Disclaimer: I don't own SVU or any of the characters. If I did, Olivia would be a mom by now. :)

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At the Manhattan Special Victims Unit, the detectives were finishing up some seriously overdue paperwork. They had just finished a case involving a father of three, who locked his fourteen year old daughter in a closet, raped her, and left her for dead. ACS placed the children with their aunt in Colorado, and the father was now awaiting his sentencing trial.

Elliot couldn't understand why a father would do something like that to his own child. Hell, he couldn't understand why anyone would do something like that at all. Packing up for the night, Elliot got his jacket, said good-night to the squad and left. Olivia followed him out the door.

"El, you want me to give you a lift home?"

"No. Thanks, but I need to walk this one off."

"You sure? I really don't mind."

"I know you don't, but I just need some time to myself right now."

"Ok. I'll see you tomorrow. Night, El."

"Night, Liv."

Elliot waved good-bye to Olivia and turned to walk toward home. He couldn't get this case out of his head. He knew the girl survived, and he knew the father was going to jail, but it still didn't erase the horror that girl suffered. Turning the corner, Elliot noticed a small store that was still open. He walked in. He wanted to get Kathy and the kids something.

He browsed the shelves, looking for something for each of them. He ran across a shelf with little sculptures on it. One was of a mother panda and her baby. He picked it up and put it in his basket. Maureen would love it.

Next, Elliot went to the clothing department. Kathleen loved clothes. He tried to find something that his fashion-bug daughter wouldn't wrinkle her nose at. Unable to find anything he was possitive she'd like, he settled for a fashion magazine instead.

Now Elliot was headed for the books. He knew his kids were good at arguing with him, but noone was as good at it as Elizabeth. Too many books on Law and watching too many court shows taught her how to get exactly what she wanted out of her father. Sometimes she reminded him of Alex. Elliot laughed to himself and picked up a Law book he was sure she didn't already have. As he was about to leave the book section, he noticed an Astrology book a few shelves over. Perfect, Richard would be thrilled. He put both books in his basket and headed for the jewlery section. It took him fifteen minutes, but he finally found it. A small silver braclet with Emeralds in it, Kathy's birtstone.

After purchusing the gifts, Elliot continued home. Crossing the street, he was too busy thinking about how his families faces were going to light up, he didn't even see the truck as it hit him and sped away.

DOINK, DOINK

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