Disclaimer: It's his not mine
A/N: Yay! You love me! Have fun with this all! I love you all my ducklings!
Overview of Chapter 8:
They catch the perp who just happens to own the apartment and find that he not only raped Lizzy, but he stalked Liv and El. Munch and Liv have a brother/sister moment. And the big question: what is happening between Fin and Dani? Stay tuned to find out!!
From last time:
Dani had stayed in the living room. She looked around at the room and tried to think of where the man would hide a tape. Her eyes landed on a video player. "That's a little too obvious." She muttered, walking towards it. "Unless he wanted it to be found." She pushed the eject button. "Jackpot."
SVUSVUSVUSVUSVU
The four of them met in the living room, all of them slightly more disturbed than when they came.
Olivia turned to Dani. "Did you recover the tape?"
Dani held up said tape. "I got it. Did any of you find anything interesting?"
"Just some child porn." Munch held out the bag as if it was going to bite him.
"Nothing in the kitchen except that he likes to eat Captain Crunch and Cornflakes." Fin muttered.
"Come look at this." Olivia led them all back to the room. "See the camera?" The other three went to inspect it. "It's pointing at the bed in the master room."
"Dear god, he's sick." Dani gasped.
"Did you take the tape out?" Munch asked.
"No, I wanted to photograph it first, but Dani has the camera."
Dani took the pictures and Olivia then opened the camera. "No tape. He must've done something with it."
"He did." Munch's eyes widened in realization. "Try the camera sitting on the TV."
Fin sprinted out of the room to go check. "Here it is!" He called back to them.
"Take the whole thing." Dani said as they walked back into the living room.
The four of them closed the door behind them as they left, all of them quiet as they wondered as to what could be on the tape.
SVUSVUSVUSVUSVUSVU
Back at the precinct, they were organizing the evidence. Some more pictures were added to the timeline that they had recovered the last time, and other pictures were added to the file.
Olivia was unusually quiet. She was debating asking for the tape because she wasn't sure if she really wanted to watch it. Finally, she spoke.
"Can I have the video tape, Dani?" Olivia asked softly.
Dani was expecting her to ask for it. She nodded and held it out. Olivia took it almost hesitantly. "I'll leave you to watch it." At Olivia's appreciative nod, she smiled softly and left the room.
Olivia nodded mutely, sitting down in her chair. Can I really go through losing Elliot again? Can I go through that horror again?
She felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw the captain with a concerned look on his face. "Dani told me about the tape. As soon as Munch and Fin are ready, we'll watch it, okay?"
"Okay." She said softly.
SVUSVUSVUSVUSVUSVU
Olivia found herself surrounded by her closest friends as Don pushed the tape into the player. Munch and Fin flanked either side and Casey, whom Don had phoned, sat in front of her. Don took his place perched on his desk directly behind Olivia and handed her the remote.
"You can stop it whenever and we'll finish watching it later, Liv." Don said gently as she pushed play.
The snowy screen crackled for a moment before the homemade video started.
The start of the movie was not what Olivia was expecting at first. It began with a black screen and a voice.
"If the people watching this tape are either Detective Stabler or Detective Benson, congratulations. You caught me. Considering that the only people that have access to this tape are I, Richard White, and Jose Cortez, I can only assume that the audience the detectives of the 16th precinct. Enjoy the show, detectives."
The first scene was the apartment that the tape had been taken from. Inside was the simply furnished living room with the couch and TV they had seen. Richards face appeared on the screen. "Hello, Olivia. You destroyed my life, and now, I am going to destroy yours." The camera zoomed in onto the TV. "I know where Elliot and you are at all times. And the funny thing is, you will never know." And on the screen were flashing images of her and Elliot during the different dates they had gone on since she had returned.
The five of them were watching in disbelief. Casey didn't even know that Elliot and Olivia were dating, and Munch, Fin, and Don were shocked to see themselves on some of the shots. The last scene that flashed by was the Stabler family and Olivia at the beach the week before the shooting.
"But that, my dear Olivia, is only the beginning." The camera was on him once more. "There are cameras planted in yours and Elliot's apartments. It was hard to keep track of you two. But once you moved in with him, it made it much easier to track the two of you." The camera was on the TV now. Olivia closed her eyes in embarrassment and fast forwarded it. She flashed a mortified smile at the rest of the people in the room. "I know you don't want to see this."
The rest of the room agreed wholeheartedly. "We do not need to see what you and Elliot did after hours." Don winced. "I got enough grief from headquarters with you two dating and remaining partners."
Olivia pushed play again. "I think it's safe now."
"Did the people watching this with you enjoy that? Well, knowing you, it was fast forwarded. Too bad, it was a great show. The only time, judging from the tapes, unless you christened the living room or kitchen."
Munch made a face and Fin was turning green. Olivia just buried her face in her hands. "Sorry guys." She muttered.
Richard continued. "That's all I have for you, my darling. Right now, I'm going to go to you and your precious Elliot. I'll be waiting for you."
The screen went fuzzy before Jose's heavily accented voice came with a black screen. "Well, Olivia. Do you want to see what happened today?"
Olivia forced herself to keep her eyes open as the horror started. She saw herself and Elliot scanning the room, guns drawn and ready. She shook her head when she saw Richard and Jose/Adrian come up behind the two of them. Tears escaped when she saw Jose/Adrian slam his gun against Elliot's temple, causing him to crumple to the ground. Jose started beating Elliot while Olivia was grabbed from behind by Richard. She watched herself recoil from Richard, Elliot struggle to his knees, the stream of police come in and Elliot crumple as Richard shot him.
Tears were blocking Olivia's view of Richard collapsing under the weight of the bullets that hit his body. They blocked her view of her becoming frantic over Elliot's fallen body or the paramedics take him away. All she was aware of was the pain she felt at seeing Elliot fall again. Casey stood up and embraced her. Munch and Fin joined Casey and Don placed both hands on her shoulders, keeping his eyes on the screen.
"Well, I hope you enjoyed that dear Olivia. Lizzy's our next target, darling."
Don shut off the tape here. The last thing any of them needed was to see Elliot's daughter being raped.
SVUSVUSVUSVUSVUSVU
While the other detectives were watching the tape, Dani had set the camera up so she could watch it as well without intruding on Olivia's privacy. She felt sick to her stomach as she watched and realized how much danger the two had actually been in. She fast forwarded it at the same place Olivia did, not wanting to see a free show.
At the end of the tape, she closed her eyes and willed herself not to cry. It didn't work. All that was running through her mind was the horror that Olivia must be feeling at this moment. The tears that ran down her face were not for Elliot, but for Olivia. This was one more case that she could not fix, and it was beginning to eat away at her. This was the reason that she had left SVU in the first place.
SVUSVUSVUSVUSVUSVU
"Olivia." Don said gently. "This tape ensures the fact that Jose will be convicted."
She sniffed. "I know. It just hurts to see it all over again." Munch and Fin awkwardly patted her shoulder and back.
Don sighed and hesitantly held out a piece of paper. "Liv, he's still alive."
The four others gasped. "What?" They all gathered around the paper Don held out.
"He's at the apartment building on the corner of 11th street and Avenue A." He paused, looking them all in the eyes. "This stay's here, guys. Even though we have Jose in custody, it doesn't mean that someone else isn't out to get him." He eyed the four of them who all nodded in agreement.
After a bit, Olivia spoke up. "You realize what this means, don't you?"
The rest of them stared at her.
"It means that if he's convicted, Elliot can come home."
The pieces were starting to fall into place.
They all sat in stunned silence for a few minutes before Don decided that the room was too serious.
"Now, how about something a little lighter to brighten everyone's spirits?" Don asked, pulling out a movie. The other four gathered around it.
"Over the Hedge?" Fin scoffed, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm game." Munch announced.
"Me too!" Casey and Olivia said in unison.
"I'll call Dani. Maybe she'll make it bearable." Fin grumbled, pulling out his cell phone.
The others shared a knowing glance with each other before smirking.
SVUSVUSVUSVUSVU
Dani was startled out of her thoughts by the jingle of her phone. "Beck."
"Hey Dani, its Fin. The clowns over here want to watch Over the Hedge to get what we watched, and I'm sure you watched on the camera, out of our heads."
She smiled a little at the sound of his voice. "Okay. Where?"
"Don's office. " His voice dropped to an urgent whisper. "Please get here soon! They're driving me insane."
She laughed. "Okay, I'll be there soon." They hung up their phones. She wiped her eyes to remove any traces that she had been crying and headed down towards Don's office.
Fin was waiting outside the door. "They're crazy I tell you, crazy."
"What's going on in there?" She could hear loud laughter and someone yell at Munch to stop his conspiracy theories.
"He's started a conspiracy theory about how the movie is really about the Russians taking over America." Fin muttered. Dani just raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I know." He rolled his eyes. "Come on; let's go hear all about hedges and conspiracies." He put his hand on the small of her back and gave her a little push into the room. "Ladies first."
"Dani, nice of you to come!" Munch called out. "This movie is all about a conspiracy…"
"Munch!" Five voices called out in unison.
"Fine." He pouted, glaring at everyone. "See if I take you into my house when the Russians take over the US."
"Don't worry, Munch. I won't try and take over the world." Dani said dryly before settling on the ground in front of Fin. The rest of the crew took their original places.
"I get the remote!" Munch called out trying to take it out of Olivia's hand.
"No!" She resisted him by hiding it under her shirt. "Don gave it to me; therefore, I get to keep it."
Munch once again resorted to pouting. "It's not fair."
"Shhhh! The movie's starting!" Five voices hissed.
"Everyone is against me!" Munch whined. "Ouch, Casey! What was that for?" He rubbed the spot where she pinched him.
She just smirked and ignored him.
He sighed. Oh well. Stupid hidden conspiracies. The movie makers are just brainwashing the kids. He glanced over at his partner and had to smirk when he saw that Dani was sitting between his legs, leaning her head on his knee and Fin absentmindedly stroking her hair. Things were definitely looking up for Fin and Dani both.
He turned his attention to Olivia. She was happier than she had been for the past few weeks. She would smile then giggle at parts of the movie. Hopefully, Elliot really was alive. Then maybe they would have the happy Olivia back.
Munch started when he felt someone lean against his knees. Looking down, he discovered Casey using him as a backrest. She leaned back and smiled up at him, and he smiled back at her before reaching down to squeeze her hand. His smile grew when she held on to it. Maybe things would start looking up for him as well.
Olivia soon lost interest in the movie. She glanced around her and noticed that the three other detectives and a certain ADA were all snuggling or holding hands. So, they finally are discovering each other! She smiled slightly. She glanced back to see that Don had fallen asleep in his chair. She sighed and faced forward again. Elliot would love this movie.
Her eyes misted at the thought of Elliot. It was just a movie he would love. Just like any man, he loved action. But he also loved comedies. This movie was just plain hilarious. Hammy totally cracked her up. Stella reminded her of herself before she fell for Elliot. And the lady who was the president of the HOA reminded her of Elliot's and her Landlady.
When the movie ended, they all decided to watch Hammy's adventure. In Dani's opinion, the short clip was funnier than the movie. She and Casey were crying they were laughing so hard. The other three woke Don up with their hysterical laughter at the pair.
"Huh? What did I miss?" He said sleepily.
"Only the whole movie, Captain." Fin said in his gruff tone.
The five of them collapsed into laughter once more at Don's disgruntled look. "Sure, laugh at my expense!" He muttered, causing them to laugh even harder. "I'm the one paying you."
"And you wouldn't stop paying us because we're too valuable for you to lose!" Olivia teased. "You know that you could never replace us!"
"That's why he brought me back instead of trying to train someone else." Dani feigned anger. "He needed someone with a temper."
"And he thought that I needed someone with a temper to control!" Olivia cracked up again.
No one would realize it, but it was at this moment that Olivia and Dani became friends.
"And don't forget Fin, Dani." Munch teased. "The real reason Don brought you back was actually because Fin couldn't live without you, not that Liv needed to control someone. He got sick of Fin mooning around like a cow."
Fin picked up a small book from the shelf beside him and flung it at Munch who caught it and tossed it onto the desk. Fin's face was turning as red as it could on his black face.
Dani and Olivia just laughed. "Its good to see that you have an emotion other than indifference, Fin." Olivia teased.
He pushed her playfully. "Shush, Liv! We don't want that getting out."
Dani glared at him playfully. "Hey! I'll have you know that we girls are more than capable to kick your ass!" She and Olivia held matching, intimidating poses.
Munch and Fin cowered in mock fear. Casey just laughed. "And I'll get your asses thrown in jail for harassment, guys."
Don held up a hand. "Okay, okay. Enough is enough. Back to the matter at hand. Casey, do we have enough to make a case against him for both Lizzy and Elliot?"
"Yes we do, however, the fact that Elliot is in WPP and not actually dead could pose a problem."
"How?" Olivia questioned. "Instead of murder, we change it to attempted murder."
"But no one can know that Elliot is actually alive. That's the point of WPP." Don said patiently.
The five of them sat in silence, letting Don's words sink in.
"So, there's nothing we can do?" Munch said finally. Casey put a hand on his shoulder.
"Actually, we can still build a case. We will just make the one for Elliot a private matter with no audience. I'll work on my boss about it. Don, you may need to call him first though."
"I'll just come with you, Case." He said, standing up. "The rest of you, I believe that there is paper work to be filled out." He eyed them knowingly before he and Casey headed out of the precinct.
SVUSVUSVUSVUSVU
A/N: And so ends another chapter. I need 10 reviews before I'll update!