Law And Order SVU Reader Imagines

No Matter the Cost Part 2

Part 2 was requested by many so here you are!
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Ella felt better.

She knew that it would be a while before she was "okay" but at least she didn't feel like a fish out of water not able to breathe.

Fin hadn't let her out of his sight. Wherever she went she could sense him trailing not far behind her.

She felt safe.

She wasn't sure if she would ever be able to feel like that again.

It had been two weeks since it had happened. Some days it felt like it was just yesterday.

They hadn't found the man who had done this to her yet which made her nervous.

What if they never found him?

Ella shuddered at the thought.

She may be okay now but how can she live with that man being free around the city hurting other women?

Fin noticed Ella in deep thought and lightly touched her shoulder.

"Hey are you alright?"

Ella let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and lightly laughed.

"Define alright"

Fin looked at her intently trying to figure out what she was thinking.

"We'll get this guy Ella. No matter how hard it gets we will put this SOB in jail and he will pay for what he's done"

Fin's words reassured Ella but she still felt uneasy. She decided she needed some air.

As she got up from her chair next to Fin's desk she could feel his eyes looking intently at her.

"Where are you going? I'll go with you."

Although she appreciated how protective he was being of her, she needed to be alone just for a minute. It would help her get her mind off things.

"I'm just going outside to get some air real quick I'll be right back"

Fin didn't look too convinced. He had promised to protect you and had failed once and he would not let that happen again.

Ella could almost read exactly what he was thinking.

"I'll be okay. There are officers all around the building and cameras. I won't be long"

Fin was not fully convinced but he knew she wanted a moment to breathe and forget about things so reluctantly he agreed.
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Once the cold New York breeze hit her face she felt better. It felt as if the breeze could take all of her worries away but she knew the world wasn't that easy.

She sat on the stairs of the building as she watched officers go by with different people. Robbers, murderers, rapists.

Ella felt that familiar feeling of worry wash over her.

She needed to get out of here.

She walked past the station and toward a little bakery she loved.

As she got closer she saw someone leaving. The baker had said goodbye and the man returned it.

That voice.

It was him.

He was the one who raped her.

Ella could feel her breathing quicken and quickly hid behind the side of the bakery and pulled out her phone.

The man was waiting for a cab as Ella's trembling hand tried to open her camera. When she finally did she tried to get a good angle of his face but it was difficult because of where she was.

In her frenzy, Ella had dropped her lipstick on the ground causing a small crash on the ground as it rolled towards the man.

Ella panicked. She knew she was doomed.

The man turned and he picked up the lipstick and starting walking towards her hiding spot.

Luckily the cab he was waiting for showed up and right as the man was about to turn Ella got out of her hiding spot and snapped a picture of his face before running away towards the station.
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"Why didn't you call for help? Something horribly wrong could have happened to you!"

Ella was back in the squad room explaining to everyone what had just happened. Fin was angry because she hadn't called for backup and had carelessly put her life in danger.

"I know Fin but know we know what he looks like. I know it's him because at night all I can hear is his voice. So when I heard him at the bakery I knew it was him."

Fin was still not having it.

"But at what cost? He saw you and knows you have this picture. What makes you think he won't leave the city or the state for that matter?"

Fin's voice had raised and Ella felt herself shrink and her eyes well up with tears.

"I just want him to pay for what he did. I thought I was helping"

Ella ran off before she started crying all over again.
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Fin felt like an idiot. He had basically yelled at his lifelong best friend who had gone through the worst trauma of her life.

Yes, the picture was a huge breakthrough but he was worried that the vile man would come back and hurt Ella again or that he would run away and never be found. The picture was already out on the news in hopes that someone would recognize this man.

Fin rubbed his temple as he tried to think how to apologize to her.

"Hey Fin we got someone saying this man is working at a construction site right now"

"Let's go"
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Ella found herself in Olivia's office. She was crying and Liv had tried to calm and comfort her to no avail.

"I just want this to be over" Ella sobbed.

Olivia rubbed her back in comfort.

"It will be soon I promise. Fin and the squad will catch him"

Ella nodded as she blew her nose and tried to clean her face.

Right then the door flew open.

"We found him"
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Edward Howards. Age 29. Works for Jones Construction. Lives at 123 Eagle Street.

Ella was looking through the information they had found. The man finally had a name.

The rest of the squad had gone to arrest him.

Everything finally seemed to be going well.

It would finally be over.

As the squad came back she saw the man as they dragged him into a cell.

She felt a sense of relief. A hand gently touched her shoulder.

"Hey" said the familiar voice.

"Hey" Ella said softly.

Fin felt like a douche after yelling at her and was set on making it right.

"I just want to apologize for my behavior back there. I shouldn't have yelled. I know this has been hard on you more than anyone else but I worry about you so much. That picture was a huge help and you did great and I want you to know I'm not mad with you"

Ella smiled, "I know. I know you want to protect me because you care about me and I really appreciate it. Thank you for being my best friend. Now come here, I want a hug"

Fin chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her small frame.

He would be with her and protect her forever. At any cost.