SVULadies

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“OK Doc, what were you able to find?” Dr. Warner looked at Elliot and then Olivia before shaking her head.

“Not much. Whoever did this was meticulous. We did find a single hair. Blonde, no root though. Looks like he used some sort of wrench to bash her face and skull. I’m running the specifics of the wound through the FBI database. Hopefully I’ll get something that can tell me the make and model of the tool, because it’s not something I’ve ever seen before. There was one bright spot, if you can call it that. The condom the perp used was from a German manufacturer, Condomi.”

At Elliot’s look she added, “FBI database of known condoms and their spermicides.”

“So we’re looking for a blonde guy who likes to use German condoms and some sort of uncommon tool to beat and rape his victims. Great. You ready to go Liv?”

Warner held her hand out to stop Olivia. “Olivia, I need a moment.” Olivia nodded at Elliot and motioned for him to go ahead without her. “Tell me what you know or think you know Olivia. You took off from the crime scene like a bat out of Hell.”

Olivia shook her head. “I don’t know. We went to see Alex and….her. Hillary. That was interesting. Dr. Caputo’s alibi is Alex. Seems they were having sex at the time of the murder. I even have video proof of their…..activities. Not from this morning, but lately.” Olivia shrugged. Melinda nodded.

“Olivia, I’m going to do some snooping on my own. I feel like I owe it to Lisa.” At Olivia’s look she added, “You do realize this is connected, right?”

“I don’t know Melinda. This morning I thought Hillary was involved and now I don’t know. I think maybe I’m crazy.”

“Olivia, do you believe in coincidence? As a detective do you really think it just so happens that someone who gave you information about your very recent ex ended up raped and murdered?” Olivia shook her head. “Good. I’m going to dig around, call in a few favors. I’ll let you know.”

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Olivia arrived at the coffee house a few minutes after seven. She found Sandy reading a book and smiled at the woman as they made eye contact. Ordering a mocha latte, she joined her date at her table.

“Hey.”

“Hi Liv. How was work?”

Olivia shrugged and rolled her eyes at Sandy. “You don’t want to know. How was your day?”

“Ah, it was good. I finished editing the latest galley’s of one of our up and coming authors. She writes lesbian erotica. You might enjoy reading some of her stuff. I can bring you some of her books, if you’d like?”

Olivia smiled. “Lesbian erotica, huh? Yeah, I’d like that. My mother was an English professor. You know, I’m sorry, but I really don’t know what you do. We’ve spent most of our time together talking about me. So tell me about you and the unsavory literary world.”

They spent the next two hours discussing literature, Sandy’s job and the finer points of lesbian erotica. By the time Olivia looked at her watch, it was over two hours later and Sandy was stifling a yawn. Olivia smiled at her and offered to show her home. As they neared the blonde’s door, Olivia began to fidget. Standing on Sandy’s doorstep, she leaned in and kissed the woman on the cheek. Sandy hugged her and returned the kiss.

“Thank you for tonight Olivia. I had fun.”

“Maybe we could do dinner one night this week?” Sandy nodded. Olivia turned and made her way to the front of the building, feeling lighter than she had in the last three weeks.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Dr. Caputo. So good to see you again. Have you given any consideration to my proposal?”

Hillary nodded as she took a seat in the office of Jose Mangels. “Yes. I have discussed this with Alex and she supports me in my decision to join your group. I need to know exactly what is expected of me and what, if anything you might be able to do to help Alex and I have a baby.”

Mangels leaned forward and fixed Hillary with an eerie smile. “Dr. Caputo, as I am sure you are aware, my group skates just this side of legal and on occasion we blur the ethical line. For a worthy cause of course. Anyway, when the time comes, we will inform you and your wife of our needs. We will also do all we can to help her achieve any goal she sets, especially in the political arena. All of our resources are at her and your disposal. When can we count on you to get started with us?”

Hillary made a show of deliberating his question before answering, “I can begin almost immediately. I’d like a day or two longer to spend with Alex, but then I can start almost immediately. I might like to take her away from the city for a couple of days. There are things here that upset her still.” Mangels grinned.

“Would Det. Benson be one of those things?”

Hillary’s smile faltered. “How do you know….” Mangels held up his hand.

“Dr. Caputo, surely you must understand that we have had your background checked thoroughly and that of your wife? What we do, some consider it an abomination and we can not be too careful.”

Hillary nodded. “Yes, of course.”

“About Det. Benson. Would you like our help with this situation?”

“Uh, no. I am secure in my wife’s love, but I also know her compassion and she still feels a bit of responsibility for the poor woman. She is not a problem in my marriage, nor do I expect her to be. But thank you.”

Mangels nodded. “She drinks, no?” Hillary nodded. “Alcohol has been the cause of many bad accidents. I do hope she is careful.” Hillary managed a smile and nod for his benefit.

XXXXXXXXXXX

In the car on the drive back to the apartment, Hillary pulled out the encrypted cell phone and dialed a number.

“Cragen.”

“”Meet me in the basement of the parking garage tomorrow morning. I’ll be on foot.”

Looking at the time, she floored the gas and deftly wove through traffic trying to get to the apartment she shared with Alex.

Taking a deep breath, she entered the apartment and found Alex milling about in the kitchen. Walking up behind her, she wrapped the blonde in her embrace and kissed her neck.

“Hey baby. How was your day?” Alex stiffened slightly before relaxing and turning to meet Hillary’s eyes.

“It was good. Did you see Dr. Mangels?”

Hillary nodded and bent in and kissed Alex. “Yep. Told him I wanted a couple of more days to spend with you before I start, but we’re all set. Are you ready to have a baby?” Hillary watched Alex intently, catching the slight bob of her would be lover’s throat.

Alex wrapped her arms around Hillary and nodded. “Sure am baby.” Hillary kissed her soundly and picking her up, she sat her on the kitchen counter, while still kissing her. Alex pulled back and rested her forehead against Hillary’s. “I fixed dinner.”

Hillary tried to capture Alex’s lips again, but the blonde ducked and swatted at her. Hillary let it go and helped Alex down off the counter, smoothing out her shirt. Alex avoided making eye contact with Hillary and went about taking up dinner. She shooed Hillary out of the kitchen and served dinner.

They ate in complete silence, with Alex still avoiding eye contact. Hillary wanted to ask Alex what her problem was, even though she had a pretty good idea. Instead, she suggested they go to the park, but Alex refused and opted for taking a leisurely bath. Without inviting Hillary.

She had her headphones on and eyes closed as Hillary approached. She reached down and pulled them off of Alex’s head, causing the blonde to splash and sputter.

“What are you doing?”

“I could ask you the same thing Alex.” Hillary’s voice was eerily quiet as she sat down next to the tub. “Are we going to talk about this?” om. She lay there until the nausea passed and picking herself up, she stripped and climbed

Alex played dumb and asked, “About what?”

“Don’t insult me Alex. If you’re feeling guilty because you fucked me, don’t. I know it doesn’t mean anything to you and I know you were thinking of your precious detective the whole time, who by the way, went out with your doppelganger again last night.” Hillary got up to leave, but Alex’s words stopped her.

“I didn’t just think about her. I thought about you. About us. Our history. I wanted to make love to you, I did. But then I remembered Cassie Bennett and I remembered Olivia and I…..” Alex tried to choke back tears, but they fell anyway. “I don’t want to ever taste anyone else but Olivia and she’s off with some woman who looks like me and is making love to her and I’m….”

“Here with me who cheated on you years ago with a woman you hated, even though we’d pretty much broken up by the time I fucked her. That about cover it?” Alex nodded. Hillary threw her hands up and let lose with a string of expletives. “Are you ever going to forgive me for Cassie Bennett? She was a lousy lay you know.”

Alex smiled. “She was my sworn enemy. She wanted you from the first day of college and you gave her what she wanted.”

“Four years later, right before we graduated when you decided law school was more important than me. If I recall correctly, you had cut me off a month earlier and we’d actually started sleeping in those two bedrooms we’d had for two years. So technically……”

“You didn’t cheat. I know. But still I hate her. And I didn’t choose law school over you. I just knew we both had stuff we needed to do before we committed to each other.” Alex let her admission hang in the air.

“Committed to each other? You planned on committing to me? As in, forever?”

“Yes, I did. But then life got in the way.”

Hillary lowered the lid on the toilet and sat down. “Fucking Cassie Bennett. Now I really hate her. Fucking Olivia Benson, I hate her too.” Alex shot her a nasty look. “Give it a rest Alex. You’ve practically got the woman up for sainthood. Why, I don’t know, but you do.” Hillary debated telling Alex about her conversation with Mangels but opted against it for fear of upsetting her even more. Instead, she stripped and helped Alex out of the tub.

“Hillary, about last night….”

“I know Alex. We’ll never speak of it again.” Her former lover nodded and Hillary slipped her night gown over the blonde’s head and shoulders. She threw on her boxers and t-shirt and led the way to their bed. She was not surprised when Alex turned away from her and she made no movement to spoon Alex from behind.

Long after Alex had fallen asleep, Hillary lay watching her. Idly, she played with the blonde’s hair and not for the millionth time in her life wondered how and why she’d let her get away. Her thoughts strayed to Olivia Benson and the hold her counterpart held over the woman lying next to her. When this is all over Benson, if you don’t take her back, I’ll kick your ass myself. And then I’ll move in on her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Benson.” Hearing the voice of Melinda Warner on the other end of the line, Olivia glanced around before speaking. “What’s up?” She listened as Warner insisted they meet for lunch. She remembered she had lunch plans with Sandy and silent cursed. “Yeah, I’ll meet you at Nate’s around 1.” Hanging up, she immediately dialed Sandy’s work number and canceled lunch, but asked her for a dinner rain check that night.

Making her way to the back of the diner, she saw Melinda Warner deeply engrossed in a hardback book. Taking her seat, she peered at the title and wrinkled her nose. “What is that?”

Warner looked up with troubled eyes. “Hillary Caputo’s thesis on endocrinology and the infertile.” At the mention of the other woman’s name, Olivia scowled. “Get over it Benson. You need to read this.”

“Why?”

“Because it reads like a really bad science fiction novel.” Warner reconsidered her words. “Actually, it’s not a really bad one, just a very far fetched one.” Olivia motioned for her to explain. “She has some very strange ideas about what can be done with the uterus. To the uterus.” Warner shook her head.

Olivia took a sip of water. “And I care about this why?”

“Because you love Alex and we’re not sure what she’s gotten herself involved in.”

“Alex made her choice. It wasn’t me. End of story.” Warner fixed her with a look and shook her head.

“Now is not the time to get pissy Olivia. Do you or do you not still love Alex?” Olivia looked away and refused to answer. “That’s what I thought. Now take this and read it. Some of it seems familiar to me, but I am going to have to do a little more research. Another thing, Dr. Caputo is Alex’s age.” Olivia shrugged. “She’s been published a lot, which is significant for someone her age, who has spent most of her time in research and not in practice.”

Olivia rubbed her forehead. “How about I take it and have Munch read it? He’ll be able to make more out of this than I will.” Warner nodded and then dug into her salad.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Hillary left the apartment right at 5 that morning, not bothering to wake Alex up. She headed in the direction of the park and then doubled back, catching a cab that took her a few blocks before the station. Getting out on the opposite side of the street, she zipped up the windbreaker she’d brought with her and pulled the hood up on her head. Mixing in with the few people who were out at that time of day, she casually walked to the end of the street and bought a coffee from a street vendor. She finished her coffee before crossing the street and disappearing around the corner, and down into the parking garage.

She waited, hidden behind an unmarked police sedan until she saw the figure of Don Cragen. Tossing a pebble in his direction, she got his attention and motioned him over. Glancing around, he bent down beside her.

“Agent Winnick.”

“Captain. How persistent is Det. Benson?” Cragen smiled at the question.

“Pretty damn. Why?”

“Mangels made a very subtle threat against her yesterday. Actually, he made an offer to help me with my problem, if I chose. We have someone watching her loosely. Do you think I need to request additional protection?”

Cragen considered what she’d just said. “Do that, and she’ll make them. What exactly did he say?” He listened while Hillary filled him in. He rubbed the back of his neck. “What about Alex? How’s she holding up?”

“It’s killing her. She’s lost weight and she’s heartbroken that the good detective seems to have already found a replacement for her.” The sneer in her voice was not lost on Cragen, who was shocked by Hillary’s comment.

“Found a replacement? What are you talking about?” He listened as Hillary filled him in on Olivia’s activities with the blonde. Shaking his head, he sighed. “How close are we to a resolution on this? I don’t want to lose my best detective or my ADA, and if this continues for a prolonged period of time, that will happen. They can’t live without each other. Not for ever.”

Hillary rolled her eyes before answering. “I’d say we’re about half way through. I start working for them later this week. Mangels told me they’d let me know what was expected of me. I’m going to try and push that agenda a bit. Alex is strong, but I can see some cracks starting to form. I’m getting her out of the city for a day or two. See if that helps.” Cragen nodded. “I think maybe she’s starting to blur the lines a bit.”

They parted shortly thereafter and Hillary took a cab back in the direction of the park. Getting out of the cab, she ditched the windbreaker by giving it to a homeless man and began her jog around the park. By the time she got back to the apartment, Alex was already showered and dressed, reading the paper. Alex glanced at her over her glasses and raised an eyebrow.

“Morning sweetheart. You’re up and ready awfully early today. Something going on?”

Alex raised her cheek for a kiss and answered, “No. Just woke up and missed you. How was your run?”

“It was good. Took a longer one this morning. It was a nice morning, so I took advantage. I thought maybe we could head upstate a bit? Spend the night? You know, before I start working with Jose.”

Alex watched her closely before answering. “Sure sweetie. Any idea where you want to go?”

Hillary smiled. “How about Fishkill?”

“Fishkill? You’re not serious?” Hillary nodded. “Oh God. OK.”

XXXXXXXXXXX

“Anka, they are taking a short holiday. Is everything ready?”

Gripping the phone, Anka Astor replied, “Yes Jose. The item will be planted in their apartment for insurance, just as you instructed. Is there anything else?”

“Just keep me updated on the Benson woman. And where are we on the policeman’s daughter?”

Astor flipped through a file on her desk. “She is at 7 weeks and they have an appointment for late next week. Shall I proceed?”

“Yes.”

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Sandy and Olivia were having dinner at Hello Dahli’s in the Village, when Olivia noticed a man watching them. Casually, took Sandy’s hand and asked her, “Don’t look right now, but do you happen to know the man in the corner? He’s been watching us for a few minutes.” Olivia smiled at Sandy as she leaned back and the other woman carefully turned in her seat, looking for a waiter. Seeing who Olivia was talking about she turned back to her.

“Not that I know of. Maybe he thinks we’re gorgeous?” Olivia smiled.

“Maybe.” She picked up one of the books Sandy had brought her and studied the cover. “Interesting art.”

Sandy smiled. “Thank you.” At Olivia’s puzzled look she added, “I illustrated the cover.”

“Wow. It’s incredible Sandy. Anything else I should know about you? Any other talents?”

Giving the detective a coy smile, she responded, “Oh I have plenty I could show you Detective Benson. I’m just waiting on the opportunity.” Olivia blushed and ducked her head. Sensing her dates discomfort, Sandy placed her hand over Olivia’s. “Don’t worry Liv. I know the score. I’m just buying time until you’re ready.” Olivia nodded.

They made their way back to Sandy’s apartment, and she invited Olivia up. Olivia accepted and they settled in on Sandy’s couch. The blonde casually laid her hand on Olivia’s thigh and sensing no resistance, she moved it a little further north. Olivia watched as Sandy’s hand made it’s way up her thigh. As it got dangerously close to her center, Olivia stopped her and pulled the woman in for a kiss. As the intensity of the kiss grew, her mind was screaming at her to remember Alex. Pulling back from Sandy, she fought to catch her breath.

“I think I should go.” Sandy nodded.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Hillary took the exit for West Point and brought the car to a stop at a bed and breakfast. She gently shook Alex awake. “Are we in Fishkill?” Hillary laughed.

“No. We’re not going to Fishkill. We’re spending the night in West Point.”

Stretching, Alex asked, “Why?”

“Fishkill? Do you really have to ask? I just said that for any ears that might have been listening. If anything’s said, I’ll just brush it off as you not being able to keep your hands off of me. I didn’t want to give Mangels and his group the opportunity to follow us and bug our room or whatever. I think you need to relax and you need to do that without the fear of having everything we say or do recorded.”

Hillary checked them in and then carried their bags up to the room. She produced a bottle of wine and a bottle of bubble bath. Alex smiled at her thoughtfulness and placed a kiss on the brunette’s lips. “Thank you.”

“No problem Alikins.”

They had an early dinner and drinks at a quaint little restaurant and then walked around the town square holding hands, feeling the effects of the alcohol. When they got back to the bed and breakfast, Alex filled the tub with the bubble bath and invited Hillary to join her. She grabbed the bottle of wine before sinking into the hot, frothy water and settling back into Hillary’s embrace. Not bothering with a glass, she began to drink from the bottle. She offered the bottle to Hillary, who took a gulp before Alex snatched it away again.

Alex was filling pleasantly buzzed from the warm water and the wine. “You know, I love her. It doesn’t matter if she’s fucked that bimbo senseless. Not at all. She’s mine, and even if I can’t have a baby, she still loves me.”

Alex was lost in her own world, nodding her head against Hillary’s chest.

Once again, Hillary asked, “Why? Why do you love her Alex? She almost killed you by getting drunk and letting you bleed half to death. She found someone within days to replace you. She doesn’t deserve you.”

“She only found that other bitch when she thought I was fucking you. Olivia would never, ever cheat. And I love her cause she’s Liv. She’s a lot like you actually, but she didn’t cheat.” Hillary bit the inside of her lip to squelch her reply. “Yeah, yeah, I know. You didn’t really cheat. Anyway, she’s fucking phenomenal in bed.”

Hillary could feel the last of her control slipping away. “Better than me?” Alex giggled.

“Way better than you.” Alex frowned. “At least I think she’s better than you. I don’t really remember.” Hillary stood up in the tub and pulled Alex with her. Half dragging the blonde, she pushed her down on the bed and climbed on top of her.

“Would you like to remember Alex? Would you like me to show you?” Alex ran her hand down Hillary’s side and across her ass.

“God yes.” Hillary kissed and nuzzled at Alex’s neck and kneaded at her breasts. She settled between the ADA’s thighs and began working her way downward. Alex let her legs fall open and she moaned, “God Liv, don’t stop. Please. I’ve missed you.” Hillary stopped immediately and kneeling between Alex’s legs, she took a closer look at the blonde.

“Liv? Liv, don’t stop, please.” Getting off the bed, Hillary went digging around in their bags until she found her boxers and t-shirt and trying to find Alex’s gown, she came across a pill bottle. Reading the label, she saw that it was a prescription for Valium.

“Alex? Alex? How many of these did you take?”

Unable to focus, Alex murmured, “Two or maybe three. Right before dinner. You know it helps me relax sometimes Liv. Especially since the last miscarriage.”

Hillary slammed the pill bottle down. “I am NOT Olivia! It’s me, HILLARY!” Alex squinted at her before trying to get up off the bed.

“I’m going to be sick….” Hillary swore again and helped her to the bathroom, where Alex heaved the contents of her stomach into the toilet. Sure that Alex wasn’t going to choke on her own vomit, Hillary began dressing and then helped Alex get dressed.

“Where are we going?”

Handing Alex a wash cloth, she replied, “To the hospital. You need some IV fluids and I want to make sure you don’t need the charcoal treatment.” Fucking Olivia Benson.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Munch strode over to Olivia and handed her Hillary Caputo’s thesis. “Interesting work Benson.”

“What does that mean?”

“Dr. Caputo seems to subscribe to some of the same theories the esteemed Dr. Mangele believed in.”

“Mangele? As in….”

“One in the same. Dr. Death. Led millions of Jews in unspeakable experiments. Oddly, a few of his works actually had some merit. Anyway, her thesis reads like a sequel to some of his work. Why do you have this Liv?”

“Uh, just something I’m working on.” Her thoughts were cut short as Liz Donnelly tore through the bullpen, making a beeline for Cragen’s office. She entered without knocking and slammed the door with enough force to rattle the glass.

“Good morning to you to Liz. What can I do for you?”

Liz Donnelly leaned into Cragen’s personal space and hissed, “Can you tell me why my ADA spent last night in the emergency room in fucking West Point?" Cragen's head snapped back.

“What?” Realizing he was just as in the dark as she was, she calmed down.

“There was a message this morning from the protective detail assigned to this case, letting me know Alex and Hillary did not spend last night at home and that their whereabouts were unknown. I called Hillary immediately and left a message. Her contact called me back to let me know Alex had spent the night in the ER in West Point, but that she was, and I quote, ‘fine.’”

Cragen shook his head. “This is getting out of hand. They need to pull Alex. Caputo and I spoke yesterday morning. She said she was going to get Alex out of the city for a day or two. Said she was beginning to crack a bit. Sounds to me like she shattered. Are they back in the city?”

Donnelly shook her head. “I don’t know. What are you going to tell Benson?” Cragen sighed.

“I don’t know, but she needs to hear it from me or else she’ll blow a gasket.”

Donnelly left the office much quieter than she had arrived. All four SVU detectives looked at each other and then Cragen’s door, knowing somebody was about to get called in.

“Benson! In here.”

“What Captain?”

“Now I want you to stay calm, but I have some news about Alex and I didn’t want you to hear it from anybody else. She spent last night in the ER in West Point.” Olivia was out of her seat and pacing before Cragen could finish.

“Did she hurt her? Did that bitch lay a finger on her? I’ll kill her.”

“Olivia, calm down. I don’t know why she was in the ER, just that she was. I doubt it was a domestic disturbance, or else there would have been a police report. I just didn’t want you to hear it from someone else. Ok?”

Olivia stopped pacing. “Is that why Donnelly was here?” He nodded. “Has she spoken to Alex?” Cragen shook his head. “Ok. Thanks for telling me Cap’n.” She made her way back to the bullpen and motioned for Elliot to follow her.