A/N: Ok, shortest chapter ever and record time! 14 days is going to be my new goal. Anyway, there's a couple mysteries revealed here but careful you might miss them! Enjoy...

Earlier that day...

Elliot had driven Alex to the Emergency Room, despite her protestations. He used his badge to bypass the waiting room and demand someone document her injuries and page her OB. A nurse led them straight into an exam room and Elliot helped Alex change into one of those papery hospital gowns. He felt sick to his stomach when he saw that, apart from the large hand print on her neck, there were more ugly purple bruises on her back and arms. "I am gonna kill the sonofabitch Lexi." He muttered under his breath.

Soon two nurses came in, one with a camera and a clipboard. Elliot sat in a chair in the corner and watched as they worked on Alex. The discomfort was clearly evident on Alex's face as the nurses looked her over. She tried hard to cooperate as they checked all the bruises, her throat and her head, all the while writing things down and taking pictures. Elliot kept solemn expression even though he was seething with anger on the inside. The statement she'd given about her attack kept rolling through his head like a bad song on repeat. He kept picturing some guy in a ski mask pushing her and choking her and making her cry. It made him want to hit something. How could she not tell me about this sick freak? I could have protected her from this.

The next thing he knew one of the nurses was trying to get his attention.

"Detective?"

Elliot looked up to see one of the nurses looking at him. He stood up, shook his head to clear his thoughts and walked over to them. "Yes, yes I'm sorry, go ahead."

"I was just saying that Miss Cabot's injuries are mostly superficial. She does have some deep bruising on her back that you may want to ice later and she'll have a sore throat and a headache for a while but other than that she is just fine."

Elliot nodded. "That's great, thank you."

"You're welcome, we'll keep the notes and the photos in her file until you're ready to use them. Dr. Sloan should be in to see you in a few minutes."

He thanked the nurses again and then they were alone once more. Alex was sitting on the edge of the exam table with her legs hanging over the side. She was shivering in her thin gown and staring at her feet, avoiding Elliot's penetrating gaze with purpose; she didn't want to see the betrayal and disappointment on his face. Sheshould have told him before now, before it was so painfully obvious that somebody wanted her dead...again. Now he was angry and that was her fault. How did he find me? What did I do to deserve this? Why is it always me?

There was a knock at the door; they both looked toward the sound to see Dr. Sloan come in. She was a petite middle aged woman with curly brown hair and a thick British accent. Alex liked her a lot, and was relieved to be able to switch the focus onto her upcoming twins. She smiled a little remembering the day, only a few weeks ago, that they found out their twins were fraternal, a boy and a girl.

"Hello Alex, Elliot," she said cheerily, she gave Alex a sympathetic smile, "Looks like you've had a rough day. How are you feeling love? Any belly pains?"

Alex smiled back and shook her head. "No, I feel fine; Elliot's just being a worry wart."

Dr. Sloan chuckled and flipped through Alex's chart. "Well, your heart rate and blood pressure are normal. Your temperature's fine. Let's have a listen." Alex laid back down on the exam table and Dr. Sloan pulled out her fetoscope and placed the bell against Alex's belly listening first to one side, then the other. She nodded in satisfaction, "Nice and steady, the girl's a little calmer than the boy, but she's probably sleeping."

Alex finally looked at Elliot who seemed satisfied albeit a little irritable. He gave her a little half smile and then reached out to shake the doctor's hand. "Thanks doc, for checking on her."

"No problem," Dr. Sloan replied beaming, "If there aren't any more problems I'll see you guys again in a couple of weeks."

As soon as Dr. Sloan left the room Alex slid off the table and started to change back into her clothes. She glanced at Elliot again who seemed lost in thought. It wasn't until she tapped on his crossed arms fully dressed that he snapped out of it. "Elliot, let's go, we have to get Eli." He blinked at her a few times before nodding in response. Alex tried to hold his hand but he ignored her touch and walked briskly out of the room, leaving her to follow him dejectedly.

They drove to Eli's preschool in silence, something which made Alex a little anxious. The 3 year old little boy was thrilled to see them as he always was at the end of the day. He chatted away about trucks and Batman as they put him in the car and got back on the road, totally oblivious to the tension in the air.

Eli soon dozed off and it was quiet again, but Alex couldn't take it anymore. "Elliot, please talk to me." she said softly. Elliot checked his rear view mirror to make sure his son was sleeping before he finally spoke.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked curtly.

"I didn't want you to get upset. I thought it would be over once I got here."

"Come on, you said this guy stalked you for what, six months? You really thought he would just give up because you moved?"

Alex was staring at him now but his eyes were focused forward. It sounded so stupid when he said it like that. "I don't know El; I just wanted it all to...go away. I wanted to be with you and for it to be about us not about you yet again chasing down the psycho who's after me. I'm...sorry." Her voice cracked and Elliot looked over just in time to see the tears start in her eyes.

"Aw Lexi don't do that," Elliot groaned suddenly feeling like a jackass for taking out his frustration on her. He could understand her wanting to run away; it was her worst nightmare revisited. He also realized how well she really knew him because all he had been thinking about for the past four hours was hunting this guy down like the animal he was. He unceremoniously pulled over to the side of the road and stopped the car. He silently got out of his side, walked over to Alex's side, pulled open her door and pulled her out of the car.

He embraced her on the sidewalk and she held onto him tightly as a wet spot formed on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Lexi, I'm not mad at you. You're right, ever since you told me what happened, all I can think about is how much I hate this guy for hurting you. I wish I could've been there to protect you. And that's because I love you." They let each other go after a couple minutes and looked in each others eyes. Elliot took both her hands and held them up between their chests. "But I promise from now on, it's about you and me. I'm here for you and whatever you want me to do I'll do."

Alex finally smiled and Elliot's world got a little brighter. "Okay," she said, "There are two things I need from you. First, I want you to let somebody else handle my case."

"Are you sure?" Elliot asked, slightly disappointed. "I'm positive, you have to promise." She replied giving him a Look; Elliot was rendered powerless. "All right, all right I promise. Now what's the second thing?"

In response she leaned forward until their faces were an inch apart. "You have to stop being so angry." And with that she kissed him, slow and sensually. He kissed her back but she stayed in control and he liked that. When she pulled back, he had a big and involuntary smile on his face. "Message received."

She's right there. I could get her right now if it wasn't for that pretty boy detective. It doesn't matter, it's not time yet. She thinks she's happy. She'll never be happy, not if I have anything to do it. She'll pay.

Hmm. I got nothing to say here except stay tuned! I would love to hear some thoughts! xoxo