" One moment please, I need to check something."
She gives an apologizing look at Alex and she walks out the room, to her bedroom and closes the door.
" Alright, I'm alone now. I'm assuming I will not be suspended now?"
" Yes you're right. Not now. There is no easy way to tell you this so I'm gonna tell it as it is.
Atkins escaped from Rikers, Olivia."
All the color left Olivia's face. She managed to get a seat just in time.
"How? How is that possible?" Olivia asks.
" I don't know how yet. I'm trying to find that out. But on his way out he left a trail of destroying.
One guard they found him dead in his cell with a note on his chest. Two others bonded and knocked out."
" Dammit. Are they sure, it was him who's done it?"
" He did it or someone did it for him. It's the note he left that is important now. It is for you. It says: Expect more body's from your cases Olivia. You know who they will be if you can figure out why I killed the ones I left for you. I need you here ASAP, Nick is free tonight and the weekend to see his daughter. Olivia, I leave it to you to tell Cabot, now or later. I got the call just after our conversation."
" I tell Alex. I have a feeling we need her sooner than later. Thank you Captain for telling me and let me work on this case."
"Get your ass in here ASAP Benson. Bring Cabot with you since you are gonna tell her now. See you soon. Goodbye."
"Got it. I bring Alex with me. Goodbye Captain." Olivia hangs up.
She picks up the lamp on the night stand and throws it at the wall.
" Fuck you Atkins! Your not gonna destroy my life again." Olivia says to herself.
She gets up and walks out her bedroom to find Alex.
The moment Alex sees Olivia she knows something is wrong. She heard something hit a wall. She knows that something is terrible wrong. She also noticed the badge and her gun on her belt.
"What's wrong liv?"
Olivia takes a seat at the couch. Figuring out how she tells Alex what's going on. Alex takes a seat next to Olivia. She puts her hand on Olivia's thigh.
" Liv, talk to me. What is it that gets you so upset?"
Olivia thinks about for a moment. She realized that she's gonna need Alex to survive this nightmare. Alex is her ADA, so she needs to be filled in. With the tears threatening in her eyes she looks at Alex.
" I'm not suspended because Atkins escaped from Rikers. 1 guard is dead and had a note on his chest. Two were bonded and knocked out."
" Oh my God. Oh Liv, I'm so sorry. How the hell did he escape? And what's written on that note?"
Alex puts her arms around Olivia and pulls her close to her body. Olivia let Alex comfort her. Normally she would resist but it's Alex, so she let her. She needs her.
"The captain doesn't know that yet. He just got the call. The note is addressed to me and it says: 'Expect more body's from your cases Olivia. You know who they will be if you can figure out why I killed the ones I left for you.' That's all I know now. I'm sorry Alex. Captain wants me and you at the precinct ASAP."
"Olivia, there is nothing to be sorry for. You haven't done anything wrong. I still regret that there was nothing I could do back then. Accept for the fact I didn't tell you this:
I've should have let you know that I always will trust and believe your word. Even there is nothing I can do because the law doesn't allow me.
I will help you where ever and how ever I can. I care about you Liv, a lot. If I can't help you as your ADA, I will be there as your best friend.
But I need to do my job, as are you. So don't take it personal if I have to reject you for something.
Not because I want to, but because I have to. OK?"
"Thanks Lex. That's means a lot to me. I know I can count on you.
I know you will be there and believe me or trust me.
Just try to find a way to make that clear to me when I'm all hot and buttered. Because that's gonna happen with this scum back. I care a lot about you too. You remember that when I chew your ass out along this road Atkins is taking us."
" I will Liv. Now let's talk about the fact that you can sing, very beautiful, when we have the time for it. Because I can't believe you've been holding me on that Detective. Cooking, singing what's else did you forget to mention to me?" Alex winked at Olivia.
"Now is not the time Counselor. But I promise you to talk about it with you when the time is right.
Now we need to go before Cap will have my ass twice today. Wanna take a cab together?"
"I pulled my car in the garage. Maybe we should take it otherwise it will be here and I have to come here to pick it up. And we never now when that will be."
"Alex, traffic is a bitch right now, you know that. Let's take a cab and I give you the spare key to my apartment. You can come and go whenever you want to. I will like that very much."
"Liv, I'm honored. I know that it is a big stap. I love to be here. The answer is yes. So let's take a cab and I come back later to get my car."
Olivia walks to kitchen and opens a drawer and takes out the spare key of her apartment and the garage.
" Here Lex, here is a key for the apartment and the garage. That way you don't have to ask the security guard. Now let's go Counselor." Olivia smiles at Alex.
"Thanks Liv, lead the way Detective." Alex answers with a similar smile on her face.
Entering the lobby of the apartment building Olivia turns to Alex.
" Can you wait a moment for me here. I need to talk to Ace for a moment."
Alex smiles. Knowing why Olivia wants to talk with the security guard. "No problem I'll just wait here for you."
Olivia walks to the security guard. "Good evening Detective Benson. What can I do for you?"
"Good evening Ace. Actually the evening is not so good. I have a favor to ask you. Two favors to be correct. First can you check everyone who is not living in this building for an ID and write it up for me? Second check my apartment now and then. If Alex will be alone in the apartment can you clear it first before she goes in? And keep an eye on her? We got a really bad case and I want her safe if she is alone in my apartment. I gave her the key to my apartment and the garage."
" Of course Detective Benson. Consider it done. And I will keep an eye on Ms Cabot if she is here alone. I understand it if you can't answer the question, is Ms Cabot's life in danger or yours?"
" I shouldn't tell you this so keep it to yourself. Alex and maybe my life is in danger. Lets say that a man from one of my previous cases is angry with me. Just to be safe and don't get any surprises here, I ask you to do the things I asked you to do."
" I will do as you asked me to do. Don't worry about this conversation, it never happened. Be careful Detective and have a good night."
"Thank you Ace, have a good night yourself."
Olivia walks back to Alex and the leave the building.
Standing outside the building waiting for the cab Alex sees that Olivia is getting more and more nervous.
"Liv, I can see something is on your mind. What's bothering you?"
"Alex, do you have much work to do at your office?"
"No, I don't. Atkins is the only high rated case at the moment. Why?"
" Do you need to work in your office for that?"
" Not particularly. I can work on it else where if I have the papers. Why? What are you worried about Liv?"
"You. I almost lost you once Lex, It nearly killed me. I can't handle it if something happens to you an other time. Atkins is going crazy, acting out of his mind. Trying to hurt me as much as he can. I just... I just will feel better if you are working at the precinct. Closer to me, so that I know you are safe. I know it's crazy."
"Liv, it's not crazy. I understand it. I've worked at the precinct or in the squad room on a few occasions. Mostly when I needed to wait for you being ready to leave. If it makes you feel better I can work there tonight. That way I will not be alone and I will be safe there. Especially when you are there. I know you won't let anything happen to me. I can't be safer then when I'm with you. So let's go to my office to pick up my case and then go to the precinct. Ok?"
"Thanks Alex. It means a lot to me. So first we go to one Hogan and then to the 1-6. You can work at Nick's desk if you want to. He's of duty tonight and this weekend."
"Ok. That's settled then. I work at his desk tonight. If you need to work this night I can go sleep on your bed in the crib. I don't think you want me to be alone when you don't know where Atkins is. I highly doubt it he will come to the precinct, so I will be safe."
"Are you sure? About sleeping in the crib I mean."
"Yes, I'm sure. Neither of us have to worry if I stay in the crib. I have a spare suit in my office for tomorrow. I can take that with me, so that if it is necessary I have it. If not then I can take it back to my office when I get there."
"Ok. If I have to work during the night you stay in the crib."
Olivia flags down a cab.
" 1 Hogan, please." She addresses to the driver.
They arrive 10 minutes later. Olivia pays the driver and leaves the cab. She offers Alex her hand to get out. Alex accepts the gesture and lays her hand in Olivia's and step out of the cab.
Olivia closes the door behind Alex and they walk into 1 Hogan. Taking the elevator to the 5th floor,
Olivia turns to Alex.
"Alex, do you mind if I clear your office first? Just to be safe?"
"Liv, I locked the door before I left. I'm sure it's safe." Alex answers.
Olivia looks at her with a pleading look in her eyes.
" Do it for me, please?"
"Ok, Liv. For you." Alex unlocks the door and step aside to let Olivia pass and clear the office first.
Olivia pulls her weapon and her flashlight and enters the office. There is nobody there. Then she walks to the en suite bathroom and opens the door slowly. Nobody's in there too. She takes a quick look at Alex's bureau desk and she seesthat there is an envelop on top of it, handwritten and addressed to her and "from: me". Looking around she sees a red light flickering on one of the bookshelves. From where she stands she doesn't think she is visible but taking no risks she walks back to the door of Alex office and closed the door behind her.
"One moment, I have to make a phone call. Stay right with me, please." Olivia says to Alex while she pulls out her cell phone and hits the speed dial button for the Captain.
"Don, it's me. Come ASAP."
"Olivia, where? Your home, Alex's home, Alex's office? What wrong?"
"The third option. Also the unit."
" Olivia, what's going on? Third option, you mean Alex's office? And with the unit you mean CSU?"
" Yes that's what I mean. Sorry Don what are you saying? I thought I heard a bird flying."
" Bird flying? O damn it Benson. You mean her office is bugged? Are there camera's too?"
" Yes, I think that's right. I know I saw them flying. I've got to go. See you later."
" Ok Benson, I got it. Are you and Alex alright? We'll be there in 10 minutes. I call CSU. Keep Cabot and yourself safe in the mean time, get that?"
"Yes, fine. Will do that. 10 is ok. Goodbye Don."
"Goodbye Olivia."
Olivia hangs up and motion to Alex to follow her. Alex hesitates but the look on Olivia's face leave no room for discussing it. So she just follows Olivia.
Olivia walks to the restroom at the end of the corridor. Goes inside and closes the door behind Alex.
Alex is getting frustrated.
" What's going on, Olivia? Why can't I go into my office? And what's with the schizophrenic way you were talking when you called? You are acting strange."
"Alex, I will answer you questions in a moment but first I have to ask you a few questions, please , I'll explain it after that. I promise."
" Fine, but it better be a good explanation."
"Alex, when did Jennifer leave? And how late did you leave?"
" Jennifer left at 5 pm. I left around 6 and went to the precinct why? What has my secretary has to do with this?" Alex asks.
"Because something is seriously wrong. When I opened the door to your office I saw nothing. I checked the bathroom, all clear. Then I saw an envelop on your desk. It was addressed to me and the sender was "me" nothing more. We both now who me is I think. Then I saw a red light flickering on one of the bookshelves. That's when I left your office as quick and stealth as possible. Alex, I think your office is bugged after you left, there is a camera at least. That's why I was having a cryptic conversation with the Captain. If there are microphones as well, I didn't give anything away. Captain and the rest of the squad are on their way. He calls CSU to come over too. I can't take any risks. I hope I haven't give a way much in your office. Better keep the dogs asleep instead of waking them up.
I'm sorry for acting strange, I didn't have a choice. I don't know if your office is bugged with microphones so I couldn't talk out free or talking with you with out given something away. Sorry."
"Wait a second, let me get this straight. There was someone in my office leaving a letter for you? They planted a camera there witch you saw, so not very well hided. And the person or persons who did that were there somewhere between 6 and now?"
" Yes that's right. Although the camera is hided. I only saw it because I noticed the envelop on your desk and looked around after that and it was dark. Anyway the Captain and the rest of the squad will be here in 10 minutes. And the CSU will come here too. Until they are here, you and I are going to stay here. I'm not taking any chances right now. We don't know when it was done and if he is still in the building."
" Dammit, this day can't get more worse now."
"Alex, don't jinx it, please."
" Sorry, I didn't mean it that way. But I'm glad that you wanted to clear my office first."
"Yeah me too. I had feeling that something wasn't right. But you know what this means right?"
" No, what do you mean?"