"Hey Samantha."

Samantha Stabler looked up wildly but flashed a smile and nodded her head when she realized who was talking to her.

"John," she said. She normally would have waved, but she was carrying a tray of coffee in one hand and a bag of muffins in the other. It was early, only nine, but her husband Elliot had been at work all night. He had called at dinner the night before saying that she shouldn't expect him home. If there was one thing that he loved just as much as his family, it was his job. Having been at the precinct many times before, Samantha moved expertly through the clutter and the people toward Elliot's desk. It was empty.

She turned back toward John. "Where's Elliot?" she asked, moving a stack of papers with her elbow and setting the tray of coffee down.

"Ah, bathroom?" John replied uncertainly, shrugging. Samantha pursed her lips. She had the day off but got up early to go to Starbucks to surprise her husband with his favorite coffee and muffins, and he wasn't even there. She sighed and took off her coat. Well she was just going to sit there and wait until he got back.

"How are you?" John asked, moving to sit on the edge of Elliot's desk. Samantha flopped into the chair next to it.

"I'm alright. Getting better at this marriage thing, anyway." She grinned. Samantha was Elliot's second wife. The strains on his marriage with Kathy just became too much for the both of them, and finally Kathy had decided to call it quits. He had been in a lot of pain when Samantha met him. Kathy had sole custody of the four children and he was hit hard with that fact. During their months of courtship, he had confided in Samantha about his anguish over the whole deal.

"Hey baby, what are you doing here?"

Samantha turned around, recognizing her husband's voice at once. Detective Elliot Stabler strode toward his desk. He looked worn; the whiskers on his face gave away the fact that he had pulled an all-nighter.

"Just bringing you some coffee and breakfast," she replied, getting up to greet her husband. He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her close. She smiled as he leaned down to kiss her.

"My favorite," he said, grabbing the larger coffee off his desk while keeping his arm around his wife. "It's good to see you."

"You too," Samantha said.

"Anything new on the case, Elliot?" John asked. He was still perched on the corner of his desk. Elliot replied by sighing and shaking his head.

"I was up all night and I couldn't find a damn thing." He sounded very tired and frustrated. Samantha was used to listening to these types of conversations. She never knew exact details or what they were even talking about, but they interested her. She was always mildly interested by the law, but it had never been enough to her liking that she wanted a career in it. No, she was a Professor of English at NYU. John shook his head and adjusted his glasses.

"This guy is sure giving us the run-around," he said, standing up. "I've got to get back to work. Let me know if anything comes up." Samantha moved gently away from Elliot and resumed John's spot on the desk. She held her coffee in both hands and looked at Elliot with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" he asked with a half-smile.

"Oh, nothing," she replied, blowing on her coffee. "Just thought you'd like to share your work with me, is all." Elliot laughed.

"You," he said. He grabbed a muffin from the bag and took a bite out of it. "You're nosy." Samantha gasped in mock indignation.

"I am not nosy, Detective," she said. She poked him lightly in the chest. "You just don't like to share." Prying Elliot for details was something she did often. It's not that she wanted to solve the case herself (even though she did like to offer her own advice), but she was genuinely interested in what Elliot was so in love with. Samantha was a naturally curious person anyhow, and often nosed into things that weren't her business.

"You know I don't like to talk about work," Elliot said seriously.

"I know," Samantha said, feeling slightly putout. "But you know I'm curious about what you do. You don't have to tell me details. Just… the general idea." He sighed and put his coffee down.

"Serial rapist, likes to stalk his victims. When he's done with them he usually kills them, unless he finds something interesting. Then he'll blackmail them and then kill them." Samantha gaped at her husband; she hadn't actually thought he would tell her. "He's been focusing on petite brunettes. Younger women, usually. We've already found two victims."

"And you can't find anything on this pervert?" Samantha asked in amazement.

"No," Elliot continued. "The lab has searched every piece of evidence multiple times and they can't find anything that gives us a strong lead."

"I'm honestly surprised you told me," she said, folding her arms. She sort of wished she had stopped asking when he told her that he didn't want to talk about it. This was something that she was personally affected by as a woman. "What does Olivia think?"

Elliot shook his head. "Probably what you're thinking," he said. He put his face in his hands and rubbed his eyes. Samantha's heart went out to him. His job was stressful, he was exhausted, and he was still working on custody details with Kathy.

"Are you sure you can't come home for the day?" she asked, moving behind him to rub his shoulders. "You could use some sleep, and a good meal. Perhaps a shave too." He leaned his head back and groaned.

"No," he said. "I can't. I'll be home tonight though, I promise. Before dinner." She nodded and kissed his forehead.

"Alright," she said. "Promise."

"Promise."

"Okay Detective. I'm going to go grocery shopping then, and make your favorite dinner. I'll see you at six." She kissed him one more time.

"Bye Samantha!" John called from his desk.

"Bye John! You keep an eye on Elliot. He promised to be home for dinner!" She turned to Elliot and smiled before moving out the door.