Title: Till Death Do Us Part (14/15)
Author: KatRose
Disclaimer: Simply put, Dick Wolf's, not mine.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None that I can think of
Author's Notes: The dates for this story are all 2004. I also have to thank kukrae for all her help, wisdom, cheerleading and browbeating me into getting this story written.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHAPTER 14
SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
SQUAD ROOM
An hour later, Elliot met with Lieutenant Ed Tucker and Sergeant Elroy Stewart from IAB in the interview room to go over the events of the day. Olivia was ensconced with Sergeant David Siler and Sergeant Richard Andrews. Cragen watched from his office window ready to intervene if necessary.
"Before we start," Olivia said, "can you tell me how Heather's doing?"
"She died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Her lung collapsed and she bled out internally because the bullet nicked the pulminary artery," Siler said regretfully.
In the other room Elliot had received the same bad news. "Were they able to save the baby? She was about 7 months pregnant and the baby would be able to survive with a little intensive care," Elliot asked.
"Baby died in utero," Tucker said matter-of-factly. "Bullet to the abdomen pierced the amniotic sac and passed through the child's chest killing him instantly."
"Oh my God!" Elliot said with feeling.
"So, want to tell me how a civilian was not only was wounded, but killed while the perp will be up and walking in a few weeks?" he sneered.
"It all happened so fast," Elliot started.
"That's not an excuse, Detective. You're trained to be more watchful and NOT to kill innocent people."
For the next hour Elliot and Olivia were interrogated as if they were the perpetrators, not cops. Cragen had to step in once to keep Elliot from punching Tucker. By the time they were done, no one in either room was very calm or collected, but at least the statements were over.
"I appreciate your time, Detectives," Tucker said, as if it had been a tea party not a grilling session. "It's an interesting story you tell. I'll let you know what IAB says after they review my report. Until then, you're confined to your desks."
"Call me as soon as you've cleared them," Cragen said.
"If I do," retorted Tucker.
They watched the IAB cops leave, reports in hand. Cragen looked at two of his best detectives. "You both look like hell. Go home. Get some sleep. Take tomorrow to see the shrink and relax. I'll see you here bright and early Friday morning."
Both Elliot and Olivia got up wearily from the chairs they were sitting in and staggered out into the bullpen. "Night," Olivia said to Fin, who'd been waiting to see how things panned out. "I'll talk to you later." He nodded in understanding. Elliot followed Olivia out the door without saying a word to anyone, but the tension and anger could be felt all the way across the room. Fin shook his head wondering if his friends would recover from this mess.
"Cap," he asked, "got a minute?"
"Sure," Cragen responded. "What's up?"
"They okay?"
"Don't know yet. Tucker's out for their blood as usual. I thought Elliot was going to swing at him at one point." Cragen stared off into the now empty hallway remembering the tension interview. "It doesn't help that Hatagov is a political animal in the city. There's going to be a lot of heat around those two for some time to come."
"Yeah," Fin agreed. "Night."
"Good night, Fin. See you in the morning." Cragen turned away and then turned back, "You did good today."
"Thanks, Cap."
SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
SQUAD ROOM
MAY 27
The last week had been hell for both Elliot and Olivia. They'd been confined to their desks, answering phones and doing paperwork. The inactivity was beginning to wear on them. Elliot had even considered taking some personal time to avoid the monotony, but didn't want to leave Olivia to this all alone. That would be a far worse thing to do to his partner than moping around the office.
"Stabler, Benson, my office," Cragen called into the bullpen.
"What's up, Captain?" she asked when she sat down next to Elliot.
"IAB cleared you guys of any wrongdoing in the death of Heather Hatagov," he said.
"So why the long face?" Elliot asked.
"Because word has it that Hatagov's not happy with that decision. He's going to push for some kind of payback."
"Legally or otherwise?"
"Don't know at this point, but I wanted you to be aware of the situation."
"Thanks. Anything else?"
"No, just get back to work. I know that Munch and Fin will be happy to have you helping out in the streets."
They were already scheduled for a day off the next day, so they took it with glee that they'd be able to get back to their real work on Saturday.
"You bringing the family to the precinct Memorial Day picnic?" Olivia asked.
"Yeah. It's always fun to get out with the other families," he answered.
"Not to mention a chance to throw the ball around, drink beer and eat burnt burgers," she laughed.
"Hey! Watch out or I'll recruit you into the game and make you be on the Skins side," he grinned back in response.
"Dream on, Stabler," she laughed. "I might just take you up on it and then whup your ass because you and the other *boys* will be so distracted by my natural attributes."
Elliot nearly swallowed his tongue in addition to his coffee at the image his partner's words put into his head. She had to pound him on the back to clear the airway.
"See, you don't want me to play. Bad image for the boys to lose to a measly girl," she intoned seriously and then ruined the pose by giggling.
"You're going to be the death of me, Liv," he said smiling at her antics. "Coffee down the wrong pipe can kill a guy."
"Sorry," she said in a voice that was anything but.
STABLER RESIDENCE
QUEENS
MAY 31
The morning of Memorial dawned bright and clear. The promise of sun and heat could be felt as the sun edged over the horizon. Elliot sat in the living room watching the sun come up. Kathy came down the stairs and asked, "How long you been up?"
"Awhile," he replied.
"Something you want to talk about?"
"Not really. Just needed to do some thinking."
"Okay. You want some coffee?" she asked moving into the kitchen.
"Yeah, that would be great. What time you want to head out to the park?"
"I figured around 11. That way we still get a good spot on the grass and avoid some of the traffic without committing to be there for ten hours."
Kathy brought Elliot his coffee and snuggled into his embrace as they sipped and watched the neighborhood wake around them.
CENTRAL PARK
NEAR WEST DRIVE AND 65TH STREET
11:30 AM
The park was hopping with activity by the time the Stabler family arrived. They managed to snag a place on the grass near the touch football game, but far enough away to keep athletes and balls from being part of their picnic area.
"Dickie, you want to play?" Elliot asked, shirking his shirt before running out to join the game. Dickie ran after him tossing his shirt into Lizzie's face on the way.
Lizze swatted it away with an "Ew, gross!" comment before taking off to play frisbee with some of the other kids. Kathleen and Maureen followed in Lizzie's wake to see what else was happening, and to avoid helping their mother set up the picnic area.
Olivia walked over as Kathy finished laying out the blankets and pulling the cooler close to her lawn chair. "Hi," she said.
"Hi, Livia. Enjoying your day off?" Kathy asked.
"Yeah, it's not often we get a chance to play like this." Olivia looked at her fellow cops doing a variety of things. Elliot and Fin were on the football field being trailed by Dickie as cops from the Robbery/Homicide division tried to keep the ball from falling into their hands. Munch was flirting with a beautiful woman over beer near the grills. Cragen was happily discussing God knows what with other members of the precinct.
"You're more than welcome to join us," Kathy offered.
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
The day went by quickly. Gallons of beer and soft drinks were inhaled, a whole side of beef and barrels of hot dogs were consumed throughout the day. By the time the families called it a day just before sunset, children needed to be carried off the field, too weary to walk. Some couples lingered to enjoy the cooling air in the creeping dusk, others whisked off to catch a few extra winks before getting back to work in the morning.
The Stablers walked with Olivia towards their cars. "Thanks for joining us, Liv," Elliot said.
"Thanks for having me. It was a good day," she replied. "Kathy, good to see you as always. Kids, see you later." Olivia walked off in the direction of her car waving to the family and wishing that she didn't always have to go home alone.
"Oh well," she thought. "Maybe one day I won't have to."
Author: KatRose
Disclaimer: Simply put, Dick Wolf's, not mine.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None that I can think of
Author's Notes: The dates for this story are all 2004. I also have to thank kukrae for all her help, wisdom, cheerleading and browbeating me into getting this story written.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHAPTER 14
SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
SQUAD ROOM
An hour later, Elliot met with Lieutenant Ed Tucker and Sergeant Elroy Stewart from IAB in the interview room to go over the events of the day. Olivia was ensconced with Sergeant David Siler and Sergeant Richard Andrews. Cragen watched from his office window ready to intervene if necessary.
"Before we start," Olivia said, "can you tell me how Heather's doing?"
"She died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Her lung collapsed and she bled out internally because the bullet nicked the pulminary artery," Siler said regretfully.
In the other room Elliot had received the same bad news. "Were they able to save the baby? She was about 7 months pregnant and the baby would be able to survive with a little intensive care," Elliot asked.
"Baby died in utero," Tucker said matter-of-factly. "Bullet to the abdomen pierced the amniotic sac and passed through the child's chest killing him instantly."
"Oh my God!" Elliot said with feeling.
"So, want to tell me how a civilian was not only was wounded, but killed while the perp will be up and walking in a few weeks?" he sneered.
"It all happened so fast," Elliot started.
"That's not an excuse, Detective. You're trained to be more watchful and NOT to kill innocent people."
For the next hour Elliot and Olivia were interrogated as if they were the perpetrators, not cops. Cragen had to step in once to keep Elliot from punching Tucker. By the time they were done, no one in either room was very calm or collected, but at least the statements were over.
"I appreciate your time, Detectives," Tucker said, as if it had been a tea party not a grilling session. "It's an interesting story you tell. I'll let you know what IAB says after they review my report. Until then, you're confined to your desks."
"Call me as soon as you've cleared them," Cragen said.
"If I do," retorted Tucker.
They watched the IAB cops leave, reports in hand. Cragen looked at two of his best detectives. "You both look like hell. Go home. Get some sleep. Take tomorrow to see the shrink and relax. I'll see you here bright and early Friday morning."
Both Elliot and Olivia got up wearily from the chairs they were sitting in and staggered out into the bullpen. "Night," Olivia said to Fin, who'd been waiting to see how things panned out. "I'll talk to you later." He nodded in understanding. Elliot followed Olivia out the door without saying a word to anyone, but the tension and anger could be felt all the way across the room. Fin shook his head wondering if his friends would recover from this mess.
"Cap," he asked, "got a minute?"
"Sure," Cragen responded. "What's up?"
"They okay?"
"Don't know yet. Tucker's out for their blood as usual. I thought Elliot was going to swing at him at one point." Cragen stared off into the now empty hallway remembering the tension interview. "It doesn't help that Hatagov is a political animal in the city. There's going to be a lot of heat around those two for some time to come."
"Yeah," Fin agreed. "Night."
"Good night, Fin. See you in the morning." Cragen turned away and then turned back, "You did good today."
"Thanks, Cap."
SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
SQUAD ROOM
MAY 27
The last week had been hell for both Elliot and Olivia. They'd been confined to their desks, answering phones and doing paperwork. The inactivity was beginning to wear on them. Elliot had even considered taking some personal time to avoid the monotony, but didn't want to leave Olivia to this all alone. That would be a far worse thing to do to his partner than moping around the office.
"Stabler, Benson, my office," Cragen called into the bullpen.
"What's up, Captain?" she asked when she sat down next to Elliot.
"IAB cleared you guys of any wrongdoing in the death of Heather Hatagov," he said.
"So why the long face?" Elliot asked.
"Because word has it that Hatagov's not happy with that decision. He's going to push for some kind of payback."
"Legally or otherwise?"
"Don't know at this point, but I wanted you to be aware of the situation."
"Thanks. Anything else?"
"No, just get back to work. I know that Munch and Fin will be happy to have you helping out in the streets."
They were already scheduled for a day off the next day, so they took it with glee that they'd be able to get back to their real work on Saturday.
"You bringing the family to the precinct Memorial Day picnic?" Olivia asked.
"Yeah. It's always fun to get out with the other families," he answered.
"Not to mention a chance to throw the ball around, drink beer and eat burnt burgers," she laughed.
"Hey! Watch out or I'll recruit you into the game and make you be on the Skins side," he grinned back in response.
"Dream on, Stabler," she laughed. "I might just take you up on it and then whup your ass because you and the other *boys* will be so distracted by my natural attributes."
Elliot nearly swallowed his tongue in addition to his coffee at the image his partner's words put into his head. She had to pound him on the back to clear the airway.
"See, you don't want me to play. Bad image for the boys to lose to a measly girl," she intoned seriously and then ruined the pose by giggling.
"You're going to be the death of me, Liv," he said smiling at her antics. "Coffee down the wrong pipe can kill a guy."
"Sorry," she said in a voice that was anything but.
STABLER RESIDENCE
QUEENS
MAY 31
The morning of Memorial dawned bright and clear. The promise of sun and heat could be felt as the sun edged over the horizon. Elliot sat in the living room watching the sun come up. Kathy came down the stairs and asked, "How long you been up?"
"Awhile," he replied.
"Something you want to talk about?"
"Not really. Just needed to do some thinking."
"Okay. You want some coffee?" she asked moving into the kitchen.
"Yeah, that would be great. What time you want to head out to the park?"
"I figured around 11. That way we still get a good spot on the grass and avoid some of the traffic without committing to be there for ten hours."
Kathy brought Elliot his coffee and snuggled into his embrace as they sipped and watched the neighborhood wake around them.
CENTRAL PARK
NEAR WEST DRIVE AND 65TH STREET
11:30 AM
The park was hopping with activity by the time the Stabler family arrived. They managed to snag a place on the grass near the touch football game, but far enough away to keep athletes and balls from being part of their picnic area.
"Dickie, you want to play?" Elliot asked, shirking his shirt before running out to join the game. Dickie ran after him tossing his shirt into Lizzie's face on the way.
Lizze swatted it away with an "Ew, gross!" comment before taking off to play frisbee with some of the other kids. Kathleen and Maureen followed in Lizzie's wake to see what else was happening, and to avoid helping their mother set up the picnic area.
Olivia walked over as Kathy finished laying out the blankets and pulling the cooler close to her lawn chair. "Hi," she said.
"Hi, Livia. Enjoying your day off?" Kathy asked.
"Yeah, it's not often we get a chance to play like this." Olivia looked at her fellow cops doing a variety of things. Elliot and Fin were on the football field being trailed by Dickie as cops from the Robbery/Homicide division tried to keep the ball from falling into their hands. Munch was flirting with a beautiful woman over beer near the grills. Cragen was happily discussing God knows what with other members of the precinct.
"You're more than welcome to join us," Kathy offered.
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
The day went by quickly. Gallons of beer and soft drinks were inhaled, a whole side of beef and barrels of hot dogs were consumed throughout the day. By the time the families called it a day just before sunset, children needed to be carried off the field, too weary to walk. Some couples lingered to enjoy the cooling air in the creeping dusk, others whisked off to catch a few extra winks before getting back to work in the morning.
The Stablers walked with Olivia towards their cars. "Thanks for joining us, Liv," Elliot said.
"Thanks for having me. It was a good day," she replied. "Kathy, good to see you as always. Kids, see you later." Olivia walked off in the direction of her car waving to the family and wishing that she didn't always have to go home alone.
"Oh well," she thought. "Maybe one day I won't have to."
