she was then. "How about you take that wet stuff off and get warmed up?"
He grimaced, as if she had just reminded him he was wet, and nodded without meeting her gaze. She went into the kitchen while he toed off his shoes and took off his soggy coat.
He had removed his hat when she came back in with a cup and Olivia was momentarily startled to see that he was almost completely bald. He gave her a sharp look as if anticipating having to defend against a comment, so she kept her face neutral and said nothing about it.
"Here," she said, holding it out toward him. She gestured encouragingly toward the couch. "Sit down, Elliot. Make yourself comfortable."
He seemed hesitant as he accepted it and stepped over toward the sofa slowly.
"I won't stay long," he said uneasily as she was turning back to get her own tea. "I just need to dry off before I run back home."
Olivia couldn't contain her shock at his words.
"Wait-you ran here?" she asked incredulously, stopping. "In the rain?' He looked abashed. "From Queens?"
He glanced at her and then away again with an uncomfortable shrug.
"Well...it wasn't raining when I left," he said.
Hearing that only worried her further. If that was true, he had to have been out for hours.
There was an awkward silence when she sat down and she used the opportunity to study him furtively with growing concern. He was visibly tense and she had a feeling there was more to his impromptu visit than he was saying.
"You want to talk?" she finally asked gently.
He began to squint, like he was trying to hold emotion back . She set her tea on the table beside the couch and gently placed a hand on his back.
He felt hot tears sliding down his cheeks and quickly tipped his face down, but Olivia saw them anyway. It seemed too difficult for him to speak and her heart ached for him.
"We can just sit," she murmured. "That's fine, too. Whatever you want."
Elliot hung his head and didn't look at her, swallowing repeatedly.
"It's just...hard," he finally managed to choke out. "I thought things would be easier once I was back home-" His voice caught tearfully and he shook his head helplessly "And they're not."
The despair she saw on his face was crushing.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
He let out a shaky breath.
"I can't sleep," he admitted shakily. "I haven't slept in almost...five days." A slight note of hysteria crept into his voice. "Liv, I feel like I'm going crazy."
She took a chance, wrapping her arm around him and waiting to see if he was comfortable. He leaned toward her immediately.
"God, Elliot, you're probably exhausted," she said softly. "Is it because of nightmares?" He nodded miserably. She continued rubbing gentle circles on his back and spoke as gently as she could. "What are you doing if you're not sleeping?"
He was fighting to stay composed and Olivia mentally braced herself as she kept up the comforting touch, sensing he was about to break.
"I've been running a lot," he said shakily. "It was helping a little at first...but it's not anymore. I'm trying to do it all day so I don't have to be in the house by myself when everyone is gone and it's-it's getting really difficult. I get tired and can't stay warm."
Her heart sank at the thought of him outside all day, physically killing himself in the cold, just to avoid going in his house alone. She didn't have time to ponder the meaning because his face suddenly began to crumble as he kept going.
"I hate being inside, Liv," he choked tearfully. "I keep...seeing...my girls...everywhere."
He could barely get the words out before the sobs overtook him, coming on hard and fast like explosions. It was painfully evident that his weariness was fueling his emotions.
Olivia responded quickly, wrapping one arm tenderly around him and reached across with her free hand to lace her fingers through his.
"Okay," she murmured painfully. She hugged him close and pressed her head against his for an intimate moment. " It's okay, Elliot. Take a minute. I've got you."
For a few long moments, all he could do was hold onto her hand and try to keep inhaling. The torrent of despair that had come over him had caught even him unprepared.
"You've been through so much," she murmured softly. "You can't deal with it by yourself." He exhaled shakily. "Have you talked to Kathy about it?"
He shook his head, wiping his face.
"I can't," he rasped. "She wants me to and I'm hurting her, I know I am." His expression was painfully anguished. "I just...want to be the person she wants me to be. The one she remembers...and I can't." His voice broke. "Every time I look in the mirror, all I see is what they did...what they touched..."
He couldn't find the words to explain. Her heart sank with a sudden insight that made horrible sense.
"You shaved off your hair to rid of the reminder," she predicted quietly
"Yes."
Elliot's reply was immediate and distressed, as if he was unsettled by her ability to understand but also grateful
"I'm tired, Olivia," he whispered despondently. "I'm just so tired."
She knew, without him expressly saying it, that he was talking about more than just lack of sleep. Her face drew with sympathy and she placed her hand steadily on the back of his neck.
"I know," she said quietly. "I know you are. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you." Guilt washed over her. "I'm sorry, Elliot. I should have come to see you were doing. I didn't want to seem too pushy and make you uncomfortable."
He looked at her meekly.
"I wanted to call you," he admitted, looking at the ground as his face got hot. "I was afraid...you might want a break from me."
He seemed so defeated that it hurt to look at him. She shook her head and reached out for his hand.
"No," she said with conviction. "That will never happen. I can promise you that."
She rubbed over his fingers gently. She hated that she couldn't do more for him but was quick to offer what she could.
"I can sleep on your couch tonight if Kathy is alright with it," she suggested quietly. " Would it help you get some rest if I watch your back?"
He looked ready to cry. A lump formed in his throat and prevented him from speaking as he nodded in relief immediately.
"Okay," she said as encouragingly as she could. "Then I'll do that. Let me change and then I'll drive you home." She managed a smile, trying to exude brightness for his sake even though her heart was broken. "You want something to eat first? I have enough Thai food here to feed an army and I can't finish it all myself."
Instead of answering, he came forward and pulled her into a hug.
"Thank you," she heard him whisper.
Blinking tearfully, she nodded as she pressed her hands into his back and tried to breathe. They broke apart and she looked at him openly.
"For what it's worth?" she said carefully. "You thought before that Kathy wouldn't want to see you...and look how she reacted when she did." She shrugged slightly. " Maybe give talking to her a chance. She might need it as much as you do."
He seemed to be considering her words, so she left it at that and quickly changed the subject.
"So...you feel like one plate or two?" she asked.
She was pleased to see a smile smile in return.
Kathy didn't go to bed after he left. Seeing it start to pour down rain worried her and it only increased the longer Elliot remained gone.
She was just about to pick up the phone and ask her oldest son to come look around the neighborhood for his father when Olivia called first to let her know where Elliot was.
Hearing that he had gone to Olivia's apartment stirred up an uncomfortable feeling that she was unprepared for. Still, it was an undeniable relief when the SUV pulled up a short time later and she saw him get out.
She held open the front door for him as he dashed onto the porch, trying to get through the rain as fast as possible. Elliot stopped before coming inside and moved back to avoid getting her wet.
"I'm sorry, Kath," he said. "I didn't mean to be gone so long. I just-" He looked at her anxiously, not sure what to say. "I need you to let Olivia stay here tonight. Please, can you do that?"
He was nearly begging her and she didn't like it at all. Everything about the way he looked at that moment was wrong. He began looking frantic the longer she stood there not answering and Kathy swallowed hard. As strange as it felt, she hated to see him look that way.
"Alright," she said softly. "That's fine, Elliot."
She stood back inside the house and watched with a growing feeling of discomfort as he went back out to the vehicle and spoke through a crack in the passenger window, presumably telling Olivia it was alright to come in.
He looked uncertain as he came back and faced her again. Her eyes traveled up behind him to where Olivia was coming up onto the porch. The other woman carried nothing with her and hesitant to come inside.
"I'm not here to sleep," Olivia said quietly. "If that...makes you feel any better. I'm just here so that Elliot can get some rest."
Kathy looked at Elliot and he looked back uncomfortably.
"Come upstairs with me," he said quietly. "We need to talk."
Elliot held it together as best he could as they sat on their bed and he finally told her about what had been happening to him the whole time that she had believed he had been working.
He couldn't tell her everything. There was just no way that he could bring himself to tell his own wife about being violated the way he had. But what he did reveal about what he had been through was horrifying enough to stun her, first into silence and then into tears.
She listened in shocked horror as he talked about being tied up, threatened with weapons, beaten, and repeatedly drugged. He become choked up when he revealed to her that he had been laying there, bound and helpless, listening the one time she had called on the phone. He broke down into tears when he told her about their daughters being murdered while he watched.
She couldn't keep from crying herself. He admitted that being touched panicked him and reminded him of the abuse he had endured and then told her how why he had wanted Olivia there that night. Hearing that he had been too afraid to sleep for five days broke her heart. She'd had absolutely no idea.
"Oh, baby," she managed to whisper. She could hardly speak, she was so anguished over everything she had just heard. "Elliot..."
She wiped her eyes, trying to pull herself together for him. She couldn't even begin to form words. Elliot looked so worn that he was practically collapsing and her heartstrings tugged painfully.
"Come here, love," she said softly, laying back against her pillow. "Lay down and get some rest."
He looked miserable, his eyes puffy, and looked like he was longing to do just that. But he hesitated, seemed nervous, and after what he had just told her, she didn't have to wonder why.
"I'll just lay right here," she said softly. "I won't touch you." She was suddenly uncertain and worried about making him upset. "I- I can leave, if that's easier, Elliot."
He couldn't hold on anymore. He was about to drop. He began lowering himself blearily down beside her.
Kathy stayed still, holding her breath slightly, and then was surprised when he slowly laid his head on her belly.
"No," he mumbled. His eyes slid tiredly closed and he shifted, rolling toward her. "Don't go."
She began stroking his forehead without thinking, listening to his breaths slow and feeling his head get heavier, but then froze in place when she realized what she might be doing.
"Is...this alright?" she asked uncertainly, pausing her hand.
Elliot's senses were melting at the pleasant feeling and he was being swept away fast. He managed to hum an affirmative before he finally dropped into blissful sleep.
Olivia sat up all night, dutifully scanning the outside through the curtains and moving between the front and back sides of the house. As Murphy had promised, an unmarked cruiser sat across the street the entire time and she kept a close eye on it.
Kathy came downstairs when the sun came up. Olivia turned from looking out at the street and looked at her hesitantly. She had a feeling that Kathy wasn't exactly thrilled with her presence there.
She didn't know if speaking would make things more awkward, so she didn't. For a tense moment, they just stared at each other and then Kathy finally spoke.
"I like a cup of coffee before everyone else is awake," she said. "Would you like one?"
Olivia hoped her surprise didn't show on her face.
"Sure," she agreed softly, nodding. "Thank you."
She followed the other woman into the kitchen. There was a few moments of silence once they were both seated with cups in front of them, but it didn't feel as uncomfortable as Olivia was expecting.
"Was Elliot able to get some rest?" she finally asked softly.
Kathy nodded, looking encouraged that Olivia had spoken first.
"Yes," she replied. The relief in her voice was genuine. "He's been sleeping like a rock all night."
Olivia smiled warmly. Kathy met her eyes.
"Thank you for being here, Olivia," she said quietly. "I didn't-" Kathy had to stop when her voice shook. "I didn't know what was going on. I know he's been struggling but he never-he never said-"
"He talked to you about what happened to him?" Olivia surmised gently, understanding her struggle.
Kathy swallowed audibly, nodding and brushing away tears. There was horror in her eyes.
"I just... can't fathom it," she whispered. "I can't even let myself picture someone doing that to him."
Unsure of how much or what Elliot had revealed to his wife, Olivia just nodded.
"I know how that feels," she murmured.
Kathy pushed her coffee aside. She didn't have the stomach for it.
"I don't really know what to do now," she said, sounding stricken. Her thoughts were racing and jumbled. "I'm still...processing it all, I guess."
"Don't be too hard on yourself," Olivia said. "He's opening up to you, Kathy. That's a huge positive step right now. He's been through hell." She paused and then ventured on gently, "You all have."
The words seemed to surprise her. Olivia looked at her sympathetically.
"You've been taking care of everyone for so long," she went on softly. "You've had a major loss, too. Have you ever been able to grieve?"
Tears sprang to Kathy's eyes. Olivia's heart went out to her. She spoke carefully, not wanting to sound offensive.
"I can give you the number for a therapist," she offered quietly. "If you'd like. I've been seeing him periodically over the last seven years."
Kathy looked both grateful and tearful at Olivia's honesty and Olivia gave her a sad smile.
They were both startled by a knock on the front door. Olivia's instincts went on alert immediately.
"Are you expecting anyone?" she asked warily. Kathy shook her head and Olivia stood quickly, her tone becoming serious. "Stay here."
She went to the door and stood beside the wall, peeking through the window stealthily. Lieutenant Murphy was standing on the porch.
"Sorry," he apologized when she opened the door. "I saw your car when I came to relieve the detail unit. I was about to call you."
She could tell by his voice and demeanor that he was not bringing good news.
"What's going on?" she asked.
Murphy looked at her regretfully.
"The U.S. Attorney called my captain a little while ago," he told her. "He wants to meet us over breakfast in an hour to talk about the trial."
He paused and she looked at him dreadfully, sensing his next words.
"He specifically asked for Elliot to be there."
Kathy didn't look happy when Olivia came in and told her what was going on. She clearly wasn't pleased to have to wake Elliot from his sorely-deserved sleep and Olivia wasn't, either.
Olivia went back on the porch to wait. She looked angrily at Murphy but didn't say anything, knowing he was just the messenger and it wasn't fair to take his head off. He gave her space, standing on the front walk and not bothering to appease her.
After a few moments, Murphy looked up and spoke.
"Good morning."
She turned quickly and saw that Elliot had stepped outside. He was dressed but far from perky, looking sourly at the both of them. She couldn't keep the guilt from her face when he fixed her with a narrow gaze.
"Should I assume I don't get a vote about doing this?" he asked dryly.
She was selfishly glad that Kathy had already told him what was going on.
"Sorry, Elliot," Murphy spoke up sincerely. "Hopefully it won't take long." He paused. "You want to ride with me or Olivia?"
Elliot met her eyes, automatically opening his mouth to choose her, and then she saw his expression become suddenly astonished.
"Wait-" His eyebrows jumped involuntarily when he caught sight of a new, bright red Corvette parked at the curb and realized the other man was indicating it. "That?" He was almost gobsmacked. "That's yours?"
Murphy nodded.
Elliot was staring at him oddly.
"How many cars do you have?" he finally asked.
The look on his face was almost comically awed. Olivia had to hold back a laugh as Murphy's face morphed into a wide grin.
"If you only knew, man," the lieutenant said teasingly. "I guess you could say I'm...somewhat of a collector." He winked and abruptly tossed his keys toward Elliot. "You can drive if you want."
Olivia thought Elliot was going to keel over. He looked like a kid on Christmas.
"Are you serious?" he asked.
He glanced at her hesitantly and she grinned.
"Go ahead," she said, waving her hand. "I'll meet you there."
Murphy turned to walk toward the car. Elliot suddenly looked nervous, like the reality had just him.
"Well-wait," he called out, stopping the lieutenant. He shook his head when Murphy raised his eyebrows toward him, . "I've never-I mean, I don't know how to-"
Murphy spoke quickly, not intending to make him uncomfortable.
"It's easy," he said, nodding. "Really. I'll show you how." He grinned impishly. "Just try not to hit anything."
That was all the encouragement Elliot needed. He almost ran across the grass and opened the driver's side door.
Olivia paused next to her SUV, trying to hold back her smile as she watched the two men. Elliot was holding the steering wheel like he was afraid it would move, the glee on his face making it almost shine, and it was a fantastic sight.
Murphy said something and pointed. A moment later, the car roared to life.
Elliot whooped with excitement loud enough to be heard through the window, laughing like a lunatic. She couldn't keep from laughing herself as she got into her vehicle.
Christ, it feel good to hear that sound. She had sorely missed it.
The happiness was unfortunately short-lived. Once they arrived at the restaurant in the city, Elliot clammed up, seeing the bustling atmosphere inside.
Without being asked, Murphy marched ahead of them and went inside to secure a table. Olivia looked at Elliot and gently took his hand. He swallowed hard, letting her guide him around the throngs of people and trying his best to keep from getting nauseous.
"There," she said, pointing toward the back.
He inhaled deeply as they finally got to the table, shooting Murphy a grateful look when he saw that the lieutenant had left the booth seats open so that he could sit with his back to the wall.
They waited for a short while and Elliot became more tense the longer they sat there. He reluctantly accepted a cup of coffee when Olivia ordered it but barely touched it, instead clenching his fingers nervously around the rim.
He couldn't keep from constantly scanning the room around them, keeping a close eye on every person who came through the entrance in the front. He tried to calm down, reminding himself that he was safer than he'd ever been with Murphy and Olivia surrounding him, but the instinct to panic was difficult to ignore.
Captain Wilkerson suddenly materialized beside them with another man coming up behind him carrying a briefcase, presumably the U.S. and Murphy greeted him, but Elliot had zeroed in on the unfamiliar man seated across from him.
"Traffic was a bitch coming in from Brooklyn," was all the attorney had to say, barely looking at them. He appeared to be searching the area with his eyes. "We're actually waiting on one more person before we-"
He inclined his head.
"Oh, there he is," he concluded, waving at someone across the room.
Olivia was startled when Elliot suddenly came close to knocking over his coffee, his hands abruptly skittering off of the cup, and a look of pure shock came over his face.
"Sorry I'm late."
Her stomach dropped as she recognized the voice immediately. She whipped her head around, looking as startled as Elliot was as she met the eyes of Don Cragen, now standing there before them.