I'M BACK!

A/N: I went to Spanish camp for a month, put up with snail mail, no email, no computer, no TV, no SVU or ER and they're still not mine...DAMN IT! (I really do love camp though!)

A/N: Yes, guys, I am finally back and this time I am here to stay. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews for Or Just Look Like One and If I Never Knew You (over 160 combined reviews!). So here it is: the promised sequel and final chapter in this SVU/ER crossover trilogy. Once again, My Heart Will Go On and A Miracle Happens Here are the same story. I don't know how often I'll be able to update. Once school starts again in September, updates will be a week apart at the least, but I'm not sure how the rest of August will play out. This sequel is going to be Carby and EO, but EO shippers are going to have to put up with a lot of angst - and I mean A LOT of it. This chapter is not the most happy thing in the world, but I hope that for all of my EO shippers out there (you guys know who you are...) you enjoy this first part with lots of happy EOness in it just for you. All right, enough talk - ENJOY! (And please review!)

Olivia Benson woke up slowly to the sound of the gentle rainstorm outside her bedroom window. She enjoyed the soft pitter-patter noise it made is it kissed her window pane. A distant thunder rumbled heavily. Olivia smiled; she loved the rain.

The buzz of her alarm clock shattered the tranquility of the moment. She sighed and gently shut if off without looking at it; she already knew what time it was - 7:30. Olivia rolled over onto her left side, finding herself facing Elliot. She smiled softly, chuckling at the fact her alarm clock failed to wake him. She kissed him softly on the lips before rolling out of bed and into the shower.

The warm water felt comforting at the early hour. It cascaded onto her back gently, soaking moisture into her skin. Olivia wished she had more time to enjoy the moment, but she knew she had to hurry; she had somewhere to be at 9:00. Olivia finished her shower quickly and stepped out into the humid bathroom. She dried herself and began to get dressed. Olivia shivered slightly in the cold apartment air.

A warm pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her waist; Olivia turned around, finding herself in Elliot's embrace. She smiled and leaned her head against his chest.

"You looked cold," Elliot whispered as he kissed her. Olivia smiled.

"Not anymore," she said chuckling. She sighed against his neck. Elliot gently squeezed her again before releasing her, allowing her to continue getting dressed.

"What time is it at?" Elliot asked as he began making the bed.

"Erm… 9:00," Olivia said softly. Elliot caught the sigh in her voice. He finished making the bed and then walked over to her, taking her into his arms.

"Hey," he said softly. Olivia had her head on his chest again, her gaze down. Elliot gently tilted her chin up. "Hey," he said again. He kissed her, feeling her relax in his arms. "It's almost over," he reminded her, rocking her slowly back and forth. "This is it, Liv; it's been two months and look how far we've come. After this, it's the upswing."

Olivia sighed. "I know; it's just that…"

"That…what?" Elliot prompted her softly.

"I have to tell her about the dreams," Olivia whispered.

Elliot exhaled, nodding as the memory came back to him. "Olivia continued, "I don't know why they started up again…I mean, the nightmares ended over a month ago. But these dreams are – I don't know – different, somehow…" Olivia's voice trailed off in through. Elliot rubbed her back, making comforting circles with his palm.

"It's okay, Olivia," he said softly. "Tell her about the dreams; I don't think she'll mind continuing with you if you need it."

Olivia nodded. "I know she won't. It's just that…continuing seems so-"

"Weak?" interrupted Elliot quietly. "Liv, I've said it before, and I'll say it again, and I'll repeat it as many times as you need to hear it, but there is nothing – nothing – weak about asking for help." Olivia nodded slightly, closing her eyes and allowing Elliot's words to wash over her. Elliot continued, "You know that Abby is going through the same thing you are." Olivia nodded again. She knew that Carter was worried and that Abby was seeing Dr. Wendall.

"You don't think she's weak, do you?" Elliot whispered. Olivia shook her head immediately; Elliot gave her a knowing smile.

"Then shy do you think that about yourself?"

Olivia opened her mouth to protest, and then hesitated, thinking quickly. She finally smiled and kissed Elliot. "Thank you," she murmured, as their kiss ended.

"You're welcome," he replied. He suddenly smiled a mischievous smile. "I have a surprise for you," he said.

"Do you?" replied Olivia painfully, sneaking another kiss. "What?"

Elliot smiled. "Dinner: you, me, 7:00 tonight."

Olivia laughed. "How is that a surprise?"

Elliot only winked, his eyes twinkling. "You'll see."

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"So how are you doing, Olivia?"

Olivia, who had been looking at the floor, sighed and looked up at Dr. Rebecca Hendrix. Even now, after two months, she still couldn't remember why she had opted not to go to Huang. She knew George Huang would be only too happy to help her, but she found herself hesitating. Maybe it was because he was too close to what had happened, Olivia didn't know. She did know that Elliot had suggested Dr. Hendrix and Olivia had gone with his suggestion. She also knew that if she didn't answer the question soon, Hendrix would go into interrogation mode.

"I'm doing okay," Olivia finally answered.

Hendrix nodded. "I'm glad to hear that." She paused, writing some notes. "How are things going with Elliot?"

Olivia felt herself instantly smile. "Elliot's wonderful; so supportive with everything. I don't know what I'd do without him – I'd be lost without him."

Hendrix smiled back. "That's great, Liv. I'm so happy with all the progress you've been making." She trailed off, looking down at the paper some more. "How are you sleeping? Have you had anymore nightmares?"

Olivia hesitated slightly. "I've been – well, sleeping-wise, I've been okay, but I – uh…" Olivia stopped, unsure of what to say. Hendrix, who had been looking down at the paper, looked up when Olivia paused.

"You…what, Olivia?" she prompted softly.

"I have had more nightmares," Olivia confessed. Hendrix nodded as though she had been expecting this. Olivia continued, "They're different, though."

Hendrix raised an eyebrow. "Different? How so?"

"Completely," Olivia said. "They're completely different. I mean, I used to have ones about the – the abduction – or Bloomberg – or – or things like that, but now…it's nothing like that."

"What's it like, Olivia?" Hendrix asked. "What are the nightmares like? What happens?"

Olivia closed her eyes, trying to remember all the details. "It starts out with roaring, like – like fire. Everyone's shouting, but I can never tell what. I keep looking around for Elliot. I call his name, but he can never hear me. I can't see him either. The only thing I can see is flames, but I walk through them. And then-" Olivia suddenly broke off.

"And then what?" Hendrix urged.

Olivia took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "The dream changes. I'm in a graveyard, standing over a tombstone. It's always the same tombstone, but the name is always illegible. Suddenly, a ghost rises and begins to walk toward me. I – I try to run, but then more appear. I scream – and then – I'm falling – and I just…wake up."

Dr. Hendrix nodded. "That's a very vivid dream, Olivia. How often do you have it?"

Olivia shrugged. "Um, every night for the past couple of weeks, I think. Sometimes I just get bits and pieces of it, but they make a complete story."

Hendrix was silent as she thought. Finally she asked, "Have you ever dreamt anything past the graveyard?"

Olivia frowned, thinking. "No," she answered finally. "No, I don't' think so."

"Have you had any other dreams that you can remember?" Hendrix inquired.

"Um," Olivia stuttered as she thought back. "I had a dream about Alex the other night – Alexandra Cabot, our previous assistant district attorney."

"What happened in the dream?"

"Not much," admitted Olivia. "IT was much like Alex's last case…accept that this time, we decided to go through with a trial. There were guards everywhere because we were all being threatened. Elliot and I are watching Alex cross-examine the defendant. Suddenly, a shot rings out and Alex falls to the ground. Elliot and I whip out our guns, but then I feel the bullet hit me…and…I wake up."

Hendrix was silent for several moments after Olivia finished as she wrote down some notes. She finally looked up again and said, "Well, Olivia, it seems that you still have some things on your mind. We have-" Hendrix looked at the clock and jumped "-all of two minutes left right now." She pulled her appointment book towards her and opened it. "I have time next Friday at 10:00, if you want that."

Olivia nodded. "That's fine; I'll take it."

Hendrix wrote the information down. "Okay," she said, smiling. "I will see you later, then."

Olivia rose from her chair and walked to the door. "Thank you," she said.

Hendrix smiled. "You're welcome."

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Olivia and Elliot were sitting in the restaurant later that evening. They had already eaten their way through the delicious appetizers, main meals, and desserts, and now they were onto the coffee. Olivia took another sip, feeling the aroma warm her from the inside. She suddenly chuckled as she remembered something.

"What's so funny, Liv?" Elliot asked.

"I just remembered something," she said happily. "You still have to give me my surprise."

Elliot laughed. "Never could've gotten that one around you, now could I?"

Olivia smiled. "Nope."

Elliot returned her smile nervously. "Do you – do you want the surprise now?"

"Um…sure," Olivia said slowly, watching Elliot falter. "Is that…okay?"

Elliot nodded. "Of course," he said softly. He reached down into his jacket pocket. Suddenly, a shrill find cut through the air. Elliot pulled out his cell phone. "Cragen," he mumbled, glancing at the caller ID. He sighed, giving Olivia an apologetic look. She nodded in understanding. Elliot flipped open the phone.

"Stabler…yes, I gave you that file before I left…Well, tell Case to drive over and get it…oh…Okay, we're close to the precinct, we'll do it. Yeah, okay, Cap.' 'Bye." Elliot hung up the phone. "I'm sorry, Liv. Cragen needs a file driven to Casey for the trial and she's out getting a last minute warrant. We're the elected mailmen…"

Olivia leaned over and kissed him. "It's okay," she whispered. "The surprise can wait."

Elliot nodded and he signaled a passing waiter to bring him the check. Once the bill had been paid and signed, Elliot and Olivia rose to leave. They walked slowly to the exit and stepped out into the chilly New York night.

They walked slowly to the car, feeling the air bite at their cheeks and lips. Elliot wrapped his arm around Olivia as they continued walking. A faint ring turned Olivia's attention to her purse. They stopped while Olivia fumbled through it. She extracted her phone, frowning at the caller ID.

"Benson…Casey? Why – oh…" Olivia frowned deeper and looked at Elliot. Turning the phone away from her mouth, she asked, "Do you have your phone with you?"

Elliot paused, thinking, and then instinctively reached into his pocket. He felt around, and then a worried frown crossed his face.

"It's still in the restaurant," he muttered to Olivia.

"That's obvious," she answered. "Casey's tried calling you three times now."

"I'll run and get it quick," said Elliot sheepishly. "Wait for me here?"

"Okay," said Olivia, nodding. Elliot gently kissed her.

"Be right back," he assured her. He turned back in the direction of the restaurant, leaving Olivia alone in the dark alley.

"Did I just hear him kiss you?" Casey's voice came over the line teasingly.

Olivia laughed. "You actually heard it?"

"No," admitted Casey, also starting to laugh. "I just assumed and guessed, apparently correctly."

"You suck, Casey," Olivia replied. She moved underneath a neon light so that she was not standing in the darkness. "He, by the way, left his phone in the restaurant and he went back to get it…what do you need him for anyway?"

"Court," said Casey. "He's testifying tomorrow."

Olivia nodded, though Casey couldn't see. "Sounds fun."

"Yeah, right," Casey replied.

"No, really," insisted Olivia; both she and Casey were laughing. "You know I always have fun testifying for you."

"Sure you do, Liv." Casey laughed. Olivia suddenly froze; the neon light had just gone out. Standing alone in the darkness made her feel very unprotected. She watched the light flicker weakly, casting intermittent neon red shadows. Casey was still talking.

"Okay, Liv," she was saying. "I'll talk to you later; I gotta run-"

A car suddenly turned the corner. Olivia leapt backward, out of the way. The passenger side window was rolled down. Olivia had no time to react as two shots rang out from a gun in the car. The first hit the brick wall behind Olivia, but the second one found its target. Blinded by pain, she could barely hear the car drive away. Her mind spun as she sank down the wall to the ground. She felt herself fading as her cell phone slipped from her limp fingers.

"Olivia?" Casey's voice came over the phone, worried and shrill. "Liv? Liv? OLIVIA!"

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"Yes, thank you, sir," Elliot said to the waiter as he passed to the exit. "I found my phone." HE sheepishly held it up.

"Very good, then," the waiter said as he bowed Elliot out of the restaurant.

Elliot exited and turned in the direction of the alley. He was just putting his cell phone away when it started to ring. He looked at the caller ID and chuckled.

"Casey," he said into the phone, laughing. "What do you-" Elliot frowned and then the color drained from his face. "Oh my god…" Elliot suddenly broke into a terrified sprint. He tore out of the restaurant's shadow and into the darker parts of the alley. As he ran further, he noticed a flickering neon sign casting an eerie red shadow. The sign finally decided to cast its weak light onto the cement; Elliot felt his stomach drop at the sight.

Casey was still on the other end of the line. "Elliot!" she shouted frantically. "Elliot, what the hell happened?"

Elliot dropped to his knees beside Olivia. He grabbed her limp wrist, feeling tears sting his eyes. "Oh god, Casey," he gasped into the phone. "Casey, call an ambulance – now! We're in the back alley off of-"

"I know where you are, Elliot!" Casey shrieked. Her voice was stricken with panic. "Okay, okay, Elliot, I'm going now-"

Elliot shut the phone and turned back to Olivia. The bullet had entered somewhere in her chest. There was blood all over. Elliot whipped off his jacket and pressed it down, trying to stem the horrific flow of blood.

"Who did this to you, Liv?" Elliot muttered desperately as tears slipped from his eyes. He could see how pale her face was, how cold her hand felt in his. He wrapped his fingers around her wrist, groping for a pulse. A sharp exhale of relief echoed in the alley as he found it: a threaded, weak pulse, but he knew it meant she still had time. He pressed his jacket harder to her wound and tilted his ear to her mouth. He squeezed his eyes shut, straining his ears to hear her breathe. Elliot finally felt a feeble breath blow into his ear. Relieved, he kissed her lips.

Olivia's eyes fluttered barely open. "Elliot…" she moaned.

"Olivia," Elliot gasped. Instinctively, he pressed harder, adding more pressure to the jacket. "Liv, stay with me, okay? Casey's called for the ambulance. They know where we are, honey. They're coming, I promise."

Olivia's eyes had closed again; she shook her head ever so slightly. "It hurts so much, El…"

"I know it does, sweetheart," Elliot said to her. He knew he had to keep her talking; he couldn't risk letting her fade away again. "Liv, stay with me." Olivia shuddered as she moaned in pain. "I know," whispered Elliot, nodding. "I know it hurts, Olivia. Just hold on – help is on the way."

"I love you, Elliot…" Olivia murmured, feeling herself begin to fade again. She allowed herself to go, knowing that if she died, she would die in Elliot's arms…

"No, Olivia!" Elliot begged her desperately, as the tears began to fall faster. "You can't leave me, Liv! I love you; I love you so much!" He took one hand off og her jacket and grabbed her wrist again: her pulse was even weaker than before. He leaned his head to hers and puts his mouth right next to her ear. "I love you so much, Olivia. I can't live without you. Please hold on; stay with me, honey. Don't leave me here like this."

Elliot closed his eyes feeling his tears fall onto Olivia's cheek. He pressed both hands to her wound again; his hands were stained with blood. Elliot was so focused on Olivia, he didn't notice the approaching footsteps. By the time he found himself face to face with the gun of the assailant, he was too numb to react, had no method of protecting himself. The assailant pulled the trigger, forcing the bullet into Elliot's body. As the gunman ran away, Elliot felt himself already growing groggy with pain. The last thing he saw before he lost consciousness were the flashing red and blue lights drawing closer, and the last thing he felt was Olivia's body go completely limp in his arms.

A/N: Uh huh. Yeah, we're kicking off with a dreadfully evil cliffhanger, I know. Review and I'll get the next chapter out soon!

P.S. If any of you are interested in reading Harry Potter fanfiction, I'm writing an HP fanfic with one of my best friends. It's under her account, which is Hermione's Helping Hand and it is called Harry Potter and the Core of the Wands. You should all check it out if you get the chance!