Disclaimer: Maria Frank is my own creation and John Munch belongs to Law and Order: SVU.

Chapter 2: Bad News

John drove to his apartment, wanting to get some clean clothes on and let Maria get a hold of someone from her unit. He had fully expected her to crack after hearing the news, but she kept it inside. She even snapped a little as he headed out the door. He was beginning to wonder if she was going to fine mentally. Pulling on a fresh pair of slacks, he began to think of what terrible event would cause her to ponder leaving early. Staring into his bathroom mirror, he knew that he would have to let her go. I don't want to let her go. Not now.

Entering her apartment a half hour later, he peeked into the kitchen and saw her pace back and forth, phone next to her ear. Turning her head to him, she gave a small wave as she turned her attention back to the phone. "Hey, Stella? It's Maria."

Stella's strong, yet quiet voice came over the phone. "Mar! How are you? Cap said that he was trying to get a hold of you. Did you hear what happened?"

"I'm doing fine and I did hear what happen. Have you got any evidence on the two cases?"

"No," she heard a heavy sigh on the other end. "Miles and I are trying hard to find anything, but we're getting nowhere. David is working with Kevin, but I don't think that Kevin is going to last much longer here."

"What do you mean? He's starting to loose it mentally?"

"Yes. The crime scenes are so gruesome that I even lost my breakfast."

"Can you give me just brief details?"

"Cap already cleared that so I can." Maria could hear papers being shuffled around.

"Alright. Shoot." She leaned up against the counter, closing her eyes. She had no idea that John was still there, watching her.

'"The victims are entire families. The women are raped. The men are sodomized. After the person or persons is done, the family is killed by throat cutting or dismembered. We have no idea how the victims are controlled though. There is also something else about these victims."

Maria sighed before replying. "What?"

"The families are all families that we worked with. I believe, and so does David and Miles, that our past victims might be in danger."

"Jesus Christ!" Maria cussed quietly enough that the hair on back of John's neck stood up. He made an involuntary shudder as he looked to the floor, feeling Maria's stress skyrocketing from across the room. "Thanks, Stella. Give the guys my luck and love. I'll get a hold of Cap and see what I can do."

Hearing her hang up the phone, John looked up to see her leaning up against the counter, staring at the wall and her hand toying with her belt, where her Glock would have been. They stood in silence for a good ten minutes before John walked forward, wrapped his arms around her and spoke softly. "I can leave you along if you want."

Her voice sounded so dry and distant as she spoke into his chest. "No. I need you to stay with me today." She pulled back a little and looked up at him. Her face showed no emotions. Not good. He thought. "I need to make one more call at the moment. Can you take Alex out real quick? There are small bags in the cupboard behind you."

Nodding, he grabbed a few bags and herded the dog out the door. Hearing her dial a number, he took on last glance before shutting the door. Good luck, sweetie, He thought.

Heading down the stairs, John found himself talking out loud, mostly to the cop dog. "I don't know, Alex. I'm concerned for her. I bet you can sense that, huh?" The dog tilted his head to one side before wondering over to a tree. "I wish I could take all of her pain away." He said as he tossed a full bag into a trash can. "If she'll let me. She's one tough attitude cop." He finished as he opened the door and let them back in.

Maria was resting her head on her table when John came back in. "John." He looked over at the table and was quickly concerned.

"What happened?" He asked softly, bending down beside her his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

"Just got a hold of my captain and he told me who the victims are." Her voice was so dry, distant and soft that he had to lean in to hear her fully. "The first family, I worked with the mother when she was raped walking home one night. The other family, Stella and Miles worked with them after their twin daughters were molested in school. Stella thinks that our past victims are being targeted and in serious danger. They have no idea how the attacker is picking his victims, though." She finished, picking her fingernails and grinding her teeth. John couldn't believe that she was not showing any emotions. She had to show something. He had no idea what to say nor did he want to show her sympathy. He knew better then that and she didn't want that.

Taking a deep breath, he helped her to her feet and escorted her to her room, wanting her to just lay down before she exhausted herself trying to find out what was going on. Looking up into his face, she could see that he wanted to help her in any way. He had shown that he would do anything to make her feel better in the past. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he reached over and pulled her down with him so he could just hold her. Reaching over, he pulled the covers over them and tightened his hold of her against his chest. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." He whispered into her hair, wishing that she would just cry. Please, just cry. Please.

She just sighed and nuzzled her face into his chest, saying nothing.

To be continued...