Law & Order CI: Redemption Song Chapter Ten: All's well that ends well, a law and order: ci fanfic

Law & Order CI: Redemption Song Part Ten.

A/N: Apologies to my loyal fans! I really am sorry, but I've had a BASTARD of a term at university so I'll attempt to make up for it! I said I would finish it, so here I am!

Anyway, without further ado, I present chapter ten of Redemption Song. This is the final chapter, so it won't be very long. Angels Brought Me Here, the song I use, was written by Jorg Eloffson and John Reid and is performed by Guy Sebastian. It is the highest selling original release by an Australian artist.

The LOCI characters are owned by NBC and Dick Wolf. I own the rest. Redemption Song is owned by Stevie Wonder. Can't wait for Guy Sebastian's gospel album... now bloody not due for release until next bloody year!

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Bobby's eyes flickered open. From the pain that was throbbing through him at the moment, he wasn't dead. Which meant that Eames… both of them were alive.

Bobby struggled to get up, sending the interns that were flocking around his bed into a frenzy. It also turned out to be a rather foolish idea on his part; a sharp pain stabbed at his head and almost blinded his brain. He moaned and fell back against his pillows, doctors swarming at his bedside in a flurry of sound and movement.

Maria and Eames jerked their heads up at this sudden furore.

'What's the guess that Bobby has just woken up?' Maria asked softly. Alex smiled.

'Odds are good, let the bet begin.'

They entered Bobby's room to find him being propped up on his pillows by a scared-looking young nurse who was being battered with various, ill-thought facts about Bobby's ideas to improve the hospital morgue.

'… and they really shouldn't keep the desks away from the bodies, because it's impossible for investigators to, oh, hello!' Bobby chattered as the women made their entrance, flanked by Deakins.

'How are you feeling?' Alex asked, seating herself beside her partner's bed. The young nurse scurried away, looking relieved.

'Not too bad. The doctors said that the bullet missed anything important, so I shouldn't worry about it too much.'

'But I assume they told you to take it easy?' Alex said firmly. Bobby blushed and looked around the room for support. His eyes fell on his fiancée. He smiled.

'Hey there, sweetheart,' Bobby said softly. Maria's face was washed with relief.

'Where did you come from?'

Deakins lay a hand on Bobby's shoulder.

'Goren, Maria saved you and Alex. She shot Strickland.'

Maria dropped her gaze to the floor. Bobby craned his neck so he could see his captain better.

'Shot Strickland? No, that's not possible. Alex shot Strickland, didn't she? I'm sure that's what I heard before I passed out…' Bobby said, looking at Alex. But his partner shook her head sadly.

'I hesitated. I was almost shot myself.'

Bobby craned his head back in the direction of his wife to be, who was looking sheepishly up at him, her face flushed. Deakins cleared his throat.

'Goren, I let her go. She wouldn't be left behind. She knew you were in danger and I couldn't stop her,' the captain said quietly. Bobby swallowed.

'You… you shot Strickland? How?' he stuttered, trying to make sense of it all. Maria squirmed.

'Well, you see Bobby, I worked out that Strickland had to be the killer. When the captain said that you and Aunt Alex had gone to the church to attempt to reason with Ian Rogers, I knew you were in danger. That's why I had to go. When I came in, I found you on the floor in a pool of your own blood. Aunt Alex was frozen to the spot with Strickland pointing a gun at her head. I did what any cop would do. I protected my own,' she finished, looking decidedly uncomfortable. Bobby was struck dumb for a moment, then smiled.

'Wow,' he said softly. Maria's face lit up and Deakins felt a sense of relief sweep through him. Bobby opened his arms and let his fiancée crawl up to him. He stroked her hair possessively.

'My little Eames,' he whispered. Maria looked up at him.

'Bobby?'

'Yeah?'

'You think we should go looking for a new church?'

Bobby laughed and hugged her tighter.

'I think that'd be a good idea, yeah.'

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The cathedral on Fifth Avenue was massive, but as Maria said, it was perfect. Even if he wasn't a Catholic. The room had been decorated with white lilies and tiny red rosebuds. They had decided against an organist, preferring instead to go with a sound engineer who promised them that she would walk down the aisle in perfection. Bobby Goren, senior detective, tapped his foot nervously at the altar and looked surreptitiously at his watch. 11:20 Am. She was late, but then the bride was always late. He looked up and out at the congregation. Deakins was in the front row, also frowning at his watch. Lewis was to his left, tapping his foot nervously and shooting looks at Goren. Bobby opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by the cathedral's doors swinging open and the music beginning to play.

Maria stepped lightly over the threshold, resplendent in ivory satin and a soft, flowing veil. Alex stood slightly behind her, dressed in a flowing pale blue gown. Bobby's heart stopped beating. His wife-to-be was breath-taking.

It's been a long and winding journey, but I'm finally here tonight
Picking up the pieces and walking back into the light
Into the sunset of your glory, where my heart and future lies
There's nothing like that feeling, when I look into your eyes.

Maria was terrified. She had considered running away; right there and then, but she caught sight of Bobby. He looked just as terrified as she did. Comforted by this thought, she began the long trek down the aisle.

My dreams came true, when I found you
I found you, my miracle…

'Wow, man, she's gorgeous,' Lewis whispered as the bride made her way up to the altar. Bobby, his mouth dry, nodded mutely. He'd never seen such an amazing sight.

If you could see, what I see
That you're the answer to my prayers
And if you, could feel
The tenderness I feel
You would know, it would be clear
That angels brought me here.

Maria reached his side and took his trembling hand gently. Bobby Goren swallowed and smiled. Such a beautiful creature cannot possibly love me, he thought. But the look in her eyes told him differently and they ascended the few stairs to the altar, where Father Rogers awaited them, beaming.

'Dear friends and family, we are here today to witness the marriage of two of New York's finest detectives, Maria Eames and Robert Goren,' the priest announced. Goren noticed that the music was still playing.

Standing here before you

Feels like I've been born again

Every breath is your love

And every heartbeat speaks your name.

My dreams came true

Right here in front of you

My miracle…

The couple exchanged vows and Bobby slipped the plain gold band onto Maria's left hand. He smiled at her, slightly startled to see tears streaming down her face. He squeezed her hand gently.

From the front pew, Daniel's hand closed over Alex's, who was crying quietly and on her second box of tissues.

'Shhh, it's okay,' Daniel whispered. Alex gave him a blood-shot smile and coughed.

If you, could see what I see,

That you're the answer to my prayers

And if you, could feel

The tenderness I feel

You would know, it would be clear

That Angels brought me here

Father Rogers stepped back, smiling from ear to ear.

My dreams came true, when I found you