To End the Nightmare

Ch. 6

Disclaimers see Ch. 1

Olivia knew she shouldn't be amazed by what Katherine Cabot could accomplish when she put her mind to a task, but the fact that they were about to enter the courthouse from a delivery vehicle at the delivery elevator had to be a brilliant plan. As she looked out the front windows to see if anyone else was in the alley Olivia felt Alex squeeze her hand. "I know Mackenzie and Elliot are taking care of things, but I can't help wanting to be extra careful with you."

"Liv…" Once Alex got Olivia to turn and look at her she reached her hand up to stroke her cheek. "You can be as protective as you want, just remember I am not going anywhere without you for some time to come."

Olivia fought the lump in her throat as she thought about all the times in the last two years she would have done anything to have Alex back by her side. "Like I would leave your side after finally getting you back." Olivia's voice nearly broke as she fought the remnants of her memories. Their moment was broken by Elliot opening the van door. "All clear?"

They all walked silently down the back corridors of the courthouse everyone looking for the next threat. As they neared the elevator Agent Mackenzie pushed Olivia in front of Alex as she noticed a woman striding purposefully toward them. "Is there something I can do for you?" The harshness of her tone gave away Randy's tension.

"No need to hide Olivia and Alex from me Agent Mackenzie." As Randy tensed and reached toward her holster Olivia moved around in front of her. "Benson, when were you going to let me in on the story?"

As Alex came around Randy's side to stand beside her Olivia reached out to shake her former ADA's hand. "Look at that Hang 'em High Carmichael is in town. Did we do something special to get your attention?"

Pulling first Olivia and then Alex into hugs Abbie smiled at Agent Mackenzie. "Well, it seems Agent Mackenzie has stirred up quite the hornets nest and the Justice Department seemed to think a friendly face would go a long way to getting some cooperation."

"If you think we are going to…"

"Whoa, Randy." Olivia wheeled around to stop Randy before she put her foot in her mouth any further. "Trust me when I say this is one of the good guys. Abbie Carmichael is true blue law and justice."

Randy looked at Abbie and tried not to scream. Olivia had been so adamant about the fact that she could trust no one, but now all of a sudden she wanted her to trust this woman who she'd never seen before. "Olivia, I thought we agreed…"

"Agent Mackenzie, feel free to do whatever you find necessary to check me out. You will find that I have no part in the problems you've discovered. And if Olivia would've been willing to let me in on everything maybe we could've worked together all along."

"Abbie, it wasn't that I didn't trust you, I just…"

"Didn't want me caught in something if you choose to go outside the lines. I know you Benson, do you really think I wouldn't have planned for that scenario?" At Olivia's guilty look Abbie decided to let it go. "It doesn't matter now, seems your mother-in-law decided to call in some favors and viola here I am. So I suggest we get this show on the road and make our first move."

"Are you always this bossy?" Randy's irritation was barely controlled and she decided before she did something stupid they better get going. "Let's head upstairs, Ms. Carmichael I assume you are coming with us."

"You lead, I'll follow." Seeing Randy's glare lessen a little Abbie almost smiled. Guess I'll just have to turn on the southern charm to get her to thaw a bit.

"None of that Carmichael she is happily married." At Abbie's confused look Alex almost broke out into laughter. "And she is a doctor to boot."

"Whew, I thought I was slippin'!" Abbie smiled as she tried to imagine what kind of person peeled away the controlled persona of Special Agent Randy Mackenzie. "She must be a saint," Abbie whispered to Alex.

As they entered the elevator Alex wrapped one arm around Olivia and the other around Abby. "Looks like the three musketeers have been reunited."

Olivia chuckled at Alex's comment. "Abby have you got a chance to meet with Casey Novak?"

Abby sighed and thought about the not so successful meeting she had with ADA Casey Novak this morning. "I did, but I am not sure she is happy to have met me." At Olivia's glare Abby knew she better explain. "Olivia, I know that you all are territorial over this case, but it is way beyond just what has happened in New York or to Alex. I have no choice but to take over the case." As Abby felt Olivia pull into herself and close off she knew this wasn't going to be easy. "Liv…"

"No you don't, Carmichael. You know what we have all been through and you know that no one else wanted to help until we have everything figured out. Now you want to be the puppet sent by the puppet masters to take the credit. FUCK YOU!" Right then the elevator doors opened and Olivia sixth sense had her pushing Alex behind her.

"Ah, if it isn't Detective Olivia Benson just the person I was looking forward to meeting."

Abby knew it was now or never as the man was distracted by leering at Olivia and didn't realize that Randy had slipped from behind Abby and out the door. "Hargrove, decide to turn yourself in?"

As former DEA Special Agent Hargrove turned to look at the woman who had addressed him he was brought to his knees by a sudden exploding pain in his arm. His overconfidence in the fact that Olivia Benson had been shot had caused Hargrove to be overpowered by an angry and adrenaline fueled Detective, "Hargrove, I am so happy to find you willing to surrender."

Randy held her gun to Hargrove's head as Olivia removed the gun from his hand. "It will truly be a pleasure to lock you up along with Vallez. Maybe I'll even let him know how you led us to him before I put you in a cell together."

Abby couldn't believe how lucky they had gotten by Olivia and Randy's quick reactions. Turning to ask if Olivia was ok as Agent Mackenzie hauled a handcuffed Hargrove to his feet she noticed Olivia's face turning pale. "Liv?"

Alex heard the concern in Abby's voice as she watched Olivia's body start to shake. Wrapping her arms around Olivia as best she could Alex tried to keep Olivia from falling to the floor, "Andrew, I need some help here."

Two days later

And now we go to the Courthouse where Lee Daniels is awaiting Assistant US Attorney Abby Carmichael's departure from the trial of Caesar Vallez.

"Ms. Carmichael what can you tell us about your case against accused Drug Lord Vallez?"

"As you all know the Justice Department has an on-going investigation into Mr. Vallez's activities as well as other persons of interest. At this time I am not at liberty to comment on the investigation or the current trial of Mr. Vallez."

"What about the revelation that New York Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cabot is alive and has said she can identify her attacker?"

"As I said I can not comment."