KILLING ME SOFTLY
CHAPTER 8
ELLIOT STABLER CABIN FRIDAY/ 8:00 AM
All thoughts of sleeping in were erased from Elliot's mind when he was woken from a peaceful dream by the ringing of his cell by the bed. Finding Ethany still in his arms he quickly slid his arms out from around her body so he could roll over and answer the phone.
"Stabler!" he answered roughly still trying to awake from his peaceful dream.
"Elliot, its Captain Cavelo! Sunni Riley was found dead this morning in her home. One quick shot to the head and she was gone. It seems someone is tying up the loose ends."
"Shit, it's my fault that she's dead! I went over there yesterday to get some answers. The killer must have known she had spilled her guts. I'm going over there." Elliot said while sliding his feet off the bed.
"You and I both know there's nothing that you can do about it. Dean is all ready over there and don't worry I got someone keeping an eye on him so he doesn't mess anything up. Besides it would look strange if you suddenly arrived at the crime scene after being away. You need to stay where you are. If your hunch is right and the killer is cleaning up his mess then Ethany is the next on the list. You're needed there with her more than you are any where else right now. For once in your life do what I tell you to do." ordered the Captain praying for once that his thick headed detective would listen to his advice.
As he hung up the cell he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist as Ethany kissed his back. "What was all that about?"
"Captain called to inform me that Lee's wife was found murdered in her home. Honey, can you remember anything else about Lee and the other man you saw the night of the shooting?" he questioned turning in her arms to reveal the worried ness in his eyes.
"I don't remember anything else. Lee was shot by the other man, but he was hidden in the shadows. I couldn't really make him out to well."
He knew he couldn't reveal what he suspected to her about the shooter, it had to come from her mouth or it wouldn't stand up in court.
"Think it's very important for you to try and identify the shooter!" Elliot asked holding her in his arms to comfort her.
"God Elliot, I don't know what you want. That night wasn't exactly something I want to remember. I was just standing there listening to the two of them fight about the money and how strange the shooter sounded!" she said as a vision of that night flashed through her head sending chills down her body.
"Why did he sound funny? What made you think that?" He questioned hoping that if he pushed her a little she would recall more things about that night.
"I dunno...." She answered trying to think like she had that night she witness Lee being shot, "It...It...It sounded scratchy! Like his voice was mechanical somehow! I know it sounds stupid but I couldn't get that voice out of my head!"
"Can you think of anything else you might recall about the two men?" he questioned praying she would come to the same conclusion he did. Although he had the upper hand and knew in advance what she had seen he was hoping she would realize it herself.
Putting her head on his shoulder she thought for a few minutes going step by step over everything that had happened that night. Elliot was about to give up hope when suddenly she popped her head up. "The guy that shot Lee was acting weird. I remember how nervous I thought Lee was acting. Bouncing from foot to foot, not being able to keep his hands still. The other guy, the shooter, he was perfectly still. I don't think in the short time I was watching I saw him move from his spot kneeling against the wall" explained Ethany feeling Elliot's heart race beneath her head.
That was actually what he wanted to hear. Kissing her quickly on the lips he jumped off the bed to quickly get dressed in the same jeans and T-shirt he had worn the previous night. Ethany wasn't sure what was going through his mind so she sat there watching him bounce around the room.
"Elliot, what's going on? I don't understand what I did!" she asked nervously playing with the medallion he had given her.
"Baby, you didn't do anything wrong! In fact I think you just gave me the answers to solve this case. I gotta leave for awhile you think you'll be ok by yourself? I promise when I come back I'll be coming back to take you home. You'll be in your own bed tonight." he explained kneeling in front of her as he kissed her.
"As long as you'll be in my bed with me, I'll be fine!" she whispered wrapping her arms tightly around his neck preventing him from leaving. Call it women intuition but something was telling her she needed to tell him what was in her heart before it was too late.
Nuzzling his neck she decided to come clean with her true feelings, "Elliot, you know when we talked yesterday about us? Well, I held back what I was really feeling." she started to bury her head in his chest afraid to go on and also afraid she would never get another chance to tell him what was in her heart.
"You held back? Why?" he asked raising her head so she would be facing him again.
"I lied about my feelings. I know this probably isn't the time or the place to say this but.... I LOVE YOU! Please don't feel you have to say it back. I just.... " He silences her with a kiss whispering in her ear that he understood.
Holding onto each other for a few more minutes he reluctantly pulled away from her warm body. Still holding onto his hand she stretched continuing to touch until just their finger tips were touching and Elliot was mere inches from the door. With one single whisper of "I'll be back" he was gone and she was left sitting on the bed scared that she would never see him again.
Gathering her wits about her she tried to shake the feeling of dread from her body. Thinking maybe a quite walk in the woods would calm her nerves she took a quick shower and then changed into jeans and a light green spaghetti strapped halter top. After searching through Elliot's closet for a light jacket she grabbed the cell phone and headed out the back door for her walk.
She couldn't believe how much you miss out on when living in the city. Her ears perked up every time a bird sang out or the wind made the leaves rustle on the trees. As she bent down to retrieve more colored leaves she heard a branch snap. Startled she stood motionless as she tried to decide what had caused the noise.
Elliot wasn't sure why he felt the need to call Ethany and warn her. Maybe his senses were working over time. But something just wasn't adding up. Checking first Ethany's house he was surprised to find it locked securely and left as she had left it so many days ago. Now as he looked around his own apartment he couldn't believe his eyes. If Lee and his henchman were so gun ho on getting rid of the evidence then why had they not searched both of their places for clues on where they were, unless they all ready knew.
Jumping from the sudden shrill of her cell going off she quickly forgot about the noise. "Hello?" she answered knowing it was Elliot even before she heard his sexy voice respond.
"Hey, where are you I can barely hear you?" he asked.
"I decided since this might be my last day here I wanted to explore the woods. Why, what's up?" she asked trying to shake the feeling that she was being watched.
"Dean took off after he was done at the crime scene. The Captain thinks he might know where you are! Just to be on the safe side, until we get everything under control, would you return to the cabin and stay there until I return? I promise I'll make it up to you when I get there! We're so close to this being over I would hate to jeopardize your safety because we let our guard down at the last minute." he explained hoping the fear and stress wouldn't register in his voice.
"For you I'll do anything! But you owe me big, mister!" she teased unaware of the danger she was in for.
After saying good-bye she hung up. Looking around her surroundings she still couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. Shunning herself for being so silly she wrote it off.
Unaware that this was just the calm before the storm Ethany returned inside to wait for Elliot. Settling on the couch with her book she read for awhile until her eyelids grew heavy with sleep. Seeing it was no use in fighting it she headed upstairs to Elliot's bed for a short nap.
Hours later she was surprised to find the sky a dusty rose as the sun began to sink behind the hills. Yawning she tried to remember what had woken her. Thinking she might be able to fall back to sleep she laid there with her eyes closed until she heard someone moving about downstairs. With the thought of Elliot being home she instantly became alert. Jumping out of bed she ran downstairs calling out his name.
"Elliot, I wasn't expecting you so soon! So how did it go?" she asked while walking through the living room to the kitchen. But it wasn't Elliot standing there to greet her.
Catching her breath she turned quickly to escape from the kitchen but Dean was to fast for her. Three swift steps and he was right behind her knocking her to the ground. Crawling on top of her he growled "Surprise, I know I'm not Elliot but when I'm done with you, you won't care who the hell I am!"
Before he could make good on his threat she kicked him off of her and hurried back onto her feet running upstairs. Halfway up the stairs he grabbed her once again and dragged her back down the stairs. Kicking her as hard as he could he watched with glee as she curled up in a ball of pain.
"I wanna see what's so goddamn special about you that Elliot would chose you instead of listening to his partner!" hissed Dean as he once again crawled on top of her.
But she wasn't going to give up without a fight. Seeing that they were eye to eye she reached up and scratched the side of his face. "What are you jealous?"
Smacking her so hard it left her breathless he responds, "Of a whore like you, hardly! But you should have been mine, I saw you first. You weren't even a wet dream to Elliot yet when I first started watching you! I'm just reclaiming what's mine!"
She tried to fight back but he over powered her by 100 pounds. As she flirted with unconsciousness she heard her shirt being ripped open. Suddenly being awake wasn't as appealing as she thought. The last thing she remembered before blacking out was him entering her roughly.
She wasn't sure how much time passed between the first time he raped her and now. Nothing seemed to satisfy him, when he wasn't pounding her inside; he was doing the same to her outside.
"Where's your big bad Detective boyfriend now? I've been living under his shadows for yeas now. But even I know not to leave a witness unprotected. They teach you that the first day at the academy." Taunted Dean noticing for the first time the cell phone that was hanging on what was left of her ripped jeans.
"Why don't you call him to come join the party." suggested Dean tearing the phone from her jeans to throw it to her.
"What aren't I enough for you?" Joked Ethany half heartedly as she pushed the phone onto the floor.
"That wasn't a suggestion that was an order. What, don't you want you're precious Elliot to see you like this?" he said while pounding on her face.
As Ethany tried to sit up he threw the phone back at her. "Fuck you ! This is between you and me. Or do you want Elliot to see what a little weak man you are that you have to beat up on women!" she swore throwing the phone so hard against the wall that it shattered.
"IS that your way of telling me you want me to yourself? That was your last chance for your so called knight in shinning armor to come and rescue you." Dean laughed as he hit on her once again.
Why she thought about the St. Christopher medal at that moment will remain a mystery "Elliot!" she whispered grasping hold of the medal as she passed out once again.
Elliot was just returning to his car when a sudden thought of Ethany turned his blood cold. Grabbing his phone he hit speed dial calling her cell. As the cell rang in his ear his heart was pounding so hard in his chest he was afraid it was going to burst out. "She must be in the shower or outside again!" he thought as he tried to convince himself that there was nothing wrong. But his gut was telling him otherwise.
As he tried the number again he hit the sirens and headed to the cabin at top speed risking his own life and everyone else who was on the road. Ethany was the only thing he was thinking about.
Dean was just getting his jollies off again when he heard the tires crunching the ground out front. "Wake up honey, daddy's home!" Dean snickered. He smacked her hard across the face to waken her so she wouldn't miss any of the action.
When Elliot burst through the door he found Ethany lying bleeding and bruised fighting for her life. Dean greeted his partner with a shit eating grin and his gun pointed at Elliot's heart. Elliot was a little relieved when he saw that Dean was scratched and bruised meaning that Ethany had put up a fight.
"Looks like the guest of honor has arrived." Dean said while waving his partner into the room with the gun.
Although every part of his body was screaming for him to rush to Ethany, Elliot knew if he was going to get her out of this alive he was going to have to think like a cop and not a boyfriend.
"Let her go. Ethany is just an innocent by stander! This is between you and me!" Elliot said taking a few steps towards Ethany and Dean.
"No, you brought her into this when you started thinking with your dick and not like a detective!" answered Dean instructing him to stop where he was.
"Actually it's between the three of us now!" offered an unfamiliar male voice. A tall, lean red headed man joined them in the living room.
"Lee, man I thought you would be on a plane to paradise by now!" Dean yelled taking his attention off of Elliot for a moment.
"Just wanted to make sure my detective was doing his job properly." explained Lee crossing his arms in front of his chest as a smug look crossed his face.
"Have I let you down yet?" answered Dean concentrating only on Lee.
Since his attention was distracted Elliot slowly reached into his pocket, after taking a quick look down he hits the speed dial number that would make sure back up was on it's way.
"Elliot what are doing over there? You wouldn't be reaching for your gun, would you? Better hand that baby over." instructed Dean snapping his head back to watch Elliot with suspicious eyes.
Reaching into the back waistband of his jeans he pulls the gun out and gently tossed it onto the floor towards Dean. Thinking fast he spits out the first question that comes to mind, "Well boys, it looks as if you got the upper hand! Can you at least tell me what this is all about?"
"What you mean the all knowing, powerful Detective Stabler hasn't figured it out yet? I thought you said your partner was good at his job!" Lee said.
"I must be having an off day! Come on don't you want to gloat about how you out smarted a NYC detective?" questioned Elliot trying to keep them distracted long enough until back up arrived.
"Haven't you heard money makes the world go around? Well, it's all about the money! When I found out I had won the contract for the new stadium I was thrilled until I checked my bank account. That bitch Sunni was bleeding me dry!" explained Lee.
"So you decided to fake your death for the insurance money to pay for the stadium!" Elliot interrupted filling in the blanks.
"Yea and I would have gotten away with it if your little bitch wouldn't have stuck her nose where it didn't belong!" offered Lee kicking Ethany.
It took everything he had to hold himself back from jumping Lee's ass for attacking Ethany, "So how did you get away with the perfect crime?" he asked trying to keep the men on track.
"I cased the parking garage for weeks until I knew it would be the perfect spot. Paying off that old lazy ass security guard was a piece of cake. After telling him what I needed all I had to do was drive into the garage that night and set it up. Finding a shooter that wouldn't spill the beans was a little harder. Actually that air head Sunni gave me the idea. One of her friends owns a clothing store; she sweet talked the owner into letting us borrow one of the male mannequins. Rigging him with a stunt gun that shot blanks and a tape recorder ready to say whatever I wanted, with a pull of a string I was dead and ten grand richer!" informed Lee.
"Well actually, I'll be the one who's ten grand richer." informed Dean turning in a blink of an eye towards Lee to shoot him with one fatal shot. "Was it just me or was he starting to get on everyone's nerves with all his talking?"
To Elliot it seemed like hours instead of mere minutes he had been waiting for his backup. Knowing that Dean was getting closer to the edge by the minute, Elliot tried to think fast on his feet as he watched Dean play with the trigger of the gun,
"Why don't you let me take Ethany out of here? You did quite a number on her I don't think she'll be talking to anyone any time soon!" Elliot said noticing for the first time that she was stirring again.
"That bitch aint going anywhere. I hope you at least got to fuck her once. I know I did! If you got something to say to her you better say it now or forever hold your piece!" offered Dean aiming the gun at Ethany.
The next few things happened in such a blur Elliot wasn't quite sure how it all came about. With the little strength she had left Ethany kicks Dean in the shins distracting him long enough for her to slide Elliot's gun back to him with the other hand. Quick as a fox Elliot reached down and retrieved his gun just as Dean caught on. Pointing the gun at Ethany he pulled the trigger just as Elliot fired his gun at Dean. As the cloud of smoke subsided Elliot found he was the only one left standing.
As all the energy drained out of his body he knelt beside Ethany. With the little strength he had left he dragged her semi conscious body onto his lap. He could no longer hold the tears back as he watched Ethany struggle with every breath. Leaning down to kiss her forehead he whispered, "Baby, hold on help is on its way!"
"It's too late..." gasped Ethany but she couldn't get the words to come out.
Turning upon hearing the tires screech out front Elliot continued to hold Ethany as the captain and half of New York's finest entered the cabin. Turning his attention back onto Ethany to tell her the good news he saw it was too late. She had past away without his knowledge.
Although he was being showered with questions he ignored them. He kissed Ethany for the last time before closing her eyes. Taking a breath he gently laid her onto the floor before walking away from her forever. Out of all the years he had worked as a cop, this was the hardest thing he had ever done. The questions could wait, for now he needed to mourn the lost of the women he cared for and a partner who was like a brother to him.
TWO MONTHS LATER
"Detective Stabler, I'd like you to meet your new partner Detective Olivia Benson!" introduced Captain Cragen as he walked over to Elliot's desk.
Looking up from his paperwork his heart drops as he looks up into the beautiful face of the female detective. Her brown eyes and hair made her seem like a fairy tale come true.
When he composed himself Elliot said to his new captain "Can I speak to you in your office?" Not even acknowledging Olivia's presents.
Once the door was shut Elliot begins to explain his reaction. "Captain, I thought I made it clear that I didn't want a partner, especially a female partner!"
"Listen Detective, I know you went through a lot of personal and work related stress over the Pearce case, but if you haven't noticed I'm the Captain here. See that's my name on the door. I make the rules around here, not you! Now if you want to stay in the SVU unit you better start playing nice. I don't expect you and Benson to become best friends, but I do expect you two to work together. If you have a problem with this then you know where the door is. Do I make myself clear?" Cragen said sternly.
"Crystal clear sir! I guess I better go out there and play nice! Thanks A lot!" mumbled Elliot as he returned to his desk in even a grumpier mood than before.
He wasn't ready to start another relationship of any kind. Even if she did send his heart racing he just wasn't sure if he was emotionally ready yet to move past Ethany, even if his hormones were telling him otherwise. Elliot moved his hand through his hair and thought to himself "this is going to be a very long day."
CHAPTER 8
ELLIOT STABLER CABIN FRIDAY/ 8:00 AM
All thoughts of sleeping in were erased from Elliot's mind when he was woken from a peaceful dream by the ringing of his cell by the bed. Finding Ethany still in his arms he quickly slid his arms out from around her body so he could roll over and answer the phone.
"Stabler!" he answered roughly still trying to awake from his peaceful dream.
"Elliot, its Captain Cavelo! Sunni Riley was found dead this morning in her home. One quick shot to the head and she was gone. It seems someone is tying up the loose ends."
"Shit, it's my fault that she's dead! I went over there yesterday to get some answers. The killer must have known she had spilled her guts. I'm going over there." Elliot said while sliding his feet off the bed.
"You and I both know there's nothing that you can do about it. Dean is all ready over there and don't worry I got someone keeping an eye on him so he doesn't mess anything up. Besides it would look strange if you suddenly arrived at the crime scene after being away. You need to stay where you are. If your hunch is right and the killer is cleaning up his mess then Ethany is the next on the list. You're needed there with her more than you are any where else right now. For once in your life do what I tell you to do." ordered the Captain praying for once that his thick headed detective would listen to his advice.
As he hung up the cell he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist as Ethany kissed his back. "What was all that about?"
"Captain called to inform me that Lee's wife was found murdered in her home. Honey, can you remember anything else about Lee and the other man you saw the night of the shooting?" he questioned turning in her arms to reveal the worried ness in his eyes.
"I don't remember anything else. Lee was shot by the other man, but he was hidden in the shadows. I couldn't really make him out to well."
He knew he couldn't reveal what he suspected to her about the shooter, it had to come from her mouth or it wouldn't stand up in court.
"Think it's very important for you to try and identify the shooter!" Elliot asked holding her in his arms to comfort her.
"God Elliot, I don't know what you want. That night wasn't exactly something I want to remember. I was just standing there listening to the two of them fight about the money and how strange the shooter sounded!" she said as a vision of that night flashed through her head sending chills down her body.
"Why did he sound funny? What made you think that?" He questioned hoping that if he pushed her a little she would recall more things about that night.
"I dunno...." She answered trying to think like she had that night she witness Lee being shot, "It...It...It sounded scratchy! Like his voice was mechanical somehow! I know it sounds stupid but I couldn't get that voice out of my head!"
"Can you think of anything else you might recall about the two men?" he questioned praying she would come to the same conclusion he did. Although he had the upper hand and knew in advance what she had seen he was hoping she would realize it herself.
Putting her head on his shoulder she thought for a few minutes going step by step over everything that had happened that night. Elliot was about to give up hope when suddenly she popped her head up. "The guy that shot Lee was acting weird. I remember how nervous I thought Lee was acting. Bouncing from foot to foot, not being able to keep his hands still. The other guy, the shooter, he was perfectly still. I don't think in the short time I was watching I saw him move from his spot kneeling against the wall" explained Ethany feeling Elliot's heart race beneath her head.
That was actually what he wanted to hear. Kissing her quickly on the lips he jumped off the bed to quickly get dressed in the same jeans and T-shirt he had worn the previous night. Ethany wasn't sure what was going through his mind so she sat there watching him bounce around the room.
"Elliot, what's going on? I don't understand what I did!" she asked nervously playing with the medallion he had given her.
"Baby, you didn't do anything wrong! In fact I think you just gave me the answers to solve this case. I gotta leave for awhile you think you'll be ok by yourself? I promise when I come back I'll be coming back to take you home. You'll be in your own bed tonight." he explained kneeling in front of her as he kissed her.
"As long as you'll be in my bed with me, I'll be fine!" she whispered wrapping her arms tightly around his neck preventing him from leaving. Call it women intuition but something was telling her she needed to tell him what was in her heart before it was too late.
Nuzzling his neck she decided to come clean with her true feelings, "Elliot, you know when we talked yesterday about us? Well, I held back what I was really feeling." she started to bury her head in his chest afraid to go on and also afraid she would never get another chance to tell him what was in her heart.
"You held back? Why?" he asked raising her head so she would be facing him again.
"I lied about my feelings. I know this probably isn't the time or the place to say this but.... I LOVE YOU! Please don't feel you have to say it back. I just.... " He silences her with a kiss whispering in her ear that he understood.
Holding onto each other for a few more minutes he reluctantly pulled away from her warm body. Still holding onto his hand she stretched continuing to touch until just their finger tips were touching and Elliot was mere inches from the door. With one single whisper of "I'll be back" he was gone and she was left sitting on the bed scared that she would never see him again.
Gathering her wits about her she tried to shake the feeling of dread from her body. Thinking maybe a quite walk in the woods would calm her nerves she took a quick shower and then changed into jeans and a light green spaghetti strapped halter top. After searching through Elliot's closet for a light jacket she grabbed the cell phone and headed out the back door for her walk.
She couldn't believe how much you miss out on when living in the city. Her ears perked up every time a bird sang out or the wind made the leaves rustle on the trees. As she bent down to retrieve more colored leaves she heard a branch snap. Startled she stood motionless as she tried to decide what had caused the noise.
Elliot wasn't sure why he felt the need to call Ethany and warn her. Maybe his senses were working over time. But something just wasn't adding up. Checking first Ethany's house he was surprised to find it locked securely and left as she had left it so many days ago. Now as he looked around his own apartment he couldn't believe his eyes. If Lee and his henchman were so gun ho on getting rid of the evidence then why had they not searched both of their places for clues on where they were, unless they all ready knew.
Jumping from the sudden shrill of her cell going off she quickly forgot about the noise. "Hello?" she answered knowing it was Elliot even before she heard his sexy voice respond.
"Hey, where are you I can barely hear you?" he asked.
"I decided since this might be my last day here I wanted to explore the woods. Why, what's up?" she asked trying to shake the feeling that she was being watched.
"Dean took off after he was done at the crime scene. The Captain thinks he might know where you are! Just to be on the safe side, until we get everything under control, would you return to the cabin and stay there until I return? I promise I'll make it up to you when I get there! We're so close to this being over I would hate to jeopardize your safety because we let our guard down at the last minute." he explained hoping the fear and stress wouldn't register in his voice.
"For you I'll do anything! But you owe me big, mister!" she teased unaware of the danger she was in for.
After saying good-bye she hung up. Looking around her surroundings she still couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. Shunning herself for being so silly she wrote it off.
Unaware that this was just the calm before the storm Ethany returned inside to wait for Elliot. Settling on the couch with her book she read for awhile until her eyelids grew heavy with sleep. Seeing it was no use in fighting it she headed upstairs to Elliot's bed for a short nap.
Hours later she was surprised to find the sky a dusty rose as the sun began to sink behind the hills. Yawning she tried to remember what had woken her. Thinking she might be able to fall back to sleep she laid there with her eyes closed until she heard someone moving about downstairs. With the thought of Elliot being home she instantly became alert. Jumping out of bed she ran downstairs calling out his name.
"Elliot, I wasn't expecting you so soon! So how did it go?" she asked while walking through the living room to the kitchen. But it wasn't Elliot standing there to greet her.
Catching her breath she turned quickly to escape from the kitchen but Dean was to fast for her. Three swift steps and he was right behind her knocking her to the ground. Crawling on top of her he growled "Surprise, I know I'm not Elliot but when I'm done with you, you won't care who the hell I am!"
Before he could make good on his threat she kicked him off of her and hurried back onto her feet running upstairs. Halfway up the stairs he grabbed her once again and dragged her back down the stairs. Kicking her as hard as he could he watched with glee as she curled up in a ball of pain.
"I wanna see what's so goddamn special about you that Elliot would chose you instead of listening to his partner!" hissed Dean as he once again crawled on top of her.
But she wasn't going to give up without a fight. Seeing that they were eye to eye she reached up and scratched the side of his face. "What are you jealous?"
Smacking her so hard it left her breathless he responds, "Of a whore like you, hardly! But you should have been mine, I saw you first. You weren't even a wet dream to Elliot yet when I first started watching you! I'm just reclaiming what's mine!"
She tried to fight back but he over powered her by 100 pounds. As she flirted with unconsciousness she heard her shirt being ripped open. Suddenly being awake wasn't as appealing as she thought. The last thing she remembered before blacking out was him entering her roughly.
She wasn't sure how much time passed between the first time he raped her and now. Nothing seemed to satisfy him, when he wasn't pounding her inside; he was doing the same to her outside.
"Where's your big bad Detective boyfriend now? I've been living under his shadows for yeas now. But even I know not to leave a witness unprotected. They teach you that the first day at the academy." Taunted Dean noticing for the first time the cell phone that was hanging on what was left of her ripped jeans.
"Why don't you call him to come join the party." suggested Dean tearing the phone from her jeans to throw it to her.
"What aren't I enough for you?" Joked Ethany half heartedly as she pushed the phone onto the floor.
"That wasn't a suggestion that was an order. What, don't you want you're precious Elliot to see you like this?" he said while pounding on her face.
As Ethany tried to sit up he threw the phone back at her. "Fuck you ! This is between you and me. Or do you want Elliot to see what a little weak man you are that you have to beat up on women!" she swore throwing the phone so hard against the wall that it shattered.
"IS that your way of telling me you want me to yourself? That was your last chance for your so called knight in shinning armor to come and rescue you." Dean laughed as he hit on her once again.
Why she thought about the St. Christopher medal at that moment will remain a mystery "Elliot!" she whispered grasping hold of the medal as she passed out once again.
Elliot was just returning to his car when a sudden thought of Ethany turned his blood cold. Grabbing his phone he hit speed dial calling her cell. As the cell rang in his ear his heart was pounding so hard in his chest he was afraid it was going to burst out. "She must be in the shower or outside again!" he thought as he tried to convince himself that there was nothing wrong. But his gut was telling him otherwise.
As he tried the number again he hit the sirens and headed to the cabin at top speed risking his own life and everyone else who was on the road. Ethany was the only thing he was thinking about.
Dean was just getting his jollies off again when he heard the tires crunching the ground out front. "Wake up honey, daddy's home!" Dean snickered. He smacked her hard across the face to waken her so she wouldn't miss any of the action.
When Elliot burst through the door he found Ethany lying bleeding and bruised fighting for her life. Dean greeted his partner with a shit eating grin and his gun pointed at Elliot's heart. Elliot was a little relieved when he saw that Dean was scratched and bruised meaning that Ethany had put up a fight.
"Looks like the guest of honor has arrived." Dean said while waving his partner into the room with the gun.
Although every part of his body was screaming for him to rush to Ethany, Elliot knew if he was going to get her out of this alive he was going to have to think like a cop and not a boyfriend.
"Let her go. Ethany is just an innocent by stander! This is between you and me!" Elliot said taking a few steps towards Ethany and Dean.
"No, you brought her into this when you started thinking with your dick and not like a detective!" answered Dean instructing him to stop where he was.
"Actually it's between the three of us now!" offered an unfamiliar male voice. A tall, lean red headed man joined them in the living room.
"Lee, man I thought you would be on a plane to paradise by now!" Dean yelled taking his attention off of Elliot for a moment.
"Just wanted to make sure my detective was doing his job properly." explained Lee crossing his arms in front of his chest as a smug look crossed his face.
"Have I let you down yet?" answered Dean concentrating only on Lee.
Since his attention was distracted Elliot slowly reached into his pocket, after taking a quick look down he hits the speed dial number that would make sure back up was on it's way.
"Elliot what are doing over there? You wouldn't be reaching for your gun, would you? Better hand that baby over." instructed Dean snapping his head back to watch Elliot with suspicious eyes.
Reaching into the back waistband of his jeans he pulls the gun out and gently tossed it onto the floor towards Dean. Thinking fast he spits out the first question that comes to mind, "Well boys, it looks as if you got the upper hand! Can you at least tell me what this is all about?"
"What you mean the all knowing, powerful Detective Stabler hasn't figured it out yet? I thought you said your partner was good at his job!" Lee said.
"I must be having an off day! Come on don't you want to gloat about how you out smarted a NYC detective?" questioned Elliot trying to keep them distracted long enough until back up arrived.
"Haven't you heard money makes the world go around? Well, it's all about the money! When I found out I had won the contract for the new stadium I was thrilled until I checked my bank account. That bitch Sunni was bleeding me dry!" explained Lee.
"So you decided to fake your death for the insurance money to pay for the stadium!" Elliot interrupted filling in the blanks.
"Yea and I would have gotten away with it if your little bitch wouldn't have stuck her nose where it didn't belong!" offered Lee kicking Ethany.
It took everything he had to hold himself back from jumping Lee's ass for attacking Ethany, "So how did you get away with the perfect crime?" he asked trying to keep the men on track.
"I cased the parking garage for weeks until I knew it would be the perfect spot. Paying off that old lazy ass security guard was a piece of cake. After telling him what I needed all I had to do was drive into the garage that night and set it up. Finding a shooter that wouldn't spill the beans was a little harder. Actually that air head Sunni gave me the idea. One of her friends owns a clothing store; she sweet talked the owner into letting us borrow one of the male mannequins. Rigging him with a stunt gun that shot blanks and a tape recorder ready to say whatever I wanted, with a pull of a string I was dead and ten grand richer!" informed Lee.
"Well actually, I'll be the one who's ten grand richer." informed Dean turning in a blink of an eye towards Lee to shoot him with one fatal shot. "Was it just me or was he starting to get on everyone's nerves with all his talking?"
To Elliot it seemed like hours instead of mere minutes he had been waiting for his backup. Knowing that Dean was getting closer to the edge by the minute, Elliot tried to think fast on his feet as he watched Dean play with the trigger of the gun,
"Why don't you let me take Ethany out of here? You did quite a number on her I don't think she'll be talking to anyone any time soon!" Elliot said noticing for the first time that she was stirring again.
"That bitch aint going anywhere. I hope you at least got to fuck her once. I know I did! If you got something to say to her you better say it now or forever hold your piece!" offered Dean aiming the gun at Ethany.
The next few things happened in such a blur Elliot wasn't quite sure how it all came about. With the little strength she had left Ethany kicks Dean in the shins distracting him long enough for her to slide Elliot's gun back to him with the other hand. Quick as a fox Elliot reached down and retrieved his gun just as Dean caught on. Pointing the gun at Ethany he pulled the trigger just as Elliot fired his gun at Dean. As the cloud of smoke subsided Elliot found he was the only one left standing.
As all the energy drained out of his body he knelt beside Ethany. With the little strength he had left he dragged her semi conscious body onto his lap. He could no longer hold the tears back as he watched Ethany struggle with every breath. Leaning down to kiss her forehead he whispered, "Baby, hold on help is on its way!"
"It's too late..." gasped Ethany but she couldn't get the words to come out.
Turning upon hearing the tires screech out front Elliot continued to hold Ethany as the captain and half of New York's finest entered the cabin. Turning his attention back onto Ethany to tell her the good news he saw it was too late. She had past away without his knowledge.
Although he was being showered with questions he ignored them. He kissed Ethany for the last time before closing her eyes. Taking a breath he gently laid her onto the floor before walking away from her forever. Out of all the years he had worked as a cop, this was the hardest thing he had ever done. The questions could wait, for now he needed to mourn the lost of the women he cared for and a partner who was like a brother to him.
TWO MONTHS LATER
"Detective Stabler, I'd like you to meet your new partner Detective Olivia Benson!" introduced Captain Cragen as he walked over to Elliot's desk.
Looking up from his paperwork his heart drops as he looks up into the beautiful face of the female detective. Her brown eyes and hair made her seem like a fairy tale come true.
When he composed himself Elliot said to his new captain "Can I speak to you in your office?" Not even acknowledging Olivia's presents.
Once the door was shut Elliot begins to explain his reaction. "Captain, I thought I made it clear that I didn't want a partner, especially a female partner!"
"Listen Detective, I know you went through a lot of personal and work related stress over the Pearce case, but if you haven't noticed I'm the Captain here. See that's my name on the door. I make the rules around here, not you! Now if you want to stay in the SVU unit you better start playing nice. I don't expect you and Benson to become best friends, but I do expect you two to work together. If you have a problem with this then you know where the door is. Do I make myself clear?" Cragen said sternly.
"Crystal clear sir! I guess I better go out there and play nice! Thanks A lot!" mumbled Elliot as he returned to his desk in even a grumpier mood than before.
He wasn't ready to start another relationship of any kind. Even if she did send his heart racing he just wasn't sure if he was emotionally ready yet to move past Ethany, even if his hormones were telling him otherwise. Elliot moved his hand through his hair and thought to himself "this is going to be a very long day."