AN: I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get this up, everyone. I'm very, very sorry, but school has been so busy and draining, and whenever I went to sit down at my computer, my mind just went blank.

I know, I know. I write a LOT of cliffhangers. I love 'em. They keep people interested.

Well, sad though it makes me, this is the end. I can't think of much more I can put into this story. If I ever do think of more, believe me, I'll write out a sequel. Please review. I'm so grateful for all the reviews I've gotten for this story. I will list shout-outs after the last chapter, and if you review after I post this chapter, you'll get a shout-out in a later fic.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with the musicals 'Peter Pan' and 'Chicago', although I must say, I do love them.


Third Person

A twenty-six year old brunette sat in her seat within the auditorium, her chestnut ringlets spiraling halfway down her back, her brown eyes focused in anticipation on the stage where the award was being presented. She had worked all her life for this night, and everyone she knew and loved was either beside her in the row of seats, or backstage, or waiting at her godparent's house, watching from the TV.

"And, the award goes to…" the announcer said, his voice booming off the walls, "Martina Andreas-McIntyre for her portrayal of Velma Kelly in 'Chicago'!"

The actress stood up, joyful tears already welling up in her eyes. The hem of her black, strapless gown touching the floor, Martina made her way up the stage.

"Thank you," she offered, smiling out to the audience, "This is not my first time doing this wonderful production. When I was sixteen, I acted Velma in community theatre. Before that production began, however, my family and I were taken from Central Park. My family was killed, I was abused, and I was the onewho hadto bear the memories. After that, I was left with no desire to fufill my dreams of acting. However, my wonderful god family, the Stabler's, not only took me in after that, they also provided me with the desire to live, and the desire to live my dreams. I must thank them for that, and let it be known how much I love them. Thanks to Kathleen, my god sister, and best friend, for helping me dance again after severe burns covered my legs. And as I thank my god family, I also must thank my biological family, for all their support and love. It is through their memory that I am able to keep going."

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me, and thank you to Him." She continued.

Slowly, she fixed her eyes on the man beaming in the front row. The man she loved. She remembered herself when she was sixteen, the shell of a girl who had no faith left in love, and who had never expected to feel love, or happiness, again. What a stranger that girl was to her now.

"'Peter Pan', the show I began when I was twenty-two, and just out of acting school, had a one year run, and over that year, I met, fell in love with, and married my husband, who also happened to be a technician involved with the show, David McIntyre. And, well…you all know how I feel about my husband, and our twins, Helena and Daniel. I love them all! They make my life complete, and without them, I am nothing. Thanks to them."

"And finally, to my fans…all of you are what makes this job worthwhile. Thank you for all the support. I love you all! Goodnight!"

Slowly, Martina walked down from the platform, towards her family. Towards her life.


Stabler Residence

Several Hours Later

Elliot Stabler's POV

She's done it. She's made me tear up. Again. Damn her! I'm not supposed to cry. I don't cry, except at weddings and funerals, over my children, and over the odd case.

Okay, what the hell. I do cry. And I blame Martina.

"Ladies and gentleman," David says, running into the living room, ahead of his wife, "It is my pleasure to present the best actress in the universe, who just happens to be my wife, Martina Andreas-McIntyre!"

Martina walks in, laughing and blushing. She hits a corny pose before she and Kathleen practically dive for each other's arms.

"Marty, your speech was perfect beyond all reason." Kathleen says to her, smiling.

The two young women continue hugging, until someone finally shouts for Kathleen to quit hogging Martina. Ahhh, yes, it was Dickie. Marty laughs, and exchanges high fives from every imaginable angle with him, before turning her eyes on me. I open my arms, and she runs into them, crying tears of joy.

"I did it, Dad." She chokes out, laughing through her tears, and calling me by the name she had deemed appropriate for me several years after her parents' murder. It's a name I love hearing her say. "I finally did it!"

"You sure did, sweetie." I whisper, glad to have her in my arms, "You sure did."

She has indeed done it, and I couldn't be happier for her. But I can't say that I've never been prouder. I was prouder when I watched her take her first steps. I was prouder when she received Holy Communion for the first time. I was prouder as I watched her end her first year of high school with a 4.0. I was prouder when she was Confirmed. I was prouder as I watched her testify at court, confronting her attackers with strength. I was prouder when she turned from a rape victim to a rape survivor. I was prouder when she graduated from high school, first honors with Kathleen, just asthey'd always hoped.I was prouder when she got married.

But I have never been prouder than I am of her in this moment. Not because of the acting award, not because of the excellent acting job she did to get the award. I am proud because of what I see in her face: total, complete joy that she has worked for. All her life, she'd perfected looking joyful. But now, I can see joy radiating from her eyes, from her very soul; total, complete, hard-earned joy.

No one has ever been more deserving.


Well, I know it was short, but hopefully, I've given you a decent ending. Please express your thoughts via the review. I hate to end this story (I always hate ending my stories!) but it's time to move on.

Thank you to: WynterNytes, SVUFanatic611 for the longestreviews, and for editing, Tati aka Trinity, LawNorderLuver01, SpectraLady, duncand, chrismelonifan, Bluenose, Bite Beccy, AkatsukiCloak, psalm57, and justawriter. I thank you all for taking the time out of your lives to express your thoughts, many of which have brightened up my days, and made me smile. Thanks, also, to AmethystFluff, for giving me such great advice. More of Huang in future fics, I promise! (I haven't had time to study psychology, and I don't want to write his character if I can't do him justice). Thanks to garrettelliot, who helped me with research for this fic, and inspired me to write it.

Well, I am working on the second part of my trilogy of one-shots, the first of which was called 'Cry'. I am also working on 'Memories of a Broken Heart'. More to come. Until my next post, adios! Thanks to all my reviewers for everything.