"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 Sincere thanks and apologies. I so appreciate people still sticking with this story-reading, reviewing and sending PMs. I should be working less overtime hours in the coming months which will hopefully lead to more writing. As a reader of more than a few fan fic stories as well, I know how frustrating it can be when updates are few and far between. I'm thinking the majority of you reading my stories already read snuffynyc and kd Williamson. They are absolutely brilliant writers in my opinion. I won't be able to ever match their skills, but besides immensely enjoying reading their work I'm trying to learn a thing or two from them. So if you have yet to discover snuffynyc and kd Williamson highly recommend. You can find both on Live Journal.
"Double Time" Chapter 41
"I couldn't tell her tonight," Erin sighed as soon as she ended the phone call with Olivia. "She's exhausted but she is…I don't know satisfied maybe. They got him…Not only did he murder Sonya, Liv said he confessed to 42 others. One for each despicable year of his life. I don't know that justice can be served, but at least he can't kill again."
"Save the taxpayers money and drop his ass in with the Taliban. Sociopath like that doesn't deserve even lethal injection," Abbie scowled. "Make him feel a bit of the terror and torture his victims did."
"I like your thinking Carmichael," Erin smirked and then took a swig of another fresh beer. "Who knows though they might not kill the bastard…instead make him …I don't know congratulate him for killing American women."
"So when are you going to tell Liv?" Abbie asked softly.
"I guess there's a memorial service for Sonya Saturday afternoon, so I'm thinking I'll wait 'til after that," Erin said leaning back into the couch cushion and propping her feet on the coffee table. "Hell, that's my plan, but she might know something is up as soon as she sees me. What do you think?"
"I think you were right in not telling her tonight, but I agree…and she is a detective," Abbie shrugged her shoulders and smirked, "I think she will sense something right away and when she does I think you should tell her."
"If she does, I won't put off telling her, but I really would prefer not hitting her with it until after the service at least," Erin nodded.
"I knew something was up well before the phone rang tonight. Even as responsible, reliable and courteous as you are, I knew you wouldn't be so frazzled about running a few minutes behind on our dinner plans," Abbie said seriously, squeezing Erin's hand.
"I'm afraid everyone is going to be able to see my fear on this one," Erin muttered. "My fear…my guilt…my anger. God Abbie I took Alex down in that nightclub over a few firecrackers…then I thought I was okay. I relaxed into the routine Liv and I settled into, even though it was only a few weeks."
"And since you've been down here and back to work?" Abbie queried.
"I guess you could say I've had a few restless nights…a few soaked t-shirts," Erin admitted and then chuckled. "And it's not early menopause."
"Didn't figure," Abbie smiled briefly. "Is it the same or similar nightmare each time?"
"All over the map. I think it would be better if it was just one. Sometimes it is the helicopter crashing again…but it's crashing with…God Abbie…this…this is going to sound bad, weird… fuck I don't know," Erin stammered.
"It's okay," Abbie reassured softly.
"It's just me and a faceless pilot on the bird and we go down exactly where Sheila's crash was. And when we hit I can hear Sheila calling for me," Erin said shakily. "And I go…I go running towards her and then I hear three shots…and she falls before I can reach her. And then I feel the barrel of a gun pressed to the back of my head…That's when I wake up…well the three times I've had it so far."
"Did you have similar nightmares soon after Sheila died?"
"No…never before," Erin shrugged. "Usually when she was in my dreams after she was killed it was actually happy or routine stuff. The nightmare was waking up…you know to the reality."
"So you had this one the first time right when you moved down here?" Abbie asked curiously.
"The second Saturday I was here. But if it can make any sense, it did then, at least to me 'cause I had visited her grave that day," Erin chuckled tersely. "Told her that I was happy like she told me she wanted to be…that Liv and I were getting married. God…I don't know…maybe it is as simple as having some underlying guilt."
"I certainly don't know two people more deserving of happiness then you and Olivia," Abbie said sincerely. "And you've said Sheila and you talked…"
"We did," Erin interjected. "I loved her Abs…was in love with her…but it's a different…I don't know…level, intensity with Olivia."
"You two are soulmates or whatever you want to call it. Nothing at all to feel guilty about," Abbie said with a confident tone and a wide smile. "Trust me Alex would have stayed in the fight longer and I would have encouraged her if she or I would have thought you were anything less than the same for Liv."
"Alex is a pretty amazing woman," Erin said as she got up from the couch and headed towards the kitchen.
"She knew Liv would be happiest with you and she is. And yes I'll take another," Abbie said holding up her beer bottle.
"You want another shot too?" Erin asked and Abbie shook her head no.
"Me neither," Erin smiled as she put the liquor bottles away and grabbed two more beers. "Hey Abbie…I know it is a bitch of a thing to ask, but if I don't come back this time make sure you tell her too I want her to move on and find love and happiness again."
"I hate even thinking of that possibility," Abbie said sternly as she accepted the beer from Erin.
"But you…"
"Yes," Abbie nodded and then sat silent for a moment. "Do you want to talk about those other nightmares you've been having?"
Erin took a swig of her beer and smiled. "How 'bout we watch a movie instead?"
"Erin I really don't mind…I mean I think it is good for you to talk. And I don't know really what to say, but if just me listening helps," Abbie said tentatively.
"You've helped a lot Abbie. You really have. I just want to think about something else. Hell, I may be waking you up at 2 a.m."
#-#
"Hey Abbie," Erin whispered softly as she gently shook Abbie's shoulder trying to awaken her. Erin smiled as Abbie mumbled something indiscernible but seemingly in protest as her face turned further into the pillow. "I'm going to get you some coffee," Erin added a bit louder as she shook Abbie's shoulder once more.
"I'm up," Abbie sighed rubbing her eyes and rolling onto her back.
"Not a morning person are you?" Erin chuckled as she walked from her bedroom to the kitchen.
Abbie climbed out of bed and padded to the master bathroom where she saw a still packaged toothbrush and toothpaste waiting for her next to the sink.
"Your coffee is on the counter," Erin said as Abbie walked into the kitchen. "You need cream or sugar?"
"Just cream but I can get it," Abbie said. "God your bed is comfortable. I slept…," Abbie shook her head in frustration at herself. "Shit, how did you sleep? I was supposed to be here for you."
"You were here for me," Erin said patting Abbie on the shoulder. "I slept the best I have since probably I got down here. You're a great friend Carmichael."
#-#
Erin knocked a second time on Olivia's apartment door. They had talked just a few hours before while Erin was on the train and Olivia was getting ready to leave the precinct. Pressing her ear to the apartment door, Erin didn't hear any movement or sounds from the TV or stereo so she sat her duffle on the floor and rummaged through her purse for her keys.
Once she stepped through the door she heard the faint sounds of music emanating from the bathroom.
"Liv," Erin called as she dropped her purse and bag on the couch and walked towards the bathroom. As she neared the partially open door she heard the water from the shower and Olivia humming along to the music. "Liv," Erin said louder as she pushed the door open further, but slowly not wanting to startle her fiancé.
"You're early," Olivia smiled poking her head out around the curtain. Erin cocked her head and arched an eyebrow as she stepped closer.
"I hope you're not disappointed. I could go stand in the hallway for about 20 minutes so that I'm on time," Erin countered playfully.
"Definitely not," Olivia husked as she pressed her lips to Erin's.
"God I've missed you," Erin gasped as they ended the kiss.
"You too," Olivia smiled. "Now go grab a beer and relax. I'll be out in a few."
"You're not going to invite me to join you?"
Olivia lifted her left foot and rested it on the ledge of the tub. "If you join me I won't be able to finish shaving this leg."
"Your legs are gorgeous even with a little stubble," Erin grinned.
"They'll feel so much better smooth," Olivia winked. "And you smell great already. Now get out of here gorgeous."
#-#
Erin eyed Olivia from the couch as the detective stepped out of the bedroom, her toned body and feminine curves only partially covered by a white ribbed tank and a pair of well-worn navy NYPD shorts.
Olivia paused taking in her fiancés form stretched across the couch.
"What are you thinking?" Erin questioned softly.
"How much I've missed us," Olivia said as she stepped closer to the couch.
"Me too baby," Erin affirmed as she spread her legs so Olivia could snuggle up against her across the couch. Olivia leaned down pressing her lips to Erin's as she lowered her body to the couch.
"I'm so sorry about Sonya," Erin whispered as she ran her hands over Olivia's back.
"It sucks," Olivia mumbled, in between soft kisses to Erin's neck. "Thank you for coming baby."
"I wish I could have been here sooner," Erin sighed softly.
"Stop," Olivia said as she unbuttoned two buttons of Erin's blouse and trailed kisses below her collarbone. "You're here now and that's all I want to focus on tonight."
"Did you get to see Alex and Angie after work?"
"I did," Olivia smirked looking up at Erin as she undid the remaining buttons on Erin's blouse.
"And?" Erin smiled.
"And this is a new bra," Olivia hummed as she brought her lips close to Erin's and cupped her breasts with her hands.
"It is," Erin grinned. "And God you feel good…your hands feel so good."
"You feel so good," Olivia smirked. "And they're doing okay. We're going to meet them tomorrow before the service if that's okay?"
"That's good. I just…"
"I know. And I love you because you are so caring for me, our friends, but unless you want to talk now…" Olivia finished as Erin's lips met hers and she felt her fingers slide under the hem of her tank urging it up. Olivia broke the kiss and her tank over her shoulders and off. She slid her right hand over Erin's taut abdomen and deftly unhooked her belt.
"I just want us tonight. I need you."
"Bed," Erin gasped.
#-#
The tip of Erin's tongue caressed Olivia's soaked entrance as her fingers pinched and rolled hardened nipples.
"Oh God Erin," Olivia moaned, wrapping one hand around Erin's head pulling her closer against her. Erin thrust her tongue deep inside Olivia drawing another moan from her lover. "So good…so, so good," Olivia murmured as Erin's tongue continued stroking inside her.
"Delicious and beautiful," Erin purred as she lifted her head and swiftly re-entered Olivia with two long fingers. "Come for me baby," Erin husked as her lips descended around the swollen bundle of nerves.
"Fuck…Erin…God baby," Olivia cried as her hips bucked and her walls clenched around Erin's thrusting fingers.
Erin pressed gentle kisses along Olivia's torso as she savored the small tremors still reverberating around her now stilled fingers.
"Oh God I needed that and need this," Erin smiled as her lips closed around a still erect nipple.
"I love you baby," Olivia said moving to guide Erin on to her back but Erin resisted.
Erin smirked as she released Liv's nipple from between her lips. "I love you too gorgeous, but I'm just getting started with you. Close your eyes."
"I've done that a lot the last few weeks imagining you being here," Olivia chuckled. "I want to savor actually having you naked against me."
"And I'm pretty confident that if you just close those beautiful eyes for a moment," Erin started but finished with a simple thank you when Olivia complied.
"You know one of the things I have been fantasizing about since we've been apart," Olivia continued as she felt Erin shifting on the bed, "is tasting you again."
"Mmmm, I like that," Erin purred and then brought two coated fingers to Olivia's lips. Olivia hungrily took the digits between her lips and Erin moaned as she felt the seductive dance of her lover's tongue around her fingers.
"Definitely more of that later," Erin hummed as she pulled her fingers from Olivia's mouth. Erin brought her mouth to Olivia's ear and she lowered her hips guiding the head of her recent purchase with her hand through soaked folds. "I bought this for us a couple of days after getting my cast off. I'm thinking I'll be better at this with no cast and two healthy legs."
"You were extraordinary slightly impaired," Olivia said opening her eyes and arching her hips seeking more contact. "You are so sexy. I can't get enough of you."
"I love you so much," Erin whispered as she guided the head of the toy to Olivia's entrance.
Olivia slid her hands down Erin's back and turned her head kissing Erin's cheek and then seeking her lips. "Please" she moaned into the kiss as their eyes locked and Erin's hips thrust swiftly forward.
"God you feel amazing," Erin smiled as she eased into a steady rhythm.
"And you are a very good shopper," Olivia murmured as she peppered kisses along Erin's neck and chin.
"Really," Erin husked as she felt Olivia's hands slide lower and cup her ass.
"Oh yes," Olivia moaned. "And you are going to feel just how good later."
"It's pretty damn good inside me now too," Erin panted as she sped up her thrusts. Olivia wrapped her calves around the backs of Erin's thighs and dug her nails into tight, rounded cheeks.
"Fuck Erin," Olivia gasped before biting down on exposed flesh of Erin's neck.
"God I love you," Erin cried as she slammed harder and deeper and felt Olivia shudder.
"Come with me babe," Olivia gasped again, crashing her lips to Erin's.
#-#
"What are you thinking?" Erin asked softly as she watched Olivia's fingertips tracing lazy patterns across her stomach. Olivia tilted her head up from Erin's shoulder and chuckled.
"A whole bunch of sappy stuff that a year ago I wouldn't have thought myself capable of feeling or having."
"Such as?" Erin asked as she continued stroking her fingers along Olivia's back.
"That I can't believe I have your ring on my finger and you're wearing mine. That Fin caught me looking at a Brides magazine and I actually asked his opinion on a few dresses in it," Olivia grinned.
"Do you have the magazine here?" Erin questioned with a wide smile.
"No," Olivia said, lightly pinching Erin's side. "We were waiting at the hospital on a case to talk to a doctor. I found it in the waiting room while Fin went to get us some coffee."
"Current issue? Or was it one from like four years ago that you usually find in waiting rooms?" Erin inquired.
"Not telling," Olivia whispered as she pressed her lips to Erin's.
"Please," Erin murmured as she nibbled on Olivia's lower lip.
"I've decided that I definitely want to surprise you on our wedding day," Olivia said as she swung a leg between Erin's and peppered kisses along her collarbone. "You…you manage to make me all sappy and romantic…and I want to take your breath away when you see me on our wedding day."
"You already do that Liv," Erin said with a sincere smile. She stroked a hand through Olivia's hair as she felt her tongue swirl around her once again erect nipple. "So does that mean you know what you would like me to wear?"
Olivia lifted her head and then pressed another kiss to Erin's breast. "It should be your choice babe."
"I went back and forth on whether a dress or my Blues for proposing. If you have a preference I really would rather know."
"Okay then, Blues…and then for the reception I figure if we want, we both can change into something more casual," Olivia said enthusiastically.
"Works for me. And since we're on a roll, we really should set a date and find a location. And let my dad know about the cruise."
"I really like the idea of a 10-day cruise around Alaska…and definitely an all women cruise. Your dad though he doesn't…
"Your future father-in-law wants to, so please Liv lets let him do it," Erin said as her phone began vibrating on the nightstand next to the bed.
"It's Abbie," Olivia said as she grabbed the phone.
#-#
"Hey Carmichael, what's up?" Olivia answered as she rolled onto her back and put the phone on speaker.
"Just had a question for your better half…but listen I'm really sorry about Sonya. You doing okay?"
"Much better since Erin got here. Thanks for your concern Abs…I do appreciate it…but we're just enjoying tonight."
"You two deserve it and sorry for interrupting," Abbie replied.
"No worries, we were just doing naked wedding planning," Erin replied with a chuckle.
"You two are genius," Abbie laughed.
"Oh c'mon you and Serena haven't done some of the planning that way?" Olivia questioned.
"So you didn't mean it was going to be a nude wedding?" Abbie kidded. "Seriously though Serena and her mom are doing most of the planning on ours. I just sit on the couch and nod while they Skype."
"What are you doing tonight?" Olivia asked.
"Just watchin' TV with the dogs. Petraeus is fitting in well, but Erin the reason I was calling was your note in his bag said that he is supposed to get one orange pill each evening, but I've checked three times and there aren't any."
"Sorry Abbie. I'm sure I forgot to put them in his bag. Don't worry about it though, it's just a multi-vitamin that Jeff started giving him while I was in Afghanistan. He'll be fine without until I get home Sunday night."
"If you tell me what kind I can just go to Petsmart tomorrow," Abbie volunteered as Olivia excused herself to go to the kitchen.
"You're really missing Serena, aren't you?" Erin asked as she sat up and brought the phone to her ear turning off the speaker.
"I am, but I do have to run some errands tomorrow so it's not a problem."
"They're called Senior Chews and thanks," Erin said sincerely. "And thanks again for being there for me."
"Off speaker right?" Abbie asked softly.
"Yep."
"You're still going to tell…"
"I don't know."
"Erin," Abbie said firmly.
"Like Liv said we're just enjoying tonight," Erin said and smiled as Olivia returned to the bedroom with two glasses of water.