Okay, everybody, last chapter! And I gotta say: I've gotten more reviews on this story than at my other site, so give yourselves cookies!!
For this chapter, I'd like to thank all the reviewers: Catty, Hkitty9013, oOophoenixoOo, BethanyKeegan, Kadyann, CriminalCourtGirl89, miagra, TV Angel 711, MissContrary101, PacyW'sgirl, Neela149, gigletrig, and live love and eat. Very special thanks go to ColorEsperanza, LivNel4ever, Rach, addicted, onetreefan, seriesfanatic for reviewing all of my stories, and last but not least SVU is my life, for telling me I"m her fave author. Love ya'll!
Disclaimer: They ain't mine. If they were, well, let's just say that Fault and Raw would've ended VERY differently.. (grins evilly)
And now, on with the show!!
"All I'm saying is that lemonade stands are conspiracies."
"Can it, Munch, or I'll can it for you," Fin warned, not even bothering to look up from his paperwork.
"Fin, stop threatening Munch," a voice called from the front door.
Fin and Munch looked up, surprised, as Elliot swaggered confidentally into the bullpen, a superior grin on his face.
"Hey, Elliot. How ya doin', man?" Fin asked, standing up and walking over to shake Elliot's hand.
"Good. Been bored out of my mind these last two weeks."
"You haven't missed much," Munch grumbled, joining the men.
Fin shot Munch a glare, and Elliot let out a chuckle.
Cragen stuck his head out of his office, saw Elliot and walked into the bullpen.
"Hey, Elliot," he greeted, shaking Elliot's hand.
"Hey, Cap. I'm back tomorrow. Just thought I'd drop in and make sure Fin hadn't shot Munch while we were gone," he said, smirking at the partners.
Munch spoke up again.
"Where's Olivia? Shouldn't she be here, too?"
"Right here," a voice spoke up from behind Elliot.
All eyes were on Olivia as she hobbled into the bullpen on her crutches.
She noticed the four sets of eyes watching her every move as she made her way to her desk, flopping unceremoniously into her chair.
Silence.
"What? You guys look like you've all seen a ghost," she teased, studying each of them.
Munch was the first to find his voice.
"Don't let Elliot make you do all the paperwork."
They all laughed, and Elliot shot Munch a death glare, saying, "Shut up. You'll ruin the plan."
"So you're both coming back tomorrow?" Fin asked, slapping Elliot lightly on the back.
"Yep," Elliot and Olivia replied in unision.
"Good thing, too. Fin and I were discussing ways to kill Munch and make it look like an accident," Cragen said, eyeing Munch.
"Ha ha. That was so funny I forgot to laugh," Munch muttered sarcastically.
"We saved this for you guys," Fin said, holding up a newspaper and handing it to Elliot.
"SVU Cop Saves Partner," Elliot recited loudly, glancing at Olivia.
As Elliot read parts of the article, everyone became lost in their own memories of the last two weeks.
When he was finished, silence filled the precinct.
Munch slipped over to stand by Olivia's desk before clearing his throat.
"See, Stabler. This is why you have a partner," Munch said loudly, and Olivia grabbed one of her crutches, smacking Munch in the leg with it.
Letting out a pained whine, Munch rubbed his leg and said, "See what I mean? She's the only one who can keep any of us in line."
Taking a small bow, Fin tipped an invisible hat and said, "On behalf of us all, thank you, Livia."
Cragen and Elliot mimicked Fin's actions, and Munch crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at Fin and Elliot.
Olivia couldn't stifle her laughter.
A phone rang, and Cragen looked at his detectives.
"Looks like it's back to work. Sometimes I wish psychos and rapists would take normal, nine to five hours," Cragen said wistfully, and everyone laughed.
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
Later that night, Olivia laid contentedly in Elliot's arms, her hands covering his over her waist.
"I can't believe we haven't been doing this all along," Elliot whispered, shattering the night's silence.
"Me neither."
"Thank you."
"For what, Elliot?"
"For everything. For saving me in more ways than one."
Olivia turned over in his arms to face him.
"I'm just so glad you're safe. When we were in that hospital, I wanted so bad to trade places with you."
"I know."
She slipped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his neck.
"This feels so right," she murmured against his skin.
"Hmm," was his response.
Olivia pulled him closer against her, running her hands over his bare back.
"Love you," he said softly, kissing her forehead tenderly.
"Love you, too, El."
The morning sun found them still in each other's arms. Elliot's arms were wrapped possessively around Olivia, holding her tightly against his chest. And even in their dreams they were holding onto each other, never letting go.
And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
The End.
A/N: Whew, that was the first long story I've done on this site! YAY!! Now, go review, please!