In the Blink of an Eye

William Lewis had been a spree rapist and murderer, and after being caught, his attorney posted bail and he was out. I showed up at the squad as soon as I heard the news broke, and managed to find Olivia. She was alone, in one of the interrogation rooms off the hallway, and I found myself flashing back to the day that Don had told the both of us that Elliot wasn't coming back. Feeling a sense of foreboding within me once again, I pushed open the door, and stood there, hesitating in the doorway, the only sound being emitted from the room was that of Olivia's sobbing, and my heart immediately went out to her.

Shutting the door behind me, I quickly crossed the room and put my arms around her, the words revealing my true identity on the tip of my tongue. As Olivia turned and threw her arms around me, her sobs turned into soft wails. She couldn't speak and, once again, I kept my mouth shut tight. How in the hell could I tell her now, when she had a target shape painted on her forehead?

"Liv, don't do this to yourself," I whisper. "Come back to Westchester with me tonight, please. Hunter is away on that assignment with Mason, and Edythe is still in that rehab for another couple of months. Helena's taken the kids, so it's just me there. Please, come to my house. You'll be safe..."

"Can't," Olivia said, pulling back. "I really appreciate the offer, Maggie, really I do, but in going to your house..." She shakes her head. "It's almost as if I'm running away from it all. And besides, it'd be putting you in danger, too, and I couldn't do that... Not to you."

"Why?" I whisper. "I'm a police officer, too. Why wouldn't you treat me the same as everyone else?"

"Because you're not the same," Olivia replies swiftly, dashing the tears from her eyes and leaving me alone in there.

I made the drive to Westchester alone that evening, as usual; it was unseasonably raining as I made my way to the highway, feeling nervous and scared for Olivia. I knew that she could handle herself, but my heart was in several places that night—with Helena and the twins; with Edythe at her rehab; with Olivia and all her bundles of nerves and attempts at bravery; and especially at Hunter, in whatever location he was with Mason. I finally found the proper exit in the semi-darkness and made my way through the roads and towards the gate of the community, before typing in the correct password and letting myself in. Down the curved street and then down the cobbled road where, at the end of it, I would have reached my home.

I put my car in the garage and make sure to lock everything behind me. Making my way up the back stairs, I flick on the lights as I go, heading into the kitchen to make myself a late dinner. I decide on a chicken breast and a baked potato, as well as a salad, and—as I'm readying everything—I head into the living room to see what is on T.V. that night. As I'm mentally deciding what to watch—nothing news oriented because I absolutely do not want to see anything about the Lewis case—I come to a stop by the elaborate mirror in the hallway.

The mirror—a gift from Derrick for the wedding—was one of those that you would probably see in a French palace or something. He claimed to have found it while on a retreat somewhere in Europe, but now...now it was ruined! Written in what appeared to be blood was the following: I know where you are, Captain Maggie Grayson. Don't hesitate to presume that I don't know where Olivia is. I am going to her now. Don't wait up, because as soon as I'm finished with her, all of her, you're next. —WL

I can barely contain my screams of fear as I quickly manage to find my phone, and make the necessary calls needed. This had to get out—lives were at stake: Mine, Olivia's, and all that was dear to me.

. . .

"Maggie! Maggie, wake up! It's all right!"

"No, stop!" I find myself screaming, my eyes shooting open, and my arms almost immediately going around Hunter. "It was awful...!"