Author's Notes: Thanks to all of you who reviewed! I was so shocked to see I'd gotten any.

Just so you know, this fic tops out at 115 pages and it was a blast to write. I plan on posting all of it as long as someone else is enjoying it

Disclaimer: Well I didn't win the lottery so I've decided to steal the characters. Anyone know how you go about doing that? Well, I obviously don't own them yet but the day is young…

Now onto the Meat and Potatoes

- Lizzie

MIA

Captain Donald Cragen moaned as his alarm announced the start of a new morning. However, the groan wasn't because he didn't want to get up but because he felt that he had barely slept last night. That wasn't surprising since he had an officer missing and a squad that was worried and sleep deprived. Cragen pulled himself out of bed and headed for the bathroom where he splashed his face with cold water. That helped a bit but even the three cups of coffee afterwards didn't help completely. He wanted to crawl back into bed and wake up to find that he wasn't missing a fourth of his best detectives, half of his best pair. Knowing this wouldn't be the case, he picked out which suit he wanted to wear and arrived at work ten minutes early to find Munch and Fin already at work making phone calls and working on cases. Stabler's desk was empty.

Cragen sighed with relief when he saw this. He had wanted Stabler to take some time off right now but knew that it would take a miracle to pull him off the case until Benson was safe at home. He looked over at Munch and Fin, realizing that both men were wearing the same suits and ties as the day before. Munch was still in full regalia but Fin had lost the jacket and tie. Both were ruffled looking and the strong smell of coffee was coming from the pot on Munch's desk. Cragen walked over, knowing that if he was tired it was nothing to how these two felt.

"John, Fin, how long have you been here?"

Fin didn't even look at him while dialing another number. "Yes, this is Detective Tutuola from New York PD Special Victims Unit. Yes, I'll hold." Fin then turned to Cragen. "Since Liv isn't home yet, not long enough."

Munch nodded his agreement. "We filed a missing persons report with the London PD but European countries are so small, we have no idea where she would be by now."

Cragen fixed both detectives with what he hoped was a solitary look. "First, I want both of you to finish up what you're doing and go home."

Fin was back on the phone now but Munch shook his head.

"Captain, I know you're worried about sleep deprivation but you know none of us are going to sleep until we know what's up with Liv."

Cragen nodded his agreement but remained steadfast. "I just want you to go home and rest for a while. I'm not asking you to relax and come back refreshed. I just want you to get away for a while."

When Munch looked to be in just as stubborn a mood as Cragen the Captain didn't cave. "I'll make it an order if I have to, John."

"Thanks, we'll be in touch." Fin was now done with his call and he turned to join the conversation.

"Captain, with all due respect, we can sleep when Liv's home. Right now, if something's wrong she needs us here, not at home watching Matlock of Dukes of Hazzard reruns."

Cragen had had enough of this. "Then it's an order. I don't want either of you to report back for five hours. Go home, watch the Dukes and try to focus your energy on how we can help Liv best. She'll need you at your best."

Both men didn't look pleased but they grabbed coats and headed for the door. As Cragen turned to follow them, he glanced at the clock and read nine thirty. Someone was missing.

"John, Fin, where's Elliot?"

Munch and Fin both shrugged but turned back. "He left around ten last night. Said he had to be somewhere by two in the morning."

"I know he's been trying to patch things up with Kathy so he might have gone home to be with her and the kids."

Cragen grabbed his cell phone and dialed Stabler's number. It went to voicemail and Cragen shut the phone and returned it to his pocket.

"Hopefully he passed out from exhaustion. I'll call him in when you two come back this afternoon at two."

Fin and Munch both nodded and headed into the elevator.

"And not a minute before," Cragen called to the closing doors before heading to his office.

Stabler stood at baggage claim. He stifled a yawn but was hit a second later with another. His flight had left JFK at two on the dot and now jet lag was starting to catch up. He wanted to get to Benson's old hotel, check in and talk with the receptionist there. The hotel had been contacted of course but so far had no such luck finding one who remembered Benson. On the flight over Stabler had decided that he would camp out at Benson's hotel and talk with each person until he found one person who remembered his partner. On his way to the airport he had broken into Benson's apartment and stolen several pictures of her. He had the one that was on his desk of the four of them with Cragen from a few months ago but he wanted more to show. He grabbed pictures from the past ten years, even before he met her, and pocketed them.

Stabler hadn't wanted to tell anyone where he was going. If he told Kathy, she would tell Cragen and he would send someone after him. No, he was on his own. He only had a few days of vacation time saved up (Dickie had been sick two weeks ago with Scarlet Fever and Stabler hadn't left his side) so he would quit if he had to. He had to know what had happened to Benson.

As Stabler grabbed his bag, headed for the exit, and began looking for a taxi, the only thoughts in his head were why. Why hadn't Benson checked in? For the first few days, he'd received a phone call every other day and e-mails everyday from Benson who sent him pictures in exchange for information on happenings in the department. While Stabler had shared the pictures with the department, he kept their messages private, especially from George Huang, who insisted that Benson distance herself completely from the department. She just couldn't help herself. Stabler found himself smiling for the first time in days. Benson's life was the job and even on vacation she couldn't stay away. Why hadn't Benson stayed out of harms way? If she was sick, what had she eaten? If she was hurt, what had she been doing? Stabler tried to ignore the pictures forming in his head of Benson and the possible fates she could have met so far from home. What would be left if and when he found her?

"When," Stabler berated himself quietly. "Not if, when. You're going to find Olivia and you'll bring her home."

Ah yes but how will you bring her home? Stabler fought to ignore the tiny voice in his head that kept reminding him that Benson completely breaking character and failing to check in probably meant that she would more than likely be riding home in a box than in the seat beside him.

Stabler felt his stomach roll at this thought. He wanted to vomit at the thought of arranging her funeral overseas. Stabler quickened his pace and went to purchase himself a drink from a vending machine. The second he reached for his wallet, he remembered that he was carrying American currency and had yet to change it into pounds. He set his sights on the water fountain and chugged water for several minutes.

Surprisingly the water helped and soon Stabler found a window and changed one hundred dollars into pounds. When he was handed fifty five dollars in currency he cursed remembering that the American dollar was currently in poor standing in the world economy. Pocketing his money, he headed for the exit and hailed a taxi.

"Leisure Inn Hotel please."

The driver nodded and pulled out onto the London streets. Stabler had never been to London before. In fact, the only time he had been out of the country was to journey to Prague on a case. He had received his first passport at that time, which was now resting comfortably in his breast pocket. The whys continued to fill his head. Why hadn't he said something more to her at the airport when they had seen her off?

"Sure I can't talk you out of this, Captain?" Olivia Benson had never been to Europe and while excited, she hated leaving with a case open, especially the one that had almost killed her. The final boarding call had just been announced and Benson was giving one last stitch effort to avoid being shipped off for a week.

"No chance in hell, Liv. George thinks you need this and I agree."

Benson gave him a half smile before turning towards the boarding station. The woman waiting at the door was giving the stereotypical stewardess smile.

"Are you coming, Miss?"

Benson had hesitated but Fin had given her a gentle shove towards the door.

"She's coming. Have a good trip, Liv."

Benson gave Fin a full smile and hugged him. "Thanks for the encouragement."

Munch had surveyed the fading black eye and raised his eyebrows at her. "That'll be gone by tomorrow. How's the goose egg in the back of your head."

Benson had reached back and touched the receding bulge that had been the handiwork of a gun butt.

"Doesn't really hurt anymore. Lot's of Tylenol you know."

Munch touched the spot as well and when Benson didn't flinch, he nodded. "Bring me back a t-shirt from every country you visit."

Benson had rolled her eyes before bidding Munch good-bye. She than turned to Elliot Stabler, he long time partner and best friend.

"What do you want from Europe?"

Stabler had gestured to the gateway leading to the plane. "Use your knowledge of me to figure that out or just bring me nothing. Spend it on yourself, Liv. Now, get out of here and have a blast."

Benson had groaned slightly. "Men are always ganging up on women. I bet I could have women's lib groups on your asses in five minutes."

Cragen nodded his agreement. "Yes but that would still give us five minutes to put you on that plane. You'll have a blast and there'll be plenty of paper working waiting when you get back cause I can guarantee Munch won't touch it and Fin and Stabler already have another case."

Benson could see she wasn't going to win the battle or the war, so she grabbed her carry-on, apologized to the woman taking tickets and disappeared through the gate and onto the plane. The door had been shut behind her and Munch went to the window and glanced out at the plane.

"Elliot, you wanna hang out until her plane takes off?"

Stabler shook his head. "Nah, she's on the plane and safe. We'll see her in a week."

Cragen had acquiesced and gestured towards the exit. "Come on, there's lots of paper working piling up as we speak."

As Stabler's taxi turned right and past Paddington Station, the detective berated himself for not siding with Benson and insisting that she stay. He knew her better than anyone else, even a psychiatrist like George Huang couldn't know Benson like he did. He should have insisted that she stay in the city, resting in her apartment and away from work, but on this side of the Atlantic at least.

"You can't do this to yourself," Stabler muttered under his breath. "This isn't your fault. This isn't anyones fault. Something horrid happened to Liv and now you're going to fix it."

Despite these words of encouragement, Stabler couldn't shake the feelings of guilt that were massing in his chest. Stabler glanced at his watch. It was three thirty in the afternoon here in London, meaning it was ten thirty in New York. He would be missed by now but they probably weren't looking for him. Cragen had been insisting he take time off so the captain was probably thinking that exhaustion had finally won its fight and Stabler was passed out at home somewhere.

"That's just the way you want it. Hopefully you'll find Liv tonight, you'll call Cragen and be on the next flight home."

Stabler sat back, trying to believe the words he had just muttered. They didn't do much to help his heart slow down but he felt the knot in his stomach loosen again.

"Leisure Inn, sir."

Stabler was pulled out of his revere as he looked up at the taxi driver. While Stabler pulled himself out of the taxi, the driver ran his credit card, thanked him and went on his way.

Stabler entered and approached the reception desk. There were two people at the reception desk when Stabler entered. The man's nametag read Jesse Rawson and the woman's, Addison Jewell. The moment he approached, Jesse turned to him.

"Welcome to the Leisure Inn Hotel, Paddington, sir. How might I be of service?"

Stabler placed his credit card on the table.

"I'd like a room for the night, please."

Jesse began to type data into his computer. "Sir, room 412 is open and the total charge is seventy five pounds, please."

Stabler nodded and pushed the card towards Jesse.

"I also have another question for you." Stabler reached into his back pocket and pulled out the pictures from Benson's apartment. He laid them on the counter and pushed them towards the receptionist.

"Have you seen this woman by chance?"

Jesse looked at it for a number of minutes before shaking his head. "I don't recall seeing her. Addi, have you seen this woman at all?" He held up the picture and the young woman came over and looked at it. The smile lighting up her face made Stabler's heart beat faster.

"You recognize her?"

Addison nodded and handed the picture back to Stabler. "How could I forget her? Checks in a brunette and leaves a blond."

Stabler picked his picture up and turned his gaze to Addison.

"Left a blond? What are you talking about?"

Addison gestured to the picture in Stabler's hand. "I was working when she checked in. She seemed to be having the time of her life and all she wanted to do was leave her stuff and hit the streets. When she came in, she had brown hair, which was pulled back in a loose braid. The next day she seemed frazzled. My friend Ally Gall was concerned and went over to see if there was anything we could do to help. She jumped when Ally touched her and seemed to be staring out the window a lot."

Stabler gestured for Addison to come around the desk. She did and they took seats on the semi comfortable couch.

"Do you remember her name?"

Addison pursed her lips and Stabler could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she struggled to remember.

"Her last name was Berson or something like that. Her first name stared with an O or an A. I'm sorry I can't remember."

"Olivia Benson. Does that ring a bell?"

Addison's eyes lit up and she nodded. "Yes, her name was Olivia. I remember because Ally remarked that she had the same first name as my older sister."

Stabler nodded. "What happened next, Addison?"

The young woman seemed to be wracking her brain again.

"A man showed up. They were roughly the same age and they got into a bit of a tiff about something. Finally, the man suggested they go up to Ms. Benson's room. Ally followed her." Addison's eyes suddenly clouded over. "Please don't tell anyone I told you this! We aren't supposed to eavesdrop on guests but Ally felt that something was wrong."

Stabler looked her in the eyes, hoping to reassure her. "Addison, I'm not going to tell a soul about this. I just want to know where Olivia's at. What did Ally overhear?"

Addison had tears running down her face by this point. "She wouldn't tell me, Mr. Stabler. She said that Ms. Benson and the man were lovers and they were having a simple squabble."

Stabler got up and went to the reception desk. He plucked a few tissues from the box, took his key from Jesse and returned to the chair. He handed Addison the tissues, which she used to wipe her eyes.

"Addison, do you think Ally was telling the truth?"

Addison shook her head. "No, I can tell when she's lying. We've worked together for three years and she's my best friend. She said Benson was a cop and there was nothing to worry about."

Jesse came over and joined them. "Mr. Stabler, I'm going to have to ask you to retire to your room. We can't breech confidentiality."

Stabler pulled out his badge and flashed it at the young man.

"I'm a cop as well, son. I'm from the United States. Olivia Benson's my partner and she's vanished. I'm here to find out what's happened to her."

Jesse nodded. "I'll let Addison finish her story but that's all we can tell. Without a warrant we can't allow you into Ms. Benson's room or files."

Stabler put his badge away and returned to Addison. "I understand what Jesse's saying. Do you have anything else that you can tell me?"

Addison nodded and plunged on. "Ally busied herself with paperwork and I was left alone at the desk. An hour later, Ms. Benson and her friend emerge but she's changed. Her hair was now blond and about shoulder length. Ms. Benson always dressed semi-conservatively, meaning she wore jeans and sweaters most of the time. She was wearing a face full of make up, a skirt and she had a jacket on so I have no idea what she was wearing. She looked semi-uncomfortable. Ernie was working the desk with me and we kinda snickered at her transformation. Ally snapped at us to be respectful, something she's never done before, so we stopped. Ms. Benson turned her card in and left. I can't tell you anything else. Ally would be the one you'd want to speak with."

"Can you tell me where I can find her?"

Addison nodded. "Ally's has three children and her husband was killed in a car accident two years ago. She works two jobs to make ends meat. She works at the local grocery in the deli department two blocks down. It's called Fane's Grocery so you can't miss it."

Stabler nodded, thanked Addison, nodded his approval to Jesse and proceeded up to his room. He keyed in and quickly jotted down the information he had just been given. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since five the day before, United States time.

"I could go for a sandwich," Stabler muttered to himself. "One from Fane's deli area."

Grabbing a cup from beside the sink, he took a long swig of water before heading to find Ally Gall.

You promised you'd be there, whenever I needed you. Whenever I call your name,
you're not anywhere.

Elton John – Endless Night