Disclaimer: I don't own Law and Order: SVU, they belong to Dick Wolf & the wonderful folks at NBC. No copyright infringement intended. Please don't sue me, I'm a poor student who writes fanfic for the love of the characters.

A/N: OK so this show is officially the most frustrating to ship for since CSI:s Elliot and Olivia have so much chemistry they could run Procter & Gamble single-handedly but, damnit, if he isn't already married to a really sweet woman! Still, I think Olivia wins this one hands-down for three reasons: 1) The tension is just too damn electric, 2) Elliot loves Kathy because of their history and their kids but he doesn't need her in the way that he needs Liv; Liv is like oxygen to him and Kathy knows it, hence the divorce and 3) I know Liv better than Kathy.

p.s. did you know that you can make "I love a lot" from "Elliot" & "Olivia"?

I'll play nice but I am an Elliot/Olivia shipper so sorry guys, if you're all for the EK pairing, run away screaming now!

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The Sheriff's car raced up the street as Elliot headed towards it, his expression changing from professional greeting to surprise at the sight of Fin jumping out.

"What's happened?" He asked but one look at Fin's face told him all he needed to know and his breath caught in his chest. Olivia

"I'll tell you on the way, there's a chopper waiting for us," Fin stated as he jumped into the back seat, allowing Elliot to get into the passenger seat.

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Elliot arrived at the hospital anxious to see that the mother of his child was ok. As soon as he heard Olivia's voice call his name he knew everything was going to be all right but he had to see for himself. Barging past her he entered the room where his ex-wife and new baby were resting comfortably. His body breathed an involuntary sigh of relief upon seeing them both alive and awake on the bed as he rushed to their side. One hand clasped the side of Kathy's face as he reassured himself with a touch that she really was fine and he was rewarded with a beaming smile.

"It's a boy," she stated and, still grinning, Elliot nuzzled her face which was only millimeters from hers. He may not be in love with Kathy any longer but that didn't mean that he didn't care. She was his ex-wife of nineteen years and the mother of his, now five, children and for that she would always hold a special place in his heart.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he whispered, "it's all my fault. If I hadn't told Liv to take you, this never would've happened."

Kathy reached out and placed her free hand on his cheek.

"Hey! Now, this wasn't your fault! It wasn't anybody's fault, besides that damn driver, ok?" Elliot pulled away to look into her eyes. He expected to see... something. Heaven knew, if it were him he would want to assign blame and, given their past history, it wouldn't have been entirely presumptuous to assume that Kathy would have at least placed some of the blame at Olivia's feet. As if reading his mind, Kathy pre-empted his question. "It wasn't Olivia's fault. The guy came out of nowhere across a junction and a stop sign, there was nothing she could have done. She saved me and the baby, Elliot. She looked after me and protected our son and she risked her own life to do it."

Elliot's eyes glazed over at the mention of her actions and it didn't go unnoticed by Kathy. It would've been untruthful to say that she wasn't jealous of the other woman in Elliot's life because she was, but she knew deep down that theirs was a marriage built first and foremost upon circumstance; the love, respect and caring had come over time. Theirs hadn't been a whirlwind romance, there hadn't been time after she became pregnant. They were Catholic school kids, they knew the deal. True, they had been happy and had created a beautiful, if not always perfect, family together but Kathy soon realised that Elliot belonged to his job at all costs. It was as much a part of who he was as his courage, strength and commitment to do the right thing, no matter what the personal sacrifice. She, too, was not an innocent bystander in the proceedings either. She had refused to admit what was plain for her to see for so many years and tried to change him instead of learning to accept his dedication to his job. She had as much of a role in the breakdown of their marriage as he did. As sorrowful as it made her, Kathy had long ago accepted that whilst she still cared for Elliot, and loved him, she was no longer the not-so-innocent teenager who had fallen head over heels for him. She loved him but was no longer in love with him, just as he with her. That night he had returned home had been wonderful, yes, but it had been nothing more than two people seeking the comfort and solace to be had in the memory of something that no longer existed. It would been wrong to get back together for the sake of this baby. It was something that, until now, hadn't hit Kathy hard but seeing Elliot for the first time after the accident had made up her mind.

"I'm sorry Elliot, I can't do this." It was Elliot's turn to look puzzled. "I mean this, us. I know that we agreed to give our marriage another go but you and I both know that if it wasn't for this baby you wouldn't be here and I wouldn't have considered giving us another shot."

"So, what? That's it? What about Junior here?"

Kathy smiled.

"You're still his father, that hasn't changed. You can see him whenever you like so don't think you'll be getting a break from changing diapers and 2am wake-up calls," she tried to joke, "seriously, Elliot, you know that I love you but I can't go through this again. You haven't changed any more than I have and as much as we would both like to think better, what is different that is going to make it work this time around?" Elliot's eyes filled with tears but he couldn't help but agree that every word she said was the truth. He paused for a few moments to regain his composure.

"You're right, you're right. I guess I was just hoping that this little guy might be the miracle cure to all of our problems but how many times have I seen people in exactly this situation? It never worked for any of them, I don't know why I was so arrogant to think that we should be any different."

Kathy brushed his tear away.

"You were just hoping for the best like I was. But we'd both be living a lie and that's not fair to you, me or the kids. You can stay for as long as you need, I'm not going to kick you out of our home, but I think we both know that this marriage was over a long time ago."

Elliot just nodded, finally allowing the knowledge to fill him and, strangely he felt as though an invisible weight had been lifted. Sure, he was sad that it had come down to this but at least they could end things in the best possible way.

"Are we good?" He asked. Kathy reached over and grasped his hand, smiling tiredly but genuinely.

"Of course we are." The little guy yawned, closely followed by his Mommy.

"Have you thought of any names?"

Kathy rubbed his tiny pink cheek gently.

"I was thinking of naming him after his Daddy, what do you say?"

Elliot beamed and the baby blubbed and waved his chubby arm.

"Well, whaddya know, I think he likes it! Elliot Jnr, uh? Is the world ready for another one of me?"

"I don't think the world could ever be ready for that!" Kathy chuckled and involuntarily yawned for the second time. Elliot knew a good exit line when he saw one.

"Looks like Mommy needs her beauty sleep!" Elliot cooed to the baby, "What do you say we let her get some rest, Elliot?" The baby yawned as if on cue and Elliot gently took him in his arms and placed him in the incubator bed next to Kathy's. He then turned back to Kathy and kissed her forehead. "Get some rest, Kath. I'll be back in the morning." Kathy nodded and closed her eyes as Elliot slowly crept out of the room to be greeted by the most welcome sight of his smiling partner.

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I know, no Elliot/Olivia ship so far but trust me, it's coming soon!

Please read and review. With a cherry on top :D