TITLE: Law & Order: SVU – The Fill In

AUTHOR: D M Harper.

SUMMARY: Sometimes letting go only takes one step in the right direction.

PAIRING: Olivia Benson & Original Female Character

RATING: M for mature content.

DISCLAIMER: This story is the work of an over imaginative mind and the basic wish of many gay women who watch and enjoy certain television shows, to see a little v-vroom between two female characters. I like to dabble with the subtext and do so for fun and not for profit. There is no intent to infringe on the copyright of Wolf Studio or USA Television. This entertainment does feature consensual sexual interaction between two females, so if you are underage or unable to view due to restrictions in your part of the world, be gone with you and take my sympathy with you. If you find such material offensive, too bad, so sad, you chose to enter this web site of your own free will, hence you have no one to whine to expect yourself – now bugger off!

A/N: Please take the time to review and let the Muse breathe!

Chapter 1

Detective First Grade Elliot Stabler stood up from his armchair and sluggishly stretched his six foot and one half inch frame in an attempt to alleviate the cramps present in his legs. The handsome, black haired and blue eyed man started to pace around the room and cursed, "Crap! It's been six hours already, surely someone must know something by now?"

John Munch, a Detective Sergeant with the New York City Police Department, fifty-six with dark hair and six foot one, entered the room carrying a cardboard tray containing three containers of coffee and one green tea. "You'll be happy to know I just spoke to the desk Nurse again and it looks like our beloved Captain is out of surgery and is being moved to recovery."

Elliot, forty-five, took a coffee and patted the bespectacled Munch on the back, "That's terrific news and thanks for the java John."

"You are welcome my friend." He handed his partner Fin Tutuola, forty-eight and five foot eleven, a shot of caffeine then passed the cup of tea to Detective Second Grade Olivia Benson.

Olivia, thirty nine, stood her five feet eight body up and flexed her well-toned legs, "Thanks John. It shouldn't be long before we hear more about his condition then."

"Yeah," agreed Fin with a slow nod. "The surgeon should be along any minute now."

On cue a dark blue scrubs attired man stepped through the doorway of the waiting room in St Mark's Hospital and announced, "Your Captain Cragen is going to be just fine. The pellets unfortunately shattered his hip and had to be pinned, but with bed rest and physiotherapy he will be good as new in a few months."

"Months?" questioned Elliot worriedly.

"Yes, this type of injury involves a slow and painful recovery period, anywhere up to eight months," explained the Police Surgeon.

"Holy shit!" exclaimed Olivia with alarm. "Looks like you'll be in charge John."

"I look forward to the experience Liv," replied Munch humbly.

The specialist smiled at the group of detectives and added, "Captain Cragen should be out of recovery in the next hour or so. I will have the nurse inform you when it's possible to visit him."

"Thank you for everything Doctor Westlake," commented Elliot gratefully with a handshake. "We appreciate it."

As the physician departed the room, Chief of Detectives Muldrew arrived. Munch gave the bald, sixty-one year old Commanding Officer all the available detail on Donald Cragen's condition.

"Sergeant Munch," Muldrew began. "You will take command of the squad until a relieving Captain can be organised."

"Yes sir."

-o-

Two hours later, the four detectives of the Special Victims Unit returned to the 16th Precinct to file their reports on the shooting of fifty-five year old Captain Don Cragen. Two investigating detectives from the Shooting Review Board arrived at 13:20 to interview them in Cragen's office. Elliot was first and he was careful to give full disclosure of the incident involving a suspect by the name of Walter Grady who was in the process of being arrested and brought in for questioning by the squad for the sexual assault of a fourteen year old female neighbour when the Captain had been wounded.

Cragen had tagged along for the collar as a replacement for Fin, who had been in court giving evidence for an unrelated case. Upon their arrival at Grady's house, Elliot and Olivia had approached the front door while Cragen and Munch had taken up position to the rear of the house.

Elliot had knocked on the door and identified himself loudly as a police officer. Grady had straightaway run to the back of the house after the announcement, smashed through the door and discharged his shotgun, hitting Cragen during the attempted escape.

Cragen had managed to return fire, killing Grady with a single shot to the left side of his chest. The Captain had taken a bullet to his right hip and immediately collapsed as Munch discharged his weapon twice.

Elliot and Olivia had kicked the front door down and witnessed the shooting, but had been unable to fire upon the suspect in time.

Olivia's account of events substantiated Elliot's version as did Munch's. Cragen had already given his statement at the hospital and the investigating detectives had been satisfied it was a justified shooting and left the one-six at 1706 hours.

-o-

For the remaining three days of the work week, the SVU detectives visited Cragen around the clock in shifts and also managed to complete their outstanding caseloads.

Elliot, Olivia, Fin and the other squad detectives made Munch's time in the Captain's chair a living nightmare and he took great pleasure in telling them so as they sat around two tables at O'Malley's bar drinking beer on Friday night.

Olivia's cell phone rang and she withdrew it from her belt, "Excuse me guys, it's Casey." Placing the phone to her ear, she answered, "Hey Counsellor, how did Court go?"

"The Jury found him guilty on all six charges," replied the Senior Assistant District Attorney.

"Excellent and well done. Are you joining us for drinks?"

"I'd love to Liv, but I'm going to visit Don then I have a date."

"A date?" inquired Olivia curiously.

"Yes and I will tell you all about it tomorrow at dinner," promised Casey amusingly.

"You better and have a good time."

"I will and buy Fin a drink for me. It was his testimony that sunk the arrogant bastard."

"You got it, see you tomorrow Casey." Olivia closed her phone and looked at the three men staring at her. "Oh all right, our ADA has a date and that's all I am going to say on the subject and I have to buy you a drink Fin, you won the case for her."

"Good for her," remarked Fin proudly. "The woman is a damn fine prosecutor.

"Ahh, the lovely Miss Novak is back in the saddle again," wisecracked Munch.

"I'm happy for her," remarked Elliot as he checked his watch, "I hate to break up the fun, but Kathy and the kids will be home soon. I'll see you all on Monday."

Olivia waggled her head, "Give your family a hug from me El."

"Will do, night everyone."

-o-

Olivia crawled into bed at two minutes past midnight and silently cursed Munch for ordering scotch after Elliot had left. Taking a long drink from the bottle of water in her hand, she drained the contents before turning off the lamp and snuggling into the spare pillow.

-o-

After a jog and a light workout the following morning, Olivia drove to the hospital to visit with Cragen for two hours before going grocery shopping for her dinner with Casey.

Over the past five years, the ADA and detective had become close friends and spent hours enjoying each other's company when off duty. The pair had shared many bottles of red wine while mulling over the details of their tragic attempts at dating as they shared a meal.

Olivia was eager to learn more about Casey's latest outing and excitedly rushed to her apartment door when there was a knock at seven. Opening it, she handed Casey a glass of Merlot and announced, "Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. Close the door and tell me all about your date late night."

Casey laughed heartedly, "Benson, I swear you are the eternal romantic."

"Yadda yadda, I'm not hearing any details here," taunted Olivia with a soft titter.

Casey followed her friend into the kitchen and sat on a counter stool while the host busied herself at the stove. "Okay, first of all, I had a really wonderful time."

"Go on," urged Olivia.

"We went to a little Italian restaurant not far from my apartment."

"It sounds like you had fun."

"I did and so must have they. We have a second date next Saturday night for the theatre and dinner," replied Casey eagerly.

Olivia looked at her blonde friend, "I'm so happy for you Casey."

"I am too."

"So spill the beans on the specifics," directed Olivia with a grin.

Casey smiled radiantly, "She's thirty-four, tall and blonde and has the most incredible blue eyes."

"She sounds perfect to me so far."

"She's an ADA over at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. She used to be there years ago but Arthur sacked her and when Jack made DA, he reemployed her."

Olivia looked intently at Casey, "Please don't tell me Alex Cabot is back?"

"No, Alex is still the Bureau Chief with the Trial and Investigations Office and I would never date her, no matter how gorgeous she is."

"Novak, you are shocking. So who is the lucky woman?"

"Serena Southerlyn," answered Casey cheerfully.

Olivia's eyes widened, "Oh Casey, she is an absolute stunner and a terrific Attorney."

Casey's eyes glazed over, "Yes she is and extremely funny."

Olivia raised her glass, "I wish you nothing but luck sweetie."

Casey clicked the goblet and replied, "Thank you."

The two friends spent the rest of the evening discussing Casey's date and Cragen's recovery.

-o-