DISCLAIMER: The copyrighted characters of any TV program, movie, or published work of fiction are the property of their owners/creators. In this case, Law and Order SVU and Dick Wolfe. No copyright infringement is intended and nothing is being made. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author.
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OUT OF NEW YORK
CHAPTER 6: Toy Soldiers
" So, I couldn't talk her out of it, but she's doing well so far." Elliot was walking around his office at the academy. "Before you ask, Maureen is not getting special treatment nor is she getting a tough time. All is smooth. "
"And the rest of the "newbees", are they playing nice?" Olivia was shaking her last beer to see if it had anything left. No success. She rose from her couch and went to the kitchen.
"Well let's just say its hard not to know she's my daughter." Elliott pulled another grape from the fruit bowl Kathy made him keep on his desk. He needed to lose a few pounds and since he was going to be away from the squad room lunch runs, Kathy thought she should take advantage of that opportunity.
"Bull headedness then?" Olivia said with a laugh.
"No, well yes. That and she is a heck of a shot." He separated the slats on the government grade shade that hung from his window. He looked out over the obstacle course. He began watching the lone recruit running through the course, over the wall and through the tire run. "I got one recruit that just might make it." Elliot said still watching the rookie run through the course.
"Yeah? Serious or uniform only?" Olivia said leaning back into her couch. She pinched the bridge of her nose. She now had a headache.
"Serious enough that I recommending them for the fast track." Elliot said turning from the window. He squeezed his eye together to rid them of the bright dots he was now seeing from looking out the window.
"They must be something if you recommend them." Olivia had her palm resting against her forehead. The pressure only lessened the pain slightly. "Listen, I gotta go. I have an early start in the morning. "
"Okay sure. Are you coming back anytime soon?" Elliot had his fingers crossed. "Kathy and the kids would love to see ya."
"And you?" Olivia was ready to return.
"Of course. But Munch well he's distraught I hear." Elliot gave a chuckle. Olivia did as well. "Miss ya partner."
"Miss you too, El." Olivia closed the phone. She held it for just a moment longer and then placed it on the table. She turned her body to lie down on the couch. Her head was throbbing.
"That will teach me to drink a six pack after running." She said. "Just lay here for a minute and then I'll…" She let out a yawn. Closing her eyes, she was asleep in just a few seconds.
The laughter of children trickled in through the open patio door. Alex smiled has she watched the two toddlers race up and down their slide.
"Here." Sam said handing her a glass of iced tea.
"They're adorable." Alex said not taking her eye off of the pair. "You're so lucky to have them."
"You ever think about having any yourself?" Darrell said sitting next to Sam on the couch. He popped a cracker full of cheese on top.
"Yes I have. Not too long ago." Alex said starting to feel melancholy.
"What stopped you?" Darrell asked.
"Darrell, stop prying." Sam said giving his partner a gentle slap on the wrist.
"I wouldn't be a good reporter if I didn't ask questions." He turned to Alex. "Well?"
"Well let's see. I was in witness protection for four years. I returned got engaged. Broke my engagement. Reunited with my soul mate and then I took a job with the State Department." Alex stopped to ponder. She turned away from the door. "Yep that about sums it up."
"Well I knew all of that. Why did you leave her?" Darrell said.
"How did you know?" Alex asked with a smile. She sat down on the ottoman facing the window. She could still see the boys playing.
"A good reporter never reveals his sources." Darrell teased.
"Her?" Sam said dumbfounded.
"Her." The other two said in unison.
"His gaydar is really bad. Took him 30 years to figure out he was." Darrell said patting Sam on the knee. Alex let out a small chuckle.
" Olivia Benson. She's the detective in my squad. I fell for her the first day I joined the team. It was easy. " Alex looked down at the glass in her hand. She rested it on her palm, trying to collect the condensation has it trickled down the glass. "She's beautiful, intelligent, strong, loving. My perfect mate."
"So why did you leave her?" Sam said leaning forward in his seat. He felt Alex's mood change.
"This opportunity came up and it couldn't pass it up. It a once in a lifetime."
"Bullshit!" Darrell said.
"It doesn't matter anyways. She's moved on." Alex fought to hold back tears.
"Already? It's been six weeks." Sam said standing and handing Alex a napkin.
"Thank you." She said taking it and dabbing her left eye. A tear escaped and landed on her lap. She watched the wet stain grow has it was absorbed into the fabric.
"She's been assigned here as well. Well let's just say her ex-girlfriend got her assigned to here special task group."
"Who is she?" Darrell asked.
"Which one?" Alex replied softly.
"The ex-girlfriend. Who is she and where does she work?"
"Abbie Carmichael. She works in the State Department. Why?" Alex looked up and saw Sam and Darrell exchange worried glances. "What?"
"Abbie Carmichael is well second in command at the State Department. If there is such a thing." Sam said taking his seat next to Darrell again. "Secretary Clinton took a liking to her when she lobbied the then senator for more funding to aid the New Orleans Katrina crime trials, while at the same time helping her disguise the bill with a New Orleans schools aid program."
"Well, Abbie is a crafty one. But second in command? Isn't your ranking higher, Sam?"
'Yes and no. I might have the rank and the sword, but Abbie has the direction on which way I should swing it." Sam took a quick drink of his tea. Darrell got up and headed to the kitchen.
"Wow. That's pretty, well." Ale searched for just the right word. She didn't want to offend Sam, but she didn't want to sound praising of Abbie.
"Well what?" Darrell asked returning to the living room with a bottle of wine and three glasses. The wine was opened and one glass had already been used. Setting down two of the glasses, he poured Alex a glass. "Ballsy? Unrealistic? Crazy?" He handed the now full glass to Alex. "Pick one honey they all fit."
"I was going to say, impressive." Alex gave the wine a quick sniff and took a well-deserved sip.
"Her rise was quick. But lets face it. With that smile and that Texas accent, it almost makes you appreciate Bush country." Sam said wiggling his glass in front of Darrell hoping he would pour him a glass.
"Bite your tongue." Darrell said handing him the bottle to pour his own.
"She is beautiful." Alex said tipping her glass has if to toast before taking another sip.
"Yeah, but she's up to her ass in alligators now." Sam said finally getting to take a sip of the '04 Frog's Leap. He closed his eyes has he savored the warm liquid on his pallet. Taking a deep breath he swallowed slowly. Alex gave his a funny look and a little giggle.
"He does that with every bottle. It can be quite distracting in a restaurant."
"What do you mean about Abbie. Is she in trouble?" Alex had the sound of concern.
'Oh far from it at the moment. She and her covert team are investigating something at the Senate level. No one is quite sure what it is, but speculation is military funds were misappropriated and perhaps a constitutional law was trampled." Sam said has he stood up. He went to the patio door and called the boys to come inside.
Each boy came running in the house stopping to hug his dad's leg. The twins, Trevor and Tristan, were identical. At times even their fathers' couldn't tell them apart. When they were little, Darrell would cut Trevor's hair slightly shorter then Tristan's. But inevitably it would grow and they would be at a loss who was who.
"Daddy can we have our dinner now?" Tristan asked.
"Yes. I think Daddy D has gotten it already for you in the kitchen. Sam looked at Darrell for verification. Darrell shook his head yes and headed for the kitchen. "Come on boys, let's see what the cook has grumbled up for vittles tonight!" With that Darrell and the boys were off in the other room.
Sam returned to the couch, but this time he sat closer to Alex and leaned forward in his seat. He began to speak in a whisper.
"What I am about to tell you is classified. Some is mere speculation, some is fact. But it must never be discussed outside of this house. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Alex said Herself whispering.
"Abbie and her team are reviewing the military's budget. They were given a tip by a Pentagon insider that funds for the Afghanistan war were being funneled to the missionaries in Africa to help fight the genocide in Darfur."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"Not really. With not enough money going to support the troops in aAghanistan, the Army is forced to buy inferior amour for the soldiers. They can only afford half of the issued vests and body amour to be made of Kevlar."
"And the other half?" Alex was shocked.
"The other half is made of woven recycled plastics with a hard cured epoxy on top. It will stop a small caliber bullet, but not shrapnel coming at you at 30 miles an hour at close range."
"So basically they are wearing car bumpers." Alex leaned back in her seat. She took a moment to let all the information to sink in. "So what makes this so dangerous?"
"First, the military is involved. Second, the Ways and Means committee is as well."
"And that is the most powerful committee in the Senate." Alex finished Sam's speech.
"Now you know."
"How many others know? How do you know?"
"Only her team, myself and two others."
"The Under Secretary of State and Secretary Clinton." Alex again finished his sentence.
"You're a smart one." Sam said. "If you care about Olivia, you'll get her out of here." Sam reached for her hand. "This all might seem glamorous, but it's actually dangerous place to be. All this power in one place."
"And no one person can control it." Alex felt her heart pounding. She knew what she had to do, but would Olivia be willing to listen.
This will be the last one for a few days. I have to end one of the other ones and add more to the another. Enjoy.