Disclaimer: I don't own SVU

I got this idea awhile ago. I kind of like it – it's way out of the ordinary, and there's just something about this choice that makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I don't normally write het stuff, so enjoy it – it will be one of a very few XD

And for those that are wondering, it is loosely based off of Inheritance. I doubt that Olivia's reaction would be quite so emotional but, of course, you never know.

Hidden Sun

She ran from the doors, bursting out into the dark, cold night. She slipped on the stone steps, knocking people out of her way without a look back. Tears stung her eyes, her face was tightened into a grimace. She clutched at her shoulders, squeezing as hard as she could as if she could somehow reproduce a mother's embrace. The lights all swirled around her, streaked across the sky, voices and cars and wind seemed to roar into a single voice.

She screamed. Her feet slipped in the cold slush and she fell onto the ground hard. She tasted blood on her lip, in her mouth. Gritty slush stung her bare arms.

She forced herself up, soaked now to the skin. Her breaths were punctuated by sobs.

She felt a large measure of anger bubbling up underneath her at her own outburst. "Damnit, damnit!" she cried, punching the ground.

Someone was coming up behind her. So help her God, if it was Elliot, she would-

"Liv?" asked an older mans voice.

She turned and looked into soft brown eyes.

"What?" she asked, knowing full and well what. She had just run from the precinct screaming.

"Your coat," he said, holding out her coat, the last coat her mother had given her.

She stood slowly, wincing. She'd hurt her wrist.

"He's not you Liv."

She said nothing as he put the coat around her shoulders.

"You don't know what it's like," she said finally.

"I know," he said quietly.

They stood together on the sidewalk. She started to shiver when she noticed her breath frosting in the air before her. She really was soaked to the skin.

"Listen... I've tried to help and I've failed."

She sighed. "John..."

"No, Liv. I hate to see you like this. Whoever that kid is, he's not you," he said. When she didn't reply he moved on. "Liv, I... I can't bear to see you hurt. I'm just a stupid old man, I know, and damnit when I look at you I think if I was just younger, if I was just smarter I could have done something with my life. Have had someone in my life."

She looked up at him. He looked suddenly weak and older than she'd ever seen him. Her anger melted. "John..."

"Liv, if I were just younger, if I were just a better man, I could have loved someone."

Her heart pounded. Why it would, just because it was John Munch. She had been sure she'd cared for Elliot, but the look at John Munch's face, and those morose brown eyes...

"John, it isn't too late. For anybody."

She reached up and touched his lined face.

His hand shook. He leaned forward, but did not kiss her. He merely rested his forehead against hers. Slowly he wrapped his arms around her and they embraced on the cold street which was suddenly warm as if in an early autumn sun.