KILLING ME SOFTLY
CHAPTER 6
ELLIOT STABLER'S CABIN 8:00PM / WED
The sun was setting when Elliot finally drove up the tree lined hidden driveway. Leaving Ethany in the car he walks up the few steps to the deck. Forgetting that he hadn't brought a key Elliot was glad he had the sense to hide an extra key under one of the potted plants decorating the small front deck. Turning on the lights he made a quick walk through to make sure everything was ok before bring Ethany in.
Grinning he walks back to the car to the passenger side. Opening the door he found Ethany still sound asleep. Unbuckling her seatbelt he cautiously leans into her and brushes his lips over hers. Tasting watermelon he licks his lips as he waited for her to respond. Since his first kiss hadn't awakened his sleeping beauty he leans in again. But this time he makes a light snack of her lips. Thinking that this also didn't work he leans back trying to think of something else that might work. Noticing a grin slipping onto her lips he knew instantly that she was faking.
"Why you little...! How long were you going to sit there and let me kiss you like that?" asked Elliot laughing along with her.
"Until my watermelon lip gloss rubbed off my lips!" joked back Ethany with a sigh.
"Well come on get out and take a look at your new home!" Elliot said offering his hand to her.
Still holding hands Ethany takes in a breath as she looks at her breathtaking surroundings. The two story cabin with two decks was completely surrounded by huge trees. Just barely visible between the trees she spotted the crystal blue lake behind the cabin. Compared to the bustling city they had just escaped this was paradise on earth. It was so quite she thought she must still be dreaming. But the sudden song of a bird told her this was no dream.
"Well, let's not stand out here all night, let's get inside and warm up!" Suggested Elliot.
Following his lead they enter the cabin. "Make yourself at home! I'm going to go check in back to see how much firewood we have."
Elliot brought in enough firewood to set the whole woods on fire. Ethany knowing that she was being silly asked, "Uh Elliot, would you care if I take a shower to relax?"
Dumping the arm load of wood he immediately went to her side, "Oh God yes! I'm sorry I should have known!" Laughing between themselves Elliot showed her where the shower was and any other supplies that she might need. Before leaving her to her shower he popped his head back into the room. "Should I make us something to eat? I'm sure you must be starving by now!"
"Coffee would be great! I'm really not that hungry!"
"So that's how you stay so skinny, you live on nothing but coffee!" Elliot teased before closing the door behind him.
Thinking she would be in there for awhile he decides to tackle making a fire first before making the coffee. After stacking the wood neatly in the fireplace Elliot searched around the living room for some matches. Once the fire glowed in the room he headed into the kitchen. As the coffee began to perk he searched the fridge and cabinets for something to eat. Since there wasn't much to choose from he decides to make himself a grilled cheese sandwich and one for Ethany just in case she changed her mind. Unaware that she had finished her shower Elliot walked into the living room with two cups of coffee in one hand and two plates with the sandwiches in the other. Seeing her sprawled out on the couch wearing nothing but one of his T- shirts he stopped dead in his tracks staring openly at her.
"What? I know I must be frightening to look at with no make-up and without my hair being fixed, but that doesn't mean you gotta stare!" joked Ethany jumping up to help him with the food before it ended up on the floor.
"No, it wasn't that at all! It just that shirt never looked that good on me!"
As they drank their coffee and nibbled on their grilled cheese they talked the night away learning more about each other in those twilight hours then if they had gone on three or more dates. Seeing her yawn he checked his watch and was surprised to find that it was 3am.
"Honey, you must be exhausted let me show you to your room!" Elliot said while pulling her up off the couch with one hand.
Linking arms they go upstairs to the master bedroom. "Where are you going to sleep? I won't feel right if I take your bed!" informed Ethany turning to face Elliot.
"I'm gonna sleep downstairs. I rarely make it to bed when I'm here anyway. The couch is more my style!" he joked as he brushed a stray chestnut hair out of her face.
"If I don't kiss you right now, I'm gonna die!" whispered Ethany looking deep into his eyes.
"That's a lot of pressure!" Elliot joked.
"Only on the lips!" whispered back Ethany opening her mouth a little so his tongue could gain access to hers. Their hormones were racing but neither wanted their first time to be like this when they were too exhausted and stressed from the day's events to enjoy it.
Reluctantly pulling away Elliot breaks the contact of being in her arms. He cleared his throat, "Uh, if I don't leave now I don't think you will ever get rid of me! Sleep well sweetie, if you need anything I'm downstairs!" Blowing him a kiss she says goodnight before shutting the door behind him.
ELLIOT STABLER'S CABIN NOON/ THURSDAY
Taking advantage of being able to sleep in Elliot wakes the next morning with his schedule all ready running through his mind. After taking a shower and dressing in jeans and a nice shirt Elliot found it strange to be going into work not dressed in his usual "uniform". Checking on Ethany he finds her still snuggled sound asleep in bed. Grabbing some coffee and a piece of toast, he decided to leave Ethany a note so she wouldn't worry.
48TH PRESCIENT THURSDAY
Since the prescient was the closest Elliot made that his first stop. While checking his messages another detective that he had doing a background check on Lee came over to him and gave him so disturbing news.
"Detective Stabler, I got those financial reports on Lee Riley. I found a lot of with drawls on his bank account accruing around the time of the shooting and right after. Following the paper trail I discovered it lead to one of our own." Explained the detective nervously.
"Who was it?"
"Detective Dean Ryan!"
"Did you inform the captain of what you found? By the way where is Dean?" questioned Elliot as his mind raced with unanswered questions.
"Yes Captain Cavelo knows. He was the first to read the report. He told me for now to keep this to myself and to report to you my findings. The last time I saw Detective Ryan was when he left for lunch!" explained the Detective looking as if he was the guilty one.
Grabbing the report out of the Detective's hand Elliot looks around his desk for a pen. Coming up empty handed Elliot decided to look on his partner's desk for one. Not finding one on top he pulls open the drawer and received the shock of his life. There among the paper clips, pens and scattered papers were different snap shots of Ethany outside her work, at her house and during times she was running errands along with her schedule written on the back. With his heart pounding in his chest he searches through the papers. Coming across a small yellow parking ticket Elliot brushed it aside at first, but something was telling him to take another look. The ticket was from Ethany's parking garage, dated the night of the shooting. Dean had covered up a major clue that could link Lee to the crime. Although it had been tampered with Elliot request it to be sent to the crime lab for prints.
"Elliot, what are you doing here?" questioned the captain as he joined him looking at Dean's desk.
"Just came in to check my messages and stuff. Why didn't you tell me? You know I have a right to know!" Elliot said while turning to face his captain with angry eyes.
"We've had some suspicion about Dean for awhile now. It wasn't until this case came up that we had enough proof to charge him!"
"Well, thanks for nothing!"
"Elliot, we couldn't let you in on it until we we're sure! It was nothing personal. You know damn well as his partner we couldn't say anything. Now you'll blow your cover if Dean comes back and finds you here! You better get out of here!" instructed Captain Cavelo.
Walking back out to his car he was unaware he had a shadow. His next stop was Ethany's place. After gathering up the list of stuff she needed Elliot headed out for the nearest grocery store still with his shadow. After buying a prepaid phone for her he was on his way home.
CHAPTER 6
ELLIOT STABLER'S CABIN 8:00PM / WED
The sun was setting when Elliot finally drove up the tree lined hidden driveway. Leaving Ethany in the car he walks up the few steps to the deck. Forgetting that he hadn't brought a key Elliot was glad he had the sense to hide an extra key under one of the potted plants decorating the small front deck. Turning on the lights he made a quick walk through to make sure everything was ok before bring Ethany in.
Grinning he walks back to the car to the passenger side. Opening the door he found Ethany still sound asleep. Unbuckling her seatbelt he cautiously leans into her and brushes his lips over hers. Tasting watermelon he licks his lips as he waited for her to respond. Since his first kiss hadn't awakened his sleeping beauty he leans in again. But this time he makes a light snack of her lips. Thinking that this also didn't work he leans back trying to think of something else that might work. Noticing a grin slipping onto her lips he knew instantly that she was faking.
"Why you little...! How long were you going to sit there and let me kiss you like that?" asked Elliot laughing along with her.
"Until my watermelon lip gloss rubbed off my lips!" joked back Ethany with a sigh.
"Well come on get out and take a look at your new home!" Elliot said offering his hand to her.
Still holding hands Ethany takes in a breath as she looks at her breathtaking surroundings. The two story cabin with two decks was completely surrounded by huge trees. Just barely visible between the trees she spotted the crystal blue lake behind the cabin. Compared to the bustling city they had just escaped this was paradise on earth. It was so quite she thought she must still be dreaming. But the sudden song of a bird told her this was no dream.
"Well, let's not stand out here all night, let's get inside and warm up!" Suggested Elliot.
Following his lead they enter the cabin. "Make yourself at home! I'm going to go check in back to see how much firewood we have."
Elliot brought in enough firewood to set the whole woods on fire. Ethany knowing that she was being silly asked, "Uh Elliot, would you care if I take a shower to relax?"
Dumping the arm load of wood he immediately went to her side, "Oh God yes! I'm sorry I should have known!" Laughing between themselves Elliot showed her where the shower was and any other supplies that she might need. Before leaving her to her shower he popped his head back into the room. "Should I make us something to eat? I'm sure you must be starving by now!"
"Coffee would be great! I'm really not that hungry!"
"So that's how you stay so skinny, you live on nothing but coffee!" Elliot teased before closing the door behind him.
Thinking she would be in there for awhile he decides to tackle making a fire first before making the coffee. After stacking the wood neatly in the fireplace Elliot searched around the living room for some matches. Once the fire glowed in the room he headed into the kitchen. As the coffee began to perk he searched the fridge and cabinets for something to eat. Since there wasn't much to choose from he decides to make himself a grilled cheese sandwich and one for Ethany just in case she changed her mind. Unaware that she had finished her shower Elliot walked into the living room with two cups of coffee in one hand and two plates with the sandwiches in the other. Seeing her sprawled out on the couch wearing nothing but one of his T- shirts he stopped dead in his tracks staring openly at her.
"What? I know I must be frightening to look at with no make-up and without my hair being fixed, but that doesn't mean you gotta stare!" joked Ethany jumping up to help him with the food before it ended up on the floor.
"No, it wasn't that at all! It just that shirt never looked that good on me!"
As they drank their coffee and nibbled on their grilled cheese they talked the night away learning more about each other in those twilight hours then if they had gone on three or more dates. Seeing her yawn he checked his watch and was surprised to find that it was 3am.
"Honey, you must be exhausted let me show you to your room!" Elliot said while pulling her up off the couch with one hand.
Linking arms they go upstairs to the master bedroom. "Where are you going to sleep? I won't feel right if I take your bed!" informed Ethany turning to face Elliot.
"I'm gonna sleep downstairs. I rarely make it to bed when I'm here anyway. The couch is more my style!" he joked as he brushed a stray chestnut hair out of her face.
"If I don't kiss you right now, I'm gonna die!" whispered Ethany looking deep into his eyes.
"That's a lot of pressure!" Elliot joked.
"Only on the lips!" whispered back Ethany opening her mouth a little so his tongue could gain access to hers. Their hormones were racing but neither wanted their first time to be like this when they were too exhausted and stressed from the day's events to enjoy it.
Reluctantly pulling away Elliot breaks the contact of being in her arms. He cleared his throat, "Uh, if I don't leave now I don't think you will ever get rid of me! Sleep well sweetie, if you need anything I'm downstairs!" Blowing him a kiss she says goodnight before shutting the door behind him.
ELLIOT STABLER'S CABIN NOON/ THURSDAY
Taking advantage of being able to sleep in Elliot wakes the next morning with his schedule all ready running through his mind. After taking a shower and dressing in jeans and a nice shirt Elliot found it strange to be going into work not dressed in his usual "uniform". Checking on Ethany he finds her still snuggled sound asleep in bed. Grabbing some coffee and a piece of toast, he decided to leave Ethany a note so she wouldn't worry.
48TH PRESCIENT THURSDAY
Since the prescient was the closest Elliot made that his first stop. While checking his messages another detective that he had doing a background check on Lee came over to him and gave him so disturbing news.
"Detective Stabler, I got those financial reports on Lee Riley. I found a lot of with drawls on his bank account accruing around the time of the shooting and right after. Following the paper trail I discovered it lead to one of our own." Explained the detective nervously.
"Who was it?"
"Detective Dean Ryan!"
"Did you inform the captain of what you found? By the way where is Dean?" questioned Elliot as his mind raced with unanswered questions.
"Yes Captain Cavelo knows. He was the first to read the report. He told me for now to keep this to myself and to report to you my findings. The last time I saw Detective Ryan was when he left for lunch!" explained the Detective looking as if he was the guilty one.
Grabbing the report out of the Detective's hand Elliot looks around his desk for a pen. Coming up empty handed Elliot decided to look on his partner's desk for one. Not finding one on top he pulls open the drawer and received the shock of his life. There among the paper clips, pens and scattered papers were different snap shots of Ethany outside her work, at her house and during times she was running errands along with her schedule written on the back. With his heart pounding in his chest he searches through the papers. Coming across a small yellow parking ticket Elliot brushed it aside at first, but something was telling him to take another look. The ticket was from Ethany's parking garage, dated the night of the shooting. Dean had covered up a major clue that could link Lee to the crime. Although it had been tampered with Elliot request it to be sent to the crime lab for prints.
"Elliot, what are you doing here?" questioned the captain as he joined him looking at Dean's desk.
"Just came in to check my messages and stuff. Why didn't you tell me? You know I have a right to know!" Elliot said while turning to face his captain with angry eyes.
"We've had some suspicion about Dean for awhile now. It wasn't until this case came up that we had enough proof to charge him!"
"Well, thanks for nothing!"
"Elliot, we couldn't let you in on it until we we're sure! It was nothing personal. You know damn well as his partner we couldn't say anything. Now you'll blow your cover if Dean comes back and finds you here! You better get out of here!" instructed Captain Cavelo.
Walking back out to his car he was unaware he had a shadow. His next stop was Ethany's place. After gathering up the list of stuff she needed Elliot headed out for the nearest grocery store still with his shadow. After buying a prepaid phone for her he was on his way home.