Chapter Six: When It Rains It Pours

Olivia was sitting quietly at her desk, it had been an entire 24 hours, since she'd watched the Fed's take her best friend and his family. She was twirling her pen between her fingers, her eyes fixated on his desk.

The pictures that had never been taken to him, his notepad still sitting in the exact spot he'd left it, before he got shot. The squad room was silent, as George Huang and Melinda Warner walked inside carrying a box, everyone knew what was about to come. And everyone's eyes went straight to the spaced out brunette detective. The sound of her pen hitting the desk, was loud, in the silent room. But she didn't notice it. She was being tortured with her own thoughts.

"Hey Liv! You wanna grab some take out, after this? I'm almost done with my five's." The smiling man exclaimed, to his partner. "Sounds great, El." She replied. Little did she know, they'd be called into a hostage situation involving a current perp, before they could finish their fives, anyhow.

Olivia was pulled out of her thoughts, by George Huang placing a soft hand on her shoulder. "Hey Olivia." He began, setting a box down on her desk.

She raised her brow, at the Doctor inquisitively. Before pulling the box closer, and scanning the top of it, she read it out loud, knowing everyone, including her captain was now watching. "In Loving Memory of: Detective (First grade) Elliot Stabler, USMC, 'Desert Storm' Partner, Father, son and Beloved Husband & Friend." She felt the sob get caught in her throat, not even making an attempt to suppress it, she pushed the box back. Her face in her hands, as her body was wracked with sobs.

Now, of course she knew he wasn't really dead, not her Elliot. He wasn't dead. But, Detective Stabler, he was. As far as everyone but her and a few of their colleagues were concerned, anyways. She knew this was for emphasis, and that her reading the box containing his ashes, was fake. But, it needed to be done, no matter how much it hurts. Because, as far as she was concerned, he was gone…

What had caused, the sob however, wasn't pain for herself, but for his two oldest daughters.

Now her thoughts ran wild, had they told the two oldest Stabler girls? Could she assist them? Try and soften the blow, of the inevitable heartbreaking news.

There wasn't a dry eye in the room, even Cragen had tears streaming down his face. This made it so much more, REAL. And she only sobbed harder, and harder.

In Louisiana Elliot had awoken to the jolting of the aircraft making contact with the ground. And at this moment, his heart sank into his chest, when he remembered where he was, and what was happening.

He looked to the 3 younger kids, all their eyes opened, and staring out the window, watching as the plane drove to it's drop off location.

"Dad, why are we in Louisiana?" Dickie asked, his father. His tone somber, and full of sleep deprivation. Elliot sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "Well son, we had to leave New York… It's not safe there anymore..." He said, simply. Before he had a chance to elaborate, or explain further, Dickie spoke again, only this time the magnitude of his statement hit Elliot differently.

"So Mom did shoot you, and she was with a criminal… And now we're being toted off to the middle of nowhere for our safety." And it wasn't a question. Elliot let out a breath, he hadn't realized he was holding in, and nodded before finding his voice finally.

"Yes son…. We have to get new Identities, new names, new personalities, and everything about the Stabler name, was left in New York."

Lizzie let out a soft cry, "Why do we need new names daddy? Why can't we use our old ones?" She asked, in a tone that let Elliot know she was afraid. "Well Honey, because… Technically we're dead, in the state of New York… And if you're dead, you can't have an ID with your old name on it…" He said, in a very soft tone. Trying his best to explain the situation, by damaging his kids as little as possible, but it was unavoidable.

Meanwhile in Manhattan, Olivia was sat at her captains desk, accompanied by Fin, Munch, Melinda, and Cragen, as the other three boxes were placed in front of her. She had calmed down a bit, she wasn't sobbing anymore. She just looked numb. But when the Psychiatrist spoke, she felt the tears coming again.

"I am so sorry Olivia…" George Huang offered, as he watched the detective read over all three childrens ashes. Fin watched her break once more, before starting to get angry, "Okay Man, that's enough, stop torturing her…" He said, putting the boxes behind the desk, as Cragen contended with Olivia.

Huang and Warner, made their way outside the office into the squad room, to explain to the rest of the staff that Stabler wasn't coming back.

Fin finally loosened his embrace on his friend, and looked at her, speaking in a hushed tone, one so soft Cragen and Munch had to strain to hear it, but they did. "Hey Babygirl, if you need anything, anything at all, you say the words. I'll come running. And you know Stabler, is fine. He's probably giving the fed's hell right now… The feds will contact us when everything is in place…" He said, with a half smile. After hearing the last part of his statement, she let out a choked laugh, "I-I know, I-It's just that, I don't think they've informed, M-Maureen and Kathleen, yet… And those poor girls…." She said, her voice laced with guilt and pain.

"Hey we can go with you, to tell them… They deserve that much, at least…" Munch added. She nodded, before looking to her commanding officer, as he gave her a sad smile. "We'll get through this Benson. And hopefully soon, when we've got Fontaine in custody, Elliot and the kids will come out of the PC." He said, to her from the other side of the room. She stood there, the magnitude of the last 30 minutes events, hitting her like a bus. And she felt herself have to fight to move. "Alright, well let's go break some hearts…." She said, solemnly.

The detectives, followed by their captain, made their way to the college both Stabler girls, were attending. And as soon as Olivia's feet hit the ground, she wanted to take off. Run the other direction, not do this, anything but this. But this was how it had to be… And right now, she was cursing Kathy under her breath. This was her fault, she was completely responsible for all the heartache, and she could NEVER forgive the woman for that.

Olivia took the lead, showing her badge at the front desk, and explaining her reason for being there. The woman behind the desk looked concerned when she mentioned the Oldest Stabler girls name, Maureen was a good kid. She was hardly ever in trouble, it was Kathleen who was in and out of problems, but she was working on them.

Once Olivia had clarified, no one was in trouble the woman, seemed eager to help. She gave them the go ahead, to go through the door. Once Olivia made it to the hallway, of the dorms, she stopped, she felt her stomach cramp, and she turned to Cragen. "I think me and Cragen should go to the door, you guys stand back? I don't want to bombard them, and make them feel even worse with a crowd." She suggested, knowing how it would make matters worse to crowd the girls.

"Not to mention it'd be more professional, You are his partner, and he's yours and Elliot's commanding officer…" Munch replied, there was no anger to his voice. They didn't at all seem offended. Which made Olivia feel just a little bit lighter.

As the two approached the door, Cragen placed his hand on Olivia's shoulder, giving her a supportive squeeze. Before knocking on it.

In normal situations like this, Cragen would inform the family, and he'd do all the talking, but he knew this was to personal, for the Stablers, and that Olivia was too stubborn to let him take the lead. Before she could quite, muster the courage to speak, the door was opened, and it revealed the young blonde, staring at the two Officers.

"Hey Olivia!" Kathleen greeted. A soft smile emanating from her. Olivia forced a smile, the excitement in her voice, was making it harder for Olivia to keep her composure.

"Captain Cragen! Hello…" The blonde inquired, her once chipper tone, now becoming more nervous. "Katie, can we come in, honey?" Olivia asked. She nodded, moving out of the way for her father's captain and partner to enter the room.

Maureen looked up from the desk, she was sitting at. Curious.

"Hi Liv, hey Captain..." She said, quickly, standing up. Cragen didn't just show up, if Elliot wasn't with her it was Fin. Both girls, knew something was wrong.

"Is everything okay, with our Mom?" Kathleen blurted out, she looked scared.

"Yeah honey, everything is fine with your mother…. We're not here for her…" Olivia, stated. And underlying tone, was giving something more melancholy away. Before Olivia could even think to finish, Maureen spoke.

"What's happened?!" She asked, gravely. "I've always been very honest, with you kids… Haven't I?" She started, Cragen watched, staying off to the side, as his detective broke the news. Both girls only nodded, "And it wouldn't be right for me to beat around the bush when i tell you this… I don't usually give this kind of news, as it isn't our job description to do so. So here it goes, unfortunately, there was an accident, your father was taking the kids to see your mother, and a drunk driver, hit their vehicle. Maureen, and Kathleen Stabler ..." Olivia stopped for a moment, to attempt to stop the tears from falling, she couldn't break in front of them, not now. "No, no… No!" Maureen screamed. Taking a deep breath, she continued to the hard part, "I regret to inform you, that Elliot, Richard, Elizabeth, and Elliot Stabler Jr, are deceased. I am so sorry for your loss…" She finished, as Cragen made his way towards the girls.

Kathleen's face, twisted, and she fell into Olivia's arms. Sobbing, Olivia held the girl, running her fingers through her hair. "I am so sorry, baby…" She whispered.

Maureen on the other hand, had already had tears falling, she grabbed the closest thing she could get her hands on, and threw it. Fortunately, the lamp hadn't hurt anyone. Unfortunately, the lamp shattered. And there was a crowd building around the door. And she could hear Munch and Fin blocking the door.

Maureen grabbed her computer next, raising it, before Olivia, removed it from her grasp. Maureen's tear filled eyes, made contact with Olivia's. And Olivia wrapped her arms around the girl, as Maureen dropped them both to the floor, still sobbing. But now she was screaming. And the whole ordeal, made Cragen shake his head. His heart broke for the girls, as he guided Kathleen out to the hallway, so they could go to their grandparent's house next.

Elliot finished up being briefed by the feds, and his family was given their new identities.

Jason Fisher, was Elliot…. Delilah, and Mark Fisher were Dickie and Lizzie, And finally Nathan Fisher, was Little Eli. Once they were given new Birth Certificates, and ID's they were taken to a house, in a pretty Rural area. Country grass everywhere, and the smell of manure, and farming was all they could smell. Delilah (Lizzie), still had red bags around her eyes from crying. Nathan (Eli), was asleep in his father's arms. And Mark (Dickie), just looked numb. He was angry, rightfully of course. Elliot made his way into the house, it was a nice house, sure. But it didn't take any of the pain away.

The two oldest kids, did however lighten up a bit, enough to argue over who got the bigger room. Elliot however, squashed the issue before it could escalate, and he decided then and there, he'd take the bigger room. And that, the kids could pick from the other 3. Which of course, caused the two to begin arguing once more. Over who got the cove window, or who got the built in shelving unit. Eli, however took to his new room instantly. The entire house was already furnished. Oddly enough, the kids chose the rooms with the furniture of their liking. As irritated as Elliot was becoming with the two teens constant bickering, in a way, it made him feel better. Maybe they would survive this, afterall. And hopefully soon, Olivia and the squad, would get them back home.

Back in Manhattan, Olivia woke up to the sound of a plate falling in her kitchen, luckily enough for her she had fallen asleep with her gun still clipped to her side, when she had arrived, she was too tired to change, so she just got into bed, completely dressed. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she got up, walking towards her door. Her gun raised, she made her way towards the kitchen. But not before announcing herself, "Hello? I'm a detective, I'm armed. Who's here?" she raised her voice, hoping whoever it was would leave without a fight. But before she could speak again, she felt a cold, hard metal barrel being pressed against the side of her skull.

DUN DUN! Thanks for reading everyone! AND thank you for all the amazing review, I appreciate it deeply! I'll keep updating, if you keep reading. :)

Much love to all of you, and I hope you enjoy.