This idea was spun from a Twitter conversation months ago about Fin being the first one to notice Elliot and Olivia being together. I found it in my drafts and challenged myself to finish it tonight. Will be posted in two chapters. Enjoy!

Fin looked up as the double doors of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit swung open, and was instantly transported to a time years ago, over a decade now, where the scene before him was an almost reality between two partners.

Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler strolled through the doors, shoulders touching as, like usual, they exhibited their lack of understanding of personal space. The difference, Fin quickly noticed, was the glowing smile on Olivia's face and the way Stabler instantly sought out Olivia's hand to hold, and the fact she let him in such a public space.

Fin grinned. He had watched this song and dance for years. He'd been here through all the ups and downs that was the Benson and Stabler partnership. The late nights and early mornings on cases. The exchange of coffee, sandwich halves, stolen glances, and the mysterious gray hoodie that seemed to just belong to both of them.

That gray hoodie was like those jeans in the movie Phoebe had made him watch over the weekend; it just seemed to fit whoever needed it most at the time. That gray hoodie had seen just as much as Fin had. It had been there after Oregon when Olivia had strolled through the squad room returning to her rightful place as Stabler's partner after being gone for months and leaving Stabler's world in upside down turmoil. It had been there after her kidnapping, wrapping her tightly in the safety and comfort that the old sweatshirt provided, and Fin knew it wasn't the warmth, but the familiarity of a partner who had disappeared, a partner who had promised to always have her back. And, Fin would have sworn, to anyone who cared or even noticed, he had seen it the last time he and Stabler visited the shooting range after the whole Donnelly mess. That gray hoodie was just there, ready to offer comfort to the wearer in a way that no one outside the duo could properly understand. Except for himself, who noticed more than he let on, especially when it came to the duo that was Benson and Stabler. He noticed and knew a lot more than he ever let on. He, like the hoodie, was the one always there.

He leaned back in his chair as the duo stopped as the desk sergeant called out for the Captain. He watched Stabler step slightly behind Olivia as he let go of her hand so she could attend to some of the captain duties that awaited her. Stabler's hand made it to the small of her back and rested there as Olivia signed a few files and picked up a few messages that hadn't been delivered to her office yet. Fin didn't miss the way Elliot's gaze never strayed from looking at Olivia, almost as if he was afraid if he looked away she would disappear.

Fin could tell their long weekend away from the city had changed something within them. They were different now, freer and even more in love than they had been when they left Friday afternoon. He was pretty sure if his hunch was correct, there would probably be another wedding in the very near future. He couldn't see any extra bling to the rings Liv usually wore, but he was already itching to call Munch and Cragen to cash in on a bet that had been running for many years now.

Once Olivia finished, she turned and smiled at Elliot as he took her hand into his once more. They walked forward toward her office absolutely lost in each other and oblivious to the world around them. Fin laughed to himself as he thought back to all those years ago when he questioned Munch on how those two managed to be so lost in each other, but yet still succeeded at being quick on the draw and sharp in their senses.

~EO~

"Easy, they're protective of each other." Munch had whispered as the two were so lost in each other they had completely blocked out the fact Fin and Munch were even in the room. "Watch this."

"Munch, no."

Munch grinned as he crumbled up a piece of paper and tossed it right at Olivia's face. Before Fin could blink, Elliot intercepted the paper wad right before it had a chance to make contact with Olivia.

"Grow up, Munch!" Elliot tossed the paper wad back, hitting John square in the nose.

"It's more fun this way," Munch laughed knowing Elliot had already blocked him out again, too focused on Olivia and their lead to pay him any mind. He turned to Fin, "told you."

"Do you think they'll ever figure it out?"

"What? That they love each other?" Munch looked over at the pair, "I think they already have."

They both watched as Elliot reached over Olivia's shoulder and guided her hand on the mouse she was using. His fingers lingered a little longer than necessary, and Olivia turned her head to look up at him; a full silent conversation happening with just glances. The pair quickly jumped up, grabbed their coats, and practically ran out of the squad-room all without breaking synchronization.

"One of these days, those two are going to walk through those double doors finally together as more than partners. Mark my words."

"Wanna bet?"

"On what?" Munch laughed, "if they will? That's a losing bet for you, my friend."

"He's married Munch."

"Word is they're separated." Munch leaned back in his chair, "pretty sure he's been in his own apartment for a while now. He loves Kathy sure; she is the mother of his children, but he's in love with Liv. They're both just too stubborn to admit it."

"And what would you know about love mister been married and divorced multiple times?" Fin teased and dunked just in time for the paper wad to fly by his head.

"You wound me." Munch feigned hurt, "I'm telling you. It may not be this decade, but eventually the universe will pull those two together. It's inevitable."

"So, you want in or not?"

"Of course, I want in."

"Want in on what?" Cragen stepped from his office, red vine in hand.

"How long it takes for the universe to straighten those two lovebirds out." Fin motioned toward Elliot and Olivia's desk.

"As their Captain, I'm going to pretend I didn't hear any of that." Cragen turned to go back toward his office and then stopped, lowering his voice, "10."

"10?" Munch turned in his chair, "days? months? years? dollars?"

"Years." He grinned, "long enough for me to be pushing retirement and leaving that paperwork for Lieutenant Munch."

"Ha!" Munch leaned back in his chair, "as if. I'll retire before you. Fin can take over."

"No way."

"Olivia." Cragen spoke quietly, "Olivia will make Captain one day and be in charge of this place."

"Not Stabler?" Munch turned grinning, "you don't think Stabler will make it?"

Cragen turned to glare at John, "I didn't say that." He turned back toward his office, "now, if you two are done playing matchmaker, can you two go follow this new lead?"

"Aye aye, Captain."

Cragen rolled his eyes as Munch quickly saluted him in jest, "Oh, and keep this between yourselves. The Brass doesn't need any more reason to look into my detectives." Cragen warned them both before he shut the door to his office.

"What do you say partner? 10 years? 20?" Munch tossed the keys toward Fin, "You drive. I need to think."

"First one to find out," Fin grabbed the keys, "wins the bet. Winner chooses the prize."

Munch thought about it, "I can go with that. Easier to keep up with in my old age."

~EO~

Fin remembered how Munch had gone on and on during the car ride, sure that he was going to win because it would happen really soon, and then everything came crashing down. Olivia had left with the FBI, Kathy became pregnant, and then Stabler had disappeared. The bet had simmered down after that, but never went away with Munch still proclaiming before he left that the universe would find its way to drag those two together once more.

Fin shook his head thinking about Munch and his whole idea of parallel universes. He watched the two as they walked into her office and closed the door behind them. The blinds were mostly drawn, but he could see from his desk the way Stabler pulled her in close and kissed her as he ran his fingers through her hair and down to the back of her neck. Olivia relaxed into the kiss, and smiled as Elliot's fingers pulled one of the necklaces she was wearing. Fin caught the way the necklace shimmered as the sunlight hit it. He almost tipped himself out of his chair leaning back to get a better view. His eyes grew wide as he watched Stabler unclip the necklace, letting the diamond fall into his open palm. It was a ring.

"I knew it!" He whispered catching his balance before he almost fell again. He picked his phone up and texted both Cragen and Munch.

Fin: They're finally together. Pay up boys.

Munch: I'm not paying without proof.

Fin: Come on Munch! I ain't lyin'.

Munch: Proof.

Fin: Give me a second.