Casey was a nervous wreck. She was sitting on her office couch rubbing her stomach and fingering her locket. She had just gotten word that John had been taken hostage at the building.

She tried to remind herself that he would be okay, but she just felt scared. More scared than she had ever felt before. She reached for the locket and opened it. As she saw John's picture, she let out a sob.

"John…please be alright…" She closed it and started to cry.

John was sitting in a chair with his hands tied behind his back. He had a bruised cheek and he felt dizzy. He could hear the sirens outside.

His thoughts went to Casey. "Does she know? Please, let her be alright…" He thought. His fingers found the gold band on his left hand. He rubbed it gently, almost feeling Casey's touch as she put it there.

Just then, he heard a loud crash and crouched as much as he could. His eyes squeezed shut as he heard two shots fired. The next thing he heard was the beating of his own heart. Then he felt Olivia untying his wrists. "John, relax, we got them."

John rubbed his wrists. "Take me to see Casey."

"We have to get you to a hospital."

"Casey first." He said firmly. "Then I'll go to the hospital."

Olivia knew now was not the time to argue. An ambulance was already there, and they said he was well enough to go home. She took him to Casey's office.

John took the steps two at a time to Casey's office, where he saw her crying softly on the couch. "Casey!"

She looked up and ran to him. "John!" She threw her arms around him and held him tight. He kissed her head gently and pulled her into a hug. "Oh, John, thank God you're alright! I was so afraid I'd lost you!" She sobbed.

"Shh, I'm alright." He whispered. "I'm here. I'm okay."

"John, I love you." She cried, kissing his neck.

He kissed her back. "I love you too, Casey."

Olivia looked on with a small smile. She took John's statement and sent them home.

John and Casey were lying in bed when Casey spoke. "I went to the doctor today."

John looked up, worried. "Oh, I completely forgot! What did the doctor say?"

She smiled. "That my first trimester is over."

He grinned and kissed her. "Oh, that's wonderful! Everything's really going to be okay!"

"I'm in the fourth month. She said next time we'll be able to tell what it…OH!" She sat up with a cry. He sat up with her, not knowing if she was in pain.

"What is it?"

She smiled through tears as she reached for his hand. "John, feel!"

She placed his hand on her stomach, and he felt a few pressures. Tears started in his eyes as he realized the baby was kicking. "It's kicking…our baby…"

They started laughing and crying at the same time, overjoyed at the sensation.

It was now the fifth month of Casey's pregnancy. John was very cranky because it was time for her ultrasound and he couldn't be with her because he had to work.

"Good news, Bragg got 45 years." Cragen said.

John exhaled loudly. "Good. That bastard had it coming."

Just then, Casey walked in. "Last call for bets on the sex of the baby!"

John stood up and ran to her. "Casey! What is it?"

She smiled. "Everyone guess first."

Fin looked at her. "I think it's a girl."

Olivia touched her stomach gently. "I'd say boy."

Elliot rubbed it too. "My wife always hung a little low when she had girls, so I'd say girl, too."

"I think it's a girl." John said. "Now tell us!"

She smiled widely. "The daddies know best. Say hello to little Juliet!"

Everyone shouted with delight as John kissed her deeply. "That's wonderful!"

He touched her stomach. "Hello, Juliet…" He whispered.

Casey was in the seventh month now, and her OBGYN had ordered her on bedrest. John set up the bed as comfortably as he could, and made sure that he could be home as much as he possibly could to take care of her.

Casey got into bed gently. She rubbed her stomach, which had grown very large. John laid down next to her. "Can I get you anything?"

"A cup of tea would be nice."

He kissed her. "You got it." He rubbed her stomach. "It's all going to be okay."

She laid her hand on top of his. "It sure will."

They kissed and John went to get her tea. "You're going to be a beautiful, healthy baby…I'll love you the second you come out." She whispered.

It was now the ninth month of Casey's pregnancy. John was on leave because she was due any day now. They had the bag ready for the hospital and they had arranged for their friends to meet them when the time came. Casey wanted them all to be there when she had the baby.

John was snoring softly when she felt Casey's hand shake him awake.

"John…John!" She whispered urgently.

"Uhmn…" He moaned. "What is it?"

"It's time."

"Time for what?" He mumbled.

"The baby, I think it's time!"

He immediately sat up. "Honey, are you sure?"

"My contractions have started. My water just broke. It's TIME."

John kissed her and they rushed to get dressed. After getting the bag and getting in the car, John pulled out his cell.

"Stabler." Elliot said tiredly as he answered the phone.

"Elliot, It's John. Call the others and get to Mercy Hospital. Casey's in labor."

He felt much more awake. "You got it, we'll be right there."

He closed his phone and shook Olivia. "Liv! Wake up, Casey's in labor!"

She bolted out of bed. "What are you waiting for, let's go!"

John walked into the hospital room where Casey was prepped for childbirth. "How are you feeling, honey?" He sat on a chair beside her and took her hand.

"The doctor said we did everything right." She breathed. "We don't need a C-Section."

He kissed her hand. "Thank God."

She turned to him. "You'll be here, right?"

"I'll be by your side the whole time. And I'll let you squeeze my hand and everything. It's going to be okay."

She smiled. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He kissed her.

The nurse walked in. "Mr. Munch? Some people out here to see you."

Casey told him to go say hi to them. "I'll be right back." He promised.

John walked out where Elliot, Olivia, Fin, and Cragen were standing in the waiting room. "How is she?" Cragen asked.

"She's ready, we're just waiting on the baby."

"Congratulations, John." Fin said, giving his partner a rare hug.

"Thanks." He looked at Elliot and Olivia with an amused look. "And you owe me fifty bucks."

Fin looked at Elliot and Olivia and burst out laughing. "I guess I do!"

The two looked confused. "What's going on? Why?"

John started laughing as well. "You've got each others clothes on!"

The two just then realized that Olivia was wearing one of Elliot's suits, and Elliot was wearing Olivia's suits. "I thought this was a little tight on me…" Elliot said sheepishly.

Olivia blushed. "I guess you caught us."

The nurse came out. "Mr. Munch? It's time."

He took a last look at his friends and went back into the room.

-TO BE CONTINUED-