Disclaimer: Law and Order SVU and its characters are owned by Dick Wolf and Wolf Entertainment.
When Partners Collide
Chapter 3
Olivia put the phone down and placed her head in her hands, trying to process everything that had happened so far. There was a knock at her office door, and she looked up to see Elliott stride in with two cups of coffee. "Liv what is it?" he asked seeing the look on her face. "The dead body, it's the girl whose been giving me the envelopes." Even after a decade apart Elliott could straight away see that Olivia was blaming herself for the girl's death. "Olivia this is not on you, you didn't kill the girl or order anyone to hurt her." "No, but if I found her, I could have protected her" Olivia said despondently. Elliott, putting the coffee cup in front of Olivia, said "It's not your job to save everyone, Liv, you'll go mad trying. The best thing you can do is catch the bastards who killed her." Olivia gave a half smile and had a sip of her coffee. "You remembered my coffee order" she said in surprise "Of course I did" Elliott responded. "Look" he continued awkwardly "I know we need to talk, and you deserve an explanation for why I disappeared. Do you think we could grab a drink after work?" Olivia thought for a second "I need to get home to see Noah before he goes to bed, but how about you come over and we order a take-out, then we can talk?" "Sounds good" Elliott said. Olivia messaged him her new address and they agreed to meet at half eight.
Fin was watching this all play out from his desk in the squad room with a small smile on his face. "What you smiling at?" Oki asked, "Those two, they're talking again, we're going to need them getting on to stand any chance of getting anywhere." Oki enquired "What were they like working together." Fin smiled "You'll see, when they're in sync together it's almost symbiotic and darn right scary at times, the way they sort of read each other's minds." Oki continued "They must have been sleeping together, right?" Immediately Fin's smile snapped off his face "Na man, they had strict boundaries which they followed - besides Stabler's married." Now Oki smiled "He's not anymore." Fin looked back at Olivia and Elliott as they made their way out of the office. "Interesting" Fin said almost to himself.
Olivia exited her office closely followed by Elliott, "Ok people where are we?", Oki got up from his desk next to Fin's. "I have been going through all the photographs you been sent, and I think this is shot in one of the places we've been keeping an eye on. It's out in Yonkers - the old power plant." "I thought they were turning that place into an arts venue" Fin said getting up and walking round to the boards as Oki projected the photo onto the screen. "They're trying but haven't managed to secure the funding yet." Elliott said looking at the photo. I think you're right Oki, if you look out of that window aren't those the old gas lights on the walkway linking to the two buildings?" Everyone peered around and Fin googled the power plant and, finding a site with photos an urban explorer put online, they all agreed it was the Yonkers Power Plant. "Did you have a lead?" Olivia asked.
"We liked this guy called Leroy Paul, he came to the states from Britain around twenty years ago on all accounts. You would think he was American, except he still keeps in contact with his fellow countrymen. He's been arrested multiple times for drugs, arms, assault, even attempted murder, but nothing has stuck. So, technically he has a clean rap sheet." Elliott informed the squad. "Let me call over the ADA and we'll see if what you have, with this photo, gives cause to pick up Mr Paul." Olivia said. As she said this Amanda and Kat walked in, while waiting for the ME to call. Oki updated them where they were at.
Dun Dun
Assistant District Attorney Dominick Carisi walks into the office swinging his brief case and holding a cup of coffee. He enjoyed his trips back to his old squad room but at the same time it brought tensions as the squad tended to forget he was no longer a cop and now had different bosses and a different focus.
As he walked in, he immediately clocked Oki and Elliott working at two of the desks and went over to Amanda to enquire who they were. Amanda explained to Carisi that they're ATF agents and the older man was Elliott Stabler. "Hold up, you serious, that's Elliott Stabler, Liv's old partner?" Carisi asked slightly shocked. "Liv must have been pissed when she saw him again" he continued. "You could say that, she gave him that shiner he's sporting" Amanda replied. "Good for her" Carisi responded, getting up and heading to Olivia's office.
Knocking on Olivia's door Carisi entered "Amanda's been filling me in on your guests. You ok?" Olivia looked up slightly amused "Why wouldn't I be?" Carisi shifted his body position "you know, with your old partner out there, seems you did quite a number on him." Olivia got up from behind her desk "Carisi, I'm fine" she said as she led him out into the squad room. "ADA Dominick Carisi can I introduce you to ATF agents Okieriete Okocho and Elliott Stabler." Oki got up and shook Carisi's hand "Please call me Oki" he said. Elliott was standing and put out his hand "Elliott Stabler" he said smiling, Carisi shook it but did not return the smile "I know who you are." "Got it" said Elliott looking towards Olivia who was pretending she was not observing the exchange.
After reviewing all the evidence presented to him Carisi concluded "This guy's a snake and seems to slither his way out of every situation. Your best position is to catch him in the act - you get him trying to sell you a weapon, I'll get a conviction to stick."
Olivia nodded "You heard the man. Oki, Fin do you think you guys can get Leroy Paul to sell to you?" Fin and Oki looked at one another and smiled, "I reckon we could" Fin said leaning back in his chair.
Dun Dun
That night Olivia got home and quickly rushed around to make sure the apartment was tidy. "Mom whose coming over?" Noah asked confused that Olivia was cleaning the apartment so late at night. "Just a friend sweetie, now go and get your pajamas on, clean your teeth and I'll tuck you into bed." Olivia said as she quickly wiped down the kitchen surfaces. "Can I stay up and meet your friend?" Noah asked. "As long as you go straight to bed like a big boy." "Ok" Noah said as he ran off to get ready for bed.
Elliott arrived at Olivia's apartment block and, surprised at how nervous he was, tried to calm himself down. At 8:30pm he knocked on the door and was surprised to see the door open and a small boy standing there. "Hello, you must be mom's friend" Noah said curiously looking at Elliott. "Yes, I'm Elliott" "Please come in, mom will be right with you." Noah added opening the door wider to allow Elliott in. "Noah, what have I told you about opening the front door" Olivia said as she ran out into the open area of the apartment. "Sorry mom I was just trying to help you." "Your mom's right, Noah, you didn't know who I was, you need to be careful when you open the door" Elliott said to Noah. "But I do know who you are, you mom's friend and in some of her pictures" Noah responded. "Am I now?" said Elliott with a smile at Olivia, which she responded to with an eye roll. "Noah sweetie, now you have met Elliott remember we had a deal about you going to bed." "Yes mom" Noah said giving his mom a kiss, "Night Elliott" "Night Noah" Elliott responded as Olivia and he watched Noah go to his room.
"Do you fancy Chinese?" Olivia asked after Noah had gone to bed. "Sounds good" Elliott said and they made their decisions and placed the order. While they were waiting for their food, they made small talk, remising about their time on the job. Olivia updated Elliott on how much Cragen was enjoying his retirement with his new partner Eileen, and what Munch was getting up to in the DA's office as a special investigator. When their food arrived, Elliott looked at Olivia's food enviously. Olivia clocked. "Half and Half?" Olivia said smiling, thinking some things never change. Elliott smiled and split the dishes. They ate in silence the tension beginning to rise knowing the conversation coming next was going to be difficult.
At the end of the meal, they put down their food and Olivia tucked her legs up under her and waited for Elliott to begin. Elliott rubbed his hands down his face and said "Bear with me Liv, this will be difficult." "Take your time El and stop if you need to" Olivia responded knowing that neither she nor Elliott had ever been ones to share their feelings. Elliott took a deep breath and began. "After I shot Jenna, I was a wreck, I kept having nightmares and flash backs. Though it wasn't Jenna I shot - it was you, or I couldn't get to you in time and Jenna shot you, either way in my dreams you always ended up dead". Olivia placed her hand on Elliott's arm. Elliott continued "I was given the all clear by IAB, but the department shrink wanted me to be on desk duty and have mandatory counselling as they felt I would be a liability out in the field. But I thought I was fine and it just a load of bull from IAB due to the number of fatal shots I had in my jacket. So, I took retirement. I didn't contact you because I thought you would agree with IAB and try to convince me to get help. Plus, I thought it if I didn't see you it would stop the nightmares, so I just cut off all contact with you to try to make it all go away. It didn't work and I got worse, I had so much rage in me and it was building. I tried punching walls, doors but it didn't work. Just as you told me that day in the cribs, I knew I had a problem. It came to ahead when Kathy and I had an argument and I had to stop myself hurting her. I knew then I had to get help as I wasn't going to become my father. Kathy and I agreed our marriage weren't working so I moved out and contacted George Huang who, by this time, had been transferred to Oklahoma. He helped me with my PTSD and got me a job with ATF - first at a desk and then, as I got better, as a field agent."
"The thing that was the most difficult was the effect my actions had on my family. Cathy and I divorced 8 years ago. She got full time custody of the kids and has just remarried. Maureen's now married and has two children; I'm a grandpa Liv, but after the hurt I caused Maureen doesn't want anything to do with me, so I've never seen them. They live in California, I think. Kathleen is in Hawaii working for some charity - she's the only one who calls me occasionally". Taking a deep breath "Dickie. Dickie's dead Olivia" Elliott said as he broke down in tears. Olivia put her arm around Elliott and he leant on her shoulder sobbing, Olivia felt tears forming in her eyes, as she couldn't believe what Elliot just said. She thought back to the happy little boy and then the last time she saw him as an angry young man who'd just lost his best friend. They stayed like this until Elliott had more control of his emotions.
"After Shane died, Dickie's and my relationship never recovered. I refused to sign a consent form for him to join the military - it's the biggest mistake of my life. Dickie's behavior got more and more erratic and then he started dabbling in drugs and got involved with some organized crime ring. He was shot dead eight years ago."
"Elliott, I am so sorry" Olivia said. Elliott continued "I've not seen any of my children since Dickie's funeral. Eli will be 13 now. He probably doesn't even remember me!" "I'm sure he does, El." Olivia said squeezing Elliott's hand. He gave her a small sad smile "I'm sorry for the way I left you, I really thought it was the best for you and for me. I didn't know how much hurt I caused you. Not until I saw you the other day. I am so sorry Liv." Elliott said, as he now allowed his sobs to run through his whole body causing it to shake uncontrollably. Olivia just held Elliott and let him release all the emotions he had been holding in.
Dun Dun
The next morning Olivia messaged Fin and told her she was going to be in late as she had to meet someone. After Elliott had left last night, Olivia had an idea and sent a message asking to meet with someone she had not contacted for many years. She was surprised when they agreed and arranged to meet in a park where they met some fourteen years ago. When Olivia arrived, she could see the person on the bench, as she walked up, they turned around and looked at each other.
Kathy Stabler had aged well over the years – her once honey blonde hair was now riddled with streaks of grey and the bright blue eyes seemed a little darker, but she still maintained her slender frame. Olivia thought, even though she been to hell and back, she managed to hold herself with poise and dignity.
"Olivia, you look good" Kathy said "You too" Olivia replied. "Aged you mean, Eli constantly complains I am the only mum he knows with grey hair." Kathy laughed. "How is Eli?" Olivia asked, "He's good, is growing to look more like his Dad every day and is turning into a star on the football field" Kathy smiled. But I'm guessing you've not contacted me to ask about my children." Olivia sighed and nodded. "You've seen Elliott" Kathy said simply. "I bumped into him on a case a couple of days ago." Olivia replied, before continuing "Elliott told me what happened and about Dickie, I'm so sorry Kathy". Kathy eyes became glassy as she said "It's been a rough ten years. Especially for Lizzie - she wanted to be a cop just like you. You were her hero, she studied criminology, came top in her class, had her papers filled in and passed all her exams to get to the academy. Then after Dickie her life has just been on hold. Now she just works in a diner to give her some pocket money, though she never goes out." Kathy paused for a moment and then continued "How is he?". Olivia hesitated, working out what to say, "Elliott seems to be in a good place at the moment, I know he got the help he needed, which must have been tough for him and he seems genuinely calmer. I know he misses seeing his children and knows that he has hurt them." Kathy nodded, "That's good, I'm really pleased for him, he's a good man with a good heart." Olivia smiled "I know" Kathy continued "I can't speak to the older children, they're adults and need to make their own minds up if they want to see their Dad, but tell Elliott to call me - I know Eli would love to get to know his Dad."
Olivia told Kathy she'd pass the message on and turned to leave, when she suddenly had another brain wave "Which diner does Lizzie work at?" Kathy told her and they parted to leave when Kathy said "Olivia, congratulations on becoming Captain, you deserve it, I know you haven't had an easy time either." Olivia thanked her and they departed. Olivia made a quick phone call and then left, planning one more stop on the way home.
Pulling up to the diner that Kathy said Lizzie worked at, she walked in and found a booth. A waitress in her early twenties came up to the table - she had blonde hair scraped back into a ponytail and bright blue eyes - there was no mistaking they were the Stabler Blues. "What can I get you today mam?" Lizzie said looking down at her order pad in anticipation of writing the order down. "Can I order 13 coffees to go", Olivia answered added "and whatever you want". Lizzie froze on the spot and then looked up and realized who was in front of her. "Olivia!" Lizzie exclaimed while throwing her arms around the older woman. "I can't believe you're here." Olivia smiled and told Lizzie she had just met with her mum. "I understand you wanted to be a cop, do you still?" Olivia said signaling Lizzie to join her in the booth. "I do, but I feel guilty". "Why do you feel guilty" Olivia asked. "I don't feel I can live my life if Dickie can't live his." Lizzie answered quietly looking down at her lap. Olivia took Lizzie's hand. "Lizzie, look at me, what would Dickie say to you if he was sitting here now?" "He'd tell me to stop being a doofus and to get up and live my life." "Then why don't you fill in your form and begin to follow your passion." Olivia asked. "I can't, it's too late," Lizzie said dejectedly. "It may have been for the year you were planning but you know the academy takes people in every year, right? I made a phone call and if we can get your papers in today, and you pass the interview and exams, you can begin in September." Olivia said. Lizzie eyes began to sparkle then she began to look dejected, "I have to work" she said sadly. Olivia smiled "Well, let's see what we can do about that, can you get the coffee order and ask your manager if I can speak to him." Lizzie skipped off and a few seconds later the manager appeared "How can I help you." Olivia smiled and flashed her badge "NYPD, I need to borrow Lizzie for the rest of the day, she's not in any trouble but it is police business." The manager looked annoyed "Can I see your badge again" Olivia showed the manager her badge. "That's not a detective's badge" Olivia smiled again "Not it's a captain's badge" Looking impressed the manager turned to Lizzie "It must be quite important if they send a captain down to get you." Lizzie tried to control a laugh forming and said "Very". Turning to Olivia the manager said "Take her, but I want her back here tomorrow morning though". Olivia assured the manager that Lizzie would be back in the morning, paid for the coffees, and then carrying half each Lizzie and Olivia made their way to the station.
Dun Dun
On the drive back to the 16th precinct Olivia warned Lizzie that her Dad was there. Lizzie was apprehensive but pleased that she was going to see her Dad again. Fin was the first person to spot Lizzie. "If it isn't Lizzie Stabler, look at you all grown up. Plus, you brought coffee what could be better." Lizzie smiled "Thanks Fin, good to see you" The other detectives came and got their coffee and Olivia introduced them until Lizzie was left standing with one cup. At that moment Elliott walked around the corner and then stopped abruptly, not quite believing who was standing in front of him.
"Lizzie" Elliot said almost as a whisper, Lizzie ran over to her dad and hugged him spilling coffee over both of them, but neither was worried, they were both so happy to see each other again. Olivia guided them into her office so they could have a bit of privacy with Elliott whispering a silent thank you to Olivia.