Title: Pierce the Soul

Author: RaeAnne

DISCLAIMER: See chapter 1 and the song Stand by Your Side is by Celine Dion.

AN: Hey all, here is chapter 4, yeah! I finally got it done. Thank you for the feedback again, you guys are too good to me!

Kukrae: thanks for the pointers, I will try and watch out for them, sometimes I get typing and get carried away, and I don't always catch them on the proof read.

Ccabello: you are always right there with a review for my new chapter thanks!

Blacknight5: I'm glad that I've been able to mix SVU and Profiler the shows are just awesome, I hope my story doesn't shine too badly on them.

Olivia26: Thank you so much for the great reviews!

Stabblerchick: Captivating and riveting are two words that every author loves to hear THANK YOU :-)

… ps prayer answer

Maria: they are coming as fast as I can type them:-) thanks for the review.

And to everyone else who has reviewed you guys are just awesome! TTFN

Chapter 4:

Pierce the Soul

"What happened will you tell me now? How are my kids?" Elliot asked as the car pulled away from the curb. Martinez looked at him questioningly. "My kids! How are they?" he demanded.

"Sir, there were no kids in the van, just your wife, we identified her by the ID in her purse," Martinez answered.

Elliot could hardly even think. "What are you talking about? My wife and I getting a divorce, she had the kids; she just got a restraining order against me! Where are my kids?" he said frantically.

"Sir, calm down, I'm sure they are fine," Martinez said slowly.

"Calm down? You want me to calm down! My wife is the hospital, and my kids are missing, and you want me to calm down!" Elliot yelled angrily.

"We're almost there," Martinez said.

"I can't believe this… I'm heading over to the hospital…" Olivia said standing.

"Slow down Olivia," Cragen said putting his hand up to stop her.

"He needs us over there!" she said passionately.

"I understand that, but first thing first, you need to calm down, you will upset him more if you are upset," Cragen said as the SVU team sat re collecting themselves after Agent Davis left.

"Is there anything we can do?" Sam asked.

"I don't think so but thank you," Cragen said.

The group sat silent for a few minutes before then were again interrupted by the doors being burst open.

"Dad! Dad!" a female called coming through the doors.

"Maureen?" Olivia cried mouth dropping.

"Where's my dad… I was at the station… they said that…. That he was here… where is he?" she said tears streaming a terrified Kathleen, Dickie and Lizzie behind her.

"Maureen, where is your mother?" Olivia asked as they made room for them to sit down.

"What? She's… she's at the hotel… Where is my dad, I need to talk to my dad!" she said shaking, her siblings sitting around her silent, tears streaming.

"Maureen I will take you to your dad just as soon as I can, you trust me don't you?" Olivia said kneeing in front of her. Maureen nodded. "Okay, why are you here instead of with your mom?"

Maureen drew a shaky breath. "She… she was leaving New York… running away with Jerry, she got a restraining order against Dad this afternoon because of chasing that guy, she told the judge she didn't feel safe. I…I told her I didn't think she was right doing this to dad…. She… she went crazy!" Maureen was shaking terribly; the twins wrapped themselves around Kathleen. "She threw a lamp at me… she told me to leave… I took Kathleen and the twins with me… and we went looking for my dad…." She sobbed.

"Oh Maureen," Olivia whispered pulling her into a hug. "It's going to be all right… oh it's going to be all right," Olivia whispered running her hand over Maureen's hair. Maureen just sobbed into Olivia's shoulder. The stress of her mother and not being able to find her dad had just about sent her over the edge.

"I… I just didn't want… her to her to hurt them…" Maureen whispered sobs quieted.

"I know, you did so well, getting them away, you were just wonderful Maureen," Olivia assured.

"The van was found flipped in the ditch; she was unconscious and stopped breathing for two minutes after the ambulance got there. That is all I know, you will have to talk to the doctors for more," a uniformed police officer said as Elliot questioned him in the lobby of the ER minutes after getting there.

"My name is Elliot Stabler I am the husband of Kathy Stabler, can I talk to someone who knows what is going on," he demanded cooling down a bit.

The woman behind the counter came over hands full of charts. "Sir, we are really busy, if you will give us a minute," she said eyeing him. He clenched his jaw tight, resisting the urge to say something he shouldn't.

"Fine," he said turning to address the agents who brought him in. They weren't to be found. "What the…" he began making a full circle to find them. He didn't. He brought his phone out to call the hotel where the SVU was but was promptly shut down.

"I'm sorry sir, you will have to go outside to use that, we don't allow cell phone's in the ER," the same woman told him snottily. He lifted his shoulders instead of his middle finger and turned away from her making a face.

"Family of Kathy Stabler?" a man in green scrubs asked coming from down the hall into the lobby a few minutes later.

"I'm her husband, Elliot Stabler, what happened?" Elliot asked rushing over to the man.

"Sir, I'm Dr. George Clark, you wife is in surgery now, she came in with trauma to head, a collapsed lung, severe injuries to her arms and legs, we think she may have a broken her spine, she is in very bad shape. We don't think she'll make, I'm so sorry," the doctor said. Elliot couldn't hear much after "we don't think she'll make it," he nodded to the doctor and turned for a chair before he collapsed on the floor.

He didn't know where his kids were, and his wife was dying, his head felt like it would explode. He slumped in the chair head in his hands tears not coming, a shock setting in.

"Elliot…" a soft voice said behind him. He lifted his head and felt most the tension drain from his body. He turned to take in the face of his partner.

"Olivia!" his lips formed the name but it didn't come out. He saw her standing their holding the hands of the twins and Maureen and Kathleen standing on either side of her.

He cried.

"My kids…" he said softly standing and moving to them. "Thank you God," he whispered as his kids rushed to him. He fell to his knees in front of Olivia embracing Lizzie and Dickie.

"Daddy!" they cried hugging him. Maureen and Kathleen hugged him too. Olivia stood watching tears stinging her own eyes.

"I don't know what to do…" Elliot said some five hours later sitting with Olivia in a small dim waiting room adjacent to the ICU. She nodded stroking Dickie's hair as he lay against her sleeping fitfully. Elliot held Lizzie on the other end of the small sofa, Maureen and Kathleen sleeping in recliners on the other side of the room.

Kathy had come out of surgery two and half hours ago, she had certain brain damage, a severed spine and was in a coma on life support, and it was now up to him whether to let them turn that support off. They would know by morning if there would any chance of her waking up.

"You know I am here for you in what ever," Olivia said softly eyes on the pattern of the sofa.

"I know that, and that is the greatest comfort I've known," he smiled moving his arm from under Lizzie enough to reach over and squeeze her hand. She smiled.

"If you like I can go back to the house and bring you anything you need," she offered lowering her voice more as Dickie began to stir.

"That would wonderful if you wouldn't mind, there are so many tears on this shirt it's becoming sticky," he said trying to make light but remembering the reason for the tears sent another blow.

"I will go just as soon as I can move him without waking him up," she said. He nodded.

Cragen had succeeded in the getting in investigation most the way done without the involvement of Elliot or Olivia, and was especially careful of the kids. But it was VCTF who took lead in getting to the meat of the matter.

"I'm Dr. Samantha Malone, with the FBI, I would like to talk to the officers first on the scene," Sam said coming up with Bailey at the police station.

"Why does the FBI want to talk to us?" a plain clothes detective asked coming.

"We are here investigating a crime with the SVU it was one their wives in the accident, we are just taking a routine report," Bailey answered.

"Can't you just read the report?" he asked.

"We could but we want to talk," Bailey said putting much power into his voice. They were obliged.

"I was the officer on the scene, she was pretty bad when the EMT's got there from what I understand, unconscious, and they finally got her awake for a few minutes on the way to hospital, but all she kept saying was "psyche" and "eros" whatever that means. The van's break lines were cut, it caused her to lose control on the high way, and it was obvious sabotage. But you can Stabler that he is in the clear; we know where he's been. I really can't help you more then that," he said turning back to his desk.

"Are yo.." Bailey stared but was interrupted by Sam.

"Thank you very much, here is our card, please call if you remember anything else," she smiled broadly and pulled Bailey with her as she left.

"What was that all about?" Bailey demanded as they took to the icy sidewalk, darkness falling.

"I think I've made the connection!" she said anxiously.

"You have the keys?" Elliot asked as he walked Olivia to the ER entrance.

"Yeah," she smiled.

"Okay, be careful, call me when you get there," he said reaching for her hand.

"I will, but I'll be fine, worry about your wife and kids," she said squeezing his hand.

"I don't know what I would do if I lost you…" he trailed voice becoming deep.

"You won't lose me don't talk like that," she said putting a finger to his lips before pulling away.

"I wish I knew that for sure…" he said under his breath as she walked away.

Olivia arrived at the house and went in an eerier feeling falling on her. She tried to shake it off going onto the porch. "That's funny," she said as she saw broken glass on the porch. "The light is broken," she figured out as she saw the remaining metal in the light socket. She quickly looked around her heart beat starting to race.

"Calm down Olivia, it's just nerves," she told herself silently. She put the key in the lock hand steady on the butt of her gun.

The house was empty just like they had left it; she kicked herself for being so paranoid. She flipped on a light and started for the stairs. The house held a different feeling for her as she looked around and took in the memento's of the Stabler family with a new respect. She hurt for them as she looked at the remaining family photo's the one's Kathy had left, not many but a few. Somehow she thought it hurt more seeing it empty then it would filled with things. It just echoed the truth of emptiness, not even a façade could be made. She trailed the banister wit her fingers as she climbed the steps. She saw images of what must have been like, watching the children grow up here, watching Maureen come down the steps in her first prom gown… watching Lizzie and Dickie climb the stairs for the first time. Memories etched into the word work. She smiled at the nearly scrubbed clean crayon marks on the wall going up, "the things we find so important one moment are merely a memory the next" she mused making it to Elliot's room.

She tried to turn on the light but it wouldn't turn on. She flipped the switch a few times but it failed to achieve illumination. She pulled a small pocket flashlight from her jacket pocket and clicked it on. "always be prepared, always a good motto," she thought. She shown it around the room and felt a silent scream well up in her as her light fell on the makeshift cot where the bed used to be.

Five large blue butterflies laid in neat row were what she found. "No, please no…" she moaned terror welling up in her. She shut of the flashlight and left the room quickly.

"Hi, Yeah everything is okay, I'm here, I'm going to be on my way back in a little bit, … okay talk to you later," she hung up her cell phone, convinced she convinced Elliot she was indeed okay, she would be when Cragen got there. There was no reason to worry him any sooner then need be. She walked back out of the room and leaned against the wall, slowly sliding to floor, bringing her knees to her chest, there she sat.

Ten minutes later she heard the sirens of the approaching cop cars.

"Olivia!" Cragen called coming through the front door Sam and Bailey following.

"I'm here," she said coming down the stairs Elliot's shirt in her hands and a few things for the kids in a small bag.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked guiding her to a chair in the living room.

"Yes, just a little bit shaken up," Olivia said honestly.

"Does Elliot know about this?" Munch asked.

"Not yet, I talked to him ten or so minutes ago, after I talked to you, I told him I would be on my way back to the hospital in a little while. I didn't want to worry him…" she trailed.

"That's fine, I will drive you back to the hospital," Munch said putting a supportive hand on her shoulder.

"We got the black light you wanted Dr. Malone," a CSU detective said bringing in what appeared a black light spot light.

"What is that for?" Olivia asked.

"Jack likes to leave messages in black light ink, we wanted to see if there were any Jack inspired messages," Sam answered.

Sam was pretty sure she had put together a fairly true profile, but wasn't ready to share it till they were all together and they had completed the investigation here.

"I want to see if there is anything before I go back," Olivia said standing.

Cragen nodded and she followed the team up.

"Can you close the curtains Fin?" Munch asked as a they crowded in the doorway.

"Yeah," Fin said closing the curtains blocking the moonlight.

"Okay it should up as soon as I…" the man from CSU said turning on the light.

It light up the room, the writing glowed. "All my Amor for my Psyche," was scrawled on the bare walls.

"Now what in the hell is that supposed to mean?" Olivia said angrily.

"Amor, it means love in Greek…. Psyche is the butterfly winged girl in ancient Roman mythology…" Munch trailed.

"All his love for his butterfly…" Sam said solemnly.

"You were going to kill all of them!"

"I know, they were supposed to in the van! The girl messed it up! How was I supposed to know the mom was going to go loco on me?"

"You have spent the last four weeks with her; I would think you would have a pretty good grasp of her mental state!"

"Well excuse me!"

"There you are, I was starting to get worried," Elliot smiled as Olivia entered the waiting room.

"Sorry," she forced a smile. "Where are the girls?" she asked seeing only Dickie in front of the small television set.

"They went to cafeteria; they should be back in minute… Olivia is there something a mater?" Elliot asked seeing the tight muscle in her jaw line.

"Elliot when they get back we need to take a walk," she said letting out a pent up breath.

"Okay," he said.

With in moments they walked in. "Hey dad, we brought you some coffee and a sandwich…" Maureen said stopping when she saw Olivia, "Hey, Olivia," Kathleen smiled.

"Hey girls," she smiled. "I brought you a few things from home… there wasn't much, but I stopped and got you at least a toothbrush and a change of.." she was stopped by a blushing Kathleen who took the bag, "Thank you Olivia!" she said hugging her before retreating to the chairs.

"I was just going to say socks…" Olivia laughed realizing what must have thought.

"Hey Maureen, Olivia and I are going to take a walk, would you keep an eye on Lizzie and Dickie for me?" Elliot asked standing.

"Sure Dad," she smiled, passing a juice box to Lizzie.

"Ready?" he asked Olivia. She nodded and he opened the door letting her exit first.

"You look terrible," she said hurt filling her voice. He half grinned.

"Thanks," he laughed.

"You know what I mean," she laughed putting a hand on his arm as they walked.

"Yeah, I know," he sighed stretching his sore shoulders willing the tension to leave. They walked the empty silent halls hands brushing. He needed some assurance of life, he wanted to hold someone who would shrink back, and he needed someone to lean on just for a moment… he needed a life affirming, love affirming action. He took her hand. She looked up eyes showing her shock he just pleaded silently to just for a moment draw from their friendship. She read his mind and laced her fingers with his.

When your walls crash around you, who do you turn to? Who brings you from your knees and helps you mend your wings? The same person who remembers your coffee, who holds the door for you without thinking, the one who changes your world with just a word, who is the constant in your present, the echoing memory in your past, the distant hope in your future. The one you sometimes take for granted is the one you miss the most when they are gone. Who is that one who finishes your sentences, who knows your soul without asking, the one whose opinion you value most, whose approval you seek, who's name is the first you think of in the morning and the last before you sleep? Chances are it's the one you don't even think, chances are it's the last one you thought, chances are it's the one whose hand you hold, and whose heart you keep without even knowing.

"What did you want to talk about?" Elliot finally asked as they ended up at the nursery of the maternity ward.

"How do you know I wanted to talk?" she asked tip toeing around the inevitable.

"I know you Olivia," he said looking at the new babies with their pink and blue blankets.

"Elliot… there was a break in at the house tonight," she finally said. She watched his face go to stone.

"Dawson?" he said name like acid.

"Yes," she said voice barely above a whisper.

He cursed under his breath as he turned away from the viewing window moving with purpose away from the nursery. She practically had to run to keep up with him.

"Elliot where are you going?" she begged. He didn't answer just kept moving.

"Elliot you can just keep walking! Talk to me!" she pleaded once they were outside the hospital with no coats.

"Yes I can! That seems to be the only thing I can do! Olivia I'm tired of being helpless! I couldn't protect you… he stood over you… he could have killed you and I couldn't stop him! Now he breaks into my home and I can do nothing to stop him! I will kill him so help me I will," he declared fists clenched every fiber of being hard and anger showing through his eyes like fire.

"Oh Elliot…" she whispered laying a hand on his forearm. "It's not your fault," she said over and over again as she tried to loosen his ridged muscles. "You can't control the world… you have protected your family so faithfully…" she said getting him to at least stop his maddening sprint.

"I couldn't protect you…" he said voice dropping.

"You… are the only man in my life who has, until you came into my life I never knew what it was like to have a man who wouldn't take, who looked after me, that has meant so much to me, you have to know that!" she said voice growing in volume as she spoke.

Like the snow under their feet she saw the hurt, the anger melt away. In its place came a tiredness, a weariness that she had never seen before. She wrapped her arms around him and felt their breaths blend; their hearts beat in once accord. The simple action energized both.

"We will win this El, we will beat who ever this is… he will not destroy us," she breathed laying her head on his shoulder as snow softly began to fall on them.

"You madden me sometimes, do you know that Olivia?" he said a tired laugh tinting his voice as his arms tightened.

"What?" she replied in shock.

"I mean that in the best way possible. You believe so faithfully. So whole heartedly, you pierce my soul with your truths and mend my wounded faith. I believe we will beat this, I just hope that it doesn't destroy my kids," he said letting her go as they started back to the hospital.