title: religious ecstasy - chapter four
author: duck
rating: pg-13
author's note: thanks for all the kind reviews folks. it's another short one, but my chapters are short cause i try to post daily. frequent updates or longer chapters...you pick! oh yeah, specifically to jen. there was a bit about yankees in the last author's note that i forgot to take out. i edited out the dialogue but i'd forgotten about the note. it's gone now. (hardcore braves and o's fan here) and yeah, definitely a deal ;) AND FINALLY! watch out for the shippage in this one kiddies :)
disclaimer: wait...you mean they're not mine? and here i was posting fanfic on a website because i thought i owned them. psh, if i owned them we'd have all the seasons on dvd and not just the first. i mean come on! star trek is into voyager for complete seasons on dvd...get with the times dick! although we *are* grateful for the much lower price tag.
- Corner of Broad and Marketfield Streets -
- Tuesday April 27th 12:12am -
"Same M.O., looks like the same weapon, probably same perp." Fin gauged Elliot's and Olivia's reactions carefully. The crime scene was just as gruesome as the others had been but neither flinched at the sight. "He did this right under our noses," he continued fiercely. Upset didn't even begin to describe his feelings. He and John had been coordinating these stake-outs for three nights and now the perp kills again on their watch.
"Body's even positioned the same way," Elliot said, bending down for a better view. Olivia bent over next to him, bracing herself on his shoulder as he leaned into her slightly to confer quietly. Fin watched their exchange with unbridled curiosity, anger lost temporarily. He knew they were a tight team, but he didn't think they were *that* close.
In an instant the moment had passed and they were standing up and including him in the conversation again. But ever so briefly they'd been something else that Fin couldn't quite put his finger on. They were close, no doubt, but he'd thought Elliot was far too honorable a man to betray his marriage. So he did the only thing he could do; he masked his reaction in a cloud of emotion.
"I'm pissed as hell at the balls of this guy," he said. "He sure must have a pair to do this with us watching."
"That, or he couldn't help himself," Olivia said shaking her head slightly.
"A compulsion to kill?" Elliot asked, already nodding his agreement.
"Could be." John came up behind Fin. "It's just as vicious and random as the others." Fin took a step back to include his partner in the circle of SVU detectives.
"We're still looking at an extremely local area. Only a few city blocks radius," Fin added. "That's gotta count for something."
"Yeah, time to go for a plant you think?" Olivia asked. The three men were suddenly quiet and she studied each of their faces in turn and Fin felt a sudden surge of discomfort under her gaze. His eyes shifted away. "Look, I realize I'm on the short-list for this thing, but it's the only way we're going to nail this guy."
He met John's gaze as Elliot began to protest her involvement. His rolled eyes were all that Fin needed to be convinced there was more to the other pair's relationship than met the eye. He was just surprised he hadn't caught it before. He'd been here a while now and not picking up on the subtle nuances wasn't like him. He shot a brief incredulous look at the two meant for John only, who simply wagged his eyebrows at the unspoken suggestion that Fin hadn't already seen it.
Silent partnerspeak. It was something Fin relished about SVU. As a detective in Narcotics he and his partner had had it as well as anyone else. In requesting the transfer to Special Victims, Fin had been prepared to lose the closeness that was so inherent in a job riddled with danger. Somehow the indefinable 'it' was still there, for which he was eternally grateful. He just hoped to high heaven that John wouldn't be taking a bullet for him any time soon. Irritating ass really, but he didn't think he could stand to lose another one, much less one who was as annoyingly endearing as John was.
"Look, I'm not letting you do this without me there to watch your back!" Elliot was getting dangerously close to yelling.
"Like she'd do it with anyone else," Fin muttered, not bothering to make sure it was under his breath. Luckily the only one who caught what he'd said was John and he just sent a vaguely reproachful look Fin's way. The CSU people however were beginning to stare at the two quarreling detectives.
"Hey, kids, let's take it inside, shall we?" John interrupted, deftly shifting the focus of their anger onto him and away from each other. Fin wasn't quite sure how he did it, but the man--for an annoying and ingratiating ass he reminded himself--had remarkable people skills. He projected the finely-honed veneer of an impenetrable and cynical conspiracy buff, but John was definitely above gifted in the intelligence department. And Fin knew he was an old softie at heart; he cared way too much about the victims to not be. Of course, Fin also had his own demons to exorcise when it came to that particular aspect of the cases they worked.
Narcotics had been so much easier, he mused to himself as he watch Olivia and Elliot glare at John at then stalk away, nattering to each other about the victims. It had been about glory, about the triumph of the sting operations, about making the collar on a big-timer. Here in Special Victims it was a precise balance of walking the line between insanity and brilliance. No one could deal for very long with the walking talking victims who hurt your heart more than you ever imagined. It took a special kind of dedication to work in sex crimes, and Fin wasn't sure if he had it anymore. Your own demons, he chastised himself. He needed to get off this track quick; the last thing he wanted to do was have The Talk with the captain.
He turned back to John as the other pair reached their car, already back to good-natured arguing. "Why haven't I noticed that before?"
"Because they don't even notice it." John suddenly looked more tired than Fin had ever seen him before. They'd had tough cases that ran them ragged before, but there was something different in the tense way his eyes pulled back. Jealousy over the mutual adoration? Possibly. Likely, actually, given John's track record when it came to women. Feed the junkie, Fin thought.
"What do you mean?" The loaded question provoked as strong a reaction in John as Fin could hope for.
"I mean they're so in love they don't even realize it! They make Romeo and Juliet look like a pair of teenagers with a minor case of temporary hard-ons." Fin bit back the smile that threatened to break free.
"Which they were."
"True, Juliet was only thirteen."
"It's sad, but we could've prosecuted Romeo for statutory rape." Fin felt like laughing when John grinned infectiously at him. Moments like this made him stay.
"Would've been a fun case to work."
"More fun than this at least."
- Special Victims Unit Squad Room -
- Tuesday April 26th 10:32am -
"Okay, how about the other alley next to the church. The one that's not the previous crime scene."
"Too over the top maybe?"
"Liv, this is a plant; there is no 'over the top.'"
"Okay, how about implausible?"
"Why?!"
"No prostitutes in the area remember? The perp--if he sees us mind you--isn't going to fall for it!" Olivia knew her argument wasn't a good one.
"Overwhelming urge to kill," Elliot reminded.
"I feel that," she grumbled, even as she felt herself caving to his point.
"What?"
"I said, I'll agree with that, but I still think this is too close to the church. The perp obviously goes out looking for his victims, otherwise he wouldn't stray this far! These numeraries aren't exactly the traveling type."
"Are you two sure it's one of the Catholic guys?" Fin asked from his desk.
"Yes," they replied in unison before turning back to each other. Elliot got the jump and was the first to speak.
"We stop him before he gets to anyone else. First one was a crime of opportunity, this one can be too. He's not going to pass it up once he sees us." Damn him and his logic. They'd be sitting in a car tonight next to the church, whether she liked it or not.
"Hey, you two quick bickering," Cragen commanded as he emerged from his office. "Go home and sleep, for Christsake. None of us can get any work done if you don't shut up. Be back at six to prep for the plant." He slammed his door behind him, leaving a pair of embarrassed detectives in his wake. Mumbling words of apology to each other they gathered their things and left.
"Care to bet if they'll survive the night?" Fin asked his partner who gave him his trademark sardonic grin.
"Ten bucks says no."
"You're on."
[tbc]
author: duck
rating: pg-13
author's note: thanks for all the kind reviews folks. it's another short one, but my chapters are short cause i try to post daily. frequent updates or longer chapters...you pick! oh yeah, specifically to jen. there was a bit about yankees in the last author's note that i forgot to take out. i edited out the dialogue but i'd forgotten about the note. it's gone now. (hardcore braves and o's fan here) and yeah, definitely a deal ;) AND FINALLY! watch out for the shippage in this one kiddies :)
disclaimer: wait...you mean they're not mine? and here i was posting fanfic on a website because i thought i owned them. psh, if i owned them we'd have all the seasons on dvd and not just the first. i mean come on! star trek is into voyager for complete seasons on dvd...get with the times dick! although we *are* grateful for the much lower price tag.
- Corner of Broad and Marketfield Streets -
- Tuesday April 27th 12:12am -
"Same M.O., looks like the same weapon, probably same perp." Fin gauged Elliot's and Olivia's reactions carefully. The crime scene was just as gruesome as the others had been but neither flinched at the sight. "He did this right under our noses," he continued fiercely. Upset didn't even begin to describe his feelings. He and John had been coordinating these stake-outs for three nights and now the perp kills again on their watch.
"Body's even positioned the same way," Elliot said, bending down for a better view. Olivia bent over next to him, bracing herself on his shoulder as he leaned into her slightly to confer quietly. Fin watched their exchange with unbridled curiosity, anger lost temporarily. He knew they were a tight team, but he didn't think they were *that* close.
In an instant the moment had passed and they were standing up and including him in the conversation again. But ever so briefly they'd been something else that Fin couldn't quite put his finger on. They were close, no doubt, but he'd thought Elliot was far too honorable a man to betray his marriage. So he did the only thing he could do; he masked his reaction in a cloud of emotion.
"I'm pissed as hell at the balls of this guy," he said. "He sure must have a pair to do this with us watching."
"That, or he couldn't help himself," Olivia said shaking her head slightly.
"A compulsion to kill?" Elliot asked, already nodding his agreement.
"Could be." John came up behind Fin. "It's just as vicious and random as the others." Fin took a step back to include his partner in the circle of SVU detectives.
"We're still looking at an extremely local area. Only a few city blocks radius," Fin added. "That's gotta count for something."
"Yeah, time to go for a plant you think?" Olivia asked. The three men were suddenly quiet and she studied each of their faces in turn and Fin felt a sudden surge of discomfort under her gaze. His eyes shifted away. "Look, I realize I'm on the short-list for this thing, but it's the only way we're going to nail this guy."
He met John's gaze as Elliot began to protest her involvement. His rolled eyes were all that Fin needed to be convinced there was more to the other pair's relationship than met the eye. He was just surprised he hadn't caught it before. He'd been here a while now and not picking up on the subtle nuances wasn't like him. He shot a brief incredulous look at the two meant for John only, who simply wagged his eyebrows at the unspoken suggestion that Fin hadn't already seen it.
Silent partnerspeak. It was something Fin relished about SVU. As a detective in Narcotics he and his partner had had it as well as anyone else. In requesting the transfer to Special Victims, Fin had been prepared to lose the closeness that was so inherent in a job riddled with danger. Somehow the indefinable 'it' was still there, for which he was eternally grateful. He just hoped to high heaven that John wouldn't be taking a bullet for him any time soon. Irritating ass really, but he didn't think he could stand to lose another one, much less one who was as annoyingly endearing as John was.
"Look, I'm not letting you do this without me there to watch your back!" Elliot was getting dangerously close to yelling.
"Like she'd do it with anyone else," Fin muttered, not bothering to make sure it was under his breath. Luckily the only one who caught what he'd said was John and he just sent a vaguely reproachful look Fin's way. The CSU people however were beginning to stare at the two quarreling detectives.
"Hey, kids, let's take it inside, shall we?" John interrupted, deftly shifting the focus of their anger onto him and away from each other. Fin wasn't quite sure how he did it, but the man--for an annoying and ingratiating ass he reminded himself--had remarkable people skills. He projected the finely-honed veneer of an impenetrable and cynical conspiracy buff, but John was definitely above gifted in the intelligence department. And Fin knew he was an old softie at heart; he cared way too much about the victims to not be. Of course, Fin also had his own demons to exorcise when it came to that particular aspect of the cases they worked.
Narcotics had been so much easier, he mused to himself as he watch Olivia and Elliot glare at John at then stalk away, nattering to each other about the victims. It had been about glory, about the triumph of the sting operations, about making the collar on a big-timer. Here in Special Victims it was a precise balance of walking the line between insanity and brilliance. No one could deal for very long with the walking talking victims who hurt your heart more than you ever imagined. It took a special kind of dedication to work in sex crimes, and Fin wasn't sure if he had it anymore. Your own demons, he chastised himself. He needed to get off this track quick; the last thing he wanted to do was have The Talk with the captain.
He turned back to John as the other pair reached their car, already back to good-natured arguing. "Why haven't I noticed that before?"
"Because they don't even notice it." John suddenly looked more tired than Fin had ever seen him before. They'd had tough cases that ran them ragged before, but there was something different in the tense way his eyes pulled back. Jealousy over the mutual adoration? Possibly. Likely, actually, given John's track record when it came to women. Feed the junkie, Fin thought.
"What do you mean?" The loaded question provoked as strong a reaction in John as Fin could hope for.
"I mean they're so in love they don't even realize it! They make Romeo and Juliet look like a pair of teenagers with a minor case of temporary hard-ons." Fin bit back the smile that threatened to break free.
"Which they were."
"True, Juliet was only thirteen."
"It's sad, but we could've prosecuted Romeo for statutory rape." Fin felt like laughing when John grinned infectiously at him. Moments like this made him stay.
"Would've been a fun case to work."
"More fun than this at least."
- Special Victims Unit Squad Room -
- Tuesday April 26th 10:32am -
"Okay, how about the other alley next to the church. The one that's not the previous crime scene."
"Too over the top maybe?"
"Liv, this is a plant; there is no 'over the top.'"
"Okay, how about implausible?"
"Why?!"
"No prostitutes in the area remember? The perp--if he sees us mind you--isn't going to fall for it!" Olivia knew her argument wasn't a good one.
"Overwhelming urge to kill," Elliot reminded.
"I feel that," she grumbled, even as she felt herself caving to his point.
"What?"
"I said, I'll agree with that, but I still think this is too close to the church. The perp obviously goes out looking for his victims, otherwise he wouldn't stray this far! These numeraries aren't exactly the traveling type."
"Are you two sure it's one of the Catholic guys?" Fin asked from his desk.
"Yes," they replied in unison before turning back to each other. Elliot got the jump and was the first to speak.
"We stop him before he gets to anyone else. First one was a crime of opportunity, this one can be too. He's not going to pass it up once he sees us." Damn him and his logic. They'd be sitting in a car tonight next to the church, whether she liked it or not.
"Hey, you two quick bickering," Cragen commanded as he emerged from his office. "Go home and sleep, for Christsake. None of us can get any work done if you don't shut up. Be back at six to prep for the plant." He slammed his door behind him, leaving a pair of embarrassed detectives in his wake. Mumbling words of apology to each other they gathered their things and left.
"Care to bet if they'll survive the night?" Fin asked his partner who gave him his trademark sardonic grin.
"Ten bucks says no."
"You're on."
[tbc]