SVU in Chicago

Undercover

What the hell was Elliot Stabler doing in New York without me knowing about it? I just stared at him with my mouth hanging open unable to move. He looked right at me almost as soon as he walked in, and I could see surprise mixed with fear in his crystal blues. I heard one of the other patrons yell, "Hey Steve! What's going on man?" Elliot broke his gaze and waved at the man and walked over to where he was sitting along with the man he walked in with. He must be undercover as someone named Steve but why was he in New York? Knowing how dangerous undercover work can be is the only thing that kept me from running over to him and smacking him across the face. He knew I already had trust issues after his disappearing act years ago and now he was keeping me in the dark again.

Fin had seen everything I had seen and looked like he had seen a ghost. We were both trying to play it cool and not blow his cover, but it was hard to focus on the task at hand after that. Fin was able to give a description of Tiana's stalker to the bartender. She claims she didn't know anyone with that description, but I knew when someone was lying, and she was. No one was going to talk to cops, so we had to get the information a different way. I glanced over at Elliot, aka Steve, as we walked out of the bar. He instinctively looked up and stared right at me. I could see pleading in his eyes and sorrow. I couldn't wait to hear his explanation for not telling me this. Why did I have to be in love with someone that was so complicated? I finally accepted his reasons for disappearing the first time and really thought he wouldn't do it again.

Fin tried talking to me about seeing Stabler in the bar under the alias of Steve. I really didn't want to talk about it since I wasn't ready to tell Fin that we had slept together and now I was carrying his baby. I decided to call Sergeant Hank Voight from Chicago to see if they were working a case in New York. I figured if Stabler is undercover with Tiana's stalker's group, then maybe we could work together to find him. Sergeant Voight answered right away, "Hey Sergeant Benson, how are you? Is Detective Stabler happy to be back in New York? We hated to lose him here in Chicago." I was taken back by his statement and paused before responding, "Umm, that is the reason I was calling. Are you working a case in New York?" He said, "No, Detective Stabler was transferred to NYPD shortly after your squad left Chicago. He said he missed home too much but I think there is a certain Sergeant he missed more. Has he not contacted you?" I was embarrassed that El hadn't told me and was glad Hank couldn't see the blush in my cheeks, "No, I thought he was still in Chicago. I saw him here in a bar working undercover on a case. I was trying to figure out what information the task force he is working with has." Sergeant Voight responded, "I know he transferred to NYPD and is part of a new task force working organized crime cases. He must have had to go under cover right away and is unable to contact anyone. His superior's name is Ayanna Bell. She should be able to give you more information." I sighed, "Thanks Hank. That is very helpful. Tell everyone in your squad I say hi."

I called some contacts I knew with NYPD and was able to get Ayanna Bell's phone number. I called her cell phone and she answered cautiously, "Sergeant Bell speaking." I cleared my throat, "Um, hi, this is Sergeant Olivia Benson from Manhattan SVU. I believe there is a case your task force is working involving the Irish mob and one of them is a suspect in a rape case we are working. We saw one of your UC agents, Elliot Stabler, while investigating this case and was hoping we could exchange information?" There was a long pause before Sergeant Bell replied, "Yes, but I can't give you any information on an open investigation. I don't want to put our undercover agents in danger. Investigating a rape case could blow our cover which would have me in deep shit with my boss as well as risk the lives of our undercover agents." I answered, "Yes, I know but there must be a way we can work together without blowing anyone's cover. Can we please meet?" She sighed, "Ok, how about tomorrow morning? My agent reports in every evening so we can exchange information then." I hung up the phone frustrated, hurt, and angry.

Back at the precinct, I was trying to focus on finding everything I could about the Irish mob. It was tedious and I was too distracted. Right before I was about to call it a night, I received a text message from Elliot, Liv, I need to see you. Meet me at our favorite watering hole at 8 pm. I smiled at that text since I knew the place he was talking about. There was a park by one of the marinas that we used to visit when we needed a break from SVU work. We would go there during extra tough cases and talk about anything that wasn't work related. I always felt so close to him there because it felt like we were the only two people in the world. El didn't have a wife and family to go home to and I didn't have a lonely empty apartment. We just had each other, and I savored those moments. I hadn't been back to that park since he left because the memories were too painful knowing we would never be close like that again.

I was anxious about my meeting with El. I had so many questions that I didn't know where to start and I wanted to hit him and hug him at the same time. I arrived at 8 pm on the dot and spotted El sitting on a bench. I walked over and sat on the opposite side of the bench. He looked over at me and smiled, "Hey Liv, I missed you. I'm sure you're pissed about earlier. I was transferred to NYPD shortly after you left but they made me go undercover right away. I had no time to tell you. I was hoping that it would only be for a short while and then I could surprise you by being back in New York. I'm sorry you found out the way you did. Thanks for not blowing my cover." I glared back at him, "You're lucky I kept my cool. I almost walked right up to you and blurted out your name. How have you been texting me if you're under cover? I still feel like you could have told me." He scooted closer to me on the bench, and I tensed up. I didn't want to waver from my anger, and I turned into mush anytime he was near me. He put his hand on my shoulder, and I had goosebumps despite the warm summer air, "I didn't want to tell you I was back until I could really be back. I knew I was going under cover right away so I figured it would be best to wait. Sergeant Bell said I could text from my phone each night I checked in if I keep the phone at the office. Liv, look at me. I really am sorry. I want to be a part of your life. I am never leaving again."

I looked at him when he asked and saw sincerity in his eyes. I wanted to blurt out right then that I was pregnant and see his reaction to becoming a father again, but I didn't. It didn't feel right to tell him when he was in the middle of an undercover operation. It would distract him too much and that can be dangerous. Instead, I told him about our case with Tiana Smith and her stalker. After giving Elliot our description which wasn't a lot, he said there were a few guys in the organization fitting that description. He promised he would investigate it and see if he could get us some names of possible suspects. I thanked him and told him to be safe. He then placed both of his hands on either side of my face. I closed my eyes comforted by the warmth of his touch as he closed the space between us and kissed me gently but passionately. He then pulled away and said he had to go. I knew we would eventually be able to see each other again but it always felt like he was leaving me.