Elliot was pretty sure he'd never driven so fast. He was also sure that if he had been pulled over, he wouldn't have stopped no matter what. But by some stroke of luck, he made every green light, escaped traffic and any lurking police officers. And still, it took him forever to get there. He didn't even bother closing the truck door behind him, just stumbled out, gun in hand which he slipped into the back of his jeans. His heart was pounding harder than it ever had before and the entire drive he'd gone through every possible scenario in his head.

What would he find? How far would Frank go to prove a point or to retaliate? Would he hurt the kids? He had to believe that was one line he wouldn't cross. However, after his conversation with Noah on the beach, he was afraid of what his son would do if it meant protecting his Mother and sisters. What was he about to walk into? Was he seconds away from realizing his entire family had been ripped away from him?

He froze in front of the door, feeling all the breath being ripped from his lungs. He bent forward, pressing his hands into his knees to try and take slow, deep breaths. He felt nauseous, terrified beyond belief. Olivia, his children, and his Mother had told him h wasn't his Father. Had reminded him to stay calm. But how could he stay calm if everything he loved most was gone?

"Elliot."

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he was aware of someone whispering in his voice. But it wasn't his wife's, wasn't any of his kids or Franks. Turning his head, he saw Don and he moved, "Don-"

He put a finger to his lips, "If Frank realizes we're here…he may attack. Noah called. Said they were in the bedroom. We're going to try and get them out the back and then work on getting Olivia out. Where is the window?"

Elliot ran a hand over his face, "Right around the back. The first window on the left."

Don could sense the anxiety radiating off of him. He approached him, reaching a handout, "Elliot...I need you to calm down."

Elliot shook his head slowly, "Don, that bastard has my wife and children in that house. How do you expect me to be calm right now?"

"I know. Okay? I know. But, that's what he wants. He wants you to go off the deep end. He wants to push you to your breaking point. But you can't let him win. Do you hear me? You can't let him win."

"But-"

"But nothing. The moment you go off the deep end is when they are in the most danger. You know that."

Elliot pinched the bridge of his nose, "What did Noah say?"

"That Frank got in, wasn't sure how but we're assuming it was the guards. We think they are part of the Brotherhood too." Elliot grimaced, "Elliot…"

"I shouldn't have left. She didn't want me to leave but I went to get medicine and-and-"

"Take a breath." Don whispered, "You need to go in there with a level head as best you can. We're going for the kids. Focus on Olivia. Keep him talking. Then we can get in there and help. But we need to try and keep the peace here. One wrong move-"

Elliot shook his head, "Fuck…"

"Can you do this?" Elliot's hands clenched and unclenched his hands, "Elliot, can you do this?"

Elliot swallowed hard and nodded slowly, "I can do this."

"Okay…" He pointed him towards the house, "Go in slow. And no matter what...remember that we have your back. We'll get the kids okay?"

Elliot nodded slowly, "Yeah. Yeah...okay."

"Are you armed?" Elliot nodded, "Okay...try and keep it hidden. He may check...or he may not. Just...just focus on one thing at a time. Ready?"

Elliot knew the answer was no but he nodded slowly, he couldn't wait any longer, his wife needed him, "Yeah…"

As he started to turn, Elliot grabbed his forearm, "Elliot…" The older man squeezed down slightly, "Remember, you aren't Joe. Even if he tells you otherwise...you aren't your Father."

Elliot cleared his throat, slowly turned, and walked back up the path toward the house unsure of what to think or how to act. All he knew was that as calm as he wanted to be, as he should be, if he walked in and saw his wife and children hurt, all bets were off and there was nothing he wouldn't do to avenge them.


In the house, Olivia felt like time stood still. The ropes on her wrists were biting into her skin. Frank was currently lounging on the couch eating whatever he could find in the fridge and drinking a beer. He was on beer number two and she was hoping that they could use that to their advantage. Pete was watching a movie, not paying much attention either. She kept trying to listen to see what was going on in the bedroom.

Were the kids still in there? Were they safe? Was Noah going to do something to try and protect her? Had he called Fin? Had he talked to Elliot? What the hell was going to happen?

She heard Frank sigh beside her, "Elliot's sure taking his sweet time, isn't he?"

She glared at him, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of a response.

Frank chuckled, "Still giving me the silent treatment I see?" Still, she was quiet, "Well...we'll see how quiet you are once your husband shows up. Then I'm sure you'll have a lot to say. Because I sure have a lot to say to him."

He waited a moment, then pushed himself off the couch, walking slowly over to her. He knelt down, beer dangling in one hand, reaching out with his other hand to brush back her hair, "One thing I'll say...is Elliot picked a pretty one."

She leered at him, leaning backward, "Don't fucking touch me."

His eyes went wide and he chuckled, "She speaks!" He leaned in close enough that she could smell the beer on his breath, "Come on now, you have to be used to men thinking you're attractive. Too bad you didn't meet me first. Coulda married a real man. A cop. Elliot was too weak to become one...chose that pussy career of a firefighter."

"My husband is ten times the man you'll ever be. And even if I had met you first, I can assure you, I never would have fallen for you. You make me sick."

Frank moved in even closer, "For such a beautiful woman, you're a real pain in the ass, you know that? You think you know everything. Think you're better than everyone. But deep down you're a mess...just like the rest of us." She started to breathe harder, "I know all about your past Olivia. I know your Father raped your Mother. I know that just an ounce of bad blood makes you rotten to the core. You may think you have the world fooled...but I know one of these days you'll prove that I'm right. Just like Elliot will tonight."

She swallowed the lump in her throat, "Elliot is not his Father. And I'm not my Father either."

Hearing footsteps outside, Frank smiled, leaning in, his lips almost touching hers, "Let's test that theory, shall we?"

As the door swung open, Frank's lips touched hers and she recoiled, but it was Elliot she was looking at. His eyes were already dark, but the fury she saw in them was unlike anything she'd ever seen before. Against his chapped, disgusting lips, Olivia mumbled her husband's name, "Elliot, don't-"

But he ignored her, stomping forward until Pete stepped in his path, "Frank, you piece of shit get away from her!"

Turning slowly, Frank smiled, "Well nice of you to join us Stabler." He leaned back slightly, "Was just testing out the goods here a bit." Elliot lunged forward again and Frank chuckled, "If you had taken any longer I would have kept exploring…"

His hand inched higher on her thigh and Olivia shook her head, "Elliot...El-look at me."

His chest rose and fell with every breath he took, "Olivia…"

She shook her head, "I'm fine. Okay? I'm fine. I need you to just calm down and-"

"And I think we've heard enough from you." Standing up, Frank stepped around her and pulled something from his back pocket, quickly wrapping it around her mouth.

"Elliot, don't-"

Elliot pushed past Pete who stumbled slightly, "Frank I swear to God-"

And then he watched as Frank held a gun up to the back of her head, "Take another step and this bullet goes through her skull."

Elliot froze in front of his wife, her eyes were wide as she looked up at him. And knowing her as well as he did, he knew she wasn't worried about herself. It was her husband she worried about. She didn't believe that Frank would hurt her, no one did. They believed what Frank wanted most was to prove his point. To push Elliot over the edge until his temper came out. And as calm as he'd like to be, he had a feeling he wasn't making it out of this without losing it in some capacity.

"You ready to talk this out now?"

Elliot swallowed the lump in his throat, "What do you want Frank?"

"You armed?"

Below him, Elliot saw Olivia flinch but he kept his composure, "No."

That of course was a lie, but by some stroke of luck, Frank believed him, "Of course not. You aren't a cop." He laughed and shook his head, "Go to the couch."

Elliot stood still, not wanting to leave Olivia's side, "I said go to the couch, now."

Glancing down at his wife again, she gave him a quick nod and he took one tentative step away from her. As he passed, he brushed his fingers along the length of her arm, feeling her lean into his touch. Something so simple, but a gesture to remind her and him that they were in this together. Easing himself down onto the couch, he felt the butt of the gun pressing into his back and he made sure to keep it hidden.

Pete moved across the room to stand beside Olivia as Frank moved and threw himself down on the recliner, "Want a beer Stabler?" Elliot didn't respond and Frank laughed, "Oh, now you're too good for beer too?"

"Frank...what the hell do you want?"

"I told you on the phone…I want to play a game. A very special game. A game I call…" he took a swig of his beer and smiled, "At what point will Elliot Stabler crack? Thought I might have had you with kissing your wife but…I guess that wasn't far enough. Maybe I should have had her on the bed and-"

Elliot leaned forward, "If I had found you in bed with my wife you'd have been dead before you even realized I was here."

Frank whistled, "Well what do you know…there is a little Joe in you after all."

Elliot glared hard at him, "What exactly is any of this going to prove?"

"That it's all about DNA. That you can hide from your past, choose a different career but we are all only as good or bad as our parents. Now...your Mom is a crazy person. That's why I had Pete empty her pills there little by little to speed up the process."

"You were-" Elliot grimaced and his wife gave him a warning look, reminding him to keep his cool as long as possible. Clearing his throat he looked up at him and frowned, "My Mother isn't crazy...she has some issues she's taking care of and works hard to-"

"Stabler, she's a nut job." He chuckled softly, "I remember the stories your Dad used to tell my Dad. I'd hide in the hallway and listen. Running around the neighborhood in her underwear. Taking you on all these 'trips' of hers when she got some whimsical idea. Didn't she even pull a gun on you and your Dad?"

"Keep my Mother's name out of your mouth. You don't know what you're talking about."

Frank sighed and took another swig of his beer, "Okay fine. Then let's move on to Joe, shall we? Good old Joseph Stabler. Family man. Man of God. Man of the law…one who stuck by his word. Yet...he betrayed his partner in the end."

"Frank, I don't know what happened between your Dad and my Dad. But they're both gone. So what's this going to accomplish?"

Frank ignored him and looked up at the ceiling, "Remember when we were kids and our Dads used to get drunk together? And sometimes they'd pass out at your house….sometimes at mine." He turned his head towards him, "Your Dad talked in his sleep a lot...did you know that? At least when he was drunk."

Elliot held his breath, "And?"

"And…" He shrugged slowly, "I knew he was going to betray my Dad. I knew what was going to happen and I told him. But my Father wouldn't listen. He didn't believe that your Father could do it. I begged him to listen to me….but he wouldn't. And in the end...it cost him his life."

"Are you saying my Father murdered yours?" Elliot raised an eyebrow, "Are you putting that accusation out there? What proof do you have?"

"My proof is what I know. That your Dad spoke in his sleep...talked about my Father getting what he deserved. And less than a week later...he wound up dead. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. I know you didn't follow the path of a cop like him….but you're not that dumb, are you?"

"If there was any proof that it had happened...someone would have gone after my Dad. You know that. I know that."

Frank didn't like that answer, "Maybe, maybe not." He stood up and walked towards Olivia again, making Elliot instantly tense up, "Or maybe he just got lucky."

Elliot kept his eyes trained on the scene in front of him, leaning forward when Frank started to play with Olivia's hair, "Don't-"

"Don't what?" Frank smirked and leaned down towards Olivia, "Don't touch your gorgeous wife?" He yanked the material from her mouth tauntingly.

Elliot lunged forward again when his hands settled on her neck, "Elliot...I'm fine. Don't."

Elliot ignored her, "Frank...I'm warning you."

"Okay...so I guess pushing the Dad card isn't going to be what upsets you most. It's your wife…" He looked over at the closed door, "And maybe your kids."

Elliot's eyes shifted to the door, "Leave them out of this. This is between you and me. You want revenge...take it out on me. Not them. They didn't do a damn thing."

Frank pressed his fingers into the back of Olivia's neck and nuzzled closer, "What'd you see in him, Olivia? Hm? What was it about Elliot that caught your interest?"

Olivia's heart was pounding in her chest and she tried to lean away from him, but Frank only pulled her closer, "Why does that matter?"

"I'm just curious." He said with a shrug, "You said you two met at an event...Police Officers versus Firefighters. Why didn't you go for one of your own?"

"Because it wouldn't have mattered to me what Elliot did." She kept her eyes on him, "It was always going to be him."

Frank let a teasing sigh escape his lips, "Aww...how sweet is that? She really does love you, Stabler." Elliot's nostrils flared, the anger coursing through him, every passing second making him more and more upset, "Did you know about her past? About who her Father was? What he did to her Mother?"

Elliot sat up straighter, "Don't you dare bring that up. That isn't about this."

"You know that she's a product of rape. That she shouldn't even be here. That no one wanted her? That she's damaged goods and always will be?"

"I wanted her." Elliot grumbled, "She's not damaged goods and never was. She's her own person. She isn't her parents."

Frank nodded and stood up, still keeping one hand on the back of Olivia's neck, "You ever meet your Dad, Benson?"

She was quiet for a moment but then shook her head, "No. And I'm glad I never did."

Frank nodded slowly, "Hm...what about Noah's Dad? He rape you?"

Olivia flinched slightly, "Elliot is Noah's Father."

Frank snorted, "No he ain't. A piece of paper may say otherwise but I know it's not Elliot's blood that runs through his veins. In fact...I know his Father is a cop. That his name is Dean Porter. Isn't that right?"

Once again Elliot tensed, his foot tapping on the ground, "That bastard never wanted him. He is my son. Dean didn't deserve him."

"Elliot…"

"Or maybe he didn't want your son...because of how pathetic he is." He said feeling Olivia's body go rigid, "Maybe he was embarrassed. I bet Joe would be embarrassed too…"

"Elliot…" Olivia warned again, but she saw it, the moment that Elliot went off the deep end.

"What the hell would anyone have to be embarrassed about? Noah is an incredible kid. He's kind he's good he's-"

"A dancer." Frank emphasized his point by doing a sloppy spin, "A boy...a teenage boy as a dancer. That is embarrassing."

Elliot shook his head, "I'm fucking warning you. Say one more word-"

"Elliot, don't listen to him." She started tugging at the restraints on her hands, feeling them burn and dig into her skin, "El, look at me. Don't-" She tried to lean forward but Pete held her back, "Elliot. Elliot. Please look at me."

"If old Joe was around now...seeing that some kid his own son adopted liked to dance. Like to wear tights...he'd probably throw himself off the Brooklyn Bridge."

"If old Joe was still around." Elliot spat at him, "And had a problem with anyone in my family, I can assure you I wouldn't still be talking to him. My wife, my kids come first."

"So you stand by him?" Frank said with a shrug, "You're okay with having a fa-"

Before he could finish the hateful slur, Elliot launched himself at him. Olivia tried to hold the scream in, not wanting to startle her kids in the next room but her chair stumbled backward and she fell to the side, knocking into Pete. Pete fell, whacked his head, and was out cold as Elliot and Frank began to wrestle for control.

She pulled at her wrists again, trying to wiggle free desperate to get to her husband before he made a decision he couldn't take back.


In the bedroom, Noah heard the soft tap on the window. He turned, seeing his Uncle Fin through the glass. His sisters were unaware of what was going on, but he had heard the raised voices in the room next door and it had been torture not being able to go and see what was happening.

Slowly he began to detach himself from the bed, "Noah?"

Elliot smiled and squeezed Brooklyn's arm, "Stay here B. Just grabbing something." Ember's head perked up and Noah gave her arm a squeeze, "Stay Em. Stay."

Lifting the window up higher, he leaned out, "You okay kid?"

Noah nodded slowly, "We're okay...where's Mom and Dad?"

"We've got that under control. But our first priority is getting the three of you out. Do you think you can help me get your sisters through the window?"

Noah looked over at them, "They're going to be confused...scared."

"I know." Fin said with a nod, "But...we need to try and stay calm for them, okay? Tell them we're going to surprise your Mom with something...see if that works."

Noah nodded slowly and walked back towards his sisters, "Hey, B, Charlie…" Both the young girls turned towards them, "What do you think about making a surprise for Mom and Dad?"

Charlie's eyes sparkled, "What kind of surprise?"

"Well…" Noah's eyes looked over at the door again, hearing raised voices, "Maybe...we can go down to the beach and find some shells? And...make something with them? I bet Mom would love that."

Brooklyn frowned, "But...Mommy won't want us to go down to the beach alone."

Noah nodded, "You're right. But...Uncle Fin is here."

Both girls sat up excitedly, "Where?"

Fin leaned in through the window, "Hey girlies...I missed you two."

"Uncle Fin!" Charlie started to shout and Noah grimaced, shushing her, making her lip tremble, "What'd I do?"

"Nothing." Noah said slowly, "Nothing Charlie, it's just...if we're going to surprise Mom, we need to be quiet, right?"

Charlie seemed to accept that answer and nodded, sitting up excitedly, "Okay!"

"Alright." Noah scooped her up first, "Let's go...and I'll leave Mommy a note, okay?"

Charlie clung to her brother, "Is Em coming too?"

A loud noise from the living room startled Brooklyn, "What was that?"

"Mom's...just cleaning." Noah said, though his heart was pounding as he moved towards the door, "Come here B."

Brooklyn climbed off the bed, hearing another voice, "Is that Daddy?"

Noah quickly handed Charlie to Fin through the window, "Um...it might be."

Fin sensed trouble and quickly took Charlie before handing her off to John, "Come here, Brooklyn. Let's go and-"

"But Daddy is bringing Sparkles." Brooklyn said with a little pout, "He promised. I want Sparkles."

Noah bent down beside his sister as Ember hopped down from the bed, moving slowly towards the door, growling slightly, "You're right. He did say that B...and we'll get her when we come back, okay? Don't you want to do something nice for Mom and Dad?"

"But…"

Ember scratched at the door and Fin grimaced as he heard shouts from behind him, something was happening in the living room and he was running out of time, "Brookie...baby I need you to come here okay? Just...come over here."

Brooklyn heard another voice, "Noah...who's out there with Mommy and Daddy?"

Another loud thump startled Brooklyn and Ember jumped up at the door, her nails clawing into the door, deep, loud barks leaving her throat. Adrenaline coursed through Noah and he quickly grabbed his sister knowing she wasn't going to listen to him, "Come on B. Time to go."

Brooklyn's little feet kicked, she twisted and turned against him, "I want Daddy!"

She pushed back and Fin pushed the window up even more, "Brooklyn-"

Ember barked louder and Noah stumbled trying to hold his sister, "Brooklyn, stop. Please, please stop."

Fin was practically hanging in the window himself and he grasped Brooklyn's waist, "I got her."

Brooklyn yelled as loud as she could, desperate to get to her Father. Noah felt a sigh of relief knowing his sister was safe. But...Ember was becoming more frantic and the noises coming from the other side of the door were getting louder. He heard more crashing, heard his Father's angered voice, and in that moment he made a choice.

With Brooklyn safe with John, Fin tapped the glass, "Okay. Come on Noah. Climb out and I'll catch you, okay?"

Noah took a deep breath and asked, "Brooklyn and Charlie are okay?"

Fin frowned, "Yes. Noah what-"

But before he could finish the sentence, Noah slammed the window shut, locked it, and ignored Fin's muffled shouts from outside. He turned, his heart pounding harder than it ever had before as he ran to Ember's side. Another loud crash echoed throughout the room and fear spiked up in his chest. But he wasn't letting his parents get hurt. They always protected him and now it was his turn to do the same.

As soon as he turned the doorknob, Ember was off like a rocket, bounding into the room. His eyes scanned the room, seeing a body on the ground, someone he vaguely recognized. Glass littered the floor and broken wood from the coffee table. He saw a chair tipped over, and what looked like his Mother lying on her side, trying to wiggle out of some sort of restraints. Ember was now circling Frank and Elliot, trying desperately to nip at any part of Frank he could get to.

Through his rage, Elliot saw movement to his left and he turned. His heart sank when he saw how Ember had gotten into the room.

"Noah…"

The second that he took to address his son, Frank took to tackle him again, this time wrapping his hand tight around his throat.

Olivia strained her neck, trying to see what was happening and when she too saw her son, she felt like she was going to be sick, "Noah...Noah get out of here!"

Noah felt frozen as he stood in the middle of the room, torn between going to his Mother and helping untie her and knocking Frank off of his Father. He felt like no matter where he went, he would disappoint someone. "Mom…"

"Noah. Baby. Look at me."

He heard the desperation in his Mom's voice but all he could focus on was the way his Father's face was turning bright red, the lack of oxygen beginning to take hold of him. He heard his Mother call to him again and saw Ember ripping into the back of Frank's shirt. But Frank kicked hard and Ember went flying across the room, a whimper leaving her lips.

And then Noah was moving.

"Noah! No!" Olivia screamed, her wrists so raw she was sure she'd drawn blood, "Noah!"

But he didn't listen.

Noah launched himself at Frank, something that no one had anticipated. "Get off my Dad!"

Caught off guard, and a little tipsy, Frank fell with a loud thud, his shoulder slamming into the wood floor. Elliot was wheezing, trying to breathe, tears pouring out of his eyes as he gasped for air. Through the haze, he saw his son, ontop of Frank, pummeling him as hard as he could in the chest. But Frank of course was stronger, and after a moment, he rolled them over.

"Elliot!"

Elliot breathed in deep though he felt it burning in his throat. He shook his head and stumbled forward on all fours. He could hear his wife's frantic voice behind him warning him to get to their son. Noah was trying to get away, fighting back as hard as he could, clawing at the man as Ember rejoined the fight, this time, not hesitating to latch her jaw onto Frank's forearm.

"Son of a bitch!"

Ember bit down harder, refusing to let go, another strangled scream coming from Frank's lips as she drew blood. Elliot grabbed Noah's arm and pulled him closer, "Noah-"

His voice was hoarse, strained and Noah looked up at him, terrified, "Dad, I-"

"Go!" Elliot screamed, but Noah wouldn't budge, "Noah! I mean it. Go!"

Noah was shaking, "He...he'll...he'll kill you-Mom and I-"

"Noah! Go! Now!" Elliot shoved him hard, startling them both.

He'd never put his hands on Noah but they both knew it wasn't out of anger. It was out of complete and utter terror that something would happen to him. Noah turned quickly to look at his Mother, still struggling to break free, the man beside her beginning to stir, though groggy, "Mom-"

Elliot cursed, "Untie her and get the hell out! Do you hear me?"

Noah nodded slowly, moving to the left, eyes on Frank who was still trying to get Ember to release her grip. Noah slipped in blood, whose he wasn't sure as he moved towards his Mother. He fell to his knees beside her at the same moment that Elliot reached for Ember, "Em, let go."

"Get this beast off of me!"

Olivia leaned toward her son, "What were you thinking coming in here?"

Noah shook his head and tried to pull at the ropes though his hands were shaking and his Mother's blood made it hard to undo the knot, "I just...I…"

"Where are the girls?"

Beside them the fight continued, both of them crashing into the couch again, Ember now biting at Frank's ankles. "Out-outside-"

Feeling the rope lessen, Olivia quickly broke free, rolled to the side, and grabbed her son, "Get out of here!"

Noah was crying, reaching for her, "Come with me. Please-please-"

Olivia looked behind him and saw the way her husband was gaining control over Frank. Saw the utter rage on his face and knew that she was the only one that would have any chance of getting through to him. As much as Frank deserved it, she knew her husband. Taking another man's life, even a man like Frank Donnelly would break him and that was not the kind of thing he could live with. Thinking quickly, she wrapped her arm around her son's shoulder and fumbled towards the door with him.

Blue and red lights littered the outside and she knew she wasn't alone in this. But first things first, get her son to safety. Yanking the door open, Don ran to her side, "Olivia-"

"Take him." She pushed her son forward, and he turned to her, eyes wide, realizing her plan.

Don growled, knowing she had every intention of going back in. Like Mother like son it seemed. "Mom-"

But Don didn't let him finish, wrapping his arms around him and pushing him towards two officers who would escort him to be with his sisters. Then Don, Fin, and John followed into the house, guns drawn. Ready to jump in at any moment. John and Don found Pete, pulling him up off the floor as he began to come to. Olivia moved towards her husband and Frank, both of them still locked together in a death grip.

Her heart was pounding. If she made the wrong move, it could cost them everything. But Frank was beginning to lose control, he was tired and it showed. His punches weren't as powerful, he was breathing harder than he was before. Blood dripped from his arms, and his neck, Ember had bitten him more than once in the attempt to protect her family.

Elliot leaned back, lifting his foot and slamming it into Frank's chest making him fall hard. "Elliot…"

But her husband ignored her and quickly reached behind his back, drawing his gun. "You piece of shit."

Everyone froze except Frank. He lay on the floor underneath Elliot's foot, bloody, bruised, beaten but still, he smirked. Because this, this was exactly what he wanted. "Go on Stabler. Do it. Pull the damn trigger. You know you want to."

Elliot bit down hard on his lip, "You don't know a fucking thing about me."

"El...baby, please-"

Frank snorted slightly, "Of course, I know you. I know who you are. Who you were always meant to be. A killer…"

Elliot was sweating, his index finger shaking, any second it could trigger the shot, "Shut up."

"You have spent so many fucking years trying to run from it. Run from your past. Run from your Dad...but you can't. You were always meant to end up here...whether it was with me or someone else. I don't see Elliot. I see Joe...old Joe in the flesh...let history repeat itself. Kill me."

"Elliot…"

"Kill me, you coward."

"Shut up."

"Elliot...don't do it. Please, please don't do it."

"You gonna let her do it? Your wife? The one who has more balls than you because she pulls a trigger every day at work but you don't?"

"Elliot, you know he's wrong. You know who you are." Olivia pleaded beside him, "You know who you are. I know who you are."

"She thinks she knows you. But she doesn't know the real you. So shoot me. Fucking shoot me!"

Olivia took a slow step towards him, "Elliot…"

"Shoot me damn it!"

Elliot's arm shook, "Shut up!"

"Dad!"

Everyone froze again, eyes turning towards the open front door where Noah had escaped back to the house again, "Noah…"

"Just because these two found you, changed your path doesn't mean-"

"Dad...please don't." Noah stepped into the house, never looking away from him, "Please? For me? For Mom? Don't...don't do it."

Tears streamed Olivia's cheeks and she wanted to run at her son, shove him back out the door. But maybe this is what her husband needed. He still had his foot pressed into Frank's chest, keeping him pinned to the ground, his gun still drawn. Frank was still mumbling under his breath, Ember still circling, growling, waiting to jump in at any moment.

But all Elliot saw was Noah. All he felt was his wife's hand on his arm. All he heard was Ember's paws on the floor. And at that moment, a million memories washed over him. All the little moments. The first time he met Olivia, how she'd literally knocked him off of his feet. How when he'd first met Noah, he'd been surprised, shocked, and then fallen hard for the kid, knowing he'd do anything and everything in his power to protect him.

Trick or treating the first time someone called him Noah's Dad. Helping take care of him when he was sick. Going with Olivia to find the Christmas gift he so desperately wanted but she couldn't afford. Meeting Dean, feeling like he was going to lose Noah even if at the time he had no right to call him his own. The Father-son football game, seeing the pure joy on Noah's face, seeing both him and Olivia with the name Stabler on their back before it had even been official. The day he told Noah he wanted to propose, and how they planned it all together. Noah and Ember pushed him and Olivia into the mud when she finally said yes. The wedding, giving Noah his Grandfather's watch. The very watch that was still wrapped on his wrist. Promising to love him, to protect him, to always be there no matter what, and do right by him.

If he pulled this trigger...if he took this man's life...he'd lose everything he'd worked so hard to have. He'd lose his wife. Lose his son. Lose the two precious girls he and his wife had created, the ones who wouldn't understand why their Father was taken from them, put in jail. He'd miss everything. And as angry as he was...he couldn't lose them. That would be a fate worse than death…

Slowly, he lowered his arm, the gun dangling at his side until his wife took it, releasing the bullets and tossing it to the side. "Noah…"

Noah took a step toward his parents, "You aren't your Father. Just like I'm not Dean. You're my Dad. And I need you. We need you."

Elliot took a shaky breath, feeling a lump form in his throat as he eased up on Frank's chest. He stumbled forward, grabbing his son and crushing him against his chest, "What the hell were you thinking?"

Don moved and Fin moved quickly, grabbing Frank before he had the chance to move again. Olivia stood beside her two men, the two pillars of her life. Both of them had turned her world upside down. Both of them had not been planned. Both of them taught her how to love, truly love in a way she never thought she was worthy of.

Noah, now nearly as tall as his Father felt like a little boy again, "I had to protect you."

Elliot shook his head, holding him even tighter, "You're my kid. I'm your Father. I'm the one that protects you. That's how this works."

Noah heard the pain in his voice, "You always have...I just-"

Elliot shook his head and pulled back, putting his hands on either side of his face, "No. No. Noah, Don't you ever scare me like that again...if I had lost you-" His voice cracked and he leaned forward, pressing his lips to his forehead, "Jesus kid, that's something I'd never survive."

Noah sniffled slightly, "Yeah, well...what makes you think I'd survive losing you either?"

That, made Elliot pause, made him think and he turned to his wife. She stood there, hand on Ember's head, tears streaming down her face, "What made either of you think that I would survive losing both of you?"

Noah frowned, "Mom...I'm sorry, I just-"

She shook her head and stepped forward, pulling them both against her, not able to say another word. Elliot swallowed hard, lifting his arm as he wrapped it around her shoulder, "Shh...we're okay. Everyone is okay."

Frank groaned as they pulled him to his feet, the metal of the handcuffs rubbing against the gaping wound left by Ember's teeth, "You would have done it. I know you would have."

Olivia and Noah both tightened their grip on Elliot, afraid of what he might do. And at that moment, he knew he probably would have. If it meant saving them, he would have pulled the trigger just to spare their lives. These two forces of nature had given him a real purpose in life. Had given him a home, a family, something to actually fight for.

And whether Joe had done it or not...whether he had taken Jack's life or if it was just a rumor...Elliot had one thing that his Father didn't have. The love and respect of his family. The ability to stop for the people he loved. "El…"

Elliot kissed the top of her head and turned to look at Frank, "You're probably right Frank. I would have done it. Had it been you...or any other person in this world. I will always protect my family. My Dad was a lot of things...but if he made a choice...if he did it to protect us. For that...I can't fault him."

Frank lifted his chin and then spat at Elliot's feet, "Keep hiding Stabler. One of these days they'll see the real you."

"That's enough out of you." Don pushed his hand into Frank's back, "Let's go."

Olivia and Noah both clung to Elliot as they dragged Frank out of the house. John had Pete behind them, now leaving just the three of them. They stood in silence until the clatter of Ember's paws made them all turn. She whined softly, before lowering her body down at Elliot's feet, waiting.

Elliot ran a tired hand over his face and then bent down, reaching for her, "Ember…"

"Is she hurt?" Noah asked in a hoarse voice, "She's got blood…"

Olivia sighed and pulled her son against her side, "I...don't think it's hers, honey."

Elliot leaned down and pressed his lips to her nose, "Hey girl…" She whined again and lifted her paw, placing it on his arm, "You did good."

He saw it, she was tired, in pain. She was no longer a puppy. And he hated to think of the day he'd have to say goodbye to her. But today was not that day, Thank God. He didn't have to say goodbye to anyone, except for maybe his past.

Noah pulled away from his Mother, only to drop down beside his Dad and their beloved dog, "Yeah Em, you did good."

"Liv?"

Olivia turned to see Fin waiting in the doorway, "I'm sorry...but the girls are...both very upset and-"

"We're coming." She wiped at her tears quickly, "I...I don't want them to see the house. And we should…"

Elliot looked down at himself, "We should change…" He looked at his son and saw blood on his own shirt, "And get you checked out."

Noah shook his head, "I'm not hurt."

Elliot sighed and shook his head, 'Just...humor me, would you? Let them check you out, please?"

Olivia reached for him, running her hands through her curls, "We'll be right there." She bent down and ran her fingers through Ember's fur, "Em will go with you...won't you girl?"

Not needing to be told twice, Ember stood up, nudged Olivia's hand with her nose, and started to walk with Noah towards the door leaving Olivia and Elliot alone. They both looked around, assessing the damage done in the room, and then without needing to hesitate, they reached for each other, his hands threading through her hair, hers wrapping tightly around his waist, "El-"

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He pressed kisses along every inch of her face, "Olivia, God, I'm sorry. I'm-"

Sliding her hands up and under his shirt, she whispered, "You have nothing to apologize for."

"I failed you. I should have stayed. I should have been here. I should have-"

"Shhhh…" She nuzzled the side of his face gently, 'Shh...we're okay. Everyone is okay." Tilting his head back slightly she whispered, "You did not fail me. All that matters is that we're okay...you me, the girls, Noah. We're okay. And right now...we need to focus on the kids. Okay? We...we can talk later but right now…"

He nodded pressing his forehead into hers, "You're right…"

Sliding her hands up along his chest she pressed her flat hand into his chest, "I know you, Elliot Stabler. I know your heart. I know your soul. And you are and always will be the best man that I have ever known. I'll tell you that every day of my life if I have to…do you hear me?"

He had no words, nothing he could say at this moment. He just needed her, her touch, her strength, her belief in him because he surely didn't believe in himself. So instead, he gave her a slow nod and took her hand, leading her towards their bedroom, they both quickly changed as a paramedic came in. But Elliot stopped them, taking the supplies without hesitation.

Sitting his wife down on the edge of the bed, he lifted her hands, cleaning the cuts on her wrists from the ropes before gently wrapping them as best he could for now. Neither of them spoke as he worked. And after he was done, she took the kit from him, cleaning the cuts along his face, knowing he'd be bruised in the morning. It was enough for now...the girls were waiting.

Together they stood up, walking hand in hand out of the house. Cop cars littered the property but Frank and Pete were already en route to the station. "Mommy! Daddy!"

Brooklyn launched herself out of Fin's embrace and ran as fast as her little legs could take her. Her parents bent down, opening their arms to her as she fell against them, "Hey B…"

She was crying, clearly afraid and confused, "I'm scared."

Elliot sighed, lifting her up as Fin walked towards them and handed her a tearful Charlie, "I know sweetie. But it's okay. Everything is okay."

Charlie nuzzled into her Mother's side, "Uncle Fwank is mean."

"Shhhh." Olivia kissed the side of her face, "It's alright Charlie. We're okay."

Elliot slipped his hand into his wife's and pulled her towards the truck, the door still wide open from when he'd pulled into the driveway in a hurry. Setting Brooklyn down on the driver's seat, he reached behind her and picked up the stuffed unicorn she so desperately had wanted, "Sparkles!"

Elliot smiled and then turned, lifting Charlie up and kissing her chubby little cheek, "Hey kiddo."

Charlie lifted her hand and touched her Father's chin, "Daddy, are you sad?"

Elliot sighed and held her closer, rocking her back and forth, "No baby, I'm just...I'm tired."

From her spot in the car, Brooklyn reached for her Mother's hand, "Mommy?"

Olivia bent down in front of her and smiled, brushing her hair back, "Right here."

Noah was walking towards them, a bandage on his forehead. Brooklyn shivered as a breeze passed through and held onto her Unicorn tighter, "Can we go home now?"

Olivia looked up at her husband who held Charlie and reached for their son. Then she turned back to her daughter and smiled, "Yeah honey...we can go home now."

There was still so much to talk about. So much to figure out. But...all that mattered was this, the five of them and Ember were in one piece and would all go home together tonight. The rest could wait...