Blast from the Past

COUPLES:

Elliot/Olivia

Fin/Munch

SUMMARY:

The SVU squad is at the annual Christmas party. Unknown to our fellow detectives, the head honchos managed to gain access to funny photos of the crew, as well as old yearbook pictures. They all think it's hilarious, until a dark secret from Munch's past catches up with him. As if that's not enough, some of their own are attacked.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This contains spoilers for 'Painless'. Munch told the woman, but did not tell the crew. Just clearing that up. Also, this is somewhat of a sequel to 'The Precinct Jukebox'.

DISCLAIMER:

I do not own these characters, Dick Wolf does. But he doesn't want them, I shall take them gladly. Let me make a billion dollars in a week.

"Merry Christmas!" Olivia Benson called out, dragging bags into the squadroom.

"Happy Hanukah!" John Munch called back, helping her with some. "What's all this, Liv?"

"Help me get them into the crib, and nobody go peek. They're your gifts." She grinned. "I mean it."

Elliot came up. "I'll help ya. I hope you got me something special."

Olivia turned to face him. "Did you?"

"I'll never tell."

They chuckled and walked up the stairs. Munch shook his head and glanced at his partner, who put a file down. "Amazing. How can we not be busy? Christmas miracle, I guess."

"I'm all for it." John stood up to get some coffee. "You got any plans?"

"Nope." Fin shook his head. "You?"

John handed him a mug and lowered his voice. "I was hoping you'd join me for a romantic interlude."

Fin smiled at him. He grabbed his left hand and their bands made a small clink noise when they came together. They committed to each other only one week ago, and so both were still acting like newlyweds. IAB was nervous when they found out, but thanks to Cragen and Casey double-teaming them, they managed to stay partners. John grinned. "I got you your present."

"Me too." Fin winked. "And you'll never find it, so don't even try."

"Oh, I have my ways. I could cut you off."

"Please, like you can keep your hands off me?"

"Yeah, you're right. When did Cragen say the party was?"

"I just got the invitation." He held it up. It read:

"You are cordially invited to the annual Policeman's Christmas Ball.

December 23rd, 7:00 p.m.

The Rosemary Ballroom

Dress code is black tie, officers may choose to wear a uniform or a tuxedo.

RSVP through your squad leader."

"I told Cragen we were going. Is that alright?"

"I don't have a tux, we'll have to rent." Munch shrugged. "But I don't care much. As long as you don't mind having to walk around with me?"

Fin quirked an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Munch sighed. "You know what I mean. Attractive young guy with an weathered old man? And people might give us shit for being partners."

Fin sighed and kissed him deeply. Munch looked surprised. "What was that for?"

"John. If anything, I want to be seen with you. Your bony ass is mine, and I want to flaunt it. I'll even dance with you. I heard there would be dancing. I don't want you to feel like I regret being with you."

John shook his head. He squeezed Fin's hand gently. He didn't say it, but Fin knew the look in his eyes meant, 'I love you.'

Elliot, John, and Fin had rented their tuxes and they were waiting for them until the day of the ball. Casey and Olivia were looking for dresses. They were about to move to another store when they saw two that looked absolutely gorgeous.

The gowns were identical, one midnight blue, one emerald green. It had a slightly puffed waist, long sleeves and satin sashes that went around the waist and down the front of the dress. There were gold sequins on each to cover the bosom. "Mine!" They decided, snapping them up and rushing to try them on.

Cragen looked up when there was a knock at his door. "Come in."

"You got a minute, captain?" Cragen nodded, and was a little surprised when he closed the door behind him. "I need to ask you a question."

"What's on your mind?"

Elliot smiled. "Will you be my best man?"

"WHAT?!" The captain's cry caused people to turn and stare into his office.

"I want to ask Olivia to marry me."

Cragen's eyes were wide. "Who else knows?"

"Just you and me. I want you to be a part of my wedding." He got a ring box out of his pocket. Inside was a white gold ring with a large diamond in the center. "I got it a few days ago. I'm doing it at the party."

Cragen sighed and smiled. "Congratulations, Elliot. Of course I'll stand with you."

Elliot quickly put the ring away. "I'm counting on you to keep this a secret."

"You got it. Elliot?"

Elliot turned to him.

"My offer rescinds if you ever hurt her."

Elliot sighed. "If I hurt her, you have my permission to shoot me."

It was the day of the policeman's ball. Munch and Fin and Elliot were all in their tuxedos, waiting for Olivia and Casey to arrive. There were officers everywhere, some with wives. When Olivia and Casey came in, they were no doubt the belles of the ball. Elliot was speechless with admiration. Olivia beamed.

Casey was on a date with a lawyer named Adam, who seemed to be a perfect gentleman.

Munch and Fin were happy as well. They sat at a table with their friends and had some drinks, when the police chief spoke.

"Thank you all for coming. It's nice to see so many happy faces here tonight. And I have a surprise that might make them even happier."

A murmur of curiosity rose through the crowd. "After contacting friends and relatives, I have photos of our men and women in blue that will lighten the mood considerably. I'm sure you'll be presently surprised." He turned out the lights and started a projector. "I'd like to start with Detective Olivia Benson."

Olivia nearly choked on her glass of wine. The audience roared as a picture came up, she was no older than 10. A brown-haired, freckle-faced little girl was in a school play as a snowflake…with her finger up her nose. Elliot tried hard to contain his laughter, but failed miserably. Everyone else was laughing as well.

There was a few more. Her yearbook photo, and when she graduated the academy. "Next, we have Dr. George Huang."

They saw the good doctor as a young boy, playing dress-up with his mom's clothes. The shoes were way big for him and he had a boa around his neck. George hugged his partner as he shook his head, but he was grinning.

"Next, Detective Odafin Tutuola."

Munch did a double take and howled, along with several others. There was a young Fin, probably in high school, dressed as Peter Pan, complete with tights. Fin smacked Elliot upside the head playfully when he whispered something to Olivia, causing her to giggle.

"Next, Detective Elliot Stabler."

This was a sight to see. Elliot's yearbook photo. He had shaggy hair, thick glasses, and braces. He had a big goofy grin on his face. Munch fell to the ground laughing, pounding the floor with his fist. Fin was cackling loudly, George Huang had his hand over his mouth, but his eyes were dancing. Olivia hugged him with a huge smile on her face. Even Cragen was shaking with silent laughter. Elliot covered his face but was smiling.

"Next, Detective John Munch."

There were wolf-whistles and catcalls all around, as well as giggles and shrieks of laughter. Munch flushed a shade of deep red. There was the picture hanging in the gallery in Baltimore. Long hair, sunglasses, with a piece of paper covering his 'assets.' Fin clapped a hand on his back.

The next picture was of a young John Munch standing with a man on a porch. The crowd awed a little, but Fin noticed John turning a little pale. He quickly stood up and fled the room. The others looked at each other worriedly. Fin went after him.

"What's wrong?"

"How could they show that picture?"

"It's just a picture of you with your dad." Fin was confused.

Munch shook his head. "I can't deal with seeing that. Not after what happened."

Fin touched his arm gently. "What happened?"

Munch sat down on a chair and sighed. "I've felt guilty about it for so long. My dad…my dad killed himself. The night he did, the last words I said to him were 'I hate your guts'. I always blamed myself." He buried his face in his hands. "I just…couldn't see him."

Fin looked at him with shock and sympathy. "John. Baby, look at me."

John did. "I'm sorry. I know you're hurting, but you were just a kid. You couldn't stop him from hurting."

John turned away, tears starting in his eyes. Fin turned him to face him. "I love you. I can't make things right with you and your dad, but I can try to take away some of your hurt. Maybe I'm just selfish, but I don't want to see you hurting."

John threw himself into Fin's arms and held on tightly. "I love you, Oda." He said softly.

"I love you too, John." John dried his eyes and noticed everyone exiting the room.

The crew walked up to him. "You okay?"

John smiled. "Yeah."

"Well, come on. The dancing is about to begin."

There was an orchestra in the corner of the room. John and Fin watched a few people dance, before an instrumental of 'Groovy Kind of Love' By the Mindbenders reached their ears. Fin smiled. He knew John loved this song. He extended his hand. "May I have this dance?"

John put his hand in his and let Fin lead him to the dance floor. The words played over in his mind.

"When I'm feeling blue, all I have to do, is take a look at you,

Then I'm not so blue.

When you're close to me, I can feel your heartbeat, I can feel you breathing,

In my care.

Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me, got a groovy kind of love."

John and Fin melded together and waltzed around, not caring that others were looking, just hearing the music and seeing each other. Their lips touched, not hearing the gasp from a few people looking. Fin dipped John gently as the song ended. They were startled by the sound of applause, their friends clapping the loudest. They bowed and exited the floor.

"That was really sweet, you guys!" Olivia said happily. She was like a proud mama. Then they noticed Elliot leading her to the floor, as 'In Ammorata' played.

They waltzed gently, Olivia's warm brown eyes gazing into Elliot's cool blue eyes. Elliot twirled her around, keeping his arms around her, Olivia's skirt swishing as she turned. As the final chorus started, Olivia was confused as Elliot stopped dancing. Her hands flew to her mouth as Elliot opened the ring box and got down on one knee. There were soft gasps all around as Elliot took her hand and mouthed, 'Will you marry me?' Olivia nodded and whispered, 'Yes'. Elliot slipped the ring on her finger and stood to kiss her as the song ended.

Everyone cheered, Fin and Munch walked out to the balcony with a smile.

"There must be a million stars out tonight." Fin breathed.

John handed him a package. "Here's your present."

Fin's eyes twinkled as he opened a box to reveal a gold pocket watch. Flipping it open, there was an inscription:

"To Oda, my partner in life.

Love,

John"

He wound it and put it in his pocket before moving to kiss John. "Thank you. It's beautiful."

Fin withdrew a box from his coat pocket. "I have yours too."

John opened it to find a gold chain necklace with a small gold-and-diamond key. John gazed at it. "It's beautiful…would you?"

Fin put it on him. "I gave you that for a reason." John looked puzzled.

"You have the key to my heart…but now I want you to have the key to my home. I want you to move in with me."

John smiled warmly, feeling his eyes getting misty. "Of course I will." They kissed again.

Fin wrapped an arms around John's shoulders as John leaned into him. They gazed at the night sky, filling with stars as bright as diamonds.

-TO BE CONTINUED-