Tradition

Disclaimer: I don't own them, I just like to play with them for a while

Summary: Elliot and Olivia get closer as a case threatens to pull them apart

A/N This chapter is happier, I think u reviewers will be happy with me!

Chapter 7

Olivia opened her eyes, trying to remember what had happened. Then it all came back to her. When she looked around the room she was in she realized that it was a small bedroom. There were light yellow walls, and a wooden bureau, and vanity. There was a man sitting next to her bed, she didn't know who he was. She wanted Elliot; she had to tell him that she was ok.

The man looked at her as she stirred and said, "Good morning. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, but where am I, what happened?" She managed through dry lips.

"I'm sorry to inform you, but yesterday, at approximately 11:30 a.m. Detective Olivia Benson was killed by Michael Kane. He escaped after the shooting." The man said flatly.

Olivia was now confused, how could that be, wasn't she alive, and talking to this man. Her stomach hurt like hell, but still she seemed to be alive.

The man saw the look on Olivia's face, and said, "Yesterday Olivia Benson died in NY, but here in Virginia, Dana Olden began her life."

Olivia finally realized what was going on. She had been placed into Witness protection. When Alex got out she had told Olivia that this similar event had happened to her. Men in black giving their condolences, pretending they knew what she was going through. It was now Olivia's turn to go numb.

Within a few days Olivia began her new life as Dana Olden, the small town bank teller living in Westbank Virginia. She never thought that she could ever miss the city as much as she did. Even though she was technically alive, she felt dead inside without Elliot. She tried to call him, but soon found that the wonderful men working for the FBI blocked all NY numbers form her phone. They tried to explain to her that as long as Kane was out there, she was in danger. But she didn't care.

Each day was the same here. Olivia woke up, went for a run around the neighborhood, showered, ate breakfast, went to work, had lunch, came home, watched T.V., ate dinner, and went to sleep. She knew that the program was created to keep her alive, but she wasn't living anymore, simply surviving. How could she live without everything she loved? She worried about the people back home every day.

Olivia felt guilty about the pain she was causing all of them back in NY. At least they had pictures of her; all she had of them was what she could remember.

Over the months that followed Elliot hadn't improved much. He had managed to be able to live in his apartment again, but, like Olivia, was hardly living. The only time he felt anything was when he had his kids with him. They were his only reason for staying alive.

He carried her badge, and the engagement ring he never got to give her with him every day. He couldn't bear to part with them.

On the nights his kids weren't with him Elliot usually could be found getting drunk. He was no picnic at work either. In the months following Olivia's death he had gone through 5 partners. He would constantly snap at them for "not doing something right". Cragen had gotten to the point where he just let him tag along with Munch and Fin on cases. He was usually too hung over to be any good on his own anyway. Cragen would have fired anyone else. He was already making him see Huang once a week, but nothing seemed to help. Cragen had lost the love of his life once, and knew what Elliot was going through, but was starting to get to the end of his rope.

When their one year anniversary came around Elliot went out to Olivia's grave, and left white roses, her favorite for her. He sat their throughout the night. He felt himself falling, and didn't know how to stop it. He was lost without her.

Back in Virginia Olivia sat on the rood of her home, she found it peaceful to think that her and Elliot could see the same stars, it made her feel no so alone. She made a toast of champagne to him, wherever he was. She hoped that he was okay. Although it killed her to even think about it, she hoped he had found a nice woman, and that he was happy, because she knew that, although she put on happy face for her co-workers, and neighbors, that she was from it. Olivia had made many new friends in her new life, but couldn't help feeling completely alone.

TBC

A/N: Did u really think that I could have killed Olivia? Now the question is, should she and Elliot get back together!