"Double Time" Sequel to "Stepping Time" (Highly recommend you read Stepping Time before starting this sequel but including a brief synopsis of where Stepping Time ended below chapter one)

The main characters of Law and Order SVU belong to Dick Wolf and NBC Universal. This is meant for entertainment, not profit.* There are several characters I have created. I hope you enjoy, and I welcome feedback.

Author's Note #1 (Especially for laurelhardy) Characters guide-Primary SVU Characters Olivia Benson, Alex Cabot Primary Original Female Characters Army Lt. Col. Erin Mathison, Attorney Angie Secondary SVU and L&O Characters Elliot Stabler, Casey Novak, Abbie Carmichael, Serena Southerlyn Secondary Original Characters Jeff Stockton, Amelia Stockton, Dylan Mathison, Petraeus (Erin's Chihuahua), Senator Rushing, TJ McCoy

Author's Note #2 Once upon about 20 or so chapters ago, the chapters were somewhat synching with the actual months. Now however-incredibly behind, but thankfully two very welcome developments have happened in the real world. Gay marriage legal in New York and DADT certification-so on Sept. 20, 2011 gays and lesbians will finally be able to serve openly. Besides being incredibly happy with both, referencing both here because currently in Double Time it is only Feb. 2011 and DADT certification and gay marriage in New York are not yet realities for Liv and Erin and the others.

Author's Note #3 Taking a little bit from Season 12 episode "Pursuit" for this chapter and possibly the next. "Pursuit" is the episode where Sonya Paxton returned for a final time and it happened to air in February. Harding, played by Debra Messing, was the character who hosted a program like "Dateline Predator." In the "Pursuit" episode her sister had been murdered 25 years earlier and Paxton had been involved with that case from the start. I know "Double Time" certainly isn't cannon, but liked Paxton and my muse wanted to incorporate a little bit of that cannon in Liv and Erin's world as "Double Time" wraps up. #-#

"Double Time" Chapter 39

"You're still in your Blues," Olivia commented as her Skype call with Erin began.

"I just wanted to get home and see you and talk to you. I'm so sorry babe that I can't be there for you," Erin sighed.

"How did you find out?" Olivia asked. Since Olivia had been about to step into a cab with Cragen when Erin called while driving home from the senator's they had agreed to Skype instead when they both got home.

"I would have found out earlier if I would have set some of my Google alerts to come directly to my phone instead of just my e-mail. I'm so sorry," Erin said sincerely.

"Erin please stop apologizing. So how did you find out then?" Olivia queried again as she stood up from the couch to go to the kitchen and grab a beer. "I'm just grabbing a beer," Olivia shouted from the kitchen.

When Olivia plopped back on the couch with beer in hand Erin was away from the camera on her laptop. When she returned moments later her dress blue jacket and blouse were gone, replaced by a Texas A&M t-shirt.

"You could have at least stripped in front of the camera babe," Olivia smirked.

"Still have to lose the uniform pants, but they aren't so uncomfortable," Erin smiled as she took a sip of her own fresh beer. "And to answer your question I got a long text from Elliot just as I was getting ready to leave. And about that same time TJ pulled me aside. He had just seen it on the internet."

"What did Elliot's text say?" Olivia huffed.

"Baby don't be pissed at him. I would have called you as soon as I found out anyway," Erin countered. "I'm glad he sent me a message. I just wish I would have found out earlier."

"I didn't have time to call you until just before you called anyway," Olivia shrugged her shoulders.

"When were you going to call?" Erin queried.

"Probably not until the morning," Olivia admitted. "But I really am glad we are talking now…I know you have to get up early though."

"So do you babe. And do you really think I'd get much sleep without talking to you?" Erin smirked. "Besides I know neither of us average more than six hours of sleep a night anyway, even figuring in days off or vacation."

"Ain't that the truth," Olivia replied after taking a long swig of her beer. "So how was the dinner?"

"You really want to hear about that?" Erin asked sincerely, "What about…?"

"Can we talk about your day first, please?" Olivia stated more than asked. "I will tell you…I just need…"

Erin nodded in understanding, knowing how many phone calls she had made to Liv from Afghanistan where she wanted to at least initially talk about anything other than 'her day. 'Erin continued, "Well it was at her residence in D.C., but it wasn't the intimate dinner I was led to believe, unless 35 to 40 people can be considered such in D.C. politics. But they were mainly staffers so it was pretty relaxed."

"So were you paraded around by TJ as the lesbian colonel?" Olivia questioned with a laugh.

"Would have preferred that," Erin laughed. "Think most of her staff already knew that…just putting a face with a name. Instead it was "war hero" crap," Erin said using her fingers to make air quotes. "Think TJ was a bit disappointed my cast was off."

"Sounds like TJ," Olivia smiled.

"I don't know babe. That was about it. The food was good. The part of her townhouse we saw was beautiful. It was a pretty enjoyable evening."

"That's good. So did you get to speak to Senator Rushing at all?" Olivia asked.

"Yes. And it's kind of ironic that I get handpicked for this position, partially because I am a good looking lesbian with a hot detective girlfriend…

"Fiancé," Olivia corrected. "And you are better than good-looking. You're beautiful."

"Thanks sexy," Erin smiled widely, "but I was actually paraphrasing the Senator who called you hot and me good-looking."

"And she was commenting on our physical qualities why?" Olivia asked.

"That it is ironic that despite all the planning because DADT isn't certified, I can be the spokesperson for it of course, but I probably have to stay pretty much in the closet until the 60 days after it is certified," Erin smirked.

"Get out," Olivia exclaimed. "Why?"

"It is still being debated above my pay grade, but the concern is that if the DADT colonel is out before then, some troops might be confused and come out too, which could cause needless problems and headaches for commanders. The court injunctions have already spurred a few cases that are being handled quietly."

"Are you okay with that?" Olivia asked.

"Yeah…I don't need the personal press. Keeps us private…a little longer at least…and takes some wind out of Rushing's PR sails. I mean some of the press I have met already know I'm gay…Rushing kind of leaked that to a few of her favorites. But they're cool, they understand where things are at," Erin said.

"Didn't she anticipate this prior to now? Hell she had you picked for it months ago," Olivia questioned.

"Exactly, months ago…when she and others thought they could get the repeal passed without the need for certification and then a 60-day waiting period. Wouldn't have gotten the votes in the House or Senate from a few moderate democrats and some of what turned out to be decisive republican votes without those additions to the repeal legislation," Erin fidgeted a hand through her hair, "Liv…can you tell me a little more about this case? About today? Are you safe? Why did he come after Sonya?"

"I'm fine…I'm safe. Door is locked and deadbolted," Olivia said reassuringly. "The bastard needs to worry about me, not the other way around."

"C'mon…" Erin sighed. "He's a serial killer, and in less than a week a body dump of six and now an ADA…"

"Erin…it's okay. I'm not downplaying it. Obviously he is dangerous, but he also is now reckless and desperate. We're close and we're going to get him…And I promise you despite my anger and hate of this vile piece of shit, I will not take any unnecessary risks to catch him."

"Thank you," Erin said softly. "I know your job is dangerous…everyday…This one though…like you said desperate and he…"

"Erin," Olivia interrupted. "I promise as soon as we slap the bracelets on him I will at least text you," Olivia said firmly. "Erin…I might have been a little…brave and crazy…check that reckless earlier in my career…but I've seen too much…been too close…I know I'm not invincible."

"Because we have both stared the possibility of death in the eyes…so any disillusions of invincibility have long since disappeared…maybe if there is any part of that which is good it's that we know how precious life is," Erin proposed.

Olivia gazed at Erin and let a slight smile emerge. "I have too much to live for now to take any, as you would say unnecessary risks. And damn it I know life isn't fair, but we deserve our happy time and a helluva lot more of it," Olivia ranted.

"We sure do," Erin agreed.

"God Erin…it's such a fucked up world," Olivia exclaimed.

"I know baby," Erin nodded.

"Did Elliot's text say that I was the one who found her? I mean Fin was pretty much right behind me…but he slashed her neck…and I knew she was dying…she knew she was dying," Olivia shook her head. "It's such a helpless feeling. And it's so fast…but yet it's like frozen in time…and all the things that ran through my mind."

Olivia drained the remnants of her beer and gestured with the bottle to the screen indicating she was going to grab another one before Erin could even respond.

"God that woman could piss me off," Olivia continued before she was even seated back on the couch. "But you know I also respected her…she acknowledged her fuck ups and confronted them…so many just deny, blame and/or run away. She wanted to do better, try and make a lot of things right and I was cheering for her."

"She was making amends," Erin added. "Trying to be better."

"I know my mom did the best she could…As I got to know Sonya better I saw a lot of similarities between them…and not just the alcoholism," Olivia sighed. "Her last words were about getting him. We figured out that she meant that she bit him…and Melinda did recover one of his hairs from Sonya's mouth and his blood once she got Sonya on the table at the morgue."

"So you got DNA," Erin commented.

"Yeah…and we don't in his other murders so this will bring him down. I keep trying to keep myself thinking that it brought her peace…knowing that after 25 years she did play a significant part in getting the bastard," Olivia muttered.

"I think from what you've told me about her it probably did Liv," Erin surmised. "I don't think any fighter wants to die, but certainly none want to die in vain."

"She definitely did go down fighting. And I…we need to ensure it wasn't in vain by catching this guy," Olivia stated firmly.

"I know you will…but babe why did he go after Sonya?"

"We have a few theories," Olivia replied.

"Care to share any?" Erin smirked nervously.

"I think to get at Harding, for her taunting of him on the video. He obviously enjoys, in his mind, the game the two of them are playing. He raised it with the six bodies and she raised it with her fucking news piece calling him out," Olivia said tersely.

"Was the news piece that ran on the local affiliate the same that aired nationally?" Erin queried quickly.

"The one on the affiliate here was a little longer, but it was basically the same b-roll…"

"Were you in it more?" Erin questioned forcefully. "I just pulled up the national one on my work laptop and you can see you pretty clearly twice. I pulled the video up on my phone on the drive home, but pretty much could just listen to it then."

"Erin…I'm being careful. Honest. I'm not going to bait him. I'm just going to catch or help catch him," Olivia reassured.

"If that Harding bitch tries to bait him with you like she did Sonya, I'll kill her," Erin said in a rage that Olivia had never seen before.

"Erin," Olivia almost yelled and then paused, taking a deep breath. "We're really close to getting him…and trust me Harding will not be airing anything else, or doing anymore interviews until after we do."

Erin shook her head before continuing. "I just wish I was there or better yet you were here and not on this case."

"I can quickly recall a few Taliban hunts I wish you wouldn't have had to go out on," Olivia smiled trying to lighten the mood.

"Awwww fuck," Erin sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm certainly not helping here."

"It's okay. I wish I was there with you too," Olivia said as she heard her iPhone ring.

#-#

"God how is Alex handling this?" Erin asked right after Olivia ended the phone call with the ADA.

"I'm glad she's up in Albany with Angie. Of course Sonya's murder in itself has her upset, but she admitted it has caused some flashbacks for her too," Olivia sighed.

"For you too?" Erin asked softly.

"Yeah…," Olivia chuckled humorously. "Most vividly actually at the scene and a few times since. I looked away for a second while my hands were applying pressure and when I looked back down and saw them covered in blood…I saw Alex on that sidewalk again."

"That's understandable," Erin nodded.

"Really? I mean I guess it is…but is it understandable that when I saw Sonya again and not the image of Alex I was grateful?" Olivia commented somewhat tersely.

"It sure the hell is understandable!" Erin exclaimed. "When I saw Elliot's text and ADA and murdered in it…fuck my heart rate…I think I read it three times to make sure it said Paxton and not Alex or Cabot."

"Well Captain Cragen said something similar," Olivia said.

"I think it is back to our reality of having seen too much death. Maybe the only way to stay sane sometimes is to be grateful that it wasn't one even closer to you. Baby, don't beat yourself up over thinking that…for being relieved that it wasn't Alex," Erin said almost pleadingly.

"Getting a master's and becoming a part-time professor is becoming even more appealing," Olivia let out a frustrated laugh.

"Alex would be a great professor too…but I'm just going to get another beer," Erin smiled. "It has to be 100% your decision."

"My decision now is to take you to bed," Olivia smiled when Erin returned.

"Naked?" Erin questioned with a grin.

"It is technically Thursday now which can mean the end of the discussion for now on an awful Wednesday," Olivia said as she placed the laptop on the bed and propped some pillows against the headboard. "And also since it is Thursday that means only eight more days 'til I can have your sexy naked body pressed to mine."

"And cast free body," Erin purred. "But I just made a decision too and it's not going to be eight, it's going to be one. I'm driving up Friday after work."