13K+ words in . . . *checks the time* Seven hours. Boy, I really wanted the OC episode done XD Lots of characters to work in here, but this was a beast to write. Hopefully the next one won't be such a weight, but I wanted to push this out to continue the story. There's plot to progress, people!
The hunt for Eli Stabler is on, and in an effort to give Carlos something to do, Frank has a brilliant idea. Carlos doesn't regret agreeing one bit.
Benson's character bio is at the end, and for those of you who haven't seen or don't read my other big crossover, a new chapter sign-off, too!
***
The door to Elliot's home slammed open with a bang, and Elliot charged inside with Kathleen, Dickie, and Owen on his heels. "Eli!" Elliot bellowed.
Bernadette Stabler scowled and glanced down the hall from where she stood atop a stepladder, attempting to place something back in the cabinet. "I told you, he's not here!" she griped.
Elliot huffed. "Get her down from there!" Kathleen and Dickie immediately rushed to help Bernadette, and Elliot looked around. "Lizzie?"
"Here, Dad!" Elizabeth ran from the other direction, her face pale. "I'm sorry, I've been trying to call him."
"It's OK," Elliot held up his hand and pulled out his phone. "I'll give it a try."
Elizabeth bit her lip and nodded worriedly. "Hey," Owen gave her a comforting smile. "We'll find him."
Elizabeth gave him a weak smile in return. "Good to see you, Uncle Owen."
Owen hugged her with a small chuckle, watching Dickie and Kathleen usher Bernadette onto one of the chairs at the island. "I like hearing that again."
Elliot made a face after a few seconds and pulled his phone away from his ear. "I'll give it one more try." He dialed Eli's number again, but after a few seconds of the phone trilling, he shook his head and turned to Dickie. "OK, Dickie, you try. Maybe he'll pick up your call."
"I shouldn't have let him go," Bernadette sighed. "I'm sorry. It's my fault."
"It's not your fault, Mama," Elliot shook his head.
"Yeah, it is," she insisted.
"Alright, let's not get ahead of ourselves," Owen advised, holding up his hands placatingly. "The last thing we need is to lose our heads to panic."
***
The trill of a phone interrupted Kelly relaying one of his arson investigations to the teenagers, and Frank quickly swallowed his drink and checked his Caller ID. His curious expression was quickly replaced by intense focus, and Nolan straightened in his chair as the detective answered his phone. "Cosgrove," he said, listening intently to the other line. "Yeah, send me the address. I'm on my way."
He hung up with a sigh and stood from his chair, and Matt looked at him sympathetically. "Caught a case?" he asked.
Frank nodded grimly. "Unfortunately, killings don't stop just because the cops are visiting with friends."
"Wouldn't it be nice if they did?" Nolan sighed.
"You have no idea," Frank nodded in agreement and looked at Lily apologetically. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I need to run."
"That's OK," she told him. "I can stay, can't I?"
Frank glanced at the rest of the adults, and Sylvie nodded. "She can stay with us as long as you need to get going on the case, Frank."
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Trouble Don't (File Two of The First Responders Files)
Fanfiction"Trouble, don't you come my way. Oh, no, not today. Trouble, don't you come my way." ~ "Trouble Don't," AG In which everyone is exactly where they're meant to be, but the calm is often before the worst of the storm. Follows Season 3 of 9-1-1: Lone...
