Location: Olivia's Apartment.
"Kathy, please," Elliot pleaded urgently over the phone. "I don't want to argue. And I don't want to talk about a divorce right now. I just need you to listen to me."
He peered through the blinds, searching the streets for any sign of the Shadow Stalker. His eyes combed over every car, pedestrian, and alley in sight. He saw nothing, but that didn't make him feel any better. He was sure the Shadow Stalker was out there somewhere, watching his every move.
"Take the kids and leave," Elliot instructed Kathy. He moved away from the window and began pacing around the living room. "You need to get somewhere safe. And do it as quickly as possible...I can't explain it right now. Just do as I say...I'll call back as soon as I can...Tell the kids I love them...Bye."
Elliot closed his phone and tossed it on the coffee table. He heard the bedroom open and turned his head. Olivia emerged wearing blue and gray plaid pajama bottoms and a blue tank top. In her hands, she carried a pillow and a couple of blankets.
"Here you go," she handed him the bundle.
"Thanks," he took the bundle from her and sat down on the couch. "And thanks again for letting me crash on your couch. Again."
"Well," she sat down next to him. "The crib is no longer safe for you to hide out in. And somebody had to save your ass from the wrath of Cragen. And being you're partner, I thought it should me."
Although Elliot would never admit it to Olivia, the real reason he agreed to stay at her place was to protect her, to keep her safe.
"That may be true," he chuckled. "But I don't think Cragen's finished with me just yet."
"He's just worried," Olivia put a hand on his shoulder. "We all are. Don't worry, El. We'll get him. Have you talked to Kathy?"
"Just got off the phone with her," Elliot replied. "She and the kids are going to her sister's house in Jersey. They'll be safe there."
"That's good," Olivia told him. "So what happens now? What's the plan?"
Elliot shrugged. "The Shadow Stalker is watching me. So he can anticipate my every move. And until we can figure out who he is and what kind of game he's playing, we have to be careful. And we have to watch our backs."
"I figured as much," Olivia spoke quietly. "And, um...how about...us? About what happened the other night? Are we...?"
Olivia couldn't finish her last question. She couldn't find the right words. But somehow Elliot knew what she wanted to say. He had always been able to read her like an open book. She could never hide anything from him.
"I don't know," Elliot looked at her. "Even though we're separated, I still care about Kathy. But I also care about you. Very much. And that night, I felt something strong between us. And it's been growing stronger ever since."
"I felt it too," Olivia confessed, gazing into his eyes. "I still feel it. But I could never come between you and Kathy. Or your family."
"I know," Elliot's gaze transfixed on Olivia. "But I can't risk putting either of you in harm's way. I've put you in enough danger already."
"I'll be fine," Olivia assured him. "I can take care of myself."
Elliot put an arm around her. "I just don't want to see you get hurt. I don't think I could handle it."
Olivia tenderly kissed Elliot. For she could no longer control the urge. The feeling was too strong. Elliot suddenly realized what was happening and quickly pulled away. He stood up and started to walk away. But Olivia followed him.
"I can't...," Elliot started to say. "We can't keep doing this."
Like Elliot, Olivia too could read her partner. And she knew exactly how he felt.
She hugged him gently. "I'm scared too."
Elliot cupped her face in his hands. "I would die before letting anything bad happen to you."
Even though this was the first time he ever told her, Olivia had always known it to be true. She had always felt safe with him. As long as Elliot was around nothing bad could happen to her.
"I know," Olivia stared deeply into his piercing blue eyes. "And I'd do the same for you."
He pressed his lips to hers, engaging in a very passionate kiss. Neither could no longer resist the intense pull between them. And when they finally kissed, the pull seemed to wrap around them like a cocoon as it grew steadily and intensified.
They fell against the wall behind Olivia and frantically shed their clothing. Olivia ran her fingers through Elliot's hair as he showered her neck with sweet kisses. He lifted her up ever so gently, holding her up between himself and the wall. She moaned softly, breathing quickly and shallowly, as he kissed his way down to her breasts, tenderly fondling and kissing each one. Elliot placed his hands underneath Olivia, holding her up as she wrapped her legs around his waist. His manhood pressed at her opening, feeling the moisture build between her legs.
Olivia moaned, clinging to his broad, muscular shoulders as he entered her and began thrusting, slowly and deeply. The passion began to grow inside her, between them, becoming increasingly stronger. Elliot groaned aloud as he thrust deeper and faster, massaging her insides. Meanwhile, Olivia's moans became louder as her body moved up and down along the wall, moving with each of his powerful thrusts. A storm of passion swelled inside them, driving them over edge. Olivia's hands left his shoulders and latched onto his ass, driving him even deeper inside her. Elliot pulled one hand out from under her and placed it firmly against the wall. He knew neither of them could hold it in much longer. He moaned and panted as he began to thrust deeper and harder, driving into her pleasure spot again and again causing Olivia to tremble fiercely and moan loudly. Suddenly, she cried out as she and Elliot reached their climax together.
As they caught their breath, Elliot began to slowly put Olivia down. Her legs were still shaky that she lost her balance and stumbled. But Elliot caught her and carried her to the bedroom. He gently laid her on the bed and crawled in beside her. He put his arm around her and held her as they continued to catch their breath. His fingers on her skin electrified her, making her body quiver. His touch was intoxicatingly wonderful like a strong aphrodisiac. How was it just his touch could do that to her body? Olivia wanted more.
She kissed him sweetly, pulling him on top of her and positioning herself beneath him. Once again, Elliot entered her, pushing deep inside her. The storm of passion reignited within them even more intense than before. Olivia released a long, loud moan as she dug her nails into Elliot's back, clinging to him for dear life. He grunted hard and grabbed Olivia's hips as he moved deeper, harder, and faster inside of her. The storm of passion intensified into a hurricane, raging inside of them, consuming them whole. Olivia lay moaning loudly and clinging to the sheets, her body convulsing beyond her control and her head tossed to and fro. Elliot's thrusts became increasingly powerful, slamming into her pleasure spot over and over, again and again. Finally, Olivia screamed in ecstasy as orgasm after orgasm tore through her body like a tornado. Still clinging to her hips, Elliot reached his climax, spilling his seed inside Olivia.
He fell to her side, out of breath and shaking. He looked over at Olivia, who was trembling and equally out of breath. He held her closely and kissed her softly.
"Oh, god!" Olivia exclaimed breathlessly. "That was... Oh! I never knew...It could feel like... I completely understand...why you have five kids."
Elliot laughed. "And I understand why Brian Cassidy was so crazy about you."
Now it was Olivia's turn to laugh. "Oh, my God! El, that was twelve years ago! And besides, it was nothing compared to this."
Olivia kissed him as she rolled over closer to him, resting her head on his chest. She slipped his hand in his, intertwining their fingers. Meanwhile, Elliot's other hand gently stroked her hair. She looked up at him and smiled as she became lost in his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Elliot, however, could not sleep. He had far too much on his mind. But as he watched Olivia sleep, he began to think about their relationship and how it had changed over the years. They had been through so much together, good and bad. They had always been there for each other. They understood each other, had a deep connection.
Suddenly, Elliot came to a realization. And he knew what he had to do. He carefully and gently squirmed out from under Olivia and out of bed. He went into the living room where he found his phone still on the coffee table where he left it.
He picked it up and dialed a number. It began to ring.
"Hello?" answered a voice on the other end.
"Kathy, it's me," Elliot spoke quietly, not wanting to wake Olivia.
"Elliot?" Kathy grew concerned. "Is everything okay?"
"Yea," he lied. "I've been doing some thinking. Did you and the kids make it to your sister's place alright?"
"We're fine," she replied. "They're asleep. You can talk to them in the morning. Thinking about what?"
"About us," Elliot confessed. "And a lot of other things. Do you still want a divorce?"
"I do," Kathy spoke honestly. "I mean, I care about you, but I can't keep going through this. I can't-"
"I know," he interrupted her. "And if it's really what you want, I'll give it to you. I don't want to fight anymore."
"Really?" she was quite surprised.
"Yea," Elliot said. "I'll come over in the morning and sign the papers."
"Okay," Kathy agreed. "Good night, El"
"Good night, Kathy," Elliot said as he hung up the phone.
He put the phone back down on the coffee table. But no sooner had he stood up did the phone start ringing. Thinking it was Kathy again, he answered the phone without bothering to look at the caller ID.
"Hello?" Elliot answered.
"I see you took my advice," said a disguised voice. "How was she?"
It was the Shadow Stalker. Elliot could never forget that voice. No matter how hard he tried.
"Well, if it isn't my biggest fan," Elliot quipped sarcastically.
"Don't flatter yourself," snapped the Shadow Stalker.
"Then why do have such a hard-on for me?" Elliot scoffed.
The Shadow Stalker chuckled. "I just like watching you squirm. Besides, I have an even bigger hard-on for Olivia. I bet she was a juicy piece of ass."
"Leave her out of this," Elliot voice began to rise, almost forgetting Olivia was asleep. He quickly calmed down. "I'm the one you want."
The Shadow Stalker said nothing. He just laughed. Elliot needed to remain calm. He couldn't let the Shadow Stalker get under his skin. Elliot had to figure out his true identity somehow.
"I'm tired of playing games," Elliot said sternly. "What do you want?"
"Your head on a silver platter," the Shadow Stalker sneered. "And you're going to serve it to me."
"Fat chance," Elliot got up off the couch and peeked through the blinds.
"You'll never catch me," said the Shadow Stalker in a rather cocky tone.
"I caught you once before," Elliot reminded him, hoping the Shadow Stalker would let something slip. "I'll catch you again."
"That was beginner's luck," the Shadow Stalker quipped. "But you're no match for my intellect."
"Is that so?" Elliot said coolly as he scanned the room.
How was the Shadow Stalker watching him this time? There no webcams or security cameras. Had he somehow bugged the apartment?
"Of course," said the Shadow Stalker confidently. "You still haven't figured out who I really am."
"We're getting close," Elliot lied, still trying to get the Shadow Stalker to slip up.
"Even so," the Shadow Stalker taunted. "I've got the upper hand."
"Meaning?" Elliot inquired.
"I'm in control here, Elliot," explained the Shadow Stalker. "I see and know all. I control what happens to your family and the pretty partner of yours. And I control whether you live or die."
"Stay the hell away from them!" Elliot clenched his fists.
His temper began to flare. He took a deep breath to calm himself down.
"Or else what?" teased the Shadow Stalker. "You'll kill me? That would be rather difficult considering you have no idea where I am."
"That's what you think," Elliot retorted.
"Well," the Shadow Stalker said smugly. "While you're busy looking for me, I'll be taking a trip to your sister-in-law's place in Jersey."
"Stop it!" Elliot commanded.
But the Shadow Stalker pressed on. "Or maybe I'll snatch your partner out of the bedroom where she is resting so peacefully."
"Enough!" Elliot cried out.
He quickly and quietly made his way to the bedroom. He inhaled deeply as he turned the knob and opened the door. He silently peered inside and exhaled when he saw Olivia sleeping soundly. She looked so beautiful with the blanket draped over her body and her silky hair falling around her face. Elliot stood in the doorway watching over her while the Shadow continued taunting him over the phone.
"So what's it going to be, Elliot?" the Shadow Stalker asked, menacingly. "Are you willing to let the people you care about die while you hide like the cowardly bitch you are?"
Even though the Shadow Stalker was only baiting him, Elliot couldn't help but feel that he was right. He had to figure out a way out of this mess without his family or Olivia getting hurt in the process. If anything ever happened to them, Elliot would never be able to forgive himself.
"What do you want?" Elliot demanded.
"You know what I want," the Shadow Stalker reminded him in a sinister tone.
"There has to be another way," Elliot insisted.
"I'll tell you what," said the Shadow Stalker. "I'll give you twenty-four hours to make your decision. Then I'll make my move."
There was a click and then silence. Elliot put his phone down and crawled back into bed next to Olivia. As he lay there watching her sleep, he made a vow that he would never let anything happen to her. And that he would whatever it takes to catch the Shadow Stalker. Elliot repeated the conversation in his mind over and over again, searching for anything that stood out. At first, nothing seem to pop out, but then he remembered something the Shadow Stalker said.
"That was beginner's luck," the Shadow Stalker quipped. "But you're no match for my intellect."
Elliot sat right up in bed as the answer struck him like a flash of lightning.
"I know who are, you son of a bitch!"
Location: SVU Squad Room. The Next Day.
"Benson! Stabler! Munch! And Fin!" Cragen called out. "My office. Now!"
The four detectives got up from their desks and followed Cragen into his office. Inside, TARU Technician Ruben Morales was sitting at Cragen's desk typing away at his laptop. Huang sat in the chair beside him.
"Shut the door," Cragen instructed.
Munch closed the door.
"Captain, what's going on?" Fin asked.
"It's not safe to discuss this case out there," Cragen explained. "Not with the Shadow Stalker spying on us. So I had Morales do a full sweep of my office. There's not a single bug, spycam, webcam, or whatever in here. This is the only place where this case is discussed. Understood?"
The four detectives and Morales nodded in response.
"So what have we got?" Cragen asked.
"The phone dump was a dead end," answered Munch. "The call was made by a disposable cell phone which was untraceable."
"And what about the webcams?" Cragen questioned. "Were you able to get a trace?"
"I'm still working on it," Morales replied, still typing away. "But this guy is a genius. He created a program that prevents him from being traced. Whenever I get close, the program sends out a bug that redirect my signal. So far, it misled me to several banks, a school, and Mercy Hospital."
"But can you crack it?" Cragen inquired.
"Yes," responded Morales. "But it will take time."
"Well, keep working on it," Cragen ordered. "Right now, that's our best lead."
"Maybe not," Elliot spoke up. "The Shadow Stalker called me again last night?"
"Where?" Cragen demanded to know. "Here?"
"At Liv's," Elliot lied. "I crashed on her couch."
He proceeded to tell Cragen about the conversation, omitting the part about Olivia.
"But I've figured out who he is," Elliot added. "His name is Randall Wilkerson."
"How can you be sure?" Cragen asked.
"He slipped up big time," Elliot explained. "When I told him I caught him once and I could do it again, he said it was beginner's luck and that I was no match for his intellect."
"What does that prove?" Cragen was curious.
"Well," Elliot continued, handing Cragen a case file. "Wilkerson was my very first collar. I caught him rewiring an ATM to spit out all of its cash. He's a computer genius. As it turns out, the Feds had their on eye him too. He was a hacker who embezzled money from local banks. He'd got a job as a teller where he would infiltrate the bank's computer system He then created a computer program that would hack into the system's files and steal a little bit of money from each account. Whenever the Feds got close to tracking him, Wilkerson would quit his job and move to another city."
"Where he would repeat the process," said Munch, connecting the dots.
"Yes," Elliot nodded. "The Feds took over my investigation after I collared him. They searched his computer and found the hidden bank account where he stashed all the money he embezzled. Thus making their case against him solid. But while we had him in custody, he told me I was no match for his intellect."
"According to his file," Cragen read aloud. "Wilkerson was released from federal lock up last year."
"So, if this is our guy," Fin said. "Then how do we find him?"
"I say we use Elliot as bait," spoke Huang.
"I agree," Elliot looked over at Olivia, thinking about his vow.
She returned his stare with one of fear and worry.
Huang discussed his findings. "Wilkerson is a sociopath. He's manipulative, unfeeling. He hurt all those women just to get to you. He showed no remorse for his actions. He believes he's far more superior than everyone else. He probably felt entitled to all the money he embezzled, like it was his right. He'll do anything to get what he wants and not care who he hurts to get it. He thinks he's invincible. That he can do whatever he wants without consequence. He believes you challenged his superiority and took away his invincibility when you arrested him. That's why he's so fixated on you. Sociopaths take pride in degrading and humiliating their victims because they don't see them as people, but as instruments of torture to get what they want. And I bet Wilkerson is willing to go to great lengths to make you suffer. He perceives you as a threat. His one weakness. He feels if he kills you, he regain his invincibility."
An awkward hush settled over the office at Huang's final words. It seemed to forever. Finally, it was Elliot who broke the silence.
"How do you want to play this?" Elliot asked Cragen.
"We figure out how to lure him out," Cragen spoke. "And keep you alive and in one piece. We know who he is now. Find out everything you can about him. Maybe we can figure out where he's hiding. Or his next move."
"There maybe more information in his FBI file," added Huang. "I'll take a look and let you know what I find."
"Thanks doc," Cragen said, then turned to Elliot. "Let me know the moment Shadow Stalker calls you back."
"Will do, Captain," Elliot told him.
"As for the rest of you," Cragen looked around the room. "You have your orders. Get to it."
With that, they all went to carry out their assigned tasks. Huang went to the FBI headquarters. Morales packed up his equipment and moved it out to the squad room where he continued his work. And the four SVU detectives sat down at the desks and searched for every piece of information they could find on Randall Wilkerson.
Elliot, on the other hand, could not get the Shadow Stalker's words out of his mind. He repeated the conversation in his mind over and over again. He had to figure out how to beat the Shadow Stalker at his own game.
Meanwhile, Olivia kept glancing at Elliot as worry and fear ran through her mind. How could he agree to such a plan? What if something bad happened? Or what if he was killed. She couldn't take it anymore.
"El, could I have a word with you?" Olivia stood up from her desk. "In private?"
"Sure," Elliot stood up and followed her out to the hallway.
They found an empty interrogation room to talk. Once Olivia had shut the door, she finally let her emotions spill out.
"Are you crazy?" Olivia cried out. "How could you agree to this?"
"Liv, I have to do this," Elliot spoke calmly.
"Don't give me that bullshit!" Olivia snapped. "You're going to get yourself killed!"
"I know what I'm doing," Elliot placed his hands on Olivia's shoulders. "I can't let him hurt you when I'm the one he wants."
Olivia began to weep. "I know. But I can't lose you."
"You won't," Elliot assured her. "We'll figure something out. Everything will be okay."
"Just promise you'll come back to me," Olivia kissed him tenderly.
"I will," Elliot promised, gazing into her eyes.
He held her close as he kissed her back. What if this was the last time they held each other? What if this was their last kiss? No! Elliot forced those thoughts out of his mind. He will come back to her. He refused to let the Shadow Stalker win.
"We'd better get back to the squad room," Elliot insisted.
"You go ahead," Olivia wiped her tears. "I need go to the bathroom and freshen up."
Together, they exited the interrogation room and made their way down the hall. Elliot watched as Olivia walked into the bathroom. He stood outside the door wondering if he should wait for her or go back to the squad room. But before he could decide, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to find he had a new text message.
Congratulations, it said. You've figured out who I am. I'm impressed. You're smarter than I thought you were.
Elliot didn't need three guesses to figure out who sent that text message.
It hasn't been twenty-four hours yet, Elliot texted back.
His phone buzzed a moment later. Another text.
The rules have changed, it said. I didn't expect you to figure out my identity soon.
That bastard! Elliot thought as he became infuriated.
Elliot texted back. You can't do that!
A second later his phone buzzed as he received another text.
I can do anything, it read. My game. My rules.
Elliot's blood began to boil as his temper began to flare. It took all the strength he had not to punch the wall. Again, his phone buzzed in his hand.
And so begins the next and possibly final round, read the message.
Before Elliot could text back, another message appeared on the screen.
Here are the rules, it read. Leave the precinct alone and unnoticed.
And go where?Elliot texted.
Another message appeared. I'll send you directions.
Elliot looked around. Could he really go through with this? He needed to somehow signal his colleagues without spooking Wilkerson, who was undoubtedly still watching him. Maybe he could "accidently" knock something over, making his exit noticeable. His phone buzzed again.
Don't do anything stupid, said the message. You wouldn't want anything to happen to your precious partner. Would you?
There was no way Elliot would risk hurting Olivia. He had no other choice but to follow Wilkerson's instructions. For now anyway. He started to walk to the elevator when he suddenly got an idea. He opened up his phone again.
I have to get my jacket, he texted. If I leave without it, they'll get suspicious.
Elliot waited for a response. When his phone buzzed, he quickly opened it.
Very well then, it read. Tell them you're going out for coffee.
Elliot had bought himself some time. He had to think quickly. He walked back into the squad room and over to his desk. As he grabbed his jacket, he made sure to catch the attention of Munch, Fin, and Morales.
"Leaving already?" Fin asked, a little surprised.
"No," Elliot spoke, calm and collected. "Just going on a coffee run. You guys want anything. It's on me."
And of course, Munch, Fin, and Morales couldn't pass up that offer. As they gave Elliot their orders, he grabbed a notepad wrote them down.
"Don't forget to ask Liv what she wants," Munch called.
"No need," Elliot told him. "I know how she likes hers."
"Sure you do," Fin teased.
"Very funny," Elliot shot him a dirty look.
Elliot intentionally passed Olivia's desk as he left and pretended to trip and fall. Then he purposely knocked over some papers and let an envelope slip out of his pocket and into the bottom drawer of her desk. As he stood back up, he shut the drawer and began picking up the papers, slipping a note in between the sheets.
"You okay?" Morales reached out his hand to Elliot.
"I'm fine," Elliot took his outstretched hand. "I just tripped. That's all."
As Morales, Fin, and Munch exchanged puzzled looks, Elliot quickly and quietly left the precinct.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Olivia broke down in tears again. Even though she wasn't very religious, she closed her eyes and said a prayer for Elliot.
Oh, God, she silently prayed. Please watch over Elliot. And bring him back to me when this is all over.
Olivia opened and stared at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy. Her makeup had began to smear. As she washed her face, she made a silent vow. She promised herself to have Elliot's back throughout this mess, even if she didn't agree with the plan. She was his partner after, all. Through thick and thin, good and bad, Olivia would always have his back.
After she finished cleaning herself up, Olivia exited the bathroom and reentered the squad room. She saw Fin, Munch, and Morales, but Elliot was nowhere to be found. A bad feeling entered the pit of her stomach in the form of a knot.
"Where's Elliot," Olivia looked around the room.
"He went on a coffee run," Munch answered.
That should've made Olivia feel better but for some strange reason, it didn't. Elliot would never leave without saying goodbye to her. The knot in her stomach only thickened and tightened.
"He didn't ask me if I wanted anything," Olivia said, noticing the mess of papers on her desk.
"He said he knows what you like," spoke Fin. "By the way, he tripped over your desk on his way out."
"That explains the mess," Olivia commented as she sat down at her desk.
Something still seemed amiss. Elliot doesn't trip. But then again, Elliot had a lot on his mind lately. He hasn't been thinking clearly. Maybe she was worrying for nothing. As she shuffled through the papers, trying make sense of the mess, she came across something that didn't belong. A yellow Post-it note was stuck to the back of a case folder. Olivia carefully peeled it off as she read it.
S.O.S. ELwas all it said. Olivia immediately became filled with fear and concern. But she had to remain calm in case Wilkerson was still watching. She slowly and silently took out her cell and sent a text message. Then as calmly and as casually as she could she got up from her desk and went into Cragen's office.
Once, again Morales, Munch, and Fin exchanged confused stares.
"What's going on?" Morales asked, puzzled. "Am I missing something?"
"Must be a full moon tonight," Munch quipped.
"Can't be," Fin teased. "If it was, you wouldn't be the only weirdo here."
Munch opened his mouth to comment, but the room suddenly became filled with buzzing and beeping. All three of them checked their phones, then stared at each other. As if speaking in a silent code, all three knew they had received the same message from Olivia.
Cragen's office. NOW!
Stay tuned! More to come soon! Feel free to read and review!