Author's Note: OK so this is a rewrite of a story I wrote several years ago, but still technically my first! Any input is greatly appreciated and feel free to yell at me if you hate it.

Disclaimer: I own none of the recognizable characters, obviously.

Time Period: January 2011, 2.5 years after the events of season 9 finale (Cold).

Chapter One:

It was 11:30am on chilly Friday in January and the SVU detectives were having an ordinary day. Munch and Fin were in the field canvassing for leads, Lake was mysteriously absent and Elliot was trying to go over the information they had on their newest case with Olivia. Trying, being the operative word since Liv kept tuning him out and staring at the picture of Kurt Moss she had on her desk.

"Liv", Elliot prodded.

"Mmhm", Olivia responded.

"What do you think, should we go back and re-interrogate the wife?"

"Mmhm"

"Liv, come on. What's wrong with you?"

"What? Oh, sorry El. I'm just so distracted today."

"I'll say. You know it's not like he died or anything."

Liv flashed him a Look. "That's not funny. And I'm allowed to miss my husband when he's been gone for two weeks thank you very much!"

She rubbed her 6 month pregnant belly and felt a kick. "Baby misses her daddy too."

"What kinda stupid magazine has business conferences anyway?" Elliot mused.

Liv sighed loudly and went back to ignoring him.

The phone on Elliot's desk rang loudly, just as Liv got up for another bathroom break. He picked it up on the third ring.

"Stabler"

"Hi Elliot"

Elliot blinked slowly and a smile slowly spread across his face.

"Hey beautiful"

"H-How are you?"

"I'd be better if you were here. I miss you."

"I miss you too. So much."

Elliot leaned back in his chair and rubbed the back of his head. "Hey how long has it been since we've seen each other?"

"18 weeks and 4 days".

"Wow. You've been counting?"

"Of course! I-I mean, you know, like I said, I miss you. A lot."

"Well ok then, so what are we gonna do about this", he replied, smiling to himself.

"Actually, that's why I called. I'm… coming home."

Elliot held his breath for a moment, not sure if what he just heard was real or just wishful thinking.

"You-Your serious?"

"Yes. And Elliot, we need to talk."

"We are talking," he replied, his smile getting bigger.

"El, seriously, I have to tell you something and I don't know how you're going to react."

Elliot picked up on the nervous tone in her voice and instantly grew concerned.

"Is everything ok?"

"Yes…no…I don't know. Something happened. But it's not— well I hope it's not a bad thing. But I can't tell you over the phone. I'm coming in tonight at La Guardia at 8. Will you come and get me?"

"You know I will."

"Ok… then I'll see you later?"

"Yeah, I can't wait. Alex… I love you."

"I love you too."

Then she hung up without another word leaving Elliot with his thoughts. What did she have to tell him that was so important? He hoped to god she hadn't been lying when she said it wasn't bad.

"Whatsa matter with you?"

Elliot looked up to see Olivia coming back from the bathroom. He plastered on a nonchalant expression he hoped she would buy. He still hadn't told her about his and Alex's, well complicated relationship and now was definitely not the right time to spring it on her.

"Nothing," he said, "I'm fine."

She collapsed back in her chair and leveled at him. "Come on, I know that look. Something's wrong, talk to me"

"I'm fine, I swear. I just…need some coffee. You want some?"

"Definitely. And get me some cigarettes and a beer while you're at it." Liv replied sarcastically.

Elliot looked at her confused for a moment before remembering, she's pregnant, duh, no coffee.

"Oh right, sorry, never mind" he said absently, "I'll be right back."

A stressed looking Chester walked in just as Elliot walked out. He made a beeline for his desk and slumped into his chair putting his face in his hands.

"Morning sunshine," Olivia said cheerfully. Chester grunted in her direction.

She checked her watch. "You know it's almost noon. Where've you been?"

He was just about to answer when his pregnant wife entered the bull pen.

"You know just because I can't out run you doesn't mean I can't still kick your ass!" She snapped heatedly. She then noticed Liv who was staring at her with fascination. She gave her friend a smile as she lowered herself into Elliot's chair.

"Wow" was all Olivia could say and for more than one reason.

"What?"

"Casey, um what's new?" Liv asked, trying not to state the obvious.

"Oh nothing, my husband just thinks it's funny to tell me that I'm fat first thing in the morning" she said nastily, shooting Chester a Look.

"I did not say you were fat," he defended, "I just suggested that maybe you are a little bigger than someone normally is when they're only 3 months pregnant."

"Oh so now I'm a freak!"

"Here it comes." Chester said under his breath.

"I'm sorry I can't look like a friggin supermodel right now but if you haven't noticed I'm growing a PERSON here and if you have a such a problem with that, maybe you should stop having sex with me!" she said angrily.

Chester put his hands up surrender style. "Whoa, whoa, babe come on let's not get crazy now. I have no problems with the sex."

Casey snorted. "Yeah, I bet. You know what, just forget it. I have to pee, and then I'm going home and gaining another hundred pounds! Would that make you feel better?"

She got up and stalked off towards the restrooms in a huff.

Chester's head hit his desk in exasperation.

"How long has she been like that?" Olivia asked, more than a little concerned.

"She'd been getting been more and more emotional the last couple of weeks…" Chester trailed off sighing and shaking his head, "This morning, I suggested we go shopping for maternity clothes- big mistake. She was yelling then crying, then throwing the toaster at me! It took me forever to get her to calm down, and I didn't really want to leave her alone."

"Why?"

"I don't know, I'm just worried about her," he paused, "I mean, don't you think she's showing a little too much?"

"Yeah actually I do. Do you want me to go talk to her?"

"Please." Chester rubbed his hands over his face. "I better go try and explain this to Cragen."

Liv got up and went after Casey as Chester went into the captain's office.

When she got there Casey was just coming out of a stall. Liv stared at her as she washed her hands.

"I think this kid is using my bladder for tap dancing practice." Casey griped. She noticed Liv staring at her as she reached for the hand towels.

"Ok, this staring thing is getting really old. What's your problem?" Casey said, putting her hands on her hips.

"Come here" Liv said steering Casey towards the full-length mirror on the wall and positioning herself next to her.

"What are you doing Liv?"

"Just humor me for a sec. Ok, now how far along are you?"

"12 weeks"

"Right. And I'm 24 weeks."

"Liv we both know how pregnant we are. What's your point?"

Liv pointed to the mirror in front of them. "Now look at you and look at me. What's wrong with this picture?"

Casey looked from her baby bump to Liv's first with irritation, then confusion, then shock.

"Wow"

"That's what I said."

"I don't understand, what's wrong with me?" she said putting her arms around her quite enlarged midsection.

"I don't know Case, but since I'm twice as pregnant as you there is no way we should be the same size. That's just not normal," Olivia commented.

Casey's expression turned to annoyance. "Thank you Olivia, you're so sweet," she said dryly.

"I'm sorry, it's just the truth. I'm actually surprised I haven't noticed until now. When's the last time you had an ultrasound?"

Casey thought for a minute. "Umm…I haven't exactly had one yet."

Olivia looked appalled. "What! What do you mean you haven't had one yet?"

"I don't know, the last time I went to the doctor I was like 6 weeks and I only got a blood test confirmation," Casey admitted,"I haven't been back since, I've... been busy."

"Doing what? It's not like you have a job anymore!"

The words came out of Olivia's mouth before she could stop them. She bit her lip regretfully when she saw Casey's face fill with hurt. Casey had gotten disbarred after the mess she made of the Hernandez case and it had been really hard on her.

"Casey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that." Olivia said sheepishly.

"Yes you did," Casey replied sadly, "but it's okay; you're right. I'm a bad mommy." She rested her back against the wall and put her face in her hands.

"Honey, you're not a bad mom. There are just some things you have to do when you're having a baby. Getting an ultrasound once in a while is one of them." She said gently.

"You don't think anything bad happened do you?" Casey responded, looking up at her.

Liv smiled reassuringly. "No sweetie, but I do think you might be having multiples!"

"Multiples? You mean like twins?"

"Yeah, wouldn't that be amazing?"

Casey's mouth opened in disbelief. "Oh my god!" she shrieked.

All of the sudden she bolted, about as fast as someone that round could, out of the bathroom and into the arms of a very apprehensive looking Chester. He hugged her back as she started crying and he mouthed a 'what happened' to Olivia who simply smiled and shrugged.

"You were right," Casey said tearfully, "I'm huge. I'm like crazy huge. You should be carting me around in a tractor trailer."

"Babe, you're not that huge." Chester said, trying to be supportive.

"Yes I am. I think its time we went to… to see the doctor again." She pulled back a little and looked in his eyes to let her know she was serious.

"Really? I mean you are actually going to walk into a hospital willingly?" he half joked knowing how much she hated the place.

"I don't want to," Casey admitted, "but I think these are extenuating circumstances."

A few minutes later the Lakes and Olivia were off to the hospital, Casey still somewhat unraveled. Elliot came back to an empty squad with a Starbucks and sat back down at his desk, his head full of conflicting emotions. He was happy Alex was coming home, but at he same time he was still worried about what she had to tell him.

Cragen came out of his office still chuckling at Chester's story and looked around his nearly empty squad room.

"Elliot, where'd Lake and Liv go?"

"I have no idea Cap'n I just got back from a coffee run. What's up?"

"We have a new case. Victim's at Bellevue. See if you can get Liv to go with you to talk to her. You know… if she's feeling up to it."

Elliot smiled. If it was up to Cragen, Olivia would be spending her entire third trimester on maternity leave but the words "take time off" meant nothing to her. Cragen didn't push her to stay home but he was constantly worrying about her. Old softy.

"I'm on it," Elliot said getting up. "And don't worry Liv's probably all over it too." He was almost glad to have something to distract him from Alex. Almost.

300 miles away….

Alex put the phone down with a shaking hand. She leaned back on her pillows sighing loudly and stared at her bedroom ceiling thinking about Elliot. Mostly thinking about his arms, his big, strong, comforting arms and how safe she felt when they were wrapped around her.

She wanted to be with him right at that second, but she was also afraid of what he would do when she told him her big news. She silently prayed that he wouldn't be angry with her.

A knock at her door pulled her from her reverie and she slowly got up from her bed to answer it.

It was a friend of hers, named Jenna. Jenna was the only real friend she'd made since she left New York a year ago. They were currently working together in Washington, D.C. as Assistant US Attorneys. She was also the only person she'd confided in about her relationship with Elliot and she'd been the one that convinced her she had to go home to be with Elliot. Due to the current circumstances, especially.

"Did you call him yet?" Jenna asked excitedly, walking through the door without an invitation.

"Hi, Jenna, I'm fine, won't you come in?" Alex said sarcastically

Jenna rolled her eyes as she made herself comfortable on the living room sofa. "Hi. Now did you call him yet?"

Alex went over and sat by her. "Yes, I just got off the phone with him. I think I may have freaked him out a little though."

"So you told him?"

"No, I'm gonna wait until I see him, this isn't exactly information you share over the phone."

Jana nodded her agreement. "That's good. You might not even have to say anything once he sees you eh?"

Alex frowned. "I'm not that fat, sheesh!"

"Honey it's not fat and you know it." Jana said patting her on the stomach.

Alex tried to smile at her friend but the worry was visible on her face.

"Alex, what's the matter hon?" Jana questioned, reading her expression.

"What if he gets mad at me?" Alex blurted, tears stinging in her eyes, "What if he doesn't want this? I mean this is completely my fault!"

Jenna sighed and put her arm around Alex and Alex leaned her head on her shoulder.

"This is not your fault Alex. He's not going to be mad at you." Jenna said matter of factly.

"How do you know, you don't even know him."

"Well I know that you love him. And from what you've told me about him he sounds like an amazing guy who loves you to death. How could he be mad?"

Alex sniffled. "You really don't think he's gonna be mad that-"

"Shush. He's not going to be mad. Period. He loves you." She paused. "Hey are you goingto tell him about—"

"No." Alex said firmly.

"Alex—"

"Look, he doesn't need to know about that, he'll just get himself worked up. I'll be gone tonight and it'll all be over with. I'll be fine."

Jenna nodded her agreement begrudgingly. She didn't want to push the subject.

"Hey, do you have any food in this place?"

Alex smiled. Leave it Jenna to bring up food. "Not really. I'm leaving remember?"

"Oh yeah, well I'm gonna go get some takeout from that Italian place you like. Then we are gonna eat and watch Breakfast at Tiffany's until it's time to catch your flight. Sound good?"

Alex nodded. Jenna got up from the couch and Alex leaned back on one arm and stretched out.

She remembered something as she watched her friend walking out the door.

"Hey don't forget the-"

"I know I know, no garlic." Jenna responded as she closed the door behind her.

Alex snuggled into her couch cushions and listened to the rain peppering her window, dreaming once again of Elliot and his arms.

Thanks for reading! Ready, set, review!