Disclaimer: I own no official SVU characters or story-lines, obviously.

One week later...

Chester was cuddling with his pregnant wife in the hospital room that had become her new home. He wasn't allowed to sleep with her, so every morning when she woke up he would crawl into bed with her and hold her. He would tell her that he loved her and that everything was all right. Then they would wait for her new, female doctor to come for her daily check-in.

He hadn't left Casey's side in the full week since they'd arrived and it had been a rough one. Casey did not want to be there. She seemed afraid of everyone and everything around her. She seemed to cry more than she actually spoke. She needed him with her all the time, and he never wanted to let her out of his sight again. That's why today was so terrible.

Chester was required to testify on a case today. His pregnant and re-traumatized wife was barely functioning, and he had to leave her. He hated himself for it.

He hated a lot of things lately. He hated that he couldn't take her home where she felt safe. He hated that he couldn't take away any of the pain she was going through. He hated that it was almost impossible for them to focus on the joy of being parents. Most vehemently, he hated the man-no, the monster- who was plaguing her nightmares.

It was probably a good thing, that Chester was with Casey every second. If he had gotten even a few minutes alone he would have had time to think.

If he'd had time to think he would have thought about Danny Keagan raping the love of his life.

He would have thought about that disgusting pervert touching her beautiful, perfect body with his filthy hands. He might even have been able to picture Casey crying and struggling while she was being violated by her own brother-in-law.

If Chester had been able to leave the hospital, he was sure he would be in jail right now on murder charges. Again.

Meanwhile...

The new detectives at the 1-6 were getting nowhere with finding Alex's stalker.

Rollins and Amaro had spent the past week digging through some of Alex's old case files from New York and D.C. looking for any perp who had made personal threats against her and checking out possible suspects.

Nick Amaro walked into the squad room early that morning with coffee in hand. He found his partner Amanda already at her desk flipping through a file marked "Livia Sandoval".

"Rollins we've been through that case a million times," Nick said, in lieu of a good morning, "None of the lowlifes in there are our guy."

Naturally, after learning about the events leading up to Alex's time in WitSec, they had paid special attention to the case that had put her there.

Amanda did not look up. "I know, we checked 'em all out, but my gut's still tellin' me our guy has somethin' to do with this case. I just...have to figure it out that's all."

"Well, while you're doing that, I'm gonna actually get some work done," Amaro replied, "If we don't make some headway on this case soon, Stabler's gonna lose it."

"What, you scared a Stabler now?" Amanda asked with a cheeky grin.

"Naw, I just don't feel like gettin' my face bashed in, the guy's a total head case." Amaro replied, visibly annoyed. He sank into his chair and started pulling more files out of the box next to his desk.

Amanda muttered "sissy" under her breath before turning back to her file. She was not afraid of Elliot. She admired his strength, and his chiseled features. They worked in silence for a few moments before Amanda had an idea. "Hey, what if we talk to Alex again? Ask her if there's something about that case that isn't in this file?"

"I don't know, "Nick replied, "The captain told us not to stress her out."

"I know but it will only take a second. Just a few questions." Amanda pressed.

Amaro turned toward her and gave her a hard look. She was really serious. "All right, I'll back you on this but you're going to have to call Stabler yourself. I'm not doing it."

Amanda smiled to herself. She had absolutely no problem calling Elliot Stabler.

At the Stabler house...

At 8:30am, Elliott was sitting up in bed with his laptop, corresponding with the realtor that was handling the sale of his apartment. His pregnant fiancée was checking on his two-and-a-half year old son.

Alex came back into the bedroom after a few minutes carrying little Eli, his pudgy little legs were wrapped tightly around her large belly. Elliott frowned over the top of his computer.

"33 pounds Lexy, the kid weighs 33 pounds."

"The minute he opened his eyes he turned over and reached for me. What was I supposed to do?"

"You're supposed to tell him to get up. He's not a baby. He can walk."

"I know, he just...wouldn't stop crying." Alex replied sadly, hugging the little boy close to her.

Eli wrapped his arms tighter around Alex's neck. Alex rubbed his back gently and whispered, "It's all right, Mama's here."

Elliot's brief irritation melted as he watched the sweet moment. When Alex had decided to be Eli's mom she had done so wholeheartedly. She was referring to him as 'hers' increasingly often and he had called her nothing but 'mama' since the first time he said it.

"Honey, I know you love him," Elliot said, and Alex smiled, "but he's too heavy. Doc says 20 pounds max, plus you're supposed to be on bed rest."

Alex sighed and sat down on the bed with Eli on her lap. "See? I'm resting. I'm fine." she said huffily. Elliot answered her by leaning over and kissing her on the lips. Alex couldn't help but reciprocate. Soon little Eli reminded them that he was in the room by punching his father in the shoulder.

"All right bud, I get it, sheesh," he told his son, sticking his tongue out playfully. Eli mimicked him and then giggled.

Elliot looked at Alex and noticed she was staring at his computer screen with a frown on her face.

"What's wrong babe?" Elliot asked.

"What are you doing?" Alex questioned.

"I'm talking to Brenda about the apartment. She's trying to explain what 'staging' is to me," Elliot replied.

"El, do we really have to move?" Alex asked softly.

"Lexy, we talked about this..."

"I know, but...I just...I don't want to move again, because of him."

"Lexy, come on, you know that's not what this is. You don't feel safe here anymore. I'm not okay with that."

Alex crossed her arms. "I'm fine El, really. I'm over it."

Elliot narrowed his eyes at her. "Oh you're over it? Really?"

"Yes, I am" Alex replied.

Elliot closed his laptop. "Then why do you still sleep in sweats?

"Because it's cold in here." Alex replied matter-of-factly.

"Uh huh, and why do keep showering in the dark?" Elliot challenged.

"I'm...conserving energy," was Alex's reply, though she averted her gaze.

Elliot stared at her. "And why haven't you let me touch you in over a week?" he asked in a low voice. Elliot didn't want to sound insensitive, but it was the truth. He hadn't even seen her naked, let alone got anywhere intimate with her, since before they found 15 hidden cameras in various rooms of their apartment, 8 days ago.

Alex was quiet. Prior to very recent events, intimacy was not lacking in their relationship. The answer to Elliot's question was she didn't know if she could ever have sex in this house again. Even though she knew all the cameras were gone, she still felt like she was being watched all the time. The fact that some violent psychopath had seen her naked and making love to her fiance made her almost continuously nauseous and most definitely not 'in the mood'.

The only response Alex could muster was a full face blush.

"You don't feel safe here," Elliot reiterated gently, sliding his hand into hers, "It hurts me. I just want us to be normal again. Also, I think a fresh start in a new place would be a good thing... for all of us." He nodded at the little boy now dozing in-between them.

Alex nodded and ran her free hand through Eli's soft curls. "Maybe you're right."

Thanks for reading...and still reading if you've been following since I started this 3 years ago! :D I will be finishing this story and updating chapters about this size much more often! Please review, let me know what you think, constructive and kind criticism is encouraged! xoxo