One; 

Standing, Max’s eyes looked directly forward knowing that behind her a row sat the others involved; Elliot Stabler, Olivia Benson, Odafin Tutoula, John Munch and Donald Cragen.  

“Do you, Special Agent Maxine Strummer, swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god?”

Swallowing, Max kept her eyes locked on the board members. “I do.”

Two-Seventy two hours earlier; 

“Hello Nelson.” 

The cat moved automatically to her legs, rubbing and purring as his owner picked him up to rub his fat orange face next to hers. “Did mommy forget to feed you?” She asked placing the cat down. 

Reaching over and flicking on kitchen’s television, she opened a can of cat food and scooped it into the dish before leaving it for Nelson.  

“And in following up on a breaking new story, Actress and Model Hillary Daniels daughter has still not been found. The police and FBI have no leads into her disappearance though one FBI agent reportedly was removed from the case. Agent Maxine Strummer has been taken off the case due to—personal differences.” 

“Bull shit.” Max snapped spooking her cat by slamming down the empty shot glass of whiskey before pouring another. “Sorry Nelson.” She muttered before downing the shot and replacing the cap on her whiskey and putting her shot glass in the sink. 

“Eliza Daniels suffers from Multiple sclerosis, which has lead both her parents, Hillary Daniels and magician Thomas Daniels to lead the front assault on this disease along with many others.” 

Leaning against her counter, Max’s eyes fell on the map. The map she had been using in order to piece the missing kids together. It was the true reason she had been kicked off the case. “And now to Frankie.” 

“Agent Strummer’s actions have been dealt with and we still would like to hear from anyone with news of the missing girl. If you are holding Eliza please just let her go or contact us. We would really like to hear from you.” 

“Not a bad press release Frankie boy.” Max muttered as she picked up Nelson. “We don’t like Frankie do we…” She purred as she brushed her bangs out of her face. 

Glancing again at the map, Max’s head titled for a second. New York? The kidnappers main cases were focused around New York…who would have thought. “Mommy’s got a mission, Nelson. I’ll leave a note for Mrs. Kendrick down the hall. She’ll look after you okay?” 

Hearing the cat purr, Max grabbed her car keys before collecting her leather coat and jogging out of her apartment. 

Three; 

“The FBI says none of the cases are connected.” Huang told the Group. “Each were abducted with a different MO. Some from school others home, stores. And not all are from families that are always in the spotlight. Eliza Daniels was rarely seen at functions. Her mother wanted Eliza to make the choice of if she was to be famous or not.” 

“Guess the attacker had different plans.” 

Nodding Huang’s eyes locked with Fins. “Maybe. Her disappearance however isn’t believed to be connected with the others. This one is more just to be a regular kidnapping. Money and the kid is returned.” 

Elliot lowered his coffee cup as he approached the numerous pictures. “Come on Doc we’ve got kids with Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple sclerosis, Down syndrome.” 

“The scenarios are different, Elliot.” Huang stated. 

“So different precincts handle each case.” Elliot snapped back. 

Huang winced at Elliot’s snap though it wasn’t noticeable. He knew the frustration that was coming from this case. FBI agents were becoming frustrated. In his mind, Huang wondered if the cases were connected, some how. But it didn’t fit. They didn’t fit together, the pieces were too cluttered.

 He had informed them that Max had been on the case until she had followed the route of questioning the Daniels without the Agent In Charge. That and a seeming verbal fight about how the kidnapper was humping the FBI and she was soon escorted off of the Daniels’ estate. 

“But, still you can compare notes. See that each are different.”  

Strolling unnoticed into the squad house, Max’s eyes fell on the missing person pictures. All ten kids were up there. Some with mental problems others physical, however only two were being focused on—of course the two that were in their jurisdiction.  

“And going no where. Each has their own dead end.” Olivia pointed out. “Nothing connects.” She added with a sigh. “Kidnapping everyone checks out, and then nothing happens.” 

“Something is there.” Cragen stated. “A kidnapping can’t just go cold.” He turned to leave, when he heard the squeak of a dry erase marker. Watching the black line connect one kidnapping to another in another precinct, Cragen’s eyes saw who had the marker. “Agent Strummer.” 

“Captain Cragen.” Max greeted with a small smile. Brushing her blonde frosted hair back, she stepped away from the board. “They are connected.” She told Huang. 

“Max you know the FBI hasn’t released that.”

“They are!” Max snapped. “Come on, killers kidnappers they don’t go out side of their own safety zone. It’s their area. Their pissing ground.” 

Huang nodded. “True,” He told her. “But what is the connection.” 

“When we have that we have our man.”

Four; 

Elliot looked at Max. “Thought you didn’t like profilers.” 

“I don’t.” Max replied. “I tried floating this past my a SAC and he kicked me off the Daniels detail.” She informed them. Shrugging she walked over to the coffee and sniffed it. Making a face she lowered the old pot of coffee and opted for a room temperature slice of pizza. “Seems you all are on the same page as me.” 

“And what page is that?” Olivia asked locking eyes with Max. Track history not withstanding, Max wasn’t’ her favorite FBI agent. Insults were thrown their first meeting, Elliot was stabbed their second one and now they were working with handicapped children in their third go around. 

“All are connected.” Max replied her hand over her mouth as she chewed her pizza. “I was floating a theory that it’s their disabilities that connect them.” 

Huang looked at Max. “Their disabilities. Each is different.” 

“But each have one.” 

Elliot could see Huang’s mind turning. “If we take that into action, then why is the kidnapper just targeting them. These ten and why Eliza Daniels.” 

“Dunno.” 

“What made these ten so special?” 

“Dunno.” 

Huang smirked. “Anything useful then?” 

Tossing the crust away, Max cracked her knuckles before moving towards the board. Not verbally answering his question, she wrote two words. 

NO RANSOM. 

Munch snorted. “Could be family stolen.” 

“Daniels were loving parents.” Fin argued. “Montgomery single mom due to the dad dying in 9/11.” 

Tilting her head to look at Huang, Max smiled. “Let’s rewrite that profile shall we?” Max asked. “Possibly one that can connect them all?” 

“I’ll try.” 

Cragen cleared his throat after a moment. “Good,” he commented. “Then the rest of you.” He glanced at Max as well, “Can attempt to do more grunt work on where they are being held.” 

With a second apart from them, all in the room said yes sir. Splitting away from the squad, Max’s arm was caught by Elliot. “Well you heal quickly.” 

“Thanks.” 

“Get the flowers?” 

Elliot nodded. “They were a nice touch.” 

Giving a forced smile, Max ran a hand through her hair. “I don’t do good byes. At least not anymore. You only get one.” 

“Oh,” Elliot replied. “And now?” 

Max gave him a small smile. “Break into my office at the FBI, steal sealed records, and attempt to hack into VICAP.” She informed him. “Care to tag?” Getting no answer, Max slipped her arm out of Elliot’s before noticing no wedding ring. “No ring?” 

“We’re working some things out.” 

“Oh.” Max stated. “Coming?” She asked again. 

Watching Elliot collect his coat, Max lead the way out into the snow to her car. “If Frankie is there…I do the talking.”