Disclaimer: Nope, Law and Order: SVU still isn't mine.

A/N: Wow, you guys are great! Are the alerts and reviews haven't been totally awesome. And now I present to you chapter 2. This took longer to write and post since I'm not exactly sure where this' headed; not to mention work keeps getting in the way! But, my muse will prevail and so will my writing. And yes, this chapter turned out to be long. And yes, it will be E/O eventually.

Chapter 2

Suddenly the phone on Elliot's desk begins to ring, the shrill tone forcing everyone's eyes to be drawn to it.

"Uh, yeah, I'd better get that" Elliot says going to answer it.

All eyes now fall upon him as he attempts to focus on the call.

"Stabler. Really? When? She's fully coherent now; for how long? Yes, I see. Okay. Yes. Liv and I will be right there."

Elliot hangs up the phone then turns to Cragen.

"Sir, our vic just woke up, and is telling the nurses everything. We need to get down there so she can tell us everything. And the doc doesn't know for how long she'll be awake" Elliot explains, hoping this will be the diversion he and Liv so desperately need right now.

Cragen looks at his two detectives, then Kathy, and finally a quick glance at the audience around them. Everyone wants an answer right now.

Fine. Go. But, while you two are gone I will be deciding your fates. You understand?" Cragen says firmly.

"Yes sir" Elliot and Olivia answer in unison then turn to leave.

Meanwhile, Kathy tugs impatiently on her wedding ring forcing it off painfully.

"Elliot! Here!" Kathy yells now launching the ring at Elliot.

Her aim however is horrible. The ring hits Liv smack dab in the middle of her forehead. The diamond is big enough to leave a just visible red mark upon Liv's olive skin. After it hits her it falls to the floor with a small tink while the diamond pops out and flies under the desks.

"Ouch! Kathy!" Liv yells angrily as she places a hand to her forehead.

Elliot follows suit, removing Liv's hand to inspect her head himself.

"Elliot, expect to hear from my lawyer! And don't forget to get your shit out of my house!" Kathy yells.

She turns on her heels and marches out of the precinct. A minute or so later, Elliot and Olivia head out as well on there way to the hospital to see their victim.

Inside the sterile white room, beneath too thin to really be warm covers lays a young woman in her early twenties. Lines and tubing from IV's and various machines are all connected in some way to her. Her blonde hair is splayed out upon the pillow as she stares silently up at the ceiling. As soon as Elliot and Olivia enter she looks towards them, her blue eyes barely visible beneath a layer of bruising around them.

"Hello Emma, I am Det. Benson and this is my partner Det. Stabler."

"Hi" Emma manages weakly.

"How are you doing? Can we get you anything Emma?" El asks.

"They told me it's Thursday. Last I remember it was Sunday. What happened to the last 4 days detectives?" Emma continues.

"Well, you were attacked and it left you unconscious due to a severe concussion. Please Emma, tell us, what do you remember? What happened on Sunday?"

"Okay. Det. Benson, I remember Sunday well. I hosted a candle party for my best friend. We sold over 500 worth. After the party, I went outside to put my car back in its spot- I let the guests use my spots. I put the key in the lock then felt a presence behind me. From the reflection on the window I saw a…"

Elliot's phone has been vibrating incessantly for the last three minutes so finally he takes it out of his pocket; he figures its Kathy so he had been ignoring it. Instead of Kathy though it's a number he recognizes as belonging to the NYPD. Quietly he steps out into the hall to answer it.

"Stabler."

"Detective Stabler this is Sgt. Briggs over in Queens. You need to get home right now. We have a situation at your house."

"What kind of situation? Are my kids ok? Did something happen to them?" Elliot asks, his voice growing louder and more unsteady.

"No, you kids are fine, considering. It's your wife. She's out of control."

"Kathy? What is she doing?"

There's a huge crash then the call ends.

"Sgt. Briggs? What's she doing? Sgt? Hello?"

Once he realizes the call has ended Elliot shuts his phone then shoves it into his pocket muttering a curse as he does.

"El, everything okay out here?" Liv asks walking up to Elliot placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"No Liv it's not! This day, this whole situation's just going to hell!"

El snaps at Liv, though not fully meaning too. He shrugs off her touch and turns away from her. Guilt is starting to rise up from within.

"Is something going on at home Elliot?" she persists.

"You mean other than the obvious? Yeah, Kathy is going all psycho at home right now and I have to get there and stop her." Elliot says, his voice dripping with attitude.

"El, could you drop the attitude? I get it. This whole thing is one big nasty mess. Now, is there anything I …"

"NO! Liv, just stay here ok? Just stay out of it."

Elliot turns and walks away from Olivia without another look at her.

"Elliot! El! Damn it!"

Liv desperately wants to follow after him, yet she still has to finish the interview with Emma. So, she takes a moment to force her anger back down then goes back into Emma's room.

Two cop cars, a fire truck, along with a small gathering of neighbors surround the Stabler residence. El skids to a stop behind one of the cop cars. He jumps out of him and Liv's burgundy Crown Vic and into the chaos in his front yard.

On his way up to his house, he passes what is left of his personal vehicle parked on the street. It has been set on fire; the only thing remaining is the charred metal frame. On his lawn he recognizes what is left of his possessions. What isn't burnt to a crisp is either torn up or broken. All four of Elliot's children are standing to the left of the house in the driveway talking to an officer. Maureen is holding a screaming Eli, desperately trying to calm the infant. Finally, the front door flies open and a hysterical Kathy emerges followed by the other officer. As soon as she spots Elliot, she begins to make a beeline for him. The officer who was with the kids intercepts her. Kathy then proceeds to shove him hard; she is immediately taken down and cuffed.

Kathleen spots her father and runs up to him. The other children follow her. Elliot watches in complete and utter shock as Kathy is placed into the back of a patrol car.

"Dad what'd you do to her this time? She went crazy on us! Why?" Kathleen asks, tears streaming down her face.

"Yeah Dad, what's going on?" Dickie Stabler now asks his father.

TO BE CONTINUED