CHAPTER 34

One Year Later

Troy walked out of the federal prison. He wore a black suit that Donald had given him this morning but he decided not to wear the tie so he stuffed it in his pocket. He had shaved and gotten a haircut from the prison's barber.

A few reporters were outside waiting for him. "Troy, are you going to play basketball again?" "How does it feel to finally be a free man?"

Stabler was waiting by the gate and Troy stopped in front of him. "Well, what does it feel like to be a free man?" Stabler asked. Elliot visited Bolton twice a month to check up on him.

A black town car pulled up separating them and the reporters. Gabriella stepped out of the back seat. She then picked up Melody. "Daddy!" Melody exclaimed and waved.

"It's looks great from where I'm standing. Elliot, despite how everything led to this moment, thank you." Troy held out his hand and they shook hands. The media took tons of pictures. "I hope to see you at the ceremony next week."

"I'll try." Elliot said.

"Detective Benson and your wife are welcomed to come as well since it is just a small ceremony. I promise my parents will be on their best behavior." Troy said and Elliot smiled.

Troy opened the back door and slid in. He gave a quick wave before the car started driving away.

Troy rested the back of his head on the comfortable leather seat. He then felt her gentle hand rub his right hand. He opened his eyes and looked to his right. He smiled.

Gabriella wore a white blouse and flowing skirt, and her T-shaped necklace. Troy held her hand and ran his fingers over her wedding ring. They stared deeply into each others' eyes. Words were not necessary.

Gabriella then ran her fingers through his hair and Troy took in her sweet lavender scent. Their foreheads touched and soon their lips met in a tender, passionate kiss. This kiss was worth a year in a federal prison.

Yelena Montez sat across from her husband and their lawyer, Emanuel Reyes, stood behind them. Gabriel Montez just laughed. "What the hell are you doing here, woman?"

Yelena scoffed. "I'm here just to take one more look at the monster, who killed my son and almost killed my daughter. You know the doctors said it might be hard for her to conceive again." She said.

"Good. That means she will not breed anymore half-breed abominations." Montez said coldly.

"I can't believe that I once loved you." Yelena said and Gabriel laughed. "I want you to know two things for as long as you have left in here. One: Our divorce has been finalized without your approval." Montez scoffed and snickered. "Second: We found the Caymans account that you have been hiding the millions you embezzled from your own mother's foundation." Gabriel's smile disappeared. "Now you can't afford my attorney and the new assassin you hired to kill Troy while he and Gabriella are renewing their wedding vows."

"You can't do this me! You're nothing without me! I brought you up and that means I can bring me down." Gabriel exclaimed.

"There was a time I would have believed you but now everything you own is now mine. I just love American law." Yelena stood. "You also should have known that the most dangerous animal is a mother protecting her children." She said and grabbed her purse. She headed for the door but stopped. "I want you to suffer as I have suffered these past three years but your suffering will be over sooner than you think because I paid your assassin double. I think you get the picture."

Yelena knocked on the door and a guard opened the door. She walked out with Emanuel. "You can't do this me! YELENA!

One Week Later

Breaking news! Gabriel Montez Jr., former head of the Gabriel Montez Foundation for Spanish Immigrants who was serving twenty-five years to life in federal prison, was stabbed to death in his prison cell today. The warden refused to comment on their investigation.

Benson and Stabler watched the news. "Do you think Bolton has anything to do with this?" Olivia asked.

Stabler crossed his arms. "I have no doubt in my mind that he would kill to protect his family but he just got out. He's not gonna do anything that would send him away from them again." He replied.

"What about Gabriella? A mother will do anything to protect her young." Benson said.

"I doubt that too. Troy said that he would do anything to make sure that Gabriella didn't turn into her father." Stabler said.

"I guess we'll never know. Everyone will just believe it was the cartels." Benson said and turned off the TV.

Then they grabbed both of their jackets and left the squad room.

It has been fun writing this fan fic and I hope you all enjoyed it. Thanks for participating all this time. And please check out my new fic, Smallville fans.