Title: The Ties That Bind

Author: Sara and Lizzie

Rating: T for mild language, violence and sex

Disclaimer: We own nothing related to L&O. We can merely write fictious stories and curse Dick Wolf for teasing us.

Author's Note: This is our second SVU fic. It's set before Elliot and Kathy's separation, but they are having problems. We want to set it straight that we know it's out of character, and Elliot would never cheat on Kathy. That's why we call it fan fiction. We're trying to keep their basic traits the same, but in our situation. REVIEW. Please, we're slaves to your opinions.

Author's Note: All good things must come to an end. Including this story. We're trying to cook up a new SVU fic to compensate, and we're also going to be going back to "Street Lights And Skylines", "All That Glitters" and "Notorious". Thanks for sticking with this, and thanks to all who reviewed.

"And you were the song all along." -Rent

One Year, Six Months Later

3:39 PM
New York City Courthouse Steps

The phone rang loudly, blending in with the cacophony ofsound on the courthouse steps. "Stabler," came the answer. There was a pause and Fin raised his eyebrows at his new partner.

"Really? This tip came from Internal Affairs?" There was a chuckle. "At least the sons of bitches got something right."

There was a pause. "They want in on the undercover? Cragen's not going to like that at all."

Fin turned his attention away from the phone call, and focused on Casey who came down the stairs. "Jury's just in. You did great, Fin. That testimony hit home with every parent, aunt and uncle in that room."

He smiled and shrugged. "I do what I can. Think they'll convict him?"

"I can't be sure, but it looks good."

Laughter from the phone call floated over toward them. "How's the new partnership?" she asked.

Fin smiled. "Me and Stabler? Oh you know, we always got along. The couple of cases we worked together before this went well."

"All's well that ends well, then." Casey said.

"How's your broken partnership?" he asked.

"Alex deserved the D.A spot." Casey said loyally. "I have a feeling she'll thrive there."

Fin nodded his agreement. All's well that ends well. Who knew that could happen?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3:46 PM
One Police Plaza

"I love you."

"I love you too."

In the surprisingly warm December sunshine outside the police headquarters, a smiling Elliot Stabler hung up his cell phone and placed it back in his pocket. He smiled, content and headed toward his police sedan.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3:46 PM
New York City Courthouse Steps

As the winter sun started to set, Olivia Benson- Stabler threw her own phone in her jacket pocket, and ambled over to Fin and Casey. Her recently placed wedding ring glinted on her finger, and she smiled.

It was hard to believe that so much had happened so quickly. And now, here in the afterglow of it all, she had found something to believe in. Something that went beyond her job and her past.

She believed in love.

The elated expression on Olivia's face was not lost on Fin or Casey. She came over to them, and murmured something about the city around Christmas time.

Casey's words echoed in Fin's head, and Olivia proved them.

All's well that ends well.