Same as it Never Was
Disclaimer: I do not own Law & Order: SVU, all rights belong to Dick Wolf and NBC Universal.
Author's Note: Here's my first attempt at writing a serious drama filled story, I think it's going to be a real tearjerker. There will be E/O so don't worry.
Chapter 1: Another Bad Dream
It was a dark and stormy night (cliché right?); a major thunderstorm had hit all 5 boroughs of New York keeping most people inside on this Thursday night. Thunder boomed loudly and the lightning lit up the sky as well as the inside of a Queens home. It was around midnight, all of the lights were out and the occupants of the house were sleeping, all except one. A door slightly opened and a tiny figure stumbled out of the bed room, she was a seven year old girl with wavy brunette hair and beautiful blue eyes. She was clutching a Bugs Bunny plushie in her hands as she walked down a hallway and held onto it even tighter as the thunder roared outside. She passed a few doors until she got to the one at the end of the hallway, she opened it and the natural light from the windows allowed her to see inside the room. She looked around but all she saw was an empty bed, she closed the door not finding who she was looking for and made her way back down the hall. As she was walking the girl noticed a bluish tint bouncing off the walls near the stairs and she decided to check it out. She slowly made her way downstairs to her living room where she saw that the TV was on and as walked towards it she passed the couch and saw who she was looking for. There was a man curled up and asleep on the couch. He was snoring slightly and had a blanket draped over his body.
The little girl just stared at the man as he slept, she then nudged his shoulder. "Fin," her voice was soft but he continued to sleep. "Fin, wake up." She tried a couple more times. "Fin,"
After a while Fin jerked awake. "Huh…?" he opened his eyes and saw the little girl in front of him. "Katie," he sat up on the couch, turned on the lamp on the end table but turned off the TV. "What are you doing up this late?"
The little girl named Katie sat on the couch next to Fin. "I had a bad dream and the thunder scared me." She told him. "It scared Bugs too." She hugged the bunny tightly.
Fin looked down at her and gave her an understand smile. He rubbed her back and tried to comfort her. "It's going to be alright Kat it's just a storm, it should be over by the morning."
"I guess," she looked up at him. "Hey, how come you were sleep down here?"
"I came home from work late," he said." Grandpa Cragen had me doing paperwork and I didn't want to wake you guys."
More thunder boomed outside and Katie curled up next to Fin. "Want to tell me about your dream?"
"It was about mom and dad." She didn't look up. "I don't want to talk about it."
Fin sighed heavily regretting asking her what's wrong. "Alright, we don't have to."
"Fin, can you tell me a story instead?" she asked.
"Okay but you have to go to bed afterwards, you have school in the morning." relieved she wanted to change the subject. "What do you want to hear about?"
She thought for a moment and looked up at him. "How did my dad propose to mommy?"
Fin gave her a heartfelt smile, glad that he could reminisce about the past and tell the girl positive stories of her late parents.
Ten Years Ago:
"I'm finally going to do it." Elliot Stabler said with a proud smile plastered across his face.
He was in Captain Cragen's office with Fin and John Munch. He asked to call a meeting of the men in the squad for something very important. They were all happy for their friend and colleague about the great news.
"We're all happy for you Elliot." Cragen smiled.
"Can I add, it's about time!" Fin smirked.
"What my partner is trying to say is that you've known each other for 12 years, it was bound to happen." Munch remarked.
"So when you going to pop the question?" Fin asked.
"Saturday," he said. "We're going to the Intrepid Museum for Fleet Week and I thought I'd do it there with all my friends watching."
"Well aren't you the proud marine?" Cragen said. "You can count on us Elliot, we'll be there."
Fin and Munch nodded in agreement.
"Can you guys tell the ladies and George?" Elliot asked them. "And remember to keep it a secret, I want it to be a surprise!"
"Don't worry we won't ruin this for you guys." Fin said.
"Thanks," Elliot was grateful.
Soon Fin and Munch left to tell everyone to news and left Elliot and the Captain alone.
"So I don't have to tell you that if you break her heart I will end you." Cragen said seriously but also jokingly.
"No offence Captain, but I'd be more worried about what Liv would do to me." Elliot said truthfully. "But I'd never have to worry about that because I would never hurt her. I love her and I'm ready to spend the rest of my life with her, I'm ready to start a family and truly be happy."
"But with the good comes the bad." Cragen said somberly. "I've kept you and Olivia's relationship under wraps from IAB for a long time and so has the rest of the squad, but you know that's about to change."
"I know," Elliot sighed. "Which is why I request transfer to Queens SVU."
Cragen looked the man in the eyes and they were both very serious. "Okay, I'll make a few calls and see what I can do, but until then you're still under my command. I hate to see one of my best detectives go, but let's make these next few months IAB free."
"I agree with that." Elliot said thinking of all the times he had to deal with the rat squad. "But I don't know how Olivia is going to deal with this."
"Like Fin said you two have been partners for 12 year, you've been through hell and back and dealt with much worst." Cragen spoke so well of the duo. "It'll take time not having you two working together but we'll get use to it."
"Yeah…" Elliot looked outside the window and saw Olivia sitting at her desk.
"You'll be life partners that's even better." Cragen said. "Elliot don't worry too much, Liv loves you just as much as you love her."
Elliot turned back around. "Thanks Captain, for everything."
Two days later at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum Elliot was with Olivia. There were many other people there with families and the service men and women of the Marines, the Navy and the US Coast Guards. The two spent most of the day together looking at the ships that came in for Fleet Week. The sun was shining with not a cloud in the sky and it was a beautiful day. They were on the deck of the USS New York leaning on the railing and looking over the sea.
"This was a great day Elliot." Olivia said. Elliot had his arm wrapped around her shoulder. "I'm glad I could spend it with you." They leaned in and kissed each other on the lips.
"I'm glad I could spend it with you too Liv." Elliot smiled. "But the day isn't over yet." He looked over his shoulder and waved to the others. Captain Cragen, Munch, Fin, Alex, Casey, Melinda and George had walked up towards them and surrounded them.
Olivia was confused. "What's going on?"
They all just smiled without saying anything. Olivia looked back at Elliot who had the biggest smile she has ever seen on his face and he got down on one knee.
"…Oh…my…" Olivia couldn't finish her statement.
Elliot pulled out a small black box. "Olivia Maria Benson, for the past 12 years you've got my back and stood by me. You have brought out the best in me as I have protected and served this city, but now I want to do the same for you. Olivia, will you marry me?"
She had tears in her eyes, but they weren't of sadness but tears of joy. "Oh my god, yes I'll marry you Elliot!"
He pulled out the 10 karrot white gold engagement ring and slipped it onto her finger. All their friends clapped and cheered for them, Elliot stood up and embraced Olivia in a hug, she was still crying tears of joy and hugged him back.
"Elliot I'm so happy." Olivia said through her crying.
"I know baby." Elliot looked at her and he kissed her. "I'm so happy too!"
Fin finished telling his story and noticed Katie was asleep, he looked down and smiled at the girl. He knew there was no point in waking her up so he scooped her up and took her upstairs.
'She looks so peaceful.' He thought. Normally Fin didn't do well with kids and he wasn't a role model parent when his son Ken was growing up, but he looked to change that. He walked down the hall with Katie and opened up her bed room door, inside was a bunk bed and a 10 year old boy was asleep on the top bunk. Fin laid Katie on the lower bunk and put a blank on her. Subconsciously she hugged Bugs tighter and let out a small sign. He looked at the two kids for a minute before turning to leave the room.
"Fin?" he heard Katie's voice and turned back around.
"Yes?" He asked softly.
"I still miss my mom and dad."
"I know you do, we all do." He was quite for a minute. "But you know I'm here for you and Ben."
"I know, thanks Fin." She laid back down. "Night Fin."
"Night Kat." He closed the door him and went to his own room. He sat on the edge of his bed and let out a sign. "Even after all this time, it's still hard to get over what happened."
Author's Note: So here's the first chapter, and yes Elliot and Olivia have died but they will be in this story through flashbacks. Like it? Reviews would be appreciated.