A/N: -sighs- Not mine.
A/N: I'm sorry this is so late. I actually have some bad news for you all, but I'll save it until after you read the chapter so I have your utmost attention. For now, thank you onetreefan, Unconscious-Regret, SVU101, KaydenceRei, solciss1, Abbey06, Kelly of the midnight dawn, Odakota, MrsAbbyCarter, CarbyLivesOn, FuzzieEars67, and WuHaoNi for being such awesome reviewers.
Kelly (and anyone else who was disappointed at my lack of EOness last chapter), this first scene is for you.
The lamp on Olivia's desk sent shadows over her papers as the precinct grew gradually darker. She yawned, rubbed her eyes, and looked over at Elliot, who was practically nodding off at the desk across from hers. She smiled at him.
"Coffee wearing off yet?"
Elliot laughed and checked his watch, shaking his head. "I can't believe we got stuck here this late on our first day back!"
"I can," said Olivia, her tone suddenly more serious. It had been at least an hour since the last person had left their precinct, and yet she and Elliot were still there, haunted by their new discovery. Olivia pulled the file towards her again. She looked at it for a long time before looking sadly up at Elliot. "We caught the wrong guy, didn't we, El?"
Elliot frowned, and didn't respond for awhile. "I think," he said at last, "we're looking for an accomplice."
Olivia thought about this. "So we're looking for another man with a grudge against Abby."
Elliot nodded grimly, and chuckled slightly. "I think we can rule out another ex."
Olivia shrugged. "You never know with these doctors."
Elliot looked at the file again and sighed. "Bloomberg went down for assault in New York; did you see that?"
Olivia shook her head, trying to clear her mind as she did so. "How did he meet Richard?"
Elliot shrugged. "I don't know, Liv…" Elliot looked at his watch again. "Hey, there's a coffee place just down the street that's about to close. Want me to pick us something up before it does?"
"Sure," said Olivia, nodding. Coffee sounded wonderful to her fogging mind. She pulled the file back to her again, looking at it, as Elliot left. She frowned, examining the dates Bloomberg had been in jail. Though she tried to concentrate, she found her mind fading in and out.
Why do these dates look so familiar…I've seen these before…
"It's not what I gained by hurting this bitch…it's what I lost…"
"How did he meet Richard…?"
"Just when you think you've one…remember that you haven't…"
There's something familiar here…
"Bloomberg went down for assault in New York…"
I've seen these dates before...
The realization hit her suddenly, jerking her from her stupor. She shuffled frantically through the heavy files, looking for the one Munch had just given her earlier that morning. She opened it quickly, and skimmed it.
Richard had been in jail virtually the same dates as Bloomberg.
Excitement poured through her as the pieces fell together. "Hey, El!" she called, as she heard the precinct doors open and close; Elliot's footsteps were coming closer to her now.
"What do you got, Liv?" he asked as he came up from behind her. He put the coffee on her desk, careful not to spill the hot liquid. He wrapped his arms around her neck.
"I found out how Richard met Bloomberg," she said happily.
"Did you?" asked Elliot, as he kissed her neck.
"Yeah…" she said slowly. "Richard was in for an assault charge practically the same dates that Bloomberg…Do you mind?" she asked Elliot playfully, as he continued to kiss her neck. She laughed. "I'm trying to tell you a story here, and you're – well – distracting."
Elliot laughed at this. "I'm sorry, Liv," he said, though he made no effort to stop. "You're just too beautiful," he muttered in her ear as he kissed her lips.
Olivia blushed slightly as Elliot continued to kiss her. "Um…okay…El," she managed in between kisses. "I guess I won't be finishing the story tonight…"
Elliot drew back from her. "I guess not, Detective." He grinned and kissed her again. "But you can tell me in the morning."
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Dr. Huang's frown deepened as he pondered the new evidence a few days later in the squad room, where all four detectives, Cragen, and even Casey were present. He sighed as he closed the file.
"Well?" asked Elliot impatiently.
Huang looked at him. "I'm inclined to believe that Bloomberg and Richard worked together. It's likely that they both targeted Abby, but too much of a coincidence that it happened at the same time; in other words, one was the accomplice of the other."
Cragen nodded. This sounded plausible enough to him. "Why now?" he asked.
Huang shrugged. "Opportunity, most likely. Maggie didn't live in New York, did she?" Olivia shook her head. "They waited for maximum convenience."
"Why did Bloomberg target Abby?" asked Olivia curiously.
Huang considered. "Either Abby has many enemies, or Richard just convinced him to be his accomplice. Personally, I'm more inclined to believe the latter. Richard and Bloomberg met in jail, as you say, and he convinced Bloomberg to help him."
"So Bloomberg is just a puppet?" asked Fin.
"I'd say so," said Huang, "but I am confident he murdered Eric."
The detective nodded. "Who raped Maggie?" asked Elliot.
Huang bit his lip. "I'm not sure…there was no DNA to test."
Cragen cleared his throat. "All right, people, let's focus on finding this Michael Bloomberg for now. Records say his lives in Chicago – Doc, is there a chance he knew Abby?"
Huang shrugged his shoulders. "It's possible…you could ask her."
"They'll be here for the funeral tomorrow. I think they're arriving later this evening," said Olivia.
Cragen nodded approvingly. "Good." He paused as the detectives dispersed back to their various tasks. "George, could I see you in my office, please?"
Huang followed Cragen slowly. He closed the door as Cragen sat down at his desk. "Olivia received this a few days ago," he said, showing him the card with the blood-red writing.
"Something to put on her grave…" Huang read quietly. "Do we know who sent this?"
"I was hoping you could tell us," said Cragen. "Do you think it could've been Bloomberg?"
Huang frowned. "If it was, he must've known Abby personally."
Cragen nodded. "That's what we figured." He took the card back. "We'll have to ask her when she gets here."
"I guess so, sir," said Huang, rising to leave. He left the office, leaving Cragen alone at his desk pondering the case. He passed Olivia as he walked out.
"Olivia," he said softly, "Just so you know…my door is always open."
Olivia smiled faintly and nodded at him. "Thanks, George."
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"Hey, Abby," said Carter softly, gently shaking her. She opened her eyes blearily. "Hey, beautiful, we're here."
Abby blinked slowly, trying to wake up as the plane taxied to the gate. The sky outside was just as sunset and filled with fiery streaks of orange, red, pink, and gold. She began collecting her stuff as Carter massaged her neck.
"Mmm…that feels nice," she said.
Carter laughed. "It looked like that position took a toll on your neck." The plane stopped at the gate and with a faint beep the seat belt sign was turned off. Abby and Carter quickly grabbed their things and exited the plane.
"Elliot said they would meet us at the hotel for dinner around 7:00," Carter said. Abby checked her watch. It was 6:30. She gave him a questioning stare.
"There's a reason we're staying at the hotel adjacent to the airport," said Carter, laughing. "We'll be there in no time."
They walked down to the hotel restaurant only a few minutes late. Olivia and Elliot were already there.
"Hey," said Olivia, as she saw them. "Welcome to New York, you two."
"How's the happy couple doing?" asked Elliot.
Carter and Abby smiled. "We're good," answered Carter. "How are you doing?"
"Pretty good," answered Olivia, thinking privately they wouldn't be doing so 'good' after the case came out. She pushed the case to the back of her mind, and tried to relax enough to enjoy the evening. "We've got a surprise for you," she said, smiling. Elliot took her hand. Carter and Abby both laughed.
"I knew it!" said Abby triumphantly. "That's great!
Olivia laughed and turned to Elliot. "How could we have been so blind?"
Elliot smirked and kissed her. "Don't know."
The four laughed and chatted all through the dinner. Olivia tried hard to concentrate on the conversation, but was distracted by trying to figure out the best way to break the news. It was just after dessert when Carter actually began the conversation for her.
"So," he said contentedly, as he laid down his fork. "How's the case?"
Elliot exchanged a glance with Olivia, telling her silently this was the time. She took a deep breath. "There are some - er – loose ends we need to tie up."
Carter took Abby's hand. "Like what?"
Elliot cleared his throat. "We've uncovered recent evidence to suggest that Richard…acted with an accomplice."
The response from the two doctors was pretty much what Olivia had expected. Abby exchanged a worried glance with Carter. "Is he…still out there?"
Olivia cringed and nodded. "Yes, he is." She saw Abby's whole body tense and Carter began stroking her hand. "Do you have any enemies you know of? Anyone who'd want to hurt you?"
Abby paused, and then slowly shook her head. "I don't think so." Carter squeezed her hand.
Somewhere in the shadows of the restaurant, a man smirked. "I don't think so…" the doctor had said. He cackled silently.
How very wrong she was.
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The morning dawned cool and cloudy, as Abby and Carter dressed for the funeral in their hotel room. Carter was straightening his tie in the bathroom mirror when he heard the phone ring. "Can you get that, Abby?" he called. He finished tying, turned off the light, and walked out into the room.
Abby had already hung up the phone and she stood with her back to him, hunched over her jewelry box. "The car's here," she told him when she heard his footsteps behind him.
"Okay," said Carter. He took a deep breath. "Are you ready?"
Abby turned around and shrugged. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Carter hugged her, and then frowned at her, concerned. "You're pale, Abby." She didn't respond, but closed her eyes instead. "Abby?"
"Sorry," she said, slowly opening her eyes. "I'm just…thinking."
"About Maggie?"
Abby shook her head. "No…about…"
"…the accomplice," Carter finished quietly for her. Abby nodded silently. He stroked her hair. "Do you have any idea who it could be? Any of Richard's friends?"
Abby laughed scathingly. "I never met any of his friends." She sighed. "Can I ask you something, John?"
"Absolutely."
Abby took a deep breath. "Who would you consider your enemies?"
Carter frowned. "I…really don't know. I – well – I guess I think of…Paul Sobricki as an enemy…" his voice trailed off.
Abby nodded. "I sort of figured that." She sighed again.
"What, Abby?" asked Carter concernedly.
"I just can't think of who it is," she said softly. "Richard was pretty obvious…" She froze. "Oh god," she whispered.
"What?"
"It could be Brian."
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"And may the souls of Maggie and Eric Wyczenski rest in peace. Though they may not be with us anymore, allow them to touch your life in memories, photographs, and heirlooms. Watch as their spirit soars though the heavens above to watch over you once more. Amen."
"Amen," murmured the gathered crowd.
Abby sat with tears streaming down her face as she watched the funeral workers shovel dirt into the holes that were now filled with the coffins of her mother and brother. Next to her, Carter was a bit teary eyed himself, as the memory of his own grandmother's funeral came flooding sharply back to him. Olivia and Elliot sat behind the two grieving doctors, watching in silence as the graves were filled. As they rose to leave with the rest of the crowd, Carter pulled Elliot aside.
"Could I speak to you?" he asked quietly. Elliot looked at Olivia, who nodded.
"I'll talk to Abby."
Carter led Elliot over to a spot away from the crowd. "I just wanted to tell you…Abby thought of an enemy."
"Who?" asked Elliot, with interest.
Carter frowned. "His name's Brian, but I don't remember his last name. He lived in Abby's apartment building about three years ago. He was a wife beater."
It was Elliot's turn to frown. "We'll look into it, but I don't think it could be him."
"Why not?"
Elliot hesitated, and then said quietly, "The evidence we uncovered was a fingerprint on Eric's neck. We found a match to it – a guy named Michael Bloomberg. You know him?"
Carter paused, and then shook his head. "It doesn't sound familiar to me, but I can ask Abby."
Elliot nodded, and then caught sight of Olivia and Abby coming towards them. "Let me know."
"I will," said Carter.
"Ready to go?" asked Olivia as she and Abby drew level with the two men. Carter and Elliot both nodded.
As the four said their good-byes, a man stirred, hidden in the thickets of trees. He smiled smugly to himself at the thought that the next time the four would be together, it would be under very different circumstances: horrible circumstances in fact, he thought.
If they survived that long.
A/N: Okay, people, here's the problem. I have less than a month before I take a three week hiatus and I will not be able to write and post eight chapters within that time, for various reasons like school exams and lack of time. I know I said updates would be fast, but, in case you haven't noticed, I haven't been able to keep that promise. I'm guessing I'll be posting a chapter a week for awhile, ending in a cliffhanger right before I leave. When I return (I only have a week), I will post a chapter a day to finish out the story. Sorry for the inconvenience, but hey, that's life.
P.S. ER readers, who is Paul Sobricki? Hats off to you if you know!