Hello again. Here's another story. It's not the usual "SVU" stories, so I hope you can forgive me for being . . . imaginative. I would like to thank qt-angel for co-authoring this story. I hope it's okay.
Disclaimer: I didn't create the show.
"A Stabler Switch"
Chapter 1. It Starts with a Wish
Wednesday Evening"I'm going up to the crib. Elliot, go home, get some rest," Olivia said as she got out of her seat, and switched off her lamp. The room was dark, except for Elliot's desk lamp. The other desks were deserted; it was silent.
Elliot didn't move. He just kept staring at the mug shot. The expression on the man's face seemed to mock Elliot, making him feel like loser.
Olivia sighed and walked out of the room. Elliot's eyes started watering. Home? Why did he want to go home? There was nothing at home waiting for him. It had been another long hard day; they nailed a suspect, only to have him released back into the public because he didn't commit this particular crime. What was the point of this day? What was the point of every day? Maybe Liv was right when she said ' . . . you kill yourself, to make something happen. Or you do nothing and it doesn't matter. There's always another child molester. There's always another rapist. And it's like you have to sell a little piece of yourself to get the job done. So what the hell's the point?'
Elliot put away the mug shot, and picked up the photo of the victim. Eight year old Samantha Wright. She lay cold and pale on the autopsy table; the sheet covered her body.
/\
"Elliot," Elliot opened his eyes to find Munch standing next to him, "Good, you're awake!"
"Oh, sorry, I must have fallen asleep," Elliot apologized as he sat up straight. It was still dark, "What time is it?"
"A little past twelve," Munch answered and walked to his desk.
"What are you doing here? Where's Don?" Elliot asked.
"Forgot something. Capt.'s still in his office," Munch said from under his table.
Elliot groaned.
"So . . . you want to come?" Munch asked, walking over to Elliot's desk, and holding what he forgotten, a small book.
"Come where? In the middle of the night?" Elliot asked.
"Yes, in the middle of the night, that's the only way you can see it!" Munch said.
"See what?" Elliot asked, confused.
"Elliot! Didn't you hear me talk about it a few weeks ago?" Munch asked.
Elliot shook his head.
"Once every two hundred and fifty years, there is a rare celestial event! Now, my sources say that this celestial event started the whole 'wish upon a star' legend, because strange things occur during this celestial event, which starts, well, today!" Munch explained before heading to the roof. He then turned around. "Olivia and Fin are probably up there already. You're welcome to join us, unless you stay here, by yourself."
Elliot sighed, got up, and followed Munch up to the roof. The story of this celestial event was probably superstition, but maybe a change of scenery will do him some good. When Elliot and Munch reached the roof, they saw Olivia and Fin. They then greeted each other, and looked up at the sky. The sky was filled with stars, each one shining brightly. Some of the stars seemed to have a glowing veil surrounding them. Even in a busy city like New York, every star was clearly seen. It was as if the universe was showing humans that their artificial light would never surpass the natural light of the stars. The cold night wind blew shivers under Elliot's skin. Munch held onto the railing and stared at the night sky.
"It's beautiful," Olivia said.
"It sure is," Fin said. "However, if any of you start singing any Disney's songs, I'll have to hurt you."
That brought a chuckle to everyone.
"So, who's going to make a wish?" Munch asked, looking at the others.
"Why do we want to do that?" Fin asked.
"So we can test to see if the story is true or not," Munch said.
"I am not going to be a part of your 'test'," Fin said.
"Well, I made a wish," Munch said. "Something simple, yet important."
"Really? What did you wish for?" Fin asked.
"A sandwich," Munch said.
"A sandwich?" Fin exclaimed. "Why did you wish for a sandwich?"
"Because you owe me one three weeks ago, " Munch explained.
"What?" Fin asked.
"Don't you remember? We were on that case . . ." Munch started, as he and Fin walked back inside. Elliot and Olivia watched them leave.
"I'm going back inside to get some sleep. Look, if you're not going home, at least humor me, and get some rest," Olivia said.
"All right. I'll be there in a minute," Elliot said.
Olivia nodded back, and took once last look at the celestial event before heading inside.
When Olivia was gone, Elliot looked at the celestial even again. Wish, make a wish… There was so much he could wish for. Elliot knew it will never come true, but he had nothing else to lose. He closed his eyes and wished.
'I wish . . . I wish to see the world like a child,' Elliot wished. He had enough of dealing with suspects getting off easily, of the pressure, and seeing evil inside almost every person. 'I want to be free of this unhappiness. I want to see everything as kind, friendly, happy, and fun, like my son. I wish I could see the world the way Dickie does. That's what I wish for. I wish for innocence.'
"Elliot?" Olivia's voice broke Elliot's thoughts. Elliot opened his eyes, and turned around. Olivia came back for him, and was standing in the doorway, waiting for him.
"I'll be right there," Elliot said.
Elliot took one last look at the celestial event before he went back inside. Somehow he felt a little better. Maybe because he 'voiced' his feelings to something, but Elliot knew that it will not accomplish anything important. Elliot knew that wish would never come true.
/\
Dickie pecked through the curtains of his room. He had read about the celestial event and it's legend at school, and he wanted to make a wish. He crossed his fingers, and closed his eyes. 'I wish… I wish I could be like Dad.' He opened his eyes again and looked around his room. Disappointment swept across his mind and face. He sighed deeply. Nothing had changed. Everything was still the same. Lucky, tomorrow was a school holiday, but when he returns to school, everything would be the same; the kids at school would still tease him. However, if he were like his father, then it wouldn't happen; everyone would respect him because then he would be brave, strong, and a cop.
Footsteps broke his thoughts as he scrambled to get into bed. He lay there still, his heart pumping as his door opened and then closed. If his mother found out that he was still awake, who knows what she would have done.
/\
Thursday MorningMunch and Fin were already working on the case the next morning. Munch found out that an invitation was delivered to him. The invitation stated that he was randomly chosen to try out a new restaurant. Munch tried to convince Fin that this was proof that his wish came true, but Fin didn't want to hear it. Fin felt fortunate when the phone rang, and interrupted Munch's speech. It was a good thing Fin took the call; it was about something important.
"All right, thanks," Fin said, and finished his conversation on the phone. Munch looked up from his work to hear what Fin found out.
"I got some information on some kids who went missing in the same area as our victim; there might be a connection," Fin said. He then checked the time. "Isn't it time to get Olivia and Elliot?"
"Ah, yes, it is. Let's go wake them and tell them the happy news," Munch said.
Munch and Fin walked into the crib, and saw Olivia and Elliot asleep in separate beds. Fin walked over to Olivia and gently shook her on her shoulder.
"Olivia," Fin said, trying to wake her.
Olivia slowly blinked her eyes opened, as Fin removed his hand.
"Hey," Olivia said, seeing Munch and Fin. "Is it morning already?"
"I'm afraid so," Munch said, as Olivia sat up. Munch then looked at Elliot, who was still asleep. "Want me to wake him?"
"No, it's okay. I'll do it," Olivia said, as she got up and walked over to Elliot.
"Elliot," Olivia said softly over Elliot.
Elliot responded by shutting his eyes tighter, and mumbling a little in his sleep.
"Elliot," Olivia said, a little louder, trying the same technique Fin used to wake her.
Instead of waking up, Elliot just rolled over to the other side, and said something that Olivia, Fin, and Munch would never imagined Elliot saying.
"Just five more minutes, Mom. It's not even a school day," Elliot said.
(Gets out an umbrella to shield self from the thrown rotten fruits and vegetables). Please be polite for those who review. I know, dumb. If there's anything confusing or there are any mistakes, let me know, and I'll try to fix it. Thank you.