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 a little longer than the last 2. And to all you who reviewed, YOU ARE AWSOME! keep reviewing, and I'm glad u like it so far!
Chapter 8
It was almost Christmas again, and Olivia was prepared for it to be like every other Christmas she had had, with the exception of her last.
She was trying to get lost in her thoughts at work when the caption of a paper in the garbage near her desk caught her eye:
Cop Killer Dead
Olivia picked up the paper and read on:
One year ago, next week, New York detective Olivia Benson was killed by Michael Kane while searching a building to arrest the man. He was suspected of raping and killing 5 New York CEO's earlier last year. After killing Benson, Kane was able to escape form the crime scene, and had been on the FBI's most wanted list since then.
Early yesterday morning New York detectives received a tip that Kane was living in the Bronx under the Alias Steven Rogers. Upon entering the home Detective Elliot Stabler found Kane sitting in his room pointing a gun to the door. Kane shot at the detective, but Stabler was able to dodge the bullet, and shoot and kill Kane with one shot.
Detective Olivia Benson had served for 7 years with the Special Victims Unit in the New York City Police Force. Many victims owe their thanks to the bravery and determination she showed while dedicating her life to helping them.
Olivia couldn't believe what she was reading. She immediately picked up the phone, and dialed the number of one of the FBI agents assigned to her case. "When can I go home?" she breathed into the phone.
"We can get you on the next plane to New York." The voice answered. With that Olivia dropped the phone, ran to her car and headed to the airport. She had clothes back in New York, and there was nothing from "her house" that she needed or wanted. All she needed was to see Elliot as soon as humanly possible.
It was Christmas Eve again. This year Elliot's kids were staying with him. Maureen was home from college, and Elliot had decided to take his kids to their favorite restaurant for the holiday. It was a small Italian restaurant in the heart of Little Italy.
After they ate they went back to Elliot's apartment and Elliot read his kids The night before Christmas. The twins were 13, Kathleen was almost 17, and Maureen was 20. They were all too old for bedtime stories, but you don't mess with Stabler Tradition.
He said goodnight to his kids, and went into the living room to put the presents under the tree. He remembered Christmas Eve the previous year. He wished he had known that that was going to be the last time he and Olivia would ever make love. He wished he had known a lot of things.
Elliot went over to the couch and fingered the engagement ring; it had become a habit of his. He remembered how he had planned to sit on that very couch with Olivia that year to "wait up for Santa again." It was going to be a new tradition. He wished he had never asked her that, because than maybe he wouldn't feel so hollow.
Elliot had come along way form where he had been. He wasn't numb all the time anymore. He even found himself feeling happy when he was with his kids. He stopped getting drunk, and began trying to live again. He knew that Olivia would have wanted it. She probably was looking down on him now desperately wanting to kick his ass for how he was acting.He laughed at the thought.
"What's so funny dad" Dickey's voice questioned form behind him.
"Nothing. What are you doing up? It's mid… oooh, tradition. Well, come see the tree, what do ya think?" he asked
"Looks great dad!" Dickey answered as he came to his father's side. "You gonna be ok without her?" The boy asked.
"As long as I have you kids here, I'll be fine." He answered as he hugged the boy. Even though Dickey had long since felt he was to old for hugs, he returned it, knowing his father needed it.
"Night dad." He said as the embrace ended.
"Night kid" Elliot answered as he ruffled his hair.
Elliot took one more look at the tree and chuckled to himself. He took the ring out of his pocket again and said, "So much for tradition" under his breath. He unplugged the tree, and turned to go to bed himself when he heard a knock on his door.
He cautiously approached it, and looked through the peep hole. He was taken aback by what he saw. He unlocked the door and opened it, only to confirm that what he had seen was real.
On the other side of the door was a person dressed in a red suit, with a red had, and a long white beard. The only problem with this Santa was that it was thin. "I hear you've been trying to catch me in the act," It said in a familiar voice.
He didn't want to let himself believe that the voice was Olivia's. in the past he had sworn he heard her, or saw her, or felt her, but it never was her. He wouldn't let that happen again.
Then the Santa pointed to the mistletoe hanging over the doorway. "Sorry," It said. "I was once told that you never mess with tradition." That was all that he needed to know that this wasn't Santa, but Olivia standing at his door.
Olivia saw his blue eyes turn from a foggy gray, to a sparkling blue in seconds. She had intended on taking off her beard before kissing him, but never had the chance. Before she could Elliot's lips came crashing down onto her. She parted his lips with her toungeto deepen the kiss, and he wrapped his arms around her, lifted her off her feet, and swung her around in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. She was finally home.
The two were too busy in the door way to notice the 4 sets of eyes watching from the living room. "Wow." Kathleen said. "I saw Daddy kissing Santa Clause underneath the mistletoe tonight!" Her three siblings started giggling. That's when Elliot and Olivia finally noticed them.
Elliot finally returned Olivia to the floor, and she took off her beard. "Hi guys." was all she could make come out.
Without responding the 4 kids ran over and gave her a hug. "Good to have you back Liv." Maureen said "We'll let you two be alone, I'm sure you have some catching up to do." With that she ushered her younger siblings back to bed. "See you in the morning."
TBC... I hope you liked how I brought them back together! Just a few more chapters until the story is complete! Review!