Chapter 5
The next morning when Olivia walked into the precinct, Elliot was already at work, and had left her a cup of coffee on her desk. Munch and Fin were grinning like two schoolboys who knew a secret. Olivia looked at them.
" What gives you guys?" She asked. Munch hid a laugh behind his hand while Fin shrugged.
" Nothing. Nothing at all. Guess that talk of ours really helped, huh John?" Fin smirked. Munch nodded, trying his hardest not to laugh. Olivia gave a 'whatever' kind of shrug, sat down at her desk, and opened her email.
Detective Benson,
Did you have a nice time at the zoo yesterday? Those polar bear cubs sure are cute, eh? I hope you slept well. I wouldn't want to be the cause of more sleepless nights. Do you think Detective Stabler slept well? Maybe I should ask him too. Anyway, have a good rest of your day. I imagine you'll hear from us again soon. P.S.—We'll be watching.
Olivia shivered, but not because she was cold.
" Elliot…" she began.
" I know Liv. I got one too. We have to tell Cragen." He said, looking up from his computer.
" What do we have to tell me?" Cragen said, coming out of his office. Elliot looked at Olivia, but she cast her eyes down to the floor. Elliot took a deep breath.
" Someone's stalking Liv. This is the third time we've heard from them. 2 emails and a call to my cell." Cragen thought for a second.
" Have any of these been threatening?"
" Yeah. The call from Elliot's phone. She didn't threaten me outright, but she called me a bitch and said I'd regret kissing-" Olivia stopped mid-sentence when she realized what she was saying. Fin laughed.
" Chill out Liv, we all know. But don't worry, it's on the DL. When did this start?" Olivia glared at him for a second but quickly replied, " Yesterday morning."
" When you were 'sick'?" John asked innocently. Olivia shot him a death glare.
" Hold on a second. You said she? Are you sure it's a female?" Huang asked, who had just walked into the room.
" Yeah. I could tell when she called. But I think that there might be two of them. Here." Olivia quickly printed out the emails and handed them to Huang. He scanned through them quickly then spoke up again.
" Olivia was right. There are definitely two of them, although they're trying to trick you into thinking there's only one of them. Also, based on what they said about your mother and from what I've heard, it sounds like this is coming from someone you both knew." Huang said, nodding at Elliot and Olivia.
" That means it could be anybody. We've come into contact with so many people; perps, victims, families. How are we supposed to know who's after Liv?" Elliot asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
" From what I've read and heard, it sounds like it's someone both of you knew personally, not someone you've just dealt with. It's someone who knew you over a period of time." Huang suggested. Olivia was about to speak up again when Cragen held up his hands.
" Ok, I've heard enough. Olivia, whoever this is knows where you work, who you work with, and just about everything else there is to know about you, including where you live. Which means that until we figure out who these guys are, I don't want you staying at your house. It's too risky." Cragen said with a sigh. Olivia started to protest when Elliot put a hand on her shoulder.
" Relax Liv. You can stay at my place until we figure this out." She nodded and let out a shaky breath. Fin raised an eyebrow at him and grinned, but Elliot ignored him.
" Also, I want protective detail on you. Someone's going to have an eye on you at all times until we get these bastards." Cragen said. Olivia bristled at this.
" Cap'n, I can understand not wanting me at my own place, but protective detail?! I'm a grown girl, I can take care of myself!"
" I know 'Livia, but I don't want to take the chance. You're like a daughter to me, and none of us want to risk losing you."
" But Don-"
" Olivia, this isn't open to discussion. If it makes you feel any better, I'm assigning these guys," he pointed to Fin, Elliot and John, " to be your detail. So you don't have to worry."
" Yeah Liv. We got your back." Fin grinned.
" Alright guys, let's get back to work." Cragen said, sticking his hands in his pockets and walking back into his office. They all sat quietly doing paperwork at their desks when Munch remembered something. He looked up and smiled mischievously at Fin.
" What?" Fin asked. He stared at his partner for a few more seconds before realizing what was going through his friend's head. They both turned and faced Olivia and Elliot. Olivia blinked a few times, and then glanced out of the corner of her eye to see John and Fin watching them. She nudged Elliot twice under the desk, which was their signal for "get online."
OBenson: They're watching us.
EStabler: I know. I can feel Fin's eyes burning a hole in my head.
OBenson: Think they know?
EStabler: Probably. Did you see the way Fin looked at me when I suggested you stay at my place?
OBenson: It was hard to miss. Should we ask what's up or keep them waiting?
EStabler: Let's torture them and keep them waiting. Mind you, I wouldn't put it past them if they've bet on our relationship. Cragen probably too.
OBenson: Fin and Munch I don't doubt. But Cragen? You really think so?
EStabler: Oh yeah, for sure. Hell, he probably knows a lot more than we think he does, and he just turns the other cheek. If IAB were to ever come in here, boy we'd be screwed.
OBenson: Screw IAB.
EStabler: No, don't screw IAB. Screw me.
OBenson:……[moment of awkward silence You're terrible. I 3 you.
EStabler: aww thanks. I 3 you too.
OBenson[gets warm, fuzzy feeling inside
Elliot shook his head and grinned.
" What? What's so funny Stabler?" Fin asked, starting to get annoyed.
" Nothing. Nothing at all." Elliot said innocently while Olivia attempted to control her laughter. At around 6 o'clock, Cragen came back out of his office.
" Ok guys, it's 6 o'clock. Go home, get some rest. I guess since Liv is staying with Elliot, you guys can head home. But if anything seems unusual, anything at all, bring her back here and call us, got that?" Cragen asked Elliot. He nodded.
" Liv, do you need anything? Clothes or whatever? Because I can send Fin or John over to get something." Cragen asked.
" Um, yeah, but I'll be ok for tonight. I'll get them tomorrow. Besides, I don't trust you guys picking out my clothes, no offense or anything." Olivia replied, somewhat distracted.
" Ok, if you're sure." Olivia nodded.
" 'Livia, are you ok?" John asked, noticing that his colleague was very distracted and rather anxious.
" Hm? Oh yeah, I just want to get home. This whole thing is just…" She trailed off and shuddered.
" Hey, don't worry Liv. Like Fin said, we've got your back." John replied, smiling. Olivia smiled back and nodded. Elliot draped his jacket over Olivia's shoulders.
" Come on, let's get you home."
But just as they were about to leave, Olivia's cell phone rang. Before anyone could stop her, she picked it up.
" Benson…" She cringed when she realized what she had done, but she couldn't hang up now.
" Hello Detective. I thought I might reach you here. Headed home? That sure was nice of the Captain. It must've been a slow day if you're getting to go home this early. What are your plans for this evening? Dinner and a movie, maybe some alone time with Detective Stabler?" Olivia gnawed on the inside of her cheek to stop herself from replying and saying something stupid.
" Have a nice night Detective. And be careful. You never know what might be lurking around the corner…"