Chapter 6

Olivia

You know how pathetic it was to be skulking around the corridor, waiting for Elliot to return. How pathetic it was to send him in the first place. But you thought Alex would take it better from Elliot. Or so you had told yourself. More like you were afraid. Afraid of what you're not quite sure.

Afraid to see that crushed look in her eyes when she realises this man she loves is a monster? Afraid to be the one to shatter her fairy tale? As much as she hurt you, you could find no joy in destroying her dreams. Maybe you were just afraid that she wouldn't believe you? That she would accuse you of trying to hurt her out of jealousy? Maybe you just wanted to save face. Wanted her to think you were over her. Wanted her to think that she was as insignificant to you as you were to her. It was petty, but in that moment it seemed important.

To fill in time, you read over the information you had gathered on this man. He had been convicted on several counts of murder and rape. He had served time, and been released only recently on a technicality. It always made your blood boil, the way the system allowed criminals to be set free just like that. Where was the justice for his victims?

The thought that one of you, one of your team who worked so hard every day to lock monsters like that away behind bars, the thought that one of you could fall in love with someone like him, made you sick. To think of her in his clutches, made you sicker still. Yet you knew you didn't have it in you to confront her on your own. Thank God for Elliot.

Elliot, who hadn't wanted to get involved. Elliot who you hadn't wanted involved. You hadn't wanted to see that look in his eyes. That pity. Elliot who knew you so well. Knew your loneliness and pain. But you simply had to show him the things you discovered. And when he realised what kind of a man Alex had become involved with, his anger rivalled your own. He hadn't wanted to be the one to tell her either, but he could see you weren't going to do it. Someone had to.

As sick as you felt reading over the vile crimes that man committed, it was nothing compared to the feeling when Elliot finally recounts his conversation with Alex to you.

"She already knew."

"She knew? Knew he was a child rapist, and a murderer? She knew that?!" You ask incredulously.

"She says he is innocent." Elliot shrugs.

"Oh yeah, They are all innocent." You mumble, not believing it for a second.

She knew? And this is the man she chose over you? You feel like you can't breathe.

"She doesn't understand." You tell Elliot. "She doesn't understand the things he's done."

"I think she does." He answers cautiously. "She was quite insistent."

"You really think he is innocent?!" You demand to know, raising your voice.

"Calm down." He tells you. "I don't know what to think. Alex isn't stupid. She would know if he had done all those things. Surely she would know."

The words make sense. Elliot is right, Alex is far from stupid. But something doesn't quite sit right. What if he is guilty? What if Alex ends up as his next victim? It was unbearable.

"Do you really believe he is innocent? You really think Alex is safe with him?" You ask Elliot.

It takes a moment for him to answer. If he had said yes, if he looked you in the eye and said yes, then maybe you could have let it go. Maybe you would have trusted him. But you know his gut instinct is the same as yours. The man is guilty and Alex is in terrible danger. Elliot refuses to admit it aloud to you. Not wanting to give you any fuel for this crazy mission you're on.

"Well what do you want me to do about it?" Elliot asks you. "She already knows. She doesn't care."

You can't answer him. Really, what do you expect him to do? What is there that either of you can do? It's not like you could kidnap her and lock her away until she saw sense. You'd just have to find a way of keeping a close eye on her, that's all. A way of making sure she was safe. You'd just have to go digging a little deeper to find something to lock this man away behind bars for the rest of his life.

"There must be something we're missing." You tell him.

"Well you're not going to find it tonight. It's late, go home, get some sleep." Even as he says the words he knows you aren't going to listen.

"How can I sleep? Have you read the things that man has done? How could I sleep knowing that she was with him? If something happened to her, I'd never forgive myself."

Elliot sighed wearily as he picked up his coat. "Ok then. Let's go."

And that's how the two of you ended on sentry duty outside Alex Cabot's apartment. It was a foolish plan to begin with, as Elliot reminded you every few minutes. How long could you really sit outside her place spying on her?

Not long, as it turned out. It was less than an hour before Alex happened to look outside her window and see you and Elliot parked in the street below.