Chapter 80

Disclaimer: see Chapter one.

Author's note: Well this has been the longest time in coming! Not sure anyone is still reading this or remembers it but it's a story which has haunted me and always called for an ending. So that's what I'm trying to achieve, all these years later - so many life changes since then, some great, some absolutely not. But anyway, if you remember this story, are reading it for the first time or still dip into it now and again, thank you. I hope you enjoy the below and that it is still reasonably up to par with the previous chapters. I'm rather rusty at writing these days.

AOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOA

Wednesday April 22nd 2009

03.47

Midtown South Precinct, West 35th Street

"Let's see it then," Alex demanded as soon as she entered the squad room.

"Sorry to call you in so early, Counsellor, but we appreciate you coming down so quickly," Morientes acknowledged, his face solemn. In a softer voice, he discretely advised her, "we've set up in one of the soft interview rooms, fewer prying eyes in there just in case this lunatic has anyone on the inside assisting him. Ms Carmichael is waiting in there for your arrival." He opened the door and ushered Alex inside, closing it swiftly behind him.

"Alex, how are you? How's Liv? What did you tell her?" Abbie bombarded her blonde colleague with questions as soon as she laid eyes on her, sweeping her up into a warm embrace before holding her at arm's length. Both of them grimaced at their evident fatigue, the early hour not being the only cause for this.

"She knows it's related to Sam's case but that it's not Elliot or Sam's parents. Beyond that, Liv knows nothing at this point, for her own protection." Alex withdrew from Abbie's arms, placing her attache case beside one of the chairs angled towards the TV screen which had been set up. "Shall we see what he was so desperate for Liv to know?"

With a firm nod, Morientes plugged the USB device into the laptop which had been rigged up to be viewed through the TV screen. The blackness gave way to a leering image of O'Keefe, looking unkempt, his eyes manic.

"Detective Benson, take a look at your latest handiwork. YOU are responsible for this woman's death. Death, murder, decay - they follow you wherever you go, whatever you touch. Are you haunted by it yet? Do you see me in your dreams? Do you ever think of our beautiful little boy? The one you betrayed and left to that monster's mercy? And what about your fiancee? Do you still think of her, see her face in those precious moments before you left her to die? Or is she too relegated to a forgotten pile of trash left by the wayside now you have a new playmate? You certainly stick to type don't you, O-liv-ia although this blonde seems to have more of a stick up her ass than sweet innocent Samia. Is she cold and stern in bed too? Is that why you like her, does she put you in your place and remind you what a piece of utter trash you are? Do you think she'd enjoy a visit from me? Or maybe your Southern Belle would appreciate my talents more. She seems like a livewire, I think I'd enjoy going toe to toe with her and watching all that energy flicker out and fade away to nothingness. Maybe I'd leave her alive in body but so utterly broken that her spirit would be gone for good, dead inside just like I am so you'd have to face her every damn day knowing it was you who made her that way. What do you say, shall I arrange to meet them both and you can decide their fate? Hmmm seems like that would be fitting. You see, I have no need or interest in killing you. Why would I when I can make your life a living hell just like mine and my family? Why should you or any of those you care about be spared this pain when we all have to live with the consequences of your neglect for the rest of our lives?"

"We need to take this as a serious threat to both of you. He's already shown what he's capable of and that he's not afraid to go after anyone, no matter who they are or what they do. I want to make the necessary arrangements to get you both secure accommodation until we catch this freak," Morientes advised gravely, pausing the footage and making to place a call on his mobile.

"Or we use this as leverage to lure him out to a place we can apprehend him," Alex argued. "He wants to use Abbie and I to get to Liv, so let's use that to our advantage. Use the security for Elliot and his family and Liv. Leave us as the only ones he can get to, draw him out into the open. He looks like he's unravelling, we can capitalise on his deteriorating mental state and give him enough rope to hang himself with."

"I agree, if we go into hiding, who's to say he won't come after Elliot's family or Gina and Fausto instead? I don't much like the idea of walking around with a target on my back but if that's what it's going to take to finally stop this mad man, so be it." Abby indicated they should continue to watch the video sent by their foe.

"I'd like to say this one was a challenge but poor, sad Sandy didn't see it coming at all. The hot-shot lawyer completely undone by a hot-shot!" O'Keefe cackled manically at his own joke before dropping his expression to one of stone cold malice. "Make the most of your loved ones Benson, I'll be ripping them away any day now."

Alex shivered, a chill coursing through her as the deranged man seemed to stare through the screen and deep down into her soul.

"Christ, what other footage do we have? Do we have any leads on where he might be now? How long ago this was filmed?" Abbie asked hotly, barely refraining from pacing around the small cramped room which suddenly felt claustrophobic.

"Not yet but we have all border patrols on alert, all ports, air terminals, you name it they're looking for this guy," Sykes offered by way of reassurance.

"Which was the same case before he went on his jollies down to visit Sandy. Didn't do her much good, did it?" Alex snapped, knowing it wasn't the fault of the two detectives before her but needing to let out some of her anger and frustration. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her at the thought of Liv being alone at the apartment, a sense of ominous foreboding settling in the pit of her stomach and refusing to budge.

"So, say we are bait, we need to work on what that is going to look like. O'Keefe is going to know we're in court with the Jackson trial. Inside the courthouse, I'm willing to stake my life on being safe enough. Too many people to get in his way, he wouldn't have the level of control he wants in that setting. Possibly the same with the DA's office although I'd wager something less valuable than my life on that given we both know there are gaps in the security there. He's going to want to make it personal, close quarters I'd say. Collateral damage seems meaningless at this juncture, it wouldn't benefit him, wouldn't achieve his agenda. He says he wants Liv to choose which of us lives or dies so he's going to need to approach all three of us." Abbie's mind was racing through scenarios trying to determine the most logical point of greatest weakness for them both. "Assuming he's now working alone, he won't approach us while we're together. Two of us versus one of him, he couldn't risk either of us getting away and scuppering his plans. He'll want to be as certain as possible that he'll succeed. And he'll need some place to take us, to hold us. Have we looked into financial records, building leases, owned property, shell corporations, anything that might link him to anywhere in New York?"

"So far nothing has popped that has given us any reason to dig deeper but we haven't been looking for somewhere he could hold anyone, more places he could lay low, build more explosives. I'll get the guys switching it up as soon as they come on shift. As for more footage, there are sightings of him at a truck stop using the restroom but external cameras don't give us any definite direction so he could be hitching with any trucker or even stowing away in one," Morientes offered.

"Any chance he could have stolen a rig? A big enough trailer, be easy enough to hide a couple of bodies, warm or otherwise, in for a time," Alex suggested, finding it easier to be dispassionate if she didn't associate with being one of the bodies in question.

"We'll look at reports for stolen vehicles on that route to be sure. Unfortunately, I don't think we can rule out most anything with this whack job. He's spiralling, he's gearing up to go out in a blaze of glory and off his head on gear looking at the state of him in that video footage. Sleep deprivation, smack and psychosis are a trifecta I don't want to underestimate the potential for carnage with," Morientes stated grimly. "There were some unusual transactions we're looking into, look like renovation supplies on the surface but heavy duty stuff." The detective pulled a sheet showing lists of figures, some highlighted. "We got receipts from the vendor, all of them have a postal box address which we're still working on tracing." He produced the copies of receipts illustrating the breakdown of materials purchased.

"This doesn't look like standard building materials," Abbie mentioned, showing the documents to Alex.

"He's soundproofing somewhere or something, reinforcing walls, possibly doors too." At the skeptical stares she received, Alex clarified, "I have a panic room at my apartment. These are similar to quotes I received from the company who built it. I didn't want my safety to be in the hands of cowboys so I did my due diligence and researched the best set-ups."

"Does Liv know you have that?" Abbie asked, glossing over the acknowledgement of Alex's lingering fears from her time in Witsec.

"Not yet but she will as soon as we're done here. It's a comforting option to know it's there should we need it," Alex explained. "What about Kate, do we need protection for her too?"

"I'm not sure we could stretch to that. She has no connection to the case beyond her involvement Ms Carmichael and the threat is specific to yourselves," Sykes offered brusquely although both women detected the hint of frustration he felt at leaving any lone woman vulnerable in the face of the monster they sought. "With the extra information about the soundproofing, we'll lean on the necessary channels to get that address the PO box is registered in ASAP."

"In the meantime ladies, don't travel anywhere alone; stay in well populated, well lit areas, preferably with as many cameras as possible; and don't make any unnecessary journeys." Morientes cautioned sagely.

Alex reached out her phone and tapped out a short message to Olivia, letting her know she and Abbie were both fine but that there had been a development which meant the threat level had been raised against them all. She kept the message brief, fully expecting a return call and knowing Liv would have struggled to settle after she left. Not one to disappoint, the brunette's number flashed up on Alex's screen mere moments after the message had been sent. Alex stepped to the corner of the room, now containing only herself and Abbie, who was steadfastly busying herself with looking over documents the two detectives had left with them.

"Hi Liv," Alex greeted her lover softly.

"What's going on Alex?" Olivia demanded, heart thudding in her chest and mind racing with the possibilities for what the latest twist had been in the whole sorry affair.

"Sandy Brunswick is dead," Alex explained as dispassionately as she could. "Liv, there's no possibility it's not O'Keefe. He got to her even though she was in Florida and he left a message again. It's veiled, it's non-specific as to times or dates but there is a very credible threat of further attacks against those he holds responsible for Eddie's death." The blonde attorney neglected to mention that it was herself and Abbie who now seemed to be squarely in the deranged killer's firing line. "I need you to know something and I really hope it's just a precaution that you'll never need to use but there is a panic room inside my apartment. At the back of the walk-in closet, there's a panel in the wall. If you open that, there's a keypad. Liv, do you have something to write the combination down on? I want you to know it, I need to know that you know it, for my peace of mind. That way, should he come looking for you at my place, you know you have an escape, somewhere you'll be safe."

"Is he coming after me directly?" Liv queried, still unconvinced her death would suit his agenda. Alex's pause did little to persuade her otherwise. "Al, please, has he threatened you?" The usually unflappable blonde struggled to compose a response that she didn't fear would send the older woman fleeing from her life. The seasoned detective picked up on the silence, using it to fill in blanks for herself. "Promise me you'll accept protection. Please, promise you won't try to use this to lure him out or something equally dangerous."

"I can't do that, Liv. He needs to be stopped," was the attorney's only response.

"Not at the expense of your life!" Olivia exploded. "Is Abbie there? Let me speak to her, surely she'll see sense."

Wordlessly, Alex tapped Abbie on the shoulder with the outstretched device, requesting she take it. "Liv, it's Abbie - I don't like this any more than you do but we have no choice now. He's gearing up for his grand finale. If we don't take the heat, who is to stop him coming after Gina, Fausto, Elliot and his family? We three are the last line of defence against this maniac. We're all paid to protect and serve. I'm in, Alex is too. Can we count on you to do what we ask you to do, when we ask you to do it?"

The line was silent for a moment as Liv digested the Texan's admission that all three of them had been implicated in the threat. "What do you need from me?" the brunette intoned when she next spoke, resolve hardening to see the man, who had wrought such destruction and devastation, prevented from doing any more harm.

"Right now, take the code for Alex's panic room and memorise the shit out of it. Honestly, I am praying with all that I am that you won't need it but it's one less thing to worry about should it come down to that," Abbie replied solemnly.

"Got it, can you put Alex back on for me?" Liv requested, throwing in a gentle, "Abbie, for the love of God please be careful. No more death, no more loss, please."
"I can promise to do everything within my power to make sure of that, Liv, you have my word," the raven-haired woman promised vehemently. She passed the handset back to Alex, whose colour was showing signs of beginning to return.

"Liv…" Alex began only to falter again and fall silent.

"It's OK, Alex. It's going to be OK. We are going to be OK. He won't beat us, no matter what he tries or what he thinks. We know he's coming this time, we can work together and put an end to this, without anyone else getting hurt." The brunette hoped her words sounded more confident than she felt. When Alex still didn't respond, the detective continued, warming to her theme. "He got to Sam because she was an innocent, no training, no paranoia or preconceptions. We're all different. Life has conditioned us to be wary, to be aware, of those around us and our surroundings in general. So we play to our strengths, we use our observational skills and we find him before he has any chance to enact his latest cruel blow."

Hearing her lover's impassioned words, the rationality behind them, steeled Alex's resolve. "You're right, Liv. We will. He's taken his last bow as far as I'm concerned, he gets no big finish and definitely no encore." After receiving assurances that Liv was poised and ready to receive the code, Alex passed on the combination to enter the hidden fortress within her home, explaining what was inside and reassuring her that it could only be overridden from the outside by that same code so if she needed to use it, if any of them did, they were assured of some measure of security. Ending the call, Alex ensured Abbie too had the same code, "in case we use it and can't get out for any reason," Alex explained gravely, knowing only too well there was every possibility they could end up trapped inside, mortally wounded, in the event of a home invasion and ensuing struggle.

AOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOA

Wednesday April 22nd 2009

08.46

New York City Supreme Court

"Well as starts to the day go, this one is turning out to be a peach!" Abbie groused as she and Alex strode towards the courtroom. Neither woman had managed to return home for more than the necessary shower and change of clothes before they had to head into work and as a result, both were running on caffeine alone.

"Any prickles on the back of your neck while you were out and about?" Alex asked, feeling a growing anxiety settling within the pit of her stomach.

"Plenty, ones I doubt will budge until this son of a gun is locked up...or otherwise dealt with," Abbie admitted, having paid much closer attention to her surroundings than she might otherwise have done on her journey.

Together they pressed on through the doors held open by the guards posted outside, security having been ramped up in deference to the raised threat level. Despite their earlier surmisation that O'Keefe would be foolish to try anything in the courthouse, no one wanted to leave anything to chance. The courtroom was already bustling with reporters and interested onlookers. The two women made their way to the prosecution's table, setting out their papers and preparing themselves for the day ahead. A sudden additional flurry of activity spilled over into the room and had them both spinning around on their heels to see what the excitement was, twin expressions of dread marring their faces.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could please ask you all to leave the courtroom, follow the instructions of the officers outside and remain in the holding area you are directed to please. The Courthouse is being evacuated as a safety precaution. Please do not run or push. We will get you all out safely if everyone follows the instructions they are given." The security guard began ushering those closest to the doors out through them, bidding people to stay calm as fear threatened to overwhelm good sense in some of those rushing to leave.

"Ladies, I need you to come with me now." Detective Morientes had the good grace to grimace apologetically as he announced his presence on the opposite side of the table Alex and Abbie had been setting up at, startling both of them. "A bomb threat has been called in, credible enough that no one is willing to take any chances."

Bundling the documents back into their cases, the ladies hurried to accompany the fair haired officer back the way he had come, through the less well travelled corridors of the courthouse, away from the bulk of the crowds and out of a fire escape at the side of the building.

"Is there really a bomb do you think or is this him trying to lure us out into a situation where it would be easy to lose track of one another and snatch one of us?" Alex queried, not entirely sure she wanted to know either way and certainly not having expected any action so swiftly after the threat against them had been discovered.

"No way to know until the bomb squad complete their sweep of the building and all surrounding vehicles. Until we know either way, we have an armoured vehicle waiting to take you to the precinct." It wasn't a suggestion, that much was abundantly clear by the way they were swept along and into the aforementioned vehicle.

"Could just be yanking everyone's chain, getting his rocks off by having everyone jump to his whims while he waits to do what he's really planning to do," Abbie contemplated, before urgently enquiring, "was Jackson already in the building? Is he secure?"

"On his way back to Rikers, never got out of the transport," Morientes assured the women. "He has his own fleet of armed guards too, three marked vehicles, two unmarked. Not an attractive or easy target for a lone wolf." Abbie released a relieved sigh, grateful that a prison escape seemed highly unlikely at least.

AOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOA

Wednesday April 22nd 2009

09.31

Manhattan SVU

"Detective Benson, a word please," Captain Cragen requested brusquely, tone brooking no argument.

"Cap?" the brunette queried as she entered his office, following his non-verbal instruction to close the door behind her.

"The Courthouse where Jackson's trial was taking place has been evacuated. Alex and Abbie are safe, they were taken straight to the precinct by Detective Morientes and should be arriving there any time now. All I know so far is there was a credible threat to security so given current circumstances, a full evac was ordered. Bomb squad are doing their sweeps of the building and surrounding area, so far nothing of note has been found. I'm telling you this because I didn't want you hearing it on the grapevine and understandably worrying about Alex's safety. It's not an invitation to leave the station, am I clear?" Don kept his steady gaze on the younger woman, his eyes imploring her to understand he knew she would want to fly to her partner's side but that it was neither safe nor the most prudent course of action at the present time.

"Of course," Olivia replied evenly. "Alex spoke to me earlier, I know that O'Keefe has made somewhat explicit threats against myself, Alex and Abbie. I have no intention or desire to make myself an easy target or give him opportunity to hurt either of them. Besides, we have our hands full with this Mack mess. My place is here, doing my job, getting those victims the justice they deserve." She understood the need for her superior to assert his authority and couldn't begrudge him, knowing it also came from a place of concern for her own welfare.

Satisfied that he would not be seeing his surrogate daughter rushing from the station as soon as she left the office, the seasoned Captain dismissed her with a conciliatory nod of his head. "Liv, give her a call, check she's ok before you get back to work," he offered kindly, knowing she would dwell on it if not given the opportunity to speak to her partner at least.

"Thanks Cap," Liv replied warmly, gratitude evident in her eyes as she departed through his office door and back out into the bullpen.

"Everything ok?" Elliot asked as soon as he spotted her.

"No," Liv responded shortly, heading for the stairs up to the crib indicating her partner should follow her. "O'Keefe killed Sandy...Brunswick. And now he's coming after Alex, Abbie and I. The Courthouse had to be evacuated this morning, a bomb threat. Alex and Abbie are fine, they're safe. He needs to be stopped." Liv could feel panic and ire rising in her in equal measures and as much as she tried to tamp it down, she couldn't get beyond the dire fear that the predator stalking them was unstoppable. "Dad's ordered me to stay here so I'm going to check in with Alex and Abbie, make sure for myself that they're fine and then we're going to find everything we can to bury the snivelling weasel Harry Mack. At the end of shift though, and feel free to say no because I appreciate it puts you in the line of fire, but would you maybe accompany me home? I just...I don't feel like it's the most sensible course of action to be out alone right now."

"Of course I will," Elliot agreed without a moment's hesitation. "Speak to Alex and then we'll take it from there, ok? But you won't be going anywhere alone, Liv. We've got your back. Am I ok to fill Munch and Fin in while you're on the phone?" Olivia nodded her assent, squeezing his forearm in thanks. As he turned away, she punched the speed-dial reserved for Alex.

"Liv, hi." Alex's warm tone soothed the brunette instantly, reassuring her that her lover and friend were indeed ok, at least for the time being.

"You're ok." It was more of a statement than a question, relief evident in her voice.

"We are. We've just got back to the station now. So far no sign of any real danger. It's looking like this has just been a ploy to cause chaos and disruption to the trial," Alex grumbled.

"How's Abbie?" Liv thought she could hear the Texan's dulcet tones tearing a strip off someone in the background.

"Pissed! I wouldn't want to be the one she's currently on the phone with," Alex admitted, watching the lanky brunette pacing in the hallway, gesticulating wildly with the hand not clasping her phone to her ear.

"I just wanted to check in and put my mind at ease that you really are alright," Liv admitted, the knot of anxiety loosening a little. "Elliot's going to escort me home tonight. Am I ok staying at yours? I don't think either of us should be alone right now and if I'm honest, I don't want to waste a single second of time I could be spending with you." The 'just in case' remained unspoken but was heard nevertheless.

"He won't hurt any of us, honey. We won't give him the opportunity or the satisfaction. But you never need an excuse to stay the night at mine, you are more than welcome. And I'm glad you won't be travelling alone either. I've half a mind to ask Abbie to stay too. I know she won't like it, she'll want to be with Kate but until we know where O'Keefe is, I'm not sure it's safe or fair to put her in harm's way too." Alex voiced some of her own fears, genuinely seeking her lover's opinion on whether she was being too paranoid.

"I'm inclined to agree. He used Sami to hurt me despite her having no direct involvement in Eddie's case beyond being his homeroom teacher and being involved with me. He's not above using those we care about to make his point," Olivia agreed tensely. "You may want to pick your moment to suggest that to her though. By the sounds of her, she's in fight mode!" Alex murmured her concession to that point before announcing she had to go, she was being summoned by the aforementioned Texan and Detective Sykes. "Stay safe sweetheart and I'll see you later," Liv implored as she rounded out the call.

"I love you," Alex replied, feeling the need to share that with the older woman given the new threat hanging over them.

AOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOA

Wednesday April 22nd 2009

09.43

Midtown South Precinct, West 35th Street

"...and this is the last confirmed sighting of O'Keefe," Sykes stated as he stuck the final printout in his hand, timestamped less than an hour previously, on a New York city street not far from the Courthouse.

"Shit," Abbie exclaimed, banging her fist against the wall. "How is he moving around without being stopped? This schmuck's like a ghost."

Alex sat quietly, still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Craig Jackson was dead, seemingly by his own hand whilst in the prison transport van. That had been what had set Abbie off whilst Alex was on the phone to Olivia. It felt like everything was falling apart, speeding up and being washed out from beneath her feet.

"That we can't answer right now but we do know he has threatened you both and after this morning, it is our strongest recommendation that you all accept every mode of protection available to you," Detective Sykes implored.

"Abbie, you need to stay at mine," Alex announced without preamble.

"What?" the tall, willowy brunette asked, not following the seeming non-sequitur. "Why?"

"Miss Cabot has a point, safety in numbers," the swarthy detective agreed.

"And a doorman, as well as other security measures already in place," Alex concurred, not willing to discuss specifics as a precaution. Somehow, O'Keefe continued to evade capture which suggested he might have help from someone within law enforcement. It was a troubling prospect to say the least but not beyond the realms of possibility given how the day was panning out. "Liv will be there too," the blonde attorney advised.

"And you think all three of us, sitting ducks together at your apartment will make us safer? Alex, that's just asking to do his job for him. Why go to the bother of abducting us if we're going to crowd together in one place? We might as well send him an invitation to your apartment!" Abbie scoffed coolly.

"And you being at Kate's will be safer how exactly? Could you forgive yourself if he broke into hers and she became collateral damage?" Alex challenged, not willing to be ridiculed for her suggestion.

Abbie paused, accepting that her friend was making a valid point, feeling caught between the devil and the deep blue sea and having no clue which way to leap. "Shit," she repeated.

"This is what we talked about, luring him into the open, giving him opportunity to attack but in an environment we control. The three of us together may prove to be an opportunity too good for him to refuse. Discreet surveillance can be arranged to monitor comings and goings, anyone paying too close attention to our movements in and out. Think about it, one single point of axis is easier to track and trace than three of us moving about separately from different start and finish points. I don't like it, of course I don't, but we have to stop him before anyone else gets hurt...or worse," Alex explained her logic as dispassionately as she could, gnawing anxiety roiling in the pit of her stomach. Abbie grudgingly admitted she understood the reasoning behind Alex's thoughts and that she couldn't find a well-reasoned argument against it. With a heavy sigh, the Texan stalked to the door indicating that she needed to make a call. Alex could only hope it was to Kate.

AOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOA

Thursday 23rd April 2009

02.08

Alexandra Cabot's apartment, Belmont Towers, Upper East Side

Three occupants slept soundly, each lost to their own dreams. Silent feet moved along the hallway towards the apartment, unable to believe they had been so arrogant as to assume he would waltz in through the front door. He had watched their watchers station themselves with views of what they assumed to be the only entrances to the building, his delight and excitement growing. This was it, he thought, the pinnacle moment he had been working so hard towards albeit a little premature and he'd certainly had to hastily improvise some aspects of his new plan. But he knew this was his time, his golden hour of opportunity. They would feel his wrath, full-force. Mentally preparing himself for the task ahead, he placed his backpack at his feet, retrieving the lock-picking tools he needed to gain entry to the apartment where his quarry awaited him. Deftly, he manoeuvred the tumblers and pins, unsurprised when there was a chain barring his entry. From his bag, he selected the bolt cutters and proceeded to remove the final obstacle preventing him from entering the dark, silent home. Slipping through the gap, his bag swung before him, he closed the door behind him, taking a moment to don his night-vision goggles, not wanting to risk waking the occupants prematurely with a flashlight. In the pitch dark, he navigated the unfamiliar territory, walking the route from the blueprint he had memorised in anticipation of paying Detective Benson's latest squeeze a visit. He hadn't foreseen being so lucky as to kill three birds in one visit however, not until he had seen each of them entering but none leaving and the lights being extinguished one by one signalling that all the occupants had retired for the night. Coming to the first door, propped ajar, he gazed upon the silent, sleeping form of the big-time bitch from Washington. As he entered the room and crossed to the side of the bed on which she lay, from his pocket, he withdrew a gauze cloth and a vial, dousing the material sufficiently with the chloroform to ensure she wouldn't be giving him any trouble. Before she could even react to the noxious substance being thrust firmly into her face, she was taking in deep lungfuls of the compound, disorientating her and reducing her ability to coordinate any real defence. Straddling his prey to further prevent her fighting or dislodging the gauze he continued to drip the chloroform onto and taking care not to breathe in the fumes too deeply himself, he pinned her down for long, long minutes until he was certain she was out cold, either from the effects of the anaesthetic or lack of air, he cared little. She had been noisier than he would have liked, for that she would pay later.

Maintaining his stealthy approach, he crept back to the doorway into the hall which led further into the apartment, towards the master bedroom. Again the door was ajar but on looking inside, there were no occupants to be seen in the bed. With a frustrated sigh, he turned back towards the bedroom he had recently departed, aiming to set up his final act of vengeance and lure his most treasured prey out of hiding by playing on her protective instincts.

"We can't leave her out there with him," Alex sobbed, watching the seconds tick down on the time lapse before they would be able to operate the door again.

"I won't," Liv promised, before imploring her lover co-operate with her plan, "I need you to stay in here. I can't focus on what I need to do out there if I'm worrying about where you are, ok? I will get Abbie and I will bring her back here to shelter until the police get up here." Liv had woken at the sounds of a struggle, simultaneously waking and silencing Alex before whisking her into the panic room. Liv had reluctantly closed the door behind them as she'd heard Abbie's calls be silenced, not willing to risk Alex's only sure safe haven being compromised. She could only hope whatever had been done to the brunette was temporary and that she would be saving her friend and not retrieving her body. Liv had taken charge, calling 911 as soon as they were inside and requesting urgent assistance, knowing a number of officers were positioned outside the building. The clock on the electromagnetic lock reset, allowing its use once again, the timed delay purportedly to prevent an intruder from following someone straight in if they witnessed the combination being inputted, giving the occupant time to contact authorities and prepare to defend themselves should the need arise. "I love you, I will be back as quickly as I can," Liv assured, attempting to offer reassurance to the petrified blonde huddled in the corner of the room. Bolting out of the door before she lost her nerve, Olivia heard a thud coming from the general direction of the lounge. Knowing that she was on her own until the police arrived or the door reset once again allowing her re-entry, Liv retrieved her gun and clip which had been stashed in a lock box within the closet. Arming herself, she braced against the doorjamb, rapidly peering out into the gloom to check the coast was clear. She moved steadily, as stealthily as she could but intent on getting to her friend in deadly peril as soon as possible.

"Come out, come out wherever you are," a taunting voice called through the dark apartment. "I have your friend here and unless you want yet another death on your conscience, I suggest you stop jerking me around!" The tone slipped from a teasing lilt to a screaming threat in a nanosecond, betraying the instability of the man who had stalked and murdered so many of those he deemed had wronged his family. Olivia played on her familiarity with the apartment, keeping to the darkest shadows as she aimed to navigate through to the kitchen and enter the lounge via the dining room. "There you are," the voice chimed cruelly, the man it belonged to still invisible in the dark to Olivia. "You should know, I can see you have your weapon drawn. I have a blade to your dear friend's throat and if that gun so much as twitches in my direction, I will gut her like a fish before you can even fire off a single round. So be a dear and drop it, then get your ass over here, sit on the couch and tell me where your latest blonde is hiding so she too can join the fun." Liv paused, weighing up her options before raising her hands in a seemingly placatory gesture, fumbling with one along the wall and hoping she was close enough to the light switch. "Ah-ah-aaaah Detective O-liv-i-aaaaaa. Strike one, slice one." A pained whimper rang out in the quiet of the dark apartment. "That is your one and only warning, put the goddamn gun down and get your ass over here or so help me I will take out this entire block."

Understanding dawned on the detective, that he must be wearing aids to allow him to see in the dark, meaning she had no element of surprise open to her. Reluctantly, she removed the clip from her service weapon, tossing the body of the gun in one direction and the clip off towards the front door, not wanting to present the intruder with any opportunity to shoot her with her own weapon. Wordlessly, she complied with his instructions to approach the couch, feeling her way to it and sinking onto the usually welcoming surface with a growing sense of trepidation. She could only hope that the officers outside were making their way into the building and planning their rescue of the trio, preferably before anyone else had to die.

AOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOA

Thursday 23rd April 2009

02.23

Midtown South Precinct, West 35th Street

"Shit! Shit, shit, shit!" Detective Morientes barked into the receiver as he slammed his hand against the cool surface of his desk. "How the fuck did he get past all those unmarkeds outside? Where are the bomb squad? How far away?" For scant moments, he listened with increasing agitation. "Well get them en route. This psychopath has already blown a cafe to pieces just for the satisfaction of killing one person. If he's called in a threat for Cabot's apartment building, you can bet you need to take it seriously. Especially as we have confirmation that he's not just in the fucking building but inside her apartment." Again he listened, before practically screaming into his handset, "because you moron, until we get the all clear from the bomb squad to enter the building, everyone inside that apartment block is at the mercy of a deranged, unravelling serial killer." Slamming the handset back onto its cradle, the detective took off running, first in the direction of his partner, catching forty winks in the crib and then the pair of them barrelling out of the door to get to the apartment building.

Thursday 23rd April 2009

02.26

Alexandra Cabot's apartment, Belmont Towers, Upper East Side

"Better, now where is that lovely lady of yours hiding away?" O'Keefe taunted, moving around just out of the seated detective's reach, keeping her off-guard and on edge.

"Somewhere you can't get to her," Olivia spat. She felt her hair being grabbed from behind, head yanked backwards and the cold press of sharpened steel at her throat.

"I suggest you adjust your attitude Detective, have I not shown you just what I am capable of doing? Now this may not be how I envisaged this ending but here we are, all of us, together. We have a little time to play before the cavalry arrives. Bomb threats tend to make people nervous about entering buildings, especially when they're called in by those with outstanding warrants for blowing things up." The crazed murderer cackled at his own brilliance, knowing the device he had thrown together was unstable enough that it would buy him plenty of time to have his fun. Olivia's heart sank as she realised there would be no swift rescue and that it was all on her shoulders to determine who would survive the night. She felt her captor lean in close, drawing the knife upwards over her chin until it nestled beneath her nose making it impossible to escape the unmistakable scent of fresh blood. "Unless you want me to slice Miss Carmichael up into bite size pieces, I suggest you find a way to get me what I want."

"I'll have to go to her, she...she can't hear us out here," Olivia admitted reluctantly, the seed of a plan forming in her head even as her blood pounded in her ears and her hands trembled.

"Off we go then," O'Keefe instructed, the knife returning to hover in the region of her neck once more. Shakily, and with some difficulty given the fist still buried in her chestnut locks, the compassionate woman felt her way back towards the hallway leading to the bedrooms. She felt O'Keefe's grip loosen incrementally with each step they took, his attention seeming to be less focused on the immediate, probably already fantasising about what he was planning to do to Alex. With a roar, Olivia put all her training to use, driving her elbow backwards into his midriff at the same time as raising her foot and bringing her heel down onto the arch of her captor's foot. She followed it swiftly by spinning out of his loosened grasp and aiming a swift upwards thrust of the heel of her hand where she hoped his face would be. She was satisfied to feel and hear nasal bones crunching in the wake of her attack. But still she was not done. Blindly reaching out for the wall and praying she had unbalanced him enough, she sought the lightswitch. Trembling fingers skimmed over it and back again, illuminating the space with a sudden flood of bright light. She squinted against it as she watched her stricken foe battling to remove his night-vision goggles, blinded painfully by the unexpected brightness. Taking advantage of O'Keefe's temporary incapacity, she raced to where Abbie was slumped in one of the dining chairs, positioned before the couch. A second stood empty beside it, clearly intended for Alex. Not having time to fiddle with the bindings holding Abbie in place and with a strength borne of sheer adrenaline, Olivia bent low, folding Abbie and the chair over her shoulder and sprinted with them both towards the panic room where Alex remained shielded. Placing Abbie down close to the door of the hidden room, Liv punched in the code, dragging a still listless Texan inside as soon as she was able.

"Abbie!" Alex cried, horrified to see blood oozing from a gaping wound in the brunette's side. Her horror increased as she watched her lover spin on her heels and retreat back towards the door, clearly not intending to stay. "Liv, no!"

"Alex, I have to. Help isn't coming anytime soon and he cannot get away. He won't stop, not until we're dead. It has to end, tonight." Olivia's expression implored the younger woman to understand that this was her absolute duty.

"I couldn't agree more," spat a hate-filled voice from out of view.

The last thing Alex heard from her lover was her vehement defence, "you can do what you like to me but you do not get to hurt another living soul in my name." The heavy, reinforced door closed solidly, shutting out any further sounds from beyond, the time lock engaging once again to provide a short window of absolute security.

AOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOA

Thursday 23rd April 2009

02.41

Alexandra Cabot's apartment, Belmont Towers, Upper East Side

Alex sat cradling Abbie in her arms, having released her from her bonds and done all she could to staunch the flow of blood from the gash along the side of her torso. Still the willowy brunette had yet to regain consciousness and Alex was unable to tear her eyes from the two lifeless forms visible on the monitors showing almost every view of her apartment. The battle had been fierce, each opponent gaining and then losing the upper hand. Blow after blow had been exchanged. Alex knew Olivia had been stabbed at least twice before she had managed to wrangle the knife from O'Keefe and with a strength belying her injured state, the brunette had delivered a killer wound to the crazed man, ensuring he would no further threaten their existence. Alex had watched in horror as her lover had managed just a few paces before falling unmoving to the ground. The blonde attorney had phoned 911 again screaming at them to help Olivia, that O'Keefe was down, the threat was over but it seemed that the evil, twisted fates had one last kick in the gut in store as a viable IED had been located inside the building. Alex had been informed that no one was allowed in until such a time as that had been disarmed and that that was proving to be problematic. The operator had offered to remain on the line with her caller but Alex had refused. Ensuring that Abbie was sufficiently well enough to be left for a short period, Alex rose from her place on the floor and crossed to the alphanumerical panel wracking her foggy brain for the correct combination. Her hands shook almost uncontrollably making the task twice as difficult as it needed to be but eventually she managed to punch in the code to open the door. She raced from the panic room, skidding to a halt on her knees beside her stricken lover, checking for any signs of life. Hoping she wasn't about to do more harm than good, she manoeuvred herself until she could drag the unconscious woman back to the relative safety of the panic room, knowing if the bomb was detonated, that would at least provide some additional protection. The dead weight in her arms was unco-operative and the young attorney's still tender surgical scar screamed in protest at the overexertion but still she persisted. Inch by inch, she pulled the other woman along with her, all the while murmuring words of encouragement and love despite having no idea whether they would penetrate the deeply unconscious mind of the woman who had selflessly thrown herself into the fire in order to keep those she cared about safe. A figure looming from the dark beside her had her almost dropping the other woman in fright.

"Liv? Oh my God!" Despite her own grievous injury and lingering disorientation, Abbie linked her own arm on her uninjured side beneath Olivia's armpit and together the two attorney's worked to bring the older woman back into the safety of the panic room. "What's going on? Where are the police?" Abbie questioned once they were inside, sliding down the wall and onto the floor once more, pain and nausea washing over her and threatening to crowd out consciousness once more.

"Abbie, I need you to stay awake, ok. I need you to stay awake and listen to me. O'Keefe is dead, or as good as. Liv stabbed him but not before he stabbed her. The police, EMT's...Abs, they're not coming. There's a bomb, the bastard really did plant another bomb this time so until they deal with that, we're Liv's only hope of getting through this. So I need you to stay awake and help me keep her alive until we can all get out of here." Alex kept her focus on Olivia, assessing her wounds and applying pressure to the worst of them. When her request garnered no response, the blonde flicked her gaze towards where the Texan sat slumped, growling as she saw the woman too had once again lost her battle to remain conscious. She positioned both brunettes so that she could tend to them both, utilising what meagre supplies she had available to stem the bleeding. In the quiet of the room, Alex offered up a silent prayer to anyone listening that they would all survive and that this would be an end to their trials and suffering.

Epilogue

Tuesday 12th May 2009

14.20

Manhattan SVU

Alex perched on the edge of the desk steadfastly refusing to look at the empty space where her lover should have been. She valiantly tried to focus on what was being said around her but most of it was lost to her.

"It's a good result, Alex. How you pulled it off, I have no idea but on behalf of us all, thank you. I know it's not easy…" Don trailed off, unsure of how to complete his train of thought as he congratulated their ADA on successfully securing the incarceration of Harry Mack on multiple charges of sexual assault, amongst many other crimes. Instead, he changed tack, "What time do you need to be there?"

Alex looked at him as though seeing him for the first time, a world-weariness evident in her stare. "4pm," she answered simply.

"Let us know if there's anything you need," the father figure requested. Alex merely nodded her assent before rising to her feet and stalking out of the precinct.

"She going to be ok, Cap'n?" Fin queried, genuinely concerned.

"I don't think that's a question any of us can answer yet," Cragen advised solemnly. "Maybe after today…" he added, hoping for a miracle.

Tuesday 12th May 2009

15.54

Mercy General Hospital

Liz squeezed Alex's hand as they waited by Olivia's bedside for the latest news on whether her lover was ready to be woken from her medically induced coma or not. The blonde attorney's other palm rested gently in the lifeless hand of her lover. On the opposite side of the bed, Gina and Fausto huddled together silently, gripping one another tightly. They had all been warned that if the reversal was unsuccessful this time, the fourth attempt, that it was unlikely Olivia would ever return to consciousness. Blood loss combined with blunt force trauma to the head and the delay in medical attention due to the presence of the bomb had taken its toll on the heroic woman. Physically, her wounds were healing but still, she remained unable to breathe unaided and all previous attempts at waking her had resulted in seizures, the last one so severe, the medical staff had expressed significant concerns about permanent brain damage.

"Ok, let's see what you've got for us today, shall we, Olivia?" the doctor in charge of the detective's care announced, ready to start the reversal. They had all been here enough times before to know not to expect any immediate or sudden changes, knowing it could be quite some time before it became clear whether the woman's body was able to sustain itself. The nursing staff bustled about, making the necessary adjustments to medication being administered intravenously, closely monitoring their patient's vital statistics to ensure they could respond to any negative effects.

"Come on Olivia, come back to us sweetheart," Gina murmured, imploringly. "There's a young lady here who needs you. And two old fools as well. And a whole host of other people." The Camanetti matriarch gazed over at her daughter-in-law's lover, seeing the tension in her jaw, the sallow complexion and pinched features. Without a shadow of a doubt, she believed that if Olivia didn't wake up, the flicker of light in Alex's soul would be extinguished along with any hope of the charming brunette's return to consciousness.

Long moments ticked on with no change as the drugs worked their way out of Olivia's system sufficiently to give her opportunity to regain consciousness. The first sign that anything was different was an upward trend in her heart rate. Every occupant of the room held their breath to see whether another devastating seizure was about to take hold of the stricken patient but as the seconds crept by with no tremors, it seemed a little more hopeful.

"Liv, baby, if you can hear me, if you can feel my hand in yours, please, please give me some kind of sign. I miss you…so much," Alex broke off as her fear and devastation threatened to overwhelm her. At first, the tiny fluttering of fingers in her hand were undetectable but with each second ticking by, their movement and the flickering of the brunette's eyelids grew more and more pronounced. When her heart rate and blood pressure continued to rise, the room's alert occupants all steeled themselves for the onset of a seizure. "Liv, honey, it's OK, you're safe now. You're in hospital, you got him, you saved me."

"Us, Liv. You saved us," a sultry Texan drawl concurred from just inside the door, her arrival having gone unnoticed. "Sorry I'm late, the clinic was backed up."

A sudden flurry of movement from the bed parked any further discourse on Abbie's continued recovery for another time. All eyes honed in on the woman in the bed who had been so gravely injured, hope fading at the apparent seizure. Until that is Alex noticed that these were not the usual uncoordinated tonic clonic jerks they had come to associate with one of the fits witnessed previously. Hands flailed upwards, aiming for the breathing apparatus in clumsy but deliberate motions.

"Hang in there Olivia, we'll get those out of the way for you," one of the nurses advised, having spotted the same intent to the movements as the woman's partner. As one, Liv's loved ones moved aside, allowing the medical staff space to work. Alex let the tears stream down her cheeks unchecked, hope blossoming in her chest and filling her with a warmth she hadn't realised was missing. "Well, hi there," the same nurse spoke kindly to her patient as brown eyes opened properly for the first time since she had been admitted. "We're going to get this breathing tube out for you now, ok? I know it feels like you're suffocating but I promise you, we won't let that happen." The kindly carer continued to coach the woman through having her breathing apparatus removed, replacing it with nasal oxygen to ensure her sats remained stable. Once she was content that the woman was awake and holding her own, she advised, "I'll fetch the doctor, he'll be wanting to run his checks ok but for now, there are some people who have been waiting to see you." Stepping back, the kindly older woman beckoned Olivia's family forward. Gina and Fausto immediately approached the bedside with matching watery smiles. Alex, however, remained rooted to the spot, unmoving, not even showing outward signs of breathing.

"Alexandra?" Liz prodded, fearing her God-daughter had finally been overwhelmed by the magnitude of the situation.

"Is this a dream? A cruel, terrible dream?" the young blonde asked on a whisper, not daring to believe her eyes.

"No, it's no dream. Olivia really is awake so I suggest you get your ass over there and show her that you're here, you're alive and you're happy to see her," the older blonde instructed firmly. Needing no further spurring on, Alex rushed to the bed, near collapsing onto the edge of it as the eyes she had missed so desperately swung her way.

"Al?" Liv croaked

"I'm here, sweetheart," Alex intoned gently, her mind a whirl of exuberant joy but also significant trepidation, the doctor's cautions about brain damage ringing in her ears.

"You're safe? O'Keefe...he's…?" the detective asked, memory seemingly intact at least.

"Dead, Liv. O'Keefe's dead, you got him. He can't hurt anyone ever again." The room's occupants looked on as tears spilled over sunken swarthy cheeks.

"Abs?" Olivia queried, needing to know the extent of the carnage wreaked before she could stop the killer in his tracks. "The bomb…"

"I'm right here, Benson, thanks to you," Abbie confirmed cheerfully, stepping forward to allow the older woman to see for herself that she was comparatively fine. "They managed to disarm the homemade device O'Keefe planted. Took 'em longer than anyone would have liked but that psycho had thrown it together in a rush with all kinds of boobytraps rigged to it. No one else got hurt, you took the brunt of it."

Seemingly pacified that the ordeal was over and her duty complete, Liv allowed her eyes to flutter closed again, fatigue pulling at the edges of her consciousness despite her long period of unconsciousness.

"No sleeping yet, Detective," Liz barked, making her own presence felt.

Eyes flickering open again, Olivia locked onto Alex's cobalt blue ones, warmth, adoration and a deep-seated love flooded her expression. "You're really here," she murmured, a shaky hand worming its way up to the back of the blonde's leonine neck and pulling her in close. "Kiss me?" the patient requested, the other occupants of the room taking that as their cue to leave and give the two women some privacy, a hope dashed by the arrival of the doctor. Still Alex pressed on, gently massaging her lips against the older woman's in a tender affirmation of her love. Their warmth and responsiveness finally seemed to convince the blonde that her lover really was back and tearing away from the kiss, she broke down with heaving sobs wracking her body.

"You're welcome to stay while I check Ms Benson over and run some tests to check everything is working as it should," the young doctor advised kindly, having watched the hope fade into resigned despair as time had marched on with little to no improvement in the patient's condition.

"She's staying," Liz affirmed from the doorway.

"I am," Alex agreed, not willing to be parted from her lover for a moment longer than would be strictly necessary.

"You are," Olivia beamed, reaching out a hand seeking a physical connection with her distraught partner.

"Mind if I go tell the guys you're awake?" Abbie suggested through the lump in her own throat. Receiving twin shakes of the head, she made for the exit once more.

"Send them my love and say hi to Kate for me too," Liv called after her.

"Liv, honey, Kate and Abbie...they're not together any more," Alex informed gently with a sad smile.

"How long have I been out for?" the brunette queried even as she followed the doctor's instructions.

"About two weeks. Abbie was in hospital for four days, Kate visited but when she saw what O'Keefe had done, when she heard how close Abbie had come to being killed, how it had left you...it was too much for her. Abbie and I have been staying at your place, once she came out of hospital, we needed each other to lean on and to be close to you. I hope you don't mind us invading your apartment, mine is...I'm never going back there, I can't stomach it," Alex explained, releasing the hand she cradled between her own to allow the medic to monitor its reflexes and muscle tone etcetera.

Old fears crowded Olivia's brain at the talk of the two women leaning on one another. "So you and Abbie…" she trailed off, not wanting to hear but needing to know whether the woman her heart belonged to had sought what she couldn't give in the attractive Texan's arms.

"No! Liv...no, just...NO!" Alex hastened to reassure the other woman, allowing her the insecurity without recrimination but needing her to believe that she had no need to fear Alex and Abbie's friendship. "We've spent the time talking about you, I've been working on the Mack case, Abbie has been recuperating from her own injuries and I've been helping her to pick up the pieces after Kate severed all contact with her, trying to persuade her that in spite of how this has turned out, relationships really are worth the effort and risks to your heart."

"Well I have to say, Ms Benson, for someone who has given us a lot to be concerned about over the last few weeks, I'm delighted to see minimal residual effects from your lengthy spell under anaesthetic. We'll need to do some scans, make sure there's no hidden damage from the seizures you had when we previously tried to wake you up but I'm happy to say, welcome back." The doctor showed no signs of grave concern, putting both women's minds at ease. He left them with a satisfied smile, grateful that the afternoon had panned out in everyone's favour.

Abbie stepped away from the rest of Olivia's entourage to make the call to Don Cragen, taking a few brief moments before she did so to tap out a message to her ex-lover. In spite of the radio silence, she could only assume that the older woman would want to know that Olivia had woken up and was seemingly on the road to recovery. Debating for only a couple of seconds, the raven-haired beauty hit send before she could second guess herself. Neither expecting nor waiting for a response, she dialled the police captain's direct extension from the card he had provided her with, waiting impatiently for the call to connect.

"Cragen," came the terse response as the line opened.

"Don, it's Abbie. She's awake," Abbie offered, her own emotions threatening to overwhelm her completely at the realisation that her friend truly was conscious once more.

"Oh thank God. How is she? I mean, any obvious concerns?" the father figure of the unit asked, relief evident in his tone even as he retained a modicum of caution.

"So far, so good. She's awake, she's talking, she recognises everyone, seems to remember what happened leading up to her being hospitalised - the part she was conscious for, anyway," Abbie explained softly.

"And how about you? You got your results today, didn't you?" Don asked, touching the Texan with his impeccable memory.

"I did. It's early days but they're hopeful the kidney damage from the chloroform is temporary and reversible. Means my hard drinking days are over, for a while at least but I can live with that," the brunette supplied, feeling her companions eyes alight on her despite her having stepped away from them.

"Excellent, well I'll let you get back to Olivia and I'll go and put this lot out of their misery. Abbie, give her our love won't you?" Cragen asked tenderly, allowing his affection for his officer to shine through.

"Of course. I'll send you details of visiting hours once I know what the protocol will be now she's back with us." The lanky brunette ended the call, turning to face her companions only to be surprised by Gina sweeping her up into a fierce embrace. Her own injury site protested at the tight hold but her soul felt its balm washing over her and ebbing into the darkest recesses of her sorrow, driving them away at least for a short while.

"I'm so glad you got good news too," the matriarch murmured, having been concerned about the lingering effects for this young woman as well.

Further discourse was cut short by the doctor informing them they were free to return to Olivia's bedside for a short while, though he cautioned they should expect her to tire easily as her body still healed. Liz took her leave, knowing Alex would be well supported and cared for and not wanting to crowd the bedside of the woman who had captured her God-daughter's heart so completely. With Abbie still cradled to her side, Gina made her way back towards the room, her husband trailing behind them.

"Abs, come here," Olivia said as soon as the trio re-entered. The brunette crossed over to the bedside, placing herself on the opposite side to Alex and feeling her hand gripped in a surprisingly firm hold. "I'm so sorry about Kate but if you care for her as much as I think you do, don't let fear - hers or yours - drive you away. If I did that, I wouldn't have had what I did with Sami; I wouldn't have known the closest thing to family that I've ever had," Liv continued sweeping her gaze affectionately over her pseudo-parents-in-law and then on to Alex, "and I wouldn't have allowed myself to dare hope for a future with this amazing, strong, breathtakingly beautiful woman. I understand how painful and crushing it is to open yourself up to that kind of love only to have it snatched away, but Abbie, while there is breath in both your bodies, there is a love worth fighting for. So you can stay at my apartment for as long as you want to or need to but go to her, go to Kate and show her that what you have is worth the risk. Don't let her push you away without fighting with all that you have. If after you've given it your all, she still can't reconcile her fear and her feelings, then Alex and I will be here to help you come to terms with that and move on but don't walk away until you're absolutely certain with every fibre of your being that there is no hope, no chance. You're worth it, Abbie. You deserve happiness and love and someone to share your life with."

AOAOAOAOAOAOAOAO

Thursday 28th May 2009

08.30

Olivia Benson's apartment, East 48th Street

Liv sat sipping her morning coffee as she flipped through the sports pages of the morning paper, scanning the latest results and stories. Turning to the front of the broadsheet, she was surprised to see the nature of the main story being run, having figured it was more suited to a tabloid rag than a respectable paper such as the one Alex insisted on buying each day.

'Following his sentencing hearing yesterday, teen singing sensation, Harry Mack, is today beginning a custodial sentence which will see him remain in jail until he is in his mid-forties. The international superstar, who shot to fame following the global success of his debut single, "My First," last May, was recently found guilty of sexually assaulting a number of underage female fans. Mack, real name Henry Montgomery Forbes Macintyre, is said to have used his fame to lure the girls to private meetings with him, where, according to the judge who handed down his sentence, he 'took advantage of their naivety and adoration for him' by forcibly engaging in sexual relations with them. Mack's management team are already seeking to sue the star for loss of earnings and breach of contract.'

The article continued, giving a brief resume of Harry Mack's career, which was now undoubtedly permanently over. There were also statements from anonymous contributors, arguing that Mack's entourage were equally responsible, having been aware of their star's proclivities and neglecting to take corrective action when they had the opportunity. Olivia could only wish that those people now felt some small modicum of guilt at having turned a blind eye…though experience and cynicism made her doubt it very much.

"It's the best result we could have hoped for," Alex mentioned, having seen the headline as she peered over her lover's shoulder. She slipped her arms around Olivia's slim waist and pressed a gentle kiss against her cheek, mindful of her still sensitive areas following O'Keefe's attack. "Good morning, sweetheart."

Liv tossed the paper aside, craning her neck around in order to offer the younger woman a more fitting greeting kiss. "Morning love," she hummed happily as they parted.

"What time are we expecting company?" Alex asked, giving the seated brunette a final squeeze before rounding the breakfast bar to retrieve a mug of coffee for herself. She gestured towards Olivia, offering a refill if she wanted one, to which the brunette's own cup was thrust in her direction eagerly.

"Abbie said she'd be here around nine," Liv supplied, sad that they would be dropping the other woman off at the airport as her time in New York had come to an end once her recovery was deemed sufficient that she could resume her prosecutorial duties.

"We'll make sure we go and visit her as soon as we have chance but first, I do believe you and I have a vacation to attend to." Alex, too, would be sorry to see their friend leave, having got used to seeing her regularly but it was tempered by the knowledge that she had two whole weeks of uninterrupted time with her lover to look forward to. Glancing at the clock, Alex baulked as she realised the brunette would be arriving in short order. "Why on earth didn't you wake me? I'd better go and get dressed otherwise I'll be taking Abs to the airport in my nightwear," the attorney scolded, with an air of mock exasperation.

"You needed the rest, clearly. You're still making up for lost time," Liv called after her with a tiny shake of her head.

"You still should have woken me!" Alex jibed back.

"I wouldn't have minded you staying in your pyjamas," Liv rejoined teasingly, admiring the sway of retreating hips.

"Careful Benson, I can withhold favours," the lithe blonde suggested, with an incendiary glance over her shoulder suggesting exactly which kind of favours she was referring to.

"Yeah, of course you can. As if you can resist this," Olivia wise-cracked with a rakish smile, looking more relaxed and content than she had since the bomb had exploded blowing her life to pieces along with her lost love. She released a hearty laugh as Alex grabbed a scatter cushion from the nearest arm chair and launched it in her lover's direction, entirely missing her target as it fell well short of its mark. "Car's all packed with the luggage. Once we've dropped Abbie off, I just need to swing by the precinct, drop something off for El, if that's ok?" Liv called, sinking her coffee and rising to the sink to rinse her mug before drying it and stashing it away in the cupboard it called home.

"Of course sweetheart, we've got plenty of time," Alex agreed warmly before hurrying to dress and ready herself for the day.

A short time later, there was a knock at the front door which Olivia swiftly answered, gathering their guest into a tight embrace.

"Woah there, lover girl, anyone would think you cared!" Abbie jested, toting her carry-on case and attache one handed whilst returning the hug.

"I'm going to miss seeing your mug around the place, so sue me," Liv grumbled in return. "Hey Abs, I really am sorry it didn't work out with Kate, she was good for you while it lasted. Promise me you won't just slip back into old habits when you're home? If you meet someone again, give it a shot at least?"

"I make no promises," the tall Texan warned. "But I'm not saying never either," she conceded with a shrug. "I've already got a new case lined up for me on my return though, sounds like a doozy, so that's likely to keep me busy for a while and I want to look into those volunteer opportunities Alex suggested. For now, that's enough. I won't be making a bee-line for any bars since I'm still under strict orders to avoid alcohol so temptation is likely to be less to slip back into picking up a fuck-buddy or two," the attorney admitted.

"Don't go back trying to run at full pelt, hey," Alex cautioned, having joined her companions. She slid her own arms around the rake-thin woman who had grown to be such a close friend. "You suffered a significant trauma, you need to pace yourself."

"Umm hello, pot, kettle, black! Who was back in court the week after O'Keefe tried to slice and dice and blow us all to smithereens despite not sleeping worth a damn and only eating because Liz and Gina practically force fed you?" Abbie groused with raised eyebrows, daring the younger woman to deny it.

"I hadn't been stabbed…" the blonde protested, only to be silenced by two fierce glares. Throwing her hands up and knowing when to concede defeat, she simply stated, "I'm sorry, I care about you and I don't want to hear you've run yourself into the ground and landed back in hospital. I think we can all agree, we have had more than enough of those places to last a lifetime."

Thursday 28th May 2009

09.46

Manhattan SVU

"Thanks Liv, I really appreciate you letting me borrow this. You ladies on your way out then?" Elliot asked with a warm smile, happy to see his partner back on her feet and looking well.

"Yeah, we dropped Abbie off at the airport so it's time to hit the road and find us some sun, swimming and….solitude," Olivia answered with an innuendo laced pause suggesting exactly what a good chunk of that solitude would entail herself and Alex getting up to.

"We'll see you in a couple of weeks then, it'll be good to have you back, Liv," the rugged man assured his co-worker and close friend.

"I'll be here. Just...try not to make too big of a mess for us to sort out when we get home, ok?" the brunette requested, not wanting either of them to be plunged into hours worth of overtime straight after their holiday.

"Can't make any promises," came the facetious reply. As the compassionate woman made to leave her squadroom, there were choruses of varying well wishes and instructions to have a good time.

"Oh we will guys. And when we get back, Manhattan's seedy underbelly had better believe we'll be coming for them," Olivia threw over her shoulder, her desire to see justice prevail reasserting itself more and more strongly with each passing day. Making her way down to where her car was parked. she slid into the driver's seat, gazing across the console to where her lover sat.

"Ready to go?" Alex purred.

"Beach house in the Hamptons, you, me and no interruptions for two whole weeks? Absolutely." Without so much as a backwards glance, the two reformed workaholics sped onwards towards the next chapter of their adventure together.

The End

Author's note: So this work took me far longer than I ever anticipated and took me to some dark places. This ending is a lot less dark than a previous incarnation I had planned a few years ago and personally, I prefer this route although putting this story to bed is bittersweet. Sorry for the lack of a happy ending for Abbie, that just felt like it would have been too saccharine and unrealistic - as if any of this is realistic at all! But yeah, if you've made it this far and aren't completely underwhelmed by the ending, I hope you've enjoyed the ride and finally feel like these characters, at least in this incarnation, have found their way to a peaceful conclusion. Thanks for all your feedback through the years on this story, for the support, encouragement and messages I've received. I have read them all and appreciate them.