"In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories."
It Comes with the BadgeLast time:
Alex responded in kind, "Good night. I love you." Click.
How cute! She'd gotten embarrassed! Chuckling softly to herself, Ryan set the phone back in its cradle and took off her gloves. She'd need the rest. Tomorrow would be a big day.
Chapter Seventeen
Welcome Home
As soon as Alex had hung up, Ryan had called Olivia and told her the good news. Then, she had run down stairs and told Rick, the chef, that tomorrow would call for a grandeur celebration. Alex was returning. By one a.m. she realized how slim the chances of actually sleeping were. Finally conceding to pull an all-nighter, she pulled another bottle of lemon Propel © from her fridge and made a date with her punching bag. The sun came up before she stopped, finally resigning around 5 to take a shower, take Mariah and stop by work before stopping by sex crimes to see the squad.
Trying for warm water would've been futile, they were having a rather chilly April, so Samantha settled for enjoying the cold water. Pulling on a pair of pinstripe dress pants, she put a white camisole on, the matching jacket and teardrop pearl earrings. Her hair went up in a messy ponytail and she woke Mariah by half past six.
"Sweetheart?" the detective shook her daughter to rouse her from her sleep.
Mariah's bright blue eyes opened reluctantly, "Good morning, Mama."
Ryan smiled, "Ready to go to Mommy's work and then meet Alex?"
She nodded sleepily and sat up, wiping the sleep from her eyes. Ryan remained on the edge of the bed as Mariah picked out a cute pink corduroy dress and a white undershirt for it. Dressing herself perfectly, Mariah smiled and picked out small white socks with lace frill on them. By this time, Ryan had located her white dress shoes and sat them next to her with a pink corduroy hat. "Mommy, who is Alex?"
Sighing softly, Samantha hoisted Mariah in to her arms and carried her down the stairs. "Alex and Mommy love each other very much. She's the one who let us stay in this big beautiful house. She's going to be staying here with us."
"But what about Daddy?" Mariah looked up doubtfully.
"Well, Daddy doesn't love Mommy anymore, Mariah. He still loves you very much but he and I just couldn't live happily ever after. Hopefully, Alex and Mommy will be able to." She smiled, struggling to be supportive. Children always managed to ask the hardest questions...
---
The entire flight seemed awkward, from getting a boarding pass under her name again to sitting there (an hour early) and feeling like every single person was watching her. Her luggage was pulled tight against her legs and her black business skirt reached her knees. Tucking another piece of her black hair behind her ear, she glanced around wearily. Would it be this bad when she switched plans in Chicago? Lord, she hoped not. Playing with her black purse and fixing her suit jacket, she exuded nervousness. Her boyfriend had called. Well, her cover boyfriend. He was gay, but the fact that they went out all the time kept other guys from trying. It served its purpose both ways. Girls didn't approach him and Alex didn't have to fend off men. His name was Jeffrey Tiner.
That was one person Alex would miss. She had explained to him that her stay here was merely temporary... But she had been unable to say more. This morning, she'd sent him flowers, daisies were his favorite, with a long card explaining she truly lived in New York and she left her phone number. She was sure he'd be angry for her betrayal and lies, but it was still worth a try. Ryan would get along nicely with Jeff, he reminded her quite a bit of her lover. Ah, Samantha... It had been so long. She'd missed Christmas and New Year! But, she would get to see this lovely daughter of hers.
---
Olivia sighed sadly. It was noon and she still hadn't gotten out of bed. She just didn't feel like. She didn't have the energy today. Maureen had taken the kids to school. She would be indebted to that girl forever at this rate. Placing a hand on her stomach absentmindedly, she cringed in pain. A searing pain split through her abdomen and her stomach felt hard. It faded and she let out a ragged sigh. She wasn't due for two more months... She couldn't be going in to labor. When a second one came, Olivia called 911. "911 emergency services, what is your emergency?"
"This is Detective Olivia Benson, badge number-" She blushed and realized this was a personal matter, she couldn't use her badge! When another contraction rocked her body, she decided that it wouldn't be so bad to do it this once. She repeated her badge number and address, praying the ambulance would hurry.
---
"What's with the kid?"
Ryan rolled her eyes, readjusting Mariah on her hip. "Andrew, really, haven't we matured enough to form a half-way coherent thought? Assuming you were asking me who the child on my hip is, I'd tell you it's my daughter, Mariah, and that I'm leaving work early today to pick up my girlfriend. That's why she's here."
Detective Stratford gave her a reproving glance. "The usual ray of sunshine again today, eh?"
She glared back at him, "Well maybe if the company at my job were better, I'd be in a better mood!" Setting her daughter down in the elevator, she pressed floor eleven.
"Hey, listen..." he sighed. "That was good work you did on the Velez case, and your testimony took real cojones."
Ryan laughed softly, "So am I 'one of the boys' now?"
He gave her a reluctant look before shrugging and nodding, "I'm not sure Englehard will accept you, but Grimes and I think you're all right."
Mariah took her mother's hand, "My mommy's da bestest copper out dere!"
Andy laughed, "The kid might even get you bonus points. Unless she's not potty-trained."
Samantha swatted him with her newspaper, "She's fine. It's only for one day anyway."
He looked down at her, "How old?"
"Three," she said, hoisting her back up as the door opened. "You have kids?"
Andy sighed, "Yah, three. Two boys and a girl. Two in high-school and one in diapers." He chuckled.
Ryan set her child on the desk chair. "What're their names?"
"Winona, Mari, and Brian. Mari's the youngest," he looked very nostalgic. "Mariah is your only child?"
She smiled softly, "Yah. I don't intend on having another either. Sounds like a lot of thought went in to those names..."
Andrew looked embarrassed, "The wife's that way... That's all."
"I see. Well, we got anything new to work on?"
He headed over to his desk, "I've been working something while you've been off flirting with death." He chuckled, "Not very big, we just think there are some guys dealing to high school kids on 88th... We tried to shake 'em up and get names from higher up, but they stone walled us."
Ryan batted her eyelashes, "I could give it a try..."
"We don't work like that here," he said sternly.
She glared, "I was just trying to help. But, I can tell you right now that Fin, from the SVU, used to work in Narcotics, he's got interrogation down to an art."
Andrew frowned, "I suppose it couldn't hurt."
"I'll send him up when I stop by," she replied tartly. "Is there anything else, or can I go?"
Detective Stratford flipped through the files on his desk. "The Velez paperwork is due by the end of the week, but that's all we're currently working on."
She nodded, "I'll have the paperwork tomorrow."
Detective Grimes knocked on their office, "Actually, Jamerson, could you spare a minute?"
"Um-" Detective Jamerson looked at Andrew, hoping he'd watch Mariah a moment.
Sighing, he nodded. "Go ahead, I'll watch the diablita."
Laughing softly, Ryan followed Benjamin out of the office. "What's up?"
Grimes turned the corner, opening the door to his office. "There's been a threat phoned in, on your life."
Detective Jamerson sighed, "In connection to my testimony at the Velez trial?"
He gave a grim nod. "I'm afraid so. WPP is waiting outside."
She shook her head adamantly, "I will not go in to hiding. They want to come after me, they can go ahead and try. Velez was the ring leader, with him gone all that are left are his lackeys. I took down Velez, I will not back down to his cohorts."
"That's all well and good but you have a daughter to think of as well, Ryan."
That was the first time she could recall Detective Grimes calling her by her first name. "They won't lay a hand on my daughter either." Her voice was determined.
With a reluctant sigh, Detective Grimes nodded. "No one can force you to go in to the WPP, we can only recommend it. I want to tell you, not as your superior officer, but as your friend, that I am afraid for you. Velez being locked away leaves room for someone to fill his shoes. I don't want to see you hurt."
Ryan gave him a polite smile. "I won't get hurt."
His exasperation was evident, "As you chose. I'll relay it to higher authority. Get out of here, enjoy your first day back by not coming in."
"Thanks, Ben." She waved to him, granted him a wink and walked out to hoist her daughter in to her arms. As she faded from view, her hips swayed under the weight of her three-year-old daughter.
---
Olivia cringed as they removed the IV, allowing her to leave.. They had told her that she hadn't been in labor, simply experiencing contractions. Explaining that it was a sign that perhaps she would deliver soon, the doctor left. Olivia pondered this awhile, she was eight and a half months along, but doctors always recommended ten months... She frowned, regardless, she had to get home before anyone could suspect and worry about her.
Calling a taxi, she made it home hardly ten minutes before Maureen led the kids in. "How was your day?" Maureen seemed concerned that she was even up and about.
Giving her most convincing smile, she turned to face Maureen. "Uneventful." 'Any day now there'd be quite an event if the doctor was right...' she thought mischievously.
"I'm glad to hear that," she started fixing a snack for her siblings. Kathleen was already up in her room, Dickie was playing video games that were audible from the kitchen and Liz was one the living room couch watching T.V.
Olivia frowned, noticing that only the younger two had greeted her today. Working her way laboriously upstairs, she knocked on Kathleen's door. "Kathleen, honey? Are you okay?"
Kathleen shook her head tersely.
"Something wrong? Is it Jeremy again?" She sat on her bed.
The teenager looked shocked that Olivia remember her emotional bout with Jeremy a few months back. "No."
She was persistent. "What then?"
"Do you think Dad would let me have a boyfriend?"
Olivia chuckled, she couldn't hide her excitement. "I'm sure he would, if the boy came over for dinner once or he got to meet him."
Kathleen seemed discouraged, "He'll scare him away!"
"If you can gain my approval, I talk it over with him." She smiled. "For starters, how old is he?"
Having already seen Olivia's persuasive power over her father, this seemed like an ideal opportunity. She managed a smile herself. "Seventeen."
Olivia nodded, this was not outrageous. Kathleen was staring down the barrel at her sixteenth birthday in just twenty-three says. So a year and a half or so age difference, that's not too bad. Elliot was four years her senior. A/N: Anyone know the real difference? I thought I'd put El at 42 and Liv at 38… "Name?"
"Jerry."
Her heart leaped in to her chest. God, after eight months that name still made her blood run cold. She still had nightmares... Olivia managed to swallow the lump in her throat and gave a delayed nod. "He go to your school?"
Kathleen was eyeing her with concern as she nodded. "He's a junior. He plays baseball."
Olivia smiled to dismiss Kathleen's concern. "Does he get good grades?"
"He's got a 3.4... He wants to go to Columbia." She seemed proud of him.
"Terrific," she grinned. "I'm sure Elliot will have no problem. When's he coming over for dinner?"
Kathleen pleaded silently as she watched Olivia. "We wanted to go to a movie on Friday night!"
She shrugged nonchalantly, "So have him over Thursday for dinner. He can come over after school."
Conceding with a sigh, she nodded. "You shouldn't cook for all of us, you need rest. I can call in a pizza."
Olivia looked offended, "You most certainly will not! I bought a whole new cookbook so I could learn how to cook for you all and I'm going to use it!" The two laughed softly before Olivia brushed a hair from her cheek. "You sure are growing up, you know that?"
She rolled her eyes in a manner Olivia had seen from the girl since she was ten. "Don't get nostalgic on me."
"Big word, trying to intimidate me?"
Kathleen laughed. "How'd you know?"
Smiling a moment, Olivia allowed a moment of silence. "Your dad is so proud of you, you know that? I'm sure your mother would be too."
It had been a while since anyone had mentioned Kathy, and Kathleen merely nodded firmly. "I know she watching over us. That's enough for me. She's in a better place, no matter how good it was down here."
Olivia nodded, "You're a strong girl. Keep it up." Smiling once more, she hauled herself to her feet and padded out of the room. Making it painstakingly down the stairs, she turned to Liz. "Hey, Lizzie, would you mind helping me in the kitchen?"
Switching the television off, she nodded. "Will you teach me how to cook?"
"I was hoping you would teach me..." Olivia laughed, ruffling the girls hair as they walked in, deciding what to cook for dinner.
---
"Sammie?"
The voice she'd longed to hear for almost eight months now was drifting from behind her. Turning around eagerly, her eyes searched the groups of people. There was a woman with black hair to her shoulder blades and a rich tan. Her eyes were green and she didn't wear glasses. "Christina? A- Alex?" She asked dubiously.
The woman nodded, a smile gracing her lips as she walked forward to embrace the girl. Her voice whispered softly in her companion's ear as they held the prolonged embrace. "God, I've missed you."
Tears were forming in Ryan's eyes and she merely nodded. One hand on Alex's lower waist to hold her close and one buried in her hair to prevent her from moving. "You look so different, but I'd never forget that smile..."
Mariah whined impatiently. "Mama!"
Laughing softly through her watery eyes, she reluctantly pulled away. "Mariah, honey," she knelt down, "This is Alex. The girl I told you about?"
Alex sat down in the chair beside where Mariah was sitting. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
The girl's blue eyes searched Alexandra's curiously. Finally, as if okaying the woman's presence, she opened her arms, standing in the chair and hugging her. "Welcome home, Mommy missed you."
Ryan sighed with relief. "Do you have bags?"
Alex nodded, "Three." She stood, taking in Ryan's form for a moment to see what had changed. Her eyes drifted over the pale skin, the lovely yet ever so faint curves and the beautifully long legs she'd always admired. She looked thinner, and soft laugh lines were visible from close-up, but she was surprisingly the same. Good, she had been worried Ryan would have moved on. Left her in the past... Smiling, she thankfully took Ryan's hand as her detective counterpart hoisted little Mariah in to her arms and adjusted her on to her opposite hip.
"It is okay to call you Alex now, right?" Ryan squeezed her hand softly.
"Yes," she smiled. "I'll be a blond in a few weeks too. The contacts I might keep a while, I like them."
Ryan laughed, thanking Mariah for wiping the tears off her cheek. "It seems like it's been years."
Alex gave a disheartened nod. "It could have been, if you hadn't done such great work."
"I had a great motivator," she grinned.
Raising their joined hands, she kissed the top of Ryan's softly. "Thank you. I owe you my life, really."
Ryan shook her head, "No, you don't. You let me stay in that house, you let me furnish it. I'd say it's at least even."
---
"We've got a third vic," Captain Cragen's all too unenthusiastic voice called through the station house as he pinned a new picture on the board. "Stacey Larson, 22. Same MO and right on schedule."
Munch growled, "Guys like this tempt me to believe in a hell... Just so I can condemn them."
Fin smirked, "But then you'd end up there yourself."
Giving them both sharp looks, he noticed George coming in. "Do we have any leads?"
Serenity shook her head. "As usual, everyone and their mother was busy at the time of the first two crimes. No one's coming forward with anything. All we know is he's strangling them and dressing them in bathrobes afterward..."
Cragen turned to George, "What's your take on this so far?"
He sighed, "Clothing them after the commission of the rape and murder could be a sign of regret. Perhaps he doesn't mean to kill them, he loses his temper when they refuse him... So, he definitely has a low self-esteem and a negative opinion of women."
"Terrific," Serenity murmured.
John shook his head, "Has any man with a high opinion of women ever raped and strangled them?"
Cragen shook his head, this was not the time for sarcasm. With the sweet sixteen murder case under wraps, the SVU was getting more press than usual. This meant they had to work better than usual, which was hard when they were short two weathered detectives and they had a new serial killer on their hands.
"Did he leave anything with the body this time?" Elliot looked deep in thought. "Last time, he left crosses on them... One gold, one silver."
Captain Cragen nodded, "Platinum this time."
Fin growled, "Damn, this habit of his won't be cheap."
"There are diamonds laid in the center of the crosses too. Diamond are clear gems, maybe symbolizing purity?" Serenity was watching the FBI psychiatrist for confirmation.
George nodded as the three male detectives all watched her in a state that much resembled shock.
Don smiled, "I like it, that sounds good. Now, any possible perps?"
Elliot shook his head, "Both husbands have solid alibis and we're not sure whether or not to suspect other family members..."
Dr. Huang mimicked Elliot's negative response. "I don't think this was done by a family member or someone who knew them intimately. I think the intimacy involved in strangulation is meant to bring the perp closer to his victims with the diluted idea that he belongs with them."
"So all we really know is we've got a sick fuck on our hands, as usual." Fin sighed.
The group was interrupted by Ryan walking in to the bullpen with Mariah and another young woman. All the detectives started at the new face curiously after giving Ryan the standard amiable greeting. A grin crept over Ryan's face. "None of you recognize her?"
Elliot looked up, "Should we?"
Alex laughed, "I'd hope so."
Munch stood up, "Alexandra?"
Fin shook his head, "Can't be... She's..." He watched her. "Alex?"
Don was gaping, having already made the connection. "I- I'm not sure what to say. Welcome back, Alex."
She blushed softly, "Thank you all."
George smiled at her, "You look nice."
Alex crinkled her nose, "It's not me."
Serenity couldn't help but feel out of place at the moment, never having known the former ADA.
"Well, I just thought we'd stop by. I'm heading over to visit Olivia." Her eyes drifted across the room.
Elliot grinned, "Tell her I'll be late again."
Ryan gave him a falsely reproving glare. "All right." Her grey eyes fell on Fin, "Detective Stratford could use you at the DEA if Don can let you go for a little while."
Don frowned, "Don't start with me. We'll discuss it later." Fin and Ryan grinned at one another. Munch was muttering something incoherent that indubitably mentioned government conspiracy and Don looked stressed. Too stressed. Ryan gave him an apologetic smile.
Waving politely and exchanging amiable farewells, the two women departed.
"Wow," Elliot said bluntly.
Don gave a weak nod, all of them still staring at the doors the women had disappeared through. "Well put."
Clearing his throat, Much approached the board, holding one of the profiles in his hands. "Did the second vic have a child?"
Elliot snapped out of his trance, flipping open the manila folder. "Affirmative. A three-year-old girl."
He looked to Fin, "The first?"
Fin took a moment to peruse the documents, "Four and a half, also female."
Munch nodded. "Victim number three had a daughter that was two and a half. That can't be a coincidence."
"Connection? Maybe how he picks the vics?" Serenity was idly devouring the end of her bic pen.
George nodded, "Were any of the children present at the scene?" Three negative response caused a frown to form on his thin lips. "Were they single moms?"
Elliot nodded, "Widow."
"Divorced," Fin read off.
Munch sighed, "Father unknown..."
His eyes narrowed, "Well, the widow doesn't particularly fit... Maybe he didn't realize the father was dead, just noticed his absence. Perhaps he raped the women as punishment for neglecting their children and leaving them at... Say... A daycare? Then he regrets it, wraps them in a bathrobe and strangles them out of desperation, he knows they'd turn him in if he let them live..."
Serenity shook her head, "You men are sick."
Fin laughed softly, earning a mock glare from Munch. "We're not sick, if the government didn't control the media then men wouldn't have to play up to this misconstrued conception of the hyper-masculine male..."
"John," Don motioned for him to calm down. "There's no government link to the vic or the perp, let's stick to the case."
Elliot couldn't mask a grin.
---
Ryan walked back in to the bedroom timidly, "Hey."
"She fall asleep?" Alex was lying on the bed, a book below her and open.
Nodding, she sat on the edge of the grandeur canopy bed. "How you feeling?"
Alex gave a soft nod, sliding her newly replaced glasses off her face. "All right. A bit overwhelmed. So much has changed. Elliot's ex-wife... Olivia... You're child... A new detective... It doesn't seem like the same world."
Ryan smiled at her softly, noticing that the ever-so-faint curve in her eyebrows were the same as they had always been, her face still had the soft contours that made her the beauty that was Alexandra Cabot. "I missed you so much."
She sat up and put her book on the nightstand. "We'll have plenty of time to catch up."
"We'd better," Sam boldly leaned in and kissed her.
A rosy blush colored the former prosecutor's cheeks. "But, the sooner we start... The better."
Ryan chuckled and switched off the bedside lap. "I completely agree, Counselor."
---End Chapter Seventeen---
