Close Calls

Summary: See ch1

Disclaimer: Not mine

A/N: SOOOO sorry that I took so long to post. This is, alas, the final chapter of this story. There is a sequal floating around in my head, but I'm not sure when I'll find the time to write it, but it will be out eventually so keep an eye out for it!! Anway, I hope that you all enjoyed the ride, and tell me what u think!!!

The Future

"You did great Olivia." Casey beamed outside the court room. She joined Elliot and Olivia in the hall as soon as court let out for the day.

"You think you'll win this one?" Olivia asked as she tightened her jacked and prepared to brave the NY winter.

"I think your testimony definitely put us ahead for now." Casey answered.

"I just told the truth." Olivia exhaled.

Elliot pushed open the door, and held it for the two women. As soon as Olivia stepped out she was swarmed by reporters.

"Detective, is it true that you were almost raped?"

"Why didn't you see your attacker, aren't you trained to be alert at all times?"

"Did William Richards really attack you?"

"Is it true that you had a personal vendetta against Mr. Richards?"

The questions flew up at Olivia like a bullet out of a gun. She was frazzled with all the attention, and didn't know what to do.

"No comment." Elliot yelled above all the voices, and pushed Olivia through the crowd. He and Casey worked to push cameras out of Olivia's face all the way down the steps of the courthouse until they reached the side walk and made their way around the corner.

"You okay Liv?" Elliot asked as soon as they were out of the limelight.

"Yeah, no I'm fine. I just…" She began.

"Just what?" He asked, closing the gap between them a little.

"You think anyone will trust me to have their back again?" She asked.

"I do." Elliot smiled. "Come on, I'll buy you a drink and take you home." He offered.

Olivia smiled, and answered, "You know, you don't have to get me drunk to get me into bed anymore."

"Okay, too much information." Casey butted in with a laugh.

"Come on Case, I'll buy you a drink too." Elliot smiled.

"Okay, but I am not getting into bed with either of you!" She said light heartedly as Elliot stepped between them, draped his arms over both of their shoulders, and walked them down the street.

A few nights after Olivia testified she found herself alone in her apartment. Elliot had to stay late at the 1-6, so she decided to turn the night into cleaning night.

She had changed into a pair of sweat pants and a tee shirt as soon as she got to her apartment, and had scrubbed every room in her house. All she had left to do was the dusting in the living room.

As she placed the final picture back on the table she had just dusted, she heard Elliot's key in the door.

"What are you doing here?" She asked when she saw him let himself in.

"Nice to see you too." He mocked.

"Sorry, it's just that my other boyfriend is supposed to be coming over to night so…" She smiled as she walked over to him, and wrapped her arms around his neck to kiss him.

"Oh, now I'm gonna have to beat him up, and get blood on my new shirt." Elliot smiled after she pulled away.

"So, seriously, what are you doing here? I thought you had to work late." She asked again, pulling away to put her cleaning supplies away.

"Casey came by the station." He said, hanging up his coat and following her into the kitchen.

"So clearly that means you had to leave and come here." Olivia mocked.

"Well if you would be patient, I could finish my story." Elliot answered in the same teasing tone.

"Fine, I'm listening." Olivia smiled as she folded her arms in front of her chest and leaned against the counter.

"She wanted to tell you, but I beat her in a thumb war." He smiled.

"Tell me what?" Olivia questioned.

"Jury found Richards guilty on all charges." He smiled.

Olivia was silent; she just started at Elliot in disbelief.

She had expected him to be found guilty on some of the charges, but not all of them. A flood of relief washed over her.

"Good." She finally choked hoarsely. "Bastard deserves to be punished for what he did."

"I'm proud of you. You know that?" Elliot asked, walking across the kitchen and pulling her into his arms.

"Thank you, and I love you." She answered, relaxing into his embrace.

"Come on Benson, let's go to bed." He whispered, walking the two into her bedroom.

Olivia laid snuggled into Elliot's warm embrace. As she felt his warm, steady, sleeping breath on the back of her neck she realized how much she had to cherish in her life.

Billy Richards was going to go to jail, where he belonged; and she was lying in the arms of someone who she loved, and truly loved her in return. She could be herself around him, be vulnerable around him, cry around him, or laugh around him. He could always make her smile, and that was a difficult thing to do. For all she knew, these could be the last arms she would ever fall asleep in, and surprisingly enough, she was okay with that; even more, she was ecstatic about that!

As she peacefully drifted off to sleep Olivia Benson thought about the future, and all that it held for her. For the first time, ever, she wasn't afraid, but excited for what was in store for her in the future.

The End

like I said, I have an idea for a sequal, please be patient with me, I've just been loaded down with school work. Like I said this whole college thing is not easy! I'm hoping to have some time to type over thanksgiving break in 4 weeks, and maybe get something posted then. If not, I will def get something up around Christmas, yeah a whole month off with nothing to do!!!!

Thanks for everyone who reviewed, and stuck with me even though I was HORRIBLE with the updates lately! Anyway, I hope that you all check back for the sequal, and if you haven't read my other stories, check them out! And don't forget to keep ur eye out for a sequal, I'm not sure what the title will be yet, but it will be coming!

Amanda