A/N: THANK YOU so much to all those who reviewed…I think I may just have satisfied your ideas for this chapter…let me know.
In this chapter, and those to follow, italics mean it's a flashback…and anything between stars are the character's thoughts.
They were lying in bed, in each other's arms, seeking solace, seeking comfort. Elliot couldn't shake the feeling he had gotten when they had first seen the victim.
"I couldn't see past it Liv. There were just too many coincidences; Allie was Kathleen in my mind." Elliot shuddered, recalling the sight.
Flashback
A fourteen year old girl, had been sexually assaulted with a foreign object and killed. Allie Montgomery (the victim) was a normal, active girl that had recently started putting on makeup and talking to boys. Any possible explanation as to why she became some psychopath's victim escaped the two detectives and until the killer's actual confession, they remained dumbfounded.
The crime scene itself was horrific; there was blood everywhere. The killer, who later turned out to be the victim's mother, had used a butcher knife to slice the innocent girl's throat but only after having molested her with a broom handle. That wasn't the difficult part; although gruesome, the detectives had seen this kind of case before. What had upset them, particularly Elliot, was the fact that the little girl held an uncanny resemblance to his own daughter. They were roughly the same age, had the same color hair and the same build. When Olivia noticed the resemblance, her gaze raised to meet Elliot's. His mouth had dropped open and he looked like he'd had the wind knocked out of him. He shut his mouth, a slow frown forming on his face and Olivia knew he was trying to hide his sudden surge of emotion. She knew he needed to speak to his daughter…now. She gave him an almost imperceptible nod and watched him exit the building, assuming he was going to call her.
Even when he'd hung up with Kathleen he didn't feel any better. Despite the strain on their emotions they'd closed the case and none too early. Huang had interviewed the mother and had labeled her with a severe schizo-typoid personality. She had argued that her daughter had started 'acting like a slut around boys. She asked for the treatment she got', the mother spat out. Mrs. Montgomery further continued ranting that Allie had always been a troublemaker and was convinced that her daughter was possessed.
Elliot left the interrogation room at this moment. He'd had enough. Olivia later found him in the crib, sitting on one of the beds, his head in his hands.
"El,…" she started but stopped when he looked up at her, his eyes red with unshed tears.
"Oh, El…"she continued and sat next to him on the bed, placing an arm around his back. When his head fell back into his hands, Olivia laid her head on his shoulder and let him weep silently.
End Flashback
"I know, they looked alike but that's where the resemblance stops. Kathleen will not end up like Allie. El, it's impossible. Allie's mother is a monster…you and Kathy both love Kathleen and your other kids. They're very lucky." She tried to reassure him.
Elliot smiled down at her and kissed her temple. They lay there for another couple minutes fully intending to enjoy their day off.
After a few moments Olivia finally broke the silence, "El?"
"Hmm?"
She hesitated, obviously battling her inner demons. Elliot opened his eyes and looked at her intently, waiting for her to continue. "El, I…I'm in love with you. I never thought I would be able to tell you this…but now, ever since you got a divorce…I…I have loved you for a long time I just never acted on…" Elliot pressed his lips to hers, successfully stopping her rambling. She responded in kind, quickly deepening the kiss and running her hands over his bare chest. The sensation was still so new that it sent shivers through her body. Their exploration of each other was cut short by the rudely loud ringing of his cell phone. Elliot grunted his displeasure and answered.
"Stabler…ok…yeah I'll be right there. No. I'll call Olivia myself." Olivia smirked, noting that he avoided telling the caller he was in her presence. Elliot returned the smile and said, "That was the captain, looks like we don't get a day off after all."
"I don't really care, either way I get to spend it with you." Olivia said happily as they got out of bed and got dressed.
At the crime scene"Young kid, age 9. Missing for approximately 26 hours now, mother last saw her yesterday morning when the girl left for school. Vic's name is Jennifer Larose."
"Where is the mother?" Olivia asked the uniform and he pointed to a slim brunette seated on the couch. Elliot's eyes squinted in recognition.
"Melissa?" He called. Her head snapped up and Elliot's eyes went wide. He crossed the living room in three steps and sat down next to the woman.
"Elliot…what…" she gave up trying to explain herself and collapsed in his arms sobbing. Elliot held her tightly, stroking her hair while whispering comforting words. Olivia just looked on in shock. Her partner, the man she had just told she loved was holding, no…caressing another woman. She felt a familiar sting in her eyes and even a seemingly physical pain in her chest. Eventually she snapped out of it and asked in the softest voice she could muster, "Mrs. Larose, do you mind if we ask you some questions?"
The woman looked up at her as if she were a giant bug, and then looked back at Elliot confused. Elliot shook his head quickly, pursed his lips and said, "Mel, I'm so sorry to do this to you now but time is crucial in these circumstances. The more information we get, the faster we can find Jennifer." He soothed. At Elliot's comment, she got up from the couch, nodding her head wearily but instead of making it to her feet, she passed out and toppled backwards into Elliot's arms, who was standing up with her.
"Melissa! Call the medics back up here!" He gave Olivia a stern glare, while cradling the other woman. "Why did you ask her that!" Elliot growled taking Olivia by surprise.
"What? Why did I ask her if I could ask her some questions? That's our JOB Elliot!" she snapped back.
"You didn't have to ask her that NOW! Be a little more compassionate! For god sakes, Olivia!" Olivia was completely taken aback. First of all Elliot rarely used her full name anymore (they were too close for that) and secondly, he had never snapped at her like he just did. Who was this woman to him? How did they know each other? Olivia courageously decided to ask him.
"Elliot," she started in a stern voice, deciding to return the usage of his full name, "who is this woman?"
"The victim's mother." He said flatly as the paramedics lifted her onto a gurney and wheeled her out the door, the two detectives in tow.
"Elliot you know what I mean. Who is this woman to you?" She redundantly repeated, more cautiously this time. She had never seen such an instant and violent mood swing in her partner; especially not directed at her. Elliot walked passed Olivia, not returning her stare.
"I'm going to the hospital with her. I'll see you back at the precinct." He said cooly.
"Elliot!" Olivia shouted.
He looked back at her before the medic closed the ambulance doors and said, "She's my ex-fiancee."
I already have a ton of ideas for the next chapter…all I have to do is write it now. R&R!