Chapter 13- Homecoming

Thanks to JennBenn3148 and idinakristenfan, for reviewing!

Special thanks to Sergeant Happy Bunny.

Disclaimer: I don't own or profit from any of these characters or this story.

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Olivia and Elliot were allowed to take Emily home. Emily was very hyper after spending so much time in bed.

"Daddy, can we go hit in the batting cages?" She bubbled.

Elliot laughed. "First day out of the hospital and you're ready for that?" he asked, lifting his daughter up to his shoulders.

Olivia smiled at the sight of them. She never expected to end up where she was. It was a dream come true. Not so long ago, Elliot had been her partner and friend…nothing more. Now they were more than that. They were married and Olivia wasn't sleeping alone at night anymore. She couldn't help but stare at Elliot with eyes full of adoration.

"What do you say, Liv?" Elliot asked, glancing back at his wife.

Olivia smiled at him. "I don't see why not." She replied, walking up to ruffle her daughter's hair.

"YAY!" Emily squealed, clapping her hands.

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"Hey I can give you a ride home." Casey said, as Alex ran a brush through her hair.

"Hey thanks Casey." Alex said with a smile, "For everything."

Casey flashed her a smile. "Hey that's what friends are for."

Alex eased her duffel bag onto her good shoulder. Casey and Munch had packed it for her and brought it back for her while Alex had been in the waiting room. Fin had done her a favor and taken her children home. It took some getting used to for Alex, having to worry about where her infants were all the time. It was different some the independent lifestyle she usually led.

Casey fished her car keys out of her purse. "Ready to go?" She asked.

"Almost." Alex replied, moving to the bedside table. She glanced down at the paper Olivia had given her and pocketed it.

"Now I am." She stated while Casey quirked an eyebrow.

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Olivia and Elliot pulled into the driveway of their house with the radio turned on. Emily was a fan of Kelly Clarkson, so "Behind These Hazel Eyes" was blasting through the speakers. Emily was singing in the backseat. Olivia let loose as well and was belting out the song at the top of her lungs. Elliot didn't know whether to laugh or to buy himself a pair of earplugs.

"Mommy…I thought we were going to the batting cage." Emily said softly as her mother opened the car door.

Olivia and Elliot traded smiles.

"We have a surprise for you." Olivia said with a grin.

Emily's eyes widened. She followed her parents into the house where she was greeted with a warm wet tongue.

"Surprise!" Screamed Elliot's other kids. Maureen, Kathleen, Lizzie, and Dickie were wearing broad smiles on their faces as the baby of the family walked into the room.

Emily squealed, wrapping her arms around the black lab puppy that was furiously wagging his tail.

"What do you want to name it?" Elliot asked, kneeing down beside his youngest.

Emily looked thoughtful. "Mmm…Hippo!" she exclaimed.

Silence.

"Uhh…" Maureen started.

"Just kidding," Emily laughed. "Let's name him Blackie."

The family fell into fits of laughter and recrowded around the new member of the family and Emily's homecoming.

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Casey was in her office. After driving Alex home, she had offered to stay with her and help with the twins, but Alex had driven her out, insisting Casey needed a break and some sleep.

Casey was wide awake, however. Her mind couldn't comprehend how close she had come to dying, only to be saved. She leaned her head into her hands. Her mind traveled back to that day at the courthouse when they had a shootout. It never ended with her job. There was always someone out there to commit another heinous crime, and there was always someone who had put price on all of the squad's heads.

A knock came at the door and Munch poked his head in.

"Detective." She greeted, standing on the line between friend and coworker, unsure which under Munch wanted to talk to her.

"Hey Red." He said with a smile, sitting down across from her.

Casey relaxed, easing into friend mode. "Watcha need?" She asked, shuffling some papers to the corner of her desk.

"I don't think it's about what I need. I think it's about what you need." Munch replied. "Something's bothering you and it's not the job."

"You know me too well." Casey mused.

Munch quirked an eyebrow. "Or maybe you're easy to read."

"Yeah right." Casey laughed.

"Tell me." Munch said turning serious. "What's bothering you?"

Casey sighed, giving in. She found it difficult to open up, but out of all the members of the squad, she had bonded with Munch, and she trusted him.

"There's always someone out to get us." Casey began. "Always someone to commit a crime and always someone out there to try and get revenge on us. How do we lead a normal life when everyone we come in contact with gets put in danger?"

Munch moved around her desk to wrap his arm around her shoulders. "We try our best." Munch said, sounding very much unlike his cynical self.

He had been bitter and single for so long, it didn't bother him anymore, but Casey was young. She had a long life ahead of her and the prospect of her spending it alone was a sad aspect. Munch noticed the way she looked a Huang. He knew she had a crush.

"Hey look Red, sometimes you just have to take the chance. It's better than not loving at all and regretting it." He preached.

Casey glanced down at her desk. Her thought traveling somewhere else. "You know don't you?" She asked.

"Yeah." He said.

"Am I that obvious?" She asked.

"No, but I've been on this job a long time and well, I notice things." He said with a wry grin. "Go for it girly."

Casey glanced at him. "You're the one who got the garter belt."

"I gave it to Fin." He chuckled. "He could use some luck."

Casey rolled his eyes, getting up. "I'm going home." She said heading toward the bathroom. She had to change before she could bike home. Biking in her suit was not a good idea.

"Kay." Munch said, getting up to go too.

"Yeah good night." Casey said, turning back to lock her office door.

"Yeah and Casey?"

"Hmm?"

"Think about what I said." Munch said.

"Yeah." She said, nodding and then walking away.

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How was that? Lol. I thought maybe Munch would be too old for Casey so maybe Huang would fit. Hehe…I will write more about them. Last minute idea. Remember the beginning where I mentioned Emily wanting a puppy. Tada! Lol. Sorry having fun here. So next chapter. Will Alex bring back Jackson? Would it go against everything she believes in? Find out! R&R!