Author: Muppet

Rating: pg

Chapter Title: Prelude to bad/good news

Disclaimer: These characters aren't mine, but if they were… I would cry a happy tear. What a joyous day that would be. Oh right Robbie's still mine.

A/n- I've come to the conclusion that I dug myself in a whole and there's no way out. I hope the rest of this FF doesn't turn out to be a kamikaze, downhill, piece of jumping-the-shark craphola. I'll try my best to revive it. CPR! Thanks for the reviews; I start to write when I read them. I love motivation, especially when it comes in the sweet, sweet packaging of awesome reviews.

Last time:

"She's fine. But I don't know for how long. It occurred to me that I have no way out of this. Everyone knows what I look like and I have no out. I have everything I need. She confessed you'll see that on the news, and now I'm sure we can make some sort of exchange: My freedom for your detective."

"I'm sure we can." Cragen said the distress still apparent in his voice.

"Good Captain because I had an idea."

"I'm all ears." The captain said in anticipation.

"We will meet at the Port 12 Marina at 3:30 AM. That is where the exchange will be made."

"Alright." Cragen answered.

"But there is more. A bomb will be involved, if that's alright with you." Robert laughed at the Captains silence.

"It will be strapped to your detective but she will be unconcious, as she is now. But before you try and think of anything sneaky I will tell you that there is another man involved, an old prison mate of mine. He will have a second detonator. After the exchange we will exit on boat with the money across the water and the rest is history. Is that clear?"

"Crystal." Cragen answered. And Robert hung up. There was a moment of silence but Cragen broke it with a sigh.

"Alright, so what are we going to do? Just let the bastard get away?" Elliot asked.

"He's definitely capable of killing her. He demonstrated this by the great lengths he's gone to. But I don't think he wants her dead."

"So he's just going to get away with hurting her like this?!" Elliot said again, louder this time.

"Elliot, why don't you go get an hour in the crib."

"I'm not going to sleep. I couldn't even if I wanted to." Elliot answered.

"Well at least talk to your wife."

"My wife?" Cragen pointed to a worried looking Kathy Stabler in the doorway. Elliot approached her warily.

"Elliot…" she began uncertain of what to say to him exactly. "I'm sorry to come in on you like this, it's just… you're not returning my calls." Elliot walked over and hugged her, but all he could think about was Olivia. He felt guilty.

"I'm sorry, Kathy."

"There's something I have to tell you, El." Elliot pulled back and looked her in the eye curiously, and just caught on to the agitated look on her face.

"Yeah?" Elliot asked. The lines under his eyes were dark and every wrinkle on his face was showing. The fact that Olivia was gone was really eating at him, like no other case before. Kathy could see this. She couldn't help but wonder if he'd feel the same way if she'd been in Olivia's position. That was a selfish thought, and she knew it. She quickly wiped the thought from her mind.

"You're really stressed out, El. I'll talk to you about this later." Elliot was in no position to refuse. He nodded and kissed his wife.

"I would have brought you some food, but you won't eat." She said looking down. Kathy looked up at his face and could see that he wasn't going to comment.

"Alright I'll talk to you later." She said turning to leave.

"Kathy." He called, and she turned around. He leaned in and kissed her. She accepted the kiss reluctantly, the reason for this must have had something to do with the news she wanted to give him. She turned and left, Elliot watched her as she disappeared around the corner.

A/n- I know. I have two author's note things but whatever. Short I know. But here's a sneak peak for what's to come later: Next time I' going to go back to the news TV thing and show Olivia totally whoop some ass and have them prepare for the exchange. Welcome back SWAT! And that might be longer. I dunno… does that sound longer? I think I'm going to add that tonight so… keep checking for updates kiddies. Cuz' everyone wants to see Liv whoop ass, right?