A/N: Okay, this is the last chapter, but there will be an epilogue… Read and review!! :) Oh, does anyone know Kathy's maiden name?? If you would like too enlighten me, feel free, but in the mean time I am gonna make one up! Also, sorry for how long it took to get this up, I was busy writing the epilogue for this instead of focusing on the current chapter!
Olivia's muffled scream immediately put the horse into defense mode and it sprinted forward, slamming a shoulder into Tyler. He cursed loudly, yanking out his gun. Olivia kicked some snow up into the air so that he lost sight of his target. The bullet grazed the horse's hindquarters and it jumped to the side and then galloped away. Olivia felt thick ropes go around her wrists as Tyler threw her up against the snowmobile. He then blindfolded her and she felt him yank up her sleeves. "I should have done this to begin with." Tyler muttered as he jammed a needle into her arm. Olivia felt an instant heat race up her arm. The blindfold came off seconds later, not that it mattered. She was overcome by the drug and she collapsed, her eyes closing as she slipped into a dreamless sleep.
The horse raced back along the path, quickly reaching the fork in the road. Slowing to a shuddering halt he stood and panted, his limbs shaking from exhaustion. Then he lifted his head, hearing noises in the distance. He watched as several police on horseback and snowmobiles came swarming up around him. A man reached forward, taking a hold of his reins. The police officer gently stroked his shaking neck and looked at the shield on his saddle pad. "He's one of ours." The man said, indicating the DPD gear on the horse.
"That's right. Elliot Stabler was riding him." The police looked up and saw a man sitting atop a tall white stallion.
"Who are you?"
"Devon Masters." He answered, his horse shifting nervously below him.
The group of policemen looked at one another and then asked, "Can you show us where they are?"
"Just follow this path until you get to a cabin. They are going to be in there."
"Right…" the lead officer said, and Devon kicked his horse off. "Where are you going?"
"I am going ahead of you. Trust me." Devon called over his shoulder as the horse broke into a gallop.
When Olivia came too she found herself once again in Tyler's house, leaned up against the wall in the main room. Her vision swam and her body shook from cold. Elliot was next to her, much to her relief sitting up with his eyes open. "El…" she whispered, her breathing ragged. He looked over at her, his eyes glossy and unfocused, revealing that he had obviously been sedated in the same manner that she had. He was bound at the wrists and tied to a thick metal pipe.
"Well now that you two are finally awake, we have a little business to take care of." They both looked up and saw Tyler and his friend standing smugly. Olivia glanced weakly at the bonds on her wrists and futilely tugged at them. The man she had knocked out earlier came over and punched her in the jaw and then kicked her several times in the stomach. She fell over onto her side, far too weak to do anything to resist. He proceeded to roll her over onto her back and fumble with her belt. Olivia could hear Elliot jerking against his restraints furiously and screaming her name. Meanwhile Tyler spoke above the din. "So Olivia, how does it feel? Being a victim? Like mother, like daughter."
Suddenly the man stopped, looking back behind him. Olivia panted in fear as he slowly removed his hands from underneath her shirt. He hadn't gotten all the way yet, but she knew it was only a matter of seconds. "Tyler, do you hear that?"
Tyler nodded and went to his window. Dozens of snowmobiles and horsemen were surrounding his cabin, all with the police insignia. "God damn it!" he shrieked, "The police are here."
The man abruptly got up off of Olivia and backed up. Tyler pulled out his gun, dropping the clip as he did so. He loaded three more bullets into it and then slammed it against his hand. It slid in easily and clicked loudly. "I am sorry, but this just changes things." He said, and then spun on Elliot. The safety of the gun went off and his finger squeezed the trigger. A loud gunshot rang through the room, accompanied by shattering glass.
"Elliot!" Olivia screamed, and he looked over at her, completely unharmed. She turned and saw Tyler standing in absolute shock, blood pouring from a large bullet hole in his chest. He collapsed seconds later. The other man panicked and sprinted out the door with his hands on the back of his head.
Olivia crawled over to Elliot, pressing her head to his chest. Minute's later police came rushing in, cutting the bonds on their wrists free. One picked up Olivia gently, wrapping a blanket around her. She put her arms weakly around his neck, her breathing still ragged. They made their way outside, Elliot being helped by two other officers. The sedative was powerful, and its effects were still quite strong on them. Two paramedics immediately rushed over, checking them out for injuries. Olivia was still numb and was completely zoned out as they asked her questions. Elliot wasn't much better, though when a familiar face showed up, he recognized it instantly. "Hey buddy." he mumbled to the little horse, who had ambled over and was eying him curiously.
Olivia looked up and saw a man on a white horse approaching, looking rather ghostly amongst the swirling snow. Devon Masters smiled down at her, dropping his sniper rifle to the ground as he was approached by police. "Sorry, Mr. Masters, but are going to have to place you under arrest." One officer said, and Devon nodded.
"I know." he responded, and with that dismounted his horse.
Olivia stood a little too quickly and said, "Wait. He had too. Tyler was going to kill Elliot!" Devon quickly reached out and caught her as she lost her balance and fell. He set her back down and then allowed the police to put cuffs on him.
"Olivia, you're a cop, you know they have to. I will be fine." Devon said confidently.
Elliot looked up at him and said, "Thanks, Devon."
"For what?"
"For having our backs." Elliot answered.
Devon grinned and then said simply, "When I was in the FBI, that was my job."
Elliot nodded and watched as they led him away. He glanced over at Olivia, who still looked shell shocked. "You okay?"
"I have been better. But at least you are alive, that's all that matters to me." Olivia answered, brushing a piece of hair from her eyes.
Elliot smiled at her, reaching out and taking her face in his hands. "And now you have closure."
Olivia nodded, and then got a slightly distant look in her eyes. "And now I have found my redemption."
They were quiet for a few minutes, feeling as the drug slowly slipped out of their systems. A loud voice suddenly interrupted their thoughts. "Mr. and Mrs. Stabler? We must be going." They looked up and saw the lead officer looking down at them in concern.
The snow had started up again with a vengeance as they made their way from Tyler's cabin. It became quite clear that they wouldn't make it very far but the police didn't seem worried. When Elliot inquired to Officer Charles he replied, "We talked to the old couple living up here. They are closer than Devon's house, and said we would be welcome to stay until the snow lets up."
Elliot nodded, thinking that that was very nice of them to let a bunch of cops bunk out with them. Tyler's friend had already been rushed out to the waiting police trucks on the fastest police horses, so at least they didn't have a perp to deal with. And Tyler's body had been bagged and picked up by helicopter, so they had that taken care of. But Colorado weather wasn't about to let them all get out that night. Devon was still with them, making friend with all the cops. His cheerful personality and witty remarks had them quite amused; no one seeming all that concerned about the fact that he had just shot a man. Devon was remarkably unaffected by the shooting, somewhat surprising to Elliot, who had felt awful all the times he had killed someone. However, he guessed that since Devon had made his living being a sniper in the FBI he had been trained very well to dull his emotions.
Olivia was quiet on the ride to the old couple's cabin, still sifting through all the events of the day and trying to gain some amount of understanding of them. She had found her father, he had tried to have her raped and killed, and then he had been killed in turn. Their police horse, named Lucifer, Olivia had found out, stepped lightly through the snow, making prints that were soon swept away by the wind. She glanced over Elliot's shoulder, eying the majestic mountains surrounding them. Their serene indifference put her slightly at ease, despite everything. Olivia sighed. These mountains have strange effects on people.
Elliot reached back with one hand, resting it lightly on her thigh. Olivia took in gently in hers and kissed the back of his neck tenderly. The snow was reaching quite a pitch now, and they were quite relieved when they saw bright lights of a cabin in the distance. There was a corral with two other horses in it, contentedly eating hay as they watched the arrivals. One of the policemen came up and took Olivia and Elliot's horse from them, putting him away with the others. They made their way slowly up to the door, Elliot leading the way with Olivia tucked carefully against his side.
He knocked on the door and then glanced back to see the other officers in their group putting the snowmobiles underneath the wide overhang to a shed. The door opened seconds later, showering them all with warmth and light. An amused looking old gentleman stood there, and Elliot's jaw dropped. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Elliot Stabler. Last time you showed up at my door with a pretty girl in your arms it was my daughter." Olivia's eyes widened as she looked at Kathy's father. He turned his attention to her and then said, "And Olivia Benson. His partner in every sense of the word." Olivia flushed and glanced at Elliot, both thinking the exact same thing. Well, isn't this awkward?
But Mr. Grant didn't keep them at the door long before welcoming them into the house. The police followed, all seeming a bit uncomfortable with their accommodations. Olivia seriously doubted that they had ever done a mission like this one.
Late that night Olivia and Elliot lay on the couch together, watching the fire curling and licking in bright orange flames in the hearth. Elliot stroked Olivia's stomach, tracing his hand lightly over her scar. After a while he questioned quietly, "You said that you had found your redemption earlier… I was wondering, what exactly did you do wrong to need it?"
"That's just it. I was looking to find a way to change who I was, because I thought that's what had caused everything bad that's happened. I was trying to fix the damage, to find a way to make me feel better about myself. But it was my father who helped me realize that I can't change who I am, no more than I caused the events of late. He was right; I came here trying to find redemption. And I suppose I did, in a sense. I realized I didn't need it." Olivia answered, turning slightly to face him.
Elliot smiled at her. "That's my Liv. You are who you are, someone I love every last bit of. We have had a rough few months, but it wasn't your fault. And you did everything you could to make things right again. That, my dear, is what makes you the great person you are."
The snow was beginning to slow outside. Olivia fell asleep in Elliot's arms, for the first time knowing her identity and accepting it.
In what seemed like minutes they were awakened and quickly escorted outside to head back to Denver. As they stepped through the deep snow Elliot glanced over and saw Mr. Grant throwing some hay to the horses. He paused and smiled at him. Mr. Grant smiled and said, "Good bye Elliot. Good to see you again. I am glad that you are happy. And Kathy is happy now. So no hard feelings, okay?"
"Nope. Thanks." Elliot answered, shaking his hand. Mr. Grant watched as he trotted down the driveway to his wife, who was waiting very patiently, a knowing sort of look on her face.
Elliot and Olivia stayed in Colorado three more days, tying up loose ends of business. These included making statements on Devon's behalf and filing charges against Franco Martinez, the other man who had tried twice to rape Olivia. On their last night in Denver Elliot was flopped on his back watching Lord of the Rings on TV when Olivia walked back into the room. They were staying in a rather extravagant hotel- one that included its own spa, beauty salon, and gym. He smiled broadly when he saw she had taken her hair back to its original chestnut color, and they had styled it in very cute loose ringlets. She lay down beside him and he kissed her firmly on the lips. "I love it."
"Thanks." She said, flushing slightly. He took her forearms and pulled her over on top of him, resting his hands on her hips. She gently placed her lips on his, inviting much more with her hands sliding up and down his chest. Elliot gladly opened his mouth further and placed his hand on the back of her neck, pressing her harder against him.
They didn't get much sleep that night.
Olivia and Elliot sat at the airport, eagerly waiting for their flight to announce boarding. Olivia was eating her way through her third meal of the day- and it was not even three in the afternoon yet. She was still trying to regain some of the weight she had lost during her week's lack of food. Elliot watched her with amusement, occasionally stealing a fry from her plate. She got up to throw the trash away and when she got back Elliot was watching a group of people. A smile lit up her features as she recognized them, and they both stood and ran over to them. "Devon, Reagan, what are you guys doing here?" Olivia questioned, and Reagan turned, placing a cap delicately on her head.
"Captain Reagan Masters will be piloting your non stop flight to New York." she said with a grin. Devon smiled and adjusted the two kids resting on each of his hips.
"I didn't know you were a pilot!" Olivia exclaimed, and Reagan nodded.
"You will come and visit us again, won't you?" Devon questioned, a pleading look in his eyes.
"Of course! As long as you come visit us in New York." Elliot answered, "I am glad they let you go."
"Oh, it was no big deal. I made bail and they found the shooting to be in defense of another. Plus, a few of my old FBI friends came in and helped get the process expedited." Devon replied, grinning broadly, "You didn't cause me too many problems, Detective. But you still owe me big time."
Elliot laughed and said, "Believe me, I know."
Devon sighed and stated, "Well, maybe someday you will be able to repay me. Doubtful, but it is possible." Elliot nodded seriously and Devon laughed, "Just kidding. I would do anything for a friend."
"Thanks."
A light buzzer sounded and Reagan glanced over at the boarding area. "Well, that's my cue. See you guys when we get to New York!" Reagan said to Elliot and Olivia. She turned and kissed Devon, then each of her kids. Then she scooted off onto the plane.
Devon gave both Olivia and Elliot a hug before they headed out. Olivia stopped just before boarding, glancing back at Devon, and especially the little boy Jonathan. He picked up his little hand in what could be interrupted as a wave, a smile lighting up his features. Olivia smiled back, thinking that though she had lost her son, perhaps there was some sort of consolation offered in day to day life. That perhaps she would see parts of little Elijah James when she least expected it. She turned away, stepping into the plane that would take her away from Colorado and the great mountains that had changed her life so much.
A/N #2: Well, just kidding… maybe that isn't the last chapter… but I will have to see how the epilogue works out. And I was wondering if I could get some feedback… as for the ending of this story, would you guys kill me if I had a really depressing ending (I have it written out… and I mean seriously depressing) or would that be okay? Please let me know….